Security

Freedom flotilla - call to release Gaza blockade activists

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

President of the EFA Group in the European Parliament Josep-Maria Terricabras has paid tribute to those involved in the 'Freedom Flotilla' and called for a peaceful end to the blockade of Gaza. Israeli armed forces intercepted the ship 'Marianne' early this morning and it is now being escorted to th...

Greens/EFA Round up

Debriefing of the Strasbourg plenary week 8-11 June 2015

Greens/EFA priorities for the Brussels plenary included TTIP vote and debate; the situation in Hungary; EU-Russia relations; Azerbaijan, human rights and the Baku Games; Turkey's shifting relations with the EU; FIFA corruption case; an EU strategy on equality between women and men post 2015; investigative journalism fund...

EU-Russia report

Sanctions must be maintained until Minsk agreement respected

The European Parliament today adopted a report on EU-Russia relations, including  a clear call for sanctions to be maintained. After the vote, Green foreign policy spokesperson Tamas Meszerics said: "The European Parliament has today clearly called for sanctions on Russia to be maintained ...

Situation in Syria, in particular in Palmyra and the case of Mazen Darwish

Greens/EFA motion for resolution

Tabled by Barbara Lochbihler, Davor Skrlec, Karima Delli, Ernest Urtasun, Eva Joly, Bronis Rope, Bodil Ceballos, Reinhard Butikofer on behalf of the Greens/EFA group The European Parliament, –    having regard to its previous resolutions on Syria, including on the destruction of cul...

The situation in Nepal after the earthquakes

Greens/EFA motion for resolution

Tabled by Jean Lambert, Barbara Lochbihler, Ernest Urtasun on behalf of the Greens/EFA group The European Parliament, -        having regard to the statement by the UN humanitarian coordinator on 4 June stating that international funding in support of Nepal remains...

Turkey

Election outcome gives hope for Turkish democracy

Commenting on the results of Sunday's parliamentary election in Turkey, Greens/EFA co-president Rebecca Harms said:"This vote gives hope for democracy and human rights in Turkey. After the dramatic lurch by Turkish president Erdogan away from basic democratic norms and values in the recent past...

EFA - Visit to Israel and Palestine

Blog by EFA MEP Jill Evans

Day One - Wednesday 3 June I have been to Palestine and Israel many times in the past fifteen years and I have seen many changes, but some things stay the same. The occupation, of course. The siege of Gaza. The settlements. The continuing lack of justice for the Palestinians. Having arrived in Tel A...

Beyond Dublin

03.06.2015

Rethinking Europe's Asylum System

What is the alternative to the dysfunctional Dublin system? The Greens/EFA hearing explores new pathways towards a fair asylum system in Europe. Distribution quotas for asylum seekers are not enough. The Dublin system must be replaced by a system in which all Member States share responsibility for asylum seekers and which takes into account ties asylum seekers might already have in a certain Member State.

EFA Group - Visit to Israel and Palestine

Press release from the EFA Group in the European Parliament

MEPs from the EFA Group in the European Parliament are visiting Israel and Palestine this week as part of a fact finding mission to the region. The MEPs include Josep-Maria Terricabras (President of the EFA Group), Jill Evans (Vice-President), Ernest Maragall, Jordi Sebastià and Alyn Smith. They a...

Greens/EFA Round up

Debriefing of the Strasbourg plenary week 18-21 May 2015

Greens/EFA priorities for the Brussels plenary included financial benchmarks, conflict minerals, the situation in Hungary, European agenda on migration, money laundering, maternity leave, the visit of Rajagopal, leader of the "sans terres" movement, “better regulation” package, the state of nature report.

Eastern Partnership Summit

EU must support sovereign choices of neighbourhood countries

Commenting on the outcome of today's summit between the EU and its 6 Eastern Partnership countries, Greens/EFA co-president Rebecca Harms and Green foreign policy spokesperson Heidi Hautala (1) said: “Now, more than ever, we must work to ensure our partner countries in the East are encouraged to c...

Tackling the trade in conflict minerals

Press Release from EFA MEP Jill Evans

The European Parliament voted today on a draft law to break the link between mineral extraction and the financing of armed groups in areas of conflict. Profits from the so-called "conflict minerals" fuel further violence and killing. The law covers four minerals: gold, tin, tantalum and tu...