International

On 2nd May the European Parliament hosted a meeting on the introduction of a compulsory transparency register for lobbyists.

The SP has reacted critically to the attempt by the European Commission to increase transparency in relation to the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Pact, the TTIP. The publication on the state of affairs in the TTIP negotiations includes little relevant new information and only serves to show how far the treaty remains from completion.

Negotiations over the neoliberal trade treaties TTIP and CETA must be immediately halted, SP Member of Parliament Jasper van Dijk said in today’s debate with Trade Minister Lilianne Ploumen. "The TTIP is a constitution for multinationals," Van Dijk argued. "Europe will be flooded with American products if this treaty goes through. A race to the bottom in relation to wages, working conditions and consumer protection will clearly be the result. American corporations, moreover, will be able to lodge claims for millions of euros if the Netherlands introduces laws which threaten their profits."

Our neighbours have been hit. A blow has been struck against our friends. Belgians, Dutch people and others are in mourning over the many dead and seriously wounded, And we mourn alongside them. People are full of incomprehension – and full of fear. Many people are asking themselves: are we even safe here in the Netherlands?

“If the Netherlands says no on 6th April to the Association Agreement with Ukraine, there’s a good chance that there’ll be renewed negotiations between Ukraine, the European Union and Russia. Then the mistakes that have been made can perhaps be righted and better agreements made. Better for Ukraine, better for the Netherlands and better for relations within Europe. We mustn’t let this chance go begging!” So says Senator Tiny Kox, the SP’s eastern Europe specialist.