Yes to Turkey visa liberalisation, but not at any price

Press release from EFA MEP Ernest Maragall

Greens/EFA MEP Ernest Maragall, a member of the European Parliament's Delegation for relations with Turkey, has spoken out in support of liberalising EU visa conditions for Turkish citizens to visit Europe. But the Catalan MEP said that visa liberalisation should not be approved until the Turkish s...

The Catalan Path to Independence

19.04.2016

An International Perspective

Hosted by: MEP Josep-Maria Terricabras MEP Ernest Maragall MEP Ramon Tremosa Speakers: Krystyna Schreiber - Journalist & author of Die Übersetzung der Unabhängigkeit Dr Franz Schausberger - Former governor of Salzburg & Founder of European Institute of Regions Professor Klaus-Jür...

Debate on the future of Europe

06.04.2016

Part 1 - The (dire) state of the Union

From Ukraine to Syria, in a terror-stricken context, from refugees to economic imbalances, the accumulation of the internal and external crises, is laying bare the current limits of EU integration and intergovernmental solutions. Solidarity is receding and with it the spirit of European integration. Citizens’ disconnection from the institutions has morphed into strong anti-establishment populist movements, often of the worst radical right colours. And foreign powers do not shy from fanning the flames of the internal crises, fostering further EU destabilisation.

EU referendum

EU reform shouldn't stop at Cameron's deal

Commenting following the conclusion of the EU summit and David Cameron's announcement to hold the UK's EU referendum on 23 June, Greens/EFA co-presidents Rebecca Harms and Philippe Lamberts stated: "Now that we know the date of the UK referendum on its membership of the EU, it is time for the ...

Spain's 'attack on Catalan democracy'

European Free Alliance (EFA) Press release

European politicians from the European Free Alliance (EFA) have strongly criticised a decision of the Spanish constitutional court to suspend the functions of Catalonia's Minister of Foreign Affairs for five months. The Spanish government brought the case arguing that Catalonia's appointment of a Fo...

Greens/EFA Round up

Debriefing of the Strasbourg plenary week 1-5 February 2016

Greens/EFA priorities for the Strasbourg plenary included car pollution laws and real driving emissions tests, controversial TiSA services agreement, health damaging endocrine disruptors and Commission inaction, EU Corporate Tax Package, Schengen and Europe's asylum shame, Brexit, opposing GMO feed approvals and reforming the system, and the EU-Kosovo progress report.

Celtic United Front on UK EU Referendum

EFA Press release from Alyn Smith (SNP) & Jill Evans (Plaid Cymru)

MEPs Alyn Smith, Martina Anderson and Jill Evans representing the SNP, Sinn Fein and Plaid Cymru have today (Wednesday) intervened in a European Parliament debate on the EU proposals which may form a basis for agreement to be presented by the UK Prime Minster in a referendum on EU membership. All ag...

Environmental Justice in Turkey

27.01.2016

Megaprojects in the Framework of Democracy and Rule of Law in Turkey and the EU

The Turkish government has invested in several construction projects which violate environmental legislation and will have devastating effects on the eco-system. In order to raise awareness about the environmental effects of these projects and to advocate for greater compliance with EU environmental legislation, a mixed delegation of Turkish legal experts and environmental activists will visit Brussels with an aim to strengthening networks with their European counterparts.

Regional clusters can help drive growth

EFA MEPs met Mikel Irujo, Delegate of the Government of Navarra in Brussels, to discuss sub-state government networks in the European Union. They looked at new initiatives backed by the European Commission which focus on the approach of clustering regions. EFA MEPs with Mikel Irujo (centre) Mr Iruj...

"Lies and Double Standards" on Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine

EFA MEP Tatjana Ždanoka from Latvia has criticised the 'lies and double standards' applied to the EU's relations with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Ms Ždanoka was speaking during a debate at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on the progress of the three countries towards the EU, following the...

Silesia and the situation in Poland

As MEPs hold a debate on the situation in Poland with Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo, MEPs from the EFA Group have highlighted concerns with Poland's treatment of its Silesian minority. The debate focusses on the state of the rule of law in Poland, following the election of the right wing...

Situation in Poland - the Silesian minority

Press release from EFA MEP Josep-Maria Terricabras (Catalonia)

President of the EFA Group in the European Parliament, Josep-Maria Terricabras, intervened in a debate about the situation in Poland to raise the issue of the country's Silesian minority and the denial of minority rights. The debate was held at the European Parliament in Strasbourg in the pre...