The Episcopal Conferences in support of the Holy Land” “

The meeting of 14-16 January 2003 in Jerusalem, attended by 25 bishops and representatives of the European and North American episcopates, as well as delegates of the Council of the Episcopal Conferences of Europe (CCEE) and of the Commission of the episcopates of the European Community (COMECE), represents the main event planned as part of […]

di Redazione

Reacting to resignation” “

The need to help the peoples of the Holy Land to react against resignation and to foster hope with concrete signs of communion and solidarity. For, in spite of the political impasse, peace is still possible, and the vast majority of the population is on the side of those who have the courage to achieve […]

di Redazione

European Union" "

Dual presidency: the ‘no’s have it” “

To discuss the recent session of the Convention on the future of Europe and in particular the Franco-German proposal of dual presidency of the EU, SirEurope met Giorgos Katiforis (PSE), member of the Presidium and representative of the Greek government (which now holds the revolving presidency of the EU), and Ana de Palacio , Spanish […]

di Gian Andrea Garancini - brussels" "" "

EU: In brief" "

EP: no to abortion incentives in the developing countries” “

The Commission for Development and Cooperation of the European Parliament has adopted the report of MEP Ulla Sandbaek on the draft regulation of the EP and the Council on support for policies concerning reproductive and sexual hygiene and connected rights in the developing countries. The controversial document was subjected to much debate, since it indicated […]

di Redazione

The Convention and the heritage of religions” “

The 13th plenary session of the Convention on the future of Europe tackled for the first time the issue of the reform of the Union’s institutional architecture. The debate had as its focal point the Franco-German document that proposes the election of a President of the European Council “for a long term” (from 2.5 to […]

di Redazione

Reform of the common agricultural policy” “

On 22 January the European Commission proposed its updated draft reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) (the previous draft was presented on 10 July last year). The plan envisages the cumulative reduction of direct subsidies to agriculture by 1% per year, beginning in 2007. This will involve a total reduction of subsidies equivalent to […]

di Redazione

The Court of Strasbourg accepts six suits against Russia” “

The European Court of Human Rights has declared acceptable six suits brought against Russia for grave violations of human rights committed by Russian troops in Chechnya in 1999 and in 2000. The appellants are all Chechen civilians. Denounced in the suits are the torture and summary executions committed by Russian soldiers in Grozny, capital of […]

di Redazione

Germany" "

Man: self-creator? ” “

Cloning: an issue of the day, and given added urgency by the presumed birth of the first cloned baby under the auspices of the Raelian sect. The issue has long been discussed both at the international level and in individual countries, though hitherto without reaching any uniform position, also in view of the differentiation between […]

di Redazione

Albania " "

A still uncertain future” “

“During my pastoral visit in February 2001-2002 I was able to experience for myself the spiritual, human and economic progress of the population. But I also personally witnessed situations of chronic and widespread poverty of every type”: these are the first words of the open letter of the archbishop of Scutari and president of the […]

di Redazione

In brief" "

Germany-France: in league against the war” “

In a solemn celebration in Paris on 22 January, France and Germany commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Elysée Treaty, signed by De Gaulle and Adenauer in 1963 to sanction a closer union between the two States after centuries of wars and conflicts. The solemnity of the celebrations, however, did not prevent French president Jacques […]

di Redazione