EUX.TV, the EU policy channel» Democracy

Will 2012 be another turning point in European history?

admin — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:41:16 +0000

Will 2012 be another turning point in European history? www.initiative.eu Initiative.eu is providing a unique and neutral online one-stop-shop community platform for stakeholders engagement in EU policy-making, combining good practices in electronic participation with effective electronic campaign and community building electronic services empowering EU stakeholders to mobilize, engage, educate, federate and successfully build support for their European Citizens’ Initiatives. Initiative.eu is using the power of Internet and Social Media to successfully meet the challenges and opportunities offer by the European Citizens’ Initiative to strengthen European democracy and citizenship. Initiative.eu is provided to you by a consortium of leading partners in the domains of online communication, social media, electronic participation and campaign.

EU presents e-petition project

admin — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:13:08 +0000

The European Commission is gearing up to launch an ambitious plan that seeks to make the European Union more democratic. From the 1st of April, any citizen of a member state of the EU can introduce an initiative to get his or her idea turned into EU law. To make that happen, they need one million signatures from at least seven countries. This European Citizens’ Initiative enables citizens to participate more actively in Europe’s democratic life. Brussels hopes the ECI will boost transparency and increases the quality of European democracy. Critics question whether the instrument will be hijacked by organised civil society, swallowing up ordinary citizens’ campaigns. Some experts speaking at this conference in Brussels compare the initiative to “climbing Mount Everest”. An ECI could take years to start influencing the policy-making process. The initiative is one of the democratic tools pushed forward by the Lisbon Treaty. It will enter into force on the 1st of April of this year, exactly two years after the Commission launched the formal proposal for the plan.

EU to cut Hungary funds over excessive deficit

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:47:02 +0000

The European Commission said on Wednesday that it plans to suspend 495 million euros in Cohesion Funds from Hungary as the country has failed to reduce its deficit. It is the first time Brussels decides to withhold development funds, which are destined to support infrastructure projects in the EU’s poorer regions. EC’s vice-president Olli Rehn said that the sanctions come as an incentive for Hungary to amend the situation. But many suspect it could also be a punishment linked to the state of democracy in the country. Only last month, Brussels launched legal action against the Hungarian government over concerns of an anti-democratic constitution. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban asked the EU and the IMF for a rescue loan late last year. But the talks were put on hold with none of the institutions committing to anything. As the country’s situation worsens, these new sanctions can have a real impact on its economy.

EU presents e-petition project

admin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:30:12 +0000

Hungary’s Orban fails to convince EP

admin — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:33:25 +0000

STRASBOURG – Martin Schulz has only been in power for less than 24 hours and the new president of the European parliament is already facing a major challenge. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban invited himself to the plenary session in Strasbourg to defend what the Commission sees as an anti-democratic Constitution. Schulz’ priorities for his term and the Danish Presidency were supposed to be the main topics on the parliament’s agenda. Instead, the social democrat found himself chairing a heated debate on the state of democracy in Hungary. Hungary’s Prime Minister attempted to deflect the criticism with legal and technical arguments, but failed to convince MEPs that he was respecting fundamental democratic values. Orban’s political party, Fidesz, came to power in 2010. The country has been surrounded by controversy since then, especially during the first half of last year, when it held the rotating presidency of the European Union.

Barroso awarded for EU leadership

admin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:35:56 +0000

While the financial and economic storm continues to rage across Europe and the rest of world, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on Saturday received an award for his EU leadership from outgoing European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek, a fellow member of the European People’s Party, Europe’s centre-right political family. The Polish award is known as the Diamond award of Laurels of Abilities and Competence and was handed out during a ceremony in Zabre, Poland. Video footage of this event was made available to media by the audiovisual services of the European Commission.

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Europe has mixed feelings about Eastern Partnership

admin — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 22:07:18 +0000

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. These are the 6 ex-Soviet countries hoping to get their European aspirations matched in the so-called Eastern Partnership summit this week in Warsaw. Europe’s single market and visa liberalisation is what they are after. In exchange, Europe wants to see democratic reforms in countries that have traditionally struggled with establishing democracy and the rule of law. Europe also wants good relations with the eastern neighbors in order to help ensure energy security. But this week’s no-show of French and British leaders in Warsaw points at the lukewarm interest of European politicians in their eastern neighbors. You can also ask if the former Soviet republics really want to get closer to Europe? Ukraine, which was close to signing a trade agreement, recently hurt its relations with Europe by jailing opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, whose trial has been described by the Union as “politically motivated”. The situation in Belarus remains bad. Repression and detention of political prisoners has sent relations with Belarus back to square one. Its president Lukashenka, also known as the last dictator in Europe, is banned from traveling to the EU and hasn’t been invited to the summit. Catherine Ashton, EU’s foreign policy chief, repeatedly expresses her concern over the democracy situation in both Belarus and Ukraine. Back in 2009, the Kremlin warned the European Union not to turn the Eastern Partnership into a …

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Van Rompuy at UN: EU is ‘Fatherland of democracy’

admin — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:08:49 +0000

European Council President Herman van Rompuy, speaking to a camera crew at the United Nations on Wednesday, said that the European Union is the ‘fatherland’ of democracy.

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EU-Kazakh relations to intensify after disputed elections: EurActiv EUX.TV report

admin — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 19:00:57 +0000

The EU’s relations with Kazakhstan are set to deepen in the near future despite a controversial presidential election last Sunday. twurl.nl President Nursultan Nazarbayev extended his 20-year rule over the country for another five years, winning 95.5% of the vote. In the last elections in 2005 he won with around 91%. The results have attracted international criticism. Observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe signalled “serious irregularities” Daan Everts, head of the OSCE’s long-term observation mission in Kazakhtan President Nazarbayev oversaw the country’s independence from the former Soviet Union and has run Kazakhstan since 1991. Although he is regarded as an authoritarian ruler who leaves little room for criticism, Nazarbayev enjoys wide public support partly due to a booming economy that’s supported by oil exports and foreign investment. Kazakhstan is an increasingly important partner of the European Union. Oil exports to Europe are increasing, and major European companies are active in Kazakhstan’s thriving oil industry, notably in the highly promising Kashagan oilfield in the Caspian region. Gas is also expected to flow soon. A new partnership agreement will be soon renegotiated between Brussels and Kazakhstan. The agreement is expected to include a gentle push for democratic reforms. Norbert Jousten, EU Ambassador to Kazakhstan The negotiations on the new partnership are expected to start in the coming weeks. Kazakhstan is hoping for …

EU-Kazakh relations to intensify after disputed elections: EurActiv EUX.TV report

admin — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 19:00:57 +0000

Participatory Democracy: What prospects in Europe?

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:52:23 +0000

‘What are the prospects for participatory democracy in Europe?’ Under this question the European Economic and Social Committee on Tuesday 22 March 2011 in Brussels convened an extraordinary meeting of Group III “Various Interests”, to discuss and analyze the needs for further policy actions under Article 11 of the Lisbon Treaty. Also see: eesc.blogactiv.eu

Participatory Democracy: What prospects in Europe?

admin — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:52:23 +0000

Isabelle Durant: EESC has clear role in getting EU to adopt Art. 11 of the Lisbon Treaty

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 22:45:22 +0000

European Parliament Vice-President Isabelle Durant (Greens/EFA, Belgium) on Tuesday outlined her views on participatory democracy at the extraordinary meeting of Group III (“Various Interests”) of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in Brussels.

Isabelle Durant: EESC has clear role in getting EU to adopt Art. 11 of the Lisbon Treaty

admin — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 22:45:22 +0000

EESC outlines roadmap for Participatory Democracy: Jillian van Turnhout

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 22:02:34 +0000

Jillian van Turnhout, Irish member of Group III (“Various Interests”) of the European Economic and Social Committee, presents the draft roadmap for participatory democracy at the end of a full-day extraordinary meeting at the EESC offices in Brussels on Tuesday. In its extraordinary meeting on 22 March 2011, the “Various Interests” group of the EESC debated past experiences and challenges ahead with organised civil society networks and organisations. The first ever compendium on participatory democracy was be launched. For more, go to: www.eesc.europa.eu

EESC outlines roadmap for Participatory Democracy: Jillian van Turnhout

admin — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 22:02:34 +0000

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Participatory Democracy: EESC’s Luca Jahier draws conclusions

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 20:21:08 +0000

Participatory Democracy: Luca Jahier, President of Group III (“Various Interests”) at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) draws conclusions at the end of a day of marathon-talks on participatory democracy in the European Union. In its extraordinary meeting on 22 March 2011, the “Various Interests” group of the EESC debated past experiences and challenges ahead with organised civil society networks and organisations. The first ever compendium on participatory democracy was be launched. For more, go to: www.eesc.europa.eu Interview: Raymond Frenken, EUX.TV www.youtube.com

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Participatory Democracy: EESC’s Luca Jahier draws conclusions

admin — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 20:21:08 +0000

EU policies ‘retreat’ harms civil dialogue and democracy, warns Jan Olsson at EESC

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 20:10:58 +0000

Interview with Jan Olsson, former member of Group III (“Various interests”) at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), and rapporteur of the opinion. Mr. Olssen is In its extraordinary meeting on 22 March 2011, the “Various Interests” group of the EESC debated past experiences and challenges ahead with organised civil society networks and organisations. The first ever compendium on participatory democracy was be launched. For more, go to: www.eesc.europa.eu Interview: Raymond Frenken, EUX.TV

EU policies ‘retreat’ harms civil dialogue and democracy, warns Jan Olsson at EESC

admin — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 20:10:58 +0000

Participatory Democracy: Interview with Jan Olsson, EESC

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 19:41:50 +0000

Participatory Democracy: Interview with Jan Olsson, EESC

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Participatory Democracy: Interview with Maureen O’Neill, EESC

admin — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 19:41:50 +0000

Participatory Democracy: Interview with Maureen O’Neill, Vice President of Group III (“Various Interests”), at the European Economic and Social Committee, also known as EESC. In its extraordinary meeting on 22 March 2011, the “Various Interests” group of the EESC debated past experiences and challenges ahead with organised civil society networks and organisations. The first ever compendium on participatory democracy was be launched. For more, go to: www.eesc.europa.eu Interview: Raymond Frenken, EUX.TV

Participatory Democracy: Interview with Social Platform’s Conny Reuter at EESC

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:27:35 +0000

Participatory Democracy: Interview with Conny Reuter, President of the Social Platform and Secretary General of Solidar, at Tuesday’s EESC conference in Brussels. Also see: www.eesc.europa.eu

Participatory Democracy: Interview with Social Platform’s Conny Reuter at EESC

admin — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:27:35 +0000

Participatory Democracy: Interview with Conny Reuter, President of the Social Platform and Secretary General of Solidar, at Tuesday’s EESC conference in Brussels. Also see: www.eesc.europa.eu

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EESC’s Luca Jahier on Participatory Democracy: Interview

admin — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 19:34:37 +0000

Luca Jahier, President of Group III of the European Economic and Social Committee, speaks in an interview about the EESC’s 22 March conference on participatory democracy. In its extraordinary meeting on 22 March 2011, the “Various Interests” group of the EESC debated past experiences and challenges ahead with organised civil society networks and organisations. The first ever compendium on participatory democracy was launched. Under the title ‘What are the prospects for Participatory Democracy in Europe?’, the Group III (‘various interests’) discussed the issue.

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