Stability bonds: An option that must be further explored

On February 15th through a resolution, the European Parliament gave a first response to the official consultation launched by the European Commission last November 23rd 2011 on the "feasibility of introducing stability bonds". On the same topic, the EP has also decided to produce a report with more detailed recommendations on the Commission's work in producing a more concrete proposal in the future.

Greece needs major structural reforms not more taxes

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At a February 7th press conference in Athens ahead of an expected announcement by Greek party leaders backing a new austerity plan in return for EU support for the latest bailout, Guy Verhofstadt, ALDE group leader, heading a delegation of senior Liberal MEPs, called for a major roll back of the Greek State, an end to party political clientilism and sweeping structural reforms to liberalise the economic sector

Verhofstadt calls on EU to back Syrian National Council

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Intervening  in a February 15th debate on Syria in Strasbourg, Guy Verhofstadt, ALDE group leader, called for the EU High Representative to have a clear strategy towards Syria when she attends the planned 'Contact Group for the Friends of Syria' in Tunis next week and declare full and practical support for the Syrian National Council.

ALDE is taking practical steps to support of Arab countries that opt for democracy and the rule of law

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The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, which was and continues to be heavily involved in the democratic movement that has stirred the Arab world for the past several months is supporting: the EU - Morocco free trade agreement for agricultural and fishery products, and the signing of the regional convention on preferential rules of origin Pan Euro -Mediterranean.

The recognition of market economy status to China is not on the agenda"

European Liberals and Democrats deplore the commitment made in Beijing on February 14th by the European Council President, Herman van Rompuy, to open discussions on the recognition of market economy status to China.

Hungary sent strong warning by European Parliament to halt erosion of civil liberties

press/press-and-release-news/press-release/article/hungary-sent-strong-warning-by-european-parliament-to-halt-erosion-of-civil-liberties-37932/On February 17th the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the controversial laws recently adopted in Hungary following the entry into force of a new Constitution last month.

Russia must listen to its people and allow free and fair elections

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Ahead of forthcoming presidential elections in Russia on 4th March in which Prime Minister Putin is expected to emerge as victor following a deal to swap roles with current President Medvedev, the European Parliament adopted a critical resolution during the February Strasbourg plenary.

EU growth strategy must address youth unemployment

The Liberal and Democrat group in the European Parliament on Wednesday February 15th  expressed serious concerns over the social consequences of the economic crisis. In its opinion on the EU's priorities for social and economic policy for the coming 12 months, the MEPs expressed their views on the progress made towards the related Europe2020 targets and the priorities set out in the Annual Growth Strategy presented by the European Commission last November. Tackling poverty and social exclusion should remain the top priority as unemployment rates are rising, especially amongst young people.

Parliament must carefully listen to citizens concerns over ACTA

The Liberal and Democrat group in the European Parliament on February 15th held a thorough discussion on the proposed ACTA agreement aimed at combating counterfeiting and protecting intellectual property rights.

MEPs elected on transnational basis would strengthen European democracy

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On January 26th the Parliamentary Committee for Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) adopted by a large majority (17 votes against 7 and 1 abstention) the report of Andrew DUFF (LibDem, UK) to amend the European electoral system. The symbolic element of the report consists of 25 deputies elected in a single European constituency on the basis of transnational lists.

Verhofstadt on EU summit: "Eurozone needs action not words"

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On the margins of the January summit of European leaders in Brussels aiming to agree a new fiscal stability pact to solve the financial crisis, Guy Verhofstadt (Liberal and Democrat group leader) stated:

Liberals condemn Dutch PVV hotline against Eastern Europeans

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Guy Verhofstadt, President of the ALDE Group in the European Parliament, and the Leaders of the VVD and D66 delegations on February 12th issued the following joint statement on the hotline launched the previous week by the PVV via a website where complaints about Central and Eastern Europeans can be posted.

Verhofstadt: "Russia and China share responsibility for Homs massacre" EU must help establish safe havens in Syria, without UN backing if necessary.

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Guy Verhofstadt, Leader of Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament has condemned Russia and China for vetoing the UN Security Council resolution on Syria just hours after the Syrian regime launched an assault on the city of Homs that has left hundreds of civilians dead.

MEPS call for building a low-carbon economy

On January 31st the European Parliament´s Environment Committee adopted a report aiming at a cost-efficient way to make the European economy more climate-friendly and less energy-consuming.

EP Rapporteur In 't Veld set to reject new EU-US Passenger Name Records Agreement (PNR)

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Sophie in 't Veld (D66, NL), on February 1st outlined her recommendation for the European Parliament to withhold consent on the EU-US PNR Agreement for which she is Parliament's rapporteur. The Agreement on the transfer of Passenger Name Records (PNR), signed by the Council in 2011, does not meet the criteria set by the European Parliament in its 2010 resolutions, and is not in line with EU legislation.

Authoritarian regimes beware - The EU will not help you launder your ill-gotten gains

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The European Parliament voted on a report on EU policy towards the leaders of authoritarian regimes on the Thursday February 2nd during its mini plenary session in Brussels. The report has been timed to coincide with a European Commission and EEAS review of the EU's sanctions policy which has been requested by the Council of Ministers.

Verhofstadt: Bickering over seat of EU Patent Court is a scandal

The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe strongly deplores the blocking of the Council concerning the future headquarters of the European Patent Court.

EP pledges to tackle problem of double taxation in the Single Market

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On February 2nd the European Parliament adopted Olle Schmidt's (Folkpartiet, Sweden) report on tax that responds to the tax initiatives taken by the Commission in 2011 and on the areas where much more must be done to increase growth and boost Europe's competitiveness. In particular, the report focuses on removing cross-border tax obstacles for EU citizens and businesses, on preventing tax fraud, increasing tax transparency, as well proposing common principles, general guidelines concerning taxation and the need for further tax coordination where the EU can play a key role.

EP Rapporteurs underline need for urgent reform of the Common Fisheries Policy

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Pat the Cope Gallagher, ALDE Coordinator on the Fisheries committee organised a February 8th high level conference entitled "Shaping the future of the Common Fisheries Policy", attended by Commissioner Maria Damanaki and all six rapporteurs appointed by the Fisheries Committee to deal with the key reports of the reform of the CFP.

ALDE SME Campaign Launch Event

We will launch the campaign on the eve of the European Council on February 29 at 18.30 in a marquee on the esplanade between Place Luxembourg and the EP.

CAP funds must not be wasted

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The Liberal Group in the European Parliament (ALDE) is pushing for an output rather than input oriented reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) that will put an end to the wasteful and misused spending of CAP funds by EU Member States criticised heavily by the Court of Auditors in two recent reports.

Rising homelessness in EU without access to emergency care is a scandal

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On February 8th the ALDE group held a seminar on "EU citizenship, homelessness and EU freedom of movement" to address the dramatic problem of homelessness and to draw up measures to facilitate the integration of homeless people into society as well as ensure accessibility to emergency housing.

European Commission Alert Mechanism Report on the prevention and correction of macro-economic imbalances

After the meeting of the College, Vice-President Rehn presented the first Alert Mechanism Report (AMR) under the new surveillance procedure on the prevention and correction of macro-economic imbalances. The AMR assesses for which Member States further in-depth study into possible risks of imbalances appears to be required, and is based on an economic reading of a scoreboard of selected economic indicators. This is the first AMR since the entry into force of the "six pack" on 13 December 2011.

Vice-President Rehn indicated that further study was required for a total of 12 Member States (BE, BG, CY, DK, FI, FR, IT, HU, SI, ES, SE and UK). This does not include the 4 Member States already subject to enhanced economic surveillance (EL, IE, PT and RO), nor LV, which is under post-programme surveillance.

In relation to Spain, Vice-President Rehn indicated that the high levels of unemployment were a cause of particular concern. In relation to Italy, he stated that the Commission was looking at the high level of debt and the low growth prospects.

Thodoros Skylakakis MEP (Democratic Alliance , Greece)

Thodoros Skylakakis is currently serving his first term as Member of the European Parliament as the only Greek MEP in the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE). 

Thodoros graduated from the Athens University School of Law (Faculty of Economics), he then did an MBA (specialised in marketing) at the City University of London. In 2010 he was awarded a Doctorate by the National Kapodistrian University of Athens. Before joining the European Parliament he was Secretary-General for International Economic Relations and Development Cooperation and Special Representative for Climate Change in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2006-2009) and Alternate Mayor of Athens in the period 2003-2006.

His work in the European Parliament is focused on three main topics: economy, environment and budgetary control. He is currently a full member on the Budgetary Control Committee and as a Shadow Rapporteur for the ALDE Group is in charge of the 2010 Discharge to the Council and other Institutions. As an economist, Thodoros is very active in the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, a Committee which has increasing responsibility in developing the EU's response to the current financial crisis in Europe.

He is also currently leading the ALDE group in its response to the Greek crisis in which he believes that the EU, ECB and IMF must combine their calls for cuts to the public sector with a plan for structural reform, investments and stimulus for the private sector."

In the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee, he has brought to light the so-called "HFC-23 scandal" which costs the European consumers 1.5 billion Euros each year without having any positive environmental impact. At the same time, he has complementing the EU Climate policy by initiating the non-CO2 anthropogenic emission reductions and as a result is fighting the consequences of climate change in a cost-efficient manner.

Thodoros is married to Eleni, a lawyer, and has two daughters, Mariana and Irini. In his free time Thodoros likes walking and swimming. Cooking is also a family hobby and an important part of their summer holidays, which they usually spend on their farm in Peloponnese, southern Greece.

www.skylakakis.gr

For more information, please contact:
ALDE Press Service and Inter-institutional relations unit

neil.corlett@europarl.europa.eu
willem.vandenbroucke@europarl.europa.eu