European Parliament

National authorities should do more to raise awareness of EU action on COVID-19 – EP

The European Parliament has called on member states to do more to inform the public about EU action and solidarity in combatting COVID-19. “Information and communication are crucial in tackling…

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Save European culture and values, MEPs tell Commission

Rebuilding the hard-hit cultural and media sectors in post-COVID-19 Europe must be a major objective in the EU’s recovery plan, MEPs said in a debate on Monday. In their discussion…

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Asylum and Migration Pact: MEPs push for legal and safe avenues

In a letter to Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas and Commissioner Ylva Johansson sent by Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D, ES), Chair of the Civil Liberties Committee, on behalf of…

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Covid-19: fundamental rights must be upheld, warn MEPs

Crisis situations call for crisis measures and emergency measures have been put in place in member states to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. This has often resulted…

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EPP calls on SME focus in Europe’s recovery plan

The Group of the European People's Party (EPP Group) called on the European Commission to be particularly attentive to small businesses in designing Europe's recovery plan. "Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis…

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Coronavirus – Not just a health emergency – David Casa

Our citizens are depending on us to rise to the occasion during this challenging time. We must not let them down. Together we must strive to secure employment, protect workers…

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MEPs call for concrete details and novel tools to address the economic crisis

MEPs on Monday quizzed Commissioners Dombrovskis and Gentiloni on planned measures to tackle the looming economic crisis due to COVID-19. Opening the discussion held within the Economic and Monetary Affairs…

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Stop cooperation with and funding to the Libyan coastguard, MEPs ask

The EU should stop channeling funds to Libya to manage migration and to train its coastguard, as the violation of human rights of migrants and asylum-seekers continues. In a…

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MEPs push for support to culture sector

MEPs underlined the special nature of the creative sector and the difficulties faced by artists and called on the EU to provide support in a resolution adopted on 17 April. The pandemic…

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We can’t relaunch economies unless we act together – EP President

Europe’s economies can only be relaunched by member states acting together, Parliament President David Sassoli warned EU leaders. Speaking at the start of an EU Summit on 23 April on…

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€100 billion from the EU to keep people in jobs

The European Parliament said in a statement this morning that when taking into consideration all the initiatives launched at European level to safeguard employment, the total assistance will be reaching…

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EP approves changes to Fund for the Most Deprived to reflect current realities

To ensure that the most vulnerable continue to get the help they need, the European Parliament has adopted changes to the rules on the Fund for European Aid to the…

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EU funds must reach media and creative sector, say MEPs

Members of the European Parliament insisted that additional EU action is needed to make sure EU help reaches the hard-hit media and culture sectors. In a statement, the EP noted…

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EU Parliament condemns Hungary and Poland for undemocratic decisions

The European Parliament strongly condemned recent political decisions taken by the Polish and Hungarian Government during the current pandemic, which have been described as "totally incompatible with European values". Hungarian…

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Not the time for stricter rules for production of ventilators and facemasks – EPP

The EPP Group said in a statement that it supported the postponement by one year of the entry-into-force of new, stricter rules regarding the production of medical devices such as respiratory…

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Europeans expect the EU and Governments to act decisively in front of crisis – MEPs

Europeans expect the EU and governments to act decisively to pave a way out of the crisis and build a more resilient Europe, MEPs said during a plenary debate on…

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EU Parliament voting on €3 billion emergency support for national health care systems

The European Parliament is today voting on new measures mobilising €3 billion of targeted support for health care systems in EU regions that have been hit the hardest by the…

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European Parliament prepares 1,000 meals for homeless

The kitchens of the European Parliament in Brussels have been reopened during the pandemic to provide free meals for homeless people and frontline workers in health services in the area.…

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EP to discuss, vote on latest support measures supporting EU countries

The European Parliament will meet in plenary today and tomorrow to debate and vote on the latest Commission proposals to address the effects of the Covid-19 outbreak in the EU.…

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No turning back

by Miriam Dalli In the first two weeks after the pandemic hit the EU, Member States started acting unilaterally on their own and this is not what the EU is…

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Plans to transform European Parliament into a hospital

he European Parliament has offered the city of Brussels the use of one of its buildings, as well as its vehicles, to help in the fight against coronavirus. Klaus…

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The COVID-19 pandemic: what is the EU doing about it?

by Anna Zammit Vella - European Parliament Office Malta “Europe is moving. Faced with this dramatic situation, with a duty to defend lives, livelihoods, and stability for all, the EU…

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All European Parliament’s meetings and activities suspended until March 23

All European Parliament’s meetings and activities were suspended until March 23 and staff were asked to telework as much as possible, due to the Coronavirus outbreak, the force majeure, according…

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European Parliament President Sassoli in preventive self-isolation after returning from Italy

The President of the European Parliament David Sassoli said he is in self-isolation at his Brussels home as a precaution after returning from virus-hit Italy. "Parliament will continue to work to…

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EU Parliament to consider calling off session due to coronavirus

The European Parliament will hold an emergency meeting on Monday to consider calling off this week’s plenary session of the EU assembly due to the coronavirus outbreak, two officials said.…

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MEPs irked by Greta visit despite virus ban

Several MEPs asked EU Parliament president David Sassoli why climate activist Greta Thunberg's event can go ahead on Wednesday when all other visitors are banned due to fears over the…

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European Parliament cancels all events amidst Coronavirus outbreak fears

The European Parliament is to cancel more than 100 events because of the coronavirus outbreak but next week's plenary session “will unfold properly,” Parliament President David Sassoli said Monday. As…

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European Parliament considering allowing MEPs to take part in plenary session via video conferencing

The European Parliament is considering allowing quarantined MEPs to take part in plenary sessions via video conference as part of precautions against coronavirus. MEPs are asked to self-isolate if they…

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Brussels Viewpoint – Our Slice of Pie

This article by Denise Grech appeared first on Diplomatique.Expert (Edition 23) and is compiled by CiConsulta for Corporate Dispatch Last Thursday, EU member state leaders met in Brussels to decide on the…

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Corporate Dispatch Europe Explained – The Week Ahead

A quick glance at the main forthcoming events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings and other EU-related conferences and events. Events for the week of…

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AI, EU’s long-term budget and drinking-water quality on European Parliament Agenda

The impact of artificial intelligence and new rules on water quality are among the topics being dealt with in Parliament this week. On Tuesday, the environment committee will vote on…

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Europe Explained – The Week Ahead

A quick glance at the main forthcoming events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings and other EU-related conferences and events. Events for the week of…

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MEPs want EU to make identification of animals compulsory

MEPs voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday in favour of a compulsory continent-wide system of identification for cats and dogs. The proposal is contained in a non-binding resolution calling for measures against…

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Future relation between the EU and the UK discussed in European Parliament

Barnier told the European Parliament that the EU will grant equivalence to particular sectors of its financial services industry but he said that there will not be “general, open-ended” equivalence in…

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Lagarde discusses the European Central Bank’s policy revamp with MEPs

ECB President Christine Lagarde, on Thursday fielded questions from the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee on the review of the bank’s monetary policy. In her opening remarks, Ms Lagarde set…

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European parliament says it will not use facial recognition technology

The European parliament has insisted it has no plans to introduce facial recognition technology after a leaked internal memo discussing its use in security provoked an outcry. A page on…

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European Parliament wants binding rules on common chargers to be tabled by summer

The European Parliament has called on the European Commission to put forward beefed-up rules on common chargers by July 2020 at the latest. There is an “urgent need for EU…

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The European Conservatives and Reformists plan to replace British EP staffers with Polish nationals

The European Conservatives and Reformists group in the European Parliament on Thursday dismissed its British staff without prior notice, invoking a revamp after Brexit, several Parliament officials told POLITICO. According…

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Ambitious measures needed to ensure equal pay for women, say MEPs

MEPs urge the Commission to present an ambitious Gender Equality Strategy, including measures to reduce the gender pay gap. In the resolution adopted on Thursday by 493 votes in…

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Redistribution of seats in the European Parliament after Brexit

As of 1 February, the number and distribution of seats in the Parliament changes following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. From 1 February, the European Parliament will have 705…

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Summit with Western Balkans Parliament speakers on Tuesday in Brussels

Speakers from the Western Balkans parliaments will gather at the European Parliament, under President Sassoli's patronage, to discuss European prospects for their region. Parliamentary Speakers from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,…

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Artificial intelligence: EU must ensure a fair and safe use for consumers

MEPs want a strong set of rights to protect consumers in the context of artificial intelligence and automated decision-making. Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee approved on Thursday a…

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Agenda Europe 20th – 26th January 2020

A quick glance at the main forthcoming events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings and other EU-related conferences and events. Events for the week of…

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British MEPs say goodbye to the European Parliament

With the U.K. all but certain to leave the European Union on January 31, this week was the last plenary session in Strasbourg for the 72 British MEPs. They spent…

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Croatian Presidency priorities discussed in the European Parliament

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković presented the priorities of the Croatian presidency to the European Parliament and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Under the motto “A Strong Europe in a…

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Catalan separatist stripped of EP seat

Jailed Catalan separatist leader Oriol Junqueras is to be stripped of his seat in the European Parliament, the assembly's president said Friday. David Sassoli said in a statement that Junqueras' mandate…

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Weber accuses Macron and Orban of committing an attack on democracy in Europe

Former European Commission president nominee Manfred Weber has accused French President Emmanuel Macron of committing an "attack on democratic Europe" together with Hungary's Viktor Orbán, POLITICO reports. Weber told the…

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Council of the EU and European Parliament reach preliminary agreement on rules for crowdfunding

The EU will have harmonised rules that make it easier for crowdfunding platforms to provide their services cross-border. The aim is to diversify opportunities for businesses to raise funding, expand…

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Maltese Prime Minister should resign now, say MEPs

MEPs are concerned about the credibility of investigations into the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia and the lack of progress on related accusations. In a resolution adopted with 581…

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Photo Story: Award ceremony of the 2019 EU Sakharov Prize

Jewher Ilham, daughter of Ilham Tohti, Uyghur economist and human rights activist, holds a portrait of her father during the award ceremony for his 2019 EU Sakharov Prize at the…

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European Parliament to launch investigative journalism prize named after Daphne Caruana Galizia

The European Parliament is to launch a prize for investigative journalism in memory of murdered Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The Bureau of the European Parliament, which is responsible for…

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Photo Story: Ursula von der Leyen at the EP in Strasbourg, warns Brexit will harm UK more than EU

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks with David McAllister, Member of Parliament from the EPP Group, before a debate at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, 18 December…

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Malta Evening News Roundup (UPDATED)

Good evening, These are the main headlines reviewed by our editorial and research team for today. Developing Story : The leader of the Nationalist Party, Adrian Delia published the Egrant inquiry report. PN and Opposition Leader Adrian…

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EuroLat: serious concern about migration and support to multilateral trade

The worsening migration situation in Latin America and Europe worries parliamentarians in both regions, who also warn against increasing trade protectionism. In a joint declaration on the occasion of…

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Protecting human rights tops EU citizens’ list of values

A Eurobarometer survey, published this week, asked citizens, among several topics, which political issue the Parliament should deal with as a matter of priority. Parliament’s autumn Eurobarometer survey traditionally asks…

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MEPs push for high ambitions at the COP25 in Madrid

A delegation from the European Parliament is in Madrid to participate in the COP25, where they will meet with key stakeholders in the negotiations. An official delegation from the European…

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Malta’s crisis coverage – International News Roundup

The head of an EU mission to Malta has called on the country’s embattled prime minister to step down immediately. European lawmaker Sophie In ‘t Veld told Euronews that there…

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