Gianni Pittella

Romania and Bulgaria should join the Schengen area "as soon as possible" as they meet the relevant criteria, according to Gianni Pittella, president of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D Group) in the European Parliament, according to Romania Insider. 

Gianni Pittella, the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) chief in the European Parliament has reacted to remarks by German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble earlier this week that Greece would have to leave the eurozone if it failed to meet its bailout commitments.

Key EPP MEP and former EU Commissioner Antonio Tajani is the new European Parliament President after a vote held on Tuesday.

The European Parliament is electing its new President, as the current head of the body, Martin Schulz stepped down to compete for the leadership of the socialist party in Germany. The two major contenders in the EP elections are Antonio Tajani of the EPP, who was an MEP for 14 years before becoming European Commissioner in 2008.

The opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) held its weekly parliamentary group meeting on Nov. 15 with only its spokesperson, Ayhan Bilgen, in protest against the ban on guests due to their slogans. 
"This is a shame for the parliament," told Bilgen journalists on Nov. 15. 

Head of the European Parliament socialists Gianni Pittella accused Germany and the IMF of trying to overthrow the democratically elected government of Greece. Speaking to ‘EurActiv.com’, Pittella expressed his outright opposition to measures foisted on Greece by the IMF and Germany in order to complete the country’s program review.

Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos  on Wednesday spoke by phone with both European Central Bank President Mario Draghi and French President Francois Hollande ahead of a crucial vote in Greece’s Parliament for the third bailout memorandum between Athens and its international creditors.

Greece and the referendum on the bail-out proposals were the focus of the July 7 plenary debate on the outgoing Latvian presidency of the Council. Latvian Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma also discussed the challenges and the achievements of the outgoing Council presidency with MEPs and Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission

PM "hopes EU will recognize Serbia's efforts"

BELGRADE -- prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic hopes that EU countries will recognize the efforts Serbia is investing in the dialogue with Pristina.

He made this statement in Belgrade on Wednesday as he received Gianni Pittella, president of the group of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (EP).

EP's S&D Group puts spotlight on media freedom

BRUSSELS -- The Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament has "welcomed Serbia's progress in the EU integration process." ,

However, the group at the same time said it was "concerned over violations of freedom of the media."