Brussels Agenda

Priorities (full text below):

- New EU financial rules on short selling and derivatives (Wednesday, Commission)

- Economic governance in the EU (Thursday, European Council)

Events:

- Human rights in Russia - press conference from EP delegation to Beslan (Tuesday)
- Press conference on a new Spanish Green political movement (Tuesday)

- Action and photo-opp on electric and clean biking and mobility (Thursday)
- 6th Conference of GMO-Free Regions (Thursday)

New EU financial rules on short selling and derivatives

Weds. 15 Sept. - Commission legislative proposal

The Commission is to set out legislative proposals on short selling and derivatives. The Greens have long called for EU measures to ban naked short selling,which can cause havoc to financial markets. The problems of derivative trading, notably in its opaque over-the counter form, have become all too apparent. These highly risky products need to be more strictly regulated, including measures against commodity and sovereign debt speculation. (see our press release on EU financial supervision)

Economic governance in the EU

Thurs. 16 Sept. - European Council

The ongoing economic crisis is sure to be top of the agenda at this week's European Council. While some important steps to coordinate member state budgets have been taken, the Greens are still concerned that far too little has been done to improve economic governance. With the Greek crisis potentially just the tip of an iceberg, the EU must end its 'nod and wink' approach and start playing a much more proactive role. Greens/EFA Co-President Rebecca Harmswill attend the Council and be available for comments.

Human rights in Russia - press conference from EP delegation to Beslan

Tues. 14 Sept, 11.00-11.30, European Parliament press room

Greens/EFA MEP and chair of the EP sub-committee on human rights Heidi Hautala will be joined by other MEPs to discuss human rights in Russia and the recent EP delegation to Russia. The delegation experienced first hand how the Russian authorities continue to suppress basic rights.

Press conference on a new Spanish Green political movement

Tues. 14 Sept, 13.00-13.30, European Parliament press room

Former director of Greenpeace Spain Juan López de Uralde will be joined be Greens/EFA co-president Dany Cohn-Bendit to present a new Spanish Green political movement.

Action and photo-opp on electric and clean biking and mobility

Thurs. 16 Sept, 9.00-18.00, European Parliament Esplanade

To mark the start of European Mobility Week, the Greens/EFA group is co-organising an action on electric and clean mobility. The action will include demonstrations of conventional and electrical bikes, bike-related services and intermodality between cycling and public transport. There will be photo opportunities at 9.00 and 11.30 when there will be a meeting on EU mobility policies on a "conference bike".

6^th European Conference of GMO-Free Regions

Thurs. 16 Sept, European Parliament, Room JAN 4Q2

The 6^thEuropean Conference of GMO-Free Regionscomes at a crucial time for EU policy on GMOs, with the European Commission having just outlined a controversial new approach to GM approvals. EU Commissioner John Dalli will seek to defend the new policy in front of Greens/EFA MEPs and a wide range of stakeholders from all levels. Visit the conference website: http://www.gmo-free-regions.org/.

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