Arms exports

MEPs call for stronger controls, and measures to prevent arms getting to violent regimes and terrorists

The European Parliament's foreign affairs committee yesterday evening adopted a report setting out its assessment of how EU rules on arms exports are being implemented. Commenting after the vote, Green MEP Bodil Valero, who is the European Parliament's rapporteur/draftsperson for the report, said: ...

Welcome for EU guidelines on Israel settlements in Palestine

Press release from EFA MEP Alyn Smith (SNP)

Alyn Smith MEP, Scottish member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, welcomed today (Wednesday) the release of the EU guidelines on the import of produce from illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, but said they should be improved and extended to...

EU-Turkey

Decision to withhold report critical on Turkey's progress regretted

The European Commission today presented its annual progress report on Turkey's EU accession process in the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee today. Commenting on the report, Green foreign policy spokesperson and Turkey expert Bodil Valero said: "Today's report confirms the backsli...

EU-Kosovo

EU report overshadowed by failed UNESCO membership bid

The European Commission today presented its progress reports on the EU candidate countries. Commenting on the Kosovo report, Green MEP and EP rapporteur/draftsperson on Kosovo Ulrike Lunacek * stated: “The EU progress report has been considerably overshadowed by yesterday's narrow rejection of Kos...

Turkish election

Fundamental principles of democratic elections undermined

Commenting on the outcome of the election in Turkey, Greens/EFA co-presidents Rebecca Harms and Philippe Lamberts said: "Fundamental principles of democratic elections have been undermined in this election. While Erdogan has succeeded in his strategy, the AKP victory was not achieved via a fair...

Greens/EFA Round up

Debriefing of the Strasbourg plenary week 26-29 October 2015

Greens/EFA priorities for the Brussels plenary included EP tax investigation; preventing the trade in torture products; strengthening the European citizens' initiative; refugee crisis and EU governments' response; Diesel gate and the EU car pollution rules; A real end to roaming and protection of net neutrality; Commission work programme and better regulation; Gender equality at the European Court of Justice; Reforming GMO food and feed authorisations in Europe; EU air pollution rules; Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought.

The Greens/EFA Co-Presidents' briefing

27.10.2015

LIVE press conference 27 october 2015 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

Greens/EFA group calls for greater EU engagement with the Arab Community in Israel

in the face of a new cycle of deadly violence, reaching out to the minority communities in Israel and addressing the occupation are critical for peace

On Wednesday 14th of October, Greens/EFA Members met with Mossawa Center Director, Jafar Farah and other members of the Palestinian Arab community in Israel. During the meeting, they discussed the current situation in Israel and Palestine and the possibility of strengthening cooperation.

EU summit

Erdogan as EU’s border guard-in-chief

At the EU summit last night, EU heads of state and government committed to an agreement with Turkey on the response to the refugee crisis. The agreement would include €3bn in funding for Turkey, a simplified visa procedure and the opening of further chapters in Turkey's EU accession negotiations. ...

Saudi Arabia/human rights

Raif Badawi chosen on shortlist for Sakharov Prize 2015

The shortlist for the 2015 Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought was today selected by the European Parliament's foreign affairs, development and human rights committees (1). The shortlist includes Saudi Arabian online activist Raif Badawi, who was nominated by the Greens/EFA group for this year's p...

Turkey attack

MEPs call for impartial investigation in cross-political letter to Turkish PM

Over 50 MEPs from different political groups have co-signed a letter to Turkish Prime Minister Davutoğlu calling for a 'full and impartial investigation' of the recent Ankara bombings. The letter expresses concern for the escalation of violence in Turkey and condemns attacks on innocent civilian p...

Situation in Ukraine

Plenary speech by Rebecca Harms