Foreign affairs

A Greens/EFA take on the plenary week

Plenary week, 17-19 June 2020

Greens/EFA priorities for the plenary week included anti-racism protests following the death of George Floyd, Hong Kong, sustainable investment/taxonomy, tax sub-committee, the Disability Strategy, the animal transport inquiry committee, investigation against the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic on the misuse of EU funds and potential conflicts of interest, the Future of Europe, recovery/MFF, land grabbing and deforestation in the Amazonas, Brexit, Eastern Partnership and European Council.

EU must not tolerate encroachment on autonomy

Hong Kong Security Law

Ahead of tomorrow's (Thursday 18 June) plenary debate and vote on the resolution on the situation in Hong Kong and national security law (Friday 19 June), Greens/EFA, along with EPP, S&D, Renew and ECR, call on EU governments and the European Commission to make it clear to China's leadership that the EU is not prepared to respond with "business as usual" in the face of the violation of Hong Kong's autonomy and freedoms.

The Eastern Partnership

Future Made to Measure

As the EaP turned 10 last year, the EU and several stakeholders are trying to formulate the priorities for the future or at least the coming 10 years of the EaP. The EU-EaP Summit on 19 June 2020 will give a major impulse to this debate. Thus, the EP is working on a Recommendation to the other EU institutions in the run-up to the summit. Read the Greens/EFA WG AFET position and vision

Hong Kong

EU Foreign Ministers must condemn Beijing's attacks on Hong Kong's autonomy

The EU foreign ministers must strongly condemn Beijing's attacks on Hong Kong’s autonomy. For the EU, as a community of values, such a restriction of civil liberties is unacceptable.

Greens/EFA group propose €5 trillion sustainable recovery plan

Corona crisis

Tuesday 28 April, the Greens/EFA group has just released an in-depth sustainable recovery plan for the EU to exit the Corona virus crisis. The Greens/EFA group are calling for a €5 trillion green recovery to build a more resilient, sustainable, and fairer future for Europe and the world.

Greens/EFA Recovery and Resilience Plan

More than ever, we Europeans see the importance of strong cooperation and solidarity to face collective economic, social and environmental threats. More than ever we Europeans understand the immeasurable value of well-funded and well-run public services and safety nets that underpin stable and inclusive societies and economies that truly work for all people.

What world do we want to return to?

Greens/EFA Recovery and Resilience Plan

More than ever, people in Europe and everywhere understand that with solidarity and cooperation we can overcome the COVID-19 crisis. Together, we can make another European and global future, one that is more socially, economically and environmentally resilient. Read our plan

Kosovo: Vote of no confidence amid Corona crisis

Quote from Viola von Cramon-Taubadel MEP

The current political turmoil in Kosovo and the Corona pandemic should not be used to any individual politician's advantage. Kosovo needs a stable government that can lead its citizens through these times of uncertainty and crisis.

Member States to debate start of accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia next Tuesday

Quote from Reinhard Bütikofer MEP & Tineke Strik MEP

Opening accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania is crucial to rebuild EU credibility in the Western Balkans and to ensure countries in the region maintain and strengthen trust in our common European future. The EU must demonstrate its ability to move forward particularly in this time of crisis.

Europe must protect human rights and the rule of law

Situation on the Greece-Turkey border

"It is shameful that refugees are beaten away at European borders with batons and tear gas and when the Greek military conjures up civil war-like scenes against refugees," comments Greens/EFA co-president Ska Keller.

A look on the plenary week

Greens/EFA priorities - session 10-13 February 2020

A look ahead to the plenary session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg and the Greens/EFA priority issues on the agenda

Commission's enlargement proposals on Western Balkans

Quotes from Viola von Cramon MEP & Reinhard Bütikofer MEP

There is a chance it seems, that there will be a new dynamic in the EU’s enlargement policy. Hopefully that will result in finally opening accession talks with both North Macedonia and Albania during the Croatian presidency. The new methodology for enlargement negotiations that the Commission proposes will only be acceptable if it would be combined with a removal of the vetoes