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| LATEST NEWS |
www.marinayannakoudakis.com |
JANUARY 2010 |
GRILLING FOR NEW
EU COMMISSIONERS |
THREE potential EU commissioners were subjected to intense grilling at the European Parliament – with Marina Yannakoudakis at the forefront of MEPs asking questions in committee.
In a packed session in Brussels, Marina first raised questions with Commissioner Designate Viviane Reding – expected to take the Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship brief.
Speaking as the Conservative Delegation’s EU spokesperson for Women and Gender Equality, Marina asked Ms Reding to recognise that sovereign states are best placed to address the areas of criminal violence, forced marriages and female genital mutilation.
Ms Reding agreed to “work with member states to address this issue”.
Marina also questioned Commissioner Designate John Dalli, who is likely to head the Commission’s brief for General Heath and Consumer Affairs.
Marina called for common sense proposals to harmonise standards for healthcare professions across the EU and ensure the highest levels of patient safety.
Later in the hearing, Marina questioned Dalli on how he would “maintain the balance between meeting the health needs of Europe’s patients and the economic benefits the pharmaceutical industry can provide”.
In Strasbourg Marina also attended the evaluation of Commissioner Designate for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmstrom.
Ms Malmstrom accepted that the EU’s role was to offer advice on the best ways to stop human trafficking, but that it is fundamentally an issue for national governments.
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| SPEAKING UP: Marina in the European Parliament |
Tackling trafficking and
violence against women |
MARINA spoke out against human trafficking at a full session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
She told fellow MEPs that national governments, law enforcement agencies and border control agencies need to work together to stop the influx of women trafficked for prostitution and other illegal migrants who are cruelly exploited by criminals.
She also highlighted the need to combat domestic |
TALKS: The meeting with the
Barnet Press and Elevate refuge |
violence
at a meeting
between staff from
the Elevate Refuge and
the Barnet Press.
Marina has proposed
an EU information day to
combat domestic
violence. |
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| LISTENING
TO LONDON’S VOTERS |
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VOTERS expressed growing anger against Gordon Brown and his failing government at two canvassing sessions which Marina joined in Ealing and Westminster.
She manned the phones with Parliamentary candidate Angie Bray as they called people in the Ealing Central and Acton constituency.
Angie, a former leader of the Conservatives on the London Assembly, is very in tune with constituents and has been very active supporting British interests in the European Parliament, particularly by asking questions about the welfare of animals reared for meat in Ealing and Acton.
This is a new constituency where there will be a close fight between all three parties, so every vote will count at the General Election.
Marina also canvassed in the Regent’s Park ward of the Westminster North constituency. Joanne Cash, the Conservative candidate, is a media barrister who has been campaigning hard.
Marina said: “What was clear is that people
feel increasingly angry and disappointment at Brown's failing and out of
touch government.”
•To support Angie email benjamin.dennehy@yahoo.co.uk.
To support Joanne
email joannecash@westminsternorthconservatives.com
or call 020 7625 3805. |
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Debating
the battle of
the sexes! |
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INCREASING equality between the sexes was the main topic at a forum held by the European Parliament’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, attended by Marina.
She said: “It was a meeting to outline a roadmap towards greater gender equality.
“However, when we discuss this issue it is vital to recognise that women have different priorities at different stages in their lives.
“What women need is choice and policies must empower all women whether in the workplace or caring for families at home.” |
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| Remembering
the victims of the Holocaust |
ONE of Marina’s last official duties as a councillor for Barnet’s Oakleigh Ward was to visit Middlesex University to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day. The annual remembrance day is held on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
Marina said: “It is of the utmost importance that such horrendous crimes against humanity are never repeated. Remembering those who perished can stop history repeating itself.”
Marina steps down as a Barnet councillor this May. She said: “It’s been a great honour serving in my home ward and I will continue to be active as a resident.” |
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REMEMBRANCE: Barnet Councillors Joanna
Tambourides,
Marina Yannakoudakis, Kate
Salinger, Darrel Yawitch and
Tom Davey |
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| Promoted and printed
by Marina Yannakoudakis of 212 Ballards Lane, Finchley,
London N3 2LX. |
marinayannakoudakis@europarl.europa.eu |
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