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A new transatlantic agenda
In the ambition to make Europe a real geopolitical player the European Commission is currently cultivating an agenda that risks making Europe weaker rather than stronger. The various ideas about…
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Is this goodbye to Georgia’s democracy?
What we are seeing today in Georgia is a broken democracy. When the main opposition leader is dragged out of his party’s headquarters on the direct orders of the government, the country has said go…
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For the Sake of Navalny – Letter To the Presidents of the Commission and the European Council
To: President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council, Charles Michel Dear President Ursula von der Leyen, Dear President Charles Michel, …
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China’s attacks on Sweden are unacceptable in a democracy
China’s verbal attacks on Swedish journalists, experts, opinion makers and human rights activists have been harsh, with wording and threats that do not belong in a democratic discourse. In Septemb…
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A stronger Commission is not the same as a stronger Europe – Op-ed in Euractiv
It is a dangerous myth to believe that maximising the role of the European Commission is synonymous with a stronger, wealthier Europe. There is one thing we can learn from the last days of d…
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Modern Warfare: New Technologies and Enduring Concepts – Foreword
Things are not as they were. That’s an old truth, always overshadowed by the fact that our experience and learning come from the past and are the main tools with which we understand the world. We a…
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Öppet brev från ELN till FNs Generalförsamling mot spridningen av kärnvapen
As world leaders prepare to meet this month at the United Nations in New York, we call on them to take urgent steps to reduce the risks of nuclear confrontation. We join a growing number of internati…
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Letter to President Juncker on the Troika Laundromat case
To: Mr Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission Brussels, 14 March 2019 Dear President Juncker, We, Members of the European Parliament, are addressing you in order to express our…
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The Magnitsky Act and its name – Op-Ed in EUObserver
On Thursday, the European Parliament will vote on a resolution to introduce a sanctions regime for human rights violations, more known as a ”European Magnitsky Act”. The Parliament has prior to this …
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Why didn’t the Greens support the name Magnitsky? – speech in plenary
Gunnar Hökmark ifrågasatte att de Gröna ledamöterna i Europaparlamentet röstade emot att kalla Magnitskijlagstiftningen vid dess rätta namn. En sådan lag skulle innebära möjligheten att frysa…
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Speech on Digitalisation at Euronest Economic committee
Gunnar Hökmark’s speech to the Euronest Economic committee, where he comments the report ”Facilitating digitalisation to improve efficiency and stimulate economic growth in the EU and Eastern Partner…
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Panelsamtal om framtiden för Europas ekonomi
Gunnar Hökmark deltog i Euractiv’s panelsamtal med Europaparlamentariker Sven Giegold om framtiden för Europas ekonomi, där Gunnar bland annat underströk behovet av strukturreformer och främjande…
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Comments on the European Defence Fund
With the negotiations on the European Defence Fund about to start, the European Union possesses a chance to take a giant leap forward towards strengthening both the competitiveness of the European def…
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Dear citizens of the United Kingdom – open letter
Dear citizens of the United Kingdom, As friends of your country, we are looking with growing anxiety at the unfolding of Brexit disaster that will be harmful for both Britain and Europe. We are rel…
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A Magnitsky Act for Europe – Op-Ed in CNN
Sometimes a name means everything. In this case, the name Sergei Magnitsky has been globally synonymous with how to fight human rights abuse in the 21st century. His sacrifice has resonated with victi…
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Financial markets in Europe: Is it possible to avoid a crisis? – Op-Ed in Open Access Government
Is there a way to avoid a financial crisis? The answer is no. Financial crises will come, often as a result of high growth and rapid development. A disruptive change to new technologies may change the…
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We must respond to threat of foreign disinformation campaigns – letter to Juncker and Mogherini
Today Gunnar Hökmark and 60 other parlamentarians and security experts send a letter to the President of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, and the High Representative for Foreign and Secu…
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Provisional deal reached on the resolution part of the RRM-package
“Last night’s deal on BRRD is a very important step in the completion of the Banking Union. It will reduce risks in the financial system but also facilitate for the Banking Union by a decision on th…
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De som jämför EU med Sovjetunionen vet inte vad Sovjetunionen var – anförande i plenum
Gunnar Hökmarks anförande i plenum den 3 oktober 2018 med anledning av debatten med Estlands premiärminister Jüri Ratas om EU:s framtid.…
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Gunnar Hökmark om Rumänien – anförande i Plenum
Gunnar Hökmarks anförande i plenum den 3 oktober 2018 med anledning av debatten om rättstatsensprinciper i Rumänien. …
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EU economy on the rise as incomes increase and unemployment rate falls – Op-Ed in Open Access Government
The economy of the European Union (EU) is currently doing quite well. We are most likely at the end of an expansionary phase of the business cycle, average incomes have risen above pre-crisis levels a…
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Gunnar Hökmarks rapport om säkerheten i Östliga partnerskapsländerna
Gunnar Hökmarks rapport om säkerheten i Östliga partnerskapsländerna och vad EU kan göra, som antogs under Euronest parlamentariska församling, finns nedan att läsa i sin helhet: Sec…
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Real recovery requires real reform Op-Ed in The Parliament Magazine
The EU will not achieve lasting financial stability and growth if its member states don’t stick to the rules, says Gunnar Hökmark. The single most important challenge in developing the monetary …
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Proposal from Gunnar Hökmark on new banking legislation approved by ECON committee in European Parliament
MEPs agreed on a roadmap for banks to deal with losses, by ensuring that they hold enough capital and debt not to need taxpayer bailouts and defining conditions for remedial measures. …
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Georgia is a country of old Europe – Op-Ed in Euractiv
Many forces wish to undermine Georgia’s democratic development, and this is why the EU engagement and cooperation must be much more active, writes Gunnar Hökmark. In the aftermath of the Rus…
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Message from Brussels – Intervju med Gunnar Hökmark i Georgia Today
Despite it being the second biggest Parliament in the world, it’s still rare enough to find a member of the European Parliament who is knowledgeable about Georgia. Even rarer are those who boast a s…
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All eyes on the FIFA World Cup – and on Russia – Op-Ed in EUObserver
As the FIFA World Cup sets off, everyone’s eyes will be on Russia. There are, however, plenty of other reasons for Europe to watch Russia. Kremlin’s warfare against European countries through …
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Security challenges in the Eastern Partnership countries – Euronest draft report
Gunnar Hökmark är Europaparlamentets rapportör i Euronest parlamentariska församling för en kommande rapport om säkerhetsutmaningar i Östra Partnerskapsländerna och EU:s roll i att addressera …
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The misguided logic of digital taxation – Op-Ed in Euractiv
The European Commission’s proposal on digital taxation demonstrates a completely new logic of taxation. It contains all the wrongs you can achieve in one proposal, writes Gunnar Hökmark. The Eur…
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Nord Stream II aims to undermine Energy Union – Op-Ed in EUObserver
Last week, the industry and energy committee in the European Parliament voted in favour of bringing Nord Stream II under European law, re-establishing order, stability and predictability on the Europe…
Artikel
Putin divides Europe – Op-Ed in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
An English translation of the Op-Ed by the Members of the European Parliament Michael Gahler (EPP, DE) Rebecca Harms (G/EFA, DE) Laima Andrikiene (EPP,LT) VP) Petras Auštrevičius (ALDE, LT) Ana Gome…
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Plenary speech on future EU-UK relations
View the full speech here. ”Madam President, when our own mini-Trump, Mr Farage, claims here in this plenary that the European Union is bullying the United Kingdom, it is his way of informing us …
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Europe’s new era – only possible with 5G – article in Euractiv
If the EU misses out on 5G it could lead to a drain of world leading tech companies in Europe (of which there are only a few), if it wants to catch up to America and China then it has to deliver o…
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Gunnar Hökmark condemns the ban of Charter 97 in Belarus
– Lukashenko is undermining the future of Belarus by limiting freedom of speech and freedom of the media in the country. The fear of independent reporting is a sign of weakness. The authorities must l…
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The great EU corporate tax lie – Artikel i EUobserver
Esther de Lange, Brian Hayes och Gunnar Hökmark skriver gemensamt på EUobserver om CCCTB. As three MEPs who take subsidiarity and proportionality seriously, we face an almost daily battle aga…
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Security challenges in the Eastern Partnership countries – Euronest working document
Gunnar Hökmark is the EP rapporteur of the Euronest report Security challenges in the Eastern Partnership countries and enhancing the role of the EU in addressing them. This text is the working…
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Why transnational lists are not a good idea – artikel i Euractiv
The Parliament and Council are set to decide on what to do with the 73 seats currently held by British MEPs. However, leaning towards transnational lists is not the answer because it is un-European a…
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To an outstanding activist for freedom at the International Conference in Memory of Peeter Luksep in Tallinn 27th January 2018
Gunnar Hökmark, MEP, in Tallinn the 27th of January 2018 at the International Conference in Memory of Peeter Luksep at the National Library of Estonia He who proved you can make a difference – A s…
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Eastern Partnership – interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
In an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Gunnar Hökmark gives his views on the EU’s relations with its Eastern partners in the political year of 2017 and the prospects for 2018. &n…
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100 years after the October Revolution – speech in plenary session
Mr. Speaker, Some of the Members of this House have today compared the Soviet Union with the European Union, mixing up open borders, democracy, human rights, a market economy and democratic electio…
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The future of the Eastern Partnership – speech in plenary session
Mr. Speaker, The Eastern Partnership is about a partnership for freedom, democracy, rule of law, and peace. That’s what we see, but also we see all the difficulties. When I listen to the colleague…
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Economic Ideas Forum
Gunnar Hökmark deltog den 7 oktober i Economic Ideas Forum 2017, arrangerat av Wilfried Martens Center. Under konferensen, vars tema var ”New Europe, New Economy”, diskuterades ekonomiska utmaningar…
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Clean Energy Package needs market, not just targets – Artikel i EUobserver
The political groups are now clashing on all fronts over the aims and targets of the Clean Energy Package. Negotiations are tough and the outcome difficult to predict. What is more, when the 2030 t…
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Macron shows the ‘Juncker dilemma’ does not exist – article EurActive
Europe needs serious reform if it is to avoid being turned into a mere museum for rich Chinese tourists. But it is clearly possible to be both European and succeed in the global economy, writes …
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”We shall never forget the cost of non-enlargement” – Gunnar Hökmark’s intervention in the debate on Serbia
In the European Parliament plenary debate on the European Commission 2016 Report on Serbia, Gunnar Hökmark underlined that the EU enlargement policy has been one of the Union’s main su…
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Country specific recommendations from the Commission
24-05-2017 The Commission has launched its Country specific recommendations for 2017. GDP growth in the EU as a whole is expected to remain constant at 1.9%. Unemployment is expected to fall b…
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Ten reasons to stop the European social pillar – article EUobserver
The spirit behind the efforts of the European Commission to address the malaise felt by EU citizens towards the Union deserves to be appreciated. However, it is by no means certain that last month’…
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Future of Europe is unity, not uniformity – EU Observer
Brexit, Le Pen and Geert Wilders. These are only three expressions of the new European discontent that trembles though the corridors of Brussels. Amidst confusion and panic, and various attempts to…
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Letter of concern on Rustavi2
Today Gunnar Hökmark, together with 16 other Members of the European Parliament sent a letter to Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia, underlining concern regarding the ownership dispute o…
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Regrettable decision on Rustavi 2
Today Gunnar Hökmark expressed regret and serious concern over the decision by the Georgian Supreme Court to grant ownership of the independent television channel Rustavi 2 to Kibar Khalvashi, a clos…
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Rustavi 2 must stay independent
Today Gunnar Hökmark expressed concern regarding the forthcoming decision by the Georgian Supreme Court on the ownership dispute of the independent television channel Rustavi 2, and its potentially a…
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EU-Georgia Parliamentary Association Committee
Ahead of the 4th EU-Georgia Parliamentary Association Committee meeting on 15-16 February in Strasbourg, Gunnar Hökmark underlined the importance of media plurality and expressed concerns of adverse…
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Nord Stream 2 is incompatible with Energy Union – article in EU Observer
Ever since the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project was launched by Gazprom, the Russian state controlled global energy company that holds the world’s largest gas reserves, its aims and consequences have …
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When Trump makes America small, Europe must stand tall – article in EUObserver
Donald Trump is certain he is going to make his country great again – by turning its back to the world, by building walls and by saying no to foreign people, goods and services. But it won’t work. …
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Ruotsin ja Suomen jäsenyys Natossa vakauttaisi Itämeren tilannetta – article in Suomen Kuvalehti
Gunnar Hökmark skriver här tillsammans med Henna Virkkunen (EPP-FI) och Bendt Bendtsen (EPP-DK) i Suomen Kuvalehti om vikten av ökat europeiskt försvarssamarbete och Nato. Sotilaallinen jännit…
Artikel
Ignoring our problems leads only to crisis – Gunnar Hökmark on euobserver.com
The Commission’s decision to turn a blind eye to the deficits of Spain and Portugal does not bode well for the future. It may yet lead to another crisis and undermine our rules-based Union. The E…
Artikel
Speech in plenary: Our values are stronger than your hate
The tragedies in Norway this summer hit us all. As parents, neighbours and fellow human beings, and as participants in the political life, regardless of political views we know them all, the young com…
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You have friends in the EU – Article in EurActiv
Guest blog post by Bendt Bendtsen MEP, Gunnar Hökmark MEP, Krišjanis Karins MEP, Tunne Kelam MEP, Gabrielius Landsbergis MEP, Henna Virkunnen MEP. We, six Nordic and Baltic members of the Europea…
Artikel
The times when telecom was telecom are long times passed- Article in The Parliament Magazine
The times when telecom was telecom are long times passed. It is not about people talking, it is about our societies and economies walking with a lead into the future. Mobile telephony has develope…
Anförande
Presentation by Gunnar Hökmark, MEP, on FTTH and digital agenda targets – at the Fiber to the Home Council Conference ”Calling for a Brighter Future”
February 17th 2016 from 11:45, LUXEXPO, Luxembourg City Ladies and Gentlemen, For me the goal is quite simple. Europe needs to be number one. If you want to be number one…
Artikel
3G was modernisation, 4G was and is digitalisation, 5G is industrialisation- Artikel The Digital Post
The introduction of 3G was a huge modernisation. It was a revolution for mobile telecom and gave Europe the lead. Mobile telephony was suddenly a popular phenomenon, creating new opportunities and new…
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Presentation by Gunnar Hökmark, MEP, on the opportunities and challenges coming from 5G and the digital economy – at the EU High Level Dialogue on Spectrum-Related Issues
3rd of February 2016 from 13:00, Charlemagne Building, Rue de la Loi, Brussels Ladies and Gentlemen, The development of digital services is day after day leaving a surprise…
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Russia, IS: EU values under attack – artikel i EU Observer
Little more than two weeks ago, as the world turned its eyes towards the vicious terrorist attacks in Paris, violence once again flared up in Ukraine. The current state of affairs is clear: on seve…
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Gunnar Hökmark Key Note Speech: Are we doing the best we can?
At the annual ECTA Regulatory Conference in Brussels Mr. Hökmark asked the question ”Are we doing the best we can?” If Europe is going to become the number one in a global digital economy we …
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Letter to Europe
And so, the letter of which much has been said finally came. In his letter to the European Council President Donald Tusk, the Prime Minister of Great Britain David Cameron highlights the issues of con…
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Europe needs a new economic reform agenda- Article Euractiv
Europe’s governments must make tough reforms to bring back competitiveness and prosperity to EU economies, writes Gunnar Hökmark. Gunnar Hökmark [Moderaterna] is a Swedish member of the European …
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Increase our military capabilities
For a long time, any warnings or notions of the increasingly hostile Russia under Putin was denied or subdued. Consequentially, Sweden disarmed itself almost completely in a time when global and local…
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Gunnar Hökmark in debate on Capital Markets Union
Today in a debate in the European Parliament MEP Gunnar Hökmark made his remarks on the Commission’s Action Plan on creating a Capital Markets Union. Mr. Hökmark welcomes the initiative and poi…
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The European Agenda- New booklet MEP Gunnar Hökmark
”Europe needs an agenda that does not only identify and discuss the real problems and the underlying causes of our dire straits, but also one that suggests credible solutions. It is actually quite s…
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Gunnar Hökmark: We need to create a capital market for the whole union
Today Commissioner Jonathan Hill revealed the Commission’s Action Plan for a Capital Markets Union (CMU). – I welcome the initiative. We need to make the European economy competitive. A competiti…
Artikel
The European Agenda
Europe needs an agenda that does not only identify and discuss the real problems and the underlying causes of our dire straits, but also one that suggests credible solutions. It is actually quite simp…
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Gunnar Hökmark: Allocate and coordinate the 700 MHz band as soon as possible
Europe needs to allocate and coordinate the 700 MHz band as soon as possible. This is needed in order to have sufficient capacity for the development of mobile data traffic and new services as well as…
English
Gunnar Hökmark on the negotiations of the Banking Structure Regulation
If we don’t get new investments financed we will not get the jobs and the growth Europe is in need of. Instead we will dive into a new financial crisis caused by underinvestment, lack of growth and …
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Gunnar Hökmark: Time for digital action- 7 steps
Too much of European debate about the digital single market is about what the digital development can give us in the future. That is not bad, with a perspective clarifying what is at stake. But more i…
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On EU – Russia relations, Hökmark amendments
Gunnar Hökmark has proposed a number of amendments to the draft report of Gabrielius Landsbergis for European Parliament– seen by Hökmark as an excellent proposal – on the relations between EU and…
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Gunnar Hökmark: Rule of law and freedom of speech in Azerbaijan are fundamentally flawed
Development toward democracy and rule of law has stagnated in Azerbaijan and the the rule of law and freedom of speech in Azerbaijan are fundamentally flawed. These were among the pertinent issues d…
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Press release EPP group: European Parliament rejects unconditional recognition of Palestine
The EPP Group welcomes that the European Parliament today supported a Resolution on the recognition of a Palestinian statehood and the two-state solution but it must go ”hand in hand” with the develop…
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Press release: Europe must take the lead in the development of Internet and broadband services
– Europe must take the lead in the development of Internet and broadband services. There is no other way than to create the best capacities and highest speeds in EU. The Radio Spectrum programme of th…
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Press release: Universal banks crucial in a Capital Markets Union
”The European Union lacks investment of 900 billion euros. This is one of the main challenges we face when proceeding with a Capital Markets Union and with the legislation creating a framework for sta…
Anförande
Speech by Gunnar Hökmark at the ”Fibre To The Home Conference 2014: Showcasing a Brighter Future”
Speech by Gunnar Hökmark, Member of the European Parliament and Vice President of the EPP Group, at the ”Fibre To The Home Conference 2014: Showcasing a Brighter Future” Date: Thursday 20 February…
English
In memory of Wilfried Martens
It is with great sadness and a profound loss that we today remember EPP chairman Wilfried Martens. Ever since the Moderate Party in the early 1990s joined the EPP he has been there as an institution b…
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Gunnar Hökmark calls on the EU to react to Russia’s ’unacceptable’ use of military and economic pressure to exert its influence- Article in the European Magazine
Once again a curtain is descending across Europe, threatening to divide our continent between open, democratic societies governed by law, and societies where might is always right. The ancient Europea…
Artikel
Georgia must abide by the rule of law – Press Release
”Georgia is a welcome partner to the European Union, but must live up to the standards of rule-of-law and freedom of the media. It is not acceptable to use the judiciary to apply selected justice dire…
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Speech at broadband seminar: A key infrastructure for Europa2020
Broadband – A key infrastructure for Europa2020 – Delivering the 1 gigabit vision Gunnar Hökmark Contrary to the title of today’s seminar, I don’t believe that broadband is a key infrastructure…
Artikel
Europe Needs a ’Big Bang’ for Wireless – article in WSJ
Policy makers in the European Union and around the world regularly refer to the Internet and the wireless economy as an ”important part” of society. Yet outside the group of telecom ministers and othe…
Artikel
Georgia’s Fragile Democratic Process – letter to the editor in The Wall Street Journal
Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says his government is making ”progress through pragmatism.” This is hard to see when it comes to democracy and the rule of law. In his Aug. 6 op-ed, Geo…
Artikel
The state of democracy in Georgia – article EuropeanVoice
There are, unfortunately, reasons to be concerned about the state of democracy in Georgia. Vano Merabishvili, the leader of the opposition, former prime minister and candidate in the presidential e…
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Speech at the ECTA Conference – ”A single market for telecoms”
Dear friends of competition, dear distinguished guests, It is a great honor to have been invited to present my views on the timely theme of this year’s ECTA conference – ”A single market for teleco…
Artikel
Georgia belongs to Europe – press release
”Through a politicization of the judicial system, the Georgian Government is on its way to undermine the country’s democracy. It is reprehensible to include the judicial system as a part of the Govern…
Artikel
The Safest Way to Let Banks Fail – Op-ed in Wall Street Journal
The European crisis—and especially this spring’s events in Cyprus—has put the spotlight on a once-taboo question: Can a major bank be allowed to fail? Looking back at recent financial history…
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Press release: Rules for banking resolution to stabilise financial markets
“Europe will now get modern legislation on the management of a bank in crisis and of banking crises”, says Gunnar Hökmark MEP and the Parliament’s rapporteur for the Bank Recovery and Resolution …
Artikel
Europe in the world: The state of the union
Today, on May 3rd Mr. Gunnar Hökmark was a key note speaker at the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce adressing his views upon the state of the union. All the facts, analysis and views can be read by clic…
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Europe needs a big bang auction of 4G licenses- article in New Europe
In a time when confronted with huge debt burdens, negative growth and record high unemployment, the wireless revolution is a golden opportunity Europe cannot afford to miss out on. The road back to re…
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Speech in plenary 17th of March on the 2012 comprehensive monitoring report on Croatia
– Madam President, in less than three months we will have Croatian Members of this Parliament when we start our July session. I think that is an expression of something even bigger than what happens …
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Can a major bank really be allowed to fail?- Article in European Voice
Dealing with bank failures requires a delicate balance between managing expectations and finding a credible solution. The events in Cyprus during the past few weeks have put in the spotlight what, in …
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Mener la révolution mobile : une occasion en or pour l’Europe – article in Les Cahiers de L’arcep
Par Gunnar HÖKMARK, député européen Les technologies sans fil et l’internet mobile transforment rapidement nos économies et nos sociétés. Chaque année, le trafic de données mobiles explo…
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Plenary speech 13th March on the Situation in Ukraine
– Mr President, I should like to thank the Commissioner for presenting his view on Ukraine. It is important to send a clear message to the authorities and to the government in Ukraine because we can…
English
Wireless Broadband: opening up of 700 MHz band good news for Europe’s mobile Internet users
”I am glad that the European Commission is now taking an important step to open up the 700 MHz band for wireless broadband. We now urgently need a political decision to ensure that the 700 MHz band is…
Anförande
Opening speech at the Fiber-to-the-Home conference, London
”First of all, new services, innovations and information flows must grow, flourish and create economic growth without being dependent on technological speeds and capacities of the past. Secondly,…
English
Press release: EPP Group warns against setbacks and backsliding of Georgian democracy
Commenting on recent violent mob attacks against the opposition Members of Parliament in Georgia, EPP Group Vice-Chairman Gunnar Hökmark MEP said: ”What we are seeing are very serious setbacks and ba…