EU asylum rules

Proposals fall far short of overhaul and raise serious fundamental rights concerns

The European Commission today presented proposals for reforming the EU's system of asylum rules. Commenting on the proposed reforms, Green asylum spokesperson Jean Lambert said: "Despite the widespread acknowledgement that the EU's Dublin system of asylum rules is not fit for the task, the Com...

Greens/EFA Round up

Debriefing of the Strasbourg plenary week 11-15 April 2016

Greens/EFA priorities for the Strasbourg plenary included air passenger data retention (PNR); strengthening data protection in the EU; Erasmus+ scheme; ensuring sustainable fisheries beyond EU waters; the refugee crisis and the EU-Turkey agreement; Panama Leaks: tax evasion and money laundering in the EU; the vote on the possible reapproval of glyphosate; Poland and the rule of law; EU trade secrets rules and the implications of whistleblowers; energy poverty: tackling poverty in the face of increasing household costs.

EU-Turkey

Turkey's democratic backslide condemned by EU Parliament

The European Parliament today adopted its annual progress report on Turkey's EU accession process. Commenting on the report, Green foreign policy spokesperson and Turkey expert Bodil Valero said: "The European Parliament has today highlighted its concerns with the backsliding on democratic norm...

Eastern Partnership

EU must engage for peaceful solution in Nagorno Karabakh

The European Parliament debated the current crisis in Nagorno Karabakh on Tuesday evening (12 April). In the context of the debate Green MEPs called for a renewed push to ensure a peaceful solution of the issue in the context of stalled international negotiations via the OSCE and urged the EU to pro...

The Greens/EFA Co-Presidents' briefing

12.04.2016

LIVE press conference 12 April 2016 10:30-10:50

Greens/EFA co-presidents Rebecca Harms and Philippe Lamberts present the key issues of the plenary session and of the European agenda for the Greens/EFA group

Refugees: another challenge for universal health in the EU

07.04.2016

Round-table organised by EFA MEP Jordi Sebastià

Agenda 11.00 - 11.10 - Welcome Jordi Sebastià MEP, Primavera Europea (Greens/EFA) Florent Marcellesi, Spokesperson EQUO-Europa 11.10 - 12.00 - Round Table Speakers: Stephane Vandam, Public Health Officer, World Health Organisation Isabel de la Mata, Principal Adviser for Health and Crisis mana...

Refugee crisis

EU-Turkey deal undermines international law and human rights

The EU-Turkey agreement to return refugees in Greece to Turkey, which has been implemented since Monday, will be discussed in the European Parliament's civil liberties and home affairs committee today. Ahead of the debate, Greens/EFA co-president Rebecca Harms said: "The situation regarding the...

Dutch referendum

EU must find way to maintain crucial Ukraine agreement

Commenting on the outcome of the Dutch referendum on the EU-Ukraine agreement, Greens/EFA co-president Rebecca Harms said:"Ukrainian citizens and civil society have bravely pushed to reform their country, to achieve stable democracy and the rule of law for their country. The EU-Ukraine Associat...

EU asylum policy

EU Commission sets out piecemeal changes

The European Commission today presented its proposals for reforming the EU's asylum system. Commenting on the proposals, Green migration spokesperson Jean Lambert said: "The unravelling chaos in Greece and Turkey has underlined for the umpteenth time that a comprehensive European solution to th...

EU-Turkey deal - main concerns and alternatives

Briefing paper

EU summit

Legally dubious agreement with Turkey

Speaking after the EU heads of state and government agreed deal that will see thousands of refugees in Greece forced to return to Turkey with little or no chance to apply for asylum, Greens/EFA co-president Philippe Lamberts said: “This agreement falls far short of what needs to be done to find a...

EU summit

Greens/EFA co-president Philippe Lamberts at the European Council

Greens/EFA co-president Philippe Lamberts will be attending the European Council on 17/18 March. Philippe will be arriving at the summit at 16.15 and will be available for interviews and questions in the press area. Ahead of the summit, Greens/EFA co-president Philippe Lamberts said: "EU leader...