The latest news http://www.eurostep.org/wcm Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:35:50 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.eurostep.org/wcm/images/M_images/mambo_rss.png http://www.eurostep.org/wcm The latest news http://www.eurostep.org/wcm/content/view/936/158/ Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are up in arms over the setting up of the new European External Action Service (EEAS), which has become the centre of a bitter turf war between the Commission and the member states. MEPs have complained that Parliament is being shut out of the decision-making process for establishing the EEAS, and warned that they may make use of their power to veto the EU budget if their views on the new diplomatic service are not taken into account. Filip De Keukeleere http://www.eurostep.org/wcm/content/view/935/158/ In providing for the establishment of the European External Action Service the Lisbon Treaty made provision for a service to support the work of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. As the Commission, Member States and European Parliament focus on the complexities of establishing this new institution Dr. Mirjam van Reisen, the Director of Europe External Policy Advisors, explores how the proposals currently being put forward fit with the provisions of the Treaty itself. In her Note on the legality of inclusion of aspects of EU Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance in the European External Action Service (EEAS) she concludes that the Treaty extends no powers to the EEAS or the High Representative to implement stages of Development Cooperation or Humanitarian Assistance. Sources: EEPA (http://www.eepa.be/wcm/dmdocuments/EEPA_briefing_paper_EEAS.pdf) Filip De Keukeleere http://www.eurostep.org/wcm/content/view/934/158/ On Monday 8 March, 40 members of the EU Practitioner's Network gathered in Madrid to attend a workshop on South-South cooperation hosted by the Spanish development agency AECID. The stated aim of the workshop was to discuss experiences and perspectives of EU donors in triangular cooperation in the context of aid effectiveness . It followed a seminar on Parliament and the MDGs in the context of the changing aid architecture, prioritising South-South Cooperation hosted by the Association of European Parliamentarians with Africa (AWEPA) and the Spanish Senate on 25-26 February. Both events were intended as preparatory discussions ahead of the High level Event on South-South Cooperation and Capacity Development due to take place in Bogota, Colombia on 24-26 March. Filip De Keukeleere http://www.eurostep.org/wcm/content/view/933/158/ The European Union's Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard told Parliament last week that the EU should go ahead with making an emission cut target of 30% in order to regain the global leadership over climate change which the bloc was widely perceived to have lost at December's Copenhagen summit. Currently the EU is committed to a 30 per cent target only if other global powers follow suit and make similar commitments, which appears unlikely in the near future. Filip De Keukeleere http://www.eurostep.org/wcm/content/view/932/158/ On Monday 8 March, campaigners for gender equality worldwide marked International Women's Day with calls for greater progress in closing the power gap between men and women across the globe. Top UN officials urged developing countries in particular to focus on improving the status of women so as to better achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Filip De Keukeleere