15 Most Recent Stories From Andrew Duff MEP News Stories

Tue 8th Jul 2008:

Parliament to thoroughly control the nomination of Commissioners.

The European Parliament has today adopted a report by Andrew Duff (LibDem, UK) modifying its internal rules with regard to the procedure of approval of the European Commission. By this move, Parliament has taken a step forward in this crucial question for EU democracy. The report tightens and codifies presently applied empiric practices, mainly those that became obvious in 2004 when Mr Barroso's Commission was designated. Consequently, future Commission candidates will have to prove their European commitment and their independence. They will have to communicate their financial interests beforehand; at present, this obligation is complied with a posteriori. Should there be any doubts about an applicant's integrity, from the side of the committee(s) responsible of the respective audit(s), a vote could be organised to possibly refuse the candidate. The new internal rules also foresee that Parliament, via its elected President, will be able to pronounce itself on the distribution of the portfolios.

Wed 18th Jun 2008:

Lib Dems Welcome Eu Agreement On Return Of Illegal Immigrants.

In a key vote today (Wednesday), the European Parliament approved a draft directive on the return of illegal immigrants. This legislation will encourage the voluntary return of illegal immigrants but otherwise lays down minimum standards for their treatment.

EU leaders must reflect on their collective responsibilities in failing to explain Europe.

Ahead of the European Council summit meeting tomorrow in Brussels, the European Parliament held a debate with Council and Commission in Strasbourg today to assess the impact of the Irish vote and its implications for the EU agenda over the coming months.

Fri 13th Jun 2008:

Irish vote sends EU back to the drawing board.

The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats note the outcome of the Irish referendum with deep regret.

Thu 5th Jun 2008:

Complacency Still Rife On European Security and Defence Policy.

The European Parliament has debated and endorsed an annual report on the European security strategy and the European security and defence policy.

Mon 26th May 2008:

Small political groups must not be banned from European Parliament.

Andrew Duff, spokesman on constitutional affairs for the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), is to oppose a move to cut the number of party political groups in the European Parliament from the beginning of the next legislature.

Wed 21st May 2008:

Worrying lack of progress in Turkey.

The European Parliament has voted to adopt a report on Turkey's 2007 progress in accession negotiations. The report from the Foreign Affairs Committee welcomes several recent legislative activities of Turkey, while insisting that the speed of reforms must pick up. The report calls on Turkey to continue its constitutional reforms and, regardless of those reforms, calls for the Turkish penal code, particularly article 301, to be changed.

Tue 22nd Apr 2008:

Lib Dems Welcome Reform of EU Ombudsman.

The European Parliament, during its plenary session in Strasbourg today, has finally approved, with a clear majority the report on reinforcing the Ombudsman's statute

Turkey report firm but fair.

The Foreign Affairs committee of the European Parliament voted this evening on a report dealing with Turkey's progress in negotiations towards eventual EU accession.

Wed 2nd Apr 2008:

Liberals and Democrats welcome Polish ratification of Lisbon Treaty.

Welcoming the decision of the Sejm today to ratify the Treaty of Lisbon, Andrew Duff (LibDem, UK), ALDE spokeperson for constitutionnal affairs, said:

Tue 25th Mar 2008:

European Parliament explores link between citizenship and electoral procedures.

Today the European Parliament began the first step in an ambitious plan to reform the electoral procedure of the European Parliament. In a workshop, organised by the Constitutional Affairs Committee, experts were invited to give their views on questions concerning the relationship between EU citizenship and nationality, the possibility of creating a trans-national constituency, and other matters aimed at boosting the popular legitimacy of the European Parliament after successive falls in voter turn-out.

Mon 17th Mar 2008:

Duff calls for Cambridge HQ for European Institute of Technology.

Following the decision by the European Parliament last week to set up the European Institute of Technology, East of England Liberal Democrat MEP Andrew Duff has called for its HQ to be sited in Cambridge.

Tue 11th Mar 2008:

Andrew Duff responds to BAA application for a second runway at Stansted.

Following the formal submission of the planning application for a second runway at Stansted.

Tue 4th Mar 2008:

"Turkish Constitution should reflect diversity".

"The new Turkish Constitution should abandon the notion of 'Turkishness'

Wed 20th Feb 2008:

Parliament vote on Lisbon Treaty is a defeat for euroscepticism.

The European Parliament approved the Lisbon Treaty today by a clear majority of 78% (525 votes to 115) following a debate this morning in Strasbourg. Andrew Duff (Lib Dem, United Kingdom), spokesman for Constitutional Affairs defended vigorously the pro-European convictions of the ALDE Group "A small but noisy minority in this House, including the British Conservatives, offer no shared European solutions to the common problems we face today as Europeans. Such a Tory Party is sad, narrow and nationalistic" According to Duff, "The world waits for a European Union with an enhanced capacity to act with authority on the world stage. I look forward to the day when we can get on with improving the quality of policy that flows out of Brussels and Strasbourg, and when the Union can stand on its own two feet in world affairs. That day will come when the Treaty of Lisbon enters into force."

Earlier Stories

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(c) 2008 Andrew Duff MEP