News

VAT rules on vouchers will bring greater clarity and consistency

2013. 02. 26.

"Today, the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) of the EP gave a clear signal to Member States' governments that they have to make further commitments to update EU VAT rules to ensure the uniform tax treatment of all types of vouchers across all Member States. This is the right way to eliminate one of the remaining obstacles to cross-border business. The new rules will have a positive effect on businesses by eliminating situations of double taxation and uncertainty about tax compliance obligations", said Ildikó Gáll-Pelcz, the EPP Group Rapporteur in the ECON Committee, following the adoption of the draft Report on the common system of value added tax as regards the treatment of vouchers.

EU Employment Guidelines for 2013 adopted

2013. 02. 06.

"Today, the European Parliament gave a clear signal to Member States' governments that they have to make further commitments to ensure the implementation of the EU2020 Strategy, with special focus on job creation and stimulating growth. It is regretful that in the European debate on employment policy, there is still a lack of reference to the disadvantaged people, people with disabilities in particular", said Csaba Őry MEP, EPP Group Coordinator in the Employment and Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, and Ádám Kósa MEP, EPP Group Spokesman on the dossier and the only deaf Member of the European Parliament, following the adoption of a Resolution on the 2013 Employment Guidelines. These guidelines endorse the original 2010 Employment Guidelines.

Youth Guarantee: youth unemployment must be tackled but doubts on financing remain

2013. 01. 16.

"The EPP Group welcomes the so-called 'Youth Guarantee' proposed by the European Commission. This tool could be a major step in the fight against the alarming levels of youth unemployment in the European Union. However, reservations still remain about the financing of the proposed instrument", said Csaba Őry MEP, EPP Group Coordinator in the Employment and Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament.

Protection of fundamental rights must not be a victim of ideological debate.

2012. 12. 12.

The EPP Group today voted against the Flašíková Beňová Report on fundamental rights. In contrast to the more balanced and objective alternative Resolution tabled by the EPP Group, the adopted Report goes beyond the remit of the Lisbon Treaty, disregards the sovereignty of Member States and goes against the fundamental values and principles the EPP Group firmly believes in. The EPP Group condemns the Liberals and the Left-wing groups who are continuously putting their ideology into the fight for fundamental and human rights. Party politics in this field must come to an end", said EPP Group MEPs Kinga Gál and Manfred Weber after the vote.

Reconciliation: The Foundation of the Prosperous Future

2012. 12. 04.

On an international conference today, MEPs from several Member States with other experts unanimously agreed that reconciliation is a key issue in contemporary Europe. "Be it between nations or between different visions of history like future and past, reconciliation - the efforts to find peace that welcomes everybody and allows fruitful dialogue - is a key pillar of the European Union" - pointed out EP Vice-President László Surján who organized the event.

Hate crime investigations should become more effective

2012. 11. 29.

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights launched its report entitled "Making hate crime visible in the European Union: acknowledging victims' rights" at a panel discussion in the European Parliament. In her speech MEP Lívia Járóka drew the attention to the phenomena of under-reporting and under-recording hate crimes against minorities and urged the introduction of specialized trainings for concerned officials as well as the stronger involvement of NGOs.

Spirit of the Merciful Samaritan: Catholic congregations play an inevitable role in humanitarian and social work

2012. 11. 28.

László Surján, Vice-President of the European Parliament hosted a conference titled "Finding the Spirit of the Merciful Samaritan" yesterday in Brussels on the humanitarian and social work of Catholic congregations. In their speeches the participants showed how important role the Catholic congregations are playing throughout the world in taking care of the most vulnerable members of our society.