1 million divorces were recorded in the EU in 2007, 13% of which were between partners of different EU nationalities. MEPS want to clear up rules governing family matters.

For richer or for poorer

The EU has made it possible to live  anywhere in Europe, but not to love.

If your marriage to a person from another  EU country fails, who gets the kids?

Who gets the house?  And what if your partner dies?

MEPs met national politicians  on Tuesday to discuss family matters.

It's not a problem for 97% of the people  who live in the Member States,

but for the other 3%. We have to make  legislation for that other 3% as well.

This helps the people  who use the internal market.

If you want a 'Europe for the citizens',  we have to create opportunities,

not barriers to making use of  the opportunities of the internal market.

MEPs voted Thursday on a report  to harmonise laws applying to divorce.

But the taboo of same-sex  partnerships presents problems.

At present, five EU countries  recognise same-sex marriage.

So a gay couple from Spain won't have  their alliance recognised in Poland.

Yes, it's up to a Member State  to decide on marriage, partnerships,

but when it comes to diminishing  civil liberties, or human rights,

that is against every founding principle  of the EC and the EU.

Member States have opposed the EU  getting involved in domestic law,

but a survey shows a rise in cross-border  divorces during the financial crisis