How did the European Parliament react to the Russian invasion of Crimea?
How can I vote in the upcoming European elections, even if I live abroad?
Answers to these questions or other citizens’ concerns can be found by consulting our selection of links below.
The following topics are based on questions and comments from citizens writing to the European Parliament.
Russian invasion of Crimea
With the crisis in Ukraine culminating in the invasion of Crimea by Russia, citizens once more turned to the EP with a mixture of reactions. Some vehemently opposed the military intervention by Russia, considering it a blatant violation of international law. Others requested that the will and desire of the citizens of Crimea be respected and seek a peaceful outcome through dialogue rather than confrontation.
The following links will guide you to the relevant information:
Top story: Ukraine — what lies ahead
EP resolution on the invasion of Ukraine by Russia (13-03-2014)
Ukraine timeline: from Euromaidan to the illegal referendum in Crimea (17-03-2014)
European Commission’s support to Ukraine (05-03-2014)
| Any questions on this issue or another EP-related concern? Please use our web form. You write, we answer. |
Recognition of diplomas in the EU
Equivalent recognition of diplomas throughout the EU has been a recurring demand. Citizens claim that diplomas, in particular in the field of radiology, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy, do not have the same educational recognition in all EU Member States and ask for action on the part of the European Parliament.
The following links will guide you to the relevant information:
EPRS: State of play of the European Qualifications Framework implementation (2 October 2013)
European Commission’s answer to a parliamentary question on the recognition of the professional qualifications of radiologists (12 April 2011)
European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning (EQF)
| Any questions on this issue or another EP-related concern? Please use our web form. You write, we answer. |
Voting rights in the EU elections 2014
With the European elections being only a few months ahead, citizens are turning to the Parliament with many different questions. The most frequently asked questions this month concerned voting rights when living abroad.
The following links will guide you to the relevant information:
EPRS: 2014 European elections: national rules (11-03-2014)
EP elections 2014 – in the Member states
Factsheet on the EP electoral procedures
| Any questions on this issue or another EP-related concern? Please use our web form. You write, we answer. |
TTIP: Online public consultation launched
The negotiations of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) continue to worry citizens. Citizens call on the Parliament to ensure transparent negotiations and to preserve European consumer and environment standards.They express particular worries about an investor-state dispute settlement scheme and questioned the benefits of the planned agreement.
The following links will guide you to the relevant information
Online public consultation on investor-to-state dispute settlement (ISDS) in TTIP (since 27-03-2014)
Commission’s press release on the public online consultation on investor protection in TTIP (27-03-2014)
EPRS: Impact of a potential EU-US FTA (TTIP) on consumer protection and food safety (25-03-2014)
EP answer: EU-US trade agreement (TTIP / TAFTA) (23-01-2014)
| Any questions on this issue or another EP-related concern? Please use our web form. You write, we answer. |
Protests in Venezuela
In the context of the current crisis in Venezuela, citizens wrote to the EP describing the situation in the country. Citizens were particularly worried about the freedom of the press and the democratic situation in Venezuela.
The following links will guide you to the relevant information:
Venezuela: peaceful and respectful dialogue only way out of the crisis, MEPs say (27-02-2014)
European Parliament resolution on the situation in Venezuela (27-02-2014)
Plenary debate on the situation in Venezuela (27-02-2014)
European Union External Action webpage on the relations between the EU and Venezuela
| Any questions on this issue or another EP-related concern? Please use our web form. You write, we answer. |
