Jan Zahradi, MEP: Pre-conditions of good governance (democracy, pluralism, freedom of media, transparency...)

As we all know, no good can be done without proper control over the means and actors involved in a process. This applies particularly in the area of trade, where commercial interests may occasionally clash with national ones as well as individual human aspirations.

MEP Evzen Tosenovsky´s speech at the European Nuclear Energy Forum in Prague

A year ago, I addressed the European nuclear energy forum in Bratislava as a European Parliament representative. I spoke of the renaissance in the way that the use of atomic energy is perceived. The topic of nuclear power plants has now become politicised and the picture is completely different. During the last year, nothing dramatic happened in Europe's energy sector. Conversely, the Parliament, in cooperation with the Commission, discussed a variety of measures aimed at stabilising the entire sector. Complex documents on the external gas supply procedures were approved without any strong areas of conflict. Similarly, the Parliament discussed the structures of national energy resource mixtures.

Timothy Kirkhope: We must work across the Atlantic on cybersecurity

Timothy Kirkhope MEP, Deputy Chairman of the European Conservatives and Reformists group. Keynote Address: Transatlantic Cybersecurity Research Workshop, Hungarian Embassy to the United States

Zahradil: EU response to a crisis should not be 'more Europe'

ECR President Jan Zahradil speaking during a debate in the European Parliament on the March European Council:

"Mr President, the most important issue at the last European Council was the economy and stability of the Euro area...

Valdemar Tomaševski - Minority Rights

The topic of today's session is widely spread in Lithuania despite the fact that in most member states the problems of national minorities in general do not exist as they were simply solved. The States of West democracy hammered out two basic documents regulating the rights of national minorities, namely the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

Speech to enlarged Conference of Presidents with European Council President Van Rompuy, by Timothy Kirkhope MEP

Support for freedom is a value shared across this house and for the ECR Group it is one of our most important principles. We believe the maximisation of individual freedom in a society with a small state and low taxes is the best way to secure the social, economic and political objectives we all seek.

Speaking to the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, ECR Deputy Chairman and leader of the UK Conservatives in the European Parliament, Timothy Kirkhope MEP, said:

Our new group, the European Conservatives and Reformists, is little more than twelve months old but we can already report on a year of real achievement. David Cameron’s vision of a new political force in European politics is being realised: a movement for reform offering a new vibrant vision of a decentralised, free market Europe respecting the rights of its member states.

Kirkhope advocates quality not quantity for EU activity in key speech

Timothy Kirkhope speech at Open Europe debate

Britain needs a government which can be trusted to promote Britain's national interests in the European Union by advancing its ideas clearly and firmly, and engaging constructively with our fellow members to develop the kind of Europe the public wants: a European Union which can earn their respect and merit their confidence.

Deputy Leader of ECR Group Timothy Kirkhope's key note speech at PiS conference in Poznan

I am delighted to be with you today. It is testament to the deepening relationship between both our parties: the UK Conservative Party, the oldest one in Europe and a party of freedom and democracy, with the Law and Justice Party of Poland which is a beacon for that same belief in freedom and democracy here in your country.

Mirek Topolank at he PiS conference in Poznan: We are ready to defend real european values

We have proven our rights to existence. And that is not at all insignificant in the grinding room of European politics. It is not at all insignificant at a time, when fear of differing opinions is spreading across Europe. When the main political forces and media are paving the argument that freedom is an obstacle in progress. That freedom must step aside to the identified need. That the centre is omniscient and the peripheries have to adjust to it. Yes, once again we hear those words! Does that not remind you of something? Is it not possible to hear an echo of an unpleasant déjà vu especially for our countries?

Michał Kamiński on the Goldstone Report

The Goldstone report is an extremely imbalanced and unjust report. This report comes from the UN Human Rights Committee, which includes countries such as Iran, Nicaragua, Somalia and Libya. What right do these countries have - where respect for human rights is less than none - to judge the only democracy in the Middle East, Israel?

Jan Zahradil: Missile Defense and the Czech Republic – Context and Consequences

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
It is indeed a pleasure for me to have again the opportunity to address such a like-minded audience here in Heritage, moreover with such a serious issue. I will go through the relatively short history of the whole project, then I will put it into appropriate geopolitical context and I will try also to bring some, hopefully positive, outcome.

Kaminski: For your freedom and ours

Speaking last night to the Heritage Foundation in Washington DC, European Conservatives and Reformists chairman, Michal Kaminski MEP, called for a renaissance of the transatlantic alliance to meet renewed challenges to freedom and liberty.

He said:

Timothy Kirkhope in Washington: The Transatlantic alliance is more relevant than ever

For our European Conservatives and Reformists group in the European Parliament, the transatlantic alliance is one of our most important principles. Our group has been successfully formed as a new centre-right bloc in the Parliament to give a voice to all those in Europe who support a free market, outward-looking European Union which respects the powers of its member states. And we are totally committed to the defence of the Atlantic Alliance. This is why the Presidency of the Group is here in Washington this week - to demonstrate that commitment and forge new links

Speech to the ECR bureau meeting by Mrs Tineke Huizinga, Netherlands Vice-Minister for Transport

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is good to be here, after a frantic day in The Hague.
As Vice Minister for Transport, Public Works and Water Management and as a member of the Christian Union, I am honoured to welcome you onto Dutch soil.

Democratisation in Turkey (debate)

Jan Zahradil (ECR ). – (CS) I am speaking from the position of someone who supports Turkey’s membership of the European Union as a fully-fledged member, and not as a substitute or a kind of privileged partner, and I would like to add a few critical words levelled at our own ranks. We perceive Turkey from the position of an organisation which has promised that country full membership of the European Union but which, at the same time, is unable to guarantee that if it does meet all the conditions we are demanding from it, it will really achieve full membership.

Speech Peter van Dalen (ChristenUnie) in the debate about the peace process in the Middle-East

President,

Especially during the current Advent period, many people pray for peace in the Middle-East. But sometimes you get despondent about the situation and you think: peace will never come. However, all parties in this process need to keep on working on it.

Lajos Bokros: Structural problems with the EU-Budget

Prospects for the Doha Development Agenda following the Seventh WTO Ministerial Conference (debate)

Jan Zahradil, on behalf of the ECR Group. – (CS) Mr President, Commissioner, we are, of course, in a period of economic recession or crisis and it is unpleasant, but such crises come and go, they are a cyclical component of the market economy and they must not be used as an excuse for introducing excessive regulations restraining the economy, as such regulations will remain even after the crisis itself has ended, and this also concerns international trade. The European Union must therefore avoid succumbing to the lure of protectionism in commercial relations, as we would damage not only ourselves through this, but especially those whom we seek to assist, in other words, especially the least developed countries, whose full integration into the global commercial system we must promote.

Speech on the plenary session of the European Parliament on the Slovak language law

The Slovak language is one of the most beautiful languages of Europe. It is unfortunate, therefore, that it is very seldom heard in the European Parliament. As a true friend of Slovakia, a supporter of its development, a modest but active contributor to the famous and groundbreaking Slovak reforms and, of course, as a Hungarian I wish to help my Slovak friends to reduce this disadvantage and make the Slovak language more audible, well-known and popular for a widest possible audience. That is the way to preserve as much as it is possible the rich and diverse Slovak language and culture. It is clearly in the interest of all of us.

Leader of the ECR Group delivered key note at the ODS Congress in Prague

It is a great honour and I am truly touched that I am able to stand before you - dear friends of the ODS - as the leader of our common group in the European Parliament. Actually, I should not say "friends" but "brothers." Because, ever since I was a child, I have been taught to speak about the Czech nation as "our Czech brothers." This beautiful city where we are today is a testimony of how much the Czechs have given - and continue to give - to Europe, testimony of how much they have given to Poles. It is in Prague that the mother of the first Polish king - Bolesław Chrobry - is buried: the Czech princess Dobrawa.

The 20th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall

As we commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall, we can look back on the transformation of Eastern Europe. In just two decades our nations have thrown off the yolk of communism and become major actors in the European Union.

Timothy Kirkhope speaking in the Debate ahead of the European Council summit on 29th October

Timothy Kirkhope, on behalf of the ECR Group. - Mr President, may I first of all congratulate the Swedish Government on its Presidency in general and particularly on the way it has attempted to advance the very important issues of climate change and dealing with the economic and financial crisis that faces us. I think Mr Reinfeldt and his Government deserve our thanks for the way they have done this but, as has been the situation in many Presidencies, they have also had to accommodate a lot of internal institutional distractions - in this case in relation to the Lisbon Treaty.

Speech to Party Conference in Manchester

Mr Chairman, Conference,

I am absolutely delighted to be here today not only as the Leader of the UK Conservative delegation in the European Parliament but, for the first time, as the Deputy Chairman of our new group: the European Conservatives and Reformists.

I am proud that David Cameron's pledge to build a new strong and influential group in the European Parliament has been fulfilled. With David’s commitment and the support of William Hague and Mark Francois, we have been able to establish a Group which will promote a common vision of Europe.

Michał Kamiński Speech on the reelection of José Manuel Barroso as European Commission President

The European Conservatives and Reformists Group will support President Barroso. We will do so not because we agree with the President in every matter. There are many views, which we do not share. Fist, I will mention President Barroso's enthusiastic support for the Lisbon Treaty. We do not subscribe to this enthusiastic support. But we do share the aversion and condemnation that the President has expressed toward all forms of nationalism and nationalistic egoism. Europe, our continent, which we want to continue to live in peace, has experienced a sea of tragedies at the hands of nationalistic chauvinism. We thank God that today we are living in a peaceful Europe.

Kaminski: Barroso is the right man for the job

Commenting on the re-election of President Barroso for the post of Commission President, Michal Kaminski MEP, Chairman of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group in the European Parliament, said:

Dr Kay Swinburne MEP: G20 Summit debate

Commissioner Almunia for your comments, particularly with respect to the Pittsburgh G20 representatives needing to agree to significant co-ordination in their continued support of stimulus measures, co-ordination in the unwinding of these support measures when appropriate and the need for a determined co-ordinated effort on future regulation.

Michał Kamiński Speech on the reelection of José Manuel Barroso as European Commission President

Mr Chairman, Conference,

The European Conservatives and Reformists Group will support President Barroso. We will do so not because we agree with the President in every matter. There are many views, which we do not share. Fist, I will mention President Barroso's enthusiastic support for the Lisbon Treaty. We do not subscribe to this enthusiastic support. But we do share the aversion and condemnation that the President has expressed toward all forms of nationalism and nationalistic egoism. Europe, our continent, which we want to continue to live in peace, has experienced a sea of tragedies at the hands of nationalistic chauvinism. We thank God that today we are living in a peaceful Europe.

World Summit on Counter-Terrorism: Terrorism’s Global Impact

Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an extraordinary pleasure and privilege to speak to you today about the global impact of terrorism. The International Institute for Counter-Terrorism has been at the forefront of the struggle against terrorism and I am honored to speak among the world’s greatest experts and gain such invaluable insight into this timely matter.

Outcome of the European Council (18-19 June 2009) - Term in office of the Czech Presidency (debate)

Jan Zahradil, on behalf of the ECR Group. – (CS) Prime Minister, Commission President, it is a great honour for me to be able to stand up today as the first speaker from the many new groupings of European conservatives and reformers and also as a Czech MEP talking about the Czech Presidency. However, I will be speaking as a Member of the European Parliament and not just from a narrow national perspective. At the same time, I will be speaking as a representative of my group and therefore I will take account of its political priorities.

Timothy Kirkhope: European Election Campaign Launch

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Rawstenstall, Rossendale and Darwin.

Its great to be here in the North West for the launch our European election campaign with our Party leader and our European spokesman in the Shadow Cabinet, Mark Francois.

1st February 2012 - Martin Callanan MEP, Chairman of the European Conservatives and Reformists group in the European Parliament, takes part in a debate with the council and commission president on the outcome of the EU summit held on the 30th January 2012. Callanan warns that the intergovernmental fiscal compact would 'make socialism illegal' and suggested the commission scrap its employment directorate, which would help to stimulate job creation