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Reform of the European Citizens' Initiative is a step forward

Press release from EFA MEP J-M Terricabras (ERC)

Catalan MEP Josep-Maria Terricabras (Greens/EFA) has welcomed today's vote in the European Parliament in favour of reforming the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI). The vote passed with 535 votes in favour, 90 against and 41 abstentions. Terricabras is spokesperson for the Greens/EFA gro...

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Linguistic and minority rights must be respected in Europe

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

In a significant new report approved today, MEPs have stated that the EU must respect ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity. Significantly, the report also called upon EU Member States that have not yet done so to ratify and effectively implement the Framework Convention for the Protection of Na...

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"We owe Greece for saving the Euro" - Maragall

Press release from EFA MEP Ernest Maragall (Catalonia)

As the Greek parliament approves the first raft of new laws ordered by the Eurozone as a pre-requisite for a third bailout, Greens/EFA MEP Ernest Maragall has said that Europe is now indebted to Greece for saving the single currency. Mr Maragall – a member of the European Parliament's Budgets Com...

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EU behaving like 'orchestra on the Titantic' over Greece

Press release from EFA MEP Ernest Maragall (Catalonia)

Responding to today's debate in the European Parliament with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras about the Greek debt crisis, Greens/EFA MEP Ernest Maragall said: "As the Greek crisis continues to risk the future of the EU, showing up its fragility, lack of political union and econom...

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TTIP - We are seeing a new era of financial deregulation

Press release from EFA MEP Ernest Maragall (Catalonia)

The European Parliament has today voted on its recommendations for the ongoing negotiations with the United States over the TTIP or Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. Speaking after the vote in Strasbourg, Greens/EFA MEP Ernest Maragall said: "The European Parliament has deba...

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TTIP could undermine public services and democracy, says EFA MEP

Press release from EFA MEP Jill Evans (Plaid Cymru)

Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans will vote against the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) trade agreement report in Strasbourg this week. Following the postponed debate last month, MEP’s will this week have the opportunity to express their views on the current negotiations....

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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...

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Still time to strike win-win deal with Greece

Press release from EFA MEP Ernest Maragall (Catalonia)

MEP Ernest Maragall, a member of the European Parliament's Budgets Committee, has said that a 'win-win' solution is still possible that will allow Greece to remain in the Euro, if both the EU and Greek government are willing to recognise that there is still time and space for a real dialogue. "...

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Juncker investment plan is a missed opportunity

Press release from EFA MEP Ernest Maragall (Catalonia)

EFA MEP Ernest Maragall - a member of the European Parliament's Industry, Research and Energy Committee - has voted against the European Commission proposal for a European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI), which he says is insufficient to bring about fair and sustainable growth in...

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UK Nuclear Subsidy in the EU dock

Press release from EFA MEP Alyn Smith (SNP)

Scottish Member of the European Parliament Alyn Smith and SNP Westminster Energy Spokesperson Callum McCaig MP have today (Wednesday) welcomed the announcement from the Austrian government that it will formally challenge the UK proposed subsidy regime for a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point...

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Comment on launch of far-right group in European Parliament

Press release from SNP MEPs Ian Hudghton and Alyn Smith (EFA)

Commenting on today’s (Tuesday) launch of a new far right political group in the European Parliament, SNP President Ian Hudghton MEP and Alyn Smith MEP have called on former UKIP MEP Janice Atkinson to resign her seat in the Parliament. Ian Hudghton MEP said: "It’s perhaps not surprising th...

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Political meddling prevents EU debate on TTIP

Press release from EFA MEP Jill Evans (Plaid Cymru)

A narrow majority of the European Parliament (1) this morning voted to postpone a debate on the EU-US TTIP trade negotiations*, following an initiative by centre-right political groups. The decision followed an announcement last night by the European Parliament president that he was postponing today...

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Women's Rights are Human Rights

Press release from SNP MEP Alyn Smith

Alyn Smith SNP MEP has today praised the European Parliament for adopting a groundbreaking new report on gender equality. Despite pressure from right-wing organisations, the EU Strategy for Equality Between Women and Men Post 2015, known informally as the Noichl Report after its rapporteur Maria N...

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EFA MEP to vote against 'trojan horse' trade agreement

Press release from Plaid MEP Jill Evans

Plaid MEP Jill Evans will vote against the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership or TTIP trade agreement in Strasbourg this week. Jill Evans MEP is concerned that the agreement could open up Welsh public services like the NHS, fire services, education and others to competition from priva...

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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...

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Hunger strike for Occitan language

Press release from EFA MEP Josep-Maria Terricabras

Catalan MEP and President of the EFA Group in the European Parliament, Josep-Maria Terricabras has paid tribute to Aquitaine regional councillor David Grosclaude. M. Grosclaude, of Partit Occitan, is on hunger strike in protest at the lack of official support for the Occitan language, and notably th...

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