EN | FR | DE | 05.09.2008

SocialBrussels 24.04.2007

The postal directive

A Greens/EFA approach

Greens/EFA consider that the objective of the Postal Directives is to guarantee a high-quality universal service. The opening of the market is not an objective in itself, but eventually a mean to facilitate the achievement of a high-quality universal service (pdf)

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Economy04.09.2006

Suspension of the Doha Development Agenda of negotiations of the World Trade Organization

Greens/EFA motion for a resolution

Greens/EFA call on all WTO members to rethink some of the basic assumptions of the DDA negotiation framework which unduly add complexity and hinder the achievement of results

more » | en |

Economy10.05.2006

Freie Softwarepolitik in Brasilien - Ein Ansatz für Europa?

Am 8. Mai organisierten die österreichischen Grünen in Wien eine Diskussion zu freien Softwarepatenten in Brasilien. Dabei ging nicht nur darum, die Macht der Software-Konzerne zu beschränken, sondern vor allem kulturelle Kreativität freizusetzen und den Armen einen neuen Kulturzugang zu eröffnen.

more » | de |

EconomyVienna 09.03.2006

Globalization must be tamed by political means

Report of the globalisation panel in Vienna

Critical voices and opposition against economic globalisation is likely, and rightly, to gain momentum in the near future, unless globalisation is combined with politically driven initiatives to reallocate wealth and to protect the environment.

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EconomyStrasbourg 15.02.2006

Services directive

Situation on the eve of the vote in the Plenary Session

The vote on the Services Directive tomorrow causes some trouble. Outside of the parliament, the population protests, while the conservatives and the social-democrats confuse the issue inside by proposing diffuse compromises. Meanwhile, we look for new perspectives for a social Europe.

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EconomyBrussels 27.01.2006

The Services Directive - equal access, conditions and protection!

The EU-commission proposal needs to be improved! Our leaflet tells you why and how.

The free movement of services is one of the four fundamental freedoms of the EU. However, the proposed directive puts services at risk. Profound changes are necessary. Check out our arguments and support our fight for equal access, conditions and protection for all service providers and users. (pdf)

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EconomyBrussels 28.11.2005

From Doha to nowhere? Time to change course

A Greens/EFA Group statement for the WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong

The conference is set to fail. The current deal would mainly benefit the rich developed countries and merely the poor. In this situation no deal is better than a bad deal! Let's use the slow down of the negotiations as an opportunity to thoroughly revise the very premise of the Doha Agenda. (pdf)

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EconomyBrussels 09.11.2005

European Appeal

Together, let's change the services directive and preserve the European social model

Unless it is completely reshaped on a series of fundamental points, the services directive will jeopardize the fulfilment of the missions of general interest and the regulatory role of public authorities at national, regional and local levels.

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EconomyBrussels 01.06.2005

Save our Software

Prevent Software Patents through the back-door - Use our leaflet!

No patents on software as such – that‘s the consensus all parties seemingly agreed upon. For this to be realised the directive on patentability of computer-implemented inventions must draw a clear line between software and technical contribution. We want patents on technical inventions only. (pdf)

more » | en |

EconomyBrussels 01.04.2005

Ten steps for open, social and Green science policy

Position paper by MEP David Hammerstein

What should the European world of science be like? We want a maximum sharing of scientific knowledge and technical information. Moreover, public participation in science policy making should be put forward. And - small is beautiful: more funding of SMEs, small laboratories and universities! (pdf)

more » | en |

EconomyBrussels 06.03.2005

Against the Bolkestein Directive: a Green alternative

Position paper by the Greens/EFA group criticizes Services Directive

The European Commission has proposed a Directive on the free movement of services within the EU. However, it is too far reaching as it would lead to a massive lowering of social and environmental standards in Europe. Find out about the reasons and get to know the Green alternative.

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EconomyBrussels 10.11.2004

Reform of the EU sugar market organisation

One gram of sugar in YOUR morning coffee contains a ton of injustice!

The reform of the European common agricultural policy in 2003 was insufficient. It left out one very important market: the sugar sector! Here we still apply the rules made in the 1960s! This draft position paper calls for real fair sugar trade through social and environmental regulation. (pdf)

more » | en |

EconomyBrussels 01.04.2004

Position on Software Patents

Computer implemented inventions must not be protected by patents

Software patents are much more than a technical issue. It is an issue of culture and knowledge. Software patents would open the door to patenting knowledge for the first time in the EU. This would be a dangerous precedent. We support the protection of software by means of the copyright.

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EconomyBrussels 01.01.2004

Which Cohesion Policy after 2006?

10 questions about the future of the structural funds and 10 Green answers

The Commission has opened the debate on the financial perspectives of the enlarged EU. How much money will still be given to the poorer and less developed regions of the old member states? What criteria should be used to decide which regions should get what kind of EU-funding? (pdf)

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EconomyBrussels 01.12.2003

WTO and corporate globalisation - an overview

Our ten point programme for fundamental change of the present world trade system

The international trading system and its main administering institution, the WTO, are in a crisis. In this document you find our objections to this old, unfair and oppressive system as well as our ideas for a new, socially just and sustainable trading framework for the 21st Century.

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EconomyBrussels 09.09.2003

Let's use free and open source software in the EU institutions

Green/EFA co-Presidents write open letter to Mr Julian Priestley, Secretary General of the European Parliament

EU-institutions should remain in touch with technological developments. Free and open source software plays an increasingly important role in the European market. Therefore we propose to phase open source software into the IT system of the Parliament and to give employees the choice. (pdf)

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EconomyCancún 01.09.2003

An introduction to the labyrinth called WTO

What is WTO? How does it work? Why does it matter?

It is one of the most important international organisations – the World Trade Organisation. In case you do not know where all its so-called WTO-rounds shall lead to: Just follow our short, but comprehensive introductory 'tour' through the organisation and on the current state of debate.

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EconomyBrussels 01.01.2003

How Should the WTO´s Clout Be Used to Reduce Fisheries Subsidies?

Position paper demands major reforms of international fishery management

The world's fisheries are in a state of crisis. Fishing fleets are too large, surveillance of fishing activities is poor, and fish stocks are over-fished. Much of the fish taken in the waters poor countries finds its way onto the dinner plates of rich, northern consumers.

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EconomyBrussels 01.01.2003

General Agreement on Trade in Services

Submission to the European Commission: MEPs criticize GATS as a whole

It is time to stop, step back and discuss the present system of trade negotiations before plunging into a new round. Above all they lack transparency. We demand a moratorium on negotiations and a full impact assessment of the potential outcomes of GATS for developed and developing countries.(pdf)

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EconomyBrussels 01.01.2003

From Johannesburg via Porto Alegre to Cancún

An appeal for more ecological and social justice on the occasion of the WTO ministerial meeting

Despite evidence of increasing poverty and huge environmental damage each WTO-conference emphasises once again: There is no alternative to the existing neoliberal model. However, there is. Economic growth is not an end in itself. Here you find our alternative objectives! (pdf)

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EconomyBrussels 27.06.2001

WTO and corporate globalisation - a background paper

More detailed information on the overview and ten point reform paper

How do sustainability and globalisation fit together? Who actually rules the world? This comprehensive document answers questions like these and informs you in detail about the winners and losers of the present world trade system. It assesses all relevant trade issues from a Green perspective.

more » | en | fr |

EconomyBrussels

SMEs warn EU-Parliament: Software patents are a huge obstacle to innovation!

An appeal by the participants of the Green conference "SMEs and software patents"

More jobs and higher growth through technological innovation - this is the idea of the Lisbon process. But SMEs and software experts warn: the draft directive on patentability of computer-implemented inventions would be a huge step backwards as it hinders the exchange of information. (pdf)

more » | en |

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