European Parliament

General : The internet has made it easier to book holidays online, however it has also added some difficulties. On 5 May the Parliament and the Council agreed a deal to update the current rules to give online buyers of such packages the same protection as those buying from traditional travel agents. We talked to German EPP member Birgit Collin-Langen, responsible for steering the new rules through Parliament, about the difference the legislation will make.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

As a return to "business as usual" with Russia is now out of the question, the EU should earmark specific funding to counter its propaganda and infiltration of EU politics and support independence movements there, say Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs in a resolution voted on Monday. EU countries should refrain from doing bilateral deals with Russia and step up their own collective efforts to withstand it, whilst retaining a return to cooperation with Russia as a long-term goal, they add.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

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Turkey must do more to fight corruption and enforce respect for media freedom, free expression and judicial independence, said Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs on Monday. In a resolution on the progress of reform in Turkey in 2014, MEPs also urge the EU to back Turkey’s efforts to build solid, democratic institutions and ensure respect for fundamental freedoms, human rights and the rule of law. Finally, it advocates stepping up EU/Turkey foreign policy cooperation.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

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"Whistleblowers should receive protection when they reveal behaviour that goes against the public interest and not only when they reveal illegal activities. There should also be more openness about tax rulings and similar arrangements and countries which defraud other countries should be sanctioned", suggested Richard Brooks of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists in a hearing with Parliament's Special Tax Rulings Committee on Monday.
Special Committee on Tax Rulings and Other Measures Similar in Nature or Effect

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General : To celebrate Europe Day, the European Parliament opened its doors to the public on 2 May in Strasbourg and on 9 May in Brussels and Luxembourg. In addition local EU offices in Europe and all over the world organised a variety of activities and events for all ages. More than 40,000 people visited the Parliament's events in all three cities.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Parliament President Martin Schulz and the EU’s foreign chief Federica Mogherini opened the EU Pavilion at the World Expo in Milan. To mark Europe Day on 9 May, they also exchanged views on the EU with more than 1,000 citizens, during which Schulz made the case for an active Europe: “The world needs an active and engaging Europe.”

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General : Should animal testing be banned? The Stop Vivisection citizens' initiative aims to repeal the European directive on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes and ask the European Commission to present a new proposal that does away with animal experimentation. The Parliament is holding a hearing on Monday 11 May, during which MEPs will debate the issue with experts and the initiative's organisers. Watch the discussion live online from 15.00 CET.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

General : Tax rulings, EU-Russia relations, Turkey’s reform progress, boosting free trade with the US, empowering women in Africa and the current situation in Georgia are all on the Parliament's agenda when MEPs gather this week in Brussels. Political groups will also prepare for the plenary session in Strasbourg on 18-21 May. Meanwhile Parliament President Martin Schulz will be awarded the Charlemagne Prize in Aachen on Thursday.

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Dr Denis Mukwege will join the Development Committee to debate how empowering women in Africa can foster the overall development of societies and why addressing health and human security is a prerequisite for progress in developing countries. Dr Mukwege was awarded the Sakharov Prize 2014 for his work for the victims of sexual violence in Eastern Congo's Kivu provinces.
Committee on Development

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General : Martin Schulz paid tribute to young people during a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau: "You have brought hope into this dark place that together we can and will fight the return of anti-Semitism and racism, intolerance, and ultra-nationalism every step of the way." The Parliament President was talking to them as part of the ”Train 1,000 to Auschwitz” commemorative event on 8 May, bringing together 1,000 young people from all over Europe who took a train journey from Brussels to Krakow.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Political group and committee meetings, Brussels

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General : Celebrate Europe Day on 9 May by visiting the European Parliament in Brussels! As part of the Festival of Europe, the Parliament will organise quizzes, exhibitions, a debate with MEPs, mini-conferences and a film screening. Since 2015 is the European Year for Development, this year’s celebration of Europe is focused on what the EU does to reduce poverty in the developing world and many activities will be centred on development cooperation.

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General : The negotiations on a free-trade deal with the US continue to attract attention, especially a clause detailing how to resolve disputes between foreign investors and countries. The international trade committee organised a meeting on 6 May to discuss the issue with Cecilia Malmström, the commissioner responsible for foreign trade. To find out what they discussed, read our summary on Storify.

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A draft law empowering shareholders to vote on directors’ remuneration, so as to ensure proper transparency and tie their pay more closely to their performance, was backed by Legal Affairs Committee MEPs on Thursday. Some large companies should also be required to disclose, country by country, information on tax rulings, taxes paid and public subsidies received, adds the committee.
Committee on Legal Affairs

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"Even though there is some truth in them, France is the victim of clichés", French Finance Minister Michel Sapin told Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee MEPs in an “economic dialogue” meeting at the European Parliament on Thursday morning. Despite what is often said and written, “France is reforming, but reforms require careful negotiation and have to be phased in gently so as to last and avoid social conflict", he added.
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

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EU countries would have to enforce sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emission limits upon medium-sized combustion plants, such as electricity generators or heating systems for domestic, residential or industrial use, under draft plans approved by the Environment Committee on Wednesday. MEPs voted to adapt the scheme to match the plants’ thermal input, so as to reduce the administrative burden on small businesses.
Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

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General : On 9 May 2015, the European Union celebrates Europe Day in its Member States and around the world. To mark the occasion, the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz and Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the Commission (HRVP) will open the EU Pavilion of EXPO Milan and exchange views with over 1 000 citizens to hear their ideas and views about the EU.

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General : Undeclared work lead to countries missing out on taxes and social security contributions as well as to distortions in the labour market as it gives people who don't declare their services and goods an unfair advantage. Far from being a minor issue, undeclared work amounted to 18.4% of the EU's GDP in 2012. On 7 May the employment committee votes on a proposal to launch a new European organisation to help member states work together on it.

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The possible effects of an EU member state decision to reintroduce the death penalty, including those on its rights and status as a member state, will be debated in the Civil Liberties Committee on Thursday at 16.30.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

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A lively debate on the proposal for “reformed system” to resolve disputes between foreign investors and states in the Transatlantic Trade and investment partnership (TTIP) deal, currently being negotiated between the EU and the United states, took place between Trade Committee MEPs and EU Trade Commissioner Malmström on Wednesday afternoon.
Committee on International Trade

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