Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
The Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament led a progressive majority in favor of the creation of a new EU ethics body in a vote in the Constitutional Affairs Committee yesterday evening. The new inter-institutional body, which was agreed at political level last month, will set ethics standards in EU institutions and will be composed of representatives of the institutions and five independent experts. After last night's approval, the general debate and vote on the European Union Ethics Body the day after tomorrow, Thursday, will be among the final acts of members of the European Parliament in this legislative mandate. According to what was stated in a statement distributed in Brussels by the Parliamentary Group of Socialists and Democrats, which is the second largest political bloc in the European Parliament after The statement added: “Throughout the negotiations, the conservative EPP group cooperated with the far right to dilute the mandate of the Ethics Body. Last month, in a public statement outlining their opposition to the Ethics Body, the EPP group made false claims that the proposals, endorsed by President von der Line, you don't agree with the rule of law.
Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz, MEP from the Socialists and Democrats and Shadow Rapporteur of the EU Ethics Body, said:
“We believe in developing ambitious ethical standards across the EU institutions, and today’s vote is a first step in the right direction. We have been constantly pushing for better monitoring and enforcement of higher standards, but have faced relentless headwinds from right-wing groups in the European Parliament trying to prevent Establishment of a new EU ethics body.
“The EPP has been remarkably consistent in cooperating with the far right, the European Council of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and voting against a new instrument designed to improve transparency, credibility and trust in the EU. We sincerely hope that the EPP will see reasoning before the vote in plenary on Thursday.” We urge them to vote with our progressive majority.
Katarina Parly, chief parliamentary negotiator for the EU ethics body, said:
“This week is a watershed moment for public scrutiny and integrity in the EU. We finally have an EU ethics body with independent experts and the power to examine individual cases. We have stood our ground throughout the difficult negotiations, but have achieved good results for our institutions and public confidence in our work. With the vote Finally, for Parliament, we are taking a decisive step to better implement the rules on integrity, transparency and accountability.
“The establishment of the Ethics Body is a success achieved thanks to the European Parliament and the S&D Group. Our persistent pressure has led to the formation of an Ethics Body with an oversight function. It is the continued push by the Socialists and Democrats towards greater scrutiny and the setting of higher ethical standards in the various EU institutions that has made this Victory is possible.
“We have worked hard to ensure that the new EU Ethics Body can be established to start the next legislative mandate.”
The Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D Group) is the second largest political group in the European Parliament. She says, “We defend an inclusive European society based on the principles of solidarity, equality, diversity, freedom and justice. We promote social justice, jobs, growth, consumer rights, sustainable development, financial market reforms and human rights to create a stronger, more democratic Europe and a better future for all citizens.”