European Parliament

Plenary session in Strasbourg

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

General : US-Cuba relations, Venezuela´s situation and the Colombia Peace Process were among the topics debated at the eighth plenary session of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (Eurolat), which opened on Thursday in Brussels. MEPs and members of Latin America’s parliaments are to deliver a political message to the heads of state or government meeting in Brussels on 10-11 June for the European, Latin American and Caribbean Summit (EU-CELAC)

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

General : Bendable and transparent smart phones, lighter air planes... All this and much more could soon become reality thanks to graphene. On 2 June, MEPs discussed with experts the potential of using the wonder material in various sectors, from electronics to health. Nobel Prize laureate Konstantin Novoselov, who co-discovered graphene, said: “Science is the easy part. To develop a technology, you should know what products you are aiming at, and this should be coming from the industry."

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

General : "We cannot have sustainable development without addressing social, development and environmental issues," said Sam Kahamba Kutesa, the President of the United Nations General Assembly, during his visit to the Parliament on 3 June. He was there do discuss new Sustainable Development Goals with the foreign affairs committee. We talked to him about issues such as climate change and migration.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

An exception to the EU ban on trade in seal products was deleted by the Internal Market Committee on Thursday. MEPs ruled out EU sales of seal products from “maritime resource management” hunts, in line with a 2014 World Trade Organisation ruling. But another exception, for the Inuit community, whose way of life depends on these products, remains.
Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

General : The European Parliament has honoured 47 people from across the EU with this year's Citizen's Prize for their contribution to European cooperation and the promotion of common values. The list of the winners was published on 3 June, after a consultation of the 74 proposals that made it through to the national juries.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

General : Take part in our new guest photographer contest, inspired by 2015 being the European Year for Development. Every month until September we will be announcing a different topic linked to development. Send us your photo inspired by the theme of that month, along with the submission form and you could be invited to Strasbourg to make a photo reportage.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

General : Following the publication of the blacklist of European politicians and officials, the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, on Tuesday informed the Russian Ambassador to the EU that insofar as the Russian authorities have failed to ensure transparency in their decisions, in line with international law and legal obligations, and allow the targeted individuals the right of defence and of appeal, he considers that it is now justified to take appropriate measures in response.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

A proposal to streamline and simplify complicated animal health rules in the EU was informally agreed by MEPs, the European Commission and the national governments on 1 June. Marit Paulsen, the Parliament's lead negotiator, described the result as "fantastic": "Its most important principle is to prevent rather than to cure." We talked to Paulsen, who has been pushing animal welfare issues for four decades, about her interest in animals and how the new rules will make a difference.
Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

General : The media often report on how Brussels has decided on a new piece of legislation, but this is a simple version of what is a very complicated process. In our interactive infographic you find a more precise overview of how decisions that affect the EU and the people living in it are taken by MEPs and the member states.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

General : The political leaders of the European Parliament discussed the priorities of the upcoming Council presidency with the government of Luxembourg, which will take over on 1 July. The Conference of Presidents, made up of EP President Martin Schulz and the chairs of the political groups, went to Luxembourg on Monday 1 June where Prime Minister Xavier Bettel presented his country's priorities. In addition to the prime minister, the EP delegation also met other members of the government.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Measures to prevent and treat animal diseases such as avian flu or African swine fever were informally agreed by MEPs, the Latvian Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the European Commission on Monday. The draft EU law, on diseases that are transmissible among animals and potentially to humans too, will merge and update many scattered items of old legislation, so as to help prevent and halt new outbreaks and keep pace with scientific progress.
Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

"I am proud of what has resulted from my case, including the establishment of this special committee. I see it as a recognition for my decision to go public", said Antoine Deltour in a hearing with members of the Special Committee on Tax Rulings on Monday.
Special Committee on Tax Rulings and Other Measures Similar in Nature or Effect

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Development MEPs called on companies in all countries to adopt country-by-country reporting and make all information public in order to fight tax evasion and illicit money flows in developing countries, in a resolution adopted on Monday afternoon. It also called on the EU's financial institutions to ensure that companies receiving EU support do not participate in tax evasion and avoidance.
Committee on Development

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

General : Paying taxes can be complicated, but so can the vocabulary that goes with it. Tax avoidance is legal, but tax evasion isn't and just what exactly is base erosion? As the Parliament's special committee on tax rulings holds a meeting on Monday 1 June to discuss the international aspects of tax rulings, we take a closer look at the jargon. Read on for an explanation of the terms used and follow the hearing live online from 14.00 CET.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

General : The civil liberties committee discusses passenger name records on Thursday, while the tax rulings committee looks at the international dimension of tax rulings. Parliament and Council negotiators will try to agree on a proposal linking animal welfare with public health. The foreign affairs and development committees discuss upcoming events on development organised by the UN and political groups will prepare for next week's plenary session.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

The European Parliament's special committee on tax rulings and other measures similar in nature or effect has initiated its work a few months ago and it has already organised many hearings at the European Parliament as well as several delegations in various Member States in order to gather as much information as possible.
Special Committee on Tax Rulings and Other Measures Similar in Nature or Effect

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP