Pacta sunt servanda? Supporters of the Strasbourg seat largely base their arguments on the city's history as a symbol of European reconciliation, writes Alexandr Vondra
19 Jan EU Institutions

Pacta sunt servanda? Supporters of the Strasbourg seat largely base their arguments on the city's history as a symbol of European reconciliation, writes Alexandr Vondra

The debate over the European Parliament’s two seats in Brussels and Strasbourg raises the question of whether agreements should be forever binding, regardless of changing circumstances.
by Alexandr Vondra
Navalny arrest an early test for Biden
22 Jan International & Trade
Navalny arrest an early test for Biden
Future of Europe: The path to prosperity
21 Jan Tech & Research
Future of Europe: The path to prosperity
Those who knew its value will mourn the passing of free movement, argues Roger Casale
20 Jan International & Trade
Those who knew its value will mourn the passing of free movement, argues Roger Casale
Is the EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy a silver bullet for sustainable agriculture?
19 Oct Agriculture & Food
Is the EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy a silver bullet for sustainable agriculture?
New Strategy must balance the needs of food production with the environment if it is to succeed, argues Norbert Lins.
Circular Economy Action Plan: Achieving plan's ambitious goals means investing in research and innovation
18 Oct Industry & Finance
Circular Economy Action Plan: Achieving plan's ambitious goals means investing in research and innovation
The circular economy is a crucial part of building resilience to future crises, explains Patrizia Toia.
Before implementing new plastic bottle legislation, European Commission should review Finland’s longstanding return scheme
18 Oct Energy & Climate
Before implementing new plastic bottle legislation, European Commission should review Finland’s longstanding return scheme
Finnish deposit scheme encourages consumers to return empty bottles and cans for recycling, explains Elsi Katainen.
Beating Cancer: We need to stop denying the link between cancers and environmental pollution
18 Oct Health
Beating Cancer: We need to stop denying the link between cancers and environmental pollution
It is only by reducing our exposure to environmental pollutants that we can reduce the incidence of cancer in Europe, argues Michèle Rivasi.
Circular Economy Action Plan: Is focus on consumerism and GDP growth a cause for concern?
14 Oct Energy & Climate
Circular Economy Action Plan: Is focus on consumerism and GDP growth a cause for concern?
Mick Wallace says EU’s fixation with growth ‘a massive problem’ in delivering radical economic change.
Beating Cancer: Prevention must be ‘cornerstone’ of EU’s new approach
14 Oct Health
Beating Cancer: Prevention must be ‘cornerstone’ of EU’s new approach
European Parliament's new Special Committee on Beating Cancer will ensure EU focuses on decisive and comprehensive action, explains Nicolae Ștefănuță.
Brexit: The art of compromise
13 Oct International & Trade
Brexit: The art of compromise
The blow that a hard Brexit would deliver to the languishing UK and EU economies is highly undesirable and can be avoided as all negotiating endgames turn on concessions, writes former European Parliament President Pat Cox.
Beating Cancer: European Parliament's Special Committee 'needed now more than ever'
13 Oct Health
Beating Cancer: European Parliament's Special Committee 'needed now more than ever'
Cancer remains a huge threat to health of EU's citizens, writes Cindy Franssen.
Health after COVID-19: spend more but spend smarter Thought Leader
13 Oct Health
Health after COVID-19: spend more but spend smarter
As we enter the final stretch of 2020, we face a huge dilemma for public health and public finances: how do we manage the massive impact of COVID-19 and the increasing burden of chronic diseases without bankrupting public finances?
Africa must rise to the agricultural transformation challenge Thought Leader
13 Oct International & Trade
Africa must rise to the agricultural transformation challenge
Transformation is “slow magic” which requires sustained nurturing, writes Isabelle Tsakok.
European Carers Day: urgent need to shed light on carers and issues they face
13 Oct Health
European Carers Day: urgent need to shed light on carers and issues they face
European Parliament's Informal Carers Interest Group Co-chairs call on MEP colleagues to join up and help provide carers with ‘a strong Parliamentary voice’.
Taking Brexit down to the wire
12 Oct International & Trade
Taking Brexit down to the wire
The chances of this week’s EU Council meeting having anything much to discuss and decide in terms of a Brexit deal are small to non-existent. But Boris Johnson is an artist of the political pirouette, explains Denis MacShane.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, littering from single-use plastics has seen a dramatic resurgence
09 Oct Energy & Climate
With the COVID-19 pandemic, littering from single-use plastics has seen a dramatic resurgence
We must not wait any longer to see the Single Use Plastics Directive's full implementation, argues Piernicola Pedicini.
Why the EU should treat sport as more than just a leisure activity
09 Oct Health
Why the EU should treat sport as more than just a leisure activity
The physical and mental benefits of doing sport during these trying times are indispensable, so let’s give back and provide more support for a sector that has taken a huge hit, writes Marc Tarabella.
European Week of Sport: A healthy body is a healthy mind
09 Oct Health
European Week of Sport: A healthy body is a healthy mind
With many of us stuck at home during the Coronavirus crisis, sport can play a crucial role in keeping us fit and active both physically and mentally, writes Tomasz Frankowski.
A coordinated EU policy on aging
09 Oct Health
A coordinated EU policy on aging
COVID-19 has had serious adverse consequences on older people, particularly those living with underlying conditions, explains Maciej Kucharczyk.
Low birth rates and higher life expectancies are transforming the composition of Europe's age pyramid
06 Oct Health
Low birth rates and higher life expectancies are transforming the composition of Europe's age pyramid
Europe’s demographic situation requires drastic measures and more targeted policies at EU level, argues Elena Kountoura.
What Europe’s foreign policy priorities should be in 2021
06 Oct International & Trade
What Europe’s foreign policy priorities should be in 2021
The EU has a responsibility to act as a global player and adjust its foreign policy in line with the fight against COVID-19, writes Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Chair David McAllister.
Time for a European Health Union
05 Oct Health
Time for a European Health Union
The Coronavirus crisis clearly demonstrated the shortcomings of national competency for healthcare; the virus does not respect borders. It must be time for a European Health Union, says Dr Mohammed Chahim.
A New Circular Economy Action Plan for all
05 Oct Industry & Finance
A New Circular Economy Action Plan for all
Trade policy is the best way for the EU to promote the values of the European Green Deal and the circular economy, argues Svenja Hahn.
Eastern Partnership: Time for action
05 Oct International & Trade
Eastern Partnership: Time for action
A successful Eastern Partnership policy is the ultimate test for the EU’s global leadership ambitions, explains Petras Auštrevicius.
Are EU rules on live animal transportation not working?
05 Oct Agriculture & Food
Are EU rules on live animal transportation not working?
It’s time for a fresh look and a new approach, says Sirpa Pietikäinen.
Animal Transportation: Honouring our ethical code
05 Oct Agriculture & Food
Animal Transportation: Honouring our ethical code
With Parliament’s establishment of an inquiry committee to look into the protection of animals during transport, the EU now has the tools to investigate their suffering, writes Mohammed Chahim.
Gastein 2020: EU Member States must work more closely in the fight against COVID-19, says ECDC chief
01 Oct Health
Gastein 2020: EU Member States must work more closely in the fight against COVID-19, says ECDC chief
The Coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the vulnerabilities of healthcare systems, but by gleaning valuable lessons from this experience we can become more resilient, explains Andrea Ammon.