http://www.grahamwatsonmep.org.uk/newsarchive.php Recent News Stories from Graham Watson MEP en-GB Graham Watson MEP http://www.grahamwatsonmep.org.uk/ Prater Raines Ltd http://www.praterraines.co.uk/ (c) 2008 Graham Watson MEP 2008-08-07T20:49+01:00 United Kingdom http://www.grahamwatsonmep.org.uk/news/000517/graham_watson_mourns_the_death_of_political_mentor_and_friend_russell_johnston.html Following the death last night in Paris of Lord Russell Johnston, Liberal Democrat MEP Graham Watson who represents the South West and Gibraltar and who is leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament commented on the loss of his friend and political mentor; 2008-07-28T11:45+01:00 http://www.grahamwatsonmep.org.uk/news/000516/watson_coordinates_action_against_olympic_rights_abuses.html Graham Watson MEP for the South West and Gibraltar and Leader of the ALDE Group in the European Parliament, has written to liberal and democrat prime ministers and party leaders in Europe asking them to join him in writing to the Chinese premier, Hu Jintao, to demand that China meets the human rights commitments it agreed to as part of its bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games. 2008-07-22T17:07+01:00 http://www.grahamwatsonmep.org.uk/news/000515/graham_watson_mourns_the_death_of_a_friend_and_a_great_european.html Following the death of the Polish statesman and former dissident Bronislaw Geremek. Graham Watson Commented on his friend and fellow Liberal MEP; 2008-07-15T12:20+01:00 http://www.grahamwatsonmep.org.uk/news/000514/pensions_process_eased_by_euro_parliament_bill.html Women will benefit at retirement from new legislation passed by the European Parliament in Strasbourg this week. The measures will assist and simplify procedures for national authorities in processing cross border cases, where citizens have paid into the national social security schemes in other European Member states. 2008-07-11T12:00+01:00 http://www.grahamwatsonmep.org.uk/news/000513/french_eu_presidency_a_strong_ambition_for_results_that_remain_to_be_obtained.html The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe welcomed the European ambition that Nicolas Sarkozy displayed today whilst speaking before the European Parliament. However, the Liberals underline that there is a real urge, now that the Irish voted against the Lisbon Treaty, to obtain concrete results during this sixth-month-term to bring Europe closer to its citizens. 2008-07-10T17:16+01:00 http://www.grahamwatsonmep.org.uk/news/000512/zimbabwe_responsibility_now_rests_with_african_neighbours.html A resolution, passed by the European Parliament today, on the situation in Zimbabwe says that a transitional government of national unity would help end the climate of terror sweeping through Zimbabwe since the presidential elections campaign started. 2008-07-10T15:40+01:00 http://www.grahamwatsonmep.org.uk/news/000511/the_eu_agreement_on_the_olympics_opening_ceremony_can_be_a_starting_point_for_a_more_effective_stance_on_human_rights_in_china.html Following the announcement by French and incumbent EU President Nicolas Sarkozy that, in agreement with all the EU Heads of Government, he is to participate to the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony on behalf of the European Union, Graham Watson, Leader of the Alliance of the Liberals and Democrats at the European Parliament commented: 2008-07-10T12:20+01:00 http://www.grahamwatsonmep.org.uk/news/000510/crossparty_initiative_to_put_lisbon_agenda_back_on_track.html European Liberal Democrat Leader Graham Watson and six other MEPs from different political Groups launched today the pamphlet "The Lisbon Strategy: Mode d'Emploi". The common theme in this collection of essays is the urgency with which Europe must forge ahead to ensure its economic competitiveness on the global stage. 2008-07-08T18:14+01:00 http://www.grahamwatsonmep.org.uk/news/000509/airline_bill_guarantees_price_transparency__mep_watson.html The European Parliament will endorse tomorrow a Liberal Democrat bill imposing strict price transparency rules on airline companies. Taxes, additional charges such as fuel supplements and actual ticket costs will have to be clearly indicated whether the ticket is purchased online or through an agent. 2008-07-08T17:00+01:00 http://www.grahamwatsonmep.org.uk/news/000508/graham_watsons_comments_following_the_release_of_ingrid_betancourt.html Graham Watson MEP has warmly welcomed the news of the rescue of Ingrid Betancourt from her six year long detention at the hands of the revolutionary armed forces of Colombia (FARC), along with three US hostages and 11 Colombian military personnel. 2008-07-03T15:32+01:00 http://www.grahamwatsonmep.org.uk/news/000507/cross_border_health_package_first_important_step.html Today the European Commission presented its package on Patients' rights in cross-border healthcare. Local Lib Dem MEP for the South West and Gibraltar, Graham Watson is pleased that Commissioner Vassiliou, the EU Commissioner for Health has shown courage by coming forward with her proposals which are regarded as a first important step toward a free European patient area. 2008-07-02T14:38+01:00 http://www.grahamwatsonmep.org.uk/news/000506/watson__liberal_democrats_make_their_mark_on_the_european_commissions_antidiscrimination_directive.html After strong representation and argumentation from the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, led in the European Parliament by local MEP Graham Watson, the European Commission has finally announced today a proposal for a "horizontal" directive on the fight against discrimination in the European Union. This directive is called "horizontal" because it widens the existing legal framework to include all types of discrimination (not just disability but also age, sexual orientation and religion) and enlarges the various fields of application (from the workplace to goods and services and social protection). ALDE is proud to have reached this result, having been heavily involved from the outset of this initiative by the Commission, which will now be adopted under the legal base (art. 13, TCE) which unfortunately marginalizes completely the European Parliament as the Council will decide by unanimity. 2008-07-02T14:30+01:00 http://www.grahamwatsonmep.org.uk/news/000505/watson__slash_and_burn_of_post_offices_nothing_to_do_with_brussels.html Local Lib Dem MEP Graham Watson continues to lend his support to local campaigners from across the region who are fighting to save their local Post Offices, and has criticised the government's lack of imagination. The weekend Graham met with local Campaigners at Hinton St. George in Somerset. 2008-07-01T12:53+01:00 http://www.grahamwatsonmep.org.uk/news/000504/recycling_targets_good_for_region_says_mep_watson.html Following a recent agreement between MEPs and Europe's environment Ministers to set a target of recycling 50% of household waste by 2020, and 70% for industrial and commercial waste, national Governments could face substantial fines if they fail to introduce the necessary measures. 2008-06-30T12:28+01:00 http://www.grahamwatsonmep.org.uk/news/000503/ban_on_sale_of_small_kiwi_absurd.html As a Bristol fruit seller is told his small kiwi fruit aren't up European rules, local Lib Dem MEP Graham Watson, says he is backing proposals to get the rules changed. 2008-06-30T12:25+01:00