To ensure proper delivery of this newsletter, please add newsletter@eldr.eu yo your email address book.July 2008Table of contentsCyprus parliament votes yes to Lisbon Sign the new online petition against sex tourism CDC: Congress in Barcelona French Presidency priorities for the EU ELDR visits both sides of Cyprus Swedish Centre Party hosts on line marathon chat Journalist Awards 2008   The French presidency is likely to focus on the priority areas of immigration, climate change, European defence and agricultural policy.ELDR FamilyThe European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR Party) brings together 55 political parties with common liberal, democratic and reform ideals. In 2007 the European Liberal Democrat political family achieved many successes in the various elections around the EU member states, bringing the total number of liberal democrat voters to 30 million Europe-wide. Five EU prime ministers, one third of the members of the European Commission, 100 MEPs in the ALDE Group of the European Parliament and ministers in more than 20 governments in Europe belong to the liberal family. Cyprus parliament votes yes to LisbonThe House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus approved as 20th EU member state the Lisbon Treaty on Thursday 3 July. Cyprus is the first EU country to ratify the Treaty following Irelands rejection of it. Only a few days prior to the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty the Leaders of the Greek (Christofias) and Turkish (Talat) Cypriot communities met in a positive and cooperative atmosphere to review the work of the Working Groups and Technical Committees that were set up in March of 2008 with a view to start full fledged negotiations under the auspices of the UN. It is expected that these will start on 1 September.Sign the new online petition against sex tourismThe ALDE group in the European Parliament this week launched a new online petition www.sayno.eu to fight child prostitution. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness of child abuse and to give more powers for Europol to fight the sexual exploitation of children by Europeans travelling abroad. The petition needs one million signatures to be valid. CDC: Congress in Barcelona Between 11th and 13th July Convergncia Democrtica de Catalunya (CDC) will hold its 15th Congress. During three days, 2.500 delegates will debate key topics and outline a clear position for the CDC within Spanish policies as well as outlining their programme for increasing their involvement in the Catalan Government. This is the first Congress CDC will hold since becoming a member of the ELDR Party and the congress is set to welcome the excellent cooperation that has taken place between ELDR and CDC during this time. The Congress will also include an election of the party leadership with current leader Artur Mas standing for re-election.French Presidency priorities for the EUOn Thursday 10th July, French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, will address the European Parliament in Strasbourg as the French take over the 6 month rotating presidency of the EU. The French presidency is likely to focus on the priority areas of immigration, climate change, European defence and agricultural policy. Rising energy prices are also likely to be an important topic for discussion with the Unions leaders agreeing at their June European summit to launch a 3 month study that will look at ways to limit the impact of rising energy prices on Europes citizens. President Sarkozy is due to report the findings before October 2008. On this issue, Annemie Neyts, ELDR Party President, has stated reducing VAT is not a real solution. We first of all have to improve the Unions relations with Russia and secure our energy supplies.ELDR visits both sides of CyprusAn ELDR delegation led by Wilfried Derksen, ELDR Vice President, met in the Southern part of Cyprus with ELDR full member party the United Democrats, led by Praxoula Kyriacou and the European Party, led by Demetris Syllouris. In the North of the island ELDR met with the Freedom and Reform party led by foreign minister Turgay Avci and the National Unity party led by Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu. Both parties have applied for ELDR membership. ELDR also met with senior representatives of the European Parliament office, the European Commission representation and the United Nations Development Programme in Cyprus.Swedish Centre Party hosts on line marathon chatThe Swedish Centre Party responded to citizens questions about liberalism and the newly adopted Swedish electronic surveillance law in an online marathon chat. The questioning, which took place on 3rd July, lasted for 12 hours. Every hour a new member of the Swedish Parliament or a party official entered the chat to answer questions sent in by citizens. The event was considered a success with an average of 50 people logged in during the duration of the chat.Journalist Awards 2008A number of journalist awards are coming up. Below is a selection of prizes that European communication specialists are participating in:1) For Diversity Against Discrimination Journalist Award, for online or print journalists in the EU who, through their work, contribute to a better public understanding of the benefits of diversity and the fight against discrimination.2) International Journalism Competition 2008, which is focusing on press articles that take an in-depth look at article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.3) Eastern European Journalism Award 2008 is for those whose work draws attention to the social situation and living conditions of the people of Central and Eastern Europe. 09/07/2008 : ELDR Bureau Meeting 11/07/2008 : XV Congress Convergencia Democratica de Catalunya 15/10/2008 : Prime Minister meeting in Brussels 30/10/2008 : ELDR Congress in Stockholm 11/12/2008 : ELDR Leaders Meeting 11/12/2008 : European Council 18/06/2009 : ELDR Leaders and Ministers meeting ELDR Partyrue MONTOYERstraat 31 (7th floor)1000 BruxellesBelgiumT +32 2 237 01 40F +32 2 231 19 07 info@eldr.euwww.eldr.eu