My European Civil Voice - Zoltán Massay-Kosubek @EU_ZMK

What is the relevance of a break-in into the offices of 3 public health NGOs from a European perspective?

October 15, 2012

“Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it.” ~Winston Churchill Itt olvasható egy magyar nyelvű összefoglaló a betörésről (Hungarian summary about the brake-in) I witnessed a very targeted and professional break-in into 3 public health related NGOs offices (I work for one of them) on the early morning of 18 October 2012. We can… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Civil Society (NGOs), Public Health

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5 Comments

The power of me: 8 key messages from a European Blogger to the Blog Action Day (October 15, 2012)

(Owner of the photo © alamodestuff) “Great opportunities are not seen with your eyes. They are seen with your mind.” ~Robert Kiyosaki Being a European blogger I would like to contribute to the Blog Action day with 8 key messages an EU Bloogger (me) could identify in his career so far. 1.) “European Bloggers are… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Civil Society (NGOs), European citizens

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One Comment

Why not Base the United States of Europe on the EU-Turkey Reconciliation? Vision of an Amoeba EU Integration.

October 14, 2012

“People who never do anything more than they get paid for never get paid for any more than they do.” It is somehow ironic that the EU faces the biggest crisis of its history and in the meantime it has been awarded with such a prestigious acknowledgment that the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize. I do… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Enlargement, EU Foreign Policy, EU news & updates, European Integration, National minorities

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One Comment

Risk factors of the EU and my advice to overcome them: Do not speak too much about the EU Integration. Just do it!

September 29, 2012

(source of the photo © European Parliament)“Employ your time in improving yourself by other men’s writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have labored hard for.” – Socrates All the important EU decision makers beginning with the presidents of the most powerful EU Institutions until the most influential EU Member States’ leaders are… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

European Integration, National minorities

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No comments

Dictated Media Freedom? No Open Press Conference on the 15th EU-China Summit

September 20, 2012

“I don’t make jokes. I just watch the public affairs and report the facts.” – Will Rogers “Freedom of Media is for us … I mean, it is a sacred principle. It is a problem of values. Let’s have no doubts about it.” stated the President of the Commission in respect of the controversial Hungarian… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

European citizens, European Integration, Human Rights

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One Comment

Why Barroso III Would Harm Europe?

September 8, 2012

(source of the photo © European Commission Audiovisual service) “The fastest was to pass your own expectations is to add passion to your labor.” Previously European Commission Vice President Viviane REDING has called for the current Commission President José Manuel Barroso to stay on for an unprecedented third term. She pushed for a third BARROSO… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

European Integration

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4 Comments

Unprecedented International Legal Mistake from an EU Member State: Hungary Delivered the Axe Murderer to Azerbaijan : c’est plus qu’un crime, c’est une faute

September 2, 2012

“Try not to become a man of success but a man of value.” ~Albert Einstein Previously In February 2004, Mr. Ramil SAFAROV SAHIB, an Azeri soldier cruelly and treacherously murdered the 26 years old Armenian Gurgen MARKARIAN (in fact: decapitated with an axe in his sleep) in Hungary when both participated in an English course… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Eastern Partnership, EU Foreign Policy, EU Security and Defense Policy, Hungary, National minorities

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6 Comments

Denmark’s ban on phthalates (dangerous chemicals): a wrong step to the right direction?

August 30, 2012

“He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.” ~Confucius As Euractive reported in its recent article„Danish Environment Minister Ida Auken has decided to ban four industrial chemicals linked to disrupting the human endocrine system, pushing Denmark ahead of the European Union which has… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Consumer Protection, Environment, Public Health

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2 Comments

The Cyprus Presidency meets the European Bloggers: 10 key-messages of the Brussels Bubble’s Blogoshpere

August 1, 2012

“A year from now you will wish you had started today.” ~Karen Lamb The European Bloggers were provided before the usual Summer holiday with an opportunity to have a face-to-face meeting with the Cyprus presidency on 26 July 2012 (Thursday). This event took place in the JUSTUS-LIPSIUS Council building’s press room and in the famous… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Culture, European citizens

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Hungary’s place in the sun of the EU – What does the international media think about Hungary? And You?

July 20, 2012

“If we’re growing, we’re always going to be out of our comfort zone.” ~John Maxwell This time, I will react on the content of a more-or-less objective analysis about the situation In Hungary (and the perception of the international media of it) Wrong Way Down the Danube “Greece’s economic peril has raised fears about the… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

European Integration, Human Rights, Hungary

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8 Comments

My vote on LinkedIn for the most relevant issue passed through Parliament the first half of 2012 – and the explanation of my vote

July 19, 2012

“Failure is often that early morning hour of darkness which precedes the dawning of the day of success.” (on the photo: the European Parliament building in Strassbourg in April 2012 © Zoltán Massay-Kosubek) There is an ongoing, interesting vote on LinkedIn launched by Dan Anderson, Social Media Producer at European Parliament with the following title:… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Euro & Finance, European Integration, InfoSociety

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One Comment

The Often Forgotten Health Dimension of Biocides on the Occasion of the Publication of the New Biocide Regulation 528/2012/EU on the 27th June 2012 in the Official Journal

July 13, 2012

“Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it.” ~Lou Holtz The main purpose of this blog entry is to raise awareness among public health experts concerning a new, recently published piece of the EU’s health related environmental law regulating a specific group of dangerous chemicals: the so-called… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Consumer Protection, Environment, Public Health, Research & Development

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2 Comments

Why can I strongly recommend the inauguration/maintenance of ‘fat’ or ‘sin’ taxes?

July 8, 2012

“It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn’t.” ~Martin Van Buren Sin taxes may result a WIN-WIN situation under the current economic crisis and they can help to avoid another health crisis. On the one hand, they can produce additional benefits for national budgets and promote a healthier lifestyle… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Agriculture, Agriculture & Food, Consumer Protection, Public Health

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4 Comments

Gondolataim a hálapénz-rendszerről a magyar egészségügyben

June 30, 2012

“Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it’s faced.” ~James Baldwin Comment: this blog entry focuses on the “gratitude money-phenomenon” in Hungary and since this can be considered as a Hungaricum symptom in the Hungarian healthcare system therefore this summary will be edited exclusively in Hungarian since it… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

European citizens, Health & Consumers, Hungary, Medicines, Public Health

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8 Comments

Mini Public Health Day – Second Part (2/2): Mental well-being under economic turmoil: suicides rates are just the top of the iceberg

June 27, 2012

“It’s hard to beat a person that never gives up.” ~Babe Ruth (source of the photo © Mentalhealthhumor.com) “Mini Public Health Day – 19 June 2012” Introductory comment: On the 19th June I faced an inconvenient situation which may occur quit frequently in the life of EU professionals in Brussels due to the high intensity… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Health & Consumers, Public Health, Social Europe

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4 Comments

Mini Public Health Day – First Part (1/2): ‘EMERGING AND RE-EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES’ impressions from the STOA-AVIESAN workshop

June 20, 2012

“It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.” ~Benjamin Franklin “Mini Public Health Day – 19 June 2012” (Owner of the photo © Shuttersparks) Introductory comment: On the 19th June I faced an inconvenient situation which may occur quit frequently in the life of EU… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Health & Consumers, Innovation & Enterprise, Medicines, Public Health, Research & Development

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2 Comments

Roars of the EU-lion on the G20 Summit

June 19, 2012

“If you worry about yesterday’s failures, then today’s successes will be few.” (Photo © EC Audiovisual service) In this current entry I will present you what kind of messages have I captured from the twin-presidents of the EU (namely from Mr. Barroso, President of the COM and from Mr. Van Rompuy, president of the Council).… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

EU Foreign Policy, EU news & updates, EU Priorities 2020, Euro & Finance, European Integration

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3 Comments

3 Selected Main Political Challenges Europe is facing in 2012

June 12, 2012

“If you want to make your dreams come true, the first thing you have to do is wake up.” ~J.M. Power 1. Does Europe Need a “European New Deal”? (photo © European Parliament) Europe is struggling under the continuous pressure of the economic and financial crisis. The French-German stewardship followed a strict austerity policy in… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Eastern Partnership, EU Foreign Policy, EU news & updates, European Integration, National minorities

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5 Comments

Restructuring Health Systems: How to Promote Health in time of Austerity

June 6, 2012

“It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste.” ~Henry Ford The Impression of an Independent Health Expert on the Spot – EPHA Conference 06/06/2012 Although there were several health related events on 6th June 2012, I decided to take part in the Annual Conference of the European… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Civil Society (NGOs), Consumer Protection, Environment, EU news & updates, EU Priorities 2020, Euro & Finance, Health & Consumers, Human Rights, Medicines, Public Health, Social Europe

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3 Comments

The EU Health Strategy (2008-2013)

May 31, 2012

A review by MEPs, the Commission and the Civil Society in order to make some useful remarks to the new Health Strategy (2014-2020) “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.” ~Lewis Carroll I had the honour to participate in a public workshop organized at the European Parliament on… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Children’s well-being, Civil Society (NGOs), European Integration, Health & Consumers, Public Health

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One Comment

The Tymosenko Case and the European-Ukrainian Relations in the Light of the 2012 European Football Championship

May 23, 2012

“Don’t ever take a fence down until you know the reason it was put up.” ~ G.K. Chesterton Comment: The open discussion in the EP started with a performance of the ALDE group. Several Members showed a transparent with the picture of the former prime minister. Moreover, the daughter of Tymosenko attended the major part… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Eastern Partnership, Enlargement, EU Foreign Policy, EU news & updates, Europe's East, Global Europe, National minorities

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4 Comments

The Final ‘Extraordinary’ Summit: Is Greece on the Dinner Menu?

May 22, 2012

“A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.” ~Chinese proverb On the 22th May (Tuesday) – just one day before the extraordinary European Summit about Investments, Growth and Jobs to be held on the 23th May (Wednesday) immediately followed by a dinner intented to discuss the… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

EU news & updates, Euro & Finance, European Integration, Human Rights, Regional Policy, Social Europe

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7 Comments

Strategy for Strengthening the Rights of Vulnerable Consumers and the Democratic Function of the EP

May 21, 2012

“At one point in your life you either have the thing you want or the reasons why you don’t” ~ Andy Roddick This time I have willingly chosen the last item on the EP’s plenary agenda on 21 May (monday) and the title reflects this approach. Although the end of the public debate was expected… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Agriculture, Agriculture & Food, Children’s well-being, Consumer Protection, Health & Consumers, Public Health, Roma

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2 Comments

Thought Starter about the Role of REACH

May 15, 2012

“Any person who knows all the answers most likely misunderstood the questions.” ~ Dr. Joyce Knudsen After reading and analyzing a consize article on EurActiv about that issue, I decided to draw the general public’s interest to the significance of the REACH regulation. I hope that this short summary can serve as a thought starter… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Consumer Protection, Environment, Health & Consumers, Public Health, Research & Development

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2 Comments

Improving Patient Outcomes through Intensive Care Medicine (ICM)

May 12, 2012

– Lessons Learned after the Policy Debate in the EP on 16/05/2012 “We believe what we repeatedly tell ourselves. What are you repeatedly telling yourself? “ Foreword Under the auspices of the following 3 public health NGOs European Society of Intensive Care Medicine [ESICM], European Public Health Alliance [EPHA], and LIFE-PRIORITY, a policy debate took… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Civil Society (NGOs), Health & Consumers, Medicines, Public Health, Research & Development

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4 Comments

European Youth Capital – the Example of Cluj, the Treasure City, Kolozsvár, a Kincses Város, Klausenburg, die Schatzstadt

May 11, 2012

(on the photo: Kolozsvár with the Matthias Corvinus Monument made by János Fadrusz Photo © Julie Kertész) “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” ~Winston Churchill Why did I focus on the European Youth Capital issue? I discovered the significance of that idea when I participated… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Civil Society (NGOs), Culture, Education, Europe's East, European citizens, European Integration, Hungary, Languages & Culture, National minorities, Regional Policy

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4 Comments

Die Zukunft von Europa – L’avenir de l’Europe – The Future of Europe

May 9, 2012

“Common looking people are the best in the world: that is the reason the Lord makes so many of them.” ~ Abraham Lincoln This 9th May was a very special occasion for the European Parliament to dedicate one agenda item of its Plenary Sesssion to the overall discussion about the Future of Europe I had… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

EU news & updates, EU Priorities 2020, Euro & Finance, European Integration, Social Europe, Social Europe & Jobs

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5 Comments

Legal Framework for Public Health Policies and Financial Viability of Lifelong Disease Prevention

May 7, 2012

“All the so-called secrets of success will not work unless you do.” This blog entry can be regarded as some kind of reaction to another interesting note of Mr. Eberhard Rhein visible on his blog: EU Health Policy should focus on Disease Prevention In this current post we will follow the next topics: 1. The… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

European Integration, Health & Consumers, Public Health

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One Comment

Chemical Coctails and the Way Forward in the Light of the Scientific and Legal Difficulties

May 6, 2012

“Don’t let something that doesn’t matter cause you to lose something that does.” ~Phil Torcivia The problem of Chemical coctails still emerges and can be considered as a relatively new field of chemicals. It is quite easy to understand why are chemical coctails in the very center of interests of scientific and legal professionals and… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Climate & Environment, Consumer Protection, Environment, Health & Consumers, Public Health

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One Voice Europe and a Truly Common Foreign Policy?

May 5, 2012

The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work.” ~Mark Twain Followed by an interesting discussion in the European Parliament group, I decided to dedicate my next, short Blog Entry to a common, more general, but interesting question: Does Europe really need to speak always in one voice and therefore to have a… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

EU Foreign Policy, European Integration, Global Europe

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4 Comments

How Healthy is Our Way of Thinking about Healthcare Cost Cuts?

May 4, 2012

“Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all they have.” ~ Jackson Brown Jr. Following a summary on relations between Healthcare costs and budget cuts published on EurActiv in march 2012, I try to further develop this idea which might be an always green subject of budget discussions, especially under the seemingly never-ending financial… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Euro & Finance, Health & Consumers, Public Health, Social Europe

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One Comment

The Choice is Yours: either You Drink or… Re-think the EU’s Alcohol Strategy

May 2, 2012

“Everything around us is made up of energy. To attract positive things in your life, start by giving off positive energy.” Obviously, alcohol consumption is an important issue which is in the center of interests of many of us. Although it belongs to the culture and to our social life, and there is a major… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Consumer Protection, Health & Consumers, Public Health

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Hungary and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) – Dirty Dancing?

April 26, 2012

“Three things of life once gone, never come back: Time, words & opportunity” This Blog entry relates to a Washington Post Article “EU to start aid talks with Hungary after concessions on central bank independence” The Manager of the LinkedIn group “Friends of the European Union” shared it there and following an interesting discussion, I… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

EU news & updates, Euro & Finance, Human Rights, Hungary, Visegrád alliance (PL-CZ-SK-HU)

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6 Comments

The Main Challenges for the Railway Industry

April 25, 2012

“Success isn’t something that just happens ~ success is learned, success is practiced and then it’s shared.” The main challenges emerging from Regulation 1370/2007/EC for the Railway Industry Especially in the middle of the post-crisis period the importance of boosting the much-needed economic growth became the cornerstone of the recent European Public Affairs discussions even… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Transport

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Quo vadis, Hungary?

April 23, 2012

“Perseverance is the hard work you do after you tired of doing the hard work you already did.” Why this Blog entry is dedicated to this particular subject? EPC, an independent think-thank organized a policy briefing on 23 April 2012 in Brussels for an audience more than 200 people where Mr Viktor ORBÁN Prime Minister… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

EU news & updates, Human Rights, Hungary, Visegrád alliance (PL-CZ-SK-HU)

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The EU-USA Passenger Name Records (PNR) agreement

April 22, 2012

“Talent wins games, but teamwork & intelligence win championships.” Michael Jordan What are the ‘PNR’? For those who are not aware of the situtation, this time, the focus will be on an international agreement between the European Union and the United States. The subject of this agreement covers the collection of the booking data of… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Consumer Protection, EU Foreign Policy, European citizens, InfoSociety

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42 Comments

The EU-Azerbaijan and the EU-Armenia Association Agreements in the European Parliament

April 21, 2012

“Once the game is over, the king and the pawn go back in the same box.” ~Italian proverb I find it somehow symbolic that the reports on the Negotiation of the EU-Azerbaijan and of the EU-Armenia Association Agreement were put together on the Agenda of the EP plenary on 18th April 2012. Why did I… » read more

Posted by My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Eastern Partnership, EU Foreign Policy, Europe's East, Global Europe, Human Rights, National minorities

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My European Civil Voice @EU_ZMK

Zoltán Massay-Kosubek is a Hungarian qualified lawyer living in Brussels, and he is an adamant advocate for better health in Europe. “The only wealth which you will keep forever is the wealth you have given away.” ~Marcus Aurelius

Zoltán is a passionate advocate and campaigner, strongly committed to the public interest throughout his professional career. As a Hungarian qualified lawyer, he has a proven record on effective campaign management and advocacy, including staff management and fundraising activities. He is a coalition builder and believes in the need to fight inequalities and social injustice. His competencies are based on effectively delivered projects, consultancy services to member organisations and campaigns. In addition to his native Hungarian, Zoltán is fluent in English, French and German. You can contact me at: zoltanmassaykosubek@yahoo.com


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