newsitems

*Strasbourg/EU Parliament/Angelo Marcopolo/- Incoming Jan.-June 2015 EU President in office, Prime Minister of Latvia, ChristianDemocrat/EPP politician Mrs Laimdota Straujuma, speaking to "EuroFora" after her Speech and Press Conference at EU Parliament's Plenary Session in Strasbourg, stressed, in substance, that developing further €uroZone in the foreseable Future, is, in fact, a Fight both for Europe's Economy and for its Values, as inclusive Growth, Democracy, Peace and Human Rights become more interwined and combined together (See Infra).
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     Prime Minister Straujuma appeared Glad to see that the small but strategic and historic Latvia could be seen in Strasbourg as "a Symbol for several things, including €uroZone", as "EuroFora" pointed out to her from the start, reminding also ChristianDemocrat/EPP Party President Joseph Daul's sharp observation of the fact that Riga had recently succeeded to swiftly pass from a Financial Crisis directly into a New €uroZone Member State on 2014, followed this year 2015 by its Neighbour : Lithuania, in addition to becoming EU Chair in such a crucial moment...

- She agreed with "EuroFora" that, during her Presidency, the "EU will have to face many Challenges, including on €uroZone"'s present and future.

+ Meanwhile, it will have to facrafter the End of January when  "there will be Elections in Greece",  eventual developments, in one way or another.       

 

++ But, most Important, we have to see that "those 4 Presidency Reports which will decide about €uroZone"'s Future "will be written" effectively  before the June EU Summit, Prime Minister Straujuma acknowledged, according to the conclusions of the latest, December 2014, EU Bussels Summit of Heads of State/Governments.

- "We (Latvia) have joined €uroZone, on the 1st of January, a Year before", she reminded, and "now we have Fair Credit Ratings", so that "we can get Loans without paying too much, and "therefore, we Feel Good" about it, she observed.

- And "it's Good Because of €uro"  : "We Need €uro", and, moreover, "we Need to Develop €uro", the incoming EU President in office stressed firmly for the foreseable Future.

- However, at the same time, "we (EU) have to Develop Countries which are in the €uroZone AND Countries which are NOT in the €uroZone", she pointed out, speaking as responsible for the EU in its entirety.

- "And", specially for "Small Countries as Latvia, it's particularly Important Not to stay with its own (National) Currency", since "we are only 2 Millions People", and "you can imagine easily what (the situation) would be with some influences, f.ex. from the Currency of Russia which (recently) droped down, affecting the Economy", etc., she warned.

- "Therefore, I am Glad that we are in the €uroZone, and look forward how to Develop Economy, with Investments, Exports to Third Countries -that means Reforms for Competitiveness-, and Structural Funds, the three triangual sides", Straujuma highlighted. "This will depend also on Currency" issues, (i.e. about €uro),

 - "But, we shall see how it goes in Greece", after the forthcoming Elections, she remidned. "Anyway, in Greece, most People want the €uro, (as many Polls clearly show), because it's more Safety", she observed.

 - In fact, "Europe is about Values". "We can Blame one or another (particular)  thing, which might be not so good. But, in general, it's a Value", the 2015 EU President in office underlined, particularly when "EuroFora" evoked some People's expectations for €uroZone to develop, in the Future, also a Cultural, Political and even Security/Defense dimension....

 - Particularly "for Countries like Latvia, which are in a Neighborhood" where EU brings Safety and Human Rights", Prime Minister Straujuma concluded.

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+ "Good Time to Create a System"...
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 - Even if "the Impact of the Financial Crisis can still be felt in the EU" on 2015, despite an  "expected" return of "Economic Growth in All EU Member States", since "Europe is slowlt but gradually Returning to .. Growth" now, "remaining the World's Largest Economy, with Strong Positions in High-Tech fields", "however, this is also a Good Time to Create a System that is Resistant to potential Future Challenges", the incoming EU Chairwoman anounced earlier.

 - "The €uro Area is Expanding, through Accession of New Member States", she observed in this regard, "congratulating", during her Speech at EU Parliament's Plenary, in Strasbourg earlier Today, her "Neighbouring Country Lithuania on the Accession to the €uro Area", where it "becomes its 19th Member State".

 + But, the incoming 2015 EU President in office, also showed that she's in favor of Combining  Together various converging aspects of a complex situation, as inspires even "the Logo" of the Latvian EU 2015 Presidency, which Historically "was once an essential element of Innovation", that had "brought about extensive Changes for households accross Europe" : "For me, the MillStone means Prosperity, Stability and Energy", and "I would like to see that Latvia's Presidency would Associate with these Values", she told MEPs, smiling, while also pointing, in conclusion, towards a "Europe that is Close to the People".

=> Thus, Prime Minister Straujuma confirmed the "3 Priority Directions" outlined by the Latvian EU 2015 Presidency : "1. a Competitive EU, 2. a Digital EU, and 3) an Engaged Europe at Global level", as she said, after having also observed the Fact that, after the Tragic events of last week, "the EU has to be Prepared to Defend its Citizens and Values" :

 - "The Attack in France, is an Attack on Freedom of Expression and European Values", she stressed, while expressing "Solidarity and deepest Sympathy for France and French People" : - " In times of Tension, when Terrorism would like to impose increasing Escalation, even Wider Clashes among Religions, and would Push us to Violence, we have to Become even More Human", she advised.

+ At the same time, "We all (Europeans) ...  should Join Forces to ensure an Adequate Response of the EU to the European model", that of a "Democratic world" where "we (EU) Stand Up for Values, for Freedom of self-Expression, Peaceful coexistence of different Cultures and Religions", (etc). In this regard, "I am convinced that  Europe will be Able to show Unity, and Overcome this Threat. .. We shall Not fall to the Trapn, and will Not allow Terrorism to Destroy our Faith to each other, to set one against each other, against People of different origins or religions in the European Community". On the contrary, "Together, we will be Able to Defend European Values. The Future of Europe depends on it", she warned.

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+ Michail Tal's Fast Lightning, decisive Genial Moves ?
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Last, but not least : Prime Minister Straujuma, who has studied Mathematics and Physics, together with Economy, and wrote a PHD Thesis on Resources' potential, including on Agriculture,  told "EuroFora" that she knew well Michael Tal, the famous World Champion in Chess who was Master in Fast Lighting, "Tactical" method Winning Games, with Fast but Decisive moves, full of often Unexpected, but always perfectly Well-Calculated, Genial Sacrifices which succeded to radically Change a situation,  thanks to some "very Elaborate Combinations", as she told "EuroFora", but also "magically" intuitive (according to his Legacy) :  A method which might inspire also Next new Moves on €uro Area's Future ?

Europe has 6 Months Time to test that in real practice : By a Topical coincidence, until the June 2015 EU Brussels' Summit, which was set by EU Heads of State/Government last December 2014 as a kind of  Time Deadline for the creation of all conditions necessary to the success of New EU Commission President, former long-time Prime Minister of Luxembourg and €uroGroup's Chairman, Jean-Claude Juncker's € 315 Billions 2015-2017 Plan. After all, Michail Tal is also famous for his brillant "Blitz" Chess Games, made out of Fast and Sharply Winning "miniatures" in a Record Short Time, almost "at Light's Speed", as German Chancellor Angie Merkel had pointed out, speaking to Journalists, including "EuroFora" at the conclusion of last December 2014's EU Summit in Brussels, regading the vital need to well prepare a handfull of important EU Legislative Reforms (as f.ex. on "Digital" Economy, etc), up to June 2015...

Recent developments, and even Tragic events, obviously make productive Time even more precious and of Vital importance for EU's present and Future, (Comp. Supra).

(../..)

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*Strasbourg/EU Parliament/Angelo Marcopolo/- Replying to an "Eurofora" Question in a Crucial Moment, at the Eve of Elections in Greece, EU Parliament's vice-President, Experienced Greek MEP Dimitris Papadimoulis, promissed that, if his Party (SYRIZA = Left) won that Vote, an Old Clientelist/Nepotist system set up by Previous (mainly PASOK) Governments, which provoked the current Huge Debt, would Stop, and, instead, a New Government would Focus on Modern Technologies, etc., for a renovated Public Administration.

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 - "Several observers have noted the Fact that in Greece there are even Unemployed Youngsters and Poor People, as well as SMEs, etc, that are Paying too much for a Disproportionate Number of Civil Servants, many of whom have been abusively appôinted, since already 30 Years or more, (i.e. since the Beginning of the 1980ies), by notoriously Clientelist and/or Nepotist Governments" of the Past (mainly PASOK). "This has reportedly provoked a so-called "Black Hole" in State Expenditure, and the Country has always to Pay" more and more Money in order to cover a growing Debt, "at least until now", pointed out "Eurofora" at Today's Press Conference.

 

    => - "If you succeed to do what you wish" (i.e. for SYRIZA Party to snap the forthcoming Elections), do you think that You shall manage to Overcome that" Problem, "and How ?", We Asked vice-President Papadimoulis.

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    - "The Phenomenon that You have Described, (which was Acknowledged as True by the Experienced Politician), is the Result of the Way that the Country was Governed during 49 Years, from the Parties of PASOK and ND", he Replied from the outset, (even if PASOK has Governed, during the 1981-2015 period for about 26 Years, compared with Only 11 for ND, i.e. More than the Triple : X 300 % +).

 

 
    - But, "A Fundamental Aim for Us, (i.e. SYRIZA Party), is to Stop these Phenomena of Clientelist State, or Serving only Pals, etc., in order to obtain a Modern, Efficient, and Not-Clientelist Public Administration, which will Not be dominatd by Political Parties", EU Parliament's vice-President promissed.

    - "However, I'd like to note also the Fact that, according to "EuroStat"'s Official Data, the Number of Civil Servants in Greece would be Lower from the Average EU percentage. And if we Compare also Salaries, then, we shall see that it's very much Lower than the EU Average", he claimed, (even if this has Nothing to do with the Issue Raised by "Eurofora", i.e. the "DisProportionate Number of Civil Servants", Compared to the Country's Financial possibilities, GDP, etc, which "Provoked a Growing Debt", as we had said : Comp. Supra).

 

    + "But, what is still Lacking in the Greek Administration, is Meritocracy, Use of Modern Technologies, Simplified Legislation, and Contemporary Methods", Top MEP Papademoulis stressed.

    - "F.ex., in Greece, instead of having just One, Simple Fiscal System, on the Contrary, the PASOK and/or ND Governments Vote Dozens of Laws on Taxes, Each Year, and Issue More than a Thousand of Circulars to Interpret and Apply that Legislation". But "this becomes a Kingdom of Bureaucracy and Corruption, as well as a Cause for Huge Losses of Revenues", he accused. "Just from Gasoil Trafficking, that we (SYRIZA) aim to Fight, as a matter of Priority, the Greek State Loses almost 1 Billion € per Year !", Papademoulis pointed out.

 

(../..)

 

 

*Strasbourg/EU Parliament/Angelo Marcopolo/- In addition to the strictly necessary and adequate Security measures, after the "Charlie Hebdo" massacre by Extremist Islamic Terrorists last week, Europeans must also take measures able to forge a European Conscience of common belonging, shared by all the People United together, thanks to  appropriate Social, Economic and Educative means, said in substance EU Parliament's President, Martin Schulz from Germany, after a relevant "EuroFora"'s Question on this Topical matter which shook all Europe and even the whole World, raising now a public Debate on how best to face this Challenge, whose Difficulties he didn't hide, speaking Tonight on the sidelines of the first Plenary session of the Year 2015, which marks also the Beginning of New EU Commission's 2015-2019 period, after the May 2014 European Elections.  

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    "EuroFora" had asked the experienced EU Parliament's President if he believed that it's also by using Social and Cultural means in order to develop a European Conscience of common belonging to Young and other People in the EU, might be really useful now, to help create a feeling of Unity among all the People of Europe, after the recent Deadly Attack by Extremist Islamist Terrorists against Journalists and other innocent victims.

    - "That's exactly what I think !", replied immediately positively Martin Schulz to "EuroFora"s Question.

    - I.e., "I think that we'll never Solve the Problems with only more Police" alone, he added.

    - Because, "what we (EU) need is more Cohesion", the experienced EuroPolitician (who is a mainstream MEP since 1994 : Comp. "EuroFora" Co-Founder's 1st Publication to "TCWeekly" on a Schulz's Report about Turkey's obligations to respect Human Rights on 1995) stressed in this regard.

    -  "And then, we  (EU) must Invest in Growth, in Economy, in Employment", etc., he pointed out.

     +  But "also in Education", EU Parliament's President went on to add as a last, but not least at all, key element of Socio-Cultural Cohesion, as well as of a means for European Conscience-building.

    The point is not to fall to the trap of those who search to provoke Divisions among the People. We must act, also by Security Measures, but not only. because you can never Solve such Problems just with more Police, since Social Action is also needed, as he reiterated earlier.

    + However, Schulz didn't hide the fact that, after the recent Deadly Attacks against Journalists by Extremist Islamic Terrorists, "we (Europeans) are living some very Difficult Times", being placed in front of a Big Challenge :

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Schulz : - "like on Allende's killing, back on 1974 !"...
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    - F. ex., when I saw, last Sunday, in Paris, "Charlie Hebdo"'s Offices, where the Horrible Crime was committede, it reminded me, (mutatis-mutandis) ... the Putch which had Killed Allende, Chile's world-famous elected President,  back on 1974, and abolished Democracy, imposing, instead, an Oppressiev and Bloody Military Chunta's Dictatorship, with Genetal Pinochet, etc., EU Parliament's President declared, later-on, speaking with Journalists in Strasbourg, including "EuroFora".

     That's why, Exceptionaly this year, as EU Parliament's Press Director Jaume Duch explained, instead of the usual Annual Reception feast for the Press, it was found preferable, because of the recent Tragedy, to organize a Special Meeting of all Journalists covering EU Parliament's activities, with its President, Martin Schulz, precisely in order to commemorate and exchange ideas on those events.

    - Democracy is Threatened, now as then, Schulz observed, with the Difference that the Police and the Army that we saw on Sunday in Paris were now there in order to help Protect us and all Democratic Institutions, instead of Oppressing us and suppressing Democracy, as that Military Chunta had done back on 1974 in Chile, he pointed out.

    - In fact, by collectively Resisting to Terror, Europe saveguards both its People and its Democratic and Human Rights' Values, that we recognize for any Person, even for those who committed Crimes, and that's a big Difference, President Schulz stressed.

    - Nevertheless, Now, it's No more the Heads of State/Government and/or other Top Politicians who are usually Targetted by Violent Terrorists, as in the Past, but, on the contrary, Today it's  more and more Journalists themselves, and/or some innocent Civilian People, who face, First and most of all, the Brutal Attacks of Extremist Islamic Terrorists, he observed.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
    => Concluding,, EU Parliament's experienced Head invited all present Journalists, including "EuroFora", to "be Critical", to search to find the Truth, to investigate Facts on Topical Issues, and even to "mistrust", if needed, or rather, never take for granted what Politicians might say, at one moment or another, (given also the fact that any Power must be safeguarded against the  Risk to be Abused),  but always fullfil the Duty of Press Media to independently analyse any real situation, Verify, and bring to the Light any eventually obscure matter of interest for the whole Society, as he said in substance, (carefully heard also by EU Parliament's Communications' Director General, Juana Lahousse-Juarez)...

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    + Reacting afterwards to Schuiz's Statements on the "Charlie Hebdo" Massacre, experienced collegue Journalist Lorenzo Consoli, long-time President of the International Press Association, headquarted in Brussels, and writer at the Italian News Agency "AP", stressed that, in his view, the main Target of the Deadly and sly Criminals was to "Intimidate" all Journalists, by the Brutal Killing those working for that Paris-based Satyrical Magazine, and, therefore, a spontaneous Mega-Event like that of the 1,5 - 1,8 Million People strong Popular Demonstration of last Sunday, in Paris and elsewhere, (Comp. : .....), started to give a Right Response by expressing a Firm Solidarity to the Victims and Journalists' will to never back down in front of Violence by Cowards killing defenseless civilians, but always keep their Fighting Spirit and Critical stance vis a vis any Authorities, according to their Duty to independently investigate and clarify all Topical issues which really matter for the entire Society.

    Takiing into account the huge amount of Time that Lorenzo is notoriously working to write more and more newsreports at Brussels and Strasbourg's (sometimes at Copenhagen's or even further away) Press Rooms, after also actively participating in the most important Press Conferences, events, etc., if he really puts into full and effective practice what he claimed, then, it's obvious that his Press Agency's Editors in Chief, back in Rome, must certainly be very, very busy, ...(at least during EU Parliament's plenary sessions and/or EU Summits, etc)...

 

 

 

*Strasbourg/EU Parliament/Angelo Marcopolo/- The Franco-German Summit Hollande - Merkel, on the Invitation of EU Parliament's President Schulz, which was initialy scheduled earlier in Strasbourg at the eve of the January 2015 Plenary, but had to be postponed a.i. after the "Charlie Hebdo" Massacre by Extremist Islamist Terrorists, (Comp.: ..), may take place here at any moment, Independently of the Plenary Sessions of the European Parliament, i.e. also "OFF" Session, revealed to "EuroFora" the experienced Press Director and Spokesman of the 751 MEPs strong Organization, Jaume Duch-Guillot.

 - It can be realized whenever the Political Leaders find it better suited, not only at the eve or conclusion of an EU Parliament's Plenary Session, (the Next one, here, being scheduled for 9 - 12 Februay 2015, i.e. just before the 12-13 Feb. EU Summit in Brussels, due to focus on Security/Defense issues), but even Out of the Sessions' Agenda, at any Date that they wish, since "Strasbourg is always here", Duch added with a smile...

The main aim of the initially scheduled such Franco-German Summit invited by EU Parliament's President, had reportedly been indicated as an opportunity to reflect and discuss freely in Strasbourg, about Europe's Future.

The format is supposed to be shaped in accordance with the famous "Blaesheim" Top meetings, named after an Historic and pittoresque small Village, (Home of both an Historic Religious Monument, of a Mountain peak with a Unique over-View on the surrounding area, as well as Cradle of one of the Oldest, Pioneer and Quality Scientific Press Edition Business, now transfered at nearby Germ    any), close to Strasbourg's Airport, where former long-time French President Chirac had notoriously met with former German Chancellor Schroeder, in the presence of their Foreign Ministers,  back on 2001, (Comp. "EuroFora" Co-Founder's Press Reports from that exceptional event, on the spot at Blaesheim). A succesful, unofficial and Open-Agenda formula, which was later Established as a series of Regular Franco-German Summits, continued and further developed, also at various other Cities in France or Germany, by Chirac - Merkel, Sarkozy - Merkel, and now Hollande - Merkel.

But, now, it's the 1st time in History that this is officially suggested by EU Parliament's President, Schulz, and, according to various converging sources, most probably due to be repeated several times at the City which Hosts, according to EU Treaties, EU Parliament's full weekly Plenary Sessions each Month, (except only August), i.e. Strasbourg.

Moreover, that Franco-German move Topically comes just after the latest EU Summit in Brussels, December 2014, (Comp. "EuroFora"s NewsReports from Brussels then), officially decided for 4 Reports to be prepared on how to Reform and Strengthen  the "€uroZone"'s structure in the foreseable Future, before June 2015.

=> Duch's Reply to a relevant "EuroFora"s Question (Comp. Supra), lets suppose that the Next Possible Dates for such a Franco-German Summit, in "Blaesheim" format, associated now with EU Parliament, might, logically, be organized, eventually at the eve or at the conclusion of another forthcoming important Euro-Parliamentary gathering in Strasbouirg : that of PanEuropean CoE's Parliamentary Assembly's (PACE) Winter Session, scheduled from 26 to 30 January 2015.

Indeed, this PACE's Plenary Session is notoriously expected to be of an Exceptionaly Important Geo-Political and Human Rights' Interest, particularly vis a vis possible Developments on Ukraine and EU - Russia issues, since, inter alia, it's also the expected moment for a Return of the Russian Delegation inside the PanEuropean PACE, where Russian MEPs  had been incited to exceptionaly abandon their Seats, after a Controversial, Minority-pushed Amendment imposing a Heavier than initially expected Sanction agains them, on pretext of the February - March developments about the Maidan Violent events which imposed a more abrupt than expected sudden Total Change of Government in Kiev, closely followed by the Crimea Referendum and return back to Russia.

Since that Day of the Beginning of April 2014, the situation in Eastern Ukraine notoriously Worsened Dramatically, with the First People Killed just after a last-minute, Geneva meeting between Foreign Ministers from Ukraine, Russia, USA, etc. as well as the EU High Representative, when a reportedly Extremist Group of pro-Kiev Ukranan Armed Groups suddenly Attacked, overNight, a small team of Donetsk/Luhansk Autonomists gathering a Road towards Slavyansk, where they killed 3 pro-Autonomy Militants that same Night of the Christian Religious feast of Easter. After that, Kiev's Military Attacks became quasi-Systematic, so that Many Civilian People were KIlled by Rockets' Shelling, Tanks, Bombes thrown by Kiev Army's Airplanes, etc., (See, f.ex. : ....)

This time, in addition with settling issues related to the Russian Delegationn , PACE is also due to Debate and Vote on a Resolution about the Tragic "Humanitarian Crisis" in Eastern Ukraine's Autonomist Regions of Lugansk/Luhansk, where not only many Civilian People have been Killed by Shelling, but also Vital Infrastructures affecting everyday Lives of Hundreds of Thousands of People were heavily Damaged or Destroyed, such as, f.ex. Water, Electricity, Phone, Internet, Airports, Trains, Roads, and other Networks, added to Schools, Hospitals, etc.

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("DraftNews", as already send to "EuroFora"s Subsrcibers/Donors, earlier. A more accurate, full Final Version might be published asap).

 

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