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EU-Morocco Fisheries Agreement

Press Release from the EFA Group in the EP

MEPs from the European Parliament's European Free Alliance Group have condemned as 'shameful' an agreement on fishing rights reached between the EU and Morocco. MEPs approved the EU – Morocco Fisheries agreement at a vote in Strasbourg today. The controversy stems from the inclusion in the agreeme...

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Fisheries reform passes final hurdle

Press Release from SNP MEP Ian Hudghton

SNP President Ian Hudghton MEP has today (Tuesday) welcomed the European Parliament's final approval of a reformed Common Fisheries Policy which will return greater control over fisheries to Europe's fishing nations. The reformed CFP allows for decisions to be taken on a regional basis, in contrast ...

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EFA Conference - the Right to Decide

Press Release from the EFA Group in the EP

Speakers from Catalonia, Scotland, the Basque Country, Wales, Galicia, and Quebec took part in a conference hosted by the European Free Alliance Group in the European Parliament today on 'The Right to Decide'. The event focussed on the distinctive and different con...

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Reaction to ECHR ruling on Basque prisoner

EFA Press release from Iñaki Irazabalbeitia and others

EFA MEPs Iñaki Irazabalbeitia, François Alfonsi and Tatjana Zdanoka, held a press conference in Strasbourg to give their reaction to yesterday's verdict at the European Court of Human Rights condemning Spain's treatment of a Basque prisoner. The Court found that Spain had contravened the Conventio...

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ECHR verdict on Spain's penitential system

Press conference by EFA MEP Iñaki Irazabalbeitia

When: Tuesday 22 October at 15h30 Where: Press Room, LOW N-1/201, European Parliament, Strasbourg Following Monday's verdict at the European Court of Human Rights condemning Spain's treatment of a Basque prisoner, Basque MEP Iñaki Irazabalbeitia will give his reaction and discuss the wider implica...

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Call for action on minority language radio

EFA Press release from Inaki Irazabalbeitia MEP

A conference at the European Parliament this week organised by Basque MEP Inaki Irazabalbeitia has recognised the importance of radio broadcasting in supporting minority languages. Organised in conjunction with AMARC Europe and ELEN, the conference echoed previous calls for the European Commission t...

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Local language healthcare threatened by EU rules

EFA Press release from Mark Demesmaeker and Inaki Irazabalbeitia

MEPs from the European Free Alliance Group in the European Parliament have expressed concerns that new EU rules on recognition of qualifications could have unforeseen consequences for speakers of languages in bilingual areas such as Brussels and the Basque country. Whilst supporting moves to make it...

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Herrira - EFA MEPs concern for Basque detentions

Press Release from EFA MEPs Inaki Irazabalbeitia and François Alfonsi

- "Spanish authorities must be held accountable" Some MEPs from the EFA Group in the European Parliament have expressed grave concerns following the detention yesterday of members of Basque prisoners' rights group Herrira. The group has been working to improve the conditions of Basque poli...

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Europe's Endangered Languages: report calls for action

Press Release from EFA MEP François Alfonsi

The European Parliament has called for urgent action to protect the continent's endangered languages. The call was made in a report by Corsican MEP François Alfonsi which was adopted today by an overwhelming majority. Mr Alfonsi is the European Parliament's only Corsican-speaking MEP. This is the E...

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New Basque MEP joins EFA Group

Press Release from the EFA Group

The EFA Group in the European Parliament has welcomed Inaki Irazabalbeitia from the Basque political movement Aralar as its newest MEP. Mr Irazabalbeitia joins the EFA Group this week, replacing Ana Miranda of the Bloque Nacionalista Galego (BNG). Aralar is a left-wing nationalist Basque political m...

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Anger as European Parliament votes for new fishing armada

Press Release from Ian Hughton MEP

SNP President Ian Hudghton MEP has expressed extreme disappointment after a committee of the European Parliament voted in favour of taxpayers' money being used to construct new fishing vessels. The vote was on proposed legislation for a European Maritime and Fisheries Fund which will come into effec...

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Endangered languages report wins strong support

Press release from François Alfonsi MEP

A report calling for more support for Europe's endangered languages by Corsican MEP François Alfonsi has won unanimous support in the European Parliament's Culture Committee. This is the European Parliament's first major work on language diversity in many years. The report regrets the drastic cuts ...

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CFP Reform Battle Enters Critical Stage

Press Release from Ian Hudghton MEP

SNP President Ian Hudghton MEP has reiterated the case for substantial reform of the Common Fisheries Policy as EU negotiations reach a critical stage. Negotiations between the European Parliament and the EU Council of Ministers will be held tonight and tomorrow (Wednesday 29th) in an effort to reac...

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Plaid MEP regrets failure to set stringent renewable energy target

Press Release from Jill Evans MEP

Plaid MEP Jill Evans has expressed her disappointment at MEP's failure to adopt a strict target for renewable energy use in Europe by 2030. MEPs were voting on a report in Strasbourg setting out their position on Europe's renewable energy policy. Jill Evans and her group colleagues had been calling ...

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Alfonsi calls for joint effort on language diversity

Press release from François Alfonsi MEP

MEP François Alfonsi has called for a joint effort between the European Commission and Europe's nations and regions to protect Europe's endangered languages and promote language diversity.   Mr Alfonsi spoke as he presented a draft of his report on Europe's endangered languages...

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