Topics and links – October 2014

Update: This post is available in more EU languages – please see at the bottom of this post.

In this issue: Hearings of the new Commissioners, EP debate on fundamental rights in Hungary, ‘Thousand-cow farm’ project in France, Turkey and the situation of Kurds in Kobane, EU relations with Russia and Ukraine, winter time.

This month, Ask EP received an unusually high number of enquiries covering a wide range of issues. Citizens continue to be concerned about international conflicts and to question the EU’s policy towards different third countries like Ukraine, Russia or Turkey. In mail concerning internal matters the hearings of the Commissioners-designate and the Parliament’s debate on fundamental rights in Hungary featured prominently. Other topics of interest included the ‘Thousand-cow farm’ project in France and the changing of the clocks between summer and winter time.

The following topics are based on questions and comments from citizens writing to the European Parliament.

Hearings of the new Commissioners

Citizens addressed the European Parliament to strongly express their opinions on the nomination of certain Commissioners-designate. Some complained about the suitability of specific candidates. Others showed their support of individual nominees and advocated that the EP approve the proposed European Commission.

The following links will guide you to the relevant information:

#EPHearings2014: Meet the Commissioners-designate! (24 September 2014)

Commissioners-designate and portfolios

Special page on #EPHearings2014

European Commission – Towards the Juncker Commission

EP debate on fundamental rights in Hungary

On the occasion of a parliamentary debate on the situation of democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights in Hungary, some Hungarian citizens commented on Parliament’s initiative, also calling for an equal treatment of all EU member states.

The following links will guide you to the relevant information:

EU values must be respected in Hungary and in all other member states, MEPs say (21-10-2014)

Debate on democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights in Hungary (21-10-2014)

European Parliament resolution on the situation of fundamental rights: standards and practices in Hungary (3-07-2014)

‘Thousand-cow farm’ project in France

Citizens sent an open letter to the Parliament to protest against the ‘Thousand-cow farm’ project in France, complaining about the installation of a big farm for cows. The main concerns referred to the project’s compatibility with environment protection and animal welfare standards.

The following links will guide you to the relevant information:

Parliamentary question on ‘Thousand-cow farm’ project in France (28-11-2013)

Answer given by Mr Borg on behalf of the Commission (24-01-2014)

Turkey and the situation of Kurds in Kobane

Commenting on the ongoing fighting in Kobane, Syria, citizens expressed their concern for the Kurds and complained about the position of Turkey not supporting Kurds in their fight against the Islamic State (IS).

EP answer: The situation of Kurds in Kobane (4-11-2014)

Kobane: MEPs call on Turkey to do more to help Syrian city under threat by IS (22-10-2014)

Schulz meets Kurdish protesters in the European Parliament (07-10-2014)

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Iraq and Syria, and the IS offensive, including the persecution of minorities (18-09-2014)

European External Action Service: EU’s relations with Syria and with Turkey

EU relations with Russia and Ukraine

Citizens continue to comment on the EU’s role regarding the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Some citizens asked for a no tolerance attitude to be applied to Russia. Others were critical of the EU and defended Russia’s actions.

The following links will guide you to the relevant information:

MEPs urge Ukraine leaders to swiftly form government and launch reforms (28-10-2014)

MEPs prolong Ukraine’s duty-free access to the EU market (23-10-2014)

MEPs welcome signs of hope in Ukraine and urge the EU to stand up to Russia (18-09-2014)

EP answer: EU reaction on Russia’s role in eastern Ukraine (8-8-2014)

European External Action Service: EU’s relations with Russia and with Ukraine

From summer to winter time

Citizens recurrently turn to the Parliament with comments on the changing of the clocks between summer and winter time. Some citizens are in favour of this arrangement; others call on the Parliament to abolish summer-time arrangements.

The following links will guide you to the relevant information:

EP answer: From summer to winter time (24-10-2014)

Petition 0859/2013 on extending summer time (28-2-2014)

Petition 1477/2012 concerning summertime arrangements (30-10-2013)

Directive 2000/84/EC on summer-time arrangements (19-1-2001)

European Commission’s in-depth analysis of the implications of summer time (23-11-2007)