Henri Malosse: «EU has not courage on Tibet»

Here the translation of my interview realized for Eunews.

Henri Malosse, president of EESC

«As European citizen I am ashamed of the reception reserved to Chinese president Xi Jinping». Henri Malosse is the president of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), and is above all the first president of a European institution to have been in Dharamsala to meet with the Dalai Lama, the highest Tibetan political and spiritual guide. Malosse's visit marked an historical moment for Europe. On the contrary, said to Eunews, the European Union still has not the courage to face China on respect for human rights and Tibet. EU keeps silence for economic reasons, leaving Tibetans alone in dealing with their destiny. In acting so EU uses «two weights and two measures», and that, in Malosse's opinion, «can't» be considered acceptable.
   What about the impact of the EU economic interest on relations with China regarding Tibet?   «European Union has not an attitude of courage, and has not a common position on this issue. These are the two aspects I denounce. In name of trade and contracts Europe has not the courage to talk to China neither about the Tibetan question nor about the respect of human rights. US president Barak Obama received the Dalai Lama, and the United States have commercial ties with China as well as EU has. But the presidents of the EU institutions never met the Dalai Lama».
   Regarding the lack of a common position, what is the problem here?«Internally Europe still has too different perceptions among the member states. The Dalai Lama has been received by the government of the Czech Republic and Austria, but he has not been received by the French and German ones».

thepressedworld, or the game of language

Rude, selfish, egoistic, braggart, arrogant, prig, and the list could going on. Journalists have at least one of the features just listed, and in many cases the have all. Pressmen are not that kind of men is possible to trust: for their nature they have no respect for no one, except for themselves. Using these words it could be thought journalists are close to be monster, which is not totally untrue. They feel love, but just for themselves. And it's not a case if there's a huge number of divorces among the pressmen, if they spend their life in thinking exclusively to their profession missing what is really important in life. The world of the press is a box full of this kind of stories, made by men considered as gods only by themselves. «I'm a journalist», says every pressman, and in saying it he shows all his pride to be something special. Because journalists are special. That's the opinion they have for the category they belong, ignoring the have no power any more.

Nowadays media still can influence politics, society, debates and even culture, but journalists are endangered in several countries around the world (let's think about all those states where fundamental freedoms are banned) while in the so called "democracies" they have to respect the game of silence imposed by editors and "investors". Since newspapers as well as all the other media receive money by the States and by private companies, is not possible to be critic and/or write anything bad about them. It's a question of politeness, to be politically correct. ThePressedworld want to be a blog dedicated both to journalism and to journalists, a blog dedicated to the world of the press in general, or - if you prefer - the to press world. This blog, under its new formula, wants to offer a mixed of articles, personal views on the main current events as well as personal explanation on what journalism and journalists are about. The name of this blog is the result of a word game, involving the terms press, world, and their graphical and sound combination.

Jens Stoltenberg to become next NATO chief

The former prime minister of Norway will be in service from the 1st of October

Jens Stoltenberg

by Emiliano Biaggio

Jens Stoltenberg will be next NATO secretary general, the North Atlantic Council decided yesterday in Brussels. Former Norwegian prime minister will replace current chairman Anders Fogh Rasmussen, whose mandate will expire the 31st of September after five years and two months at the helm of the Alliance. Never before NATO had a Norwegian chairman. Leader of the Norwegian Labour party, Stoltenberg, 55 years old, is actually serving as UN special envoy for climate changes. He has been prime minister twice, and he had to deal with Anders Breivik's terrorist attacks in Oslo e Utøya. In total 90 people remained killed in what are the worst terrorist attacks ever committed into the kingdom. «I’ve known Jens Stoltenberg for many years and I know he’s the right man to build on NATO’s record of strength and success», declared current NATO secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen. «Warm congratulations to Stoltenberg on his appointment as my successor». «Jens Stoltenberg is ideally placed to lead NATO at a crucial and challenging time, and to steer the Alliance into a successful future», stated the High representative of the European Union for foreign Affairs and security policy, Catherine Ashton. «It is with great pleasure that I learned of the appointment of Jens Stoltenberg as successor to Anders Fogh Rasmussen. I am very much looking forward to working with the new Secretary General».

Quotes

«A war between Europeans is a civil war».
Claude-France Arnould, chief executive of European Defence Agency, during EDA annual conference (Brussels, 27 March 2014)

Frattini as NATO chief makes Renzi hesitant

New Italian government has «not yet» taken an official decision, revealed under secretary of State Domenico Rossi

Franco Frattini (sources: Reuters)

by Emiliano Biaggio 

Franco Frattini dumped by Italian government in NATO secretary general seat run? Italian former minister for Foreign affairs announced his candidacy as the Alliance chief at the end of 2011, after his experience in the government led by Silvio Berlusconi. Since then all the new governments - Monti's and Letta's - granted him support, until Mario Monti's Frattini formal indication as candidate to replace the current secretary general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, whose mandate is expiring in September. But now Matteo Renzi seems to be ready to reconsider the Italian approach. In front off the possibility to grant green light to Frattini's opponent - the former prime minister of Norway, Jens Stoltenberg - Renzi's administration could decide to not oppose such a possibility. «I have no a precise answer to give you on that», told reporter Italian under secretary for Defence, Domenico Rossi. «Our candidate remains Franco Frattini, but I have to sat that the Italian government still has to take a decision». Right now «we have not decided yet». Suddenly Italy decided to re-open the file, giving the impression Frattini's run for the highest seat in NATO could be already finished.

Senselessland (chapter 3)

Impressions and images from a trip to Bel Paese

Italy is a country experiencing poverty. That's the reality, and it is both perceptible and - above all - visible. No one says it officially, least of all do it the government which officially participates to the same impoverishment. In Italy more and more flourished the "gold shops", places where people can go to sell their jewels in gold getting money. The fact the presence of these shops increased together with the fact today are so widespread means Italians have been going (and who knows? Perhaps went) in ruin. Domestic demand is collapsing: a lot of shops closed as well as a lot of commercial activities are over. Along the streets of Rome rolling shutters are down, and where they are up shops are desert. For business owner no customers means no money; for customer no job - and in Italy people with a job are is a rare phenomenon - means no money; for both no money means economic difficulties. While people are suffering the crisis and commercial activities die, the "gold shops" grow in number and - consequently - in business.

Quotes

«I have fought my entire political career and as president to strengthen consumer protections. I have no intention of signing legislation that would weaken those protections».
Barack Obama, president of the United States of America, during the EU-US summit final press conference (Brussels, 26 March 2014)

US to sell more gas to Europe, said Obama

American president announced the country is ready to increase exports, but all will be easier once free trade agreement will be in place

US president Barack Obama

by Emanuele Bonini

The United States «are ready» to export more gas in Europe as response to the Ukrainian crisis and the deterioration fo diplomatic ties with Russia, but any eventual decision will depend on the outcome of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiation, still ongoing. «We are ready to grant additional energy sources», told US president Barack Obama at the end of EU-US summit held today in Brussels. «We already licensed, authorized export of as much natural gas each day as Europe uses each day, and let me add that once we have a TTIP in place licences for export of liquefied natural gas to Europe will be much easier». So, the European Union will have to be ready to recognize something in return of the American offering. Europe stands ready to listen to the White House requests, and next week in Brussels an extraordinary Energy council meeting - scheduled for April, the 2nd - will discuss the issue. For the first time a EU minister council will be opened to a non-EU country, in this case to the United States.

Renzi's statements in Berlusconi style

In Brussels he was able to recall what the four times prime minister said in the recent past, with the exception of the sold out restaurant

by Emiliano Biaggio

«We are Italy», «we are the third largest economy in Europe, we have the second biggest manufactoring sector fo the EU, and Italian families saves are strong and Italian families saves value is higher than that one of the public debt». Listening to an Italian politician speaking like that without having the possibility to watch who is speaking, who would you say these statements belong to? If the answer is Silvio Berlusconi you are wrong. It was Matteo Renzi who spoke in those terms, offergin a sort of time travel to million of Italians and to all those who follow Italian affairs. During his press conference held at the end of the European Council meeting last week, Renzi used the same slogan used by Silvio Berlusconi until the end of 2011, when the (once) so-called Cavaliere experienced a political crisis within the Parliament leaving political arena.
   Matteo Renzi wants to be accreditated as the one able to change Italy. In waiting to see practical measures and touch with hand what he is promising, Renzi acts like used to do Berlusconi: Renzi is braggart (he was able to say «We don't come to Europe to receive homeworks»), is playful (he always tells jokes and has fun), he uses slogan and makes huge promises («we are revolutioning Italy», he said recently). He's showing himself as a perfect copy of Silvio Berlusconi. Coming back for a while to the first sentences, it has to be noted Renzi didn't mentioned the fact in Italy restaurants are sold out, the only in Berlusconi's style declaration Renzi didn't tell to say in Italy the situation is not so complicated as it is said. A Spanish journalist working for EFE perfeclty understood it, without making direct comparison. At the end of Renzi's press conference she just twitted: «Renzi speaks a lot and says little, he jokes and gets followers: we will see». Outside Italy they don't trust the Italian prime minister. Not yet. There's to understand if Renzi will can be credible and different as he would like to be.

RELATED ARTICLES

-  Renzi "the scrapper" in Berlusconi's style

Europe to isolate Russia after Crimean affair

G8 summit to be hold in Sochi will be not attended, and negotiations over Russia's joining the OECD and IEA will be halted

source: euronews

by Emiliano Biaggio

The European countries decided to isolate Russia at international level as response to Russian annexation of Crimea. The head of State and government of the 28 EU member states decided to impose new sanctions against Russian authorities, considered as responsible for what happened in the former Soviet republic. The European Council decided to cancel the next EU-Russia Summit scheduled on June, and all the EU member States will not hold bilateral regular summits for the time being. In addition, the European Council and the member States support the upcoming G7 countries' meeting in The Hague. In practice, the G8 forum has been revised and turned in the old G7 formula, excluding Russia by any talk. At the same time it was agreed the European Council and the member States will support the suspension of negotiations over Russia's joining the OECD (The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) and IEA (the International Energy Agency). Furthermore, European leaders decided to set an international mission up in Ukraine. «In the absence of an agreement in the coming days on a credible OSCE mission, the European Union will draw up an EU mission», is written in the conclusions on Ukraine approved by the European Council.

«EU rise Tibetans question in Xi Jinping visit»

ICT and FIDH presidents sent a joint letter to both Barroso and Van Rompuy for the upcoming visit fo the Chinese leader asking for pressures on Beijing

Chinese president Xi Jinping

by  Emiliano Biaggio

Six points. Six requests to restart the dialogue process among China and the Tibetan government-in exile, improving the situation concerning respect of the human rights. The Tibetan movement sent a letter to the president of the European Commission, Josè Manuel Barroso, and to the president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, recalling the situation in Tibet and asking for an action of moral suasion on Xi Jinping. The president of People's Republic of China will be in Brussels the 31st of March for his first official visit in Europe. He will meet both Barrroso and Van Rompuy, and for this reason Matteo Meccacci and Karim Lahidji, the president of the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) and the president of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), wrote a joint letter to the European leaders in order to ask for acting «in line with the EU’s obligation and commitment to promote values of human rights and democracy through its external action». In particular ICT and FIDH urge Barroso and van Rompuy to work in order to remove restrictions on freedom of information and expression, including on the Internet, and end the harassment of journalists and bloggers. Secondly, in the letter is asked to bring China to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Renzi "the scrapper" in Berlusconi's style

The new head of the Italian government paid tribute to Angela Merkel giving her Mario Gomez Fiorentina jersey, marking a cultural non-change

source: violanews.it

Opinion

In Italy turning page appears impossible. The country passed from Silvio Berlusconi receiving Brazilian president Lula with Brazilian AC Milan football player to Matteo Renzi donating Fiorentina t-shirt to German chancellor, Angela Merkel. Once again Italy missed the opportunity to show that the situation changed. On the contrary, Renzi's action confirmed the Italian attitude to be superficial and inadequate. Inadequate is perhaps the right term to describe and to summarize the Italian problem, because it's not questionable Italy has problem and, for that, is a problem. First impression counts, there's no doubt on that. Renzi first impression was not a good one. It's possible (and desirable) at last in Italy he will be able to make all the reforms he promised, but at international level Renzi is sending the wrong message. First he kissed the French president instead of shaking him the hand, and then he gave the football team shirt to Angela Merkel. Somebody should remind Renzi that neither Hollande nor Merkel are his friends, so it would be the case Renzi deal with them consider them for what they are: head of government and head of State.

Alliance Française, crisis speaks French

No money available to cover the overall costs of the organization, and in Brussels OIF made the language less accessible

by Emiliano Biaggio

The International Francophone Organization (OIF - Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie) lost its economic power and decided for a general haircut. In time of economic crisis and austerity the main institution for French diffusion and promotion had to act in line with contingency difficulties. So the Alliance française in Brussels reduced the number of classes because the OIF had no money to invest in French teaching. Thinking the main goal of both OIF and Alliance française is act in order to make French largely widespread, the decision adopted in 2014 are against the traditional objective of the same institution. But reality is the economic crisis is still biting, and the OIF case shows it clearly. For the first time ever, the Alliance française in Brussels started asking money to both journalists and diplomatics. Because of the EU institution both categories had special French language classes for free. In imposing fees there's nothing strange: in time of crisis is right to dismiss privileges, but clearly such a decision is another index of crisis.

About biaggionline

I was asked about this blog. Apparently a very simple question to answer, even if I've to say I didn't expected it. I don't know why, but there were people able to find the blog out. I've never sponsored these web pages, and I continue to don't mention this digital activity. I talked about my initiative only to few people, and I have to say my blog has never been the topic of our conversation. Furthermore, when at the beginning of the year I changed the name of the website, it disappeared from search engines, so that find it out is impossible. So, having question from people who knows about this blog is simply unexpected. I've kept my blog secret, and the reason is simple: I still have to decide what to do with this blog. It was created in 2009 for professional reason, but immediately after the situation changed and I had other kind of business. Since the blog was created for job reasons, I never thought to use it as private instrument to communicate with friends. But it's also true the contrary: when I realised the web would have never been my professional life, then I started to write as I had to do it for the a part of the people I used to stay with, who were those who suggested me to have a blog.
   On April the 5th, 2009, I posted my first message. It was a very short one, just few lines written to explain I'm not so close to technology and that I had no idea how to go on. Here we have what I wrote: "Finally I did: I got off on internet. [...] Now I've just to realize how to manage this space". I had to translate it, cause at the beginning I used Italian. English arrived only at the end of the previous year, but I'll come back to the language issue later.

Troika, a lesson to learn from EU Parliament

The directly elected European institution ended the inquiry on assistance programmes with a very political outcome

Opinion

Troika «helped to avoid the worst», but its intervention seriously affected the social dimension of countries under assistance programme. This is the European Parliament position on the activity conducted by the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Cyprus. MEPs approved two resolutions ending the Employment and the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee's inquiry into the workings of the Troika, and the final result is a text opened that can be interpreted in several different ways. The debate on Troika responsibility could be long and huge, perhaps with no end. What can be immediately noted is that European Parliament plenary vote confirms what was already clear for everybody: social situation in countries such as Greece was deteriorated by Troika. Unemployment has increased, particularly among the young - leading to their emigration - and many small businesses have failed. Moreover poverty rates have risen, including among the middle class. There is nothing new compared to what it has been written and filmed by media. Of course, an official parliamentary inquiry is not a newspaper article, which means that only a European institution can deplore what made by another European institution. Referring to this issue, it has to be pointed out members of the Parliament didn't disavow Troika actions. Or well, they did only in part.

NSA to put at risk EU-US relations, warn MEPs

European Parliament asked anti-terrorism programme suspension and threatened to deny its consent on trade agreement as consequence of American spy activities.

by Emiliano Biaggio

The European Parliament voted today against the United Stated and the NSA mass surveillance programma, calling the European Commission to halt the negotiation Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) togehter with the suspension of other biletaral agreements already in force. MEPs in Strasbourg strongly backed a resolution (544 votes to 78, with 60 abstentions) where is written Parliament should «withhold» its consent to the final TTIP deal with the US unless the country fully respects EU fundamental rights. This consent, is written in the document, «could be endangered as long as blanket mass surveillance activities and the interception of communications in EU institutions and diplomatic representations are not fully stopped». Furthermore, the resolution wants that data protection should be ruled out of the trade talks. MEPs also called for the «immediate suspension» of the Safe Harbour privacy principles (voluntary data protection standards for non-EU companies transferring EU citizens’ personal data to the US). These principles «do not provide adequate protection for EU citizens» stated the text of the Parliament, urging the United States to propose new personal data transfer rules that meet EU data protection requirements. Again, the Terrorist Finance Tracking Programme (TFTP) deal should be suspended too, «until allegations that US authorities have access to EU citizens’ bank data outside the agreement are clarified», insisted MEPs.

EU paid visit to Dalai Lama with EESC chief

Henri Malosse travelled to Dharamsala and was in the headquarters of the Tibetan government in exile. It's the first EU visit ever

Henri Malosse with the Dalai Lama

by Emiliano Biaggio

The president of the European economic and social committee (EESC), Henri Malosse, met with the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala (India) marking an historic day for Tibet. It's the first time a president of one of the EU institutions paid visit to the spiritual leader of Tibetans. EESC is an advisory body of the EU established in 1957 in order to unite different economic interest groups and developing dialogue in Europe. Since 1959, year in which the Dalai Lama fled to India to escape from People's Republic of China repression, no EU institution president went to Dharamsala. Malosse's official visit has been welcomed very positively, and Tibetans hope it could re-launch the dialogue with the Chinese authorities. The 14th Dalai Lama never claimed independence: on the contrary, he has always sponsored the so called "Middle way approach", asking for real autonomy within Chinese state. Chinese leaders have always boycotted both dialogue and the Dalai Lama, affirming the latter secretly work to destabilize the country. «the "Middle Way Approach" does not mean a claim for independence but actually a genuine autonomy for Tibet», reiterated the Dalai Lama during his meeting with Malosse. Dharamsala government in exile didn't change: as the Dalai Lama underlined, with China the economic development of Tibet could grow rapidly. However, «it is necessary that education, the environment and religion are handled by the Tibetans themselves». According to him, on the other hand, the economy and defence should fall under the Chinese central responsibility. In return Henri Malosse stated his position that the European Union should not negotiate on the fundamental values such as the respect for human rights and the freedom of expression.
   On March the 31st Chinese president Xi Jinping will be in Brussels to meet the EU leaders. Tibetans are asking them to rise the issue of respecting human rights as well as Tibet situation. The president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, announced today he will meet Xi Jinping on Monday in the European Parliament. Xi Jinping visit, the first-ever by a Chinese president to the European Parliament, will be an opportunity to reflect on the future of EU-China relations and their political, parliamentary, commercial and human rights dimension. «For our relations to flourish, political dialogue - not only our commercial ties - must be reinforced», he said.

bLOGBOOK

He gave her the bunch of flowers. His message was clear.
«It's fantastic!», she said. «I'm so lucky to have a friend like you». Her message was very clear too.

Putin may not attend nuclear summit

Disclosure comes from the prime minister of the Netherlands. Ukraine behind the Russian choice

source: (Trouw, Saturday 8 March, page 1)

There is a risk that the nuclear summit in The Hague at the end of this month will be a flop. With preparations in full swing - the air space will be heavily guarded and 13,000 police officers will provide security on the ground - the summit will probably have to proceed without Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. Prime Minister Mark Rutte said at his weekly press conference after the cabinet meeting on Friday that the Russian president had informed him «last year, and again in February, that there is a real possibility that he will not be able to attend». It is remarkable that Rutte only revealed this on Friday and not last year. Putin’s absence is unusual because no Russian head of state has ever previously cancelled attendance at a nuclear summit. Energy specialist and Russia expert Sybrand de Jong of The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS) therefore does not believe that Putin is not attending because he is too busy. Everything has changed because of the crisis over Ukraine and Crimea, according to De Jong. «Putin initially had every reason to attend the summit. He would then have been able to lecture the world about security. But if he comes now, it will probably all be about Ukraine. And Putin has no interest in that».
   The purpose of the international summit - the largest ever organised in the Netherlands - is to prevent "terrorists" gaining possession of a nuclear bomb. The nuclear summit is an initiative of US President Barack Obama, who described nuclear terrorism as the «greatest threat» to international security in a speech in 2009. Since then the summit, which has already been held twice, has been one of the most prestigious international conferences. The conference in The Hague will be attended by 58 countries. The countries are generally represented by their government leaders. Steven van Evera, a professor of security studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is very worried about the absence of Russia’s president. «The summit has little point without Putin», he says. «This is a major victory for terrorists, for Al Qaeda and all the countries that are pursuing the proliferation of nuclear weapons».

EU Parliament to suspend Swift agreement

The request is foreseen in the draft resolution on NSA mass surveillance programmes

by Emiliano Biaggio

European Parliament is expected to ask the EU to suspend Swift and Pnr data sharing agreements with the United States in next Wednesday vote in Strasbourg. Furthermore data protection should be kept out of the EU-US trade talks and negotiated separately, MEPs say in the draft resolution, which closes their six-month inquiry into US mass surveillance programmes. The European Union should suspend its bank data deal with the US and the Safe Harbour privacy principles for US firms, as the fight against terrorism can never justify secret and illegal mass surveillance, they add. The Greens are sure the final report will be adopted. Under this scenario the United States have to end its bulk collection of data without individual suspicion and redress or data protection rights for EU citizens. Until then, the EU should end data sharing agreements with the US, like the SWIFT and PNR agreements and the Safe Harbour decision. Similar programmes need to be brought to a halt in the EU. Even if the Parliament will adopted the draft, the Council shouldn't back it. In other words, European Parliament could be useless at last, but the political message would be a strong one.

EU leader to deal with Ukraine thinking seats

An extraordinary European Council meeting to be hold after the latest developments, but centre-right wing head of government have to attend EPP congress

by Emiliano Biaggio

European leader decided to summon an extraordinary European council meeting to discuss the Ukrainian crisis. There's nothing strange in doing that, and it's absolutely obvious in front of such a crisis political leaders start work. But there's a fact that has to be considered: the special meeting will last few hours, and that's it. In Brussels the ministers for Foreign affairs first and the president of the European Commission soon after have described the Ukrainian crisis as «the worst crisis since the fall of the wall» and «the most serious stress to stability of these last 25 years», and despite that half a day will be enough to find a solution. If Europe will be really able to work in such a way, then EU will gain an unprecedented credibility. To be honest and realistic, EU is going to give the image of a series of countries with the need of showing commitment and response to the Ukrainian crisis and nothing more. That's a fact centre-right wing EU leader in the afternoon have to attend the EPP congress in Dublin, where participants are called to nominate the official candidates for the presidency of the European Commission at the next European election. German Angela Merkel, Spanish Mariano Rajoy and the same president of the European Council are expected in Dublin, and that's the reason why a final press conference is already foreseen at 15 pm. Unless to be proven wrong, European leaders risk to give the image of those whose main business, in the middle of the worse crisis of these 25 years, are the seats. Not a good performance at all.

EU parties towards a European legal status

Green light from the Council to the proposal presented by the Commission

by Emiliano Biaggio

European political parties are closer to a new legal status which will grant them a European nature. The Permanent representatives committee (the body formed by all member states ambassadors) approved the proposal submitted by the European Commission to update the legislation on the subject, now to be voted by Parliament. Today the political parties recognised by the EU respond to the national rules of the country in which they are, without the possibility to can act at European level due to different legislations among the member state. The draft regulation provides EU-level legal status for European political parties and their affiliated political foundations, aiming to increase their visibility and EU-wide recognition. This is a key aspect, because the European legal status will also be a pre-condition to receive public funding from the EU budget. According to the proposal adopted by the member states, European political parties and their affiliated political foundations that wish to benefit from the European legal status need to fulfil certain criteria, notably to respect the values on which the European Union is founded (e.g. human dignity, democracy, the rule of law, human rights). The European legal status will be granted by an independent authority located within the European Parliament, the institution directly elected by people where parties form the political groups. The authority's task is also to regularly verify that the
conditions for obtaining the European legal status are still met. In case of «manifest and serious breach» of the values on which the European Union is founded, the authority withdraws the European legal status, after having sought the advice of a Committee of independent eminent persons, unless the European Parliament and the Council both object. The authority may also impose financial sanctions on European political parties and their foundations in case of infringements of the regulation.
   The draft regulation also contains provisions governing the funding sources of European political parties and their foundations. The current distribution of the funding from the EU budget remains unchanged, which means 15% of the funds (nearly 34 million euro) are distributed in equal shares to the European political parties and foundations, and the remaining 85% are distributed among the  European political parties in proportion to their share of elected members of the European Parliament. Donations from natural or legal persons to European political parties and their foundations will be limited to a value of 18.000 € per year and per donor (rather than 12.000 € under the current rules). Regarding the names of donors contributing, it will never be possible reveal the identity of those who grant less than 1.500 € per year, while it will be possible unveil the name of those who fund the party with an amount  between 1.500 and 3.000 € per year but only previous their authorization. Il will be compulsory make public the names of donors contributing more than 3000 € per year. Furthermore, contributions from European political parties' or foundations' members may not exceed 40% of the parties' or foundations' budget. In addition, contributions from non-elected individual members of a European political party are limited to a value of 18.000 € per year and individual member.

Go to: the European parties

You told us to always smile,
and even if sad today we don't cry;
but, please, could somebody may explain
why are so strong sorrow and pain?

A friend is gone, that is the reason
but happiness never must feel in prison.
Life is a rainbow, a flower, a magic
there is no problem, nothing is so tragic.

Fantasy and imagination are the only way
to make life wonderful every single day.
Scrawl made it clear, telling his story:
in love and simplicity lies the glory.

His character was a sketch, or well, an example
for ideas a champion, for creativity a sample.
And the wolf and the cloud? What to say about?
Appearance is a trick, so be careful and watch out!

And you? You didn't pay attention, you went at last
and all your dreams are already in the past.
Neither lost nor forgotten, cause memory can
remember and enjoy the teaching of a man.

(in memory of Mario Lodi, 1922-2014)

bLOGBOOK - Binche

Binche

Binche means Carnival. Everything here deals with Carnival. First of all, the popularity. In every guide and in every web page related to Binche, the first information available is that of one of the most interesting and typical Carnival of the kingdom of Belgium. To be honest, in Belgium there are two different events like that: the first one is that one we talk about, the second one is the Carnival of Aalst. Binche is in the French-speaking part of the country, Aalst in the Flemish-speaking zone. It's not a worthless difference. Binche, thirty thousands inhabitants or an a little further on, as the majority of Belgian cities has a story of passed glory to tell. Under the rule of the Holy Roman empire, in 1545 Charles V gave the medieval castle of Binche to his sister, queen Mary of Hungary, governess of the Netherlands. She made Binche her main residence, and organised great and lavish ceremonies for her brother the emperor. The city became soon a centre of great interest, and the vocation for joy and city celebrations started.
   At that time Binche was already well known: the famous Carnival Popularity belongs to the XIV century. It was in that moment the Gilles appeared for the first time. Gilles are the traditional masks. On Shrove Tuesday nearly one thousands people march though the city dressed with a linen suit with red, yellow and black heraldic designs (red, yellow and black are the colours of the Belgian flag), trimmed with large white lace cuffs and collars. The suit is stuffed with straw, giving the Gille a hunched back. They also wear wooden clogs and have bells attached to their belts. The costume is not worn: is put up to the people like it was an armour. The Gilles swear a papier-mâché mask of particular design. All the 1.000 people parading have the same face: green yeas, glasses, and red moustache and sideburns. The people go around from 4 o' clock in the morning until late hours, bringing traditional dances, songs and happiness for all those who join them. In 2003 the Carnival of Binche was proclaimed intangible heritage of humanity by UNESCO, entering the Carnival into the myth.

People at Binche in Carnival

  Nowadays is difficult to imagine Binche out of the Carnival framework, even because the city has not many other to can offer. Despite the position - one hour from Brussels by train (forty minutes by car) and less than twenty kilometers far from the French border - Binche during the rest of the year is a normal centre of Belgian province. A very quite place where to go to have relax, far from the noise of the city. The city park is one of the calmest area ever, and in sunny days it's possible to experience wonderful walks or nice pic-nic, drinking one of the beer made by "La Binchoise", the local brewery. In case, before leaving, have a look at the international museum of Carnival and masks, you are interested to know more on the Carnival. In it collection from all over the world show how Carnival is celebrated in the different countries of the globe. An important area is reserved for the that of Binche, of course.


The other destinations  visited

Amsterdam / Antwerpen / Berlin / Braine l'Alleud / Brugge / Budapest / De Haan / Den Haag / Durbuy / Gent / Halle / Knokke / Leuven / Liège / Mechelen / Mons / Namur / New York city / Oostende / Santiago de Compostela / Strasbourg / Tournai / Vilvoorde / Waterloo

An historic vote brought Italian PD into PES

Party led by Matteo Renzi along the European Socialist after seven years of internal debate. «It's a starting point»

by Emiliano Biaggio

Italian Partito democratico (PD) joined the Party of European Socialists (Pes) after a internal disputes lasted almost a decade. The executive committee gave green light with a nearly unanimity vote (121 votes to 1, with 2 abstentions), making PD the 32th PES member party. PD had a strong debate over its position within the European parties since its creation, in 2007. Formed by the union of Democrats of the Left party (heirs of the Italian Communist Party- PCI) and Democracy is Freedom – The Daisy, PD never was able to join PES because of the strong opposition of Christian leftists. Now, after seven years, PD finally won the internal resistances. «Joining PSE marks a finish line, but it marks a starting point as well», stated PD secretary and Italian prime minister, Matteo Renzi. «A debate on Europe is clearly a never ending debate. Europe is the theme of our future». «We have a historic opportunity to set a new path in Europe», was the of Federica Mogherini, new Italian Foreign minister and close Renzi's ally. «The Democratic party is delighted to bring its strength and support to the PES for this campaign and for the future». The application of the Italian Partito democratico was accepted by PES with unanimous backing. «We are delighted to welcome the PD into our progressive family», said after PES meeting the president of the European socialists, Sergei Stanishev. «This is a beautiful moment for us».