As the Brussels-based Association of Public Policy Advocates Accredited to the European Union (AALEP) is dedicated to helping (in particular)  foreign companies, organizations and governments that want to establish a more interactive and professional relationship with the EU institutions. Policy-making in the EU is characterized by a large number of veto players and actors within  and outside the EU who operate under a culture of consensus and compromise.

As of 01/08 2014, AALEP has entered into Protocols of Co-operation with like-minded organisations in Brazil, Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Laos, Russian Federation, Czech Republic, India and others are currently being negotiated.

Current Protocols (Alphabetical Listing)

According to the UN, at least 3,695 homes have been completely destroyed while another 4,235 are damaged, but not beyond repair. Bombs have pounded 133 schools and 22 health centres, stadiums, playgrounds, mosques, roads, power and water supplies, sewage treatment plans, phone towers, communications centres, police stations and government buildings.

The Palestinian Housing Ministry estimates the costs of repairing homes far surpasses € 600 million. The total costs of reconstruction could be in the region of € 4 billion so far.

German companies are investing abroad like never before, making the country the world’s biggest foreign investor after the United States. German companies' direct investment abroad, average around €50 billion a year. Lack of sales growth in Germany and in Europe and in companies’ expectations for coming years, high production costs, especially high energy prices compared with the U.S. or emerging markets are factors encouraging German companies to invest abroad.

Europe’s future relationship with China one of its most important “strategic partners”  will be determined to a large extent by Germany’s rapidly evolving bilateral relationship with China. Germany is China’s number-one trade partner in the EU: nearly half of all EU exports to China come from Germany; nearly a quarter of EU imports from China go to Germany. The increase in trade between China and Germany during the last decade and, in particular, in German exports to China  has exceeded all expectations.

The scenes of desolation and destruction, whole streets reduced to piles of broken rubble, images of torn bodies, especially of young children and babies, demand immediate intervention of  the international community to end this slaughter.

Since July 8 when the current violence erupted 1736 Palestinians have been killed, 8900 have been injured. 70 % - 80% of the Palestinian casualties are civilians. Unicef reports 296 child death – 203 children under the age of 12.

French Former Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dominique de Villepin under President Chirac wrote a thought provoking article in Le Figaro on 1st August 2014 entitled ‘Raising our Voice against the Massacre in Gaza.’ Below are the three tools advanced by Mr. de Villepin (translated from the French)

"Given the absence of a peace plan, only imposed measures capable to change the situation are likely to wake up the partners from their slumber. This is the primarily responsibility of France.

Lobbying is a legitimate, unavoidable, and when conducted properly even a desirable activity. Lobbying can be a reflection of the principles of representativeness and voter participation, and can provide decision makers with information vital to their work.

In order to increase transparency in lobbying, lobbyists should observe the following principles when engaging with Public Office Holders

The Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) of the Council of Europe recommends that Codes of Conduct and Guidance (wherever they exist) be reviewed in order to ensure that public office holders have appropriate standards/guidance for dealing with lobbyists and others whose intent is to sway public policy on behalf of specific interests.

Overview 

The FYR of Macedonia's Law on Lobbying regulates lobbying and mandates the requirement for lobbyists to register with the Secretary General of the Parliament and report on their activities and income on an annual basis. However, shortcomings of the law have been noted by many commentators, pointing to the need to institute reporting requirements for public officials and strengthening the oversight.

Legislative framework