27th -31st January. The UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement is set to be endorsed, Parliament commemorates the liberation of Auschwitz and the plenary is in session. Geert Bourgeois organises a conference on the EU-Vietnam trade deal with trade commissioner Phil Hogan. Read on for more details.
24 January 2020
2016 NEWS
In his New Year message, European Conservatives and Reformists group leader Syed Kamall MEP has warned that failing to respond to people’s concerns risks them voting for extremist parties, and the ECR intends to use the opportunity of 2017 to chart a new course for the EU that offers tangible solutions.
31 December 2016
On behalf of all the MEPs and staff in the ECR Group, we miss you a very merry Christmas. We’ll be back on New Year’s Eve with a message from our Chairman, Syed Kamall.
25 December 2016
Today the European Parliament, with the support of the ECR group, approved a new suspension mechanism for its visa policy.
15 December 2016
British Conservative MEP Ian Duncan’s ambitious revisions to the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) have cleared a significant hurdle.
15 December 2016
Ahead of the EU summit tomorrow, European Conservatives and Reformists leader Syed Kamall MEP said that leaders should not pass up the opportunity to finally begin to take the EU in a new direction that addresses their legitimate concerns.
14 December 2016
Speaking in the European Parliament today (14 December), Commission president Juncker called for a “high level of ambition” when the European Council discusses security and defence tomorrow afternoon. He wants the EU to be responsible for the protection of its citizens and “not just to be a soft power”.
14 December 2016
Today, parliamentarians backed a resolution by the ECR group to remind Norway to comply with EU rules and cut down custom duties.
14 December 2016
The European Christian Political Movement (ECPM) in collaboration with the European Coalition for Israel (ECI) organised a conference on “Terrorism and Security: What EU can learn from Israel” at the European Parliament on Thursday 8 December.
9 December 2016
12th - 16th December 2016. European Council. Railway reforms. Visa Liberalisation Suspension Mechanism. Helga Stevens. MEPs will debate the outcome of the Slovak Presidency. Deep sea stocks. Fishing in the Skagerrak. Emissions trading.
9 December 2016
On Wednesday, 7th December, the European Parliament and the Council reached an agreement on the mechanism for information exchange in the area of energy agreements between EU Member States and third countries.
8 December 2016
The ECR Enlarged Bureau travelled to Cairo, Egypt, from 6-9 December 2016.
8 December 2016
The European Commission has decided to reaffirm the European nature protection laws and hereby follows the recommendations of ECR MEP Mark Demesmaeker, who reacts with great relief: “During many months, the Commission refused to take a clear stance on this matter.
7 December 2016
Comment from Syed Kamall MEP, European Conservatives and Reformists leader, in response to Sunday’s Austrian election and Italian referendum results.
5 December 2016
5th - 9th December 2016. Firearms. Emissions Trading Scheme. Sakharov nominee Mustafa Dzhemilev. Localisation of data hearing. By Africa, For Africa.
5 December 2016
Soon all EU citizens and non-EU nationals will be systematically checked when entering or leaving the EU. New legislation agreed by MEPs and EU ministers on Monday aims to strengthen the EU’s internal security.
5 December 2016
ECR Spokesman on Budgetary Affairs in the European Parliament Bernd Kölmel MEP criticised the EU budget 2017 adopted today for its lack of visionary new highlights and considers it merely a continuation of the past.
1 December 2016
The European Parliament has today approved an agreement between the EU and the US on the exchange of personal data to combat terrorism and organized crime.
1 December 2016
Candidate for the Presidency of the European Parliament, Helga Stevens MEP, has welcomed the decision of Gianni Pittella and ‘potentially’ of Guy Verhofstadt to enter the race.
30 November 2016
In response to today’s release by the Commission of their new European Defence Action Plan Geoffrey Van Orden MBE MEP had the following to say:
30 November 2016
Today the European Commission released legislation concerning recovery and resolution of Central Counterparties (CCPs).
28 November 2016
The EU budget 2017 MEPs will vote on the agreement with the Council on the EU budget for 2017. ECR budgets spokesman Bernd Koelmel believes the agreement sees inadequate priorities being set for the budget. Read his comment here.
28 November 2016
ith the announcement that Martin Schulz will leave the European Parliament, European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group leader Syed Kamall and ECR candidate to replace Schulz as parliament President Helga Stevens have called on the parliament to use the opportunity to rethink how it works, and especially how the ‘Grand Coalition’ operates.
24 November 2016
Ambitious targets to reduce air pollution and cut premature deaths from poor air quality were given the final sign off in Strasbourg today.
23 November 2016
The European Parliament has overwhelmingly approved a resolution which calls, among other things, for a better statute for sign language interpreters in Europe
23 November 2016
Today in Strasbourg MEPs voted in favour of Anna Fotyga’s (ECR, PL) report on EU strategic communication to counteract propaganda against it by third parties. 304 voted in favour, 179 against.
23 November 2016
By a large majority, MEPs rejected motion calling for the deal, known as CETA, to be referred to the European Court of Justice for an opinion on its compatibility with EU treaties. If approved, the move could have stopped the deal being introduced for up to two years
23 November 2016
Calls by MEPs today for the creation of a European Defence Union (EDU) are playing into the hands of Russia, according to Conservative Defence spokesman Geoffrey Van Orden MEP.
22 November 2016
Speaking in the European Parliament this afternoon, Syed Kamall MEP, Leader of the European Conservatives and Reformists group, called for the EU to have a new and more honest relationship with Turkey.
22 November 2016
ECR Group negotiators managed on Tuesday to finally secure a well-balanced approach towards preventing trade of certain minerals that might fund conflict in high risk zones around the world.
22 November 2016
Julie Girling is leading legislation through the European Parliament that is part of a ‘Clean Air package’. The new directive sets targets for national emissions reductions from 2020 through to 2030.
21 November 2016
EMISSIONS AND AIR POLLUTION Proposals to reduce the number of premature deaths from air pollution are set to be implemented when the parliament votes on legislation steered through by ECR MEP Julie Girling.
18 November 2016
Bernd Koelmel, budgetary spokesman of the ECR Group in the European Parliament today criticised the European Institutions’ unwillingness to save money and an inadequate priority setting in the decisions made on the EU-budget for 2017.
17 November 2016
Today, the European Commission has proposed a new mandatory registration system for non-EU citizens wishing to travel to Europe. The ETIAS, EU Travel Information and Authorisation System, will largely be based on the American system (ESTA) and applies to travelers who are not subject to a visa requirement.
16 November 2016
With small businesses acting as the engines of job creation across Europe, more attention needs to be paid to the impact that EU and national legislation has on small business growth.
16 November 2016
EU Budget 2017 The 21 day period in which the parliament and EU governments must conclude negotiations on the 2017 EU Budget expires this week.
14 November 2016
New guidelines to improve the welfare of the EU’s 7 million horses and donkeys have been unveiled by Conservative MEP Julie Girling.
8 November 2016
This week in the European Parliament, MEPs are meeting in their respective committees with a number of items to debate and vote upon.
7 November 2016
Czech MEP Evžen Tošenovský considers the Space strategy, released by the European Commission on Wednesday, October 26th, as a strong signal for Europe to benefit from its space programmes Galileo and Copernicus.
28 October 2016
The European Parliament’s Conference of Presidents has awarded the 2016 Sakharov Prize to two Yazidi survivors of ISIL, Nadia Murad Basee & Lamiya Aji Basha.
27 October 2016
Today, the European Parliament (EP) has unanimously adopted Ryszard Czarnecki’s report on discharge for the European Council and Council for 2014, with 615 votes in favour, 0 against and 0 abstention.
27 October 2016
This morning, the European Parliament debated the outcome of last week’s EU summit with European Council President Tusk and European Commission President Juncker.
26 October 2016
Bio security across the EU will be strengthened after a report by Conservative MEP Anthea McIntyre was approved today by the European Parliament.
26 October 2016
ECR Spokesman on budgetary affairs Bernd Koelmel from the German party Alliance for Progress and Renewal sees a lack of
26 October 2016
Today the European Parliament approved Tomasz Poręba’s report on infrastructure in Eastern Europe. It is the first document which deals with this problem in such complex way.
25 October 2016
Responding to the news that the Canadian government has walked away from talks aimed at salvaging the EU-Canada trade agreement, CETA, Syed Kamall MEP, European Conservatives and Reformists group leader in the European Parliament, said:
21 October 2016
European Council MEPs will debate the outcome of last week’s EU summit with the council and commission presidents. ECR Leader Syed Kamall will lament the gridlock of the meeting on several critical areas.
21 October 2016
The Minsk Agreements have become a clear condition for any debate on a possible lifting of sanctions against Russia. Russia has continued its aggression in Ukraine and has not yet fulfilled its part of the Minsk Agreements. The situation calls for a debate on the role of sanctions towards Russia.
20 October 2016
Anneleen Van Bossuyt, ECR and Flemish N-VA Member of the European Parliament, today organized a debate on the fees artists receive from streaming services such as YouTube or Spotify.
20 October 2016
Gas ECR industry coordinator Zdzisław Krasnodębski is hosting a hearing on “The Northern Gate. New Competitive Natural Gas Sources for Europe”, with the participation of European Commissioner for Energy Union, Maroš Šefčovič, and Mr Piotr Naimski, Polish Government Plenipotentiary for the Strategic Energy Infrastructure.
17 October 2016
Wildlife trafficking is a serious form of organised crime that needs to be stopped. Watch Emma McClarkin MEP and Mark Demesmaeker MEP explaining what can be done.
14 October 2016
Hans-Olaf Henkel, Member of the European Parliament (ECR), Vice-Chairman of the ITRE-Committee and shadow rapporteur on the review of the European Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), welcomed the adoption of the Committee’s opinion on ETS reform, in which he played a major role.
13 October 2016
The European Court of Auditors published today its annual report.
13 October 2016
European Parliament Committee adopts Zdzisław Krasnodebski’s report on intergovernmental agreements in the field of energy.
13 October 2016
Spokesman on budgetary affairs of the ECR group, Bernd Koelmel (Allianz für Fortschritt und Aufbruch), criticised the European Parliament’s general lack of willingness for cuts in the 2017 budget during today’s votes of the EU budget committee.
11 October 2016
Ekhard Zinke, president of the Kraftfahrtbundesmt (KBA, Federal Bureau of Motor Vehicles and Drivers) confirmed during a hearing of the Committee on Emission Measurements in the Automotive Sector, that the ban of controversial switch-off devices was not clearly formulated in the mentioned EU regulation.
11 October 2016
Today the committees on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights and Development in the European Parliament have voted on the shortlist of nominees for this year’s Sakharov Prize.
11 October 2016
Energy Union The industry committee will vote on several proposals making up the ‘Energy Union’ package, including a proposal being steered through by prof. Zdzisław Krasnodębski, the ECR coordinator in the committee, which provides for an exchange mechanism related to energy agreements made between EU countries and non-EU countries.
11 October 2016
“Hostile propaganda and disinformation directed against our societies by both Kremlin and non-state actors such as ISIS/Daesh is a fact. In order to counter it effectively, we first need to be able to fully identify them,” said rapporteur Anna Fotyga (ECR, PL).
11 October 2016
The situation in Calais needs action, MEP's say
6 October 2016
The European Conservatives and Reformists group has just nominated the Flemish MEP Helga Stevens (N-VA) as their candidate for the European Parliament presidency.
4 October 2016
A new EU vehicle testing system aimed at preventing any repeat of the VW emissions scandal has been unveiled by Conservative MEP Dan Dalton
1 October 2016
3-6th October 2016. European Council. Situation in Calais. Sakharov Prize. Syria.
30 September 2016
Julie Girling MEP responds to news that the EU’s Environment Council has reached agreement on the ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change
30 September 2016
To mark the 25th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence this year, an art exhibition of Ukrainian artist, Ivan Marchuk, has been displayed in the European Parliament.
28 September 2016
Bernd Koelmel (ALFA), spokesman on budgetary affairs of the ECR group criticises lack of willingness for budget cuts
28 September 2016
26th – 30th September 2016. European Council spending. 2017 EU budget. Car type approval. Events.
26 September 2016
Ryszard Czarnecki: Lack of cooperation of the European Council and the Council with the discharge authority is a negative sign to the citizens of the Union
26 September 2016
Every pregnant woman hopes for a healthy baby and an uncomplicated pregnancy.
22 September 2016
Next week, over 1,000 people from across the EU will descend on the European Parliament chamber to demand better recognition of sign language, and to raise awareness of how sign language interpreters are often an afterthought compared to spoken language interpretation across many public institutions, including the EU.
22 September 2016
The European Parliament’s plenary voted today in favour of a new European unitary travel document that will make it easier to return people whose asylum application has been rejected.
15 September 2016
The European Parliament has rejected – for the first time – a set of technical standards that could have hurt high street investors.
14 September 2016
In today’s State of the Union debate in the European Parliament, European Conservatives and Reformists Group leader Syed Kamall MEP warned European Commission President Juncker that he had an opportunity to listen to the warning signs across Europe and alter the EU’s direction, yet instead we saw the same mantra as before.
14 September 2016
A conference could be staged in the New Year and talks started with private investors following the announcement today by European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker of an investment plan for Africa.
13 September 2016
12 September 2016
12 September 2016
ECR Group budgets spokesman Bernd Kölmel has introduced comprehensive proposals for reform of the EU budget on behalf of the Group.
9 September 2016
The European Court of Justice’s adviser has delivered an irresponsible piece of advice that would strip the EU-Canada counter-terror Passenger Name Records (PNR) agreement of most of its value.
8 September 2016
Ukrainian political prisoners in Russia are still a fact. The tensions between Russia and Ukraine and between Russia and the West have not disappeared even though all eyes are currently fixed on the situation in Turkey and the flows of refugees into the Western world.
8 September 2016
After European Parliament President Martin Schulz today tried to appoint the leader of the fourth largest group in the parliament as the institution’s only Brexit negotiator, the leader of the European Conservatives and Reformists Syed Kamall MEP said:
8 September 2016
MEPs from the third largest group in the European Parliament are in Rome to discuss European security and much-needed reform and decentralisation of the EU. The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group is holding its ‘Autumn University’ under the invitation of the Conservatori E Riformisti party, led by Raffaele Fitto MEP.
7 September 2016
ECR Autumn University The ECR Group will hold its second Autumn University meeting, with discussions focusing on ‘Security for Europe’. The Autumn University was set up by Chairman Syed Kamall, arguing that to change the EU needs new ideas to be put on the table. The conference in Italy brings together MEPs with academics, think tanks, Italian experts and others to discuss a number of themes and ideas.
5 September 2016
Poor technical standards that could hurt high street investors have been rejected today by the European Parliament’s economics committee.
1 September 2016
During the hearing of the Committee of Inquiry into Emission Measurements in the Automotive Sector, former European Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry Günther Verheugen conceded that the ban of defeat devices had not been defined precisely enough.
30 August 2016
29/8 – 2nd September 2016. Verheugen gives evidence. Terrorism discussion. Packaged retail and insurance-based investment products (PRIIPs). Białowieża Forest. Lucke debate with Varoufakis on the Euro.
29 August 2016
A delegation from the European Parliament’s home affairs committee visited the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) in Malta to discuss the way forward.
20 July 2016
Another aid package is, at best, putting off the inevitable for many dairy farmers according to Northern Ireland MEP Jim Nicholson.
18 July 2016
ECR MEP Pirkko Ruohonen-Lerner (FI) was elected yesterday as Vice-Chair of the Panama Papers Special Committee of the European Parliament.
14 July 2016
During the hearing of the Committee of Inquiry into Emission Measurements in the Automotive Sector (EMIS), ALFA MEP and ECR spokesman Hans-Olaf Henkel warned of the committee’s misuse as “Spanish Inquisition” against the European automotive industry.
14 July 2016
The European Parliament’s home affairs committee voted today in favour of the creation of a new European travel document that will make it easier to return people whose asylum application has been rejected.
12 July 2016
In the presence of five EU-finance ministers, ALFA MEP Bernd Koelmel, spokesman on budgetary affairs of the ECR-group, harshly criticised plans to create a common eurozone budget during a hearing in the budget committee concerning the so-called fiscal capacity of the European Parliament on Monday evening.
12 July 2016
European Conservatives and Reformists group leader Syed Kamall MEP has offered his congratulations to Theresa May on the likelihood that she will take over from David Cameron as British Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative Party.
11 July 2016
Flemish MEP Helga Stevens’ report on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has been approved with an overwhelming majority in the European Parliament.
8 July 2016
11th-15th July 2016. Firearms. Migrant returns. Emissions. Capital markets and Fintech. Eurozone budget.
8 July 2016
4th-8th July 2016. European Council. Dutch and Slovak Presidencies. European Border Guard. Work Programme 2017. Combating Terror. UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
5 July 2016
The European Parliament has debated the recent EU summit, and the British referendum on EU membership.
5 July 2016
The European Parliament just adopted with a strong majority the proposal for a new European Coast and Border Guard.
4 July 2016
This is a cross-Channel show of unity – a celebration of the power of sport to change young lives and confound the extremists.”
1 July 2016
Alfa MEP and budgetary spokesman of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, Bernd Kölmel, sees the draft EU Budget of 2017 presented by EU Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva today as overall positive.
30 June 2016
Today at 15.00 ECR MEP Monica Macovei is organising in the European Parliament, together with ETTW (Europeans Throughout The World), a public hearing on Internet voting and the possibility for expats to use this system as a pilot for the European elections in 2019.
29 June 2016
Syed Kamall MEP comments on post-Brexit future.
28 June 2016
The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group met this morning to discuss the outcome of the U.K. referendum.
28 June 2016
Commenting on the decision of the British people to leave the EU, Syed Kamall MEP, European Conservatives and Reformists group leader and London MEP, said:
24 June 2016
Following Nirj Deva, Conservative Member of the European Parliament for the South East’s, report on the Private Sector and Development, the European Commission has undertaken a fundamental shift in its approach to development aid, recognising the private sector as a key actor in the future of international development efforts.
21 June 2016
The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament adopted today by a large majority a proposal for a Regulation, which will oblige member states to perform systematic checks on all persons, both EU citizens and third country nationals, when entering and exiting the external borders of the European Union.
21 June 2016
Ahead of the upcoming NATO Summit in Warsaw, the Brussels-based New Direction Foundation organised a conference and report on the key challenges in terms of security and defence. The main speakers at the event were NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow and Polish Defence Minister Antoni Macierewicz.
16 June 2016
European Conservatives and Reformists MEPs have welcomed the European Commission’s decision to send a first warning to France, and further warnings Germany over laws that require foreign hauliers to be paid French and German minimum wage when they drive through these countries.
16 June 2016
Indecipherable energy labels for electronic goods are set to become a thing of the past after a committee of MEPs voted to go back to a previous, clearer, energy labelling system.
14 June 2016
Members of the European Parliament’s Internal Market committee are expected to debate amendments to the EU’s Firearms Directive this Tuesday.
13 June 2016
Following the terrorist attacks that have taken place in recent weeks, Anna Fotyga, Chair of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence stated:
9 June 2016
European Commission President Juncker’s planned meeting with Vladimir Putin at the latter’s pseudo Davos-style conference is a mistake ahead of a critical decision on whether to renew EU sanctions against Russia.
9 June 2016
A large majority of MEPs have voted in favour of a report on the ‘anti base erosion and profit shifting’ (BEPS), which should have focused on artificial fiscal constructions that lack any commercial justification.
8 June 2016
Professor of Economics and ALFA MEP Joachim Starbatty welcomes the landslide approval of the European Agreement on Information Technology (ITA) revision in today’s European Parliament plenary session.
8 June 2016
The European Commission today presented a new immigration proposal which intends to provide financial support to link the main African and Middle Eastern transit countries to two conditions
7 June 2016
Conservative MEP Anthea McIntyre has secured European Parliament approval for a report calling for the greater use of technology in agriculture.
7 June 2016
Securing peace and stability in Africa is crucial to dealing with the flow of refugees and economic migrants into Europe, a Conservative report approved by the European Parliament today makes clear.
7 June 2016
Today, MEPs voted for Edward Czesak’s report on unfair trading practices in the food supply chain.
7 June 2016
A strengthening of the EU’s FRONTEX border agency has been approved by the home affairs committee of the European Parliament.
31 May 2016
A large majority adopted the report on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs last night.
31 May 2016
Today’s announcement of talks to update and extend the EU’s trade deal with Mexico has been welcomed by ECR MEPs.
30 May 2016
An upgrade of the EU’s system for exchanging criminal records is a step closer after the European Parliament’s home affairs committee approved the draft plans.
30 May 2016
A new approach is needed to remove obstacles to trade that still exist across the EU, according to ECR MEP Dan Dalton.
26 May 2016
Plans to force online retailers to open their websites to customers across the EU could reduce consumer choice, ECR MEPs have warned
25 May 2016
Local media confirm that Ukrainian pilot, Nadiya Savchenko, has now been swapped for the two Russian prisoners,Yevgeny Yerofeyev, and Alexander Alexandrov, held by Ukraine.
25 May 2016
Statement from Anna Fotyga MEP on events in Georgia.
24 May 2016
Next week the European Commission is set to publish a revision of its Media Services Directive, which is expected to include a requirement for Netflix and other on-demand services to devote at least 20 percent of their content to European works.
19 May 2016
Open letter to the Governments of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland and Poland
19 May 2016
Slovak ECR Member of the European Parliament (MEP), Richard Sulík, prepared two letters regarding the controversial law on minimum wage in Germany (MiLoG).
12 May 2016
Prof. Zdzisław Krasnodębski MEP warns that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline will harm Europe’s security.
10 May 2016
The EU must retain the power to take “timely, necessary and effective” action against anti-competitive practices as it shapes future trade arrangements with China, an ECR MEP insisted today.
10 May 2016
Local communities now have more power over spending EU regional funds, but they need more support to make use of it, according to a report drafted for the European Parliament by Croatian MEP Ruza Tomasic.
10 May 2016
After the European Commission published its assessment of Turkey’s progress towards visa liberalisation, European Conservatives and Reformists home affairs spokesman Timothy Kirkhope said:
4 May 2016
The European Commission is right to maintain the basic Dublin principles but it must stop pushing the already failing relocation system, Timothy Kirkhope MEP, European Conservatives and Reformists home affairs spokesman, said today.
4 May 2016
ECR chair of the European Parliament’s Security and Defence subcommittee Anna Fotyga has co-written an open letter criticising the decision to allow two Russian officials allowed on an EU sanctions list access to the European Parliament
2 May 2016
New legislation approved by the European Parliament on Thursday regarding Europe’s railway reform will allow improvements to security and interoperability of railways in the European Union and cut costs.
28 April 2016
Bernd Kölmel, spokesman of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) in the Budget Committee and MEP within the ALFA Delegation issued a statement today, in which he warned against the recent idea of a separate budget for the Euro-countries, as was recently proposed by the Christian Democrats (EPP) and the Socialists (S&D) in the European Parliament.
27 April 2016
Despite the tense relationship between the EU and Russia, the EU regards Russia as an important ally in the Arctic.
27 April 2016
An ECR MEP’s drive to protect gardens, farmland and the countryside from deadly plant diseases took a big step forward today.
26 April 2016
A committee of MEPs has today lamented that far too many obstacles exist to trading across the bloc.
21 April 2016
Ulrike Trebesius MEP on innovation in the financial technology sector.
21 April 2016
Hans-Olaf Henkel MEP comments on the Joint Research Centre.
20 April 2016
Legal controls on blank firing guns, basic standards for firearms storage, mandatory medical checks for licence holders and tighter controls on the sale of ammunition are being proposed in an attempt to close loopholes in European gun laws.
20 April 2016
An EU law allowing the collection and sharing of flight passenger data – to detect terrorist and serious criminal activity – finally took off today after five years of talks between MEPs and European governments.
14 April 2016
The European Parliament debated counterterrorism and Syed Kamall MEP, ECR group leader, argued that the answer is not only international cooperation, or military and intelligence cooperation that matter.
13 April 2016
The European Parliament has voted to support extending approval for glyphosate, the world’s most widely used weed killer.
13 April 2016
The European Parliament has today adopted a set of recommendations for what it calls an ‘holistic’ approach to the migration crisis, but in reality the recommendations adopted represent a ‘lowest common denominator’ of what the left and the right can agree.
13 April 2016
The European Parliament has this afternoon debated tomorrow’s vote on a new EU Passenger Name Records directive, seen as a critical tool in the EU’s counter-terrorism efforts.
13 April 2016
The European Parliament has backed proposals that would ensure small scale fishermen and coastal communities are strengthened.
12 April 2016
The Liberal Group in the European Parliament could yet again seriously postpone if not kill the adoption of the critical EU Passenger Name Records (PNR) proposal after its lead MEP tabled an amendment that – if adopted – would send the whole agreement back to the negotiating table.
12 April 2016
MEPs have backed measures increasing the role of national parliaments in EU law making.
12 April 2016
Tomorrow, the European Parliament will vote on ECR MEP Anneleen Van Bossuyt’s report on better regulation in the internal market.
11 April 2016
Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) voted in favour of three reports of Ryszard Czarnecki, ECR Group Coordinator in CONT on discharge 2014 for European Court of Auditors, European Ombudsman and European Council and Council.
8 April 2016
At a joined conference organized by the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR) and the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy Group (EFDD) as well as a Finnish MEP from the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), euro realists from different political backgrounds discussed their views on the problems of the Eurozone.
8 April 2016
Yesterday the European commission published its new communication concerning the new European asylum system which is meant to replace the partially suspended Dublin regulation.
7 April 2016
A long-awaited vote on the EU Passenger Name Records (PNR) legislation is likely to happen next week after months of delays.
7 April 2016
Syed Kamall MEP responds to the outcome of the Dutch referendum on the Ukraine Association Agreement.
7 April 2016
Hans-Olaf Henkel, European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) coordinator and shadow rapporteur for the inquiry committee on emission measurements in the automotive sector (EMIS), complained about the mission proposals put forth by his colleagues from other groups.
7 April 2016
The European Commission has today put forward two possible visions for the future of the EU’s Dublin regulation, which determines where asylum applications should be made.
6 April 2016
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making his first visit to Brussels today for the first EU-India summit for four years.
30 March 2016
Syed Kamall MEP responds to Brussels attacks.
22 March 2016
A Russian court has convicted the Ukrainian pilot Nadia Savchenko for the death of two Russian journalists.
22 March 2016
The justice and home affairs committee of the European Parliament has today adopted a ‘lowest common denominator’ set of proposals on a ‘holistic’ approach to resolving the migration crisis, according to European Conservatives and Reformists shadow rapporteur, Helga Stevens MEP.
16 March 2016
Jim Nicholson MEP comments on measures announced by the EU’s Agriculture Commissioner.
15 March 2016
Yesterday, the Committee on International Trade discussed the CETA trade agreement between the EU and Canada as well as taking stock of progress concerning the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.
15 March 2016
Today the European Parliament voted for a new “Interinstitutional agreement” (IIA) on better law-making in the EU.
10 March 2016
ECR MEPs are supporting calls for the creation of a framework to ensure Thalidomide victims across the EU receive similar levels of compensation.
10 March 2016
Syed Kamall MEP questions EU-turkey deal.
9 March 2016
Before the European Council of the 17th March, EU leaders need to ask themselves whether the proposed agreement with Turkey is really going to solve the migrant crisis, or whether it is committing the EU to an undeliverable plan at great cost for Europe, European Conservatives and Reformists home affairs Spokesman Timothy Kirkhope MEP has said.
8 March 2016
European Conservatives and Reformists group employment spokesman Anthea McIntyre has argued that revisiting the Posting of Workers directive is a mistake that risks adding more uncertainty and red tape to businesses.
8 March 2016
The ECR Policy Group on Budgets has published a paper setting out reform proposals that would make the EU budget better able to meet the challenges of the future.
4 March 2016
Left wing leaders in the European Parliament are once again playing games with a crucial counter-terrorism agreement on Passenger Name Records (PNR), the European Parliament’s rapporteur Timothy Kirkhope has warned.
3 March 2016
ECR MEP Mark Demesmaeker has been elected as vice-chair of the special inquiry committee to investigate failure to oversee emissions tests.
2 March 2016
The Ukraine Week in the European Parliament from the 29th of February to the 2nd of March 2016 makes us aware that we should not forget about Ukraine.
2 March 2016
The stalled EU-Canada trade deal has been revived following an agreement between both sides to overcome last-minute concerns regarding investment protection and investment dispute settlement, also allowing the final legal checks of the deal to have been concluded.
1 March 2016
To celebrate the arrival of spring, ECR MEP Angel Dzhambazki has issued a message to mark a Bulgarian tradition of ‘Grand Mother Marta’ day.
1 March 2016
The European Parliament has adopted a series of recommendations on trade negotiations that have begun between the EU and Tunisia.
26 February 2016
ECR MEPs will lead on three major EU reforms proposed to help tackle the migrant and refugee crisis.
25 February 2016
NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, has emphasized the importance of NATO’s role in the current refugee crisis.
24 February 2016
Gun owners are being urged to engage positively with efforts to amend EU legislation aimed at keeping firearms out of terrorists’ hands.
23 February 2016
More action is needed to prevent the decline in coastal fishing.
17 February 2016
A report laying out innovative new ways to mobilise private capital in the fight against global poverty was approved by MEPs today.
17 February 2016
The European Commission today presented its energy security package.
16 February 2016
Today the European Commission released its report on the implementation of the priority actions under the European Agenda for Migration for Italy, Greece and the Western Balkans as well a report on the implementation of the EU-Turkey Joint Action Plan.
11 February 2016
MEP Mark Demesmaeker, the European Conservatives and Reformists’ (ECR) spokesperson on human rights, met the Saudi Minister of Justice, Dr. Walid bin Mohammad bin Saleh Al-Samaani.
10 February 2016
Mr Dalton, who represents the West Midlands region of the UK, has been appointed as the ‘rapporteur’ (lead MEP) on the so-called type approval proposals, which set out the technical and safety requirements a car must meet before it can be sold in the EU.
9 February 2016
This morning the European Parliament debated the proposals of European Council President Donald Tusk for a new settlement for the UK in the EU.
3 February 2016
MEPs today rejected an attempt to block the introduction of so called Real Driving Emissions (RDE) tests.
3 February 2016
As the Nigerian President today arrives in Strasbourg today, two European Conservatives and Reformists MEPs have commended the work of the Nigerian Administration in fighting Boko Haram, and set out some of the extra work that Nigeria needs to carry out in protecting human rights and the victims of religious discrimination.
3 February 2016
Emma McClarkin MEP, Conservative spokesman for International Trade, today welcomed the adoption of a report containing the European Parliament’s recommendations to the European Commission on negotiations for the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA), while noting caution regarding some of the Parliaments demands.
3 February 2016
Syed Kamall MEP responds to Tusk's draft proposals
2 February 2016
A very broad majority of the European Parliament has just adopted the report of ECR MEP Mark Demesmaeker (N-VA) on biodiversity. Demesmaeker asks the European Commission not to revise the nature directives, but on the contrary to fully implement them.
2 February 2016
There are some gaps in the international tax system that give multinational companies the ability to artificially shift profits from one country to another.
28 January 2016
The European Commission is right to look at better enforcement of rules to prevent a repeat of the Dieselgate scandal, but its proposals today risk becoming an unnecessary centralisation of power.
27 January 2016
Technological progress is the key to productivity and sustainability in agriculture, a new report to the European Parliament stresses.
26 January 2016
ECR Spokesman on International Development, Nirj Deva MEP, has launched a blistering attack on the European Commission over the way in which the EU carries out international development funding
25 January 2016
ECR MEPs have opposed a European Parliament resolution calling for integrated military forces (“permanent structured cooperation”), establishment of a permanent European Union military headquarters to plan collective defence, and movement towards a European Defence Union separate from NATO.
21 January 2016
CHANGES which will enable consumers to watch their favourite television programmes abroad and help businesses to sell their goods more easily online across Europe have received backing from the European Parliament
20 January 2016
Proposals to reform the EU’s Dublin Regulation should focus on helping to better implement rules in place, not to reinvent the wheel, Timothy Kirkhope MEP, said today as he sent a list of proposals for Dublin reform to the European Commission.
20 January 2016
Checking the criminal records of people entering the EU marks an important step in delivering more confidence in migration, and has long been called for by European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) MEP Timothy Kirkhope.
20 January 2016
ECR MEPs have backed a report from the International Trade Committee establishing the Parliament’s position on the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA).
20 January 2016
How many more years like 2015 can the EU cope with?
11 January 2016
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