Women’s Rights Committee joins chorus of criticism of gender imbalance on CoFoE Board
30 Mar
Women’s Rights Committee joins chorus of criticism of gender imbalance on CoFoE Board
At present, only one member of the European Parliament’s seven representatives on the Conference on the Future of Europe’s all-powerful Executive Board is a woman.
‘Very few’ Europeans believe US will intervene on their behalf in military crisis
29 Mar
‘Very few’ Europeans believe US will intervene on their behalf in military crisis
In a pan-European survey of over 15,000 citizens in ten EU Member States, just 10 percent held the view that the US was a “reliable” security partner that will always protect Europe.
New US administration an opportunity to ‘rebuild’ EU-US transatlantic partnership, says David Sassoli
29 Mar
New US administration an opportunity to ‘rebuild’ EU-US transatlantic partnership, says David Sassoli
Joe Biden’s participation at EU summit interpreted as clear signal of Washington’s reengagement with EU.
Former UK Europe Minister welcomes fresh bid to defuse ever-growing EU-UK vaccine tensions
25 Mar
Former UK Europe Minister welcomes fresh bid to defuse ever-growing EU-UK vaccine tensions
The EU and the UK are locked in a bitter ongoing dispute about the availability of vaccines, in particular the AstraZeneca jab.
Lack of gender balance on CoFoE Executive Board ignites criticism
25 Mar
Lack of gender balance on CoFoE Executive Board ignites criticism
Polish MEP Danuta Hubner, a former EU Commissioner, said she was “pissed off” at the relative lack of female representation on the all-powerful Executive Board for the upcoming Conference on the Future of Europe.
MEPs to hold emergency debate on rule of law in Malta
24 Mar
MEPs to hold emergency debate on rule of law in Malta
On Thursday, Parliament will discuss the rule of law in the tiny Mediterranean island and recent developments in the investigation of the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
Conference on the Future of Europe beset by gender imbalance claims
24 Mar
Conference on the Future of Europe beset by gender imbalance claims
A flagship attempt to reform the EU has hit another obstacle before it even starts, this time over a lack of gender balance in its Executive Board.
Commission goes on offensive in bid to deflect alarm at vaccine programme
24 Mar
Commission goes on offensive in bid to deflect alarm at vaccine programme
Speaking to MEPs on Tuesday, Sandra Gallina, the executive’s Director General of health, launched a blistering attack on AstraZeneca, the pharma company at the centre of a huge spat with the EU over vaccine supplies.
Five MEPs ‘blacklisted’ by China as Beijing retaliates against fresh EU sanctions
23 Mar
Five MEPs ‘blacklisted’ by China as Beijing retaliates against fresh EU sanctions
The new EU sanctions were imposed on Monday over alleged human rights abuses by China.
EMA chief set to be grilled by MEPs on latest EU bid to boost sluggish vaccination rates
22 Mar
EMA chief set to be grilled by MEPs on latest EU bid to boost sluggish vaccination rates
Emer Cooke, the European Medicines Agency executive director, has been invited to an “exchange of views” to update deputies on the state of play of the evaluation and authorisation of COVID-19 vaccines.
EU leaders and MEPs condemn Turkey’s decision to withdraw from Istanbul Convention
22 Mar
EU leaders and MEPs condemn Turkey’s decision to withdraw from Istanbul Convention
The controversial move to withdraw from the international treaty, designed to combat violence against women, sparked immediate protests from world leaders and campaigners.
EU Member States to resume AstraZeneca COVID vaccinations
19 Mar
EU Member States to resume AstraZeneca COVID vaccinations
Move follows European Medicines Agency’s all clear regarding blood clot concerns.
Anti-racism groups claim European Commission guilty of excluding them from flagship anti-racism summit
19 Mar
Anti-racism groups claim European Commission guilty of excluding them from flagship anti-racism summit
Campaigners say anti-racism organisations “didn’t have chance to meaningfully contribute to design of summit’s agenda.
Khashoggi lawyer urges MEPs and EU to help ‘close the net’ on Saudi Crown Prince
18 Mar
Khashoggi lawyer urges MEPs and EU to help ‘close the net’ on Saudi Crown Prince
Rodney Dixon was taking part in an exchange of views on the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia including the case of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
MEPs throw weight behind ‘End the Cage Age’ campaign
18 Mar
MEPs throw weight behind ‘End the Cage Age’ campaign
A letter to the European Commission supports calls for the executive to propose a phase-out of the use of cages for farmed animals, starting with laying hens.
MEPs give guarded welcome to new Commission plans for ‘Digital Green Certificate’
17 Mar
MEPs give guarded welcome to new Commission plans for ‘Digital Green Certificate’
The “vaccine passport” will collate details on vaccinations, tests and Coronavirus recovery to let travellers cross borders freely again after a year of severe restrictions.
‘Newly assertive’ Russia and ‘rise’ of China pose biggest security threats to West, says NATO chief
17 Mar
‘Newly assertive’ Russia and ‘rise’ of China pose biggest security threats to West, says NATO chief
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was speaking at a news conference where he presented his annual report for the last 12 months.
EMA chief admits public trust in Coronavirus vaccines could erode due to AstraZeneca safety probe
17 Mar
EMA chief admits public trust in Coronavirus vaccines could erode due to AstraZeneca safety probe
Emer Cooke, Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), has sought to allay fears concerning the AstraZeneca vaccine, emphasising that the benefits “outweigh any risks.”
Senior ECDC official tells EU it must move ‘faster, faster, faster’ on vaccine rollout
16 Mar
Senior ECDC official tells EU it must move ‘faster, faster, faster’ on vaccine rollout
Bruno Ciancio, chief of the surveillance section at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, was speaking to MEPs on Monday on the new Coronavirus variants.
MEPs back legal action against UK over alleged breach of Northern Ireland Protocol
16 Mar
MEPs back legal action against UK over alleged breach of Northern Ireland Protocol
European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič said he hopes the issue can be resolved without further legal action, but it could lead to the UK having to defend its actions at the European Court of Justice.
Commission’s ‘Digital Green Certificate’ to help boost travel during the ongoing crisis
15 Mar
Commission’s ‘Digital Green Certificate’ to help boost travel during the ongoing crisis
The proposed certificate is designed to provide proof that a person has been vaccinated against COVID-19, has recovered from it, or has received a negative test result.
MEPs to learn more about new EU attempt to contain variants of Coronavirus
15 Mar
MEPs to learn more about new EU attempt to contain variants of Coronavirus
With Member States still firmly in the grip of the pandemic, the Commission is proposing what it calls “immediate action” to prepare Europe for the “increased” threat of Coronavirus variants.
EU Ombudsman investigating European Medicines Agency ‘fast tracking’ procedure
15 Mar
EU Ombudsman investigating European Medicines Agency ‘fast tracking’ procedure
Emily O’Reilly told MEPs that the EMA had been required to make recommendations on vaccines for COVID-19 in “record time” and has been working with a “fast-track procedure.”
Senior MEP says recent case of live animals transported at sea demonstrates ‘urgent need’ for major crackdown
15 Mar
Senior MEP says recent case of live animals transported at sea demonstrates ‘urgent need’ for major crackdown
Thomas Waitz says he was incensed by the suffering of a shipload of animals who were stranded at sea for over two and a half months.