News
I'll cry for Nagorno Karabakh
A personal view on the disastrous developments in Nagorno Karabakh
In support of Oriol Junqueras & Raül Romeva
Former Greens-EFA members of the European Parliament sent a letter to the President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani in support of Oriol Junqueras & Raül Romeva. In the last General Assembly of the Former Members Association a similar letter was read by former Valencian MEP Jordi Sebastià on behalf of a dozen of former Greens-EFA MEPs.
Declaration of the Sofia club 2017
The Sofia club met in Brussels last May 29th and made an analysis of the international situation. Bellow the declaration produced by the participants
Italian referemdum
Next Sunday’s referendum could produce a new storm in Italian politics, but not only there. If no vote wins Europe will panic again. Bellow you have the reflection of the green leader Monica Frassoni on the reasons of her ‘no’ vote
More repression in Turkey against Kurds
Last night Turkish police detained the two co-majors of Diyarbakir. That is another step forwards in the degradation of the quality of democracy in Turkey. I reproduce the statement of HDP here bellow
Spanish election outcome: Brussels should be happy
I’m sure that European bureaucrats felt relief on Sunday evening when they learned the outcome of the Spanish elections. A Spanish problem wouldn’t be added to the British one.
Sofia club met in Brussels
The members of the Sofia club met in Brussels and produced the manifesto here bellow on the international situation and the risk associated to it
Situation in Turkey
The European Union has Turkey as a reliable partner. However Turkey is moving away very fast from fundamental democratic stardards. I reproduce here bellow the letter of HDP co-presidents denouncing the undemocratic shift of Turkey
Mobility in Vocational Education and Training
I spent a part of my professional career at IMH institute in Elgoibar. The institute had two main educational offers: VET and an Engineering degree through apprenticeship. I was the director of the later. There I learned to appreciate both of them. My experience at IMH showed me the importance of VET in our modern societies. Furthermore, I realized that apprenticeship is a fantastic way of training people to fulfil the need of the enterprises. Pupils learn what the real stuff in workplace is and companies could find easier the profile of employees they need.
Today enters into force the shameful EU-Turkey deal
As European citizen I’m really ashamed of this agreement, but, to be honest, I’m not fully surprised taking into account the shift of both the EU and the majority of the member states dealing with the issue of fundamental rights and the respect to European fundamental values in this last years.
Letter of HDP parlamentaries on the situation in Kurdistan
Idris Baluken and Caglar Demirel co-chairs of the HDP's group in Turkish parliament wrote a letter to the intenational community on the dramatic social and political situation in Kurdistan that I reproduce bellow
Some comments on Spanish elections
Legislative elections of December 20th had a diabolic outcome. They marked the end of two party system, the end of big majorities and built up an difficult scenario to set up a government.
Inportant statement on Western Sahara in EP
Today the annual report of the European Parliament on Human Rights was aproved. Very surprisingly a very positive amendment on Western Sahara by GUE group was adopted.
Views on the outcome of Greek elections from Spain
Some greek friends asked to write a comment on the outcome of Greek elections and how are they analyse in Spain. Here bellow.
Letter of Mikis Theodorakis and other intelectuals to Greek people
I attach here below the English version of the appeal of Mikis Theodorakis and other Greek personalities addressed to Greek people last July
L’Université d’été et le Congrès de Régions et Peuples Solidaires
La fédération Régions et Peuples Solidaires rassemble les partis autonomistes, régionalistes et indépendantistes des nations et régions de l'Hexagone
Turkish community in Greece, another discriminated minority
Last end of July I travelled to Western Thrace to participate in the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the death of the leader of the Turkish community in Greece Sadik Ahmet. I had the opportunity of being witness of another example of discriminations towards minorities within the EU borders
The Delphi Initiative
Last week-end a bunch of intellectuals, journalists and politicians met at the Greek town of Delphi with the aim of discussing alternatives to global neoliberasim.
Parliamentary elections in Nagorno-Karabakh
The Nagorno-Karabakh Friendship Group in the European Parliament went for an observation mission of the parliamentary elections of that republic. 101.000 voters had the right to elect 33 MP, 23 by a party list scheme and 10 by majoritarian system. Bellow, the preliminary report of the observation mission
The Sofia declaration
Last Sartuday representatives of European left parties of Eastern Europe, Greece, Italy, Galicia and The Basque Country met in Sofia for the conference: 'Left Alternatives in Europe'. Here bellow the final declaration of the Conference
Pacifism now and ever
Lokarri the Basque peace movement put an end to its trajectory last Saturday. I published alongside with my party mates Patxi Zabaleta and Rebeka Ubera this article. I'am very proud of my collaboration with Lurraldea, Elkarri and Lokarri; three links of the same chain
Minsk agreement
Here bellow you have the 13 points of the agreement reached in Minsk on East Ucraine conflict. It doesn't seem stronger and more binding that the previous one.
What did UE leaders agree on Energy policy?
If one reads the reports on the EU Climate and Energy summit last week in the general mass media, one will have the impression that the output was rather positive? Was it so positive?
The new Commission and minority languages
Last parliamentary legislature was important for the minority languages. The EP approved with an overwhelming majority the so-called Alfonsi report on language diversity in Europe. Did it have any positive consequences?
Scotland independent?
Alyn Smith, SNP MEP, sent today a letter to his colleagues at the European Parliament on the Scottish referendum due to be held next Thursday. I find it very illustrative.
Members of the European Parliament support the call of civil society organisations for payment of compensation to the victims and families of the Rana Plaza factory collapse.
Here bellow you have the letter that 21 MEPs sent for the attention of Commissioner De Gucht, EU Member States and companies sourcing from Rana Plaza
Let's put the end to the Troika
This Wednesday we discussed two reports on the job of the Troika. A long and interesting debate!
Letter of MEPs to Commission on language rights
MEPs mainly from the Basque Country and Catalonia signed a letter to commissioners Reding and Vassiliou asking more commitment of the Commission on the defense of language rights in the Union. Now they are siking the signature of more MEPs
Irazabalbeitia impulses a Written Declaration on the rights of persons with disabilities
An important part European citizens has disabilities. They want neither to be excluded for their participation in social life nor to be kept in institutions. For having a fulfilling life they need personalised help.