Party Group Coordinators occupy a crucial position in collective decision-making in the European Parliament (EP). Political coordinators are the nexus mediating between individual MEPs, national party delegations that citizens voted for, and the European party group. They are members chosen to represent their groups at preparatory discussions on policy guidelines, on the strategy pursued by the parliamentary committee and on organising the practical side of the committee’s work.

The entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon represents a landmark for tourism, a key economic sector of the EU, which notably contributes to the EU GDP and generates jobs and wealth in the Member States. The Lisbon Treaty acknowledges the importance of tourism outlining, for the first time, a specific competence for the European Union in this field and allowing for decisions to be taken by qualified majority (Title XXII Tourism, Art. 195).

Title: Report on new challenges and concepts for the promotion of tourism in Europe (2014/2241 (INI). Rapporteur Isabella DE MONTE (Italy, S&D)- Dated 22.9.2015

The Commission’s Action Framework (19 Points)

The adoption into law of the Lisbon Treaty on 1st December 2009 represented a very significant moment for Europe’s tourism industry. For the very first time in its history, the European Union was given specific powers to direct tourism activity across Europe.

The EU was given legal support to develop a set of actions to respond to the many challenges and opportunities facing the tourism sector.

Article 195 of the Treaty states as follows:

Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance

1. Michael CRAMER, Chair (Germany)
2. Karima DELLI (France)
3. Keith Taylor (UK)

Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe

1. Dominique RIQUET, Vice-Chair (France)
2. Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA (Spain)
3. Pavel TELICKA (Czech Republic)
4. Gesine MEISSNER (Germany)

Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats)

Russia remains one of the EU’s most important partners sharing economic and trade interests and progress in bilateral relations requires an open discussion to clarify issues of mutual disagreement. It is of the utmost importance to step up cooperation at international level between the EU and Russia in all institutions, organisations and forums with a view to improving global governance and addressing common challenges.

Here below is an extract of the Resolution offering a glimpse of possibilities for restarting a constructive dialogue with Russia. 

A. whereas the EU has for many years striven to build a mutually beneficial strategic partnership with Russia based on shared values and principles, such as democracy and rule of law, and on common interests; whereas the EU remains open to such a relationship and to dialogue leading to it, and wishes to return to a cooperative relation with Russia, should the Russian authorities meet their international and legal obligations;

Article written: By: HE Michael Zantovsky, Czech ambassador to the Court of St. James’s.

A specter is haunting Europe. It has many names, and none of them fits. It is neither left nor right, and neither revolutionary nor reactionary, although it is a bit of all these things. It has many diverse and sometimes incongruous manifestations; it seems to spring from a single fountain of malaise and discontent.

Key Challenges