Europe

This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on Europe. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs.

Standard Notes

DateDescription
16.05.2012In Brief: Ukraine and Euro2012
Ukraine is due to host the Euro2012 football competition jointly with Poland from 8 June to 1 July. Ukraine's human rights record has led to calls for a boycott.
14.05.2012The Croatia Accession Bill: an introduction
Croatia is expected to join the EU in July 2013. A Croatia Accession Bill, announced in the Queen's Speech, would allow the UK to ratify Croatia's accession treaty. But issues around the judiciary, corruption and shipyards are not yet fully resolved.
10.05.2012How the UK Government deals with EU Business
This Note looks at UK Government and Civil Service structures and culture; what happens at the UK-EU interface, and methods for transposing EU law into UK law.
01.05.2012In brief: Hollande or Sarkozy for President?
In the run-up to the second and final round of voting in France's presidential elections on Sunday 6 May 2012, the Socialist François Hollande still appears to be the favourite to win.
30.03.2012In brief: provisions of the eurozone fiscal compact and economic issues
This note describes the 'fiscal compact' agreed by 25 EU Member States in March 2012 and associated economic issues.

Research Papers

DateDescription
27.03.2012The Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: political issues
This paper looks at the background to the TSCG, the reasons for the UK's non-participation and some of the issues it raises, such as its effectiveness, its relationship with the EU Treaties and EU law, the use of the EU institutions in a non-EU treaty, and whether it could give rise to a 'two-speed' Europe and further UK isolation in the EU.
13.10.2010How much legislation comes from Europe?
This paper explores various approaches to the question of how much national law is based on or influenced by EU law.
24.04.2009Russia and the West
A year on from Dmitry Medvedev's succession to the Kremlin, this paper analyses the evolution of Russian foreign policy under both Putin and Medvedev. It seeks to identify the main themes, interests, and objectives of Russian foreign policy, and to appraise the role of President Medvedev in the direction of Russian diplomacy and his relationship with Prime Minister Putin. In so doing, it examines, in detail, Russia's relationship with the United States, NATO, the EU, and the UK and analyses the role of energy in relations between Russia and the West. Finally, it looks ahead at the prospects for the relationship in light of President Obama's declared intention to press the 'reset' button in US-Russian relations.
05.12.2008Turkey Today
Turkey Today: An overview of the main issues affecting Turkey today
15.09.2003The Swedish referendum on the Euro
On 14 September 2003 Sweden held a referendum on adopting the euro. The 'no' campaign had led in opinion polls in the weeks and months before the vote. A few days before the referendum the Foreign Minister, Anna Lindh, was murdered. The result of the referendum was a clear vote against adopting the euro.

Select Committee Reports

DateDescription
21.01.2009Visit to Cyprus.
Foreign Affairs Select Committee report [Commons]

Early Day Motions

DateDescription
01.03.2011IRISH GENERAL ELECTION RESULT
That this House notes the heavy defeat of the governing Fianna Fail party in the Irish General Election; further notes the loss of all the seats in the Dail of its junior partner, the ...
22.11.2010CYPRUS AND ITS RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE
That this House expresses its deep concern about the removal of cultural artefacts together with both the misuse of and damage to sacred religious sites situated within the currently ...
10.06.2010RECONSTRUCTION AND REGENERATION OF FAMAGUSTA-VAROSHA
That this House recalls the continuous interest of hon. Members on all sides of the House in successive Parliaments in the neglect and dereliction of Varosha, the sealed-off section ...
10.06.2010CYPRUS TALKS
That this House calls on the Government to express full and clear support for the continuation of discussions between the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Demetris Christofias, ...
12.01.2010ILLEGAL SONGBIRD MARKET IN CYPRUS
That this House is concerned by the growing illegal practice of trapping and eating songbirds in Cyprus; notes that thousands of birds migrating in search of warmer climates face being ...

Lords Library Notes

DateDescription
09.02.2012The European Union Today
This Library Note provides a broad outline of the history and development of the European Union; and presents statistics comparing the EU to the US, Japan, China and Russia.

Glossary

  • Research Papers (RP) - briefings produced by the House of Commons Library on Bills, topical issues and regular statistics
  • Standard Notes (SN) - shorter, topical briefings from the Commons Library
  • Early Day Motions (EDMs) - formal motions submitted by MPs in the House of Commons
  • POST Notes - short briefing notes produced by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
  • Lords Library Notes (LLN) - an occasional series of papers compiled by the House of Lords Library