News

N-VA commits to a strong Flemish climate policy

24 November 2016
N-VA commits to a strong Flemish climate policy

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 …

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Curbing the illegal trade in animals and plants

24 November 2016
Curbing the illegal trade in animals and plants

In a clear resolution, the European Parliament is calling on the EU Member States to crack down hard on the illegal trade in wild animals and plants. MEP Mark Demesmaeker contributed to this call: “A shocking number of elephants, tigers, rhino and other wild animal species are killed for gadgets …

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Stricter European air quality standards

23 November 2016
Stricter European air quality standards

By a large majority, the European Parliament has approved stricter goals in the fight against air pollution. “We would have preferred an even higher level of ambition,” says MEP Mark Demesmaeker. “Still, I am pleased that Europe is already taking clear steps towards better air quality. “Currently, …

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Improved status for sign language interpreters in Europe

23 November 2016
Improved status for sign language interpreters in Europe

By an overwhelming majority, the European Parliament has approved a resolution, which among other things advocates an improved status for sign language interpreters in Europe. “To ensure equal participation in society by sign language users, interpreters are indispensable. However, due to the …

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Flanders wants to enter into agreements without Wallonia

23 November 2016
Flanders wants to enter into agreements without Wallonia

Wallonia is blocking various investment agreements that Belgium and Luxembourg want to enter into with other countries. Flemish Minister-President Geert Bourgeois is now taking a leap forward and proposing simply entering into those agreements without Wallonia. “That is confederalism in practice: …

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Flemish companies are missing out on European subsidies

23 November 2016
Flemish companies are missing out on European subsidies

The European Commission has published its report for 2015 on Horizon 2020. That European programme for research and innovation has a budget of 77 billion euros spread out over 7 years. “Our Flemish universities and research institutes are making good use of the programme,” MEP Anneleen Van Bossuyt …

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