Issues MEP BSR Riga 2017

1. Committee on Security and Defence - CP: Janis Edvards Matrozis

The question of “securitization” of the Baltic Sea Region. The west and Russia do not share a common vision anymore. How do countries in the region manage this crisis? How can conflicts and further escalation be avoided and dialogue between the partners be promoted?

http://www.baltictimes.com/news_outlook/

http://www.baltictimes.com/discussing_the_eu_and_russia___s____soft_power____in_the_baltic_states_and_the_eastern_neighbourhood/

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/mar/22/annexing-crimea-putin-make-russia-great-again

http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/russias-secret-weapon-invade-the-baltics-crush-nato-soldiers-19083

https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ethnic-russification-baltics-kazakhstan-soviet/25328281.html

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-24147027

2. Committee on Human Rights – CP: Gisle Joe Garen

The question of human trafficking. With human trafficking considered to be one of the fastest-growing activities of trans-national crime, what measures can the EU establish to further combat the growing presence of this phenomenon, and to what extent can NGOs and other bodies be involved to deal with the issue?

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/bibliotheque/briefing/2014/140780/LDM_BRI(2014)140780_REV1_EN.pdf

https://www.lawaspect.com/human-trafficking-within-european-union/

3. Committee on Employment and Social Affairs – CP: Taimi Vilkko

The question of youth employment. How can mobility of employment-seeking young EU citizens be promoted and should they be entitled to the same allowances and social benefits as young citizens of the respective countries? How can mobility measures counteract large scale youth unemployment in Europe without draining the social system of another EU country?

http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Youth_unemployment

http://www.institutdelors.eu/media/labourmobilityeuroarea-brinkedittrich-jdib-mar16.pdf?pdf=ok

4. Committee on Industry, Research and Energy – CP: Georg Maxton

The question of climate change and the internal energy market. In order to stop global warming from escalating, we will have to make a transition from fossil-based energies to renewable energies. What energies might be useful in this process? The lack of cooperation between the EU member states is still interfering with the urgent need for change. What can the EU do to enhance the cooperation between member states and promote efforts towards a common internal energy market?

The internal energy market:

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/atyourservice/en/displayFtu.html?ftuId=FTU_5.7.2.html

EU climate action:

https://ec.europa.eu/clima/citizens/eu_en

5. Committee on Culture and Education – CP: Tuur Mattheeuws

The question of empowerment and political participation. How can young people – in the school system and outside - be educated to become active citizens and to have more say in the solution and decision-making processes in their societies and in the EU.

How can the gap between the political establishment and civil society be bridged?

http://www.cairn-int.info/abstract-E_MED_129_0059--civil-society-and-political.htm

https://www.google.be/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/youth/tools/documents/perception-behaviours.pdf&ved=0ahUKEwj24oDMrtvVAhUJJVAKHXp0A2wQFggzMAg&usg=AFQjCNF-rtW-Bum2W0Bou11do-3YXX_t3Q

6. Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs – CP: Simon Becke

The question of immigration. With the rapid influx of refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants into Europe what measures can be taken to attempt an even distribution between countries, and to ensure integration amongst the various groups. To what extent should cultural diversity and religions be accepted when they might conflict with national practices and legislation.

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/05/10-ways-countries-can-help-refugees-integrate/

http://archive.intereconomics.eu/year/2016/4/on-the-distribution-of-refugees-in-the-eu/