Strasbourg, 13/01/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 13 January, the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, announced that the groups of the European Parliament are "unanimously" behind the appeal of the European Union not to postpone the Conference for Peace in Syria, known as 'Geneva 2'. It is scheduled for 22 January.
"This conference must take place", he told the opening of the plenary session in Strasbourg. He stressed that the "dangerous situation on the ground endangers this extremely important conference". The EP will closely follow developments of the situation in Syria and will "support efforts to put an end to the dramatic conflict". Mr Schulz pointed out that this conference on Syria is long awaited, that it will bring together the members of the regime, the opposition and international partners with a view to preparing the ground for building a transition period and for the end of civil war.
Adverse weather conditions. Martin Schulz expressed the solidarity of the European Parliament for everyone who has been a victim of the adverse weather conditions of recent weeks (storms, floods), which have "caused major damage in many places". He expressed his hopes that the European institutions and member states would "act quickly without excessive red tape" to help the victims of these disasters. Mr Schulz announced that the Parliament would discuss the issue "in detail" in February.
Latvia. Mr Schulz welcomed Latvia's adoption of the euro on 1 January 2014 (EUROPE 10994). "The country is to be congratulated on its tenacity. This is an encouraging signal for Lithuania, which will also join the euro zone next year", said the President of the EP.
Mr Brok called a Nazi. Elmar Brok (EPP, Germany) is alleged to have been personally insulted in a speech by the President of Romania. According to media reports, Mr Brok was called a Nazi. Mr Schulz has called for explanations on what happened. "It is unacceptable to draw comparisons with Nazis. Mr Brok's integrity is quite above reproach", said Mr Schulz.
Lastly, Jean-Pierre Audy (EPP, France) repeated his protests at the failure to respect article 15 of the Treaty, which provides for the President of the European Council to report to the European Parliament after each meeting of the European Council (EUROPE 10993). Mr Schulz reiterated the restraints of the calendar (Christmas holidays). He intends to discuss the issue once again at a conference of the Presidents. (LC/transl.fl)