Security

Development policy being militarised through the back door

Legal Affairs committee approves dubious interpretation of EU Treaties

"It is deeply concerning that development policy risks being militarised through the back door. The view supported by the majority of the Legal Affairs committee is quite at odds with the arguments put forward by the Parliament’s own legal services," says Heidi Hautala.

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Prime example of misguided EU security policy

European entry and exit system

The world won't be made safer by putting all tourists and business people under blanket supervision, says Jan Philipp Albrecht.

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@jacob-valerio

Grand coalition opens the door to misuse of civilian tools and development funds

EU Military Capacity Building in third countries

"It would be nothing short of scandalous if development money were to be diverted to the European defence industry in the future," says Bodil Valero.

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Greens/EFA Round up

Debriefing of the Strasbourg plenary week 3-6 July 2017

Greens/EFA priorities for the Strasbourg Plenary included: Longer lifetimes for products would benefit consumers and business; Country by country reporting will help deliver tax justice; Endocrine Disrupters definition not fit for purpose; “PIF” directive will help Union in the fight against fraud; New parliamentary committee on terrorism; Turkey: EU progress incompatible with proposed constitutional reforms; Marrakesh Treaty - copyright exceptions on books for the blind or visually impaired; Refugees and migration.

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Jeremy Brooks (CC BY-NC 2.0)

MEPs sharply criticize human rights violations in Turkey

Turkey

“The clear criticism on President Erdogan is also a clear message to those Turkish people who are standing up against the authoritarian course of the Turkish president," says Greens/EFA co-president, Ska Keller.

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Anti-terror measures must not put fundamental rights at risk

New parliamentary committee on terrorism

The Greens/EFA group has ensured that the new committee will carefully assess the effects of security measures on fundamental rights.

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Bundeswehr/Modes (CC BY 2.0)

European Commission defence proposals

More cooperation needed instead of cash injection for arms industry

We do not need more money for the defence industry, much less a new arms fund. When the EU Member States pool projects, money is saved and our defence is better and more efficient.

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Amaury Laporte (CC BY-NC 2.0)

As sources signal Trump likely to pull out, all parties must stand together

Paris Agreement

It seems likely that Donald Trump will this week announce the US's intention to leave the Paris climate deal agreed in 2015.

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EU Council CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Eurogroup needs to follow through on commitments to Greece

Greece

"Greek people continue to suffer under largely harmful reforms and failure to agree on debt relief does nothing to improve the situation," says Greens/EFA MEP Sven Giegold.

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Chechnya

The Atrocities On Our Doorstep

Greens/EFA call on Russian authorities to take action

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European Union

Crisis in Syria

Plenary speech by EFA MEP Jordi Solé

EFA MEP Jordi Solé takes part in the European Parliament debate on the crisis in Syria, Strasbourg 16 May 2017.

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MEP calls for Syria war crimes tribunal

EFA Press Release from Jordi Solé MEP (Catalonia)

  MEP Jordi Solé (Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya) has called for the EU to support the establishment of a Syrian war crimes tribunal to ensure crimes against humanity committed during the conflict do not go unpunished. The MEP – a member of the EFA Group in the Europea...

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