MEPs seal budget compromise, vote on Palestinian statehood and debate the EU response to CIA torture report. Meanwhile, 'Ida' wins Parliament's film prize.

EU Budget / Palestine / CIA torture / Lux Prize

Finally, after months of tough negotiations,

the EP has managed  to sway Member States:

the EU’s outstanding bills will be paid.

A first tranche will cover 4 billion  of a total of nearly 25 billion euros.

The reimbursement was a key condition  of the 2015 budget vote.

I am sure that if the EP  hadn’t flexed its muscles

and we hadn’t put all our  energy and determination behind this

I think the Council would not have  given any extra payment appropriations

and this would have dramatically  increased the sum of the unpaid bills.

For 2015, MEPs secured additional funding

for SMEs, Erasmus,  research and foreign policy.

Several parliaments in Europe  have already shown support

in favour of recognising  Palestinian Statehood.

Today, it was the turn of MEPs  to cast their vote in Plenary.

An overwhelming majority  voted to recognise Palestine

but argue this recognition must go  hand in hand with progress

MEPs urge all Palestinian factions  to put an end to internal divisions

and condemn Israeli settlements,  which international law deems illegal.

Following revelations by the US Senate  of CIA torture,

notably of prisoners held in Guantanamo,

MEPs have re-opened their investigation.

Several EU Member States  have been directly implicated

in authorising renditions on their territories

and allegations suggest  their involvement in the tortures.

Those who are responsible in the US,  but also in the European states,

and who cooperated with this program,  must be held responsible,

they must be tried and held responsible.

MEPs will vote on a resolution  in Plenary in February.

Plenary gathered  for the 2014 Lux Prize award ceremony.

Paweł Pawlikowski’s 'Ida' came away  with the European Parliament’s film prize.

The film takes viewers  on the journey of a young girl

as she sets out  to discover her identity.

A moving story set against  the backdrop of Europe’s painful past.

The Lux Prize rewards  the three shortlisted finalists