60 Years after the signing of the Rome Treaty, Europe is not a pretty sight. The UK is leaving after a guest performance of 44 years; populism and Euroscepticism prevail in many Member States; the days of an ‘ever closer union’ seem to be numbered.
Weekly preview of the Greens/EFA group - 2-6 September 2013
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Event Description
PRISM/NSA snooping scandal and EU implications
Thurs. 5 Sept. – Civil liberties committee debate
With revelations continuing to emerge about the extent of the NSA's snooping programme of EU citizens and institutions, MEPs on the EP's civil liberties committee will begin an inquiry into the affair. The Greens have called for the suspension of negotiations on an EU-US trade agreement as an immediate consequence. In addition to ensuring tough data protection rules, the Safe Harbor Agreement and the agreements with the US on the transfer of bank and airline passenger data need to be reviewed. EU data protection law has to allow people in Europe to regain control of their data and prevent outside access. (see latest press release)
Water protected as basic public service
Thurs. 5 Sept. – Internal market committee (Juvin report)
MEPs will vote on an agreement on EU legislation on the award of concession contracts. The Greens had been concerned that the original proposals would have detrimental implications for the provision of water as core a public service, opening the door to liberalisation of this sensitive sector. However, under the final legislative agreement, the water sector will be excluded, thanks to the pressure of the Greens and others. Water provision is a fundamental public service that should be guaranteed across the EU.
Bringing banking out of the shadows
Weds. 4 Sept. – European Commission proposal
The Commission is set to present a communication on shadow banking, dealing with the myriad of financial sector activities that are outside the banking system and therefore not subject to banking rules. Many of these entities and structures have direct links to the irresponsible speculative behaviour that has had such a damaging impact on the wider global economy. There is a need to swiftly move towards proper regulation of shadow banking. The Commission will also propose EU rules on 'money market funds', which provide short-term financing for financial institutions. There is a need for robust EU rules covering the sector.
Unfracked: why shale gas should stay in the ground
Thurs. 5 Sept. – Conference - Room ASP 1G3 - European Parliament - 9.15-12.45
This public conference will seek to address the problems of shale gas and dispel some of the myths surrounding its problematic extraction through fracking. The conference will be followed by a screening of the film 'Gasland' in the presence of director Josh Fox. (click for more information)
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You are cordially invited to attend the official launch of the 'Hearts and Minds for Europe' website. The event will take place on 23 April 2014 at 1.00 pm at the Committee of the Regions, room 51, Jacques Delors building, Rue Belliard 99-102, 1040 Brussels.
The Treaty of Lisbon as well as developing practices have modified the EU decision-making process substantially. As an EU public affairs practioner, these changes have direct repercussions on your day-to-day activities.
Welcome to the DG CONNECT NIPS CONSULTATION CONFERENCE! On behalf of the European Commission’s DG CONNECT, Capgemini, tech4i2 and Deloitte are delighted to invite you to the consultation conference of the on-going study on the readiness of Member States for a common pan-European
The kick-off event and conference of the European Cyber Security Month-ECSM- brings together the public-private stakeholders in Europe. Their examples of cooperation are singled out as good practices, in order to be inspire followers in the entire community.
OS Europe... D'année en année, les peuples se détachent de l'idée européenne. D'année en année, le continent reste confiné dans la stagnation économique et le chômage de masse.
MEP Gabi Zimmer, President of the GUE/NGL group and MEP Nikos Chountis invite you to a press conference
Is austerity the only way out of the crisis? Alternative options for Europe.
with Alexis Tsipras, President of Syriza (Greece)
Invitation to a SEAP event
Priorities of the Lithuanian Presidency
Fined for begging? Across Europe, there is a shift towards repressive administrative regimes at local level which often violate fundamental rights of people in vulnerable situations.
MEP Paul Murphy invites you to a press conference
'Ballyhea bondholders' to present petition to the European Parliament
Tomorrow, Tuesday 17/9/2013 at 2.30pm, Press Room ASP5G2 of the European Parliament.
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