Operation Red Dragon [EN]

8/7/2019 Operation Red Dragon [EN]

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www.alde.eu

OPERATIONRED DRAGONOPERATION

RED DRAGON

Thierry Robberecht Marco Venanzi Michel Pierret

ThierryRobberechtMarcoVenanziMichelPierret

OPERATIONREDDRAGON


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OPERATIONRED DRAGONBased on creation by Yannick Laude

Thierry Robberecht Marco Venanzi Michel Pierret

Illustrations: Marco Venanzi Michel PierretStory: Thierry Robberecht

Colors: Thierry Faymonville Mathieu Gauthy


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ISBN 978-2-203-70072-7Original title : Opration Dragon Rouge

Translation : Ros Schwartz

Casterman 2006 - Reedition 2010All rights reserved. No part of the work may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage andretrieval systems without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

D. 2006/0053/612


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Brussels. EuropeanParliament. Meeting

of the Parliamentary Committee on

International Trade.We move on to

Commissioner David Elroys report on the WTOnegotiations Mr Elroy,

over to you

As you are aware, the aim of these negotiations is to remove

trade barriers and stimulate global growth...

we are encouraging DongFang to step up measures

against counterfeiting and piracy, which is of concern

to our manufacturers,and Im glad to say there

is progress


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An EU delegation led by Elisa Correr,our rapporteur, is currently in Dong Fang

on a fact-finding mission, which is why she is not here today

The choice of a stalwart Liberalsuch as Ms Correr to take charge of this report made a favourable impression on the Council and it is likely that the Presidency willpropose to grant Parliament the

right of assent for the proposed Trade treaty...

We have been demandingthis through repeated

resolutions, supported by the precedent

set in 1994.

Ms Correr, I am deeply honoured by the trust you place in the Peoples Republic of Dong

Fang concerning trade. But why are you so inflexible

with regard to liftingthe arms embargo?

Because you have failed to keep your promises on the

question of human rights, Mr Li,and I sincerely hope that you will

be forced to embrace democracy asa result of the increased wealth

trade brings the people of Dong Fang.

Its going well,isnt it? Ive never

known the Dong Fangofficials to be so

conciliatory!I think,

Mathias, that theyre playing off

the Parliament against the Council, which is

a good opportunity for us.

Im glad Im going home tomorrow! Ive had enough of all this kowtowing! My back aches! Youre very quiet. Youre thinkingabout Tony, arent you? Is he here? After all,

hes at home here.

No, Mathias, hesnot from here.

Besides, I have no idea where he is.


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Wherever hes from,you seem pretty keen

on him! You know what you should do

Youre an expert on world trade, Mathias,

but I dont need your advice on other

matters

Tony!

Hello Elisa!

What are you doing here?

I had to see you, Elisa,but in private Id rather

nobody caught ustogether

I thought Id see you sooner

I wasnt able to contact youIve got a lot of problems at the

moment


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Arms manufacturers from several European countries have defied it these photoswere taken in the province of Sin Kiang,

a week ago you recognise this logo,its a European consortium

The politicalpolice?

No. I dont think the government is

involved in this businessat all. More likely the hit

squad of a corrupt general

with links to the triads .

Have a look at these!

What is it?

Its the proof that European weapons have been sold

to Dong Fang and delivered!

It cant be true, theresan embargo!

Come back with me!There wont be any problem as youre

not wanted by the state police!

They know Im here I wanted to hand the

photos over to you and see you again

I was caught by the security guards I had to run Dont be nave, Elisa!

They wont let me leave with the European

delegation they have a long reach Ill have

to chance my luck


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When will I see you again? Soon! at least

I hope so!

I dont believe it!What are they going

to do with him? They searched

him. Theyre clearly lookingfor something!

This!

Photos?

Now this isthe plan


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The agreement under negotiation at the WTO will modify too many acts passed

by co-decision with the Parliament, essen-tially in the field of services. The presi-dency cannot refuse to grant assent on

the overall bill to the Parliament.Besides, the European Commission is in

agreement, and my country respectsParliaments prerogative. During our

presidency, we have kept the Parliament fully informed

of the state of the negotiations.

I support the presidency. We already did so in 1994 during the previous round

of negotiations, and we had no cause for regret!

Besides, with a MEP like Elisa Correr, I think we can

avoid futile debates over the benefits of free trade...

Good, I think we can recommend a decision

of principle alongthese lines to the

next General AffairsCouncil.

Elisa, theresnothing else you

can do but go back to Europe!

Maybe but I feel as if

Im desertingTony!

I shall complain to the highest authorities,

Captain. We are part of an officialdelegation!

We have diplomatic

passports!This search is illegal.

Whatsgoing

on?

The European Union district of Brussels

European Council of Ministers building.Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives.


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Theyre going!Lis going to hear about

this!

Hell be outraged!

That search was completely

out of order!

Hi Paola! Sorry to wake you I need you to

contact Helmut ASAP.

I have a case to submit to him and Id like him as chairman

of the group to put it on the agenda of our

next meeting

European Union district,the European Parliament.

This arms sale business is

unbelievable!

Elisa managed to hand over the photos to the

European representativesin Dong Fang. I received

them today in the diplomatic bag!


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Ok Paola! Ill put Tony Liangon the agenda for tomorrows

meeting so we can draft an urgency resolution.

And what is Elisaplanning to do about

the arms?

I think shes goingto raise it at national level

first. The main manufacturer alleged to have sold arms to Dong Fang is in our country.

Id like Elisa to come and see me the minute she gets back. This looks

like a very serious matter.

Illtell her.

Yes Paola what time is the group meeting? OK. Ive already got a meeting with the

Defence Minister wholl be in Brussels for a Council

meeting ... he seemed anxious to see me.

I have to attend a Council meetingnow and be back in the capital at

the end of today. So lets be brief.Why are you getting involved

in this business?

With all due respect, Minister,have you forgotten that our country signed an embargo

on the sale of armsto Dong Fang?

Theres no need for irony.

Your party is in opposition to the gouvern-ment, you could

be bluffing.

And besides, Im surprised that you, Ms

Correr, are prepared to risk offending our oriental

friends, in the midst of the WTO negotiations ...


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Forgive me for insisting its about your trip

to Dong Fang

What? What do you want?

I dont have time I have

an appoint-ment.

Ms Correr!

Are you telling me to

keep quiet?

Is that athreat?

I wouldnt presume,Ms Correr lets say its a piece of advice.

That information could harm a lot of

people, even you!

It would be better to keep the information

you were given to yourself,it was probably false


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Even though I dont believe an urgency resolution is appropriate, I think

we should pay attention to the fate of minorities in this country

There are two more speakers and then

well talk about your friend from

Dong Fang.

Hes not from Dong

Fang!

Id like to draw your attention to a very serious human rights

case in Dong Fang. Mathias Lange,MEP, witnessed the forceful arrest

of the journalist Tony Liangby a group of thugs linked to

an ambitious, corrupt general ...

We have good reason to believe that the Dong Fang government

has no involvement in this affair but feels duty bound to keep quiet about it so as not to lose face.

Meanwhile, we have no idea of Tony Liangs current whereabouts and we fear for his safety. This

resolution should force the Dong Fang authoritiesto face up to their responsibilities.

... I am asking you to put an urgency resolution demanding Mr Liangs immediate

release on the agenda of the plenary Parliamentary session.

I understand Elisas concern,but is she not afraid of souring

our already fragile relationswith Dong Fang?

Granted, but the LiberalDemocrats have principlesto defend and this is aquestion of human rightsso we must take that risk.Especially as Mr Liangis also a British citizen.

Meeting room of the alde group in the european parliament


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Have you thought about what

I said earlier,Ms Correr?

Hello?

I want to stop you making a mistake,

Ms Correr! A very seriousmistake!

Who are you, and what do you want? Hello!Hello!

Meeting of the Conference ofPresidents of the political groups

at the European Parliament.

Ladies and Gentleman,

I declare the session closed.


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Ive just come out of the Conference of presidents: the proposed urgency resolution

concerning Tony Liangs arrest was carried. Well discuss it

at the next plenary session.

Helmut, I need to talk to you. Ive

been threatened. What? When?

Last night. Someone wants to stop me releasing Tonysphotos provingthat European manufacturershave sold armsto Dong Fang.

What are you going to do?

Hold a pressconference. Its

the only solution.Its my lifeline!

You mean that as soon as its public, the arms

lobby will no longer have a reason to attack you?

Exactly!

Are these photographs

reliable?

Yes!

You can still change

your mind.

I know.

Fabrizio!Arrange a pressconference for 2 pm tomorrow.

It is of the utmost importance. Hint that it concernsa huge scandal.

Certainly Helmut, isthat all?


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Sorry, I didnt realise meetings were still going on.

Hello Is Paola

there?

Can I stay with you for a few days? Ive

had such a scare.

The Liberal Democrat MEP Elisa Correr held a press

conference this morning she claims to have proof that European arms are being sold

to Dong Fang. This scandalhas created a huge stir

... Id like to see these famous photos

before takinga stance...

the sale of armsdoes not come within the

jurisdiction of the European Union, but the embargo

imposed after the terrible repression in 1989 remains in force. There have been

mixed reactions to MEP Elisa Corrers claims

A few days later


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Tomorrow the European Parliament will vote on a resolution demanding the release of a journalist being held illegally in Dong Fang. His investigations uncovered a European arms

trafficking operation organised by an oriental mafia.Our guest is the chairman of the EAC, the European arms

consortium, who insists on responding to MEP Elisa Corrers allegations.

Let me state emphatically that our group is complying

with the European embargo on the sale of arms to Dong

Fang and so these photosmust be rigged !

So are you sayingthat the Liberal-

Democrat MEP lied?

I believe Ms Correr acted in good faith, but I think she allowed

herself to be manipulated by an unscrupulous photographer

prepared to do anythingto get a scoop

we have been told that thisgood lady is having an affair

with Mr Liang, the photographer ...she has probably fallen prey

to a trickster

That was below the belt. It was only

to be expected!

Strasbourg, office of the President of the ALDE group.Now what are

you goingto do?

I dont know,Helmut, I dont

know!

The main priority right now is Tony Liangs fate! I am

confident that our resolution will be carried at the

plenary tomorrow.

T h e AL D E g r o u p h as p u b l i s h e d t h e

p h o t o s t ak e n b y T o n y L i an g i n c r i m i n a-

t i n g t h e E u r o p e an ar m s c o n s o r t i u m .

Ar ms s c a nd a l p ho t o s !


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Im sorry. Im very behind on my work as a result of

this business. Thanks for your help on my report on the WTO

negotiations, Mathias...

Youre welcome.You know it interests

me, but I think we should set a cut-off date for amendments.

Ive got some good news. This afternoon

the Council of Ministers voted to

grant parliament the right of assent. That

will make your report even more important.

I know. And thats why

Im loath to tell you what I plan to do...Whats that?

Id like the delegations backingfor two things: demanding an

independent inquiry into the violation of the arms embargo, and an

amendment to my report suspendingthe granting of assent until the

Council and the Dong Fanggovernment give an explanation.

I sympathise, and youre bound to find allies in the other

parliamentary groups, but first of all you have to convince our own group to make the

connection between trade and this arms trafficking affair.

Tomorrows resolution is a first step. I think this group

is principled enough to support me in the next stages.


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Plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

I witnessed the arrest of the British citizen Tony Liang. Even

though several complaints have been lodged, we still have not been informed of the charges

against him

We dont even know where he is being detained or whether

there will be a trial. I therefore support the urgency resolution

demanding the release of Tony Liang.

Its a matter of sendinga strong signal to the Dong

Fang authorities on the issue

of human rights!

Let us proceed to a vote.


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The urgency resolution demanding the immediate release of Tony Liang is

carried by an overwhelmingmajority.

Ive just heard on to the radio .

Theres been a new development!

This morning, the body of a man who had been shot dead was discovered

by children playing football.The body had been buried but

a hand was visible.

The hand was probably unearthed by small animals.

According to preliminary reports, the body is probably

that of Fred Michelis, an engineer specialising in arms

Fred Michelis worked for the European arms consortium, the consortium

mentioned a few days ago in connection with the sale of arms

to Dong Fang

This murder of course strengthens the accusationsof Liberal-Democrat MEP ElisaCorrer. Did Fred Michelis know

something about the sale of arms to Dong Fang? More in the next news bullentin

This murder sheds a different light on things

Absolutely.But why kill

that engineer?


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That name rings a bell. Michelis,Michelis... of course, he wrote me a rather confused letter. I didnt

get around to replying, Ive received so many letters since the press

conference ...

What do we do now?

Theres only one thing to do.Demand an independent inquiry and

step up the pressure, threaten not to give our assent to the

WTO agreement!

Dont think of it, Elisa!These agreements are

vital for everyone.

The affair is sufficiently serious.I was threatened. Theres been a murder.

The member states must face up to their responsibilities.

Helmut, Elisas right!The serious turn this affair hastaken demands that Parliament

takes a strong line.

Well have to raise it with the group first. Ill put this proposal on

the agenda of the next preparatory

meeting for the Brusselsmini-session.

You can already count on our delegations

support for Elisa.

Minister, what is your response to MEP ElisaCorrers accusations

that arms are beingsold to Dong Fang?

The following week.

No comment. And Ms Correr should have no comment either:

it is a national matter.


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What about the investigation into

the engineersmurder? How is that

progressing?

In our country, the executive powers

and the judicialpowers are separate.

I have nothing to say to you.

But the government is opposingthe investigating magistrates request

to extend his investigation to the activities of the European arms

consortium.

Its a matter of defence

secrets. Im sorry.

Meanwhile, at a meeting ofthe ALDE group in Brussels

dear friends, one of the fundamental principles that unite

us is our respect for treatiesand other commitments

today, there are solid reasons to believe that some member states have violated the embargo on the sale of

arms to Dong Fang

I have already been told that

this is not a matter for the EU but we have seen the violation of the Councils joint decision on the

embargo, the abuse of the Code of conduct on arms exports and a powerless European WeaponsAgency... what more can I say!

You know that I have always

advocated that Dong Fang should be seen as an ally of the EU in these

trade negotiations ... and yet, today,I am asking you to vote for an amendment to my report which

could block the WTO agreementsuntil some light is shed

on this affair

I am asking you in the name of the principles

our political family fights to defend.


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MEEting of the conference of presidentsof political groups.

Id like to thank Elisa and shallvigorously defend her proposal at

the Conference of presidents before our next mini-session

in Brussels.

Im finding it hard to understand the ALDEs position on this issue

global trade for the comingyears is at stake

Europes credibility isat stake how can the

European citizen have faith in us if we sign codes

of conduct which we do not adhere to? If we violate

our stated principles?

If I understand our colleaguesmotion, and I approve it, it will be

sufficient for the Council to believe that we can block the agreement for

us to obtain a proper independent inquiry that will have the power to

question the Ministers of defence of the countries implicated, the High

Representative and the director of the

Weapons Agency...

Supposing my group refuses to support you.

What will you do?

Im curious to know how youll explain things to the press and the public who are

beginning to take a keen interest in this issue.


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Shellbe getting on

the train in 15 minutes.

No danger. Its thought that Michelis handed her

proof. Do as planned.

OK, consider it done.

Well be in Brussels in less

than an hour

I fancy a coffee.Shall I get

you one?

Paris, gare du nord.


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Help!Help!


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We have learned that MEP Elise Correr wasattacked last night. In these circumstances,

there is no way we can backtrack on the approval we have given Parliament.

We would look ridiculous.

The next day in Brussels, Meeting ofthe committee of permanent representatives

Meanwhile, at the plenary session of the European Parliament

The clean-ups begun in my capitaland heads are going to roll, and the same is probably happening in many of yours. The main issue now isnt

arms dealing, but not to jeopardise the trade treaty.

If everybody is in agreement,the presidency is going to

propose deferring the vote on the Correr report in

exchange for full cooperation with Parliament. Theres

not much time, the session is about to start. I shall

phone my Minister to inform him of your agreement

before joining him.

Many of us believe that global trade will give

a boost to the economy and to employment.

And yet, despite everything, I am now asking you to block the WTO agreements. Dong Fang has not progressed far

enough along the road to democracy for us to capitulate in the face of irrefutable evidence. This is no mistake:

this arms dealing is in expectation of the liftingof the embargo that they want us

to agree to

Our citizens would not

understand why we would sell our souls to secure

trade agreements I am asking this assembly to take a stand and defend the fundamental principles

of Europe, the principlesof democracy and the rule of law.


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The president of the Council has

asked to speak.

before hearing about the attack on our colleague,

I thought that this arms scandalwas founded on rumour, but

I see now that it is based on fact.

This is childish. We cant jeopardise global trade for

an affair that sounds like the plot of a trashy novel

I call for the rejection of the ALDE amendment

oh

ah

If the Council had agreed to set up an inquiry into this alleged arms

dealing, we wouldnt have come to this.I support the amendment and

the amendment of the Correr report.

Ladies and Gentlement,the presidency asks you once again to defer the

vote on this report.In exchange, I wish to

inform you that the Council and the member

states are prepared to cooperate fully with

an independent inquiry ...

...we also agree that it is time to reply favourably to Parliaments requests concerning

the monitoring of EU foreign policy and the funding of joint security activities. This sort

of thing must not happen again without Parliament being duly informed.

I request that the vote be Deferred and that my report be sent to the Parliamentary

Committee until further details of the Councils

proposal are known.

The rapporteur asks to be allowed

to speak.


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TheRE is no doubt that the investi-gation into the activities of the

European arms consortium is goingto be re-opened the government

is in a delicate position especially if an investigating magistrate

is able to prove that it wasinvolved in the sale of

arms to Dong Fang.

I have read your report on General Shao and his Operation Red Dragon to acquire

European arms and threaten our government. Well done for eliminating

him, and thank you for having found Tony Liang safe and sound.

I have handed in my resignation to the Prime Minister. It has

been accepted. I have nothingfurther to say


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The End

You will acknowledge that weve had a crackdown, Ms CorrerMy government would like to resume negotiations as soon

as possible

Two weeks later in Dong Fang.

So would I, but there is still one issue to be

cleared up, Mr Li!

Its not courage,Mr Li just a few

principles!

I must admit that you have great courage, Ms Correr:

to hold Dong Fang and 27 member states in check,

secure Liangsrelease bravo!


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The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in theEuropean Parliament

Operation Red Dragon is fictional and Members of theEuropean Parliament fortunately do not lead such dan-

gerous lives as Elisa Correr*. Nevertheless, since its firstdirect election by universal suffrage in 1979, theEuropean Parliament has gradually acquired a prominentpolitical role: it controls the activities and management of the European Commission, which has the sole right of legislative initiative, it co-legislates with the Council of theEU, where Ministers from the twenty-seven states meetin order to discuss work prepared by the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper).

This double function of legislator and controller hasbeen very well reflected in recent years with, on theone hand in 1999 the forced resignation of theCommission, accused of bad management of public

funds, and on the other hand, the adoption of a seriesof European laws favorable to consumers and citizensalike, such as new rights for rail passengers subject todelays or train cancellations, improvement in the quali-ty of bathing water on European beaches, protection of minors in internet use, and these are just the issuescovered by the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.

On top: Berlaymont, seat of the European CommissionBeneath: Justus Lipsus, seat of the Council of Ministers

Meeting room of the Committee of PermanentRepresentatives (Coreper).


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The legislative functions of the European Parliamentare exercised along party lines: the Parliament beingmade up of political groups, which bring their influence to bear in order to affect parliamentarydeliberat ions. The Alliance of Liberals andDemocrats for Europe (ALDE), the third largestgroup in the Parliament, is at the centre of theEuropean political chess-board, which is often a keyhinge position between the two major groups, theGroup of Progressive Alliance of Socialists &Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D), on

the lef t of the hemicycle, and theEuropean Peoples Party (EPP), on theright which includes conservatives andChristian-democrats.Each political group is made up of nationalparties, which in the case of the ALDEconsists of 19 countries (Germany,France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain,the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg,Ireland, Denmark, Slovenia, Sweden,

Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania,Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria). The mem-bers of the European Parliament are elec-ted for 5 years in their own country. PaolaBonani* leads the parliamentary delega-tion to the which Elisa Correr belongs,and as such she is a member of theBureau of the ALDE group, chaired by

Helmut Krger*, who oversees the consistency of the Groups positions, which are sometimes affec-ted by national divisions. ALDE is in this contextamong the most disciplined of parliamentary groups.The promotion of liberal democracy based on thefree market and the defense of fundamental rights,combined with economic and social solidarity, res-pect for the environment and cultural diversity,constitutes the ideological base of the liberal anddemocratic family.

Plenary session of the EuropeanParliament.


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Parliament works in two places, Strasbourg, in France,where a weekly plenary session is held each month,and Brussels, in Belgium, where the ParliamentaryCommittees take place, and some additional plenarysessions. The general secretariat of the EP is inLuxembourg. Reports are prepared by ParliamentaryCommittees, made up of MEPs divided up by legisla-tive specialty, and voted in plenary session, in which all732 MEPs are required to vote. This is the reasonwhy we see our heroes unceasingly shuttling between

the two cities.

Elisa Correr is a member of the Committee onInternational Trade, one of the 20 ParliamentaryCommittees that make up the Parliament. She is rap-porteur for the international Treaty concluded bet-ween the EU and the World Trade Organisation(WTO). This type of treaty is negotiated by theEuropean Commission, on a mandate of the Councilof Ministers. The role of the rapporteur consists inputting forward the position of Parliament, through

the means of a parliamentary resolution. At the sametime the Foreign Affairs Committee, of which MathiasLange is a member, is also called to adopt resolutions,known as urgencies, on specific cases, such as that of Tony Liang *.

European Parliament in Strasbourg.

European Parliament in Brussels

Meeting of a Parliamentary Committee.


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It is the Conference of Presidents of Political Groupswhich determines the agenda of parliamentary work and therefore decides if and when reports or resolu-tions will be debated and adopted in plenary sessions.It is within this body that the President of the ALDEGroup will plead for the case of Tony Liang and wherehe will defend the idea of a negative vote on the EU-WTO Treaty.

When speaking, political group presidents reflect thedebates held within their own political groups. Beforeplenary sessions, all parliamentary groups thus holdmeetings where their political strategy is determined.It is during these meetings that ALDE MEPs decide tosupport a text or to amend it (i.e. to modify it) or agree political maneuvers or negotiations that shouldbe undertaken with other parliamentary groups inorder to promote democratic and liberal positions.

* Fictitious characters

Meeting of the conference of Presidents of the political groups.

Operation Red Dragon [EN]

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