Commenting on the revelation that the US secret service NSA was also involved in the surveillance of SWIFT (the international bank transfer company), which was reported by the Washington Post based on new information from Edward Snowden (1), Green home affairs spokesperson Jan Philipp Albrecht, European Parliament rapporteur/draftsperson for new EU data protection rules, stated:

A deep renovation of the EU building stock could provide an answer to Europe’s economic woes by triggering the creation of up to 2 million jobs! This is one of the numerous considerations - along with cost savings and energy security - that has led to the recent involvement of local authorities in the Renovate Europe Campaign (REC).

Indeed, Energy Cities, the European association of local authorities engaged in the energy transition, is now representing the voice of cities in this ever-growing Europe-wide movement.

EP priorities (full text below):

The European Parliament was the setting for a unique debate on youth employment yesterday. The event brought together a range of high-level speakers coming at the topic from different angles – from MEPs and senior Commission officials focussed on promoting best practices in education policies across Europe, to industry leaders looking to help lift Europe out of the current employment crisis and, last but by no means least, seven young speakers from across Europe facing the challenge of finding a job in a difficult economic climate. 

Situated on the brink of Europe and the edge of Asia, Turkey has taken advantage of its strategic position while managing to avoid both the slump to its west and the strife to its east.

But its booming economy has led to an electricity demand that is growing at a rate second only to China's, and the country is currently importing 75% of its energy at a cost of € 60 billion per year.

Turkey is looking to wind energy to cut its import dependence, create employment and help its economy to keep expanding.

Interviews: