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The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsolaannounced on Thursday the start of a “broad reform” of the control mechanisms in that institution, in response to the scandal that led to the arrest of an influential Greek MEP.
“As of today I am preparing a comprehensive reform package that should be ready in the new year. This will include strengthening whistleblower protection systems”, Metsola said after speaking before a summit of leaders of the European Union.
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This package of reforms, he added, will also focus on “a prohibition [de acceso] from all unofficial friendship groups; a review of our code of conduct rules, and a full review of how we interact with third countries.”
The Maltese official added that there are “fissures” in the current regulations that must be resolved.
“There are fissures that we have to close, like when we talk, for example, about the activity of former members of the European Parliament, who is on the transparency list, or who can enter the European Parliament.”
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The European Union’s legislative power was rocked last weekend by the arrest of four people, including a Greek MEP, for apparently taking bribes from Qatar.
Metsola He said Thursday that he received a formal invitation from Qatar to visit that country for the soccer World Cup, but declined the invitation.
“I rejected it because I have concerns regarding that country”said Metsolawho added that he also rejected a request by Qatari representatives to speak before the plenary of the European Parliament.
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Qatar has strongly denied the accusations, but a judicial source in Belgium confirmed to AFP that it was this country that was at the center of the Belgian investigation.
Source: Elcomercio
I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.
