newsitems
newsitems
International Human Rights Institute Head, f. ECHR President, Costa to EF on PostHumanism +Surrogacy
*Strasbourg/BNU/Angelo Marcopolo/- Experienced, Long-Time former President of ECHR, and currently President of the prestigious International Institute for Human Rights "René Cassin", Professor Jean-Paul Costa, (Comp. several Statements to "Eurofora" already published in the Past), Replying to an "Eurofora" Question on Toopical Developments about the Controversial BioEthical Issue of Surrogate Mothers, (alias "GPA" in French), confirmed his general Warning against "Post-Humanism" Dangers, as a matter of a Wider Principle, even if he made a special reserve, however, as far as it concerns a Particular matter of Childrens' Rights", (which is, however, Contested by several mainstream MEPs, and probably even by a Majority of MEPs, at CoE's PanEuropean Parliamentary Assembly : See Infra).
The move Topicaly came while a CoE Assembly's Committee was Hotly Debating and due to Vote a Controversial Draft Report and Resolution precisely on "Surrogacy" Tomorrow in Paris, (See infra), and was Sponsored by powerful Mutual Savings French Bank "Caisse d' Epargne" of Strasbourg's Alsace Region, which traditionaly keeps close relations to Germany's "Sparkäse" Network, including on various Humanitarian and/or Health Researh projects, (Comp. Infra).
Costa, in a landmark Speech at a Conference organised this Evening in Strasbourg's National University Library (BNU in French), had characteristicaly placed "Post-Humanism" and/or "Trans-Humanism", in a Similar Rank among "Dangers for Abuse" against Human Rights, as, f.ex. "NAZIs" Racism and Other "Ideologies which Negate the Human being" in the Past, side by side with the Nowadays "so-called Islamic State"'s Deadly Terrorism, even against Innocent Civilian People, that he Denounced as "a Tragic Negation of (Human) Life and Liberty", that, "in fact, has Nothing to do with Religion", since, inter alia, it also has made a lot of Muslim Victims (mainly of Shiite confession), as he said.
Referring to such "a Movement born some Decades ago in California" (USA), and "called Post-Humanism or Trans-Humanism", which "Claims to Enhance the Physical and/or Mental Capacities of some Human Beings, on the Basis of the Development of Bio-Technologies", Costa also Denouncved that Trend as "Dangerous, and even Very Dangerous", "as is also (Genetic) Cloning", - already Prohibited by CoE's PanEuropean/International Convention on Bio-Medicine and Human Rights", known as "Oviedo's BioEthical Convention", by the Name of that Spanish City in which it had been Initialy SIgned, back on 1998), as well as by a UNO General Assembly Resolution (which wants to OutLaw also the so-called "Therapeutic Cloning", i.e. the Cloning of Human Embryos for Genetic Manipulation in view of alleged "Medical Research Tests", etc, adopted on 2004), but also Various Other National, Regional or International Legal Texts - "that I Find InHuman", as he pointed out.
Significantly, President Costa's Conference was Titled : "Human Rights and Humanism", i.e. was related also to values and stakes concerning all Humankind.
Already, anOther Experienced actor at the PanEuropean Cultural Landscape, Jerome Clement, former President of Franco-German/European Radio-TV "ARTE" (HeadQuartered in Strasbourg, near EU Parliament's main Building), and currently President of the prestigious "Fondation de l' Alliance Francaise", speaking earlier here to Strasbourg's Journalists, including "Eurofora", during a Press-Lunch organized by Strasbourg's "Press-Club", was 1st to Speculate that "Post-Humanism" might, eventualy, become, in one way or another, even a Main Issue for "Hot" Public Debates f.ex. during the forthcoming, Crucial Presidential Elections in France, between April and May 2017, (See relevant "Eurofora"'s NewsReport at : ...).
"Eurofora" observed, in this regard, that, concerning the also "InHuman" and "Dangerous" Threat to Spread a Controversial and UnPopular "Surrogate Mothers" practice, (generaly known as "GPA", i.e. "Procreation for Others", in French language), which notoriously Threatens to Downgrade Women's wombs into Commercial merchandises, while also provoking obvious Risks for Genetic Manipulation of Human Embryos at a more or less Large Scale)", several Observers had Recently Criticized, inter alia, also a Controversial Ruling just issued, during this Summer 2016, by the French Highest Court for Legal Complaints against Decisions Taken by Public Authorities, the "Council of State" (alias : "Conseil d'Etat"), which, while still with Holding its Final Decision on that "GPA" Controversy (Comp. Supra), has, nevertheless, been Accused to -indirectly but surelty- Open a Breach towards Progressively Recognizing, eventualy, in the Future, totaly or partially, even that Horrible "Surrogate Mothers"' practice of (mainly Poor and/or Oppressed) Women pushed to Sell or Hire their Womb to Strangers in order to be abused for Artificial TransPlantations of In Vitro Fertilized Eggs, etc., blatantly Exposed to Easy Genetic Manipulations, Difficult or Impossible to Apprehend and/or Prevent sufficiently On Time.
In the Reply that he have us, President Costa, after Kindly Saluting "Eurofora"s co-Founder as a Journalist that he Personaly "Knew Well" (Comp. Supra), First observed that, indeed, "Your Question is Interesting, because it touches upon 2 Aspects of Human Life", as he said.
But, in substance, after reminding the Fact that, at least until now, the Controversial and UnPopular "Surrogate Mothers" ("GPA") practice has been "Suspended" in France and Countries, where it remains OutLawed as such, he also Felt that, only as far as it might Concent "the Best Interests of the Child", that recent controversial Ruling by the French Council of State, which allowed, for the 1st Time, for Children Born Aboard by Surrogacy (Prohibited in France) to be Officialy Registered as Sons or Girls of their Artificial Parents (i.e. those who "Bought" or "Hired" anOther Woman's Womb in order to Artificialy obtain a Child : Comp. also Supra), might, eventualy, be considered, exceptionaly, as Legitimated by a so-called "Right of any Child to have a Legal Identity", as he said, (pointing at anOther, mostly Technical or Practical matter, officialy UnRelated to "Surrogacy", but which may, obviously, be Abused as a Pretext for ByPassing, in certain cases, the persisting Prohibitions of "GPA" : Comp. Infra).
By doing so, Naturaly, Costa didn't Deny explicitly at all the Well-Founded Nature of the Widely Supported and Popular Legal Prohibition of that Horrible and Dangerous practice of "Surrogate Mothers", (notorioussly abused often in some Poor Areas f.ex. in India, etc), but, on the Contrary, went on to Acknowledge anew the "Great Topical Importance" of BioEthhical Principles nowadaysn as he Confirmed to "Eurofora" also later-on, this same Evening.
Indeed, (while Visiting Recently Strasbourg as Invited Keynote Speaker at a Political Event), Famous Writer and Politician Henri Guaino, a Long-Time No 2 Senior Councilor at the French Presidential Palace "L' Elysée", during Nicolas Sarkozy's 2007-2012 Presidency, and currently Elected MP at the French National Assembly, as well as a Candidate for the 2017 Presidential Election, a Gaullist, who has also become Known as one among the Leaders of the Popular Movement which emerged since 2013-2014+ in France, (following also Various other, Similar Trends for Growing Popular Protests, mutatis-mutandis, f.ex. in the UK, Croatia, Slovakia, Hungary, Russia, Italy, etc., even at the USA, etc), against Controversial Attempts to Impose not only a "Same Sex Marriage", but even UnPopular Submission of Children to Homosexuals' Power under Pretext of "Adoption", anounced to "Eurofora" his Intention to Call for "a Constitutional Reform, in order to Ensure that Homosexuals doN't get a Right over Children", in one way or another. Otherwise, inevitable Risks, both Against Childrens' Rights, Natural Family and even Humankind, particularly if that might result in a Growing Number of various Artificial Procreations of Human beings, including through Artificial Insemination of "Surrogate Mothers", etc, Risking to give too much Power over Human Births to a few Technocrats.
And, as far as the above-mentioned, Controversial and UnPopular "Surrogacy" is concerned more particularly, (Comp. Supra), Experienced, meainstream CoE Assembly's MEP, Valeriu Ghiletchi, a ChristianDemocrat/EPP from Moldova, former Long-Time President of PACE's Social+Family affairs Committee, had already Warned "Eurofora", as Early as, already since the Latest, June 2016, CoE's PanEuropean Parliamentary Assembly's plenary Session in Strasbourg, (Comp. "Eurofora"s various NewsReports from that PACE June Session, f.ex. at : ... + ... +..., etc), that a Draft Report, prepared by a Socialist MEP, Petra de Sutter from Belgium, about "Surrogate Mothers", was, in fact, Attempting to Open Breaches towards a Dangerous Spread, in real practice, of that Controversial and UnPopular, blatant Violation of Both Womens' and Childrens' Human Rights, which provoked also obvious Risks against Humankind, (mainly by facilitating Massive Genetic Manipulations of Human Embryos, Contrary to Natural Births), under the Disguise of sme so-called "Childrens' Rights", which, in fact, were Exploited there as a Pretext.
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By the way, Introducing President Costa's exceptional Conference, BNU's New Director, Alain Colas, observed, inter alia, that the CoE is maintaining a Collection of unique Original Documents inside that landmark, Historic but recently fully ReNovated Building, and anounced his Intention to augment, in the foreseable Future, various such "Cultural InterMediation" Events of Topical Scientific and/or Socio-Political Interest.
Even more Deeply Rooted into Strasbourg's area Civil Society, Costa's Speech on "Human Rights and Humanism", (attended by a Numerous Audience from the CoE itself, ECHR, the BNU and the rest of Strasbourg's University, as well as from various Diplomatic Representations across CoE's 47 Member Countries, Human Rights and/or European affairs Students or PhD Researchers, etc, who Raised Many Questions, following that of "Eurofora"), had been Organized by an Historicaly Original Bank : "La Caisse d' Epargne" (Savings' Cash Desk) for the Alsace Region, which is particularly Competent also for Franco-German, as well as Swiss and even Austria-oriented Economic/Financial relations, as its Senior Officer, Member of the Governing Board, in charge of such Trans-National links, Marion-Jacques Bergthold told "Eurofora".
This "Caisse d'Epargne", Mutual Savings Bank, which belongs to the 2nd Biggest Cooperative Bank in the World, and is the 2nd Biggest Bank also in France, has very Close and Systematic Relations with an Equivalent German Banking Group, that of "SparKäse", present throughout all the Territory of Germany and well beyond, Bergthold and other Officials told us, (including from Germany's "SparKäse") : Whenever such a German-speaking Businessman wishes to extend his activities in France, we systematicaly offer to Help him to move efficiently into the French Legal and practical Landscape, added Bergthold.
Historicaly, the "Caisse d'Epargne" movement had started, as Early as since 1818, already as a kind of "Philanthropic" endeavour, with a Social focus aiminng, particularly, to Help Workers SafeGuard their Salary Savings for Family, Health, Housing a.o. Insurance-like, but recently Evolved into one among the most Performant, even Digital-era equiped, fully-fledged Bank, (including "Natexis" Investment News and Financial Hub), Emilie Nauwelaers, its Communication Director, reminded to "Eurofora".
Earlier Today, "Caisse d' Epargne" signed a Sponsorship Agreement with the International Human Rights' Institute "René Cassin", according to which the Strasbourg Region Alsace's Savings Bank donated to Costa's prestigious Organisation an Annual Grant of 20.000 € during 3 Years, (i.e. more than 60.000 € in Total), destinated to Human Rights Education and Research.
But, more generaly, "Humanistic" concerns have always been at the forefront of "Caisse d'Epargne/SparKäse"'s policies, including by the Creation, several Years ago, of " Foundation Rhenan Solidarity", to help Old and/or Handicaped, as well as Illiterate Youngsters and other Fragile People, such as, f.ex. Poor People risking elsewhere "Bank Exclusion, sometimes just for 20 € !", as Explained, inter alia, the Experienced and charming "Caisse d' Epargne"'s Orientation and onitoring Council's President, Astrid Boos, (who Signed earler that Sponsorhsip Deal, together with Professor Costa, and that Savings Bank's CEO Luc Carpentier).
Topicaly, among the above-mentioned "Rhenan Solidarity Foundation"- supported Projects, is also included Medical Research officialy focused on Finding Cancers' a.o. Therapies.
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("DraftNews", as already send to "Eurofora"s Subscribers/Donors, earlier. A more Accurate, full Final Version, might be Published asap).
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Bratislava EU-27 Summit Conclusions: Focus on Citizens' expectations, Franco-German duo, and More...
*Bratislava/ 1st EU-27 Summit/Angelo Marcopolo/- After a prolonged infight on their Final Conclusions, EU Heads of State/Government finaly Agreed to leave the Hilltop at Bratislava's Spectacular Castle, Later than scheduled, while the Franco-German couple was already Starting a Joint Press Conference at a Press Room located elsewhere, closely followed by Members of the Visegrad Group of EU Countries, and the main, EU Institutions' (Council, Commission, etc) "official" Press Conference, i.e. both Practically and Symbolicaly renversing the usual order of such meetings in the Past.
Astonishingly (but Logicaly, after all), the Officialy Agreed Joint Communiqué Urges the EU to "Focus on (EU) Citizens' Expectations", and Finds "Most Important" of all, to "Improve Communications with Our Citizens", to whom, EU-27 Leaders promissto (while advising, however, also to "Challenge Simplistic Solutions of Extreme or Populist Political Forces", as it says)...
But, at the Same Time, EU-27 Leaders "Commit" themselves to "Offer to our Citizens, in the upcoming Months (i.e. in the run-up to March 2017 Anniversay of 60 Years of since EU had been Created, at Rome), a Vision of an attractive EU they can Trust and support".
Meanwhile, however, EU's 27 are "Determined to Find Common Solutions, also regards Issues where we are Divided", the Bratislava Summit Declaration, Honestly but Voluntaristicaly stresses. That's why, the EU Heads of State/Government decided to give "Priority, Here and Now, to show Unity and Ensure Political Conrol over Developments, in order to Build our Common Future", as they said.
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Experienced, not only German but also f.ex. Italian and Other European Journalists, met at several occasions by "Eurofora" at various PressRooms frequently accross Europe, ensured us that their Perception of German Chancelor Angie Merkel's stance vis a vis some Critical Voices (particularly of the "Visegrad" Group of EU Membef Sates, etc), on Certain Topical Issues, (such as, f.ex. Mass Migration through Turkey, Islamistic Extremists' Terrorist Threats and Infiltration, added to Islamistic Radicalisation, Some Lobbies' claims to Enlarge the EU even to certain Non-European 3rd Countries, -mainly Ankara, etc,- EU's Historic and Cultural Identity, etc), would be Taken into Account, Examined, Discussed and Solved, mainly by Finfing Ways to Forge Common Positions, for the sake of Europe's Future.
Simply Because "In the aftermath of the wars and deep divisions on our continent, the EU secured peace, democracy and enabled our countries to prosper. Many countries and regions outside still only strive for such achievements. We are determined to make a success of the EU with 27 Member States, building on this joint history. The EU is not perfect but it is the best instrument we have for addressing the new challenges we are facing. We need the EU not only to guarantee peace and democracy but also the security of our people. We need the EU to serve better their needs and wishes to live, study, work, move and prosper freely across our continent and benefit from the rich European Cultural Heritage", the Bratislava official Declaration of 27 EU Heads of State/Government reads.
+ In their exceptionaly Joint Press Conference, German Chancelor Angie Merkel and French President Francois Hollande, (who spoke, also exceptionaly, Earlier than the EU Institutions' Representatives, i.e. EU Council's and EU Commission's Presidents, Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker, respectively : AnOther sign of the Bratislava Changes...), appeared Keen to show that the Franco-German duo was Willing and Able to Fill the Gap left by UK's forthcoming Departure after the BREXIT Vote:
Indeed, Both Merkel (who Spoke 1st), and Hollande, underlined the Fact that Most among the Concrete Proposals made in Today's "Bratislava Summit Declaration", had been widely Inspired by their own Previous Suggestions, made at Paris' Elysée Palace just 1 Day Earlier, (on Thursday, September 15), as well as by a Draft Plan presented by EU Commission's President, Jean-Claude Juncker, already 2 Days Earlier, (on Wednesday, September 14), in a landmark "State of the Union" Speech, at EU Parliament's Plenary Session in Strasbourg, (See "Eurofora"s NewsReport at : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/junckercallsstatesandcitizenstobuildtogetherabettereurope.html).
This included a 3 Main Points' Structured, now nick-named "Bratislava Road Map", Series of Targets and Measures, successively Focused into Dealing with, and Settling the Mass Migration and Security/Defence Issues, the Economy, and Young People, etc.
But it's also True that, at least for Some "Hot" and Topical Key-Issues, certain more or less Important UpDates, Changes and/or Additions, either of Wording, (which can already have a Politicaly interesting, Symbolic Value), or even of Substance, Emerged just during this Bratislava 1st EU-27 Summit, revealing probable last-minute Compromises, New Contributions, and/or Synthesis.
In this regard, it's not for nothing, that, f.ex., Embattled Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban, (a Key Figure also of the "Visegrad" Group of Central-Eastern EU Countries), was seen by "Eurofora" and others, inside the Bratislava's Castle, (where the Summit's Negotiations between Heads of State/Government took place), eager to Hold the "Declaration"'s paper on his way out of the Meeting place, Reading its Final Version and Commenting various points with his assistants, apparently Absorbed by that unusual exercice...
Thus, f.ex., among others, the "(Mass) Migraton and External (EU) Borders" Issue wasN't initialy placed as the No 1 in the List of Priorities Fixed by the EU-27 Summit, neither in the Juncker Draft, nor in the Hollande-Merkel Draft (of September 14 and 15), even if it was Present, in one way or another. But, Now, at Bratislava's Castle, the Final, official "Declaration" of the EU-27 Countries chose to Start by that "Hot" Issue, stressing, right from the Begionning, that EU will "Never .. allow Return to unControlled Flows of last year (2015), and (Moreover, intends to) Further Bring Down the Number of Irregular Migrants", in Addition to "Ensur(ing) Full Control of our (EU's) External Borders", so that the concerned EU Countries could "Get Back to Schengen"'s Freedom of Movement for European People inside the EU, as the Situation was Before the 2015-2016 unprecedented "Tsunami" of Massive Asylum Seekers/Irregular Migrants influx unleashed through Turkey, via EU (and Schengen) Member Greece, almost Entirely Muslim and Non-Educated, (since Turkey practicaly Excluded Christians and/or Educated People, as it was later found out in Brussels and elsewhere, according to German and other Press Revelations)...
Moreover, Among the "Concrete Measures" to be taken by the EU, a "Support to the Countries of the Western Balkans", (who, notoriously, Succeeded to Start Sharply Reducing that Huge "Tsunami" unleashed by Turkish Smugglers etc., already as Early as since Mid-February 2016, i.e. Long Before a Controversial and UnPopular EU-Turkey Deal -notoriously obtained by Blackmail from Ankara - could Begin to Partly Enter into force, Only as Late as From the End of March-Beginning of April 2016 : See, f.ex. : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/unpopulareuvisafreefor80millionsturksuseless.html + http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/weltadoptseuroforaviewonuselesseuturkeymigrantsdealafternewthreat.html), is Now openly Mentioned (at least) at the Same Place and Level with the Controversial and UnPopular EU - Turkey Deal, as a Fully-Fledged (and, from Now on Officially Endorsed by the EU-27 Summit) Legitimate Defense Means to Stop that unprecedented, abrupt Mass Migration Crisis fuelled by mainly Turkish, Pakistani, a.o. Smugglers, etc., which almost Immediately started to provoke Deadly Islamic Terrorism, Mobsters' Brutal Harrasments assaulting defensless Women even Young Girls aged only 14 y.o. or Young Boys aged 10 y.o. from Real Refugees' Families, (etc).
In Addition, the simple Word of European and/or National "Cultural Heritage" Appears in Good Place at Today's "Bratislava Declaration", while it was Absent from the Elysée and/or Strasbourg Speeches of September 15 and 14 (Comp. Supra), with the only Exception of the September 13 Letter of EU Council's President Donald Tusk addressed to EU Heads of State/Governments, (which had Dared Strongly Denounce also several Other "Hot" Problems recently Affecting European People's Lives, initialy raising, however, the eyebrows of some Establishment Figures, who Criticized it vainly : See, f.ex. : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/tuskdramaticletterforbratislavaeusummit.html ).
However, the subsequent "EU External Borders' control" and "Defence", Economy and "Digital" High-Tech boost, "Young People"-supporting Measures, (etc), were more or less Present in almost All relevant Drafts, Speeches and Statements made Earlier by the Franco-German Couple, and/or the Presidents of EU Council/Commission, as well as in the Final "Bratislava Declaration", due to Outline the Main Points of the Action to be Urgently Taken in order to Start Meeting the Biggest Chalenges in the Following Months.
As for German Chancelor Angie Merkel, Replying to Press Questions, she claimed that, in Bratislava's Negotiations between the 27 EU Member States, - "We Spoke about All Issues, with an Open Spirit".
However, as French President Hollande stressed, also in Reply to such Questions, the No 1 Priority seems to be elsewhere : "After the BREXIT Vote in the UK, "it has become even More Important" than ever, "to show that France and Germany are Ready to Move Forward", he confirmed.
But, at any case, that "Bratislava RoadMap Plan", adopted Today by the 1st Post-BREXIT EU-27 Heads of State/Governments Summit, is just "a First Step in a very Long Road" Ahead, as Chancelor Merkel realisticaly Warned in fine, just after having also Confirmed, however, the EU Leaders' Will to "Hear the Concerns of our (European) People".
Prime Minister Orban (Hungary) to EF: Yes to European Referendum, but Better many National Referenda
*Bratislava/1st EU 27 Summit/Angelo Marcopolo/- Reacting to Socialist MEP and currently EU Parliament's President, Martin Schulz's rejection of a National Referendum Critical to some EU Policies in "Hot" Issues, such as the recent Mass Migration through Turkey Controversy, (as itresults from his Reply to a an "Eurofora" Question, earlier Today, (See : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/euparliamentpresidentoncitizensandbratislavasummit.html), the very Popular Prime Minister of Hungary, ChristianDemocrat/EPP Victor Orban, (who has been Brillantly re-Elected by Large Majority of his People's Votes, Both in National and European Elections), took a Strong stance on an "Eurofora" Question, during his Press Conference at the End of Bratislava 1st Summit of 27 EU Member States' Leaders, about whether he would Back "a European Referendum", giving a Chance also, f.ex. to French, German, or even British, a.o. EU Citizens to have a Say on an Issue which notoriously Affects them too :
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- "Mr Prime Minister, you spoke, Earlier this Morning, with EU Parliament's President, Mr. Schulz, who Told us that, as a matter of Principle, he was Against any National Referendum which might, eventualy, Block a EU Decision, while, however, also whishing that EU Citizens have a Say before EU Decisions", "Eurofora" reminded to Orban, (See President Schulz's relevant Reply to "Eurofora"s Question, at : ....).
=> - In that case, "would You be in favor, for what you defend, of a European Referendum, on the Same (Topical) Issues, or Other, where All European People", f.ex. "also French, German, Hungarian or British People, and others, would like to have a Say ? Do you Think that it wouldbe a Good Idea to Advance in This Way ?", "Eurofora" asked Prime Minister Victor Orban.
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- "First of all, let me Answer by reminding the fact that Our Fight, which, according to Our Constitution, which Provides a Chance for Our Citizens to Express their Opinion", the Hungarian Prime Minister reacted immediately.
+ In Fact, this is "a Breaking Point", "Because ... the (Mass) Migrants' Issue is linked also to Our National Identity". And "Identity Belongs to the People. Not to an Elite !", Victor Orban stressed in Reply to "Eurofora"s Question, speaking as a matter of General Principle.
- "Second, I must Say, that a European Referendum, as (EU) Institutions are until Today, is very Weak", particularly "Compared to a National Referendum", he Warned.
- "If that would have Not been the case, so that a European Referendum would have a Real Chance to Influence Decisions in Brussels", then, "I would Definitively Say <<Yes !>>", Orban honestly Agreed.
- "But, under the Circumstances" of Today, "it has Not a Real Sense", at least as far as Political Efficiency is concerned, he pointed out.
=> - "Thus, we could have several National Referenda" in various EU National States, "But, anyway, I'm not an Adviser to Other Sovereign Countries", Victor Orban Highlighted as a Possibility, but leaving it up to each EU Member State's independent decisions.
>>> - "So", as things stand, it's better, Now, "to give some Advise to the Hungarian People, and Tell them : Please, Make all due Efforts so that we will be Able to Defend our Identity !", the Popular Prime Minister of Hungary launched a Vibrant Call to his Citizens, in Conclusion to his Reply to "Eurofora"s Query (See Above).
Indeed, this isan Issue which "concerns (also) Our (Historic, Cultural and Religious) Identity", as he underlined, speaking also in favor of the "Visegrad" Group of EU Countries' Critical stance on such Topical matters, notioriously "Hot" nowadays, throughout all Europe, as both the UK's "BREXIT" Referendum, and an Unprecedented Series of various Islamic Extremist Terrorists' Violent Attacks against Innocent Civilian People in Many European Countries during this Summer 2016, added to a lot of Converging Polls almost everywhere throughout main and/or key EU Member States, clearly indicate.
Victor Orban said that to "Eurofora" at the Aftermath of the International Day for Democracy, (celebrated by the UNO and several Regional Organisations, Governments, Human Rights/Rule of Law/pro-Democracy NGOs and Activists, etc, all over the World).
Cyprus President Anastassiades to EF (before France visit + CoE chair): Yes to give EUCitizens a Say
*Bratislava/1st EU 27 Summit/Angelo Marcopolo/- Experienced ChristianDemocrat/EPP Leader, succesful President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastassiades, who has recently Won both Presidential, European and National Parliamentarian Elections, after notoriously Supporting the Expression of Citizens' Right to Strongly Criticize some Controversial Government Policies and Adopting a Series of Citizen-Friendly Measures, as a matter of General Principle, Replying to a relevant "Eurofora" Question in Bratislava's Castle, at the Conslusion of a crucial EU 27 Heads of State/Governments Summit, clearly Expressed his Agreement with the view that, particularly in the current, Post-BREXIT EU's vital Need to revigorate Popular Support, EU Citizens should be Given a Say on Policies which Affect their Lives.
He was speaking at the Aftermath of the "Internationak Day for Democracy", Globaly celebrated Yesterday, September 15, by the UNO and various Other International or Regional Organisations, (including the EU, CoE, etc, in the framework of which, Cyprus notoriously Defends also the Rights of real Political and/or War Refugees, and "Missing" Persons' Families, etc), as well as National Governments, NGOs, etc., and just before he Visits France, to meet President Hollande, immediately after UNO's General Assembly at New York, as told us his Government Spokesman, Christodoulies, (an Experienced former Diplomatic Press Attaché and Spokesman, also of the 2012 Cyprus' rotating Presidency of the EU, and shortly before Nicosia takes over the rotating Presidency of PanEuropean COE, next November 2016 - May 2017).
By another "Coincidence", this crucial, 1st EU-27 Heads of State/Governments Summit at Bratislava Castle, in Europe's Heartland, has adopted as Logo an original Design which places the characteristic Flag of Cyprus' island at its Heart...
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(NDLR : "BriefNews", with just a Summary of a NewsReport send to "Eurofora" Subscribers/Donors, which might be Published in a more accurate and full, Final Version asap).
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EUParliament President Schulz to EF: OK to Citizens say before Decision, No National Referenda But..
*Bratislava EU27 Summit/Angelo Marcopolo/- EU Parliament President, Martin Schulz, (an Experienced German Socialist MEP), Replying to an "Eurofora" Question, during his Press Conference at the First in History, Post-BREXIT Summit of 27 EU Heads of State/Government at Bratislave, (Slovakia, the current EU Council Chair for the Pseriod of July - December 2016), accepted EU Citizens' closer involvement in EU Decision-Making process, but Rejected isolated National Referenda which "might Block" EU moves, as he said, after Meeting with the Prime Minister of Hungary, Victor Orban, as well as EU Council's President, Donald Tusk, when he reacted to rumours about a so-called "Cultural Counter-Revolutio" inside the EU, leaving, nevertheless, Room for eventual Compromise Solutions by Various Views.
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- "Eurofora" raised "an Old Question, but in New Circumstances", speaking to Martin Schulz, who has "one of the Longest Experiences of EU Parliament", as we noted :
- Indeed, it's "a Simple Question, that you know very well, but with a New Meaning Now, at this Special Historic Moment" of Bratiskava EU Summit, "as you said". After which, "Whatever happens, whether there might be an Agreement, or not, at any case, the EU Parliament, which speaks on behalf of EU Citizens, will have an Important role to Play, in the foreseable Future".
>>> In this perspective, - "Do you think that, New, or even Old, but Efficient ways at any case, in order to Associate, in one way or another, with all Imaginative Possibilities, the EU Citizens Before the Decisions will be taken, and/or During the Debates, would be something Good and Fruitful, in order to really come Closer to the Citizens ?", we asked. - It's "Not just" about "that Slogan, that we've All being saying", also in the Past, "But in order to Really Try to Do it Now", "Eurofora stressed.
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Martin Schulz, replying, at first, from the pure point of view of General Principles, Agreed that, - "As much as possible (EU) Citizens can influence directly Political Decision-Making, as (Better) it is" already now, he Started.
- Indeed, f.ex., "My Experience, (also) as former Mayor of a Small German City, is that as Nearer the Decision Makinng (process) is to the (EU) Citizens, as High is the Acceptance". On the Contrary, - "As Farer it is, as Lower the Understading, the Support", he regretted.
=> "Therefore, to integrate as much as possible (EU) Citizens in the Process of (EU) Decision Making, as (the) Better it is", EU Parliament's President supported "Eurofora"s main point.
- "But EU is Not a Federal State, in which a Binding Referendum could Lead to a Kind of Common Decision", he also observed.
- On the Contrary, "We are a Union of Sovereign States, and If a Referendum in 1 State Blocks Everything in all the Other (EU) Countries, this is, for sure, No Meaningful", Schulz Criticized.
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=> - "Therefore, I'm of the Opinion that we (EU) have to Include, as much as possible (EU) Citizens" to the EU Decision Making process, EU Parliament's President replied Positively, in principle, to "Eurofora"s main Question, (Comp. Supra)
- "But if your Question goes in that Direction, (i.e.) for more (National, Isolated) Referendums, (then) I'm very Reluctant", he clarified, as far as his particular remark, made previously, was concerned.
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That wasn't, certainly, Not at All "Eurofora"s initial Intention, (which, given our General Principles, was naturaly Focused mainly on EU Citizens' consultation during EU Decision Making, as a whole).
But, after all, then : - "Why not Popular Referendum(s) Europe-wide ?", (given what Schulz had just said against only "1 Country Blocking All Others", as, f.ex., France and Netherlands did back on 2005 ), we Wondered.
And, in fact, didn't Schulz acknowledge, at the Beginning of his Press Conference, that, at any case, "I felt that, even with Victor Orban, the Will to Comme to Conclusions is there", as he had characteristicaly said ?
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=> Thus, later-on, the Press Spokesman of the Prime Minister Beata Szydło of Poland, Biggest member of the"Visegrad" Group of EU MemberCountries, speaking also to "Eurofora" after that, did not exclude EU-wide Referendum(s) on the currently most "Hot" Issues.
President Schulz (and the Polish Government Spokesman) gave those Replies to the above mentioned "Eurofora" Questions at the Aftermath of the International Day for Democracy, (Yesterday, Thursday, September 15).
The EU Parliament's Chief was accompagnied at the crucial Bratislava 1st EU-27 Summit, by his New Press Spokesman, Goacomo Fascino, a Young Italian, for the 1st Time.
(../..)
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("DraftNews", as already send to "Eurofora" Subscribers/Donors, earlier. A more accurate, full Final Verion, might be published asap).
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Europe brings Development dynamics at Global Crisis' Summit debates
Thanks also to EU Parliament Plenary's Strasbourg gathering, EU, during the French EU Presidency, managed to integrate the Development issues at Top Debates on the World Summit against the Economic Crisis :
For the 1st time, it's at the same moment with the Wahington G-20 Summit that EU Commissioner Louis Michel co-organizes here with the French EU Presidency parallel mega-events for the "European Development Days", starting from this Week-End and concluding at the eve of a landmark debate in EU Parliament, next Tuesday, on the outcome and follow-up of the Wash.DC Summit.
EU and its Member Countries are the biggest donor for UNO's Millenium Development goals, with 56%, but the 27 are currently struggling to develop a collective leadership in Economic and social matters, that the 15 of EuroGroup (together with the UK and other countries interested to be usefully associated) are starting to spearhead, after the initial success of the 1st EuroZone Heads of State and Government Summit, of October 12 in Paris, according to a New Repport by MEPs Pervench Beres and Werner Langen on the 10 Years of EuroZone (1999-2009) debated Monday and voted on Tuesday.
EU, CoE and World personalities will interact here with Heads of State or Government from Tanzania (African Union chair), Burkina Faso (CEDEAO + UEMOA chair), Zimbabwe (MDC chair), Madagascar, Haiti, Mali, Benin, etc, and some 3000 participants from the Economy, Civil Society, Media, Experts, etc, while the City of Strasbourg adds various related Citizen-events.
Opened by French Secretary of State Alain Joyandet on November 15, and followed by a video-contact with EU Commission President Jose Baroso on the Washington Summit Sunday, the EDD are concluded by Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner on Monday, while their main concerns cannot be ignored in the Debate that EU Parliament will hold on Tuesday, (followed by a Resolution on Wednesday), jointly on the G-20 Washington Summit and on EU Commission's work program for 2009.
A practical opportunity for EU to reflect where it's better to spend EU Citizens' money...
The move is prolonged in several Paris' meetings of EU chair, French President Nicolas Sarkozy with African Heads of State leading regional Organizations, as from Tanzania (A.U. Chair), Burkina Faso (chair of Economic African organizations), Togo, etc, (in parallel with a Ministerial EU - African Union conference in Ethiopia, followed by a visit to Tchad), logically concluded by a meeting with Robert Zoellic President of the World Bank.
Many have already warned that an eventual aggravation of Development's Gap accross the World might become much more dangerous to Global Economy, Security, Values and Quality of Life, than Global Warming and/or other, even more serious challenges...
Will they find an innovative and voluntarist way to really deal with the Development Gap, which might also contribute to help face the Economic Crisis ?