The 35th European Green Party Council which will be held on 3-5 June in Riga, Latvia, is fast approaching!
We are living through unprecedented times. Not only have we faced the COVID-19 crisis and more alarming news about the climate crisis this year, but we are now facing war on the European continent. The Council brings together our Green family to decide on a joint political trajectory for the next period ahead. This Council's resolutions, which put into writing our common positions and are voted on at the event, tackle topics that are on the forefront of the Green agenda.
As Europe is entering a new paradigm, and citizens are increasingly trusting the Greens to lead the path towards a better future, this means that as a political family we have to address important and challenging questions acknowledging the political realities that we are faced with: How can we secure the sovereignty of European countries? What is the best path to energy independence? How can we ensure a just transition in times of crisis? And most importantly – what should our approach be to enhance freedom, peace, and democracy in Europe?
We are the most cohesive political family because we move ahead together. Our resolutions put into writing our common positions after in-depth discussions among the Greens and are voted on by the EGP full member parties at our Councils. We have had many resolutions since our founding in 2004, which provide mandate for action. They function as the core of our political existence and are part of our democratic and transparent decision-making processes within the European Greens. We are proud of the enormous work Green parties across Europe do to bring common positions to the Council!
Draft resolutions, tabled by member parties and groups across Europe, are summarised below. Their proposals will be debated and voted on by delegates during the Council. The final resolutions, which will represent a united Green position on the issues, will be published after the event.
Stop Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine
Tabled by the Committee of the European Green Party and the Ukrainian Greens (Partija Zelenykh Ukrainy)
Russia's full-fledged invasion constitutes an outright attack on Ukraine's state sovereignty and contradicts the fundamental principles of international law. As Greens, we condemn Putin's war and stand in full solidarity with Ukraine. Our dependence on Russian oil and gas has led to a steep increase of energy prices while fuelling Putin's war. The current situation is proving that energy sovereignty is a question of security. This resolution condemns Putin's war and calls for Greens to accelerate efforts for a Green transition to ensure energy and food security and put us on a path towards a more peaceful world. This includes renewables as our only long-term safe, clean and sustainable source of energy and a full-fledged, green reorientation of our agriculture and biodiversity policy.
A unified EU response in the event of military aggression against a sovereign state
Tabled by the Slovenian Greens (SMS Zeleni Evrope)
The European Union is based on peace and respect for life, and one of the EU's goals is to contribute to peace and security and the sustainable development of the Earth. Further, the resolution puts forward that as European Greens we also strive for this as we believe that diplomatic channels are key for solving conflict. Therefore the resolution calls for the introduction of a mechanism, which would ensure a united and swift response in cases of military aggression.
Conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe: Time has come to deliver and build Europe better
Tabled by the Committee of the European Green Party on behalf of the Green Taskforce on the Future of Europe
With the COVID-19 crisis and Russia's war of aggression on the continent, the European Union is living in unprecedented times. Changes are needed to ensure real citizen participation and an inclusive democratic process to make the EU fit to address current and future challenges. Among others, it calls on all responsible institutions to follow up on the demands posed by the Conference, all relevant actors to approve the reform of the European electoral law and draw up transnational lists in the 2024 European elections and conduct a treaty change. It also urges Greens to commit to base our work in the common manifesto for the 2024 European elections and the demands formulated by the citizens in the Conference on the Future of Europe.
End crypto mining and cryptocurrencies now
Tabled by the Slovenian Greens (SMS Zeleni Evrope)
Mining cryptocurrencies requires huge amounts of energy, as cryptocurrencies are obtained using computer algorithms to solve cryptographic equations with highly capable and energy consuming computers. Therefore, the resolution calls to address this issue of extremely high energy consumption, especially in current times.
Offensive cyber warfare must be banned
Tabled by the Finish Greens (Vihreät - De Gröna)
Cyber warfare has become an integral part of many military doctrines as control of the digital battlefield is currently a strategic priority for most militaries. However, there are numerous examples of major military powers abusing cyber weapons in a way that has the potential to cause uncontrolled harm to civilian populations. There are many examples of neglecting collateral damage to civilian infrastructure while trying to reach military targets, such as with Stuxnet. The resolution calls for an international treaty to ban offensive cyber warfare to deal with this threat before it results in civilian casualties.
The care of older persons
Tabled by the Flemish Greens (Groen)
As a result of the Covid-19 crisis, countries throughout Europe have been confronted with the consequences of the privatisation of the care of older people. Older people (65+) were locked in their rooms in residential care homes and family members were not allowed to visit them, and many died in loneliness inside large-scale facilities during this pandemic. At the same time, due to COVID measures and lockdowns, older people still living at home have been deprived of informal care from family members, caregivers or professional in-home caretakers. The resolution tackles the socialisation of care, access to professional care, issues with profit-driven care, and future-proof care. It asks that the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council draft a proposal for a UN convention on the rights of Older Persons. It also asks to guarantee that older people in EU Member States can enjoy the right of access to timely, qualitative, and affordable community-oriented health services, and a European care strategy that delivers European standards on care, among others.
Stop the Akkuyu nuclear power plant
Tabled by the Cyprus Greens (Citizens Cooperation)
The disaster at the nuclear plant in Fukushima (11 March 2011) is a strong example of what we may expect from a nuclear power station. How risky is it to build nuclear plants in earthquake-prone areas and not encourage the use of renewable energy resources? This challenge applies in the case of Akkuyu. Within the perspective of the adequate use of renewable sources' energy potential, there us no need to rely on nuclear power. This resolution calls on the Turkish Government to stop the construction plans for the Akkuyu nuclear power plant.
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