We should not neglect the fact that the Olympic Games in China are not solely a sporting event but also serves a political purpose. Dany Cohn- Bendit therefore argues that the games serve as an ideal public forum in which to debate issues concerning democracy and human rights in China. He asks everyone, sportsmen, politicians, journalists and visitors alike to "create disorder" and thus promote freedom of expression. This could be a first step towards a more democratic China.

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In his speech in the European Parliament in Strassburg, Dany Cohn-Bendit calls for serious political negotiations instead of a never-ending talking-shop. Israelis and Palestinians have to realise that neither colonial politics nor assassinations will progress the peace process.

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On the occasion of the only public reading of Jonathan Littell's novel "Die Wohlgesinnten" ("The benevolent ones") at the Berliner Ensemble theatre in Berlin, Daniel Cohn-Bendit comments on this fictional biography of an SS soldier. The reaction to this book, especially in Germany, was mixed – whilst some gave it an enthusiastic reception, others severely criticised it. Daniel Cohn-Bendit describes the fascinating aspects of a novel where historical facts meet the world of fictional literature.

In his ambitious speech, Daniel Cohn-Bendit declares that the strategy of isolating Gaza failed definitively to achieve its aims: civilians suffer from the effects of this policy and Hamas, instead of becoming discredited, becomes stronger. For this reason, Dany Cohn-Bendit advocates a change in policy so that the peace-process can bring benefits to the population.

Speech only available in french

The European Parliament today adopted a resolution on EU-Russia relations in advance of next week's EU-Russia summit. The Greens/EFA group voted against the resolution, which it felt was unbalanced and failed to properly address current human rights abuses in Russia.  "The EU is schizophrenic in its relations with Russia", said Dany Cohn-Bendit. "While EU leaders acknowledge and are critical of human rights abuses in Russia when addressing their home audiences, they are all too quick to brush these concerns under the table when sitting across the table from Putin's administration. Tiptoeing around these human rights issues in its bilateral relations with Russia damages the credibility of the EU and the European Parliament should not be afraid to criticise this incoherent approach. In the absence of fundamental common shared values, we should avoid calling the EU's present partnership with Moscow 'strategic'."

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The wording of the Berlin Declaration should be kept brief and simple but it must not be trite! We need to postulate perspicuous targets particularly for fighting climate change. If the European Union resolved to depend exclusively on renewable energy in 50 years from now, then that would be a true target! What I want to read in the declaration beyond this is the freedom of sexual orientation and freedom for minorities and certainly no reference to God whatsoever!

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Daniel Cohn-Bendit outlined Green hopes for the German Presidency. The relaunch of the constitutional process must not be decided solely by an Intergovernmental Conference, as Ms Merkel has advocated, there is a need to involve the Parliament and other actors through a European Convention, which entail a public debate.

The European Parliament marked the 50th anniversary of the uprising against communism in Hungary in 1956 by holding a debate in its plenary session on 24 October in Strasbourg. In his contribution to the debate, Greens/EFA Co-President Daniel Cohn-Bendit also honoured the German philosopher Hannah Arendt, who was the first to dare to condemn communism and fascism at the same time...

The journalist Anna Politkovskaya was killed because she spoke up and criticised a regime responsible for one of the most repressive political systems in the world. In his speech in the plenary in Brussels, Dany Cohn-Bendit criticised not only the Putin administration but also the EU leaders who have pandered to Russia and failed to champion human rights and basic freedoms in their relations with the EU's eastern neighbour...

Presenting the latest report on Bulgaria and Romania to the members of parliament in Strasbourg the European Commission has proposed the admission of both states on January 1st, 2007. During the following debate Daniel Cohn-Bendit criticized the other MEPs for being hypocrites. "Having decided to say ‘Yes' a year ago, how can we suddenly say ‘No'?"

Based on a huge majority the European Parliament condemned Israel for her conduct of the war against Lebanon. However, the humanitarian drama taking place in this region during this summer is not only Israel's responsibility. In his speech during the conference of presidents finding on Wednesday in Strasbourg Daniel Cohn-Bendit emphasized that it is neither the time for accusations nor justifications. Instead, politicians of both sides have to recognize that all peoples in the region have the right to exist...

The present truce in the Middle East is not yet a guarantee for lasting peace in the region. In his plenary speech Daniel Cohn-Bendit speaks out in favour of a Europe taking on more responsibility and demands a peace keeping force not consisting any longer of French, Germans and Italians, but of Europeans.

Each step of enlargement is an occasion for recollecting the basic principles of the EU and for rethinking common objectives. Following the report of the European Commission on the preparations of Bulgaria and Romania for their accession, idea and implementation of the EU are being newly debated. In his plenary speech Daniel Cohn-Bendit supports the new round of enlargement under the precondition that it goes along with a real integration effort.

Israeli politicians try to fix their unilateral setting of borders for the infinite future. This diplomatic solo run is not capable of solving the problem. In fact, it creates new ones. A speech of Daniel Cohn-Bendit on problems such as drinking water supply and bird flu in the Middle East which make it obvious how necessary cooperation is for both parties.

The controversy on the Muhammad Cartoons has caused a lot of agitation. Both sides observe the debate with growing confusion, but also with a lack of comprehension and anger. In his plenary speech Daniel Cohn-Bendit discusses the role of the media, functions of public space and the priceless worth of freedom - though freedom may be painful and confusing at times.

Currently the foreign policy focus of the EU is directed at the conflict in the Middle East and the Iranian nuclear programme. Developing a conception for a clear and coherent foreign policy, Daniel Cohn-Bendit demands from the EU to be unequivocal while dealing with Israel, Palestine and Iran.

The Austrian Council Presidency has begun by presenting objectives and perspectives. In his plenary speech Daniel Cohn-Bendit comments on the Austrian priorities. Above all he criticizes the lack of social objectives for economy and education. This would clearly indicate the existence of a left-right difference within the European Parliament.