Michał Kamiński on the Goldstone Report

Brussels, 24th February 2010

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

Washington, D. C. 18th February 2010

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

Wasinhton, 18th February 2010

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.


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

Washington, 17th February 2010

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


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

Washington, 17th February 2010


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

3rd February 2010

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.


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

15th December 2009

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

Strasbourg, 15th December 2009


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

Strasbourg, 24th November 2009

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

Prague, 20th November 2009

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.


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

21st October 2009

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

8th October 2009

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

Strasbourg, 16th September 2009

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

Strasbourg, 16th September 2009

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

16th September 2009

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.


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

The Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya, 7th - 10th September, 2009

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.


Timothy Kirkhope: European Election Campaign Launch

18th May 2009

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.


Welcome note

Welcome to the website of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group in the European Parliament.

In July 2009, the ECR was formed by eight political parties who share the common goals of opposition to Euro-federalism and of fundamental reform of the European Union to make it more accountable, transparent and responsive to the needs of the people.

This website is intended to provide you with information about our work and our political priorities, and to provide you with an opportunity to let us know your views.

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3rd - 5th March 2010The ECR bureau met in Budapest and held a long discussion on the Hungarian, and European, economic crisis, 3rd - 5th March 2010. MORE »
MEPS in Media More »
European Conservatives and Reformists leader praises Bokros' ideas
Mon, 8th March 2010
The head of the EP group of European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) said on Thursday that the ideas of conservative Democratic Forum PM-candidate Lajos Bokros would be "the best for Hungary".
www.realdeal.hu, by MTI
EU reveals jobs strategy
Wed, 3rd March 2010
The European Union is to reveal its strategy for job creation and promoting green growth.
Named EU 2020, the plan has been months in the making. However, with the current worries over Greece and the trouble that's causing for the Euro, many worry that EU 2020 may be overshadowed.

BBC, by Nigel Cassidy