Greens/EFA Flash

Liberalising postal services

Plenary debate, 30 January; vote, 31 January

The European Parliament is set to vote on legislation to liberalise postal services in Europe. The Greens are opposed to the proposal that looks set to be voted on, which would lead to a serious deterioration of postal services in rural, peripheral or 'mountainous' regions. There are no adequate guarantees for financing the provision of a universal service, which would mean private operators can reap the benefits of profitable routes, leaving the taxpayer to bear responsibility for a universal service.

Tackling the problem of fishing discards

Plenary debate, 30 January; vote, 31 January

Vast quantities of fish are thrown away every year, harming fish stocks and the fishing industry. The major cause is unselective fishing gear, but many discards also result from current EU fisheries rules such as the quota system. Green rapporteur Carl Schlyter proposes a way to encourage fishermen themselves to find ways to reduce discards based on their own experience. Only after giving fishermen a chance to solve the problem themselves should an all-out ban on discards be put in place.

Implementing the EU - Central Asia Strategy

Conference, 31 January

In June 2007 the European Union adopted its first common political strategy towards the long-neglected region of Central Asia. This conference will bring together European policy-makers with experts and representatives from Central Asia to look at how the challenges to the implementation of this strategy can be overcome. 14-18.00 Room A 1 G 2, European Parliament, Brussels

To watch:

US missile defence system

Council statement and debate, 30 January