Press Releases 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Hans-Gert Pöttering congratulates the new President of the United States
The President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering, has conveyed his congratulations to the newly-elected President of the United States, Barack Obama, for his great success in these elections.
For the first time, the European Parliament awarded its Prize for Journalism to journalists who contributed significantly to a better understanding of major European issues. At the award ceremony in Brussels, Ireland was represented by Angela Steen from Navan, the winner of the Irish competition.
by Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament
A Chathoirligh, a Sheanadóirí. Is mór an onóir dom a bheith anseo inniu romhaibh,san Áras uasal seo. Thar cheann Pharlaimint na hEorpa, gabhaim buíochas ó chroí libh as an gcuireadh.
A Chathoirligh, a Sheanadóirí. Is mór an onóir dom a bheith anseo inniu romhaibh,san Áras uasal seo. Thar cheann Pharlaimint na hEorpa, gabhaim buíochas ó chroí libh as an gcuireadh.
In a wide-ranging speech to Seanad Éireann this morning, Hans-Gert Pöttering MEP, President of the European Parliament praised Ireland as 'a leading member of the Union ..[..].. playing a key role in policy making at a European level.' He went on to say that 'you in Ireland can look on your achievements in Europe with a great sense of pride ..[..].. in the name of the European Parliament I want to thank you for your great contribution to European unity.'
On Tuesday next, 18 March, a delegation from the European Parliament's Fisheries Committee, led by Scottish MEP Elspeth Attwooll, will visit Ireland. The visit will focus on the importance of marine research for the fishing industry and the survival of the coastal zones. In Galway, the delegation will meet with Fisheries Groups at Iasc Mhara Teo. in Ros a' Mhíl, the visiting MEPs will meet with the Irish Seafood Producers Group in Cillchiaráin and will visit a fish farm in Lettermullan Bay. In Cork, the delegation will meet with the Irish South West Fish Producers Organisation and will visit the Bord Iascaigh Mhara Training Centre in Castletownbere (please see programme for details).
Have you organised or participated in a project which helped to promote an understanding between people throughout Europe? Are you aged between 16 and 30? If so, this competition is for you. The European Parliament and the Foundation of the International Charlemagne prize in Aachen, Germany are looking for projects which promote a European and international understanding, foster the development of a shared sense of European identity and integration, serve as a role model for young people living in Europe and offer practical examples of Europeans living together as one community. The projects can focus on the organisation of youth events, youth exchanges or internet projects with a European dimension. The deadline for applications is 8 February 2008.
2007 was quite a year for the European Parliament and the European Union - highlights included EU Enlargement; an investigation concerning illegal detention and rendition; an investigation into the collapse of Equitable Life; the establishment of a new climate change committee; decisions on laws relating to roaming charges, bringing liquids on board planes, trading in cat and dog fur, etc. and activities relating to the Parliament's own initiatives such as the presentation of its Sakharov Freedom of Thought prize to Sudanese lawyer Salih Mahmoud Osman and the presentation of its new Lux film prize to the Turkish-German co-production 'On the Edge of Heaven'.
