News

Europe and US reconcile strong anti-terror approach and respect for privacy

1 December 2016

The European Parliament has approved an agreement between the EU and the US on the exchange of personal data to combat terrorism and organized crime. MEP Helga Stevens, who was a shadow rapporteur on this dossier, reacted satisfied: "Never before have Europe and the US reached such a high level of …

Restoring trust and confidence in the European Parliament

30 November 2016

Helga Stevens, candidate for President of the European Parliament

The ECR group, of which the N-VA is part, has put forward Helga Stevens as candidate for President of the European Parliament. As this Flemish MEP explains in an op-ed for the independent online newspaper EUobserver, her main ambition is to end the so-called 'G5' backroom dealings and give …

Further investment in repatriation policy

28 November 2016

The budget for repatriating foreigners is increasing next year by 17.7%, from 72 million euros to 84.8 million euros. “And this in particularly difficult budgetary conditions,” stresses Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration Theo Francken. He wishes to use the extra funds to further increase …

Risk of poverty falls for the first time in years

28 November 2016

According to the Federal Planning Bureau, by 2008 the number of persons at risk of poverty and social exclusion will have fallen by 104,000. And if the policy continues unchanged, the poverty risk percentage will fall from 21.1% to 16.1% by 2030. “The shift has started to take place: the risk of …

N-VA commits to a strong Flemish climate policy

24 November 2016

The N-VA group in the Flemish Parliament has reached an agreement spanning majority and opposition in the Flemish Parliament on a Flemish climate resolution. All parties involved - N-VA, CD&V, Open Vld, Groen and sp.a - are giving the Flemish Government a large number of ambitious, specific …

Curbing the illegal trade in animals and plants