David Martin's EU Tribune

In recent years we have witnessed the devastating impact that food insecurity can have on the poorest people in the world. Last year a severe humanitarian crisis developed in the Horn of Africa as the result of famine. It is estimated that around 27% of children in the developing world are malnourished, putting their development [...]

Often outsiders have a better view of what is going on than those close to the action. A researcher at a United States think-tank has produced an interesting analysis of the current ‘Euro-crisis’. He believes that far from weakening the European Union the current crisis could be used to strengthen it. The European Union (EU) [...]

I have just read a fascinating article by Dame Barbara Stocking, the Chief Executive of Oxfam, in the article she argues that food security – not the problem with the euro – is the most important issue facing us globally. Oxfam predicts that the demise of the euro could cost poor countries $30bn in lost [...]

Well the deed has is done: in taking my advice and responding to my Report, the International Trade Committee –m of the European Parliament – has dealt another blow to the controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). The 19-12 vote, for my Report and against the Treaty is widely expected to mean the full European Parliament [...]

Well the deed has is done: in taking my advice and responding to my Report, the International Trade Committee –m of the European Parliament – has dealt another blow to the controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). The 19-12 vote, for my Report and against the Treaty is widely expected to mean the full European Parliament [...]

I received a very heartening email from one of my constituents to tell me that a project led by the Centre for Rural Health has won a major European Commission award. The project investigated ways to enable older people to live happily and healthily in their own homes and communities. The Older People for Older [...]

Cathy Ashton, announced in the European Parliament this week, that the European Union (EU) is set to appoint a ‘special representative for human rights’ to advocate EU principles and guidelines around the world, and to lead dialogues with the United Nations and third countries I believe such a role would help the EU become more [...]

Yesterday, Tory MEP Geoffrey Van Orden decried that, in his opinion, almost every resolution of the European Parliament has inevitably included some language to the effect of working ‘hand in hand’ with the European Commission and other EU institutions to push for deeper integration. What, in this instance could possibly have roused Mr Van Orden’s [...]

One of the main reasons for creating the European Union (EU) was to ensure that as a result of the intertwining of trade and economies there would never again be a World War started as the result of disputes between Germany and France. A further benefit of the negotiated peace was the signing of the [...]

The 2012 Eurovision Song Contest in Azerbaijan was a siren song contest for all those human rights activists and protesters who have been abused or arrested by the Azerbaijani authorities. Those authorities in Baku tried to use the televising of the contest across Europe to boost the country’s international image and portray itself as a [...]