
Rethinking the Budget introducing own resources
In order to provide greater investment in areas where it is most needed, and to make use of the huge economies of scale the Union can provide, some form of EU long term financing is required. More specifically, the question of the Union's revenues needs to be addressed. The long overdue budget review is required in order to overhaul the Union's financial system. The only way to end the entrenched debate between those countries that contribute and those that receive is the introduction of genuine own resources. This will also involve the citizens directly with the European budget debate.
The euro is also of vital importance and in the crisis has proved that the Union stands stronger together. We need to move fast towards the extension of the euro zone thereby bringing much needed stability to some of our newer Member States. Whilst investment in infrastructure is currently required in order to pull us out of recession the precept of the stability pact must not be forgotten and all Member States must demonstrate their commitment towards renewed fiscal rectitude.
Common consular protection: no EU citizens should be left behind
The Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE) voted today on a report to strengthen consular protection for EU citizens abroad. ALDE welcomes this proposal to overcome the grave flaws exposed at the time of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai...
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Putin's majority rids Duma of any credibility
Guy Verhofstadt: "Today's dismisal of Gennady Gudkov, Member of the State Duma for Just Russia opposition party demonstrates clearly that in Putin's Russia there is no space for dissent and opposition. Putin's majority in the...
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Verhofstadt on Syria "Arguments for not intervening are pure nonsense"
The absence of action by the international community to the humanitarian crisis in Syria is a "real scandal"- this was the overriding message today by Guy Verhofstadt, ALDE leader during the debate in the European Parliament with...
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