Could this be the nail in the coffin for Nato? European defence ministers met to discuss moving towards a single defence policy for the EU, though not all MEPs are in favour. Commissioner Tajani unveiled his plan to cut emissions with electric cars. But i

The News: Defence and the EU - Green Cars - MacMillan Scott on China

Less polluting cars   to fight climate change.

The Commission puts the debate back on   the table in Brussels.

After their demos,   truckers were heard by MEPs.

Working time of freelance truckers   will be the same as employee truckers.

EU defence: Defence ministers   want to take decisions

without foreign affairs   ministers being around.

Whilst waiting for a global agreement   against climate change

the EU Commission wants to go further   in green vehicle production.

Electric cars fight pollution? A good   idea? Arnaud Demolder reports.

Get yourself connected:   the car of tomorrow is electric.

That’s what Industry Commissioner   Antonio Tajani hopes for.

As part of his new clean,   energy saving vehicles strategy

he considers that   electric cars could make up 10-30%

We are aware of the potential electric   cars present for decarbonisation

and we want to launch many initiatives   and promote this technology.

The electric car is it really a good idea?

Opinions are divided. The yes camp says:   the car emits very few greenhouse gases

and no fine particles   that result in pulmonary diseases.

This MEP thinks that the electric car   could take the market by storm.

If I buy a car tomorrow   and reduce CO2 by 10-20%

in comparison with my old car,   then the taxes I pay, per kilometre or directly,

The batteries are made with lithium,   a very rare raw material.

And behind all those kilowatts that allow   the car to run are power stations.

We have to take the entire   life cycle into account,

from the production,   to the way the cars are used,

the waste they produce,   not forgetting recycling.

There we must have a good figure on   greenhouse gas emissions and energy.

In 2030 the number of cars worldwide will   rise from 800 million to 1.6 billion.

The Commission’s aim is to meet   a target of 130 g of C02 per kilometre

Sticking with transport, more and more   truckers deliver goods in Europe.

Amongst them are freelancers   compelled to work without rest.

The EP Employment Committee looked   into longer working times and road safety.

Each month he clocks ups over   15,000 km driving around Europe.

I started 14 years ago   to build up a haulier company.

In 14 years I've increased to five trucks.

Since 2005 a law has regulated   the work hours of salaried drivers.

It should have been extended to   self-employed drivers

who made up over 31% of drivers in   the European Union in 2006.

But the Commission wants it   to apply to salaried drivers only.

the self-employed from   the scope of this legislation

the work hours of the self-employed   are regulated.

Salaried drivers oppose   the non-application of the law

to the self-employed who would be able   to work 86 hours a week

between companies   that employ salaried drivers

On Wednesday the Employment   Committee rejected Ms Bauer's proposal.

Without a new Commission proposal   the law will apply to self-employed drivers

A plenary vote will confirm   the final decision in June.

Ahead of the opening   of the Shanghai expo in China,

here is Andreas Rogal with   Edward McMillan-Scott

vice-president of the EP   responsible for human rights.

You are a thorn in the side   of the Chinese government

you called for a political boycott.   EU institutions heeded your call.

Commission President Barroso is going,   do you think it's a good idea?

I've always differentiated   between trade and politics.

If you interrupt trade you hurt the poorest

It's a pity the expo is in Shanghai   but it's a valid international forum.

What's important,   speaking as vice-president

responsible for human rights   and democracy,

people going to Shanghai   and China generally

especially from the EU   should reflect the value of the EU,

which in its foreign policy   protects human rights

promotes democracy, fundamental   freedoms and rule of law.

It is a brutal tyranny   with hundreds of thousands,

millions in prison, many in re-education,   labour, let's not forget it.

You mentioned lots of issues, human   rights are supposed to be on the agenda

What should he highlight,   what's the most important?

I'm a bit dubious about the EU-China   human rights dialogue,

It's a mechanism which allows the   Chinese to say we're in dialogue.

We must consider breaking that dialogue.

There are big movements   in China for change,

and that's attracted   a huge amount of support.

Sadly the person who initiated   it is now in prison

There is a completely   repressive system of control in China