15 Most Recent Stories From Graham Watson MEP News Stories

Tue 8th Jul 2008:

Cross-party initiative to put Lisbon agenda back on track .

European Liberal Democrat Leader Graham Watson and six other MEPs from different political Groups launched today the pamphlet "The Lisbon Strategy: Mode d'Emploi". The common theme in this collection of essays is the urgency with which Europe must forge ahead to ensure its economic competitiveness on the global stage.

Airline bill guarantees price transparency - MEP Watson.

The European Parliament will endorse tomorrow a Liberal Democrat bill imposing strict price transparency rules on airline companies. Taxes, additional charges such as fuel supplements and actual ticket costs will have to be clearly indicated whether the ticket is purchased online or through an agent.

Thu 3rd Jul 2008:

Graham Watson's comments following the release of Ingrid Betancourt.

Graham Watson MEP has warmly welcomed the news of the rescue of Ingrid Betancourt from her six year long detention at the hands of the revolutionary armed forces of Colombia (FARC), along with three US hostages and 11 Colombian military personnel.

Wed 2nd Jul 2008:

Cross border health package first important step.

Today the European Commission presented its package on Patients' rights in cross-border healthcare. Local Lib Dem MEP for the South West and Gibraltar, Graham Watson is pleased that Commissioner Vassiliou, the EU Commissioner for Health has shown courage by coming forward with her proposals which are regarded as a first important step toward a free European patient area.

Watson - Liberal Democrats make their mark on the European Commission's Anti-Discrimination Directive.

After strong representation and argumentation from the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, led in the European Parliament by local MEP Graham Watson, the European Commission has finally announced today a proposal for a "horizontal" directive on the fight against discrimination in the European Union. This directive is called "horizontal" because it widens the existing legal framework to include all types of discrimination (not just disability but also age, sexual orientation and religion) and enlarges the various fields of application (from the workplace to goods and services and social protection). ALDE is proud to have reached this result, having been heavily involved from the outset of this initiative by the Commission, which will now be adopted under the legal base (art. 13, TCE) which unfortunately marginalizes completely the European Parliament as the Council will decide by unanimity.

Tue 1st Jul 2008:

Watson - slash and burn of Post Offices nothing to do with Brussels.

Local Lib Dem MEP Graham Watson continues to lend his support to local campaigners from across the region who are fighting to save their local Post Offices, and has criticised the government's lack of imagination. The weekend Graham met with local Campaigners at Hinton St. George in Somerset.

Mon 30th Jun 2008:

Recycling targets good for region says MEP Watson .

Following a recent agreement between MEPs and Europe's environment Ministers to set a target of recycling 50% of household waste by 2020, and 70% for industrial and commercial waste, national Governments could face substantial fines if they fail to introduce the necessary measures.

Ban on Sale of Small Kiwi Absurd.

As a Bristol fruit seller is told his small kiwi fruit aren't up European rules, local Lib Dem MEP Graham Watson, says he is backing proposals to get the rules changed.

Thu 26th Jun 2008:

France is gearing up for an efficient term at EUs helm - Watson .

Tuesday 1 July sees Nicolas Sarkozy's France take on the Presidency of the European Union. It will put them in the Chair of meetings of EU Ministers until the end of the year.

Mon 23rd Jun 2008:

Local MEP Watson - Cycle scheme great for Bristol .

As Bristol becomes England's first cycling city, with investment in dedicated cycling lanes, better facilities and more training for children, Bristol's Lib Dem MEP Graham Watson welcomed the scheme,

Fri 20th Jun 2008:

Continued support for EU cannot be taken for granted.

As European Union leaders seek a way out of the dilemma posed by the Irish rejection of the Lisbon Treaty, Graham Watson the Lib Dem MEP for the South West and Gibraltar who leads the Liberal and Democrat group in the European Parliament, underlined the primary message that they should all be taking home to their respective capitals, namely that "further construction of the European Union can no longer rely on the tacit support of its citizens".

Wed 18th Jun 2008:

Watson - Europe moves towards common migration policy.

Migration is one of the greatest challenges facing not only the UK but the European Union as a whole and following almost three years of long, complicated and tough negotiations with Council, the European Parliament now endorsed the compromise package establishing EU-wide rules on how to return illegally staying third country nationals in a fair and transparent procedure. The compromise package promotes the principle of voluntary return and provides for a minimum but comprehensive set of procedural safeguards. It also limits the use of coercive measures and sets standards for use of the re-entry ban as well as of detention.

Local MEP - Europe's leaders have failed to explain Europe.

Earlier today the European Parliament held a debate with Council and Commission in Strasbourg to assess the impact of the Irish vote and its implications for the EU agenda over the coming months.

Watson welcomes end of wonky veg rules.

Following the European Commission's announcement of its determination to loosen rules on the marketing of some fruit and veg, local Lib Dem MEP for the South West and Gibraltar, Graham Watson welcomed the move commenting;

Fri 13th Jun 2008:

Irish Vote sends EU Back to the Drawing Board.

Following the outcome of the Irish referendum local Liberal Democrat and MEP for the South West and Gibraltar, Graham Watson, indicated his huge disappointment at the 'no' vote:

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