12/12/08 - EUwatch - Issue 13

In the light of the financial crisis, EUWatch has dedicated this issue to in-depth analyses of its causes and consequences, not least on the European Union. Will the crisis strengthen or weaken the EU as a political body on the world stage? Which are the impacts of the financial crisis on the global real economy and which are the real solutions?

16/12/08 - Travesty of Equality : Nigel Farage on Todays Plenary Debate

The behaviour of European Parliament President Mr Hans-Gert Pöttering was denounced today by Nigel Farage IND/DEM MEP, UKIP leader and co-President of the Independence/Democracy Group in the Parliament.

"Not only were his actions anti-democratic, hectoring and bullying but he is incapable of even handed behaviour", said Farage.

13/12/08 - Out of the frying pan and into the fire

From the Dalai Lama's inner peace in Strasbourg, to MEP arrogance in Prague, Hanne Dahl recounts her recent experience, especially the antagonism towards Czech President Vaclav Klaus whose crime is to support debate on the future of the EU and oppose the Lisbon treaty.

“The big drama of the day began when the president of the Green/EFA group, Cohn-Bendit, was given the floor. […] The conversation evolved into an outright quarrel. […] Klaus stated that he had never been insulted in such a way in his own house. So much so that the tone of the debate brought memories from a pre-democratic time. […] The meeting ended in a very tense atmosphere and would turn out to have an epilogue.”

11/12/08 - UKIP statement on Libertas Launch

Nigel Farage made it clear today that there is absolutely no common ground on Europe between Declan Ganley's new party, Libertas, and UKIP.

Mr. Farage said today that "Libertas has nailed its colours firmly to the David Cameron mast of wishing to stay within the European Union and try to reform from inside. Declan got one thing right, they didn't listen to the Dutch, they didn't listen to the French and they're not listening to the Irish over reform. So why do he and Cameron think they'll listen to them?"

11/12/08 - Is this the end of the Royal Navy asks Bloom ?

In the light of Operation Atalanta, the EU naval mission to the Horn of Africa designed to fight piracy, Godfrey Bloom, UK MEP of IND/DEM has called for clarity about the chain of command.

Mr Bloom says, "As with the real projection of naval force this week off the African coast no one, including very senior naval and military officers seem to know where the chair of command extends beyond Northwood, formerly NATO regional command centre and now the HQ of the EU operations".