Better lawmaking

Thursday 09 September 2010

The report addresses wider issues of better regulation as the title indicates, going further than merely encouraging national parliaments to make full use of the changes brought in by the Lisbon treaty. The main points raised by the rapporteur are the proper conduct of the impact assessments by the Commission, stressing the need to examine the impact on labour market, living standards and environment.

Draft bill on Israeli NGOs

Wednesday 08 September 2010

The European Parliament aims to send a political message to the Knesset and the Israeli government by discussing the situation of the Israeli civil society, and in particular the bills that are currently under discussion in the Knesset.

Situation of the Jordan River with special regard to the Lower Jordan River area

Wednesday 08 September 2010

The Jordan River is one of the most remarkable rivers of our planet and is a cultural landscape of universal significance with great historic, symbolic, religious, environmental, agricultural, and economic importance in the Middle East and beyond. Nevertheless, long stretches of the Lower Jordan River risk running dry by the end of 2011. Therefore, the S&D Group has taken the lead in the European Parliament to call attention to this situation, which also has serious political implications in the region, and will continue to support efforts aimed at saving the river.   

Statistical returns in respect of carriage of goods and passengers by sea

Tuesday 07 September 2010

The aim of the proposal is to make the collection of data by type of goods mandatory for maritime transport statistics, which is already case for the European road, rail, and inland waterways transport statistics. For the most part, the collection of the relevant data will not impose any additional burden on respondents as the Member States concerned should be able to compile the data by using existing data sources.

Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States

Tuesday 07 September 2010

S&D Euro MPs have strengthened the Commission proposals. They managed to create guidelines for minimum incomes and turn the spotlight on the fight against poverty. They also created a framework for improving job prospects for young people, older workers and migrants. Clear targets will be set for reducing unemployment.

Authentication of euro coins and handling of euro coins unfit for circulation

Monday 06 September 2010

The objective of this proposed Regulation is to lay down procedures regarding the authentication of euro coins and the handling of euro coins unfit for circulation with the aim of avoiding counterfeiting. The lack of a mandatory common framework for coin authentication may, in some Member States, constitute an impediment for the institutions concerned to actively look for counterfeits; this creates differences, across the EU, in the degree of protection of the currency. The proposed Regulation constitutes the legally binding instrument now necessary for the establishment of a common method for the euro coin authentication to be applied by the institutions concerned and of the necessary controls by Member States.

Agreement between the EC and Pakistan on readmission

Monday 06 September 2010

Developing the job potential of a new sustainable economy

Monday 06 September 2010

S&D group strengthened the decent work and gender dimension of the report that now states that while optimising the job potential, special attention needs to be paid to decent work and employees’ health and safety. In order to anticipate change and avoid unemployment, it is essential to promote social dialogue and collective agreements (often not existing in the new sectors) together with the strengthening of social security, income support systems and proactive sectoral training initiatives, gender equality, a socially inclusive labour market.

Journalism and new media - creating a public sphere in Europe

Monday 06 September 2010

The aim of this report is to present ways in which European citizens can be brought more in touch with EU policies and decision-making. The report recommends more targeted reporting on the relevance of EU decisions on daily life, more involvement in the political debate on EU affairs of national MPs and civil society organisations; public service broadcasting should be encouraged to increase information output on EU affairs, and in particular through local and regional TV and radio networks; dialogue with young people should be stepped up in particular through social media platforms; education on the role and activities of the EU could be integrated into school curricula to enhance awareness from early on.

Arrangements for importing fishery and aquaculture products into the EU with a view to the future reform of the CFP

Thursday 08 July 2010