EU-Russia Summit.

Wednesday 09 May 2007

Wednesday, 9 May 2007

The resolutions calls on both parties for greater cooperation, in particular with regard to the further development of economic relations, to the strengthening of security and stability in Europe by finding peaceful political solutions to regional conflicts in the joint neighbourhood, and to the further strengthening of respect for human rights, respect for the rule of law and a democratic framework as a basis for a new Strategic Partnership Agreement between the two countries.

The Socialist Group makes particular emphasis on intensifying the dialogue on energy issues as well as to find a compromise on the disputes between Poland and Estonia with Russia which threaten to delay the negotiations of this agreement. In addition, emphasis is made on encouraging the Commission and the Council to increase their initiatives on other sensitive issues such as the agreement on visas and the dispute on the anti-ballistic missiles in Europe

Reforms in the Arab world: what strategy for the European Union?

Wednesday 09 May 2007

Wednesday, 9 May 2007

The report suggests that the European Union, above and beyond maintaining traditional forms of relations between States, should expand its relations with the Arab world per se. This presupposes stepping up relations with the League of Arab States, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the ‘ Union du Maghreb Arabe’ if ever the latter becomes revitalised. Naturally this dialogue should address the fight against terrorism, but should not be confined to it. The problems of development, employment, good governance and respect for human rights should also come fully into play.

Better mutual understanding is the way offering Europe a chance to remove, or in any event limit, the prejudices towards it in the Arab world, where it is viewed all too often as partisan.

Assessing Euratom : 50 years of European nuclear energy policy.

Wednesday 09 May 2007

Wednesday, 9 May 2007

The Socialist Group calls for involving the European Parliament in the legislative process of Euratom Treaty by opening its current sections up for co-decision procedure and to convene an Intergovernmental Conference which should consider the alternative of a new, comprehensive and democratic Euratom Treaty.

Housing and regional policy.

Wednesday 09 May 2007

Thursday, 10 May 2007

PES amendments tried to give its entire dimension to the social aspects of housing policy. As many of them did not get through during the vote in REGI Committee, we will retable some amendments in plenary (eventually in a compromised version with other political groups).

Directive laying down rules on nominal quantities of pre-packaged products.

Wednesday 09 May 2007

Wednesday, 9 May 2007

Our group is hoping to maintain the compulsory packaging formats for convenience products. Format standardisation constitutes a guarantee for consumer protection, particularly of the most vulnerable consumers.

The compromise struck with the Council fits in with this perspective.

Horn of Africa: EU Regional political partnership for peace, security and development.

Wednesday 09 May 2007

Wednesday, 9 May 2007

Current efforts are not enough. It is more than time to have an EU pro-active development and conflict prevention agenda for the Horn of Africa in partnership with other stakeholders in the region and with the effective involvement of Africa.

Bring internal procedures into line with the requirements of simplification of Community legislation.

Wednesday 09 May 2007

Wednesday, 9 May 2007

The report proposes to amend Rule 80 of the Rules of Procedure (Codification) so as to incorporate the most recent developments of simplification of Community legislation.

Furthermore, the report is introducing more flexibility as it is made possible, in exceptional situations, with the new Rule 80a to recast legislation. Recasting is shared between the committee responsible for legal affairs and the committee responsible for consideration.

Report on the common foreign and security policy.

Wednesday 09 May 2007

Wednesday, 9 May 2007

PSE Group members voted in favour of this report. In plenary, we shall be re-tabling an amendment, which fell by the wayside in committee, urging the Council and the Commission to implement the recommendations contained in the resolution approved by the EP in conclusion to the committee of inquiry investigating CIA activities in Europe.