Welcome
Foreword
As a Member of the European Parliament and as the President of the European Parliamentary Association, I truly welcome the Lisbon Treaty which represents a major advance for Europe. After many years of negotiations, Europe will now be more democratic as the Parliament's role is more enhanced. This truly delights me as we are gaining in efficiency and transparency vis-à-vis our European citizens and we shall have more visibility on the international scene.
All my best wishes go to Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, and also to Catherine Ashton, High Representative for Foreign Affairs, and I wish them all possible success in their upcoming challenges striving to fulfil common European interests.
Welcome to the site of the European Parliamentary Association!
The EPA, or European Parliamentary Association, is active within the framework of the European Parliament. It is a meeting place enabling MEPs to foster good human and professional relationships with colleagues and others.
Our premises are available free of charge to Members of the European Parliament, who can take advantage of them to organize meetings for working parties as well as for political groups, national delegations and also meetings with elected representatives.
We regulary organize events such conferences, welcoming visitors' groups, evening debates and cultural events in order to promote and enhance exchanges outside of the usual work environments.
All parties are represented in the EPA as the association is non political in nature. I am delighted to note that an increasing number of new member countries are represented and join our events regularly to share the same European values.
New MEPs are already meeting in great numbers within the Association during this 7th legislature.
In my capacity as the President, it is my wish to consolidate the activities started in the wake of my eminent predecessors (Mr Kai-Uwe von HASSEL, Mr Siegbert ALBER and Mrs Ursula SCHLEICHER) and I would like to enhance the EPA's reputation in order for the members of the European institutions to feel even closer to local economies and citizens. Our partnerships with the Mouvement Européen Alsace and the IHEE Students' association are great examples to follow.
I would like to strongly encourage my colleagues MEPs to regularly visit the website in order to keep abreast of all the EPA activities and events and I do hope that the more general information posted on the site will appear interesting to a great number of visitors.
Chairman of the Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats
Events
CONFERENCE "The Biography in the History of European Integration"Thursday, 16th February 2012
followed at 6:30 p.m. by the presentation of the book, "François-Xavier Ortoli. L'Europe, ...
"Stammtisch" (Regular's table)
Monday, 13 February 2012
Informal buffet-dinner.
Next Plenary session of the European Parlament in Strasbourg
13-16 February 2012
Breakfast at the EPA
Thursday 16th February 2012
Encounter with Mr Alain BERETZ, President of the University Strasbourg
News
What happened during Strasbourg plenary 13-19 January 2012?Jo LEINEN, MEP, elected President of the European Movement International (EMI)
PLENARY session in Strasbourg
13-16 February 2012
More about the EP:
Martin SCHULZ elected President of the European Parliament
The 56-year old German MEP (S&D) will lead the European parliament for two and half years, ...
Danish presidency of the Council of the EU
from 1st January 2012 until 30th June 2012
Discover the programme of the Danish presidency!
The team of the EPA wishes you a Happy New Year!
EP President pays tribute to Vaclav Havel
He represented the Velvet Revolution and the reunification of Europe and was a great writer ...
The Arab Spring wins Sakharov Prize 2011
It was presented to the winners by President Jerzy Buzek at Parliament's
Holydaying in Europe? Think 112!
In case of emergency, don't panic, just dial the 112 European emergency number.
Food labels: clearer information for consumers
Food shoppers will be able to make better informed, healthier choices as the
European Parliament calendar 2011 / 2012 / 2013
"Parliament in Action": a new website dedicated to the work of the EP
launched by the French-based, European affairs internet portal Toute l'Europe.
Immigration and asylum: The EU is seeking to create a common asylum system, strengthen border
controls, increase oversight of its border-free travel area and use
The EURONEST Parliamentary Assembly brings together MEPs with elected
representatives from the EU's eastern neighbour countries.
Economic governance: taking action on the root causes of the crisis
MEPs are focusing on a set of new rules addressing the root causes of the crisis:
MEPs want banks/EU Institutions to help small businesses find finance
Banks and EU programmes should provide more support for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs)
Voluntary European Heritage Label on 2012?
A proposed voluntary European Heritage Label to reflect sites that symbolise values like democracy,
Statistics by theme? EU Policy indicators?
All informations on Eurostat:
Your life in the European Union
Information and legal advice on your rights to live, work and study abroad,
Practical information: Questions about Europe? Get in touch with EUROPE DIRECT!
Call the free phone number 00800 6 7 8 9 10 11 from anywhere in the EU.
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