Will the end of free EU roaming make the UK mobile market fairer? Don’t bet on it, writes Zach Meyers, of the Centre for European Reform. British consumers have become accustomed to using their mobile phones without incurring any additional charges while visiting the EU. Prominent Brexiters, such as British justice secretary Dominic Raab, promised that…
Month: September 2021
EPP Calls on EU not to Recognise Russian Elections
Space Traffic Becoming Dangerously Congested: Call for EU Action
The world’s leading satellite launch company has called for new rules to combat dangers posed by an “ever congested” space.” The Ariane Group says a “rules book” is needed to tackle the issue to stop space becoming “dangerously congested.” It is estimated that the average individual uses 47 satellites every day and that, by 2025, the…
Modernisation of EU Morocco Trade and Investment
BusinessEurope, the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) and EuroCham Maroc have adopted a “Modernisation Pact on Trade and Investment between the European Union (EU) and the Kingdom of Morocco”. The document calls for a long overdue modernisation of the framework for EU-Morocco trade and investment relations to unleash the untapped economic potential of this…
Parliament Denounces Undermining of Media Freedom by Poland
Adding to a long list of concerns on the state of EU values in Poland, MEPs denounce the latest attempts to silence critical voices and undermine the primacy of EU law. In a resolution adopted on Thursday with 502 votes in favour, 149 against, and 36 abstentions, Parliament condemns the continuing deterioration of media freedom…
Indoor Air Pollution Exposes Need to Tackle Mineral Wool and Ventilation
A group of leading European heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) and building engineering associations are for EU recognition of indoor air pollution as a risk to human health. In a joint statement, the group, which includes EPEE, AREA and the EHPA, insist that the proper use of air quality systems will help reduce transmission of…
Is Equatorial Guinea Courting Russia for Security Support?
Last week, there were reports about the development of cooperation between Mali and Russia. In social networks, unverified sources posted news about the transfer of Russian military personnel from Syria to Bamako. But Mali is not the only country seeking the support of the Russian Federation. Yesterday, information about the visit of government officials from…
Indo-Pacific Strategy Gets “Thumbs-Up”
The EU´s new Indo-Pacific strategy has been welcomed by senior MEP Reinhard Bütikofer, foreign policy coordinator of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament. He says: “The EU´s new Indo-Pacific strategy that was published today contains but one surprise. Mostly, the new document is following closely in the footsteps of the Council Conclusions of 19 April 2021….
S&D Group Insist China Must Make Progress with Human Rights
The S&D group has backed a European Parliament resolution on the EU-China strategy but insisted that the China must first make progress to protect human rights. For the S&Ds the consideration and ratification process for the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) cannot start until the Chinese sanctions against MEPs and EU institutions have been…
EU Must Improve Basic Rights for LGBTIQ
The EU should lift all obstacles facing LGBTIQ people when exercising their basic rights, say MEPs. In a resolution on the rights of LGBTIQ persons in the EU (adopted with 387 votes in favour, 161 against and 123 abstaining), the European Parliament emphasises that these citizens should be able to fully exercise their rights, including…