Andrew Duff MEP News Stories (Watford Liberal Democrats)

May 11, 2012:
- Local MEP welcomes deal on cheaper Mobile roaming
  Andrew Duff, Lib Dem MEP for the East of England, has welcomed a deal voted through the European Parliament to reduce roaming costs in Europe for businesspeople and tourists alike. Costs for calls and texts will reduce sharply from 1st July this year, when data costs are also to be capped for the first time at 59p per megabyte, with further reductions in later years. Andrew Duff said: "This agreement provides a better deal for local residents flying to Europe from Luton, Stansted, Southend or Norwich. Whether accessing email from a Smartphone on a business trip or texting friends at home, and I welcome the new data cost price cap as a further way to end the roaming rip-off. Data costs will fall to 18p per megabyte by 2014, less than 5% of the price some operators currently charge." Andrew added: "Very few MEPs chose not to back this measure, guess which? The new deal will boost competition by allowing consumers from 2014 to chooses a different operator for roaming while keeping their number. Andrew Duff said, "Many consumers don't look at roaming charges when choosing a contract, and get drawn in by cheap domestic charges only to be royally ripped off when travelling abroad. The new option of choosing a different network when roaming will help consumers find the best deals. Until then, travellers can enjoy lower costs on their existing networks thanks to this agreement." ENDS Note to editors Current Cap 1st July 2012 1 July 2013 1 July 2014 Data (per MB) NONE 59p 38p 18p Phone calls made (per min) 35 cents 24p 20p 16p Phone calls received (per min) 9p 7p 7p 4p SMS 9p 7p 6p 4p Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
May 10, 2012:
- European Parliament boost for Norwich Airport
  Andrew Duff, Lib Dem MEP for East of England, has welcomed a proposal to boost regional airports, making it easier for smaller airports to apply for EU funding, especially to improve public transport links to and from the airport. Andrew Duff said: "The ever-lengthening queues at Heathrow prove that our hub airports can no longer handle the pressure of increased passengers, and that regional airports likeNorwich play a more and more important role. NorwichAirport is becoming more and more attractive for local residents and businesses alike. Easier access to EU funding will provide a real boost forNorwichAirport and the local economy." Additionally the Parliament proposes common upper limits on baggage restrictions and tighter regulation on credit and debit card fees,making air travel simpler,less stressful,and more transparent. Andrew Duff said: "Differing baggage weight limits and restrictions by certain low-cost airlines such as the one-bag rule for hand luggage or differing weight limits are confusing and stressful for passengers. Spain has already outlawed such practices and I look forward to simpler rules being implemented Europe-wide. Some airlines are clearly abusing lax card fee regulation and I welcome tighter regulation, with such fees being included in the headline price to provide better information for air passengers." ENDS Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
May 8, 2012:
- Fiscal Compact Vital Necessity
  EU states should get the fiscal compact treaty in place as fast as possible. This is the message of Andrew Duff, President of the Union of European Federalists, on Europe Day. In his statement, Andrew Duff MEP said:- "It is too easy for electioneering hot-heads to destroy the new treaty. But what would they put in its place? The British will veto a general revision of the EU treaties at this stage. So the fiscal compact treaty is a necessary expedient. It adds to the pressure of market discipline and peer pressure to which all European governments are now subjected. "The new treaty is the vital tool to trigger the European Stability Mechanism without which market confidence will be wrecked. But the treaty is not the lasting solution to Europe's political and economic problems. It is in any case a confederal treaty, whose utility will pass once Europe returns to fiscal rectitude and regains the political confidence to move forward to federal union. "The election of François Hollande opens new perspectives for Europe, as has the appointment of Mario Monti inItaly. But this is a delicate moment. Unless the EU's reform programme takes hold, structural reform will falter and faster economic growth will remain elusive. In the circumstances of a debt deflationary spiral, the risk to democracy would grow and the European project, which we celebrate today, will be in grave danger. "I have no doubt that Robert Schuman and Jean Monnet would be saying Yes to the fiscal compact treaty as a vital step in managingEurope's present crisis. But they would then be moving on to real fiscal union, with solidarity expressed through joint and several liability of sovereign debt and a democratically accountable federal government making a common economic policy. "That remains the goal of the UEF this Schuman Day. We urge voters, especially in Greeceand Ireland, to deliver what must be done now to put the task of building a united European democracy back on track. There's no point blaming 'Europe'. We make Europe together ‑ 'Europe' is us." END Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Apr 26, 2012:
- EP constitutional affairs committee rejects greater voting transparency
  The Constitutional Affairs Committee of the European Parliament today rejected - by 14 votes to 8 a proposal from Andrew Duff MEP (UK, Lib Dem) to make all final legislative votes in the Parliament, at whatever stage of the legislative process, subject to roll-call. Reacting to the vote, Mr Duff said: "It is hugely disappointing that the two large groups in the Parliament decided not to open up legislative votes in committee to full democratic accountability. It sets the Parliament someway behind the best practice in many national parliaments and in the US Congress. "It is sad that Parliament does not dare to practise what it preaches to others about openness and accountability. "Over 75% of all EU laws are now made at first reading, which puts the spotlight on how MEPs vote in committee. It is a pity that Parliament has decided today not to turn that spotlight on. Voting at committee stage of law making will remain opaque to the detriment of the work of the media and those who follow closely the work of the European Parliament. "I am pleased, however, that we had the chance to raise the issue of transparency in this way. And the battle to modernise Parliament goes on." Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Apr 23, 2012:
- Federalists target 2014 Elections
  Meeting in Leuven this weekend, the European Federalists have set their sights at the elections to the European Parliament in 2014. "Our goal is simple," said UEF President Andrew DUFF. "It's to get more federalists elected so that the next Parliament will be more progressive and ambitious than this one". A joint statement agreed by the Union of European Federalists (UEF) and the Young European Federalists (JEF) called for a large congress to be held in the autumn of 2013 (probably in Berlin) to which the leaders of the European political parties would be invited to respond to a federalist election manifesto. Andrew Duff MEP said: "This manifesto must comprise the agenda for the next constitutional Convention which will have to open in 2015. Above all, it needs to promote the big push towards the federal Europe that appears yet to intimidate Europe's political class. This means fiscal union based on democratic solidarity between states and citizens with a federal economic government. The agenda will have to rectify some mistakes made in the Treaty of Lisbon, as well as considering the conferral of further competences on the EU, for example in the fields of energy supply and visa policy." JEF President Pauline Gessant said: " JEF and UEF welcome all the recent initiatives put forward by organizations, personalities, and movements that support the European political union on a federal basis, along the lines of the battle that JEF and UEF, through its national, regional and local organisations, have been waging for years. JEF and UEF will take the lead to organise a European Coalition for a Federal Union in view of the European elections to put pressure on governments and political parties". In his closing speech to the Leuven meeting, Duff warned not to expect great things of the present leadership of Europe. "One does not have to subscribe fully to Mr Juncker's description of his colleagues as 'ungifted pragmatists' to know that the present European Council -- even with a swap of Hollande for Sarkozy -- will not be capable of saving the European project." Mr Duff also emphasised the importance of dealing with the British problem up front to find a settlement that was mutually satisfactory for both the UK and the rest of the EU. "The UK does not have the moral authority to stop Europe going forward". END Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Mar 30, 2012:
- European Parliament votes for better rights for air passengers
  The European Parliament transport today adopted a report calling for more EU action to strengthen air passenger rights. Andrew Duff, Lib Dem Euro MP for the East of England said "Air passengers can still get a raw deal when flying. The EU has moved steadily to improve passenger rights but airlines still hold the upper hand. The Parliament has today supported proposals to improve air passenger rights. I am looking now for the Commission to act and to implement these proposals. The report calls for strengthening rules regarding assistance and reimbursement for delays and cancellations (including for luggage delays), as well as ensuring passengers are not left stranded in the case of airline bankruptcy. With many airlines still trying to dupe customers online, the report highlights the need to enforce existing rules to ensure transparent pricing on airline websites. Other proposals in the report include harmonising rules on hand luggage allowances, and for online customers to have the right to amend bookings. "More needs to be done to address the problems faced by people with disabilities and reduced mobility, with a view to ensuring barrier-free access to air transport. The report adopted today sets out a number of recommendations on this, including increased accessibility on airplanes and at airports, the handling of mobility equipment, and guaranteeing the equal right to fly, regardless of the specific needs of the passenger. "Crucially, from an environmental perspective, the report also calls for better information on the environmental performance and impact of air journeys, with the environmental impact to be printed on tickets as well as being clearly visible on airlines' websites. Given the enormous environmental impact of flying, this will help passengers make a more informed choice as regards their travel." Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Mar 29, 2012:
- Roaming charges down again in time for summer holidays - Duff
  Last night, Euro-MPs and EU Member States achieved a breakthrough in their talks to reduce the costs of using mobile phones abroad. Business travellers and holidaymakers alike will benefit in particular from a cap on data roaming which from July this year will be limited to 70 cents (around 60p) and fall to 20 cents per MB (around 17p) in 2014. Until now there has been no cap on the cost for using mobile internet options while abroad, causing bill shock misery for many on their return home. The cost of making a call using a mobile phone abroad will be capped at 29 cents a minute (24p) this July and fall to 19 cents (16p) in 2014. Texting abroad will be cut to 9cents (7p) this year and 6 cents (5p) in 2014. Andrew Duff, Liberal Democrat Euro MP for the East of England, said: "This is another important step towards ending rip off charges for mobile phone usage abroad. "Holidaymakers and Businesspeople heading to the rest of the EU for pleasure or business will be able to use their phone without fearing an unexpectedly large bill." ENDS Note to editors: The following price caps have been agreed last night between representatives of the European Parliament and EU Member States. The deal still needs to be finally adopted by the European Parliament (probably during its May plenary session) before it can come into force on 1st July 2012. 2012 2013 2014 VOICE Wholesale €0.14 €0.10 €0.05 Retail (made) €0.29 €0.24 €0.19 Retail (received) €0.08 €0.07 €0.05 SMS Wholesale €0.03 €0.02 €0.02 Retail €0.09 €0.08 €0.06 Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Mar 28, 2012:
- Citizens' Initiative: progress towards participatory democracy in Europe
  The Citizens' Initiative comes into force on 1 April of this year. Introduced by the Lisbon Treaty, this new instrument will allow citizens to direct issues to the European Commission with a view to adopting appropriate action. A citizens' committee of at least seven people originating from seven different Member States will be required to record an initiative, and the one million signatures required must come from at least seven Member States. The organizers of initiatives who have collected one million signatures will be allowed to request a public hearing, to be organized in the European Parliament . Andrew Duff, ALDE coordinator in the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Affairs, said: "The Citizens Initiative is one of the most innovative features of the Lisbon treaty and is well designed to bolster the democratic legitimacy of the European Union. Now we need European citizens to become actively engaged in making useful legislative proposals aimed at deepening European unity and in making the EU more effective. I look forward to the first ECI which says 'Yes to Europe!'". Anneli Jäätteenmäki (Keskusta Suomen, Finland), ALDE spokesperson on the report establishing the Citizens' Initiative, added: "This is one of the means to fill the gap between the EU decision-makers and the citizens and to increase discussion on European issues. I hope citizens use this opportunity to express their opinions on issues that have been forgotten on the European level, and that Commission takes them seriously." Edward McMillan Scott (LibDem, UK), ALDE spokesman for the monitoring of the Citizens' Initiative in the Petition's committee concluded: "The Citizens Initiative is potentially an important element in re-engaging the concerned citizen with Europe's decision-making, providing that the ECI mechanism allows the individual genuinely and without restraint to express his or her priority concerns about how the EU itself spends their money or seeks to act in their interest." Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Mar 21, 2012:
- Andrew Duff MEP says Budget good for East of England
  Lib Dem Euro MP Andrew Duff says the budget today will help economic recovery in the East of England. Commenting after the Chancellor's statement, Duff said: "The increase in tax thresholds means that 75,000 people in our region will no longer pay income tax. That will certainly help low earners. Right-to-buy tenants will benefit from the doubling of the discount caps. And another £40 million will be provided for building another 1200 homes across the region. "East of England local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) will benefit from another £16.4 million aimed at unlocking private investment to jobs and growth. "Everyone will welcome the commitment to further work on the A14, one of the worst roads in the country. "The tax relief for our very important video games industry will put us on a par with other EU competitors. "Our region must get ready to apply for funding from the enlarged funding for 'super-connected cities'." Government will use its £150 million Mobile Infrastructure Project to deliver improved mobile phone coverage to 60,000 households nationally including the A143 from Haverhill to Great Yarmouth. Mr Duff added: "In difficult times, this is a better budget than many of us expected. Liberal Democrat influence has been felt to good effect". END Contact Andrew Duff on 01223 566700 Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Mar 16, 2012:
- Liberals launch proposals to increase transparency of MEP votes
  On Monday 19th March the Constitutional Affairs Committee of the European Parliament will discuss a proposal by Andrew Duff MEP (Lib Dem, UK) to open up law making to greater public scrutiny. Mr Duff proposes that all final votes on draft laws even in Parliament's powerful committees should be by roll call. He argues: "Although Parliament's final act of law making takes place in plenary in public and with a roll call vote, many substantive legislative decisions under the ordinary legislative procedure are taken at the committee stage of proceedings. This is especially so where first reading agreements are sought and obtained. "At the moment, voting in committee can be fairly obscure. Although voting takes place in public, and most committee meetings are now web-streamed, it still remains difficult for citizens, the media, academics and interest groups to follow the political lines of the party groups and the personal voting decisions of MEPs. "National parliaments are increasingly critical of the difficulties they face in scrutinising first reading procedures within the European Parliament." Duff, who is also President of the Union of European Federalists, adds: "The automatic recording of nominal voting in committee and its publication in the minutes will make voting fully transparent. It will enhance the accountability of MEPs to their party groups and to their constituents. "It will illuminate the workings of the European Parliament, and set a high standard which other less modern chambers in Europe may be persuaded to follow." Editors' Note 1. Mr Duff's proposal will amend Rule 195 of the Parliament's Rules of Procedure: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+RULES-EP+20120312+RULE-195+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN&navigationBar=YES 2. In the US Congress, Rule 3(c)(4) of the House of Representatives reads: 'A record of the vote of each Member of the Committee on each record vote on any measure or matter before the Committee shall be made publicly available in electronic form within 48 hours, and with respect to any record vote on any motion to amend or report, shall be included in the report of the Committee showing the total number of votes cast for and against and the names of those members voting for and against' Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Mar 14, 2012:
- Pig welfare must not face same fate as chicken standards
  LOCAL Lib Dem Euro-MP Andrew Duff has signed up to a campaign in the European Parliament putting pressure on farmers across Europe to meet pig welfare standards. East of England pig farmers have already invested heavily in higher welfare practices and will comply with new rules which come into force at the start of next year. However, it is believed that more than half of EU member states will fail to meet the January 2013 deadline for banning sow stalls, which have been outlawed in theUKsince 1999. East of England Euro-MP Andrew Duff is campaigning to collect the signatures of at least half of the European Parliament's 754 members to adopt a written declaration calling for action to ensure the ban is implemented in time. Andrew Duff said: "It is absolutely essential for East of England farmers to be able to compete on the same level playing field across Europe otherwise they will be undercut by producers in other EU countries with lower welfare standards. "It is equally important that consumers can rest assured that when they buy pork products they have been produced to the highest welfare standards." The campaign to ensure that pig welfare standards are equally implemented in all EU countries follows a similar fight for EU-wide compliance with new chicken welfare rules which came into force at the beginning of this year. The European Commission has launched infringement procedures against 13 countries where farmers still do not comply with the new requirement of enriched cages for hens. Andrew Duff added: "We must not allow pigs to become the new chickens. Farmers still have almost a whole year to make the necessary investments to improve pig welfare standards. UK farmers have managed to raise standards - the rest of Europe must follow." ENDS Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Mar 2, 2012:
- East of England Euro MP backs campaign to boost small businesses
  Andrew Duff MEP, who represents the East of England in the European Parliament, is supporting a campaign to improve business conditions and opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the East of England and across the EU. Currently: Europe's approximately 23 million SMEs make up to 99% of all businesses and provide two thirds of all jobs in the private sector. More than half of the value creation of European companies is attributed to SMEs. A study presented by the European Commission in January revealed that six in ten new jobs are created by small enterprises. After signing the manifesto for a European SME policy Andrew Duff MEP said: "This initiative is all about creating and safeguarding local jobs by helping small and medium businesses in East of England and across the EU to expand and grow to their full potential. "SMEs are the backbone of our economy. That is why both existing and new rules, at European but also at national levels, must be subjected to an SME impact test to ensure that their specific needs are met and bureaucratic red tape is cut. "I hope to visit with and listen to local businesses and entrepreneurs across the East of England to learn more about what needs to be done to free potential and to be able to give businesses in the region a strong voice at the European level. Let's put SMEs at the top of the political agenda." ENDS Note to Editors: Please find attached photos of Andrew Duff MEP signing the ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe) manifesto for a European SME policy Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Feb 29, 2012:
- MEPs vote to end roaming rip-off
  MEPs today voted for new rules which will further reduce the cost of mobile phone calls whilst abroad. The rules also impose a cap on the cost of data roaming for the first time. Eastof England Lib Dem MEP Andrew Duff was among those who voted in favour of the new price caps, which will replace existing limits when they expire in June. Andrew commented after the vote: "People travelling on leisure or business are rightfully outraged by the rip-off cost of using a mobile abroad. Data roaming fees are especially expensive as things stand, and with people increasingly reliant on Facebook and Twitter to stay in touch with each other, capping data costs for the first time is an important step forward. "Until there is more competition in the market, we must protect consumers by capping prices at a sensible level that encourages business across borders and prevents people being hit with a hefty bill when they get back from their holiday." Negotiations between the European Parliament and national governments in the Council on a final agreement on the new roaming regulation will start in the next week. ENDS Notes: Under the current rules, in force until June 2012, the maximum roaming charge for making a call is 29 pence and for receiving a call is 9 pence per minute. Sending a text message cross-border is capped at 9 pence while receiving a text is free. Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Feb 28, 2012:
- Andrew Duff Welcomes EU member prospects for Serbia
  Reacting to the decision of the General Affairs Council today (Tuesday), UEF President Andrew Duff MEP welcomed the progress made with regard to Serbia and Kosovo. "The Council is right to encourage Serbia's candidacy for full membership of the European Union. Serbia is the key player in the Western Balkans and has the necessary state capacity to cope with the demands of belonging to the EU. Now we will see whether it has the political will to continue to work towards meeting in full the membership criteria, which include good relations with all its neighbours. "Kosovo is also deserving of a Stabilisation and Association Agreement, and it is encouraging that none of the five EU states who, for their own domestic reasons still refuse to recognise the independence of Kosovo, have blocked the Commission's mandate to launch a feasibility study. "Despite appearances, Europe continues!" END Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Andrew Duff Welcomes EU member prospects for Serbia
  Reacting to the decision of the General Affairs Council today (Tuesday), UEF President Andrew Duff MEP welcomed the progress made with regard to Serbia and Kosovo. "The Council is right to encourage Serbia's candidacy for full membership of the European Union. Serbia is the key player in the Western Balkans and has the necessary state capacity to cope with the demands of belonging to the EU. Now we will see whether it has the political will to continue to work towards meeting in full the membership criteria, which include good relations with all its neighbours. "Kosovo is also deserving of a Stabilisation and Association Agreement, and it is encouraging that none of the five EU states who, for their own domestic reasons still refuse to recognise the independence of Kosovo, have blocked the Commission's mandate to launch a feasibility study. "Despite appearances, Europe continues!" END Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Feb 9, 2012:
- 112 can help save lives - Duff
  A local Euro MP is using Saturday's date (11/2) to raise awareness of the 112 emergency number that works across Europe. Despite being in use for 20 years, most travellers are unaware of the number. This weekend marks European 112 Day, dedicated to the promotion of the service. East of England Euro-MP Andrew Duff said: "This is the perfect opportunity to remind people that anytime they need an emergency service anywhere in the EU, they can call 112 for free. "The last thing you want to have to do when you find yourself in an emergency is scramble around for the correct telephone number. Having a single number that you can use across Europe is a great idea, but unfortunately most people are oblivious to the existence of 112. "112 works in every EU country - including here in the UK. For anyone who gets into an emergency situation away from home it really can make the difference between life and death." ENDS Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Feb 7, 2012:
- European Organisations Petition the Parliament for Next Step To Federal Union
  Following the agreement on the fiscal treaty by the heads of government of 25 member states, the heads of the three leading pro-Europe organisations have petitioned the European Parliament. The petition by the Presidents of the Union of European Federalists (UEF), the Young European Federalists (JEF-Europe) and the European Movement International (EMI) asks the European Parliament to use its newLisbontreaty powers to initiate a further revision of the European Union treaties with the objective of creating a full fiscal union with a reformed financial system. Andrew Duff MEP, President of UEF, said: "The intergovernmental treaty is a necessary expedient to bypass the British veto, but it does not install the fiscal solidarity needed to save the euro in the long run. Nor does it help resolve problems surrounding theUnion's political legitimacy. "We call on the Parliament to act to use its full powers to initiate the next steps in European construction". Pauline Gessant, JEF-Europe President said: "The response goes in the right direction but is insufficient to address the present challenges decisively. Furthermore we strongly regret the old-style "behind-closed-doors" negotiations and the intergovernmental supremacy of the European Council. The European unification process must involve citizens and their representatives and be discussed in a transparent and democratic way". Jo Leinen MEP, President of the EMI, added: "The next steps of European Integration must be done with the participation of the Citizens Chambers - the European Parliament and the National Parliaments - and not through intergovernmental negotiations. The method for changing and improving the European Treaties must be a new Convention and not a series of EU Summits." Members of all three organisations will now add their signatures to the petition. END The petition can be found here http://andrewduff.eu/en/document/petitions/eu-federal-union-petition Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Feb 6, 2012:
- Andrew Duff attended the constitutive meeting of UEF Lithuania
  'Europe is nearing its federal moment - the time to decide on whether it wishes to become more united or not. The growth of the federal movement in Lithuania is therefore greatly to be welcomed'- he said. On 3 February Mr Andrew Duff, the president of Union of European Federalists (UEF), attended the constitutive meeting of a branch of UEF in Lithuania. The meeting, which took place in the Lithuanian parliament, was widely covered by the national media and was attended by a large group of the organization?s founders, among which there are a number of MPs, academics and other well-known figures. Speaking at the meeting Mr Duff said the blue European flag could be seen on the streets of Lithuania already in 1990. According to Mr Duff, the Lithuanian Independence movement was progressive and forward-looking from the very beginning. The president of UEF also criticized the way the current euro crisis is being dealt with at the European level. ?The new compact on fiscal discipline tackles only one side of the problem, namely the lack of fiscal discipline. But the current crisis cannot be solved without greater fiscal solidarity, which is not foreseen in the treaty?. During the meeting Mr Petras Au?trevi?ius, a liberal MP, was elected as the new president of the organization. Mr Au?trevi?ius stressed that the European Union today faces very significant challenges. ?We see very clearly today that the EU as a political-economic entity is still in the making. I have no doubt that closer integration in the EU is a wise decision and at the same time ? one of the main goals which should be sought by Lithuania?, - he said. The initiator of the movement in Lithuania, Mr Rokas Grajauskas, expressed his satisfaction that in a very short time it was possible to find so many pro-European people. On the other hand, the new organization has already been heavily criticized by the nationalist groups in the country. Mr Grajauskas nevertheless said he hopes the Lithuanian society will be resilient to superficial anti-European populism, which attempts to ?frighten people that Europe will take away their identity, culture and customs?. ?It is not a coincidence that in the opening part of our constitutive resolution we say that the European Union, on the contrary, is the guarantor of the cultural identity of European nations. The principle ?united in diversity? is not only an empty slogan but a defining principle of European integration?, - he said. The constitutive resolution, adopted during the meeting, outlines in detail the principles and values of UEF Lithuania, as well as its tenets in the institutional, economic and military areas. The resolution also addresses the current euro crisis and expresses the need for deeper economic-fiscal integration by creating collective euro bonds and increasing the autonomous EU budget. At the same time the resolution calls for the need to strenghten the common military capabilities of the EU, which would be employed to defend EU?s territory. UEF Lithuania has already seen the support of politicians from different political factions. It will be the first such organization in the Baltic states. END Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Jan 31, 2012:
- European Council: So-called move towards 'growth friendly and job friendly growth' is a sham
  Reacting to the European Council Conclusions on Growth this evening, Guy Verhofstadt, President of the ALDE Group in the European Parliament said: "EU leaders have failed in the only area where they could have made concrete progress today. Instead of decisive action they again chose procrastination. After 40 years of waiting, an agreement was found last year on a European patent but we still have to wait another six months for Member States to agree on the seat of the court causing further delay and costing jobs across the Union at a crucial moment." "Ten years ago when a similar disagreement persisted between Italy and Finland on the location of the food agency, it was provisionally set up in Brussels until a decision was finally reached A similar practical solution should be possible today." EP should be fully associated with treaty negotiations In response to the exclusion of the European Parliament from the final stage of treaty negotiations between the Heads of State and Government, Verhofstadt added: "It is deplorable that the EP was excluded from the final negotiations on the new treaty, having been fully associated and contributing actively and constructively to the text for the past month. During the last treaty negotiation in Lisbon, the EP President and its representatives were present with the Heads of State and Government." Andrew Duff (UK Lib Dem), ALDE constitutional affairs spokesperson added that "this treaty is expedient but nobody can be proud of it. Mr Cameron should tell the world precisely what he finds in the treaty to object to." ENDS Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Jan 26, 2012:
- Constitutional Affairs Committee reiterates demand for electoral reform
  A pan-European constituency with transnational lists for European Parliament elections is among the proposals put forward by the Constitutional Affairs Committee on Thursday. MEPs called on the Council and the Commission to join in negotiations to reform the EU electoral system so as to boost voter turnouts. The fall in EP election turnouts since 1979 (from 63% to 43% in 2009) "obliges the Parliament, Commission and Council to take action to promote popular participation", says the committee, which approved a report draft by Andrew Duff (ALDE, UK), calling for a reform of the current EU electoral system, with 17 votes in favour and 7 against, "A radical change in electoral procedure will increase turnout, enhance the European dimension of the election campaign and galvanise the development of European political parties", said Mr Duff. Pan-European list A pan-European list, composed of candidates drawn from at least one third of the Member States, is the key proposal approved. From this list, 25 MEPs would be elected, while all others would continue to be chosen through national lists. Distribution of EP seats: yes to dialogue with European Council The committee agreed to enter into negotiations with the European Council to set up a fair and transparent system to distribute EP seats among EU countries. An amendment proposing a mathematical formula to do that was instead rejected. The committee finally agreed that the date of the European elections should be determined one year before the end of the five-year legislative term. The adopted text is a proposal re-drafted by Mr Duff, after a plenary debate in July 2011 showed divisions among political groups. Committee on Constitutional Affairs In the chair: Carlo Casini (EPP, IT) Procedure: non-legislative resolution REF. : 20120123IPR35996 Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

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