The European Parliament wants a rebalancing of EU-China trade relations

During the May Strasbourg plenary session the European Parliament adopted by a large majority Marielle DE SARNEZ's (Modem, France) report on trade relations between the EU and China. Unbalanced relations, as the trade deficit more than tripled in the past 10 years; this demands a new partnership whose main lines are reciprocity rules, trade balance, and transparency in trade relations.

Parliament's right of inquiry: it is time that the Council enters into negotiation

On May 23rd  of the May Strasbourg plenary session the European Parliament reaffirmed its commitment to acquiring a true right of inquiry but given the difficulties that such progress causes among member states, invites the Council and the Commission to open an early dialogue on this issue to find common ground. Parliament, under the new Article 226 of the Treaty of Lisbon, wishes that in the future its inquiry committees will have full power to interrogate on oath the people involved, including government ministers.

Resource efficiency: maximise benefits for the economy and environment

The report on the European Commission´s "Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe", drafted by Dutch Liberal Democrat MEP Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy (D66, NL), defines concrete steps towards improving resource efficiency, tackling one of our biggest challenges: the declining availability of resources around the world. The final report was voted on May 24th in the European Parliament.

Verhofstadt appeals to EU leaders ahead of crucial EU summit

Debating the enhanced tension and uncertainty in the Eurozone ahead of the May 23 crucial EU summit, ALDE group leader, Guy Verhofstadt called for EU leaders finally to grasp the bull by the horns and establish full economic and fiscal union, a debt mutualisation fund and a pact for growth.

Verhofstadt to travel to Ukraine to see Tymoshenko

Guy Verhofstadt and Hans van Baalen, ALDE Spokesman on Ukraine will travel to Ukraine on Friday 25 May for a conference on EU-Ukraine relations. They have also formally requested to be allowed to visit Ms Tymoshenko in hospital and present to her the text adopted by the European Parliament during the May Strasbourg plenary on the situation in her country.

SMEs need better access to structural funds and to finance in general

Liberals and Democrats have pointed out their support for small and medium sized enterprises' access to structural funds in the EU. During a May 22nd debate in the Strasbourg plenary several ALDE speakers presented proposals on how to best match the practical needs of SMEs with diligence requirements of those who finance them.

Only a structural solution to reduce Eurozone debt will end the crisis of confidence

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As market speculation grows that Greece may be edging towards an exit from the Eurozone and doubts arise about the capacity of the EU's nascent firewall (€500bn European Stability Mechanism) to contain the ensuing contagion, Guy Verhofstadt, ALDE group leader underscores the need to reconsider a structural solution involving further economic integration and a pooling of debt and calls on the new French President to demonstrate strong, pro-European leadership in promoting it as part of his strategy to restore growth.

Homophobia remains a stain on our free and open society

On the eve of the International Day against Homophobia, the Group of Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament (ALDE) called on EU institutions, Member States and international organizations to continue the fight against discrimination and persecution targeting LGBTI persons.

Two-pack: ALDE welcomes inclusion of European Redemption Fund to solve the eurocrisis

In addition to the rules on enhanced economic governance, better known as the 'six- pack', in force since last December, the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs committee voted today on two further Regulations presented by the Commission last November to enhance the coordination and surveillance of budgetary processes for all euro-area Member States, also known as the 'two-pack".

Basel III: decreasing capital risk in favour of growth.

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On May 14th the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs committee (ECON) voted the new draft legislation to reform bank prudential requirements on capital and liquidity, also known as Basel III, an accord that responds to the 2008-09 financial crisis and aims to force the banks to significantly increase their own capital against the risk.

Arab spring: it's time to start rewarding economically the democratic leap of the Arab peoples

The European Parliament meeting at the May 10th Brussels plenary session, adopted by a large majority Niccolò Rinaldi's (IdV, Italy) report on the EU's trade strategy in the Mediterranean following the Arab Spring. These political changes bring political and economic opportunity, stresses the rapporteur who recommends in exchange for democratisation, a trade advantage with southern Mediterranean countries.

Boost for regional airports key to ensure EU cohesion policy and territorial continuity

The European Parliament approved on May 10th a report on the future of regional airports. The text sets out for the first time a framework and a definition for regional airports, which are increasingly proving to be key in boosting competitiveness and in promoting European regional development.

EU roaming costs to fall substantially - hopefully the last regulation in this field

From 1 July on, the tariffs for mobile roaming within the European Union will substantially decrease in the next two years. Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament are generally satisfied with this and other results of the May 10th plenary vote on the future of roaming for both the wholesale and the retail sector. The vote sealed the trilogue agreement settled between Commission, Council and Parliament in late March.

Member States must come clean on use of taxpayers' money

After six years of political pressure by the Group of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE) the European Commission on May 10th finally showed some willingness towards ensuring more transparency and better accountability of the management of EU money by Member States. The long-standing ALDE request to the Commission asking to ensure that Member States produce annual summaries, originated in the unacceptably high error percentages found by the Court of Auditors in the national accounts, meaning that EU spending was not in line with the rules.

Parliament insists that press freedom is protected against cross border libel cases

On May 10th the European Parliament adopted a report by Cecilia Wikström, (Folkpartiet, Sweden) which aims to clarify which national laws apply in the case of a newspaper, television or radio station being sued for libel by someone in another country. So far, it has often been unclear whether it is the law of the country where the person feels offended or the laws of the country where the media are based.

EU pharmacovigilance: MEPs want stricter patient safety on medicines

Members of the European Parliament's Environment, Food and Safety Committee approved on May 8th a report to strengthen the legal framework for the surveillance of medicines on the market.

French Presidential Election: Verhofstadt expects a positive boost to European policy

The French presidential election has been followed with interest throughout Europe. France, a founding member state, has a weighty influence within the EU. Guy Verhofstadt, President of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, welcomes the election results as the President-elect has made strong commitments to revitalise the European project.

What is the future for Moderate Islamic Reformers post-Arab Spring?

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As the Arab uprisings struggle to transform themselves into democratic states, ALDE is asking "How can the EU help existing moderate Islamist movements post-Arab Spring?" . This seminar organised by the ALDE group and chaired by MEPs Niccolo Rinaldi (Italia dei Valori,Italy) and Metin Kazak (Movement for Rights and Freedoms, Bulgaria) on April 26th in the European Parliament heard from intellectuals from the Arabic region and important members from the academic world who have contributed to a deep analysis of the current situation before and after the Arab Spring.

EP constitutional affairs committee rejects greater voting transparency

On April 26th the Constitutional Affairs Committee of the European Parliament rejected - by 14 votes to 8 a proposal from Andrew Duff MEP (UK, Lib Dem) to make all final legislative votes in the Parliament, at whatever stage of the legislative process, subject to roll-call.

MEPs oppose any weakening of Schengen acquis

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On April 25th the European Parliament's Civil liberties committee (LIBE) voted to amend the common rules on the reintroduction of controls at internal borders in exceptional circumstances. A Regulation was proposed by the Commission to review the governance of Schengen because certain Member States have undermined it, fearing the Arab spring would unleash a wave of irregular migrants into the EU.

Rising resource prices are the biggest threat for industry

The European Parliament´s Environment, Food and Safety Committee approved on APril 25th its report on the Commission's "Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe" drafted by Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy (D66, Netherlands), which defines improvements to resource efficiency in the context of declining availability of natural resources around the world.

MEPS call for stricter rules on medical devices in wake of PIP breast implant scandal

MEPs of Parliament's environment committee adopted on April 24th a resolution asking the European Commission for the forthcoming revision of the current legislation on medical devices to avoid future cases like the defective silicone gel breast implants made by French company Poly Implants Prostheses (PIP), which did not meet quality criteria.

Liberals and Democrats reject ACTA

On April 25 the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament announced that it cannot support ACTA (the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement).

Combine austerity with measures to boost growth, say Eurobarometer respondents

Almost half of the Europeans surveyed think that combining public spending cuts with measures to boost economic growth is the best way to end the current economic crisis, says the latest European Parliament Eurobarometer poll. Over half (55%), say these measures should be coordinated among Member States. Most Europeans also say that financial help for Member States in difficulty must be conditional on compliance with common rules (80%).

The EU must take action to reduce public spending and boost economic growth at the same time, say 47 % of respondents. As to preferences, 25% say priority must go to measures to stimulate the economy, while 23% say it must go to those that reduce public spending.

Over half (55%) would feel better protected by measures coordinated with other EU Member States, but 38% (up three percentage points compared to the previous Eurobarometer in September 2011) would prefer their countries to go it alone. Within the euro zone, 61% favoured coordination, compared to only 43% outside it.

Although they favour solidarity, most Europeans say financial help for Member States in economic or financial difficulty must be made conditional upon compliance with common rules (80%), such as jointly-defined rules on deficits. They also say that penalties should be imposed when these rules are broken (72%).

Most Europeans (66%) feel that pooling part of the public debt would benefit only those Member States that are in dire straits, but 64% (up 3 percentage points), feel that it should nevertheless be done in the name of solidarity.

Most (66% - up five points), now also favour a financial transaction tax. However, there is a 20 point difference between those within the euro zone (73% in favour) and those outside it (53%). The strongest support for such a tax is found in Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Portugal and Spain.

"The results show that the European Parliament has been acting in the same spirit as that of the majority of the population in the laws and resolutions it has adopted since the beginning of the economic crisis. This proves we are on the right track and should be involved in all such decisions taken at EU level" said EP Vice-President co-Othmar Karas (EPP, AT), who shares responsibility for communication.

Vice-president and rapporteur on the financial transaction tax Anni Podimata (S&D, EL), was delighted to see "that an EU levy on financial transactions to put a brake on excessive practices is gaining real traction among all Europeans." The European Parliament will vote Wednesday to give its opinion on the introduction of such a tax.

The "Crisis and the economic governance in Europe" is the fifth such survey, done by TNS opinion between 10 and 25 March 2012. It included face-to-face interviews with 26,593 Europeans aged 15 and over.

ALDE reaction to Eurobarameter

Verhofstadt: EU leaders must listen to their citizens' wishes for closer fiscal union

"EU leaders have for too long turned a deaf ear to our proposals on how to solve the crisis but by doing so they don't listen to their own citizens" said ALDE group President Guy Verhofstadt ahead of the May 23rd informal European Council by referring to the recently published Eurobarometer survey on 'The crisis and the economic governance in Europe'.

"EU leaders cannot ignore that the majority of people in the 27 Member States believe that their country should act to reduce public spending while boosting the economy. This is the two track approach we have constantly called for. Fiscal consolidation will only be sustainable if accompanied by a European growth package", stressed Guy Verhofstadt. 

Moreover, continued Verhofstadt: "Member States cannot disregard that their citizens feel more protected by measures when adopted in a coordinated way at EU level ". According to the latest Eurobarometer's figures over 50% of Europeans favour Member States' coordination. "The establishment of a real Economic and Fiscal Union would be the natural translation of this feeling into concrete actions".

"With 47 % of the people supporting a two-track approach combining fiscal consolidation with growth measures, European leaders should not hesitate any longer".

"The Eurobarometer also clearly demonstrates that our citizens are well aware of the importance of eurobond with survey results demonstrating an increase in people's awareness and support. Today, 66 % are in favour of their creation, the very solution the ALDE Group has been promoting for over 2 years.  Clearly, Member States must also stop ignoring the large support that exists for Eurobonds".

"If it is true that EU leaders decide in the best interest of their citizens, then it is also time that they start listening to them", Verhofstadt concluded. 

Note to editors:
Click here to see full details of Eurobarometer results

Open Days 2012: behind the scenes in Parliament - looking into ALDE Policies...!

The European Parliament this year once more marked the anniversary of the Schumann Declaration by opening its doors to citizens and offering them a wide range of activities that provided behind-the-scene insights into Parliament's activities. As always the ALDE Group signed present...

On Saturday 12 May, in Brussels, the ALDE Group joined Parliament's departments and the other Political Groups in opening Parliaments' doors from 10.00 to 18.00 presenting information through different means including debates of European Parliament members in the plenary chamber.

The ALDE stand focussed in particular on handing out comprehensible data on the workings and competences of the House, and on the particular role of the liberal democrats. To this effect, the many visitors were given three different comic strip books telling the daily adventures of a young ALDE Member of Parliament. The many interested visitors where rewarded with a personalised photo t-shirt that marked their presence at the ALDE Stand.

On Sunday 20 May, the European Parliament celebrated Europe at its Strasbourg seat. After the raising of the European flag on the square, Members of the European Parliament debated active ageing and solidarity between generations in the plenary chamber. Again of course the ALDE team was present to underscore their vital role in the House.

Phil Bennion ALDE MEP (LibDem, UK)

Phil Bennion, a Staffordshire farmer, became a member of the European Parliament for the West Midlands region in February 2012 when his predecessor, Liz Lynne, stepped down.

Phil has a BSc and PhD in agriculture from Aberdeen and Newcastle and a 1st class degree in History and Economic history from Birmingham University.

Previously a grassroots campaigner for the LibDems, Phil is a recognised agricultural and economic policy specialist. He has advised Charles Kennedy on agricultural affairs and has worked closely with Lib Dem MEP’s and MP’s on farming and renewable energy. Phil founded and edits the Eurofile magazine and is an active member of the ELDR Council and the LibDem International Relations Committee. He has been a member of the Federal Policy Committee for 7 years and a member of the Policy Working Group on Europe where he played a lead role in drafting the current Lib Dem policy on CAP reform.

As a member on the Employment and Social Affairs Committee, Phil works to support SMEs, promote growth and fight against discrimination. He aims to cut down on unnecessary red tape and to ensure that any actions taken at the European level are not over-burdensome for employers throughout Europe.

In the Transport committee where Phil is a substitute member, he aims to deliver a liberalised European railway market, complete the TEN-T networks particularly the missing cross border sections and ensure that the European transport network supports the completion of the single market and adds to economic growth.

Being a member of the South-Asia delegation is important to Phil, due to the large diaspora community in his constituency. Phil makes the most of this membership to follow issues of concern to these communities and to take action at the European level.

Formerly a lecturer, Phil has run his family farm as a diversified rural enterprise with his wife Penny, including Environmental Stewardship, biomass crops and accommodation. Since becoming a member of the European Parliament, he has contracted out the day to day management of his farm but continues to live there.  He played club cricket for over 20 years and his interest in the sport continues as an umpire. He also loves backpack travelling and fine arts (theatre, music, opera and art history).

 http://philbennion.org/en/

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

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