Nieuws van de afdeling

19 April 2006

EU: ‘GM food isn't safe’

SP Euro-MP Kartika Liotard has put written questions to the European Commission concerning genetically modified (GM) foodstuffs of uncertain quality, which, despite serious doubts about their safety have nevertheless found their way on to European consumers' plates. The European Commission did everything it could to hold back this information until environmental organisations managed to get hold of it.

15 April 2006

Joint Strike Fighter decision must be delayed until after election

Secretary of State for Defence Cees van der Knaap must delay a decision on the purchase of dozens of Joint Strike Fighters until after a general election, according to SP Member of Parliament and defence spokeswoman Krista van Velzen. Ms Van Velzen points to the announcement by the United States Congress that production will be two years behind schedule, while the purchase price has risen by 30 percent. “To decide under these new circumstances whether to go ahead with the purchase of the JSF is a question for a parliamentary inquest which could take a number of years,” said Van Velzen, explaining why she had asked the Defence Secretary for clarification on the issue.

14 April 2006

Council of Europe rejects ‘EU empire building’

The European Union's plan to usurp the core tasks of the Council of Europe by establishing its own agency for human rights has been rejected by Members of Parliament from its forty-six member states. Such an agency would mean throwing away millions of euros in reproducing the work of the Council of Europe, which has for more than half a century concerned itself with human rights issues, via its parliamentary assembly (PACE), the European Court for Human Rights (ECHR) and the European Commissioner for Human Rights.

13 April 2006

Proposed law splitting energy suppliers will make the Netherlands Europe's dupe

The handling of the proposed law to split up energy supply firms has a long history. SP Member of Parliament Ewout Irrgang began his contribution to today's parliamentary debate over the issue by looking back.

13 April 2006

Foreign minister must drop double standard and talk with Palestinians

Foreign Minister Ben Bot wants to curtail financial aid to the new, democratically elected Palestinian government until ruling party Hamas is prepared to forswear violence, recognise Israel and commit itself to prior treaties such as the Road Map. This is foolish, say Member of Parliament and SP foreign affairs spokesman Harry van Bommel and SP Senator and Middle East specialist Anja Meulenbelt, certainly if similar demands are not placed on Israel.

12 April 2006

Van Bommel: “No EU enlargement for the time being”

A further enlargement of the European Union is not, the SP believes, a good idea. According to European affairs spokesman Harry van Bommel, the EU's existing probems must first be resolved. “The European family is in crisis, and during a family crisis adding to the family is simply foolish,” said the SP Member of Parliament.

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