WEBVTT NOTE Brussels Live. Transcribed and translated automatically from the original sound. Mistakes are possible. Independent service, not affiliated with the European Parliament or the European Commission. Source: © European Union. AI-generated: Transcripts, translations and summaries on this site are generated automatically by AI: speech recognition (Soniox), machine translation and summaries (Mistral AI). Not edited by humans before publication. EU AI Act, Article 50. 00:00:26.455 --> 00:00:27.655 The President. 00:00:42.415 --> 00:00:49.027 Good morning, everybody. Can I ask you please to take your seats so that we can 00:00:49.111 --> 00:00:56.142 start? The next item on the agenda is European Council and the Commission statements 00:00:56.225 --> 00:01:03.005 conclusions of the European Council meeting of the 15th and 16th of October 2026. 00:01:03.088 --> 00:01:09.952 Please ask you to take your seats. Before I give the floor to the President of the 00:01:10.035 --> 00:01:16.815 European Council and the European Commission, I will give the f loor to Elisabeth 00:01:16.899 --> 00:01:23.427 Vossenberg for a point of order. Please, everybody, can I ask you to take your 00:01:23.511 --> 00:01:29.202 seats? I'm not going to start calling out by names, but soon I will. 00:01:29.286 --> 00:01:33.722 Okay. Thank you. Wait, let's have your microphone on. 00:01:33.806 --> 00:01:37.656 Press the button. Press the button. Elisabeth? 00:01:37.740 --> 00:01:38.995 Ms. Vossenberg? 00:01:40.375 --> 00:01:40.735 No. 00:01:40.735 --> 00:01:41.935 Okay, sorry. 00:01:42.355 --> 00:01:47.342 Madam President, Mr President, yesterday the Libyan House of Representatives 00:01:47.407 --> 00:01:52.853 unanimously approved the ratification of the illegal Turkish-Libyan 2019 memorandum 00:01:52.919 --> 00:01:55.675 of understanding on maritime delimitation. 00:01:55.741 --> 00:02:01.121 We condemn in the most categorical manner the action that challenges the sovereign 00:02:01.187 --> 00:02:05.845 rights of Greece and Cyprus, violates the fundamental principles of the 00:02:05.911 --> 00:02:11.160 International Law of the Sea and undermines peace, stability and security in the 00:02:11.226 --> 00:02:16.672 Eastern Mediterranean. This decision does not alter the illegal, void and unfounded 00:02:16.737 --> 00:02:22.249 nature of the memorandum, which contravenes international maritime law and infringes 00:02:22.315 --> 00:02:25.858 upon the sovereign rights of the states in the region. 00:02:25.924 --> 00:02:31.435 Geography and the international law of the sea do not change with unilateral legally 00:02:31.501 --> 00:02:36.881 unfounded parliamentary decisions. The memorandum disregards the Greek islands and 00:02:36.947 --> 00:02:41.934 their rights to maritime zones under UNCLOS and customary international law. 00:02:41.999 --> 00:02:47.511 Having already concluded agreements on the delimitation of maritime zones with Egypt 00:02:47.577 --> 00:02:53.088 and Italy, in accordance with international law, Greece has demonstrated respect for 00:02:53.154 --> 00:02:57.485 international law and the sovereign rights of neighbouring states. 00:02:57.550 --> 00:03:02.537 We call on the European Union to take immediate action against this negative 00:03:02.603 --> 00:03:07.524 development, with a single voice and determination, utilising all available 00:03:07.589 --> 00:03:11.395 diplomatic and political means to defend sovereign rights. 00:03:11.695 --> 00:03:12.295 Thank you very much. 00:03:12.295 --> 00:03:14.155 of our Member States. Thank you, Madam President. 00:03:14.275 --> 00:03:17.861 Thank you very much, Ms. Vossenberg. We share your concerns. 00:03:17.921 --> 00:03:20.551 Thanks for that. Another quick announcement: 00:03:20.611 --> 00:03:25.393 Katerina Konečná is a member of the PFE group as of today, 21st of October 2026. 00:03:25.452 --> 00:03:29.995 Now I give the floor to the President of the European Council Antonio Costa. 00:03:39.895 --> 00:03:46.680 Madam President, Roberta Metsola. Madam President von der Leyen, honourable Members, 00:03:46.761 --> 00:03:50.557 good morning. Madam President, Roberta Metsola. 00:03:50.638 --> 00:03:55.808 Madam President von der Leyen, honourable Members, good morning. 00:03:55.969 --> 00:04:02.351 I am addressing you just days after an important and fruitful European Council. 00:04:02.432 --> 00:04:06.228 The message from the European leaders is clear: 00:04:06.309 --> 00:04:13.094 Europe is strengthening its competitiveness and is united in defending its interests 00:04:13.175 --> 00:04:17.941 and values. Our discussions focused on four key priorities. 00:04:18.021 --> 00:04:24.807 essential priorities: competitiveness, our upcoming multiannual financial framework, 00:04:24.887 --> 00:04:29.169 Ukraine and migration policy. First, competitiveness. 00:04:29.249 --> 00:04:35.388 Since our informal meeting last year in Allenbesen, we have made progress in 00:04:35.469 --> 00:04:39.669 implementing our 'A Europe in the Market' programme. 00:04:39.750 --> 00:04:45.970 We have notably reduced administrative formalities, removed burdens and taken 00:04:46.051 --> 00:04:50.009 measures to promote a true capital markets union. 00:04:50.090 --> 00:04:56.794 The agreement on the package relating to the integration and supervision of markets 00:04:56.875 --> 00:05:02.691 represents a very important step. We must now accelerate work on EU Inc. 00:05:02.771 --> 00:05:09.557 Our 28th regime for businesses, and to wait for the concrete objectives that we have 00:05:09.637 --> 00:05:16.019 set ourselves within the deadlines. While maintaining a high level of ambition. 00:05:16.100 --> 00:05:22.239 To maintain this momentum, I will convene a second Allenbesen meeting at the 00:05:22.319 --> 00:05:28.943 beginning of February in order to bring together leaders to take stock of progress 00:05:29.024 --> 00:05:35.728 made in terms of competitiveness and defence, and to renew our political commitment 00:05:35.809 --> 00:05:41.706 to delivering results. The cost of energy is at the heart of this effort. 00:05:41.786 --> 00:05:48.329 Households and businesses are paying the price for a war that is being waged well 00:05:48.410 --> 00:05:54.711 beyond our borders. Since the start of the war in the Middle East, the cost of 00:05:54.791 --> 00:06:00.769 imported fossil fuels has increased by 106 billion euros, without a single 00:06:00.850 --> 00:06:04.969 additional molecule of energy having been produced. 00:06:05.050 --> 00:06:11.754 continued. We need a coordinated European response combining immediate measures and 00:06:11.835 --> 00:06:18.055 structural solutions. In the short term, we need to ease the pressure that is 00:06:18.055 --> 00:06:26.018 on households and businesses. The measures that you are well aware of, presented by 00:06:26.114 --> 00:06:33.597 President von der Leyen here in the European Parliament, concern the temporary 00:06:33.693 --> 00:06:41.752 framework for State aid, the report on the application of the regulation on methane, 00:06:41.848 --> 00:06:49.907 the strategic dialogue on the European refinery sector and strengthened coordination 00:06:50.003 --> 00:06:57.966 of energy purchases. In addition, there is the coordinated release at G7 level of 5 00:06:58.062 --> 00:07:05.257 million barrels of oil and diesel. And the European Council has invited the 00:07:05.353 --> 00:07:13.028 Commission to examine and propose, if necessary, additional short-term measures. 00:07:13.124 --> 00:07:19.360 But emergency measures alone cannot resolve a structural problem. 00:07:19.456 --> 00:07:27.419 As long as we remain dependent on imported fossil fuels, our prosperity will remain 00:07:27.515 --> 00:07:34.806 exposed to events beyond our control. Our response must be affordable energy 00:07:34.902 --> 00:07:42.865 produced in Europe. Renewable energies or nuclear, or increased electrification and 00:07:42.961 --> 00:07:46.991 smart grids. modernised electricity grids. 00:07:47.087 --> 00:07:55.050 Last year, we installed 8.0 gigawatts of renewable capacity, whereas six times that 00:07:55.146 --> 00:07:59.942 capacity was expected. were still to be connected. 00:08:00.038 --> 00:08:07.426 We must finalise the package on European networks and accelerate investments. 00:08:07.522 --> 00:08:13.854 We must also urgently advance the modernisation of the ETS system. 00:08:13.950 --> 00:08:21.337 Competitiveness also requires fair trade. Our trade policy is based on a vast 00:08:21.433 --> 00:08:26.710 network of trade agreements that we continue to expand. 00:08:26.805 --> 00:08:30.835 But trade must be fair and based on rules. 00:08:30.931 --> 00:08:38.798 Our strategy is to engage in dialogue with our partners, but a dialogue focused on 00:08:38.894 --> 00:08:46.857 results that bears fruit, and our discussions have demonstrated the unity of the 27 00:08:46.953 --> 00:08:53.860 Member States. And I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate 00:08:53.956 --> 00:09:01.535 Commissioner Ševković on the recent result achieved in his dialogue with China. 00:09:01.631 --> 00:09:08.635 We must continue. Not only on cars, but also in other industrial sectors. 00:09:09.535 --> 00:09:15.742 And we must also accelerate the diversification of our trade exchanges. 00:09:15.829 --> 00:09:22.910 Pursue a dialogue that leads to concrete results and strengthen our trade defence 00:09:22.998 --> 00:09:29.904 instruments. This is the mandate we have given to the Commission to develop our 00:09:29.991 --> 00:09:37.335 "toolbox" of defensive measures. Secondly, our next multiannual financial framework. 00:09:37.422 --> 00:09:44.153 The negotiations on the long-term budget of the European Union are entering a 00:09:44.241 --> 00:09:51.497 decisive phase. We remain determined to reach an agreement by the end of this year. 00:09:51.584 --> 00:09:58.578 I had a very useful exchange with the European Parliament's contact group on the 00:09:58.665 --> 00:10:03.124 budget last week, just before the European Council. 00:10:03.211 --> 00:10:09.855 I am fully aware of the role of the European Parliament in the negotiations. 00:10:09.942 --> 00:10:17.024 And I would like to commend the efforts made by the Harland Presidency to advance 00:10:17.111 --> 00:10:23.842 this process. Our discussions at the European Council have allowed us to make 00:10:23.930 --> 00:10:30.574 progress. The next multiannual financial framework is not just a question of 00:10:30.661 --> 00:10:37.830 figures. This is essentially a political choice concerning the Europe that we want 00:10:37.917 --> 00:10:41.589 to build together and our capacity to act. 00:10:41.676 --> 00:10:48.845 We have a budget that is ambitious enough to live up to our responsibilities while 00:10:48.932 --> 00:10:53.565 keeping national contributions at a reasonable level. 00:10:53.653 --> 00:11:00.996 . That is why we need to make progress on an ambitious package of new own resources. 00:11:01.083 --> 00:11:08.339 We will accelerate the work. Together with the Member States, on the proposals from 00:11:08.427 --> 00:11:14.983 the Commission, as well as on those put forward by the European Parliament. 00:11:15.071 --> 00:11:22.152 Thirdly, Ukraine. Our determination to support Ukraine and its people is stronger 00:11:22.239 --> 00:11:29.495 than ever. Nearly €16 billion has already been paid out this year under the defence 00:11:29.582 --> 00:11:36.751 component of loans to support Ukraine. Furthermore, an additional 17 billion euros 00:11:36.838 --> 00:11:44.094 in budgetary aid could also be released this year, subject to the implementation of 00:11:44.182 --> 00:11:51.175 the necessary reforms. We must honour these commitments and respond to Ukraine’s 00:11:51.263 --> 00:11:54.235 additional financing needs for 202 00:11:54.295 --> 00:12:01.056 027. Europe and its Member States already account for 80% of the external aid 00:12:01.144 --> 00:12:08.520 provided to Ukraine, and our international partners must also step up their efforts. 00:12:08.608 --> 00:12:15.720 Our commitment to peace must therefore go hand in hand with sustained pressure on 00:12:15.808 --> 00:12:20.988 the aggressor. Every effort made in favour of peace counts. 00:12:21.076 --> 00:12:28.101 But Russia’s actions continue to demonstrate an escalation that is unacceptable. 00:12:28.189 --> 00:12:33.018 Russia must put an end to this dangerous headlong rush. 00:12:33.106 --> 00:12:40.482 Russia’s hybrid campaigns, including its acts of sabotage and repeated violations of 00:12:40.569 --> 00:12:47.945 airspace. into, and repeated violations of European airspace and territorial waters, 00:12:48.033 --> 00:12:54.619 remind us that Ukraine's security is Europe's security, inseparably linked. 00:12:54.706 --> 00:13:01.731 We will accelerate the implementation of our defence strategy and strengthen our 00:13:01.819 --> 00:13:07.087 ability to protect our citizens and critical infrastructure. 00:13:07.175 --> 00:13:11.302 Our objective remains a just and lasting peace. 00:13:11.390 --> 00:13:18.590 On conditions that respect Ukraine's sovereignty and security, as well as its path 00:13:18.678 --> 00:13:24.561 towards accession to the European Union. Finally, migration policy. 00:13:24.649 --> 00:13:28.688 Our common European approach is bearing fruit. 00:13:28.776 --> 00:13:35.888 Irregular border crossings have significantly decreased and the Pact on Migration 00:13:35.976 --> 00:13:42.035 and Asylum is now fully applicable. Its implementation must continue. 00:13:42.122 --> 00:13:49.498 We must continue to strengthen our external borders and improve the effectiveness of 00:13:49.586 --> 00:13:56.523 returns. And we must prepare for situations in which State and non-State actors 00:13:56.611 --> 00:14:03.459 deliberately instrumentalise migration. A European framework for responding to 00:14:03.547 --> 00:14:10.572 emergency situations could give Member States the means to react quickly to such 00:14:10.660 --> 00:14:17.421 crises. The Commission will work on this, with the Member States, in order to 00:14:17.509 --> 00:14:24.884 present a concrete proposal. Ladies and gentlemen, these four priorities are closely 00:14:24.972 --> 00:14:30.153 linked. Competitiveness gives Europe its economic strength. 00:14:30.241 --> 00:14:36.475 A flexible and sufficiently funded budget gives us the capacity to act. 00:14:37.315 --> 00:14:42.862 Our support for Ukraine protects our security and our principles. 00:14:42.948 --> 00:14:49.861 It is a common European solution on migration that demonstrates the full value of 00:14:49.946 --> 00:14:54.981 collective action. The European Council has set the course. 00:14:55.067 --> 00:14:59.590 We must now continue our efforts and achieve results. 00:14:59.675 --> 00:15:03.260 With these parliaments and the Commission. 00:15:03.345 --> 00:15:08.551 Because Europe must not be content merely to react to events. 00:15:08.637 --> 00:15:15.293 Europe must have the strength, the resources and the unity needed to shape its 00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:16.915 future. Thank you. 00:15:23.395 --> 00:15:26.981 Thank you very much, President Koshta. Now, President of the European Commission, 00:15:27.025 --> 00:15:28.225 Ursula von der Leyen. 00:15:39.235 --> 00:15:44.594 Good morning, President Metsola di Roberta, President Costa di Antonio. 00:15:44.670 --> 00:15:49.727 Honorable members, indeed we had a long and dense European Council. 00:15:49.803 --> 00:15:56.068 And let me touch on two of the main topics, starting with European competitiveness. 00:15:56.143 --> 00:16:01.578 First, of course, first of all, of course, we have to do our homework in 00:16:01.653 --> 00:16:05.805 competitiveness. That is, completing our single market. 00:16:05.880 --> 00:16:11.919 And indeed, we have proposed EU Inc. to make it easier for business, not only to 00:16:11.995 --> 00:16:15.467 start, but also to grow in the European Union. 00:16:15.542 --> 00:16:21.203 We have made proposal for a new public procurement act, to make procurement 00:16:21.279 --> 00:16:27.393 procedures simp ler and faster. We've put forward 12 omnibus packages, three have 00:16:27.469 --> 00:16:32.450 reached the finish line, as well as other simplification measures. 00:16:32.526 --> 00:16:38.640 If all these measures are agreed, together they could save over 2 2 billion euros 00:16:38.716 --> 00:16:45.056 every year of administrative burden. We are building simplicity by design into every 00:16:45.132 --> 00:16:51.095 new Commission proposal. But this ambition must also be matched in every member 00:16:51.170 --> 00:16:57.435 state. And that was the discussion, and this is why we are proposing a pact against 00:16:57.511 --> 00:17:03.474 gold plating. It has to be very simple. A rule that is agreed at European level 00:17:03.549 --> 00:17:09.060 cannot become more comp lex and fragmented when transposed or implemented 00:17:09.135 --> 00:17:14.796 nationally. Finally, I think we should work much more radically in reducing 00:17:14.872 --> 00:17:20.835 reporting obligation. And of course, we have to use artificial intelligence for 00:17:20.910 --> 00:17:27.025 that. And this is why we will want to use a principle we call only once, that is, 00:17:27.100 --> 00:17:32.912 report data only once, and then with the help of artificial intelligence, the 00:17:32.988 --> 00:17:36.762 administration will and must ensure efficient use. 00:17:36.837 --> 00:17:41.819 Of course, the debate also centered on Europe's high energy costs. 00:17:41.895 --> 00:17:48.009 Not only are we too dependent on foreign fossil fuels, on gas setting the pr ice, 00:17:48.084 --> 00:17:53.972 but we are also squandering opportunities by not having a true European energy 00:17:54.047 --> 00:18:00.388 union. From grids to interconnectors to aggregated market power and purchasing, this 00:18:00.464 --> 00:18:06.653 is why the Commission will develop a plan for a true European energy union because 00:18:06.729 --> 00:18:11.635 we have to make much better use of the potential that we do have. 00:18:13.555 --> 00:18:20.061 Finally, speaking of energy on our sanctions on Russia, we have placed energy 00:18:20.146 --> 00:18:25.638 sanctions on Russia due to its war of aggression against Ukraine. 00:18:25.722 --> 00:18:30.877 And because of the actual debate, I want to be crystal clear: 00:18:30.961 --> 00:18:35.524 these sanctions will sta y until Russia stops the war. 00:18:35.608 --> 00:18:39.749 And moreover, we should keep our lessons in mind. 00:18:39.833 --> 00:18:43.720 It was Russia that cut Europe's supply of gas. 00:18:43.804 --> 00:18:49.803 Russia is not a trusted supplier of energy because it would—this is our 00:18:49.888 --> 00:18:56.225 experience—at any time, weaponize ener gy dependencies to blackmail others. 00:18:56.310 --> 00:19:01.295 So that is a lesson that Europe certainly will not for get. 00:19:01.379 --> 00:19:07.463 Honorable members, as I said, competitiveness starts at home, of course. 00:19:07.547 --> 00:19:14.476 But it also depends on our companies being able to compete on fair terms globally. 00:19:14.561 --> 00:19:21.658 Let me take China as an example. You know the figure in 2025, our trade deficit with 00:19:21.743 --> 00:19:26.559 China was 1 billion euros a day. This is not sustainable. 00:19:26.643 --> 00:19:33.488 Industrial overcapacity, and unfair market practices, are distorting competition. 00:19:33.572 --> 00:19:40.416 Just keep in mind that Chinese companies receive up to eight times more subsidies 00:19:40.501 --> 00:19:44.303 than comparable firm s in the OECD countries. 00:19:44.387 --> 00:19:48.190 And European industries are paying the price. 00:19:48.274 --> 00:19:54.696 Factories are under pressure. We see jobs lost in our industrial heartlands. 00:19:54.780 --> 00:20:00.273 So last week at the European Council, we agreed a clear approach: 00:20:00.357 --> 00:20:05.680 first, dialogue where it delivers; second, action where needed; 00:20:05.765 --> 00:20:09.989 and third, stronger tools to defend our interests. 00:20:10.074 --> 00:20:17.172 Let me start with dialogue. And I also want to commend Commissioner Sevkovic for his 00:20:17.256 --> 00:20:21.481 success. We have really seen progress in dialogue. 00:20:21.565 --> 00:20:27.987 China has agreed to cut tariffs on EU products worth almost 4 billion euros. 00:20:28.071 --> 00:20:34.831 We secured greater predictability on export controls for rare earth and magnets. 00:20:34.916 --> 00:20:41.168 And we had the removal of certain EU companies from Chinese control lists. 00:20:41.253 --> 00:20:46.491 But I think the clearest example was in the automotive sector. 00:20:46.576 --> 00:20:53.505 So where did we come from? Chinese hybrid electric vehicle exports to the European 00:20:53.589 --> 00:20:57.983 Union had gone up from 2 .5 billion US dollars to 7. 00:20:58.067 --> 00:21:03.475 5 billion US dollars. So a threefold increase in just 12 months. 00:21:03.835 --> 00:21:09.715 This surge put, of course, a huge pressure on our industry for hybrids. 00:21:09.798 --> 00:21:16.589 Here, too, the dialogue now delivered. We agreed an annual quota of 350,000 hybrid 00:21:16.672 --> 00:21:21.310 vehicles from Ch ina. We're using exports by around 45%. 00:21:21.392 --> 00:21:25.119 This will be implemented through a safeguard. 00:21:25.202 --> 00:21:31.496 So we keep control. And thus, for the first time, China has agreed to export 00:21:31.579 --> 00:21:38.370 moderation in a major industri al sector. That is proof that dialogue can and does 00:21:38.453 --> 00:21:45.244 deliver. This is an important first step. But we also should keep in mind that one 00:21:45.327 --> 00:21:50.958 agreement in one sector cannot fix an overall structural im balance. 00:21:51.041 --> 00:21:57.998 That leads me to my second point. Europe must be ready to act when dialogue does not 00:21:58.081 --> 00:22:04.126 produce res ults. If necessary, we must be ready to use our trade defense 00:22:04.209 --> 00:22:07.687 instruments. And this includes safeguards. 00:22:07.770 --> 00:22:13.153 To respond quickly, when imports surges, threaten our industries. 00:22:13.236 --> 00:22:18.785 So to this concept, last week leaders gave a clear positive signal. 00:22:18.868 --> 00:22:25.576 And we are already working closely with our chemicals and machinery sectors which 00:22:25.659 --> 00:22:32.367 are seeing or facing growing concern s. Third element we must reduce our economic 00:22:32.450 --> 00:22:39.324 dependency. Last year, new trade restrictions affected almost 3 trillion dollars of 00:22:39.407 --> 00:22:44.624 global trade. More than three times as much as the year before. 00:22:44.707 --> 00:22:49.262 We see critical raw materials, for example, restricted. 00:22:49.345 --> 00:22:54.314 We see essential technologies used at geopolitical leverage. 00:22:54.397 --> 00:22:59.117 Europe must be able to withstand such a kind of pressure. 00:22:59.200 --> 00:23:04.832 So we will act on three fronts. First, reducing our vulnerabilities. 00:23:04.915 --> 00:23:10.298 In December, we will present a package that we call Diversify EU. 00:23:10.380 --> 00:23:17.254 It will be country-agnostic. And it will help European companies to diversify their 00:23:17.337 --> 00:23:23.963 sup ply chains. I think the principle for all of us and all the companies in the 00:23:24.045 --> 00:23:30.919 European Union is very simple: there should be no critical dependence on one single 00:23:31.002 --> 00:23:36.634 supplier. Second, deterrence. Here we will propose a new instrument. 00:23:36.717 --> 00:23:43.673 So that we can act faster and immediately can limit access to the single market when 00:23:43.756 --> 00:23:50.464 we see our interests threatened. Because deterrence works when others know we are 00:23:50.547 --> 00:23:51.955 ready to respond. 00:23:53.215 --> 00:23:57.915 And my third point is very important. It is solidarity. 00:23:58.000 --> 00:24:01.675 Economic threats are designed to divide us. 00:24:01.760 --> 00:24:06.631 We know this. To target one industry or one member state. 00:24:06.717 --> 00:24:13.809 This is why we will propose a solidarity package so that no member state is left to 00:24:13.895 --> 00:24:20.474 face press ure alone, in a world where economic power is increasingly used as 00:24:20.560 --> 00:24:27.396 weapon, Europe m ust use its economic strength to defend our interests together. 00:24:27.482 --> 00:24:33.805 Honorable members, another central issue in the last week's discussion was 00:24:33.891 --> 00:24:38.676 migration. And here, too, Europe has made real progress. 00:24:38.761 --> 00:24:44.914 After years of hard work, our pact on migration is now fully applicable. 00:24:44.999 --> 00:24:49.187 We have mandatory screening at border procedures. 00:24:49.272 --> 00:24:54.997 That means the same rules fair and firm apply in all member states. 00:24:55.083 --> 00:25:01.577 We have our return regulation so that those who have no right to stay can be 00:25:01.663 --> 00:25:08.243 returned quickly. And we have deeper partnerships along key migration routes. 00:25:08.328 --> 00:25:12.088 And the results are speaking for themselves. 00:25:12.173 --> 00:25:19.010 Let me give you a few figures. Illegal border crossings are down by 56% over the 00:25:19.095 --> 00:25:23.453 last two years. Another 34% so far this year alone. 00:25:23.539 --> 00:25:30.631 Asylum applications are down by 19%. And our return rate has almost doubled in five 00:25:30.717 --> 00:25:36.015 years and is now over 30%. These are significant achievements. 00:25:36.100 --> 00:25:40.287 They show our common European approach does work. 00:25:40.373 --> 00:25:47.124 But this summer showed again how quickly new threats can emerge at our borders. 00:25:47.209 --> 00:25:53.362 So we must build on this progress. And let me focus on three priorities. 00:25:53.447 --> 00:25:59.514 First, we need, of course, a full implementation of the migration pact. 00:25:59.600 --> 00:26:05.410 We have agreed common rules. Now there must be applied consistently. 00:26:05.496 --> 00:26:10.794 That means responsibility and solidarity must go hand in hand. 00:26:10.879 --> 00:26:18.057 Every member state must take responsibility for the asylum seekers it is responsible 00:26:18.143 --> 00:26:25.235 for. And every member state must be able to count on European solidarity when under 00:26:25.321 --> 00:26:31.815 pressure. We must also reduce incentives for illegal migration and safeguard 00:26:31.901 --> 00:26:38.908 Schengen. Because freedom of movement is one of Europe's greatest achievements and 00:26:38.993 --> 00:26:43.608 we must protect it. Second, stronger external borders. 00:26:43.693 --> 00:26:46.855 We will propose to reinforce Frontex. 00:26:47.515 --> 00:26:52.471 So it can support member states whenever and wherever needed. 00:26:52.552 --> 00:26:59.377 Including on returns. And that means giving it the mandate and the capabilities that 00:26:59.458 --> 00:27:05.389 this new real ity demands. And my third point is preparing Europe for new 00:27:05.470 --> 00:27:10.670 challenges. This summer we witnessed the tragic scenes in Ceuta. 00:27:10.751 --> 00:27:16.113 And we have seen how Russia and Belarus have weaponized migration. 00:27:16.194 --> 00:27:22.775 State and non-state actors are deliberately engineering mass movements of people. 00:27:22.856 --> 00:27:28.137 Of course, the goal is clear. They want to overwhelm authorities. 00:27:28.219 --> 00:27:32.931 They want to spread fears. They want finally to divide us. 00:27:33.012 --> 00:27:39.187 They will not succeed. We will not allow anyone to exploit our values to put 00:27:39.268 --> 00:27:45.361 pressure on our union. And this is why we will propose a so-called European 00:27:45.442 --> 00:27:52.104 emergency response framework. The aim is to give member states the tool to respond 00:27:52.186 --> 00:27:57.954 quickly to these kind of extraordinary threats at our external borders. 00:27:58.035 --> 00:28:02.422 And to protect, of course, also our internal security. 00:28:02.504 --> 00:28:09.085 We will present this proposal on the European Emergency Response Framework by the 00:28:09.166 --> 00:28:15.747 end of this year. So, honorable members, Europe has come a long way on migration. 00:28:15.828 --> 00:28:22.571 But there is more work ahead. We will always be a place that protects those fleeing 00:28:22.652 --> 00:28:29.071 war and pers ecution. And to do that, citizens need to trust that our system is 00:28:29.152 --> 00:28:35.083 fair, and functioning, that rules are enforced, that borders are secured. 00:28:35.164 --> 00:28:41.826 And above all, that it is Europeans who decide who comes to the European Union and 00:28:41.907 --> 00:28:46.051 under what circum stances, and not our adversaries. 00:28:46.132 --> 00:28:52.550 This is how we uphold our values and this is how we protect the freedom and the 00:28:52.632 --> 00:28:58.075 security of our citizens. Thank you very much and long live Europe. 00:29:01.915 --> 00:29:04.508 Thank you very much, President von der Leyen. 00:29:04.566 --> 00:29:09.176 Before opening the floor, let me just quickly reply to the point of order of Ms. 00:29:09.233 --> 00:29:13.901 Elisabeth Rosenberg. We're very grateful to the clarity of the joint statement of 00:29:13.958 --> 00:29:18.338 Presidents Costa and von der Leyen on the so-called memorandum and share the 00:29:18.395 --> 00:29:21.622 concerns. Greece and Cyprus can count on our solidarity. 00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:25.195 Manfred Weber on behalf of the EPP Group, you have the floor. 00:29:30.115 --> 00:29:34.451 President Metsola, President von der Leyen, President Costa, welcome into the 00:29:34.507 --> 00:29:39.068 European Parliament. First of all, I want to congratulate my colleagues for their 00:29:39.124 --> 00:29:43.685 re-election as group leaders. Valerie Iratxe and also Nico and Terry were already 00:29:43.741 --> 00:29:47.176 re-elected. The others will do it in the next upcoming weeks. 00:29:47.232 --> 00:29:51.793 So congratulations for this. The re-election means also stability for this House, 00:29:51.849 --> 00:29:54.721 that we can count on the support of our colleagues. 00:29:54.777 --> 00:29:58.212 And we need this stability to deliver 27,000 jobs each month. 00:29:58.268 --> 00:30:01.309 Are lost in the European Union in this moment of time. 00:30:01.365 --> 00:30:05.307 So we have a lot of huge challenges, especially on the economic front. 00:30:05.363 --> 00:30:10.093 And already the agreement inside of the platform on the car and automotive sector is 00:30:10.149 --> 00:30:14.428 a motivating signal that we can do deals together and we can find solutions. 00:30:14.485 --> 00:30:19.158 So congratulations. Let me start on a positive note when we reflect on the European 00:30:19.215 --> 00:30:23.719 Council meeting, China. One billion Ursula von der Leyen mentioned it, enough is 00:30:23.775 --> 00:30:28.111 enough. I want to remind ourselves that one and a half years ago Commissioner 00:30:28.167 --> 00:30:31.546 already initiated tariffs on the question of electric car s. 00:30:31.602 --> 00:30:36.163 That was not uncontroversial, I must say. Today, I think everybody sees that this 00:30:36.219 --> 00:30:39.260 was already brave leadership one and a half years ago. 00:30:39.316 --> 00:30:42.863 That things cannot continue as they are in this moment of time. 00:30:42.920 --> 00:30:45.848 That's why we have to stop naivety and have to work. 00:30:45.904 --> 00:30:49.508 I want to thank really Commissioner Sevkovic for his great work. 00:30:49.564 --> 00:30:52.267 We are in good hands in your hands in this file. 00:30:52.323 --> 00:30:56.884 So thank you very much for this. And we also, as EPP, welcome the new instruments 00:30:56.940 --> 00:31:01.332 now, also proposed on the Council side, to strengthen the role of the European 00:31:01.388 --> 00:31:05.724 Commission and prec ondition for everything is unity among our member states. 00:31:05.780 --> 00:31:09.496 And that was a good outcome, a good agreement on the Council side. 00:31:09.553 --> 00:31:14.283 The more difficult aspect is obviously MFF, which is the key issue in the next weeks 00:31:14.339 --> 00:31:18.900 in front of us. Looking to the figures, for example, on investments on artificial 00:31:18.956 --> 00:31:22.447 intelligence, China 290 billion, US 600 billion in this ye ar. 00:31:22.503 --> 00:31:25.375 And the EU budget should be now cut by 140 billion. 00:31:25.795 --> 00:31:28.516 We cannot do more for Europe with less money. 00:31:28.577 --> 00:31:32.991 That will not work. So having this in mind, we have to be now very clear. 00:31:33.052 --> 00:31:37.466 For example, for farmers, for mayors, we do not speak about cold figures. 00:31:37.527 --> 00:31:42.485 We speak about the young farmers, whether they have a chance, a perspective, to do 00:31:42.546 --> 00:31:46.658 their business, to create independence on food sec urity for Europe. 00:31:46.718 --> 00:31:51.798 We speak about rural areas. We are fully supporting the ideas from the Commission on 00:31:51.858 --> 00:31:55.850 the modernization. So Horizon, now we see 10% cuts from the Irish. 00:31:55.910 --> 00:32:00.929 Defense cuts. We see for Frontex, the colleagues, a few days ago, Frontex in Warsaw 00:32:00.990 --> 00:32:05.888 published that they had to stop return missions joint return missions on European 00:32:05.948 --> 00:32:10.242 level because they have not any more the funding for doing it together. 00:32:10.302 --> 00:32:14.777 That's a reality on the ground. And we see further cuts now from the Irish 00:32:14.838 --> 00:32:17.499 presidency. So we have to defend the future. 00:32:17.559 --> 00:32:20.280 Let me say aspects of this modernized budget. 00:32:20.341 --> 00:32:24.997 I also want to be clear on the own resources because it was a promise when we 00:32:25.058 --> 00:32:29.835 discussed the next generation EU fund. To repay it, the borrowed money, and the 00:32:29.895 --> 00:32:34.673 interest rates, by own resources. The promise is on the table and we remind the 00:32:34.733 --> 00:32:39.692 Council to keep their promises to pay it back, not via our budget, but through own 00:32:39.752 --> 00:32:44.590 resour ces. And I would also ask, please stop the net payer perspective, because 00:32:44.650 --> 00:32:48.642 stopping migration in Ceuta is in Danish and is in Dutch interest. 00:32:48.702 --> 00:32:53.298 And also having a drone shield in the east is in German and French interest. 00:32:53.358 --> 00:32:56.080 So let's do this from a European perspective. 00:32:56.140 --> 00:32:59.224 And let me just appeal and ask President Costa now. 00:32:59.285 --> 00:33:02.853 You are a moderator, yes. But you are not only a moderator. 00:33:02.913 --> 00:33:05.876 And we know that you are a brave European leader. 00:33:05.937 --> 00:33:10.835 That's why in the next weeks and months we will support you to show this European 00:33:10.895 --> 00:33:15.794 leadership in this moment of time. And finally, dear colleagues, if you allow me, 00:33:15.854 --> 00:33:20.752 just on Ukraine, one final point. The winter ahead of us will be again a test for 00:33:20.813 --> 00:33:24.260 all of us. The war will not be decided on the front line. 00:33:24.320 --> 00:33:28.795 The war will be decided in our political will, whether we stand up for fre 00:33:28.855 --> 00:33:32.071 edom and democracy and we support our Ukraine and France. 00:33:32.127 --> 00:33:36.696 That's why the message in front of this winter is the EPP is on the side of those 00:33:36.753 --> 00:33:39.235 who defend democracy and freedom. Thank you. 00:33:39.655 --> 00:33:45.204 Thank you very much, Mr. Weber. Now I give the floor to the Chair of the S&D Group, 00:33:45.271 --> 00:33:46.675 Iratxe Garcia-Per ez. 00:33:52.195 --> 00:33:53.395 Gracias, Presidenta. 00:33:54.715 --> 00:33:58.948 In Europe there are two ways of understanding the future. 00:33:59.023 --> 00:34:05.261 Those who want a smaller Europe, with less budget, less solidarity and fewer rights. 00:34:05.336 --> 00:34:11.277 And those of us who know that in a more dangerous and unjust world, we need more 00:34:11.351 --> 00:34:16.922 Europe. A Europe that protects, that invests and that leaves no one behind. 00:34:16.996 --> 00:34:22.120 And that difference is also evident in how we talk about immigration. 00:34:22.195 --> 00:34:28.210 Yes, migration is a European challenge. That is why it needs a European response, 00:34:28.285 --> 00:34:34.449 not a competition among Member States to see who can shut the most doors or who can 00:34:34.523 --> 00:34:38.237 point the finger most harshly at those who arrive. 00:34:38.311 --> 00:34:44.253 Because the data debunks the discourse of fear, and today the President herself, 00:34:44.327 --> 00:34:47.520 President von der Leyen, has laid them out. 00:34:47.595 --> 00:34:53.536 Irregular entries have fallen by almost a third in the first nine months of this 00:34:53.611 --> 00:34:59.849 year. And also asylum applications. However, the right and the far right continue to 00:34:59.923 --> 00:35:03.266 fuel the lie of a Europe that is overwhelmed. 00:35:03.340 --> 00:35:06.682 Ms von der Leyen, Mr Costa, I agree with you. 00:35:06.756 --> 00:35:12.475 Combating the mafias and human trafficking, managing our borders and ensuring 00:35:12.549 --> 00:35:15.668 effective processes is our responsibility. 00:35:15.743 --> 00:35:21.164 But so too is defending the right to asylum and combating disinformation. 00:35:21.239 --> 00:35:24.952 disinformation and ensure legal and safe pathways. 00:35:25.026 --> 00:35:31.042 Because those who care for our elderly, who tend to our sick, who build our homes 00:35:31.116 --> 00:35:37.132 and work in our fields are not a threat. They are part of our society and help to 00:35:37.207 --> 00:35:41.514 sustain it. The real enemies of Europe are not immigrants. 00:35:41.588 --> 00:35:47.753 The real enemies of Europe are the vulture funds that evict an 87-year-old disabled 00:35:47.827 --> 00:35:54.066 woman from her home. They are the ones who trigger wars and pass the bills on to our 00:35:54.140 --> 00:36:00.156 citizens. They are the same autocrats who force our families to pay more than two 00:36:00.230 --> 00:36:04.909 euros per litre of petrol and drive up the the shopping basket. 00:36:04.983 --> 00:36:10.925 Europe’s true enemies are the climate change deniers who put their own interests 00:36:10.999 --> 00:36:16.495 above the lives of those who lose their homes and their harvests to fires. 00:36:17.035 --> 00:36:22.973 And floods. And it is Putin’s allies within this Union that are weakening our unity 00:36:23.045 --> 00:36:27.051 while Russia wages a hybrid war against our democracies. 00:36:27.123 --> 00:36:32.775 And that is why we have the responsibility to build the Europe of the citizens. 00:36:32.846 --> 00:36:38.856 Not an Europe like that Argentina of the chainsaw cuts of Milei, we want that Europe 00:36:38.927 --> 00:36:44.865 of the left-wing and proud gaze. The Europe that combats speculation and guarantees 00:36:44.937 --> 00:36:50.803 decent housing. The one that accelerates renewable energies to lower energy costs. 00:36:50.875 --> 00:36:55.955 Let us build a Europe that invests in defence to protect us from Putin. 00:36:56.026 --> 00:37:01.535 Without abandoning our farmers. Because our security also depends on our food 00:37:01.607 --> 00:37:07.545 sovereignty. Let us build the Europe that invests in cohesion to guarantee schools, 00:37:07.616 --> 00:37:11.408 hospitals, and opportunities in every in our regions. 00:37:11.479 --> 00:37:17.274 And to make the Europe of the citizens a reality, we need a European budget up to 00:37:17.346 --> 00:37:22.139 the scale of our challenges. Not with cuts that force us to choose. 00:37:22.211 --> 00:37:27.291 Because the question is not whether we can afford to build this Europe. 00:37:27.362 --> 00:37:31.225 The question is how much it will cost us not to do so. 00:37:31.297 --> 00:37:34.373 Let us not allow fear to decide our future. 00:37:34.445 --> 00:37:39.095 In the face of those who are building walls, let us build rights. 00:37:39.167 --> 00:37:43.245 In the face of those who divide, let us build solidarity. 00:37:43.316 --> 00:37:49.326 And in the face of those who want a smaller Europe, let us defend a stronger, fairer 00:37:49.397 --> 00:37:53.762 and more humane Europe. That is the Europe our citizens need. 00:37:53.833 --> 00:37:57.768 That is and always will be the raison d’être of Europe. 00:37:57.840 --> 00:37:59.040 Thank you. 00:37:59.215 --> 00:38:03.835 Thank you very much. Now for the PFE Group, its co-chair, Kinga Gal. 00:38:07.255 --> 00:38:12.717 Madam President, Mr President. Seeing the shocking images coming from France, we can 00:38:12.782 --> 00:38:16.033 rightly ask ourselves how Europe has come to this. 00:38:16.098 --> 00:38:21.495 From Ceuta to the major cities of Western Europe, we are seeing increasingly severe 00:38:21.560 --> 00:38:24.357 signs of a deepening civilisational crisis. 00:38:24.422 --> 00:38:28.583 This is a direct consequence of this misguided migration policy. 00:38:28.648 --> 00:38:31.834 A radical patriotic turn is needed across Europe. 00:38:31.899 --> 00:38:37.101 To protect Europe’s external borders and guarantee the security of its citizens. 00:38:37.166 --> 00:38:42.433 Just as it has not provided any substantive response to the migration challenges, 00:38:42.498 --> 00:38:47.505 the most recent EU summit has also failed to address the economic challenges. 00:38:47.570 --> 00:38:52.837 The high energy prices, the declining standard of living, and the bleak prospects 00:38:52.902 --> 00:38:57.714 for businesses. Meanwhile, in the new multiannual financial framework, the 00:38:57.779 --> 00:39:03.176 Commission is asking for even more money for centralisation and would introduce new 00:39:03.241 --> 00:39:08.378 financial burdens, would send even more money to Ukraine and extend ideological 00:39:08.443 --> 00:39:13.775 pressure on the Member States. Instead, we patriots would like to preserve support 00:39:13.840 --> 00:39:19.172 for farmers and regions. Review the regulations that are strangling businesses and 00:39:19.237 --> 00:39:24.439 finally restore Europe’s competitiveness. On Friday, we Hungarians will mark the 00:39:24.504 --> 00:39:29.836 70th anniversary of the 1956 revolution. are commemorating the 70th anniversary of 00:39:29.901 --> 00:39:33.933 the 1956 revolution. In 2007, it was then shamefully the 50th. 00:39:33.998 --> 00:39:38.940 on the 50th anniversary, the then left-wing government responded to peaceful 00:39:39.005 --> 00:39:41.736 commemorators with brutal police violence. 00:39:41.801 --> 00:39:47.198 This year, once again unworthy of the anniversary, there are political prisoners in 00:39:47.263 --> 00:39:52.465 Hungary. Most recently, a former undersecretary, a mother of three children, was 00:39:52.530 --> 00:39:56.041 imprisoned on absurd charges. The aim is intimidation. 00:39:56.106 --> 00:40:01.308 Opposition politicians have been stripped of their right to run in the elections 00:40:01.373 --> 00:40:06.315 retroactively. The servers of the largest opposition party have been seized. 00:40:06.380 --> 00:40:11.127 In Hungary, an autocracy reminiscent of the communist era is being built. 00:40:11.192 --> 00:40:16.524 Madam President, Mr President, it would be good if you were all aware of this when 00:40:16.589 --> 00:40:18.475 you visit Budapest on Friday. 00:40:20.035 --> 00:40:23.515 Thank you, Ms. Gal. Now for the ECR Group, Nikola Prokacini. 00:40:29.335 --> 00:40:34.416 Thank you, Mr President. President von der Leyen, President Costa. 00:40:34.493 --> 00:40:40.960 It was a long and troubled European Council, we know that some governments are still 00:40:41.037 --> 00:40:47.350 trapped in the ideological spell of the Green Deal or in keeping the doors open to 00:40:47.427 --> 00:40:51.585 immigration. But we also know that more are waking up. 00:40:51.662 --> 00:40:57.744 Europe is beginning to put right its own mistakes, and it is doing so above all 00:40:57.821 --> 00:41:02.286 thanks to Giorgia Meloni’s determination, let me say that. 00:41:02.363 --> 00:41:08.676 For too long, we have undermined the competitiveness of our businesses, encouraged 00:41:08.753 --> 00:41:14.758 industrial delocalisation, and ended up importing the very products we stopped 00:41:14.835 --> 00:41:21.302 producing in Europe. We have exported jobs and imported CO2 emissions, a masterpiece 00:41:21.379 --> 00:41:26.999 of economic and environmental self-harm. Finally, the need to address the 00:41:27.076 --> 00:41:31.079 distortions in the ETS system is being acknowledged. 00:41:31.156 --> 00:41:35.083 It is a first step, but obviously it is not enough. 00:41:35.160 --> 00:41:39.394 There has also been an objective change on immigration: 00:41:39.471 --> 00:41:45.553 after years in which those who called for defending the borders were accused of 00:41:45.630 --> 00:41:51.712 violating European values, almost everyone today admits the need for new tools. 00:41:51.789 --> 00:41:58.179 Unfortunately, the violence in Milan, Paris and Brussels tells us that the mistakes 00:41:58.256 --> 00:42:04.415 of yesterday are being paid for today. Integration is not achieved by renouncing 00:42:04.492 --> 00:42:10.189 one's own cultural, religious and value-based heritage, but by sharing it. 00:42:10.266 --> 00:42:16.118 Alas, we cannot turn back time, but let us at least avoid repeating the same 00:42:16.195 --> 00:42:22.431 mistakes in the future. On the next European budget, the conservatives have clear 00:42:22.508 --> 00:42:28.436 ideas. In Parliament and in the Council. Defend agriculture, territories, the 00:42:28.513 --> 00:42:34.133 principle of subsidiarity that respects and promotes the role of nations. 00:42:34.210 --> 00:42:38.983 This is the change that conservatives want to bring to Europe. 00:42:39.060 --> 00:42:45.373 A Europe that does not confuse ideology with ecology, bureaucracy with solidarity, 00:42:45.450 --> 00:42:51.840 or legal immigration with free movement. A Europe that returns to producing instead 00:42:51.917 --> 00:42:57.691 of importing, to protecting instead of prohibiting, to competing instead of 00:42:57.768 --> 00:42:58.968 regulating. 00:42:59.395 --> 00:43:04.948 Because the strength of Europe is not measured by the power of its institutions, but 00:43:05.014 --> 00:43:07.195 by the prosperity of its peoples. 00:43:09.895 --> 00:43:11.515 Thank you, Honourable Procacini. 00:43:11.815 --> 00:43:15.080 Now for the Renew Europe Group, its chair, Valérie Ayer. 00:43:15.139 --> 00:43:16.339 Three minutes. 00:43:21.355 --> 00:43:26.288 Thank you. Madam President, I would like in turn to congratulate Manfred Weber on 00:43:26.349 --> 00:43:31.221 your re-election. We are entering a new phase of this European Parliament, and I 00:43:31.282 --> 00:43:36.398 would like us to seize this momentum to consolidate the pro-European majority in the 00:43:36.459 --> 00:43:39.748 interests of Europe and in the interests of Europeans. 00:43:39.809 --> 00:43:44.620 Madam President, Mr President, this weekend, thousands of Europeans took to the 00:43:44.681 --> 00:43:49.492 streets across Europe. I condemn, with the utmost firmness, the acts of extreme 00:43:49.553 --> 00:43:52.842 violence committed on the margins of these gatherings. 00:43:52.903 --> 00:43:57.532 The latest demonstration of the different national realities, but one shared 00:43:57.593 --> 00:44:02.587 concern: the cost of living. Energy prices, purchasing power, the fear of downward 00:44:02.648 --> 00:44:07.033 mobility, the fear of losing one’s job. This is what concerns Europeans. 00:44:07.093 --> 00:44:09.956 And this is what must collectively mobilise us. 00:44:10.017 --> 00:44:15.011 That is why I want to commend the orientations taken by the European Council, dear 00:44:15.072 --> 00:44:18.604 Antonio, on competitiveness and, in particular, on energy. 00:44:18.665 --> 00:44:21.345 We need a single market that actually works. 00:44:21.406 --> 00:44:25.243 We need to mobilise European savings to finance our businesses. 00:44:25.304 --> 00:44:28.349 We need to simplify, invest and produce in Europe. 00:44:28.410 --> 00:44:31.516 And above all, we need to bring down energy prices. 00:44:31.577 --> 00:44:36.632 Because behind this word 'competitiveness' there are companies fighting to survive. 00:44:36.693 --> 00:44:41.565 There are jobs to preserve. There are families who can no longer make ends meet. 00:44:41.626 --> 00:44:46.559 Dear colleagues, there is a second emergency that has already been mentioned, and 00:44:46.620 --> 00:44:51.614 that is our security. For nearly five years now, Ukrainians have been fighting for 00:44:51.675 --> 00:44:56.547 their freedom. And for nearly five years, they have also been fighting for ours. 00:44:56.608 --> 00:44:59.958 Today, as American support wanes, we must face reality. 00:45:00.019 --> 00:45:04.952 No one will defend Europe in our place. What is at stake here is our sovereignty. 00:45:05.013 --> 00:45:09.885 And I do not want to allow Trump and Putin to organise a new Yalta, where Europe 00:45:09.946 --> 00:45:14.209 would be carved up. a Russian sphere of influence and an American one. 00:45:14.270 --> 00:45:18.655 We are the only ones today who can durably guarantee Ukraine’s security. 00:45:18.715 --> 00:45:23.718 yes, and we must do it. Not only out of solidarity, not only out of fidelity to our 00:45:23.778 --> 00:45:28.057 values, but because by protecting Ukraine, we are protecting ourselves. 00:45:28.118 --> 00:45:32.879 And I want to say this to those in this hemicycle who would like to abandon the 00:45:32.939 --> 00:45:37.822 Ukrainians to their fate. To the far right, which refuses aid, contests sanctions 00:45:37.882 --> 00:45:42.583 and prefers to cosy up to Putin rather than defend the sovereignty of European 00:45:42.643 --> 00:45:45.657 nations, you will have to answer to the Europeans. 00:45:45.717 --> 00:45:50.479 For I repeat, if Ukraine falls, it is our security that is directly threatened. 00:45:50.539 --> 00:45:54.578 And that means millions more refugees seeking protection in Europe. 00:45:54.638 --> 00:45:58.013 A migration crisis of a scale we have never seen before. 00:45:58.073 --> 00:46:01.208 These are the consequences of your irresponsibility. 00:46:01.268 --> 00:46:05.788 Dear colleagues, we know our priorities: protecting the purchasing power of 00:46:05.849 --> 00:46:09.284 Europeans, defending our jobs, guaranteeing our security. 00:46:09.344 --> 00:46:12.840 But there is a contradiction that we can no longer accept. 00:46:12.901 --> 00:46:16.035 And I am obviously coming to the budgetary question. 00:46:16.095 --> 00:46:19.591 We cannot ask Europe to do more with ever fewer resources. 00:46:19.651 --> 00:46:24.714 We cannot want a Europe that is more competitive, more independent, more secure, and 00:46:24.774 --> 00:46:27.607 yet deny it the means to achieve its ambitions. 00:46:27.667 --> 00:46:32.309 And dear colleagues, the next European budget will be a fundamental political 00:46:32.369 --> 00:46:36.950 choice. If we want a Europe that protects, then we must give it the means to 00:46:37.010 --> 00:46:38.210 protect. Thank you. 00:46:38.815 --> 00:46:40.015 Thank you, Ms Ayer. 00:46:41.155 --> 00:46:45.235 Now, on behalf of the Greens group, its co-chair, Niko Stefanutsa. 00:46:51.175 --> 00:46:55.615 Madam President, Madam President, Mr President, dear colleagues, 00:46:57.355 --> 00:47:02.590 you never know how strong you are until being strong is really your only choice. 00:47:02.656 --> 00:47:08.087 It's not some great philosopher, it's just Bob Marley who said that, but it applies 00:47:08.153 --> 00:47:13.453 to Europe. It applies to Europe. Because we really live through the hardest times 00:47:13.519 --> 00:47:18.558 that I've witnessed in my life. And I think we really need to step up to this 00:47:18.623 --> 00:47:22.092 challenge and defend these proud colors. Defend them. 00:47:22.157 --> 00:47:27.458 And defend the citizens, because we live through the worst of times in terms of a 00:47:27.523 --> 00:47:32.170 cost of living crisis. And a house divided against itself cannot stand. 00:47:32.235 --> 00:47:36.096 We cannot have citizens who have and citizens who have not. 00:47:36.161 --> 00:47:39.892 Because those citizens will not feel part of the project. 00:47:39.957 --> 00:47:44.865 And I ask you to all stand together to defend and fight for those citizens. 00:47:44.931 --> 00:47:49.708 Don't talk—let's not talk about priorities without looking at the budget. 00:47:49.773 --> 00:47:54.158 It's President Biden who said that. Don't tell me about priorities. 00:47:54.223 --> 00:47:59.655 Tell me about the budget. So the main point of this is how can we have gone through 00:47:59.720 --> 00:48:05.021 the last exercise where we saw that the moment we adopted the last budget, it was 00:48:05.086 --> 00:48:10.518 already short. 2019 found Bergamo and the COVID deaths and we had to show our empty 00:48:10.583 --> 00:48:15.753 pockets. Let's not do it again. With the energy crisis, with the cost of living 00:48:15.819 --> 00:48:20.989 crisis, with people having a housing crisis in Madrid, with forest fires raging 00:48:21.054 --> 00:48:25.897 through France, we cannot tell people that Europe cannot step up for them. 00:48:25.962 --> 00:48:31.066 So let's strengthen the budget right now. I'm looking at you, President Costa. 00:48:31.132 --> 00:48:35.386 You need to step it up. And we need to really defend this budget. 00:48:35.451 --> 00:48:39.247 And help Europe stay strong in the face of so many crises. 00:48:39.312 --> 00:48:43.827 Climate action belongs to the discussion, not just because I'm green. 00:48:43.893 --> 00:48:47.950 It belongs to the discussion because it makes the costs lower. 00:48:48.016 --> 00:48:51.026 Because renewables have become lower in price. 00:48:51.091 --> 00:48:54.298 Because people suffer under the price of heating. 00:48:54.363 --> 00:48:57.243 And we need to give them actionable results. 00:48:57.308 --> 00:49:02.740 And President von der Leyen, you came up with the Green Deal as an economic vision. 00:49:02.805 --> 00:49:06.470 It's an economic vision. Defend it. Let's all defend it. 00:49:06.535 --> 00:49:08.695 It's a proud achievement to have. 00:49:08.815 --> 00:49:14.122 It's nothing to be ashamed of. Let not be bullied by some people in this Parliament. 00:49:14.185 --> 00:49:17.723 It's something we want. It's something that makes sense. 00:49:17.786 --> 00:49:22.651 It's something we need to fight for. On the own resources, we fight for them. 00:49:22.714 --> 00:49:25.746 I think it's time that Europe has own resources. 00:49:25.809 --> 00:49:29.095 Let's make the digital giants pair their fair share. 00:49:29.158 --> 00:49:31.811 They are playing with our digital markets. 00:49:31.874 --> 00:49:36.297 They are making our voters go awry. Let them make—let's make them pay. 00:49:36.360 --> 00:49:40.403 And also the super polluters who make profits like never before. 00:49:40.466 --> 00:49:43.499 They should pair—pay their own share for Europe. 00:49:43.562 --> 00:49:47.352 And then that's Russia. War is looming. I come from Romania. 00:49:47.416 --> 00:49:50.574 People of Romania, of Bulgaria, they're desperate. 00:49:50.638 --> 00:49:54.428 There's drones hitting apartment blocks. Let's not be fools. 00:49:54.491 --> 00:49:57.776 This is a real and grave danger. Let's stand united. 00:49:57.840 --> 00:50:02.578 This might be a historic moment where Europe really needs to see us united. 00:50:02.641 --> 00:50:03.841 And I'm going to— 00:50:03.895 --> 00:50:04.255 Thank you. 00:50:04.255 --> 00:50:09.252 —finish saying that Europe is a matter of elected affinities, like Goethe said. 00:50:09.315 --> 00:50:13.490 We are here because we chose to. Let's be here because we want to. 00:50:13.553 --> 00:50:14.755 Because we need to. 00:50:15.415 --> 00:50:19.458 Thank you very much, Mr. Stefanutsa. Now for the left group, its co-chair, Martin 00:50:19.508 --> 00:50:21.355 Schilderwand. One and a half minutes. 00:50:27.715 --> 00:50:30.415 Thank you, Madam President. Niko, 00:50:30.655 --> 00:50:31.435 get up, stand up. 00:50:31.435 --> 00:50:36.546 At the moment, Bob Marley’s probably got the better title to describe the situation 00:50:36.607 --> 00:50:41.595 in Europe. Hundreds of thousands are currently taking to the streets in a wave of 00:50:41.656 --> 00:50:45.412 social protest, and we hear not a word from Ms von der Leyen. 00:50:45.474 --> 00:50:50.461 We also hear no word from Mr Costa on the fact that in France, Belgium, Italy and 00:50:50.523 --> 00:50:55.449 Portugal people are angry because energy, fuel, rents and food are becoming ever 00:50:55.510 --> 00:51:00.621 more expensive. Pupils and students are taking to the streets across Europe because 00:51:00.683 --> 00:51:05.547 your policies are letting their schools fall apart and destroying their future. 00:51:05.609 --> 00:51:09.919 In Albania, people are demonstrating against their corrupt government. 00:51:09.980 --> 00:51:14.722 In Spain, there will be a general strike on 11 November for affordable rents. 00:51:14.783 --> 00:51:19.771 And on 20 November, Italy will enter a general strike for better wages and a good 00:51:19.832 --> 00:51:25.004 life for all. The cost-of-living crisis has Europe firmly in its grip, and we on the 00:51:25.066 --> 00:51:30.054 Left stand alongside those who are resolutely and peacefully taking their protest 00:51:30.115 --> 00:51:33.933 and their anger at the unjust conditions out onto the streets. 00:51:33.994 --> 00:51:39.105 are carrying. It is a conflict between the working population, the families and the 00:51:39.166 --> 00:51:44.216 youth of our countries and the profiteers of a failing system, the exploitation of 00:51:44.277 --> 00:51:49.080 people and nature. And we will not leave the people to their justified protest 00:51:49.141 --> 00:51:54.252 alone; their demands for an affordable life and a good future are also our demands, 00:51:54.314 --> 00:51:59.301 despite all attempts at distraction and the efforts of the far right to undermine 00:51:59.363 --> 00:52:03.119 these social issues. to politicise conflicts in a racist way. 00:52:03.180 --> 00:52:07.798 Federal Chancellor Merz continues to rely on cuts in social spending out of 00:52:07.860 --> 00:52:11.247 arrogance. This policy is the real danger to democracy. 00:52:11.308 --> 00:52:16.173 And in order to distract from his failure, he is now pointing the finger at the 00:52:16.234 --> 00:52:21.222 Left: this is just absurd. But it shows how much fear he has that we are actually 00:52:21.283 --> 00:52:26.209 making policy for and with the people. After the neoliberals have smashed social 00:52:26.271 --> 00:52:31.135 security, health care and pensions to smithereens and privatised them, now even 00:52:31.255 --> 00:52:34.966 further cuts to social funds and universities in the EU budget. 00:52:35.025 --> 00:52:39.856 And when it comes to their gifts to the financial markets, Merz, Macron and Meloni 00:52:39.915 --> 00:52:44.510 are in agreement, as always: the banks, insurance companies and BlackRock, the 00:52:44.569 --> 00:52:49.341 former employer of Chancellor Merz, will be pleased, but they do not even want to 00:52:49.400 --> 00:52:52.109 solve the everyday concerns of the population. 00:52:52.168 --> 00:52:54.937 You are governing over the heads of the people. 00:52:54.996 --> 00:52:59.945 Mr President Costa, we urgently need a special summit to end the social emergency in 00:53:00.004 --> 00:53:04.304 Europe. Mobilise all your strength so that life becomes affordable again. 00:53:04.363 --> 00:53:06.955 Otherwise, European democracy will collapse. 00:53:07.555 --> 00:53:08.755 Thank you very much. 00:53:09.775 --> 00:53:13.744 Danke schön. Now for the ESN Group, Milan Ulrich, one minute. 00:53:13.809 --> 00:53:15.009 Go ahead. 00:53:15.835 --> 00:53:20.445 Ms Lenová, don't run away. Ms Lenová, you should be ashamed for wanting to rob 00:53:20.504 --> 00:53:24.346 Europeans of another 70 billion euros together with Mr Zelenskyy. 00:53:24.405 --> 00:53:29.134 You want to take tens of billions of euros from working citizens of the European 00:53:29.193 --> 00:53:34.039 Union, who are growing ever poorer, in order to finance a war that does not have a 00:53:34.098 --> 00:53:38.827 military solution anyway. And that is exactly what you are doing at a time when, 00:53:38.886 --> 00:53:43.673 across the entire continent, hundreds of thousands, millions of decent people are 00:53:43.732 --> 00:53:48.638 protesting against the fact that life in Europe is becoming increasingly expensive, 00:53:48.697 --> 00:53:53.425 that this inflation is simply endless. You are doing this at a time when, across 00:53:53.485 --> 00:53:58.331 European cities, these left-wing extremists, together with the immigrants that you 00:53:58.390 --> 00:54:02.882 brought into Europe, are destroying and setting fire to our European cities. 00:54:02.941 --> 00:54:06.310 Wake up to reality. Please start listening to the people. 00:54:06.369 --> 00:54:11.334 Stop funding nonsense. Why don’t you help young people with housing or families with 00:54:11.393 --> 00:54:16.358 rising costs? Businesses with energy? If you can’t or won’t do that, then say so and 00:54:16.417 --> 00:54:19.195 leave, and let us handle it. We will help them. 00:54:22.315 --> 00:54:25.043 Thank you. Now I give the floor to Andrzej Halicki. 00:54:25.097 --> 00:54:26.755 One and a half minutes, please. 00:54:28.675 --> 00:54:33.166 Dear colleagues, yes, there can be no agreement to a second Yalta. 00:54:33.234 --> 00:54:38.882 It is Russia that is the aggressor; it must be punished, which is why sanctions are 00:54:38.950 --> 00:54:43.849 essential. And here, beyond divisions, full support for the decisions of 00:54:43.917 --> 00:54:48.136 governments, so unanimous and so strongly expressed last week. 00:54:48.204 --> 00:54:53.716 Donald Trump has responded. Ukraine will receive support, military and financial, 00:54:53.784 --> 00:54:59.363 because it is the victim of this aggression, and we will not allow it to lose this 00:54:59.432 --> 00:55:02.834 war. This is also a matter of our future security. 00:55:02.902 --> 00:55:08.413 But if we are talking about key issues for the future, negotiations on the budget 00:55:08.482 --> 00:55:13.925 are certainly one of them. And the budget must be offensive, because that is the 00:55:13.993 --> 00:55:19.573 task before us. A difficult future ahead, so more money is needed, not savings and 00:55:19.641 --> 00:55:25.153 cuts. This is obvious. So the appeal from Parliament – I think it is obvious – is 00:55:25.221 --> 00:55:30.664 that we must build consensus in favour of an offensive budget for the next seven 00:55:30.732 --> 00:55:36.380 years. And very important are the provisions and conclusions of the Council, points 00:55:36.448 --> 00:55:40.531 8 and 11, which concern citizens and their greatest concern. 00:55:40.599 --> 00:55:43.865 We have a fuel crisis, energy prices are rising. 00:55:43.933 --> 00:55:46.791 And this concerns the revision of the ETS. 00:55:46.859 --> 00:55:50.057 Point 8 and point 11. Why am I mentioning this? 00:55:50.125 --> 00:55:53.664 Because there is a great expectation among citizens. 00:55:53.732 --> 00:55:58.835 A deeper revision of the ETS, the system as it currently functions, and not 00:55:58.903 --> 00:56:03.734 introducing additional costs that already affect individual households. 00:56:03.802 --> 00:56:06.728 Heating, home heating, fuel prices, energy. 00:56:06.796 --> 00:56:10.675 ETS-2 should either be rejected or postponed beyond 2030. 00:56:10.855 --> 00:56:15.355 Thank you, Mr. Halicki. Now I give the floor to Jean-Marc Gemma, one minute. 00:56:17.335 --> 00:56:22.594 Madam President, Mr President, I have only one word on the Irish Presidency's budget 00:56:22.657 --> 00:56:27.854 proposal, which was discussed at the last European Council, following two months of 00:56:27.916 --> 00:56:32.549 negotiations to reach this point. How, in the face of young people who are 00:56:32.612 --> 00:56:37.183 demonstrating, in the face of an industry that is collapsing, can we say: 00:56:37.245 --> 00:56:42.254 'Oh yes, let's sacrifice the European social fund' and at the same time the Just 00:56:42.317 --> 00:56:47.200 Transition Fund? How can we watch the price of hydrocarbons soar and then say: 00:56:47.263 --> 00:56:50.894 'Oh yes, let's reduce the funding for renewable energies'? 00:56:50.957 --> 00:56:55.277 How, faced with Trump’s umpteenth abandonment of Ukraine, can we say: 00:56:55.340 --> 00:57:00.411 ‘Oh yes, let’s give up on truly investing in our defence and in our sovereignty’? 00:57:00.474 --> 00:57:05.671 And how can they dare to appear before us empty-handed on their own resources, when 00:57:05.733 --> 00:57:10.993 the commitment was made in 2020 to do everything possible to achieve this by 2025 at 00:57:11.055 --> 00:57:14.749 the latest? And what are the key elements of any agreement? 00:57:14.812 --> 00:57:19.883 So I will say this clearly: less budget means less Europe, and less Europe for us 00:57:19.946 --> 00:57:23.703 means no. Do not count on our consent for such a compromise. 00:57:23.765 --> 00:57:28.586 And Mr President, take the draft back to square one, take up the Parliament’s 00:57:28.649 --> 00:57:32.155 proposals and come back to us with a meaningful project. 00:57:32.575 --> 00:57:32.815 Thank you. 00:57:32.815 --> 00:57:34.075 I thank you on behalf of Europeans. 00:57:34.915 --> 00:57:38.155 Thank you. Now I give the floor to Jorge Buxa de Vilalba, one minute. 00:57:40.075 --> 00:57:44.753 Europe is losing competitiveness because the Union has created a bureaucracy of tons 00:57:44.809 --> 00:57:47.649 of paperwork that criminalises work and production. 00:57:47.705 --> 00:57:51.938 In France, the islamo-left and anti-fascist terrorism have imposed violence, 00:57:51.994 --> 00:57:56.338 barbarism, and the frenzy of the Taliban. In just a few days, no less than 1.2 00:57:56.393 --> 00:58:00.960 billion euros in losses. Faced with the invasion of Ceuta, the Council has limited 00:58:01.016 --> 00:58:05.360 itself to showing its solidarity with the sudden massive influx of immigrants. 00:58:05.416 --> 00:58:09.259 Sudden? Orchestrated, programmed, planned and known by Pedro Sánchez. 00:58:09.314 --> 00:58:13.937 And here the European People’s Party is aligning itself with the left to delay that 00:58:13.993 --> 00:58:18.448 special commission on Ceuta. Sánchez is alone, and that makes him more dangerous 00:58:18.504 --> 00:58:23.182 than ever. He goes to the Council knowing that neither the Italians, nor the Czechs, 00:58:23.238 --> 00:58:27.916 nor the Portuguese will vote for him. But yes, thousands of foreigners who have been 00:58:27.972 --> 00:58:30.868 naturalised through fraud and through the back door. 00:58:30.924 --> 00:58:35.157 He shows the immigrants the solidarity he has not had with those from Ceuta, 00:58:35.212 --> 00:58:37.774 Valencia, La Palma or Adamuz. But it is early; 00:58:37.830 --> 00:58:42.453 I hope that by now they no longer have you on the Council, and that Spain opens the 00:58:42.508 --> 00:58:46.184 way to freedom, national priority, deregulation and re-emigration. 00:58:46.240 --> 00:58:50.862 Without any consideration. Anyone who comes here to steal or to destroy can just go 00:58:50.918 --> 00:58:51.775 back home. 00:58:51.775 --> 00:58:56.035 Thank you. Thank you very much. Now I give the floor to Patrick Iaki, two minutes. 00:59:05.035 --> 00:59:11.649 Thank you so much, President. President, Commissioner, we must begin with the most 00:59:11.730 --> 00:59:18.344 important item of the agenda: sec urity. You can see the product of your policy in 00:59:18.425 --> 00:59:24.877 France. When I on the one side saw people crying on the street because they lost 00:59:24.958 --> 00:59:31.492 everything, te achers and police officers being humiliated, cities and historical 00:59:31.572 --> 00:59:35.686 land marks burning, crime rapes and helpless state. 00:59:35.767 --> 00:59:42.220 And on the other side, no one is responsible for this, but someone brought those 00:59:42.300 --> 00:59:48.592 migr ants here. Someone gave them generous benefits from our taxes and someone 00:59:48.672 --> 00:59:53.593 suppressed people who predict that exactly this would happen. 00:59:53.673 --> 00:59:59.965 You call them fascist, you accused of hate speech, but yet there were ordinary 01:00:00.045 --> 01:00:06.418 people defending traditional order who in fact were the victims of hate speech. 01:00:06.498 --> 01:00:12.790 It was the hate of elites, detached from reality, who while living in rich gay 01:00:12.871 --> 01:00:17.629 communities lec ture others how to integrate with migrants. 01:00:17.710 --> 01:00:24.244 Many people think that this is only a problem of migration, but this is not true. 01:00:24.324 --> 01:00:30.858 This is much bigger problem. For decades we have been seen destruction of western 01:00:30.938 --> 01:00:37.311 culture and Christian ity. And now you are surprised that people on the streets 01:00:37.391 --> 01:00:43.602 cannot tell right from wrong. Can you imagine young people who were taught to 01:00:43.683 --> 01:00:50.378 respect Europe western culture and heritage, and after that he will go and burn it? 01:00:50.458 --> 01:00:56.669 You were ashamed of western culture and now we can see result of this policy. 01:00:56.750 --> 01:01:01.267 You have replaced law and order with chaos and nihilism. 01:01:01.348 --> 01:01:08.123 And we want God, we want churches, we want to restore western culture and kicked out 01:01:08.204 --> 01:01:13.447 Mar xism. And it's up to you. Which will be the symbol of Europe? 01:01:13.527 --> 01:01:16.915 Magnificent cathedrals or masked migrants? 01:01:17.095 --> 01:01:21.715 Thank you very much. I give the floor now to Billy Kelleher, one minute. 01:01:23.875 --> 01:01:28.651 Conclusions five and six outline the issues that were raised in the Council with 01:01:28.711 --> 01:01:32.651 regard to gold plating and the recordly challenges that are there. 01:01:32.710 --> 01:01:37.606 And there's one area that we really have to address, and that is the issue that is 01:01:37.665 --> 01:01:42.203 putting delays on infrastructural development, roads, wastewater, the energy 01:01:42.262 --> 01:01:46.859 systems, which are all compiling huge costs on housing itself, Commission er. 01:01:46.919 --> 01:01:51.456 And if we don't address this issue, we are really going to fracture society. 01:01:51.516 --> 01:01:56.530 So I would really urge that in the context of the environmental laws that there will 01:01:56.590 --> 01:02:01.247 be a deep dive done to see what areas are causing difficulties in terms of the 01:02:01.306 --> 01:02:05.903 rollout of infrastructure which, as I said, is delaying housing developments. 01:02:05.963 --> 01:02:10.798 On the issue of MFF, obviously the Irish presidency published its proposals but I 01:02:10.858 --> 01:02:15.694 would suggest that a lot of people in this house will go back to their capitalist 01:02:15.753 --> 01:02:20.708 themselves and request that member stat es would open the purse strings so that the 01:02:20.768 --> 01:02:25.723 European Union will have the capacity to do the many things that have been outlined 01:02:25.783 --> 01:02:30.738 in these Council proposals. So I would urge that the MFF would be expanded but most 01:02:30.798 --> 01:02:35.275 importantly that member stat es would propose that to their own government. 01:02:35.575 --> 01:02:39.355 Thank you very much. Mr. Kelleher, now Rasmus Nordqvist, one minute. 01:02:41.035 --> 01:02:45.754 Thank you, President. Another meeting and another negotiation box. 01:02:45.825 --> 01:02:49.972 Some want it smaller and some just want business as usual. 01:02:50.043 --> 01:02:54.190 At least that's what we hear coming out from your meeting. 01:02:54.261 --> 01:03:00.267 And so we're still left with the impression that this is not a talk about a European 01:03:00.339 --> 01:03:05.558 long-term budget but about 27 national priorities trying to fit in to one 01:03:05.629 --> 01:03:11.420 negotiation box. But the long-term budget is not just about juggling of billions. 01:03:11.492 --> 01:03:17.497 If we cut it actually have consequences. While democracy rule of law and civic space 01:03:17.569 --> 01:03:22.645 are under attack , the Council cut funding for the Agora and Global EU. 01:03:22.716 --> 01:03:28.650 While there's war and aggression we cut common investment in security and after the 01:03:28.722 --> 01:03:32.940 summer of heat wave we are cutting in the green transition. 01:03:33.011 --> 01:03:37.373 The negotiation box are not going to make problems disappear. 01:03:37.444 --> 01:03:42.949 It only going to make the necessarily investments more expensive in 27 member 01:03:43.021 --> 01:03:48.669 states. So dear Council, let's build a truly European budget one that serve our 01:03:48.740 --> 01:03:52.315 common priorities and not just 27 ones. Thank you. 01:03:52.735 --> 01:03:56.155 Thank you, Mr. Nordqvist. And now João Oliveira, one minute. 01:03:59.935 --> 01:04:04.425 Thank you, Mr President. Mr António Costa, 27 prime ministers and heads of State 01:04:04.481 --> 01:04:09.026 entered a room accompanied by you and by Ms Ursula von der Leyen for a meeting of 01:04:09.083 --> 01:04:13.404 the European Council. 14 hours after the meeting had begun, they announce the 01:04:13.460 --> 01:04:18.118 conclusions. There is no measure to halt the rise in the cost of living, to control 01:04:18.174 --> 01:04:22.664 prices, or to address the accumulation of profits by multinationals and economic 01:04:22.720 --> 01:04:26.760 groups. There is no proposal to promote increases in wages and pensions. 01:04:26.817 --> 01:04:31.082 There is not a single measure to guarantee the right to housing or access to 01:04:31.138 --> 01:04:35.740 healthcare. There is not a single political or diplomatic initiative to put an end 01:04:35.796 --> 01:04:40.173 to the war in Ukraine, to build the peace and collective security that all the 01:04:40.229 --> 01:04:44.887 peoples of Europe need. The only thing they are announcing about this is more money 01:04:44.943 --> 01:04:47.581 to continue the war and widen the battlefronts. 01:04:47.637 --> 01:04:52.239 There is not a single word about a budget that meets the needs of the peoples, and 01:04:52.295 --> 01:04:56.336 the prospect of a multiannual financial framework geared towards this is 01:04:56.392 --> 01:05:01.050 increasingly a mirage in the face of the harsh reality of the vertigo of militarism 01:05:01.106 --> 01:05:05.764 and war. Mr Costa, for the European Union to face up to the multinationals, it must 01:05:05.820 --> 01:05:10.197 turn its back on the peoples. Don’t be surprised afterwards if people fill the 01:05:10.253 --> 01:05:12.835 streets and squares fighting for their rights. 01:05:13.015 --> 01:05:15.909 Thank you very much. Mr. Oliveira, would you accept a blue card from Mr. 01:05:15.950 --> 01:05:17.150 Madison? Go ahead, Jacques. 01:05:21.535 --> 01:05:26.375 Yes, sure. Thank you. You criticised the fact that 40 hours of debate have not 01:05:26.438 --> 01:05:30.906 produced a result among the 27 Member States of the European Commission. 01:05:30.968 --> 01:05:36.180 Good. If you were a representative of a Member State at the European Council, do you 01:05:36.243 --> 01:05:41.207 think you could have come up with solutions to the problems you raised within 40 01:05:41.269 --> 01:05:44.000 hours that all Member States would agree on? 01:05:44.062 --> 01:05:48.158 Because, as I just heard, you criticise war and the arms industry. 01:05:48.220 --> 01:05:52.998 As the representative of Portugal, could you propose a reasonable solution to 01:05:53.060 --> 01:05:54.260 defence concerns? 01:05:54.295 --> 01:05:54.895 Thank you, Mr. Madison. 01:05:54.895 --> 01:05:57.147 Let's calm down Estonia, Finland, Sweden and others. 01:05:57.190 --> 01:05:59.875 Are you really capable of that or are you just going to whine? 01:05:59.995 --> 01:06:01.675 Thank you, Mr. Oliveira. You can respond. 01:06:06.715 --> 01:06:10.961 Thank you for your question, Mr Deputy. You know that the problem is not the time 01:06:11.013 --> 01:06:15.154 these meetings take, because the European Council could be meeting for two, two 01:06:15.206 --> 01:06:19.609 weekends, a month in a row, with the political guidance these meetings have, nothing 01:06:19.661 --> 01:06:23.225 that would resolve the problems of the peoples would come out of it. 01:06:23.278 --> 01:06:27.523 Because that is the issue. Naturally, governments represent the Member States and 01:06:27.576 --> 01:06:31.821 should have brought those meetings to a discussion on the real problems affecting 01:06:31.874 --> 01:06:34.285 people's lives. None of this was on the table. 01:06:34.337 --> 01:06:37.692 The issue of the cost of living and housing is truly scandalous. 01:06:37.744 --> 01:06:42.147 With the living conditions people are facing, not a word, not a minute was wasted in 01:06:42.199 --> 01:06:46.602 that meeting to find a solution to this. Mr Deputy, solutions exist and alternatives 01:06:46.654 --> 01:06:47.854 too. It is necessary. 01:06:48.055 --> 01:06:48.775 Thank you very much. 01:06:48.775 --> 01:06:50.755 May they be directed towards them and not towards those. 01:06:51.535 --> 01:06:56.155 Thank you. That's good. Close this. Roberto Vannozzi, one minute. 01:06:56.575 --> 01:06:57.775 Thank you, President. 01:07:00.175 --> 01:07:02.395 OMIDAT is another 70 billion. 01:07:03.895 --> 01:07:07.447 I am being invaded by 20 million Ukrainian citizens. 01:07:07.516 --> 01:07:12.845 This is the new frontier of Zelensky: from fighting to defend your families to 01:07:12.913 --> 01:07:18.173 blackmail using his own citizens. He must have learned from Erdogan, the same 01:07:18.242 --> 01:07:23.844 Erdogan to whom the European Commission continues to pay a billion euros a year to 01:07:23.912 --> 01:07:29.445 keep the refugee taps closed. And who cares if his troops invaded Cyprus in 1974? 01:07:29.514 --> 01:07:34.364 And what is President von der Leyen doing while she has meanwhile left? 01:07:34.433 --> 01:07:40.171 It is calling for an increase in the European budget, threatening cuts to the Common 01:07:40.240 --> 01:07:44.953 Agricultural Policy, in order to continue funding a never-ending war. 01:07:45.022 --> 01:07:50.760 Meanwhile, European families cannot make ends meet, businesses are closing down, and 01:07:50.829 --> 01:07:54.245 the cost of energy has now surpassed that of gold. 01:07:54.313 --> 01:07:57.250 But money is always found to finance a war; 01:07:57.319 --> 01:08:02.921 however, to achieve that ugly peace which is certainly better than the ugly war we 01:08:02.989 --> 01:08:05.995 are financing, there is even a lack of will. 01:08:06.475 --> 01:08:07.675 Thank you. 01:08:07.795 --> 01:08:10.203 Now I give the floor to Monica Beniova, one minute. 01:08:10.250 --> 01:08:11.450 Go ahead. 01:08:13.315 --> 01:08:17.761 Thank you very much. Colleagues, the October conclusions of the European Council 01:08:17.817 --> 01:08:21.096 read like a list of problems we have known about for years: 01:08:21.152 --> 01:08:25.654 expensive energy, declining competitiveness, threatened jobs, and an unmanageable 01:08:25.710 --> 01:08:30.378 migration policy. So I ask, where is, for example, an effective price cap to protect 01:08:30.434 --> 01:08:34.769 European industry? Where is the extraordinary taxation of excessive profits of 01:08:34.825 --> 01:08:37.993 energy giants? Because these would be concrete solutions. 01:08:38.049 --> 01:08:42.050 I appreciate the initiative of Slovakia, the Visegrád Group and Italy on 01:08:42.106 --> 01:08:46.608 re-evaluating ETS2. After five years of discussions about expensive energy, we no 01:08:46.664 --> 01:08:49.776 longer need more promises or further impact assessments. 01:08:49.832 --> 01:08:54.223 We need concrete solutions that will reduce costs for our citizens and save the 01:08:54.278 --> 01:08:58.780 competitiveness of European industry. Since Ms von der Leyen did not find even an 01:08:58.836 --> 01:09:03.338 hour to discuss this issue with us, I ask you, Commissioner, can you tell us what 01:09:03.394 --> 01:09:06.895 the European solutions are? Where is the promised deregulation? 01:09:06.951 --> 01:09:11.231 Where is the concrete proposal for reducing energy prices, which we have been 01:09:11.286 --> 01:09:15.566 waiting for since February? Where has European diplomacy been at key moments? 01:09:15.622 --> 01:09:20.012 And where in the Commission's proposals do citizens remain, and their worsening 01:09:20.068 --> 01:09:24.459 economic and social situation? You cannot see this in France, Italy, Belgium or 01:09:24.515 --> 01:09:29.128 Spain, do you not see that Europe is burning because of the way you are running it? 01:09:29.183 --> 01:09:30.383 Thank you very much. 01:09:30.535 --> 01:09:33.807 Thank you very much. Now I give the floor to Sigfrid Muresan, one and a half 01:09:33.851 --> 01:09:35.051 minutes. 01:09:35.095 --> 01:09:37.900 Thank you very much, Madam President, President Costa. 01:09:37.951 --> 01:09:40.444 Welcome back to the Parliament, dear colleagues. 01:09:40.496 --> 01:09:44.028 Look, the European Council tells us that we shall invest more in our 01:09:44.080 --> 01:09:47.975 competitiveness, that security, defense are prior ities, and that we should 01:09:48.027 --> 01:09:50.572 accelerate the enlargement of the European Union. 01:09:50.624 --> 01:09:54.155 But while the European Council is telling us that security, defense, 01:09:54.207 --> 01:09:58.466 competitiveness, and enlargement are important, the Ir ish Presidency is proposing 01:09:58.518 --> 01:10:00.803 to reduce the budget in exactly these areas. 01:10:00.855 --> 01:10:05.010 Cutting the budget for our competitiveness by more than 10 percent is a mistake. 01:10:05.062 --> 01:10:09.269 Reducing funding to our immediate neighboring countries by almost 20 percent is a 01:10:09.321 --> 01:10:12.697 mistake. This will weaken Europe, it would not strengthen Europe. 01:10:12.749 --> 01:10:17.059 This is why, President Costa, there is a lot of work ahead of us, and we're looking 01:10:17.111 --> 01:10:21.370 forward, as a European Parliament, to working closely together with you to deliver 01:10:21.422 --> 01:10:25.681 for the next seven years a budget which is in line with the priorities that we are 01:10:25.733 --> 01:10:29.991 defining for ourselves. If we say that something is important, we need to allocate 01:10:30.043 --> 01:10:34.354 the resources. In that area, cutting the very priorities that the Council claims to 01:10:34.406 --> 01:10:38.768 support is not consistent. This would weaken Europe, it would create disappointment, 01:10:38.820 --> 01:10:43.131 it would increase populism. This is why, for us as a European Parliament, the Irish 01:10:43.183 --> 01:10:47.494 negotiating box is not a basis for negotiations, it is not a basis for, it is not a 01:10:47.546 --> 01:10:51.908 basis for consent. To have enough resources to invest, we will need to work together 01:10:51.960 --> 01:10:56.063 with you, President Costa, to generate own sources of revenues for the European 01:10:56.115 --> 01:10:59.283 Union. We as a Parliament, we have an idea that digital levy. 01:10:59.335 --> 01:11:03.698 We propose that the large global technological corporations contribu te a bit to the 01:11:03.750 --> 01:11:06.866 access, for the access to the single market which they have. 01:11:06.918 --> 01:11:11.280 We would not be able to explain to our citizens why we reduce funding to farmers, to 01:11:11.332 --> 01:11:15.539 security, to research, why Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg enjoy free access to the 01:11:15.591 --> 01:11:18.707 European single market. This is where the Parliament stands. 01:11:18.759 --> 01:11:22.135 We're looking forward to working with Council in the next months. 01:11:22.195 --> 01:11:22.855 Thank you very much. 01:11:22.855 --> 01:11:26.332 Thank you very much. Mr. Muresan, will you take a blue card? 01:11:26.390 --> 01:11:27.955 For Mr. Grazulis, go ahead. 01:11:28.135 --> 01:11:28.855 With pleasure. 01:11:28.855 --> 01:11:30.055 Quickly. 01:11:36.715 --> 01:11:41.703 Honourable rapporteur, you are one of the representatives of one of the largest 01:11:41.766 --> 01:11:46.564 governing parliamentary parties. You are talking about reducing bureaucracy. 01:11:46.627 --> 01:11:51.741 But there is no result. Do you not think that if we were to fundamentally address 01:11:51.804 --> 01:11:55.088 this issue, we need to abolish the European Council? 01:11:55.151 --> 01:12:00.138 After all, the European Commission and Parliament represent the citizens of the 01:12:00.202 --> 01:12:05.316 European Union. We are directly elected, whereas the European Council members are 01:12:05.379 --> 01:12:10.051 merely appointed. I would suggest resolutely reducing this bureaucracy and 01:12:10.114 --> 01:12:12.955 abandoning this European Council institution. 01:12:13.255 --> 01:12:15.235 Thank you. Thank you. Go ahead, Mr. Muresan. 01:12:17.035 --> 01:12:20.758 Our solution is to cut red tape and reduce bureaucracy in a way in which it benefits 01:12:20.803 --> 01:12:24.393 the citizens of Europe, the farmers, the ent erprises, the small and medium-sized 01:12:24.437 --> 01:12:27.894 enterprises. We have, of course, the highest respect for the European Council. 01:12:27.939 --> 01:12:31.485 We're looking forward to working with the European Council, with the Commission, 01:12:31.529 --> 01:12:35.164 with Council, with all institutions, to deliver on what the citizens expect in the 01:12:35.208 --> 01:12:36.715 next month s. Thank you very much. 01:12:37.315 --> 01:12:40.315 Thank you, Mr. Muresan. Now, Carla Tavares, one minute. 01:12:44.575 --> 01:12:49.253 Madam President, Mr President, dear colleagues, if we want a Europe that is a 01:12:49.314 --> 01:12:54.357 geopolitical power capable of defending its values and, as the strong and respected 01:12:54.418 --> 01:12:59.339 voice in an increasingly unstable world, the proposal presented to leaders at the 01:12:59.400 --> 01:13:01.952 European Council is not what Europe needs. 01:13:02.013 --> 01:13:07.117 We reject the cut to the financial framework proposed by the Irish Presidency, €16.1 01:13:07.177 --> 01:13:12.099 billion less; that is, a 10% real terms reduction compared to the current budget. 01:13:12.160 --> 01:13:17.263 Europe is not alone in the world, and our partners expect the Union to lead, and the 01:13:17.324 --> 01:13:21.942 answer is more Europe, not less Europe. A Europe that is present, capable of 01:13:22.002 --> 01:13:26.377 building partnerships, supporting development, fulfilling commitments to 01:13:26.438 --> 01:13:31.299 humanitarian aid, defending peace and human rights, committed to enlargement and 01:13:31.359 --> 01:13:36.159 Ukraine’s accession. Strategic autonomy cannot be achieved with a short budget. 01:13:36.220 --> 01:13:39.380 A 17% cut in external action is simply unacceptable. 01:13:39.440 --> 01:13:44.544 There is no global leadership without investment, no credibility without commitment. 01:13:44.605 --> 01:13:49.648 Europe’s place in the world is measured not only by the words it utters, but by the 01:13:49.709 --> 01:13:54.326 choices it makes. We need stable and sufficient own resources to finance our 01:13:54.387 --> 01:13:59.369 ambition. For our part, the European Parliament is deeply committed to reaching an 01:13:59.430 --> 01:14:01.435 agreement by the end of the year. 01:14:01.615 --> 01:14:02.155 Thank you, Mr. Tavares. 01:14:02.155 --> 01:14:05.452 Mr President, the European Council, we are counting on your commitment to have a 01:14:05.493 --> 01:14:06.415 credible proposal. 01:14:06.415 --> 01:14:06.775 Thank you. 01:14:06.775 --> 01:14:07.855 At the time of the defenders. 01:14:07.855 --> 01:14:10.719 Thank you. There is a blue card for you. Will you take it, Mr. 01:14:10.766 --> 01:14:12.475 Tavares, from Mr. Oliveira? Go ahead. 01:14:15.415 --> 01:14:18.780 Thank you. Thank you, Mr President. Ms Carla Tavares, I referred to the multiannual 01:14:18.821 --> 01:14:22.227 financial framework, and that is what I would like to ask you a few questions about. 01:14:22.267 --> 01:14:25.349 Thank you. Thank you, Mr President. Ms Carla Tavares, I have referred to the 01:14:25.389 --> 01:14:28.430 multiannual financial framework, and that is what I wanted to ask you a few 01:14:28.471 --> 01:14:31.877 questions about. Is the problem merely that there is a shorter budget, or is it also 01:14:31.958 --> 01:14:35.040 the problem of resources being directed towards militarism, towards the arms 01:14:35.080 --> 01:14:37.959 industry, instead of being directed towards cohesion policy, to address 01:14:37.999 --> 01:14:39.865 socio-economic and territorial cohesion needs? 01:14:39.905 --> 01:14:43.108 Is the problem merely one of securing resources for the budget, or is it also a 01:14:43.149 --> 01:14:46.514 problem of inequality between Member States, of national asymmetries that, with the 01:14:46.555 --> 01:14:49.677 proposal for the multiannual financial framework under discussion, risk being 01:14:49.717 --> 01:14:53.083 exacerbated? Portugal fares poorly with this proposal for the multiannual financial 01:14:53.123 --> 01:14:56.327 framework. And the question I put to you, Ms Deputada, is how we can defend the 01:14:56.367 --> 01:14:58.435 national interest while supporting such a proposal. 01:14:58.735 --> 01:15:00.115 Thank you. Please respond, Mr. Tavares. 01:15:00.415 --> 01:15:02.547 Thank you very much, Mr Deputy João Oliveira. 01:15:02.595 --> 01:15:04.680 We do not have problems; we have challenges. 01:15:04.727 --> 01:15:08.660 And the biggest challenge we face at this moment is to have a multiannual financial 01:15:08.708 --> 01:15:11.504 framework that is up to the ambition of the European Union. 01:15:11.551 --> 01:15:15.390 And that is what Parliament is committed to, that is what the pro-European groups 01:15:15.437 --> 01:15:19.181 are committed to, and that is the work we will continue to do in a particularly 01:15:19.228 --> 01:15:22.924 difficult manner. We are aware of this, but particularly constructively in the 01:15:22.972 --> 01:15:23.875 coming months. 01:15:23.875 --> 01:15:24.775 Thank you very much. 01:15:24.775 --> 01:15:28.195 Thank you, Mr. Tavares. Now, Clara Dostálová, one and a half minutes. 01:15:32.275 --> 01:15:36.792 Dear colleagues, the European Council was, in places, very emotional, and it turns 01:15:36.847 --> 01:15:39.436 out that the European Commission has a problem. 01:15:39.491 --> 01:15:44.008 It talks about competitiveness, yet European companies face ever-increasing costs. 01:15:44.063 --> 01:15:48.250 It talks about affordable energy, yet people are terrified by further bills. 01:15:48.305 --> 01:15:52.547 It talks about simplification, yet entrepreneurs are drowning in bureaucracy. 01:15:52.602 --> 01:15:56.899 Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has consistently pointed out these problems, 01:15:56.954 --> 01:16:01.195 warning of the impacts of emission permits, expensive energy, and the loss of 01:16:01.250 --> 01:16:05.823 competitiveness in European industry. For many years, Brussels refused to listen to 01:16:05.878 --> 01:16:09.128 him. Today, however, his warnings can no longer be ignored. 01:16:09.183 --> 01:16:13.425 It is precisely thanks to his persistent efforts that a significant shift was 01:16:13.480 --> 01:16:17.666 achieved at the last European summit. The European Council has called on the 01:16:17.721 --> 01:16:20.696 Commission to reassess the impacts of the ETS2 system. 01:16:20.751 --> 01:16:23.891 But I ask: what more does the Commission need to examine? 01:16:23.946 --> 01:16:28.463 When will its representatives, when will its representatives stand with their feet 01:16:28.518 --> 01:16:31.713 on the ground, will they see these problems at every turn? 01:16:31.768 --> 01:16:35.955 Energy is expensive, factories are losing competitiveness, entrepreneurs are 01:16:36.010 --> 01:16:40.527 struggling with rising costs, and families are calculating how much will remain in 01:16:40.582 --> 01:16:45.099 their wallets after paying the bills. We do not need another stack of analyses for 01:16:45.154 --> 01:16:47.633 this. All that is needed is to open our eyes. 01:16:47.688 --> 01:16:52.040 And today, we have finally managed to bring these warnings to the table, to the 01:16:52.095 --> 01:16:56.722 negotiating table of European leaders. And I will be glad if the European Commission 01:16:56.777 --> 01:17:01.295 finally realises that it is not here to make life more complicated for people, but 01:17:01.350 --> 01:17:05.701 is here to help solve their problems. People do not need more Brussels studies, 01:17:05.757 --> 01:17:10.274 promises and excuses. They need affordable energy, a functioning economy and money 01:17:10.329 --> 01:17:11.335 for the people. 01:17:11.335 --> 01:17:14.875 Thank you. I give the floor now to Charlie Weimers, one minute. 01:17:17.515 --> 01:17:22.034 Thank you, Madam President. Yes, the Chamber is here, the Commission wants to 01:17:22.093 --> 01:17:25.379 introduce a new EU tax, and you call them own resources. 01:17:25.438 --> 01:17:30.250 But it is, after all, the same thing: more of the Swedes' money going to Brussels. 01:17:30.309 --> 01:17:35.180 There are a bunch of so-called conservative members here cheering at the idea of EU 01:17:35.239 --> 01:17:40.169 taxes, and that makes me think of how Hayek dedicated his book "The Road to Serfdom" 01:17:40.227 --> 01:17:44.570 to socialists in all parties. To the Commission, I would like to say this: 01:17:44.629 --> 01:17:49.031 the Swedish people have not given you the right to decide over their taxes. 01:17:49.089 --> 01:17:51.554 That power belongs to the Swedish Riksdag. 01:17:51.613 --> 01:17:56.425 And now we are going to negotiate the next EU budget, and perhaps you think Sweden 01:17:56.484 --> 01:17:59.125 has to say yes in the end, but you know what? 01:17:59.184 --> 01:18:03.762 We don’t. If we do not reach an agreement, the EU can continue on the basis of 01:18:03.820 --> 01:18:07.811 today’s budget. Sweden therefore does not need to accept a bad deal. 01:18:07.870 --> 01:18:12.741 We are not afraid to say no. Sweden has a veto, and as long as the Sweden Democrats 01:18:12.800 --> 01:18:16.380 have anything to say about it, we will be prepared to use it. 01:18:16.438 --> 01:18:19.549 Our message is simple: not one krona in new EU taxes. 01:18:19.607 --> 01:18:21.955 Swedish taxes must be decided in Sweden. 01:18:23.275 --> 01:18:26.395 Thank you, Mr. Weimers. Now, Gerben Jan Gerbrandi, one minute. 01:18:28.135 --> 01:18:33.931 Thank you. Madam Chair, some politicians blame climate policy for high energy 01:18:34.007 --> 01:18:39.953 prices, but ren ewables saved us 29 billion euros in the first 16 weeks of this 01:18:40.029 --> 01:18:45.900 year. And it's Trump's diesel deal is what happens when you desperately need a 01:18:45.975 --> 01:18:52.148 political win on energy prices. You take the easy way out, ignore the root causes, 01:18:52.223 --> 01:18:58.321 and blame someone else. And here in Europe, Meloni and Babiš are playing the same 01:18:58.396 --> 01:19:04.268 game. Instead of tackling our dependence on fossil fuels, they're pointing the 01:19:04.343 --> 01:19:10.515 finger at the ETS. It's easier to blame climate policy than to take responsibility 01:19:10.591 --> 01:19:16.613 for failing to deliver change. Easier to blame Brussels for people's high energy 01:19:16.688 --> 01:19:22.635 bills than to deliver real solutions. And of course, Europe must help Italy and 01:19:22.710 --> 01:19:27.076 Czechia to protect their citizens from high energy prices. 01:19:27.151 --> 01:19:33.249 But at the next European Council, that support must come with a clear commitment: 01:19:33.324 --> 01:19:39.120 keep your hands off the ETS. Because when you touch the ETS, you're basically 01:19:39.196 --> 01:19:41.755 touching the savings of Europeans. 01:19:42.115 --> 01:19:46.075 Thank you. Thank you very much. Now, Marie Toussaint, one minute. 01:19:47.395 --> 01:19:48.595 Thank you. 01:19:52.255 --> 01:19:57.249 Mr Costa, prices are soaring. Those for food, rents, energy – don’t you hear the 01:19:57.312 --> 01:20:02.431 anger brewing across Europe? We had every right to expect strong, immediate action 01:20:02.493 --> 01:20:07.300 from the Member States. But nothing. There is no money left in the pockets of 01:20:07.363 --> 01:20:12.357 Europeans, nor in public services. The world is warming at a rapid pace, but you 01:20:12.419 --> 01:20:17.663 still have not decided to tax the super-profits of billionaires, of the tech sector, 01:20:17.726 --> 01:20:22.595 or of polluters. On the contrary, you are multiplying handouts, including free 01:20:22.657 --> 01:20:26.715 pollution permits to the companies that make the biggest profits. 01:20:26.778 --> 01:20:31.959 And you insist on the idea of making citizens pay a new carbon tax on transport and 01:20:32.022 --> 01:20:37.141 heating, which could cost households several thousand euros extra per year, on top 01:20:37.203 --> 01:20:42.447 of those already struggling to heat their homes, put a roof over their heads and put 01:20:42.510 --> 01:20:47.504 food on the table. Mr Costa, more and more Europeans have to juggle several jobs 01:20:47.566 --> 01:20:50.500 without always managing to feed their children. 01:20:50.563 --> 01:20:55.744 Making European households foot the bill for your climate inaction is unacceptable. 01:20:55.807 --> 01:21:00.926 The priority, the urgency, is to take the money where it is, to finance the energy 01:21:00.988 --> 01:21:01.975 transition. 01:21:01.975 --> 01:21:02.215 Thank you. 01:21:02.215 --> 01:21:03.835 And reduce bills. Do it. 01:21:04.375 --> 01:21:05.635 Thank you. Ms Toussaint. 01:21:05.695 --> 01:21:07.435 Now, Irene Montero, one minute. 01:21:13.495 --> 01:21:18.479 Mr Costa, honourable Members, a burning rubbish bin really gets your goat. 01:21:18.547 --> 01:21:23.261 But does a broken paving stone in Italy really seem unbearable to you? 01:21:23.329 --> 01:21:26.764 Is a camp-out in Madrid really too much to stomach? 01:21:26.831 --> 01:21:29.929 All your solidarity is with poor rubbish bins? 01:21:29.997 --> 01:21:33.432 Your most sincere support for broken paving stones? 01:21:33.499 --> 01:21:38.147 I mean, prices are through the roof. People who can’t pay their rent. 01:21:38.214 --> 01:21:43.198 Millions of young people who are being forced by your policies to study in 01:21:43.266 --> 01:21:48.789 prefabricated classrooms. Millions of evictions every day like the one suffered by 01:21:48.856 --> 01:21:54.042 Mari Carmen. They are spending the money meant for healthcare and pensions on 01:21:54.110 --> 01:21:59.768 rearmament and war. They want to send our children — not theirs — to war for profit. 01:21:59.835 --> 01:22:05.358 But what outrages them is a burning bin. Well, I think that if you call for a hard 01:22:05.425 --> 01:22:10.881 line against young people who are protesting and not against the speculators, the 01:22:10.948 --> 01:22:16.269 banks, the big companies, the energy firms, the billionaires who are destroying 01:22:16.337 --> 01:22:19.435 their lives, then you are part of the problem. 01:22:19.615 --> 01:22:20.515 Thank you. 01:22:20.515 --> 01:22:23.275 I give the floor next to Alexander Jungbluth, one minute. 01:22:29.215 --> 01:22:35.088 Dear Madam President, around 1.8 trillion euros for the new multiannual budget is 01:22:35.161 --> 01:22:39.946 not a compromise, it is a slap in the face for European taxpayers. 01:22:40.019 --> 01:22:45.892 In this respect, we welcome the Council's proposal, as enormous cuts are possible 01:22:45.964 --> 01:22:51.982 here. In view of the dramatic developments and the many pointless expenditure items 01:22:52.055 --> 01:22:57.856 in the EU budget, it is high time to subject this budget to a complete overhaul. 01:22:57.928 --> 01:23:03.729 Examples? Around 700 billion euros – more than a third of the entire budget – is 01:23:03.801 --> 01:23:09.312 earmarked for climate policy, while our industry is increasingly relocating. 01:23:09.384 --> 01:23:15.185 8.6 billion euros for Agora EU, through which Brussels hand-picks people who are 01:23:15.257 --> 01:23:19.245 then financed in the media and so-called civil society. 01:23:19.318 --> 01:23:24.031 And this House even wants to increase that to 10.7 billion euros. 01:23:24.103 --> 01:23:29.469 The Commission itself had to admit that this tax money was used to finance 01:23:29.541 --> 01:23:35.415 impermissible lobbying work for NGOs. We are therefore demanding a drastic cut to 01:23:35.487 --> 01:23:39.475 this budget; this is necessary and urgent at this time. 01:23:41.095 --> 01:23:44.824 Thank you. I give the floor to Lefteris Nikolaou Alavanos. 01:23:44.888 --> 01:23:46.088 One minute. 01:23:50.095 --> 01:23:54.159 In France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal and Greece, workers and young people are 01:23:54.212 --> 01:23:58.437 demonstrating against high prices, high energy and housing costs, the attack on 01:23:58.490 --> 01:24:01.217 education, income and, overall, on people's rights. 01:24:01.271 --> 01:24:05.549 At the same time, groups such as those in the energy sector are recording record 01:24:05.602 --> 01:24:09.773 profits, literally stepping on the bodies of the people, as in Greece, fueling 01:24:09.826 --> 01:24:13.837 justified anger. Despite the rivalries within the European Council over the 01:24:13.890 --> 01:24:18.275 interests of each state’s monopolies, all governments agreed to squeeze the people 01:24:18.329 --> 01:24:21.109 dry, primarily to meet the needs of the war economy. 01:24:21.163 --> 01:24:25.387 The government of New Democracy in Greece and the other parties of the European 01:24:25.441 --> 01:24:29.825 Union, which for years have been presenting this wolf pack alliance as a shield of 01:24:29.879 --> 01:24:34.103 protection for the peoples, are now touting the goal of convergence, only to be 01:24:34.157 --> 01:24:38.648 resoundingly refuted. In the face of the European Union, its governments, the people 01:24:38.702 --> 01:24:42.873 respond by escalating their struggle with mass mobilisations, such as today in 01:24:42.926 --> 01:24:47.311 Greece, with the nationwide strike on 25 November, with the international workers' 01:24:47.364 --> 01:24:50.947 strike on 30 October, placing their own interests at the forefront. 01:24:51.001 --> 01:24:53.995 Affirming that for the people to win, capital must lose. 01:24:55.135 --> 01:24:56.215 Thank you. 01:24:56.215 --> 01:24:59.035 Now I give the floor to Dolores Montserrat, one and a half minutes. 01:25:02.095 --> 01:25:05.220 Thank you, Madam President. The figures do not lie. 01:25:05.281 --> 01:25:09.570 Irregular entries into the Union are at their lowest level since 2021. 01:25:09.631 --> 01:25:12.939 With one exception: Spain. And that is no coincidence. 01:25:13.001 --> 01:25:18.147 The Migration and Asylum Pact is being applied in 26 Member States, while Mr Sánchez 01:25:18.208 --> 01:25:21.884 does not implement it and, on top of that, voted against it. 01:25:21.946 --> 01:25:25.622 Europe has never lacked a response to the invasion of Ceuta. 01:25:25.683 --> 01:25:30.462 What has been in abundance is the sectarian ideology that opens the borders to 01:25:30.523 --> 01:25:34.873 invaders and to the mafias that traffic in people, with total impunity. 01:25:34.934 --> 01:25:40.081 We congratulate the Commission on its new proposal for a regulation on responding to 01:25:40.142 --> 01:25:45.227 migration emergencies. Europe will be a shield against hybrid attacks and those who 01:25:45.289 --> 01:25:50.129 use migrants as weapons. And no kneeling President like Sánchez will be able to 01:25:50.190 --> 01:25:53.499 prevent it. Your failure will not be Europe’s failure. 01:25:53.560 --> 01:25:56.194 The second emergency is the cost of living. 01:25:56.256 --> 01:25:59.625 Climate sectarianism does not pay the electricity bill. 01:25:59.687 --> 01:26:04.220 Aid and tax relief, extensions, joint purchases and cutting red tape, yes. 01:26:04.282 --> 01:26:08.999 This is the policy that protects families, the middle classes, businesses and 01:26:09.060 --> 01:26:11.634 industry. Fewer dogmas and more solutions. 01:26:11.695 --> 01:26:14.513 But we must move faster and without complexes. 01:26:14.575 --> 01:26:17.454 Without nuclear, there will be no cheap energy. 01:26:17.515 --> 01:26:20.824 And those who will suffer will be the most vulnerable. 01:26:20.885 --> 01:26:25.909 Winter will also come to Ukraine, a people who have been resisting for almost five 01:26:25.970 --> 01:26:29.218 years an empire that seeks not peace but destruction. 01:26:29.279 --> 01:26:33.384 Yours and ours. And we will not stop. We will not allow it to fall. 01:26:33.445 --> 01:26:37.795 Europe was not born to surrender and we will always stand with Ukraine. 01:26:40.015 --> 01:26:44.035 Thank you very much. Next speaker will be Irene Tinagi, please. 01:26:44.815 --> 01:26:48.584 Thank you, president. So we talk a lot about competitiveness. 01:26:48.645 --> 01:26:53.093 We've heard a lot this word this morning. Let me give you just two data. 01:26:53.155 --> 01:26:57.727 Every year Europe imports more than 300 billion euros in digital services. 01:26:57.789 --> 01:27:02.237 We are overly dependent on U.S. big tech for our digital infrastructure. 01:27:02.298 --> 01:27:07.488 And at the same time, our industrial companies face energy prices that can be two or 01:27:07.550 --> 01:27:11.071 three times higher than those of our international peers. 01:27:11.133 --> 01:27:15.519 These are structural weaknesses. And cannot be addressed just with some 01:27:15.581 --> 01:27:20.647 simplification or omnibus thing. They require investments, common infrastructures, 01:27:20.709 --> 01:27:24.971 common investments. And this is precisely the purpose of the European 01:27:25.033 --> 01:27:30.161 competitiveness fund. Investing and supporting investment in common infrastructures 01:27:30.222 --> 01:27:34.609 and investments and energy transition, digital technologies, et cetera. 01:27:34.671 --> 01:27:39.798 Yet the council is moving in the opposite direction, relying more on national state 01:27:39.860 --> 01:27:44.493 aid while cutting common resources. And precisely the competitiveness fund. 01:27:44.555 --> 01:27:48.694 But a European strategy goes beyond the sum of national strategies. 01:27:48.756 --> 01:27:53.328 So we need to step up. Every day I hear leaders complaining about Europe's 01:27:53.390 --> 01:27:58.146 weaknesses, but then when it comes to action, they turn their back on Europe. 01:27:58.208 --> 01:28:01.915 I have a message for them. Start behaving like real leaders. 01:28:02.095 --> 01:28:05.635 Thank you. Thank you. Thank your next speaker, Suzanna Ceccardi, please. 01:28:09.715 --> 01:28:15.014 Thank you, Mr President. Not even cities reduced to ashes and flames understand that 01:28:15.077 --> 01:28:18.042 we need a more serious approach to immigration. 01:28:18.105 --> 01:28:21.007 Evidently, the lesson of Ceuta was not enough. 01:28:21.070 --> 01:28:25.991 Italy, Poland, Denmark have asked the European Council for new resources to... 01:28:26.054 --> 01:28:30.217 have asked the European Council for a tougher line on immigration. 01:28:30.280 --> 01:28:32.930 And yet once again, nothing has been done. 01:28:32.993 --> 01:28:38.229 And while member states are still being asked to make sacrifices, we are discussing 01:28:38.292 --> 01:28:43.465 new resources are being allocated for Ukraine, we are asking for one simple thing: 01:28:43.528 --> 01:28:48.701 when will Europe start to put at the centre also the security of its own citizens, 01:28:48.764 --> 01:28:54.000 the competitiveness of our businesses? Today we finally have news of the compromise 01:28:54.063 --> 01:28:59.109 reached by the majority groups... who understand that stopping the production of 01:28:59.172 --> 01:29:01.822 diesel and petrol cars by 2035 is madness. 01:29:01.885 --> 01:29:04.850 At last! But how long have we been saying this? 01:29:04.913 --> 01:29:07.941 How much time have we wasted on competitiveness? 01:29:08.004 --> 01:29:13.303 How many Chinese electric cars have flooded our market while we were talking instead 01:29:13.366 --> 01:29:18.350 of converting everything to electric? Meanwhile, however, we patriots have been 01:29:18.413 --> 01:29:23.207 saying this for many years. Now is the time to have a good dose of humility. 01:29:23.270 --> 01:29:28.380 Enough of treating as extremists the positions of those who have been calling for 01:29:28.443 --> 01:29:33.427 greater security, defence of our borders and competitiveness for our businesses 01:29:33.490 --> 01:29:37.212 while protecting jobs. The patriots have always been right. 01:29:37.275 --> 01:29:40.555 And sooner or later, you will be forced to admit it. 01:29:42.535 --> 01:29:44.755 Thank you. Next speaker, Marion Maréchal. 01:29:47.695 --> 01:29:51.741 On this final day, France was devastated by an alliance between far-left militias 01:29:51.791 --> 01:29:54.438 and gangs of thugs who burned, looted and terrorised. 01:29:54.488 --> 01:29:58.584 e. Numerous European leaders from all political backgrounds have responded to this 01:29:58.634 --> 01:30:02.680 tragedy by recognising it as one of the consequences of massive and unassimilated 01:30:02.730 --> 01:30:06.676 immigration. The problem is that one of the few heads of State who is not lucid 01:30:06.726 --> 01:30:09.473 about this situation is precisely the French President. 01:30:09.523 --> 01:30:13.669 Once again, at the last meeting of the European Council, it was Emmanuel Macron who 01:30:13.719 --> 01:30:16.816 prevented the Union from toughening its stance on immigration. 01:30:16.866 --> 01:30:21.011 It was he, alongside the Socialist Pedro Sánchez, who refused to approve a historic 01:30:21.061 --> 01:30:24.957 declaration making the link between immigration and crime, and explaining that 01:30:25.007 --> 01:30:27.405 migratory subversion destroys national cohesion. 01:30:27.455 --> 01:30:31.351 The French must know the truth. It is their President who has betrayed them by 01:30:31.401 --> 01:30:35.347 blocking this text, which is nevertheless supported by the majority of European 01:30:35.397 --> 01:30:37.694 countries. So, fellow Europeans, take courage. 01:30:37.744 --> 01:30:41.940 There are less than six months to go, because soon, in May 2027, France will reclaim 01:30:41.990 --> 01:30:46.136 its rightful place and join the great coalition of proud countries that want Europe 01:30:46.186 --> 01:30:47.386 to remain Europe. 01:30:48.175 --> 01:30:54.475 I colleague Maréchal, would you accept a blue card from João Oliveira 125? 01:30:59.935 --> 01:31:04.783 Thank you. Thank you, Mr President. Madam Member, Madam Member, the far right 01:31:04.846 --> 01:31:09.442 pretends to be very concerned about people’s living conditions, about the 01:31:09.505 --> 01:31:14.290 cost-of-living problems, about housing problems, but in truth this is only a 01:31:14.353 --> 01:31:19.641 pretext. Because there is zero concern. Where was the government of Ms Meloni at the 01:31:19.704 --> 01:31:23.230 European Council meeting to raise these people's issues? 01:31:23.293 --> 01:31:28.078 ? The far-right government of Italy’s Ms. Meloni gave its agreement to these 01:31:28.141 --> 01:31:33.178 conclusions, agreed to the total disregard for the cost of living, disregard for 01:31:33.241 --> 01:31:37.648 housing, disregard for the difficulties that people are going through. 01:31:37.711 --> 01:31:42.496 You cannot come here pretending to be concerned about the people if, in your 01:31:42.559 --> 01:31:47.155 political actions, you contribute to the problems afflicting their lives. 01:31:48.835 --> 01:31:50.035 Please. 01:31:53.515 --> 01:31:58.973 Mr Deputy, it seems to me that you would have been better inspired to use the minute 01:31:59.037 --> 01:32:04.235 that was granted to you to condemn the absolutely scandalous attitude of some of 01:32:04.300 --> 01:32:09.498 your far-left friends who, through an anti-fascist international that engages in 01:32:09.563 --> 01:32:14.241 terrorism, calls for violence, calls for looting, calls for destruction. 01:32:14.306 --> 01:32:17.294 And I say this to you with the utmost gravity: 01:32:17.359 --> 01:32:22.817 I am today in a country that is on the brink of civil war because of the attitude of 01:32:22.882 --> 01:32:28.274 your far-left friends. And I will conclude simply by saying that there is no social 01:32:28.339 --> 01:32:33.667 condition or precariousness that can justify attacking police officers, beating up 01:32:33.732 --> 01:32:37.435 shopkeepers, or destroying town halls or public services. 01:32:38.395 --> 01:32:42.955 Thank you. Next speaker, João Cotrim de Figueiredo. 01:32:45.415 --> 01:32:48.214 Thank you, Mr. President, President Costa, Mr. 01:32:48.275 --> 01:32:52.473 Commissioner Savković. I'd like to say that last week's council was a 01:32:52.534 --> 01:32:57.585 disappointment. For more than two years we all have been calling for Europe to move 01:32:57.646 --> 01:33:02.635 forward quickly and decisively, and yet after the Council on Friday wh at we heard 01:33:02.696 --> 01:33:05.434 was not the sound of Europe marching forward. 01:33:05.495 --> 01:33:10.485 What we heard was sounds of joy in Moscow because Ukraine did not guarantee the 70 01:33:10.545 --> 01:33:15.657 billion you'd asked for, sounds of joy in Beijing because faced with the 360 billion 01:33:15.718 --> 01:33:19.490 euro trade deficit the council asked for, yet another toolbox. 01:33:19.551 --> 01:33:24.601 Sounds of despair which I share from many of my European concitizens realizing that 01:33:24.662 --> 01:33:27.948 not one, not one really structural decision was taken. 01:33:28.009 --> 01:33:30.930 The council welcomes and invites and takes note. 01:33:30.991 --> 01:33:36.041 It spends countless hours redrafting issues that were closed before, but nothing on 01:33:36.102 --> 01:33:39.266 the MFF moved except the lik ely date of conclusion. 01:33:39.327 --> 01:33:44.438 I myself made sounds of laughter when I heard the council call for a regulatory soft 01:33:44.499 --> 01:33:48.819 restraint coming from 27 head of state which make gold plating a daily. 01:33:48.880 --> 01:33:53.931 Past time. The upcoming astronomy meeting of the 26th of November must produce very 01:33:53.991 --> 01:33:58.555 different sounds, Mr. President, the sounds of Europe moving to the future. 01:33:59.875 --> 01:34:04.380 Colleague de Figueiredo, would you accept that you have a two blue card so I will 01:34:04.436 --> 01:34:09.052 try to do it but I will definitely will not go to that I 'm colleague next time the 01:34:09.108 --> 01:34:13.613 second blue card so otherwise we will be much too late so first one is that Marta 01:34:13.669 --> 01:34:15.115 Temido 86 place so please. 01:34:17.695 --> 01:34:18.895 Thank you, President. 01:34:19.675 --> 01:34:23.577 Madam Deputy, the Council concluded that it is insufficient, but requested a 01:34:23.629 --> 01:34:27.685 coordinated European response to the increase in fuel costs, urgent, temporary, 01:34:27.736 --> 01:34:31.895 targeted measures. This was the request made by the Council, this was the request 01:34:31.947 --> 01:34:35.951 made by this Parliament, on several occasions, notably through the taxation of 01:34:36.003 --> 01:34:39.751 excess profits of energy companies. The gentleman seems to be against it. 01:34:39.802 --> 01:34:42.986 How can you call for decisions when you are then against them? 01:34:43.037 --> 01:34:47.247 How do you expect Europe to have the trust of its citizens and for its citizens to 01:34:47.299 --> 01:34:51.355 trust in Europe if we do not then provide responses for their day-to-day lives? 01:34:54.535 --> 01:34:59.282 Thank you very much, Madam Deputy. You are asking me about something on which the 01:34:59.340 --> 01:35:04.029 Council has also not expressed an opinion, and my response regarding that taxing 01:35:04.087 --> 01:35:08.775 extraordinary profits is very simple. I do not want to tax extraordinary profits 01:35:08.834 --> 01:35:13.581 because I do not want to have to bear extraordinary losses one day, and the moral 01:35:13.639 --> 01:35:18.445 case is exactly the same. Therefore, I once again criticise the Council because it 01:35:18.503 --> 01:35:23.250 has not been decisive on Ukraine, it has not been decisive on the MFF, it has not 01:35:23.309 --> 01:35:28.232 been decisive on what are our major difficulties in trade relations with some of the 01:35:28.290 --> 01:35:33.154 blocs we have. This is where we need decisions, not invitations, comments or wishes 01:35:33.213 --> 01:35:34.795 to decide later, decisions. 01:35:35.095 --> 01:35:35.395 Thank you. 01:35:35.395 --> 01:35:36.955 Now, we need the Council to do so immediately. 01:35:37.195 --> 01:35:40.488 Thank you, colleague. You have a still blue or second blue card so if you will 01:35:40.531 --> 01:35:41.755 accept it so Bruno Gonçalves. 01:35:41.995 --> 01:35:42.655 Very popular. 01:35:42.655 --> 01:35:45.355 Bruno Gonçalves 304, you don't need that interpretation. 01:35:50.215 --> 01:35:53.303 Mr Deputy, thank you very much. Mr Deputy, thank you very much. 01:35:53.352 --> 01:35:57.323 I depend on your message being a Europeanist invitation, a Europeanist invitation 01:35:57.372 --> 01:36:00.803 that calls for more investment and more decisive action in your words. 01:36:00.852 --> 01:36:03.205 And they embody that very thing, more resources. 01:36:03.254 --> 01:36:07.274 And so the question I leave you with is: against windfall profits and the taxation 01:36:07.323 --> 01:36:11.245 of extraordinary profits, profits that, by the way, do not derive from merit but 01:36:11.294 --> 01:36:15.117 stem solely from the decisions of a single unstable person in the White House. 01:36:15.166 --> 01:36:18.255 My question is very simple: where will we find these resources? 01:36:18.304 --> 01:36:22.372 Do you advocate for greater own resources from the Member States or do you advocate 01:36:22.421 --> 01:36:24.235 for which and how new European taxes? 01:36:26.095 --> 01:36:27.595 Mr/Ms Deputy, to your question, the answer is. 01:36:28.435 --> 01:36:32.545 A budget that is commensurate with Europe’s ambitions, which will necessarily have 01:36:32.595 --> 01:36:36.755 to be higher than the previous one and which must not burden national contributions 01:36:36.805 --> 01:36:39.211 by resorting to own resources, on one condition. 01:36:39.261 --> 01:36:43.421 That these own resources do not divert revenue that currently belongs to the Member 01:36:43.471 --> 01:36:47.681 States. Therefore, they must truly be own resources generated, managed and collected 01:36:47.731 --> 01:36:49.435 by the Union. Thank you very much. 01:36:50.395 --> 01:36:53.995 Thank you. So next speaker, Alice Kuhn-Kae, please. 01:36:56.275 --> 01:36:59.178 Thank you, Mr President. This is how it is: 01:36:59.246 --> 01:37:04.917 the money is not enough for everything, and therefore we need to have the ability to 01:37:04.985 --> 01:37:10.656 prioritise. Freedom and defence are two fundamental prerequisites in the face of the 01:37:10.724 --> 01:37:16.125 challenges we are facing. The defence of our freedoms and rights, the defence of 01:37:16.192 --> 01:37:21.324 what builds the EU and Sweden’s strength. And that is about the work against 01:37:21.391 --> 01:37:26.725 disinformation, by investing in free, scrutinising and independent media, it is 01:37:26.793 --> 01:37:32.261 about meeting places – the local association, the youth club, the rehearsal space 01:37:32.329 --> 01:37:37.933 and the theatre stage – it is about the vital women’s shelters, about resources for 01:37:38.000 --> 01:37:43.537 the conditions to organise, about popular movements, about a strong civil society. 01:37:43.604 --> 01:37:48.060 It is precisely through these tools that democracy becomes strong. 01:37:48.128 --> 01:37:53.529 That is how we build trust in one another, that is how we build the society that 01:37:53.597 --> 01:37:56.635 Putin so eagerly wants to destroy. Thank you. 01:37:57.895 --> 01:38:00.955 Okay, would you accept the blue card from Charlie Weimers, 107? 01:38:01.915 --> 01:38:02.935 Yes. 01:38:02.935 --> 01:38:04.135 Yeah, please. 01:38:05.095 --> 01:38:05.515 Thank you. 01:38:05.515 --> 01:38:10.146 Mr President, Alice Bah Kuhnke, you did indeed speak in favour of defending freedoms 01:38:10.201 --> 01:38:14.832 and rights, and on that we are in agreement, but in the last session the Green Party 01:38:14.887 --> 01:38:19.463 voted against defending precisely those freedoms and rights with regard to Islamist 01:38:19.518 --> 01:38:23.708 infiltration and you were opposed to the terrorist designation of the Muslim 01:38:23.763 --> 01:38:28.394 Brotherhood. At first I saw that you had voted in favour of this, and I thought that 01:38:28.449 --> 01:38:32.970 was good. She also sees that this is a women-oppressing organisation, but then you 01:38:33.025 --> 01:38:37.215 announce that you voted incorrectly. Why is it wrong to designate the Muslim 01:38:37.270 --> 01:38:39.475 Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation? 01:38:40.975 --> 01:38:45.448 For me, as a Green, it is self-evident that we are opposed to all forms of extremism 01:38:45.501 --> 01:38:48.110 and all forms of violent extremism and terrorism. 01:38:48.164 --> 01:38:52.210 What we, on the other hand, are opposed to, and will always stand up for, is 01:38:52.264 --> 01:38:56.417 populism that, with sweeping generalisations, seeks to stigmatise all Muslims. 01:38:56.470 --> 01:39:00.890 Unfortunately, we are living in a reality where many in this House, particularly on 01:39:00.943 --> 01:39:05.097 the side to which Mr Charlie Weimers belongs, are doing everything they can to 01:39:05.150 --> 01:39:08.132 undermine human rights, to drive a wedge between people. 01:39:08.185 --> 01:39:10.315 We Greens will never go along with that. 01:39:10.915 --> 01:39:12.115 Thank you. 01:39:12.835 --> 01:39:16.537 Sorry, we from the time constraints, we don't have a time. 01:39:16.601 --> 01:39:19.601 Sorry, colleague, Weimers. Thank you very much. 01:39:19.665 --> 01:39:21.835 So next speaker, Katarina Martins. 01:39:29.815 --> 01:39:33.090 Thank you, Mr President. I would like to make a suggestion: 01:39:33.146 --> 01:39:37.365 open the windows of the office and listen, listen to what people are saying. 01:39:37.421 --> 01:39:40.696 Thank you, Mr President. I would like to make a suggestion: 01:39:40.752 --> 01:39:45.027 open the windows of your office and listen, listen to what people are saying. 01:39:45.138 --> 01:39:48.635 They want homes, but there are no homes that people can afford. 01:39:48.691 --> 01:39:53.077 And while the far right blames workers in agriculture, construction, transport, 01:39:53.132 --> 01:39:56.796 distribution and care homes, the sale of luxury homes has doubled. 01:39:56.852 --> 01:39:59.683 Real estate funds have seen their assets quintuple. 01:39:59.739 --> 01:40:03.958 The Council meets, discusses the budget and there is not a single word about 01:40:04.013 --> 01:40:07.455 housing. They talk about competitiveness, so what about wages? 01:40:07.511 --> 01:40:10.842 Productivity in Europe has almost tripled compared to wages. 01:40:10.898 --> 01:40:15.339 People cannot make a living because everything goes to the richest 1% who do not 01:40:15.394 --> 01:40:20.058 even pay the taxes they owe. Yes, people are angry and they have every reason to be. 01:40:20.113 --> 01:40:24.555 And meanwhile, Ms von der Leyen, who has already left, came here to say that she 01:40:24.610 --> 01:40:29.274 wants to put more money into the billionaire arms industry, which will be taken away 01:40:29.329 --> 01:40:33.715 from schools and healthcare. Yes, the arsonists are actually here in this room. 01:40:36.895 --> 01:40:42.655 Colleague, Martins, you have a blue card from Piotr Müller, 591. 01:40:42.745 --> 01:40:47.155 Would you accept blue card from Piotr Müller 591? 01:40:48.415 --> 01:40:49.615 Yeah. 01:40:53.215 --> 01:40:55.918 I am glad that you are talking about the cost of living. 01:40:55.966 --> 01:40:59.683 I am glad that you are talking about the cost of living of European citizens. 01:40:59.731 --> 01:41:02.386 It is very good that you are drawing attention to this. 01:41:02.434 --> 01:41:06.103 However, I have a question for you then: what is your position regarding the 01:41:06.151 --> 01:41:10.206 abolition or deep reform of the ETS system, which in fact deepens the cost of living 01:41:10.254 --> 01:41:14.116 for those who are least well-off, when it comes to heating, when it comes to the 01:41:14.164 --> 01:41:17.495 buildings directive, which also increases costs precisely in housing? 01:41:17.543 --> 01:41:21.453 What will you say on this matter? Because the European Council has discussed this 01:41:21.501 --> 01:41:24.928 issue in order to abolish the ETS system or to fundamentally reform it. 01:41:24.976 --> 01:41:28.790 I hope that the left will finally also understand that this means higher living 01:41:28.838 --> 01:41:30.038 costs for citizens. 01:41:35.815 --> 01:41:40.041 Mr Deputy, changing environmental rules now means making European industry more 01:41:40.095 --> 01:41:44.482 vulnerable. Everyone is talking about strategic autonomy, but then the rules could 01:41:44.535 --> 01:41:48.869 be changed every day. This destroys jobs in Europe, it destroys wealth in Europe. 01:41:48.922 --> 01:41:53.416 You are not going to get me to defend the carbon market, which I have never defended 01:41:53.469 --> 01:41:55.716 in my life, but I will tell you one thing: 01:41:55.770 --> 01:41:59.675 we can have a just transition, yes, and make energy companies pay for it. 01:41:59.729 --> 01:42:03.955 The problem is that they want to cut even further what little they already pay. 01:42:04.975 --> 01:42:07.915 So thank you. Next speaker, Mari Khan, please. 01:42:10.135 --> 01:42:15.758 You know, in just two days, 80,000 migrants crossed the Spanish border illegally. 01:42:15.828 --> 01:42:20.965 And what do the European heads of government, what does Friedrich Merz do? 01:42:21.034 --> 01:42:26.380 For this so-called invasion, they have only three meagre paragraphs to offer. 01:42:26.449 --> 01:42:31.309 And what are the people in Ceuta supposed to do with their solidarity? 01:42:31.378 --> 01:42:34.572 People who no longer recognise their own city. 01:42:34.641 --> 01:42:39.709 Three paragraphs without even mentioning the child, namely that this mass 01:42:39.779 --> 01:42:44.291 immigration is also being used as a weapon against our continent. 01:42:44.361 --> 01:42:49.984 And to this day, they have not been willing—have not been willing at all—to spend 01:42:50.053 --> 01:42:53.108 1.2 trillion euros to defend this continent. 01:42:53.177 --> 01:42:58.939 France and Italy have been burning for weeks because they want it, because of their 01:42:59.009 --> 01:43:04.702 migration policy. But they don’t care. They let more criminals and terrorists into 01:43:04.771 --> 01:43:10.047 Europe day after day. And unfortunately, Ms von der Leyen is not here again. 01:43:10.117 --> 01:43:14.351 She left early. You owe it to Europeans at last to step down. 01:43:14.421 --> 01:43:15.621 Thank you. 01:43:16.135 --> 01:43:18.835 Thank you. Next speaker, Tomas Dobre. 01:43:22.255 --> 01:43:27.686 President, colleagues, the European Council has recognized the hard truth: 01:43:27.759 --> 01:43:33.777 not only the awful war of aggression against Ukraine, but also the constant hybrid 01:43:33.851 --> 01:43:37.447 attacks against Europe are threatening our union. 01:43:37.520 --> 01:43:43.538 The EBP group strongly supports the message that Russia's hostile actions will not 01:43:43.612 --> 01:43:49.263 go unanswered. The same must go for any other hostile actor attacking Europe. 01:43:49.336 --> 01:43:54.694 We cannot be weak against our enemies. And we cannot be naive about their 01:43:54.767 --> 01:43:59.317 strategies. The weaponization of migration is a clear example. 01:43:59.391 --> 01:44:05.555 We must be prepared for crises like in Ceuta, where our external border was breached 01:44:05.629 --> 01:44:11.793 on a massive sc ale in a matter of days. And of course, Prime Minister Sanchez needs 01:44:11.867 --> 01:44:17.591 to leave office, but also the people who don't have the right to be in Europe. 01:44:17.665 --> 01:44:23.830 Russia and Belarus have since long used migration to pressure Europe, and we need to 01:44:23.903 --> 01:44:30.068 do more to tackle this. We also need to be very clear about cross-border crime, with 01:44:30.141 --> 01:44:36.232 a hybrid dimension. Europol has a crucial role to play, and must be able to support 01:44:36.306 --> 01:44:42.471 member states. Colleagues, we must do more, not less, to defend our borders, protect 01:44:42.544 --> 01:44:45.700 our democracies, and safeguard our freedom. 01:44:45.773 --> 01:44:49.736 We did not build the European Union to be intimidated. 01:44:49.810 --> 01:44:55.828 We built it together. And together we must defend our values and fight for Europe. 01:44:55.901 --> 01:44:57.101 Thank you. 01:44:57.415 --> 01:45:00.115 Thank you. Next speaker, Marit May, please. 01:45:05.275 --> 01:45:10.114 Thank you, Mr President. Did you know that in the latest proposal for the upcoming 01:45:10.173 --> 01:45:14.894 European budget, the European Council is allocating more than four times as much 01:45:14.953 --> 01:45:18.140 money to agriculture as to Europe’s social objectives? 01:45:18.199 --> 01:45:22.802 For 8.8 million agricultural businesses, 261 billion euros have been reserved. 01:45:22.861 --> 01:45:27.700 And for 92.7 million people living on or at the edge of poverty, not a single euro 01:45:27.759 --> 01:45:31.241 has been reserved, but rather a target of 61 billion euros. 01:45:31.300 --> 01:45:36.198 Children who go to school without breakfast do not have tractors to stage protests. 01:45:36.257 --> 01:45:39.089 People with disabilities do not block motorways. 01:45:39.148 --> 01:45:42.099 Homeless people cannot afford expensive lobbyists. 01:45:42.158 --> 01:45:47.115 The social dimension of the European Union is under pressure with the narrative that 01:45:47.174 --> 01:45:51.600 social policy is a burden. It is harmful that the new Multiannual Financial 01:45:51.659 --> 01:45:55.849 Framework does not have a separate budget for the European Social Fund. 01:45:55.908 --> 01:45:58.800 Europe is so much more than just competitiveness. 01:45:58.859 --> 01:46:02.576 It is also looking out for one another and investing in people. 01:46:02.635 --> 01:46:07.593 And let me repeat this one more time: a separate budget for the European Social Fund 01:46:07.652 --> 01:46:09.835 is a red line for the S&D. Thank you. 01:46:10.795 --> 01:46:13.435 Thank you. Next speaker, Marieke Eilers. 01:46:20.095 --> 01:46:25.420 Thank you, Mr President. I could speak again today about Ukraine, the budget, 01:46:25.489 --> 01:46:30.883 enlargement and competitiveness, but then I would only be contributing to this 01:46:30.952 --> 01:46:36.277 endless echo chamber. So let me therefore address something more fundamental: 01:46:36.346 --> 01:46:40.771 Mr President, the Member States are the masters of the Treaties. 01:46:40.841 --> 01:46:45.681 The Commission is the guardian thereof. But neither seems to take that 01:46:45.750 --> 01:46:51.490 responsibility seriously anymore. And once again, it is citizens who are paying the 01:46:51.559 --> 01:46:57.368 price. Their purchasing power is evaporating, our competitive strength is declining, 01:46:57.437 --> 01:47:02.900 and energy costs are skyrocketing. Illegal migration continues unabated and our 01:47:02.969 --> 01:47:08.363 streets are more unsafe than ever. And Brussels just keeps on thundering away. 01:47:08.432 --> 01:47:13.619 The committee acts like a decree factory churning out destructive policies. 01:47:13.688 --> 01:47:18.597 The majority in this Parliament has long since lost touch with reality. 01:47:18.667 --> 01:47:23.023 And the Member States themselves? They just stand by and watch. 01:47:23.092 --> 01:47:27.864 At home, government leaders promise fewer rules and less bureaucracy. 01:47:27.933 --> 01:47:33.534 They send urgent letters to Ursula. They beg for a postponement of suffocating EU 01:47:33.603 --> 01:47:38.651 rules and demand an emergency brake on the Commission’s regulatory drive. 01:47:38.721 --> 01:47:43.008 Yet once they are in Brussels, they all capitulate one by one. 01:47:43.077 --> 01:47:48.609 How many more angry letters about the budget and deregulation will still follow? 01:47:48.679 --> 01:47:54.211 When are the heads of government finally going to block what they claim to fight 01:47:54.280 --> 01:47:59.881 against at home? It is high time that the Commission is reined in and its decrees 01:47:59.950 --> 01:48:01.195 end up in the bin. 01:48:01.795 --> 01:48:02.695 Thank you. 01:48:02.695 --> 01:48:05.275 Thank you. Next speaker, Francesco Torselli. 01:48:11.935 --> 01:48:17.337 There is one case that, more than any other, illustrates the absurd tendency of the 01:48:17.402 --> 01:48:22.674 European Union to harm itself. This is the case of the ETS, a mad system that has 01:48:22.739 --> 01:48:26.709 seen, since its inception to date, the cost multiply tenfold. 01:48:26.774 --> 01:48:32.241 quotas, increasing financial speculation and its cost being asymmetrically passed on 01:48:32.306 --> 01:48:35.365 to energy prices in various European countries. 01:48:35.430 --> 01:48:39.661 But above all, it has not led to a reduction in global emissions. 01:48:39.726 --> 01:48:44.672 Without Giorgia Meloni’s insistence, the Council would not have committed to 01:48:44.737 --> 01:48:50.009 reviewing the ETS system and to assessing the impact of the ETS2 folly on housing 01:48:50.074 --> 01:48:55.281 and transport. So perhaps those who say that here, locked in this bubble, Europe 01:48:55.346 --> 01:48:59.967 does not see that our industry is closing down and migrating are right. 01:49:00.032 --> 01:49:05.369 It does not see that China is dominating us with critical minerals, and I could go 01:49:05.434 --> 01:49:10.771 on. In this dramatic context, anyone who, for ideological or self-serving reasons, 01:49:10.836 --> 01:49:14.155 still wastes time is simply a tragically complicit. 01:49:15.835 --> 01:49:18.235 Thank you. Next speaker, Laurence Farang. 01:49:21.115 --> 01:49:25.612 Mr President, Mr President of the Council, Commissioner, once again. 01:49:25.679 --> 01:49:31.102 Donald Trump is betraying Ukraine and Europe once again on the altar of foul deals 01:49:31.168 --> 01:49:36.261 with Vladimir Putin. He is once again choosing the aggressor over the victim. 01:49:36.327 --> 01:49:41.684 Again! We repeat: we are supporting Ukraine not only because we firmly believe in 01:49:41.750 --> 01:49:46.380 respect for international law. We are helping it for our own security. 01:49:46.446 --> 01:49:51.341 The far right, which denies this reality, is, as always, beneath contempt. 01:49:51.407 --> 01:49:54.184 So let us step up our support for Ukraine. 01:49:54.251 --> 01:49:58.417 Let us protect its skies. Let us use the frozen Russian assets. 01:49:58.484 --> 01:50:03.642 Let us rise to the occasion. Europe must stop waiting for anything from Donald 01:50:03.709 --> 01:50:09.000 Trump. It must absolutely build its independence to defend its values, to combat 01:50:09.066 --> 01:50:14.092 China's unfair competition, to protect its economy and jobs, and to increase 01:50:14.158 --> 01:50:19.317 Europeans' purchasing power. And to achieve this, we need an ambitious budget, 01:50:19.383 --> 01:50:23.484 equipped with new resources, capable of giving us more leeway. 01:50:23.550 --> 01:50:26.989 So let's stop dithering. Let's stop being defeatist. 01:50:27.056 --> 01:50:29.635 Let's be radically European. Thank you. 01:50:29.935 --> 01:50:37.516 Thank you. Next speaker, Damian Bozalaghed. 01:50:37.693 --> 01:50:41.395 Could be enough, yes. 01:50:48.655 --> 01:50:53.321 Dear President Costa, whenever Europe's 27 leaders meet to solve our problems, we 01:50:53.379 --> 01:50:55.799 get your document expressing deep concern. 01:50:55.856 --> 01:51:00.062 Underlining the urgency and reiterating the need for something to happen. 01:51:00.119 --> 01:51:04.901 Now, President Costa, while I understand the power of words, in these chaotic times 01:51:04.959 --> 01:51:09.625 we lack action, not words. When Trump cuts Starshield and Ukrainians die in their 01:51:09.683 --> 01:51:14.464 sleep, Europe needs to act. When young people take to the streets for their future, 01:51:14.522 --> 01:51:19.246 Europe needs to act. When Serbians are trying to get rid of their dictator, Europe 01:51:19.303 --> 01:51:23.970 needs to act. And when a mother is held at gunpoint every day when picking up her 01:51:24.028 --> 01:51:27.023 son at school in the West Bank, Europe needs to act. 01:51:27.081 --> 01:51:31.747 President Costa, I know that bringing 27 leaders together on the same will is not 01:51:31.805 --> 01:51:34.455 easy, especially when they're so weak at home. 01:51:34.513 --> 01:51:39.352 But governing Europe is not only about finding a common will, it's also about acting 01:51:39.409 --> 01:51:43.269 on that will. So allow me to say it in the language of the Council: 01:51:43.327 --> 01:51:47.244 we strongly encourage European leaders to move from words to action. 01:51:47.302 --> 01:51:51.911 We underline the urgent need to replace the 27 weak national leaders with a real 01:51:51.968 --> 01:51:56.635 European government, and we demand that the people of Europe are allowed to elect 01:51:56.692 --> 01:51:58.075 their future. Thank you. 01:51:58.735 --> 01:52:01.915 Thank you. Next speaker, Estrella Galán, please. 01:52:06.175 --> 01:52:11.213 Thank you, Mr President. Mr Costas, there is enormous unrest in Europe, unrest that 01:52:11.274 --> 01:52:15.826 is being expressed in housing protests, in demonstrations for education, in 01:52:15.887 --> 01:52:20.925 mobilisations over the cost of living. But Ms von der Leyen has understood nothing, 01:52:20.986 --> 01:52:25.902 nor has she even stayed to listen to it. A large part of that unrest is affecting 01:52:25.963 --> 01:52:29.787 young people. And what they are telling us is something brutal: 01:52:29.848 --> 01:52:34.461 we have no future. They had the opportunity to tell the majority of society: 01:52:34.521 --> 01:52:39.377 'We have heard you and we are going to change course.' However, that is not what 01:52:39.438 --> 01:52:44.173 they have done. They are once again displaying the same old short-sightedness. 01:52:44.233 --> 01:52:49.150 More deregulation and more borders is not the answer to a precarious life with no 01:52:49.211 --> 01:52:54.249 future. Completing the single market is not the answer to the cost of living, which 01:52:54.309 --> 01:52:59.408 is the nightmare of millions of families. More competitiveness is not what is needed 01:52:59.469 --> 01:53:04.446 to guarantee that housing is a right. You mind your own business, and then you are 01:53:04.507 --> 01:53:08.634 surprised that the weeds of the far right keep growing at your feet. 01:53:08.695 --> 01:53:12.215 The bad thing is that it is not growing only at your feet; 01:53:12.276 --> 01:53:13.915 it is also growing at ours. 01:53:15.175 --> 01:53:19.555 Thank you. Next speaker, Hans Neuhof. Please. 01:53:28.135 --> 01:53:34.172 The EU’s Ukraine strategy has failed. 21 packages of sanctions have not brought 01:53:34.249 --> 01:53:39.980 Russia to its knees. Its arms industry is operating at full throttle, while 01:53:40.056 --> 01:53:44.718 Ukraine's financial needs have proven to be a bottomless pit. 01:53:44.794 --> 01:53:50.984 Ukraine remains exposed to Russian drones and missiles, while Moscow’s conditions 01:53:51.061 --> 01:53:54.958 for negotiations remain unchanged. remain the same. 01:53:55.034 --> 01:54:00.919 The conclusions of the European Council on this are nothing but a document of 01:54:00.995 --> 01:54:04.281 failure. The same appeals and declarations: 01:54:04.358 --> 01:54:09.172 'Keep fighting, Ukraine,' which we have been hearing for years. 01:54:09.248 --> 01:54:13.757 Ukraine cannot continue this war of attrition indefinitely. 01:54:13.834 --> 01:54:17.502 Its population has shrunk from 52 to 22 million. 01:54:17.578 --> 01:54:23.768 Ladies and gentlemen, after the recapture of the Vietnamese city of Bến Tre, a US 01:54:23.844 --> 01:54:28.735 officer said: "We had to destroy this city in order to save it." 01:54:28.812 --> 01:54:35.154 Who among you would want to be responsible for a policy about which it will one day 01:54:35.231 --> 01:54:36.355 be said... 01:54:36.355 --> 01:54:37.555 We do conclude. Please. 01:54:37.915 --> 01:54:39.595 save them, and has done so. 01:54:39.775 --> 01:54:42.934 Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. 01:54:43.009 --> 01:54:45.115 Next speaker, Niklas Herbst. 01:54:49.675 --> 01:54:53.563 Thank you, Mr President. My dear ladies and gentlemen, I live in Kiel on the Baltic 01:54:53.610 --> 01:54:55.998 Sea, and the Baltic Sea is the main operating area. 01:54:56.045 --> 01:54:59.933 Thank you, Mr President. My dear ladies and gentlemen, I live in Kiel on the Baltic 01:54:59.980 --> 01:55:03.680 Sea, and the Baltic Sea is the main operating area of the Russian shadow fleet. 01:55:03.727 --> 01:55:07.240 This is not only a threat to security policy and the economy, it is also an 01:55:07.287 --> 01:55:10.613 ecological threat to us in an ecosystem that is already very sensitive. 01:55:10.659 --> 01:55:13.704 And we do not have to wait for attacks. We have experienced them. 01:55:13.751 --> 01:55:17.639 There have been attacks on undersea cables, the lifelines in the Baltic Sea region. 01:55:17.685 --> 01:55:21.292 These are not just random incidents. We have seen espionage attempts, acts of 01:55:21.339 --> 01:55:23.306 sabotage, drone overflights, cyberattacks. 01:55:23.353 --> 01:55:27.241 So we do not have to wait. The attacks are happening, and we must also make it very 01:55:27.288 --> 01:55:31.035 clear to people: that is why it is important that the conclusions of the Council 01:55:31.082 --> 01:55:34.782 also include security policy demands. I do not read too much of them, but some. 01:55:34.829 --> 01:55:38.623 For example, regarding the Agile programme, which is praised but is still far too 01:55:38.670 --> 01:55:41.012 limited and is essentially still in a pilot phase. 01:55:41.059 --> 01:55:43.447 On military mobility, which is extremely important. 01:55:43.494 --> 01:55:47.429 And hopefully will also be seen in the countries that are a little further away from 01:55:47.476 --> 01:55:50.333 the NATO eastern flank. And the European Union must act here. 01:55:50.380 --> 01:55:52.675 And there is the saying, which I think fits well: 01:55:52.675 --> 01:55:53.935 "Put your money where your mouth is." 01:55:54.055 --> 01:55:57.945 Because if we look at what the proposal is in the current negotiating box, cuts are 01:55:57.992 --> 01:56:01.835 being made precisely in these areas. And that is why, ladies and gentlemen, we all 01:56:01.882 --> 01:56:04.600 need to move. And. That is also my message to the Council: 01:56:04.647 --> 01:56:08.349 here in Parliament you will find many well-meaning forces that are able to move 01:56:08.396 --> 01:56:12.145 forward as well. In order to actually create these opportunities within the next 01:56:12.192 --> 01:56:15.894 multiannual financial framework, however, this movement must also happen on the 01:56:15.941 --> 01:56:19.878 Council’s side. We are ready, and we hope that the Council is too, for the people in 01:56:19.925 --> 01:56:22.315 the Baltic Sea region and across Europe. Thank you. 01:56:23.395 --> 01:56:25.675 Colleague Herbst, Colleague Herbst, 01:56:25.735 --> 01:56:29.755 you have a two blue cards. First one is Luca Zipper, would you accept it? 01:56:31.255 --> 01:56:32.455 I have already been waiting. 01:56:32.635 --> 01:56:33.835 Yeah, please. 01:56:36.055 --> 01:56:41.209 Thank you very much, Mr President. Thank you very much, colleague, for accepting the 01:56:41.270 --> 01:56:46.240 blue card. I am also pleased about that. That I am allowed to ask you a question. 01:56:46.301 --> 01:56:49.491 I would like to play devil’s advocate a little here. 01:56:49.553 --> 01:56:54.645 Because you and I, I think we both know that when we go out to the public – and you 01:56:54.706 --> 01:56:59.798 have said we need to explain this to people – it keeps happening that people say we 01:56:59.860 --> 01:57:04.768 are to blame for having provoked Russia, that we are the aggressors, that we are 01:57:04.829 --> 01:57:09.860 standing in the way of peace. Now, you and I both agree that that is not the case. 01:57:09.922 --> 01:57:13.480 But what do you say to these people to change their minds? 01:57:13.541 --> 01:57:14.741 Thank you. 01:57:15.115 --> 01:57:17.517 Also, where I come from, the people are very peaceful. 01:57:17.562 --> 01:57:20.320 But they also know how maritime navigation works, for example. 01:57:20.365 --> 01:57:22.856 And that you don’t accidentally destroy undersea cables. 01:57:22.900 --> 01:57:26.326 Rather, that it is a targeted attack. And that it is a targeted attack on us. 01:57:26.370 --> 01:57:29.663 And the people understand that too, when you confront them with the truth. 01:57:29.707 --> 01:57:32.866 And that is why I believe that if we simply stick to the facts and say: 01:57:32.910 --> 01:57:36.647 We are not attacking anyone, we are not destroying any undersea cables, but they are 01:57:36.692 --> 01:57:39.850 being destroyed in our waters, then I think that is explanation enough. 01:57:39.895 --> 01:57:42.475 And the vast majority of people understand that very well. 01:57:44.815 --> 01:57:50.696 Thank you. Kollege Herbst, the second card is from Kollege Jungblut, 613, would you 01:57:50.766 --> 01:57:51.715 accept it? 01:57:51.715 --> 01:57:55.163 I am not quite as pleased about the colleague Mr Sipper, but progress is being made 01:57:55.204 --> 01:57:56.404 here too, of course. 01:57:58.135 --> 01:57:58.615 Please. 01:57:58.615 --> 01:58:02.826 Yes, thank you very much, colleague. I am all the more pleased to be able to put 01:58:02.878 --> 01:58:06.984 this question to you. Very briefly: you have indeed criticised some cuts quite 01:58:07.036 --> 01:58:11.247 clearly, and now the fact is that even Germany’s Federal Chancellor is proposing 01:58:11.300 --> 01:58:15.247 significant cuts. That means that even the proposals from the Irish Council 01:58:15.300 --> 01:58:19.668 Presidency do not go far enough for you. He says that we actually need to make even 01:58:19.721 --> 01:58:22.932 more significant cuts to the multiannual financial framework. 01:58:22.984 --> 01:58:27.405 How does this align with your demands that we should significantly increase spending 01:58:27.458 --> 01:58:28.658 in some areas? 01:58:29.395 --> 01:58:33.164 As I have already said, I believe that we should all leave our trenches and discuss 01:58:33.209 --> 01:58:35.207 how to spend money in the most sensible way. 01:58:35.253 --> 01:58:38.886 That is the only question. It is not just about the amount, but really about the 01:58:38.931 --> 01:58:40.929 question: where can things best be achieved? 01:58:40.974 --> 01:58:44.426 And I am quite certain that if we not only quote the Federal Chancellor in a 01:58:44.471 --> 01:58:47.968 shortened form, but also quote him on the fact that he is very committed to a 01:58:48.013 --> 01:58:51.646 modernised budget, to greater competitiveness and to greater defence capability, 01:58:51.691 --> 01:58:54.552 that this can also have positive effects on the federal budget. 01:58:54.597 --> 01:58:57.731 So we should all move away a little from this very simplistic debate: 01:58:57.776 --> 01:59:01.318 How much money are you spending? Instead: How can we best spend the taxpayers' 01:59:01.363 --> 01:59:04.315 money? The Herr Finanzamt can also make a good contribution here. 01:59:05.035 --> 01:59:10.934 Yeah, thank you. So, next speaker, no, blue card is over, yeah, so thank you, 01:59:11.011 --> 01:59:14.995 Kollege Herbst. Next speaker, Javier Moreno Sánchez. 01:59:18.655 --> 01:59:22.811 Thank you, Mr President. Mr President, Commissioner, honourable Members. 01:59:22.869 --> 01:59:27.602 Let us recall that the European Parliament is the budgetary authority and that the 01:59:27.660 --> 01:59:32.508 pro-European forces are prepared to reject the Council’s inadequate proposal for the 01:59:32.566 --> 01:59:37.357 next multiannual financial framework. This would lead to an unprecedented financial 01:59:37.415 --> 01:59:42.206 and institutional crisis that would leave a weak Union, adrift in a turbulent world 01:59:42.263 --> 01:59:46.997 order. We need a competitive and green Europe that guarantees its own security and 01:59:47.054 --> 01:59:51.557 defence. Honourable Members, the proposal from the Irish Presidency is clearly 01:59:51.614 --> 01:59:56.174 insufficient to keep the European Union united, cohesive both territorially and 01:59:56.232 --> 02:00:00.792 socially. As defended by my country's President, Pedro Sánchez, at the European 02:00:00.850 --> 02:00:04.775 Council, cuts cannot be made. Moreover, own resources are essential. 02:00:04.833 --> 02:00:08.989 The priority is the health, education, work and housing of our citizens. 02:00:09.046 --> 02:00:12.394 That is why an adequate European Social Fund is essential. 02:00:12.452 --> 02:00:17.243 Mr President, the agreement must be finalised in December so that this House can do 02:00:17.301 --> 02:00:22.034 its work and adopt the legislative acts that guarantee the continuity of the funds 02:00:22.092 --> 02:00:25.555 in 2028. Mr President Costa, we are counting on your skills. 02:00:26.935 --> 02:00:30.115 Yeah, thank you very much. Next speaker, Jean-Paul Garreau. 02:00:36.055 --> 02:00:39.637 At the last European Council, the social-democrat Prime Minister of Denmark 02:00:39.685 --> 02:00:43.554 delivered a damning assessment that we have been making for years among patriots. 02:00:43.602 --> 02:00:47.375 Uncontrolled immigration threatens the cohesion of our societies, weighs on our 02:00:47.423 --> 02:00:49.477 public services and exacerbates insecurity. 02:00:49.524 --> 02:00:53.393 When a left-wing leader denounces mass immigration, she completely undermines the 02:00:53.441 --> 02:00:57.071 caricatures of political correctness that would label any clear-eyed view on 02:00:57.119 --> 02:01:00.892 migration as far-right. And we saw this, moreover, just last weekend in France, 02:01:00.940 --> 02:01:04.904 where hordes of rioters, many of them from immigrant backgrounds, laid waste to our 02:01:04.952 --> 02:01:07.053 to label all migration realism as far-right. 02:01:07.101 --> 02:01:11.066 And we saw this, moreover, last weekend in France, where hordes of rioters, many of 02:01:11.113 --> 02:01:14.648 them from immigration backgrounds, ransacked our cities alongside far-left 02:01:14.696 --> 02:01:18.660 militants. In Denmark, the left has understood that ignoring the will of the people 02:01:18.708 --> 02:01:21.574 is to betray the working classes and open the door to chaos. 02:01:21.621 --> 02:01:25.633 By contrast, the Spanish socialist Prime Minister persists in mass regularisation of 02:01:25.681 --> 02:01:29.407 several hundred thousand undocumented migrants, putting all of Europe at risk. 02:01:29.455 --> 02:01:33.371 Fortunately, the upcoming legislative elections will correct this policy and bring 02:01:33.419 --> 02:01:37.288 our allies from Vox to power. This European fracture proves that the divide is no 02:01:37.335 --> 02:01:41.061 longer between the right and the left, between reality and denial, but between 02:01:41.109 --> 02:01:45.025 patriots and globalists. Only the firmness of nations, thank you, masters of their 02:01:45.073 --> 02:01:46.315 borders, will save Europe. 02:01:46.495 --> 02:01:51.804 Thank you. You have a blue card, Kollege Garreau, from Schwab, Andreas Schwab, 199. 02:01:51.868 --> 02:01:53.275 Would you accept? Yes? 02:01:53.335 --> 02:01:53.635 Yes. 02:01:53.635 --> 02:01:54.295 Please. 02:01:54.295 --> 02:01:58.047 Thank you. Thank you, Mr President. Dear colleagues, I am here. 02:01:58.107 --> 02:02:02.693 So, I listened very carefully to your speech on immigration, and since we are 02:02:02.753 --> 02:02:05.492 talking about the budget, I wanted to ask you: 02:02:05.552 --> 02:02:10.555 what advantage do you see in the European budget in the interest of French citizens? 02:02:12.355 --> 02:02:15.683 But is this question related to what I was talking about? 02:02:15.741 --> 02:02:20.587 The European budget, if you want me to talk about the European budget, it is indeed 02:02:20.646 --> 02:02:25.142 a major subject, an immense subject, with this key question being that of own 02:02:25.200 --> 02:02:29.988 resources. Of this budget. To which we are totally opposed, because we cannot, and 02:02:30.046 --> 02:02:33.958 we do not want, an increase in the European budget's own resources. 02:02:34.016 --> 02:02:36.235 So I think that answers your question. 02:02:37.615 --> 02:02:41.635 Thank you. Now, next speaker, Johan van Overtvelt. 02:02:47.695 --> 02:02:50.657 Mr President, President Costa, Commissioner. 02:02:50.724 --> 02:02:56.109 In the current geopolitically turbulent circumstances, it is more important than 02:02:56.176 --> 02:03:00.619 ever that the European Union places competitiveness at the centre. 02:03:00.686 --> 02:03:05.869 Our delegation therefore welcomes the joint appeal by the German, Italian and 02:03:05.937 --> 02:03:11.591 Belgian heads of government. The European Union must enhance its competitiveness not 02:03:11.658 --> 02:03:16.707 only by stimulating new investments but also by actively removing legal and 02:03:16.774 --> 02:03:22.226 administrative obstacles and by a forward-looking reshaping of European budgetary 02:03:22.294 --> 02:03:27.948 expenditures. Moreover, of course, competitiveness cannot be considered in isolation 02:03:28.015 --> 02:03:32.727 from the phenomenon of China and the unfair practices applied by them. 02:03:32.795 --> 02:03:38.449 I repeat my call for a general import tariff of around 10% on everything coming from 02:03:38.516 --> 02:03:43.767 China. t. The revenue from this could be used to support Ukraine, and we would 02:03:43.834 --> 02:03:46.728 immediately send a double message to China: 02:03:46.796 --> 02:03:51.036 stop this unfair competition and stop facilitating Putin’s war. 02:03:51.104 --> 02:03:56.287 The EU will only be heard if it proves that it can act truly, effectively and 02:03:56.354 --> 02:03:57.835 decisively. Thank you. 02:03:58.075 --> 02:04:02.984 Kollega, van Overtvelt. Kollega van Overtvelt, you have a two blue cards, but I 02:04:03.046 --> 02:04:08.266 would like to say, since you have those who ask a blue c ard, you already have a KJI 02:04:08.329 --> 02:04:13.051 registration, so please do it. We cannot do both because of time constraint. 02:04:13.114 --> 02:04:18.085 And the same with the kollega Koelemans, Estelle, would you like to stay on KJI? 02:04:18.147 --> 02:04:19.347 Or blue card? 02:04:23.215 --> 02:04:27.118 I will have other opportunities to question Mr van Overtvelt, including on Mr 02:04:27.169 --> 02:04:31.021 Franken's remarks, so I will keep my speaking time for later to focus on KJI 02:04:31.072 --> 02:04:32.272 instead. Thank you. 02:04:33.475 --> 02:04:34.675 Yeah, thank you, Johan. 02:04:34.855 --> 02:04:36.055 Okay. 02:04:38.755 --> 02:04:40.555 Next speaker, Engin Eroglou, please. 02:04:43.435 --> 02:04:47.001 Honourable President of the Commission Costa, honourable Commissioner and 02:04:47.050 --> 02:04:51.056 Commissioner, now is the moment to listen and less to Mr Commissioner, you and the 02:04:51.105 --> 02:04:55.061 Commission are trying to give a naked man a shirt by reaching into the pockets of 02:04:55.110 --> 02:04:59.067 some Member States. it’s not even got pockets left because there’s no money left. 02:04:59.116 --> 02:05:02.926 And the reason there’s no money left in the Member States is that the European 02:05:02.975 --> 02:05:06.834 Commission, with its announcements and massive regulation of the economy in the 02:05:06.883 --> 02:05:10.987 European Union during the last mandate, has broken the legs and arms of the economy. 02:05:11.036 --> 02:05:15.090 And the only thing, Mr Commissioner, that will move us forward now is not trying to 02:05:15.139 --> 02:05:18.900 take money from a naked man, but to make the economy capable of action again. 02:05:18.949 --> 02:05:23.004 And this also applies to you, Mr Costa. We now finally have to start extracting the 02:05:23.053 --> 02:05:25.935 raw materials that are in the ground in the European Union. 02:05:25.984 --> 02:05:29.794 We must finally start processing the raw materials that we have then extracted 02:05:29.843 --> 02:05:33.653 within the European Union. Through extraction, through processing, through the 02:05:33.702 --> 02:05:37.757 economy, innovation will emerge, and through growth we will solve our problems, not 02:05:37.806 --> 02:05:39.955 through redistribution. Thank you very much. 02:05:40.855 --> 02:05:43.555 Thank you very much. Next speaker, Benedetta Scuderi. 02:05:47.995 --> 02:05:52.790 European families are being crushed by electricity and energy prices and the 02:05:52.853 --> 02:05:57.774 cost-of-living crisis. And the European Council is failing to propose anything 02:05:57.837 --> 02:06:01.434 substantial: no fuel price cap, no tax on excess profits. 02:06:01.497 --> 02:06:06.607 In return, you have accepted the postponement of the methane rules and a plan for 02:06:06.670 --> 02:06:11.970 refineries. In the face of the fossil fuel crisis, the response is more fossil fuel. 02:06:12.033 --> 02:06:16.955 You wrote it yourselves: transition is the most effective way to lower prices. 02:06:17.018 --> 02:06:21.750 But then the Irish Presidency proposes cuts of €141 billion compared to the 02:06:21.813 --> 02:06:24.526 Commission’s already insufficient proposal. 02:06:24.589 --> 02:06:29.384 We are reducing resources for businesses’ competitiveness and for the energy 02:06:29.447 --> 02:06:34.684 transition. By cutting Horizon, which is research, by almost a tenth and 30% of the 02:06:34.747 --> 02:06:38.343 funds for democracy. Less money for regions and cohesion. 02:06:38.406 --> 02:06:43.580 All this for what reason? Why on earth would we think of taxing the excess profits 02:06:43.643 --> 02:06:48.816 of companies, the fossil fuel giants filling their pockets because of this crisis? 02:06:48.880 --> 02:06:53.927 Or of reducing spending on rearmament? Leave these buildings and look at what is 02:06:53.990 --> 02:06:58.848 happening. And perhaps you will understand that this is the time to invest in 02:06:58.911 --> 02:07:01.435 energy, our people, and our territories. 02:07:02.215 --> 02:07:05.035 Thank you. Next speaker, Daniel Buda, please. 02:07:07.255 --> 02:07:12.366 Mr President, thank you, Mr Costa. I welcome the conclusions of the European Council 02:07:12.427 --> 02:07:17.052 at point 17, which strongly condemn the attacks by the Russian Federation on 02:07:17.113 --> 02:07:21.859 commercial vessels in the Black Sea. This is one of the world's most important 02:07:21.920 --> 02:07:26.727 commercial routes for cereals and plays a crucial role in global food security. 02:07:26.787 --> 02:07:31.899 Romania has decisively contributed to the functioning of these solidarity corridors, 02:07:31.960 --> 02:07:36.949 with millions of tonnes of cereals being transported through the Port of Constanța 02:07:37.010 --> 02:07:42.000 and along the Danube. If the Black Sea becomes unsafe, Ukrainian exports will once 02:07:42.061 --> 02:07:46.624 again be redirected to overland routes. This means higher costs, logistical 02:07:46.685 --> 02:07:51.614 bottlenecks and additional pressure on the agricultural markets in Romania and in 02:07:51.675 --> 02:07:54.230 the other Member States bordering Ukraine. 02:07:54.291 --> 02:07:57.212 The gravity of the situation is already evident. 02:07:57.273 --> 02:08:01.836 According to data received this morning, over 5 million tonnes of grain are 02:08:01.897 --> 02:08:06.948 currently awaiting transport from the Black Sea region, but the insecurity of trade 02:08:07.009 --> 02:08:12.120 routes is blocking these exports. Romanian farmers and those in the EU Member States 02:08:12.181 --> 02:08:16.866 on the eastern border must receive guarantees that their activity will not be 02:08:16.927 --> 02:08:20.030 affected by the current situation in the Black Sea. 02:08:20.091 --> 02:08:24.716 Therefore, I call on the European Commission and the Council to come up with 02:08:24.776 --> 02:08:29.888 concrete measures and rapid funding to secure ports, protect commercial vessels, and 02:08:29.949 --> 02:08:34.269 strengthen defence capabilities against drones in Romania and Bulgaria. 02:08:34.330 --> 02:08:39.319 Dear colleagues, we cannot talk about global food security without security in the 02:08:39.380 --> 02:08:41.875 Black Sea and the Danube area. Thank you. 02:08:42.775 --> 02:08:46.315 Thank you. Next speaker, René Lepazi, please. 02:08:52.615 --> 02:08:57.232 Mr President, dear colleagues, let me immediately address the Irish Council 02:08:57.293 --> 02:09:02.464 Presidency. Mr President, dear colleagues, how can you put forward a budget proposal 02:09:02.525 --> 02:09:07.696 that at the same time so blatantly ignores reality and then also and colleagues, let 02:09:07.758 --> 02:09:11.082 me turn straight away to the Irish Council Presidency. 02:09:11.143 --> 02:09:16.314 How can you present a budget proposal that is so blind to reality and also sets such 02:09:16.376 --> 02:09:20.869 wrong priorities? Europe needs innovation, Europe needs investment in its 02:09:20.931 --> 02:09:23.762 competitiveness. And what do you come up with? 02:09:23.824 --> 02:09:27.579 You cut research, you cut education, you cut competitiveness. 02:09:27.640 --> 02:09:32.134 One euro invested in research corresponds to 11 euros in economic output. 02:09:32.195 --> 02:09:34.904 That’s what your own Research Minister said. 02:09:34.965 --> 02:09:40.013 Your cuts to research correspond, compared to the Commission's proposal, to a loss 02:09:40.074 --> 02:09:42.906 of 150 billion euros in economic output alone. 02:09:42.968 --> 02:09:47.954 And this at a time when top researchers are leaving the USA and Asia is competing 02:09:48.015 --> 02:09:53.124 for the best minds. are flocking. If you are so afraid of tractors, then do not cut 02:09:53.186 --> 02:09:56.510 back on the future of Europe and our young generation; 02:09:56.571 --> 02:10:01.742 instead, introduce a digital tax on Big Tech that pays what the Member States cannot 02:10:01.804 --> 02:10:03.835 or do not want to pay. Thank you. 02:10:04.615 --> 02:10:06.595 Next speaker, Harald Vilimski. 02:10:09.355 --> 02:10:15.108 Thank you very much, Mr President. Dear colleagues, we are having a rather lifeless 02:10:15.177 --> 02:10:20.929 debate on the conclusions of the Council meeting of 15 and 16 October, during which 02:10:20.999 --> 02:10:26.751 migration was also a topic. Rather, we should have a lively debate about how we are 02:10:26.821 --> 02:10:30.009 to address the current developments in Europe: 02:10:30.078 --> 02:10:35.553 Look to Paris, to Milan, to many cities across Europe, where tens of thousands, 02:10:35.623 --> 02:10:41.306 hundreds of thousands of people young men who are obviously and clearly of Arab or 02:10:41.375 --> 02:10:46.851 African origin or affiliation are roaming and vandalising through these cities, 02:10:46.920 --> 02:10:52.465 where windows and shop fronts are already being smashed shops are being smashed, 02:10:52.534 --> 02:10:58.009 where these young men are jumping on cars, where street battles are being waged 02:10:58.079 --> 02:11:03.831 against police officers, where people are living in fear, where the state order has 02:11:03.900 --> 02:11:09.584 completely failed. This is a complete failure of migration policy, and it is also, 02:11:09.653 --> 02:11:14.643 in a sense, an invasion and an attack on European values, perpetrated by 02:11:14.713 --> 02:11:18.871 Islamist-influenced structures. What is being chanted there? 02:11:18.940 --> 02:11:24.069 Calls for Palestine are being chanted, Islamist slogans are being chanted. 02:11:24.138 --> 02:11:29.752 That cannot be. This Europe is built on the values of humanism and enlightenment. 02:11:29.822 --> 02:11:34.465 We are not the place for developments of this kind, of this nature. 02:11:34.535 --> 02:11:40.218 And we want to say this to the people who are attacking our values, our lives, our 02:11:40.287 --> 02:11:43.891 culture and our countries: You are not welcome here. 02:11:43.961 --> 02:11:45.161 Go home. 02:11:46.315 --> 02:11:49.195 Thank you. Next speaker, the ERDCRD. Please. 02:11:55.855 --> 02:12:01.726 Your partner, Turkey, is provoking again; just yesterday, it issued a new illegal 02:12:01.798 --> 02:12:07.742 NAVTEX, directly challenging the sovereign rights of European Union member states. 02:12:07.814 --> 02:12:13.323 At the same time, Libya’s Parliament has approved the illegal Turkish-Libyan 02:12:13.395 --> 02:12:18.396 memorandum, which you yourselves have characterised as null and void. 02:12:18.469 --> 02:12:24.412 And Europe stands by idly. You talk to us about European defence, about protecting 02:12:24.485 --> 02:12:27.674 every inch of European soil. What do we see? 02:12:27.746 --> 02:12:31.733 Occupation in Ukraine? Sanctions? Occupation in Cyprus? 02:12:31.805 --> 02:12:35.792 Words. Russian violations? Support? Turkish violations? 02:12:35.864 --> 02:12:41.663 Again, just words. Mr Kóstas, Europe is not confined to the offices in Brussels. 02:12:41.735 --> 02:12:45.577 Europe is Greece, it is the Aegean, it is Cyprus too. 02:12:45.649 --> 02:12:50.868 Enough with declarations of sympathy; we demand consequences for Turkey. 02:12:50.940 --> 02:12:54.637 You do not bow to terrorist states; you stand tall. 02:12:54.709 --> 02:13:00.290 You do not shake their hand; you squeeze them financially, with sanctions and 02:13:00.363 --> 02:13:01.563 strength. 02:13:01.855 --> 02:13:04.555 Thank you. Next speaker, Helmut Brandstetter. 02:13:14.335 --> 02:13:18.339 Thank you, Mr President. Commissioner, Mr President, on Russian television 02:13:18.393 --> 02:13:21.802 yesterday, a friend of Putin sent a message to Mr Trump saying: 02:13:21.856 --> 02:13:25.427 "Let’s divide up Europe like brothers." "That is what it is about. 02:13:25.481 --> 02:13:29.809 So it seems we do not only have friends, so we must defend ourselves, and we can 02:13:29.864 --> 02:13:34.300 only do that together. And the European Council has come up with some, but far too 02:13:34.354 --> 02:13:38.304 few, answers." Yes, we need to cut red tape, but please tell the national 02:13:38.358 --> 02:13:40.685 governments that they also need to do that. 02:13:40.739 --> 02:13:44.526 Trading with China is unfair, and we also need to get tougher on that. 02:13:44.580 --> 02:13:47.881 And we need to respond to the threats from the United States. 02:13:47.935 --> 02:13:51.885 Yes, we are in favour of Made in Europe because that secures jobs for us. 02:13:51.939 --> 02:13:56.322 We are not going to be intimidated. We finally need the single capital market and 02:13:56.376 --> 02:13:58.973 the EU, Inc. And yes, migration is a huge issue. 02:13:59.027 --> 02:14:03.464 We have the Migration Pact; right-wing extremists are pleased about every problem. 02:14:03.518 --> 02:14:06.818 We are the ones who say: "The Migration Pact solves problems. 02:14:06.872 --> 02:14:10.335 " We have to do this together. And we can only do this together. 02:14:10.389 --> 02:14:14.772 Yes, democracy is arduous, the rule of law is sometimes arduous and difficult, it 02:14:14.826 --> 02:14:18.722 takes time. And our freedom is abused by others, through disinformation. 02:14:18.776 --> 02:14:21.102 All the more reason we must stand together. 02:14:21.156 --> 02:14:25.647 Only a united Europe can secure everything that makes this wonderful Europe what it 02:14:25.701 --> 02:14:27.595 is and also our freedom. Thank you. 02:14:28.675 --> 02:14:33.688 Next, next speaker, before we. Martus Scheller. 02:14:33.795 --> 02:14:34.995 Sorry. 02:14:37.255 --> 02:14:44.298 Europe has an hourglass on its head. Its deindustrialisation is proceeding at an 02:14:44.386 --> 02:14:51.604 ever faster, unstoppable pace. Europe had set itself the target of reaching 14% of 02:14:51.692 --> 02:14:58.559 GDP by 2025. This target was then revised by the Irish Presidency, pushing its 02:14:58.647 --> 02:15:06.042 deadline back to 2035. But in reality we know full well that this target will become 02:15:06.130 --> 02:15:12.556 very difficult to achieve. Because we are shooting ourselves in the foot. 02:15:12.644 --> 02:15:19.775 For three reasons. First: the ETS. We cannot imagine paying while other countries 02:15:19.863 --> 02:15:23.912 countries far from Europe continue to pollute. 02:15:24.000 --> 02:15:31.219 We cannot imagine that Europe, which represent only 5% of global CO₂ emissions and 02:15:31.307 --> 02:15:38.173 European industry only 1.2%, in the end we still end up paying for everything. 02:15:38.261 --> 02:15:45.216 The over-regulation from Europe, every day we are there building new rules that 02:15:45.304 --> 02:15:51.466 bring our industries difficulty in adapting, difficulty in keeping up. 02:15:51.554 --> 02:15:58.421 this. And then we cannot imagine that we continue to reason with a free trade. 02:15:58.509 --> 02:16:05.728 We must reason with a fair trade. In other words, we cannot imagine that countries 02:16:05.816 --> 02:16:12.506 which do not act in a similar way to us can then benefit from our commercial 02:16:12.594 --> 02:16:15.235 capacity. That is why we must— 02:16:15.475 --> 02:16:16.015 Thank you very much. 02:16:16.015 --> 02:16:17.155 —give us one. 02:16:17.155 --> 02:16:20.506 Thank you, colleagues. So, I have to be fair to everybody: 02:16:20.564 --> 02:16:24.955 micro is switched off. Please. Next speaker, Vice President Victor Negresco. 02:16:29.035 --> 02:16:34.083 President, colleagues, the latest European Council has exposed deep divisions over 02:16:34.145 --> 02:16:38.886 the next EU budget. Some member states want to cut the budget, others want to 02:16:38.947 --> 02:16:43.996 protect traditional policies, and Europeans are struggling with high living costs. 02:16:44.057 --> 02:16:49.167 So we cannot do more with less. I fully support Presidents Costa's efforts to bring 02:16:49.229 --> 02:16:54.277 countries closer together. And I believe an extraordinary council dedicated to the 02:16:54.339 --> 02:16:58.094 next MFF is necessary. But we need more than another meeting. 02:16:58.156 --> 02:17:00.926 We need political leadership from EU leaders: 02:17:00.988 --> 02:17:04.066 clear priorities and a willingness to compromis e. 02:17:04.128 --> 02:17:06.837 Cohesion and agriculture must remain strong. 02:17:06.898 --> 02:17:11.269 Competitiveness, security, health, and education need adequate funding. 02:17:11.331 --> 02:17:16.441 And they require new resources. The European Parliament is central to this process. 02:17:16.503 --> 02:17:20.073 We are co-decision-makers, representing European citizens. 02:17:20.135 --> 02:17:24.999 We will not support a budget that weakens the capacity of the EU to deliver for 02:17:25.060 --> 02:17:29.678 citizens. Europe needs unity, but unity cannot mean lowering our ambitions. 02:17:29.739 --> 02:17:30.939 Thank you. 02:17:31.375 --> 02:17:34.195 Thank you. Next speaker, Tom van den Driessche. 02:17:39.055 --> 02:17:42.574 Mr President, they claim that the money has run out. 02:17:42.642 --> 02:17:47.379 That they therefore have to cut back on our pensions and our families. 02:17:47.446 --> 02:17:51.507 That they therefore have to invent all kinds of extra taxes. 02:17:51.574 --> 02:17:55.228 As if the Flemish people aren’t already paying enough. 02:17:55.296 --> 02:18:00.845 What is not being cut, however, is the billions for the European Union, as von der 02:18:00.913 --> 02:18:06.462 Leyen gets her way, Belgium’s contribution will increase by no less than 4 billion 02:18:06.530 --> 02:18:11.876 euros. 4 billion euros, per year. What is not being cut is the billions for the 02:18:11.943 --> 02:18:16.816 expansion of the European Union. Albania, Moldova, Georgia and Gaza too. 02:18:16.883 --> 02:18:22.229 The poorer the country, the more the European Union is waving its money around. 02:18:22.297 --> 02:18:27.508 Nor is there any saving on the billions for an endless war in Ukraine with no 02:18:27.575 --> 02:18:33.057 prospect of lasting peace. If we claim that the money has run out, just know that 02:18:33.125 --> 02:18:36.170 they are lying. The money is not gone at all. 02:18:36.237 --> 02:18:41.651 It seems to be gone only for our people. They are being forgotten and abandoned. 02:18:41.719 --> 02:18:44.155 And that, colleagues, has to change. 02:18:44.515 --> 02:18:45.055 Thank you very much. 02:18:45.055 --> 02:18:46.795 Well, our people have had more than enough of it. 02:18:47.035 --> 02:18:49.795 Thank you. Next speaker, Sebastian Timkenen. 02:18:57.115 --> 02:19:00.857 Dear President, EU leaders have betrayed us. 02:19:00.942 --> 02:19:06.726 How many cars have to be burned? How many policemen have to be hurt? 02:19:06.811 --> 02:19:13.955 How many businesses have to be looted? How many cultural sites have to be destroyed? 02:19:14.040 --> 02:19:17.867 How many neighborhoods have to be segregated? 02:19:17.952 --> 02:19:22.375 How many centers of radicalization have to be built? 02:19:22.460 --> 02:19:26.117 How many terrorists do we have to tolerate? 02:19:26.202 --> 02:19:31.901 How many girls have to be raped? How many areas have to be invaded? 02:19:31.986 --> 02:19:36.579 How many more before you do what our citizens dem and? 02:19:36.664 --> 02:19:38.875 Send them back. Thank you. 02:19:40.375 --> 02:19:42.475 Thank you. Next speaker, Charles Gordons. 02:19:48.535 --> 02:19:52.909 Mr President, as usual, the last European Council was unable to agree on the next 02:19:52.963 --> 02:19:57.390 multiannual financial framework. Mr President, as usual, the last European Council 02:19:57.444 --> 02:20:00.900 was unable to agree on the next multiannual financial framework. 02:20:01.008 --> 02:20:03.330 Two logics come into play at such meetings: 02:20:03.384 --> 02:20:07.865 arithmetic logic, which often overlooks the positive impact of European integration 02:20:07.919 --> 02:20:12.347 on Member States, and political logic. What is different this time compared to the 02:20:12.401 --> 02:20:16.936 past is a geopolitics that threatens the place of the European Union and its role on 02:20:16.990 --> 02:20:21.418 the international stage. Indeed, a gentleman in Moscow who, in a first step, wants 02:20:21.472 --> 02:20:25.846 to crush Ukraine, another gentleman in Washington who is doing everything to make 02:20:25.900 --> 02:20:30.111 the Kremlin feel at ease, and a gentleman in Beijing who, on the surface, lets 02:20:30.165 --> 02:20:34.539 things happen but who, in reality, is openly siding with the aggressor are behind 02:20:34.593 --> 02:20:39.129 the said threat. Soon, in China, a meeting between these three gentlemen—let us call 02:20:39.183 --> 02:20:43.394 it the ball of hypocrites—will take place, and will no doubt meet their shared 02:20:43.448 --> 02:20:46.526 aspiration to oust the European Union from world affairs. 02:20:46.580 --> 02:20:50.792 For now, it is hard, when it comes to this triumvirate, not to think of Yalta. 02:20:50.846 --> 02:20:55.273 They want to leave behind a world based on rules, hitherto applicable to trade, to 02:20:55.327 --> 02:20:56.527 respect for integrity. 02:20:56.695 --> 02:20:57.775 Thank you, colleagues. 02:20:57.775 --> 02:20:58.195 Thank you. 02:20:58.195 --> 02:21:00.955 Any sign of weakness on the part of the European Union could be fatal. 02:21:01.255 --> 02:21:05.070 Thank you. Next speaker, Élisabeth Rosenberg-Brionidi. 02:21:05.140 --> 02:21:06.340 Please. 02:21:09.655 --> 02:21:15.124 Thank you very much, Mr President. Hundreds of thousands of European citizens, with 02:21:15.190 --> 02:21:20.197 explosive protests, are opposing austerity, energy costs and impoverishment. 02:21:20.263 --> 02:21:25.468 In France, Italy, Belgium, Portugal and Spain, the destructive consequences are 02:21:25.534 --> 02:21:30.607 already visible. The recent Summit, Mr President, Mr Kosta, which exposed the 02:21:30.673 --> 02:21:36.208 divisions within the European Union, fuelled the explosion and calls on all of us to 02:21:36.274 --> 02:21:41.611 rise to the occasion. What do we say to citizens who expect immediate action from 02:21:41.676 --> 02:21:47.211 the leaders of the Member States for their future, yet those leaders appear hesitant 02:21:47.277 --> 02:21:52.416 and indecisive? How can we explain the fact that only 16 countries support the 02:21:52.482 --> 02:21:58.017 policy of... Mr President, the energy crisis, a result of two wars, affects everyone 02:21:58.083 --> 02:22:03.485 without exception. There can be no longer be à la carte solidarity and a two-speed 02:22:03.551 --> 02:22:06.648 policy, north-south, and there is no time left. 02:22:06.714 --> 02:22:12.248 Bold decisions are needed here and now. The Greek government has taken the lead with 02:22:12.314 --> 02:22:17.783 an effective and comprehensive proposal that has already been positively evaluated, 02:22:17.849 --> 02:22:21.143 and a swift adjustment by the Council will follow. 02:22:21.209 --> 02:22:26.085 We expect an immediate fair decision. We are calling for additional fiscal 02:22:26.151 --> 02:22:31.619 flexibility in order to fund temporary and targeted measures to address the serious 02:22:31.685 --> 02:22:36.693 crisis. A harsh winter is coming, and we must support our societies that are 02:22:36.759 --> 02:22:40.580 deprived and unable to cope with the unprecedented crises. 02:22:40.646 --> 02:22:45.983 After all, it is certain that the credibility of our Union is judged each time by 02:22:46.049 --> 02:22:48.355 its decisions. Thank you very much. 02:22:49.015 --> 02:22:51.432 Thank you very much. Next speaker, Elio Di Rupo. 02:22:51.483 --> 02:22:52.683 Please. 02:22:54.775 --> 02:23:00.545 Mr President, we are dependent and subject to external blackmail in strategic areas 02:23:00.614 --> 02:23:06.245 Mr President, we are dependent and subject to external blackmail in strategically 02:23:06.314 --> 02:23:11.876 vital areas such as energy, medicines, artificial intelligence, food or defence. 02:23:11.945 --> 02:23:17.506 We are going to have to invest hundreds of billions, and free ourselves from the 02:23:17.576 --> 02:23:22.859 trap in which Europe is ensnaring itself. And above all, we must support our 02:23:22.928 --> 02:23:28.420 European populations. More than half of Europe's regions have a level of wealth 02:23:28.489 --> 02:23:34.190 below the European average. On the international stage, it is not enough to simply 02:23:34.259 --> 02:23:38.917 express concern, particularly about escalations in the Middle East. 02:23:38.986 --> 02:23:44.200 Europeans need to be protected in terms of their jobs, their incomes, their 02:23:44.269 --> 02:23:49.761 purchasing power and their security. In this dangerous world, for the lives and 02:23:49.830 --> 02:23:55.113 future of Europeans, heads of State or government must rise to the occasion. 02:23:55.183 --> 02:23:58.172 We are emerging from strategic complacency; 02:23:58.242 --> 02:24:03.942 the time for acceleration is now. So, Mr President, together, let us make Europe a 02:24:04.011 --> 02:24:05.211 global power. 02:24:05.815 --> 02:24:08.755 Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker, Eszter Lajos. 02:24:08.815 --> 02:24:10.015 Please. 02:24:14.935 --> 02:24:18.940 Mr President! Honourable Members! Without affordable energy, Europe has no 02:24:18.994 --> 02:24:21.701 competitiveness. Mr President! Honourable Members! 02:24:21.755 --> 02:24:25.002 Without affordable energy, Europe cannot remain competitive. 02:24:25.056 --> 02:24:29.386 This was also emphasised by Heads of State and Government at the October Council 02:24:29.440 --> 02:24:33.554 meeting. However, the Member States are not starting from an equal position. 02:24:33.608 --> 02:24:37.775 Mr President! Honourable Members! Without affordable energy, Europe cannot be 02:24:37.830 --> 02:24:42.268 competitive. The heads of state and government also emphasised this at the October 02:24:42.322 --> 02:24:46.652 Council meeting. However, the Member States do not start from an equal position. 02:24:46.706 --> 02:24:50.549 Moreover, the Visegrád countries are at a particular disadvantage here: 02:24:50.603 --> 02:24:54.770 many of them have no coastline, and diversifying energy imports also requires 02:24:54.825 --> 02:24:59.209 significant infrastructure investments. It is no coincidence that the electricity 02:24:59.263 --> 02:25:03.809 prices in the region are now among the highest in the European Union, and on Monday, 02:25:03.863 --> 02:25:07.544 the four energy ministers also drew attention to this in Bratislava. 02:25:07.598 --> 02:25:11.765 These Member States need more EU support and greater budgetary flexibility to 02:25:11.820 --> 02:25:16.204 achieve the green transition and diversify their energy supplies in the face of a 02:25:16.258 --> 02:25:20.263 global energy crisis. EU regulations must not increase, but rather reduce, 02:25:20.317 --> 02:25:22.915 inequalities—and this applies to energy as well. 02:25:23.215 --> 02:25:26.635 Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker, Vitenis Pavelos, Andrew Kaitis. 02:25:34.135 --> 02:25:39.767 Dear colleagues, the issue of European defense and security is particularly urgent 02:25:39.836 --> 02:25:43.544 on the council agenda, Mr. President. Let us be clear: 02:25:43.613 --> 02:25:48.489 today in absence of European defense union prolongs the war in Ukraine. 02:25:48.558 --> 02:25:54.327 When member states doing defense separately it's cost around 18 or 57 bill ion euros 02:25:54.396 --> 02:25:57.761 per year is a waste of money and a waste of time. 02:25:57.830 --> 02:26:03.531 There are three clear demands. We need a true single market for defense with common 02:26:03.599 --> 02:26:08.682 testing, common certification, and simple transfers between member states. 02:26:08.750 --> 02:26:13.902 We need a European preference in the coming defense procurement regulation. 02:26:13.970 --> 02:26:19.671 And of course we need to make sure that we fund only defense designed and developed 02:26:19.739 --> 02:26:25.371 under European design authority and del ivers through joint projects for the whole 02:26:25.440 --> 02:26:31.209 European Union. Let's make solidarity against hybrid threats from Lisbon to Helsinki 02:26:31.278 --> 02:26:32.995 a reality, Mr. President. 02:26:33.235 --> 02:26:35.995 Thank you very much. Next speaker, Carlo Ressler. 02:26:38.455 --> 02:26:44.436 We live in dangerous times that are imposing ever greater and more numerous goals on 02:26:44.507 --> 02:26:50.346 Europe. And at the same time, a long-term budget is being proposed that is even 8% 02:26:50.417 --> 02:26:55.971 smaller than the Commission's proposal. This is not a serious response to what 02:26:56.042 --> 02:27:01.880 surrounds us. Second, Europe must be ready and have the courage to acknowledge its 02:27:01.952 --> 02:27:07.434 own mistakes. Too many delusions about migration, too little determination in 02:27:07.505 --> 02:27:12.418 protecting borders. Too much bureaucracy, too little competitiveness. 02:27:12.489 --> 02:27:18.114 It is time for more responsibility, for more self-confidence, and a little more 02:27:18.186 --> 02:27:24.095 European guard. For a decisive response to increasingly serious hybrid threats from 02:27:24.167 --> 02:27:30.147 the east, for a Europe that knows how to ensure security, including border security, 02:27:30.219 --> 02:27:34.847 and for a budget that reduces divides rather than deepening them. 02:27:34.918 --> 02:27:40.757 Because the price of our divisions and a weaker Europe would be enormous and would 02:27:40.828 --> 02:27:44.815 not be felt or paid only here in Strasbourg or Brussels. 02:27:45.415 --> 02:27:48.835 Thank you. Next speaker, Koštas Mavridis. Please. 02:27:54.235 --> 02:27:58.879 The European Union cannot become more autonomous with less budget. 02:27:58.950 --> 02:28:04.720 Our citizens demand a very clear: security, affordable housing, low energy prices, 02:28:04.790 --> 02:28:10.631 and decent liv ing standards for which we need adequate funding for strong cohesion 02:28:10.701 --> 02:28:16.190 policies, and we must also remember that is lands and remote regions face even 02:28:16.261 --> 02:28:19.498 greater challenges and need special attention. 02:28:19.568 --> 02:28:25.127 An autonomous Europe also in defense and the security is also a need to protect 02:28:25.198 --> 02:28:30.898 Europe as a whole and not selectively. Finally, in the Eastern Mediterranean, the 02:28:30.968 --> 02:28:36.457 appeasement policy of EU has fueled for years Turkey's neo-Ottoman aggression, 02:28:36.527 --> 02:28:40.609 disregarding international law against member stat es, Mr. 02:28:40.679 --> 02:28:46.168 President, such as Cyprus and Greece, with illegal occupation of EU territory, 02:28:46.238 --> 02:28:50.601 weaponization of migrants, with threats of war, and much more. 02:28:50.671 --> 02:28:56.020 We had enough of words and condemnation. We need concrete action against the 02:28:56.090 --> 02:29:01.931 aggressor and violator, and one question: did you ever suggest any sanction against 02:29:02.001 --> 02:29:04.675 the neo-Ottoman expansionist policies? 02:29:05.095 --> 02:29:07.435 Thank you. Next speaker, Reinhold Lopatka. 02:29:09.895 --> 02:29:14.949 Dear colleagues, the European Council's recent decision to address the major 02:29:15.015 --> 02:29:20.534 challenges is the right approach, because those challenges have grown even greater. 02:29:20.601 --> 02:29:24.923 I see three areas that will crucially shape our future in Europe. 02:29:24.990 --> 02:29:28.780 First: the war in Ukraine following the Russian invasion. 02:29:28.846 --> 02:29:33.967 We are facing the fifth winter of war, and we must continue our support here. 02:29:34.033 --> 02:29:38.156 After the midterms, we must bring the USA back on board again. 02:29:38.222 --> 02:29:41.082 We need to increase the pressure on Russia. 02:29:41.148 --> 02:29:44.407 Secondly: on the multiannual financial framework. 02:29:44.473 --> 02:29:49.660 In light of the strained budget situation in many Member States, we do need to 02:29:49.726 --> 02:29:55.312 exercise caution here. We need clear priorities when it comes to competitiveness and 02:29:55.379 --> 02:30:00.964 security. Instead, we should not finance new areas that fall outside EU competences, 02:30:01.031 --> 02:30:06.350 such as housing. And we need effective trade defence measures in our fight — and 02:30:06.417 --> 02:30:11.537 this is a fight against China. Yes, to free trade, but under fair competitive 02:30:11.604 --> 02:30:14.995 conditions. That is the task of the European Union. 02:30:15.895 --> 02:30:18.355 Thank you. Next speaker, Tonino Pizzola. 02:30:21.715 --> 02:30:27.188 Thank you, Chair. Colleagues, I believe our enlargement policy must remain credible, 02:30:27.253 --> 02:30:32.596 consistent, and firmly mer it-based. Commitments must be honored, obligations must 02:30:32.661 --> 02:30:35.398 be fulfilled, and progress must be earned. 02:30:35.463 --> 02:30:40.936 A candidate country that fails to meet its commitments cannot expect to be rewarded. 02:30:41.001 --> 02:30:44.715 Ukraine should one day become part of the European Union. 02:30:44.780 --> 02:30:48.690 We have a strategic interest in making that future possible. 02:30:48.755 --> 02:30:54.033 But we must also look beyond immediate geopolitical context and prepare seriously 02:30:54.098 --> 02:30:59.506 for the union of tomorrow. We have to ready, be ready for accession of not only one 02:30:59.571 --> 02:31:04.914 country, but potentially several new members, which are tod ay very different from 02:31:04.979 --> 02:31:10.452 one another. Our citizens must be ensured that enlargement will strengthen the union 02:31:10.517 --> 02:31:15.665 rather than weaken its capacity to act, while candidate countries deserve fair, 02:31:15.730 --> 02:31:20.942 transparent, and predictable process. That way, we won't have to speculate about 02:31:21.008 --> 02:31:25.438 dates for further enlargement, as they will emerge from the results. 02:31:25.503 --> 02:31:26.515 Thank you. 02:31:26.515 --> 02:31:28.943 Thank you. Next speaker, Ludek Niedermayer. 02:31:29.000 --> 02:31:30.200 Please. 02:31:32.215 --> 02:31:35.853 Thank you, President. Let me start with the budget, turning to Mr. 02:31:35.909 --> 02:31:40.098 Kosta. It seems that we have two groups of the countries and two narratives. 02:31:40.153 --> 02:31:44.674 First groups want to send less national money into EU budget, and the second group 02:31:44.729 --> 02:31:48.257 wants to get more money from EU budget to their national budget. 02:31:48.312 --> 02:31:52.502 Surprisingly, I'm afraid the compromise is possible, but this would be a bad 02:31:52.557 --> 02:31:57.023 compromise. Because securing smaller budget means that Europe will not deliver on 02:31:57.078 --> 02:32:01.543 its priorities on expectation of citizens and the firms, and secondly, the second 02:32:01.598 --> 02:32:06.064 request will lead to lower efficiency of the budget that is obviously bad for the 02:32:06.119 --> 02:32:08.434 credibility and also for use of the money. 02:32:08.489 --> 02:32:10.860 On competitiveness, I can be more positive. 02:32:10.915 --> 02:32:14.664 One Europe, one market is important agenda where we are progressing. 02:32:14.719 --> 02:32:17.806 We should deliver on big things as well as small things. 02:32:17.861 --> 02:32:21.665 The small things, removal of the barriers on the member states level. 02:32:21.720 --> 02:32:26.240 Here, simplification played a role, but we should not forget that there is nothing 02:32:26.296 --> 02:32:29.272 that is more difficult than make simplification right. 02:32:29.328 --> 02:32:33.738 So that's why I guess big issues should have the priority and we must deliver on 02:32:33.793 --> 02:32:34.993 that. Thank you. 02:32:35.515 --> 02:32:38.395 Thank you. Next speaker, Sander Gomez-Lopez. 02:32:43.555 --> 02:32:48.498 Thank you, Mr President. President Kosta, if anything demonstrates this Council, it 02:32:48.557 --> 02:32:52.845 is that agreeing that Europe needs [something] is easier said than done. 02:32:52.905 --> 02:32:57.490 Thank you, President. President Kosta, what this Council demonstrates is that 02:32:57.550 --> 02:33:02.552 agreeing that Europe needs to do something is easier than agreeing on how to pay for 02:33:02.611 --> 02:33:07.614 it. But security cannot be built at the expense of cohesion, nor can competitiveness 02:33:07.673 --> 02:33:11.723 be built at the expense of our farmers. That cannot be the solution. 02:33:11.782 --> 02:33:15.236 No, at least not the one that this Parliament will accept. 02:33:15.296 --> 02:33:19.107 That is why I ask you to count on our proposal on own resources; 02:33:19.167 --> 02:33:23.752 the digital tax, online gambling or cryptocurrencies could generate more than 02:33:23.812 --> 02:33:26.789 €30,000 million a year. And what are we afraid of? 02:33:26.849 --> 02:33:31.375 Of Trump? The pact with Putin, the supply of Russian diesel against European 02:33:31.434 --> 02:33:34.352 interests, and I do not see that it has asked us. 02:33:34.412 --> 02:33:38.938 Let us also defend our interests, European interests, and let us address our 02:33:38.997 --> 02:33:43.583 challenges by exercising our sovereignty, just as the rest of the world does, 02:33:43.642 --> 02:33:46.858 without any problem. President Kosta, we trust in you. 02:33:46.917 --> 02:33:51.920 Let the big tech companies also pay. They make millions thanks to our single market. 02:33:51.979 --> 02:33:55.195 This time, let them make the effort, not our families. 02:33:55.615 --> 02:33:58.075 Thank you. Next speaker, Sean Kelly, please. 02:34:04.735 --> 02:34:09.695 Good morning. I welcome the European Council's call on the Commission to bring 02:34:09.759 --> 02:34:12.938 forward measures to address soaring energy prices. 02:34:13.002 --> 02:34:18.280 Few countries feel the more than Ireland. We have the highest household electricity 02:34:18.344 --> 02:34:22.604 prices in the union, around 480 euro a year, more than the average. 02:34:22.668 --> 02:34:27.755 Which is a direct result of our continued reliance on imported gas and the price 02:34:27.819 --> 02:34:32.906 impact the conflic ts in Ukraine and the Middle East have had on global markets. 02:34:32.970 --> 02:34:38.184 While temporary interventions to protect vulnerable cons umers are important, they 02:34:38.248 --> 02:34:43.399 are merely paper over the cracks. As long as we're exposed to fossil fuel markets 02:34:43.463 --> 02:34:48.804 over which we have no control, Europeans will pay through the nose ever y time there 02:34:48.868 --> 02:34:53.955 is a supply shock. The only viable long-term solution is to replace fossil fuels 02:34:54.019 --> 02:34:57.135 with renewable res ources we have here in Europe. 02:34:57.199 --> 02:35:02.477 So we need to accelerate work on the grids package and electrification action plan. 02:35:02.540 --> 02:35:07.818 And I welcome the Irish presidency's efforts to accelerate this important work, and 02:35:07.882 --> 02:35:12.715 we in Parliament must also work hard to deliver these important initiatives. 02:35:13.135 --> 02:35:14.335 Thank you. 02:35:14.395 --> 02:35:16.795 Next speaker, Walter Becke, please. 02:35:18.535 --> 02:35:23.135 Thank you very much. Mr President, Commissioner, Mr President of the European 02:35:23.194 --> 02:35:27.973 Council, colleagues. We often think here in this Parliament that citizens expect 02:35:28.033 --> 02:35:32.872 heaven and earth from Europe, but in reality, Mr President, that is not the case. 02:35:32.931 --> 02:35:35.679 They expect something very normal from Europe. 02:35:35.739 --> 02:35:40.279 Namely that Europe protects prosperity, protects jobs and protects security. 02:35:40.339 --> 02:35:44.341 And that is why I look back at the past summit with mixed feelings. 02:35:44.401 --> 02:35:49.120 Because on the one hand, we are finally speaking with one voice about Putin and 02:35:49.180 --> 02:35:54.018 about China, and that is very good, but on the other hand, let's be honest, let's 02:35:54.078 --> 02:35:58.737 also admit that we are divided. Divided. There is a lack of unity in Europe on 02:35:58.797 --> 02:36:03.516 affordable energy. For our families and businesses, about an ambitious European 02:36:03.576 --> 02:36:08.295 budget, about a genuine capital markets union without privileges for some large 02:36:08.355 --> 02:36:13.373 countries. And about reforms that are necessary if the European Union truly wants to 02:36:13.432 --> 02:36:18.390 grow. Colleagues, big words against China and Russia will not suffice on their own. 02:36:18.450 --> 02:36:21.736 We must also dare to show that same resolve internally. 02:36:21.795 --> 02:36:25.738 For Europe must do one thing, and that is to protect its citizens. 02:36:25.798 --> 02:36:26.998 Thank you. 02:36:27.295 --> 02:36:30.312 Thank you, colleagues. We have a KGI procedure. 02:36:30.376 --> 02:36:35.768 I will do my best. We have, I will keep a political balance and also give a priority 02:36:35.833 --> 02:36:39.684 for those colleagues who didn 't speak on blue cards issues. 02:36:39.748 --> 02:36:41.995 We will start with Michael Scherba, 02:36:44.395 --> 02:36:49.842 Mr President, Mr President, the European Council, and distinguished colleagues, 02:36:49.911 --> 02:36:55.703 these are the most important days these decisions are behind us, but we very clearly 02:36:55.772 --> 02:37:01.495 want to confirm what the Polish Prime Minister conveyed after the European Council. 02:37:01.564 --> 02:37:07.080 Above all, solidarity, unity and support for Ukraine, for Ukraine, will face the 02:37:07.149 --> 02:37:11.355 winter, but above all will face the solidarity of its allies. 02:37:11.424 --> 02:37:15.493 We see negative examples on the other side of the Atlantic. 02:37:15.561 --> 02:37:20.595 I want to make it very clear that we must condemn the Russian escalation. 02:37:20.664 --> 02:37:26.387 We will do this consistently. We will increase pressure on Russia through sanctions 02:37:26.456 --> 02:37:31.627 policy. We must also implement measures concerning former Russian soldiers. 02:37:31.696 --> 02:37:37.281 Combating the shadow fleet and tightening visa requirements for Russian citizens. 02:37:37.350 --> 02:37:41.005 But in all of this, we must think about our security. 02:37:41.074 --> 02:37:46.866 And defence readiness and also protecting the funds for security and defence will be 02:37:46.935 --> 02:37:49.555 a strategic goal. Thank you very much. 02:37:49.855 --> 02:37:52.315 Thank you, colleague. Next speaker, Estelle Coolemans. 02:37:55.135 --> 02:38:00.170 Mr President, as social movements are shaking Europe, as our young people are out on 02:38:00.230 --> 02:38:05.086 the streets to demand to claim what is our responsibility, to be able to study in 02:38:05.146 --> 02:38:10.062 good conditions and build ourselves a future, while employment and wages are under 02:38:10.122 --> 02:38:15.037 attack in favour of dividends and shareholders, not a single word in the Council's 02:38:15.097 --> 02:38:18.934 conclusions on the need for to maintain and create quality jobs. 02:38:18.994 --> 02:38:23.969 Not a word about fairer wages or improving working conditions in a world undergoing 02:38:24.029 --> 02:38:28.885 rapid change. Nothing about the need to guarantee budgets for the European Social 02:38:28.945 --> 02:38:33.680 Fund, which is not an investment in employment, training and combating poverty. 02:38:33.740 --> 02:38:36.258 The European Council's record is shocking. 02:38:36.318 --> 02:38:41.114 The competitiveness agenda of the Commission and its string of deregulations are 02:38:41.174 --> 02:38:45.910 taking us further away every day from a European project that truly responds to 02:38:45.969 --> 02:38:50.885 people's urgent needs and demands. So Mr President, but above all Commissioner von 02:38:50.945 --> 02:38:55.621 der Leyen, who has unfortunately already left us, there will be no sustainable 02:38:55.681 --> 02:39:00.477 European project if we do not replace the compass of competitiveness and profits 02:39:00.536 --> 02:39:02.155 with a true social compass. 02:39:03.715 --> 02:39:06.235 Thank you. Next speaker, Elena Yoncheva. 02:39:08.395 --> 02:39:11.515 Dear colleagues, dear colleagues, I will speak in Bulgarian. 02:39:11.635 --> 02:39:17.201 Dear Mr Kosta, the European Council recognises the attacks in the exclusive economic 02:39:17.268 --> 02:39:22.105 zones of Bulgaria and Romania as serious violations of international law. 02:39:22.171 --> 02:39:27.406 But where are the concrete measures, where are the concrete measures, Mr Costa? 02:39:27.473 --> 02:39:32.111 The economic consequences for Bulgaria and Romania can be devastating. 02:39:32.178 --> 02:39:37.545 Therefore, first of all, by the next Council at the latest, in December, specific 02:39:37.612 --> 02:39:43.178 measures must be proposed for the affected economies of the two Member States of the 02:39:43.244 --> 02:39:46.359 European Union in the Western Black Sea region. 02:39:46.425 --> 02:39:51.660 For the Black Sea region, specific measures for Bulgaria and Romania, Mr Kosta. 02:39:51.726 --> 02:39:57.160 Secondly, the European Council must set up a special commission, a special mission 02:39:57.226 --> 02:40:01.269 to monitor environmental risks and security in the Black Sea. 02:40:01.335 --> 02:40:06.769 The danger from floating mines and the environmental threat are growing every day. 02:40:06.835 --> 02:40:10.546 We cannot wait for a disaster to start acting, Mr Costa. 02:40:10.612 --> 02:40:11.812 Thank you. 02:40:12.595 --> 02:40:14.755 Thank you. Next speaker, Sandro Gozzi. 02:40:20.515 --> 02:40:26.399 Thank you, Chair. I think that the best part of this debate was the quote by Nico 02:40:26.471 --> 02:40:32.283 Stefanuta about Bob Marley. So I would like to contribute to the quality of this 02:40:32.355 --> 02:40:38.166 debate. Referring to a famous 80-band song, "Simple Minds," they used to sing, I 02:40:38.239 --> 02:40:43.178 quote, "Europe as a problem, talk, talk, talk, talking on," unquote. 02:40:43.251 --> 02:40:48.772 Forty years later, Mr. President, the European Council had the same problem. 02:40:48.844 --> 02:40:54.728 Too much talk, too little action. Worse still, it promised a stronger Europe with 02:40:54.801 --> 02:41:00.830 less money. It praises Draghi, who calls for 800 billion euro in annual investment, 02:41:00.902 --> 02:41:05.043 and it fights over a 7- year budget of just 1.6 trillion. 02:41:05.115 --> 02:41:09.328 It calls for more efficiency, but defends national vetoes. 02:41:09.401 --> 02:41:13.614 It wants to enlarge the Union, and this is even worse, Mr. 02:41:13.687 --> 02:41:17.028 President, without bold institutional reforms. 02:41:17.101 --> 02:41:21.241 You cannot promise European power and refuse to build it. 02:41:21.314 --> 02:41:23.275 Time to deliver. Thank you. 02:41:24.295 --> 02:41:27.235 Thank you. Next speaker, Gregor Braun. 02:41:34.855 --> 02:41:43.857 Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm old enough to remember lengthy speeches of the Communist 02:41:43.964 --> 02:41:52.751 Soviet Party's secretaries, so it gives me the strong déjà vu feeling listening to 02:41:52.858 --> 02:42:01.753 Madame Reichsführerin von der Leyen. Here today, because she's saying peace, and at 02:42:01.860 --> 02:42:09.683 the same time she 's a warmongerer. She's saying prosperity, good future, 02:42:09.790 --> 02:42:18.363 competitiveness, and in fact, she brings Europe to the most horrific industrial— 02:42:18.470 --> 02:42:26.401 Economical disaster. In post-Second World War Europe, and so on and so on. 02:42:26.508 --> 02:42:35.509 But because comrades Stalin and Hitler are no longer around, this gives me hope that 02:42:35.617 --> 02:42:42.475 Madame von der Leyen's political activity will not last forever. 02:42:42.955 --> 02:42:46.655 Thank you very much. Please, yours next time, Ms. 02:42:46.731 --> 02:42:53.074 Comparisons, which is those persons who are gave a cri me in Nürnberg, and so that's 02:42:53.149 --> 02:42:58.435 why you cannot make this comparison. But thank you very much for your— 02:42:58.675 --> 02:42:59.875 Do you want to discuss— 02:42:59.875 --> 02:43:02.515 Thank you. It's close to your— 02:43:02.755 --> 02:43:05.755 Okay, point. Next speaker, Lukas Furlas. 02:43:07.615 --> 02:43:08.815 Please. 02:43:09.175 --> 02:43:12.115 The blue card already. I announced the rules, how I can do it. 02:43:12.655 --> 02:43:14.275 Lukas Furlas is speaking next. 02:43:14.635 --> 02:43:15.835 Thank you. 02:43:16.435 --> 02:43:20.143 Mr President, I wish to strongly condemn the ratification of the illegal 02:43:20.194 --> 02:43:23.696 Turkish-Libyan memorandum, which violates Greece's sovereign rights. 02:43:23.748 --> 02:43:28.073 Mr President, it is null and void. I welcome the immediate condemnation by all three 02:43:28.125 --> 02:43:32.451 institutions following the joint declaration of the Cypriot and Greek delegations to 02:43:32.502 --> 02:43:36.467 the European People’s Party, but I want to tell you with great affection that 02:43:36.519 --> 02:43:39.351 condemnations are no longer enough; we now need action. 02:43:39.403 --> 02:43:43.625 I also want to ask the following: I am trying to understand why the European Union 02:43:43.677 --> 02:43:47.745 allows Turkey to organise conferences in Natalya, while it does not recognise a 02:43:47.797 --> 02:43:52.071 Member State. Does the leadership of the European Union feel alright when it has to 02:43:52.122 --> 02:43:56.294 intervene with letters and démarches to call in the President of Cyprus, a Member 02:43:56.345 --> 02:44:00.671 State? Do European officials feel alright when they go to Natália and meet there the 02:44:00.722 --> 02:44:04.533 envoy of Ankara, whom Erdoğan is trying to bring in through the back door? 02:44:04.585 --> 02:44:06.954 These things are unacceptable and condemnable. 02:44:07.005 --> 02:44:08.205 Thank you very much. 02:44:09.415 --> 02:44:11.515 Thank you. Next speaker, Maria Grappini. 02:44:14.155 --> 02:44:18.218 Mr Commissioner, Mr President Costa, I have listened to the conclusions and, 02:44:18.271 --> 02:44:20.783 frankly, I think there are two parallel things. 02:44:20.837 --> 02:44:23.830 One thing you have declared here and another is reality. 02:44:23.884 --> 02:44:28.267 And I will explain: the mere fact that the President has acknowledged the mistakes 02:44:28.320 --> 02:44:32.811 and is now trying to correct them with the methane regulation and electric vehicles, 02:44:32.864 --> 02:44:36.232 what does that mean? It means that we have borne certain costs. 02:44:36.285 --> 02:44:39.225 But who has borne these costs? Citizens and businesses. 02:44:39.279 --> 02:44:43.555 Speak up, Mr Costa, and also Madam President of Competitiveness, because we have 02:44:43.608 --> 02:44:47.404 strengthened competitiveness. How have we strengthened competitiveness? 02:44:47.457 --> 02:44:51.734 When we use the money from public procurement, if a control or verification were 02:44:51.787 --> 02:44:56.277 carried out, you will see that most European funds go to public procurement in third 02:44:56.331 --> 02:44:59.110 countries. Why? Because we are dependent on imports. 02:44:59.164 --> 02:45:03.119 And it is very good that the procurement directive is being changed into a 02:45:03.173 --> 02:45:07.556 regulation, but for over ten years we have been asking an entrepreneur, if they do 02:45:07.610 --> 02:45:11.191 not take immediate measures, they lose money from their own pocket. 02:45:11.244 --> 02:45:15.360 Who is paying these costs? We are talking about energy, you said we have, you 02:45:15.414 --> 02:45:18.835 declared that we have lower prices. How do we have lower prices? 02:45:19.015 --> 02:45:19.975 Thank you very much. 02:45:19.975 --> 02:45:24.614 Thank you very much. Next speaker, Christian Terhes. 02:45:24.704 --> 02:45:31.127 Is it working? Thank you. First question: where is Ursula von der Leyen? 02:45:31.216 --> 02:45:38.354 She came here this morning, had a monologue, pre ached to us how a great job her 02:45:38.443 --> 02:45:44.867 commission does, but now when we have to ask her directly, she ran away. 02:45:44.956 --> 02:45:51.558 She stated today, and praise herself, for deregulating and simplifying E U 02:45:51.647 --> 02:45:59.141 legislation. And among many things, she mentioned that she's proposing right now the 02:45:59.231 --> 02:46:05.387 EU public proc urement act. Do you know how many pages that draft is? 02:46:05.476 --> 02:46:10.740 200 pages. On top of it, they are 74 more pages of annexes. 02:46:10.829 --> 02:46:18.145 On top of these pages, there are 432 pages, I just want to quote to make sure that 02:46:18.234 --> 02:46:24.568 I'm precise, of imp act assessment. This is just one draft legislation. 02:46:24.658 --> 02:46:29.654 Proposed by Ursula von der Leyen. I'm asking all of you: 02:46:29.743 --> 02:46:31.795 is this simplification? 02:46:32.395 --> 02:46:34.075 Thank you very much, colleague. 02:46:34.255 --> 02:46:35.155 All of you are repeating the word. 02:46:35.155 --> 02:46:40.443 Colleague, Terhes, you have to do it according to the rules, orally, not using any 02:46:40.508 --> 02:46:44.635 kind of items. So just remind you, next speaker, one lunch shot. 02:46:49.135 --> 02:46:55.128 Thank you. Thank you very much, Chair. Dear President Costa, dear colleagues, 02:46:55.206 --> 02:47:01.665 hearing Trump praise Putin, and seeing the pictures of Ukra inian children who died 02:47:01.743 --> 02:47:07.736 from Russian bombs after Starshield was cut off, it made me think of D ante's 02:47:07.814 --> 02:47:14.196 Inferno, where the deepest circle of hell is reserved for traitors forever f rozen 02:47:14.273 --> 02:47:20.655 in a lake of ice. But just one level above that circle and that lake of ice is the 02:47:20.733 --> 02:47:24.002 cir cle reserved for liars and hypocrites. 02:47:24.080 --> 02:47:30.540 Is that where we will end up? Will we be the hypocrites condemning Trump for buying 02:47:30.617 --> 02:47:36.455 diesel while some far-right politicians want us to import more Russian gas? 02:47:36.532 --> 02:47:42.836 Or will we be liars for telling Ukraine we will support them as long as it takes? 02:47:42.914 --> 02:47:48.829 It depends on what we do now. And I say no, let's live up to our promise and 02:47:48.907 --> 02:47:54.355 increase our support for Ukraine. Ukraine has been going through hell. 02:47:54.475 --> 02:47:56.850 Thank you very much, colleague. Thank you very much. 02:47:56.896 --> 02:48:00.551 Thank you very much. And last speaker, last speaker, thank you very much on Kate 02:48:00.596 --> 02:48:02.515 Zai. We'll be Juan Fernando López Aguilar. 02:48:04.075 --> 02:48:05.755 Thank you so much, Mr. President. 02:48:06.595 --> 02:48:11.356 Dear and respected President Costa, we know it is not easy, but you have ample 02:48:11.417 --> 02:48:16.117 authority and leadership to move the Council in the direction of the European 02:48:16.178 --> 02:48:21.244 Parliament’s own resources, because without them there is no support for the values 02:48:21.305 --> 02:48:26.371 or the social and regional policy, nor to housing, nor to migratory solidarity with 02:48:26.432 --> 02:48:30.827 Spain and with any other country with an external border under pressure. 02:48:30.888 --> 02:48:35.039 Nor, either, will there be a European Union of Defence and Security. 02:48:35.100 --> 02:48:39.922 that is relevant in the world. Therefore, own resources, for crypto-assets, for 02:48:39.983 --> 02:48:45.110 online gambling, for large digital companies, and even for windfall profits, are the 02:48:45.171 --> 02:48:49.993 necessary response for the European Union to address the frustration and social 02:48:50.054 --> 02:48:55.059 anger shaking Europe. There is a huge amount at stake in the Council's decision to 02:48:55.120 --> 02:48:59.515 engage with the European Parliament, and we have full confidence in you. 02:49:00.415 --> 02:49:01.615 President Costa. 02:49:02.095 --> 02:49:07.307 Thank you, colleagues. We are closing. Kate Zai procedure, and now I would like to 02:49:07.371 --> 02:49:11.947 take floor for the commission. Commissioner Shevchevich, floor is yours. 02:49:12.011 --> 02:49:17.160 Sorry, commissioner, so I got, I had you principal why you didn't get a Kate Zai. 02:49:17.223 --> 02:49:20.020 You are not alone who didn't get a Kate Zai. 02:49:20.084 --> 02:49:21.355 Thank you very much. 02:49:22.735 --> 02:49:28.497 Thank you very much, President. Mr. President of the European Council, Honorable 02:49:28.569 --> 02:49:34.619 Members, I have allocated time only for a few telegraphic messages, but I would like 02:49:34.691 --> 02:49:40.525 to start by underscoring that some expressions mentioned in this House just a few 02:49:40.597 --> 02:49:46.431 minutes ago are totally unacceptable and undignified for the democratic debate in 02:49:46.503 --> 02:49:51.328 this House. And I very much appreciate that you addressed them, Mr. 02:49:51.400 --> 02:49:57.306 President. Coming back to the debate, first and foremost, I would like to reassure 02:49:57.378 --> 02:50:03.356 this House that the commission is using every opportunity for highlighting the need 02:50:03.428 --> 02:50:09.262 for multi-annual financial framework that responds to the ch allenges of our time 02:50:09.334 --> 02:50:12.864 and responds to the expectations of our citizens. 02:50:12.936 --> 02:50:18.625 I mean, the whole debate today was about how much more it's important to do for 02:50:18.698 --> 02:50:24.171 Europe and Europe ans. And it's very clear that we cannot do more with less. 02:50:24.243 --> 02:50:30.005 And I think that this debate clearly pointed to the fact that the expectation is 02:50:30.077 --> 02:50:35.983 that we have to do much mor e. My second and last point is to reassure you that we 02:50:36.055 --> 02:50:42.033 are already working very hard on delivering and we do our utmost to deliver most of 02:50:42.105 --> 02:50:48.011 it before the next December European Counc il, to make sure that it would continue 02:50:48.083 --> 02:50:53.917 completing our single market, that we would diversify our supp ly chains, that we 02:50:53.989 --> 02:50:58.455 would build new trade partnership and reduce our dependencies. 02:50:58.527 --> 02:51:04.433 And of course, to implement what we jointly agreed upon including to reinforce our 02:51:04.505 --> 02:51:09.042 internal and external security and continue to support Ukraine. 02:51:09.114 --> 02:51:11.635 Thank you very much, Mr. President. 02:51:12.055 --> 02:51:16.296 Thank you very much, Commissioner. And now I would like to ask to take floor for 02:51:16.349 --> 02:51:18.947 President of the European Council, Antonio Costa. 02:51:19.000 --> 02:51:20.200 Floor is yours. 02:51:24.715 --> 02:51:32.503 Thank you, President. Honorable Members, allow me to focus on two main issues. 02:51:32.603 --> 02:51:40.092 First of all, the cost of living is at the heart of the European concern s. 02:51:40.192 --> 02:51:48.280 To tackle these concerns, we need on the one hand to boost our competitiveness in 02:51:48.380 --> 02:51:56.168 order to sustain our social model create quality jobs with better salaries and 02:51:56.268 --> 02:52:04.456 reduce inequalities. At the same time, we need to address the costs of housing and 02:52:04.555 --> 02:52:12.643 energy. For the very first time, I brought housing to the European Council agenda 02:52:12.743 --> 02:52:20.631 October last year. Since then, the commission presented the European Affordable 02:52:20.731 --> 02:52:29.119 Housing Strategy, and now the European Parliament and the Council are discussing the 02:52:29.218 --> 02:52:37.606 Affordable Housing Act. And we need to act in order to ensure affordable housing for 02:52:37.706 --> 02:52:42.898 our citizens, especially for the yo ung generations. 02:52:42.998 --> 02:52:51.186 Regarding energy, the. European Council supported the commission proposals for the 02:52:51.285 --> 02:52:55.479 short time and call for further me asures. 02:52:55.579 --> 02:53:01.071 But we need to focus on the deep roots of energy costs. 02:53:01.171 --> 02:53:09.258 We need to ensure our strategic autonomy based on homegrown sources, like renewab 02:53:09.358 --> 02:53:17.346 les or nuclear. And we need to invest in our grids, extend interconnections, and 02:53:17.446 --> 02:53:22.039 discuss how to improve our electricity market. 02:53:22.139 --> 02:53:26.932 But we cannot ignore that the current crisis of. 02:53:27.032 --> 02:53:32.624 Energy comes beyond our borders, far beyond our borders. 02:53:32.723 --> 02:53:41.111 And to protect the European citizens, we need to have a Europe strong in the world , 02:53:41.211 --> 02:53:49.199 able to uphold international law against the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz or 02:53:49.299 --> 02:53:54.690 against the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. 02:53:54.790 --> 02:54:02.579 Secondly, the European needs and European budget which reflects our polit ical 02:54:02.679 --> 02:54:10.766 priorities answer to our strategic challenges and to the citizens ' expectations. 02:54:10.866 --> 02:54:16.558 Our Union doesn't add bureaucracy but rather eff iciency. 02:54:16.658 --> 02:54:22.948 The average of administrative costs in our member states is 40. 02:54:23.048 --> 02:54:29.938 1 percent, and the current budget proposal is is close to 6 per cent. 02:54:30.038 --> 02:54:38.325 A budget which respects the subsidiary principle needs to support our farmers, o ur 02:54:38.425 --> 02:54:45.115 regions, our cities, namely to help funding their housing policies. 02:54:46.255 --> 02:54:54.665 And the budget that prioritizes investment where we have a clear added value act ing 02:54:54.765 --> 02:55:03.075 together in breakthrough technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum ener gy 02:55:03.175 --> 02:55:11.084 shortage, investing in supporting a just and effective transition in energy and 02:55:11.185 --> 02:55:19.194 digital, in protecting our common external borders, in sharing solidarity in the 02:55:19.294 --> 02:55:27.504 face of dramatic natural events, in strengthening our collective defense to ensure 02:55:27.604 --> 02:55:35.814 peace in Europe. And yes, this means to support Ukraine because Ukraine's security 02:55:35.914 --> 02:55:43.723 is the front line of our own security. We cannot— We cannot afford to save our 02:55:43.823 --> 02:55:51.833 priorities. But we need to balance our ambitions with our capacity to fund them. 02:55:51.933 --> 02:55:57.740 We must keep national contributions at a reasonable level. 02:55:57.840 --> 02:56:06.150 And for this, it is essential to have a balance, fair, and effective package of new 02:56:06.250 --> 02:56:13.358 own resources. Europe needs reliability, predictability, and stability. 02:56:13.458 --> 02:56:20.066 For this, we need to approve a new budget by the end of this year. 02:56:20.166 --> 02:56:28.576 It is the only way to have an to have conditions to implement a new budget since the 02:56:28.676 --> 02:56:37.086 1 st of January 2028. That's why I will present a new detailed negotiation box to be 02:56:37.186 --> 02:56:44.695 negotiating negotiated in the extraordinary Council of the 26th and 27th of 02:56:44.795 --> 02:56:52.505 November. And to bring us closer to a landing zone probably only in December. 02:56:52.605 --> 02:57:00.614 And I will start to work immediately with the European Commission and the member 02:57:00.714 --> 02:57:07.923 states and keeping close contact with the European Parliament reporters. 02:57:08.023 --> 02:57:16.133 The next European budget will have to be the basis of an alliance for the future. 02:57:16.233 --> 02:57:18.235 Thank you very much. 02:57:19.435 --> 02:57:26.092 Thank you very much, Mr. President. Colleagues, we are closing this point in agenda. 02:57:26.171 --> 02:57:32.035 Debate is closed. And plenary, we will be started with voting in a minute. 02:58:24.475 --> 02:58:28.875 Okay. Dear colleagues, we have a very long vote. 02:58:28.967 --> 02:58:33.825 Can I ask you to take your seats just after the vote? 02:58:33.917 --> 02:58:37.767 I will give the floor to three colleagues. 02:58:37.859 --> 02:58:42.259 Nicola Bay, Sebastian Kraus, and Daniele Polato. 02:58:42.350 --> 02:58:46.200 So stay in the room for that. Let's start. 02:58:46.292 --> 02:58:53.992 Final voting list of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 02:58:54.084 --> 02:59:01.417 2027. All sections— For adoption, I will go slowly until everybody puts in their 02:59:01.509 --> 02:59:09.209 voting card. The amendments require the votes of a majority of the component members 02:59:09.301 --> 02:59:15.993 of Parliament, which means we will need 360 votes for them to go through. 02:59:16.084 --> 02:59:20.484 Now we start. Revenue: Block 1. Who is in favor? 02:59:20.576 --> 02:59:25.893 Who is against? Who abstains? Adopted. Heading 1, Block 2. 02:59:25.984 --> 02:59:30.201 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 02:59:30.293 --> 02:59:35.426 Adopted. Amendment 305. Who is in favor? Who is against? 02:59:35.518 --> 02:59:39.643 Who abstains? Rejected. 306. Who is in favor? 02:59:39.735 --> 02:59:44.685 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 437. 02:59:44.776 --> 02:59:48.993 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 02:59:49.085 --> 02:59:54.218 Adopted. Amendment 527. Who is in favor? Who is against? 02:59:54.310 --> 02:59:58.343 Who abstains? Rejected. Heading 2A, Block 3. 02:59:58.435 --> 03:00:02.652 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:00:02.743 --> 03:00:07.877 Adopted. Amendment 223. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:00:07.969 --> 03:00:13.010 Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 310. Who is in favor? 03:00:13.102 --> 03:00:18.052 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 529. 03:00:18.144 --> 03:00:22.360 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:00:22.452 --> 03:00:26.761 Rejected. 224. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:00:26.852 --> 03:00:30.977 Who abstains? Rejected. 311. Who is in favor? 03:00:31.069 --> 03:00:35.102 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 312. 03:00:35.194 --> 03:00:39.411 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:00:39.502 --> 03:00:44.728 Rejected. 313 by Roko. Vote is open. 313. Vote is closed. 03:00:44.819 --> 03:00:50.044 Rejected. Amendment 530. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:00:50.136 --> 03:00:54.261 Who abstains? Rejected. 316. Who is in favor? 03:00:54.353 --> 03:00:58.386 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 227. 03:00:58.478 --> 03:01:02.695 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:01:02.786 --> 03:01:07.553 Rejected. 317 by Roko. Vote is open. Vote is closed. 03:01:07.645 --> 03:01:11.953 Rejected. 318. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:01:12.045 --> 03:01:16.628 Who abstains? Rejected. 320 by Roko. Vote is open. 03:01:16.720 --> 03:01:20.937 Vote is closed. Rejected. Heading 2B, Block 4. 03:01:21.028 --> 03:01:25.245 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:01:25.337 --> 03:01:29.095 Adopted. 528. Amendment. Who is in favor? 03:01:29.335 --> 03:01:32.905 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 624. 03:01:32.986 --> 03:01:36.719 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:01:36.800 --> 03:01:40.533 Adopted. 628. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:01:40.614 --> 03:01:44.184 Who abstains? Adopted. 629. Who is in favor? 03:01:44.265 --> 03:01:47.754 Who is against? Who abstains? Adopted. 387. 03:01:47.836 --> 03:01:51.568 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:01:51.649 --> 03:01:55.382 Adopted. 226. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:01:55.463 --> 03:01:59.115 Who abstains? Rejected. 638. Who is in favor? 03:01:59.196 --> 03:02:02.685 Who is against? Who abstains? Adopted. 450. 03:02:02.766 --> 03:02:06.499 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:02:06.580 --> 03:02:10.312 Adopted. 642. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:02:10.393 --> 03:02:13.964 Who abstains? Adopted. 232. Who is in favor? 03:02:14.045 --> 03:02:17.615 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 644. 03:02:17.696 --> 03:02:21.429 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:02:21.510 --> 03:02:25.243 Adopted. 184. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:02:25.324 --> 03:02:28.894 Who abstains? Adopted. 235. Who is in favor? 03:02:28.975 --> 03:02:32.546 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 535. 03:02:32.627 --> 03:02:36.359 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:02:36.440 --> 03:02:40.254 Rejected. 649. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:02:40.335 --> 03:02:43.906 Who abstains? Adopted. 185. Who is in favor? 03:02:43.987 --> 03:02:47.476 Who is against? Who abstains? Adopted. 538. 03:02:47.557 --> 03:02:51.290 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:02:51.371 --> 03:02:55.184 Rejected. 650. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:02:55.266 --> 03:02:58.836 Who abstains? Adopted. 455. Who is in favor? 03:02:58.917 --> 03:03:03.623 Who is against? Who abstains? Adopted. Heading 3, Block 5. 03:03:03.704 --> 03:03:07.437 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:03:07.518 --> 03:03:11.251 Adopted. 237. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:03:11.332 --> 03:03:14.983 Who abstains? Rejected. 651. Who is in favor? 03:03:15.065 --> 03:03:18.554 Who is against? Who abstains? Adopted. 239. 03:03:18.635 --> 03:03:22.367 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:03:22.449 --> 03:03:26.262 Rejected. 240. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:03:26.343 --> 03:03:29.995 Who abstains? Rejected. 456. Who is in favor? 03:03:30.076 --> 03:03:33.565 Who is against? Who abstains? Adopted. 459. 03:03:33.646 --> 03:03:37.379 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:03:37.460 --> 03:03:41.193 Adopted. 243. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:03:41.274 --> 03:03:44.925 Who abstains? Rejected. 244. Who is in favor? 03:03:45.006 --> 03:03:48.577 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 245. 03:03:48.658 --> 03:03:52.390 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:03:52.472 --> 03:03:56.691 Rejected. 324 by Roko. Vote is open. Vote is closed. 03:03:56.772 --> 03:04:01.397 Rejected. Amendment 657. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:04:01.478 --> 03:04:05.049 Who abstains? Adopted. 248. Who is in favor? 03:04:05.130 --> 03:04:09.917 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. Heading 4, Block 6. 03:04:09.998 --> 03:04:12.595 Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:04:12.775 --> 03:04:16.721 Who abstains? Adopted. 659. Who is in favor? 03:04:16.811 --> 03:04:20.667 Who is against? Who abstains? Adopted. 250. 03:04:20.757 --> 03:04:24.883 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:04:24.972 --> 03:04:29.188 Rejected. 660. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:04:29.277 --> 03:04:33.224 Who abstains? Adopted. 661. Who is in favor? 03:04:33.313 --> 03:04:37.170 Who is against? Who abstains? Adopted. 252. 03:04:37.260 --> 03:04:41.385 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:04:41.475 --> 03:04:45.690 Rejected. 253. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:04:45.780 --> 03:04:50.264 Who abstains? Rejected. 330 by Roko. Vote is open. 03:04:50.354 --> 03:04:55.466 Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 662. Who is in favor? 03:04:55.556 --> 03:05:00.758 Who is against? Who abstains? Adopted. Heading 5, Block 7. 03:05:00.847 --> 03:05:04.973 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:05:05.063 --> 03:05:09.188 Adopted. 663. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:05:09.278 --> 03:05:13.224 Who abstains? Adopted. 254. Who is in favor? 03:05:13.314 --> 03:05:17.260 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 255. 03:05:17.350 --> 03:05:21.475 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:05:21.565 --> 03:05:26.229 Rejected. 333 by Roko. Vote is open. Vote is closed. 03:05:26.318 --> 03:05:30.982 Rejected. 353 by Roko. Vote is open. Vote is closed. 03:05:31.072 --> 03:05:35.287 Rejected. 334. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:05:35.377 --> 03:05:40.220 Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 69. Who is in favor? 03:05:40.310 --> 03:05:44.166 Who is against? Who abstains? Adopted. 336. 03:05:44.256 --> 03:05:48.381 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:05:48.471 --> 03:05:52.686 Rejected. 337. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:05:52.776 --> 03:05:56.812 Who abstains? Rejected. 338. Who is in favor? 03:05:56.902 --> 03:06:00.848 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 339. 03:06:00.938 --> 03:06:05.063 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:06:05.153 --> 03:06:09.368 Rejected. 340. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:06:09.458 --> 03:06:13.494 Who abstains? Rejected. 341. Who is in favor? 03:06:13.583 --> 03:06:17.530 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 342. 03:06:17.619 --> 03:06:21.745 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:06:21.835 --> 03:06:26.498 Rejected. 343 by Roko. Vote is open. Vote is closed. 03:06:26.588 --> 03:06:30.803 Rejected. 667. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:06:30.893 --> 03:06:35.288 Who abstains? Adopted. 345 by Roko. Vote is open. 03:06:35.377 --> 03:06:39.593 Vote is closed. Rejected. 346. Who is in favor? 03:06:39.682 --> 03:06:43.629 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 668. 03:06:43.718 --> 03:06:47.844 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:06:47.934 --> 03:06:52.059 Adopted. 348. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:06:52.149 --> 03:06:56.633 Who abstains? Rejected. 349 by Roko. Vote is open. 03:06:56.723 --> 03:07:01.835 Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 669. Who is in favor? 03:07:01.925 --> 03:07:05.781 Who is against? Who abstains? Adopted. 351. 03:07:05.871 --> 03:07:09.997 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:07:10.086 --> 03:07:13.315 Rejected. 352 by Roko. Vote is open. 03:07:16.435 --> 03:07:19.812 Vote is closed. Rejected. Heading 6, Block 8. 03:07:19.887 --> 03:07:23.339 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:07:23.414 --> 03:07:26.866 Adopted. 670. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:07:26.941 --> 03:07:30.243 Who abstains? Adopted. 541. Who is in favor? 03:07:30.318 --> 03:07:33.620 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 542. 03:07:33.695 --> 03:07:37.147 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:07:37.222 --> 03:07:40.749 Rejected. 543. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:07:40.824 --> 03:07:44.201 Who abstains? Rejected. 355. Who is in favor? 03:07:44.276 --> 03:07:47.578 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 256. 03:07:47.653 --> 03:07:51.105 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:07:51.180 --> 03:07:54.707 Rejected. 673. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:07:54.782 --> 03:07:58.084 Who abstains? Adopted. 357. Who is in favor? 03:07:58.159 --> 03:08:02.062 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 360 by Roko. 03:08:02.137 --> 03:08:05.439 Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected. 415. 03:08:05.514 --> 03:08:08.966 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:08:09.041 --> 03:08:12.493 Adopted. 545. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:08:12.568 --> 03:08:15.945 Who abstains? Rejected. 546. Who is in favor? 03:08:16.020 --> 03:08:19.322 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 547. 03:08:19.397 --> 03:08:22.849 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:08:22.924 --> 03:08:26.451 Rejected. 548. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:08:26.526 --> 03:08:29.903 Who abstains? Rejected. 549. Who is in favor? 03:08:29.978 --> 03:08:33.280 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 550. 03:08:33.355 --> 03:08:36.807 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:08:36.882 --> 03:08:40.634 Rejected. Heading 7, European Commission, Block 9. 03:08:40.709 --> 03:08:44.161 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:08:44.236 --> 03:08:47.688 Adopted. 553. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:08:47.764 --> 03:08:51.141 Who abstains? Rejected. 554. Who is in favor? 03:08:51.216 --> 03:08:54.517 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 561. 03:08:54.593 --> 03:08:58.045 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:08:58.120 --> 03:09:01.647 Rejected. 259. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:09:01.722 --> 03:09:05.099 Who abstains? Rejected. 562. Who is in favor? 03:09:05.174 --> 03:09:08.476 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 563. 03:09:08.551 --> 03:09:12.003 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:09:12.078 --> 03:09:15.605 Rejected. 565. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:09:15.680 --> 03:09:19.057 Who abstains? Rejected. 567. Who is in favor? 03:09:19.132 --> 03:09:22.434 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 570. 03:09:22.509 --> 03:09:25.961 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:09:26.036 --> 03:09:29.563 Rejected. 571. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:09:29.638 --> 03:09:33.015 Who abstains? Rejected. 572. Who is in favor? 03:09:33.090 --> 03:09:36.392 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 574. 03:09:36.467 --> 03:09:39.919 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:09:39.994 --> 03:09:43.521 Rejected. 575. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:09:43.596 --> 03:09:46.973 Who abstains? Rejected. 577. Who is in favor? 03:09:47.048 --> 03:09:49.975 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 03:09:50.755 --> 03:09:54.392 578. Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:09:54.464 --> 03:09:57.816 Rejected. 581. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:09:57.887 --> 03:10:01.097 Who abstains? Rejected. 582. Who is in favor? 03:10:01.168 --> 03:10:04.306 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 585. 03:10:04.378 --> 03:10:07.658 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:10:07.730 --> 03:10:11.724 Rejected. Amendment 37. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:10:11.795 --> 03:10:14.933 Who abstains? Adopted. 593. Who is in favor? 03:10:15.005 --> 03:10:20.853 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. Heading 7, Heading 7, European Parliament, 03:10:20.924 --> 03:10:23.920 Block 10. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:10:23.991 --> 03:10:27.201 Who abstains? Adopted. Amendment 296 by Roko. 03:10:27.272 --> 03:10:31.123 Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 606. 03:10:31.195 --> 03:10:34.476 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:10:34.547 --> 03:10:38.184 Adopted. 299 by Roko. Vote is open. Vote is closed. 03:10:38.256 --> 03:10:42.321 Rejected. Amendment 213. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:10:42.392 --> 03:10:45.602 Who abstains? Rejected. 214. Who is in favor? 03:10:45.673 --> 03:10:48.811 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 215. 03:10:48.883 --> 03:10:52.164 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:10:52.235 --> 03:10:55.587 Rejected. 216. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:10:55.658 --> 03:10:58.868 Who abstains? Rejected. 217. Who is in favor? 03:10:58.939 --> 03:11:02.077 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 218. 03:11:02.149 --> 03:11:05.430 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:11:05.501 --> 03:11:08.853 Rejected. 220. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:11:08.924 --> 03:11:14.773 Who abstains? Rejected. Heading 7, Council and European Council, we go straight to 03:11:14.844 --> 03:11:18.196 Amendment 519. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:11:18.268 --> 03:11:21.477 Who abstains? Rejected. 521. Who is in favor? 03:11:21.548 --> 03:11:24.687 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 522. 03:11:24.758 --> 03:11:28.039 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:11:28.110 --> 03:11:31.462 Rejected. 523. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:11:31.534 --> 03:11:34.743 Who abstains? Rejected. 525. Who is in favor? 03:11:34.814 --> 03:11:40.734 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. Heading 7, Court of Justice of the European 03:11:40.806 --> 03:11:44.300 Union, Block 12. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:11:44.372 --> 03:11:48.223 Who abstains? Adopted. Amendment 262. Who is in favor? 03:11:48.294 --> 03:11:54.285 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. Heading 7, European Court of Auditors, Block 03:11:54.357 --> 03:11:57.923 13. Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:11:57.994 --> 03:12:02.915 Adopted. Heading 7, European Economic and Social Committee, Block 14. 03:12:02.987 --> 03:12:06.268 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:12:06.339 --> 03:12:10.333 Adopted. Amendment 264. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:12:10.404 --> 03:12:13.614 Who abstains? Rejected. 594. Who is in favor? 03:12:13.685 --> 03:12:14.815 Who is against? 03:12:14.815 --> 03:12:18.062 Who abstains? Rejected. 265. Who is in favor? 03:12:18.134 --> 03:12:21.308 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 286. 03:12:21.380 --> 03:12:24.699 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:12:24.771 --> 03:12:27.802 Ooh, 268. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:12:27.874 --> 03:12:31.192 Paying attention. Who is abstaining? Rejected. 03:12:31.265 --> 03:12:34.944 269. Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:12:35.016 --> 03:12:39.706 Rejected. Heading 7, European Committee of the Regions, Block 15. 03:12:39.778 --> 03:12:43.097 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:12:43.169 --> 03:12:46.488 Adopted. 270. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:12:46.560 --> 03:12:49.807 Who abstains? Rejected. 703. Who is in favor? 03:12:49.879 --> 03:12:52.981 Who is against? Who abstains? Adopted. 276. 03:12:53.053 --> 03:12:56.372 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:12:56.444 --> 03:12:59.835 Rejected. 277. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:12:59.907 --> 03:13:03.154 Who abstains? Rejected. 278. Who is in favor? 03:13:03.226 --> 03:13:08.998 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. Heading 7, European Ombudsman, Block 16. 03:13:09.070 --> 03:13:12.389 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:13:12.461 --> 03:13:17.295 Adopted. Heading 7, European Data Protection Supervisor, Block 1 7. 03:13:17.367 --> 03:13:20.686 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:13:20.758 --> 03:13:24.798 Adopted. Amendment 281. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:13:24.870 --> 03:13:28.838 Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 283. Who is in favor? 03:13:28.910 --> 03:13:34.971 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. Heading 7, European External Action Service, 03:13:35.043 --> 03:13:38.073 Block 18. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:13:38.145 --> 03:13:42.041 Who abstains? Adopted. Amendment 284. Who is in favor? 03:13:42.113 --> 03:13:45.288 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 286. 03:13:45.360 --> 03:13:48.679 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:13:48.751 --> 03:13:52.142 Rejected. 288. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:13:52.214 --> 03:13:55.461 Who abstains? Rejected. 291. Who is in favor? 03:13:55.533 --> 03:13:58.707 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 292. 03:13:58.779 --> 03:14:02.098 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:14:02.170 --> 03:14:06.427 Rejected. Pilot projects and preparatory actions, Block 19. 03:14:06.499 --> 03:14:09.818 Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? 03:14:09.890 --> 03:14:15.951 Adopted. I give the floor to the Council Presidency, Minister of State for Fisheries 03:14:16.023 --> 03:14:18.115 and Marine, Mr. Timmy Dooley. 03:14:19.615 --> 03:14:23.707 Very much, Madam President. Honourable Members, Commissioner, Ladies and Gentlemen. 03:14:23.756 --> 03:14:27.898 The European Parliament has just adopted amendments to the Council's position on the 03:14:27.947 --> 03:14:32.089 draft budget. For the financial year 2027, and I take note of the differences in the 03:14:32.138 --> 03:14:36.181 positions of our two institutions concerning the draft bud get 27 presented by the 03:14:36.230 --> 03:14:40.273 Commission. Consequently, in my capacity as President of the Council, I agree that 03:14:40.322 --> 03:14:44.267 the President of the European Par liament convenes the conciliation committee as 03:14:44.316 --> 03:14:48.359 required in Point C of Paragraph 4 of Article 314 of the Treaty of the Functioning 03:14:48.408 --> 03:14:50.035 of the European Union. Thank you. 03:14:50.635 --> 03:15:00.342 Thank you very much, Minister Dooley. So I shall, in fact, convene the conciliation 03:15:00.459 --> 03:15:10.165 committee in accordance with Article 314(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the 03:15:10.282 --> 03:15:15.896 European Union. Now we move to the report by Mr. 03:15:16.013 --> 03:15:21.042 Nils Ozarkovs and Mr. Mihalis Hadjipantela. 03:15:21.158 --> 03:15:30.047 On the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2027, all 03:15:30.163 --> 03:15:38.116 sections—lots of roll calls—amendment 2, vote is open, by roll call. 03:15:38.233 --> 03:15:45.951 Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 3, by roll call, vote is open. 03:15:46.068 --> 03:15:53.787 Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 4, by roll call, vote is open. 03:15:53.904 --> 03:16:01.623 Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 5, by roll call, vote is open. 03:16:01.739 --> 03:16:08.406 Vote is closed. Rejected. 22, by roll call, vote is open. 03:16:08.522 --> 03:16:15.072 Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 23, who is in favor? 03:16:15.189 --> 03:16:23.492 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 24, by roll call, vote is open. 03:16:23.609 --> 03:16:30.275 Vote is closed. Rejected. 25, by roll call, vote is open. 03:16:30.392 --> 03:16:37.058 Vote is closed. Rejected. 68, by roll call, vote is open. 03:16:37.175 --> 03:16:43.724 Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 26, who is in favor? 03:16:43.841 --> 03:16:50.975 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 112, who is in favor? 03:16:51.092 --> 03:16:58.108 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 69, who is in favor? 03:16:58.225 --> 03:17:07.698 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 70, by roll call, vote is open. 03:17:07.815 --> 03:17:15.768 Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 113, by roll call, vote is open. 03:17:15.885 --> 03:17:22.551 Vote is closed. Rejected. 71, by roll call, vote is open. 03:17:22.668 --> 03:17:29.334 Vote is closed. Rejected. 72, by roll call, vote is open. 03:17:29.451 --> 03:17:34.830 Vote is closed. Rejected. 73, who is in favor? 03:17:34.947 --> 03:17:43.367 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 114, by roll call, vote is open. 03:17:43.484 --> 03:17:50.150 Vote is closed. Rejected. 74, by roll call, vote is open. 03:17:50.267 --> 03:17:57.050 Vote is closed. Rejected. 115, by roll call, vote is open. 03:17:57.167 --> 03:18:03.833 Vote is closed. Rejected. 75, by roll call, vote is open. 03:18:03.950 --> 03:18:10.616 Vote is closed. Rejected. 27, by roll call, vote is open. 03:18:10.733 --> 03:18:16.113 Vote is closed. Rejected. 76, who is in favor? 03:18:16.230 --> 03:18:23.247 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 28, who is in favor? 03:18:23.364 --> 03:18:31.667 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 77, by roll call, vote is open. 03:18:31.784 --> 03:18:38.450 Vote is closed. Rejected. 29, by roll call, vote is open. 03:18:38.567 --> 03:18:43.947 Vote is closed. Rejected. 78, who is in favor? 03:18:44.064 --> 03:18:47.455 Who is against? Who abstains? 03:18:47.575 --> 03:18:54.648 Rejected. Amendment 30, by roll call, vote is open. 03:18:54.787 --> 03:19:02.414 Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 6, who is in favor? 03:19:02.553 --> 03:19:12.122 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 7, who is in favor? 03:19:12.261 --> 03:19:23.356 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 8, by roll call, vote is open. 03:19:23.495 --> 03:19:32.648 Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 9, by roll call, vote is open. 03:19:32.787 --> 03:19:42.078 Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 10, by roll call, vote is open. 03:19:42.217 --> 03:19:51.509 Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 11, by roll call, vote is open. 03:19:51.648 --> 03:20:00.940 Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 12, by roll call, vote is open. 03:20:01.078 --> 03:20:08.983 Vote is closed. Rejected. 13, by roll call, vote is open. 03:20:09.122 --> 03:20:17.027 Vote is closed. Rejected. 14, by roll call, vote is open. 03:20:17.166 --> 03:20:25.071 Vote is closed. Rejected. 15, by roll call, vote is open. 03:20:25.210 --> 03:20:33.115 Vote is closed. Rejected. 31, by roll call, vote is open. 03:20:33.253 --> 03:20:41.159 Vote is closed. Rejected. 32, by roll call, vote is open. 03:20:41.297 --> 03:20:49.202 Vote is closed. Rejected. 33, by roll call, vote is open. 03:20:49.341 --> 03:20:57.246 Vote is closed. Rejected. 34, by roll call, vote is open. 03:20:57.385 --> 03:21:03.903 Vote is closed. Rejected. 108, who is in favor? 03:21:04.042 --> 03:21:13.888 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 35, by roll call, vote is open. 03:21:14.027 --> 03:21:21.932 Vote is closed. Rejected. 79, by roll call, vote is open. 03:21:22.071 --> 03:21:30.115 Vote is closed. Rejected. 116, by roll call, vote is open. 03:21:30.253 --> 03:21:38.158 Vote is closed. Rejected. 36, by roll call, vote is open. 03:21:38.297 --> 03:21:46.202 Vote is closed. Rejected. 80, by roll call, vote is open. 03:21:46.341 --> 03:21:54.246 Vote is closed. Rejected. 37, by roll call, vote is open. 03:21:54.385 --> 03:22:06.034 Vote is closed. Rejected. Paragraph 15.f, original text, by roll call, vote is open. 03:22:06.173 --> 03:22:17.684 Vote is closed. Adopted. Paragraph 15.g, original text, by roll call, vote is open. 03:22:17.822 --> 03:22:26.976 Vote is closed. Adopted. Amendment 81, by roll call, vote is open. 03:22:27.114 --> 03:22:35.019 Vote is closed. Rejected. 82, by roll call, vote is open. 03:22:35.158 --> 03:22:44.450 Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 83, by roll call, vote is open. 03:22:44.589 --> 03:22:51.107 Vote is closed. Rejected. 109, who is in favor? 03:22:51.246 --> 03:23:01.231 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 117, by roll call, vote is open. 03:23:01.370 --> 03:23:13.019 Vote is closed. Rejected. Paragraph 21.a, original text, by roll call, vote is open. 03:23:13.158 --> 03:23:22.311 Vote is closed. Adopted. Amendment 84, by roll call, vote is open. 03:23:22.450 --> 03:23:30.355 Vote is closed. Rejected. 85, by roll call, vote is open. 03:23:33.115 --> 03:23:39.724 Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 86, who is in favor? 03:23:39.842 --> 03:23:49.401 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 87, by roll call, vote is open. 03:23:49.519 --> 03:23:59.078 Amendment 87. Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 88, by roll call, vote is open. 03:23:59.196 --> 03:24:05.804 Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 38, who is in favor? 03:24:05.922 --> 03:24:15.481 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 89, by roll call, vote is open. 03:24:15.599 --> 03:24:23.506 Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 90, by roll call, vote is open. 03:24:23.624 --> 03:24:33.537 Vote is closed. Rejected. Paragraph 22.a, original text, by roll call, vote is open. 03:24:33.655 --> 03:24:40.146 Vote is closed. Adopted. Amendment 91, who is in favor? 03:24:40.264 --> 03:24:49.823 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 16, by roll call, vote is open. 03:24:49.941 --> 03:24:57.966 Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 110, by roll call, vote is open. 03:24:58.084 --> 03:25:04.811 Vote is closed. Rejected. 39, by roll call, vote is open. 03:25:04.929 --> 03:25:11.655 Vote is closed. Rejected. 40, by roll call, vote is open. 03:25:11.773 --> 03:25:18.500 Vote is closed. Rejected. 41, by roll call, vote is open. 03:25:18.618 --> 03:25:25.345 Vote is closed. Rejected. 42, by roll call, vote is open. 03:25:25.463 --> 03:25:32.072 Rejected. Amendment 43, who is in favor? Who is against? 03:25:32.190 --> 03:25:37.382 Who abstains? Rejected. 17, who is in favor? 03:25:37.500 --> 03:25:44.581 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 18, who is in favor? 03:25:44.699 --> 03:25:51.780 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 19, who is in favor? 03:25:51.898 --> 03:25:58.978 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 20, who is in favor? 03:25:59.096 --> 03:26:07.475 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 21, by roll call, vote is open. 03:26:07.593 --> 03:26:14.320 Vote is closed. Rejected. 44, by roll call, vote is open. 03:26:14.438 --> 03:26:21.165 Vote is closed. Rejected. 45, by roll call, vote is open. 03:26:21.283 --> 03:26:28.009 Vote is closed. Rejected. 46, by roll call, vote is open. 03:26:28.127 --> 03:26:34.972 Vote is closed. Rejected. 118, by roll call, vote is open. 03:26:35.090 --> 03:26:45.003 Vote is closed. Rejected. Paragraph 27.a, original text, by roll call, vote is open. 03:26:45.121 --> 03:26:51.730 Vote is closed. Adopted. 92, by roll call, vote is open. 03:26:51.848 --> 03:26:58.575 Vote is closed. Rejected. 93, by roll call, vote is open. 03:26:58.693 --> 03:27:05.419 Vote is closed. Rejected. 94, by roll call, vote is open. 03:27:05.537 --> 03:27:11.674 Vote is closed. Rejected. So I give the floor to Mr. 03:27:11.792 --> 03:27:21.115 Nicolas B. to move an oral amendment to add a new paragraph after paragraph 27. 03:27:28.255 --> 03:27:32.713 Thank you, Madam President. Dear colleagues, on behalf of the ECR Group, I wish to 03:27:32.768 --> 03:27:37.118 present an oral amendment seeking to insert, after paragraph 27, a new paragraph 03:27:37.172 --> 03:27:41.630 27a, worded as follows: "Recalls the position expressed by the European Parliament 03:27:41.685 --> 03:27:46.089 in its resolution of 8 October 2" 026 during the last plenary session on the need 03:27:46.143 --> 03:27:50.710 for the Union to adopt a strategy against Islamist entryism and the influence of the 03:27:50.765 --> 03:27:55.223 Muslim Brotherhood network, in which it called on the Commission to ensure that no 03:27:55.278 --> 03:27:59.464 Union funds could reach or benefit, directly or indirectly, entities that are 03:27:59.519 --> 03:28:03.760 partner contractors, subcontractors, beneficial owners, final beneficiaries or 03:28:03.814 --> 03:28:07.566 recipients linked to networks associated with the Muslim Brotherhood. 03:28:07.620 --> 03:28:12.024 » « I call on the Commission and the other Union bodies to proactively assess and 03:28:12.078 --> 03:28:16.102 strengthen control over compliance with Union values by applicants for and 03:28:16.156 --> 03:28:20.506 recipients of Union funds, whether through exempt checks or the requirement of a 03:28:20.560 --> 03:28:23.768 binding written commitment in order to detect any breaches. 03:28:23.823 --> 03:28:25.015 » Thank you. 03:28:25.015 --> 03:28:26.215 Thank you, Mr B. 03:28:26.455 --> 03:28:32.702 Is there any opposition to the oral amendment? 03:28:32.838 --> 03:28:42.615 Okay. There is enough opposition, so the oral amendment cannot be taken. 03:28:42.751 --> 03:28:51.849 We move to the next vote. Amendment 47, by roll call, vote is open. 03:28:51.985 --> 03:28:59.726 Vote is closed. Rejected. 48, by roll call, vote is open. 03:28:59.862 --> 03:29:07.602 Vote is closed. Rejected. 49, by roll call, vote is open. 03:29:07.738 --> 03:29:15.478 Vote is closed. Rejected. 50, by roll call, vote is open. 03:29:15.614 --> 03:29:23.355 Vote is closed. Rejected. 95, by roll call, vote is open. 03:29:23.491 --> 03:29:31.367 Vote is closed. Rejected. 119, by roll call, vote is open. 03:29:31.503 --> 03:29:39.243 Vote is closed. Rejected. 96, by roll call, vote is open. 03:29:39.379 --> 03:29:47.255 Vote is closed. Rejected. 120, by roll call, vote is open. 03:29:47.391 --> 03:29:55.132 Vote is closed. Rejected. 51, by roll call, vote is open. 03:29:55.267 --> 03:30:03.008 Vote is closed. Rejected. 52, by roll call, vote is open. 03:30:03.144 --> 03:30:10.884 Vote is closed. Rejected. 53, by roll call, vote is open. 03:30:11.020 --> 03:30:18.761 Vote is closed. Rejected. 54, by roll call, vote is open. 03:30:18.896 --> 03:30:26.637 Vote is closed. Rejected. 55, by roll call, vote is open. 03:30:26.773 --> 03:30:33.020 Vote is closed. Rejected. 56, who is in favor? 03:30:33.155 --> 03:30:41.303 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 57, who is in favor? 03:30:41.439 --> 03:30:49.587 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 58, who is in favor? 03:30:49.723 --> 03:30:59.500 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 111, by roll call, vote is open. 03:30:59.636 --> 03:31:07.513 Vote is closed. Rejected. 121, by roll call, vote is open. 03:31:07.648 --> 03:31:15.389 Vote is closed. Rejected. 97, by roll call, vote is open. 03:31:15.525 --> 03:31:23.265 Vote is closed. Rejected. 59, by roll call, vote is open. 03:31:23.401 --> 03:31:31.142 Vote is closed. Rejected. 60, by roll call, vote is open. 03:31:31.277 --> 03:31:39.018 Vote is closed. Rejected. 98, by roll call, vote is open. 03:31:39.154 --> 03:31:46.894 Vote is closed. Rejected. 99, by roll call, vote is open. 03:31:47.030 --> 03:31:54.771 Vote is closed. Rejected. 61, by roll call, vote is open. 03:31:54.906 --> 03:32:02.647 Vote is closed. Rejected. 62, by roll call, vote is open. 03:32:02.783 --> 03:32:10.523 Vote is closed. Rejected. 63, by roll call, vote is open. 03:32:10.659 --> 03:32:18.400 Vote is closed. Rejected. 64, by roll call, vote is open. 03:32:18.535 --> 03:32:24.782 Vote is closed. Rejected. 65, who is in favor? 03:32:24.918 --> 03:32:33.066 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 66, who is in favor? 03:32:33.202 --> 03:32:41.350 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 67, who is in favor? 03:32:41.485 --> 03:32:51.263 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 100, by roll call, vote is open. 03:32:51.399 --> 03:32:59.275 Vote is closed. Rejected. 101, by roll call, vote is open. 03:33:02.935 --> 03:33:09.451 Vote is closed. Rejected. 102, by roll call, vote is open. 03:33:09.563 --> 03:33:14.843 Vote is closed. Rejected. 103, who is in favor? 03:33:14.955 --> 03:33:23.044 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 122, by roll call, vote is open. 03:33:23.156 --> 03:33:29.672 Vote is closed. Rejected. 104, by roll call, vote is open. 03:33:29.784 --> 03:33:36.300 Vote is closed. Rejected. 105, by roll call, vote is open. 03:33:36.412 --> 03:33:42.928 Vote is closed. Rejected. 106, by roll call, vote is open. 03:33:43.040 --> 03:33:48.320 Vote is closed. Rejected. 123, who is in favor? 03:33:48.433 --> 03:33:57.757 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. Paragraph 49.c original text, by roll call, 03:33:57.869 --> 03:34:05.845 vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted. 107, by roll call, vote is open. 03:34:05.958 --> 03:34:14.945 Vote is closed. Rejected. Citation to original text, by roll call, vote is open. 03:34:15.057 --> 03:34:24.044 Vote is closed. Adopted. Citation 10, original text, by roll call, vote is open. 03:34:24.157 --> 03:34:31.683 Vote is closed. Adopted. Amendment 124, by roll call, vote is open. 03:34:31.796 --> 03:34:37.974 Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 1, who is in favor? 03:34:38.087 --> 03:34:47.074 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. We vote on the resolution as a whole, by 03:34:47.186 --> 03:34:52.691 roll call, vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted. 03:34:52.803 --> 03:34:59.993 Congratulations to the rapporteurs. We move to the report by Mr. 03:35:00.105 --> 03:35:08.980 Pasquale Tridico on the discharge 2024 EU General Budget, European Council, and 03:35:09.093 --> 03:35:15.047 Council. There is a decision to refuse the discharge. 03:35:15.159 --> 03:35:21.562 We vote on the decision. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:35:21.675 --> 03:35:28.190 Who abstains? Adopted. There is a motion for a resolution. 03:35:28.303 --> 03:35:34.594 Amendment 2, by roll call, vote is open. Vote is closed. 03:35:34.706 --> 03:35:41.896 Rejected. Paragraph 21, Amendment 3, by roll call, vote is open. 03:35:42.008 --> 03:35:49.423 Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 1, by roll call, vote is open. 03:35:49.535 --> 03:35:58.859 Vote is closed. Rejected. We vote on the original text, by roll call, vote is open. 03:35:58.971 --> 03:36:08.408 Vote is closed. Adopted. We vote on the resolution as a whole, by roll call, vote is 03:36:08.520 --> 03:36:15.148 open. Vote is closed. Adopted. We move to the report by Ms. 03:36:15.261 --> 03:36:24.023 Lucia Iar on the mobilization of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide 03:36:24.136 --> 03:36:33.572 assistance to Malta and Italy regarding storm Harry in January 2026, and to Portugal 03:36:33.684 --> 03:36:40.425 and Spain following the storms in January and February 2026. 03:36:40.537 --> 03:36:47.278 We first start with Amendment 1, by roll call, vote is open. 03:36:47.390 --> 03:36:49.075 Vote is closed. 03:36:49.855 --> 03:36:51.055 Sorry? 03:36:53.455 --> 03:36:57.664 Rejected. Amendment 3, who is in favor? Who is against? 03:36:57.740 --> 03:37:01.796 Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 4, who is in favor? 03:37:01.872 --> 03:37:07.993 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 2, by roll call, vote is open. 03:37:08.070 --> 03:37:12.279 Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 5, who is in favor? 03:37:12.355 --> 03:37:17.635 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 6, who is in favor? 03:37:17.711 --> 03:37:23.833 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. We vote on the resolution as a whole, by 03:37:23.909 --> 03:37:27.659 roll call, vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted. 03:37:27.735 --> 03:37:33.551 We move to the report by Ms. Aura Salla. On the mobilization of the European 03:37:33.627 --> 03:37:37.606 Globalization Adjustment Fund for displaced workers. 03:37:37.683 --> 03:37:42.503 Application for SLA Suomi, and Helsinki Uusimaa Paper, Finland. 03:37:42.580 --> 03:37:46.023 Amendment 1, who is in favor? Who is against? 03:37:46.100 --> 03:37:50.155 Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 2, who is in favor? 03:37:50.232 --> 03:37:55.511 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 3, who is in favor? 03:37:55.588 --> 03:38:01.709 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. We vote on the resolution as a whole, by 03:38:01.786 --> 03:38:05.535 roll call, vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted. 03:38:05.612 --> 03:38:11.427 We now vote on the report by Mr. Michael McNamara on the Perikles 5 exchange 03:38:11.504 --> 03:38:16.937 assistance and training program for the protection of the eur o against 03:38:17.013 --> 03:38:22.675 counterfeiting 2028-2034. We first vote on the amendments by the committee 03:38:22.752 --> 03:38:27.037 responsible in a block. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:38:27.113 --> 03:38:30.863 Who abstains? Adopted. Amendment 3, in two parts. 03:38:30.939 --> 03:38:34.306 First part, who is in favor? Who is against? 03:38:34.383 --> 03:38:39.203 Who abstains? Adopted. Second part, by roll call, vote is open. 03:38:39.280 --> 03:38:44.254 Vote is closed. Adopted. Amendment 7, by roll call, vote is open. 03:38:44.330 --> 03:38:48.309 Vote is closed. Adopted. Amendment 14, in two parts. 03:38:48.386 --> 03:38:51.752 First part, who is in favor? Who is against? 03:38:51.829 --> 03:38:56.650 Who abstains? Adopted. Second part, by roll call, vote is open. 03:38:56.726 --> 03:39:03.001 Vote is closed. Adopted. We vote on the commission proposal, by roll call, vote is 03:39:03.077 --> 03:39:09.352 open. Vote is closed. Adopted. I give the floor now to the Chair of the Committee, 03:39:09.428 --> 03:39:11.035 Mr. Javier Zazalejos. 03:39:12.295 --> 03:39:16.519 Thank you. Madam President, Parliament has now adopted its amendments to the 03:39:16.575 --> 03:39:19.131 commission proposal of the Perikles 5 program. 03:39:19.187 --> 03:39:23.689 So, on behalf of the committee on civil liberties, justice, and home affairs, and 03:39:23.745 --> 03:39:28.080 pursuant to Rule 60, paragraph 4, rules of procedure , I request the matter be 03:39:28.135 --> 03:39:32.637 referred back to the committee responsible so that we can open interinstitutional 03:39:32.693 --> 03:39:37.195 negotiations with the Council on the basis of the text adopted by the Parliament. 03:39:38.095 --> 03:39:38.275 Thank you. 03:39:38.275 --> 03:39:46.521 Thank you very much. Mr. Zazalejos, so we will now vote on the referral back to 03:39:46.625 --> 03:39:51.113 committee. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:39:51.218 --> 03:39:59.985 Who abstains? It is adopted and therefore it is referred back for interinstitutional 03:40:00.089 --> 03:40:05.517 negotiations and accords with Rule 60 , paragraph 4. 03:40:05.621 --> 03:40:13.867 Now we vote on the report by Ms. Lee Andersson on guidelines for the employment 03:40:13.971 --> 03:40:22.426 policies of the member states. We start with a block vote of the amendment by the 03:40:22.530 --> 03:40:28.271 committee responsible. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:40:28.375 --> 03:40:34.951 Who abstains? Adopted. Amendment 5, by roll call, vote is open. 03:40:35.055 --> 03:40:41.944 Vote is closed. Adopted. Amendment 16, by roll call, vote is open. 03:40:42.048 --> 03:40:49.563 Vote is closed. Adopted. Amendment 17, in three parts, all by roll call. 03:40:49.668 --> 03:40:54.886 First part, vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted. 03:40:54.991 --> 03:41:00.836 Second part, by roll call, vote is open. Vote is closed. 03:41:00.940 --> 03:41:06.054 Rejected. Third part, by roll call, vote is open. 03:41:06.159 --> 03:41:13.674 Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 18, in two parts, both by roll call. 03:41:13.778 --> 03:41:18.997 First part, vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted. 03:41:19.101 --> 03:41:23.485 Second part, vote is open. Vote is closed. 03:41:23.589 --> 03:41:28.808 Adopted. Amendment 29, by roll call, vote is open. 03:41:28.913 --> 03:41:34.653 Vote is closed. Adopted. Amendment 38, who is in favor? 03:41:34.758 --> 03:41:42.168 Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. 39, by roll call, vote is open. 03:41:42.273 --> 03:41:49.266 Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 12, by roll call, vote is open. 03:41:49.370 --> 03:41:56.259 Vote is closed. Adopted. Amendment 14, by roll call, vote is open. 03:41:56.363 --> 03:41:58.555 Amendment 34 as well? 03:41:58.855 --> 03:41:59.275 Yes. 03:41:59.275 --> 03:42:03.697 We vote for an amendment 34 as well, by roll call, vote is open. 03:42:03.766 --> 03:42:06.115 Yes, I understand. Same here, huh? 03:42:06.535 --> 03:42:07.735 Okay. 03:42:08.095 --> 03:42:08.575 Yeah. 03:42:08.575 --> 03:42:14.813 I understand. Vote is closed. Sorry. Okay, hold on. 03:42:14.935 --> 03:42:20.194 We vote on amendment 34 again. Again on 34. 03:42:20.316 --> 03:42:30.223 Vote is closed. And it is rejected, so we now vote on amendment 14, by roll call, 03:42:30.345 --> 03:42:35.604 vote is open. 14. One-four. Vote is closed. 03:42:35.727 --> 03:42:44.777 Adopted. So 35 falls. Amendment 40, four-zero, by roll call, vote is open. 03:42:44.900 --> 03:42:54.929 Vote is closed. And it is rejected, so we vote on amendment 22, by roll call, vote 03:42:55.051 --> 03:43:04.224 is open. Vote is closed. Adopted. Amendment 36, by roll call, vote is open. 03:43:04.346 --> 03:43:11.195 Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 26, who is in favor? 03:43:11.318 --> 03:43:20.735 Who is against? Who abstains? Adopted. Therefore, 37 falls, so we vote now on 03:43:20.857 --> 03:43:27.829 amendment 41, by roll call, vote is open. Vote is closed. 03:43:27.951 --> 03:43:38.102 And it is rejected. We vote on the commission proposal, by roll call, vote is open. 03:43:38.225 --> 03:43:45.196 Vote is closed. Adopted. Now we vote on the report by Mr. 03:43:45.318 --> 03:43:54.614 Nicola Zingaretti on a new co-ownership for the future of Euro-Mediterranean 03:43:54.736 --> 03:44:00.117 relation s. The pacts for the Mediterranean. 03:44:00.240 --> 03:44:06.355 First, I give the floor to Mr. Nacho Sanchez-Amor. 03:44:07.975 --> 03:44:11.519 Thank you, Chair. And we have of my group, Bourjois and the Rule, 206. 03:44:11.570 --> 03:44:15.823 I would like to request the postponement of the vote on this affair-owned initiative 03:44:15.874 --> 03:44:18.355 report, the pact of the Mediterranean. Thank you. 03:44:19.255 --> 03:44:25.944 Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Sanchez-Amor. So, in accordance with Rule 206, there is a 03:44:26.024 --> 03:44:32.713 request for adjournment. I put this procedural motion on behalf of the S&D group to 03:44:32.794 --> 03:44:36.178 the vote. Who is in favor? Who is against? 03:44:36.259 --> 03:44:41.578 Who abstains? Okay. There is a majority, so the vote is adjourned. 03:44:41.658 --> 03:44:48.266 So we go to the report by Ms. Brigitte Vandenberg on boosting skills in the Union. 03:44:48.347 --> 03:44:54.391 Opportunities for vocational education and training in times of transition. 03:44:54.471 --> 03:44:58.984 Amendment 1, by roll call, vote is open. Vote is closed. 03:44:59.065 --> 03:45:04.222 Rejected. Paragraph 29, amendment 2, by roll call, vote is open. 03:45:04.303 --> 03:45:10.266 Vote is closed. Rejected. So we vote on the original text, in three parts. 03:45:10.347 --> 03:45:13.893 First part, who is in favor? Who is against? 03:45:13.973 --> 03:45:18.164 Who abstains? Adopted. Second part, who is in favor? 03:45:18.244 --> 03:45:22.435 Who is against? Hold on, we check this. Second part? 03:45:25.015 --> 03:45:26.215 Rejected. 03:45:28.075 --> 03:45:35.567 Vote is closed. It is rejected, therefore the third part falls. 03:45:35.686 --> 03:45:43.416 We vote on the resolution as a whole, by roll call, vote is open. 03:45:43.535 --> 03:45:49.600 Vote is closed. Adopted. We move to the final vote. 03:45:49.719 --> 03:45:58.044 Objection? Genetically modified soybean. Amendment 2, who is in favor? 03:45:58.162 --> 03:46:03.633 Who is against? Who abstains? Check. Last one. 03:46:03.752 --> 03:46:08.866 Vote is closed. Okay, it's clear. Rejected. 03:46:08.984 --> 03:46:14.336 Amendment 1, who is in favor? Who is against? 03:46:14.455 --> 03:46:20.163 Who abstains? Let's check again. Vote is closed. 03:46:20.282 --> 03:46:29.558 Rejected, so we vote on the resolution as a whole, by roll call, vote is open. 03:46:29.677 --> 03:46:34.315 Vote is closed. Okay, and it's adopted. 03:46:34.855 --> 03:46:38.105 I give the floor to Mr. Nicolas Bay for the point of order. 03:46:38.160 --> 03:46:40.915 Shh. We have a couple of points of orders, please. 03:46:49.195 --> 03:46:54.414 Thank you, Madam President. My point of order is based on Article 22 of our Rules of 03:46:54.477 --> 03:46:59.634 Procedure, which states, I quote: 'The Chair may only take the floor in a debate to 03:46:59.696 --> 03:47:04.791 present the state of the matter and to bring it back to order.' On Monday evening, 03:47:04.853 --> 03:47:09.638 during the debate on the violence in France, Belgium and Italy, the Chair, Ms 03:47:09.700 --> 03:47:14.919 Katharina Barley, interrupted me in the middle of my speech and then went on to make 03:47:14.981 --> 03:47:17.715 disparaging comments about other colleagues: 03:47:17.778 --> 03:47:22.748 Fabrice Leggeri and Petra Stuger. Presidents of the session must maintain strict 03:47:22.811 --> 03:47:26.477 political neutrality and must not interfere in the debates. 03:47:26.539 --> 03:47:31.758 Ms Barley completely departed from her role as Chair and subsequently undermined the 03:47:31.820 --> 03:47:35.238 function she holds and the prestige of our institution. 03:47:35.300 --> 03:47:40.209 Therefore, I ask you, Madam President, to call Ms Barley to order and no longer 03:47:40.271 --> 03:47:45.490 entrust her with chairing sessions if she is not capable of performing this function 03:47:45.552 --> 03:47:46.795 properly. Thank you. 03:47:51.415 --> 03:47:57.115 Okay. Thank you very much. Vice President Barley, you want the floor? 03:47:59.395 --> 03:48:04.990 Yes. Thank you very much, President. I have to say I didn't understand everything 03:48:05.059 --> 03:48:08.167 that was said, because it was very loud here. 03:48:08.236 --> 03:48:11.275 But I have to say, these colleagues can ask— 03:48:11.455 --> 03:48:12.955 Colleagues, could you please be quiet? 03:48:13.855 --> 03:48:22.642 Thanks. So I didn't get everything that was said, but apparently it was an attack on 03:48:22.746 --> 03:48:25.675 my— or are you. Still there? 03:48:26.035 --> 03:48:26.335 Yes. 03:48:26.335 --> 03:48:32.761 Yes. So it was attacking my President's— my Presidency, me presiding yesterday, I 03:48:32.840 --> 03:48:38.869 think it was, in the discussion on the riots in France, Belgium, and Ital y. 03:48:38.949 --> 03:48:45.454 I have to say, in the first place, that this was actually a very— an example for a 03:48:45.533 --> 03:48:48.945 very good debate, for a very he ated topic. 03:48:49.024 --> 03:48:54.260 It was— it was emotional, it was controversial, but it was by far. 03:48:54.339 --> 03:48:59.813 Most of the time very respectful. And I want to thank the colleagues. 03:48:59.892 --> 03:49:04.890 It was also with a lot of blue cards. It was a real discussion. 03:49:04.970 --> 03:49:06.715 So thank you for that. 03:49:07.255 --> 03:49:07.675 Okay. 03:49:07.675 --> 03:49:08.335 Yes? 03:49:08.335 --> 03:49:09.055 Thank you. 03:49:09.055 --> 03:49:17.072 I think it's obvious, with a heated topic like that, that there were— I think it was 03:49:17.167 --> 03:49:23.275 three— Words, or notions, that I referred back to the President. 03:49:23.455 --> 03:49:23.815 Yeah. 03:49:23.815 --> 03:49:27.355 To check it. And the one that Mr. Bay himself— 03:49:27.715 --> 03:49:28.015 Okay. 03:49:28.015 --> 03:49:29.275 —who is leaving now— 03:49:29.395 --> 03:49:31.195 Stop. Stop shouting. Stop shouting. 03:49:31.375 --> 03:49:33.355 —is in German. I was— 03:49:33.535 --> 03:49:34.135 Okay. 03:49:34.135 --> 03:49:39.955 Look, I couldn't. Half of the time because people were so— so, okay. 03:49:40.435 --> 03:49:40.915 Stop shouting. 03:49:40.915 --> 03:49:42.715 So the word that Mr. Bay used— 03:49:43.015 --> 03:49:43.315 Okay. 03:49:43.315 --> 03:49:46.471 —in German translation was the word "Abschaum". 03:49:46.538 --> 03:49:50.635 I can't— I don't know what it is in French, and I don't know— 03:49:50.815 --> 03:49:51.115 Okay. 03:49:51.115 --> 03:49:52.315 —if it's okay in French. 03:49:52.495 --> 03:49:52.855 Okay. 03:49:52.855 --> 03:49:55.195 But in German, this is a word— 03:49:55.375 --> 03:49:55.675 Okay. 03:49:55.675 --> 03:49:57.595 —that dishumanizes people. 03:49:57.895 --> 03:49:58.495 Okay. 03:49:58.495 --> 03:50:01.075 And this is against the rules of procedure. 03:50:01.255 --> 03:50:01.915 Thank you. Thank you. 03:50:01.915 --> 03:50:03.115 Paragraph 10. 03:50:03.355 --> 03:50:03.655 Thank you. 03:50:03.655 --> 03:50:06.215 So this is what I did. The President will decide. 03:50:06.267 --> 03:50:09.715 And this is how we do it. I think it's a totally normal procedure. 03:50:09.775 --> 03:50:10.015 Okay. 03:50:10.015 --> 03:50:10.435 Thank you. 03:50:10.435 --> 03:50:13.781 Okay, thank you. So— We will look into two things. 03:50:13.848 --> 03:50:18.533 One, what was said in the original language, and what was interpreted. 03:50:18.600 --> 03:50:24.087 But once again, I also ask all colleagues to really respect each other when we use 03:50:24.154 --> 03:50:27.902 what kind of language and how we debate in this chamber. 03:50:27.969 --> 03:50:31.315 Now, I give the floor next to Mr. Sebastian Krauß. 03:50:35.095 --> 03:50:38.527 Yes, thank you very— thank you very much, Madam President. 03:50:38.587 --> 03:50:43.203 I rise to point under Article 6. 10. It's regarding safety and dignity in this 03:50:43.262 --> 03:50:48.055 Parliament. Yesterday we saw this House being chaired by a Vice President of this 03:50:48.114 --> 03:50:52.671 Parliament, which belongs to La France Insoumise, a party that had — that has 03:50:52.730 --> 03:50:57.110 incited a far-left gang combined violent crackdown on the French Republic. 03:50:57.169 --> 03:51:02.022 I'm sick and tired in this House of hearing repeated speeches about the dignity of 03:51:02.081 --> 03:51:06.519 this House, while someone who represents a party that undermines democratic 03:51:06.578 --> 03:51:10.247 institutions is— is permitted to preside over its proceedings. 03:51:10.307 --> 03:51:15.041 During the previous Strasbourg session, we also witnessed one of his colleagues, 03:51:15.100 --> 03:51:18.355 Rima Hassan, a convicted Hamas-loving Nazi sympathizer. 03:51:18.535 --> 03:51:18.715 Okay. 03:51:18.715 --> 03:51:22.585 —finally vandalizing an exhibition about Israel in this Parliament. 03:51:22.642 --> 03:51:27.147 Where is the red line? Where's the minimum standard we are supposed to abhort? 03:51:27.205 --> 03:51:31.767 How can this House maintain a cordon sanitaire against certain political groups 03:51:31.825 --> 03:51:36.388 while allowing representatives of the extre me left to proceed over Parliament? 03:51:36.445 --> 03:51:39.622 Despite the serious concerns surrounding their conduct. 03:51:39.680 --> 03:51:40.375 I will not— 03:51:40.375 --> 03:51:40.615 All right. 03:51:40.615 --> 03:51:43.435 —accept the normalization of the far-left in this House. 03:51:43.735 --> 03:51:43.975 Okay. 03:51:43.975 --> 03:51:48.683 —because many people feel unsafe about it, and I want direct and concrete measures 03:51:48.740 --> 03:51:51.955 against happening this again. That the far-left here is— 03:51:52.375 --> 03:51:52.615 Okay. 03:51:52.615 --> 03:51:53.515 —chairing this— 03:51:53.515 --> 03:51:59.313 Okay. Can I— can I— can I please recall to the colleague that the Vice Chair you 03:51:59.385 --> 03:52:05.473 referred to was elected by this plenary, and I can tell you that I have full support 03:52:05.546 --> 03:52:09.894 and respect for all the Vice Chairs of this— of this Ho use. 03:52:09.966 --> 03:52:13.735 Now, I give the floor finally to Mr. Daniele Polato. 03:52:18.295 --> 03:52:18.835 Please. 03:52:18.835 --> 03:52:25.509 Thank you. Thank you, Mr President. Colleagues, we still have before our eyes the 03:52:25.591 --> 03:52:32.265 damage caused in our cities by violent criminal acts under the guise of protests. 03:52:32.348 --> 03:52:39.269 The case of the French city of Limoges is emblematic, where the municipal bell tower 03:52:39.351 --> 03:52:43.389 collapsed due to a fire started by demonstrators. 03:52:43.471 --> 03:52:48.085 The collapse of the town hall is the collapse of Europe. 03:52:48.168 --> 03:52:54.842 Under the unsustainable weight of laxity, tolerance and complacency towards those 03:52:54.924 --> 03:53:00.115 who seek to damage our societies by sowing hatred and violence. 03:53:00.197 --> 03:53:06.542 Watching the town hall tower fall into the flames strikes at the heart of our 03:53:06.624 --> 03:53:12.392 European democracy. It strikes at our roots, at our local communities. 03:53:12.474 --> 03:53:18.736 The ECR has proposed donating a daily parliamentary allowance to the town of 03:53:18.819 --> 03:53:25.328 Limoges. We therefore invite all our parliamentary colleagues to donate a daily 03:53:25.410 --> 03:53:32.167 allowance to the town of Limoges. In the coming hours, all colleagues will receive 03:53:32.249 --> 03:53:38.841 an email asking them to join this cross-party initiative to send a strong signal 03:53:38.923 --> 03:53:41.395 against disorder and violence. 03:53:41.875 --> 03:53:42.295 Thank you. 03:53:42.295 --> 03:53:44.635 This is what is striking our Europe. Thank you. 03:53:44.935 --> 03:53:46.675 Ok, thank you. Honourable Member Polato. 03:53:47.275 --> 03:53:49.315 Okay. Now we go to the next item. 03:55:41.215 --> 03:55:47.092 Then we can start our debates. The minutes of yesterday's sitting and the texts 03:55:47.167 --> 03:55:53.342 adopted are available. If you don't have any comment, we can approve these minutes. 03:55:53.416 --> 03:55:56.764 And then we are moving to the topical debate. 03:55:56.838 --> 03:56:03.013 That is the next item on the agenda. Request by a political group, in this case the 03:56:03.088 --> 03:56:08.816 EPP, under the Rule 169: cutting costs on unne cessary reporting obligations. 03:56:08.891 --> 03:56:14.321 Now, concrete next steps to deliver swift relief for E U's entrepreneurs. 03:56:14.396 --> 03:56:20.199 I would like to inform members that for this debate there is no catch the eye. 03:56:20.273 --> 03:56:24.960 As you know, procedure and that no blue cards will be accepted. 03:56:25.035 --> 03:56:28.978 And the next— and first speaker of the debate is Mrs. 03:56:29.052 --> 03:56:32.995 Walsman, author of the topical debate, for 4 minutes. 03:56:38.215 --> 03:56:44.185 Dear Mr President, dear colleagues, at the Trade Day of the Austrian Economic 03:56:44.262 --> 03:56:48.526 Chamber, an entrepreneur handed me two sheets of paper. 03:56:48.604 --> 03:56:54.418 They listed the new EU requirements that he alone has to implement in 2026. 03:56:54.496 --> 03:57:00.930 Here’s what they show: for us, these may be individual regulations, but for him, it 03:57:01.008 --> 03:57:05.969 is the total of what his company has to achieve at great effort. 03:57:06.047 --> 03:57:12.016 And it is precisely this overall burden that does not create any added value. 03:57:12.094 --> 03:57:17.908 Anyone promising to reduce bureaucracy must deliver more than just the next 03:57:17.986 --> 03:57:23.258 announcement. And thanks to the EPP, some things are already moving. 03:57:23.335 --> 03:57:29.848 With the Sustainability Omnibus, we are easing the burden on SME suppliers, and with 03:57:29.925 --> 03:57:36.437 Omnibus 4, we are creating the category of small mid-caps with up to 1,000 employees 03:57:36.515 --> 03:57:42.717 so that growing companies do not suddenly lose all the relief intended for SMEs. 03:57:42.794 --> 03:57:48.764 With the environmental omnibus, we want to speed up approvals, create central 03:57:48.841 --> 03:57:53.726 contact points and abolish duplicate documentation obligations. 03:57:53.803 --> 03:57:59.463 Yesterday, we also voted to suspend unnecessary authorised representative 03:57:59.540 --> 03:58:04.812 obligations for packaging and batteries. But all that is not enough. 03:58:04.889 --> 03:58:10.626 The ongoing omnibus negotiations and legislative reviews must be used more 03:58:10.704 --> 03:58:16.441 ambitiously to provide relief. In the next work programme, we need clearer 03:58:16.518 --> 03:58:21.945 decisions. And simplifications. In particular in energy and water law. 03:58:22.023 --> 03:58:27.837 And we must finally bring together and align due diligence obligations from 03:58:27.915 --> 03:58:34.427 different legal acts. From the Supply Chain Act to conflict minerals and the Battery 03:58:34.504 --> 03:58:40.396 Regulation: it is time to put an end to companies having to provide the same 03:58:40.474 --> 03:58:46.211 evidence multiple times. With the EU Inc., we could enable digital company 03:58:46.288 --> 03:58:49.855 incorporations within 48 hours for under €100. 03:58:49.932 --> 03:58:55.049 It is good that the political centre is striving for a compromise. 03:58:55.126 --> 03:59:01.406 But in the end, we need a lean, practical instrument that start-ups and scale-ups 03:59:01.484 --> 03:59:05.515 can actually use and with which they can truly grow. 03:59:06.295 --> 03:59:10.724 Public procurement also needs to become more SME-friendly. 03:59:10.801 --> 03:59:16.910 The issue of lot sizes: fewer multiple certificates, so that small companies can 03:59:16.986 --> 03:59:22.867 also benefit from public contracts. And the national reflex to over-implement 03:59:22.943 --> 03:59:29.205 European regulations must be curbed. That is why I expressly welcome the announced 03:59:29.281 --> 03:59:33.329 pact against the pernicious practice of gold-plating. 03:59:33.405 --> 03:59:38.751 But let us also sweep our own doorstep. How can processes be improved? 03:59:38.827 --> 03:59:44.937 Why not set up a cross-factional and cross-committee working group to rigorously 03:59:45.013 --> 03:59:51.046 examine the key changes in the legislative procedure for their actual impact on 03:59:51.122 --> 03:59:57.384 companies? And it is very welcome that companies and authorities will soon be able 03:59:57.461 --> 04:00:00.897 to benefit from a concrete relief instrument. 04:00:00.974 --> 04:00:07.236 It is positive, and I can say this as the EPP shadow rapporteur, that the European 04:00:07.312 --> 04:00:13.498 Business Wallets will in future enable companies to digitally store identity data 04:00:13.574 --> 04:00:19.913 approvals and certificates. They can be reused across Europe, electronically signed 04:00:19.989 --> 04:00:23.578 and securely communicated with the authorities. 04:00:23.655 --> 04:00:28.389 And this is in the spirit of the planned Once-Only initiative: 04:00:28.466 --> 04:00:34.728 to suspend reporting obligations in principle and to submit information only once. 04:00:34.804 --> 04:00:40.073 And AI can and should also help to automate administrative processes. 04:00:40.150 --> 04:00:46.488 The trilogue negotiations on the European Business Wallet are underway, but I would 04:00:46.565 --> 04:00:50.765 also say: digitisation must not create new obligations. 04:00:50.841 --> 04:00:54.965 Five paper forms must not become five digital portals. 04:00:55.041 --> 04:01:01.303 These two sheets that I showed at the beginning, from the trade day, show in black 04:01:01.380 --> 04:01:07.565 and white where the problem lies. So let us not measure our work by the number of 04:01:07.642 --> 04:01:13.904 laws and reliefs we announce, but by whether these two sheets will be shorter next 04:01:13.980 --> 04:01:17.875 year or end up in the wastepaper basket. Thank you. 04:01:21.295 --> 04:01:24.082 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mr. 04:01:24.145 --> 04:01:26.995 Dolly. And representing the European Council. 04:01:32.215 --> 04:01:37.052 Uh, President, uh, Honorable Members, Commissioner, it's a pleasure to be with you 04:01:37.111 --> 04:01:41.477 today. Could I begin by congratulating the recently re-elected and elected 04:01:41.536 --> 04:01:46.491 Presidents and Vice Presidents to the three groups of RenewEPP and S&D, and wish you 04:01:46.550 --> 04:01:51.505 well in your term ahead. In 2025, the European Council decided to mark a step change 04:01:51.564 --> 04:01:55.812 in the EU action to boost competitiveness and agreed to give priority to 04:01:55.871 --> 04:02:00.531 simplification. And by reducing regulatory and administrative burdens to unlock 04:02:00.590 --> 04:02:04.955 necessary investment in the E U economy. In March of the same year, and at 04:02:05.014 --> 04:02:08.908 subsequent meetings, leaders have called for action at all levels: 04:02:08.967 --> 04:02:13.450 EU, national, and regional , to ensure a clear smart and innovative friendly 04:02:13.509 --> 04:02:18.405 regulatory framework and to drastically reduce, as a matter of urgency, administrat 04:02:18.464 --> 04:02:22.535 ive, regulatory, and reporting burdens for business and indeed public 04:02:22.594 --> 04:02:27.490 administrations. All of this, of course, while ensuring the integrity of the single 04:02:27.549 --> 04:02:32.091 market, something we hold dearly. In line with the leaders' call, the Council 04:02:32.150 --> 04:02:37.047 quickly began its work on the various simplification packages, coordinating the eff 04:02:37.106 --> 04:02:42.061 orts across policy areas with the General Affairs Council, playing an important role 04:02:42.120 --> 04:02:47.075 in monitoring progress. On six of these packages, together with European Parliament, 04:02:47.134 --> 04:02:51.913 we've given proof of our joint resolve and readiness to quickly achieve a smarter 04:02:51.972 --> 04:02:56.927 and more coherent regulatory framework. Many of these packages are already published 04:02:56.986 --> 04:03:01.115 and in force, and a few of them are in the last phase of finalization. 04:03:01.174 --> 04:03:05.953 So, as regards the remaining packages, we remain fully committed to the ambitious 04:03:06.012 --> 04:03:10.672 objectives and tim elines agreed by each of the institutions in one Europe, one 04:03:10.731 --> 04:03:15.509 market roadmap, with the view to providing European business, in particular SMEs, 04:03:15.568 --> 04:03:20.524 which were mentioned by the author and promoter of this topical issue, and cit izens 04:03:20.583 --> 04:03:24.476 with meaningful simplification benefits and tangible cost savings. 04:03:24.535 --> 04:03:29.372 Each institution has a role to play in ensuring we reach these targets and deliver 04:03:29.431 --> 04:03:31.555 on the promise of the One Europe One 04:03:31.735 --> 04:03:36.024 Market roadmap. We must ensure that where agreement is possible on technical 04:03:36.080 --> 04:03:40.651 aspects, this should allow work to move forward without waiting for w ider policy 04:03:40.707 --> 04:03:45.391 discussions to be resolved. And in the spirit, the Irish Presidency is committed to 04:03:45.448 --> 04:03:49.906 advancing quickly and inter-institutional negotiations on the remaining omnibus 04:03:49.962 --> 04:03:54.533 packages as soon as the European Parliament position our positions have been set. 04:03:54.589 --> 04:03:59.160 And we're very conscious that at the end of the year, deadline of agreeing on the 04:03:59.217 --> 04:04:03.844 digital environmental and automotive and inde ed the food and feed safety packages 04:04:03.900 --> 04:04:08.471 is fast approaching. And I would call on the European Parliament to work together 04:04:08.527 --> 04:04:13.268 with the Council for a com mon endeavor to avoid unnecessary bureaucratic burdens in 04:04:13.324 --> 04:04:16.033 EU legal acts, as recalled by leaders last week. 04:04:16.089 --> 04:04:20.773 And at the same time, let me also recall that any new initiative has to be based on 04:04:20.829 --> 04:04:25.118 an in-depth regulatory review of the EU AKI to eliminate outdated provisions 04:04:25.174 --> 04:04:29.576 inconsistencies and indeed redundancies. The key concept here is simplicity by 04:04:29.632 --> 04:04:33.752 design. Let me finally recall that our ultimate goal is to strengthen the 04:04:33.808 --> 04:04:38.548 competitiveness of the European economy and to ensure that proper functioning of the 04:04:38.605 --> 04:04:43.063 single market while preserving the EU's high standards of social, consumer, and 04:04:43.119 --> 04:04:45.715 environmental protection. Thank you very much. 04:04:47.995 --> 04:04:51.977 Thank you very much. On the next speaker is Commissioner Seraphine. 04:04:52.036 --> 04:04:54.235 Representing the European Commission. 04:04:55.495 --> 04:04:59.009 The President, Honorable Members, the Minister. 04:04:59.084 --> 04:05:02.747 The debate today is about a very simple question: 04:05:02.822 --> 04:05:08.654 is Europe doing enough to make life easier for those who create jobs, inv est, 04:05:08.728 --> 04:05:15.009 innovate, and grow our economy? For many, too many companies the answer is that they 04:05:15.083 --> 04:05:21.065 expect more. They still spend too much time navigating complex rules, filling in 04:05:21.139 --> 04:05:25.177 forms, and meeting overlapping reporting requirements. 04:05:25.252 --> 04:05:28.990 They do little to help them grow. Hire or compete. 04:05:29.065 --> 04:05:32.728 And nowhere is this more important than for SMEs. 04:05:32.803 --> 04:05:36.990 For them, excessive reporting means lost time and money. 04:05:37.064 --> 04:05:42.373 This is true for all red tape that holds Europe back and undermines our 04:05:42.448 --> 04:05:48.578 competitiveness. The Commission has therefore implemented an approach covering all 04:05:48.653 --> 04:05:52.840 administrative costs. And changing the way we legislate. 04:05:52.915 --> 04:05:56.503 We implement right now the simplicity by design. 04:05:56.578 --> 04:06:02.036 That includes first, legislation that implements the once-only principle. 04:06:02.111 --> 04:06:08.391 Before asking companies to provide any additional information or documents, we first 04:06:08.466 --> 04:06:13.475 check whether we already have th em. Second, regulatory discipline. 04:06:13.550 --> 04:06:19.531 We introduce reporting requirements only when they are strictly necessary and we 04:06:19.606 --> 04:06:24.989 will act at EU level only where justified in line with the principles of 04:06:25.064 --> 04:06:30.895 subsidiarity and proportionality. Cutting administrative burdens and reporting 04:06:30.970 --> 04:06:35.306 requirements is a clear priority across the whole College. 04:06:35.381 --> 04:06:40.166 Each Commissioner has been asked to contribute to this exercise. 04:06:40.241 --> 04:06:46.073 Our aim is clear: to remove unnecessary complexity, from existing EU rules and 04:06:46.147 --> 04:06:49.362 ensure that new requirements are justified. 04:06:49.437 --> 04:06:55.717 Since the start of its mandate, the Commission has proposed measures that could save 04:06:55.792 --> 04:06:59.829 22 .3 billion euro in administrative costs every year. 04:06:59.904 --> 04:07:06.110 Provided that co-legislators maintain the level of ambition present in Commission's 04:07:06.185 --> 04:07:12.166 proposal. That matters. Every euro saved in paperwork is also a euro that can be 04:07:12.240 --> 04:07:16.726 used towards more investment , innovation, wages, or growth. 04:07:16.801 --> 04:07:22.857 But we cannot achieve progress alone. The Commission is accelerating its efforts, 04:07:22.932 --> 04:07:28.315 but real change requires all institutions to pull in the same direction. 04:07:29.095 --> 04:07:34.443 Furthermore, national and regional authorities must also play their part, because a 04:07:34.507 --> 04:07:39.662 rule agreed at European level sho uld not become more complex than transposed or 04:07:39.726 --> 04:07:44.945 implemented in the Member States. That is why the President of the Commission has 04:07:45.009 --> 04:07:50.357 proposed a pact against gold plating. The aim is to increase transparency and limit 04:07:50.421 --> 04:07:55.383 unnecessary national additions that create complexity and fragment the single 04:07:55.447 --> 04:07:58.668 market, while safeguarding rights and protections. 04:07:58.733 --> 04:08:03.887 This Commission will continue to simplify EU rules and deepen the single market, 04:08:03.952 --> 04:08:08.526 because both are essential to Europe's prosperity and compet itiveness. 04:08:08.591 --> 04:08:09.791 Thank you. 04:08:13.615 --> 04:08:17.838 Thank you very much. Commissioner, on the next speaker is Mrs. 04:08:17.907 --> 04:08:20.768 Gasiuc Pihowicz for one minute and a half. 04:08:20.836 --> 04:08:22.675 Representing the EPP Group. 04:08:24.535 --> 04:08:30.262 Thank you very much. Madam President, Mr Commissioner, it was 100 pages, exactly 100 04:08:30.330 --> 04:08:34.625 pages, that much new law was coming to Poland every single day. 04:08:34.693 --> 04:08:39.397 In 2016, even on Sundays. And that was an absolute record in history. 04:08:39.465 --> 04:08:45.192 The genius behind this record was the PiS government, or rather the very same people 04:08:45.260 --> 04:08:50.101 who today in this Chamber are frightening us with Brussels bureaucracy. 04:08:50.169 --> 04:08:54.668 And then there was the tax revolution they called the Polish Deal. 04:08:54.736 --> 04:08:59.713 And who paid the price? Accountants who worked nights on end, 2.3 million 04:08:59.781 --> 04:09:05.167 micro-enterprises, because these companies did not have specialist departments. 04:09:05.235 --> 04:09:08.780 These people had to waste their evenings after work. 04:09:08.849 --> 04:09:12.666 And today, in Poland, we are doing exactly the opposite. 04:09:12.735 --> 04:09:18.461 354 proposals from entrepreneurs regarding regulation and deregulation are now being 04:09:18.529 --> 04:09:24.188 implemented by our government. Inspections in micro-enterprises have been shortened 04:09:24.256 --> 04:09:29.301 from 12 days to 6. Exactly by half. And this rule is now enshrined in law. 04:09:29.369 --> 04:09:33.937 If you add a new obligation, you look for an old one to strike out. 04:09:34.005 --> 04:09:37.277 And today, Europe faces exactly the same choice. 04:09:37.346 --> 04:09:42.322 On the table are 150 billion euros a year, because that is precisely what 04:09:42.391 --> 04:09:48.117 bureaucracy costs us. And unfortunately, there are major EU regulations ahead of us. 04:09:48.185 --> 04:09:51.730 On industry, public procurement, on cloud computing. 04:09:51.799 --> 04:09:55.003 Let us not do to Europe what PiS did in Poland. 04:09:55.071 --> 04:09:59.298 Because how are entrepreneurs going to find their way in this? 04:09:59.366 --> 04:10:04.547 Let us ask businesses once. Let us strike things out before we add new ones. 04:10:04.615 --> 04:10:09.115 Poland has shown that it can be done. And now it is Europe’s turn. 04:10:13.975 --> 04:10:17.035 The next speaker is Mrs. Bischoff for one minute. 04:10:18.955 --> 04:10:23.819 The debate on the truth also includes the fact that there are two camps here. 04:10:23.882 --> 04:10:28.809 One camp uses the debate to push simplifications as a Trojan horse in order to 04:10:28.873 --> 04:10:34.116 dismantle rights. A good example is Omnibus 1, but also the current proposal on the 04:10:34.179 --> 04:10:38.916 EU Inc. directive, which comes at the expense of workers and social rights. 04:10:38.980 --> 04:10:44.159 We oppose this. But there are also good examples because there is a second camp in 04:10:44.223 --> 04:10:49.150 this House that wants to simplify without using it as an attack on consumer or 04:10:49.213 --> 04:10:54.203 workers' rights. Good examples are, for instance, the reform of Regulation 883, 04:10:54.266 --> 04:10:59.383 which we have just adopted—I was the rapporteur myself—or yesterday’s vote on the 04:10:59.446 --> 04:11:03.489 E-Declaration. You can simplify without attacking social rights. 04:11:03.552 --> 04:11:08.732 So stop putting forward discourses where you claim that simplification is all that 04:11:08.795 --> 04:11:13.596 is at stake, when in reality they are using it to dismantle consumer rights, 04:11:13.659 --> 04:11:16.881 workers' rights and to restrict social protections. 04:11:16.944 --> 04:11:22.250 And I am grateful to Ms von der Leyen that she clarified last week that gold-plating 04:11:22.313 --> 04:11:26.798 cannot exist in the social sphere, because these are minimum standards. 04:11:26.861 --> 04:11:31.220 What we need here is clarity and a genuine debate about alternatives. 04:11:31.283 --> 04:11:32.483 Thank you. 04:11:34.855 --> 04:11:37.137 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mrs. 04:11:37.188 --> 04:11:39.115 Latino-Polu for one minute and a half. 04:11:42.055 --> 04:11:47.199 SMEs account for 90% of businesses in the European Union and 99% of businesses in 04:11:47.263 --> 04:11:51.645 Greece. They are the ones that give oxygen and life to our countries. 04:11:51.708 --> 04:11:56.852 They are the people who, struggling every day, try against all odds to survive in 04:11:56.916 --> 04:12:00.091 this suffocating environment that you have shaped. 04:12:00.155 --> 04:12:03.520 They are the family businesses that you hate so much. 04:12:03.584 --> 04:12:08.411 These are the local baker, the greengrocer, the butcher, the fishmonger, the 04:12:08.474 --> 04:12:13.618 taverna, the café, the patisserie, the pharmacy and the hairdresser’s shop in our 04:12:13.682 --> 04:12:17.556 neighbourhood. It is as if you have been wronged in some way. 04:12:17.619 --> 04:12:22.954 You are trying every means to wipe them out, along with the hundreds of thousands of 04:12:23.017 --> 04:12:27.907 workers whose livelihoods depend on these small and medium-sized enterprises. 04:12:27.971 --> 04:12:32.734 Your socialist economic policies, the exorbitantly priced green energy, the 04:12:32.797 --> 04:12:38.005 suffocating taxation, the endless bureaucracy and the constant legislative changes 04:12:38.068 --> 04:12:43.276 that create insecurity and instability are precisely what are strangling small and 04:12:43.340 --> 04:12:48.166 medium-sized entrepreneurship. And all this you are doing to drive them into 04:12:48.230 --> 04:12:51.596 bankruptcy for the benefit of the big multinationals. 04:12:51.659 --> 04:12:56.994 So when did we start trusting the arsonist to put out the fire and rebuild the house 04:12:57.057 --> 04:13:01.249 he himself burned down? Are we going to go completely mad in here? 04:13:01.312 --> 04:13:06.393 Reduce bureaucracy. Reduce taxation. Now. Maybe we can manage to save something. 04:13:06.456 --> 04:13:11.410 Let’s finally understand this. Socialism is killing off small and medium-sized 04:13:11.473 --> 04:13:13.315 enterprises. It’s killing us. 04:13:17.395 --> 04:13:19.866 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mr. 04:13:19.923 --> 04:13:22.675 Mantovani for one minute, representing ECR Group. 04:13:23.275 --> 04:13:27.444 Thank you, Mr President. Commissioner, Minister, colleagues. 04:13:27.513 --> 04:13:33.280 Omnibus. 1 has freed 9 out of 10 businesses from unnecessary reporting obligations. 04:13:33.350 --> 04:13:39.116 An important initiative. And yet, according to the Council, the proposals now under 04:13:39.186 --> 04:13:44.466 negotiation would cost businesses an additional €1.5 billion per year in new 04:13:44.536 --> 04:13:48.149 bureaucratic costs. Up to 26 billion for compliance. 04:13:48.218 --> 04:13:52.804 That is more than all the savings promised by the Omnibus package. 04:13:52.874 --> 04:13:56.903 And the burden of the ill-fated Green Deal is still there. 04:13:56.973 --> 04:14:02.809 For 64% of the proposals, no assessment of the impact on businesses has been carried 04:14:02.879 --> 04:14:08.437 out: the sums have not been done. Every law should first be measured in terms of 04:14:08.507 --> 04:14:11.633 costs for small and medium-sized enterprises; 04:14:11.703 --> 04:14:14.829 if they are useless, they need to be changed. 04:14:14.899 --> 04:14:19.971 We need an immediate moratorium on new burdens and preferential lanes for 04:14:20.040 --> 04:14:25.390 simplification. We need a year without new rules to change the existing ones, 04:14:25.460 --> 04:14:29.351 transforming them from obstacles into levers for growth. 04:14:29.420 --> 04:14:30.620 Thank you. 04:14:32.695 --> 04:14:35.008 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mr. 04:14:35.061 --> 04:14:37.795 Lockegard for two minutes, representing Renew Group. 04:14:40.975 --> 04:14:45.115 Commissioner, Jessica Collier i Rådet. 04:14:46.435 --> 04:14:50.463 It is a little sad that every time we have this debate, we have to start by 04:14:50.516 --> 04:14:53.309 establishing that we are in our respective trenches. 04:14:53.363 --> 04:14:57.820 I listened with interest to my Social Democratic colleague, who says that this will 04:14:57.874 --> 04:15:00.505 become a game of removing social rights from him. 04:15:00.559 --> 04:15:04.479 That is not what this is about at all. Nor has it ever been at any point. 04:15:04.533 --> 04:15:08.668 So should we not try to move away from that and engage in a more constructive 04:15:08.722 --> 04:15:12.427 debate? which is about how we actually get rid of what is a nuisance. 04:15:12.481 --> 04:15:16.992 This could, for example, be unnecessary reporting requirements in the sustainability 04:15:17.045 --> 04:15:21.342 legislation. It could be overlapping requirements in the GDPR, the Data Act, and 04:15:21.395 --> 04:15:25.853 indeed all the digital legislation. Get rid of the unnecessary documentation in the 04:15:25.906 --> 04:15:29.129 AI Act. Get rid of the bureaucratic burdens in the taxonomy. 04:15:29.182 --> 04:15:32.995 Get rid of the 27 different interpretations of the same national rules. 04:15:33.049 --> 04:15:37.560 European rules, excuse me. Get rid of the paperwork, double-checking and forms whose 04:15:37.614 --> 04:15:41.964 clear purpose no one can see anymore. I think we should be able to agree on that. 04:15:42.017 --> 04:15:46.313 And I note with satisfaction that von der Leyen in her State of the Union speech 04:15:46.367 --> 04:15:49.052 spoke about gold-plating and raised it as a topic. 04:15:49.106 --> 04:15:53.241 We should at least be able to agree on that, even if it is not something that 04:15:53.295 --> 04:15:57.537 directly concerns us here in this House, but rather concerns the Member States. 04:15:57.591 --> 04:16:01.726 But this is a good place to start and I would like, on behalf of my group, to 04:16:01.780 --> 04:16:06.130 welcome with satisfaction that von der Leyen is proposing a page on this issue of 04:16:06.183 --> 04:16:09.674 gold-plating. I think we should tackle this much more vigorously. 04:16:09.728 --> 04:16:14.131 I have also proposed this several times. And I think we need to look at how we can 04:16:14.185 --> 04:16:18.320 push the Member States to live up to the obligations they say, at every given 04:16:18.374 --> 04:16:21.005 opportunity, that they are willing to live up to. 04:16:21.059 --> 04:16:25.516 There is a huge black box between the level of heads of government and the relevant 04:16:25.570 --> 04:16:29.598 ministers they send to Brussels when it comes to living up to this issue of 04:16:29.651 --> 04:16:34.055 addressing goldplating. So let us start there and let us agree, from both the left 04:16:34.109 --> 04:16:36.955 and the right, that this is the right place to start. 04:16:37.075 --> 04:16:38.275 Thank you for the floor. 04:16:43.195 --> 04:16:45.863 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mr. 04:16:45.923 --> 04:16:48.955 Tegetov for one minute, representing Greens Group. 04:16:53.575 --> 04:16:58.136 A potter in Estonia sells a few mucks a month to Italy and Germany. 04:16:58.204 --> 04:17:03.582 Because of the new packaging rules, the paperwork now costs more than the mucks 04:17:03.650 --> 04:17:09.165 itself. The businesses who build the single market, one parcel at a time, are now 04:17:09.233 --> 04:17:14.407 considering whether to stop selling abroad because they just can't afford it 04:17:14.475 --> 04:17:19.853 anymore. The principle is right. If you put packaging on the market, you pay to 04:17:19.921 --> 04:17:25.503 recycle it. But making the smallest businesses pay representatives in every single 04:17:25.571 --> 04:17:29.043 country they ship to makes a mockery of the system. 04:17:29.111 --> 04:17:34.762 The Commission wanted to lift this requirement for everyone, including Shein, Temu, 04:17:34.830 --> 04:17:38.982 Amazon, that's just a gift to companies that never needed it. 04:17:39.050 --> 04:17:42.182 We need relief for micro and small businesses. 04:17:42.250 --> 04:17:45.245 And keep the rules unchanged for the giants. 04:17:45.313 --> 04:17:48.717 One EU-wide registration point as the lasting fix. 04:17:48.785 --> 04:17:53.755 Christmas is just weeks away. Member states, stop stalling, fix this now. 04:17:57.775 --> 04:18:00.474 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mr. 04:18:00.536 --> 04:18:03.235 Saedi for one minute, representing the Left. 04:18:05.515 --> 04:18:10.288 My dear colleagues, Ewing was supposed to enable us to catch up on the delay of 04:18:10.348 --> 04:18:13.853 European businesses in terms of innovation and technology. 04:18:13.913 --> 04:18:18.928 But then, if that is the case, why is Ewing intended for all European companies and 04:18:18.988 --> 04:18:23.943 not just start-ups? In the end, this technological lag is actually due to the fact 04:18:24.003 --> 04:18:28.837 that our European companies invest far less in research, pay their engineers far 04:18:28.897 --> 04:18:33.610 less well, and distribute far more dividends to their shareholders than US and 04:18:33.670 --> 04:18:37.658 Chinese companies. So what is Ewing actually going to be used for? 04:18:37.718 --> 04:18:42.733 Ewing will allow all European companies, I stress all of them, to be able to set up 04:18:42.793 --> 04:18:47.748 anywhere, to choose their tax regime, to choose where they do or do not pay social 04:18:47.808 --> 04:18:52.642 security contributions, and to choose the labour law that will apply, completely 04:18:52.702 --> 04:18:57.717 decoupled from their actual place of establishment, their actual place of activity, 04:18:57.777 --> 04:19:02.067 where they employ their workers and where they generate their turnover. 04:19:02.127 --> 04:19:05.450 Ewing is a frontal attack on the European social model. 04:19:05.511 --> 04:19:06.711 Thank you. 04:19:08.335 --> 04:19:11.511 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mr. 04:19:11.583 --> 04:19:12.955 Drus for ECN Group. 04:19:14.935 --> 04:19:19.133 Dear colleagues, for years, actually decades, we have been hearing the same promises 04:19:19.183 --> 04:19:23.231 from Brussels: less bureaucracy, fewer reporting obligations, less of everything. 04:19:23.281 --> 04:19:27.129 And today we are already discussing again here how we can reduce bureaucracy. 04:19:27.179 --> 04:19:29.628 The Commission, which is constantly expanding it. 04:19:29.678 --> 04:19:33.826 Companies need no new action plans, no omnibus packages and no further declarations 04:19:33.876 --> 04:19:37.974 of intent. What they need is tangible relief at long last and the room to breathe. 04:19:38.024 --> 04:19:42.022 That is why it must be crystal clear: first, scrapping unnecessary reporting and 04:19:42.072 --> 04:19:44.871 documentation obligations instead of just renaming them. 04:19:44.921 --> 04:19:49.119 Secondly, no new EU regulations. And thirdly, an end to ever new burdens in the name 04:19:49.169 --> 04:19:53.317 of climate change. Ms Weißmann from the CDU, it is good that you have spoken to the 04:19:53.367 --> 04:19:57.115 entrepreneurs. But your EPP has itself supported the vast majority of these 04:19:57.165 --> 04:20:00.014 regulations. That is simply part of what honesty entails. 04:20:00.064 --> 04:20:04.162 And so, dear EVP colleagues, if you are serious about competitiveness, you must be 04:20:04.212 --> 04:20:08.410 honest about it. Ladies and gentlemen, less Brussels, less European Commission today 04:20:08.460 --> 04:20:10.659 means more freedom for our domestic economy. 04:20:10.709 --> 04:20:14.657 The return to a prosperous Europe, as far as Germany is concerned, will only be 04:20:14.707 --> 04:20:18.405 possible with the Alternative for Germany in a position of responsibility. 04:20:18.455 --> 04:20:19.655 Thank you. 04:20:21.655 --> 04:20:23.627 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mr. 04:20:23.671 --> 04:20:25.195 Warborn for one minute and a half. 04:20:28.555 --> 04:20:34.361 Thank you very much, President, Minister, Commissioner, let me start off by actually 04:20:34.430 --> 04:20:40.167 thanking the Commission for your hard work when it comes to reducing the regulatory 04:20:40.236 --> 04:20:46.042 burden. I think the packages you have presented so far, the omnibuses packages, is a 04:20:46.111 --> 04:20:51.088 great step in the right direction. I'd like to ask you a question today. 04:20:51.157 --> 04:20:55.926 And that is, when will you start using the one-in-t wo-out principle? 04:20:55.995 --> 04:21:01.663 And I'm saying this because we, of course, now have the one -in-one-out principle, 04:21:01.732 --> 04:21:07.054 but we need the one-in-two-out principle. And colleagues know this, but maybe 04:21:07.123 --> 04:21:11.685 someone that is looking to this doesn't know about this principle. 04:21:11.754 --> 04:21:17.560 But it actually means that for each euro you add in cost for businesses with a piece 04:21:17.629 --> 04:21:23.228 of legislation, the Comm ission today commits to deduct that euro one-in-one-out. 04:21:23.297 --> 04:21:28.896 And that is perfect. That's a very good principle because it's keeps, it's like a 04:21:28.965 --> 04:21:34.771 break from Brussels now. There is no administrative burden added from Brussels since 04:21:34.840 --> 04:21:38.849 this principle started to be used. I think it was in 2022. 04:21:38.918 --> 04:21:42.028 But of course, one-in-one-out means the same. 04:21:42.097 --> 04:21:46.175 And we need to reduce the regulatory burden for businesses. 04:21:46.244 --> 04:21:51.912 And that's why this House, with a majority in February, I think it was, passed the 04:21:51.981 --> 04:21:56.336 one-in-two-out principle for each euro you add, you deduct two. 04:21:56.405 --> 04:22:01.036 And that's I'm saying, this Parliament, with a majority, passed it. 04:22:01.105 --> 04:22:06.634 Now it's up to the Commission to use it. So when will we have the one-in-two-out 04:22:06.704 --> 04:22:08.155 principle? Thank you. 04:22:10.615 --> 04:22:12.861 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mr. 04:22:12.912 --> 04:22:14.112 Klerjo for one minute. 04:22:15.535 --> 04:22:19.144 Mr President, Commissioner, let us stop the omnibus bills. 04:22:19.206 --> 04:22:22.815 Mr President, Commissioner, let us stop the omnibus bills. 04:22:22.877 --> 04:22:26.175 Omnibus bills have nothing to do with simplification; 04:22:26.237 --> 04:22:31.214 they are deregulation tools that attack workers' rights and undermine health and 04:22:31.277 --> 04:22:36.192 environmental protection. Some, such as the omnibus on chemical products or the 04:22:36.254 --> 04:22:41.232 omnibus on pesticides, are so absurd and dangerous that it is the Council itself 04:22:41.294 --> 04:22:46.521 that has contradicted and disavowed you and has re reduced their scope considerably. 04:22:46.583 --> 04:22:51.809 I believe that today the cost of this administrative mess in our collective life and 04:22:51.872 --> 04:22:56.849 the cost for the environment and health of these omnibus proposals is far higher 04:22:56.911 --> 04:23:01.702 than their benefit for businesses. So if you really want to simplify life for 04:23:01.765 --> 04:23:06.867 businesses, well yes, focus on simplifying procedures for SMEs, focus on combating 04:23:06.929 --> 04:23:12.093 the over-transposition of standards, and focus on completing the single market—this 04:23:12.155 --> 04:23:16.884 real European simplification that is the demand of all businesses in Europe. 04:23:16.946 --> 04:23:20.431 So stop the omnibus bills and start real simplification. 04:23:20.493 --> 04:23:21.693 Thank you. 04:23:23.875 --> 04:23:28.315 Thank you. The next speaker is Mrs. Nagyová for one minute and a half. 04:23:34.255 --> 04:23:39.417 Dear colleagues, Commissioner, imagine a small entrepreneur who comes home after 04:23:39.481 --> 04:23:43.095 work and is still sitting at midnight filling out forms. 04:23:43.159 --> 04:23:48.063 Or a doctor who closes their surgery at 12 and is still filling out piles of 04:23:48.127 --> 04:23:53.354 paperwork by five. During that time, they are not producing, innovating, creating 04:23:53.418 --> 04:23:58.193 jobs, or treating patients. And then we wonder why we are not competitive. 04:23:58.258 --> 04:24:02.903 When we waste human potential like this. Back in 2016, 16 % of small and 04:24:02.968 --> 04:24:08.323 medium-sized enterprises identified administration as their biggest problem, and by 04:24:08.388 --> 04:24:12.130 2025 that figure was 64 %. But what is incredible is this: 04:24:12.195 --> 04:24:15.098 in practice, this burden is still increasing. 04:24:15.163 --> 04:24:20.131 And whatever we in the European Parliament are unable to manage, the European 04:24:20.195 --> 04:24:24.519 Commission will manage through its delegated and implementing acts. 04:24:24.583 --> 04:24:28.842 Or the Member States. Classic, and I’m not joking, I’m not joking. 04:24:28.906 --> 04:24:33.939 Because just take PPWR, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, that's a 04:24:34.003 --> 04:24:39.230 nightmare for businesses, especially small and medium-sized ones, since August of 04:24:39.294 --> 04:24:43.166 this year. Take what we have, or let’s take another example: 04:24:43.230 --> 04:24:46.714 the performance regulation, the performance framework. 04:24:46.779 --> 04:24:52.005 Originally, it was meant to simplify things, yes, a good idea, but in the end, it 04:24:52.070 --> 04:24:57.490 looks as though only the work for the European Commission is being simplified, while 04:24:57.554 --> 04:25:02.006 for the Member States and end recipients, the workload is increasing. 04:25:02.071 --> 04:25:06.459 So, classic case: we abolish one form, and two new ones are created. 04:25:06.523 --> 04:25:11.749 One to confirm the abolition of the previous one, and another to check the first. 04:25:11.814 --> 04:25:17.234 A bit of a Catch-22 situation. However, when I listen to my colleagues, I see a good 04:25:17.298 --> 04:25:22.654 will to change things, so I’ll keep my fingers crossed, hopefully it will work out, 04:25:22.718 --> 04:25:26.525 and I will do my utmost to ensure that everything improves. 04:25:26.590 --> 04:25:27.790 Thank you. 04:25:29.095 --> 04:25:32.995 Thank you very much. Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mr. 04:25:33.055 --> 04:25:34.555 Zlatovský for one minute. 04:25:37.855 --> 04:25:41.169 Ms Commissioner, Ladies and Gentlemen, when we said 'do not add burdens on 04:25:41.213 --> 04:25:44.617 entrepreneurs, give them freedom', the European Commission, supported by the 04:25:44.662 --> 04:25:47.348 majority, including in Parliament, did exactly the opposite. 04:25:47.393 --> 04:25:50.662 Ms Commissioner, Ladies and Gentlemen, when we said do not add burdens on 04:25:50.707 --> 04:25:54.065 entrepreneurs, give them freedom, the European Commission, supported by the 04:25:54.110 --> 04:25:56.797 majority, including in Parliament, did exactly the opposite. 04:25:56.842 --> 04:26:00.424 Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, when we said we should not impose additional 04:26:00.469 --> 04:26:04.006 burdens on entrepreneurs, we should give them freedom, the European Commission, 04:26:04.051 --> 04:26:07.499 supported by the majority, including in Parliament, did exactly the opposite. 04:26:07.544 --> 04:26:10.455 It created more and more regulations and imposed new obligations. 04:26:10.544 --> 04:26:14.216 When we warned that the Green Deal meant higher costs, rising prices, and even the 04:26:14.261 --> 04:26:17.843 risk of bankruptcies, the Commission and the parliamentary majority consistently 04:26:17.888 --> 04:26:21.605 pushed through more regulations. And we were told that we were far-right extremists 04:26:21.650 --> 04:26:23.530 with whom one cannot cooperate. And today? 04:26:23.575 --> 04:26:27.292 Bureaucracy and the costs associated with the Green Deal have become unbearable for 04:26:27.337 --> 04:26:31.053 many entrepreneurs. The Commission is now trying to repair the damage it itself has 04:26:31.098 --> 04:26:34.860 caused, and Parliament is adopting further packages of simplification of regulations 04:26:34.904 --> 04:26:38.218 that it had previously adopted. No cosmetic changes, ladies and gentlemen. 04:26:38.263 --> 04:26:41.621 And certainly, debating them every month in Strasbourg will not improve the 04:26:41.666 --> 04:26:44.935 situation of European businesses. The Green Deal is killing [businesses]. 04:26:45.355 --> 04:26:47.035 the green deal kills. 04:26:48.115 --> 04:26:49.315 Thank you. 04:26:50.935 --> 04:26:53.146 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mr. 04:26:53.196 --> 04:26:54.955 Kelleher for one minute and a half. 04:26:55.555 --> 04:27:00.158 Very good, Kelleher. Commissioner, I guess, Era, followed a quick in Parliament. 04:27:00.215 --> 04:27:04.991 The simple fact is that the EU talks a lot about supporting SMEs and entrepreneurs. 04:27:05.048 --> 04:27:09.709 But it repeatedly fails to deliver the supports and regulatory environment needed 04:27:09.766 --> 04:27:14.196 for them to thrive and compete. Draghi and later reported on a two years ago: 04:27:14.254 --> 04:27:19.087 "But if we are to be honest, Commissioner, with ourselves, it has been like this for 04:27:19.144 --> 04:27:23.920 many years. " As an MEP, I must also hold my hands up and accept part of the blame. 04:27:23.977 --> 04:27:28.753 But will member states and the Commission also accept their role in making Europe a 04:27:28.810 --> 04:27:33.068 cold place for SMEs and entrepreneurs? Are member states' cold place at EU 04:27:33.125 --> 04:27:37.383 legislation and the Commission really doesn't carry out the right sorts of 04:27:37.441 --> 04:27:41.353 regulatory impact assessments on the vast majority of its proposals? 04:27:41.411 --> 04:27:46.013 And this needs to change. Otherwise, our existing SMEs will be forced to shutter 04:27:46.071 --> 04:27:50.904 their doors and our entrepreneurs will never get a chance to get their ideas off the 04:27:50.961 --> 04:27:55.622 ground. In August, 63 recommendations were made by the Irish Government's Cost of 04:27:55.679 --> 04:28:00.282 Business Advisory For um. It found that energy is the biggest driver of business 04:28:00.340 --> 04:28:04.137 cost, better price transparency, and easier switching is required. 04:28:04.194 --> 04:28:07.531 Regulators need to change or to engage more with business. 04:28:07.589 --> 04:28:10.178 A new culture of regulatory reform is needed. 04:28:10.236 --> 04:28:15.069 There is an urgent need for legal reform and limited business banking competition is 04:28:15.126 --> 04:28:19.959 driving high borrowing costs. Overall, I found that Ireland must shift from a public 04:28:20.017 --> 04:28:24.619 sector culture that measures activity and process to one that measures outcomes. 04:28:24.677 --> 04:28:29.165 The Renew Europe Group, through our Vice President Martin Løkkegaard, has been 04:28:29.222 --> 04:28:33.883 consistent in our campaign to reduce the bureaucratic burden on our SMEs and it's 04:28:33.940 --> 04:28:37.795 time for the institutions to listen and to implement our proposals. 04:28:40.075 --> 04:28:42.892 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mrs. 04:28:42.955 --> 04:28:44.395 Ojisalo for one minute. 04:28:49.495 --> 04:28:54.013 Mr President, at the same time as big tech companies are cutting down forests 04:28:54.072 --> 04:28:58.883 without permission, data centres are guzzling electricity and water, and the world 04:28:58.942 --> 04:29:03.284 around us is burning, here we are being told that we need less regulation. 04:29:03.343 --> 04:29:06.159 Mr President, this is not helping entrepreneurs; 04:29:06.218 --> 04:29:10.443 it is people who are suffering, it is European nature that is suffering. 04:29:10.501 --> 04:29:15.078 But also the companies that have already invested in sustainable solutions and 04:29:15.137 --> 04:29:17.777 products, and in Finland we still have these. 04:29:17.836 --> 04:29:22.765 The reporting is not about unnecessary bureaucracy, but about the fact that ordinary 04:29:22.823 --> 04:29:27.752 consumers have the right to know that the products they buy are not linked to modern 04:29:27.811 --> 04:29:30.803 slavery, child labour or environmental destruction. 04:29:30.862 --> 04:29:35.732 When I meet companies myself, they are not asking for new omnibus packages, but for 04:29:35.791 --> 04:29:40.544 predictability. Constant deregulation and erratic legislation is the worst poison 04:29:40.603 --> 04:29:45.355 for businesses. Investments are not made when no one knows which rules will be in 04:29:45.414 --> 04:29:49.991 force next year. If responsibility does not bring a competitive advantage, the 04:29:50.050 --> 04:29:54.274 winners will be only and exclusively the biggest and most flagrant ones. 04:29:54.333 --> 04:29:58.675 Forward-looking companies that do things right must not be left to suffer. 04:30:01.975 --> 04:30:04.809 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mr. 04:30:04.874 --> 04:30:06.355 Kennes. For one minute. 04:30:10.195 --> 04:30:13.135 Thank you. The European Volkspartij 04:30:13.375 --> 04:30:18.430 complains that entrepreneurs are struggling and that we need to make it even easier 04:30:18.491 --> 04:30:21.414 for them so that they can make even more profit. 04:30:21.475 --> 04:30:26.347 As if it were not bad enough that over the past decades millions of workers have 04:30:26.408 --> 04:30:30.549 been laid off. Do you want to give big business even more pampering? 04:30:30.610 --> 04:30:35.482 Just as the People's Party has made it easier for companies to buy raw materials 04:30:35.543 --> 04:30:40.598 that are dug out of the ground by Congolese children with their bare hands, and for 04:30:40.659 --> 04:30:43.278 example to dump toxic waste in Ivory Coast. 04:30:43.338 --> 04:30:47.297 All in the name of Europe’s competitiveness and Christian values. 04:30:47.358 --> 04:30:52.352 That is why I was in Geneva last week, at the UN negotiations for a binding treaty 04:30:52.413 --> 04:30:57.346 that holds transnational corporations accountable for the human rights violations 04:30:57.407 --> 04:31:01.974 they commit. By the way, these negotiations are being obstructed by the EU. 04:31:02.035 --> 04:31:06.786 So please stop concealing corporate crimes under the guise of economic growth. 04:31:06.846 --> 04:31:11.658 You care about nothing for workers, nothing for children, and even less for the 04:31:11.719 --> 04:31:16.591 environment. You are here only to do the dirty work for your rich friends in the 04:31:16.652 --> 04:31:18.235 business world. Thank you. 04:31:21.175 --> 04:31:23.388 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mr. 04:31:23.438 --> 04:31:24.638 Bouhaid for one minute. 04:31:25.375 --> 04:31:29.865 Thank you, Mr Chair. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it is the big week of the EPP, which 04:31:29.918 --> 04:31:34.301 is now boldly throwing itself into the fight against the combustion engine ban and 04:31:34.354 --> 04:31:37.454 now also wants to boldly tackle the bureaucratic measures. 04:31:37.507 --> 04:31:40.607 Yet, ladies and gentlemen, that is of course not the case. 04:31:40.661 --> 04:31:45.150 One could cry as winter has already set in, so much sand has been thrown in people’s 04:31:45.204 --> 04:31:49.372 eyes this week. Ladies and gentlemen, in the last legislative term, this House 04:31:49.426 --> 04:31:52.205 adopted 13,000 new legal acts between 2019 and 2024. 04:31:52.259 --> 04:31:55.946 The USA in the same period issued 3,500, just over a quarter of that. 04:31:56.000 --> 04:31:59.367 And now we are here saying: How can we reduce this bureaucracy? 04:31:59.420 --> 04:32:03.750 Dear EPP, you are responsible for this, responsible for what has happened here in 04:32:03.803 --> 04:32:08.293 recent years. Is it the citizens who are suffering under the Lieferkettenrichtlinie? 04:32:08.346 --> 04:32:12.729 That they are suffering under the Taxonomie, that they are suffering under the ETS 04:32:12.782 --> 04:32:17.111 system, that they are suffering under the sustainability reporting requirements – 04:32:17.165 --> 04:32:19.516 this is, to a very large extent, your doing. 04:32:19.570 --> 04:32:24.006 So, if you are thinking today about what you can do against bureaucracy, then first 04:32:24.059 --> 04:32:28.549 of all stop constantly chasing every new fad under ever new compulsions to adopt new 04:32:28.602 --> 04:32:32.931 laws, and focus instead on how you can avoid creating new bureaucracy, ladies and 04:32:32.985 --> 04:32:36.673 gentlemen. Turn away from the Green Deal and then tackle bureaucracy. 04:32:36.726 --> 04:32:37.926 Thank you very much. 04:32:41.875 --> 04:32:44.160 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mr. 04:32:44.212 --> 04:32:45.412 Geisel for one minute. 04:32:46.255 --> 04:32:50.925 Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, what characterises bureaucratic rule? 04:32:50.982 --> 04:32:55.652 The answer is quite simple: when faced with the choice of regulating a matter in a 04:32:55.709 --> 04:32:59.923 complicated or simple way, it usually opts for the complicated regulation. 04:32:59.980 --> 04:33:02.543 That secures jobs and control over knowledge. 04:33:02.600 --> 04:33:07.156 German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz is said to have calculated that, in the 04:33:07.213 --> 04:33:11.086 first term of office of Ms von der Leyen, we have had a total of 13. 04:33:11.143 --> 04:33:15.471 000 new regulations with extensive reporting, documentation and verification 04:33:15.528 --> 04:33:19.686 obligations to thank. That we have thereby done a great disservice to the 04:33:19.743 --> 04:33:24.413 competitiveness of European industry now seems to have been understood even by the 04:33:24.470 --> 04:33:28.855 Commission. And that is why — keyword: Omnibus — rules are now suddenly to be 04:33:28.912 --> 04:33:31.475 simplified or suspended until further notice. 04:33:31.532 --> 04:33:35.177 Perhaps it would be better to take a more radical approach here. 04:33:35.234 --> 04:33:38.138 With every new regulation, we should ask ourselves: 04:33:38.195 --> 04:33:41.157 What does it actually achieve? Who benefits from it? 04:33:41.214 --> 04:33:44.688 And is the effort in a reasonable proportion to the benefits? 04:33:44.745 --> 04:33:47.250 Often, we would then come to the conclusion: 04:33:47.307 --> 04:33:50.155 the best solution is the zero solution. Thank you. 04:33:52.795 --> 04:33:55.023 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mrs. 04:33:55.072 --> 04:33:56.755 Pereda. For one minute and a half. 04:34:00.655 --> 04:34:06.382 Thank you very much, Mr President. Mr Commissioner, a company exists to produce, 04:34:06.453 --> 04:34:12.180 sell and innovate. However, six out of ten European companies say that complying 04:34:12.252 --> 04:34:15.688 with new rules is an obstacle to their activity. 04:34:15.760 --> 04:34:20.413 And worse still, the most innovative ones are the most penalised. 04:34:20.484 --> 04:34:26.426 The result, therefore, is perverse. Some prefer not to grow so as not to exceed the 04:34:26.498 --> 04:34:32.511 threshold that brings new obligations. Meanwhile, China and the United States invest 04:34:32.582 --> 04:34:36.663 and gain ground in the market and welcome their unicorns. 04:34:36.734 --> 04:34:42.390 This regulatory burden, this weight of rules, is also felt in access to credit. 04:34:42.461 --> 04:34:48.045 When a bank is required to report the same data time and time again, it is the 04:34:48.117 --> 04:34:53.772 entrepreneur who waits. That is why, with more proportionate rules and a single 04:34:53.844 --> 04:34:59.499 reporting system, credit reaches those who want to invest more quickly and more 04:34:59.570 --> 04:35:05.441 cheaply. European leaders once again acknowledged last week that simplification is 04:35:05.512 --> 04:35:10.666 urgent. The Council, the Commission and this Parliament are all aligned. 04:35:10.738 --> 04:35:16.680 The moment has come to move from words to action and to finalise the simplification 04:35:16.751 --> 04:35:22.120 packages that are still pending. Simple, clear rules help companies attract 04:35:22.192 --> 04:35:27.489 investment, grow and create quality jobs across the entire European space. 04:35:27.561 --> 04:35:33.288 There should be no doubt: simplifying means betting on Europe's competitiveness. 04:35:33.359 --> 04:35:34.559 Thank you. 04:35:36.055 --> 04:35:38.556 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mrs. 04:35:38.612 --> 04:35:39.835 Mendes for one minute. 04:35:40.735 --> 04:35:46.121 Thank you very much, Mr President. Dear colleagues, Commissioner, I believe we are 04:35:46.187 --> 04:35:50.653 all in agreement on one thing: Europe needs greater competitiveness. 04:35:50.719 --> 04:35:55.645 And over the years, Europe has survived with the weight of bureaucracy and, 04:35:55.711 --> 04:35:59.849 precisely for that reason, I agree that it is need to simplify. 04:35:59.915 --> 04:36:04.841 But when it comes to simplification, we cannot talk about deregulation and, 04:36:04.907 --> 04:36:09.899 therefore, we need to combine the need to invest in innovation in artificial 04:36:09.965 --> 04:36:15.022 intelligence, which will change our lives and the world of work, with what is 04:36:15.088 --> 04:36:19.883 absolutely essential, which is the strength of the workforce and workers. 04:36:19.949 --> 04:36:25.335 And so, Ladies and Gentlemen Deputies, and my dear Commissioner, the importance of 04:36:25.401 --> 04:36:30.853 this debate is that we simplify the rules to have more competitive, more innovative 04:36:30.918 --> 04:36:36.436 companies. but that they should not be at the expense of workers' rights, so that we 04:36:36.501 --> 04:36:41.953 can continue to have a European social model that has shaped us and brought us this 04:36:42.019 --> 04:36:44.515 far over the past 80 years. Thank you. 04:36:46.915 --> 04:36:49.477 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mr. 04:36:49.536 --> 04:36:50.875 Penella for one minute. 04:36:53.035 --> 04:36:58.425 It is quite astonishing to see that the EPP is today holding a debate on reducing 04:36:58.492 --> 04:37:03.549 European bureaucracy when it supported the disastrous Green Deal and all the 04:37:03.616 --> 04:37:08.606 constraints that flow from it. If reducing 40 years of accumulated European 04:37:08.673 --> 04:37:14.263 bureaucratic and technocratic red tape is a good thing for businesses, we need to go 04:37:14.329 --> 04:37:19.852 even further with deregulation. That means removing standards that abusively hinder 04:37:19.919 --> 04:37:24.777 our economy. What is the point of removing a few forms if our farmers and 04:37:24.843 --> 04:37:30.433 industrialists remain crushed by ever more stringent regulations that increase their 04:37:30.499 --> 04:37:33.893 production costs and destroy their competitiveness? 04:37:33.960 --> 04:37:39.416 Carbon tax, bans on combustion engines, restrictions on plant protection products, 04:37:39.483 --> 04:37:44.740 reductions in fertiliser use, nature restoration regulations, IED directives on 04:37:44.806 --> 04:37:48.600 livestock farming: we must put an end to these obstacles. 04:37:48.666 --> 04:37:54.056 Our entrepreneurs and farmers need the freedom to produce and ensure the economic 04:37:54.123 --> 04:37:58.315 strength of our nations. When are you going to understand that? 04:38:01.555 --> 04:38:04.180 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mrs. 04:38:04.238 --> 04:38:05.755 Teodorescu for one minute. 04:38:06.175 --> 04:38:07.375 Thank you, Chair. 04:38:07.495 --> 04:38:12.419 Today’s debate on reducing costs and bureaucratic burdens comes at a critical moment 04:38:12.478 --> 04:38:17.226 for European entrepreneurs. Regulations such as the Packaging Directive are clear 04:38:17.284 --> 04:38:22.032 evidence of how micro-enterprises and SMEs are suffocated by abusive fixed costs, 04:38:22.091 --> 04:38:26.136 authorised representatives in each country, and infernal bureaucracy. 04:38:26.194 --> 04:38:31.060 Up to 12,000 euros a year, a small artisan has to dig into their own pocket to meet 04:38:31.118 --> 04:38:35.808 all these absurd requirements. But has anyone asked themselves whether they even 04:38:35.866 --> 04:38:40.614 make 12 000 euros in profit in one year? However, beware, the legislative tsunami 04:38:40.673 --> 04:38:45.480 that has strangled the European business environment cannot be resolved by another 04:38:45.538 --> 04:38:49.700 legislative tsunami either. This time, with derogations, exceptions and 04:38:49.759 --> 04:38:54.331 improvisations on top of incoherent legislation, built on ideology rather than 04:38:54.390 --> 04:38:59.138 pragmatism. If we patch up bad laws with temporary exceptions, we only deepen the 04:38:59.196 --> 04:39:03.769 chaos and the lack of predictability, which is the basis of any business plan. 04:39:03.827 --> 04:39:07.813 We need a pragmatic, coherent approach and real political ownership. 04:39:07.872 --> 04:39:12.503 Stop the excessive regulation and restore the business environment’s freedom to 04:39:12.561 --> 04:39:13.761 produce. Thank you. 04:39:16.975 --> 04:39:19.318 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mrs. 04:39:19.370 --> 04:39:20.570 Balger for one minute. 04:39:21.775 --> 04:39:26.930 Force Stellifor. You are an entrepreneur and you have brought your customers abroad, 04:39:26.991 --> 04:39:31.900 and that is a very good step. But then you have to get to work in the evening to 04:39:31.962 --> 04:39:34.785 find out which registrations are all required. 04:39:34.846 --> 04:39:38.160 , which forms, which permits. What comes with that is: 04:39:38.221 --> 04:39:41.964 your business grows, but unfortunately so does the paperwork. 04:39:42.026 --> 04:39:46.015 And that means extra costs, and that is something we do not want. 04:39:46.076 --> 04:39:51.169 As far as I am concerned, entrepreneurs must be able to innovate, they must be able 04:39:51.231 --> 04:39:53.931 to make time for production, for investment. 04:39:53.992 --> 04:39:57.429 And also invest in their people and conquer new markets. 04:39:57.490 --> 04:39:59.515 That is how our prosperity grows. 04:40:00.574 --> 04:40:03.684 So my first call is therefore also to the Commission: 04:40:03.742 --> 04:40:08.377 sit down with entrepreneurs, keep talking to them, and let them point out which 04:40:08.436 --> 04:40:12.015 paperwork is duplicated and unnecessary. And then scrap that; 04:40:12.074 --> 04:40:14.831 it is time we really deliver on simplification. 04:40:14.890 --> 04:40:19.818 And make sure that small businesses can also comply with the rules without having to 04:40:19.877 --> 04:40:24.453 hire expensive advisers. And the second call is to the national Member States: 04:40:24.512 --> 04:40:29.264 that includes the Netherlands, avoid unnecessary, superfluous national additional 04:40:29.323 --> 04:40:34.017 regulatory burdens. Let us work together to ensure that we finally truly have an 04:40:34.075 --> 04:40:35.275 internal market. 04:40:38.374 --> 04:40:40.534 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mr. 04:40:40.583 --> 04:40:41.783 Mazurek for 1 minute. 04:40:42.754 --> 04:40:46.894 You will come in one day with a mandatory e-invoice for small entrepreneurs and at 04:40:46.945 --> 04:40:51.034 the same time with some central you are coming one day with a mandatory e-invoice 04:40:51.085 --> 04:40:55.074 for small entrepreneurs and at the same time with some central register for all 04:40:55.124 --> 04:40:59.264 accommodation providers operating in the tourism sector, and the next day you will 04:40:59.315 --> 04:41:02.950 tell us that you want less bureaucracy and a better-functioning business 04:41:03.001 --> 04:41:06.939 environment. You are bringing in gender scoring as a mandatory requirement for 04:41:06.989 --> 04:41:11.180 accessing EU funds and gender quotas as a condition for companies, and then you are 04:41:11.231 --> 04:41:15.472 lying again by claiming that you want the business environment to have more freedom. 04:41:15.522 --> 04:41:19.764 You will come here without shame with the recycling directive, which will oblige all 04:41:19.814 --> 04:41:23.904 producers to draw up 1,000 new forms on the certification and origin of materials 04:41:23.954 --> 04:41:27.135 used in the production process, and then you will come and say: 04:41:27.186 --> 04:41:31.023 "We need less paperwork, less bureaucracy, we need better and more efficient 04:41:31.073 --> 04:41:35.163 functioning of the business environment." "After all, the biggest obstacle to the 04:41:35.214 --> 04:41:39.303 development of the business environment and the competitiveness of the economy in 04:41:39.354 --> 04:41:43.444 the European Union are you. Please, leave, give people some peace, stop with this 04:41:43.494 --> 04:41:47.634 bureaucracy, stop constantly making up nonsense, and allow people to create and do 04:41:47.685 --> 04:41:49.654 business freely, as they deserve to do. 04:41:53.434 --> 04:41:57.334 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Ms Benjumea for one minute and a half. 04:41:58.114 --> 04:42:03.800 Thank you, Mr President. Commissioner, Minister, the European Union must be a space 04:42:03.869 --> 04:42:09.144 of freedom and equal opportunities, and one that promotes a culture of merit. 04:42:09.213 --> 04:42:14.419 It must be an attractive space in which to do business, to set up a company. 04:42:14.488 --> 04:42:19.763 What cannot be is that it is perceived as a hyper-regulated space drowning in 04:42:19.832 --> 04:42:25.312 bureaucracy. Under a protectionist mantra that claims to defend our rights, when 04:42:25.381 --> 04:42:30.245 what it really does is curtail our freedom and limit our opportunities. 04:42:30.313 --> 04:42:35.863 Europe has companies capable of competing with the best in the world, but its own 04:42:35.931 --> 04:42:40.932 regulatory, administrative and financial environment has become a burden. 04:42:41.001 --> 04:42:46.345 Excessive bureaucracy is compounded by the fragmentation of the single market, 04:42:46.413 --> 04:42:51.757 difficulties in accessing financing and high energy costs, with regulation and 04:42:51.825 --> 04:42:55.045 taxation that penalise our production capacity. 04:42:55.114 --> 04:42:59.841 That is why I welcome the Commission’s decision to make improving the 04:42:59.910 --> 04:43:05.664 competitiveness of our businesses a priority by firmly committing to simplification. 04:43:05.733 --> 04:43:11.419 But that strategy will not be enough if we do not accompany it with a fiscal policy 04:43:11.488 --> 04:43:15.735 that promotes competitiveness and helps to attract investment. 04:43:15.804 --> 04:43:21.422 Just as we have realised that in the Union we cannot respond to every problem with 04:43:21.490 --> 04:43:25.121 more regulation, neither can we do so with new taxes. 04:43:25.190 --> 04:43:30.944 And I am referring to the CORE, Mr Commissioner, a tax that we are firmly opposed to 04:43:31.013 --> 04:43:36.699 and which we are asking you to withdraw from your proposal for the next multiannual 04:43:36.768 --> 04:43:41.700 financial framework. Less tax and less regulation, that is the solution. 04:43:41.769 --> 04:43:42.969 Thank you. 04:43:43.714 --> 04:43:46.774 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mr Ruena for 1 minute. 04:43:48.454 --> 04:43:50.494 Thank you very much, Mr President. What we are discussing 04:43:50.674 --> 04:43:55.150 goes much further than eliminating unnecessary red tape, something we support. 04:43:55.207 --> 04:43:59.568 We are witnessing a progressive attack on European environmental and climate 04:43:59.626 --> 04:44:04.102 legislation, using small businesses to justify the removal of obligations that 04:44:04.159 --> 04:44:08.750 fundamentally affect large corporations. Corporate sustainability standards have 04:44:08.807 --> 04:44:13.341 been weakened, legislation against deforestation has been delayed, and emission 04:44:13.398 --> 04:44:16.726 standards for cars and vans are being weakened even today. 04:44:16.784 --> 04:44:21.604 The ETS, environmental assessments, and now there are increasing pressures to reopen 04:44:21.661 --> 04:44:26.195 the directives on birds and habitats, as well as the Water Framework Directive. 04:44:26.252 --> 04:44:31.015 What does protecting our rivers and waters have to do with eliminating bureaucracy? 04:44:31.072 --> 04:44:35.548 Because when we talk about water, I would remind you that we are talking about 04:44:35.605 --> 04:44:40.311 public health. Europe, it is true, needs competitive businesses, of course, but it 04:44:40.368 --> 04:44:43.926 also needs clean air, clean water and a protected environment. 04:44:43.983 --> 04:44:48.517 Competitiveness can never be an excuse for dismantling the guarantees that have 04:44:48.574 --> 04:44:49.894 taken decades to build. 04:44:54.154 --> 04:44:56.918 Muchísimas gracias. The next speaker is Mrs. 04:44:56.981 --> 04:44:58.181 Gyori for 1 minute. 04:45:00.874 --> 04:45:02.074 There was a mistake here. 04:45:02.074 --> 04:45:06.642 I cannot even count how many debates we have already held on simplifying EU 04:45:06.703 --> 04:45:09.260 regulation. It’s always the same old tune: 04:45:09.321 --> 04:45:13.889 we talk about it, we urge action, the Commission promises, and then nothing 04:45:13.950 --> 04:45:18.761 meaningful changes. Where is the promised 35% burden reduction for the smallest 04:45:18.822 --> 04:45:21.502 companies, promised since 2023, for example? 04:45:21.563 --> 04:45:26.679 We have only just started negotiations on half of the Commission's 12 simplification 04:45:26.739 --> 04:45:31.551 packages. Meanwhile, they boast that €17 billion, or even €22 billion, has been 04:45:31.612 --> 04:45:36.423 mentioned here – that much savings has already been achieved for the companies. 04:45:36.484 --> 04:45:41.478 Let’s do a quick calculation together: if we divide this by the 34 million SMEs in 04:45:41.539 --> 04:45:46.533 the Union, it quickly becomes clear that this amounts to an average monthly saving 04:45:46.594 --> 04:45:51.466 of €41 for a small business. Yet 86% of them need to employ a separate person to 04:45:51.527 --> 04:45:55.120 ensure compliance with the legislation. A concrete example: 04:45:55.181 --> 04:45:59.992 a small, low-revenue sole trader crafting handmade jewellery must have 20 to 30 04:46:00.053 --> 04:46:03.159 pages of internal regulations drawn up by a lawyer. 04:46:03.220 --> 04:46:05.960 So how can we expect them to grow and invest? 04:46:06.021 --> 04:46:09.615 This, by the way, is your legacy, from the EPP to the left. 04:46:09.676 --> 04:46:14.426 We patriots demand real deregulation in order to fully unleash entrepreneurial 04:46:14.487 --> 04:46:15.687 freedom. 04:46:19.414 --> 04:46:21.924 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mrs. 04:46:21.980 --> 04:46:23.374 Van Leeuwen for 1 minute. 04:46:25.474 --> 04:46:28.499 Thank you very much, Chair, Minister, Commissioner. 04:46:28.558 --> 04:46:33.243 In every member state, village shops, local tradespeople, and family businesses 04:46:33.303 --> 04:46:38.225 provide jobs and services close to home. They keep our towns, villages, and regions 04:46:38.285 --> 04:46:42.911 running. The Commission has promised to remove two rules for every new rule it 04:46:42.970 --> 04:46:47.833 introduces to alleviate small and medium-sized businesses, so when will you start? 04:46:47.893 --> 04:46:52.697 The farmer-citizen movement wants to eliminate overlapping reporting requirements 04:46:52.756 --> 04:46:56.552 and bring EU sustain ability reporting back to the bare minimum. 04:46:56.611 --> 04:47:01.593 So we only want to adopt new legislation if you remove two other rul es, and it does 04:47:01.652 --> 04:47:05.744 not result in overlapping reporting requirements on a national level. 04:47:05.804 --> 04:47:10.252 As a first proposal, let's have a careful look at how the new packaging and 04:47:10.311 --> 04:47:14.700 packaging waste regulation affects the international business of our SMEs. 04:47:14.759 --> 04:47:19.682 The announced gold plating act should, besides working with member states to remove 04:47:19.741 --> 04:47:24.486 national rules that jeopardize an equal playing field on the EU internal market, 04:47:24.545 --> 04:47:29.527 also tackle unnecessary national additional reporting obligations, so the EU becomes 04:47:29.587 --> 04:47:32.374 a true union of entrepreneurs again. Thank you. 04:47:35.314 --> 04:47:40.654 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Ms Aguirregoitia for one minute. 04:47:44.074 --> 04:47:48.193 We urgently need to improve our competitiveness and, therefore, we need 04:47:48.251 --> 04:47:53.066 entrepreneurs, we need innovation and we need companies that are capable of growing 04:47:53.124 --> 04:47:55.792 and competing globally. But we have a problem: 04:47:55.850 --> 04:48:00.375 we know that we generate talent, and yet we are not managing to retain them in 04:48:00.433 --> 04:48:05.306 Europe. As Mr Draghi said: almost 30% of the unicorns created in Europe between 2008 04:48:05.364 --> 04:48:09.946 and 2021 have moved their headquarters abroad, and practically or mainly to the 04:48:10.004 --> 04:48:14.703 United States. And we cannot continue to lose innovative companies because of the 04:48:14.761 --> 04:48:19.228 difficulties of growing in Europe. We need to simplify regulations, eliminate 04:48:19.286 --> 04:48:24.101 bureaucracy and facilitate access to financing, and we must do this especially with 04:48:24.159 --> 04:48:28.858 startups and with SMEs that innovate. And simplifying does not mean deregulating, 04:48:28.916 --> 04:48:32.628 but rather facilitating innovation and growth for our companies. 04:48:32.686 --> 04:48:37.443 Our objective, therefore, should not only be that companies can be born in Europe, 04:48:37.501 --> 04:48:42.258 but that they can grow and become true global leaders without having to leave this 04:48:42.316 --> 04:48:43.534 continent. Thank you. 04:48:45.754 --> 04:48:47.975 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mr. 04:48:48.025 --> 04:48:49.225 Veke for 1 minute. 04:48:50.434 --> 04:48:52.174 Thank you, President. 04:48:52.354 --> 04:48:55.932 Mr Commissioner, colleagues, entrepreneurs want to do business. 04:48:55.989 --> 04:49:00.759 Not having to fill an hour every day with administrative obligations and hundreds of 04:49:00.816 --> 04:49:03.258 forms, often in 27 different sets of rules. 04:49:03.315 --> 04:49:06.779 And this also applies to our SMEs, for example our start-ups. 04:49:06.836 --> 04:49:11.550 Every minute they spend on that is time they cannot invest, cannot innovate, cannot 04:49:11.606 --> 04:49:14.162 innovate, cannot grow and cannot create jobs. 04:49:14.219 --> 04:49:18.819 It’s that simple. And yes, of course, we have taken steps to reduce the red tape. 04:49:18.876 --> 04:49:22.567 But when I speak to entrepreneurs, they notice very little of it. 04:49:22.624 --> 04:49:27.338 Because we are mainly preventing new rules, but what about the mountain of existing 04:49:27.395 --> 04:49:31.938 rules? And what about our permits? For entrepreneurs and farmers, this remains a 04:49:31.995 --> 04:49:36.538 Herculean task. Through years of case law, a framework has emerged in which even 04:49:36.595 --> 04:49:40.002 strategic investments and greening measures grind to a halt. 04:49:40.059 --> 04:49:44.659 That is why, Commissioner, my call: come up with a horizontal permitting omnibus. 04:49:44.716 --> 04:49:48.805 Tackle the problems at the root, including in our European environmental 04:49:48.862 --> 04:49:51.588 legislation. Entrepreneurs want to move forward. 04:49:51.645 --> 04:49:52.894 Give them that chance. 04:49:56.014 --> 04:49:56.974 Thank you very much. 04:49:56.974 --> 04:49:59.494 The next speaker is Mr Girauta for one minute. 04:50:01.354 --> 04:50:06.188 Thank you, Mr President. Two out of three small and medium-sized enterprises 04:50:06.252 --> 04:50:10.196 identify regulatory complexity as an obstacle to their growth. 04:50:10.259 --> 04:50:14.966 Mr President, two out of three small and medium-sized enterprises identify 04:50:15.030 --> 04:50:18.401 regulatory complexity as an obstacle to their growth. 04:50:18.465 --> 04:50:23.363 22% of SMEs devote more than 10% of their workforce to assessing and managing 04:50:23.426 --> 04:50:28.388 regulatory requirements. 150 billion euros is the annual cost estimated by the 04:50:28.451 --> 04:50:33.477 European Commission in recurring expenses, in recurring costs, in the design of 04:50:33.540 --> 04:50:38.692 administrative processes. There is no way to be competitive without reviewing and 04:50:38.756 --> 04:50:43.272 deregulating this labyrinthine situation. Silence should be the norm in 04:50:43.336 --> 04:50:48.552 administrative procedures. Administrations should not request a document that they 04:50:48.616 --> 04:50:53.959 already have. It seems that the telecommunications revolution that changed the world 04:50:54.022 --> 04:50:58.793 of business organisations 20 years ago 25 years ago, the telecommunications 04:50:58.857 --> 04:51:03.945 revolution transformed the world of business organisations, but it has still not 04:51:04.009 --> 04:51:09.225 reached Europe’s public administrations. This Parliament has an obligation to stop 04:51:09.288 --> 04:51:14.441 producing paper, paper and more paper. Every new piece of legislation should mean 04:51:14.504 --> 04:51:17.494 the repeal of several previous ones. Thank you. 04:51:20.674 --> 04:51:24.814 Muchas gracias. The next speaker is Mrs. Malock for 1 minute. 04:51:27.754 --> 04:51:32.939 Ladies and Gentlemen, in Poland, it used to be joked that communism solved the 04:51:33.006 --> 04:51:38.457 problems it itself created. It seems the European Union has now taken that joke as 04:51:38.523 --> 04:51:43.775 an instruction manual. The Green Deal, more directives, reports – who voted for 04:51:43.842 --> 04:51:49.359 them? The people in this Chamber. €150 billion in annual administrative burdens for 04:51:49.426 --> 04:51:54.944 the Union. You promise great savings with omnibus bills, but does the fourth burden 04:51:55.010 --> 04:51:58.666 remain for the entrepreneur? Where is the success here? 04:51:58.733 --> 04:52:04.251 In Poland, the cost of the ETS accounts for half of the energy prices for industry. 04:52:04.317 --> 04:52:07.840 Where is the competitiveness here? Another absurdity. 04:52:07.907 --> 04:52:12.494 The Packaging Regulation. A small shop wants to send packages abroad. 04:52:12.560 --> 04:52:16.948 You add representatives, formalities, and then you propose relief. 04:52:17.014 --> 04:52:20.937 Where is the logic here? Behind this chaos stands a person. 04:52:21.003 --> 04:52:24.859 A small and medium-sized entrepreneur and their employees. 04:52:24.925 --> 04:52:30.509 You talk about competitiveness, about putting the human being at the centre, yet you 04:52:30.576 --> 04:52:35.362 place regulations above them. Start counting the costs before the votes. 04:52:35.429 --> 04:52:40.813 Remove unnecessary obligations. The European economy needs room to grow, not more 04:52:40.880 --> 04:52:43.938 debates on the consequences of your decisions. 04:52:44.004 --> 04:52:45.334 Thank you very much. 04:52:47.854 --> 04:52:50.512 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mrs. 04:52:50.572 --> 04:52:51.772 Vonte for 1 minute. 04:52:55.474 --> 04:52:59.377 Colleagues, yes, I do find it rather ironic that it is precisely the Christian 04:52:59.427 --> 04:53:03.630 Democrats who have requested this debate. Those who have been at the controls of the 04:53:03.680 --> 04:53:07.583 European regulatory machinery for years, those who have for years been the big 04:53:07.633 --> 04:53:11.736 advocates of climate and sustainability, ironic that it is precisely the Christian 04:53:11.786 --> 04:53:15.989 Democrats who have requested this debate. Those who have been at the controls of the 04:53:16.039 --> 04:53:20.142 European regulatory machine for years, who have for years supported the EU’s major 04:53:20.192 --> 04:53:24.395 climate and sustainability plans, the heavy reporting obligations for companies, the 04:53:24.445 --> 04:53:27.697 rules that hold companies responsible for an entire supply chain. 04:53:27.747 --> 04:53:31.700 And now they act as though they are, as it were, the deus ex machina, the great 04:53:31.750 --> 04:53:35.853 saviours of businesses. Well, that reminds me a little of the arsonist playing the 04:53:35.903 --> 04:53:38.305 fireman. And can that fire even be extinguished? 04:53:38.355 --> 04:53:42.408 Because every day we see the catastrophic economic consequences of this misguided 04:53:42.458 --> 04:53:45.960 policy. And the Commission itself now admits that it was all too much. 04:53:46.010 --> 04:53:50.113 But the administrative burden is one thing, but the high energy prices, the carbon 04:53:50.163 --> 04:53:52.865 taxes and the fierce international competition remain. 04:53:52.915 --> 04:53:57.018 And what we need is a policy that puts entrepreneurship and competitiveness at the 04:53:57.068 --> 04:54:00.021 centre. But that is not possible without political courage. 04:54:00.071 --> 04:54:04.174 And to achieve that, a great many green and left-wing dogmas will still have to be 04:54:04.224 --> 04:54:05.424 swept away. 04:54:07.534 --> 04:54:09.898 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mr. 04:54:09.952 --> 04:54:11.152 van Dijk for 1 minute. 04:54:11.434 --> 04:54:16.651 Thank you, Mr President. For prosperity, economic growth is a priority. 04:54:16.725 --> 04:54:20.252 And for that growth, our businesses are crucial. 04:54:20.325 --> 04:54:26.424 And that is why, Commissioner, European rules should only be applied where they add 04:54:26.497 --> 04:54:32.229 value. Everything else is dead weight. It costs our businesses time, money and 04:54:32.302 --> 04:54:38.034 confidence, to the detriment of investment and innovation and thus of economic 04:54:38.107 --> 04:54:43.692 growth. And despite numerous initiatives, the Commission is not, or not yet, 04:54:43.765 --> 04:54:49.276 sufficiently succeeding in reducing regulatory burden and turning the tide. 04:54:49.350 --> 04:54:52.657 A more ambitious approach is needed. In fact. 04:54:52.730 --> 04:54:58.902 And it can be done. I believe in that. Clear language, no rules that contradict each 04:54:58.976 --> 04:55:04.634 other, solid impact assessments, less reporting, especially for SMEs, digital 04:55:04.707 --> 04:55:08.749 solutions and an end to gold plating. End gold plating. 04:55:08.822 --> 04:55:14.848 Make it clear to your colleagues, Commissioner, that regulation and simplification 04:55:14.921 --> 04:55:21.093 are two different things. But both are necessary to make European rules enforceable, 04:55:21.167 --> 04:55:24.694 affordable and therefore competitive. Thank you. 04:55:27.034 --> 04:55:29.611 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mrs. 04:55:29.669 --> 04:55:30.869 Deloge for 1 minute. 04:55:33.634 --> 04:55:36.757 Europe is counting its spending, but not what it costs our farmers. 04:55:36.803 --> 04:55:40.439 In 2026, the European budget plans more than 13 billion euros for the European 04:55:40.485 --> 04:55:44.214 public administration. At the same time, a European study estimates that farmers 04:55:44.260 --> 04:55:48.175 spend an average of 1,200 euros per year on administrative tasks related to the CAP. 04:55:48.222 --> 04:55:51.950 The problem with our administration is not that it lacks data, but that it keeps 04:55:51.997 --> 04:55:55.865 asking for it over and over again. In June 2025, the French Ministry of Agriculture 04:55:55.912 --> 04:55:59.594 indicated that the Commission had decided to roll out the single administrative 04:55:59.641 --> 04:56:01.878 control at European level. So where do we stand? 04:56:01.924 --> 04:56:05.560 Farmers should no longer have to submit the same information multiple times to 04:56:05.606 --> 04:56:08.216 administrations that do not communicate with each other. 04:56:08.263 --> 04:56:12.131 We are calling for a single farm file with pre-filled declarations and genuine data 04:56:12.178 --> 04:56:15.394 sharing. for administrations that do not communicate with each other. 04:56:15.440 --> 04:56:19.355 We are calling for a single operational file for pre-filled declarations and genuine 04:56:19.402 --> 04:56:23.084 data sharing between administrations, because information that has already been 04:56:23.130 --> 04:56:25.321 provided will never be requested from us again. 04:56:25.367 --> 04:56:27.605 It is time for Brussels to understand one thing: 04:56:27.651 --> 04:56:30.960 it is not the administrations that should be at the service of farmers; 04:56:31.007 --> 04:56:34.782 it is the administrations that should be at the service of farmers, not the other 04:56:34.829 --> 04:56:36.029 way around. Thank you. 04:56:38.854 --> 04:56:41.414 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mr. 04:56:41.472 --> 04:56:42.694 Kutilek for 1 minute. 04:56:47.254 --> 04:56:51.852 Honourable Mr President, the European Council called on the European Commission a 04:56:51.909 --> 04:56:56.564 few days ago to propose cuts in reporting requirements, particularly for small and 04:56:56.620 --> 04:57:01.332 medium-sized enterprises. And to us legislators, it sent a message to be restrained 04:57:01.389 --> 04:57:05.135 in the legislative process and not to add unnecessary bureaucracy. 04:57:05.192 --> 04:57:09.961 I recommend that we follow this recommendation and do so straight away in the debate 04:57:10.017 --> 04:57:14.786 on "Made in EU", which the European Council wants to be completed by the end of this 04:57:14.843 --> 04:57:18.873 year. The Commission proposal already includes requirements for complex 04:57:18.930 --> 04:57:23.244 documentation of origin and carbon footprint, and a significant part of this 04:57:23.301 --> 04:57:25.912 Parliament wants to tighten them even further. 04:57:25.969 --> 04:57:30.453 If we continue in this direction, we will have a perfect overview of every last 04:57:30.510 --> 04:57:33.689 screw, but we will be producing fewer and fewer of them. 04:57:33.746 --> 04:57:38.514 Our competitors in America and China will be happy, but European companies will lose 04:57:38.571 --> 04:57:43.112 out. So let's do what is expected of us: let our companies produce, not fill out 04:57:43.169 --> 04:57:44.369 forms. Thank you. 04:57:46.054 --> 04:57:49.107 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mr. 04:57:49.176 --> 04:57:50.494 Pempe for 1 minute. 04:57:54.454 --> 04:58:00.915 Dear colleagues, our entrepreneurs spend their time ticking boxes and providing 04:58:00.997 --> 04:58:07.785 justifications. The point is for them to feed your technostructure, which is hungry 04:58:07.866 --> 04:58:14.491 for data and thirsty for... of forms. This machine, you built it yourselves, with 04:58:14.572 --> 04:58:21.279 the zealous support of the EPP. You pretend to want to solve the problems you have 04:58:21.360 --> 04:58:25.041 created. You mention the next concrete steps; 04:58:25.122 --> 04:58:28.721 I suggest a simple one: stop adding to them. 04:58:28.803 --> 04:58:35.182 stop. Because the cup is full. Our SMEs do not need another fake support plan. 04:58:35.263 --> 04:58:40.252 What they need are low energy costs, thanks to nuclear power. 04:58:40.334 --> 04:58:43.851 These are reasonable and predictable taxes. 04:58:43.932 --> 04:58:49.248 These are low social charges, through controlled migratory flows. 04:58:49.330 --> 04:58:55.873 It is confidence and order that will get businesses back on their feet and bring 04:58:55.954 --> 04:58:57.154 them peace. 04:58:58.594 --> 04:59:03.154 Thank you very much. Now it's time for the European Commission to answer the debate. 04:59:03.208 --> 04:59:06.574 Commissioner Serafin, the turn is yours. You have two minutes. 04:59:08.074 --> 04:59:13.781 Thank you, Mr. President. Honorable members, I will refer to some of the comments 04:59:13.851 --> 04:59:19.770 lines of today's debate. It's true that for the success of the of our simplification 04:59:19.840 --> 04:59:23.292 agenda, it 's not enough to have only strategies; 04:59:23.363 --> 04:59:29.211 they also need to be implemented. So that leads me to repeating the point I made at 04:59:29.281 --> 04:59:34.847 the beginning: how important it is that co-legislators work on the basis of the 04:59:34.918 --> 04:59:40.554 Commission's proposals, and how important it is to avoid also goldplating at the 04:59:40.625 --> 04:59:46.472 national level. That is the only way to make sure that our businesses, including in 04:59:46.543 --> 04:59:51.475 particular small and medium-sized businesses, can feel the difference. 04:59:51.545 --> 04:59:54.575 Then the second point I would like to make: 04:59:54.645 --> 05:00:00.563 that is the question of how we do the rules at the European level, how we make rules 05:00:00.634 --> 05:00:03.664 at the European level. I will repeat again: 05:00:03.734 --> 05:00:09.089 once only principle, this is the principle which is guiding now the European 05:00:09.159 --> 05:00:12.541 Commission, and we will stick to that principle. 05:00:12.611 --> 05:00:18.318 Which means that once the information has been provided, we cannot, we should not 05:00:18.389 --> 05:00:21.982 ask the business to provide it for the second time. 05:00:22.052 --> 05:00:27.971 We should also definitely use further AI, digital tools to reduce compliance cost s, 05:00:28.041 --> 05:00:31.916 and unnecessary administrative work. That is also true. 05:00:31.987 --> 05:00:37.835 And let me also tell you that for the next year, in the Commission working program, 05:00:37.905 --> 05:00:43.330 we will have some further simp lification proposals in areas such as banking, 05:00:43.401 --> 05:00:48.614 transport, and housing. Now let me refer to Honorable Member Varborn, who. 05:00:48.685 --> 05:00:54.462 Attracted our attention to the fact that the Commission is following the principle 05:00:54.533 --> 05:00:59.324 one in one out. It's true, this is the formal approach that we have. 05:00:59.394 --> 05:01:05.171 We are following this principle since 2022, formally speaking, because in practice 05:01:05.242 --> 05:01:09.540 the approach we are implementing right now goes much further. 05:01:09.610 --> 05:01:15.528 I got the data before this debate. Last year, Commission proposals we have propos ed 05:01:15.599 --> 05:01:21.376 additional 247 million of additional administrative costs, and at the same time 15 05:01:21.447 --> 05:01:24.617 billion of reduction of administrative costs. 05:01:24.688 --> 05:01:28.774 So in practice the principle last year was one in 6 1 out. 05:01:29.194 --> 05:01:36.296 Thank you. Thank you very much. Now it's time for the Councillor to answer the 05:01:36.387 --> 05:01:39.574 debate. Mr. Dully. For two minutes. 05:01:40.834 --> 05:01:44.660 Thank you very much, and thank you for the contributions of so many. 05:01:44.716 --> 05:01:48.993 The Council took note of the call for from several member states for further 05:01:49.049 --> 05:01:53.382 simplification, including through legislative and regulatory self- restraint. 05:01:53.438 --> 05:01:57.658 This was touched upon during the meeting of the General Assembly Council in 05:01:57.714 --> 05:02:02.328 September, 22nd of September, and further re iterated in the latest conclusions of 05:02:02.385 --> 05:02:07.055 the Council. Council also notes the calls by the European Council last week for the 05:02:07.111 --> 05:02:11.444 Commission to put forward further initiatives to avoid goldplating and reduce 05:02:11.500 --> 05:02:16.170 administrative and regulatory burdens, especially for small and medium enterprises. 05:02:16.226 --> 05:02:19.377 And we stand ready to play our part in relation to that. 05:02:19.434 --> 05:02:24.104 A number of people raised the issue of packaging, and the impact that that has, and 05:02:24.160 --> 05:02:28.549 the burden it has, particularly on SMEs. Now, I just want to let you know that 05:02:28.605 --> 05:02:32.882 COREPER will today hold a discussion on the extended producer responsibility 05:02:32.938 --> 05:02:36.426 regulation, and will seek a mandate to enter into institution. 05:02:36.483 --> 05:02:41.097 Negotiations to alleviate the disproportionate burden on small operators, affected 05:02:41.153 --> 05:02:45.373 by the entry into application of key provisions of the packaging act, waste 05:02:45.429 --> 05:02:49.649 regulation of the 12th of August. And it is important that we alleviate any 05:02:49.706 --> 05:02:54.376 disproportionate burden for small businesses, and as the Presidency is committed to 05:02:54.432 --> 05:02:58.202 entering into that inter -institutional negotiations without delay. 05:02:58.258 --> 05:03:02.703 I know quite a number of people raised the issue about simplification, and it's 05:03:02.760 --> 05:03:07.430 connected ness to competitiveness, and of course the Council is very clear on that. 05:03:07.486 --> 05:03:12.100 However, simplification does not have to mean a retrenchment from an environmental 05:03:12.156 --> 05:03:15.645 standard, nor does it mean an under mining of workers' rights. 05:03:15.701 --> 05:03:19.077 And from a Presidency perspective, we're very clear on that. 05:03:19.134 --> 05:03:23.804 Just in reaching agreements between our institutions and on the outstanding omnibus 05:03:23.860 --> 05:03:28.136 packages without delay will provide I believe further necessary and tangible 05:03:28.193 --> 05:03:32.075 financial and administrative relief to economic operators, regulatory 05:03:32.131 --> 05:03:36.858 predictability, all the while boosting the union's competitiveness and deepening the 05:03:36.914 --> 05:03:40.234 single market, which I think most contributors felt was nec 05:03:40.354 --> 05:03:44.808 essary. There's still work to be done on the outstanding omnibuses, and let me 05:03:44.865 --> 05:03:49.490 mention as I said that COREPER will today seek to agree a mand ate on the digital 05:03:49.547 --> 05:03:53.259 and environmental omnibuses, where we are eager to enter into the 05:03:53.316 --> 05:03:56.057 inter-institutional negotiations without del ay. 05:03:56.114 --> 05:04:00.911 And this debate has also shown that we broadly share the same objectives, however if 05:04:00.968 --> 05:04:05.422 we work hand in hand in a spirit of cooperation, and compromise, will turn our 05:04:05.479 --> 05:04:10.161 shared commitments into tangible results. And I certainly listened to a number who 05:04:10.218 --> 05:04:13.530 wanted action now rather than further talk or more papers. 05:04:13.587 --> 05:04:15.814 It's about action. Thank you very much. 05:04:17.794 --> 05:04:23.593 Thank you very much. With that, the debate is closed, and the sitting is suspended. 05:04:23.663 --> 05:04:26.737 Because it will be resumed in a few minutes. 05:04:26.807 --> 05:04:30.300 With the next point, that it has to start at 2:15. 05:04:30.370 --> 05:04:34.771 To the presentation of the Court of Auditors and a report 2025. 05:04:34.841 --> 05:04:38.614 With that, the sitting is resumed for this 10 minutes. 05:12:21.674 --> 05:12:27.409 The seating is resumed, and we are going to continue with the next item on the 05:12:27.482 --> 05:12:33.291 agenda, that is the presentation of the Court of Audit ors' annual report 2025. 05:12:33.364 --> 05:12:38.291 The first speaker is Mr. Murphy, coming from the Court of Auditors. 05:12:38.364 --> 05:12:39.614 For five minutes. 05:12:44.774 --> 05:12:49.891 Thank you, President. Honorable members, Commissioner, Representative of the 05:12:49.958 --> 05:12:55.479 Council, Presidency, Minister Dooley. I'm very pleased to be here today to present 05:12:55.547 --> 05:13:01.135 the key findings and core messages from the European Court of Auditors' 2025 annual 05:13:01.202 --> 05:13:06.791 report. It identifies risks, shares lessons, and makes practical recommendations to 05:13:06.858 --> 05:13:11.841 support Parliament and other E U institutions in their decision-making and 05:13:11.908 --> 05:13:17.025 legislative roles. As negotiations on the next seven-year EU budget, the MFF 05:13:17.092 --> 05:13:22.546 continue, our annual report examines the current budget and draws lessons for the 05:13:22.613 --> 05:13:25.643 next. The key takeaways of our annual report: 05:13:25.711 --> 05:13:30.087 we provide a clean opinion on the reliability of the EU accounts; 05:13:30.154 --> 05:13:35.810 however, we emphasize some matters related to the introduction of the new accounting 05:13:35.877 --> 05:13:41.466 system SUMA. We also provide a clean opinion on the EU revenue, which was free from 05:13:41.533 --> 05:13:47.054 material error but, as we always say, this is based on the book ed revenue and not 05:13:47.121 --> 05:13:52.306 the unreported revenue. Regarding the regularity of expenditure, we offer two 05:13:52.373 --> 05:13:57.356 separate opinions, one for the traditional EU budget and one for the RR F. 05:13:57.423 --> 05:14:02.607 Reflecting the different nature of these types of spending, we start with the 05:14:02.675 --> 05:14:07.926 traditional EU budget spending. Our estimated level of error increased to 3.8% 05:14:07.994 --> 05:14:13.582 compared with 3. 6% the previous year. This is above our materiality threshold, and 05:14:13.649 --> 05:14:18.901 given the significant and widespread nature of the er rors identified, we have 05:14:18.968 --> 05:14:24.624 issued an adverse opinion on EU budget expenditure for the seventh consecutive year. 05:14:24.691 --> 05:14:30.347 Our audit covered expenditure totaling 130.8 billion euros under the general budget. 05:14:30.414 --> 05:14:35.801 The largest contributor to our error rate was natural resources and environment, 05:14:35.868 --> 05:14:38.763 which had an estimated level of error at 3. 05:14:38.831 --> 05:14:44.419 9% compared to 2.6% the previous year. Cohesions, resilience, cohesion, resilience, 05:14:44.486 --> 05:14:47.718 and values had an estimated level of error of 6. 05:14:47.786 --> 05:14:53.239 6% compared to 5.7% the previous year. Together, these two spending areas account 05:14:53.307 --> 05:14:56.606 for almost two-thirds of our audited expenditure. 05:14:56.673 --> 05:14:59.972 This has important implications for the next MFF. 05:15:00.040 --> 05:15:04.214 The proposals would place great responsibility on national aut 05:15:04.274 --> 05:15:07.507 horities to manage EU funds and provide assurance. 05:15:07.571 --> 05:15:10.869 Even though we cannot yet fully rely on their work. 05:15:10.934 --> 05:15:15.072 We recognize that national authorities face capacity challenges. 05:15:15.136 --> 05:15:20.438 Bringing the common agricultural policy and cohesion policy into a single fund may 05:15:20.503 --> 05:15:23.283 offer opportunities to simplify the system. 05:15:23.347 --> 05:15:28.455 However, while this could make the administrative administration easier for the 05:15:28.520 --> 05:15:33.822 Commission, we are concerned that the burden may simply shift to the member states 05:15:33.886 --> 05:15:38.930 and beneficiaries. Who are already under pressure to manage the current funds. 05:15:38.994 --> 05:15:44.102 Ultimately, any reforms aimed at simplification must not come at the expense of 05:15:44.167 --> 05:15:49.598 accountability. In terms of the recovery and resilience facility, as we know, it has 05:15:49.662 --> 05:15:53.994 a different delivery model from the traditional EU budget spending. 05:15:54.059 --> 05:15:59.361 Whereby payments depend on the satisfactory fulfillment of milestones and targets, 05:15:59.426 --> 05:16:03.628 not on the actual costs or compliance with EU and national rules. 05:16:03.693 --> 05:16:08.283 We therefore apply a separate methodology and issue a separate opinion. 05:16:08.348 --> 05:16:12.033 In 2025, RRF expenditure amounted to 45. 4 billion euros. 05:16:12.098 --> 05:16:17.529 In payments to nine member states, we found milestones and targets that had not been 05:16:17.594 --> 05:16:22.508 satisfactorily fulfilled, as well as issues involving double funding and the 05:16:22.572 --> 05:16:27.809 eligibility period. We also identified weaknesses in the design of milestones and 05:16:27.874 --> 05:16:33.047 targets, gaps in the Commission's monitoring, and persistent shortcomings in the 05:16:33.111 --> 05:16:36.085 reliability of member states' control systems. 05:16:36.150 --> 05:16:39.965 We therefore issued a qualified opinion on RRF expenditure. 05:16:40.029 --> 05:16:45.396 In addition, we found that previously agreed milestones and targets were amended to 05:16:45.461 --> 05:16:50.892 reflect what member states had actually already achieved, lowering the initial level 05:16:50.956 --> 05:16:54.189 of ambition without affecting the related payment. 05:16:54.254 --> 05:16:59.685 This weakens the link between funding and delivery, and risks allowing payments when 05:16:59.749 --> 05:17:05.116 performance falls short. Member states had until the 30th of September this year to 05:17:05.181 --> 05:17:08.155 submit their final RRF grant payment requests. 05:17:08.219 --> 05:17:13.198 Twenty-one requests were submitted that month, including eight on the 29th of 05:17:13.263 --> 05:17:16.754 September and a further eight on the 30th of September 05:17:16.874 --> 05:17:22.382 . The Commission must now process and pay around 90 billion euros by the end of 05:17:22.452 --> 05:17:28.169 2026. Our past experience has shown that end-of-period spending pressure increases 05:17:28.239 --> 05:17:32.423 the risk of noncompliance, fraud, and substand ard projects. 05:17:32.492 --> 05:17:38.001 This is all the more concerning given that, at the end of 2025, 21% of the EPOs 05:17:38.070 --> 05:17:42.114 active expend iture fraud investigations were RRF-related. 05:17:42.184 --> 05:17:47.971 So in terms of the implications for the next MFF, as the proposed delivery model is 05:17:48.041 --> 05:17:53.619 likely to draw on the recovery and resilience fac ility, we must learn from this 05:17:53.689 --> 05:17:59.127 experience. If EU funding moves away from a cost-based model, that is based on 05:17:59.197 --> 05:18:04.427 milestones and targets, they must be credible, clearly defiant, objectively 05:18:04.496 --> 05:18:08.122 measurable, and directly linked to intended results. 05:18:08.192 --> 05:18:11.399 Performance information must also be reliable. 05:18:11.469 --> 05:18:16.838 Transparent and independently verifiable. Our assessment is that the proposed 05:18:16.907 --> 05:18:22.764 framework remains weak. In its current form, it does not make it possible to measure 05:18:22.834 --> 05:18:26.181 adequately wh at EU spending will have achieved. 05:18:26.250 --> 05:18:31.968 Our annual report also shows that EU borrowing could reach 1 trillion euros by the 05:18:32.038 --> 05:18:37.825 year 2027. And while debt increases, the Commission's proposals for the next budget 05:18:37.895 --> 05:18:43.403 also allow for potential substantial new borrowing, including 15 0 billion from 05:18:43.473 --> 05:18:49.260 member states' national and regional plans, the so-called catalyst statement, up to 05:18:49.329 --> 05:18:54.907 100 billion in additional support for Ukraine, and the potential use of a severe 05:18:54.977 --> 05:19:00.834 crisis instrument of 395 billion euros. So overall, we can say that there has been a 05:19:00.904 --> 05:19:06.621 slight increase in the error rate, the typology of err ors remains the same, which 05:19:06.691 --> 05:19:12.478 is concerning, and we just would like to bring attention to the increasing level of 05:19:12.548 --> 05:19:17.150 debt and the related ob ligations this gives to the member states. 05:19:17.219 --> 05:19:18.614 Thank you very much. 05:19:22.154 --> 05:19:27.710 Thank you very much, Mr. Murphy. President of the Court of Auditors, and now the 05:19:27.780 --> 05:19:32.225 next speaker is the European Commission. Commissioner Seraphine. 05:19:32.294 --> 05:19:33.614 The floor is yours. 05:19:36.554 --> 05:19:42.695 Mr. President, honorable members, let me begin by thanking the Court for the annual 05:19:42.769 --> 05:19:48.171 report and for the constructive cooperation throughout the audit process. 05:19:48.245 --> 05:19:54.238 The Commission welcomes the Court's unqualified audit opinion on the EU accounts. 05:19:54.312 --> 05:19:58.826 Confirming that they are complete, transparent, and reliable. 05:19:58.900 --> 05:20:05.115 This result is particularly significant because in 2025, we have implemented the our 05:20:05.189 --> 05:20:11.183 system SUMMA, which was the first year of SUMMA accounting system, SUMMA being in 05:20:11.257 --> 05:20:17.472 pla ce. At the same time, we also want to welcome the Court's assessment that, as in 05:20:17.546 --> 05:20:22.874 previous years, the level of error in revenue in 20 25 was not material. 05:20:22.948 --> 05:20:28.867 But we take very seriously the Court's conclusion on expenditure and its adverse 05:20:28.941 --> 05:20:34.195 opinion on the legal ity and regularity of the MFF expenditure, with 3. 05:20:34.269 --> 05:20:40.262 5 on average error rate, and its qualified opinion on the recovery and resilience 05:20:40.336 --> 05:20:46.478 facility. We should always recall, when we talk about the error rate, that we we do 05:20:46.552 --> 05:20:49.659 not talk about the rate of fraud or waste. 05:20:49.733 --> 05:20:55.579 We talk about the error rate, which in most of the overwhelming majority of the 05:20:55.653 --> 05:20:58.982 cases is the rate of administrative mistakes. 05:20:59.056 --> 05:21:05.124 Nevertheless, the high level, higher slightly higher than last year, is the reason 05:21:05.198 --> 05:21:11.265 for concern, and in particular the higher levels reported for cohesion and natural 05:21:11.339 --> 05:21:14.521 resources require our particular attention. 05:21:14.595 --> 05:21:20.810 For the recovery and resilience facility, the Court's qualified opinion reflects its 05:21:20.884 --> 05:21:27.100 view that in 16 out of 42 0 milestones and targets examined, they were shortcomings. 05:21:27.174 --> 05:21:33.241 The Commission will continue to work closely with EU member states, which manage a 05:21:33.315 --> 05:21:39.235 large share of EU expenditu re. We'll do so to prevent errors before they occur, 05:21:39.309 --> 05:21:43.156 detect weaknesses, and correct them when necessar y. 05:21:43.230 --> 05:21:49.298 Specifically, as regards the cohesion policy, we are implementing right now action 05:21:49.372 --> 05:21:55.143 plans with member states audit aut horities to address weaknesses of detection 05:21:55.217 --> 05:22:00.989 capacity we have also increased the coverage of Commission's audits to check a 05:22:01.063 --> 05:22:06.686 larger number of audit authorities and programs where shortcomings have been 05:22:06.760 --> 05:22:07.960 identified. 05:22:08.174 --> 05:22:13.523 As regards natural resources, we'll leverage new technologies to improve monitoring, 05:22:13.587 --> 05:22:18.427 such as the area monitoring system, Copern icus Sentinel data and artificial 05:22:18.491 --> 05:22:23.777 intelligence, where necessary we also apply financial corrections and recoveries to 05:22:23.840 --> 05:22:28.808 protect the EU budget. The Commission values recommendations made by the ECHA. 05:22:28.871 --> 05:22:34.030 In fact, more than 90% of the ECHA recommendations are accepted and are being and 05:22:34.093 --> 05:22:37.596 are or have been impl emented by the by the Commission. 05:22:37.660 --> 05:22:42.882 Let me conclude by reaffirming the Commission that the Commission will continue to 05:22:42.946 --> 05:22:47.977 act on the identified weaknesses, follow up on the Court's recommendations, and 05:22:48.040 --> 05:22:51.033 strengthen the system to protect the EU budget. 05:22:51.097 --> 05:22:52.297 Thank you. 05:22:54.374 --> 05:22:59.024 Thank you very much, Commissioner. Now it's the turn for the political groups. 05:22:59.083 --> 05:23:03.614 The first speaker is Mrs. Kolar for two minutes, representing the EPP group. 05:23:05.774 --> 05:23:06.974 Thank you, Chair. 05:23:08.294 --> 05:23:13.034 The European Court of Auditors' annual report sends a clear message. 05:23:13.103 --> 05:23:18.052 It is not enough for the Union's budget to finance Europe's priorities; 05:23:18.122 --> 05:23:23.279 we must also ensure that every euro is spent in accordance with the rules, 05:23:23.349 --> 05:23:27.183 transparently, and in a way that delivers real results. 05:23:27.252 --> 05:23:32.410 For the seventh year in a row, the European Court of Auditors has issued a 05:23:32.480 --> 05:23:37.010 disclaimer opinion on the legality and regularity of EU spending. 05:23:37.080 --> 05:23:42.865 The estimated error rate rose to 3.8% in 2025, while in cohesion policy, the figure 05:23:42.935 --> 05:23:48.092 reached 6.6%. As Members of the European Parliament, we cannot let this go 05:23:48.162 --> 05:23:51.577 unchallenged; we must find the reasons behind it. 05:23:51.647 --> 05:23:57.014 It is clear that the error rate does not equate to the number of fraud cases. 05:23:57.084 --> 05:24:02.869 Yet it still raises important questions. Are the persistent shortcomings in the use 05:24:02.938 --> 05:24:08.584 of EU funds so serious and widespread? Or are our rules too complex, impractical, 05:24:08.654 --> 05:24:11.790 and thus lead to overly formalistic controls? 05:24:11.860 --> 05:24:17.366 I ask the Court of Auditors to provide answers and guidance on these questions. 05:24:17.436 --> 05:24:22.942 The correct answers are particularly important now, as negotiations on the next 05:24:23.012 --> 05:24:28.867 multiannual financial framework are underway and we plan to significantly reform the 05:24:28.936 --> 05:24:34.721 way EU funds are spent. We also count on the European Court of Auditors to continue 05:24:34.791 --> 05:24:39.113 its independent, critical and constructive work in the future. 05:24:39.182 --> 05:24:44.967 Because every euro must count, and we must be able to account for every euro spent. 05:24:45.037 --> 05:24:46.237 Thank you. 05:24:50.054 --> 05:24:52.699 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mrs. 05:24:52.758 --> 05:24:55.814 Tavares for two minutes, representing the S&D group. 05:24:56.714 --> 05:24:59.174 Thank you, President, Commissario Serafins. 05:24:59.234 --> 05:25:04.118 Mr President of the European Court of Auditors, I naturally begin by thanking this 05:25:04.177 --> 05:25:09.001 report and all those that you have produced, in particular those that have direct 05:25:09.061 --> 05:25:12.337 relevance for the next multiannual financial framework. 05:25:12.396 --> 05:25:17.399 The European Court of Auditors' independent assessments help this Parliament to make 05:25:17.458 --> 05:25:22.163 good decisions, ensure that public money is well managed and that decisions are 05:25:22.223 --> 05:25:27.226 based on reliable data. We are at a decisive moment for the next multiannual budget. 05:25:27.285 --> 05:25:32.169 Parliament approved its mandate in April; the Council is still trying to build its 05:25:32.229 --> 05:25:37.112 own. And what is at stake is not just the size of the budget, but also how it will 05:25:37.172 --> 05:25:40.805 be financed, implemented and controlled. The report is clear: 05:25:40.864 --> 05:25:45.808 in traditional expenditure, error rates remain above the materiality threshold, and 05:25:45.867 --> 05:25:50.870 they are significant and widespread. And we still cannot fully trust the work of the 05:25:50.930 --> 05:25:55.277 national authorities, even though many of them are working under capacity 05:25:55.337 --> 05:26:00.220 constraints. Now, the Commission's proposal gives these same authorities even more 05:26:00.280 --> 05:26:04.211 responsibility for the management and guarantee of European funds. 05:26:04.270 --> 05:26:08.142 The Court also confirms what this Parliament has always defended: 05:26:08.201 --> 05:26:13.025 simplifying means reducing unnecessary bureaucracy, but it cannot shift it to the 05:26:13.085 --> 05:26:17.075 Member States and must never, at any moment, weaken accountability. 05:26:17.135 --> 05:26:21.601 The Court also urges us to learn from the Recovery and Resilience Facility. 05:26:21.661 --> 05:26:26.604 The milestones and targets must be credible, measurable and linked to results, with 05:26:26.664 --> 05:26:30.416 reliable, transparent and independently verifiable information. 05:26:30.475 --> 05:26:35.359 Finally, a warning: the proposed budget depends on new revenue amounting to around 05:26:35.419 --> 05:26:40.302 20% of the total. If they do not materialise, we will naturally have less ambition 05:26:40.362 --> 05:26:45.186 and more indebtedness. That is why we are defending in this Parliament a European 05:26:45.246 --> 05:26:50.010 budget financed with sustainable and predictable revenue through new genuine own 05:26:50.070 --> 05:26:53.048 resources, without overburdening national budgets. 05:26:53.107 --> 05:26:58.050 Reinforcing this, the Council must consider Parliament’s proposals, alongside those 05:26:58.110 --> 05:27:00.254 of the Commission, in particular the 05:27:00.314 --> 05:27:05.784 proposal for a digital contribution on the major platforms that could generate up to 05:27:05.849 --> 05:27:11.254 €25 billion per year. The aim is a stable flow of at least €60 billion annually and 05:27:11.320 --> 05:27:14.966 an agreement on revenue as swift as that on expenditure. 05:27:15.032 --> 05:27:16.334 Thank you very much. 05:27:18.674 --> 05:27:21.166 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mr. 05:27:21.223 --> 05:27:24.734 Gnodek for one minute and a half, representing Patriots Group. 05:27:25.454 --> 05:27:31.988 Thank you, Chair. Mr. Commissioner, Mr. President, I would like to congratulate EC 05:27:32.068 --> 05:27:37.168 HA for preparing a robust and overall relevant annual report 25. 05:27:37.247 --> 05:27:42.267 ECHA continually proves to be a reliable partner of this House. 05:27:42.347 --> 05:27:48.881 Now to the report. ECHA concludes again a negative assessment with confirmed trend 05:27:48.961 --> 05:27:54.379 of growing irregular ities in shared and direct management programs. 05:27:54.459 --> 05:28:00.754 Definitely something worse for a cost analysis and some appropriate improvement 05:28:00.834 --> 05:28:07.368 efforts. And I would have an invitation for two elements for ECHA to be considered 05:28:07.448 --> 05:28:12.707 in the report to com e. The first one is related to the omnibuses. 05:28:12.787 --> 05:28:19.400 We do many of them, and we would be interested to hear whether they really simplify 05:28:19.480 --> 05:28:23.544 the lives of EU businesses. Somehow to quantify it. 05:28:23.624 --> 05:28:30.158 And second element, really a real life effec tiveness check of EU climate policies 05:28:30.238 --> 05:28:36.612 and spending. Really focus on the results, not just the fact to which extent the 05:28:36.692 --> 05:28:43.306 money has been spent or not. For example, last week it turned out that the share of 05:28:43.385 --> 05:28:49.442 EU-based energy-int ensive production moves outside the EU, which at the end 05:28:49.521 --> 05:28:55.976 increases the global footprint and global emissions by 46%, which is not good for 05:28:56.055 --> 05:28:59.561 climate, neither for economy and our safety. 05:28:59.641 --> 05:29:04.980 So if you could elaborate also deeper in this we would be grateful. 05:29:05.060 --> 05:29:06.494 Thank you so much. 05:29:09.674 --> 05:29:12.484 Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mr. 05:29:12.548 --> 05:29:15.614 Erickson for one minute, representing ECR Group. 05:29:17.954 --> 05:29:23.641 An important message from the Court of Auditors is that the EU’s borrowing is 05:29:23.715 --> 05:29:29.772 increasing at a very rapid pace. This is an eightfold increase in just five years. 05:29:29.846 --> 05:29:35.533 And as we heard the President say, the debt burden is expected to reach 1 000 05:29:35.607 --> 05:29:41.368 billion euros by the end of 2027. As a result of this, interest costs are also 05:29:41.442 --> 05:29:47.646 increasing. The Court of Auditors notes that they are set to become twice as high as 05:29:47.720 --> 05:29:53.260 the Commission has forecast. The realisation of this level of debt needs to 05:29:53.334 --> 05:29:59.390 increase. One way would be to report the debt burden distributed among each Member 05:29:59.464 --> 05:30:04.634 State and add it on top of their national debt as a percentage of GDP. 05:30:04.708 --> 05:30:10.395 Each member state's national debt would then be almost 4% higher than what is 05:30:10.469 --> 05:30:16.452 currently reported. This would mean that even fewer countries meet the Maastricht 05:30:16.526 --> 05:30:20.145 criteria and that the maximum public debt is 60%. 05:30:20.219 --> 05:30:25.242 This is serious, and we must break this trend of constant borrowing. 05:30:25.315 --> 05:30:26.515 Thank you. 05:30:29.114 --> 05:30:32.655 And now I give the floor to my colleague Mr Šestál from the Renew Europe group, 05:30:32.700 --> 05:30:33.900 please. 05:30:35.474 --> 05:30:38.946 Mr President of the Court of Auditors, Commissioner. 05:30:39.013 --> 05:30:44.355 I obviously want to start by thanking President Murphy for his presentation, but 05:30:44.422 --> 05:30:48.295 also more generally for the work of the Court of Auditors. 05:30:48.361 --> 05:30:53.970 In its annual report, it is stated that 94% of the recommendations made in 2025 have 05:30:54.037 --> 05:30:57.443 been fully or partially accepted by the Commission. 05:30:57.509 --> 05:31:03.052 And yet, the error rate has risen to 3.8%, the model of the Recovery and Resilience 05:31:03.119 --> 05:31:08.728 Facility continues to have flaws regarding milestones or the risk of double funding, 05:31:08.794 --> 05:31:14.403 and absorption rates remain insufficient. The discharge exercise is not trivial, nor 05:31:14.470 --> 05:31:19.679 is it a mere administrative formality, and it must not be instrumentalised for 05:31:19.745 --> 05:31:24.687 political score-settling either. Next May, at the end of our work, all our 05:31:24.753 --> 05:31:29.628 resolutions must set out clear, ambitious recommendations to the European 05:31:29.695 --> 05:31:35.170 institutions and to European taxpayers on how their money has been spent, for what 05:31:35.237 --> 05:31:37.574 purpose and to what end. Thank you. 05:31:40.634 --> 05:31:41.774 Thank you. 05:31:41.774 --> 05:31:44.912 And now I give the floor to my colleague Mr Frohn from the Greens/EFA Group, the 05:31:44.952 --> 05:31:46.034 European Free Alliance. 05:31:46.034 --> 05:31:47.234 Certainly. 05:31:47.414 --> 05:31:52.205 Dear colleagues, thank you to the Court of Auditors, and Commissioner. 05:31:52.274 --> 05:31:57.887 When you read through the report of the Court of Auditors, you have to say that it 05:31:57.955 --> 05:32:03.363 makes your hair stand on end, particularly in the examples that you find there, 05:32:03.431 --> 05:32:08.839 where agricultural funds are being distributed, to shepherds, in Crete, who for 05:32:08.907 --> 05:32:14.383 example, 226 kilometres away, where they let their animals graze, and which they 05:32:14.451 --> 05:32:17.600 apparently had to travel to by ship every day. 05:32:17.668 --> 05:32:23.213 Even in Germany, further education centres receive far more computers and tablets 05:32:23.281 --> 05:32:28.689 than there are people. Unfortunately, we spend many billions every year without 05:32:28.757 --> 05:32:34.302 following the rules. And this applies to parts of the EU budget that have already 05:32:34.370 --> 05:32:39.846 been audited at national level. So, unfortunately, we can only conclude that our 05:32:39.914 --> 05:32:43.131 control systems are not working as they should. 05:32:43.200 --> 05:32:48.950 And we really need to urgently address this, both at national and European level, so 05:32:49.018 --> 05:32:53.741 that we don’t waste and misuse four to five billion euros every year. 05:32:53.810 --> 05:32:55.010 Thank you. 05:32:56.654 --> 05:33:00.344 Thank you. And now I would like to call on my colleague Fran Gan from the The Left 05:33:00.389 --> 05:33:01.874 group in the European Parliament. 05:33:01.994 --> 05:33:03.194 Please the floor is yours. 05:33:04.634 --> 05:33:08.079 So the question is, can the RRF be properly audited? 05:33:08.146 --> 05:33:13.711 I'd say no, not in the traditional sense. The RRF operates on a financing not linked 05:33:13.778 --> 05:33:16.627 to cost mod el. There is a cost blind spot. 05:33:16.693 --> 05:33:21.066 The Commission does not systematically track actual project bills. 05:33:21.132 --> 05:33:26.631 So it is mathematically impossible to calculate if EU citizens got value for money. 05:33:26.698 --> 05:33:32.263 I don't know that the people in the crowd listen, but they're wasting your money and 05:33:32.330 --> 05:33:35.841 we don't know. We now face a cliff on accountability. 05:33:35.907 --> 05:33:41.009 The RRF expired this September because countries delayed much implementation, 05:33:41.076 --> 05:33:46.111 milestones were rushed through, and checked off at the end of the facility's 05:33:46.177 --> 05:33:50.683 lifespan. Introducing massive admin error and audit oversight risks. 05:33:50.749 --> 05:33:53.996 I don't envy the court's task in the years ahead. 05:33:54.062 --> 05:33:58.567 Your job is to monitor how EU funds are spent and you try your best. 05:33:58.634 --> 05:34:03.802 It is impossible to do that when the Commission has put a hand over your eyes. 05:34:03.868 --> 05:34:08.639 Simplification that comes at the cost of accountability is unacceptable. 05:34:08.705 --> 05:34:12.614 But that seems to be what we're doing. Thank you very much. 05:34:14.054 --> 05:34:18.265 Thank you. And now I would like to ask my colleague Ms Lajková from the European 05:34:18.317 --> 05:34:20.054 Sovereign Peoples’ Group. Please. 05:34:23.714 --> 05:34:28.344 Thank you, Mr President. The European Court of Auditors is one of the few 05:34:28.408 --> 05:34:32.721 institutions in the European Union that still does its job honestly. 05:34:32.784 --> 05:34:37.415 Thank you, Mr President. The European Court of Auditors is one of the few 05:34:37.478 --> 05:34:41.792 institutions in the European Union that still does its job honestly. 05:34:41.918 --> 05:34:46.803 And that is precisely why it is absolutely scandalous that this Parliament is 05:34:46.866 --> 05:34:52.194 blocking every attempt by the European Court of Auditors to audit the billions being 05:34:52.258 --> 05:34:57.015 sent to Ukraine. Cartel parties are blocking the audit without explanation. 05:34:57.078 --> 05:35:02.216 But let us be clear: the audit is not questioning whether aid should be provided, 05:35:02.279 --> 05:35:06.402 but is asking whether the money reached where it was supposed to. 05:35:06.466 --> 05:35:11.604 At the same time, Ukrainian anti-corruption bodies themselves uncovered a bribery 05:35:11.667 --> 05:35:16.488 scheme involving around USD 100 million within the highest circles of power. 05:35:16.551 --> 05:35:21.879 In this environment, the money of European taxpayers is being spent without any real 05:35:21.943 --> 05:35:27.081 oversight. Parliaments exist to decide how to spend people's money and to control 05:35:27.144 --> 05:35:32.218 the flow of funds. But this Parliament prefers to talk about the urgent need for 05:35:32.282 --> 05:35:35.453 urgent needs rather than fulfilling its core task: 05:35:35.517 --> 05:35:38.054 controlling how people's money is spent. 05:35:41.054 --> 05:35:43.334 Now I would like to ask Ms colleague Vincik to take the floor. 05:35:45.914 --> 05:35:50.054 Mr President, Commissioner, every year we are faced with the same question in this 05:35:50.105 --> 05:35:54.245 report. Mr President, Commissioner, every year we are faced with the same question 05:35:54.296 --> 05:35:58.335 in this report: what is the level of fraud and what is it due to in this complex 05:35:58.386 --> 05:36:02.526 system? Mr President, Commissioner, every year we are faced with the same question 05:36:02.577 --> 05:36:06.667 in this report. What is the level of fraud and what is due to the complex system? 05:36:06.717 --> 05:36:10.756 The Court of Auditors itself says that the error rate is not a measure of fraud, 05:36:10.807 --> 05:36:13.433 since it includes everything from forms to receipts. 05:36:13.483 --> 05:36:16.159 This year, however, there has been a slight increase. 05:36:16.210 --> 05:36:20.199 The error rate is increasing. And the problem does not necessarily lie with the 05:36:20.249 --> 05:36:22.774 beneficiary organisations, but also in the system. 05:36:22.824 --> 05:36:26.864 We know this from the business world. A large company has its own department for 05:36:26.914 --> 05:36:30.449 funding, whereas a municipality or a medium-sized enterprise does not. 05:36:30.499 --> 05:36:34.135 What concerns me most, however, is the Recovery and Resilience Facility. 05:36:34.185 --> 05:36:37.215 Nine out of 37 payments were not in conformity with the law. 05:36:37.265 --> 05:36:40.800 Targets were lowered retrospectively without sufficient justification. 05:36:40.850 --> 05:36:45.092 This year is the last year of the Recovery and Resilience Facility and at the end of 05:36:45.142 --> 05:36:48.525 the previous year, 38 percent of the grants were still outstanding. 05:36:48.576 --> 05:36:52.413 There is therefore still ample opportunity to monitor the flow of funds more 05:36:52.464 --> 05:36:56.604 closely. Simplification and control are not contradictory, I am convinced of that. 05:36:56.654 --> 05:37:00.896 Therefore, I expect more precise checks from the Commission before payments are made 05:37:00.946 --> 05:37:04.935 and from the Member States that they meet the targets they have set themselves, 05:37:04.986 --> 05:37:06.854 rather than lowering them afterwards. 05:37:09.014 --> 05:37:12.155 Thank you very much. And now I give the floor to Ms colleague Rajdel. 05:37:12.200 --> 05:37:13.400 Please, go ahead. 05:37:16.154 --> 05:37:20.291 Dear colleagues, Mr President Murphy, I for my part am concerned about the political 05:37:20.340 --> 05:37:22.852 instrumentalisation of your two reports from 20 25. 05:37:22.901 --> 05:37:26.988 The contribution report on the funding of NGOs, which did not identify any specific 05:37:27.038 --> 05:37:31.174 irregularities in the funding of O NGOs, is being instrumentalised nonetheless, this 05:37:31.224 --> 05:37:35.360 report, to justify a pseudo-inquiry committee which, for its part, has also revealed 05:37:35.410 --> 05:37:39.497 nothing on the question of NGOs, but which has contributed to casting opprobrium on 05:37:39.546 --> 05:37:42.551 civil society and to undermining it undermines our democracy. 05:37:42.600 --> 05:37:46.540 Furthermore, in another 2025 report on the European anti-fraud institutions, you 05:37:46.589 --> 05:37:50.184 recommend a new system for exchanging information on fraud suspicions and 05:37:50.233 --> 05:37:54.321 investigations. We share the goal of strengthening cooperation between the European 05:37:54.370 --> 05:37:58.063 Public Prosecutor's Office and OLAF, but some colleagues have taken up this 05:37:58.113 --> 05:38:02.200 recommendation without the safeguards. necessary guarantees for the confidentiality 05:38:02.249 --> 05:38:06.386 of criminal investigations, risking the weakening of the work of the European Public 05:38:06.436 --> 05:38:10.326 Prosecutor's Office. These two examples therefore raise a fundamental question, 05:38:10.375 --> 05:38:14.512 which is as follows: how can we prevent the public instrumentalisation of your work? 05:38:14.561 --> 05:38:18.452 Your reports must make clearer what they demonstrate, but also what they do not 05:38:18.501 --> 05:38:22.589 allow us to affirm. This is essential to prevent them from being used for political 05:38:22.638 --> 05:38:24.854 purposes that they do not justify. Thank you. 05:38:27.434 --> 05:38:29.414 And now I would like to give the floor to my colleague Mr Sánchez. 05:38:29.444 --> 05:38:29.834 Please. 05:38:29.834 --> 05:38:33.262 On the legality and regularity of the Union's budgetary expenditure. 05:38:33.313 --> 05:38:37.296 The estimated error rate for expenditure stands at 3.8 %, and for the cohesion, 05:38:37.346 --> 05:38:40.523 resilience and values heading, we are even at 6.6 % error rate. 05:38:40.573 --> 05:38:44.708 Ms von der Leyen will tell us that everything is fine, but the reality is that for 05:38:44.758 --> 05:38:48.590 the seventh consecutive year, the Court has issued an adverse opinion on the 05:38:48.640 --> 05:38:52.623 irregularities in expenditure. And the worst part is that these checks are only 05:38:52.674 --> 05:38:56.859 carried out by sampling. We can all imagine the scandals that slip through the net. 05:38:56.909 --> 05:39:01.094 If the European Union were a company, its leaders would have been fired a long time 05:39:01.144 --> 05:39:03.463 ago. Added to this is the opacity in spending. 05:39:03.514 --> 05:39:07.699 Today, in the age of artificial intelligence, there is no possible control over the 05:39:07.749 --> 05:39:11.631 spending done here; we do not even have the exhaustive list of final profits. 05:39:11.682 --> 05:39:15.009 A democratic scandal that shocks no one except the Patriots group. 05:39:15.060 --> 05:39:17.530 We are once again alerting you to several points. 05:39:17.581 --> 05:39:20.253 We are demanding public transparency on the spending. 05:39:20.303 --> 05:39:24.337 So, better control of spending. The controls are insufficient and irregularities 05:39:24.387 --> 05:39:27.513 persist. We also demand that the FRR model not be generalised. 05:39:27.564 --> 05:39:31.396 That would be dangerous. The Court itself is now documenting its weaknesses. 05:39:31.446 --> 05:39:33.614 Will you listen to it and to us? Thank you. 05:39:34.874 --> 05:39:37.334 Will you accept the blue card with— 05:39:37.394 --> 05:39:39.130 Will you accept the blue card from Mr. Freund? 05:39:39.168 --> 05:39:40.368 Please, Daniel. 05:39:43.034 --> 05:39:48.212 Mr Sanchez, I am here. You have complained about all this corruption that only your 05:39:48.274 --> 05:39:53.515 party or your group is interested in. In fact, the offices of your Secretary-General 05:39:53.577 --> 05:39:58.568 have just been searched by the police. Because your political group continues to 05:39:58.631 --> 05:40:02.062 embezzle hundreds of thousands of euros, unfortunately. 05:40:02.124 --> 05:40:06.554 You have not spoken about it, but perhaps you can answer this question: 05:40:06.616 --> 05:40:11.732 why is there so much corruption among the Patriots and particularly in your party, 05:40:11.794 --> 05:40:14.539 where there are already so many convictions? 05:40:14.602 --> 05:40:15.974 You do not mention it. 05:40:17.414 --> 05:40:21.897 I know, Mr Freund, that you like communist regimes and that you have a nostalgia for 05:40:21.950 --> 05:40:25.579 them, and that in those regimes, in general, justice does not exist. 05:40:25.633 --> 05:40:28.194 We, once again, are attached to the rule of law. 05:40:28.248 --> 05:40:32.571 I think you often talk about it. The rule of law is precisely about ensuring that 05:40:32.624 --> 05:40:36.627 there are fair trials. In this case, there are cases that have not yet been 05:40:36.680 --> 05:40:41.110 definitively ruled on, and I believe that everyone will have the opportunity to say 05:40:41.163 --> 05:40:44.365 what they have to say regarding what is currently under way. 05:40:44.418 --> 05:40:48.848 This does not concern the Patriots group; it concerns the former ID group, of which 05:40:48.901 --> 05:40:53.171 I was not a member. Thank you. In any case, as regards NGOs, I think it would be 05:40:53.224 --> 05:40:57.494 interesting to look into that as well, and you may have things to tell us on the 05:40:57.547 --> 05:40:58.747 subject. 05:41:00.974 --> 05:41:04.094 Now I would ask my colleague Mr Brudžinský to take the floor. 05:41:06.674 --> 05:41:11.590 Thank you very much. Mr President, Mr Commissioner, European taxpayers' money 05:41:11.654 --> 05:41:16.889 requires greater accountability. The high error rate of 3.8 % contained in the ETO 05:41:16.953 --> 05:41:21.996 opinion for 2025, again exceeding the 2 % materiality threshold, shows that the 05:41:22.060 --> 05:41:27.103 European Commission should be held accountable for the actual results of budget 05:41:27.167 --> 05:41:30.551 management, not just for the declarations it submits. 05:41:30.615 --> 05:41:33.679 We need effective, reliable control, not a sham. 05:41:33.743 --> 05:41:38.659 In the area of cohesion, the ETO estimated the error rate at 6.6 %, while the 05:41:38.723 --> 05:41:43.447 Commission indicated only 2.3 %. Despite methodological differences, these 05:41:43.511 --> 05:41:48.874 discrepancies show the need for greater transparency in expenditure verification and 05:41:48.937 --> 05:41:51.810 the consistent elimination of irregularities. 05:41:51.874 --> 05:41:56.535 The Recovery Fund demonstrates the risks associated with the Commission's 05:41:56.599 --> 05:42:01.834 discretionary actions, particularly through the freedom to formulate and then meet 05:42:01.897 --> 05:42:07.260 generally defined milestones. In 13 audited changes, the requirements for milestones 05:42:07.324 --> 05:42:11.538 were already modified after the payment application was submitted. 05:42:11.601 --> 05:42:16.581 Therefore, the risk of the arbitrary application of funding conditions towards 05:42:16.645 --> 05:42:19.454 Member States must be eliminated. Thank you. 05:42:20.654 --> 05:42:23.258 Thank you. And now I give the floor to my colleague Mr Štreit. 05:42:23.300 --> 05:42:24.500 Please, go ahead. 05:42:27.134 --> 05:42:31.640 Thank you. Dear colleagues, Mr President of the Court of Auditors Murphy, I am 05:42:31.698 --> 05:42:36.089 pleased to see you again here in Strasbourg after we also met in Luxembourg. 05:42:36.147 --> 05:42:40.942 Every year, the European Court of Auditors presents its report, and every year it’s 05:42:41.000 --> 05:42:45.564 the same thing. There is talk of mismanagement in the EU and in the Commission. 05:42:45.621 --> 05:42:49.550 And what does Ms von der Leyen do? She is demanding even more money. 05:42:49.608 --> 05:42:54.403 She wants two trillion euros for the next several multiannual financial frameworks. 05:42:54.461 --> 05:42:59.198 And at the same time, there are shortcomings with the Corona recovery fund, errors 05:42:59.256 --> 05:43:03.820 in EU spending and mounting debts. Ms von der Leyen, how do you explain this to 05:43:03.878 --> 05:43:08.269 citizens, that you always want more money but do not effectively control the 05:43:08.326 --> 05:43:11.504 measures? Ms von der Leyen, you always want more money. 05:43:11.562 --> 05:43:16.299 But what we need are clear priorities. We need effective controls and consequences 05:43:16.357 --> 05:43:20.112 for waste. The European Court of Auditors does its job very well. 05:43:20.170 --> 05:43:23.174 Ms von der Leyen, when will you finally do your job? 05:43:26.954 --> 05:43:29.774 Now I would like to ask my colleague Ms Bossdorf to take the floor. 05:43:33.554 --> 05:43:38.973 Almost four billion euros disappear every year from EU funds alone through opaque 05:43:39.040 --> 05:43:44.258 channels. 17.5 million euros for a wellness hotel in Croatia, over 100 million 05:43:44.324 --> 05:43:49.743 diverted from a 300 million euro project for water infrastructure in Romania, the 05:43:49.810 --> 05:43:53.690 Italian mafia apparently benefiting from the whole affair. 05:43:53.757 --> 05:43:58.574 18 million for manipulated procurement procedures in Corsica, and so on. 05:43:58.640 --> 05:44:03.390 No single EU policy area is as susceptible to fraud as cohesion policy. 05:44:03.457 --> 05:44:08.943 Last year, the error rate even rose further, from 5.7 to 6.6 %, and is thus almost 05:44:09.010 --> 05:44:12.087 twice as high as in the rest of the EU budget. 05:44:12.154 --> 05:44:16.903 We need consistent recovery of funds that have been misused and greater 05:44:16.970 --> 05:44:21.185 responsibility in the allocation of funds in the Member States. 05:44:21.252 --> 05:44:26.470 We Germans, Europe’s paymasters, must urge the Council to use funds sparingly, 05:44:26.537 --> 05:44:32.089 because German taxpayers’ money must not be misused to compensate for inadequate EU 05:44:32.156 --> 05:44:33.494 controls. Thank you. 05:44:35.954 --> 05:44:38.294 And now I would like to call on my colleague Rodneveď, please. 05:44:40.634 --> 05:44:44.469 Thank you, Mr President. We rarely appreciate our colleagues from the European Court 05:44:44.515 --> 05:44:48.351 of Auditors, who produce various reports. And in many of those reports, for example, 05:44:48.396 --> 05:44:52.095 they also mention that our policies are not as correct as they should be, that we 05:44:52.140 --> 05:44:54.058 are not meeting them in the way we should. 05:44:54.104 --> 05:44:57.802 And these reports, which they submit to us every year, also state that we are not 05:44:57.848 --> 05:45:00.176 managing our affairs as well as the European Union. 05:45:00.222 --> 05:45:03.053 For seven years in a row, we have received a negative opinion. 05:45:03.099 --> 05:45:06.569 It is certainly a coincidence that this seven-year period coincides with the 05:45:06.614 --> 05:45:09.582 presidency of the European Commission by Ms Ursula von der Leyen. 05:45:09.628 --> 05:45:13.463 The Annual Report now states that this error rate is 3.8 % in the expenditure of the 05:45:13.509 --> 05:45:17.345 European Union and the European budget. So I ask, if some European Member State were 05:45:17.390 --> 05:45:20.860 to manage its finances like this, what would be the reaction of the European 05:45:20.906 --> 05:45:23.006 Commission? This is really a very big problem. 05:45:23.052 --> 05:45:26.887 We would immediately hear about breaches of the rules, sanctions and the freezing of 05:45:26.933 --> 05:45:30.632 EU funds. So if we, as the European Union, manage badly in this way, then this is 05:45:30.677 --> 05:45:33.554 also the result of the work of the European Commission as such. 05:45:33.599 --> 05:45:36.978 It is all well and good that Mr Commissioner said that they will take some 05:45:37.024 --> 05:45:40.814 corrective action and that the European Commission will take some measures, but the 05:45:40.859 --> 05:45:44.101 question is what measures they can take to prevent this from happening. 05:45:44.147 --> 05:45:47.937 Likewise, the question is whether these rules apply equally to everyone, or whether 05:45:47.982 --> 05:45:50.174 we have some kind of double standard. Thank you. 05:45:52.154 --> 05:45:54.734 Now I would like to ask my colleague Ms Doreta to take the floor. 05:45:57.914 --> 05:46:02.542 Thank you, President. For somebody opening their payslip in Dublin, my hometown, the 05:46:02.597 --> 05:46:05.572 tax deducted is real hard-e arned money that's earned. 05:46:05.627 --> 05:46:10.145 Money that could be used for other things like rent, childcare, or the weekly food 05:46:10.200 --> 05:46:14.553 bill. So there are absolutely entitled to know where their taxes go, and expect 05:46:14.608 --> 05:46:19.126 every euro to be spent wisely. And that includes the money that Ireland sends here 05:46:19.181 --> 05:46:23.258 to the European budget. And I think that's why the Court of Auditors is so 05:46:23.313 --> 05:46:27.776 important. The independent scrutiny helps people really trust that their money is 05:46:27.831 --> 05:46:32.129 being properly manag ed. So, President Murphy, as a fellow Dubliner, I want to 05:46:32.184 --> 05:46:36.592 welcome you here and thank your colleagues for all the crucial work that you do. 05:46:36.647 --> 05:46:40.614 Last year, the EU budget spending excluding recovery grants totaled 166. 05:46:40.669 --> 05:46:43.754 3 billion euros. And the courts have estimated that a 3. 05:46:43.809 --> 05:46:46.674 8% of error rate in the expenditure in their audits. 05:46:46.729 --> 05:46:51.192 That's just shy of 7 billion. And we absolutely, obviously, must always strive to 05:46:51.247 --> 05:46:55.710 bring that number down. But the error rate this year is an increase on last year. 05:46:55.765 --> 05:46:59.952 And whilst it is small, what's really worrying is that we're seeing the same 05:47:00.008 --> 05:47:03.038 mistakes being made by member states year in, year out. 05:47:03.093 --> 05:47:07.390 And that really isn't good enough. So the court sets out what needs to change. 05:47:07.446 --> 05:47:11.963 The commission and the member states are supposed to act on those recommendations. 05:47:12.019 --> 05:47:16.261 But we can't see those warnings fall on deaf ears or the trend will continue. 05:47:16.316 --> 05:47:20.944 Also, I think it's really alarming that we have a growth in EU rising debt without a 05:47:20.999 --> 05:47:23.919 sufficient clear plan of how we're going to repay it. 05:47:23.974 --> 05:47:28.602 The substantial interest bill alone for the next seven or eight years is going to be 05:47:28.658 --> 05:47:33.065 93 billion euros. And if we have an incomplete payment plan, what will happen is 05:47:33.120 --> 05:47:37.528 that we'll end up rounding back to those taxpayers in Dublin, looking for more m 05:47:37.583 --> 05:47:42.046 oney. And that's absolutely unacceptable. All of our citizens work really hard to 05:47:42.101 --> 05:47:46.619 earn their wages. They deserve to know that every euro they contribute is properly 05:47:46.674 --> 05:47:50.972 accounted for. And that, when problems are absolutely identified, which is the 05:47:51.027 --> 05:47:55.214 court's job, they're acted upon and changed so that they don't happen again. 05:47:55.394 --> 05:47:59.608 And that's how we protect the public trust in Europe, by taking responsibility and 05:47:59.659 --> 05:48:03.976 by showing their trust in the results. Taxpayers do their part to give us the money. 05:48:04.028 --> 05:48:06.854 We have to do our part to make sure we spend it wisely. 05:48:07.394 --> 05:48:08.594 Thank you, Chair. 05:48:08.954 --> 05:48:13.646 Thank you. And let me inform you, dear colleagues, that I'm closing HDI, the four 05:48:13.704 --> 05:48:18.569 requests for HDI, and we should be accommod ating all of them just so I will have to 05:48:18.627 --> 05:48:21.407 be very strict. And let me give the floor to Mr. 05:48:21.465 --> 05:48:22.665 Ruisen. Please. 05:48:27.194 --> 05:48:32.709 Thank you, Mr President. Commissioner, dear colleagues, Thank you, Mr President. 05:48:32.778 --> 05:48:38.569 Dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the picture that the Court of Auditors paints of 05:48:38.638 --> 05:48:42.912 the management of the 2025 budget is certainly not a rosy one. 05:48:42.981 --> 05:48:46.841 Another adverse opinion. Still far too high error rates. 05:48:46.910 --> 05:48:52.494 In the case of cohesion, even 6.6%. Inadequate accountability in the Recovery and 05:48:52.563 --> 05:48:58.216 Resilience Facility. And a mountain of debt that will grow to 1 trillion euro next 05:48:58.285 --> 05:49:01.663 year. The Court of Auditors is highlighting this: 05:49:01.732 --> 05:49:05.592 that is its role. And thank you for your excellent work. 05:49:05.661 --> 05:49:09.935 But the Court of Auditors cannot call the Commission to order. 05:49:10.004 --> 05:49:13.037 That is our task as elected representatives. 05:49:13.106 --> 05:49:17.380 And that is what we must do. If we do not intervene, who will? 05:49:17.449 --> 05:49:23.240 For me, Mr President, it is clear that with such error rates and deficiencies in the 05:49:23.309 --> 05:49:29.031 accounts, we cannot grant discharge. The time for settling for nice promises is now 05:49:29.100 --> 05:49:32.753 truly over. We, as Parliament, must stand our ground. 05:49:32.822 --> 05:49:37.234 And let us also heed the warning about the enormous debt burden. 05:49:37.303 --> 05:49:39.854 So, stop with those loans. Thank you. 05:49:42.074 --> 05:49:45.494 Thank you. And now I would like to ask my colleague Mr Ronč, please. 05:49:47.894 --> 05:49:52.954 Mr President, on behalf of the ECR, I would like to say a few words. 05:49:53.029 --> 05:49:58.982 Mr President, anyone who wishes the European Union well should take into account 05:49:59.057 --> 05:50:03.299 every report presented by the European Court of Auditors. 05:50:03.373 --> 05:50:09.252 These documents are truly important and relevant for the future of the European 05:50:09.327 --> 05:50:15.429 Union. And these reports clearly and plainly show that the European Union does not 05:50:15.503 --> 05:50:20.713 check how it spends money, and unfortunately, it does not do so fully. 05:50:20.787 --> 05:50:27.038 And this is our problem. The Union does not see, and this is evident in the reports, 05:50:27.113 --> 05:50:33.364 the debts of the European Union and the consequences of the Union in this regard for 05:50:33.438 --> 05:50:39.615 the future. And after all, we want the project called the European Union to endure. 05:50:39.690 --> 05:50:45.941 So if we do not take into account these reliable pieces of information, the European 05:50:46.015 --> 05:50:52.192 Court of Auditors, we will be supporting extremist forces within the European Union 05:50:52.266 --> 05:50:57.104 that will simply exploit what is happening in the European Union. 05:50:57.178 --> 05:51:02.462 So my request to all of you here and those who are not present is this: 05:51:02.536 --> 05:51:03.736 read 05:51:06.674 --> 05:51:11.246 I really have to be strict and fair. Dziękuję bardzo. 05:51:11.333 --> 05:51:15.215 We have to be equal. It happens to all of us. 05:51:15.301 --> 05:51:21.254 And now we move to HDI. And let me give the floor to Madame Grappini. 05:51:23.234 --> 05:51:28.168 Thank you, Mr President. Mr President of the Court, I would like to congratulate you 05:51:28.227 --> 05:51:30.811 and your entire team. I am in my third term. 05:51:30.870 --> 05:51:34.277 I continue to monitor what the Court of Auditors is doing. 05:51:34.336 --> 05:51:38.800 Unfortunately, the committee does not take this into account, even though it 05:51:38.859 --> 05:51:43.675 acknowledges the observations. Because, here we are, once again after seven years, 05:51:43.734 --> 05:51:48.668 at an error rate. And even though the Commissioner said so and may even be listening 05:51:48.727 --> 05:51:51.958 to me, I will interrupt until the Commissioner listens. 05:51:52.016 --> 05:51:56.774 That is correct. Yes? I return to it. I will wait for the Commissioner to listen. 05:51:56.833 --> 05:52:01.532 If the Court of Auditors does its job and every time in the report, I have heard 05:52:01.591 --> 05:52:06.408 this also in committee, why does our Budgetary Control Committee not correct these 05:52:06.466 --> 05:52:09.873 things? Because you cannot ask Member States to be honest? 05:52:09.932 --> 05:52:14.455 To sanction them? Instead, you have been persisting in error for seven years. 05:52:14.514 --> 05:52:19.389 What worries me is that I have heard today, I have also heard in the committee, the 05:52:19.448 --> 05:52:22.208 proposed framework is very weak for the future. 05:52:22.267 --> 05:52:25.674 So what chances do we have not to have these things again? 05:52:25.733 --> 05:52:30.608 Because, ultimately, this money belongs to the citizens and we must have efficiency 05:52:30.667 --> 05:52:33.134 in the way we spend this money. Thank you. 05:52:34.874 --> 05:52:36.614 Thank you. Correctly, because— 05:52:36.974 --> 05:52:40.934 Thank you. And now I will call on my colleague Mr Tinklainen to speak. 05:52:48.674 --> 05:52:54.411 Mr President, the European Court of Auditors’ annual report makes for grim reading. 05:52:54.480 --> 05:53:00.217 Mr President, the auditors state bluntly that the error rate in EU spending remains 05:53:00.286 --> 05:53:05.539 too high. The audit found that the errors were significant and far-reaching. 05:53:05.608 --> 05:53:11.137 The general problem was that EU money was granted to projects that were not even 05:53:11.206 --> 05:53:16.874 entitled to support. And so, once again, the auditors issued an adverse opinion on 05:53:16.943 --> 05:53:20.399 EU spending. Isn’t this the seventh year in a row? 05:53:20.468 --> 05:53:26.274 And what about that massive recovery package that the Finns Party warned about years 05:53:26.343 --> 05:53:31.872 ago? During the year, nearly a quarter of the aid payments made to member states 05:53:31.941 --> 05:53:36.849 from the recovery package did not comply with the rules and conditions. 05:53:36.918 --> 05:53:42.309 Auditors have warned that the mere interest payments on the recovery package’s 05:53:42.378 --> 05:53:46.663 grants could balloon to €93 billion over the next seven years. 05:53:46.733 --> 05:53:49.774 The EU is an irresponsible spender of money. 05:53:49.843 --> 05:53:51.043 Thank you. 05:53:52.694 --> 05:53:55.454 Thank you. And now I give the floor to my colleague Olivier. 05:53:59.954 --> 05:54:04.315 Thank you, Mr President. Commissioner Serafim, regarding this report from the 05:54:04.372 --> 05:54:08.959 European Court of Auditors, I would like to highlight two aspects that concern us 05:54:09.016 --> 05:54:13.773 are absolutely essential. First, the criticism levelled at the model of the Recovery 05:54:13.830 --> 05:54:18.247 and Resilience Facility, from which the national recovery and resilience plans 05:54:18.304 --> 05:54:22.778 (PRRs) emerged, concerns the concentration of power in the European Commission, 05:54:22.835 --> 05:54:27.479 which assumes an almost absolute power in management of the funds, with no form of 05:54:27.535 --> 05:54:32.180 control or obstructing the control over the use of the funds, and, naturally, with 05:54:32.236 --> 05:54:36.994 the ability it has to condition and subject the Member States based on this power to 05:54:37.050 --> 05:54:41.808 disburse the funds, which subjects the Member States to a situation of vulnerability 05:54:41.864 --> 05:54:45.885 in the imposition of the policies that the European Commission imposes. 05:54:45.942 --> 05:54:50.643 With these criticisms, this is yet another reason to reject the model that is being 05:54:50.699 --> 05:54:54.381 proposed for the multiannual financial framework, for 2028, 2034. 05:54:54.437 --> 05:54:58.798 Secondly, I would like to emphasise what the European Court of Auditors says: 05:54:58.855 --> 05:55:03.556 regarding the financial madness with the financing of the war in Ukraine, with loan 05:55:03.612 --> 05:55:06.614 after loan. €18 billion in 2028, €90 billion in 2025. 05:55:06.794 --> 05:55:07.154 Thank you. 05:55:07.154 --> 05:55:08.354 And the peoples are paying the price for this. 05:55:09.914 --> 05:55:12.614 And now I give the floor to my colleague Ms Soral, please. 05:55:17.654 --> 05:55:22.285 Mr President of the Court of Auditors, I would like to address the issue of the 05:55:22.343 --> 05:55:26.916 operating expenditure of the institutions, in particular those of the European 05:55:26.974 --> 05:55:29.788 Parliament and those of the European Commission. 05:55:29.847 --> 05:55:33.539 The Parliament [is at] 2.5 billion, the Commission 4.5 billion. 05:55:33.598 --> 05:55:38.405 In an era of tremendous advances in artificial intelligence, do you not think that 05:55:38.463 --> 05:55:41.453 some operating expenses may perhaps be superfluous? 05:55:41.512 --> 05:55:46.201 That serious reflection must be undertaken to rationalise the functioning of the 05:55:46.260 --> 05:55:50.421 institutions, to increase their efficiency and to reduce certain waste. 05:55:50.480 --> 05:55:54.642 Some might consider that this would bring little in the way of savings. 05:55:54.701 --> 05:55:58.804 I believe the opposite. Moreover, we have a duty of exemplary conduct. 05:55:58.862 --> 05:56:01.324 This is public money we are talking about. 05:56:01.383 --> 05:56:06.190 At a time when we regularly discuss the cost of living and the distress of some of 05:56:06.248 --> 05:56:10.059 our fellow citizens. So I put this question to you, Mr President: 05:56:10.117 --> 05:56:14.689 who, in your view, should oversee the institutions to make them more virtuous? 05:56:14.748 --> 05:56:18.089 I do not believe in self-analysis or self-psychoanalysis. 05:56:18.148 --> 05:56:19.348 Thank you. 05:56:22.514 --> 05:56:26.914 Thank you. And with that I close, as I always do, and I will now give the floor to 05:56:26.967 --> 05:56:28.167 Commissioner Serafin. 05:56:39.554 --> 05:56:44.916 Mr President, I will now give my remarks following today's discussion. 05:56:44.992 --> 05:56:51.349 Let me stress that we value, as the European Commission, the reports, in particular 05:56:51.426 --> 05:56:55.179 the Court's annual reports. They are independent; 05:56:55.256 --> 05:57:01.536 it is an independent assessment of how the EU budget is managed and protected, and 05:57:01.613 --> 05:57:07.894 we have no doubt that such an independent assessment is needed and can improve how 05:57:07.970 --> 05:57:13.715 things work. We are, of course, aware that managing a budget of this scale, 05:57:13.791 --> 05:57:19.842 implemented through different instruments and involving many actors, inevitably 05:57:19.919 --> 05:57:26.353 entails risks. A zero-risk scenario is not realistic and is not even cost-effective. 05:57:26.429 --> 05:57:32.480 But what matters is that these risks are identified, addressed, and followed up 05:57:32.557 --> 05:57:38.608 effectively. And here I will refer to the comment made by the Honourable Member 05:57:38.684 --> 05:57:42.744 Grappini: I will repeat what I said at the beginning. 05:57:42.820 --> 05:57:49.024 The Commission not only values the recommendations made by ECHA, but also accepts 05:57:49.101 --> 05:57:52.471 and implements recommendations made by ECHA. 05:57:52.548 --> 05:57:58.828 So, in fact, more than 90 percent of the ECHA recommendations are accepted and are 05:57:58.905 --> 05:58:03.271 being or have already been implemented by the Commission. 05:58:03.347 --> 05:58:08.249 And we will do the same with the report which is in front of us. 05:58:08.326 --> 05:58:14.300 We will analyse the court's findings and recommendations, and we will take the 05:58:14.377 --> 05:58:20.428 necessary actions; sometimes, quite often, those actions would need to be taken 05:58:20.504 --> 05:58:25.406 together with the Member States and other implementing partners. 05:58:25.483 --> 05:58:31.840 I also want to stress that we have taken careful note of the questions and concerns 05:58:31.917 --> 05:58:37.048 raised today, and the Commission will ensure appropriate follow-up. 05:58:37.125 --> 05:58:43.253 This is one step in the process of the discharge procedure, so I am also looking 05:58:43.329 --> 05:58:49.763 forward to cooperation both with the Court and with this House in the context of the 05:58:49.840 --> 05:58:52.214 discharge procedure. Thank you. 05:58:55.094 --> 05:59:00.138 Thank you very much. And now I would like to invite the Chair of the Board of 05:59:00.204 --> 05:59:01.514 Auditors, Mr Murphy. 05:59:01.694 --> 05:59:02.894 You're welcome. 05:59:07.154 --> 05:59:11.852 Thank you, President. I'd like to thank all the Honorable Members who have 05:59:11.915 --> 05:59:17.184 intervened and shared their views on our annual report, which obviously we listened 05:59:17.247 --> 05:59:22.580 to and welcome any comments. I think the common issues which were raised most tod ay 05:59:22.643 --> 05:59:25.881 were basically the level of debt and own resources. 05:59:25.944 --> 05:59:29.118 And in a way, they're kind of linked, I would say. 05:59:29.182 --> 05:59:33.117 I mean, the own resources, I think it's very important to say. 05:59:33.181 --> 05:59:38.386 I think, as was mentioned by already by Honorable Members, it's 21 percent roughly 05:59:38.450 --> 05:59:41.687 of the next MFF budget pro posed by the Commission. 05:59:41.751 --> 05:59:46.766 I mean, it's 21 percent of this two trillion euros, so obviously if they do not 05:59:46.829 --> 05:59:51.907 materialize, I mean, y ou know, in addition to the already announced cuts, let's 05:59:51.971 --> 05:59:57.113 say, the EU may still face a significant shortfall, which would require either, I 05:59:57.176 --> 06:00:02.382 mean, there are— I mean, any sort of diminution in the level of own resources will 06:00:02.445 --> 06:00:07.777 mean that there will need to be funds from other sources, whether it's increased GNI 06:00:07.841 --> 06:00:12.983 contributions, which is probably not realistic, additional debt, which we already 06:00:13.046 --> 06:00:18.252 have some concerns about, rollover of the existing debt, or basically reducing the 06:00:18.315 --> 06:00:22.568 overall ambition of the EU budget and the policies which it covers. 06:00:22.632 --> 06:00:27.901 I think another area— the RRA has been mentioned a few times, and obviously we also 06:00:27.964 --> 06:00:33.233 would prefer to see a lower rate than 3. 8 percent, but I think it's very important 06:00:33.296 --> 06:00:36.915 that we clarify once again that this is not fraud per se. 06:00:36.978 --> 06:00:42.311 I mean, some projects which, you know, are perfect on paper and have no errors don't 06:00:42.374 --> 06:00:45.358 deliver much added value, and it 's vice versa. 06:00:45.421 --> 06:00:50.436 Some of the projects which actually have errors attached can be a positive— you 06:00:50.499 --> 06:00:55.832 know, contribu tion to the EU taxpayer. I think the issue raised by Honorable Member 06:00:55.895 --> 06:01:00.529 Doherty about the typology of errors being cons istent, that is an issue. 06:01:00.593 --> 06:01:05.925 Despite our recommendations, which the Commission says have been implemented, we see 06:01:05.989 --> 06:01:09.163 the same type of error year after year after year. 06:01:09.226 --> 06:01:14.114 So obviously there is a systemic structural issue there which needs to be add 06:01:14.174 --> 06:01:17.868 ressed. In terms of the debt, we've already given the figures: 06:01:17.928 --> 06:01:22.873 one trillion euros by 2027. I mean, and I think linked to the own resource, we have 06:01:22.933 --> 06:01:27.938 to remember when the next generation EU was being devised, there was an own resource 06:01:27.997 --> 06:01:31.215 proposal on the table to basically repay the NGU debt. 06:01:31.274 --> 06:01:35.564 This never materialized, and now we see the actual consequence of that . 06:01:35.624 --> 06:01:40.212 We're in the Commission proposal: 8 percent of the next budget, or around 160 06:01:40.271 --> 06:01:45.276 billion, is solely earmarked for serv icing this next generation EU debt, and as was 06:01:45.336 --> 06:01:50.043 mentioned by the Honorable Member above there, interest costs alone could reach 06:01:50.103 --> 06:01:52.724 around 93 billion over the 2028-2024 period. 06:01:52.784 --> 06:01:57.729 And where the latest proposal has reduced this figure somewhat, the amount involved 06:01:57.789 --> 06:02:02.794 are still quite substantial. Then we come to the perennial topic on the table before 06:02:02.853 --> 06:02:07.560 this new MFF, which was the RRF. And I think we have been quite clear about our 06:02:07.620 --> 06:02:11.135 concerns in relation to this delivery mechanism, let's say. 06:02:11.195 --> 06:02:15.961 And as has already been pointed out, it will be replicated to some degree in the 06:02:16.021 --> 06:02:19.954 European Fund, particularly in relation to the national program s. 06:02:20.013 --> 06:02:24.899 And we really hope that some of the advice we have given, that lessons are learned 06:02:24.959 --> 06:02:29.904 from this. It remains to be seen, because with the devil will be in the detail, the 06:02:29.963 --> 06:02:34.790 Commission is currently working on its assurance framework, which will give us an 06:02:34.849 --> 06:02:39.735 indication of how they see their role in controlling the funds, and obviously this 06:02:39.795 --> 06:02:44.740 will be instrumental in how we adopt their method ology to use their work, and also 06:02:44.800 --> 06:02:49.566 what additional work we will have to do to make sure basically that wherever the 06:02:49.626 --> 06:02:53.558 delivery mechanism, that EU taxpayers are getting value for money. 06:02:53.618 --> 06:02:58.563 I think one area where we still have significant concerns in relation to the RRF is 06:02:58.623 --> 06:03:03.389 the performance framework. I mean, the whole idea of a performance instrument is 06:03:03.449 --> 06:03:08.216 that you can measure its impact. And we consider the performance framework to be 06:03:08.275 --> 06:03:13.161 still very weak, which means that in the end it will be actually very difficult to 06:03:13.221 --> 06:03:14.294 measure the real 06:03:14.294 --> 06:03:17.139 impact and what has been delivered for the money. 06:03:17.197 --> 06:03:20.391 A couple of quick replies to some of the issues raised. 06:03:20.449 --> 06:03:25.210 In terms of EU climate policy spending, we actually do a lot of work in this area, 06:03:25.268 --> 06:03:28.055 and will continue over the next couple of years. 06:03:28.113 --> 06:03:32.119 And we have actually reported that there has been an overstatement of 06:03:32.177 --> 06:03:36.938 climate-related expenditure by the Commission in terms of the 2 014-20 program, in 06:03:36.996 --> 06:03:41.467 terms of the one and five Europe being spent, and also in relation to the RRF 06:03:41.525 --> 06:03:46.402 program where we saw many billions of euros which were incorrectly reported as being 06:03:46.460 --> 06:03:51.338 green expenditure. Then I suppose also the administrative expenditure was mentioned. 06:03:51.396 --> 06:03:56.099 I mean, I think AI will have a— there's no doubt that that will have an impact on 06:03:56.157 --> 06:04:00.105 the administrative setup and related costs of all the institution s. 06:04:00.163 --> 06:04:04.982 You know, we actually do— not of the institutions in our annual report, chapter 10, 06:04:05.040 --> 06:04:09.569 and we see that there is consistently press ure on the administrative heading. 06:04:09.627 --> 06:04:14.214 We see in the new proposal that the administrative heading four has been cut by 06:04:14.272 --> 06:04:19.033 another 95 billion, which will require institutions de facto to rationalize and be 06:04:19.091 --> 06:04:23.330 more efficient because the resources available to them will be much less. 06:04:23.388 --> 06:04:27.975 Finally, I would like to thank many of the Honorable Members for their positive 06:04:28.033 --> 06:04:32.387 comments in relation to our annual report, and I think this is bas ically a 06:04:32.446 --> 06:04:37.149 consequence of the dedicated work of our staff and all the people involved in the 06:04:37.207 --> 06:04:42.026 production of this report in the EC CA, and I would like to thank them on behalf of 06:04:42.084 --> 06:04:44.755 the College of the European Court of Auditors. 06:04:44.813 --> 06:04:46.013 Thank you very much. 06:04:47.834 --> 06:04:52.134 Thank you, President, and thank you for the great work of the Court of Auditors. 06:04:52.188 --> 06:04:55.574 And for being with us, this concludes the debate on this topic. 06:04:56.114 --> 06:05:01.583 The next item on the agenda is the declaration of the rule of law mission to Malta 06:05:01.650 --> 06:05:05.251 nine years after the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. 06:05:05.318 --> 06:05:10.187 And I welcome Commissioner McGrath and would ask him to open this debate. 06:05:10.253 --> 06:05:11.654 Please, Commissioner. 06:05:20.654 --> 06:05:26.403 Dear Chair, Honorable Members, thank you for holding this debate to commemorate the 06:05:26.472 --> 06:05:31.044 ninth anniversary of the assassination of Daphne Carolina Galicia. 06:05:31.113 --> 06:05:36.724 Daphne was a courageous Maltese investigative journalist known for her determined 06:05:36.793 --> 06:05:40.810 and fearless reporting. Her assassination shook all of us. 06:05:40.880 --> 06:05:46.698 Her murder, robbed her family, and friends of a loved one, including her three sons, 06:05:46.767 --> 06:05:52.378 Matthew, Paul, and Andrew. And a society of a courageous journalist who dedicated 06:05:52.447 --> 06:05:56.742 her life to exposing corruption, and holding power to account. 06:05:56.811 --> 06:06:01.382 It was an attack on journalism, and an attack on democracy itself. 06:06:01.452 --> 06:06:06.508 The Commission has consistently called for all those responsible for this 06:06:06.577 --> 06:06:11.634 assassination to be brought to justice. There needs to be accountability. 06:06:11.703 --> 06:06:17.521 There can be no impunity for this atrocious crime, and judicial procedures are still 06:06:17.591 --> 06:06:23.201 ongoing. Sadly, Daphne was not the only journalist in Europe to pay with her life 06:06:23.270 --> 06:06:28.950 for her work. Just four months later, in February 2018, Jan Kuczek was murdered in 06:06:29.020 --> 06:06:32.829 Slovakia, together with his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová. 06:06:32.898 --> 06:06:36.085 He too was investigating fraud and corruption. 06:06:36.154 --> 06:06:41.764 And this year marks 30 years since Veronica Gieren was shot dead in Dublin, in my 06:06:41.834 --> 06:06:46.405 own country, Ireland, because of her reporting on organized crime. 06:06:46.475 --> 06:06:52.085 And I can still remember the shock around the country when the news of her murder 06:06:52.154 --> 06:06:55.964 broke; it is a moment that Ireland has never forgotten. 06:06:56.033 --> 06:07:01.505 The protection of media and journalists remains a political priority across the 06:07:01.575 --> 06:07:07.393 European Union. For our part, in the years following Daphne's assassination, we have 06:07:07.462 --> 06:07:12.519 taken concrete action to uphold media freedom and to protect journalists. 06:07:12.588 --> 06:07:18.198 We have recommended a wide-ranging measures to ensure the protection, safety, and 06:07:18.268 --> 06:07:22.216 empowerment of journalists and other media professionals. 06:07:22.285 --> 06:07:28.034 New EU legislative rules are in place to protect journalists and civil society from 06:07:28.103 --> 06:07:33.575 abusive lawsuits. And we have enshrined a comprehensive regime to protect media 06:07:33.645 --> 06:07:38.147 freedom and media pluralism under the European Media Freedom Act. 06:07:38.216 --> 06:07:44.035 We are working with member states to ensure that this framework is implemented fully 06:07:44.104 --> 06:07:45.974 and delivers on the ground. 06:07:46.634 --> 06:07:51.986 In addition, the European Democracy Shield published last November seeks to further 06:07:52.051 --> 06:07:57.145 support journalists and enhance their protection against the undue pressure and 06:07:57.210 --> 06:08:02.176 threats. As regards the situation of the rule of law in Malta, since 2020 the 06:08:02.240 --> 06:08:07.592 Commission has closely monitoring developments in the context of the annual rule of 06:08:07.657 --> 06:08:13.009 law reports. I would like to thank the Maltese authorities and stakeholders for the 06:08:13.074 --> 06:08:16.750 good cooperation throughout the annual rule of law cycle. 06:08:16.814 --> 06:08:22.167 The 2026 edition of the rule of law report, published in July, contains an in-depth 06:08:22.231 --> 06:08:26.745 analys is of the main developments regarding the rule of law in Malta. 06:08:26.810 --> 06:08:32.033 The report notes that Malta has taken certain steps to address some of the issues 06:08:32.098 --> 06:08:37.450 identified, but that further efforts are needed to address the recommendations made 06:08:37.515 --> 06:08:42.932 by the European Commission. Looking at the situation of media freedom and pluralism, 06:08:42.996 --> 06:08:48.155 the report noted limited progress on adopting safeguards to impro ve the working 06:08:48.220 --> 06:08:52.476 environment of journalists including access to official documents. 06:08:52.540 --> 06:08:57.828 The Commission is aware that the Maltese government has announced the tabling of a 06:08:57.893 --> 06:09:00.924 comprehensive media reform in the coming weeks. 06:09:00.988 --> 06:09:06.212 In that context, it will be important that Malta ensures adequate consultation of 06:09:06.276 --> 06:09:11.693 all relevant stakeholders. The Commission will analyze this legislation once adopted 06:09:11.758 --> 06:09:16.336 including in light of the provisions of the European Media Freedom Act. 06:09:16.401 --> 06:09:21.818 The Commission has also aware of the government's intention to expand the protection 06:09:21.882 --> 06:09:26.912 of journalists and other act ing as public watchdogs against abusive lawsuits. 06:09:26.977 --> 06:09:32.265 Our so-called SLAPPs. Malta was the first member state to transpose the anti-SLAPP 06:09:32.329 --> 06:09:35.425 directive. In 2024, covering cross-border cases. 06:09:35.489 --> 06:09:40.584 In its anti-SLAPP recommendation, the Commission called on all member states to 06:09:40.648 --> 06:09:45.936 extend the protection also to domestic cases, and I very much hope that Malta will 06:09:46.001 --> 06:09:51.095 take the opportunity now to en act such an extension to domestic SLAPP cases as 06:09:51.160 --> 06:09:56.254 well. Under justice system, the Commission recommended to Malta to take forward 06:09:56.319 --> 06:09:59.414 initiatives to increase resources to reform cour 06:09:59.414 --> 06:10:04.637 t procedures and to advance digitalization with a view to improving the efficiency 06:10:04.700 --> 06:10:09.668 of the justice system, as no further progress had been reported in this year's 06:10:09.732 --> 06:10:14.636 report. Efficiency of justice is crucial for effective judicial protection of 06:10:14.700 --> 06:10:19.477 citizens and businesses, and for strengthening trust in the justice system. 06:10:19.541 --> 06:10:24.509 The report also recommended taking forward reforms with a view to invol ve the 06:10:24.572 --> 06:10:28.904 judiciary in the procedure for the appointment of the Chief Justice. 06:10:28.967 --> 06:10:33.171 This reform is still pending, and the political debate is ongoing. 06:10:33.235 --> 06:10:38.521 With regard to the fight against corruption, the report noted that progress remains 06:10:38.585 --> 06:10:43.362 to be achieved on establishing a robust tra ck record of final judgments in 06:10:43.425 --> 06:10:47.502 corruption cases, given the high backlog of pending court cases. 06:10:47.565 --> 06:10:52.661 Judges' workload and that a limited team of four magistrates are responsible for 06:10:52.724 --> 06:10:58.075 handling preliminary inquiries. The report also noted that limited progress was made 06:10:58.138 --> 06:11:02.915 to address challenges related to the length of investigations of high-level 06:11:02.979 --> 06:11:07.310 corruption cases and recommended stepping up efforts in this regard. 06:11:07.374 --> 06:11:12.724 Finally, in relation to other checks and balances, the rule of law report notes that 06:11:12.788 --> 06:11:17.373 Malta made limited progress in introducing a formal framework for public 06:11:17.437 --> 06:11:22.724 participation in the legislative process. Since legislative reforms remain pending, 06:11:22.787 --> 06:11:26.672 it is recommended to Malta to now introduce such a framework. 06:11:26.736 --> 06:11:31.386 Moreover, the report called on Malta to establish a national human rights 06:11:31.449 --> 06:11:36.672 institution as a legislative proposal to that end remains under preparation at the 06:11:36.736 --> 06:11:42.022 moment. To conclude, Chair, the European Commission continues to insist on the need 06:11:42.086 --> 06:11:46.927 to make further progress on the different pend ing issues highlighted in the 06:11:46.990 --> 06:11:50.175 recommendations in this year's rule of law report. 06:11:50.239 --> 06:11:54.697 The Commission remains committed to supporting Malta in these efforts. 06:11:54.761 --> 06:12:00.047 I look forward to the contribution of colleagues across the House to this important 06:12:00.111 --> 06:12:03.614 debate and to responding later on. Thank you very much. 06:12:05.594 --> 06:12:09.186 Thank you, Mr Commissioner. And now I would like to call on my colleague Mr Kazú 06:12:09.231 --> 06:12:12.374 from the European People’s Party Group of Christian Democrats, please. 06:12:13.694 --> 06:12:22.781 Thank you, Mr President. Colleagues, two decades ago Galicia marked me definitively 06:12:22.891 --> 06:12:28.912 and I earned it in the Chamber. Let it be a joke to me. 06:12:29.022 --> 06:12:36.248 The institutions of the countries uphold those who seek integrity. 06:12:36.357 --> 06:12:41.831 The definitions of corruption, justice. And the... 06:12:41.941 --> 06:12:50.918 But is there in mind a group of people accused of obstructing justice, the failure 06:12:51.028 --> 06:13:00.115 of the Maltese state, failure and... The public inquiry that existed on the states’ 06:13:00.224 --> 06:13:02.414 climate of impunity. 06:13:16.994 --> 06:13:25.821 The Prime Minister is attacking Parliament, accusing Malta. 06:13:25.971 --> 06:13:28.514 Stagnant politics 06:14:21.074 --> 06:14:22.274 Thank you. 06:14:23.114 --> 06:14:26.943 Thank you. And now I would like to call on colleague Adius Saliba from the 06:14:26.994 --> 06:14:30.254 Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats group, please. 06:15:54.014 --> 06:15:59.174 Now I would ask my colleague Mr Legeri to take the floor. 06:16:03.674 --> 06:16:08.126 Thank you, Mr President, Commissioner. Nine years after the assassination of Daphne 06:16:08.180 --> 06:16:11.076 Caruana Galizia, the perpetrators have been convicted. 06:16:11.130 --> 06:16:15.636 convicted, but no masterminds. To understand this case, we must look at what she was 06:16:15.689 --> 06:16:20.195 denouncing: a corruption so deeply entrenched that, according to the public inquiry, 06:16:20.249 --> 06:16:24.379 the State had created the climate of impunity that allowed her assassination. 06:16:24.433 --> 06:16:28.617 This scandal tarnishes a Labour government, yet another one for your political 06:16:28.670 --> 06:16:30.494 family, dear socialist colleagues. 06:16:31.754 --> 06:16:36.064 I'm sorry, just sorry to interrupt you. I'm missing the English interpretation, so 06:16:36.117 --> 06:16:37.694 you might need to start again. 06:16:38.294 --> 06:16:38.894 Oh, sorry. 06:16:38.894 --> 06:16:41.894 Because you're halfway through and we don't have English interpretation. 06:16:42.434 --> 06:16:43.634 But there is. 06:16:43.694 --> 06:16:45.254 I didn't have it for the first— 06:16:45.554 --> 06:16:46.154 I did not. 06:16:46.154 --> 06:16:46.634 No. 06:16:46.634 --> 06:16:47.834 Ah, okay. 06:16:49.814 --> 06:16:51.974 Can I get a confirmation that it will be okay again? 06:16:52.514 --> 06:16:53.714 Yes, thank you. 06:16:53.954 --> 06:16:56.894 Perfect. That happens to all of us. Please start again. 06:16:57.194 --> 06:16:58.394 Thank you. Thank you. 06:16:59.714 --> 06:17:04.200 Nine years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, the executors have 06:17:04.256 --> 06:17:08.967 been convicted, but no masterminds. To understand this case, we need to look at what 06:17:09.023 --> 06:17:13.678 she was denouncing: a corruption so deeply entrenched that, according to the public 06:17:13.734 --> 06:17:17.715 inquiry, the State had created the climate of impunity that enabled her 06:17:17.771 --> 06:17:22.370 assassination. This scandal is tarnishing a Labour government, yet another one for 06:17:22.426 --> 06:17:25.174 your political family, dear Socialist colleagues. 06:17:25.230 --> 06:17:29.828 You who lecture the whole of Europe on the rule of law, start by demanding answers 06:17:29.884 --> 06:17:33.810 from your friends. Back in 2019, Jordan Bardella was warning you here: 06:17:33.866 --> 06:17:37.230 seven years later, we are still repeating the same speeches. 06:17:37.287 --> 06:17:41.773 Today, the Commission is publishing reports, Malta is promising reforms, but the 06:17:41.829 --> 06:17:45.754 Daphne Foundation is still denouncing recommendations that are largely 06:17:45.810 --> 06:17:49.175 unimplemented. Now, we are demanding a timeline and results. 06:17:49.231 --> 06:17:53.213 Daphne was investigating so that the powerful would be held to account. 06:17:53.269 --> 06:17:56.185 Honouring her memory means demanding accountability. 06:17:56.241 --> 06:17:59.774 Including from your political friends. Thank you, Mr President. 06:18:02.714 --> 06:18:05.864 Now I would like to ask my colleague Ms Goševská from the European Conservatives and 06:18:05.902 --> 06:18:07.214 Reformists Group to take the floor. 06:18:08.594 --> 06:18:13.090 We are debating the rule of law in Malta. Nine years after the murder of Daphne 06:18:13.146 --> 06:18:17.756 Caruana Galizia. The rule of law means that power is subject to the law and state 06:18:17.813 --> 06:18:22.479 institutions are independent, and citizens can look to the authorities with trust. 06:18:22.536 --> 06:18:25.324 can look the authorities in the eye without fear. 06:18:25.381 --> 06:18:29.592 Let us look at Poland. The dispute over the legality of the Constitutional 06:18:29.649 --> 06:18:32.893 Tribunal's actions. Undermining the constitutional order: 06:18:32.950 --> 06:18:37.161 the police against protesting citizens. Where is the European Union today? 06:18:37.218 --> 06:18:41.941 Where is the European Commission? When Donald Tusk was fighting for power, Brussels 06:18:41.998 --> 06:18:46.664 was using the rule of law as a tool of political pressure on the government of the 06:18:46.721 --> 06:18:51.387 United Right. Today, when Tusk wields that power, the same Brussels remains silent 06:18:51.444 --> 06:18:55.029 in the face of actions that strike at the constitutional order. 06:18:55.086 --> 06:18:57.476 Back then, Brussels helped him gain power. 06:18:57.533 --> 06:19:00.492 Today, it does not want to challenge his government. 06:19:00.549 --> 06:19:05.215 The rule of law cannot be a tool for fighting political opponents and a shield for 06:19:05.272 --> 06:19:09.995 political allies. Because if it depends on who is in power, we are not dealing with 06:19:10.052 --> 06:19:13.694 the protection of European values, but with political hypocrisy. 06:19:16.514 --> 06:19:21.014 Now I call on Vice-President Wilmes on behalf of the Renew Europe group, please. 06:19:22.634 --> 06:19:27.469 Thank you, Mr President. Nine years since the assassination of Daphne Caruana 06:19:27.532 --> 06:19:32.681 Galizia. Nine years that her family has been waiting, still, for responsibility to 06:19:32.744 --> 06:19:37.328 be established. Which makes it particularly difficult for them to grieve. 06:19:37.390 --> 06:19:42.351 This assassination also marked the Parliament, which led to the creation of the 06:19:42.414 --> 06:19:46.056 DRFMG in 2018, a group that I have the honour of chairing. 06:19:46.119 --> 06:19:51.079 'Yes. Because many questions remain unanswered, and we cannot be satisfied with 06:19:51.142 --> 06:19:54.910 that, the DRFMG will once again travel to Malta in November. 06:19:54.973 --> 06:20:00.247 On site, we want to understand what is still not working, what is fuelling this lack 06:20:00.310 --> 06:20:05.396 of unity, but above all we want to see what has actually changed in the past nine 06:20:05.459 --> 06:20:10.545 years. We will of course share our conclusions with this Parliament and with you, 06:20:10.608 --> 06:20:13.245 Commissioner, but I want to be very clear: 06:20:13.308 --> 06:20:16.825 this mission cannot simply result in yet another report. 06:20:16.888 --> 06:20:22.162 It must, on the contrary, lead to real and concrete progress for the Maltese people. 06:20:22.225 --> 06:20:26.683 Because Daphné Caruana Galizia’s memory demands more than our tributes. 06:20:26.746 --> 06:20:27.946 Thank you. 06:20:29.534 --> 06:20:33.320 Thank you. And now I would like to ask my colleague Freund from the Greens/European 06:20:33.366 --> 06:20:35.054 Free Alliance group to speak, please. 06:20:36.314 --> 06:20:42.048 Dear colleagues, it's been nine years since the brutal assassination of Daphné. 06:20:42.121 --> 06:20:48.145 And for these nine years now, we have been waiting for justice, for closure on this 06:20:48.218 --> 06:20:52.210 case. The hitmen have been sentenced. They are in jail. 06:20:52.282 --> 06:20:58.161 But the person that ordered the brutal assassination by car bomb is still walking 06:20:58.234 --> 06:21:03.895 free today. And that shows us that something is not quite right in the justice 06:21:03.968 --> 06:21:09.412 system in Malta. Things have changed, but I think more change is necessary. 06:21:09.484 --> 06:21:14.928 All the recommendations by the public inquiry need to be fully implemented. 06:21:15.001 --> 06:21:20.880 It is, to me, really not understandable that abuse of office—for example—is still 06:21:20.952 --> 06:21:27.049 not criminalized in Mal ta. That an intervention by the Prime Minister's office into 06:21:27.122 --> 06:21:31.332 the ongoing procedures has seen no consequence whatsoever. 06:21:31.404 --> 06:21:37.429 So I'm glad we're going that a mission of the European Parliament is going to Malta 06:21:37.501 --> 06:21:43.453 in a couple of weeks. And we will look at what has changed and what more change we 06:21:43.526 --> 06:21:46.574 need to see in Malta. Thank you very much. 06:21:48.974 --> 06:21:53.646 Ďakujem. And now there is no blue-collar possibility in the first round, if that's 06:21:53.702 --> 06:21:54.902 what you wanted. 06:21:55.454 --> 06:21:59.478 Now I would like to invite my colleague Arvani Tisa from the Left group in the 06:21:59.530 --> 06:22:00.974 European Parliament, please. 06:22:05.114 --> 06:22:09.334 Mr Pitropé, colleagues, Mr President, one year after the assassination of Daphne 06:22:09.387 --> 06:22:13.027 Caruana Galizia, things have taken their course, of course, in Malta. 06:22:13.080 --> 06:22:17.142 Mr President, ladies and gentlemen colleagues, Mr President, a year since the 06:22:17.195 --> 06:22:21.574 assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, things have taken their course, of course, 06:22:21.627 --> 06:22:25.953 in Malta. There was a promise that we would soon be there, the relevant committee. 06:22:26.005 --> 06:22:29.382 Eight years since the murder of Giannis Koutsou and his fiancée. 06:22:29.434 --> 06:22:32.547 Five years since the murder of the Dutchman Peter de Vries. 06:22:32.600 --> 06:22:35.660 Five years since the murder of Giorgos Karaivaz in Greece. 06:22:35.712 --> 06:22:40.144 And in most of these cases, the victims, those who were murdered, were investigative 06:22:40.197 --> 06:22:44.417 journalists. They were trying to expose the collusion between politics and major 06:22:44.470 --> 06:22:48.743 economic interests. Despite the guidelines on SLAPs, we still have not decisively 06:22:48.796 --> 06:22:53.069 secured press freedom issues. Mr Pittoors, Mr President, honourable colleagues, I 06:22:53.122 --> 06:22:57.078 wish to reiterate my proposal from this podium, as I did several years ago. 06:22:57.131 --> 06:23:01.352 To demonstrate in practice the importance of press freedom and the protection of 06:23:01.404 --> 06:23:04.939 journalists, let us at least adopt, as the European Parliament, the 06:23:04.992 --> 06:23:09.265 families—particularly the children—of murdered journalists who have fallen in the 06:23:09.318 --> 06:23:13.644 line of duty. In closing, it is not very safe to be a journalist in the Union, nor 06:23:13.697 --> 06:23:18.128 even an MEP. I remind you of the case of our colleague Mr Stelios Kouloglou, who was 06:23:18.181 --> 06:23:22.454 on the PEGA committee and was found to have been under surveillance by your PEGA. 06:23:22.634 --> 06:23:23.054 Thank you. 06:23:23.054 --> 06:23:24.254 Thank you. 06:23:25.274 --> 06:23:28.214 Now I will call on Mr Vargickevič, please. 06:23:29.834 --> 06:23:36.230 Dear Chair, Commissioner, colleagues, in her final years in 2016 and 2017, Daph né 06:23:36.308 --> 06:23:42.079 Caruana Galizia focused on the journalism targeting key figures in Maltese 06:23:42.157 --> 06:23:48.709 government , the ministers of Energy and Economy, the chief of staff and wife of the 06:23:48.787 --> 06:23:54.247 Prime Minister. This recalls situations in Orban's Hungary, before her 06:23:54.325 --> 06:24:00.252 assassination, she asked Maltese officials questions on behalf of all of us, 06:24:00.330 --> 06:24:06.882 actually, about possible corruption schemes, including secret companies in Panama or 06:24:06.960 --> 06:24:13.433 possible bribes kept in New Zealand. This is a normal work of journalists, free and 06:24:13.511 --> 06:24:17.567 independent journalism is the backbone of our union. 06:24:17.645 --> 06:24:21.545 Under the rule of law, under the democratic rules. 06:24:21.623 --> 06:24:28.174 The free press should remind elected representatives to ser ve to public rather than 06:24:28.252 --> 06:24:31.528 their own interests or political sponsors. 06:24:31.606 --> 06:24:37.690 Nine years after the murder, public perception among many Maltese people still 06:24:37.768 --> 06:24:44.319 points to a widespread culture of impunity and special treatment for public figures. 06:24:44.397 --> 06:24:50.793 It cannot be accepted. Honorable members, as a reporter to the Commission's 2026 r 06:24:50.871 --> 06:24:56.955 ule of law, report I promise you to do my best to bring the recent rule of law 06:24:57.033 --> 06:25:01.088 situation in Malta to the special attention of this. 06:25:01.166 --> 06:25:06.626 House and present you with the findings before the 10th anniversary of 06:25:06.704 --> 06:25:08.654 assassination. Thank you. 06:25:09.974 --> 06:25:14.801 Thank you. Will you accept the blue card from Mr. 06:25:14.899 --> 06:25:16.574 Gonzalez? Please. 06:25:21.194 --> 06:25:24.138 Dear Member, I think we all mourn the memory of Daphné. 06:25:24.191 --> 06:25:27.777 But you have been mentioning corruption and trying to correlate it. 06:25:27.830 --> 06:25:32.112 It's funny because when we vote for more transparency on the Panama Papers, your 06:25:32.165 --> 06:25:36.554 group votes against. When we vote, for example, on having a clear traffic of flows 06:25:36.607 --> 06:25:39.337 on the offshore accounts, your group votes against. 06:25:39.390 --> 06:25:42.441 And then you bring all the countries that you don't like. 06:25:42.494 --> 06:25:46.829 You brought Portugal. You have brought Spain because it's a socialist government. 06:25:46.883 --> 06:25:51.164 You have brought Sweden two weeks ago voting an amendment stating that there was 06:25:51.218 --> 06:25:54.215 interference in the elections by the Muslim Brotherhood. 06:25:54.268 --> 06:25:57.265 Is your problem with corruption or is it with democracy? 06:25:57.319 --> 06:25:58.519 Thank you. 06:26:01.034 --> 06:26:05.484 As EPP group, we do not have problems with the democracy. 06:26:05.562 --> 06:26:09.076 We do not have problems with the rule of law. 06:26:09.154 --> 06:26:15.322 We always support our common union values and we always vote after very serious 06:26:15.400 --> 06:26:20.319 consideration. So we are bringing today the situation in Malta. 06:26:20.397 --> 06:26:26.799 We are bringing the story of murdered Daphné Galizia to raise this problem in this 06:26:26.877 --> 06:26:33.436 Ho use. And as I promised, as a rule of law reporter, I will bring this situation to 06:26:33.514 --> 06:26:37.574 the attention of this House in my report. Thank you. 06:26:39.734 --> 06:26:45.092 Thank you. And I see that Mr. Mularczyk requested KGDI, but I'm sorry, you need to 06:26:45.157 --> 06:26:48.751 request it during the initial intervention of a member. 06:26:48.816 --> 06:26:52.214 So I would like to give the floor to Madam Minister. 06:26:54.254 --> 06:26:58.852 Colleagues, the brutal murder of Daphné Caruana Galizia demands justice. 06:26:58.916 --> 06:27:04.088 Justice for Daphné, justice for her family, and accountability for every criminal 06:27:04.152 --> 06:27:08.494 and master manipulator responsible. Because no one is above the law. 06:27:08.558 --> 06:27:13.475 But sometimes I'm wondering if this Parliament is turning into a Mickey Mouse 06:27:13.539 --> 06:27:18.647 Parliament where the EPP and the far right is exploiting tragedies for political 06:27:18.711 --> 06:27:23.756 gain. Because let's stay to the facts. Malta has abolished criminal defamation, 06:27:23.820 --> 06:27:29.056 strengthened journalist protections, introduced measures against abusive lawsuits, 06:27:29.120 --> 06:27:32.823 and secured five convictions connected to Daphné's murder. 06:27:32.887 --> 06:27:35.633 Is this enough? Of course it is not enough. 06:27:35.697 --> 06:27:40.486 But ignoring progress because it doesn't fit into the EPP and the far right 06:27:40.550 --> 06:27:43.488 narrative is not defending or serving justice. 06:27:43.551 --> 06:27:48.404 Justice is not a political weapon. And Daphné's memory, deserves better than 06:27:48.468 --> 06:27:53.641 political points scoring. So let's serve Daphné justice, but stop lying about the 06:27:53.705 --> 06:27:54.905 progress in Malta. 06:27:57.734 --> 06:28:03.320 Thank you. And you cannot have—sorry, you cannot have a blue card on a member from 06:28:03.388 --> 06:28:06.318 your own group. So that's why I cannot ask. 06:28:06.386 --> 06:28:09.724 But let me give the floor to a colleague. Cannot. 06:28:09.792 --> 06:28:10.992 Next apartheid. 06:28:12.614 --> 06:28:13.814 Thank you, Mr President. 06:28:14.354 --> 06:28:19.278 Dear colleagues, nine years ago Daphné Caruana Galizia was brutally murdered for 06:28:19.340 --> 06:28:22.479 exposing corrup tion and challenging laws in power. 06:28:22.540 --> 06:28:26.849 Nine years later we must ask ourselves: has justice truly been served? 06:28:26.910 --> 06:28:31.773 The rule of law cannot exist where journalists are intimidated, corruption goes 06:28:31.835 --> 06:28:35.404 unpunished, and political connections stand above justice. 06:28:35.466 --> 06:28:40.575 But let us also be clear: the rule of law must never become a political weapon used 06:28:40.636 --> 06:28:45.006 selectively against certain member states while others escape scrutiny. 06:28:45.068 --> 06:28:50.177 Malta deserves justice, Daphné's family deserves justice, and the European citizens 06:28:50.238 --> 06:28:53.685 deserve equal standards not political double standard s. 06:28:53.747 --> 06:28:58.917 No government should be above the law, no journalists should have to die for telling 06:28:58.979 --> 06:29:03.964 the truth, and no European institution should confuse the defense of justice with 06:29:04.026 --> 06:29:06.734 political interference. Thank you very much. 06:29:08.714 --> 06:29:11.962 Thank you. And now I give the floor to my colleague Ms García Harminda van der 06:29:12.004 --> 06:29:12.794 Valle. 06:29:12.794 --> 06:29:13.994 You're welcome. 06:29:14.054 --> 06:29:18.942 Thank you, Chair, Commissioner. Nine years have passed since the brutal murder of 06:29:19.003 --> 06:29:24.072 Daphné Caruana Galizia. Murdered for investigating corruption and the mastermind has 06:29:24.132 --> 06:29:29.020 still not been convicted. Nine years. And the Maltese authorities and courts have 06:29:29.081 --> 06:29:32.702 still not done enough to bring those responsible to justice. 06:29:32.762 --> 06:29:37.711 I think we can all agree on this. A disgrace not only for Malta but for the entire 06:29:37.771 --> 06:29:42.720 European Union. And time and time again the European Parliament and the Commission 06:29:42.780 --> 06:29:45.496 have called on Malta to speed up its justice. 06:29:45.556 --> 06:29:48.875 Especially for investigations on high-level corruption. 06:29:48.935 --> 06:29:51.651 Without much result until now, unfortunately. 06:29:51.711 --> 06:29:54.910 So dear Commissioner, please, you have been to Malta. 06:29:54.970 --> 06:29:59.979 Do your best to ensure that all due reforms are passed quickly and that we end this 06:30:00.040 --> 06:30:04.807 culture of impunity. And about ending this culture of impunity, I will say this 06:30:04.867 --> 06:30:09.695 about this Parliament. It is a disgrace that murders of journalists depending on 06:30:09.756 --> 06:30:14.523 which country they come from and which government is in power are being used by 06:30:14.584 --> 06:30:17.601 different political groups. I'm sorry. S&D, Malta. 06:30:17.661 --> 06:30:22.127 EPP, Greece. FICO, in Slovakia. We see this across the political spectrum. 06:30:22.188 --> 06:30:26.110 Stop doing this. This is a disgrace to the memory of the victims. 06:30:26.171 --> 06:30:27.371 Thank you. 06:30:27.614 --> 06:30:34.454 Thank you. Will you accept the blue card? From colleague Mularczyk, from ECR. 06:30:39.914 --> 06:30:42.634 Thank you very much for accepting the blue card. 06:30:42.691 --> 06:30:47.281 Madam, in your speech you quite rightly emphasise that journalists must enjoy the 06:30:47.337 --> 06:30:51.927 right to freedom of expression, must be protected, and citizens have the right to 06:30:51.984 --> 06:30:56.687 reliable information. You mentioned countries where violations of freedom of speech 06:30:56.744 --> 06:31:01.504 occur. Have you heard about the situation in Poland, where the liberal government of 06:31:01.561 --> 06:31:05.471 Donald Tusk is harassing journalists from the TVN television station? 06:31:05.527 --> 06:31:10.004 and in Poland, where the police enter journalists' homes, where journalists are 06:31:10.061 --> 06:31:14.084 detained, harassed, and where they are denied the right to information? 06:31:14.141 --> 06:31:17.654 Have you heard, Madam, about the harassment in Poland against— 06:31:17.834 --> 06:31:21.369 Thank you. I have to applaud the time. I'm sorry. 06:31:21.442 --> 06:31:23.534 Do you have a minute? Please. 06:31:24.074 --> 06:31:28.547 Thank you, colleague. This debate is meant to honor the memory of one murdered 06:31:28.604 --> 06:31:33.191 journalist, in this case Dap hné Caruana Galizia, and it has been mentioned also 06:31:33.249 --> 06:31:38.008 that she's not the only one. We have Jan Kusak, we have Giorgios Karavis, there are 06:31:38.065 --> 06:31:42.825 many. This is not about specific cases of violation of freedom of expression, which 06:31:42.882 --> 06:31:47.641 you bring into this debate when this debate is about high -level corruption and how 06:31:47.699 --> 06:31:52.229 journalists who are investigating high-level corruption are being murdered in a 06:31:52.286 --> 06:31:57.045 European Union. It's unacceptable. And I don't want to say that other infringements 06:31:57.103 --> 06:32:01.575 are not serious. The rule of law looks into this, but please don't bring other 06:32:01.632 --> 06:32:02.894 subjects to something— 06:32:03.794 --> 06:32:05.714 Thank you. I have to be equally strict. 06:32:06.674 --> 06:32:09.793 And now I would like to give the floor to my colleague from the Arsal Echosa group, 06:32:09.831 --> 06:32:11.031 please. 06:32:13.394 --> 06:32:18.527 Thank you, President and Commissioner. Well, nine years is a failure. 06:32:18.601 --> 06:32:23.436 Assassination, corruption at highest level, a wall of complicity. 06:32:23.510 --> 06:32:28.940 The role of media and investigative journalists at act, the protection of 06:32:29.015 --> 06:32:35.040 journalists ignored. And the perceived succumbing of the response of the judicial 06:32:35.114 --> 06:32:41.139 system. All these elements together make this case not only a tragic event but an 06:32:41.214 --> 06:32:46.570 unprecedented challenge to rule of la w and basic democratic principles. 06:32:46.644 --> 06:32:52.818 Justice system must deliver, I think we all agree on that, and must del iver on its 06:32:52.892 --> 06:32:58.992 responsibility. Justice has to be done and all, all those responsible for this des 06:32:59.066 --> 06:33:04.496 picable conspiracy that led to the killing of Daphné Caruana must be held 06:33:04.571 --> 06:33:10.819 accountable. The retrial of Jörgen Fennek following the appeal against his acquittal 06:33:10.893 --> 06:33:14.092 is an opportunity that shouldn't be missed. 06:33:14.166 --> 06:33:19.522 In order to have a fresh and thorough reconsideration of the whole case. 06:33:19.596 --> 06:33:25.845 Maltese people, Maltese institutions, Maltese democracy, Daphné's family, deserve to 06:33:25.919 --> 06:33:31.721 have their confidence restored. So Commissioner, I call on you to take all the 06:33:31.795 --> 06:33:37.597 necessary steps in your specific responsibility in rule of law in the European 06:33:37.672 --> 06:33:43.325 Union. Ensuring that Daphné's death was not in vain is a moral and political 06:33:43.399 --> 06:33:45.854 obligation for us all. Thank you. 06:33:47.894 --> 06:33:51.734 Thank you. And now I would like to ask my colleague Bajada to take the floor. 06:33:57.314 --> 06:34:02.402 Elis tells us and Daphne Caruana Galizia did not die for the democracy that we 06:34:02.467 --> 06:34:07.556 journalists defend here. The fight for freedom requires protection of justice. 06:34:07.621 --> 06:34:11.209 And also democracy is not just about the right to vote. 06:34:11.274 --> 06:34:15.188 It is also about the right to access and verify information. 06:34:15.253 --> 06:34:19.885 But I must also investigate the cases that are hidden behind computers. 06:34:19.950 --> 06:34:25.364 And also when we take a closer look at the critical issues, there is one thing that 06:34:25.429 --> 06:34:30.452 is very clear: that journalism and the work of the media are in great danger. 06:34:30.518 --> 06:34:35.932 The fabrication presented manipulates the information that it claims to provide and 06:34:35.997 --> 06:34:41.346 to inform. This is where trust in journalists and in the citizens who are supposed 06:34:41.411 --> 06:34:46.891 to be informed is lost. The fabrication presented as truth and the manipulation that 06:34:46.956 --> 06:34:52.110 is claimed to be information. And we also need a European sugar for independent 06:34:52.175 --> 06:34:57.654 journalism. Citizens deserve to be protected from misinformation and to benefit from 06:34:57.720 --> 06:35:01.764 effective access to the truth. We remember the life of Daphne. 06:35:01.829 --> 06:35:03.134 We defend democracy. 06:35:06.554 --> 06:35:09.818 Thank you. And now I would like to invite our colleague, Vice-President Kučiarová, 06:35:09.858 --> 06:35:11.058 to take the floor. 06:35:12.314 --> 06:35:17.861 Yes, thank you, Mr President. Tell the truth, even if your voice trembles. 06:35:17.936 --> 06:35:24.232 And one of the phrases that Daphne Caruana Galizia loved to repeat, and it is one of 06:35:24.307 --> 06:35:28.729 the phrases that perhaps encaps counts best who Daphne was: 06:35:28.804 --> 06:35:33.901 having courage despite fear, having strength despite our weaknesses. 06:35:33.976 --> 06:35:39.823 This tells us who Daphne was, but it also tells us and remains a very powerful 06:35:39.897 --> 06:35:45.594 warning to to this Chamber, to all of us, because press freedom is never won 06:35:45.669 --> 06:35:51.965 forever; it remains a daily battleground. And so remembering Daphne means once again 06:35:52.040 --> 06:35:56.912 taking on, certainly here in this Chamber, a concrete commitment: 06:35:56.987 --> 06:36:03.283 we know that the assassins have been brought to justice, but much remains to be done 06:36:03.358 --> 06:36:09.205 with regard to the instigators, and I join the appeal of my colleagues who are 06:36:09.280 --> 06:36:15.126 asking the Commissioner to do everything possible to ensure that this happens. 06:36:15.201 --> 06:36:21.198 This means ensuring that no journalist is left alone when facing the powers they 06:36:21.273 --> 06:36:27.494 seek to investigate. This is our duty, this is the duty of the European Parliament. 06:36:27.794 --> 06:36:28.994 Thank you. Thank you. 06:36:29.834 --> 06:36:32.294 Now I will call on Ms Wieser and Ms Lima. 06:36:38.894 --> 06:36:43.912 Mr President, Commissioner, Malta, a Member State of the European Union, and Mr 06:36:43.975 --> 06:36:49.184 President, Commissioner, Malta, a Member State of the European Union, and yet nine 06:36:49.247 --> 06:36:54.583 years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, those who commissioned this 06:36:54.646 --> 06:36:59.537 crime have still not been convicted. The perpetrators are in prison, yes, but 06:36:59.600 --> 06:37:04.872 justice remains incomplete. The acquittal of 2 September has brought Maltese people 06:37:04.936 --> 06:37:09.954 onto the streets. They are protesting against a verdict they do not understand. 06:37:10.017 --> 06:37:14.908 Now, when a people loses confidence in its justice, when it is convinced that 06:37:14.971 --> 06:37:18.655 impunity reigns, it is democracy itself that is in danger. 06:37:18.719 --> 06:37:22.784 The Maltese people deserve better. We demand justice for Daphne. 06:37:22.847 --> 06:37:28.056 We also demand that the shortcomings identified by the Commission in its 2026 Rule 06:37:28.119 --> 06:37:32.947 of Law Report, Commissioner, which you yourself have highlighted, finally be 06:37:33.010 --> 06:37:37.837 corrected. The slowness of justice and the lack of convictions in high-level 06:37:37.901 --> 06:37:43.173 corruption cases. The Union has a duty to ensure compliance with the rule of law in 06:37:43.236 --> 06:37:47.555 each Member State. And the European Parliament will remain vigilant. 06:37:47.619 --> 06:37:48.819 Thank you. 06:37:51.614 --> 06:37:56.272 Ďakujem. I'm closing KHDI and I have to warn you, I'm not going to be able to take 06:37:56.329 --> 06:38:00.476 all of you by far because yeah, we are go ing to be late of time already. 06:38:00.533 --> 06:38:02.294 Mr. Attard, the floor is yours. 06:38:03.914 --> 06:38:08.501 Colleagues, this is a clear case of a conflict of interest and a clear case of an 06:38:08.558 --> 06:38:12.975 evident conflict of interest. In Malta, it is a matter of the Prime Minister’s 06:38:13.032 --> 06:38:15.580 discretion whether they are among the judges. 06:38:15.637 --> 06:38:19.035 The judges themselves have also underlined these conditions. 06:38:19.092 --> 06:38:23.453 They have told us that we must reform the current system to ensure that it is 06:38:23.509 --> 06:38:27.643 independent and that it is effective. More protection for journalists and 06:38:27.700 --> 06:38:30.305 responsibility for those who have to conclude. 06:38:30.362 --> 06:38:35.006 Mr President, I would like to ask Commissioner Reynders whether, in this political 06:38:35.062 --> 06:38:39.763 context and in this moment when the protection of journalists and those responsible 06:38:39.820 --> 06:38:44.180 for the press are not guaranteed, the Commission intends to take any steps to 06:38:44.237 --> 06:38:48.938 counter this worrying trend. They pay. Then the Chamber here must set standards, or 06:38:48.994 --> 06:38:53.468 else the one who is in charge for one year, for one year, will have Malta under 06:38:53.525 --> 06:38:58.169 attack, directly hit, as if there were a storm here, with all the others trembling 06:38:58.226 --> 06:39:02.869 in fear. I have already spoken about Malta, I have already spoken about Malta, but 06:39:02.926 --> 06:39:05.871 Europe must decide now what to do with this project. 06:39:05.928 --> 06:39:07.128 Thank you. 06:39:08.594 --> 06:39:12.134 Thank you. And now I would like to ask our colleague Ms Joveva to take the floor. 06:39:15.734 --> 06:39:18.874 Nine years ago, Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed. 06:39:18.937 --> 06:39:22.202 Because she asked too many questions. Knew too much. 06:39:22.265 --> 06:39:26.284 Would not be silenced. Today, we paid tribute to her once again. 06:39:26.347 --> 06:39:30.931 The only correct thing. We still talk too little about the fact that when 06:39:30.994 --> 06:39:34.385 journalists are silenced, democracy has no voice left. 06:39:34.447 --> 06:39:39.408 for far too long. But unfortunately, respect for the murdered journalist is not 06:39:39.471 --> 06:39:43.553 enough if we remain silent in the face of pressure on the living. 06:39:43.616 --> 06:39:45.374 I will continue in Croatian. 06:39:46.334 --> 06:39:51.153 In a country whose government claims it wants to join the European Union, before the 06:39:51.210 --> 06:39:55.799 elections an attempt is being made once again to discipline those last remaining 06:39:55.857 --> 06:39:59.241 media outlets that have not yet learned to bow their heads. 06:39:59.299 --> 06:40:02.282 The message is roughly as follows: conform or leave. 06:40:02.339 --> 06:40:06.986 Who do free journalists bother? Those who would most gladly have microphones, but 06:40:07.043 --> 06:40:10.542 not questions. Daphne paid for this difference with her life. 06:40:10.600 --> 06:40:14.156 Let us not wait for another Daphne to finally understand this. 06:40:14.214 --> 06:40:18.918 After all, a democratic and self-confident government is not afraid of independent 06:40:18.975 --> 06:40:21.614 media. Nor of observation missions. Thank you. 06:40:24.434 --> 06:40:27.854 Thank you. And now I would like to ask my colleague Mr Agius to take the floor. 06:40:33.014 --> 06:40:37.301 Colleagues, I would like to speak about the Labour Government. 06:40:37.370 --> 06:40:43.109 But I will speak about how the Labour Government is implementing the Daphne inquiry 06:40:43.178 --> 06:40:46.358 reforms. Every day Daphne is in the committee. 06:40:46.427 --> 06:40:52.097 Today Daphne is here as well. Let us recall that the European Commission expressed 06:40:52.166 --> 06:40:57.836 its displeasure at the European Commission's role in the corruption issue in Malta 06:40:57.905 --> 06:41:03.505 and that it is part of the problem. And these scoreboards and rule of law reports 06:41:03.574 --> 06:41:07.585 are not showing us that half of the institutions are down. 06:41:07.654 --> 06:41:12.978 Commissioner for Justice, the Attorney General is a puppet in the Government. 06:41:13.047 --> 06:41:18.440 The magistrates' investigations have now been going on for six months, and the 06:41:18.509 --> 06:41:24.248 citizens are still waiting for justice. The Commission has been able to count on Mr 06:41:24.317 --> 06:41:30.056 Joseph Muscat and now on Ms Roberta Metsola, and with more scoreboards, I am sorry, 06:41:30.125 --> 06:41:35.863 Mr President, the Commission has become a rubber stamp for corruption in Malta, and 06:41:35.933 --> 06:41:41.671 not just in Malta, but also in Europe, the funds and as you can see, Europe is also 06:41:41.740 --> 06:41:47.133 trampling on rights and it is doing so with more scoreboards and more actions. 06:41:47.203 --> 06:41:48.403 Thank you. 06:41:49.334 --> 06:41:52.233 Thank you. Will you accept the blue card from Mr. 06:41:52.292 --> 06:41:53.534 Agius Saliba? Please. 06:41:56.174 --> 06:42:01.574 You know, you know, Madam Eliadke, right. Now. 06:42:02.114 --> 06:42:08.182 You know, Madam Eliadke, if MP Malti il supposed eti rappresenta il paeso, ellum yi 06:42:08.255 --> 06:42:13.957 giune cui appella il commissionia europea sa bishtilbes linguante tal hadith u 06:42:14.030 --> 06:42:19.659 tattaccal il paeso metanda che il commissionia europea un ex tes u dim da nel 06:42:19.732 --> 06:42:25.727 parlamento li attai le kle perfette mahnish e ma le rihafna u hafna reformi tvet u 06:42:25.800 --> 06:42:29.894 sa besh il giustizia v paes natkun tista temshiel u dim. 06:42:29.967 --> 06:42:35.596 Peter Agius ma isto loksh tisseja rappresentant Malti aunek da nel parlamento 06:42:35.669 --> 06:42:36.869 europeo. 06:42:38.834 --> 06:42:43.015 Leonette, you know, mush supposed rappresentare il population. 06:42:43.083 --> 06:42:48.680 Malti. You know, the rappresentare il popolo Malti we attau netkellem ali yom anche 06:42:48.747 --> 06:42:51.984 al dauk lirdu yarav commissionie aktar ps aheta. 06:42:52.052 --> 06:42:57.716 U forse il commissionie ma tafsh li reato tal abuso d'ufficio uva applicable hafna f 06:42:57.784 --> 06:43:03.448 Malta shkenna chief of staff flufficio tal premier ministro e fishkel l'inchiesta ta 06:43:03.516 --> 06:43:09.046 Daphné Caruana Galizia for si alek uva importanti le nei duom da un lafariet u dim 06:43:09.113 --> 06:43:10.934 de nel plenaria sur Saliba. 06:43:12.494 --> 06:43:13.694 Thank you. 06:43:13.814 --> 06:43:17.704 Thank you. He has the right for follow-up questions, so and then you will have a 06:43:17.752 --> 06:43:19.454 right for follow-up answer. Please. 06:43:22.274 --> 06:43:26.923 The milk date you are giving us is a slap in the face to the country, but we also 06:43:26.980 --> 06:43:31.802 see this in the Parliament, especially in the Maltese delegation, where the European 06:43:31.859 --> 06:43:36.393 Commission is giving aid. there are many, many reforms that the Commission, the 06:43:36.451 --> 06:43:41.214 Venice Lists, the European Commission and various institutions have I would like to 06:43:41.272 --> 06:43:45.921 point out that we have already implemented and are continuing to implement in the 06:43:45.978 --> 06:43:50.455 Member States and the Council of Ministers a series of measures to address the 06:43:50.513 --> 06:43:55.104 situation in a comprehensive manner, and I would like to remind the country, the 06:43:55.162 --> 06:43:59.294 Member States, that this is precisely the added value that we represent. 06:43:59.354 --> 06:44:02.534 Thank you. Please. You should go for a question, not a comment. 06:44:04.034 --> 06:44:08.751 But the facts, the facts! But the facts, but the Toksh rajo ash edi nau ash disa 06:44:08.810 --> 06:44:13.528 sninwara mandate to the House, Mr Michel has the facts, but the Toksh rajoon ash 06:44:13.587 --> 06:44:18.422 alkem etnaraul scoreboards and rule of law reports etnaraul the Maltese Government 06:44:18.481 --> 06:44:23.375 in this case has violated rights and must respect the judicial inquiries set by the 06:44:23.434 --> 06:44:28.152 citizens themselves, justice and the country is in this situation and after that 06:44:28.211 --> 06:44:32.987 declaration etnaraam the European Commission, ladies and gentlemen, has noted the 06:44:33.046 --> 06:44:37.645 real situation that Malta faces regarding corruption and is taking good steps. 06:44:37.704 --> 06:44:38.904 Thank you. 06:44:39.974 --> 06:44:41.174 Yes. 06:44:42.674 --> 06:44:46.454 Thank you. And now we move on to KHDI and just to inform you, 06:44:46.514 --> 06:44:57.728 I'm going to be able to take only one speaker per group , so let me start with Mr. 06:44:57.865 --> 06:45:01.694 Lopatka. One moment, moment. 06:45:02.834 --> 06:45:04.694 Where it is murdering, sorry. 06:45:06.194 --> 06:45:14.244 No, no, okay. Thank you. Nine years ago, Daphné Galizia was murdered by a car bomb. 06:45:14.341 --> 06:45:22.294 That's a fact. But it's also a fact that no one has been convicted of ordering the 06:45:22.391 --> 06:45:26.852 bombing. Colleague Agius said it very clearly. 06:45:26.949 --> 06:45:33.544 We have to respect of course the independence of the Maltese courts. 06:45:33.641 --> 06:45:41.109 But the trial left questions about the police investigation and the handling. 06:45:41.206 --> 06:45:45.667 Very open. The wider picture is also worrying. 06:45:45.764 --> 06:45:53.038 The commission's role rule of law report finds no progress on free of seven 06:45:53.135 --> 06:46:00.506 recommendations. The government of Malta should listen very carefully to the 06:46:00.603 --> 06:46:06.325 majority of this speeches h ere in the European Parliament. 06:46:06.422 --> 06:46:11.174 I strongly call on Malta to complete its reforms. 06:46:13.454 --> 06:46:17.414 Thank you. And now I would like to call on my colleague Mr López Aguilar, please. 06:46:19.514 --> 06:46:21.614 Thank you so much, Mr. President. Commissioner Magra, 06:46:22.154 --> 06:46:27.304 nine years since the assassination of Daphne Caruana and nine years that, on this 06:46:27.367 --> 06:46:30.483 date, we invariably hold a tribute to her memory. 06:46:30.546 --> 06:46:34.297 For which the press room of this Parliament bears her name. 06:46:34.361 --> 06:46:39.065 Full solidarity with your work, full solidarity with your family, and full 06:46:39.129 --> 06:46:44.151 commitment to ending impunity. But invariably this debate ends up being used by 06:46:44.215 --> 06:46:47.267 Malta’s government opponents to attack unjustly. 06:46:47.330 --> 06:46:51.208 There has been an investigation, a criminal trial, a verdict. 06:46:51.272 --> 06:46:56.422 And therefore, we must draw attention to the subject of this debate, which is the 06:46:56.485 --> 06:47:01.508 memory of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Not the Government of Malta, however much its 06:47:01.571 --> 06:47:06.721 opponents may dislike it. And so, if we truly want to honour the memory of Daphne 06:47:06.785 --> 06:47:10.345 Caruana, let us keep the debate within its proper scope. 06:47:10.409 --> 06:47:15.431 Which is to honour investigative journalism, to protect journalists against all 06:47:15.495 --> 06:47:20.263 threats. And naturally to guarantee information pluralism and investigative 06:47:20.327 --> 06:47:24.014 journalism in the European Union. Thank you, Mr President. 06:47:25.994 --> 06:47:30.374 Thank you. And now I would like to ask our colleague Ms Višnevská to take the floor. 06:47:32.594 --> 06:47:37.360 Mr President, honourable Members. Madam President, honourable Members, I was in 06:47:37.420 --> 06:47:42.247 Malta a few weeks ago and I saw Maltese people protesting against what happened. 06:47:42.307 --> 06:47:47.013 Mr President, honourable Members, I was in Malta a few weeks ago and I saw the 06:47:47.073 --> 06:47:52.080 Maltese protesting against what happened. Today Mr López is speaking here on behalf 06:47:52.141 --> 06:47:56.666 of Ms Aguilar, and says this is a debate dedicated to commemorating Daphne. 06:47:56.726 --> 06:48:00.165 But Daphne’s memory has still not been properly honoured. 06:48:00.225 --> 06:48:03.483 The perpetrators of this crime have not been punished. 06:48:03.543 --> 06:48:08.430 And when the left-wing government responsible for the rampant corruption in Malta 06:48:08.490 --> 06:48:13.437 and for Daphne’s death is pointed out in this Chamber, then the representatives of 06:48:13.498 --> 06:48:18.445 this supposedly so sensitive left they stand as one behind the corrupt government. 06:48:18.505 --> 06:48:23.331 Behind a government that has drawn no lessons whatsoever from this tragic death. 06:48:23.392 --> 06:48:26.830 And this shows, in a nutshell, their left-wing hypocrisy. 06:48:26.891 --> 06:48:28.091 Thank you. 06:48:30.194 --> 06:48:33.854 And now, as the last colleague, I call on Mr Zaliņš to take the floor. 06:48:36.914 --> 06:48:41.175 Thank you. Dear colleagues, nine years after assassination of Ms. 06:48:41.240 --> 06:48:46.156 Galizia Europe has still done and not done enough to protect media freedom. 06:48:46.222 --> 06:48:51.531 Last year investigative reporters were targeted by explosive attacks in Italy and 06:48:51.596 --> 06:48:56.185 Greece. Twenty Italian journalists required all day police protection. 06:48:56.250 --> 06:49:01.101 Elsewhere politicians used smear campaigns to discredit independent media. 06:49:01.166 --> 06:49:06.541 Public broadcasters also faced political interference undermining their ability to 06:49:06.607 --> 06:49:11.588 hold governments acco untable. In Lithuania, after attempts by the governing 06:49:11.654 --> 06:49:16.832 majority to bring public broadcaster under political contr ol, prosecutors have 06:49:16.897 --> 06:49:21.551 launched an inquiry into how LRT journalists gather covert information. 06:49:21.617 --> 06:49:26.402 The European Broadcasting Union has warned already that this could expose 06:49:26.467 --> 06:49:30.597 confidential sources and undermine the editorial independ ence. 06:49:30.662 --> 06:49:36.037 Together with cases revealed a disturbing pattern of growing political pressure on 06:49:36.103 --> 06:49:40.035 journalists. But we have instruments which must be enforced. 06:49:40.101 --> 06:49:42.854 The European Media Freedom Act. Thank you. 06:49:45.014 --> 06:49:48.471 Thank you very much. And sadly I have to conclude with this, the KHDI. 06:49:48.521 --> 06:49:52.570 Thank you to all of you who expressed the interest, but since we are running late, 06:49:52.620 --> 06:49:56.225 we cannot take all of the requests. And let me give the floor back to the 06:49:56.274 --> 06:49:59.534 Commission, to the Commissioner Magra. Please, the floor is yours. 06:50:04.214 --> 06:50:09.298 Thank you very much, Chair. And can I thank all of the honorable members who 06:50:09.364 --> 06:50:14.515 contributed to this debate? I highly charged debate, understandable given the 06:50:14.582 --> 06:50:18.261 circumstances and the issue that was under discuss ion. 06:50:18.328 --> 06:50:23.879 And as colleagues will know, neither I nor any member of the Commission can comment 06:50:23.946 --> 06:50:28.562 on cri minal proceedings that are ongoing before the National Courts. 06:50:28.628 --> 06:50:32.575 We have to fully respect the independence of the judiciary. 06:50:32.642 --> 06:50:38.260 And as we have done since the assassination we will closely monitor all developments 06:50:38.327 --> 06:50:43.545 so that justice is d one for Daphné. But what I can say is that the despicable 06:50:43.612 --> 06:50:48.829 assassination of Daphné in 20 17 was undoubtedly an attack on press freedom in 06:50:48.896 --> 06:50:54.247 Europe. Our thoughts remain with her family today and her friends, who have been 06:50:54.314 --> 06:50:57.658 fighting a long battle to secure justice for h er. 06:50:57.725 --> 06:51:02.073 The pursuit of justice for Daphné and her loved ones is not over. 06:51:02.140 --> 06:51:05.284 All those responsible must be held accountable. 06:51:05.351 --> 06:51:10.902 There can be no impunity. For what was a heinous attack and judicial procedures are 06:51:10.969 --> 06:51:14.314 still ongoing and we should resp ect that process. 06:51:14.381 --> 06:51:17.190 Free press lies at the heart of democracy. 06:51:17.257 --> 06:51:21.738 Journalists must be able to work safely, freely, and independently. 06:51:21.805 --> 06:51:25.618 There must be able to do their job. This is not a luxury. 06:51:25.685 --> 06:51:31.103 But I think we can all agree that it is a basic component of democracy and of the 06:51:31.170 --> 06:51:36.387 rule of law. Over the past decade the Commission, with your support, has taken 06:51:36.454 --> 06:51:42.073 concrete action to uphold media freedom and protect journalists and this is now also 06:51:42.139 --> 06:51:46.621 a key plank of our commitments under the European Democracy Shield. 06:51:46.688 --> 06:51:52.173 The European Freedom Act, passed by this House, provides a set of rules to protect 06:51:52.240 --> 06:51:57.658 media pluralism and independence in the EU and we are currently working to ensure 06:51:57.725 --> 06:52:03.143 its application on the ground. And in other tribute to all of the journalists who 06:52:03.210 --> 06:52:08.694 have tragically lost their lives in the European Union is to make sure that all of 06:52:08.761 --> 06:52:14.179 the provisions of the European Media Freedom Act are implemented right across the 06:52:14.246 --> 06:52:19.062 member states of the European Union. And since 2021 we have a Commission 06:52:19.129 --> 06:52:24.614 recommendation on the safety of journalists, aimed at ensuring that journalists ac 06:52:24.614 --> 06:52:29.494 ross Europe are able to rely on a framework of laws and measures to ensure their 06:52:29.555 --> 06:52:34.314 safety without fear or constraints. The recommendation is currently undergoing 06:52:34.375 --> 06:52:39.011 review with the intention of updating it. We also have the framework against 06:52:39.072 --> 06:52:44.074 so-called slaps, we have the directive and a recommendation and again I would urge 06:52:44.135 --> 06:52:48.162 all of the member states to make sure we have full implementation. 06:52:48.223 --> 06:52:53.164 The media resilience program will reinforce financial support for independent and 06:52:53.225 --> 06:52:57.983 local journalism. We know that many parts of the media are under real pressure 06:52:58.044 --> 06:53:03.108 including financial sustainability issues that play a crucial role in our democracy 06:53:03.169 --> 06:53:08.293 and I believe are deserving of support. We are extremely vigilant on this matter and 06:53:08.354 --> 06:53:12.502 continue to monitor the state of media freedom in all member states. 06:53:12.563 --> 06:53:17.321 And please allow me to use the conclusion of this debate to express my sincere 06:53:17.382 --> 06:53:20.311 gratitude for the work of Maltese civil society. 06:53:20.372 --> 06:53:25.313 Which has undoubtedly played a crucial role following the assassination of Daphné 06:53:25.374 --> 06:53:30.498 nine years ago. In relation to the situation concerning the rule of law in Malta the 06:53:30.559 --> 06:53:35.684 Commission counsels the Maltese authorities to take forward the necessary reforms to 06:53:35.745 --> 06:53:40.869 adequately address the recommendations addressed to Malta in the rule of law report. 06:53:40.930 --> 06:53:45.871 And I would take this opportunity finally to urge all of the member states across 06:53:45.932 --> 06:53:50.874 the European Union to fully implement the recommendations that the Commission has 06:53:50.935 --> 06:53:55.876 made in respect of the rule of law. And we are there to support and assist member 06:53:55.937 --> 06:54:00.390 states in that regard and please be assured of my personal commitment and 06:54:00.451 --> 06:54:05.515 determination to working with all of you to improve the rule of law in the European 06:54:05.576 --> 06:54:10.334 Union and to ensure that justice is achieved in respect of all of these cases. 06:54:10.694 --> 06:54:11.894 Thank you very much. 06:54:13.034 --> 06:54:17.692 Thank you, Commissioner. And indeed I hope that not only justice will be served in 06:54:17.748 --> 06:54:21.554 all of the cases but that no journalists will be harmed ever again. 06:54:22.274 --> 06:54:27.905 The debate on this item is now closed. The next item on the agenda is the report 06:54:27.975 --> 06:54:33.184 presented by colleague Zdrojevský on Erasmus+, for the years 2028 to 2034. 06:54:33.254 --> 06:54:39.166 To open the debate, I would now like to give the floor to Mr colleague Zdrojevský as 06:54:39.237 --> 06:54:40.574 rapporteur. Please. 06:54:44.594 --> 06:54:49.453 Mr President, Commissioner, it is hard to believe, but next year we will be 06:54:49.518 --> 06:54:53.340 celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Erasmus+ programme. 06:54:53.405 --> 06:54:58.718 It is even harder to believe the fact that nearly 17 million people have benefited 06:54:58.782 --> 06:55:03.965 from this programme. Mr President, Commissioner, it is hard to believe, but next 06:55:04.030 --> 06:55:08.889 year we will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Erasmus+ programme. 06:55:08.954 --> 06:55:14.267 And it is even harder to believe that nearly 17 million people have benefited from 06:55:14.331 --> 06:55:19.709 this programme. Today’s debate on this programme should therefore be something of a 06:55:19.774 --> 06:55:25.151 celebration. Because this is indeed a major effort and, as a result, a gigantic – I 06:55:25.216 --> 06:55:30.334 stress, gigantic – success. For me, as the rapporteur, today’s debate is also a 06:55:30.399 --> 06:55:35.582 positive finale and, at the same time, a presentation of the results of nearly a 06:55:35.646 --> 06:55:40.829 year’s work, of course not only mine. During this time, there was no shortage of 06:55:40.894 --> 06:55:44.911 interesting debates, interesting conferences or consultations. 06:55:44.976 --> 06:55:50.353 We had everything that was key: evaluations of the programme itself, postulates for 06:55:50.418 --> 06:55:53.916 the future, interesting questions, and expert answers. 06:55:53.981 --> 06:55:59.229 The whole process was crowned with a fantastic snapshot of where we are today and 06:55:59.294 --> 06:56:03.699 what we need in the future. Erasmus is a multidimensional programme. 06:56:03.764 --> 06:56:06.874 Student exchanges obviously dominate, of course. 06:56:06.939 --> 06:56:12.381 But today, what must not be forgotten is also the activities of youth organisations. 06:56:12.446 --> 06:56:17.175 Cooperation between universities, training, and professional development. 06:56:17.240 --> 06:56:20.868 And even support for sport and physical activity itself. 06:56:20.933 --> 06:56:26.245 Erasmus+ is a complementary programme. Returning to the origins and drawing on the 06:56:26.310 --> 06:56:31.428 experience gained, we must, however, emphasise the necessary conditions for its 06:56:31.493 --> 06:56:34.344 implementation. And there are three of them. 06:56:34.409 --> 06:56:38.166 First of all, there must be demand. Desire to participate. 06:56:38.231 --> 06:56:42.442 Good evaluation of implementation. And I will answer immediately: 06:56:42.507 --> 06:56:47.496 it is fantastic. We do not even have a chance of meeting all the quantitative 06:56:47.560 --> 06:56:52.419 expectations. On this occasion, I welcome the return of the United Kingdom. 06:56:52.484 --> 06:56:56.890 This enriches our offer and expands our implementation capabilities. 06:56:56.955 --> 06:57:01.814 Perhaps Switzerland will soon join, and in the longer term, Canada as well. 06:57:01.878 --> 06:57:05.247 I am pleased that Hungarians, students from Hungary. 06:57:05.312 --> 06:57:10.754 The second equally important condition is simplifications, flexibility, facilitation 06:57:10.819 --> 06:57:15.613 of access and, above all, maximum reduction of various forms of exclusion. 06:57:15.678 --> 06:57:19.306 This is the proposed simplicity and ease of application. 06:57:19.371 --> 06:57:24.554 And thirdly, an adequate budget. In our proposal, this amounts to €47.2 billion. 06:57:25.094 --> 06:57:30.544 I would like to remind you that in the current, still ongoing multiannual financial 06:57:30.610 --> 06:57:36.125 framework, this was 26 billion. Thank you to colleague Jar for good cooperation with 06:57:36.191 --> 06:57:40.196 the Committee on Budgets. And here I must pause for a moment. 06:57:40.262 --> 06:57:44.399 We are not lacking in energy. There is no shortage of interest. 06:57:44.464 --> 06:57:49.258 There is no shortage of organisations ready for professional cooperation. 06:57:49.323 --> 06:57:52.738 But we still do not have enough financial resources. 06:57:52.803 --> 06:57:57.859 It is worth remembering that every additional euro invested in Erasmus+ is of 06:57:57.925 --> 06:58:03.244 enormous importance. Even a small increase in this programme increases the number 06:58:03.309 --> 06:58:06.067 and opportunities for thousands of people. 06:58:06.133 --> 06:58:11.451 Conversely, any cuts mean sending young people away and wasting their educational 06:58:11.517 --> 06:58:16.507 aspirations. We must give the youngest generation the tools for development. 06:58:16.573 --> 06:58:19.659 Spending on Erasmus+ is a guarantee of success. 06:58:19.725 --> 06:58:25.043 It is an investment with a 100% return. This is not inflation-linked bonds, but a 06:58:25.109 --> 06:58:29.508 capital investment with indicators unknown to banking institutions. 06:58:29.574 --> 06:58:32.595 The budget of EUR 47.2 billion is the minimum. 06:58:32.660 --> 06:58:37.979 And finally, of course, we know that the most important battle ahead of us is the 06:58:38.044 --> 06:58:42.903 trilogues. This is the cooperation between the Commission, the Council and 06:58:42.969 --> 06:58:48.485 Parliament. This will happen next year. We must ensure a guarantee for the budget at 06:58:48.550 --> 06:58:54.000 a level adequate to our needs. Today, I am keeping my fingers crossed for the young 06:58:54.066 --> 06:58:58.334 generation of Europeans. This debate and this report are for you. 06:59:02.174 --> 06:59:06.526 Thank you, Mr rapporteur. And now I would like to invite the Commission's Executive 06:59:06.579 --> 06:59:08.414 Vice-President, Ms Minzátú. Please. 06:59:13.454 --> 06:59:18.924 Thank you, Honorable Members. Erasmus+, the most loved, the most well-known, the 06:59:18.992 --> 06:59:24.463 most cherished of EU programs, the one that has a very direct impact in people's 06:59:24.531 --> 06:59:29.728 lives, especially young people, be them students, pupils, but also teachers, 06:59:29.796 --> 06:59:33.488 volunteers, all those engaged in youth organization s. 06:59:33.557 --> 06:59:39.232 For 40 years a program that has built a sense of belonging for all of us in Europe. 06:59:39.300 --> 06:59:44.497 And beyond the anniversary, our debate today is about the next generation of 06:59:44.565 --> 06:59:50.104 Erasmus+, what's happening in the next financial multi-annual financial framework 06:59:50.172 --> 06:59:55.779 2028-2034. Of course, first of all, we want to protect what works, what works well 06:59:55.847 --> 07:00:01.522 with this program. A program that offered so many Europeans, millions of Europeans, 07:00:01.591 --> 07:00:07.266 the first to for the first time maybe travel in Europe, to study, to gather skills, 07:00:07.334 --> 07:00:11.232 to discover new people, new places, to understand Europe. 07:00:11.300 --> 07:00:14.719 We want to make this program even more accessible. 07:00:14.787 --> 07:00:20.326 I think it's important that no matter what region you come from or no matter what 07:00:20.394 --> 07:00:25.522 your social, economic background is , you should be able to access Erasmus. 07:00:25.591 --> 07:00:30.856 We also want Erasmus to contribute more to what we call excellence in Europe. 07:00:30.924 --> 07:00:35.984 Because we have so much talent and we want our Europeans to choose Europe. 07:00:36.052 --> 07:00:41.249 And we want to invest in European university alliances, in the scholarships. 07:00:41.317 --> 07:00:44.189 We want to make Erasmus simpler to access. 07:00:44.258 --> 07:00:49.864 It's important that it's easy, that it's not bureaucratic, that it's a demand that 07:00:49.933 --> 07:00:55.471 comes from of course national agencies, from students, from teachers, from you in 07:00:55.540 --> 07:00:59.711 this house. And this is a direction that we've also followed. 07:00:59.779 --> 07:01:04.018 And all these are reflected in the proposal of the Commission. 07:01:04.087 --> 07:01:07.916 But of course the money matters. A bigger budget indeed. 07:01:07.984 --> 07:01:13.249 Commission proposed an increase from the current 27 billion euros to a bigger 07:01:13.317 --> 07:01:19.061 amount. I wouldn't say the ideal amount because we need an Erasmus for all, but it's 07:01:19.129 --> 07:01:24.805 a big step forward. 41 billion euros. This house has supported a very strong budget 07:01:24.873 --> 07:01:29.933 and even better numbers. I need to thank all of you of course first of all 07:01:30.001 --> 07:01:34.514 rapporteurs Zdrojewski for the work that he has done, all the shad 07:01:34.574 --> 07:01:39.466 ow rapporteurs, all the members of this house that have contributed and keep 07:01:39.530 --> 07:01:42.298 contributing to a strong relevant E rasmus. 07:01:42.362 --> 07:01:47.576 And of course we need to have a debate that would reflect not only the budget but 07:01:47.640 --> 07:01:52.854 also the soft power that Erasmus has in the lives of European citizens and in the 07:01:52.918 --> 07:01:58.196 lives of those that are outside of Europe and we mentioned here the countries that 07:01:58.261 --> 07:02:03.667 want to also to join. So looking forward to this debate and to your questions and to 07:02:03.732 --> 07:02:05.534 come back to them of course. 07:02:08.174 --> 07:02:11.709 Thank you very much. So now I would like to give the floor for the Committee, 07:02:11.755 --> 07:02:13.454 Karolina Moracze, the floor is yours. 07:02:15.314 --> 07:02:20.680 Thank you. Thank you, Mr President. Commissioner, and first of all I would like to 07:02:20.745 --> 07:02:25.784 start by thanking my colleague Zdrojewski for the excellent work carried out. 07:02:25.850 --> 07:02:30.365 Erasmus+ reminds us that education does not stop at the school desks. 07:02:30.430 --> 07:02:35.076 We learn by travelling, by meeting other cultures, by practising sport. 07:02:35.142 --> 07:02:39.461 Because growing up also means learning to know and respect others. 07:02:39.526 --> 07:02:44.892 But while we discuss these opportunities, we cannot forget the young Palestinians. 07:02:44.957 --> 07:02:49.538 In Gaza, war has destroyed schools and disrupted educational pathways. 07:02:49.604 --> 07:02:54.839 By depriving an entire generation of the normality of studying, playing and even 07:02:54.904 --> 07:02:59.877 dreaming. As rapporteur for the opinion of the Development Committee, I have 07:02:59.943 --> 07:03:03.869 stressed the need to protect students affected by conflicts. 07:03:03.934 --> 07:03:09.104 Erasmus+ cannot fund the physical reconstruction of schools, but it can provide 07:03:09.170 --> 07:03:14.601 scholarships and educational opportunities to those at risk of losing their future. 07:03:14.666 --> 07:03:19.574 Education, just like sport, must build bridges even where war erects walls. 07:03:19.640 --> 07:03:20.840 Thank you. 07:03:22.154 --> 07:03:25.574 Thank you very much. Now for Budget Committee will speak Lucia Iar. 07:03:28.334 --> 07:03:31.334 Commissioner, colleagues, I'll speak in Slovak. 07:03:32.294 --> 07:03:37.382 This is the language, friends from all over Europe, an experience for a lifetime. 07:03:37.445 --> 07:03:42.595 This is precisely Erasmus. One of the best things the European Union has ever come 07:03:42.658 --> 07:03:45.924 up with. And an investment that absolutely pays off. 07:03:45.987 --> 07:03:51.201 That is why, in the new seven-year budget, we need a stronger Erasmus, but not only 07:03:51.263 --> 07:03:56.414 in the budget, but also in terms of the changes for the better that will come with 07:03:56.477 --> 07:04:01.753 it. Erasmus must not be a luxury. Try renting a room somewhere in Amsterdam or Milan 07:04:01.816 --> 07:04:06.841 on today’s scholarship, good luck. After all, it must not be the parents' wallet 07:04:06.904 --> 07:04:10.987 that decides who gets to go abroad. Erasmus must not be a luxury. 07:04:11.049 --> 07:04:16.074 But the skills of students. We want to strengthen competitiveness, we constantly 07:04:16.137 --> 07:04:21.413 talk about this here. Excellent. So let's link Erasmus with research and innovation. 07:04:21.476 --> 07:04:26.564 After all, the greatest competitive advantage of Europe is the potential of young 07:04:26.627 --> 07:04:31.840 people, who are turning it into results. In business, in technology, in science and 07:04:31.903 --> 07:04:34.604 in politics. I know what I'm talking about. 07:04:34.667 --> 07:04:39.692 Erasmus changed my life too. Without it, I wouldn't even be standing here today. 07:04:39.755 --> 07:04:44.654 So let's give all young people a stronger, more accessible and fairer Erasmus. 07:04:46.094 --> 07:04:49.814 Thank you. For the Committee will speak Daniel Freund. 07:04:52.634 --> 07:04:58.339 Dear colleagues, Erasmus is the best thing that the European Union is doing. 07:04:58.414 --> 07:05:04.494 There is no other program that changes lives of millions of Europeans so directly 07:05:04.570 --> 07:05:09.674 and so profoundly. I myself, 20 years ago, I was an Erasmus student. 07:05:10.394 --> 07:05:16.528 And during that year I spent in Paris, I didn’t just fall in love with the French 07:05:16.603 --> 07:05:21.374 language, but also with a woman from Italy who today is my wife 07:05:22.394 --> 07:05:28.020 and there is a study that says that over a million children have come from these 07:05:28.091 --> 07:05:31.818 Erasmus relationships, three of them are my children. 07:05:31.889 --> 07:05:37.797 So what could be a more beautiful symbol than the fact that, after centuries of war, 07:05:37.867 --> 07:05:43.634 we now have a programme where millions of Europeans spend time in another country. 07:05:43.814 --> 07:05:48.739 That we have overcome war for this program of peace, of meeting each other. 07:05:48.805 --> 07:05:54.255 Actually every European should get the chance once in their life to spend some time 07:05:54.321 --> 07:05:59.115 in another member state. This is the best way that we can spend EU money. 07:05:59.181 --> 07:06:00.494 Thank you very much. 07:06:02.594 --> 07:06:06.614 Thank you. Next speaker for Ample Committee will be Nella Riel. 07:06:11.834 --> 07:06:16.617 In France, a 16-year-old boy left his house to demand a classroom that lets him 07:06:16.677 --> 07:06:19.946 imagine a future. Instead he came home without an eye. 07:06:20.007 --> 07:06:23.882 A 15-year-old lost his hand. A 14-year-old has a broken jaw now. 07:06:23.942 --> 07:06:28.907 They are facing riot police because they ask for heating, for dry ceiling, and for 07:06:28.967 --> 07:06:33.750 enough shares to sit on at school. And politicians answer with even more budget 07:06:33.810 --> 07:06:38.654 cuts. Because young people's future is always the first budget to be cut because 07:06:38.714 --> 07:06:43.497 it's super easy to take away from someone who's not even sitt ing at the table. 07:06:43.557 --> 07:06:48.582 And it's easier to blame young people for disrupting society than to fix the system 07:06:48.643 --> 07:06:51.973 that actually caused the disruption in the first place. 07:06:52.033 --> 07:06:57.058 But colleagues, this is our job. In France, Italy, Belgium, students are protesting 07:06:57.119 --> 07:06:59.843 and asking, isn't anyone taking us seriously? 07:06:59.904 --> 07:07:03.960 And today we give them the answer by protecting the Erasmus budget. 07:07:04.020 --> 07:07:08.864 We show them we do. It is the education budget that you controls and we can show 07:07:08.924 --> 07:07:11.709 that with us they do have a future to imagine. 07:07:11.770 --> 07:07:15.705 Thank you, Mr. Zdrojewski. Thank you, Roxana, for the great work. 07:07:15.765 --> 07:07:18.974 Thank you all colleagues for the great work together. 07:07:20.114 --> 07:07:24.371 Thank you. I now speak on behalf of the European People's Party Group, Eldar Sousa 07:07:24.423 --> 07:07:25.623 Silva. 07:07:31.154 --> 07:07:35.651 Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, I would first like to congratulate my 07:07:35.705 --> 07:07:40.092 colleague Bogdan Zdrojewski Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, I would 07:07:40.147 --> 07:07:44.589 like to begin by congratulating my colleague Bogdan Zdrojewski and all the shadow 07:07:44.644 --> 07:07:48.757 rapporteurs for the rigorous and ambitious work on this report, which is as 07:07:48.812 --> 07:07:53.418 important as Erasmus+. Madam Commissioner, dear colleagues, I would like to start by 07:07:53.473 --> 07:07:58.079 congratulating my colleague Bogdan Zdrojewski and all the shadow rapporteurs for the 07:07:58.134 --> 07:08:02.411 rigorous and ambitious work on this report, which is as important as Erasmus+. 07:08:02.521 --> 07:08:06.634 Faced with an extremely positive proposal from the Commission, but one that 07:08:06.689 --> 07:08:10.472 Parliament says is insufficient, and with the financial cuts proposed 07:08:10.527 --> 07:08:14.859 incomprehensibly by the Council, this is the moment for Parliament to halt this 07:08:14.914 --> 07:08:19.301 retreat and clearly demand more. After all, we are talking about one of the most 07:08:19.356 --> 07:08:23.798 emblematic and also most sought-after programmes of the Union, which prepares new 07:08:23.853 --> 07:08:28.185 generations for the challenges of the future and shapes true European citizens. 07:08:28.240 --> 07:08:32.188 But the future of Erasmus+ does not depend solely on how much we invest. 07:08:32.243 --> 07:08:34.710 It depends on the programme we want to build. 07:08:34.765 --> 07:08:37.397 And the report points exactly in this direction. 07:08:37.452 --> 07:08:41.675 We need an Erasmus+ that goes further. That does not waste talent and lack of 07:08:41.730 --> 07:08:44.636 opportunities. Let it empower young people and sport. 07:08:44.691 --> 07:08:48.310 And let it take Europe to the world and bring the world to Europe. 07:08:48.365 --> 07:08:51.436 In the end, Erasmus+ is not just another budget heading. 07:08:51.491 --> 07:08:54.397 It is one of the most concrete ways of living Europe. 07:08:54.452 --> 07:08:58.894 For many young people, it is where Europe becomes real because it shapes how they 07:08:58.948 --> 07:09:01.471 see the Union and choose to participate in it. 07:09:01.526 --> 07:09:05.474 That is why Erasmus+ is not just another expense in the European budget; 07:09:05.529 --> 07:09:09.422 it is one of the best investments in the next generations of Europeans. 07:09:09.477 --> 07:09:10.677 Thank you very much. 07:09:11.834 --> 07:09:16.214 Thank you. I now speak on behalf of the Socialist and Democrats Group, Sabrina Repe. 07:09:16.754 --> 07:09:17.954 Thank you very much. 07:09:23.474 --> 07:09:25.919 And where did you do your Erasmus+ at the time? 07:09:25.971 --> 07:09:30.342 This question is always being asked of me again and again, as if it were a matter of 07:09:30.394 --> 07:09:34.764 course. that a young woman who is sitting in the European Parliament today must have 07:09:34.817 --> 07:09:37.470 also spent time abroad with Erasmus+ at some point. 07:09:37.522 --> 07:09:40.956 And you know what? I would have loved to have had that experience. 07:09:41.008 --> 07:09:44.962 It wasn’t because I didn’t want to. But because I simply couldn't afford it. 07:09:45.014 --> 07:09:49.125 Who works alongside their studies to pay their rent cannot simply take that job 07:09:49.177 --> 07:09:53.443 abroad. If parents cannot financially step in, then this opportunity often remains 07:09:53.495 --> 07:09:57.658 unattainable. All too often, it is still the parents’ purse that decides who can 07:09:57.710 --> 07:10:01.976 take part in Erasmus+ and who cannot. And that is precisely what we must change in 07:10:02.028 --> 07:10:06.086 the upcoming Erasmus+ programme. We want to significantly increase the budget. 07:10:06.138 --> 07:10:10.301 Because what good is Erasmus+ if you still can’t afford to study abroad with it? 07:10:10.353 --> 07:10:14.567 We have enshrined a clear goal: at least one in five places should benefit people 07:10:14.619 --> 07:10:18.157 for whom studying abroad has not previously been a matter of course. 07:10:18.209 --> 07:10:20.811 Because talent does not depend on parents’ income. 07:10:20.863 --> 07:10:23.985 And European opportunities should not depend on that either. 07:10:24.037 --> 07:10:28.303 Furthermore, 15 percent of the budget is earmarked for youth and voluntary service 07:10:28.355 --> 07:10:32.518 programmes. Because Europe is experienced not only in the lecture hall, but also 07:10:32.570 --> 07:10:36.368 through youth exchanges, voluntary service or during vocational training. 07:10:36.420 --> 07:10:40.686 These opportunities must be open, in particular, to young people from rural areas. 07:10:40.738 --> 07:10:43.912 Erasmus+ is not an elite programme and must never become one. 07:10:43.964 --> 07:10:46.826 I want young people in future no longer to have to say: 07:10:46.878 --> 07:10:50.260 "I would have liked to do an Erasmus+, but I couldn’t afford it." 07:10:50.312 --> 07:10:53.850 I myself was unable to take advantage of this opportunity back then. 07:10:53.902 --> 07:10:58.168 Today, I am sitting here in the European Parliament and can help ensure that other 07:10:58.220 --> 07:11:02.435 young people can take this path. Because in the end, it should not be decided how 07:11:02.487 --> 07:11:06.805 much money their parents have, but rather what dreams and opportunities these young 07:11:06.857 --> 07:11:08.057 people bring with them. 07:11:09.074 --> 07:11:10.934 Thank you. Frau Weiß, 07:11:10.994 --> 07:11:12.254 the patriot of Europe's garden 07:11:12.794 --> 07:11:14.174 I am speaking, Katerina Grize. 07:11:17.054 --> 07:11:21.615 Thank you, Mr President. Commissioner, for how long will you divert Erasmus from its 07:11:21.670 --> 07:11:24.439 original purpose, which is Thank you, Mr President. 07:11:24.493 --> 07:11:28.946 Commissioner, how long will you divert Erasmus from its original purpose, which is 07:11:29.000 --> 07:11:33.181 to bring young Europeans together? How long will you extend this programme to 07:11:33.235 --> 07:11:36.385 migration objectives, at the risk of betraying its spirit? 07:11:36.439 --> 07:11:41.000 And above all, how can we explain that, after having excluded Hungarian universities 07:11:41.055 --> 07:11:45.453 for years, Brussels is now opening the doors of Erasmus to them just months after 07:11:45.507 --> 07:11:50.014 its champion arrived in Budapest? The Commission is invoking reforms to the rule of 07:11:50.069 --> 07:11:54.304 law. But why have students had to pay the price for this political tug-of-war? 07:11:54.358 --> 07:11:58.920 Dear colleagues, the rule of law must never become an instrument of pressure applied 07:11:58.974 --> 07:12:03.372 with double standards. Education must not be a bargaining chip in politics nor an 07:12:03.426 --> 07:12:07.770 instrument of migration policy. Erasmus belongs to European students, not to the 07:12:07.825 --> 07:12:10.214 Commission’s political ambitions. Thank you. 07:12:11.474 --> 07:12:15.734 Thank you. Now I will speak on behalf of the Renew Group, Lara Magoni. 07:12:15.974 --> 07:12:17.174 Please. 07:12:17.954 --> 07:12:20.731 Thank you to the rapporteur, Mr Zdrojewski. 07:12:20.795 --> 07:12:26.220 In an Europe where too many policies have disappointed citizens, Erasmus remains one 07:12:26.284 --> 07:12:29.771 of the greatest success stories of the European Union. 07:12:29.836 --> 07:12:34.679 In 1987, only 3,200 students took part; today, over 16 million people have. 07:12:34.744 --> 07:12:40.168 have lived this experience. But the real success is not the numbers, it is the young 07:12:40.232 --> 07:12:45.592 people who have learned to get to know other cultures, to break down prejudices and 07:12:45.657 --> 07:12:50.565 to broaden their horizons. At a time when we are witnessing too many acts of 07:12:50.629 --> 07:12:55.924 violence, even in our squares, investing in education, dialogue and knowledge also 07:12:55.989 --> 07:12:59.540 means preventing intolerance and building alternatives. 07:12:59.605 --> 07:13:04.707 Volunteering, youth projects and sport will be given greater prominence, making 07:13:04.771 --> 07:13:09.679 these pathways more accessible to all. Because young people must not only be 07:13:09.743 --> 07:13:13.553 Europe’s future, but conscious protagonists of its present. 07:13:13.618 --> 07:13:18.978 Europe is also defended in this way, by offering opportunities, building trust, and 07:13:19.042 --> 07:13:23.950 forming free, responsible citizens capable of living together, thanks to the 07:13:24.015 --> 07:13:25.215 Commissioner. 07:13:25.934 --> 07:13:29.414 Thank you. On behalf of the Renew Europe group, I will speak Lorens Fareng. 07:13:30.914 --> 07:13:34.899 Thank you, Mr President. Madam Vice-President, dear colleagues. 07:13:34.962 --> 07:13:39.580 We have an Erasmus, and we can congratulate ourselves on the speed of our 07:13:39.643 --> 07:13:43.375 negotiations and the good collaboration in this Parliament. 07:13:43.438 --> 07:13:48.751 Finally, some good news. For 40 years, 17 million young people have gone abroad, and 07:13:48.815 --> 07:13:54.065 today more than ever, Erasmus — which has become Erasmus+ — fulfils three major and 07:13:54.128 --> 07:13:59.125 essential ambitions. To develop European citizenship and education, earlier and 07:13:59.188 --> 07:14:04.185 earlier, right from primary school. Promote the democratisation of education by 07:14:04.248 --> 07:14:09.498 integrating students in apprenticeships and vocational training into the programme, 07:14:09.562 --> 07:14:14.875 but also by increasing grants for pupils who need them, and individuals persons with 07:14:14.938 --> 07:14:19.998 disabilities. Finally, to develop our excellence and our capacity for innovation 07:14:20.062 --> 07:14:25.248 with European university alliances. So, Ladies and Gentlemen, Heads of Government, 07:14:25.312 --> 07:14:30.245 at the Council, why break this momentum? and momentum with drastic cuts to the 07:14:30.309 --> 07:14:35.559 budget? At a time when young people all over Europe are worried about their future, 07:14:35.622 --> 07:14:40.872 are demonstrating for better education, know that in this Parliament, we will fight 07:14:40.935 --> 07:14:43.718 for the budget and the ambition of Erasmus+. 07:14:43.781 --> 07:14:44.774 Thank you. 07:14:44.774 --> 07:14:48.254 Thank you. I now speak on behalf of the Greens group, Benedetta Scuderi. 07:14:50.834 --> 07:14:56.119 On 19 January, a very young me packed half my life into a suitcase and for the first 07:14:56.182 --> 07:15:01.278 time entered to live in another State. In Madrid I met incredible people, I spoke 07:15:01.341 --> 07:15:06.248 languages I didn’t know, I experienced situations I would never have imagined. 07:15:06.311 --> 07:15:11.407 Erasmus has taught me that people outside what I knew are much more similar to me 07:15:11.470 --> 07:15:16.566 than I thought, that young people have similar fears, and that sometimes my peers 07:15:16.629 --> 07:15:21.851 face far greater difficulties. And that is how we build Europe, with its people who 07:15:21.914 --> 07:15:27.136 know and understand one another. That is how we create the heart of citizenship and 07:15:27.199 --> 07:15:31.981 democracy. Erasmus has taught me that you can always change course, and that 07:15:32.043 --> 07:15:34.686 together, in diversity, we are better off. 07:15:34.749 --> 07:15:38.083 Today, unfortunately, that experience is for the few. 07:15:38.146 --> 07:15:43.368 But let us ensure that no young person has to give up on the European dream because 07:15:43.431 --> 07:15:48.716 they cannot afford it. Let origins, economic circumstances or vulnerability never be 07:15:48.779 --> 07:15:54.001 a barrier. So that every young person, even those who today feel furthest away from 07:15:54.064 --> 07:15:57.147 Europe, can discover that Europe belongs to them. 07:15:57.210 --> 07:16:02.054 Erasmus brought me here, and from here we must make it possible for everyone. 07:16:03.674 --> 07:16:07.214 Thank you. Now, speaking on behalf of the Left group, Mario Furori. 07:16:13.334 --> 07:16:18.257 Thank you, President. First of all, I would like to thank the rapporteur on behalf 07:16:18.317 --> 07:16:23.300 of the group of The Left, from my colleague Pappas, for their willingness to engage 07:16:23.360 --> 07:16:26.541 in dialogue and for having listened to our proposals. 07:16:26.601 --> 07:16:31.644 We worked in a spirit of collaboration, and I think it is right to acknowledge that. 07:16:31.704 --> 07:16:36.027 Erasmus, as we were saying, is one of the best things about this Europe. 07:16:36.087 --> 07:16:40.889 It has allowed millions of young people to travel, to study, to get to know each 07:16:40.950 --> 07:16:45.152 other and to feel truly European. But today we must also face reality: 07:16:45.212 --> 07:16:50.075 across Europe, young people are taking to the streets because they are tired of a 07:16:50.135 --> 07:16:54.937 future marked by ever-rising rents, wages that are too low, and precarious jobs. 07:16:54.997 --> 07:16:59.920 Now, I always condemn violence, but this cry of pain must be heard, and it must be 07:16:59.980 --> 07:17:02.862 heard also in light of the approval of Erasmus+. 07:17:02.922 --> 07:17:07.725 Why should Erasmus not only be a programme to train more competitive workers and 07:17:07.785 --> 07:17:12.467 meet the needs of the market, but one reserved only for the wealthiest groups? 07:17:12.527 --> 07:17:16.490 We must focus today above all on the most vulnerable young people. 07:17:16.550 --> 07:17:21.532 And it must first and foremost be a tool for social justice that gives everyone the 07:17:21.592 --> 07:17:26.455 same opportunities. And we have insisted on this in our amendments, and I welcome 07:17:26.515 --> 07:17:31.498 the European Parliament Culture Committee’s proposal to increase study grants by 20 07:17:31.558 --> 07:17:36.181 %. We have achieved important results and improved the Commission’s proposal. 07:17:36.241 --> 07:17:41.223 But there is still a lot to do. We want an Erasmus programme open to everyone, as I 07:17:41.283 --> 07:17:44.225 was saying, not just those from wealthy families. 07:17:44.285 --> 07:17:47.827 And today’s young people are asking us to be able to study. 07:17:47.887 --> 07:17:51.969 To work. To live with dignity. And to build a future for themselves. 07:17:52.030 --> 07:17:56.472 And I believe that the very least we can do as Europe is to give them this 07:17:56.532 --> 07:18:00.014 opportunity. Thank you, Commissioner. Thank you very much. 07:18:00.674 --> 07:18:04.454 Thank you. Speaking on behalf of the Sovereign Nations Group, Mark Jungen. 07:18:11.114 --> 07:18:16.111 For countless young people from all over Europe, student mobility through Erasmus+ 07:18:16.172 --> 07:18:20.012 represents a formative experience, and that is very gratifying. 07:18:20.073 --> 07:18:25.192 However, a voluntary exchange programme has long since become an educational tool of 07:18:25.253 --> 07:18:30.006 the EU. Through conditionality, Member States and their universities are being 07:18:30.067 --> 07:18:34.760 blackmailed; the exclusion of Hungarian universities is just one particularly 07:18:34.821 --> 07:18:39.696 drastic example. At the same time, an ideological agenda is being pushed through 07:18:39.757 --> 07:18:44.572 horizontal priorities. Diversity and inclusion as binding requirements, climate 07:18:44.632 --> 07:18:49.447 policy as a cross-cutting objective, the systematic strengthening of a European 07:18:49.508 --> 07:18:54.140 identity at the expense of national ties, and the promotion of projects that 07:18:54.200 --> 07:18:57.613 democratically elected parties as G danger to democracy. 07:18:57.674 --> 07:19:02.793 Moreover, the bureaucratic instruments that enabled and enforced the harmful Bologna 07:19:02.854 --> 07:19:06.206 Process were largely financed through these programmes. 07:19:06.267 --> 07:19:11.325 Even in view of the necessary cuts to the EU budget, we cannot agree to the planned 07:19:11.386 --> 07:19:16.384 further expansion. However, we are not opposing the negotiations with the Council. 07:19:16.445 --> 07:19:17.645 Thank you. 07:19:18.554 --> 07:19:21.734 Thank you. Next to speak is Giuseppina Princi. 07:19:23.114 --> 07:19:26.274 Thank you, President. Vice-President Mizzotti. 07:19:26.343 --> 07:19:31.221 To understand what Erasmus is, we do not need to start from Strasbourg. 07:19:31.290 --> 07:19:36.855 We must start with Antonio, a 20-year-old boy born in San Luca in the province of 07:19:36.923 --> 07:19:42.420 Reggio Calabria. Antonio grew up there, where the world can seem distant and the 07:19:42.489 --> 07:19:47.779 future already mapped out. One day, Antonio arrives in Lisbon, studies, meets 07:19:47.847 --> 07:19:51.077 people, searches for words in another language. 07:19:51.145 --> 07:19:56.916 And he understands one crucial thing: the place you come from must not determine how 07:19:56.985 --> 07:20:01.726 far you can go. Over these 40 years, Erasmus has done precisely that: 07:20:01.794 --> 07:20:07.085 it has not only brought States closer together, it has shortened the distance 07:20:07.153 --> 07:20:12.375 between what a young person dares to imagine and what they can truly become. 07:20:12.443 --> 07:20:16.360 This is the whole political insight, the European vision. 07:20:16.428 --> 07:20:21.925 Even before millions of young people knew how to explain what the European Union 07:20:21.993 --> 07:20:25.016 was, Europe had already entered their lives. 07:20:25.085 --> 07:20:29.688 Not as a treaty, not as a distant institution, but as an open door. 07:20:29.757 --> 07:20:33.810 Because Europe is not built solely within our institutions. 07:20:33.879 --> 07:20:38.620 It is also built in the distance that separates San Luca from Lisbon. 07:20:38.688 --> 07:20:44.253 On paper it may remain the same, but what changes is its meaning in the life of a 07:20:44.322 --> 07:20:49.956 young European. Because talent does not choose where to be born, opportunities too 07:20:50.025 --> 07:20:55.658 often do, and our European ambition is measured by our ability to break this link. 07:20:55.727 --> 07:20:56.927 Thank you. 07:20:58.394 --> 07:21:01.934 Thank you. Now Hannes Heide will speak, please. 07:21:03.074 --> 07:21:07.258 Thank you, Mr Chair. Madam Vice-President of the Commission. 07:21:07.327 --> 07:21:13.184 Every European woman, every European man must have the opportunity to participate in 07:21:13.254 --> 07:21:16.950 Erasmus+ at least once in their life. to participate. 07:21:17.019 --> 07:21:22.667 No EU programme is more successful than Erasmus+, and that is how we should treat 07:21:22.737 --> 07:21:28.385 it. With a comparatively small budget, Erasmus+ is able to achieve extraordinary, 07:21:28.455 --> 07:21:34.033 indeed magnificent things. Since its inception, more than 18 million people have 07:21:34.103 --> 07:21:39.890 participated in it. And almost 100% say that they have benefited from this mobility 07:21:39.960 --> 07:21:45.747 experience. But more than any numbers, Erasmus+ speaks for itself in that there are 07:21:45.817 --> 07:21:51.325 now more than 1 million Erasmus+ babies. The Draghi report calls for a fourfold 07:21:51.395 --> 07:21:57.113 increase in the Erasmus+ budget. We are calling for at least €47.4 billion for the 07:21:57.182 --> 07:22:02.900 next multiannual financial framework in order to be able to achieve our objectives 07:22:02.970 --> 07:22:08.618 and thus reach more people as well. Students, just like apprentices, young people 07:22:08.687 --> 07:22:14.335 with fewer opportunities, athletes, volunteers, for example in our voluntary fire 07:22:14.405 --> 07:22:17.682 brigades through the European Solidarity Corps: 07:22:17.752 --> 07:22:23.470 every single exchange is an investment in the future of democracy and the European 07:22:23.539 --> 07:22:28.629 Union. My appeal to the Council: do not attack this budget proposal, this 07:22:28.699 --> 07:22:34.417 Parliament. Are we aware of the power Erasmus+ has and what we can achieve with it 07:22:34.487 --> 07:22:37.694 for Europe, for the European Union? Thank you. 07:22:38.474 --> 07:22:44.645 Thank you, Kollege Heide. Kollege Heide, would you approve Blue Card, yeah, from 07:22:44.723 --> 07:22:46.574 Kollege Molarczyk, 5 90? 07:22:50.714 --> 07:22:51.914 Ah, colleague Molarczyk. 07:22:52.514 --> 07:22:57.006 Thank you very much, Mr Ambassador, for accepting the blue card. 07:22:57.076 --> 07:23:02.972 You emphasise, just like your colleague, that over a million children, a million new 07:23:03.042 --> 07:23:07.113 Europeans, have been born thanks to the Erasmus programme. 07:23:07.183 --> 07:23:12.938 of them. This is, of course, an interesting and positive signal of this programme. 07:23:13.009 --> 07:23:18.834 But I also have a question. , whether these million new Europeans have two parents, 07:23:18.904 --> 07:23:24.800 as my colleague here mentioned, the Member who met his spouse during this programme. 07:23:24.870 --> 07:23:28.801 The point is that children should be born into families. 07:23:28.871 --> 07:23:33.854 Do you have, do you have that knowledge, whether these children have... 07:23:34.034 --> 07:23:34.634 Thank you, thank you. 07:23:34.634 --> 07:23:36.614 Stable families too. Thank you very much. 07:23:38.054 --> 07:23:39.254 Please. 07:23:42.674 --> 07:23:44.749 Also, I believe this question answers itself. 07:23:44.795 --> 07:23:47.054 But thank you very much for asking that question. 07:23:50.534 --> 07:23:53.654 Next to speak is Anna Marija Viceka, for one minute, please. 07:23:54.314 --> 07:23:57.194 Thank you, Chair. Honorable Commissioner, I will speak in Hungarian. 07:23:59.174 --> 07:24:04.467 The original mission of Erasmus is mobility, skills development, language learning 07:24:04.531 --> 07:24:09.953 and cultural experience. This is what makes the programme one of the most successful 07:24:10.018 --> 07:24:15.440 and most popular EU initiatives. Its special value lies in its political neutrality. 07:24:15.504 --> 07:24:20.410 That is why we cannot allow it to become a tool for political or ideological 07:24:20.475 --> 07:24:25.767 interests. The European Union's task is to support national education systems, not 07:24:25.832 --> 07:24:31.125 to override them. Therefore, in the operation of Erasmus, a balance must be struck 07:24:31.189 --> 07:24:35.966 between the competences of the Member States and the European added value. 07:24:36.030 --> 07:24:39.645 There is one thing I would like to stress in particular: 07:24:39.710 --> 07:24:44.744 participants in the programme must not become hostages to political conflicts. 07:24:44.809 --> 07:24:49.844 The years-long exclusion of students and lecturers from the affected Hungarian 07:24:49.908 --> 07:24:52.813 universities has created a serious precedent. 07:24:52.877 --> 07:24:58.170 Therefore, we demand clear guarantees that this cannot happen again in the future. 07:24:58.235 --> 07:25:03.076 As shadow rapporteur, I will continue to work during the interinstitutional 07:25:03.140 --> 07:25:08.239 negotiations to ensure that these fundamental principles are given even greater 07:25:08.304 --> 07:25:09.194 prominence. 07:25:09.194 --> 07:25:09.494 Thank you. 07:25:09.494 --> 07:25:10.394 The final decision. 07:25:10.394 --> 07:25:18.626 Kollega Viceka, thank you. Would you accept the Blue Card from Kollega Wiśniewska, 07:25:18.726 --> 07:25:23.143 430? No? Can you— Okay, so we will continue. 07:25:23.243 --> 07:25:26.054 Next speaker, Marco Squarta. 07:25:30.374 --> 07:25:33.055 President, young Europeans don't lack talent. 07:25:33.115 --> 07:25:36.392 Too often they simply lack the opportunity to prove it. 07:25:36.452 --> 07:25:41.397 And when a teenager sees their stronger public square or looting a shop as a formal 07:25:41.457 --> 07:25:46.104 political participation, we face a problem that go es far beyond public order. 07:25:46.164 --> 07:25:51.109 Investing in culture and education means giving young people the tools to think for 07:25:51.169 --> 07:25:55.936 themselves, to distinguish protest from violence, and the freedom from impunity. 07:25:55.995 --> 07:25:58.498 This is also what Erasmus should be about: 07:25:58.558 --> 07:26:03.265 giving young people the opportunity to study, develop their skills, and build a 07:26:03.324 --> 07:26:07.912 future, regardless of where they come from or what their families can afford. 07:26:07.972 --> 07:26:11.070 And this is where our political responsibility lies: 07:26:11.130 --> 07:26:15.897 giving them a reason to come back, a place to fulfill their ambition, and a real 07:26:15.956 --> 07:26:20.544 alternative to those who exploit their frustration and lack of opportunities. 07:26:20.604 --> 07:26:25.490 The success of the new Erasmus program will not only be measured by the experience 07:26:25.549 --> 07:26:30.137 young people have abroad, but by the opportunities waiting for them when they 07:26:30.197 --> 07:26:31.397 return. 07:26:32.474 --> 07:26:36.446 Thank you. Next to speak is Vlada Vasile Vaicule. 07:26:36.527 --> 07:26:37.727 Please. 07:26:39.014 --> 07:26:44.081 Mr President, Madam Vice-President of the Commission, dear colleagues, Erasmus is, 07:26:44.142 --> 07:26:48.776 definitively, one of the best things Europe has ever done for young people. 07:26:48.838 --> 07:26:51.804 It began in 1987, with just 3 000. 200 students. 07:26:51.866 --> 07:26:56.562 The year marks 40 years. It is 40 years since over 18 million Europeans have 07:26:56.623 --> 07:27:01.690 benefited from this programme. It created the framework and provided a few hundred 07:27:01.752 --> 07:27:04.470 euros in scholarships that can change lives. 07:27:04.532 --> 07:27:09.660 Meanwhile, Erasmus has grown; it is no longer just about students, it is also about 07:27:09.722 --> 07:27:12.503 pupils, apprentices and teachers. Volunteers. 07:27:12.564 --> 07:27:17.322 It has become one of the most well-known and appreciated European programmes. 07:27:17.384 --> 07:27:20.782 And now it needs to do more for even more young people. 07:27:20.844 --> 07:27:25.416 That requires money, obviously. The Commission is proposing €40.8 billion. 07:27:25.478 --> 07:27:30.421 We are proposing €47.4 billion. Let us not go below this amount, because for any 07:27:30.483 --> 07:27:35.488 young person, a young person from a village, especially for a young person from a 07:27:35.549 --> 07:27:40.183 village or a small town, Erasmus can be the only chance to discover Europe. 07:27:40.245 --> 07:27:43.643 These grants must take into account the cost of living. 07:27:43.705 --> 07:27:48.463 The money must cover transport, accommodation, everything, everything that is 07:27:48.525 --> 07:27:51.614 needed. Erasmus must be multiplied and replicated. 07:27:51.794 --> 07:27:53.114 Thank you. Thank you, Kollega. Thank you. 07:27:53.414 --> 07:27:56.294 Thank you. Now the floor goes to Mr Mārtiņš Staķis, please. 07:28:00.494 --> 07:28:05.354 Thank you, Mr President. Millions of young Europeans have participated in Erasmus 07:28:05.414 --> 07:28:10.334 programmes. They have got to know other countries, languages and traditions, found 07:28:10.394 --> 07:28:15.194 friends for life, new career opportunities, well, and what else to hide, love as 07:28:15.254 --> 07:28:20.234 well. Returning home with a different view of the world and a united European idea. 07:28:20.294 --> 07:28:24.914 Erasmus is like a bridge where every day Europe itself comes to visit itself. 07:28:24.974 --> 07:28:29.834 We are different peoples with our languages and traditions, but we choose to work 07:28:29.894 --> 07:28:34.754 together and learn from one another. And that is precisely why Europe is the best 07:28:34.814 --> 07:28:38.594 place to live. But they are already sawing through this bridge. 07:28:38.654 --> 07:28:43.454 Across Europe, we are seeing populism and demagogues clawing their way to power. 07:28:43.514 --> 07:28:47.174 Even today in Strasbourg, the AfD presented its future plans. 07:28:47.234 --> 07:28:51.974 Divided, weak and easily manipulated. Well, in such an Europe, Erasmus would no 07:28:52.034 --> 07:28:56.954 longer exist. Colleagues, our generation opened the doors to Europe, and it is our 07:28:57.014 --> 07:29:01.934 duty to ensure that they are not slammed shut for the next generations, for future 07:29:01.994 --> 07:29:03.374 generations. Thank you. 07:29:04.334 --> 07:29:07.365 Thank you. Now the floor is given to Mr Milan Mazurek. 07:29:07.421 --> 07:29:08.621 Please. 07:29:10.214 --> 07:29:15.380 You are misusing almost every single European policy to destroy national identities 07:29:15.443 --> 07:29:19.551 and to br ing more culturally incompatible immigrants into Europe. 07:29:19.613 --> 07:29:23.099 How many more you want them in Europe? One million more? 07:29:23.161 --> 07:29:25.900 Five millions more? Maybe ten millions more? 07:29:25.962 --> 07:29:28.825 When you will be finally happy about yourself? 07:29:28.887 --> 07:29:33.120 When will we achieve the so-called multicultural paradise in Europe? 07:29:33.182 --> 07:29:37.103 When all the cities in Europe will burn like Paris or Brussels? 07:29:37.166 --> 07:29:42.332 This program, Erasmus, should serve for European students, for European people, for 07:29:42.394 --> 07:29:47.436 European hardworking people who are paying ta xes here and not serve as a vehicle 07:29:47.498 --> 07:29:52.664 for young men from North Africa to come and stay in Europe because this is what you 07:29:52.727 --> 07:29:55.839 are doing right now. This is betrayal of European. 07:29:55.901 --> 07:30:00.756 This is the betrayal of hardworking people who are paying taxes also for y ou. 07:30:00.818 --> 07:30:05.362 We should openly say, finally, that this is the time when Europe is full. 07:30:05.425 --> 07:30:10.404 Europe should support its own citizens and not the whole world and the only real 07:30:10.466 --> 07:30:13.454 migration policy which we need is re-m igration. 07:30:14.834 --> 07:30:18.869 Kolēga Mazurek, you have two Blue Cards. Would you accept? 07:30:18.939 --> 07:30:21.374 So first one is João Oliveira, 125. 07:30:29.474 --> 07:30:34.445 Thank you, Mr President. Mr Mazurek, education is the foundation of any democracy, 07:30:34.506 --> 07:30:39.174 and sharing experiences and exchanges among young people only strengthens the 07:30:39.234 --> 07:30:42.932 democratic conception that our youth must have deeply rooted. 07:30:42.993 --> 07:30:48.085 I understand that the far right opposes these values, opposes the Erasmus programme, 07:30:48.146 --> 07:30:53.056 because it allows, through this sharing of experiences and values, to effectively 07:30:53.117 --> 07:30:58.209 reinforce the possibility of young people contributing to the building of democracy. 07:30:58.270 --> 07:31:03.180 What I ask is whether, in your opinion, the perspective that the far right has to 07:31:03.241 --> 07:31:07.727 offer young people is one of closure, of each person isolating themselves, 07:31:07.788 --> 07:31:10.334 disregarding the entire world around them? 07:31:10.574 --> 07:31:11.774 Thank you. Thanks a lot. 07:31:13.394 --> 07:31:18.344 I don't understand why you, Marxist politician, have always lied to us. 07:31:18.414 --> 07:31:22.388 We are not against the exchange of experiences in Europe. 07:31:22.458 --> 07:31:27.965 We are not against the traveling. We are against your misuse of this program to 07:31:28.035 --> 07:31:32.358 spread your propaganda into children. And this is what I said. 07:31:32.428 --> 07:31:37.447 And I am calling for stopping of this. Just stop to misuse this program. 07:31:37.517 --> 07:31:42.119 Stop to use it as so-called European identity, not as that exists. 07:31:42.188 --> 07:31:46.790 And please be calm. Don't talk to me when I am saying you can ask. 07:31:46.860 --> 07:31:48.254 This is very simple. 07:31:48.674 --> 07:31:53.820 Thank you. Thank you, Kollega Mazurek. Second question is from Kollega Wiśniewska, 07:31:53.883 --> 07:31:55.083 430. 07:31:57.914 --> 07:32:03.044 Thank you very much. I share these remarks regarding expanding opportunities for 07:32:03.108 --> 07:32:06.058 third-country youth to participate in Erasmus. 07:32:06.122 --> 07:32:11.317 I am not surprised by the speech of the Member from The Left, who sees this as an 07:32:11.381 --> 07:32:16.639 opportunity for the European Union, because after all it is the far-left in France 07:32:16.703 --> 07:32:20.551 that is accused of setting fires and inciting mass protests. 07:32:20.615 --> 07:32:25.745 Given that we have a very difficult budgetary situation, do you not think, then, 07:32:25.809 --> 07:32:30.876 that we should stick to the existing Erasmus framework rather than creating yet 07:32:30.940 --> 07:32:36.134 another new pathway enabling migration from countries outside the European Union? 07:32:38.174 --> 07:32:41.893 Thank you very much for your question. I absolutely agree with you. 07:32:41.949 --> 07:32:46.224 They are misusing those programs for their Marxist propaganda, which they are 07:32:46.279 --> 07:32:50.498 pushing into children, and they also want to mis use those programs and even 07:32:50.554 --> 07:32:55.161 increase the financing of those programs with bringing more immigrants into Europe. 07:32:55.217 --> 07:32:59.769 They are saying that openly, and they support that idea, but I think right now, in 07:32:59.824 --> 07:33:04.266 our European situation, we just don't have enough money for this kind of things. 07:33:04.321 --> 07:33:08.929 We should not support their ideas, and their proposals, and we should stay where we 07:33:08.984 --> 07:33:13.425 have been at the beginning. This should support European students, not the whole 07:33:13.481 --> 07:33:14.681 world. 07:33:14.714 --> 07:33:18.014 Thank you. Next speaker, Nikolaos Anadiotis. 07:33:24.734 --> 07:33:29.947 Ms Commissioner, today we are discussing the future of Erasmus+ with the Committee 07:33:30.011 --> 07:33:32.935 on Culture and Education proposing the budget. 07:33:32.998 --> 07:33:38.021 over €47 billion. At the same time, in Greece, children succeed in the national 07:33:38.084 --> 07:33:43.361 exams but are unable to their families cannot afford the unaffordable rents, energy 07:33:43.424 --> 07:33:48.256 costs and daily expenses. living. How can we talk about European educational 07:33:48.320 --> 07:33:52.515 mobility when young people cannot even study in their own country? 07:33:52.579 --> 07:33:57.792 The billions are worthless if the young people who need them most are left without 07:33:57.855 --> 07:34:03.005 opportunities. At the same time, we must examine whether the European city serves 07:34:03.068 --> 07:34:08.345 education or promotes ideological opposit ideologies such as those of the so-called 07:34:08.409 --> 07:34:13.622 'woke' agenda. True education cultivates free individuals with knowledge, critical 07:34:13.685 --> 07:34:16.927 thinking, ethics, and respect for their traditions. 07:34:16.991 --> 07:34:22.013 Education cannot be a privilege of wealthy families, nor a tool for ideological 07:34:22.077 --> 07:34:26.654 imposition. And a child's future cannot depend on their parents' wallet. 07:34:28.034 --> 07:34:31.786 Yes, thank you very much. Before I will give the floor to the next speaker, I would 07:34:31.831 --> 07:34:35.312 like to say that we are closing KJI procedure because we have a more than 1 0 07:34:35.357 --> 07:34:37.934 already registered. So next speaker will be Viktor Weiss. 07:34:43.094 --> 07:34:44.654 Thank you. I'll speak in Hungarian. 07:34:46.034 --> 07:34:50.551 The peace of the future often begins in a dormitory room, when a Hungarian, a 07:34:50.610 --> 07:34:55.420 Romanian, a Slovak, an Irish or a French young person studies together, has dinner 07:34:55.479 --> 07:35:00.407 together, and talks until dawn, and in the process they realise that much more binds 07:35:00.465 --> 07:35:04.396 them together than divides them. That is the true power of Erasmus. 07:35:04.454 --> 07:35:09.265 It does not only provide language skills, experience and lifelong friendships, but 07:35:09.324 --> 07:35:12.139 also builds trust between the nations of Europe. 07:35:12.198 --> 07:35:17.126 But what is the value of this opportunity if someone misses out on it simply because 07:35:17.184 --> 07:35:20.294 their family cannot afford the cost of living abroad? 07:35:20.352 --> 07:35:25.163 That is why I advocate that the new Erasmus programme should receive more funding. 07:35:25.221 --> 07:35:30.149 Let the grants be adjusted to actual costs, and so that not only university students 07:35:30.208 --> 07:35:34.432 but also those in vocational training can participate with greater ease. 07:35:34.490 --> 07:35:39.359 Now that the restrictions affecting Hungarian universities have finally been lifted 07:35:39.418 --> 07:35:44.346 thanks to the Hungarian government and the European Union, our task now is to ensure 07:35:44.404 --> 07:35:49.098 that as many young Hungarians as possible can take advantage of this opportunity 07:35:49.156 --> 07:35:53.673 once again. Let us learn from the negative trends unfolding around the world. 07:35:53.732 --> 07:35:58.190 Let us learn from divisions and wars. Let us build together a strong Europe. 07:35:58.249 --> 07:36:02.942 And in this regard, Erasmus is an investment where the next generations will not 07:36:03.001 --> 07:36:07.694 build against each other, but together, a peaceful and thriving European future. 07:36:08.174 --> 07:36:09.374 Thank you very much. 07:36:09.914 --> 07:36:13.642 I thank you. I don't see next speaker, Kollega Rapabić in the hemicycle. 07:36:13.694 --> 07:36:16.334 That's why I will give the floor to Antonin Stanek. 07:36:24.734 --> 07:36:30.543 Thank you for the floor. Erasmus+ is one of those European programmes that people 07:36:30.615 --> 07:36:36.353 love regardless of whom they vote for. It has opened up the world to millions of 07:36:36.424 --> 07:36:40.512 young people without telling them what to think about it. 07:36:40.584 --> 07:36:46.609 The programme bears the name of a man who travelled across Europe to get to know it. 07:36:46.680 --> 07:36:52.418 , not re-educate. A century later, my fellow countryman Jan Amos Komenský had to 07:36:52.490 --> 07:36:55.932 leave his homeland. under religious intolerance. 07:36:56.004 --> 07:36:59.088 We Czechs have a clear lesson from history: 07:36:59.159 --> 07:37:05.040 as soon as schools become a tool of ide ideology, it ceases to serve the children. 07:37:05.112 --> 07:37:10.491 That is why we want the forty billion euros to serve primarily study stays, 07:37:10.563 --> 07:37:16.014 vocational education and languages, not the imposition of a uniform European 07:37:16.085 --> 07:37:19.313 identity, green ideology or migration policy. 07:37:19.384 --> 07:37:23.616 Member States are responsible for the content of education; 07:37:23.688 --> 07:37:29.640 the Union should support, not replace. Let Erasmus unite young Europeans, but let’s 07:37:29.712 --> 07:37:32.294 not prescribe how they should think. 07:37:34.154 --> 07:37:36.614 Thank you. Next speaker, Jan-Peter Warnke. 07:37:47.414 --> 07:37:50.046 Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues. 07:37:50.106 --> 07:37:54.653 If we want to inspire young people for Europe today, we do so with Erasmus+. 07:37:54.713 --> 07:37:59.739 Young people thus experience best what it means to live, learn, work and love in the 07:37:59.799 --> 07:38:04.764 EU and to experience Europe’s diversity. I am pleased about the Culture Committee’s 07:38:04.824 --> 07:38:09.670 proposal, which provides €47 billion for the new Multiannual Financial Framework. 07:38:09.730 --> 07:38:14.397 This means the Parliament’s proposal is above the Commission’s proposal of €41 07:38:14.457 --> 07:38:19.482 billion. However, this is cut by 4 percent in the Irish Council proposal, which is a 07:38:19.542 --> 07:38:22.892 shame. I urge us not to make any cuts to this programme. 07:38:22.952 --> 07:38:26.602 However, we urgently need to talk about administrative costs. 07:38:26.662 --> 07:38:31.568 In all budget proposals, the level of administrative costs is simply not specified 07:38:31.627 --> 07:38:36.533 at all. A shortcoming, I would say. In today's world, administrative processes can 07:38:36.593 --> 07:38:40.183 be drastically simplified with AI, thereby saving resources. 07:38:40.243 --> 07:38:45.029 The winners would be more young people in our EU if such freed-up funds could be 07:38:45.089 --> 07:38:49.815 allocated to the project. And regarding the report, colleague, chapeau and many 07:38:49.875 --> 07:38:51.075 thanks. 07:38:51.974 --> 07:38:54.494 Thank you. Next speaker, Manuel Ripa. 07:38:58.454 --> 07:39:03.556 I myself took part in Erasmus and know from my own experience that Erasmus+ is far 07:39:03.618 --> 07:39:08.844 more than a mobility programme. How much it broadens one’s own horizons, strengthens 07:39:08.907 --> 07:39:14.071 competences and makes Europe tangible. That is precisely why it is an investment in 07:39:14.133 --> 07:39:19.297 our future, in people, their skills and their openness to cooperate across borders. 07:39:19.359 --> 07:39:24.275 And it is an investment in our democracy, because those who learn to understand 07:39:24.337 --> 07:39:29.563 other perspectives develop mutual understanding and appreciation for the values that 07:39:29.625 --> 07:39:34.852 unite us in Europe. That is why, alongside students, the programme must also include 07:39:34.914 --> 07:39:39.207 many more school pupils, teachers, trainees and reach further groups. 07:39:39.269 --> 07:39:44.496 To do this, Erasmus needs significantly more money than the Commission has proposed. 07:39:44.558 --> 07:39:49.722 In the Culture Committee, there was a very broad majority in favour of this, and we 07:39:49.784 --> 07:39:53.268 now need this unity here in the plenary session as well. 07:39:53.331 --> 07:39:58.184 And we must work together to convince the Member States to secure this budget. 07:39:58.246 --> 07:40:03.099 Because anyone who wants to strengthen Europe's competitiveness, democracy and 07:40:03.161 --> 07:40:08.076 resilience must not, of all things, cut spending on young people who will shape 07:40:08.139 --> 07:40:09.339 Europe's future. 07:40:09.434 --> 07:40:19.253 Thank you, Kollege. I don't see in the room Kollega Negrescu, and I will give the 07:40:19.374 --> 07:40:27.374 floor to Elisabeth Dieringer. Sorry, please, floor is yours, yeah. 07:40:27.974 --> 07:40:32.733 I am speaking in German and as a former teacher who has been fortunate enough to 07:40:32.792 --> 07:40:37.551 witness the benefits of the programme for pupils and teachers, both actively and 07:40:37.610 --> 07:40:41.715 across many countries. That is why the money is also very well spent. 07:40:41.774 --> 07:40:44.451 We can still talk about bureaucratic hurdles. 07:40:44.511 --> 07:40:48.556 But this report gives a political mandate to an education programme. 07:40:48.615 --> 07:40:53.612 Applicants should be vetted in advance for compliance with EU values, with sanctions 07:40:53.671 --> 07:40:58.311 extending to the recovery of funds. But who then decides which school or which 07:40:58.370 --> 07:41:03.367 association has the right attitude? At the same time, Erasmus is to recruit talented 07:41:03.427 --> 07:41:08.423 individuals from all over the world, and the Member States are to reduce barriers to 07:41:08.483 --> 07:41:11.516 visas and residence permits. I am clear about this: 07:41:11.576 --> 07:41:14.669 Erasmus is an exchange programme for Europe’s youth. 07:41:14.729 --> 07:41:19.606 It does not have to be the whole world coming to us through an exchange programme. 07:41:19.666 --> 07:41:24.484 Who is allowed to enter and stay here should continue to be decided by the Member 07:41:24.544 --> 07:41:29.481 States. Mobility for our pupils, yes, but ideological screening and immigration via 07:41:29.540 --> 07:41:30.740 Erasmus, no. 07:41:31.934 --> 07:41:34.934 Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker, Milan Sverre. 07:41:42.854 --> 07:41:48.078 Thank you for the floor. Honourable Members, I have been the European Parliament’s 07:41:48.142 --> 07:41:51.900 rapporteur for the Erasmus+ programme for almost ten years. 07:41:51.964 --> 07:41:56.869 That was a golden period for this most effective and Thank you for the floor. 07:41:56.933 --> 07:42:01.902 Honourable Members, I was for almost ten years the permanent rapporteur of the 07:42:01.966 --> 07:42:04.960 European Parliament for the Erasmus+ programme. 07:42:05.023 --> 07:42:10.247 That was a golden age of this most effective and visible programme in the European 07:42:10.311 --> 07:42:13.942 Union. I am glad that at that time we doubled the budget; 07:42:14.006 --> 07:42:18.911 at the same time, we enabled much greater inclusion of people, not just young 07:42:18.975 --> 07:42:24.007 people, in Erasmus+. In short, we have largely eliminated some shortcomings, in 07:42:24.071 --> 07:42:29.359 short, a lot has been done, and today I am very pleased to see in this new Erasmus+ 07:42:29.422 --> 07:42:34.774 leadership so much energy and so much ambition that Erasmus will certainly remain at 07:42:34.837 --> 07:42:39.997 the top of European programmes. I wish Mr Bogdan Zdrojewski all the best, I thank 07:42:40.061 --> 07:42:45.412 him for his work to date, and given what he has just said, that Erasmus+ is a unique 07:42:45.476 --> 07:42:50.827 investment in knowledge, in people, in our common future, I believe it will continue 07:42:50.891 --> 07:42:52.091 to be successful. 07:42:53.114 --> 07:42:55.454 Thank you. Next speaker, Marek Maj. 07:43:00.014 --> 07:43:04.960 Thank you, Chair. Dear Executive Vice President, imagine with me for a minute: 07:43:05.024 --> 07:43:10.351 you are a young person, you are born and raised in Willemstad, Curaçao, or in Accra, 07:43:10.414 --> 07:43:15.741 Ghana. Your hard work and dedication paid off, and you get an Erasmus scholarship to 07:43:15.805 --> 07:43:20.751 study in Denmark or in the Netherlands. And you are one of the few coming from 07:43:20.815 --> 07:43:25.888 outside of the EU. It's the first time in your life, and you need a winter coat. 07:43:25.951 --> 07:43:29.883 Because the rainy season here is not just wet, it's also cold. 07:43:29.947 --> 07:43:35.210 You can only spend your euro once. We call it equal opportunity, but we designed it 07:43:35.274 --> 07:43:37.937 as if everyone starts from the same place. 07:43:38.001 --> 07:43:43.074 The next Erasmus+ must change that. Bureaucracy should not determine who gets to 07:43:43.137 --> 07:43:48.401 learn. A geographical coefficient, a term that I introduced and I'm proud to see in 07:43:48.464 --> 07:43:53.474 this proposal, ensures that funding reflects the actual experience of students. 07:43:53.538 --> 07:43:58.674 And a minimum of 2% of the budget goes to participants from low and middle-income 07:43:58.738 --> 07:44:02.796 countries. Education to build bridges, not to reinforce borders. 07:44:02.860 --> 07:44:04.060 Thank you. 07:44:05.774 --> 07:44:10.855 Kollega Maj, so you have a blue card from João Oliveira, but João Oliveira, you are 07:44:10.916 --> 07:44:14.160 also on the KJI, so you alre ady asked one blue card. 07:44:14.222 --> 07:44:19.241 So we are not very far behind schedule, but you have to choose which one you want. 07:44:19.302 --> 07:44:20.894 One more blue card or KJI? 07:44:24.854 --> 07:44:26.861 That's a very difficult choice to make, Mr. 07:44:26.907 --> 07:44:27.614 President. 07:44:27.614 --> 07:44:29.294 We did this exercise also before the vote. 07:44:29.594 --> 07:44:31.814 Okay, I think the KJI. I'll take the KJI then. 07:44:32.114 --> 07:44:34.902 Okay, thank you. Thank you, Kollega Maj as well. 07:44:34.960 --> 07:44:37.574 So next speaker, Tiago Moreira de Sá, please. 07:44:41.654 --> 07:44:46.384 Thank you, Mr President, Commissioner. In 1514, the Upper Cloister of a convent in 07:44:46.442 --> 07:44:49.615 the Netherlands wrote an old monk demanding his return. 07:44:49.673 --> 07:44:54.403 The recipient was called Erasmus. But that young orphan, who had left the convent, 07:44:54.461 --> 07:44:58.960 no longer existed. Paris, Louvain, Geneva, Basel, Freiburg, London, Cambridge, 07:44:59.018 --> 07:45:03.114 Venice, Rome, the books, the scholars, the debates had transformed him. 07:45:03.172 --> 07:45:07.325 The convent was claiming the man it had known and who no longer existed. 07:45:07.383 --> 07:45:09.863 Education had made of the orphan a new man. 07:45:09.921 --> 07:45:14.709 Erasmus replied that he would not return. Erasmus of Rotterdam was no longer merely 07:45:14.767 --> 07:45:19.440 of Rotterdam. Five centuries later, millions of young people are following in his 07:45:19.497 --> 07:45:23.247 footsteps, thanks to the programme that bears his name, Erasmus+. 07:45:23.305 --> 07:45:27.977 Education is the most powerful promise of individual and collective emancipation. 07:45:28.035 --> 07:45:32.592 And if it is capable of turning a young man from Rotterdam into one of Europe’s 07:45:32.650 --> 07:45:37.438 greatest intellectuals, it is also capable of inspiring this example and making any 07:45:37.496 --> 07:45:40.323 young person in Europe an Erasmus from Rotterdam. 07:45:40.380 --> 07:45:41.580 Thank you very much. 07:45:42.614 --> 07:45:45.134 Thank you. Next speaker, Magdalena Adamowicz. 07:45:50.474 --> 07:45:54.904 Mr President, Commissioner, we think we have given young people the whole world 07:45:54.960 --> 07:45:59.615 because they have it in their phones. But with this phone, we have opened the doors 07:45:59.671 --> 07:46:04.213 of hell for them. Mr President, Commissioner, we thought we gave young people the 07:46:04.269 --> 07:46:07.017 whole world because they have it in their phones. 07:46:07.073 --> 07:46:10.269 But with that phone, we opened the gates of hell to them. 07:46:10.381 --> 07:46:12.849 We have made children victims of algorithms; 07:46:12.905 --> 07:46:17.559 the algorithms will make them addicted and teach them to mock and hurl mud at their 07:46:17.615 --> 07:46:21.933 peers. Or that they are the enemy. At the same time, in so many places across 07:46:21.989 --> 07:46:26.644 Europe, the real world offers them no chance of a proper education, let alone their 07:46:26.700 --> 07:46:31.354 own home or starting a family. Erasmus is not a cure for all these problems, but it 07:46:31.410 --> 07:46:34.326 is a slice of the world where you talk to strangers. 07:46:34.382 --> 07:46:39.037 You live with strangers, you learn with strangers, until they stop being strangers. 07:46:39.093 --> 07:46:41.897 And then no propaganda can turn them into enemies. 07:46:41.953 --> 07:46:44.476 We must not stint on this scrap of the world. 07:46:44.532 --> 07:46:49.075 On the contrary, let us expand it as much as we can, because we owe this to young 07:46:49.131 --> 07:46:53.729 people, and in this way let us repair a piece of the world that we have ruined for 07:46:53.785 --> 07:46:57.374 the young. Congratulations to the rapporteur, Bogdan Zdrojewski. 07:46:58.154 --> 07:47:01.063 Thank you, colleagues. Now we start the KJI procedure. 07:47:01.117 --> 07:47:05.587 I would be glad to give it the floor to everybody who is on the list, but please be 07:47:05.641 --> 07:47:10.058 collegial and good colleagues and not to overtake too much time on your one-minute 07:47:10.112 --> 07:47:12.374 speeches. Nina Carberry will be the first. 07:47:15.194 --> 07:47:20.011 Thank you, President. 1.5 million people, that's how many people took part in 07:47:20.074 --> 07:47:25.204 Erasmus+ exchanges in 2024 alone. But Erasmus+ is much more than students studying 07:47:25.267 --> 07:47:30.022 abroad. It is the EU's main funding program for grassroots sports, and sport 07:47:30.084 --> 07:47:35.277 matters. It supports 1.8 million jobs across Europe, with young people particularly 07:47:35.339 --> 07:47:40.407 benefiting. And I see its impact in my own constituency, in County Mayo, Erasmus+ 07:47:40.470 --> 07:47:45.350 has helped share Ireland's successful act of school f lag model, with European 07:47:45.412 --> 07:47:50.355 schools. And in County Leesh, it funded six Port Leesh AFC coaches to travel to 07:47:50.417 --> 07:47:55.172 Belgium, bringing home new ideas to keep young players involved in football. 07:47:55.235 --> 07:47:58.050 These are huge opportunities for Irish sport. 07:47:58.113 --> 07:48:03.180 That is why, as Parliament prepares to vote in the next seven years, E rasmus+, I 07:48:03.243 --> 07:48:07.122 support a 47 billion budget, almost double the current amount. 07:48:07.184 --> 07:48:12.315 And with more funding being ring-fenced for sport than ever before, we must ensure 07:48:12.377 --> 07:48:16.006 that sport is not an optional extra in the next EU budget. 07:48:16.068 --> 07:48:17.268 Thank you. 07:48:17.714 --> 07:48:19.934 Thank you. Next speaker, Tomas Bajada. 07:48:24.734 --> 07:48:28.696 In the last two years of family donations, in the previous Erasmus experience, he 07:48:28.745 --> 07:48:32.805 limited it, the actor without luggage. They helped me, they gave me, they supported 07:48:32.854 --> 07:48:36.914 me, or they simply overlooked me. Mecca is where the cultural experience of Jeddah, 07:48:36.963 --> 07:48:41.072 its coffee, its spices and its confidence in the calculation and in the motor of the 07:48:41.121 --> 07:48:45.181 fight for these days is. But we must not forget that Erasmus+ is also a melting pot 07:48:45.230 --> 07:48:48.067 of languages. They do not grant the child the right to be. 07:48:48.116 --> 07:48:52.029 They do not grant the right to be heard. They do not grant the right to be seen. 07:48:52.078 --> 07:48:54.230 They do not grant the right to be respected. 07:48:54.279 --> 07:48:58.339 And colleagues, they did not grant the child the right to be with his parents, they 07:48:58.388 --> 07:49:02.448 did not grant him the right to be with his family, they did not grant him the right 07:49:02.497 --> 07:49:06.410 to be with his mother, they did not grant him the right to be with his family at 07:49:06.459 --> 07:49:10.373 all, and I say this with great regret, because they are taking him away from his 07:49:10.422 --> 07:49:14.384 mother from the very beginning. But we, European democracy, is being destroyed by 07:49:14.433 --> 07:49:18.444 these people who are not even capable of constructive criticism, who are trying to 07:49:18.493 --> 07:49:22.357 sabotage the decisions we make, and they want to kill the Erasmus+ project, and 07:49:22.406 --> 07:49:26.515 these people have no idea how much we have invested in this, how much we have fought 07:49:26.564 --> 07:49:28.814 for it, and how much we have achieved with it. 07:49:29.474 --> 07:49:32.054 Thank you. Next speaker, Malgožata Gosievska. 07:49:34.994 --> 07:49:39.656 Thank you. We are in favour of Erasmus, a bigger budget and greater opportunities 07:49:39.713 --> 07:49:44.317 for our young people. But we oppose the idea of turning this excellent programme 07:49:44.375 --> 07:49:46.965 into a centralised political tool. Thank you. 07:49:47.022 --> 07:49:51.684 We are in favour of Erasmus, of a larger budget and greater opportunities for our 07:49:51.741 --> 07:49:56.288 young people. But we oppose turning this excellent programme into a centralised 07:49:56.345 --> 07:50:01.122 political tool. As European students struggle with rising living costs, Brussels is 07:50:01.237 --> 07:50:06.072 shifting the focus of the programme towards attracting and retaining external talent 07:50:06.129 --> 07:50:10.618 from third countries. So I ask: whose interests should be the priority of this 07:50:10.676 --> 07:50:15.280 programme? We must support young Europeans, and education must remain within the 07:50:15.337 --> 07:50:19.884 competence of the Member States. We also oppose linking universities’ access to 07:50:19.941 --> 07:50:24.200 funding to political criteria that primarily harm the students themselves. 07:50:24.258 --> 07:50:28.862 Let us return to the roots of Erasmus. Equal opportunities, knowledge and talent 07:50:28.919 --> 07:50:33.581 instead of ideology. Respect for the sovereignty of States and priority for young 07:50:33.638 --> 07:50:34.634 Europeans. 07:50:34.634 --> 07:50:35.834 Thank you. 07:50:36.434 --> 07:50:38.174 Thank you. Next speaker, Elena Kontur. 07:50:46.694 --> 07:50:51.722 Thank you very much, Mr President. Hundreds of thousands of pupils and students 07:50:51.786 --> 07:50:56.814 across Europe are demonstrating and demanding public, free , quality education, 07:50:56.878 --> 07:51:01.461 adequate funding and decent conditions for studying, working and living. 07:51:01.524 --> 07:51:06.234 These demands also concern Erasmus, which is one of Europe’s most tangible 07:51:06.298 --> 07:51:11.644 achievements. Millions of young people have the opportunity to acquire knowledge, to 07:51:11.708 --> 07:51:14.954 get to know new cultures and to forge lasting ties. 07:51:15.018 --> 07:51:20.046 beyond national borders. However, participation cannot depend on family income, 07:51:20.110 --> 07:51:24.502 place of residence or the ability to cover an exorbitantly high rent. 07:51:24.565 --> 07:51:29.784 How will a young person who is already struggling to pay their rent where they are 07:51:29.848 --> 07:51:35.195 studying participate? The new programme the Erasmus+ programme must be strengthened. 07:51:35.258 --> 07:51:40.350 With greater financial support, covering the actual cost of transport and living 07:51:40.414 --> 07:51:45.506 expenses for beneficiaries. Targeted support for rural, island and remote areas. 07:51:45.569 --> 07:51:50.534 And specific funding for young people and volunteering, so that participation— 07:51:50.714 --> 07:51:51.194 Thank you, thank you. 07:51:51.194 --> 07:51:52.574 —should be a right for all. 07:51:52.754 --> 07:51:54.854 Okay. Next speaker, Petras Gražulis. 07:52:04.274 --> 07:52:10.436 Honourable Chair, first of all, I would like to make a remark to you that you are 07:52:10.512 --> 07:52:16.521 very biased and undemocratic. You allow other MEPs to speak multiple times, ask 07:52:16.597 --> 07:52:22.835 questions and speak themselves. Unfortunately, you have applied censorship towards 07:52:22.911 --> 07:52:29.301 me not for the first time. Now, essentially, more than a million students from other 07:52:29.377 --> 07:52:34.017 countries are studying at universities in the European Union. 07:52:34.093 --> 07:52:40.407 A large proportion of them are funded under the European Union's Erasmus programme. 07:52:40.483 --> 07:52:46.720 And just recently, we saw those students in France, in other cities, taking to the 07:52:46.797 --> 07:52:50.296 streets, smashing up shops and cultural sites. 07:52:50.372 --> 07:52:56.686 I believe this programme should apply only to European Union citizens, and we won’t 07:52:56.762 --> 07:53:02.771 be able to educate the entire world. Secondly, how many European Union students 07:53:02.847 --> 07:53:06.651 themselves cannot afford to pay for their studies? 07:53:06.727 --> 07:53:10.454 So I believe this programme needs to be adjusted. 07:53:10.874 --> 07:53:16.139 Thank you. So, just a small remark: you said about my chairmanship, so I am not 07:53:16.206 --> 07:53:21.804 doing any c ensorship. You didn't get before the vote when I was chairing because of 07:53:21.871 --> 07:53:27.269 the announced principles. We were in time constraints, and it was nothing against 07:53:27.335 --> 07:53:31.934 you personally. Thank you very much. So, next speaker, Malika Sorell. 07:53:37.754 --> 07:53:43.343 Dear colleagues, you have all said it: Erasmus is the most popular programme of the 07:53:43.411 --> 07:53:49.068 European Union. Unfortunately, many young people's requests cannot be met because we 07:53:49.135 --> 07:53:52.435 are subject to significant budgetary constraints. 07:53:52.502 --> 07:53:58.159 Yet, you keep on increasing or expanding the number of eligible groups, professions, 07:53:58.226 --> 07:54:03.277 sectors and age ranges. So this is an insoluble problem, a basic arithmetic 07:54:03.344 --> 07:54:08.867 question. I do not understand your approach, your reasoning, especially as we know 07:54:08.934 --> 07:54:13.850 that the number of young people already eligible do not have the money to 07:54:13.917 --> 07:54:19.507 participate, because let us be frank, this programme unfortunately remains elitist. 07:54:19.574 --> 07:54:24.894 Most often, young people from poor backgrounds cannot complete this experience. 07:54:24.962 --> 07:54:30.349 Madam Vice-President, are you aware that the indefinite scrapping of the Erasmus 07:54:30.416 --> 07:54:33.985 programme will end will only exacerbate frustrations? 07:54:34.053 --> 07:54:39.306 And will tarnish Erasmus’ good name at a time when the rise of populism should 07:54:39.373 --> 07:54:42.134 prompt us to be more vigilant. Thank you. 07:54:43.154 --> 07:54:45.134 Thank you. Next speaker, Luda Smažilis. 07:54:48.434 --> 07:54:53.317 Thank you, Mr President. Commissioner, colleagues, Erasmus+ is one of the most 07:54:53.380 --> 07:54:58.388 successful European Union initiatives, uniting students across the continent and 07:54:58.451 --> 07:55:03.334 beyond for decades. Every euro invested in young people returns in the form of 07:55:03.397 --> 07:55:06.840 skills, jobs, resilience, and European competitiveness. 07:55:06.903 --> 07:55:11.911 u. However, it is important that the updated programme maintains a strong higher 07:55:11.974 --> 07:55:16.920 education foundation. Exchanges must not be limited to excursions and visits to 07:55:16.982 --> 07:55:21.302 cultural sites. They must provide an opportunity to acquire top-level 07:55:21.365 --> 07:55:26.498 future-oriented competences. It should be noted that quality education begins with 07:55:26.561 --> 07:55:31.820 the teacher, so Erasmus+ must invest in teachers, lecturers, as well as in students. 07:55:31.882 --> 07:55:34.887 In their improvement, mobility, and competences. 07:55:34.950 --> 07:55:40.209 By investing in one student, we change one life, but by investing in one teacher who 07:55:40.272 --> 07:55:43.214 is studying, we may change hundreds. Thank you. 07:55:44.594 --> 07:55:47.294 Thank you. Next speaker, Juan Fernández López Aguilar. 07:55:48.614 --> 07:55:51.974 Thank you so much, Mr. President. Commissaria, Minsatu, el 07:55:51.974 --> 07:55:54.980 the Erasmus+ programme is a story of success. 07:55:55.047 --> 07:56:00.258 It was conceived decades ago by the late and much-missed Spanish Commissioner, 07:56:00.325 --> 07:56:05.135 Manuel Marín. Not only is it linked to the European Solidarity Corps and 07:56:05.202 --> 07:56:10.280 volunteering, but above all to the training and educational opportunities it 07:56:10.347 --> 07:56:15.625 provides for young people. Of a closely-knit network, of coexistence, of shared 07:56:15.691 --> 07:56:21.170 experiences and of shared affection. That is precisely why, because Europe matters 07:56:21.237 --> 07:56:26.715 so much, we see the ferocity with which the far right attacks it, alleging that it 07:56:26.782 --> 07:56:32.126 is a diabolical bureaucratic and ideological plot serving a supposedly malignant 07:56:32.193 --> 07:56:37.672 Europeanist ideology. But also, precisely for that reason, the European Parliament 07:56:37.738 --> 07:56:43.217 has committed, in its negotiating position on the multiannual financial framework, 07:56:43.284 --> 07:56:48.762 to funding of €50 billion. Because it is absolutely essential to keep the European 07:56:48.829 --> 07:56:52.704 Union’s social contract alive with the younger generation. 07:56:52.771 --> 07:56:54.374 Thank you, Mr President. 07:56:54.674 --> 07:56:59.294 Thank you. Next speaker is Madame Wiszniewska. 07:57:01.754 --> 07:57:08.583 Thank you very much, Mr President. All speakers have expressed satisfaction with the 07:57:08.664 --> 07:57:12.323 Erasmus+ programme as it currently functions. 07:57:12.404 --> 07:57:18.908 So why change something that works well? You want to change a programme that has 07:57:18.989 --> 07:57:25.818 been effective and you are proposing its extension of students from third countries. 07:57:25.899 --> 07:57:32.728 While European students struggle with the enormous crisis of the cost of living, the 07:57:32.810 --> 07:57:38.988 new regulation proposes shifting the focus from the mobility of our youth to 07:57:39.070 --> 07:57:42.728 scholarships for citizens of third countries. 07:57:42.809 --> 07:57:49.476 European taxpayers' money must first and foremost go to young people from European 07:57:49.557 --> 07:57:56.386 cities and towns. Turning Erasmus into a recruitment vehicle leads to a drain on the 07:57:56.467 --> 07:58:03.296 European budget. The current programme’s practice shows how easily EU funds can also 07:58:03.377 --> 07:58:08.174 be hijacked by left-wing activism, and I warn against this. 07:58:08.474 --> 07:58:08.894 Thank you. 07:58:08.894 --> 07:58:09.434 Thank you. 07:58:09.434 --> 07:58:11.894 Thank you. Next speaker, Joao Oliveira. 07:58:13.874 --> 07:58:14.954 Thank you, Mr President. 07:58:14.954 --> 07:58:15.674 It's your volunteer. 07:58:15.674 --> 07:58:20.247 The contribution that the Erasmus programme can make to the consolidation of 07:58:20.307 --> 07:58:24.218 democratic values is undeniable, placing education at the centre. 07:58:24.279 --> 07:58:29.032 of fundamental aspects to structure the democratic system and also allowing the 07:58:29.092 --> 07:58:34.147 broadening of young people’s experience to create the space for the consolidation of 07:58:34.207 --> 07:58:39.081 those democratic values. But it is also necessary that, under the conditions that 07:58:39.141 --> 07:58:42.751 the programme ensures, this democratic access is guaranteed. 07:58:42.811 --> 07:58:47.625 It is essential that the Erasmus programme can adapt to the real cost of living, 07:58:47.685 --> 07:58:51.055 notably by providing adequate coverage of housing costs. 07:58:51.115 --> 07:58:56.049 It is also absolutely essential that access to the Erasmus programme can allow, in 07:58:56.109 --> 07:59:01.104 terms of education conditions and access to the education system, the consolidation 07:59:01.164 --> 07:59:05.556 of this democratic access to higher education, but also in the sharing of 07:59:05.617 --> 07:59:09.768 experiences, namely in terms of support for the movement associative. 07:59:09.829 --> 07:59:14.522 That is why we proposed a budget increase of €80 billion in the European Union 07:59:14.582 --> 07:59:18.734 budget and it is absolutely essential that this increase is achieved. 07:59:18.914 --> 07:59:20.654 Thank you. Next speaker, Sean Kelly. 07:59:24.614 --> 07:59:29.995 It was striking the number of MEPs who spoke, saying they benefited themselves from 07:59:30.060 --> 07:59:34.793 Erasmus, and indeed MEP Act said she wouldn't be an MEP only for Erasmus. 07:59:34.858 --> 07:59:39.785 And the benefits of Erasmus would be replicated by the 16 million people who 07:59:39.850 --> 07:59:45.101 actually took part in it. And one could say that each of those becomes a lifelong 07:59:45.166 --> 07:59:49.510 human billboard promoting the E U as a result of their experiences. 07:59:49.575 --> 07:59:54.891 I'm glad to say that even though Brexit occurred, the Northern Ireland people were 07:59:54.956 --> 08:00:00.207 able to continue in Brexit because of the generosity of the Irish government, but 08:00:00.272 --> 08:00:05.524 Boris Johnson and his folly withdrew the United Kingdom from Erasmus, thinking he 08:00:05.588 --> 08:00:10.905 had set up a better scheme himself, now the United Kingdom sensibly admit it was a 08:00:10.970 --> 08:00:16.351 mistake, like everything else in Brexit, and they want to come back in to Erasmus+. 08:00:16.416 --> 08:00:21.862 And I welcome them with open arms. Also, I would like to say, like my colleague Nina 08:00:21.926 --> 08:00:27.048 Carbury, the broad benefits for sports people, universities, teachers, coaches, 08:00:27.113 --> 08:00:30.614 everybody else, must be embraced so we should expand — 08:00:30.794 --> 08:00:31.394 Thank you. Thank you. 08:00:31.394 --> 08:00:33.254 —not contract, Erasmus+. 08:00:33.494 --> 08:00:36.254 Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker, Maria Grappini. 08:00:38.534 --> 08:00:43.074 Mr President, Commissioner, it is rare for a project to receive such support. 08:00:43.133 --> 08:00:47.672 I believe this is the most popular European project, Erasmus, and rightly so, 08:00:47.731 --> 08:00:50.325 because it is an investment in young people. 08:00:50.384 --> 08:00:55.100 And it is a long-term investment, because the cultural exchange, the educational 08:00:55.159 --> 08:00:58.756 exchange that takes place through this project is beneficial. 08:00:58.815 --> 08:01:03.767 However, I believe we need to extend it also to those who attend vocational schools, 08:01:03.826 --> 08:01:08.365 because we know that in the European Union there there is a very large skills 08:01:08.424 --> 08:01:13.023 shortage, and if we extend this to vocational schools, we will certainly gain. 08:01:13.082 --> 08:01:17.562 And do not worry, we support you in increasing the budget, because this is a 08:01:17.621 --> 08:01:22.515 long-term investment in human resources and I believe all Member States can benefit 08:01:22.574 --> 08:01:25.285 if you also extend this to vocational schools; 08:01:25.344 --> 08:01:26.544 thank you. 08:01:27.554 --> 08:01:30.374 Thank you. Next speaker, Arkadiusz Molarczyk. 08:01:36.614 --> 08:01:40.864 Thank you very much. Erasmus+ is one of those European Union programmes that bring 08:01:40.916 --> 08:01:43.092 concrete, measurable benefits to citizens. 08:01:43.144 --> 08:01:47.394 concrete benefits. They bring together young Europeans through education, language 08:01:47.446 --> 08:01:51.799 learning and discovering new countries. That is why in the new multiannual financial 08:01:51.851 --> 08:01:55.842 framework we should strengthen it. But a larger budget must also mean greater 08:01:55.894 --> 08:01:59.107 accessibility and equal opportunities for all young Europeans. 08:01:59.159 --> 08:02:03.150 every young European, regardless of the country, place of residence or family 08:02:03.202 --> 08:02:07.296 income, should have the same opportunity opportunity to participate in Erasmus. 08:02:07.348 --> 08:02:11.287 Today, the barrier is often the high cost of housing and living in different 08:02:11.338 --> 08:02:15.692 countries of the European Union. Therefore, support should better reflect the actual 08:02:15.744 --> 08:02:19.942 cost of living and the financial situation of the participant and where they come 08:02:19.994 --> 08:02:24.347 from. We must particularly open up Erasmus to young people from smaller towns, rural 08:02:24.399 --> 08:02:28.597 areas and less affluent families. Because if Erasmus is truly to unite Europe, it 08:02:28.649 --> 08:02:32.899 must be accessible to all young Europeans, not just those whose parents can afford 08:02:32.951 --> 08:02:35.646 mobility or whose parents can afford their mobility. 08:02:35.697 --> 08:02:36.897 Thank you very much. 08:02:37.994 --> 08:02:40.214 Thank you. Next speaker, Sebastian Timkinen. 08:02:45.074 --> 08:02:49.390 Mr President, student mobility within Europe is a good thing. 08:02:49.461 --> 08:02:55.193 The fact that the EU is allocating €47 billion to the Erasmus+ programme for this 08:02:55.264 --> 08:03:00.995 purpose is not a good thing. But listen, the European Parliament is demanding €47 08:03:01.066 --> 08:03:06.939 billion. At the same time, war is raging in Ukraine, and Europe is literally ablaze 08:03:07.010 --> 08:03:12.671 with internal security concerns. burning cars and falling bombs should wake this 08:03:12.741 --> 08:03:17.412 House up to the fact that now we must prioritise the use of funds. 08:03:17.482 --> 08:03:23.072 But no. Instead, this squandering of Erasmus funds is justified by the European 08:03:23.143 --> 08:03:28.875 Commission on the grounds that Europeans can be encouraged to adopt an active and 08:03:28.946 --> 08:03:32.767 knowledge-based citizenship. stance on sustainability. 08:03:32.837 --> 08:03:38.215 Tens of billions, because formal education, non-formal learning and everyday 08:03:38.286 --> 08:03:43.381 learning have a significant role in promoting climate change mitigation. 08:03:43.451 --> 08:03:47.414 Not Finnish taxpayers' money for this scheme, thank you. 08:03:48.794 --> 08:03:53.580 Thank you. Now we are closing cage Z procedure, and I would like to take the floor 08:03:53.638 --> 08:03:57.374 for the commission, executive vice president Mzatu for security. 08:04:04.154 --> 08:04:10.219 Well, what a debate. Thank you. So much. You know, Erasmus has be en, or let me put 08:04:10.292 --> 08:04:16.064 it another way, from its start in 1987, 18 million particip ants benefited from 08:04:16.137 --> 08:04:20.667 Erasmus. To me, this is very little. This is the small number. 08:04:20.740 --> 08:04:26.659 To me, a Romanian that has never had the chance to travel to Europe until she was 08:04:26.732 --> 08:04:32.869 25, never the dream of being able to participate in Erasmus, this seems very little. 08:04:32.942 --> 08:04:37.326 And if we are now to divide, okay, we cannot exactly divide. 08:04:37.399 --> 08:04:43.464 The total number of participants to the member states, we see how small this number 08:04:43.537 --> 08:04:49.236 is. And we see that, I think, our main objective together is to make sure that 08:04:49.309 --> 08:04:55.374 through the struggle, the work, the budget that we will be able to obtain, we reach 08:04:55.447 --> 08:04:59.977 much, much more Europeans. Because it does change their lives. 08:05:00.050 --> 08:05:04.215 It empowers them. It empowers them in a very civic sense. 08:05:04.288 --> 08:05:10.280 It empowers them with skills. It connects them to Europe and to their own national 08:05:10.353 --> 08:05:16.125 identity. Going outside of your community, outside of your country, gives you a 08:05:16.198 --> 08:05:20.144 sense about Europe and a sense about your own country. 08:05:20.217 --> 08:05:25.989 A way to look at yourself, your street, your neighborhood, your nation, that is 08:05:26.062 --> 08:05:31.761 different. That enriches you. So we owe it to the many, many millions of young 08:05:31.834 --> 08:05:37.899 Europeans who have not been able, even to think, to participate in Erasmus, be them 08:05:37.972 --> 08:05:44.110 in vocational education and training. We need much more participants from that area. 08:05:44.183 --> 08:05:47.325 Be them from youth or sports organizations. 08:05:47.398 --> 08:05:50.539 Our students, to fight for a bigger budget. 08:05:50.613 --> 08:05:56.531 And I thank you. I thank Rapporteur Zdrojewski, for the vote that I hope you will 08:05:56.604 --> 08:06:00.403 give, a strong vote, a strong mandate to this House. 08:06:00.477 --> 08:06:06.614 For a bigger budget so that you will be able to negotiate with the Council as big as 08:06:06.687 --> 08:06:11.510 a budget as possible, because in the end, the limit is the budget. 08:06:11.583 --> 08:06:17.209 And the duty is towards all the tens of millions of Europeans that know about 08:06:17.282 --> 08:06:22.104 Erasmus but cannot dre am to access it. I agree we need synergies. 08:06:22.177 --> 08:06:26.561 There is a housing crisis. There is a cost of living crisis. 08:06:26.635 --> 08:06:30.434 It affects young people more than other generations. 08:06:30.734 --> 08:06:35.275 And we need to think beyond Erasmus, how to connect it with European social fund 08:06:35.332 --> 08:06:38.568 plus, with other funds, so that it can be more inclusive. 08:06:38.625 --> 08:06:43.223 But this is, I think, the battle for the next generation of Europeans and for the 08:06:43.279 --> 08:06:46.629 future of our European Union. So thank you for this battle. 08:06:46.685 --> 08:06:49.070 And together, I hope that we will succeed. 08:06:49.126 --> 08:06:50.326 Thank you. 08:06:50.654 --> 08:06:53.519 Thank you. Thank you very much, executive vice president. 08:06:53.569 --> 08:06:56.534 Now floors go back to Rapporteur Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski. 08:06:59.774 --> 08:07:00.974 Thank you very much. 08:07:01.034 --> 08:07:06.960 First, I will respond to a few critics. Of those nearly 40 critics, there were only 08:07:07.031 --> 08:07:10.244 a few. But I have one simple request for you: 08:07:10.315 --> 08:07:15.812 read this report. Read that report. You won’t find Marx, Engels, or—even less 08:07:15.884 --> 08:07:19.739 so—Lenin in it. Secondly, a response to Ms Wiśniewska. 08:07:19.810 --> 08:07:23.166 You have confused Erasmus Mundus with Erasmus+. 08:07:23.237 --> 08:07:28.449 There is no funding in this programme. Not only that, we are blocking and 08:07:28.521 --> 08:07:34.518 restricting and better controlling the implementation of this programme than was the 08:07:34.589 --> 08:07:38.301 case before. We are not changing it in this respect. 08:07:38.373 --> 08:07:43.585 Erasmus Mundus is not funded under Erasmus Plus, but under Global Europe. 08:07:43.656 --> 08:07:47.654 The second point is very important and very significant. 08:07:47.725 --> 08:07:53.294 We do indeed have a million children born as a result of cooperation under the 08:07:53.365 --> 08:07:57.292 Erasmus+ programme. That is why the right must respond. 08:07:57.363 --> 08:08:01.005 We have one of the best pro-demographic programmes. 08:08:01.076 --> 08:08:06.787 You always wanted this. So here it is. There is a pro-demographic programme, and 08:08:06.859 --> 08:08:12.642 every child born always has, for one Member of Parliament, two parents – a mother 08:08:12.713 --> 08:08:15.712 and a father. And let’s be happy about it. 08:08:15.783 --> 08:08:20.566 And now a few remarks, as I didn’t get the chance to do so earlier. 08:08:20.638 --> 08:08:24.707 The budget amounts to 47.4 billion, that is our proposal. 08:08:24.779 --> 08:08:30.633 We are aware, the entire CULT Committee, but also the budget, that there are needs 08:08:30.704 --> 08:08:36.273 regarding Europe's security, energy security, and the fight for cheaper fuels. 08:08:36.344 --> 08:08:41.913 But this fight must also be conducted with an eye to the future of Europe, the 08:08:41.984 --> 08:08:47.839 future of the younger generation. These are our most important investments, let us 08:08:47.910 --> 08:08:53.479 not forget that. We are proposing 75% of the budget for education and training 08:08:53.550 --> 08:08:57.263 alone. A minimum of 15% for youth with volunteering. 08:08:57.334 --> 08:09:00.475 And 4.1% for sport. These are our proposals. 08:09:00.547 --> 08:09:06.401 And 20% of the funds is to be allocated to support people with fewer opportunities 08:09:06.472 --> 08:09:10.042 who are at risk. excluded. And finally, my thanks. 08:09:10.113 --> 08:09:16.111 I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the committee, Commissioner Mzatu, 08:09:16.182 --> 08:09:21.751 and Commissioner Glen Mahler. It was an excellent, professional collaboration. 08:09:21.822 --> 08:09:26.534 There were some rough edges, but the outcome was always fantastic. 08:09:26.774 --> 08:09:27.194 Thank you. 08:09:27.194 --> 08:09:30.882 I also thank the secretariat of our committees. 08:09:30.960 --> 08:09:34.334 And finally, I thank all the organisations. 08:09:34.574 --> 08:09:35.234 Thank you, colleagues. 08:09:35.234 --> 08:09:40.186 To national institutions and agencies that have shared our position. 08:09:40.259 --> 08:09:43.464 They know, through experiences and opinions. 08:09:43.536 --> 08:09:45.794 We wish the youth all the best. 08:09:45.854 --> 08:09:46.994 Thank you very much. 08:09:46.994 --> 08:09:48.194 Thank you very much, sir. 08:09:48.854 --> 08:09:50.414 Colleagues debate it 08:09:50.414 --> 08:09:56.127 are closed. And voting will take place tomorrow on this issue. 08:09:56.219 --> 08:10:03.591 Next agenda item: Council and Commission statements on the Circular Economy Act, 08:10:03.683 --> 08:10:11.332 which strengthens Europe's strategic autonomy, promotes competitiveness and reduces 08:10:11.424 --> 08:10:17.967 the cost of living for European citizens. And there will be a change of 08:10:18.059 --> 08:10:22.574 Commissioners. I would just like to take a moment 08:10:22.754 --> 08:10:27.833 before the commission vēl commission of you are welcome to. 08:10:27.919 --> 08:10:35.064 So now I would like to ask to take floors for the Council of Minister Dooley, floor 08:10:35.151 --> 08:10:36.614 is yours, please. 08:10:45.674 --> 08:10:50.434 President, Members, Honorable Members, Commissioner, thank you for organizing this 08:10:50.492 --> 08:10:55.136 timely debate on the upcoming circular econom y act, which the Council very much 08:10:55.194 --> 08:11:00.070 looks forward to. Our economy in competitiveness, our facing challenges that require 08:11:00.128 --> 08:11:04.830 both immediate relief and structural long-term solutions for producers especially 08:11:04.888 --> 08:11:09.532 small and medium enterprises, but also for the recycling industry, and of course 08:11:09.590 --> 08:11:14.408 really importantly for our citizens. Who expect further efforts to make their lives 08:11:14.466 --> 08:11:19.052 more affordable. We need a truly functioning internal market with secondary raw 08:11:19.110 --> 08:11:21.664 materials, to achieve our circularity goals. 08:11:21.722 --> 08:11:26.076 But this is only possible if we have long-term predictable investments into 08:11:26.134 --> 08:11:30.952 recycling technologies and if we make sure that there 's enough demand for recycled 08:11:31.010 --> 08:11:34.493 materials on the side of the manufacturers of various goods. 08:11:34.551 --> 08:11:39.195 These objectives go hand in hand with the aim of boosting our strategic autonomy 08:11:39.253 --> 08:11:43.897 ensuring that production cap abilities remain in the EU and that EU products are 08:11:43.955 --> 08:11:48.367 attractive to EU customers. Our reliance on imported raw materials including 08:11:48.425 --> 08:11:51.095 critical raw materials should be well managed. 08:11:51.153 --> 08:11:55.971 At the same time we must pay due attention to our international commitments whether 08:11:56.029 --> 08:12:00.557 they concern trade relationships and level playing field c limate goals or for 08:12:00.615 --> 08:12:05.259 instance shipments of waste. And this brings me to the upcoming circular economy 08:12:05.317 --> 08:12:10.193 act. The Council expects the proposal to tackle as a matter of priority the extended 08:12:10.251 --> 08:12:12.980 producer responsibility for all waste stre ams. 08:12:13.038 --> 08:12:16.985 To ensure traceability so that the proper treatment can be provided. 08:12:17.043 --> 08:12:21.803 These are complex topics that need to be handled in a consistent and comprehensive 08:12:21.861 --> 08:12:26.099 way in order to provide clear guidance for economic operators and SMEs in 08:12:26.157 --> 08:12:31.033 particular. And bringing solutions for alleviating their administrative burden while 08:12:31.091 --> 08:12:34.342 preserving the very base of the whole collection system. 08:12:34.400 --> 08:12:39.160 The latter is essential to build a functioning market for secondary raw materials. 08:12:39.218 --> 08:12:43.862 In the meanwhile the Council also remains attentive to the areas in which urgent 08:12:43.920 --> 08:12:48.390 action is required in order to provide immediate relief for the most impacted 08:12:48.448 --> 08:12:49.394 sectors 08:12:49.394 --> 08:12:53.876 of our economy. As part of the environmental omnibus the Council is looking at a 08:12:53.932 --> 08:12:58.357 targeted solution to alleviate the burden under the existing ext ended producer 08:12:58.413 --> 08:13:03.119 responsibility obligations for producers of limited amounts of packaging or packaged 08:13:03.175 --> 08:13:06.536 products under the packaging and packaging waste regulation. 08:13:06.592 --> 08:13:11.186 The omnibus file is a high priority for our presidency and we aim to deliver under 08:13:11.242 --> 08:13:15.836 the One Europe One Market Roadmap together with the Parliament and the Commission. 08:13:15.892 --> 08:13:20.150 As regards our long-term expectations for the circular economy act some very 08:13:20.206 --> 08:13:24.743 important aspects have been raised by delegations at the Environmental Council on 08:13:24.799 --> 08:13:29.393 the 12th of October and we can expect that boosting demand with regard to recycled 08:13:29.449 --> 08:13:33.931 plastic materials or EU preference or ensuring a stronger regime of controls for 08:13:33.987 --> 08:13:38.580 third country materials to make sure it complies with our EU requirements would be 08:13:38.637 --> 08:13:42.614 am ong the issues that will require most attention thank you very much. 08:13:43.694 --> 08:13:46.921 Thank you very much Minister so now I would like to ask to take floor for the 08:13:46.963 --> 08:13:48.974 Commission Commissioner Hoekstra floor is yours. 08:13:57.194 --> 08:14:03.725 Thank you very much dear President and Honorable Members on behalf of my friend and 08:14:03.804 --> 08:14:10.414 colleague Jessica Roosevelt I am taking part in this debate ladies and gentlemen our 08:14:10.493 --> 08:14:16.552 economy is and our security are under pressure the cost of materials for some 08:14:16.631 --> 08:14:23.083 sectors can be more than twice the cost of labor and energy such as iron and steel 08:14:23.162 --> 08:14:29.300 and in our view this shows just how essential circularity is and how essential 08:14:29.378 --> 08:14:35.674 material efficiency is to European competitiveness at the same time the r isk of 08:14:35.752 --> 08:14:42.362 supply disruptions is becoming ever more concrete Europe unfortunately is highly dep 08:14:42.441 --> 08:14:48.815 endent let me stress that highly dependent on imported materials particularly for 08:14:48.894 --> 08:14:55.346 key technologies of the green and dig ital transition we import roughly 60% of the 08:14:55.425 --> 08:15:01.878 critical raw materials and that per centage goes up to 90% when you would focus on 08:15:01.956 --> 08:15:08.566 rare materials just alone and I' m going to make it worse for some raw materials the 08:15:08.645 --> 08:15:14.547 Union is almost fully dependent on a single country for its supply now such 08:15:14.625 --> 08:15:21.235 dependencies create in our view a high risk of supply disruptions that are likely to 08:15:21.314 --> 08:15:27.924 distort competition internationally and fragment our internal market to make matters 08:15:28.003 --> 08:15:34.534 even worse we're effectively burying valuable resources in the European Union about 08:15:34.613 --> 08:15:40.593 30% of our waste still goes to landfill and with it critical materials go to 08:15:40.672 --> 08:15:47.203 landfill so cir cle circular transition the circular transition is not a choice for 08:15:47.282 --> 08:15:53.498 our competitiveness and resilience it simply has become a necessity it is about 08:15:53.577 --> 08:15:59.479 creating the right legal framework and making the best use of the resources 08:15:59.558 --> 08:16:05.853 available in the Union including of course all the things that we call waste and 08:16:05.932 --> 08:16:12.384 that means ensuring that materials and products are reused remanufactured recycled 08:16:12.463 --> 08:16:18.915 and k ept within the economy and it means taking a more strategic approach to redu 08:16:18.994 --> 08:16:25.447 ce our exposure to unreliable suppliers and there are many of those out there if . 08:16:25.525 --> 08:16:32.057 We get this right if we manage to do this this will benefit citizens and businesses 08:16:32.135 --> 08:16:38.195 alike but it will also benef it the environment and help us reach our climate 08:16:38.273 --> 08:16:40.634 targets now a well-functioning 08:16:40.874 --> 08:16:47.037 single market is essential essential for advancing these goals and unfortunately o 08:16:47.112 --> 08:16:53.200 urs still faces too many barriers and too much friction and we hear this directly 08:16:53.276 --> 08:16:59.364 from businesses operating all over the European Union as they still face and I'll 08:16:59.439 --> 08:17:05.001 give you the list non-uniform implementation of EU la w different national 08:17:05.076 --> 08:17:11.014 requirements in different member states fragment fragmented compliance system s 08:17:11.089 --> 08:17:16.576 uncertain legal status of waste and materials higher transaction cost for 08:17:16.651 --> 08:17:22.739 cross-border trade within Europe than for domestic trade and the list goes on and 08:17:22.814 --> 08:17:29.128 ladies and gentlemen this is not what a single market was designed for to deliver it 08:17:29.203 --> 08:17:35.516 is not what we promise and the consequences go well be yond the circular economy so. 08:17:35.591 --> 08:17:41.830 Chair the circular economy act will address at least some of these challenges right 08:17:41.905 --> 08:17:47.843 away first we will simplify the regulatory framework and remove barriers to our 08:17:47.918 --> 08:17:53.555 single market for example the national impl ementation of extended producer 08:17:53.630 --> 08:17:59.568 responsibility systems has the practical effect of stopping some companies from 08:17:59.643 --> 08:18:05.806 selling cross-border and we've made a proposal to mitigate some of these in in the 08:18:05.881 --> 08:18:12.195 environmental omnibus and we're currently assessing how the circular economy act can 08:18:12.270 --> 08:18:18.283 actually bring that even further we must also reform the system so companies can 08:18:18.358 --> 08:18:24.521 actually comply easily and do their utmost to boost circularity themselves we will 08:18:24.597 --> 08:18:30.760 harmon harmonize simplify digitalize and also ensure stronger enforcement bec ause 08:18:30.835 --> 08:18:36.622 that will be needed as well another example relates to so-called end of waste 08:18:36.698 --> 08:18:42.786 criteria harmonization will make it easier to move secondary raw materials within 08:18:42.861 --> 08:18:48.799 the European Union to where they have the highest value and the highest utility 08:18:48.874 --> 08:18:55.187 second we will strengthen the secondary raw materials market add ressing bottlenecks 08:18:55.262 --> 08:19:01.426 on the supply and demand side simultaneously and that includes ensuring that waste 08:19:01.501 --> 08:19:07.589 is recycled instead of being landfilled third specifically for raw materials this 08:19:07.664 --> 08:19:13.978 means diversif ying supply by making better use of waste streams like for electronic 08:19:14.053 --> 08:19:14.774 and elec 08:19:14.774 --> 08:19:20.734 trical equipment we. Effectively need to turn more of Europe's waste into what I 08:19:20.808 --> 08:19:26.694 would like to call a strategic resource for Europe 's industry and the circular 08:19:26.768 --> 08:19:32.803 economy act will build on the legislation that we have already in place including 08:19:32.877 --> 08:19:38.912 the eco design for sustainable products regulation and of course the construction 08:19:38.986 --> 08:19:44.723 products regulation the circularity economy act will complement exactly these 08:19:44.797 --> 08:19:50.981 efforts by addressing broader single market barriers as we kn ow exist and then the 08:19:51.055 --> 08:19:56.791 act itself is only one part of our ambition what we're doing is working on an 08:19:56.866 --> 08:20:02.900 integrated package of legislative and non-legislative measures some to be adopted 08:20:02.975 --> 08:20:09.233 alongside the act and others to follow later and these accompanying measure measures 08:20:09.307 --> 08:20:15.193 will be just as important in our view as the act itself dear chair we also need 08:20:15.267 --> 08:20:21.302 research and innovation enabling market conditions incentives and practical tools 08:20:21.376 --> 08:20:27.634 including new ways to use public but also private funds because circularity requires 08:20:27.709 --> 08:20:33.892 investments but frankly speaking it pays back as a driver of competitiveness and it 08:20:33.966 --> 08:20:40.001 is the combination of all of these meas ures that I've described working together 08:20:40.075 --> 08:20:45.886 that in our view truly will make a difference it will help to deliver material 08:20:45.961 --> 08:20:52.144 efficiencies and supply chain supply chain certainty that we so clearly need and it 08:20:52.219 --> 08:20:56.763 will strengthen E U resilience and our strategic autonomy so. 08:20:56.838 --> 08:21:02.872 Delighted to have the opportunity to present and truly eager to hear the views of 08:21:02.947 --> 08:21:09.055 the esteemed members of par liament on the upcoming act and how we can turn all of 08:21:09.130 --> 08:21:15.388 these ambition into action as soon as possible alt ogether thank you very much thank 08:21:15.462 --> 08:21:21.050 you very much commissioner now for EPP group will speak Pablo Arias gracias 08:21:21.124 --> 08:21:27.010 presidente señor ministro señor comisario rediseñar reducir reutilizar re parar 08:21:27.084 --> 08:21:33.342 renovar recuperar y reciclar durante demasiado tiempo hemos basado nuestro modelo de 08:21:33.417 --> 08:21:39.004 producción y consumo en fabricar usar y tirar la economía circular no puede 08:21:39.079 --> 08:21:45.039 entenderse únicamente como un objetivo climático o medioambiental es también una 08:21:45.113 --> 08:21:46.454 cuestión de compet 08:21:46.754 --> 08:21:51.678 itividad de seguridad económica y de autonomía estratégica para Europa nuestros 08:21:51.740 --> 08:21:56.852 recursos son limitados y la dependencia ex terior especialmente en materias primas 08:21:56.914 --> 08:22:02.150 críticas nos hace vulnerables a las tensiones geopolíticas y pone en riesgo el sumin 08:22:02.212 --> 08:22:06.887 istro de nuestra industria reducir estas dependencias reutilizar y reciclar 08:22:06.949 --> 08:22:12.060 materiales e impulsar la innovación son nec esidades estratégicas pero también una 08:22:12.123 --> 08:22:17.358 oportunidad para rediseñar nuestro modelo productivo y generar nuevas oportun idades 08:22:17.421 --> 08:22:22.407 de negocio y empleo en nuestro mercado para ello necesitamos una ley de economía 08:22:22.469 --> 08:22:27.518 circular ambiciosa pero a la vez realista una ley que repare la competitividad de 08:22:27.581 --> 08:22:32.629 nuestras empresas en lugar de debilitarla y para ello la simplificación tiene que 08:22:32.692 --> 08:22:37.367 estar en el centro del debate no podemos añadir más burocracia cada trámite 08:22:37.429 --> 08:22:42.041 innecesario resta recursos a la innovación a la inversión y al crecimiento 08:22:42.104 --> 08:22:47.152 especialmente de nuestras pymes la transición debe hacerse de la mano de nuestras 08:22:47.215 --> 08:22:52.077 empresas facilitando su adopción a nuevos modelos de producción y renovando su 08:22:52.139 --> 08:22:57.375 competitividad necesit amos normas claras armonizadas y previsibles que faciliten la 08:22:57.437 --> 08:23:01.987 inversión y eliminen barreras en el mercado único y permitan compet ir en 08:23:02.049 --> 08:23:06.662 condiciones adecuadas a las materias primas secundarias desde el grupo PPE 08:23:06.724 --> 08:23:11.773 defendemos una economía circular más compet itiva resiliente y europea hagamos de 08:23:11.835 --> 08:23:16.946 las siete erres una ventaja estratégica para Europa una vía para recuperar nuestra 08:23:17.009 --> 08:23:22.182 industria y fortalecer nuestra capacidad de generar empleo apostemos por una ley de 08:23:22.245 --> 08:23:27.356 economía circular ambiciosa a la vez que senc illa y eficaz que impulse a nuestras 08:23:27.418 --> 08:23:32.467 empresas y sitúe a Europa a la cabeza de la economía del futuro muchas gracias th 08:23:32.529 --> 08:23:37.204 ank you very much for SMB group will speak Delara Burhart vielen dank liebe 08:23:37.266 --> 08:23:42.502 Kolleginnen und Kollegen ob das große Aluminium Recycling Werk in Sachsen-Anhalt das 08:23:42.564 --> 08:23:47.800 Hamburger B iotech Unternehmen das aus Agrar Reststoffen neue Materialien entwickelt 08:23:47.863 --> 08:23:51.914 oder der Recyclinghof in meiner Heimat in Kiel sie alle zeigen he 08:23:51.914 --> 08:23:57.039 ute schon Kreislaufwirtschaft funktioniert doch sie alle kämpfen mit den gleichen 08:23:57.102 --> 08:24:02.037 Hürden zu geringe Nachfrage nach recycelten R ohstoffen und einem Wirrwarr von 08:24:02.100 --> 08:24:07.288 Regeln auch innerhalb der Europäischen Union die gute Nachricht ist wir können das 08:24:07.351 --> 08:24:12.665 ändern der Circular Econom y Act muss die Kraft unseres Binnenmarktes neu entfesseln 08:24:12.728 --> 08:24:17.600 und mit gemeinsamen harmonisierten ambitionierten Regeln mehr Nach frage nach 08:24:17.663 --> 08:24:22.914 Recyclingmaterialien und einer starken Herstellerverantwortung die Wiederverwendung 08:24:22.978 --> 08:24:28.165 und Ressourcenschonung belohnt das ist eine riesige Chance für mehr Unabhängigkeit 08:24:28.229 --> 08:24:33.480 von Rohstoffimporten für geringere Materialkosten in der Produktion und für gute Ar 08:24:33.543 --> 08:24:38.478 beitsplätze in der Industrie von heute aber eben auch von morgen und vor allen 08:24:38.541 --> 08:24:43.792 Dingen für Bezahlbare Produkte die lang lebiger und günstiger werden Herr Kommissar 08:24:43.855 --> 08:24:48.727 Sie haben dieses strategische Potenzial erkannt jetzt wird's wichtig dass Sie 08:24:48.790 --> 08:24:53.978 endlich liefern wir warten schon eine Weile auf den Circular Economy Act für einen 08:24:54.041 --> 08:24:59.292 unabhängiges Wettbewerbsfähiges und nachhaltiges Europa vielen dank th ank you very 08:24:59.355 --> 08:25:04.290 much for the PFE group will speak Victoria Ference tisztelt biztos úr tisztelt 08:25:04.353 --> 08:25:09.162 képviselők Európa gazdasága egyre nehezebben viseli a magas költségeket és a 08:25:09.225 --> 08:25:14.413 ránehezed ő szabályozási terheket igaz ez a hulladékgazdálkodásra is a körforgásos 08:25:14.476 --> 08:25:19.727 gazdaságról szól ó szabályozásnak ezért Európa versenyképességét kell szolgálnia az 08:25:19.790 --> 08:25:24.156 újrahasznosítás és az újrafelhasználási arányok javítása garantálja a 08:25:24.219 --> 08:25:29.533 környezetvédelmét miközben Európa nyersanyagfüggőségét is csökkenti emellett szükség 08:25:29.597 --> 08:25:34.531 van a másodlagos nyersanyagok piacának fejlesztésére is de nem újabb jelentési 08:25:34.595 --> 08:25:39.593 kötelezettségekre és nem a nemzeti rendszerek egységesítésére minden áron az új 08:25:39.656 --> 08:25:44.337 uniós szabályozásnak lehetőséget kell adni ar ra hogy a tagállamok a saját 08:25:44.401 --> 08:25:49.209 tapasztalataikra és adottságukra építsenek közös célokat szem előtt tartva a 08:25:49.272 --> 08:25:54.397 szabályoknak a tisztességes versenyt is garantálniuk kell olyan nem fordulhat elő 08:25:54.460 --> 08:25:59.774 hogy miközben az európai váll alatok szigorú kötelezettségeket teljesítenek az unión 08:25:59.838 --> 08:26:03.254 kívülről érkező szereplők kibújhatnak ezek alól köszön 08:26:03.314 --> 08:26:08.871 öm thank you for ECR group will speak merci monsieur le président chers collègues 08:26:08.940 --> 08:26:14.222 nous débattons aujourd'hui d'un projet législatif dont l'analyse d'impact non 08:26:14.291 --> 08:26:19.916 concluante a repoussé le calendrier au mois de novembre prochain et bien profitons 08:26:19.985 --> 08:26:25.679 de ce délai pour introduire un peu de bon sens dans nos réflexions recycler n 'a de 08:26:25.748 --> 08:26:31.031 sens que si quelqu'un achète ce qu'on recycle et aujourd'hui des montagnes de 08:26:31.099 --> 08:26:36.450 matières premières s'entassent dans des hangars faute de clients on impose aux 08:26:36.519 --> 08:26:41.939 professionnels du recyclage des objectifs de recyclage toujours plus haut et on 08:26:42.007 --> 08:26:47.359 voudrait en plus les f aire entrer dans le marché du carbone ce qui serait une 08:26:47.427 --> 08:26:52.847 double peine certes oui il faut récupérer nos matériaux critiques plutôt que de 08:26:52.916 --> 08:26:58.198 dépendre de la Chine mais à plusieurs conditions d'abord pas de taxe déguisée 08:26:58.267 --> 08:27:03.824 alourdir les éco-contributions c 'est faire payer le consommateur l'inverse de la 08:27:03.892 --> 08:27:08.969 vie plus abordable ensuite protégeons nos recycleurs par des contrôles aux 08:27:09.038 --> 08:27:14.183 frontières une traçabilité et des obligations strictes pour les plateformes 08:27:14.252 --> 08:27:19.672 étrangères enfin pas de décroissance l'Eur ope doit produire mieux pas produire 08:27:19.740 --> 08:27:25.160 moins simplifier protéger faites confiance à nos entreprises le reste n'est que 08:27:25.229 --> 08:27:30.648 bureaucratie merci thank you for the new Europe will speak Anna Maya Henriksson 08:27:30.717 --> 08:27:36.480 arvoisa puhemies komisaari hyvät kollegat kierto talous hyödyttää sekä ilmastoa että 08:27:36.548 --> 08:27:41.214 ihm isten kukkaroita se vahvistaa samalla EU:n autonomiaa uskon että 08:27:41.282 --> 08:27:46.908 kiertotaloudella on paljon pot entiaalia vahvistaa Euroopan kilpailukykyä vähentää 08:27:46.976 --> 08:27:52.465 riippuvuuttamme EU:n ulkopuolelta tulevista ra aka-aineista ja parantaa Euroopan 08:27:52.534 --> 08:27:58.091 kansalaisten arkea samalla kun uudistumme ja u udistamme on myös tärkeä vaalia jo 08:27:58.159 --> 08:28:03.785 toimivia ratkaisuja esimerkiksi Suomen erinomaisesti toim iva pullojen ja tölkkien 08:28:03.853 --> 08:28:09.273 panttijärjestelmä on pystyttävä säilyttämään ja sähköautojen akkuja on vo itava 08:28:09.342 --> 08:28:15.105 korjata turvallisesti ja kohtuullisin kustannuksin kaikkialla EU:ssa odotan että kom 08:28:15.173 --> 08:28:20.524 ission tuleva esitys kiertotaloudesta kannustaa meitä korjaamaan ja käyttämään 08:28:20.593 --> 08:28:22.514 tuotteita uudelleen antamaan 08:28:22.694 --> 08:28:29.002 niille uuden elämän sekä kierrättämään materiaaleja jotta arvokkaat raaka-aineet 08:28:29.081 --> 08:28:35.625 saadaan talteen ja olen myös toiveikas siitä että riittävästi huomioidaan pienet ja 08:28:35.704 --> 08:28:42.011 keskisuuret y ritykset ja samojen sääntöjen on koskettava myös EU:n ulkopuolisia 08:28:42.090 --> 08:28:47.294 yrityksiä jotka haluavat toim ia meidän sisämarkkinoillamme kiitos 08:28:57.914 --> 08:29:02.853 bonjour merci monsieur le président monsieur le commissaire cher conseil chers 08:29:02.917 --> 08:29:08.173 collègues d'abord une évidence il n'y a pas de bon déchet le bon déchet c'est celui 08:29:08.236 --> 08:29:13.366 qu'on ne produit pas et quand on parle d'économie cir culaire il me semble que ce 08:29:13.429 --> 08:29:18.305 qu'il on doit mettre au cœur de notre logique c'est trois éléments d'abord la 08:29:18.369 --> 08:29:23.561 prévention et ç a c'est l'éco-conception des produits pour qu'ils puissent être le 08:29:23.625 --> 08:29:28.627 plus réparable possible durer le plus longtemps possible et en fin de vie qu'on 08:29:28.691 --> 08:29:33.884 puisse récupérer le plus facilement possible l'ensemble des matières premières qui 08:29:33.947 --> 08:29:39.076 ont été utiles à sa production deux ièmement c'est le réemploi et donc là il faut 08:29:39.140 --> 08:29:44.333 s'appuyer notamment sur la commande publique pour favoriser la réutilisation et le 08:29:44.396 --> 08:29:49.652 réemploi la seconde vie mais pour cela il faut une offre et donc avoir des produits 08:29:49.715 --> 08:29:55.035 qu'on ait au préalable remis en é tat et puis la réparation c'est la même logique il 08:29:55.098 --> 08:30:00.038 y a deux autres textes dont on est en train de parler en ce moment c'est l'acc 08:30:00.101 --> 08:30:05.167 élérateur industriel et la commande publique la circularité doit être au cœur de 08:30:05.230 --> 08:30:10.233 notre stratégie europ éenne car notre continent ne sera pas compétitif dans une 08:30:10.297 --> 08:30:15.363 logique d'économie linéaire et extractiviste c'est ça l'ambition que nous devons 08:30:15.426 --> 08:30:20.555 nous fixer pour une Europe plus puissante plus industrielle et plus sociale merci 08:30:20.619 --> 08:30:25.748 mer ci mister gunta das Kreislaufwirtschaftsgesetz muss Menschen und den Planeten 08:30:25.812 --> 08:30:30.688 vor endlosen Produktion und Profit stellen eine Kreislaufwirtschaft muss mehr 08:30:30.751 --> 08:30:36.007 leisten als nur Abfall zu verwalten sie muss den Ressourcenverbrauch senken und die 08:30:36.071 --> 08:30:39.933 endlose Produktion und nutz losen Konsum in Frage stellen das 08:30:39.997 --> 08:30:45.190 Kreislaufwirtschaftsgesetz bietet die Chance einer Wende einzuleiten Binnenmärk te 08:30:45.253 --> 08:30:50.382 für Recycling und Abfall reichen nicht aus Abfallvermeidung muss an erster Stelle 08:30:50.446 --> 08:30:55.575 stehen Produkte müssen länger halten leicht zu reparieren und wieder zu verwenden 08:30:55.639 --> 08:31:00.705 sein wir brauchen Strukturen die effektive und damit kosteng ünstige Reparaturen 08:31:00.768 --> 08:31:05.771 erst ermöglichen wir brauchen ein Verbot der Vernichtung unverkaufter Waren wir 08:31:05.834 --> 08:31:07.034 brauchen die Auswe 08:31:07.034 --> 08:31:12.474 itung der Herstellerverantwortung auf mehr Produkte wir brauchen langliebiges und 08:31:12.541 --> 08:31:17.309 reparierbares Des ign mehr Mittel in die Abfallvermeidung Reparatur und 08:31:17.376 --> 08:31:23.018 Wiederverwendung nicht nur in die Abfallsammlung und das Rec ycling diese Wende muss 08:31:23.085 --> 08:31:28.458 klare Meilensteile und Rechenschaftspflichten setzen zugunsten der Beschäftigten 08:31:28.525 --> 08:31:33.091 sein g ute sichere Arbeitsplätze mit starken Arbeitnehmerrechten und 08:31:33.159 --> 08:31:37.994 Tarifverhandlungen schaffen vielen Dank vielen Dan k mister Commissioner 08:31:48.374 --> 08:31:53.901 thank you very much dear chair and delighted to see you back specifically in that 08:31:53.969 --> 08:31:59.565 chair maybe three reflections if I may from my side at this point in time first to 08:31:59.633 --> 08:32:05.160 build on what quite a few speakers said I think the EPP in particular and that is 08:32:05.229 --> 08:32:10.892 the logic that we have here in front of us to make sure we bridge one everything we 08:32:10.960 --> 08:32:15.669 have in the domain of c limate and nature with the huge importance of 08:32:15.737 --> 08:32:21.264 competitiveness and everything related to the domain of autonomy and independence 08:32:21.332 --> 08:32:26.587 and recycling actually is a great idea on all these three fronts and it is an 08:32:26.655 --> 08:32:32.387 opportunity that we do need to reap so there are very much agree with those who have 08:32:32.455 --> 08:32:38.119 articulated that logic second ly and that was what Madam Burkart was saying das ist 08:32:38.187 --> 08:32:43.782 eine Chance and that is indeed really the opportunity here we have the opportunity 08:32:43.851 --> 08:32:49.514 to move from a world where we are burning 90% of the stuff towards a world where we 08:32:49.583 --> 08:32:55.246 re cycle 90% of the stuff and and that is simply an opportunity whether you look at 08:32:55.315 --> 08:33:01.046 this from an ecological perspective whether y ou look at this from the wallet or you 08:33:01.115 --> 08:33:06.028 look at the dramatic truly dramatic dependencies that Europe has third . 08:33:06.096 --> 08:33:09.371 And last dear chair and and there was something. 08:33:09.440 --> 08:33:14.762 That was brought up also by a few speakers some were focusing on the cost and. 08:33:14.830 --> 08:33:20.494 Of course there are as with everything in life there are smarter and dumber ways to 08:33:20.562 --> 08:33:26.089 do this there are more expensive and cheaper ways to do this but if I look at the 08:33:26.158 --> 08:33:31.821 member state that I know best and it has not nearly maximized its its its potential 08:33:31.890 --> 08:33:37.485 in the doma in of recycling but the reason why it went into this and why it is the 08:33:37.553 --> 08:33:43.217 world champion in in in recycling a circularity is because there is a business case 08:33:43.285 --> 08:33:48.881 and and that is something where we need much more of in Europe let me give you one 08:33:48.949 --> 08:33:54.544 last example I'm sure he will forgive me for bringing that up here once again I on 08:33:54.613 --> 08:34:00.208 ce had a chat with the previous CEO of IKEA and he explained to me how he c ame to 08:34:00.276 --> 08:34:05.394 start recycling mattresses in the Netherlands this was first imposed by the 08:34:05.462 --> 08:34:06.662 government and I 08:34:06.734 --> 08:34:12.055 KEA embraced it and thought that this was a great opportunity from an ecological 08:34:12.121 --> 08:34:17.442 perspective but probably also a cost and and and something that would that would 08:34:17.509 --> 08:34:23.029 come with a certain financial. Burden to them in in doing that until they looked at 08:34:23.095 --> 08:34:28.283 it and they saw that actually this was che aper than the process that they had 08:34:28.350 --> 08:34:33.936 before and what they then started to do is lobby the other 26 govern ments in Europe 08:34:34.003 --> 08:34:39.191 to ask for the exact same regulation because again it works from an ecological 08:34:39.257 --> 08:34:44.711 perspective but actually it is better for the wallet of that specific company that 08:34:44.777 --> 08:34:50.298 is. Micro example but it tells you a story and that's the one I will keep repeating 08:34:50.364 --> 08:34:55.951 and Commissioner Roosevelt will keep re peating that we have an opportunity to bring 08:34:56.018 --> 08:35:01.538 our objectives in climate and environment in terms of competitiv eness and in terms 08:35:01.604 --> 08:35:07.191 of autonomy and independence truly hands in hand if we do this well thank you th ank 08:35:07.258 --> 08:35:12.645 you thank you very much dear Commissioner my next speaker is mister Joneski panie 08:35:12.711 --> 08:35:18.032 przewodniczący szanowny panie komisarzu ale nie zbudujemy europejskiej konkurenc 08:35:18.099 --> 08:35:23.220 yjnej gospodarki i synergia będzie u nas ponad dwa razy droższa niż w Stanach 08:35:23.287 --> 08:35:28.740 Zjednoczonych i trzy razy droższ a niż w Chinach no jeśli tylko popatrzymy na Unię 08:35:28.807 --> 08:35:34.261 Europejską to za prąd dla przemysłu tu w Europie nasze firmy płacą 20 eurocenta za 08:35:34.327 --> 08:35:39.648 kilowatogodzinę a w Chinach 7,5 eurocenta za kilowatogodzinę i to nie jest dobra 08:35:39.714 --> 08:35:45.235 drobna różnica to jest ta przewaga konkurencyjna którą oddajemy innym gospodarstwom 08:35:45.301 --> 08:35:50.156 i dlaczego o tym mówię tu w tej chwili dlatego że dyskusja o recyklingu o 08:35:50.223 --> 08:35:55.677 odzyskiwaniu surowców i uniezależnieniu się od Chin to dobry kierunek oczywiście i 08:35:55.743 --> 08:36:01.130 bardzo bardzo dobrze że o tym rozmawiam y ale jeśli przetwarzanie tych surowców w 08:36:01.197 --> 08:36:06.584 Europie będzie zbyt drogie nasze ambicje po prostu pozostaną na papierze bo jeśli 08:36:06.651 --> 08:36:11.905 europejska firma płaci za dużo za energię to inwestycja w Europie przestaje się 08:36:11.972 --> 08:36:17.492 opłacać jak przestaje się opłacać to produkcja pr zenosi się poza Unię a my stajemy 08:36:17.558 --> 08:36:22.214 się zależni od importu ten wyścig technologiczny wygrają ci którzy będ 08:36:22.214 --> 08:36:27.915 ą mieli tanią energię i ten wyścig trwa i my musimy zrobić wszystko w Europie żeby 08:36:27.984 --> 08:36:33.754 ten wyścig wygrać dlatego ceny energii muszą być jed nym z priorytetów tej polityki 08:36:33.824 --> 08:36:39.455 bez taniej i stabilnej energii nie będzie nowych inwestycji silnego przemysłu ani 08:36:39.525 --> 08:36:45.295 też real nej strategicznej autonomii dlatego po pierwsze przesunięcie i odejście od 08:36:45.364 --> 08:36:51.065 ETS2 a po drugie potrzebujem y prostych przepisów gospodarka o obiegu zamkniętym o 08:36:51.135 --> 08:36:56.835 których komisarz mówi ma tworzyć wartość i wzmacniać firmy a nie m nożyć obowiązki 08:36:56.905 --> 08:37:02.188 administracyjne nie wystarczy odzyskiwać surowce musimy jeszcze sprawić żeby 08:37:02.258 --> 08:37:07.680 opłacało się to po prostu robić tu w Europie dziękuję thank you very much dear 08:37:07.750 --> 08:37:13.520 colleague mister Tobak you have the floor thank you chair colleagues waste not want 08:37:13.590 --> 08:37:19.429 not if buying something is difficult or expensive then wasting what you already have 08:37:19.499 --> 08:37:25.200 is plain dumb yet that is what we do in Europe we complain about high energy costs 08:37:25.269 --> 08:37:30.900 about insecure supplies of crucial rare materials of metals or magnets and at the 08:37:30.970 --> 08:37:36.740 same time we th row away what we already have our citizens pay three times for this 08:37:36.810 --> 08:37:42.441 failure we pay to buy we pay to dispose burn our landfill and we pay again to buy 08:37:42.510 --> 08:37:48.350 again and while Chinese players are al ready eyeing our wind turbines to recover the 08:37:48.420 --> 08:37:54.259 precious materials inside we needlessly complicate the transport of used toaster for 08:37:54.329 --> 08:38:00.030 recycling in a neighboring member state colleagues reusing goods and materials has 08:38:00.099 --> 08:38:05.800 always made ec ological sense but in today's world it also has great strategic and 08:38:05.869 --> 08:38:11.639 economic value so commissioner more than ever there is no time to waste and no time 08:38:11.709 --> 08:38:17.479 to waste in connecting circular to economy and to act I'm looking forward thank you 08:38:17.549 --> 08:38:22.902 thank. You il signor Inselbini si continua giustamente a parlare di autonomia 08:38:22.971 --> 08:38:28.463 strategica competitività e riduzione dei costi per i cittadini ma come possiamo 08:38:28.533 --> 08:38:34.303 essere autonom i se da una parte dipendiamo dall'estero per l'approvvigionamento di 08:38:34.373 --> 08:38:39.865 materie prime strategiche e dall'altro soffochiamo i nostri imprenditori con la 08:38:39.934 --> 08:38:45.774 burocrazia il circular economy act rappresenta un'occasione unica è vero ma non deve 08:38:45.844 --> 08:38:47.234 diventare l'ennesimo 08:38:47.294 --> 08:38:53.111 capitolo del Green Deal fatto solo di costi e di burocrazia abbiamo bisogno di 08:38:53.186 --> 08:38:59.301 trasformare i rifiuti in risorse industriali e non le impr ese in uffici solamente 08:38:59.376 --> 08:39:05.193 amministrativi servono mercati europei efficienti procedure più rapide criteri 08:39:05.267 --> 08:39:11.159 armonizz ati e meno ostacoli alla circolazione dei materiali recuperati la vera 08:39:11.233 --> 08:39:17.423 economia circolare deve infatti ridurre la dipendenza strategica dalle importazioni 08:39:17.498 --> 08:39:23.464 abbassare i costi produttivi e rafforzare le nostre filiere oltre che proteggere 08:39:23.539 --> 08:39:29.430 tutti quei materiali strategici come il rottame che adesso vengono svenduti per 08:39:29.505 --> 08:39:35.695 esempio all'estero quindi non solo regole ma si devono dare alle imprese la libertà 08:39:35.769 --> 08:39:41.512 e gli strumenti per produrre innovare e competere grazie g razie onorevole la 08:39:41.586 --> 08:39:47.627 signora Vasconcelos thank you chair commissioner council colleagues a competitive 08:39:47.702 --> 08:39:53.742 economy and strategic autonomy two top priorities in for Europe in this uncertain 08:39:53.817 --> 08:39:59.485 world for both we need critical raw materials like lithium cobalt and copper 08:39:59.559 --> 08:40:05.376 ingredients we need for everything from our phones our car car bat teries wind 08:40:05.451 --> 08:40:11.641 turbines data centers and defense equipment our continent is not as naturally ri ch 08:40:11.715 --> 08:40:17.831 in these materials as others are but that does not mean that we don't have them in 08:40:17.905 --> 08:40:24.021 spades in our waste by 2040 recycling could could cut our demand for new cobalt by 08:40:24.095 --> 08:40:30.136 up to 70% and for nickel up to hal f Europe has the knowhow and the technology to 08:40:30.211 --> 08:40:36.326 reuse and recycle the challenge is regulation particularly in 27 different regimes 08:40:36.401 --> 08:40:42.068 across member states no business should have to register with every national 08:40:42.143 --> 08:40:48.333 producer responsibility scheme one by one give businesses a single digital one-stop 08:40:48.407 --> 08:40:54.672 shop and build a real single market where trade is unburdened and recycled materials 08:40:54.747 --> 08:41:00.713 circulate freely Europe al ready has an untapped mind of secondary raw materials 08:41:00.787 --> 08:41:06.977 let's stop wasting it ob rigado eh Madame Matti dear colleagues last week Elon Musk 08:41:07.052 --> 08:41:13.093 showed off a flying car uh while people worldwide fear that A I will replace them 08:41:13.167 --> 08:41:19.208 for us Europeans the answer to that is closer to the ground creating new jobs and 08:41:19.282 --> 08:41:20.774 making sure that the 08:41:20.834 --> 08:41:26.936 jobs we already have stay in Europe so I recently met the CEO of Gallo it's a 08:41:27.016 --> 08:41:33.277 Belgian recycler and he told me when he started his company that his family was 08:41:33.356 --> 08:41:40.013 asking him while why a well-educated man would actu ally want to deal in trash today 08:41:40.092 --> 08:41:46.591 the company employs over 800 people and it's highly successful in the beginning he 08:41:46.670 --> 08:41:53.169 thought that the EU rules on car recycling were completely impossible right now he 08:41:53.248 --> 08:41:59.589 says it allowed his company to flourish and he thanked me for them an innovative 08:41:59.668 --> 08:42:06.246 textile recycling companies are actually also telling me the same thing they want c 08:42:06.325 --> 08:42:12.586 lear rules they want market demand or they just move to China so in a couple of 08:42:12.665 --> 08:42:19.164 weeks commission you will present the circular economy act I will judge it on just 08:42:19.243 --> 08:42:25.901 one question does it infect give our innovative companies a reason to stay in Europe 08:42:25.980 --> 08:42:32.399 or not because that more than flying cars really gives people economical security 08:42:32.479 --> 08:42:39.057 thank you. Madame Matie you have a blue card from Madame Bisnieska do you accept it 08:42:39.136 --> 08:42:45.714 from ECR group um Mad ame Bisnieska sit four three zero you have the floor dziękuję 08:42:45.793 --> 08:42:49.993 bardzo za przyjęcie mojego pytania mam podobny Sorry. 08:42:50.073 --> 08:42:56.413 Yeah I have no translation Let's try now is correct dziękuję bardzo za przyjęcie 08:42:56.492 --> 08:43:02.753 mojego pytania mam podobny pogląd jeśli chodzi o pot encjał który tkwi w złomie 08:43:02.832 --> 08:43:09.410 zatem chciałam panią zapytać czy nie uważa pani że powinniśmy wprowadzić restrykcje 08:43:09.490 --> 08:43:14.166 jeśli chodzi o eksport złomu poza Unię Europejską dziękuję. 08:43:14.245 --> 08:43:20.823 Sorry the translation was not great but if I understand you correctly it's about um 08:43:20.902 --> 08:43:27.559 maybe limiting the export of scrap right that was your question yeah well um I think 08:43:27.639 --> 08:43:33.900 it's important uh to know all the numbers u h before we make uh this kind of uh 08:43:33.979 --> 08:43:40.161 decision and I think uh if you look at for instance what we're doing uh in the 08:43:40.240 --> 08:43:46.739 revamp of CBAM right now this is going to be a good way to actually make sure that 08:43:46.818 --> 08:43:53.317 we put on um the kind of legislation that is working and that is necessary I think 08:43:53.396 --> 08:43:59.815 for some uh it can be interesting uh to put on export restrictions but I wouldn't 08:43:59.895 --> 08:44:06.314 say right now we have all the data to make 100% sure that it's actually necessary 08:44:09.614 --> 08:44:13.094 thank you madame uh madame you have the floor maga. 08:44:13.162 --> 08:44:18.348 Sufficient safe structural this is what our circular economy act needs to be 08:44:18.416 --> 08:44:23.807 sufficient because focusing on resource efficiency while consumption skyrockets 08:44:23.875 --> 08:44:29.402 won't cut it we need to reduce our demand and make hard choices about what we pri 08:44:29.470 --> 08:44:34.997 oritize in our production and consumption do we prioritize the critical materials 08:44:35.065 --> 08:44:40.661 for the green transition or squander them on weapons systems safe because circular 08:44:40.729 --> 08:44:46.256 models that rely on toxic chemicals and contaminated materials work for no one we 08:44:46.324 --> 08:44:51.919 need harmonized end of waste criteria and import standards to ensure the safety of 08:44:51.987 --> 08:44:57.446 circular materials for workers and consumers and structural because today linear 08:44:57.514 --> 08:45:02.632 models are built into the way businesses produce and people consume we need 08:45:02.700 --> 08:45:08.227 circularity by design we need to challenge production models like fast fashion we 08:45:08.295 --> 08:45:13.754 need global action like a plastics treaty that tackles production and we need to 08:45:13.822 --> 08:45:19.418 ensure that circularity is pri oritized right across EU policies so it's time that 08:45:19.486 --> 08:45:24.808 we actually got serious about the circular economy th ank you madame la señora 08:45:24.876 --> 08:45:30.540 Crespo tiene la palabra eh gracias presidente eh comisario ministro la circularidad 08:45:30.608 --> 08:45:36.340 es la mejor forma de aprovechamiento la da competitividad y mejora el medio ambiente 08:45:36.408 --> 08:45:41.867 un residuo inmediatamente se convierte en una oportunidad en un recurso y en una 08:45:41.935 --> 08:45:47.666 fuente de ingreso evitamos sacar del medio natural más recursos y no se acumulan los 08:45:47.735 --> 08:45:52.852 residuos que ten emos en muchas ocasiones y podemos producir energía biogás 08:45:52.920 --> 08:45:58.379 fertilizantes renure y muchos otros productos los de dep uradora agua regenerada 08:45:58.447 --> 08:46:04.179 ejemplos concretos ya hay en toda Europa en estos momentos podemos hablar de oliv ar 08:46:04.247 --> 08:46:09.433 de economía circular en el agro o de comares con nuestros pescadores pero la 08:46:09.501 --> 08:46:15.097 investigación la innovación las nuevas tecnologías tenemos que invertir en ella es 08:46:15.165 --> 08:46:20.214 una inversión que se rentabiliza como decía el comisario Joescra y como la 08:46:20.282 --> 08:46:25.809 presidenta presentaba en el debate estaba hablando de agua reutilizamos solo 1000 08:46:25.878 --> 08:46:28.334 millones de metros cúbicos en Europa 08:46:28.394 --> 08:46:34.391 de agua y se puede multiplicar por seis es necesario invertir en la circularidad del 08:46:34.463 --> 08:46:39.746 agua porque eso ad emás produce balance produce equilibrio en los sectores 08:46:39.817 --> 08:46:45.029 productivos en el agua y evita las dificult ades con la sequía terciarios 08:46:45.101 --> 08:46:50.741 cuaternarios un nuevo nicho de negocio a través de la infraestructura de agua y 08:46:50.812 --> 08:46:56.809 además permite equilibrar los sectores productivos el equilibrio que produce el agua 08:46:56.881 --> 08:47:02.735 para ello se necesitan herramientas y para ello tenemos el fondo de competitividad 08:47:02.807 --> 08:47:08.233 en estos momentos en el marco financiero que se ajusta como anillo el dedo y 08:47:08.304 --> 08:47:14.230 especialmente en estos momentos es una ley adecuada simplificada y posibilista todo 08:47:14.301 --> 08:47:20.299 son vent ajas muchas gracias señora Crespo tiene una tarjeta azul del señor Gunta de 08:47:20.370 --> 08:47:26.225 de Left la acepta míster Gunta ich würde in Deutsch sprechen haben Sie Übersetzung 08:47:26.296 --> 08:47:32.150 ja pas st das okay ja vielen vielen dank ich habe sie Ihnen und Ihren Kollegen von 08:47:32.222 --> 08:47:37.791 der EPP sehr genau z ugehört habe viel über Recycling und gehört was ich nicht 08:47:37.862 --> 08:47:43.859 gehört habe ist Abfallvermeidung und Sie haben ja jetzt hier auch ein Wasserbeispiel 08:47:43.931 --> 08:47:49.714 genannt wir wissen alle dass durch undichte Wassersysteme Milliarden Kubikmeter W 08:47:49.785 --> 08:47:55.283 asser in der EU verloren gehen während es hier auch eine auch ein praktisches 08:47:55.354 --> 08:48:01.351 Beispiel dafür dass wir eigentlich auf die Vermeidung erstmal Wert legen müssten und 08:48:01.423 --> 08:48:07.420 könnten Sie dafür zu was sagen efectivamente absolutamente de acuerdo acabo de decir 08:48:07.491 --> 08:48:13.274 que evitamos sacar recursos del medio natural est o es un tema muy importante que 08:48:13.346 --> 08:48:18.986 mejora el medio ambiente y además convierte los productos en pos ibilidades más 08:48:19.057 --> 08:48:24.769 económicas en el agua tenemos un déficit de infraestructura que lo dijo ya la la 08:48:24.840 --> 08:48:30.623 propia presidenta en el debate de la comunidad perdemos de cada 4 L 1 L de agua y 08:48:30.695 --> 08:48:35.835 por tanto tenemos oportunidad de equ ilibrar los sectores con una ley de 08:48:35.907 --> 08:48:41.261 circularidad o que sea objetiva y que dé oportunidad de la infraestructuras 08:48:41.333 --> 08:48:47.259 hidráulicas con terciario y cuaternario para nosotros es un son todo ventajas y hay 08:48:47.330 --> 08:48:53.042 posibilidad de hacer una buena ley en Europa que en ese sentido también crea las 08:48:53.113 --> 08:48:57.254 posibilidades que necesitamos en el agua y en otros materi 08:48:57.614 --> 08:49:04.490 ales que evitamos sacar de la naturaleza por tanto todo ventaja y la competitividad 08:49:04.573 --> 08:49:11.533 se mejora gracias muchas gracias señora Crispo my next speaker is madame Frison tack 08:49:11.615 --> 08:49:17.912 herr talman kommissionär Högstra vi pratar om bristen på viktiga mineral och 08:49:17.995 --> 08:49:23.877 metaller of ta fokuserar vi på debatten på handel geopolitik gruvor och 08:49:23.960 --> 08:49:30.919 leveranskedjor samtid igt som vi ägnar oss åt resurslöseri i stor skala och bara för 08:49:31.002 --> 08:49:37.796 att ge ett exempel vi återvinner bara ungefär 40 % av vårt elektroniska avfall och 08:49:37.879 --> 08:49:44.506 nästan h älften av strategiska och kritiska råmaterial i små apparater ja de går 08:49:44.589 --> 08:49:51.217 förlorade vid insamlingen och så här ser det ut på område efter område för olika 08:49:51.300 --> 08:49:58.011 avfall och olika material vi är helt enkelt för dåliga på sekulär ekonomi och det 08:49:58.094 --> 08:50:04.804 har vi inte råd med nu är det dags för EU att öka takten det är så mycket viktiga 08:50:04.887 --> 08:50:11.847 resurser som går förlorade vi behöver höja ambitionerna fixa fungerande lagstiftning 08:50:11.929 --> 08:50:18.226 och inv estera i ny teknik jag räknar dagarna tills kommissionen presenterar 08:50:18.309 --> 08:50:24.523 cirkulär ekonomi t ack thank you very much mister Tarsiu you have the floor 08:50:24.605 --> 08:50:31.399 mulțumesc domnule președinte stimați colegi comisia ne promite o viață mai ieftină 08:50:31.482 --> 08:50:38.358 și o restartare cumva a economiei europene prin reciclare dar oamenii nu și plătesc 08:50:38.441 --> 08:50:45.235 facturile cu materiale reciclate ci în eur o care provin din salarii câștigate tot 08:50:45.318 --> 08:50:52.277 mai greu cine garantează că această lege va scădea prețurile și nu va muta costurile 08:50:52.360 --> 08:50:58.988 în spinarea cumpărătorului cine garantează că firmele mici din România nu vor fi 08:50:59.071 --> 08:51:05.284 îngropate în hârtii burăoară comisia vrea să dubleze gradul de reciclare în 08:51:05.367 --> 08:51:11.829 următorii ani pe ch eltuiala producătorilor și a consumatorilor și propune noi 08:51:11.912 --> 08:51:18.706 reguli nu de asta avem nevoie ci de energie la prețuri rezonabile de investiții în 08:51:18.789 --> 08:51:25.416 colectare și reciclare și de materiale reciclate care se vând pentru că sunt mai 08:51:25.499 --> 08:51:32.376 ieftine nu pentru că o lege obligă pe cineva să le cumpere să dăm legi de ci pentru 08:51:32.459 --> 08:51:39.418 oameni nu împotriva lor mulțumesc thank you very much mister Tarsiu mad ame Balgi we 08:51:39.501 --> 08:51:46.294 for an onafhankelijk Europa is moet beginnen met wat we al hebben en daar zit voor 08:51:46.377 --> 08:51:50.354 mij de kracht van een circulaire economie produc 08:51:50.594 --> 08:51:55.770 ten langer gebruiken repareren of vernieuwen aan nieuwe standaarden en grondstoffen 08:51:55.833 --> 08:52:00.822 opnieuw benutten zo houden we de waar de de banen en de productie hier zo was ik 08:52:00.884 --> 08:52:05.873 vrijdag bij een haven event waar we spraken over het revitten naar nieuwe schone 08:52:05.936 --> 08:52:11.050 brandstoffen voor de shortse schepen of ik spreek met de sloot sloopsector die zit 08:52:11.112 --> 08:52:16.226 te wachten op een beschermde markt voor de aluminium scrap onze ondernemers willen 08:52:16.288 --> 08:52:21.527 vaak vooroplopen maar dan moet Europa wel de ruimte geven dus verwachten we in de eh 08:52:21.590 --> 08:52:26.641 circular economy act voor de ondernemer een echt verdienmodel en dat betekent dus 08:52:26.703 --> 08:52:31.630 ook een mar kt creëren voor circulaire grondstoffen en de vraag is waar hoe dat 08:52:31.693 --> 08:52:36.869 uiteindelijk ook in de circular economy act goed tot zijn recht komt want we hebben 08:52:36.931 --> 08:52:41.858 het nodig voor onze veiligheid en voor onze consumenten dat de producten langer 08:52:41.921 --> 08:52:47.035 meegaan een onafhankelijk Europa en een duurzame toekomst veel grondstoffen hebben 08:52:47.097 --> 08:52:52.024 we al laten we daar ons welvaart mee voortb ouwen thank you very much eh madame 08:52:52.086 --> 08:52:57.138 Cavazzini president dear commissioner dear colleagues die Zeit in der europäische 08:52:57.200 --> 08:53:02.065 Unternehmen Rohstoffe verlässlich auf dem Welt markt besorgen konnten die sind 08:53:02.127 --> 08:53:07.116 leider Geschichte kreislaufwirtschaft muss deshalb die Konsequenz und auch Kernb 08:53:07.179 --> 08:53:12.230 estandteil jeglicher EU-Industriepolitik sein und ich glaube da gibt's eine große 08:53:12.293 --> 08:53:17.344 Einigkeit hier im Plenum was gut ist wir müssen runter vom Rohst offverbrauch hin 08:53:17.406 --> 08:53:22.520 zum Nutzen von Rohstoffen und das heißt wiederverwenden aufarbeiten reparieren und 08:53:22.583 --> 08:53:27.135 auch recyceln aber leider leider treten wir immer noch auf der Stelle die 08:53:27.198 --> 08:53:32.436 Kreislaufquote und das wissen wir die stagniert seit Jahren auf einem se hr geringen 08:53:32.499 --> 08:53:37.488 Niveau das Kreislaufwirtschaftsgesetz muss daher das Geschäftsmodell der Zukunft 08:53:37.550 --> 08:53:42.789 schaffen w ir brauchen endlich EU-Ziele zur Verringerung des Materialfußabdrucks wir 08:53:42.851 --> 08:53:48.090 müssen zweitens Hersteller für das ges amte Leben ihrer Produkte mitverantworten mit 08:53:48.153 --> 08:53:53.266 einem Preisschild das sich in der Umweltwirkung ausrichtet und das einheitlich auf 08:53:53.329 --> 08:53:55.574 dem ganzen Binnenmarkt hier brauchen 08:53:55.574 --> 08:54:01.307 wir endlich ein Ende der kleinen Staaterei hier gucke ich Richtung Rat und drittens 08:54:01.376 --> 08:54:06.141 wir müssen diese Gelder nutzen für Abfallvermeidung für Reparatur und 08:54:06.210 --> 08:54:12.012 Wiederverwertung und nicht nur für Recycling vielen herzlichen Dank danke il signore 08:54:12.081 --> 08:54:17.814 Tamburrano Salve colleghi eh ci sono cose da fare ci sono cose da un fa da non fare 08:54:17.883 --> 08:54:23.546 un pessimo esempio di economia cir colare l'abbiamo noi romani dove negli scavi di 08:54:23.615 --> 08:54:26.585 preparazione del nuovo inceneritore da 800. 08:54:26.654 --> 08:54:32.456 000 tonnellate stanno uscendo sacchi di amianto che nessuno sa come sono arrivati là 08:54:32.525 --> 08:54:38.327 quindi eh e commissario io sono molto contento del della sua azione e sono certo che 08:54:38.396 --> 08:54:43.438 farà un bel lavoro con quest 'atto però forse qualcosa di più sull'ETS2 e 08:54:43.507 --> 08:54:49.239 l'emissione dell'incerimento credo fosse opportuno fare comunque una qualche parola 08:54:49.308 --> 08:54:54.903 sui pannelli fotovoltaici e sulla responsabilità estesa del produttore i pannelli 08:54:54.972 --> 08:55:00.773 durano 25 anni mentre qualche produttore dopo tre e già sparito il pannello resta la 08:55:00.842 --> 08:55:06.506 responsabilità resta il pannello evapora e gli accantonamenti non sono commisurati 08:55:06.575 --> 08:55:11.824 ai costi attuali perché sappiamo che le installazioni non hanno un andamento 08:55:11.893 --> 08:55:17.211 temporale lineare il circola economy act deve imporre garanzie finanziarie ai 08:55:17.280 --> 08:55:22.944 produttori fin dalla vendita ritiro davvero gratuito anche a residenziale recupero 08:55:23.013 --> 08:55:28.746 effettivo dei materi ali e controlli sulle esportazioni e filiere di recupero anche 08:55:28.815 --> 08:55:34.340 consumer to business nell'economia cir colare devono circolare le risorse non le 08:55:34.409 --> 08:55:39.865 responsabilità grazie grazie onorevole eh mister Coller sehr geehrter Kommissar 08:55:39.934 --> 08:55:45.667 Höchstra sehr geehrter Minister Duli geschätzte Kollegen und Kolleginnen ich blicke 08:55:45.736 --> 08:55:51.469 mit Spannung auf den angekündigten Circular Economy Act der Europäischen Kommission 08:55:51.538 --> 08:55:57.063 dieser stellt eine Chance für mehr Wettbewerbsfähigkeit und mehr strategische Un 08:55:57.132 --> 08:56:02.381 abhängigkeit da beides brauchen wir dringend unsere europäischen Unternehmen 08:56:02.450 --> 08:56:08.045 brauchen außerdem Planungssicherheit das ist der Grundstein für eine erfolgreiche 08:56:08.114 --> 08:56:13.846 Wirtschaft die in Innovationen und Umweltfreundliche Technologien investiert dah er 08:56:13.916 --> 08:56:18.681 möchte ich die Kommission nachträglich darum bitten den Vorschlag zur 08:56:18.750 --> 08:56:23.654 Kreislaufwirtschaft auch in diesem Sinne zu nutzen und mehr praktikabil 08:56:23.834 --> 08:56:29.264 ität zu schaffen dazu zählen für mich die eine Vereinfachung der erweiterten 08:56:29.336 --> 08:56:35.123 Herstellerverantwortung für Kleinstunternehmen und die Schaffung von Anreizen für 08:56:35.194 --> 08:56:40.624 Innovation wir benötigen einen sinnvollen Rechtsrahmen für Recycling und ein 08:56:40.696 --> 08:56:46.626 europaweit harmonisier tes Recyclingsystem ich freue mich auf den Austausch und die 08:56:46.698 --> 08:56:51.413 Diskussion vielen dank thank. You very much eh la signora Moretti. 08:56:51.485 --> 08:56:57.200 Presidente colleghi commissario il lavoro che da anni stiamo portando avanti sul 08:56:57.272 --> 08:57:03.131 tema della circolarità ha bisogno di uno scatto in avanti l'occasione del prossimo 08:57:03.202 --> 08:57:09.132 circular economy act per creare finalmente un sistema produttivo più s ostenibile e 08:57:09.204 --> 08:57:14.991 competitivo non può essere sprecata essenziale sarà creare un mercato unico delle 08:57:15.063 --> 08:57:20.850 materie prime secondar ie per trovare uno sbocco in Europa al materiale riciclato 08:57:20.921 --> 08:57:26.066 intervenire concretamente per ridurre la di pendenza sulle materie prime 08:57:26.137 --> 08:57:32.139 trattenendone l'economia europea i materiali di valore questo sforzo deve essere fat 08:57:32.210 --> 08:57:37.926 to con il dovuto supporto alle imprese in particolare alla piccola media impresa 08:57:37.998 --> 08:57:43.999 così da rilanciare l'industria e creare posti di lavoro i benefici di un sistema più 08:57:44.071 --> 08:57:49.930 sostenibile sono per tutti per l'ambiente la salute il lavoro e le imprese starà a 08:57:50.001 --> 08:57:56.003 noi come istituzioni nei prossimi mesi ed anni trovare un giusto compromesso che met 08:57:56.074 --> 08:58:00.718 te insieme ambiente e sviluppo grazie. Onorevole eh mister Smith. 08:58:00.790 --> 08:58:06.791 Voorzitter commissaris Hoekstra minister Duli collega's we moeten kringlopen sluiten 08:58:06.863 --> 08:58:12.722 met gezond verstand af val is een bron van secundaire grondstoffen en energie geen 08:58:12.793 --> 08:58:18.723 afvalbergen dus maar recycling en afvalenerg iecentrales sluitstuk van de kringloop 08:58:18.795 --> 08:58:24.796 zonder energetische benutting wordt verwerking duurder zonder dat er meer zou worden 08:58:24.868 --> 08:58:30.727 zal worden gerecycled de rekening komt bij huishoudens of het afval verdwijnt naar 08:58:30.798 --> 08:58:36.514 stortplaats en elders met methaanemissies tot gevolg wie grondstoffen en energie 08:58:36.585 --> 08:58:42.444 terugwinning niet samen ziet ondermijnt cir culariteit de wisselwerking met uw ETS 08:58:42.516 --> 08:58:46.874 is cruciaal geen haalbare business case voor recycling zonder 08:58:47.114 --> 08:58:53.371 betaalbare energetische verwerking van reststromen daarbij horen CCS en CCU koester 08:58:53.446 --> 08:58:59.778 de afvalsector maak van de Noordzeeregio één recyclinghub met havens die reststromen 08:58:59.854 --> 08:59:05.884 over water gemakkelijk uitwisselen behandel tenslotte commissaris mest als bruin 08:59:05.959 --> 08:59:11.538 goud als grondstof commissaris neem dit me e in de circular economy act zo 08:59:11.613 --> 08:59:17.417 versterken we strategische autonomie concurrentiekracht en de portemonnee van 08:59:17.493 --> 08:59:23.825 Europeanen dank u wel danke danke sen madame katijnen Arvoisa puhemies commission ja 08:59:23.900 --> 08:59:29.177 neuvoston edustajat euroopan on vahvistettava omaa kilpailukyky ään ja 08:59:29.252 --> 08:59:34.604 omavaraisuuttaan välittömästi energiariippuvuutemme ulkoma ulkomaisesta 08:59:34.680 --> 08:59:40.786 fossiilisesta on n ostanut tavallisten ihmisten elinkustannukset räjähdysmäisesti 08:59:40.861 --> 08:59:46.590 eri puolilla eurooppaa samaa virhettä ja uusien riippuv uuksien rakentamista 08:59:46.666 --> 08:59:52.545 esimerkiksi kiinaan ei enää pidä tehdä meidän on käytettävä omia resurssejamme 08:59:52.621 --> 08:59:58.425 paljon nykyistä tehokkaammin biotalous kestävä metsätalous sekä teollisuus ja 08:59:58.500 --> 09:00:04.606 maatalouden sivuvirrat ni itten hyödyntäminen tarjoaa merkittäviä mahdollisuuksia 09:00:04.682 --> 09:00:10.486 luoda uutta yrittäjyyttä ja työpaikkoja biopohjais ella materiaaleilla voimme 09:00:10.561 --> 09:00:16.215 korvata fossiiliset samalla kiertotalous luo elinvoimaa maaseudulle niitten 09:00:16.291 --> 09:00:22.623 uusiutuvien lu onnonvarojen äärelle kiertotalouden on toimittava myös käytännössä me 09:00:22.698 --> 09:00:28.427 tarvitsemme toimivia markkinoita kierrätysmateriaale ille sekä ennustettavaa 09:00:28.502 --> 09:00:34.156 säätelyä joka ei aiheuta lisää taakkaa pk-yrityksille tai maa- ja metsätalo 09:00:34.231 --> 09:00:40.488 usyrittäjille kiertotalouden markkinoiden täytyy toimia yli jäsenvaltioiden rajojen 09:00:40.563 --> 09:00:46.217 ennakoivasti ja u utta luoden kiitoksia thank you very much mister Norwich. 09:00:46.292 --> 09:00:52.172 I worked in fashion for years before joining politics the industry I loved was 09:00:52.248 --> 09:00:58.429 running on one model produce more sell more throw more away nobody was changing it 09:00:58.504 --> 09:01:04.686 so I left for politics and since then it 's only gotten worse and the solution for 09:01:04.761 --> 09:01:10.415 fashion and other industries is circularity circularity is not just a green 09:01:10.490 --> 09:01:16.671 obsession it is core industrial policy using fewer resources our companies biggest 09:01:16.747 --> 09:01:22.928 cost is also what makes europe more competitive and it means quality local jobs in 09:01:23.003 --> 09:01:24.203 repair in reuse 09:01:24.254 --> 09:01:29.409 and of course in recycling but circular must be obvious and the affordable choice 09:01:29.472 --> 09:01:34.627 recycled materials as we know it today are not too expensive virgin materials are 09:01:34.690 --> 09:01:39.845 too cheap so let's make imported pl astic and chemicals pay for the carbon at our 09:01:39.909 --> 09:01:45.127 borders and let materials move freely in our single mar ket this is not only about 09:01:45.190 --> 09:01:50.472 waste it's actually about ending line air business models which simply c annot last 09:01:50.536 --> 09:01:55.309 thank you thank you very much messi argument Vielen dank sehr geehrter Herr 09:01:55.372 --> 09:02:00.272 Präsident sehr geehrter Herr Kommissar sehr geehrter Herr Minister wir müssen 09:02:00.336 --> 09:02:05.681 Bedingungen schaffen damit sich Abfall zu Rohstoffm ärkte entwickeln können ich habe 09:02:05.745 --> 09:02:10.963 zuletzt Hersteller sehr erfolgreiche Hersteller von Schaumstoffen für Verpackungen 09:02:11.027 --> 09:02:16.118 und Kunststoff recy cle besucht ihre Botschaft war klar drei Dinge müssen wir im 09:02:16.181 --> 09:02:21.209 circular economy act machen erstens Unternehmen dürfen nicht läng er sich durch 09:02:21.272 --> 09:02:26.299 unterschiedliche Rücknahmeregistrierungs- und Meldesysteme kämpfen wir brauchen 09:02:26.363 --> 09:02:31.327 einen digitalen One Stop Shop zweitens Recycling darf nicht an Europas Grenzen 09:02:31.390 --> 09:02:36.545 scheitern wer Abfälle zur Verwertung in einen anderen Mitgliedstaat transportiert 09:02:36.609 --> 09:02:41.636 braucht je nach Material die Zustimmung mehrerer Behörden gleichzeitig wird das 09:02:41.699 --> 09:02:46.663 selbe Material nicht überall gleich eingestuft was hier als Rohstoff gilt kann 09:02:46.727 --> 09:02:51.818 hinter der Grenze wieder als Abfall gelten das kostet Zeit Geduld und verhindert 09:02:51.881 --> 09:02:56.972 einen echten Binnenmarkt drittens unsere alten Handys und Elektrogeräte sind die 09:02:57.036 --> 09:03:02.381 Minen die wir längst in Europa haben darin stecken wertvolle Rohstoffe die wir sonst 09:03:02.445 --> 09:03:07.663 teuer importieren ich appelliere da an die Kommission harmonisieren Sie die Regeln 09:03:07.727 --> 09:03:12.245 sorgen Sie dafür dass recycelt sich re chnet dann bleiben Rohstoffe und 09:03:12.309 --> 09:03:17.145 Wertschöpfung in Europa Kreislaufwirtschaft ist Industriepolitik europäische 09:03:17.209 --> 09:03:22.236 Unabhängig keit und ich wiederhole mich wir müssen Bedingungen schaffen und das 09:03:22.299 --> 09:03:27.645 schnell damit sich Abfall zu Rohstoffmärkten entwickeln können vielen dank danke sen 09:03:27.709 --> 09:03:33.054 madame Grossmann Ja meine Damen und Herren Kreislaufwirtschaft ist eine strategische 09:03:33.118 --> 09:03:36.554 Chance für Europa sie verringert unsere Rohstoffabhäng 09:03:36.614 --> 09:03:43.308 igkeit und Umweltbelastung stärkt die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit und macht den Alltag der 09:03:43.389 --> 09:03:49.921 Menschen leistbar er dafür müssen wir die Kreislaufwirtschaft ganzheitlich denken 09:03:50.002 --> 09:03:56.615 Produkte müssen langlebig reparierbar und wiederverwendbar sein und auch sozusagen 09:03:56.696 --> 09:04:02.422 eine Chance auf ein zweites Leben haben und gleichzeitig müssen wir die 09:04:02.502 --> 09:04:09.035 Verbraucherinnen stärken und dazu gehört auch der Schutz vor nichtkonformen Waren 09:04:09.116 --> 09:04:15.487 wir brauchen EU-weite Qualitätsstandards und auch Online-Plattformen müssen als 09:04:15.568 --> 09:04:22.261 Wirtschafts akteure anerkannt und auch stärker in die Verantwortung genommen werden 09:04:22.342 --> 09:04:29.117 ja wir brauchen auch reduzierte Mehrwertsteuersätze für Reparatur Wiederaufbereitung 09:04:29.197 --> 09:04:35.649 und Gebra uchtwaren nach dem Vorbild einiger Mitgliedstaaten und damit das alles 09:04:35.730 --> 09:04:42.424 gelingt brauchen wir endlich einen koh ärenten Rechtsrahmen und ich stimme dem Satz 09:04:42.504 --> 09:04:49.118 vollkommen zu wir haben bei der Kreislaufwirtschaft keine Wahl es ist eine Pflicht 09:04:49.198 --> 09:04:55.731 thank. You very much mister Veriga thank you dear colleagues the circular economy 09:04:55.811 --> 09:05:02.586 act is an important initiative aiming to str engthen Europe's competitiveness reduce 09:05:02.667 --> 09:05:09.038 our dependence on imported raw materials and create a genuine single market for 09:05:09.119 --> 09:05:15.490 recycled materials however we must also recognize the potential risks mandatory 09:05:15.571 --> 09:05:22.184 recycled content targets additional reporting obligations and complex traceability 09:05:22.264 --> 09:05:28.716 requirements co uld increase production costs and place an unnecessary burden on 09:05:28.797 --> 09:05:35.168 European businesses and particularly SMS SMEs we must also ensure that European 09:05:35.249 --> 09:05:41.943 producers are not put at a competitive competitive disadvantage compared to imports 09:05:42.023 --> 09:05:48.717 from third countries our pri ority should be to remove barriers not create new ones 09:05:48.798 --> 09:05:54.605 we must ensure that new requirements are driven by real market needs are 09:05:54.685 --> 09:06:01.218 technologically feasible and do not undermine the competitiveness of European man 09:06:01.299 --> 09:06:07.670 ufacturers thank you thank you very much madame Grapini Domnule comisar domnule 09:06:07.751 --> 09:06:14.122 ministru stimați colegi propunerea de a avea un act legislativ privind economia 09:06:14.202 --> 09:06:20.654 circular ă este binevenită însă mi a plăcut ce ați spus și dumneavoastră domnule 09:06:20.735 --> 09:06:25.574 ministru și dumneavoastră domnule comisar trebuie să avem în 09:06:25.814 --> 09:06:32.438 calcul situația existentă trebuie să avem un cadru normativ corect trebuie să găsim 09:06:32.518 --> 09:06:39.141 soluții de exemplu pentru tras abilitatea deșeurilor trebuie să ne gândim cum facem 09:06:39.221 --> 09:06:45.925 investiții în tehnologie pentru a putea să facem reciclarea eu vin din mediul privat 09:06:46.004 --> 09:06:52.149 și vă spun că în țara mea dar și în alte state nu avem încă tehnologii pentru 09:06:52.229 --> 09:06:58.534 reciclare pentru toate produsele până la urmă reciclarea nu înseamnă doar mediu 09:06:58.613 --> 09:07:05.157 înseamnă eficiență și eficacitate și orice întreprinzător va vrea să facă economii 09:07:05.237 --> 09:07:11.542 dar dacă costul de reciclare este mai mare decât materia primă nouă n o va face 09:07:11.621 --> 09:07:18.165 nimeni de aceea trebuie să gândim foarte bine acest act legislativ și să încurajăm 09:07:18.245 --> 09:07:24.709 și să ținem cont că IMM urile au o presiune și acuma foarte mare ați spus domnule 09:07:24.789 --> 09:07:31.173 comisar că avem deja prea multe bariere în pia ța internă atunci să nu mai creăm 09:07:31.253 --> 09:07:37.957 prin acest act legislativ da îl avem nevoie de o economie circulară economia liniară 09:07:38.036 --> 09:07:44.181 este dep ășită dar trebuie s o facem un cadru normativ echitabil și corect vă 09:07:44.261 --> 09:07:50.805 mulțumesc thank you very much de ar colleague I have three requests for Cast first 09:07:50.885 --> 09:07:57.269 one is for madame Nikel sit 6 5 7 Panie przewodniczący panie komisarzu tytuł tej 09:07:57.349 --> 09:08:03.494 debaty obiecuję obniżenie kosztów życia i większą konkurenc yjność gospodarki 09:08:03.574 --> 09:08:09.639 europejskiej cudownie czy mamy komisję za słowo bo obieg zam knięty nie może 09:08:09.719 --> 09:08:16.262 oznaczać wyłącznie kolejnych restrykcji i kar dla naszych przedsiębiorców sur owce 09:08:16.342 --> 09:08:22.487 wtórne i recykling muszą realnie obniżać ceny produktów dla konsumentów a nie 09:08:22.567 --> 09:08:29.031 generować n owe certyfikaty i biurokrację z którymi być może małe i średnie firmy 09:08:29.111 --> 09:08:35.096 nie będą mogły sobie poradzić pol ski przemysł i Śląsk potrafią przetwarzać 09:08:35.176 --> 09:08:41.002 materiały i tworzyć nowoczesne produkty ale potrzebują uczciwych warunków 09:08:41.081 --> 09:08:47.306 konkurencji z rynkami azjatyckimi pani komisarzu czy to im zapewniamy ch rońmy 09:08:47.386 --> 09:08:54.090 europejski przemysł rynki pozwólmy przedsiębiorstwom się rozwijać bo tak naprawdę to 09:08:54.169 --> 09:08:59.835 one tworzą lepsze życie dla Europejczyków dziękuję sit 430 Bardzo panie 09:08:59.915 --> 09:09:06.539 przewodniczący i. Że być kolejnym batem na europejski przemysł ani źródłem ukrytych 09:09:06.619 --> 09:09:08.534 kosztów dla obywateli je 09:09:08.534 --> 09:09:15.206 śli chcemy realnie wzmacniać europejską konkurencyjność najwyższy czas by przesta ć 09:09:15.287 --> 09:09:21.878 dusić przedsiębiorców którzy już dzisiaj mają bardzo trudne warunki funkcjonowania 09:09:21.959 --> 09:09:28.631 rec ykling innowacje mają sens tylko wtedy gdy opłacają się ekonomicznie i wpływają 09:09:28.711 --> 09:09:35.303 na obniżkę cen kosztów życia a nie wtedy kiedy stają się kolejnym ciężarem zwracam 09:09:35.384 --> 09:09:42.056 na szczególnie trudną zwracam państwa uwagę na szczególnie trudną sytuację w branży 09:09:42.136 --> 09:09:48.648 AGD która już dziś ostr zega przed utratą konkurencyjności i apeluję o stworzenie 09:09:48.728 --> 09:09:55.239 planu wspierającego branżę czy państwo wie cie że w tej branży zatrudnionych jest 09:09:55.320 --> 09:10:01.429 ponad milion pracowników a regulacje o których dzisiaj mówimy b ędą niestety 09:10:01.510 --> 09:10:07.780 kolejnym bardzo wielkim obciążeniem dla firm produkujących sprzęt AGD i utrata 09:10:07.860 --> 09:10:14.291 konkurencyjności jeśli chodzi o Chiny jest oczywista także proszę mieć na uwadze 09:10:14.372 --> 09:10:20.320 sytuację tej branży dziękuję bardzo thank you very much dear colleague Mr. 09:10:20.401 --> 09:10:27.153 Tinkinen sit 210 Arvoisa puhemies komissaari Hökstra suomessa pulloja ja tölkkejä on 09:10:27.234 --> 09:10:33.745 kierrätetty panttijärjestelmän ansiosta vuosikymmeniä mutta nyt EU:n romuttamassa 09:10:33.825 --> 09:10:40.498 toimivan järjestelmämme EU vaatii että vuonna 2030 osa juomapakkauksista pitää olla 09:10:40.578 --> 09:10:46.768 uudelleen käytettäviä suomen panttisysteemi menisi uusiksi ja kustannusarviot 09:10:46.848 --> 09:10:53.360 liikkuvat sadoissa miljoonissa koittakaa nyt ymmärtää siellä komissiossa suomessa 09:10:53.440 --> 09:11:00.112 tölkit ja pullot eivät päädy kadulle tai roskiin kuten monissa muissa Euroopan mais 09:11:00.193 --> 09:11:06.543 sa suomessa on järjestelmä jossa pullot ja tölkit palautetaan ne litistetään ja 09:11:06.624 --> 09:11:12.814 materiaalit kierrätetään kok onaispalauteaste on Suomessa 99% olemme maailman 09:11:12.894 --> 09:11:19.164 huippua suomen järjestelmä on esimerkki miten materiaalien kierrätystä voidaan 09:11:19.245 --> 09:11:25.836 arjessa lisätä suomi ei ansaitse u utta huonompaa ja kalliimpaa järjestelmää suomi 09:11:25.917 --> 09:11:32.509 ansaitsee poikkeuksen jäädä näiden uusien EU-vaatimusten ulkopuolelle kiitos thank 09:11:32.589 --> 09:11:39.020 you very much el señor Oliveira sitio 125 Obrigado obrigado presidente eh quando 09:11:39.100 --> 09:11:45.531 discutimos a economia circular devíamos estar a discutir uma economia centrada e 09:11:45.612 --> 09:11:52.284 orient ada na satisfação das necessidades sociais numa economia orientada pelo pelo 09:11:52.364 --> 09:11:54.374 para o equilíbrio no apro 09:11:54.434 --> 09:11:59.708 veitamento dos recursos naturais e produtivos porque cadeias curtas de produção de 09:11:59.773 --> 09:12:04.790 distribuição e consumo pelo ap oio aos pequenos produtores e consumidores numa 09:12:04.854 --> 09:12:09.614 lógica de promoção de produzir consumir local o problema é que tudo isto é 09:12:09.678 --> 09:12:14.888 contraditório com as políticas da competitividade que põem no centro a l ógica da 09:12:14.952 --> 09:12:20.226 liberalização da sujeição às lógicas do mercados de praticamente todas as áreas da 09:12:20.291 --> 09:12:25.243 vida económica e social políticas orientadas para favorecer os grandes grupos 09:12:25.308 --> 09:12:30.710 económicos as grandes multinacionais em prejuí zo das pequenas e médias empresas dos 09:12:30.775 --> 09:12:35.985 pequenos produtores que verdadeiramente estão em condições de dar concretização a 09:12:36.049 --> 09:12:41.195 uma economia cir cular e portanto senhor comissário a questão central é perceber 09:12:41.259 --> 09:12:46.469 como é que tudo isto se compatibiliza parece-nos que não há compatibilização poss 09:12:46.533 --> 09:12:51.550 ível insistindo nestas políticas não é possível superar a contradição que elas 09:12:51.614 --> 09:12:56.889 colocam com a lógica que devia ter a economia circular Mu ito obrigado eh minister 09:12:56.953 --> 09:13:02.227 Mr. Tulli eh thank you very much to all who contributed I certainly think it was a 09:13:02.292 --> 09:13:07.630 very worthwhile debate and thank you for your contribution the debate underscores I 09:13:07.694 --> 09:13:13.033 believe the importance and the urgency of the forthcoming circular economy act it's 09:13:13.097 --> 09:13:18.436 clear that it needs to strike a balance between the immediate priorities and indeed 09:13:18.500 --> 09:13:23.839 the long-term sustainable solutions from the council's perspective tackling the ext 09:13:23.903 --> 09:13:29.242 ended producer responsibility for always streams should be one of the priorities of 09:13:29.306 --> 09:13:34.259 this file and we are working on a target ed and time-limited solution for the 09:13:34.323 --> 09:13:39.597 specific case of the packaging uh and packaging waste regulation the PPWR and I 'm 09:13:39.662 --> 09:13:45.064 pleased to confirm that just today Corper has completed its mandate for negotiations 09:13:45.129 --> 09:13:50.403 on the environmental omnibus including on extended producer responsibility so more 09:13:50.467 --> 09:13:55.549 broadly the council believes that we need a long-term solution in the up coming 09:13:55.613 --> 09:14:00.630 circular economy act which provides a real relief to producers without risk of 09:14:00.694 --> 09:14:03.074 circumvention and free riding as well 09:14:03.074 --> 09:14:10.306 as without undermining the ability of competent authorities to enforce the rules we 09:14:10.393 --> 09:14:17.625 stand ready to start the examination of the circular economy act once the proposals 09:14:17.712 --> 09:14:24.944 are formally uh transmitted to us thank you very much for your attention th ank you 09:14:25.031 --> 09:14:32.176 Mr. Minister the debate is closed the next item on the agenda is or al question to 09:14:32.263 --> 09:14:39.146 the council and the commission you a climate change conference 2026 in An talia 09:14:39.233 --> 09:14:45.158 Turkey COP 31 first place the author of the question madame Pereira. 09:14:45.245 --> 09:14:52.303 You have the floor obrigado Muito obrigada senhor presidente caros colegas senhor 09:14:52.390 --> 09:14:59.361 comissário durante demasiado tempo de ixámos que a conversa sobre a Europa fosse 09:14:59.448 --> 09:15:06.593 dominada por uma narrativa de conflitos Bruxelas de um lado as pessoas do outro as 09:15:06.680 --> 09:15:13.563 instituições de um lado a vida real do outro mas eu não acredito nessa Europa a 09:15:13.650 --> 09:15:20.795 Europa é um lugar não é um lugar distante a Europa somos nós e se qu eremos que as 09:15:20.882 --> 09:15:28.201 pessoas confiem nas instituições europeias temos de lhes mostrar que as decisões que 09:15:28.288 --> 09:15:35.520 tomamos têm um impacto concreto nas suas vidas é por isso que a transição climática 09:15:35.607 --> 09:15:42.665 não pode ser apenas uma discussão sobre metas e emissões tem de ser uma discussão 09:15:42.752 --> 09:15:50.071 sobre empregos salários energia mais acess ível empresas mais competitivas segurança 09:15:50.158 --> 09:15:56.954 e qualidade de vida tem de ser uma discussão sobre a capacidade da Europa para 09:15:57.042 --> 09:16:04.012 produzir inovar e criar prosperidade não queremos uma Europa obrigada a escolher 09:16:04.099 --> 09:16:10.983 entre clima e crescimento queremos uma Europa que cresce porque investe e inova 09:16:11.070 --> 09:16:18.389 enquanto se descarboniza é esta a visão que orienta a nossa posição para a COP 31 em 09:16:18.476 --> 09:16:25.272 Antalia e quero começar por recon hecer o trabalho de compromisso que permitiu 09:16:25.359 --> 09:16:32.591 construir esta resolução num parlamento com diferentes sensibilidades e prioridades 09:16:32.678 --> 09:16:39.649 encontrar uma posição comum exige diálogo capacidade de negociação e sent ido de 09:16:39.736 --> 09:16:46.445 responsabilidade esse compromisso é importante porque a ação climática global 09:16:46.532 --> 09:16:52.980 precisa de uma Europa unida coesa capaz de defender os seus objetivos e de 09:16:53.067 --> 09:17:00.212 influenciar os resultados mas o compromisso não pode ser um fim em si mesmo tem de 09:17:00.299 --> 09:17:04.394 nos permitir avançar da ambição para a execução 09:17:05.174 --> 09:17:10.417 a COP 31 não pode ser apenas mais uma conferência de promessas tem mesmo de ser a 09:17:10.482 --> 09:17:15.725 COP da implementação já assumimos vários compromissos agora temos de os cumprir e 09:17:15.789 --> 09:17:21.226 temos de garantir que essa transformação produz resultados concretos para as pessoas 09:17:21.291 --> 09:17:26.210 e para a economia em primeiro lugar precisamos de acelerar o investimento em 09:17:26.275 --> 09:17:31.712 tecnologias limpas e energias renováveis reconhecer em definitivo que as tecnologias 09:17:31.777 --> 09:17:37.149 limpas são muito mais do que uma política climática são políticas de segurança e de 09:17:37.214 --> 09:17:42.263 autonomia estratégicas quando reduzimos a dependência dos combustíveis fósseis 09:17:42.328 --> 09:17:47.441 reduzimos também a nossa vulnerabilidade geopolítica quando investimos em novas 09:17:47.506 --> 09:17:52.166 tecnologias criamos oportunidades para as nossas empresas e reforçamos a 09:17:52.231 --> 09:17:57.668 competitividade europeia mas há uma condição essencial a Europa tem de ser líder nas 09:17:57.733 --> 09:18:02.911 tecnologias limpas e também na produção dessas tecnologias a descarbonização não 09:18:02.976 --> 09:18:08.025 pode significar desindustrialização não podemos definir objetivos ambiciosos e 09:18:08.089 --> 09:18:13.397 depois deixar que o investimento a capacidade produtiva e os empregos associados à 09:18:13.462 --> 09:18:18.122 transição sejam criados noutros continentes pre cisamos de transformar o 09:18:18.187 --> 09:18:23.171 conhecimento em inovação inovação em investimento e investimento em indústria 09:18:23.236 --> 09:18:28.220 precisamos de criar con dições para que as empresas europeias possam competir 09:18:28.284 --> 09:18:33.139 crescer e liderar os mercados do futuro em segundo lugar temos de preservar 09:18:33.204 --> 09:18:37.864 instrumentos que dão previsibilidade ao investimento e contribuem para a 09:18:37.929 --> 09:18:43.107 transformação da economia inclu indo o mercado europeu de carbono ao mesmo tempo 09:18:43.172 --> 09:18:48.479 devemos assegurar que a transição é acompanhada por condições de concorrência just 09:18:48.544 --> 09:18:53.658 as e por soluções que protejam a competitividade da nossa indústria em terceiro 09:18:53.722 --> 09:18:59.159 lugar precisamos de reforç ar o financiamento climático e a adaptação os países mais 09:18:59.224 --> 09:19:04.402 vulneráveis não podem ser chamados a assumir compromissos sem dis porem de meios 09:19:04.467 --> 09:19:09.775 para os realizar e as nossas próprias sociedades têm de estar mais preparadas para 09:19:09.839 --> 09:19:15.018 os impactos climáticos que já en frentamos sem financiamento sem adaptação e sem 09:19:15.082 --> 09:19:18.254 confiança não haverá uma resposta global eficaz e 09:19:18.314 --> 09:19:23.674 finalmente temos de garantir uma transição justa porque uma transição que deixa 09:19:23.741 --> 09:19:29.372 trabalhadores famílias ou regiões para tr ás não será sustentável nem económica nem 09:19:29.440 --> 09:19:34.935 politicamente caros colegas ex iste uma falsa escolha que temos de rejeitar entre 09:19:35.003 --> 09:19:40.499 proteger o planeta e proteger a economia não temos de escolher tem os de fazer as 09:19:40.566 --> 09:19:46.265 duas coisas e o verdadeiro desafio é construir um modelo de desenvolvimento em que a 09:19:46.333 --> 09:19:51.760 inovação e a produtividade re forcem a competitividade em que as energias limpas 09:19:51.828 --> 09:19:57.391 reduzam dependências e em que o crescimento económico contribua para uma sociedade 09:19:57.459 --> 09:20:02.887 mais saudável resiliente e próspera os custos da transição são reais e devem ser 09:20:02.955 --> 09:20:08.585 levados a s ério a União Europeia deve continuar a defender o objetivo de limitar o 09:20:08.653 --> 09:20:13.606 aquecimento global a 1,5o reforçar a co operação internacional e exigir a 09:20:13.674 --> 09:20:19.237 implementação dos compromissos assumidos mas deve fazê-lo com a convicção de que a 09:20:19.305 --> 09:20:24.800 política clim ática pode ser também uma política de crescimento de segurança e de 09:20:24.868 --> 09:20:30.431 prosperidade sen hor presidente eu estou mesmo a terminar a nossa ambição deve ser 09:20:30.499 --> 09:20:36.130 construir uma Europa que protege o planeta sem abdicar da sua indústria que promove 09:20:36.197 --> 09:20:41.896 a inovação sem deixar ninguém para trás e que transforma a descarbonização num ativo 09:20:41.964 --> 09:20:47.595 estratégico menos promessas mais implementação menos dependência mais inovação mais 09:20:47.663 --> 09:20:53.158 competitividade e mais prosperidade é essa a Europa que vamos defender em Antalia 09:20:53.226 --> 09:20:58.179 obrigado senhora Pereira eh ministra Tuli hum president honorable members 09:20:58.246 --> 09:21:03.742 commissioner um COP 31 will take place this year against the backdrop of new clim 09:21:03.809 --> 09:21:09.169 ate records over the past summer global air and sea temperatures broke alarming 09:21:09.237 --> 09:21:14.936 records again this was also the third warmest summer ever recorded for our continent 09:21:15.004 --> 09:21:20.363 with record breaking temperatures across western Europe alt hough over the last 09:21:20.431 --> 09:21:26.130 decades the international community has made progress on climate change policies the 09:21:26.198 --> 09:21:31.625 worrying climate developments are a stark reminder that greenhouse gas emissions 09:21:31.693 --> 09:21:36.374 cuts have not been sufficient and have not happened fast enough there 09:21:36.494 --> 09:21:41.722 fore COP 31 should put a further emphasis on the effective implementation of the 09:21:41.787 --> 09:21:47.081 Paris agreement and advance technical work in all core areas including mitigation 09:21:47.146 --> 09:21:52.570 adaption and just transition formal negotiations in Antalia will be complemented by 09:21:52.636 --> 09:21:58.125 the so-called global climate action agenda um the compromise uh this compromise is a 09:21:58.191 --> 09:22:03.549 wide range of initiatives proposed by COP presidencies relating to electrification 09:22:03.615 --> 09:22:08.189 zero waste and methane reduction resilien ce cities and building green 09:22:08.255 --> 09:22:13.614 industrializations and others the council outlined its overall position for COP 31 09:22:13.679 --> 09:22:18.972 in a set of conclusions approved on 12th of October and allow me to underline our 09:22:19.038 --> 09:22:24.070 key priorities we would like this COP to demonstrate tangible progress on the 09:22:24.135 --> 09:22:29.559 implementation of the current commitments under the Paris agreement and establish a 09:22:29.625 --> 09:22:35.114 firm foundation for the further ambition aligned with best available science for the 09:22:35.180 --> 09:22:40.538 EU staying as close as possible to 1 .5 Celsius warming threshold and getting back 09:22:40.604 --> 09:22:45.701 below 1. 5 remains a key goal this requires continued rapid and deep emissions 09:22:45.767 --> 09:22:50.864 reduction as every additional fra ction of a degree brings greater risk to our 09:22:50.929 --> 09:22:56.223 health economy security and prosperity therefore this COP 31 must communicate the 09:22:56.288 --> 09:23:01.647 urgency of climate action and in line with the urgency of emissions reductions the 09:23:01.712 --> 09:23:07.202 EU will support a str ong outcome on a package of mitigation related initiatives and 09:23:07.267 --> 09:23:12.234 such outcomes must send a strong signal to the parties u h that have not yet 09:23:12.299 --> 09:23:17.266 submitted their national uh determined contributions and to do so as soon as 09:23:17.331 --> 09:23:22.298 possible and to all parties to ensure that these contributions and long-term 09:23:22.363 --> 09:23:27.787 strategies are aligned with 1. 5° the UAE consensus from COP 28 must be implemented 09:23:27.853 --> 09:23:33.146 this includes commitments related to a just orderly and equitable transition away 09:23:33.212 --> 09:23:38.505 from fossil fuels tripling renewables and doubling energy efficiency improvements 09:23:38.570 --> 09:23:43.864 and ac tion to reduce methane and other non-CO2 emissions and halt the reverse of 09:23:43.929 --> 09:23:49.223 deforestation by 20 30 and the groundwork for the second global stocktake must be 09:23:49.288 --> 09:23:51.314 firmly established moreover the 09:23:51.314 --> 09:23:56.455 EU focus will also be on accelerated clean energy deployment through electrification 09:23:56.516 --> 09:24:01.534 clean energy trans ition does not only bring down emissions it also contributes to 09:24:01.595 --> 09:24:06.491 energy security and affordability and reduces strat egic dependencies and in the 09:24:06.553 --> 09:24:11.571 current unstability of political context in the period of high energy cost this is 09:24:11.632 --> 09:24:16.712 more important than ever and in this context uh the 35 by 35 global electrification 09:24:16.773 --> 09:24:21.791 pledge launched by the Turkish COP presidency as one of their flagship initiatives 09:24:21.852 --> 09:24:26.993 offers a welcome platform for discussions on energy transition at COP 31 the EU will 09:24:27.054 --> 09:24:31.950 engage in these discussions in line with its commitment to clean electrification 09:24:32.011 --> 09:24:36.907 with intensifying impacts on clim ate change climate resilience and strengthened 09:24:36.968 --> 09:24:41.925 preparedness and adaption policies have become a necessity for safe societies and 09:24:41.987 --> 09:24:46.883 econom ies therefore the EU supports further technical work towards reaching the 09:24:46.944 --> 09:24:51.962 global goal of adaption which should support progress on adaption at country level 09:24:52.023 --> 09:24:57.042 right across the globe as countries move to low emissions societies just equitable 09:24:57.103 --> 09:25:02.243 and inclusive climate action is a growing priority for many including us here in the 09:25:02.305 --> 09:25:07.201 EU in line with this the EU will support an agreement on lean and effective just 09:25:07.262 --> 09:25:12.341 transition mechanisms that helps countries integrate just transition considerations 09:25:12.402 --> 09:25:17.482 into their climate measures finally like in previous COPs we expect the climate fin 09:25:17.543 --> 09:25:22.561 ance will draw significant attention the EU remains firmly committed to delivering 09:25:22.623 --> 09:25:27.702 on our existing commitments under the new collective qualif ied goal as agreed back 09:25:27.763 --> 09:25:32.659 at COP 29 just two years ago our focus this year will be on improving ac cess to 09:25:32.720 --> 09:25:37.800 climate finance particularly foremost vulnerable countries such as small developing 09:25:37.861 --> 09:25:42.879 island states and least developed countries and allow me to highlight that despite 09:25:42.941 --> 09:25:47.714 the fiscal and geopolitical challenges the EU and its member states remain the 09:25:47.775 --> 09:25:52.794 largest contribut or to climate finance it's often last on some I think however in 09:25:52.855 --> 09:25:56.894 order to achieve the goals of the Paris agreement funding from all 09:25:57.134 --> 09:26:03.172 sources will be needed we need to broaden the range of contributors increase private 09:26:03.244 --> 09:26:09.211 finance and remove barriers to finance flow so uh dear honorable members along with 09:26:09.283 --> 09:26:15.033 these priorities the EU and its member states will work hard to shape a positive 09:26:15.105 --> 09:26:21.072 outcome uh from from COP before concluding allow me to highlight that in Italia E U 09:26:21.144 --> 09:26:27.110 and member states pavilions will be co-located in the EU village I'm confident that 09:26:27.182 --> 09:26:33.148 this integrated presence will significantly amplify uh the union's impact at COP 31 09:26:33.220 --> 09:26:39.043 providing a platform to showcase our collective progress in global climate action 09:26:39.115 --> 09:26:45.153 thank you very much for your attention and I look forward to seeing those of you who 09:26:45.225 --> 09:26:51.120 are intended on traveling to COP 3 1 very shortly thanks a lot thank you very much 09:26:51.192 --> 09:26:57.158 Mr. Minister uh dear Commissioner you have the floor merci thank you very much dear 09:26:57.230 --> 09:27:02.837 President and honorable members fantastic to have the opportunity to have this 09:27:02.909 --> 09:27:08.804 debate and let me start by thanking wholeheartedly the great work that Lidia Peria 09:27:08.875 --> 09:27:14.770 has done in leading the delegation in the past but also in all the current ongoing 09:27:14.842 --> 09:27:20.593 work which I think is truly instrumental in this whole en deavor and let me also 09:27:20.665 --> 09:27:26.703 wholeheartedly thank the collaboration I have experienced at the previous C OPs with 09:27:26.775 --> 09:27:32.813 um the various members of parliament when we were at the COP and of course there are 09:27:32.885 --> 09:27:38.780 significant differences as always in every political arena but making sure that we 09:27:38.852 --> 09:27:44.818 do team up when we are far and away is actually an asset to advancing the goals and 09:27:44.890 --> 09:27:50.856 the um and the um contributions Europe can be making um so I do want to salute that 09:27:50.928 --> 09:27:56.967 next thing I would want to share and that is wh at Lidia Perera said as well this is 09:27:57.038 --> 09:28:02.861 going to be an implementation COP and it should be an implementation COP beca use 09:28:02.933 --> 09:28:08.684 frankly speaking we have too often fallen into the trap of trying to do many new 09:28:08.756 --> 09:28:14.147 things r ather than just deliver on what we already have and I think it was 09:28:14.219 --> 09:28:20.042 Churchill who once famously said that no matter how beautiful the strategy you do 09:28:20.114 --> 09:28:26.152 need to occasionally look at the results um and the results are not nearly what they 09:28:26.224 --> 09:28:27.424 should be so hav 09:28:27.434 --> 09:28:33.627 ing the conversation on delivery rather than on coming up with new things I think is 09:28:33.701 --> 09:28:39.599 is is is hugely important second thing to convey and and and there are very much 09:28:39.672 --> 09:28:45.497 agree with what the presidency has just said if you look at the context that is 09:28:45.570 --> 09:28:51.763 truly intimidating we've had the worst summer ever in Europe um our friends in um in 09:28:51.837 --> 09:28:57.440 particular the Pacific and it was recently in in Fijian Tuvalu are literally 09:28:57.514 --> 09:29:03.633 battling the water uh we are facing a hugely complicated geopolitical situation and 09:29:03.707 --> 09:29:09.605 let's also be hon est about the last thing that unfortunately shapes the context 09:29:09.678 --> 09:29:15.576 hesitation and in some cases out right denialism do make the whole endeavor ever 09:29:15.650 --> 09:29:21.327 more complicated having said that there is an opportunity for us all of us to 09:29:21.401 --> 09:29:27.299 deliver to continue to art iculate the hugely important endeavor we we are at in 09:29:27.372 --> 09:29:33.418 staying as close as possible to 1. 5 to deliver on the NDCs frankly speaking it is 09:29:33.492 --> 09:29:39.537 mindboggling that there still countries that have not delivered their NDC s and it 09:29:39.611 --> 09:29:45.804 is almost as mindboggling that many of the NDCs fall far short of what is needed but 09:29:45.877 --> 09:29:51.923 we can push the needle here and the main way we will be able to do that is through 09:29:51.996 --> 09:29:57.747 clean electrification which is a unifying theme uh which has I think a smart a 09:29:57.821 --> 09:30:03.792 degree of um of amb ivalence to it because some might focus specifically on solar 09:30:03.866 --> 09:30:09.690 others might focus on wind again others might focus on nuclear and again others 09:30:09.764 --> 09:30:15.810 would focus on batteries and for the commission all of it is a great idea so we do 09:30:15.883 --> 09:30:22.003 need to push that that that as a as a theme um next thing I would want to say uh is 09:30:22.076 --> 09:30:28.122 of course the conversation on adaptation and also adaptation finance and access to 09:30:28.195 --> 09:30:34.315 adaptation finance will contin ue and rightly so particularly with our friends from 09:30:34.388 --> 09:30:40.213 from the Global South and at the same time Europe is already by far the largest 09:30:40.286 --> 09:30:46.332 contributor to uh this whole endeavor by far so any conversation about making sure 09:30:46.405 --> 09:30:52.525 that the money actually reaches those most in need is one we should absolutely have 09:30:52.598 --> 09:30:58.791 con versations again on financing are not going to be productive because the finance 09:30:58.865 --> 09:31:01.814 COP was two years ago and we've had that 09:31:01.994 --> 09:31:08.278 one uh at the same time we do invite everyone with similar higher almost similar 09:31:08.357 --> 09:31:14.720 levels lev els of affluence to chip in and to join what we are doing because that 09:31:14.798 --> 09:31:21.082 would actually help final . Um let me um once again articulate some of the other 09:31:21.161 --> 09:31:27.524 things that are hugely important we have no choice than to fully embrace the best 09:31:27.602 --> 09:31:34.044 available science and that is a thing that I will contin ue to articulate at every 09:31:34.122 --> 09:31:40.250 single endeavor at the COP content-wise ne xt to electrification we do have an 09:31:40.328 --> 09:31:46.848 opportunity to make progress in carbon markets uh and in methane in met hane and um 09:31:46.927 --> 09:31:53.447 I do very much look forward to trying to make a mark over there as well let me wrap 09:31:53.525 --> 09:32:00.045 up um and thank everyone once again for the opportunity to have this debate and I'm 09:32:00.124 --> 09:32:06.408 truly looking forward to working together with so many of you at the COP uh well 09:32:06.486 --> 09:32:12.535 knowing that the context will not be easy thank you th ank you very much dear 09:32:12.614 --> 09:32:16.934 Commissioner on behalf of the EPP group Madame Terlack. 09:32:21.674 --> 09:32:27.713 From parched farmlands last summer to flooded cities this week in Spain, the effects 09:32:27.785 --> 09:32:33.536 of climate change are evident, and no matter how you look at it, places where we 09:32:33.608 --> 09:32:39.431 live dry out, places where we feel safe are being damaged, and we are facing high 09:32:39.503 --> 09:32:45.038 recovery costs and a lot of work. At the UN Climate Summit in Turkey, I would 09:32:45.110 --> 09:32:50.574 therefore like to send a clear message: how do we ensure that our cities can 09:32:50.646 --> 09:32:55.390 withstand drought and extreme heat? how do we tackle these issues? 09:32:55.462 --> 09:33:01.429 How do we ensure that we have sufficient clean drinking water available even during 09:33:01.501 --> 09:33:07.396 prolonged periods of drought? And how do we ensure that ships can continue to sail 09:33:07.468 --> 09:33:11.853 even at low river levels? So, it is about concrete solutions. 09:33:11.925 --> 09:33:17.748 As the European Union, we will continue to do everything in our power to make our 09:33:17.820 --> 09:33:23.355 way of life more sustainable, and we will have to allocate funds to cover the 09:33:23.427 --> 09:33:27.453 consequences of climate change and the associated costs. 09:33:27.525 --> 09:33:33.348 on the other hand, we cannot and must not accept that those who pollute the least 09:33:33.420 --> 09:33:38.309 end up paying the highest price. As Europe, we cannot do this alone; 09:33:38.380 --> 09:33:44.347 we must work together with all countries. We need to invest in the green economy of 09:33:44.419 --> 09:33:50.386 the future, because that is the only perspective we have for a sustainable, healthy 09:33:50.458 --> 09:33:54.484 and safe future. Yes, yes, yes, uh, Ms Fritson, exactly. 09:33:54.556 --> 09:33:55.756 Important issue 09:33:58.214 --> 09:34:04.131 Thank you, Mr President, Commissioner Högström, yes, and in fact we already know 09:34:04.205 --> 09:34:08.717 what we need to know about the gravity of the climate crisis; 09:34:08.791 --> 09:34:14.930 the facts are on the table. Yet the countries of the world—and, unfortunately, many 09:34:15.004 --> 09:34:18.850 of the Members in this Chamber—need a reality check. 09:34:18.924 --> 09:34:24.915 We have once again experienced a summer of heat records with drought and fires in 09:34:24.989 --> 09:34:30.906 our part of the world, and floods and flash floods in other parts of the world – 09:34:30.980 --> 09:34:34.456 equally alarming is the geopolitical situation. 09:34:34.530 --> 09:34:38.376 Wars and conflicts repeatedly lead to energy crises; 09:34:38.450 --> 09:34:44.663 we have seen this in Russia’s war against Ukraine and we are experiencing it through 09:34:44.737 --> 09:34:50.507 the situation in the Hormuz Strait. Our dependence on fossil fuels has made us 09:34:50.580 --> 09:34:55.610 vulnerable; we are exposed to both energy shortages and cost shocks. 09:34:55.684 --> 09:35:00.270 This is not just a climate issue, it is also a security issue. 09:35:00.344 --> 09:35:06.261 Investing in the climate is also investing in our security and our independence. 09:35:06.335 --> 09:35:12.400 If the research and facts about the severity of the climate crisis are not enough, 09:35:12.474 --> 09:35:18.021 then perhaps reality should make every politician pull themselves together. 09:35:18.095 --> 09:35:24.012 We have had several chances to learn the lesson, and time and again, the world’s 09:35:24.086 --> 09:35:28.598 countries have failed. So at COP31, we must go the whole way. 09:35:28.672 --> 09:35:34.885 We must deliver. We must invest heavily in renewable energy, for the climate and for 09:35:34.959 --> 09:35:36.734 our security. Thank you. 09:35:37.154 --> 09:35:44.894 You very much and Madame on behalf of patriots for Europe 09:35:50.114 --> 09:35:55.593 Thank you, Mr President, Commissioner. This COP will be like the previous ones a 09:35:55.662 --> 09:36:01.004 failure as long as you follow an ideological agenda that cannot be implemented 09:36:01.072 --> 09:36:06.757 within the deadlines set by the Paris Agreement without massive deindustrialisation 09:36:06.825 --> 09:36:12.441 and severe social upheaval: green finance, carbon market, green funds, phasing out 09:36:12.510 --> 09:36:17.852 fossil fuel subsidies. All of this does not even stem emissions that are still 09:36:17.920 --> 09:36:23.605 rising. even if Europe were to achieve climate neutrality, the rest of the world is 09:36:23.673 --> 09:36:29.221 not aligned with this green timetable and is increasing its consumption of fossil 09:36:29.289 --> 09:36:34.700 fuels. We may deplore this, but it is their freedom to choose their energy mix, 09:36:34.768 --> 09:36:38.124 especially in the midst of a geopolitical crisis. 09:36:38.193 --> 09:36:43.809 And this, even though the EU is funding the rest of the world’s climate transition 09:36:43.877 --> 09:36:49.288 at its own expense while weighing down its own industry, is steering us towards 09:36:49.356 --> 09:36:53.534 impoverishment and decline under the banner of climate guilt. 09:36:56.834 --> 09:37:00.674 Thank you very much Madame Salewska on behalf of the ECR group 09:37:01.754 --> 09:37:07.590 Mr President, Mr Commissioner, in order to sit down honestly to negotiate with the 09:37:07.661 --> 09:37:12.144 whole world, we must honestly answer ourselves a few questions: 09:37:12.215 --> 09:37:18.051 first, why is the European Union alone? Why does the world not want to participate 09:37:18.122 --> 09:37:21.538 in the ambitions proposed by the European Union? 09:37:21.609 --> 09:37:25.666 Why are we losing jobs? Why have we lost competitiveness? 09:37:25.737 --> 09:37:31.359 competitiveness, and the whole world knows this because it is familiar with our 09:37:31.430 --> 09:37:37.266 documents, including the Draghi report. Why do we have high energy prices, and why 09:37:37.337 --> 09:37:42.888 is the whole world not interested in the ETS, which is destroying the European 09:37:42.959 --> 09:37:48.937 economy? We know that there are various types of solutions, but in reality, they are 09:37:49.009 --> 09:37:54.915 illusory and only serve to mislead. I mean SIBAM, which we proposed as a remedy for 09:37:54.987 --> 09:38:00.111 the fact that European investments are flowing out of our Member States. 09:38:00.182 --> 09:38:05.733 I think what we need to do, what we need to consider above all, is adaptation, 09:38:05.804 --> 09:38:09.078 because that is what Europeans expect from us. 09:38:09.149 --> 09:38:14.913 They will not withstand further taxes, which are being proposed, among others, by 09:38:14.984 --> 09:38:20.891 the European Commission as part of own resources in the next budgetary perspective. 09:38:20.962 --> 09:38:22.162 Thank you. 09:38:22.574 --> 09:38:29.070 Thank you very much Madame Mad ame Bizner in behalf of Renew this will be the fifth 09:38:29.148 --> 09:38:35.644 time I'm go ing to the Global Climate Conferences but somehow it feels like this is 09:38:35.723 --> 09:38:42.140 the first time the presidency has set a clear goal a global electrification target 09:38:42.219 --> 09:38:48.323 35% by 20 35 so what are we waiting for now we have the focus we know what the 09:38:48.401 --> 09:38:54.819 presidency wants so where are the EU leaders where what are we waiting for this is 09:38:54.897 --> 09:39:01.472 like really a a no-brainer electrification tar get well that's what we need if we're 09:39:01.550 --> 09:39:08.124 going to lower energy prices in Europe if we're going to decarbonize electrification 09:39:08.203 --> 09:39:14.699 is what we need and for that we need a target so I would like every European leader 09:39:14.777 --> 09:39:21.116 in this ho use and in the European Council to be crystal clear in your support we 09:39:21.195 --> 09:39:27.456 need to help the presidency in mak ing this a success and we also need to do our 09:39:27.534 --> 09:39:33.952 homework because if we're going to have a global electrification target we need to 09:39:34.030 --> 09:39:40.604 do the same and support one also in Europe let's do this how hard can it be it's not 09:39:40.683 --> 09:39:47.257 that difficult let's make this COP a success and let's take historical steps forward 09:39:47.335 --> 09:39:53.909 thank you I'm done wait ing let's just do it Thank you dear colleague Madame Interel 09:39:53.988 --> 09:40:00.014 uh my next speaker is Mr. Holmgren On behalf of the group of the Greens Tack. 09:40:00.554 --> 09:40:05.284 Mr President, Commissioner, ministers, colleagues, the EU really must show true 09:40:05.344 --> 09:40:09.714 climate leadership now at the climate summit and this summer we have just 09:40:09.774 --> 09:40:14.804 experienced, with record heat in large parts of Europe, forest fires, drought and so 09:40:14.863 --> 09:40:18.396 on. That should be a sufficient wake-up call for all of us. 09:40:18.456 --> 09:40:23.186 At the same time, you have just today — or whether it was yesterday or possibly 09:40:23.246 --> 09:40:28.275 today, a new report from the UN has just been released showing how global warming is 09:40:28.335 --> 09:40:33.364 now accelerating and that the Paris Agreement will probably no longer be achievable. 09:40:33.424 --> 09:40:38.273 So this record-breaking summer we have just experienced will likely become one of 09:40:38.333 --> 09:40:43.123 the coolest summers for the rest of this century, and this is we need much, much 09:40:43.183 --> 09:40:47.733 more ambitious climate policy here and now, but I am very pleased that we in 09:40:47.793 --> 09:40:51.685 Parliament have now agreed on a fairly ambitious resolution text. 09:40:51.745 --> 09:40:56.415 It is clear that we believe that fossil fuels must be phased out, that climate 09:40:56.475 --> 09:41:01.384 resilience and adaptation are very closely linked to nature policy and, not least, 09:41:01.444 --> 09:41:06.354 nature restoration, and thirdly, that climate is also an issue of justice, that we 09:41:06.413 --> 09:41:11.383 really must focus globally on solidarity. on financing, because it is so important. 09:41:11.443 --> 09:41:16.352 The resolution is a good step, but we need to move from talk to action in the long 09:41:16.412 --> 09:41:21.381 run. What determines how good leadership we have is what we do, and to succeed with 09:41:21.441 --> 09:41:26.411 that, we must ensure that the pile is stopped in its dismantling of climate policy, 09:41:26.471 --> 09:41:31.141 speed up the transition for real, for example by ensuring that all of Europe's 09:41:31.201 --> 09:41:36.110 farmers are properly paid for important ecosystem services, and also implement the 09:41:36.170 --> 09:41:38.804 Nature Restoration Law in all Member States. 09:41:38.864 --> 09:41:43.834 that is what is required in all the Member States here and now if we are to live up 09:41:43.893 --> 09:41:48.683 to what we ourselves have written in the resolution and demonstrate real climate 09:41:48.743 --> 09:41:52.994 leadership at the Antalya summit in a month’s time, thank you very much 09:41:54.254 --> 09:41:59.756 Thank you very much dear colleague on behalf of the left Madame Boylan Guten Morgen 09:41:59.822 --> 09:42:04.926 uh as we prepare for COP 31 the world is still reeling from months of natural 09:42:04.993 --> 09:42:10.561 disasters we are processing the new s that we will overshoot our 1.5 degree goal and 09:42:10.627 --> 09:42:15.864 the illegal US-Israel war against Iran highlights the risks of o ur fossil fuel 09:42:15.930 --> 09:42:21.299 dependence these diarrhealities mean that world leaders must come to COP 31 ready 09:42:21.365 --> 09:42:26.536 for ch ange the European Parliament is calling for the EU to lead with a clear 09:42:26.602 --> 09:42:32.038 consistent position that brings real progr ess to the negotiations climate finance 09:42:32.104 --> 09:42:37.009 will be a big topic and we want the EU and member states to step up and to 09:42:37.076 --> 09:42:42.577 contribute more beyond the negotiations we are also calling for the EU to lead from 09:42:42.644 --> 09:42:47.814 home we want all EU policies to be aligned with the Paris Agreement and robust 09:42:47.880 --> 09:42:53.183 legislative proposals to achieve the 2040 target we will all do well to remember 09:42:53.250 --> 09:42:58.752 these calls and the urgent need for stronger climate action in the coming months we 09:42:58.818 --> 09:43:04.320 can have no roll ing back on what we have achieved to date Thank you very much dear 09:43:04.386 --> 09:43:07.634 colleague on behalf of the ESN group Madame Arndt 09:43:10.514 --> 09:43:16.750 For 30 years, your climate conferences have failed, and yet in November there will 09:43:16.826 --> 09:43:22.149 be another one to extract billions more from our citizens for nothing. 09:43:22.226 --> 09:43:27.777 Since 1995, global CO2 emissions have risen by around 64% despite climate 09:43:27.853 --> 09:43:31.275 conferences and despite billions in spending. 09:43:31.351 --> 09:43:37.511 Just last year, Germans alone paid €21.4 billion in CO2 taxes and €11 billion for 09:43:37.587 --> 09:43:43.823 international climate climate financing, and nobody can answer the question of how 09:43:43.899 --> 09:43:48.843 our climate will develop. Our climate is a highly complex system. 09:43:48.919 --> 09:43:55.231 The sun, oceans, clouds, water vapour, the Earth's orbit and the tilt of its axis – 09:43:55.307 --> 09:44:01.695 none of these can be influenced here. Nevertheless, you are telling us that reducing 09:44:01.771 --> 09:44:07.855 a trace gas will make a difference. The control over global temperatures and the 09:44:07.931 --> 09:44:11.657 weather that this enables is scientific nonsense. 09:44:11.733 --> 09:44:15.308 End the climate conferences and the Green Deal. 09:44:15.384 --> 09:44:19.034 Europe needs the ESN, and Germany needs the AfD. 09:44:22.154 --> 09:44:29.568 Thank you very much Mr. Hostra would you like to take the floor Thank you very much 09:44:29.657 --> 09:44:36.893 Chair also for your generosity because I'm aware I actually used all the speaking 09:44:36.982 --> 09:44:44.306 minutes in in the first attempt but then you granted me two hours let so so let me 09:44:44.396 --> 09:44:51.810 try not to not to waste them um I think actually there there are a couple of qu ick 09:44:51.899 --> 09:44:59.134 points to be made uh one is to thank and to embrace everyone who has um supported 09:44:59.224 --> 09:45:01.814 the commission and supported. 09:45:02.534 --> 09:45:06.432 The whole endeavor, which I think is hugely important. 09:45:06.505 --> 09:45:12.352 Secondly, I do like—and I do very much appreciate—all the comments that have been 09:45:12.425 --> 09:45:18.417 made in the domain of electrification. And indeed, this is very relevant for Europe 09:45:18.489 --> 09:45:24.048 as well. I am positive that we're going to come up in the doma in of the 2030 09:45:24.120 --> 09:45:30.040 package with an electrification target that actually bridges also the those mostly 09:45:30.112 --> 09:45:36.104 in favor of renewables and those mostly in favor of nuclear, and basically embrace. 09:45:36.176 --> 09:45:42.096 And further push the bar in Europe on electrification, which again is the best way 09:45:42.169 --> 09:45:48.161 out of the climate problem or crisis, the best way out of the competitiveness issue 09:45:48.233 --> 09:45:54.297 we're having, and the best way in terms of securing more autonomy and independ ence. 09:45:54.369 --> 09:46:00.145 So we're going to move the needle there, but it is hugely important that we also 09:46:00.217 --> 09:46:06.137 move the bar internationall y, and that is what we're going to do with this theme. 09:46:06.209 --> 09:46:09.530 There's one thing I cannot. Leave unaddressed. 09:46:09.602 --> 09:46:15.450 And that is: I very much disag ree with all those who are skeptical about climate 09:46:15.522 --> 09:46:21.586 action and who are saying that actually, well, let 's just postpone it because it is 09:46:21.659 --> 09:46:25.629 too expensive or whatever kind of arguments are coming. 09:46:25.701 --> 09:46:31.477 But what may be surprises me even more is that if that is your view, then at the 09:46:31.549 --> 09:46:37.180 very least you have a clear incentive to push the bar upwards internationally, 09:46:37.253 --> 09:46:42.667 right? Because whatever you do, that makes it easier in the European Union. 09:46:42.739 --> 09:46:48.370 So that is the one thing I would want to convey to people across the spectrum. 09:46:48.443 --> 09:46:54.074 There is a huge incentive given that the vast majority of emissions take place 09:46:54.146 --> 09:46:59.272 outside of the European Union. If you do the calculations, roughly 94%. 09:46:59.344 --> 09:47:04.542 To increase the bar internationally—by the way, as well as domestically. 09:47:04.614 --> 09:47:07.574 On that note, thank you very much, Chair. 09:47:08.774 --> 09:47:13.835 Thank you very much, dear Commissioner. We jump now into the second part of the 09:47:13.899 --> 09:47:16.334 debate. My first speaker is Mr. Kelly. 09:47:23.474 --> 09:47:29.486 Module 1 is a privileged fast alert cup took ahead as some group of the parliament 09:47:29.559 --> 09:47:35.571 August have. Entirety module. Each of the last 10 years ranks among the 10 hottest 09:47:35.644 --> 09:47:41.509 on record. Europe is the fastest warming continent, and current national pledges 09:47:41.583 --> 09:47:44.955 still point to well over 2 degrees of warming. 09:47:45.029 --> 09:47:48.768 Our greatest challenge for COP 31 is effectiveness. 09:47:48.841 --> 09:47:54.926 We've already established the ambition. Now, how do we turn this into deliverables? 09:47:54.999 --> 09:48:00.278 First, finance. Europe is the largest public climate financial provider. 09:48:00.351 --> 09:48:05.997 At 31.7 billion in 2024, we will press others to meet their fair share of the 09:48:06.070 --> 09:48:10.102 backward goal, and to be transparent about what counts. 09:48:10.176 --> 09:48:16.334 Second, the fossil fuel transition. This parliament wants a roadmap brought into the 09:48:16.407 --> 09:48:21.246 formal negotiations and a plan to phase out fossil fuel subsidies. 09:48:21.319 --> 09:48:27.478 Third, we back the global pledge to reach 1,500 gigawatts of storage by 2030, and we 09:48:27.551 --> 09:48:31.217 wel come the presidencies' electrification pledge. 09:48:31.290 --> 09:48:36.862 Fourth, no one gets left behind. That means a just transition mechanism that 09:48:36.935 --> 09:48:42.434 actually works and support for small islands and least developed countries. 09:48:53.114 --> 09:48:56.291 Thank you very much, Mr. Kelly. My friend, Mr. 09:48:56.360 --> 09:48:57.560 Chaim. 09:48:58.274 --> 09:49:02.843 Thank you, Chair. Recently, I've been in contact with families in the Netherlands 09:49:02.899 --> 09:49:06.509 who lost their loved ones in the devastating wildfires in Bidar. 09:49:06.566 --> 09:49:09.273 One of them wrote to me about losing his father. 09:49:09.330 --> 09:49:12.206 And he's in contact with families of other victims. 09:49:12.263 --> 09:49:17.001 They know that they cannot bring their loved ones back, but they are as king us, but 09:49:17.057 --> 09:49:20.103 they're asking for their stories to be heard publicly. 09:49:20.159 --> 09:49:24.672 Because they want us to understand that climate change and the growing threat of 09:49:24.728 --> 09:49:29.241 wildfires is not an abstract issue. For these families, this is deeply personal. 09:49:29.297 --> 09:49:33.979 They have lost family they love. And they want action to ensure that other families 09:49:34.035 --> 09:49:38.604 do not have to suffer the same loss. We owe it to these families to listen and to 09:49:38.661 --> 09:49:43.060 act. And at the same time, we carry responsibilities as parliament, along side 09:49:43.117 --> 09:49:46.839 Commissioner Hagstra, to send this message while we go to Türkiye. 09:49:46.896 --> 09:49:50.280 We must go there to deliver real progress on climate action. 09:49:50.337 --> 09:49:54.623 But Commissioner Hoekstra, at the same moment, this parliament is discussing 09:49:54.680 --> 09:49:57.162 delaying action to reduce methane emissions. 09:49:57.218 --> 09:49:59.587 One of the most powerful greenhouse gases. 09:49:59.643 --> 09:50:04.325 That's why I ask to you directly: will you stand by the promise we made in 2001 and 09:50:04.382 --> 09:50:08.894 to deliver on our commitment to reduce global methane emissions by 2030, by 30%? 09:50:10.574 --> 09:50:15.494 Thank you very much, dear colleague. Mr. Haida,. 09:50:18.194 --> 09:50:21.705 It is, of course, well known how these climate conferences proceed. 09:50:21.758 --> 09:50:25.950 Various representatives, state organisations and representatives of state-funded 09:50:26.002 --> 09:50:29.094 organisations travel thousands of kilometres, by aeroplane. 09:50:29.147 --> 09:50:32.710 The representatives of the state-funded organisations, also known as 09:50:32.763 --> 09:50:37.112 non-governmental organisations, stage a few colourful demonstrations to justify the 09:50:37.165 --> 09:50:41.462 multi-billion euro funding, while at the same time a few working groups are set up 09:50:41.514 --> 09:50:45.654 and sanctimonious speeches are delivered. And of course, the outcome is already 09:50:45.707 --> 09:50:49.637 predetermined from the very beginning: the Europeans are supposed to pay up 09:50:49.689 --> 09:50:53.253 handsomely. That is, in fact, the only purpose of this entire event. 09:50:53.305 --> 09:50:57.603 And on top of that, Europeans are supposed to impose as many and as strict climate 09:50:57.655 --> 09:51:01.952 targets on themselves as possible. That is the most effective way to keep European 09:51:02.005 --> 09:51:06.302 companies at bay from global markets. The other states are getting more money, the 09:51:06.354 --> 09:51:10.756 NGOs more funding, and Ms von der Leyen is paying for everything with our tax money. 09:51:10.809 --> 09:51:13.848 At least the climate conference has paid off for everyone. 09:51:13.901 --> 09:51:18.145 Everyone except the citizens, of course, and the EU, because they’re the ones who 09:51:18.198 --> 09:51:20.294 have to foot the bill for this nonsense. 09:51:22.094 --> 09:51:24.014 Thank you very much. Mr Piccaro. 09:51:29.114 --> 09:51:34.957 Mr President, honourable colleagues, COP31 in Antalya, which I will be attending, 09:51:35.030 --> 09:51:40.512 will be a decisive moment for turning international climate commitments into 09:51:40.584 --> 09:51:46.644 concrete actions. Mr President, honourable colleagues, Europe must arrive there with 09:51:46.716 --> 09:51:52.127 a credible strategy, based on technological neutrality, energy security and 09:51:52.199 --> 09:51:57.465 industrial competitiveness. In this process, nuclear energy is strategic; 09:51:57.537 --> 09:52:01.938 it guarantees stable, programmable energy with low emissions. 09:52:02.010 --> 09:52:07.637 The ECR Group has proposed recognising its role and assessing the economic and 09:52:07.709 --> 09:52:11.461 technological feasibility of the climate objectives. 09:52:11.533 --> 09:52:17.448 All of this has been ignored in the text of the resolution, which continues to set 09:52:17.520 --> 09:52:22.642 ambitious targets without adequately valuing the tools to achieve them. 09:52:22.714 --> 09:52:28.053 That is why we will vote against it. Meanwhile, at COP31 I will bring this 09:52:28.125 --> 09:52:34.113 conviction: without the contributions of nuclear power, the energy transition risks 09:52:34.185 --> 09:52:36.854 being more costly and less effective. 09:52:38.294 --> 09:52:39.794 Thank you. Thank you, honourable Member. 09:52:40.034 --> 09:52:41.234 And Ms Fries. 09:52:48.194 --> 09:52:53.307 The European leaders will arrive at COP 31 telling the rest of the world that we 09:52:53.371 --> 09:52:57.654 need to do more to fight climate change. But isn't it a bit ironic? 09:52:57.718 --> 09:53:00.978 How, here in Europe, we are weakening climate laws. 09:53:01.042 --> 09:53:05.196 We are going backwards on deals that we spent years fighting for. 09:53:05.260 --> 09:53:10.054 At the same time, Europe is warming twice as fast at the rest of the world. 09:53:10.118 --> 09:53:15.295 30,000 people died in this summer's extreme heat, and extreme weather has already 09:53:15.359 --> 09:53:18.427 cost the European Union more than €20 0 billion. 09:53:18.491 --> 09:53:23.860 Euros, of course. And yet some politicians in this parliament seem to think that our 09:53:23.924 --> 09:53:29.229 climate policies are moving too fast. The right wing keeps telling us to slow down, 09:53:29.293 --> 09:53:33.384 that we should just wait a little longer. Well, how much longer? 09:53:33.448 --> 09:53:36.197 And how much more is this going to cost us? 09:53:36.260 --> 09:53:41.374 Because let me tell you something: climate change is not going to wait until its 09:53:41.438 --> 09:53:46.487 politically convenient. If we want the rest of the world to take climate action 09:53:46.551 --> 09:53:49.747 seriously, we need to take it seriously ourselves. 09:53:49.811 --> 09:53:53.774 Europe cannot lead the world on climate. By walking backwards. 09:53:55.394 --> 09:53:57.854 Thank you very much, dear colleague. Madame Mathieu. 09:54:00.974 --> 09:54:06.235 Colleagues, when a climate disaster hits, it's always the people that are close by 09:54:06.299 --> 09:54:09.122 that are risking their lives for each other. 09:54:09.186 --> 09:54:14.383 When the glacier collapsed in Nepal and killed over 1,400 people, rescuers pulled 09:54:14.448 --> 09:54:19.580 more than 1 3,000 people out of the mud. And last month in Antalya, where we are 09:54:19.644 --> 09:54:24.328 actually going for the COP, a farmer died after helping the firefighters. 09:54:24.392 --> 09:54:29.589 Just like our farmers in Belgium helped during the wildfires in Les Haute-Vignes. 09:54:29.653 --> 09:54:35.043 So a lot of people are actually trying to help or to combat climate change while big 09:54:35.107 --> 09:54:40.304 oil really cashes in on all of it . While the war in Iran has pushed prices up at 09:54:40.368 --> 09:54:45.757 every single pump, the five biggest oil companies made €6,000 every second, and they 09:54:45.822 --> 09:54:48.580 want to drill more. It's completely absurd. 09:54:48.645 --> 09:54:52.494 Dear colleagues, we can't go to the COP with empty promises. 09:54:52.558 --> 09:54:57.563 We cannot let those that did the least to cause climate change pay the highest 09:54:57.627 --> 09:55:02.824 price. So let's bring our own European plan to the COP, to get off oil, coal, and 09:55:02.888 --> 09:55:07.828 gas with real dates on it. Our lives are worth more than fossil fuel profits. 09:55:07.892 --> 09:55:09.092 Thank you. 09:55:09.434 --> 09:55:12.254 Thank you very much, Ms Mathieu. Jonas Søsted. 09:55:15.614 --> 09:55:20.255 Thank you very much, Mr President. Colleagues, Commissioner Höglund. 09:55:20.323 --> 09:55:25.647 Ahead of the UN Climate Conference in Antalya, the EU's message must be clear. 09:55:25.715 --> 09:55:29.946 Emissions must come down. What has been promised must be kept. 09:55:30.014 --> 09:55:34.314 This also means that the European Union must keep its promises. 09:55:34.382 --> 09:55:38.614 Promises on financing, but also promises on reduced emissions. 09:55:38.682 --> 09:55:42.163 But here, the EU has a growing credibility problem. 09:55:42.231 --> 09:55:47.077 Because what is said in the ceremonial speeches does not quite hold up. 09:55:47.145 --> 09:55:52.673 At the same time as we talk about reduced emissions, we are negotiating to weaken 09:55:52.741 --> 09:55:57.314 the EU's Emissions Trading System. One of our most important tools. 09:55:57.382 --> 09:56:03.047 At the same time, in this House we are discussing whether to continue allowing cars 09:56:03.115 --> 09:56:07.688 that run on fossil fuels when we had said they would be phased out. 09:56:07.756 --> 09:56:13.148 That does not hold water. Our self-image is that we are leading the transition. 09:56:13.216 --> 09:56:16.355 The fact is that we are about to be overtaken. 09:56:16.423 --> 09:56:21.406 Both in terms of renewable electricity and in terms of electric vehicles. 09:56:21.474 --> 09:56:26.388 This is bad for the climate, and it is bad for Europe’s competitiveness. 09:56:26.456 --> 09:56:28.094 Thank you, Mr President. 09:56:28.694 --> 09:56:31.094 Thank you very much, dear colleagues. Mr Kartezer. 09:56:35.294 --> 09:56:40.944 Climate conferences aim to secure massive transfers of money from the European Union 09:56:41.011 --> 09:56:46.661 and its Member States to third countries, at a time when we can no longer afford it. 09:56:46.728 --> 09:56:51.705 Supposedly, to combat climate change. Climatology, moreover, is a divided, 09:56:51.772 --> 09:56:57.287 politicised and unreliable science. The colossal sums we are spending on projects, 09:56:57.355 --> 09:57:02.803 often nonsensical but supposedly aimed at protecting the climate, would be better 09:57:02.870 --> 09:57:08.116 used to tackle the real and urgent scourges of humanity, such as tuberculosis, 09:57:08.183 --> 09:57:12.017 malaria, or to improve healthcare in the poorest regions. 09:57:12.084 --> 09:57:17.532 In truth, the world will remain dependent on fossil fuels for a very long time to 09:57:17.599 --> 09:57:23.114 come. The only credible and reliable alternative currently remains nuclear energy. 09:57:23.182 --> 09:57:28.428 Should the European Union not prioritise its own economic interests instead of 09:57:28.495 --> 09:57:31.925 indulging in self-destructive ideological activism? 09:57:31.993 --> 09:57:37.642 Rather than overreaching, the European Union should align its energy transition with 09:57:37.709 --> 09:57:40.602 the pace and priorities of its competitors. 09:57:40.669 --> 09:57:42.014 Thank you very much. 09:57:42.674 --> 09:57:45.134 Thank you very much. Dimitris Tsiodas. 09:57:47.714 --> 09:57:53.069 Thank you, Mr President. The United Nations conference on climate change in Antalya 09:57:53.134 --> 09:57:58.296 is indeed an important event. However, this is overshadowed by the fact that the 09:57:58.360 --> 09:58:03.393 President of the Republic of Cyprus was invited under pressure from the Member 09:58:03.457 --> 09:58:08.813 States and European bodies, while at the same time Turkey was excluding Cyprus from 09:58:08.877 --> 09:58:11.910 preparatory meetings related to the conference. 09:58:11.974 --> 09:58:17.330 These are not isolated incidents. The international endorsement by the Libyan House 09:58:17.394 --> 09:58:22.685 of Representatives of the illegal Turkish-Libyan memorandum is yet another example 09:58:22.749 --> 09:58:28.169 of Turkey’s policy of violating international law and the law of the sea, especially 09:58:28.234 --> 09:58:31.911 when it is preparing to host a United Nations conference. 09:58:31.976 --> 09:58:36.944 This sham memorandum challenges the sovereign rights of European Union member 09:58:37.009 --> 09:58:42.106 states, specifically Greece and Cyprus. This policy must have consequences from 09:58:42.170 --> 09:58:47.461 Europe. These borders and rights of the Member States must be considered European, 09:58:47.526 --> 09:58:52.107 and illegal actions against one must be treated as actions against all. 09:58:52.171 --> 09:58:57.010 The European Union must act swiftly and decisively, utilising all available 09:58:57.075 --> 09:59:02.237 diplomatic, political and economic tools to defend the territorial integrity and 09:59:02.301 --> 09:59:06.624 sovereignty of its Member States. This means a truly united Europe. 09:59:06.689 --> 09:59:07.889 Thank you. 09:59:09.314 --> 09:59:12.614 Thank you very much. Next speaker, Vice-President Ravi Lopez. 09:59:16.274 --> 09:59:17.474 Thank you very much, Mr President. 09:59:17.594 --> 09:59:20.709 Thank you very much, Commissioner Högström. 09:59:20.781 --> 09:59:24.259 The climate crisis is no longer a future threat. 09:59:24.331 --> 09:59:29.619 It is a tragedy of the present. Thousands of dead Europeans in heatwaves. 09:59:29.692 --> 09:59:35.270 Hospitals overwhelmed. Devastating fires. Devastating megafires every summer. 09:59:35.342 --> 09:59:40.413 And now, in the Mediterranean, floods causing deaths, week after week. 09:59:40.486 --> 09:59:46.426 While the planet is burning and literally on the brink of hell, some here, in this 09:59:46.498 --> 09:59:52.439 Parliament, continue to demand dismantling climate action, the climate policy that 09:59:52.511 --> 09:59:58.596 is the only thing that can save us. The climate denialism no longer serves merely to 09:59:58.669 --> 10:00:03.305 deny the science, but knowing it, to deliberately reject action. 10:00:03.377 --> 10:00:09.318 When the United Nations has just told us that current policies will put the planet 10:00:09.390 --> 10:00:14.244 on track for a 2.8 degree increase, with catastrophic consequences. 10:00:14.316 --> 10:00:19.822 COP31 in Turkey must stop being a summit of small promises and grandiloquent 10:00:19.894 --> 10:00:23.227 speeches. And Europe must act with leadership. 10:00:23.299 --> 10:00:28.877 How? How? With a clear roadmap to phase out fossil fuels and real funding for 10:00:28.950 --> 10:00:32.209 adaptation for the most vulnerable countries. 10:00:32.282 --> 10:00:38.295 Because the climate emergency is not waiting, and history will not judge us for our 10:00:38.367 --> 10:00:42.134 empty promises. Only for the courage we have to act. 10:00:43.514 --> 10:00:47.174 Thank you very much, Mr Vice-President. Ms Boras Paboni. 10:00:52.754 --> 10:00:55.242 Yes, thank you, Mr President. Commissioner. 10:00:55.300 --> 10:00:57.789 Yes, thank you, Mr President. Commissioner. 10:00:57.847 --> 10:01:02.708 Time and time again, the climate elite land in their private jets to tell the farmer 10:01:02.766 --> 10:01:05.659 that the big environmental problem is his tractor. 10:01:05.717 --> 10:01:10.463 This time, in the midst of an energy crisis and with diesel costing over two euros 10:01:10.521 --> 10:01:15.093 per litre, their priority is to eliminate fossil fuels, which in the real world 10:01:15.150 --> 10:01:20.012 translates to more expensive diesel, more expensive heating, industries leaving, and 10:01:20.070 --> 10:01:23.137 farmers finding they have to pay more for everything. 10:01:23.195 --> 10:01:27.304 Mr Commissioner, I have a question. Who do you think COP really serves? 10:01:27.361 --> 10:01:29.966 It is clear that it does not serve Europeans. 10:01:30.024 --> 10:01:34.190 So many billions of euros wasted on hypocrisy, and all these hypocrites. 10:01:34.248 --> 10:01:38.994 as for the climate hypocrites we have had to listen to today, I will tell you that 10:01:39.052 --> 10:01:42.640 Europe emits 6% of all global emissions. And China almost 30%. 10:01:42.698 --> 10:01:47.501 But your plan here is to punish European industry while increasing Chinese imports. 10:01:47.559 --> 10:01:51.957 In other words, the climate fight that you proclaim here will be paid for by 10:01:52.015 --> 10:01:54.909 Europeans, but the profits will go to the Chinese. 10:01:54.966 --> 10:01:58.207 This is about decarbonising or deindustrialising Europe. 10:01:58.265 --> 10:02:01.217 We are suffocating our farmers, yet we do not care. 10:02:01.275 --> 10:02:04.226 Encouraging deforestation through Mercosur imports. 10:02:04.284 --> 10:02:08.798 Nor do we care about uprooting more than 50,000 olive trees in Jaén to install 10:02:08.856 --> 10:02:13.717 photovoltaic panels. Ladies and gentlemen, water, grazing, firebreaks and affordable 10:02:13.775 --> 10:02:15.974 energy. That is true environmentalism. 10:02:16.334 --> 10:02:21.003 Ms Paboni, yes, you have a speaking time, Mr Oliveira. 10:02:21.090 --> 10:02:22.290 Are you okay? 10:02:22.754 --> 10:02:23.294 Yes. 10:02:23.294 --> 10:02:25.094 Mr President, 10:02:38.594 --> 10:02:43.047 thank you, Mr President. Honourable Member Ms Borras Pabon, you are making a 10:02:43.106 --> 10:02:47.969 critical reference here to the costs of energy, particularly for families and small 10:02:48.027 --> 10:02:52.715 producers. I ask a very simple question. Is there a way to resolve this problem, 10:02:52.773 --> 10:02:57.695 namely through public control of the set or strategic control and with price control 10:02:57.754 --> 10:03:02.676 by the States so that prices are not set by the multinationals in the energy sector, 10:03:02.734 --> 10:03:05.840 as you well understand. The question I put to you is: 10:03:05.898 --> 10:03:10.820 do you agree with this public control of the energy sector, or is the concern of the 10:03:10.879 --> 10:03:13.574 far right about energy prices merely for show? 10:03:22.154 --> 10:03:26.342 The problem with energy in Europe, of course, is not with private companies. 10:03:26.397 --> 10:03:30.915 The problem with energy in Europe lies in the ideologisation, in the ideology that 10:03:30.970 --> 10:03:33.284 you are imposing, in your energy policies. 10:03:33.339 --> 10:03:36.590 Poisoning absolutely everything with your climate ideology. 10:03:36.645 --> 10:03:41.274 If you impose a CO2 tax that increases the costs for industries, obviously energy is 10:03:41.329 --> 10:03:45.461 going to become much more expensive. That is not what private companies do; 10:03:45.517 --> 10:03:48.933 that is what you are doing here with your European Green Deal. 10:03:48.988 --> 10:03:53.616 They increase production costs, they increase the price of diesel, they increase the 10:03:53.671 --> 10:03:57.859 costs for our farmers and livestock farmers, and they make it impossible and 10:03:57.914 --> 10:04:00.614 difficult for them to carry out their activities. 10:04:00.914 --> 10:04:03.014 Thank you for your response, Mr Oliveira. 10:04:03.614 --> 10:04:05.774 Ms Boras Paboni, yes, you 10:04:05.834 --> 10:04:06.794 can stay here. 10:04:06.794 --> 10:04:07.994 Mr Oliveira. 10:04:11.234 --> 10:04:15.142 Here she is, Ms Boras Pabon. After all, the far right wants to speak out against 10:04:15.191 --> 10:04:19.196 energy prices, but it does not want to confront the interests of the multinational 10:04:19.245 --> 10:04:23.201 energy companies. Because, after all, they never want to bite the hand that feeds 10:04:23.250 --> 10:04:27.305 them. That is precisely the problem. It is that the far right is not an alternative 10:04:27.353 --> 10:04:31.456 to anything. Everything that is necessary to defend the interests of the people, you 10:04:31.505 --> 10:04:35.560 always shrink back whenever that implies confronting economic interests, because at 10:04:35.608 --> 10:04:39.516 the end of the day, the far right represents exactly the same economic interests 10:04:39.565 --> 10:04:43.473 that crush the lives of the people. And that is the contradiction that cannot be 10:04:43.522 --> 10:04:47.527 resolved. Ms Boras Pabon, it is not possible to defend the interests of the people 10:04:47.576 --> 10:04:51.679 and their right to access energy at fair prices while, at the same time, siding with 10:04:51.728 --> 10:04:54.854 the multinationals. And you are entangled in that contradiction. 10:04:57.854 --> 10:04:59.054 You may respond. 10:05:00.914 --> 10:05:05.159 It is not at all surprising that the left always does the same thing, which is to 10:05:05.212 --> 10:05:09.509 blame others for its own responsibility. Here, the only ones responsible, the only 10:05:09.562 --> 10:05:13.493 ones to blame, are you. It is the left, the climate hypochondriacs, who are 10:05:13.545 --> 10:05:17.633 dedicated to intervening in the market, to implementing policies that increase 10:05:17.686 --> 10:05:21.826 costs, as I have said, energy costs, production costs, which hinder the work of 10:05:21.878 --> 10:05:26.124 those who truly take care of the countryside and the fields, like are our farmers 10:05:26.176 --> 10:05:28.902 and livestock farmers. I am not the one saying this; 10:05:28.954 --> 10:05:33.199 you go out into the street and everyone knows that with your European Green Deal, 10:05:33.252 --> 10:05:37.340 all you are doing is destroying biodiversity, attacking those who care for the 10:05:37.392 --> 10:05:40.694 countryside and driving up energy costs. Not the big companies. 10:05:40.874 --> 10:05:44.500 Sir, your response, the exchange is closed, we are continuing the discussion. 10:05:44.548 --> 10:05:45.748 Mireille Bloss. 10:05:55.094 --> 10:06:00.873 Thank you very much. Colleagues, President, Commissioner, today the United Nations 10:06:00.944 --> 10:06:05.948 tells us that the world is going to a temper ature rise of 2.8 degrees. 10:06:06.019 --> 10:06:11.869 What does it mean? It means that about one-third of the populated territory of this 10:06:11.939 --> 10:06:17.789 planet will face extensive heat bul bs. Temperatures above 35 degrees with humidity 10:06:17.859 --> 10:06:23.146 above 90 percent. And this is a situation where your body simply collapses. 10:06:23.216 --> 10:06:28.643 Because it cannot cool itself anymore. And if you stay outside, you will die. 10:06:28.714 --> 10:06:33.436 2.8 degrees means 1.5 billion people will live in such territories. 10:06:33.506 --> 10:06:38.229 Either they have to move or they have to cool down, but many can't. 10:06:38.299 --> 10:06:43.444 Colleagues, you might think that climate change is not important anymore. 10:06:43.515 --> 10:06:49.435 You're wrong. The climate crisis will be the defining challenge of your life, of the 10:06:49.506 --> 10:06:53.664 life of your children, and the life of your grand children. 10:06:53.734 --> 10:06:58.668 But we know how to fix it. We have to stop burning oil, coal, and gas. 10:06:58.739 --> 10:07:04.166 And Mr. Commissioner, I know this is a lot of responsibility, but you have to 10:07:04.236 --> 10:07:09.945 deliver. Deliver at the climate conference and deliver for us Europeans a plan to 10:07:10.016 --> 10:07:14.174 free ourselves from fossil dependency. Thank you very much. 10:07:16.094 --> 10:07:17.534 Thank you very much. Mr Georgiou. 10:07:28.814 --> 10:07:31.425 Mr Commissioner, the climate crisis is here. 10:07:31.485 --> 10:07:34.096 Mr Commissioner, the climate crisis is here. 10:07:34.156 --> 10:07:39.082 Wildfires, heatwaves, drought, devastating floods, a continuous state of emergency. 10:07:39.141 --> 10:07:42.583 Of course, the cost is being paid by the European peoples. 10:07:42.643 --> 10:07:45.254 Mr Commissioner, the climate crisis is here. 10:07:45.313 --> 10:07:50.239 Wildfires, heatwaves, drought, devastating floods, a continuous state of emergency. 10:07:50.299 --> 10:07:53.741 Of course, the cost is being paid by the European peoples. 10:07:53.800 --> 10:07:58.370 Whatever left to be done by the new COP31 climate conference is self-evident: 10:07:58.430 --> 10:08:02.584 actions, not new promises. That is what we have burned and drowned in. 10:08:02.644 --> 10:08:07.510 The fight against the climate crisis is, of course, not only an environmental one. 10:08:07.570 --> 10:08:12.436 It is a battle for social justice, equality, and not exclusions, but unfortunately 10:08:12.496 --> 10:08:17.184 Turkey attempted to obstruct the participation of the Republic of Cyprus and to 10:08:17.244 --> 10:08:21.992 instrumentalise the conference with the aim of politically promoting the illegal 10:08:22.051 --> 10:08:24.900 secessionist entity in the occupied territories. 10:08:24.959 --> 10:08:29.054 It also acknowledges, of course, the illegal Turkey-Libya memorandum. 10:08:29.114 --> 10:08:34.040 And I must say this—let me say it—Pontius Pilates with Turkey, perhaps even for the 10:08:34.099 --> 10:08:35.299 climate. 10:08:37.994 --> 10:08:40.214 Thank you very much, dear colleagues. Manuel Aripa. 10:08:45.074 --> 10:08:49.091 Today we are talking about climate protection, about COP31, but we should also be 10:08:49.140 --> 10:08:51.967 discussing COP17 on biodiversity with the same intensity. 10:08:52.016 --> 10:08:56.182 we are also speaking today about climate protection, about COP31, but we should also 10:08:56.231 --> 10:09:00.148 be discussing just as intensively the COP17 on biodiversity, which is currently 10:09:00.198 --> 10:09:04.215 taking place in Armenia and which I will be attending next week with a delegation 10:09:04.264 --> 10:09:08.430 from the European Parliament. Because climate protection and nature conservation are 10:09:08.479 --> 10:09:12.595 inextricably linked, and both conferences face the same challenges, such as phasing 10:09:12.644 --> 10:09:16.760 out environmentally harmful subsidies, securing financing, and finally implementing 10:09:16.810 --> 10:09:19.240 decisions consistently. Let us now turn to COP31. 10:09:19.289 --> 10:09:22.909 In this debate, the circular economy is being given too little attention. 10:09:22.959 --> 10:09:26.826 The reduction of primary raw material consumption and the increase in resource 10:09:26.876 --> 10:09:30.942 efficiency must be systematically taken into account in the national climate plans 10:09:30.992 --> 10:09:33.322 and made verifiable through measurable targets. 10:09:33.372 --> 10:09:37.537 To this end, we must in particular promote durable, repairable and reusable products 10:09:37.587 --> 10:09:41.455 and advance the market for high-quality secondary raw materials from recycling 10:09:41.504 --> 10:09:45.025 processes. This also needs to be given greater international attention. 10:09:45.074 --> 10:09:49.091 Because this way, we also reduce emissions, cut back on raw material dependencies 10:09:49.141 --> 10:09:53.058 and strengthen resilience. We need to think more closely together about climate 10:09:53.108 --> 10:09:55.934 protection, nature conservation and the circular economy. 10:09:57.254 --> 10:09:59.534 Thank you very much. Mr Maren. 10:10:09.194 --> 10:10:14.753 Dear colleagues, we live in a world where multilateral cooperation is increasingly 10:10:14.821 --> 10:10:19.973 giving way to the rule of the strongest. But climate change knows no border. 10:10:20.041 --> 10:10:25.126 We can adopt ambitious legislation at European level, but without clear and 10:10:25.193 --> 10:10:30.617 coordinated international action, our efforts will have a limited global impact. 10:10:30.685 --> 10:10:35.837 COP31 is an opportunity to relaunch this global effort, and Europe must take 10:10:35.905 --> 10:10:41.532 responsibility and lead by examp le. We must turn commitments into concrete action. 10:10:41.600 --> 10:10:47.226 Push the major emitters to raise their ambition and ensure climate finance supports 10:10:47.294 --> 10:10:51.497 those most affected by the crisis. Our goal must remain clear: 10:10:51.565 --> 10:10:55.904 climate neutrality and a just transition away from fossil fuels. 10:10:55.972 --> 10:11:01.463 Colleagues, at a time when international cooperation is under pressure, we cannot 10:11:01.531 --> 10:11:06.954 afford to step back on climate action. Europe must show that multilateralism can 10:11:07.022 --> 10:11:09.734 still deliver for our planet. Thank you. 10:11:11.234 --> 10:11:13.814 Thank you very much, dear colleagues. Annalisa Corrado. 10:11:18.674 --> 10:11:23.126 Thank you, Mr President. Many people think that the UN's effort against the climate 10:11:23.179 --> 10:11:27.095 crisis is an exercise for environmentalists and for Thank you, President. 10:11:27.148 --> 10:11:31.547 Many people think that the UN’s efforts against the climate crisis are an exercise 10:11:31.600 --> 10:11:34.014 for environmentalists and for those involved. 10:11:34.067 --> 10:11:38.466 Far removed from real problems. And yet, even if I were not an environmentalist, I 10:11:38.519 --> 10:11:42.703 would work to abandon fossil fuels, because they cause unsustainable bills and 10:11:42.756 --> 10:11:47.262 skyrocketing costs for everything. Meanwhile, very few people are getting richer and 10:11:47.315 --> 10:11:51.767 richer. If I were not an environmentalist, I would fight to revolutionise mobility, 10:11:51.821 --> 10:11:56.112 transport, production and distribution, because the plight of those who live off 10:11:56.165 --> 10:12:00.617 their own work cannot be resolved with a few tweaks to a deeply unjust and unstable 10:12:00.671 --> 10:12:04.801 model. If I were not an ecologist, I would consider it unacceptable that this 10:12:04.854 --> 10:12:07.161 summer's heat has cost Europe €180 billion. 10:12:07.214 --> 10:12:11.612 If I were not an environmentalist, I would recognise that the path to salvation is 10:12:11.666 --> 10:12:14.616 precisely the one indicated by the UN for the next COP: 10:12:14.670 --> 10:12:18.692 to exit our dependence on gas and oil and accelerate the electrification of 10:12:18.746 --> 10:12:23.144 technologies and services. You do not need to be an environmentalist to understand 10:12:23.198 --> 10:12:26.738 this; you just need to be on the side of the many against the few. 10:12:26.791 --> 10:12:31.243 On the side of those who pay too much without having any fault, of the young people 10:12:31.297 --> 10:12:34.944 whose hope someone wants to take away, on the right side of history. 10:12:34.998 --> 10:12:36.198 Thank you. 10:12:36.374 --> 10:12:38.774 Thank you very much, dear colleagues. Gunther Seeden. 10:12:43.394 --> 10:12:48.145 Dear Mr President, esteemed Commissioner. Climate protection and the abandonment of 10:12:48.202 --> 10:12:50.835 fossil fuels are no longer options for Europe. 10:12:50.892 --> 10:12:55.643 They are the only way out. We live on the continent that is heating up the fastest. 10:12:55.701 --> 10:13:00.509 We are experiencing more heatwaves, more droughts and an increase in extreme weather 10:13:00.566 --> 10:13:05.202 events every year. At the same time, in this uncertain geopolitical situation, we 10:13:05.260 --> 10:13:09.152 are powerless against price fluctuations, for example in oil or gas. 10:13:09.209 --> 10:13:14.017 It is therefore high time that we draw the right lessons from these developments and 10:13:14.075 --> 10:13:17.394 finally once again set a clear example by leading the way. 10:13:17.452 --> 10:13:22.145 Only if we show the world that climate protection also brings economic advantages, 10:13:22.203 --> 10:13:26.896 such as boosting our own innovative strength, will things finally start to move in 10:13:26.954 --> 10:13:31.647 this direction. COP31 is the next opportunity to find allies on this path, and the 10:13:31.704 --> 10:13:34.452 European Union must also seize this opportunity. 10:13:34.509 --> 10:13:35.709 Thank you very much. 10:13:38.714 --> 10:13:45.287 Thank you very much. We now move on to the expressions under the 4JI procedure. 10:13:45.371 --> 10:13:47.534 To begin, Costas Mavridis. 10:14:00.914 --> 10:14:02.114 Oh, now it is. 10:14:02.894 --> 10:14:08.131 I would like to congratulate my colleagues on this very important text. 10:14:08.205 --> 10:14:12.335 After all, climate change is a fact and not an ideology. 10:14:12.409 --> 10:14:18.457 And especially in Europe, and particularly in the Mediterranean, climate change is 10:14:18.531 --> 10:14:24.284 even more intense. However, such global problems require global approaches and 10:14:24.358 --> 10:14:30.258 interstate cooperation. Among the many important aspects of this report, I would 10:14:30.332 --> 10:14:36.380 like to highlight one: the proposal for specific, measurable targets to bridge the 10:14:36.454 --> 10:14:40.732 gap between objectives and their practical implementation. 10:14:40.806 --> 10:14:46.854 However, unfortunately, and I am addressing both the Council and the Commissioner, 10:14:46.928 --> 10:14:52.091 unfortunately once again the the Turkish regime in Ankara attempted to 10:14:52.164 --> 10:14:58.065 instrumentalise this international conference once again to the detriment of the 10:14:58.139 --> 10:15:03.966 Republic of Cyprus, attempting to exclude the participation of the President of 10:15:04.039 --> 10:15:10.161 Cyprus. I urge both of you to defend until the end the Member State of the European 10:15:10.235 --> 10:15:12.374 Union and the United Nations. 10:15:13.214 --> 10:15:15.134 Thank you very much, Viktoria Ferenc. 10:15:20.294 --> 10:15:25.166 Mr President, Commissioner. Mr President, Commissioner, it is beyond doubt, 10:15:25.231 --> 10:15:30.688 especially after last summer, that climate change has severe consequences in Europe. 10:15:30.753 --> 10:15:34.197 We must state that adequate adaptation is inevitable. 10:15:34.262 --> 10:15:39.719 However, we must also face the fact that the Green Deal and the measures based on it 10:15:39.784 --> 10:15:44.981 have not led to success. Even though the continent is responsible for only 6% of 10:15:45.046 --> 10:15:50.308 global emissions, the major international polluters are not following the Union’s 10:15:50.373 --> 10:15:55.700 example. And there is nothing surprising in that, because what do they see here in 10:15:55.765 --> 10:16:00.832 Europe? declining competitiveness, artificially inflated energy prices, rising 10:16:00.897 --> 10:16:05.185 household heating and fuel prices, climate taxes such as the ETS2. 10:16:05.250 --> 10:16:10.188 No wonder that with such climate policy we find few international followers. 10:16:10.252 --> 10:16:15.320 Instead, we stand on the side of responsible, balanced climate policy based on 10:16:15.385 --> 10:16:16.814 adaptation. Thank you. 10:16:18.434 --> 10:16:20.774 Thank you very much. Sébastien Thinkinen. 10:16:28.694 --> 10:16:33.977 Mr President, the EU has gone to war against climate change with a bazooka. 10:16:34.047 --> 10:16:39.823 a. In the previous year, the EU and its Member States mobilised nearly €32 billion 10:16:39.893 --> 10:16:43.415 in public funds for international climate finance. 10:16:43.485 --> 10:16:47.077 But this is not enough for the European Parliament. 10:16:47.148 --> 10:16:53.064 Now we need new and greater climate funding, which should be provided in addition to 10:16:53.135 --> 10:16:59.051 official development assistance. It seems that European politicians never run out of 10:16:59.122 --> 10:17:04.968 money, but Europeans do. We are currently dealing with over 30 pages of demands and 10:17:05.038 --> 10:17:09.053 positions from the European Parliament regarding climate. 10:17:09.124 --> 10:17:14.195 Tell me, how is it possible that China has not been mentioned even once? 10:17:14.265 --> 10:17:19.759 You do not mention a country that is responsible for around a third of all the 10:17:19.830 --> 10:17:25.324 world’s carbon dioxide emissions. Let's put an end to this scattering of money 10:17:25.394 --> 10:17:31.240 around the world. Let's take real climate action and bring industry back from China 10:17:31.311 --> 10:17:33.494 to a cleaner Europe. Thank you. 10:17:35.054 --> 10:17:36.974 Thank you. João Oliveira. 10:17:40.394 --> 10:17:45.378 Thank you, Mr President. Commissioner Oxtra, one of the objectives under discussion 10:17:45.438 --> 10:17:50.001 at COP31 is to increase the share of electricity in final energy consumption 10:17:50.061 --> 10:17:55.105 worldwide to 35% by 2035. This objective requires an energy policy that enables each 10:17:55.165 --> 10:17:59.729 State to make the most of its capacities and resources in energy production, 10:17:59.789 --> 10:18:04.593 distribution and supply, in the most balanced and tailored way to its social and 10:18:04.653 --> 10:18:09.036 economic needs. But this objective is not compatible with the policies of 10:18:09.096 --> 10:18:13.780 liberalisation and privatisation of the energy sector, including the resources 10:18:13.840 --> 10:18:18.463 necessary for energy production. Subjugating energy policy to the criteria of 10:18:18.523 --> 10:18:23.507 liberalisation means subordinating the satisfaction of energy needs to the logic of 10:18:23.567 --> 10:18:28.371 profit. Handing over resources and production capacities to multinational energy 10:18:28.431 --> 10:18:33.115 companies means leaving those rec these companies expose the territory and the 10:18:33.175 --> 10:18:38.218 populations to the circumstances in which those multinational corporations decide to 10:18:38.278 --> 10:18:42.242 exploit those resources to generate profit as quickly as possible. 10:18:42.302 --> 10:18:47.285 The installation of large-scale photovoltaic plants or the privatisation of dams or 10:18:47.345 --> 10:18:52.389 the handing over of lithium reserves are examples that contradict the objectives set 10:18:52.449 --> 10:18:57.193 out at COP31, and we hope that this contradiction will be overcome by rejecting 10:18:57.253 --> 10:18:58.454 neoliberal policies. 10:18:59.234 --> 10:19:01.694 Thank you very much, dear colleague. Maria Zakaria. 10:19:04.214 --> 10:19:09.590 Ladies and gentlemen, colleagues, for years we were told that environmental 10:19:09.661 --> 10:19:15.324 protection hinders development. Now, wildfires, floods, and drought are the new 10:19:15.395 --> 10:19:18.764 reality. The climate did not go mad on its own. 10:19:18.836 --> 10:19:24.784 The draft resolution for COP31 recognises a role for nuclear energy, carbon capture 10:19:24.856 --> 10:19:28.727 and storage, and constantly speaks of competitiveness. 10:19:28.798 --> 10:19:34.604 However, COP31 demands real emission reductions, protection of societies, climate 10:19:34.676 --> 10:19:39.478 financing, and a just transition. There is no room for complacency. 10:19:39.549 --> 10:19:44.137 In Brno, residents are opposing offshore carbon dioxide storage. 10:19:44.208 --> 10:19:47.649 We brought this case to the Petitions Committee. 10:19:47.720 --> 10:19:52.307 We also support the fight against nuclear energy and combustion. 10:19:52.379 --> 10:19:56.321 For us, the critical questions are: who is responsible? 10:19:56.393 --> 10:19:59.403 Who pays? And who will be held to account? 10:19:59.475 --> 10:20:04.062 Will the big polluters bear the cost? They must, not the people. 10:20:04.134 --> 10:20:07.574 Before it is too late for the planet. Thank you. 10:20:09.914 --> 10:20:12.854 Thank you very much. Juan Fernando López Aguilar. 10:20:14.954 --> 10:20:16.214 Thank you, President Tomasi. 10:20:16.334 --> 10:20:20.999 In this debate, we are adding all those that we have had throughout this plenary 10:20:21.058 --> 10:20:25.723 session, because the European budget and the financial framework the multiannual 10:20:25.781 --> 10:20:30.447 financial framework is crucial for ensuring both the resources and the political 10:20:30.505 --> 10:20:35.287 will for the European Union to have a respected voice at the Climate Conference in 10:20:35.346 --> 10:20:40.128 Turkey, COP31. Because it is not ideology that we are facing a global warming that 10:20:40.186 --> 10:20:44.968 borders on the unbearable. Particularly in the European continent, where there are 10:20:45.026 --> 10:20:49.750 deaths and lives lost to climate change and movements of people across the planet 10:20:49.808 --> 10:20:52.841 seeking climate refuge, lacking a seat at the table. 10:20:52.899 --> 10:20:57.565 Of protection in international law. Therefore, the response cannot simply be one 10:20:57.623 --> 10:21:02.347 omnibus after another lowering our standards, but rather maintaining exactly that 10:21:02.405 --> 10:21:07.304 response in the face of scorching summers that seem endless and, for the rest of the 10:21:07.362 --> 10:21:11.094 year, DANA storms and instability that are equally catastrophic. 10:21:11.153 --> 10:21:15.701 The European Union must rise to the occasion at the Conference with sufficient 10:21:15.760 --> 10:21:18.734 resources and political will. Thank you, President. 10:21:19.874 --> 10:21:25.555 Thank you very much, Juan Fernando. We are coming to the end of this discussion and 10:21:25.623 --> 10:21:28.771 I will now give the floor to the Commissioner. 10:21:28.840 --> 10:21:32.673 Ah, to the Council first. Give the floor to the Council. 10:21:32.741 --> 10:21:33.941 Timi Giuli. 10:21:39.854 --> 10:21:44.359 Thank you very much. I thought I was getting off the hook there, President, but 10:21:44.416 --> 10:21:48.635 Honorable Members, Commissioner and President, just to thank all those who 10:21:48.692 --> 10:21:52.969 contributed to this debate and I look forward to your continued engagement, 10:21:53.026 --> 10:21:57.701 particularly when we attend C OP. As you know, COP31 convenes at a really critical 10:21:57.758 --> 10:22:02.377 geopolitical juncture marked by mounting pressure on multilateral cooperation and 10:22:02.434 --> 10:22:05.798 renewed skepticism surrounding established climate science. 10:22:05.855 --> 10:22:10.588 Although global climate action has been insufficient it is important to stress that 10:22:10.645 --> 10:22:14.921 the Paris Agreement has made a very significant difference through the impl 10:22:14.978 --> 10:22:18.114 ementation of nationally determined mitigation pledges. 10:22:18.171 --> 10:22:22.505 The Paris Agreement has successfully altered the global emission trajectory. 10:22:22.562 --> 10:22:26.952 Lowering projected end-of-century warming from approximately three and a half 10:22:27.009 --> 10:22:30.716 degrees to a range between 2. 3 and 2.5. That's very significant. 10:22:30.773 --> 10:22:35.106 Decisive climate action to limit the 1. 5°C overshoot to the greatest extent 10:22:35.163 --> 10:22:39.839 possible is more urgent than ever. And it must be coupled with societal industrial 10:22:39.896 --> 10:22:44.457 and technological transition. We will continue our international engagement with 10:22:44.514 --> 10:22:48.278 allies and other partners towards the meaningful outcome of COP31. 10:22:48.335 --> 10:22:52.725 I just want to respond to one particular issue that was raised by a number of 10:22:52.782 --> 10:22:55.576 contributors, and that was in relation to Turkey. 10:22:55.633 --> 10:22:58.370 It is mandate of COP31, the Council conclusions. 10:22:58.427 --> 10:23:03.103 The Council has underlined the importance of participation of all member states at 10:23:03.160 --> 10:23:07.950 COP31. It is also reaffirmed the principle of solidarity among member states in this 10:23:08.007 --> 10:23:12.625 regard. Turkey has sent invitations to the leaders' summit at COP31 to all member 10:23:12.682 --> 10:23:15.134 states, including Cyprus. Thanks very much. 10:23:16.694 --> 10:23:23.634 Thank you very much, Mr Minister. I had not forgotten you, but I joined the debate 10:23:23.719 --> 10:23:30.574 midway and the Commissioner was able to intervene at the start of the discussion. 10:23:30.659 --> 10:23:37.261 The debate is closed. I have received a draft resolution to close this debate. 10:23:37.345 --> 10:23:44.116 And the vote will take place tomorrow. The agenda now calls for the Commission's 10:23:44.201 --> 10:23:51.310 statement on deepening the EU-Canada alliance, preparation for the EU-Canada summit. 10:23:51.395 --> 10:23:57.743 Let us give Commissioner Sykela time to take his seat and we will begin our 10:23:57.827 --> 10:23:59.774 discussion immediately. 10:24:12.134 --> 10:24:14.414 Mr Commissioner, it is your turn. 10:24:17.114 --> 10:24:18.314 Thank you very much. 10:24:20.294 --> 10:24:25.831 Good evening, Honorable President, Honorable Members. 10:24:25.936 --> 10:24:33.250 I have the honor to address you today on our relationship with Canada. 10:24:33.354 --> 10:24:38.056 One of our most trusted and closest partners. 10:24:38.160 --> 10:24:46.414 With Canada, we share similar values: the same commitment to open, pl uralistic 10:24:46.519 --> 10:24:54.877 societies, and the similar vision for the global rules-based multilateral order. 10:24:54.981 --> 10:25:00.937 In these changing times, we also face similar challenges. 10:25:01.041 --> 10:25:09.713 The exchange today is timely. We are one week away from the 21 st EU-Canada Summit, 10:25:09.818 --> 10:25:15.564 which takes place in Montreal next Thursday and Friday. 10:25:15.669 --> 10:25:24.027 From 29th to 30th October, you all witnessed the state of the Union's speech and 10:25:24.131 --> 10:25:30.609 Prime Minister Carney's intervention at the September plenary. 10:25:30.714 --> 10:25:36.774 So you will know that the ambition for the summit is high. 10:25:36.878 --> 10:25:45.445 Negotiations ahead of the summit are still ongoing, I do not want to preempt those 10:25:45.550 --> 10:25:51.819 disc ussions and cannot at this stage prejudge the outcomes. 10:25:51.923 --> 10:25:57.983 When it comes to summits, nothing is done until it's done. 10:25:58.087 --> 10:26:06.550 And one week is still a long time. What I can share with you today is the general 10:26:06.655 --> 10:26:15.327 thinking behind the str engthening of the EU-Canada ties and to give you a sense of 10:26:15.431 --> 10:26:20.028 the direction of travel in the relationship. 10:26:20.133 --> 10:26:24.625 The ambition does not come out of the blue. 10:26:24.730 --> 10:26:33.402 We built on a solid foundation namely the strategic partnership agreement and CETA, 10:26:33.506 --> 10:26:42.074 Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement. Canada is a unique strategic partner and a 10:26:42.178 --> 10:26:49.805 close friend. It is a G7 member and NATO ally to many member states and a 10:26:49.910 --> 10:26:56.492 like-minded partner in defending and promoting multilateralism. 10:26:56.596 --> 10:27:05.373 Canada has always stood by us and it is an unwavering supporter of Ukraine rel iable 10:27:05.477 --> 10:27:14.149 provider reliably providing financial military and material support since 2 022 and 10:27:14.254 --> 10:27:21.254 taking the lead on issues such as the return of Ukrainian children. 10:27:21.358 --> 10:27:26.896 Over the past year we have further deepened our ties. 10:27:27.000 --> 10:27:35.777 It's not enough to be like-minded in a world of power politics and the weaponization 10:27:35.881 --> 10:27:44.553 of everything we both need to adapt and bol ster our resilience and we turn to each 10:27:44.657 --> 10:27:52.807 other as partners of choice. The June 25 summit adopted an ambitious agenda of 10:27:52.911 --> 10:27:54.374 commitments ac 10:27:54.494 --> 10:28:02.079 ross a range of areas and marked the signature of the Security and Defense Part 10:28:02.175 --> 10:28:10.241 nership. And we have both worked actively on the implementation of these commitments 10:28:10.337 --> 10:28:15.618 and we are delivering for o ur citizens on both shores. 10:28:15.714 --> 10:28:23.683 One example has been the signing of Canada 's SAFE agreement earlier this year with 10:28:23.779 --> 10:28:28.484 one contract already signed under this framework. 10:28:28.580 --> 10:28:35.686 The 2026 summit will mark an even greater step change in our relationship. 10:28:35.782 --> 10:28:42.983 As President von der Leyen stated in her SOTEO speech, we want to bring the 10:28:43.079 --> 10:28:48.360 relationship with Canada to the highest level possible. 10:28:48.456 --> 10:28:56.425 She explained that our intention is to move from SETA to an alliance for the future 10:28:56.521 --> 10:29:02.091 to create a common prosperity and economic security space. 10:29:02.187 --> 10:29:09.676 This could include first further supply chain integration in strategic sectors 10:29:09.772 --> 10:29:15.533 through joint investments and deeper regulatory cooperation. 10:29:15.629 --> 10:29:23.695 Second, creating a trusted digital and technology space involving joint research and 10:29:23.791 --> 10:29:31.184 inv estments what President von der Leyen called a tech alliance and third co 10:29:31.280 --> 10:29:39.057 ordinating our respective economic security policies to ensure o ur shared supply 10:29:39.153 --> 10:29:46.835 chains are consistently protected. Beyond the alliance for the future, we should 10:29:46.931 --> 10:29:54.996 also consider whether we want to offer Canada a basic a basis for stronger political 10:29:55.092 --> 10:30:03.158 and institutional collaboration. This would build on the type of regular invitations 10:30:03.254 --> 10:30:11.127 that Canada has already received to particip ate in recent summits of the European 10:30:11.223 --> 10:30:16.120 political community and informal co uncil meetings. 10:30:16.216 --> 10:30:23.994 And it would allow us to identify shared priorities and jointly respond to common 10:30:24.090 --> 10:30:31.963 challenges. This is what President von der Leyen had in mind when she said that we 10:30:32.059 --> 10:30:39.741 are opening the door to Canada to becoming the first associate member of the EU. 10:30:39.837 --> 10:30:47.422 In the coming year, leading up to the next EU-Canada summit, we look forward to 10:30:47.518 --> 10:30:53.087 working with y ou as well as our member states and Canada. 10:30:53.183 --> 10:31:00.865 On defining the full scope of what such an associate membership could look like. 10:31:00.961 --> 10:31:08.834 I am sure I will find a positive echo in this chamber for closer ties with Canada. 10:31:09.794 --> 10:31:16.976 As some in this chamber always remind us, very aptly, Canada is the most European of 10:31:17.061 --> 10:31:24.243 non-European countries. I expect the pass ahead to become clearer as a result of the 10:31:24.328 --> 10:31:31.339 summit. Of course, we won't fail to inform the European Parliament of the outcome. 10:31:31.424 --> 10:31:33.134 Thank you very much. 10:31:35.474 --> 10:31:40.200 Thank you very much, Commissioner Sékela. As you know, the Bureau of the European 10:31:40.258 --> 10:31:43.934 Parliament has decided to open an office in Canada, Mr Warborn. 10:31:51.674 --> 10:31:55.418 Thank you, President, for giving me the floor. 10:31:55.499 --> 10:31:59.812 And colleagues, you saw how this podium was elevated. 10:31:59.894 --> 10:32:06.242 I think that that is what we are going to try to do with the relationship with 10:32:06.323 --> 10:32:12.915 Canada. Let's elevate the relationship. EPP is committed to upgrade the EU-Canada 10:32:12.997 --> 10:32:19.508 relations and we will work to fill this al liance for the future with meaningful 10:32:19.589 --> 10:32:26.344 content that delivers concrete economic and geopolitical benefits for both parties. 10:32:26.425 --> 10:32:30.169 Associated membership was the label mentioned. 10:32:30.250 --> 10:32:37.087 But I think that much more important than any label is that this alliance can mark a 10:32:37.168 --> 10:32:43.272 starting point of an ambitious process of approximation across all economic 10:32:43.353 --> 10:32:49.294 dimensions including deeper integration in go ods and services regulatory 10:32:49.376 --> 10:32:55.235 harmonizations in strategic sectors and enhanced cooperation on critical 10:32:55.317 --> 10:33:01.990 capabilities. Building on SETA, our trade agreement, we should work towards a more 10:33:02.072 --> 10:33:08.501 even more integrated econom ic area by reducing barriers to trade in goods with 10:33:08.583 --> 10:33:14.768 mutual recognitions of standards con formity assessments and certifications. 10:33:14.849 --> 10:33:21.116 A transatlantic service market would be the natural step to upgrade SETA with 10:33:21.197 --> 10:33:25.348 frictionless cross-Atlantic provisions of services. 10:33:25.429 --> 10:33:31.533 And we should work towards a rapid conclusion of an ambitious digital trade 10:33:31.614 --> 10:33:36.335 agreement. We should also ensure open procurement markets. 10:33:36.416 --> 10:33:42.927 And we should leverage our complementarias notably in the critical raw materials 10:33:43.008 --> 10:33:47.240 using the EU demand to boost Canada Canadian supply. 10:33:47.322 --> 10:33:53.914 That will power our diversification efforts and enable the much needed de-risking 10:33:53.995 --> 10:34:00.587 from China. So to conclude, let's now be pragmatic, flexible, and open to try new 10:34:00.669 --> 10:34:05.959 ways forward with less focus on labels and more focus on content. 10:34:06.040 --> 10:34:07.240 Thank you. 10:34:07.574 --> 10:34:09.374 Thank you very much. Ms von der Leyen. 10:34:13.094 --> 10:34:17.224 Thank you very much, President, Commissioner, colleagues. 10:34:17.296 --> 10:34:22.586 In a world filled with trumps Europe needs sta ble and reliable partners. 10:34:22.658 --> 10:34:28.310 And partners that share our values and that share our ambition for the future. 10:34:28.382 --> 10:34:33.599 And Canada is such a partner. It makes sense to deepen that partnership. 10:34:33.672 --> 10:34:38.526 And that partnership recently has been giving a lot of fancy names. 10:34:38.599 --> 10:34:43.743 You mentioned it, an associated membership, an alliance for the future. 10:34:43.815 --> 10:34:48.887 It all sounds very promising. But it must be more than just a promise. 10:34:48.960 --> 10:34:52.510 The upcoming summit must deliver on real results. 10:34:52.583 --> 10:34:58.379 Building on the clear expectations set out by Prime Minister Carney here at this 10:34:58.452 --> 10:35:04.538 stage. With closer comparison on energy, security, defense, trade, critical minerals 10:35:04.610 --> 10:35:10.407 but also on students for instance. And not only working closing together because 10:35:10.479 --> 10:35:16.421 that might be the more easy part. What we need to do is responding together to the 10:35:16.493 --> 10:35:21.638 threats that we face. This alliance should help defend multilateralism. 10:35:21.710 --> 10:35:27.289 And the rules-based international order. And lay the groundwork for a broader 10:35:27.362 --> 10:35:33.448 alliance with other middle powers to use the name of Mark Carney and of the coercion 10:35:33.520 --> 10:35:39.607 by people like Trump and Xi. That also requires for Europe to be a reliable partner. 10:35:39.679 --> 10:35:44.968 Yet that member state still have to ratify SETA and that is unacceptable. 10:35:45.041 --> 10:35:48.301 Everybody needs to take their responsibility. 10:35:48.374 --> 10:35:52.214 Europe and Canada stronger together let's act on it . 10:35:53.234 --> 10:35:54.974 Thank you very much, Ms Ferré. 10:36:01.694 --> 10:36:02.894 Is that sufficient for you? 10:36:03.254 --> 10:36:04.334 Yes, exactly. 10:36:04.334 --> 10:36:05.534 Thank you. 10:36:05.834 --> 10:36:11.150 Mr Commissioner. Mr Commissioner, On the eve of the Montreal summit, the Commission 10:36:11.278 --> 10:36:15.762 wants to make Canada the first associate member of the European Union. 10:36:15.826 --> 10:36:21.206 Behind this fine-sounding phrase lurks the spectre of CETA, that infamous free trade 10:36:21.270 --> 10:36:24.024 agreement which is ruining our agriculture. 10:36:24.088 --> 10:36:29.148 The French Senate rejected it to protect our livestock farmers, and yet you are 10:36:29.212 --> 10:36:34.336 implementing it. With force. But this associate member status goes even further. 10:36:34.400 --> 10:36:39.652 You want to grant Canadian industry access to the SAFE Fund, a fund of 150 billion 10:36:39.716 --> 10:36:44.648 euros intended to reindustrialise Europe and ensure our military sovereignty. 10:36:44.712 --> 10:36:49.644 Buying North American armaments exposes us to the blackmail of kill switches. 10:36:49.708 --> 10:36:53.423 It is remote deactivation that makes us totally dependent. 10:36:53.487 --> 10:36:56.945 It is financing our own vassalisation. What hypocrisy. 10:36:57.009 --> 10:37:02.390 Finally, on raw materials. With your punitive environmental policy, you are shutting 10:37:02.454 --> 10:37:07.642 down our factories. Then you cross the Atlantic, begging for Canadian lithium and 10:37:07.706 --> 10:37:12.381 cobalt. Stop orchestrating our ruin. Protect our industry and respect our 10:37:12.445 --> 10:37:13.645 parliaments. 10:37:14.114 --> 10:37:16.214 Thank you. Mr Kols. 10:37:21.074 --> 10:37:26.599 Dear colleagues, Brussels has been busy debating what associated membership for 10:37:26.669 --> 10:37:30.795 Canada means. Europe does not need 28th quasi-member state. 10:37:30.865 --> 10:37:36.670 Europe needs hard industrial depth to break our dependencies on Beijing and Moscow. 10:37:36.740 --> 10:37:42.335 Canada holds 34 critical raw materials that European industry desperately lacks. 10:37:42.405 --> 10:37:46.042 Yet our mineral imports from Canada stand at just 3. 10:37:46.112 --> 10:37:49.049 3 billion euros. The delivery gap is real. 10:37:49.119 --> 10:37:54.994 We gave Canada 80% content ceiling inside our SAFE instrument, six months later that 10:37:55.064 --> 10:37:59.190 has produced just one contract, tactical radios for Poland. 10:37:59.260 --> 10:38:04.785 On energy, the draft text for Montréal offers only another feasibility study on 10:38:04.855 --> 10:38:10.660 Canadian LNG. And nine member states still have not ratified SETA after nine years. 10:38:10.730 --> 10:38:16.465 Shame. Montréal summit must make Europe stronger, democracies are global minority. 10:38:16.534 --> 10:38:22.269 And deeper cooperation is simple math. We do not need new institutional labels for 10:38:22.339 --> 10:38:27.445 Canada we need to deliver on the agre ements that we already have signed. 10:38:27.515 --> 10:38:28.715 Thank you. 10:38:29.474 --> 10:38:32.429 Thank you very much. I do not see Mr Barna. 10:38:32.498 --> 10:38:33.698 Mr Ninisto. 10:38:39.254 --> 10:38:44.252 Mr. President, Europe and Canada should build an ambitious alliance for the future. 10:38:44.312 --> 10:38:48.948 We can together defend democracy resist coercion and uphold international law 10:38:49.009 --> 10:38:52.802 consistently while also building bridges with the Global South. 10:38:52.862 --> 10:38:57.740 The Montréal summit must deliver a strong security cooperation s ustained support 10:38:57.800 --> 10:39:01.051 for Ukraine and protection of critical infrastructure. 10:39:01.112 --> 10:39:04.423 We can do more to support Ukraine together with Canada. 10:39:04.484 --> 10:39:09.241 We also need fair trade clean industry and resilient mineral supply chains with 10:39:09.301 --> 10:39:12.372 strong workers rights and recycling at their heart. 10:39:12.432 --> 10:39:17.490 Here we can also increase cooperation. Coming from Finland, I want also to emphasize 10:39:17.550 --> 10:39:21.705 Arctic cooperation in this day when the Arctic strategy has come out. 10:39:21.765 --> 10:39:26.703 We have to together support the indigenous-led conservation and respect indigenous 10:39:26.763 --> 10:39:31.640 rights also when it comes to biodiversity and the sensitive nature in Interarctic 10:39:31.700 --> 10:39:36.698 while also taking into account the increased geopolitical threats and address them. 10:39:36.758 --> 10:39:41.575 With Canada together we can build a wider coalition of democracies and also with 10:39:41.636 --> 10:39:46.393 countries both from the Global South that support the rules-based international 10:39:46.453 --> 10:39:47.594 order. 10:39:47.594 --> 10:39:49.773 Thank you very much, dear colleagues, next speaker. 10:39:49.816 --> 10:39:51.016 Marina Mesure. 10:39:54.074 --> 10:39:58.372 Thank you very much, Mr President. Fifty years ago, the European Union and Canada 10:39:58.425 --> 10:40:02.829 sealed their first comprehensive cooperation agreement, inaugurating with it a rare 10:40:02.882 --> 10:40:07.127 and lasting relationship. Today, in the face of the imperialist threats from the 10:40:07.181 --> 10:40:11.213 Trump administration, this compass of our history takes on its full meaning. 10:40:11.266 --> 10:40:15.458 It can create a credible diplomatic and international alternative to bloc-based 10:40:15.511 --> 10:40:19.863 logic. To this end, our cooperation with Canada should not be reduced to unbridled 10:40:19.916 --> 10:40:23.418 free trade without respect for environmental and health standards. 10:40:23.471 --> 10:40:27.450 Nor should it lead us to take part in defence initiatives that increase our 10:40:27.504 --> 10:40:31.961 dependence on NATO and the United States. On the contrary, we could draw inspiration 10:40:32.014 --> 10:40:36.100 from models of cooperation such as France and Quebec, based on scientific and 10:40:36.153 --> 10:40:40.557 cultural influence. In this regard, I wish to recall that the provinces have a role 10:40:40.610 --> 10:40:45.067 to play in this partnership. In conclusion, these discussions provide an opportunity 10:40:45.120 --> 10:40:47.720 to give new impetus to our relations with Canada. 10:40:47.774 --> 10:40:51.912 Building an ambitious partnership that protects our farmers and our consumers. 10:40:51.966 --> 10:40:56.423 That deepens our university, scientific and diplomatic ties and that asserts, in the 10:40:56.476 --> 10:41:00.349 face of the imperialist ambitions of the United States, our commitment to 10:41:00.402 --> 10:41:02.790 non-alignment and the sovereignty of peoples. 10:41:02.843 --> 10:41:04.043 Thank you. 10:41:04.154 --> 10:41:06.734 Thank you very much, Ms Mesure. Ms Anderson. 10:41:11.594 --> 10:41:13.814 Thank you. Ursula von der Leyen 10:41:13.934 --> 10:41:17.934 wants to lure Canada into an associate membership of EU. 10:41:18.006 --> 10:41:24.006 What does that even mean? Since SETA is already in place, it couldn't be about trade 10:41:24.077 --> 10:41:29.792 relations. What then? Apparently, Ursula von der Leyen is no longer content with 10:41:29.863 --> 10:41:35.792 merely terrorizing the people's in the EU with her insane regulations, bureaucracy, 10:41:35.864 --> 10:41:41.721 and cronyism. No, she is yet looking for yet another people whose industry she can 10:41:41.792 --> 10:41:47.650 wipe out, whose prosperity she can destroy, whose speech she can censor, and whose 10:41:47.721 --> 10:41:51.722 countries she can flood with even more illegal migrants. 10:41:51.793 --> 10:41:57.436 Thus, turning Canada into a living hell. The question is, is Mark Carney stupid 10:41:57.507 --> 10:42:03.293 enough to fall for it, or will he do right by the Canadian people and tell Ursula 10:42:03.365 --> 10:42:09.294 von der Leyen to bugger off? If he won't, then the Canadian people will have to fix 10:42:09.365 --> 10:42:13.508 it. And maybe a new freedom convoy would then be in order. 10:42:13.580 --> 10:42:14.780 Thank you. 10:42:16.274 --> 10:42:17.534 Thank you. Mr Junkski. 10:42:22.094 --> 10:42:26.986 Thank you, Mr President. Commissioner, today the whole world is watching Europe. 10:42:27.047 --> 10:42:31.939 They are looking at us. Seeking stability, security, and the defence of European 10:42:32.000 --> 10:42:36.891 values. That is precisely why the European Union is a symbol of this free world. 10:42:36.952 --> 10:42:42.089 And that is good news. Especially today, when Donald Trump is holding talks with the 10:42:42.150 --> 10:42:46.919 criminal Putin, and the logic political deals are starting to prevail over the 10:42:46.980 --> 10:42:52.117 principles that for decades – precisely for decades – have built the world order and 10:42:52.178 --> 10:42:57.253 stability. Yet we cannot stop there. The world expects responsibility from us, from 10:42:57.314 --> 10:43:01.289 Europe. We must prove that we are able to rise to this challenge. 10:43:01.350 --> 10:43:05.691 That is why we need strong, reliable allies, and Canada is one of them. 10:43:05.752 --> 10:43:10.461 Together, we can build an international order based not on domination, not on 10:43:10.522 --> 10:43:14.435 blackmail, but on the rule of law, cooperation and mutual trust. 10:43:14.496 --> 10:43:19.632 And the speech delivered here, in this hall, by the Prime Minister of Canada in this 10:43:19.694 --> 10:43:24.463 chamber, has shown that both sides understand the significance of this moment. 10:43:24.524 --> 10:43:27.581 Our partnership is more than just trade relations. 10:43:27.643 --> 10:43:31.189 It is a shared responsibility for the future of democracy. 10:43:31.250 --> 10:43:36.203 Canada is a huge asset, with critical mineral resources, a space industry, highly 10:43:36.264 --> 10:43:41.217 developed artificial intelligence, and access to the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic 10:43:41.278 --> 10:43:45.497 Oceans. 81% of Canadians support closer ties with the European Union. 10:43:45.558 --> 10:43:50.633 And I want to say it outright: by deepening the alliance between the European Union 10:43:50.695 --> 10:43:55.831 and Canada, we are strengthening not only ourselves, we are strengthening the entire 10:43:55.892 --> 10:44:00.661 free world. And it is precisely this kind of Europe that everyone needs today. 10:44:00.723 --> 10:44:01.923 Thank you. 10:44:02.774 --> 10:44:08.390 Thank you. Before giving the floor to Mr Moreno, I wish to say that the Prime 10:44:08.463 --> 10:44:13.934 Minister of Canada is a head of government whom we must respect here in our 10:44:14.007 --> 10:44:19.696 assembly. And while some statements can be criticised, some statements are not 10:44:19.769 --> 10:44:21.374 acceptable. Mr Moreno. 10:44:25.814 --> 10:44:27.914 Thank you, Mr President. Commissioner. 10:44:27.974 --> 10:44:32.739 Honourable Members, following President von der Leyen's announcement in the plenary 10:44:32.796 --> 10:44:36.815 on the Associate State Status of Canada, a legal debate has opened up. 10:44:36.872 --> 10:44:39.283 Three brief considerations on this matter. 10:44:39.341 --> 10:44:43.933 Yes, Commissioner, I have been saying for years that Canada is the most European 10:44:43.991 --> 10:44:48.756 country outside Europe. We share history, culture and languages, as well as values, 10:44:48.813 --> 10:44:52.487 principles and a worldview that respects international legality. 10:44:52.545 --> 10:44:55.243 Honourable Members, we are mentally associated. 10:44:55.300 --> 10:45:00.065 Two: it is true that the concept of an Associated State is not in the treaties, but 10:45:00.122 --> 10:45:04.256 neither was the euro, nor Schengen, nor health competences during COVID. 10:45:04.313 --> 10:45:07.184 But where there is political will, it is possible. 10:45:07.241 --> 10:45:11.948 More important than the legal debate is that Canada be a de facto Associate State. 10:45:12.006 --> 10:45:14.704 De facto. And we are not starting from scratch. 10:45:14.761 --> 10:45:18.378 We already have a strategic partnership agreement and the CETA. 10:45:18.436 --> 10:45:23.028 At the next summit we need to take concrete steps to continue strengthening this 10:45:23.086 --> 10:45:27.908 partnership. We hope that at the summit the digital agreement will be concluded that 10:45:27.965 --> 10:45:31.984 facilitates and protects relations between our citizens and companies. 10:45:32.041 --> 10:45:36.749 That progress be made on labour mobility by expanding the agreement for architects 10:45:36.806 --> 10:45:41.341 to other professions. That Canada's participation in Erasmus Plus be finalised. 10:45:41.399 --> 10:45:45.876 That cooperation on energy be strengthened, as well as cooperation on critical 10:45:45.934 --> 10:45:50.469 minerals. And finally, for this partnership to work, it is essential to involve 10:45:50.527 --> 10:45:55.349 citizens. That is why we must strengthen and institutionalise dialogue between civil 10:45:55.406 --> 10:45:58.334 societies on both sides of the Atlantic. Thank you. 10:45:59.474 --> 10:46:04.596 Mr Moreno. Yes, you have two blue cards, two requests. 10:46:04.691 --> 10:46:09.434 First, from the EPP, Ms Sofia Kircher. Ms Kircher, 10:46:14.894 --> 10:46:21.591 Thank you very much, Mr President, and thank you also for accepting the blue card. 10:46:21.673 --> 10:46:28.370 The translation is working. You have just said that it is important to involve the 10:46:28.452 --> 10:46:33.842 population in this process. And here is my very specific question: 10:46:33.924 --> 10:46:36.374 How can this best be achieved? 10:46:39.374 --> 10:46:40.574 You do not have the translation. 10:46:45.074 --> 10:46:46.154 Sorry. 10:46:46.154 --> 10:46:48.854 No worries. I mean, I can also do it in English. 10:46:50.354 --> 10:46:51.554 One moment. 10:46:54.374 --> 10:46:58.755 You have spoken about how important it is to bring the population along. 10:46:58.816 --> 10:47:01.736 When it comes to better cooperation with Canada. 10:47:01.797 --> 10:47:06.543 And here is my very concrete question: In your view, how can the population be 10:47:06.604 --> 10:47:11.654 involved on this path in order to also guarantee a good partnership for the future? 10:47:15.734 --> 10:47:20.852 Yes. Thank you for your question. Yes. There are already what they call the DACs, 10:47:20.916 --> 10:47:26.097 which are the Domestic Agreements, which allow and meet every year to hold a forum 10:47:26.160 --> 10:47:30.520 in which trade unions, NGOs, all levels of civil society participate. 10:47:30.584 --> 10:47:35.639 And then they present them; for example, they presented their conclusions at the 10:47:35.702 --> 10:47:38.672 International Trade Committee a few months ago. 10:47:38.735 --> 10:47:43.916 What I would like is for this to be reinforced, even institutionalised, and for it 10:47:43.980 --> 10:47:48.782 to happen much more often. That these forums should be the ones to bring the 10:47:48.845 --> 10:47:53.774 proposals to the decision-making bodies. Thank you very much for the question. 10:47:54.614 --> 10:47:59.242 Mr Moreno, you have a second request from Mr Steer, from the EPP Group. 10:47:59.307 --> 10:48:00.507 Mr Steer. 10:48:01.994 --> 10:48:06.859 Thank you, President. We will skip the translation and ask the question in Spanish. 10:48:06.917 --> 10:48:10.786 One. The key thing that you said in your speech is political will. 10:48:10.844 --> 10:48:14.713 Even if something is not in the treaties, there is political will. 10:48:14.771 --> 10:48:19.695 The way and the means are found. But do you not think that, even before this summit, 10:48:19.753 --> 10:48:24.677 it would be good to send a political signal by ratifying in those Member States that 10:48:24.735 --> 10:48:29.131 have not yet ratified CETA and by considering how to expedite that process? 10:48:29.190 --> 10:48:33.879 Yes, I thank you for the question. I should tell you that when I go to Canada as 10:48:33.938 --> 10:48:38.333 President of the delegation of this House, for relations with Canada, it is 10:48:38.392 --> 10:48:43.315 difficult for me to answer that question. Why are there nine Member States that have 10:48:43.374 --> 10:48:48.180 still not ratified it? Because it is an agreement that is benefiting both parties, 10:48:48.239 --> 10:48:51.756 but much more so the European side. I am a pragmatic person. 10:48:51.814 --> 10:48:56.562 What we can do at the level of this House is what I call parliamentary diplomacy. 10:48:56.620 --> 10:49:01.016 It is about trying to talk to our counterparts in the national parliaments, 10:49:01.075 --> 10:49:05.295 explaining that this treaty works, in the hope that it will be ratified. 10:49:05.354 --> 10:49:09.222 But it is true that this is an outstanding issue and I always say: 10:49:09.281 --> 10:49:13.969 just a moment, I always say that the relationship between two partners has to be 10:49:14.028 --> 10:49:18.893 based on trust and respect. And I believe we must demonstrate that respect and that 10:49:18.951 --> 10:49:20.534 trust. Thank you very much. 10:49:21.194 --> 10:49:24.472 Thank you very much. We will now continue the discussion. 10:49:24.529 --> 10:49:25.729 Ms Recio Noba. 10:49:31.034 --> 10:49:36.603 Thank you. Honourable Mr President, Commissioner, the world is becoming ever more 10:49:36.672 --> 10:49:42.241 dangerous. Authoritarian regimes are gaining strength and Europe cannot afford to 10:49:42.310 --> 10:49:45.886 lose any part of itself. Canada is our natural ally. 10:49:45.954 --> 10:49:50.011 And deepening cooperation with it is a strategic necessity. 10:49:50.080 --> 10:49:55.580 But Europe has one unpleasant weakness. We can talk about cooperation for a long 10:49:55.649 --> 10:49:59.637 time, but taking real steps is much more difficult for us. 10:49:59.706 --> 10:50:04.656 We do not need any more declarations. Summits full of lofty words or new 10:50:04.725 --> 10:50:08.163 bureaucratic structures. We need concrete actions. 10:50:08.232 --> 10:50:13.182 Remove trade barriers, strengthen security in the Arctic and open up new 10:50:13.251 --> 10:50:16.964 opportunities for our companies, students and workers. 10:50:17.033 --> 10:50:22.052 The upcoming EU-Canada summit must not just result in a joint photograph. 10:50:22.121 --> 10:50:27.552 And another list of promises. Let's stop just talking about Canada's associated 10:50:27.621 --> 10:50:30.578 membership. Let's give it concrete content. 10:50:30.646 --> 10:50:31.846 Thank you. 10:50:33.854 --> 10:50:35.294 Thank you very much. Ms Ion Courtin. 10:50:38.114 --> 10:50:40.915 Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr President. 10:50:40.976 --> 10:50:44.629 Commissioner, dear colleagues, a cousin, a partner, an ally. 10:50:44.689 --> 10:50:48.099 For us, Canada is all of that at once. And so much more. 10:50:48.160 --> 10:50:51.752 Where I come from, in Normandy, no one has forgotten D-Day. 10:50:51.813 --> 10:50:56.318 And I say this as a former mayor of a town liberated by Canadian soldiers. 10:50:56.379 --> 10:50:58.997 Today, our shared history takes a new turn. 10:50:59.058 --> 10:51:03.929 Faced with the upheavals in the world, with the pressures from Donald Trump, the 10:51:03.990 --> 10:51:07.521 EU-Canada relationship must hold firm and be strengthened. 10:51:07.582 --> 10:51:11.965 The CETA agreement has shown the way. We must complete its ratification. 10:51:12.026 --> 10:51:16.714 And let us go further. On defence, AI, cybersecurity, critical raw materials, 10:51:16.775 --> 10:51:21.098 Erasmus. We have everything to gain from a strong, win-win partnership. 10:51:21.159 --> 10:51:24.690 Today, Canada is looking to Europe at the Montreal summit. 10:51:24.751 --> 10:51:29.804 We must seize this outstretched hand. Our partnership cannot be a fleeting liaison. 10:51:29.865 --> 10:51:34.980 It must be a long-term relationship, a cooperation, I repeat, a win-win cooperation, 10:51:35.040 --> 10:51:40.155 between the two shores of the Atlantic. Let us build a new Euro-Canadian alliance to 10:51:40.216 --> 10:51:45.086 shape our common future. Thank you and thank you to Mr President Moreno Sanchez, 10:51:45.147 --> 10:51:48.374 President of the European Union Delegation to Canada. 10:51:48.974 --> 10:51:51.494 Thank you very much. Ms Bricmont. 10:51:58.634 --> 10:52:03.181 Europeans and Canadians must strengthen their ties, especially in a context where 10:52:03.237 --> 10:52:06.494 historical neighbours and partners are no longer reliable. 10:52:06.550 --> 10:52:09.469 Yes, Mr McCartney, we need to launch major policies. 10:52:09.525 --> 10:52:13.904 And among these, starting at COP31, in a few days' time, relaunching the fight 10:52:13.960 --> 10:52:17.946 against climate change and for biodiversity restoration, mobilising the 10:52:18.002 --> 10:52:21.876 international community again. Around concrete, coordinated measures. 10:52:21.932 --> 10:52:26.367 A major concrete policy for our fellow citizens, on both sides of the Atlantic. 10:52:26.423 --> 10:52:30.970 Indeed, 680,000 hectares of European forests and 4.7 million hectares of Canadian 10:52:31.027 --> 10:52:35.405 forests went up in smoke this summer. Let us therefore jointly provide funding 10:52:35.462 --> 10:52:40.121 intended for the transition in the poorest countries, industrial policies that will 10:52:40.177 --> 10:52:43.658 strengthen the resilience of our jobs and reduce energy bills. 10:52:43.714 --> 10:52:47.925 Therefore, I hope that, within the framework of an open alliance with other 10:52:47.981 --> 10:52:52.472 partners, the European Union and Canada, hand in hand, will cooperate closely on 10:52:52.528 --> 10:52:56.963 economic security issues, to finally free ourselves from the diktats imposed by 10:52:57.019 --> 10:53:01.735 Trump, Putin and Xi Jinping. The powers that are hostile to us are also dependent on 10:53:01.791 --> 10:53:05.833 us. Let us identify certain products and technologies and identify these 10:53:05.889 --> 10:53:10.436 vulnerabilities. The moment is historic. To put in place major policies together. 10:53:10.493 --> 10:53:11.534 Thank you. 10:53:11.534 --> 10:53:13.574 Thank you very much, dear colleagues. Elena Contura. 10:53:16.574 --> 10:53:21.958 Thank you very much, Mr President. Honourable colleagues, at a time of increasing 10:53:22.024 --> 10:53:26.810 conflicts and international instability, the European Union needs strong 10:53:26.876 --> 10:53:31.596 partnerships that serve peace, diplomacy and the consistent respect for 10:53:31.662 --> 10:53:36.714 international law. Canada is an important partner in this effort, and closer 10:53:36.780 --> 10:53:42.297 cooperation in scientific research, technology, artificial intelligence, as well as 10:53:42.363 --> 10:53:47.747 in the green and energy transition can contribute to the creation of quality jobs 10:53:47.814 --> 10:53:51.802 and the improvement of the daily lives of European citizens. 10:53:51.868 --> 10:53:57.385 Ahead of the summit, I call on the Commission to seek full and effective protection 10:53:57.451 --> 10:54:02.835 of European geographical indications, such as Greek feta and Cypriot halloumi, in 10:54:02.902 --> 10:54:07.953 the Canadian market. The protection of these products concerns the income of 10:54:08.020 --> 10:54:13.005 livestock farmers, our production tradition and the sustainability of local 10:54:13.071 --> 10:54:18.521 communities. Deepening our relations with respect and trust must ensure fair trade 10:54:18.588 --> 10:54:21.778 terms and substantial support for our producers. 10:54:21.845 --> 10:54:23.174 Thank you very much. 10:54:24.194 --> 10:54:26.414 Thank you very much, Ms Contura. Stéphane Koller. 10:54:31.874 --> 10:54:34.285 Dear Commissioner, Ms Keller, dear colleagues. 10:54:34.338 --> 10:54:38.584 Canada is very close to my heart. In 1989, I did an internship there, and to this 10:54:38.637 --> 10:54:41.415 day, friendships connect me from east to west Canada. 10:54:41.467 --> 10:54:45.399 Commissioner, Ms Keller, dear colleagues. Canada is very close to my heart. 10:54:45.452 --> 10:54:49.645 In 1989, I did an internship there, and to this day, I maintain friendships from 10:54:49.698 --> 10:54:54.101 east to west Canada. As a member of the delegation for relations with Canada, I know 10:54:54.206 --> 10:54:58.610 that this partner is reliable. Last week, I had the honour of speaking with Canada’s 10:54:58.662 --> 10:55:03.013 Minister of Agriculture, Heath MacDonald. Our conversation has once again shown how 10:55:03.066 --> 10:55:05.792 much we have in common, particularly in agriculture. 10:55:05.844 --> 10:55:09.933 In a world where old certainties are faltering, we need partners who share our 10:55:09.986 --> 10:55:13.603 values. Canada is such a partner, reliable, competent and democratic. 10:55:13.655 --> 10:55:16.119 We must now resolutely deepen this cooperation. 10:55:16.171 --> 10:55:19.841 But honesty is also required. Some are already talking about CETA 2.0. 10:55:19.894 --> 10:55:23.983 Yet almost ten years after its launch, CETA 1.0 has still not been ratified in 10:55:24.035 --> 10:55:27.233 several Member States. That is not a good signal to a friend. 10:55:27.285 --> 10:55:31.689 I appeal to the remaining Member States: finally bring the ratification process to a 10:55:31.741 --> 10:55:36.040 close. The summit in Montreal at the end of October is the opportunity for a clear 10:55:36.092 --> 10:55:38.294 commitment to this partnership. Thank you. 10:55:39.254 --> 10:55:40.814 Thank you very much, Tobias Krämer. 10:55:44.714 --> 10:55:49.511 Colleagues, Canada could become the first associate member of the European Union. 10:55:49.570 --> 10:55:53.241 But what does that actually mean? For us, the vision is clear: 10:55:53.300 --> 10:55:58.038 associate membership must mean the closest possible part nership that the EU can 10:55:58.097 --> 10:56:03.071 offer to a non-European country. In the case of Canada, that means unleashing CETA's 10:56:03.130 --> 10:56:07.986 full potential, integrating our defense industries, cooperating in the Arctic, and 10:56:08.045 --> 10:56:13.019 allowing young Canadians and Europeans to travel, study, and work more freely across 10:56:13.079 --> 10:56:17.698 the Atlantic. But it must also mean embedding all these great initiatives into 10:56:17.757 --> 10:56:22.613 something more enduring. Into a common institutional framework of coordination and 10:56:22.672 --> 10:56:27.409 cooperation. For instance, by inviting Canada to participate in relevant council 10:56:27.468 --> 10:56:32.442 meetings, or by establishing a formal parliamentary partnership assembly between the 10:56:32.502 --> 10:56:35.936 EP and the Canadian Parliament, as we have it with the UK. 10:56:35.995 --> 10:56:40.081 This Euro-Canadian alliance must be more than just a trade deal plus. 10:56:40.141 --> 10:56:45.056 And not just because we all love Canada, which we do, but because it could actually 10:56:45.115 --> 10:56:47.779 become the nucleus of something much big ger. 10:56:47.839 --> 10:56:52.694 Of a global network of like-minded partners that offers a world a different way, a 10:56:52.754 --> 10:56:56.070 different vision of doing politics in the 21 st century. 10:56:56.129 --> 10:57:01.044 A vision in which collective security, shared interests, and mutual respect prevail 10:57:01.103 --> 10:57:05.959 over m ight is right. Colleagues, over the last few months, Canada and Europe have 10:57:06.018 --> 10:57:09.097 been pretty good at writing each other love letters. 10:57:09.157 --> 10:57:12.710 And that's been wonderful. But now it's time to get serious. 10:57:12.769 --> 10:57:17.743 And to turn this Euro-Canadian love story into a more concrete commitment for Canada 10:57:17.802 --> 10:57:19.934 for Europe and the world. Thank you. 10:57:20.954 --> 10:57:23.294 Thank you very much, dear colleagues. Mr Beck. 10:57:27.554 --> 10:57:33.351 Thank you, President. Dear colleagues, in Flanders' fields, the puppies blow. 10:57:33.426 --> 10:57:38.997 More than 100 years ago, Canadian soldiers came to the fields of Flanders. 10:57:39.072 --> 10:57:45.396 To defend our freedom. But that bound should be more than just a memory of the past. 10:57:45.471 --> 10:57:51.494 Because the reality is that Canada and Europe need each other once again, not to 10:57:51.569 --> 10:57:55.409 fight a war, but to defend our interests. Together. 10:57:55.484 --> 10:58:01.432 As global powers put increased pressure on us, we must stand stronger together. 10:58:01.507 --> 10:58:06.476 For our security. For a liable energy. For critical raw materials. 10:58:06.551 --> 10:58:09.713 And Europe also has a lot to offer Canada. 10:58:09.788 --> 10:58:15.660 A huge single market. Erasmus, small smart students' investments, you name it. 10:58:15.735 --> 10:58:19.951 But that truly unites us goes beyond economic interests. 10:58:20.027 --> 10:58:26.350 We share, yes indeed, the same values. Democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and 10:58:26.426 --> 10:58:32.298 the respect for international law. And these are precisely the values that are 10:58:32.373 --> 10:58:38.019 increasingly under pressure today. But colleagues, why should we stop here? 10:58:38.095 --> 10:58:44.418 Let Europe and Canada take the lead in bringing other partners together, such as the 10:58:44.494 --> 10:58:50.667 United Kingdom and Australia. Bring them on board to build a stronger coalition of 10:58:50.742 --> 10:58:56.614 democracies. Because when facing global powers, allies must stand together and 10:58:56.690 --> 10:58:59.174 strengthen each other. Thank you. 10:59:00.434 --> 10:59:03.854 Thank you very much, Mr Becker. Brando Benifei. 10:59:07.874 --> 10:59:12.457 Can we really deepen our alliance with Canada if we cannot even deepen our own 10:59:12.516 --> 10:59:17.451 European Union? For decades we have been paralysed in the debate between enlargement 10:59:17.510 --> 10:59:22.328 and deepening of the Union. Too many proposals from this Parliament have fallen on 10:59:22.387 --> 10:59:27.087 deaf ears. Today, strengthening relations with third countries such as Canada is 10:59:27.146 --> 10:59:31.670 necessary. And recognising it as the first associate member of the Union is a 10:59:31.729 --> 10:59:35.372 concrete proposal. But statements of principle are not enough. 10:59:35.431 --> 10:59:38.369 We need legal instruments and political decisions. 10:59:38.428 --> 10:59:43.363 To establish this new status, we need to amend Article 49 of the Treaty on the Union 10:59:43.422 --> 10:59:46.947 with a dedicated protocol. We are not starting from scratch. 10:59:47.006 --> 10:59:51.707 Let us take up the work of the Spinelli Group, which I led in 2022 and which has 10:59:51.765 --> 10:59:56.407 made clear proposals on this matter since the presidency of my former colleague 10:59:56.466 --> 10:59:59.815 Andrew Duff. We must seriously heed Mark Carney’s appeal. 10:59:59.874 --> 11:00:04.692 We cannot ask our partners to build a common future if we continue to postpone our 11:00:04.751 --> 11:00:09.569 choices. Let us therefore lead with conviction an alliance that is truly global to 11:00:09.627 --> 11:00:13.094 restore democratic order to a world that is in chaos today. 11:00:14.054 --> 11:00:16.214 Thank you very much, Mr Pasquale De La Parte. 11:00:25.214 --> 11:00:29.469 Thank you very much, Mr President. Ahead of the summit in Ottawa at the end of 11:00:29.523 --> 11:00:33.832 January, we must say that the European Union must prepare to offer our Canadian 11:00:33.887 --> 11:00:38.087 friends, as other speakers have said, a legal framework to give effect to the 11:00:38.141 --> 11:00:40.705 association agreement we have agreed with them. 11:00:40.759 --> 11:00:45.341 This is the highest level of cooperation, the highest level of collaboration that we 11:00:45.396 --> 11:00:49.596 can have with a non-European State. Therefore, we must be innovative and have 11:00:49.650 --> 11:00:53.359 sufficient capacity to offer those legal frameworks for cooperation. 11:00:53.414 --> 11:00:57.559 We already have this in the area of security and defence, in which Canada is 11:00:57.614 --> 11:01:02.196 actively participating in the SAFE programme of joint defence procurement contracts. 11:01:02.250 --> 11:01:06.723 We will also surely have this in the Erasmus+ programme and the Horizon programme. 11:01:06.778 --> 11:01:09.996 We must also obviously collaborate with them on the Arctic. 11:01:10.050 --> 11:01:14.359 The Commission has just approved the new European strategy on the Arctic, which 11:01:14.414 --> 11:01:18.941 refers to cooperation with Canada. We also have to remind our Canadian friends that 11:01:18.996 --> 11:01:23.359 they must make their financial contribution to the effort to support Ukraine, to 11:01:23.414 --> 11:01:27.941 those 70 billion euros that our Ukrainian friends need by 2027, and that Canada has 11:01:27.996 --> 11:01:32.414 also committed to collaborating. And, above all, as I say, we must identify those 11:01:32.469 --> 11:01:36.941 areas in which we will all benefit: rare earths, critical minerals, cybersecurity, 11:01:36.996 --> 11:01:39.014 innovation, etc. Thank you very much. 11:01:39.254 --> 11:01:43.454 Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Ms Chloé Riedel. 11:01:50.594 --> 11:01:54.712 Thank you, dear colleagues. On 16 September, as we remember, we welcomed the 11:01:54.766 --> 11:01:57.800 Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, to this hemicycle. 11:01:57.855 --> 11:02:02.406 Who said: 'As the non-European country that is the most European, Canada first turns 11:02:02.460 --> 11:02:06.524 to the European Union to build a better world.' And we must respond to him. 11:02:06.578 --> 11:02:11.075 In a world marked by chaos, by the brutality of Donald Trump, Europe must reach out 11:02:11.129 --> 11:02:14.597 to the leading democratic power of the North American continent. 11:02:14.651 --> 11:02:19.094 For scientific, technological and security cooperation, parliamentary cooperation, 11:02:19.148 --> 11:02:22.724 and for defending an international order based on the rule of law. 11:02:22.779 --> 11:02:27.059 Canada, for example, is joining the fight to protect the International Criminal 11:02:27.113 --> 11:02:31.610 Court. A Canadian judge is among the judges of the ICC — the International Criminal 11:02:31.665 --> 11:02:35.457 Court — whom we, for our part, wish to reward with the Sakharov Prize. 11:02:35.512 --> 11:02:39.955 That is what brings us together. We believe that the law applies to all, including 11:02:40.009 --> 11:02:44.560 and above all the powerful. We will respond to the disorder caused by autocrats with 11:02:44.614 --> 11:02:48.353 solidarity among democracies. Canada is not a partner of convenience; 11:02:48.407 --> 11:02:52.959 it is an ally that shares our values and, better than us, refuses to bow down today. 11:02:53.013 --> 11:02:57.022 So Trump saw the rapprochement between Europe and Canada as a hostile act. 11:02:57.076 --> 11:02:59.894 That is because we are on the right path. Thank you. 11:03:00.194 --> 11:03:03.614 Thank you very much. Juan Fernando López Aguilar. 11:03:05.414 --> 11:03:06.734 Thank you, Madam President. On a point of order. 11:03:07.214 --> 11:03:11.748 It is undeniable that Canada enjoys enormous goodwill in this European Parliament 11:03:11.804 --> 11:03:15.610 because it has it. In the citizenry that this Parliament represents. 11:03:15.666 --> 11:03:18.969 For its constitutional, federal and integrative experience. 11:03:19.025 --> 11:03:23.727 Of its diversity. Of its social protection model, but also of the courage with which 11:03:23.783 --> 11:03:27.869 it is standing up to the onslaughts of its immediate neighbour, the Trump 11:03:27.925 --> 11:03:32.459 administration of the United States. But President von der Leyen announced in the 11:03:32.515 --> 11:03:37.049 State of the Union debate nothing less than a unique experiment, my distinguished 11:03:37.105 --> 11:03:40.687 colleague, a privileged strategic partnership without precedent. 11:03:40.743 --> 11:03:45.389 The legal basis needs to be clarified. And if necessary, the reform of the Treaties 11:03:45.445 --> 11:03:50.091 and institutional reform to accommodate this absolutely unique modality, which will 11:03:50.147 --> 11:03:53.281 undoubtedly receive support in this European Parliament. 11:03:53.337 --> 11:03:57.032 But what is needed is for this to begin precisely by strengthening 11:03:57.087 --> 11:04:01.677 inter-parliamentary dialogue, making the European Union-Canada delegation, of this 11:04:01.733 --> 11:04:06.435 European Parliament which my colleague Javier Moreno presides over, the embryo of an 11:04:06.491 --> 11:04:10.801 inter-parliamentary assembly that replicates the Africa-Caribbean-Pacific and 11:04:10.857 --> 11:04:15.447 Euro-Latin America model. This is a good way to begin that strengthening of mutual 11:04:15.503 --> 11:04:18.134 trust and mutual respect. Thank you, President. 11:04:19.274 --> 11:04:21.734 Thank you very much, Juan Fernando. Lynne Boylan. 11:04:24.374 --> 11:04:25.574 Thank you to the Presidency. 11:04:26.114 --> 11:04:30.946 Yes, Europe and Canada, must cooperate on the global challenges facing us. 11:04:31.011 --> 11:04:36.431 We absolutely should work together on climate action, multilateralism, and building 11:04:36.496 --> 11:04:41.850 a fair trading partnership. However, we must unequivocally reject investor courts, 11:04:41.916 --> 11:04:45.507 be they in CETA, the EU Chile, or EU Mexico agreements. 11:04:45.572 --> 11:04:50.992 Investor courts represented a wrecked corporate attack on the sovereignty of states 11:04:51.057 --> 11:04:55.824 and underm ine climate action and the delivery of strong public services. 11:04:55.889 --> 11:05:00.917 After a summer of lethal heatwaves, do the Commission not recognize the peril 11:05:00.982 --> 11:05:04.182 investor courts represent for European citizens ? 11:05:04.247 --> 11:05:09.405 The fossil fuel companies have already won more than 80 billion dollars in ISDS 11:05:09.470 --> 11:05:14.890 awards. Our planet is burning, and ISDS cells are sovereignty to those responsible. 11:05:14.955 --> 11:05:20.244 So, on the one hand, we have a Commission that sees Canada as such a close friend 11:05:20.310 --> 11:05:25.076 that they are literally prepared to make up a membership status for them. 11:05:25.141 --> 11:05:30.626 And yet, on the other hand, say that we cannot trust each other's independ ent legal 11:05:30.692 --> 11:05:31.892 systems. 11:05:32.894 --> 11:05:36.179 Thank you very much, Ms Boylan. We are coming to the end of this debate. 11:05:36.224 --> 11:05:38.414 And I now give the floor to Commissioner Sékela. 11:05:47.834 --> 11:05:51.974 Thank you. Thank you, Mr President. Honourable colleagues, 11:05:52.874 --> 11:06:00.312 let me thank you for your inter ventions and for the strong support for deeper 11:06:00.407 --> 11:06:04.603 EU-Canada relations that you have expressed. 11:06:04.698 --> 11:06:12.041 CETA has proven to be one of the most successful tr ade agreements the EU has 11:06:12.136 --> 11:06:19.956 signed. Since CETA's provisional entry into application, bil ateral trade in goods 11:06:20.051 --> 11:06:27.871 and services increased by 80 percent, reaching 130 bill ion euros in 2025, up from 11:06:27.966 --> 11:06:35.976 72. 1 billion in 2016. Unfortunately, nine member stat es still need to ratify CETA. 11:06:36.072 --> 11:06:41.126 But there is a momentum: Slovenia rat ified recently. 11:06:41.221 --> 11:06:48.468 Congratulations. And hopefully, this will propel some others to follow suit. 11:06:48.564 --> 11:06:56.192 I take this opportunity to encourage MEPs from the nine member states that still 11:06:56.288 --> 11:07:03.916 need to rat ify CETA and the three member states that need to ratify the S PA to 11:07:04.012 --> 11:07:08.589 continue to advocate for ratification back home. 11:07:08.684 --> 11:07:16.504 Building on the success of CETA in boosting bilateral trade, it is only logical to 11:07:16.599 --> 11:07:24.418 explore deeper t ies with Canada. Support from for closer EU-Canada ties strong on 11:07:24.514 --> 11:07:31.666 both s ides of the Atlantic. For Canada, I can refer you to a pool in early 11:07:31.761 --> 11:07:39.676 September showing that 81 percent of Canadians support closer integr ation with the 11:07:39.771 --> 11:07:47.495 EU. Including making it easier to trade travel work and study and to cooperate on 11:07:47.591 --> 11:07:55.124 security. I believe a majority of EU cit izens feels the same way about Canada. 11:07:55.219 --> 11:08:03.134 We can be proud of what has been achieved in recent years, but today's challenge re 11:08:03.229 --> 11:08:09.714 quires an even greater critical mass of cooperation and advancement. 11:08:09.809 --> 11:08:17.819 I wish to commend the European Commission's Special Envoy for Relations with Canada, 11:08:17.915 --> 11:08:25.543 Mr. Just Cortez, for his work with the personal representative of Prime Minister 11:08:25.639 --> 11:08:33.267 Carney for relations with the EU , John Hannaford, in supporting the delivery of 11:08:33.363 --> 11:08:41.087 these commitments. They have injected a consistent focus on deliverables and been 11:08:41.182 --> 11:08:49.192 able to sustain political momentum. And they will continue to support our work under 11:08:49.288 --> 11:08:57.298 our new alliance for the future. So let us look ahead to next week's summit with big 11:08:57.393 --> 11:09:00.254 optimism. Thank you very much. 11:09:01.634 --> 11:09:05.670 Thank you very much, Commissioner. The debate is closed. 11:09:05.742 --> 11:09:08.769 The agenda calls for explanations of vote. 11:09:08.841 --> 11:09:12.661 And I give the floor immediately to Christian Thérès. 11:09:12.733 --> 11:09:14.174 Thank you very much. 11:09:16.994 --> 11:09:22.637 Thank you. I voted against the report on the general budget of the European Union 11:09:22.707 --> 11:09:28.281 for 2027 because it it wants to continue directing European public money towards 11:09:28.350 --> 11:09:34.203 aberrant ideological priorities, instead of focusing on the concrete problems of the 11:09:34.272 --> 11:09:39.846 economy and of European citizens. The report continues to push money towards the 11:09:39.916 --> 11:09:45.350 green agenda and gender ideology, for example, when young Europeans protest in 11:09:45.420 --> 11:09:51.133 Western Europe over the lack of jobs, Europe’s concern seems to be more focused on 11:09:51.202 --> 11:09:56.846 the sexual perversions of some. If sex is so important, why isn’t the family with 11:09:56.916 --> 11:10:02.629 children supported? Furthermore, the same text calls for the expansion of the EU's 11:10:02.698 --> 11:10:07.993 own resources and new revenue, it says, of around 60 billion euros per year. 11:10:08.063 --> 11:10:11.964 Does this mean more taxes, more levies? The question is: 11:10:12.034 --> 11:10:17.747 from whom? Because all these European public policies that have been promoted have 11:10:17.817 --> 11:10:20.534 impoverished the population. Thank you. 11:10:21.854 --> 11:10:27.340 Thank you for your explanation of the vote on the general budget of the European 11:10:27.408 --> 11:10:32.963 Union for the 2027 financial year. Mr Papadakiskosas, on the new co-ownership for 11:10:33.031 --> 11:10:38.174 the future of Euro-Mediterranean relations, the Pact for the Mediterranean. 11:10:38.414 --> 11:10:39.314 Thank you for that. 11:10:39.314 --> 11:10:44.167 I do not see him in the Chamber. I will now give the floor to our colleague Nikolaou 11:10:44.224 --> 11:10:48.962 Alavanas Lefteris for an explanation of vote on strengthening skills in the Union, 11:10:49.019 --> 11:10:53.699 the possibility of teaching and vocational training during the transition period. 11:10:53.756 --> 11:10:54.956 You have the floor. 11:10:58.634 --> 11:11:02.970 A report commissioned from the Draghi report which elevates skills as a condition 11:11:03.023 --> 11:11:05.860 for the competitiveness and profitability of capital. 11:11:05.914 --> 11:11:10.410 The aim is to bind vocational education and training more closely to business groups 11:11:10.463 --> 11:11:13.354 within the framework of a European Union skills union. 11:11:13.407 --> 11:11:17.529 It promotes dual education, meaning the exploitation of students by groups as 11:11:17.583 --> 11:11:21.704 apprenticeships, while giving businesses a role in determining the content of 11:11:21.758 --> 11:11:25.986 studies. Thus, it aims to produce cheap, flexible, easily mobile labour without 11:11:26.040 --> 11:11:28.341 secured employment and professional rights. 11:11:28.395 --> 11:11:32.838 These are measures intensifying class divisions, state underfunding, infrastructure 11:11:32.891 --> 11:11:37.120 shortages and educational deficiencies which in France also sparked the massive 11:11:37.173 --> 11:11:41.456 student mobilisations. Young people of working-class and popular origin, through 11:11:41.509 --> 11:11:45.684 their struggle, are demanding unified public and free education, without class 11:11:45.738 --> 11:11:50.180 barriers, with strong general education, guaranteed professional specialisation and 11:11:50.234 --> 11:11:52.589 the possibility of continuing their studies. 11:11:52.643 --> 11:11:57.032 In the streets, they are challenging the strategic commodification of education by 11:11:57.085 --> 11:12:01.261 the European Union, the bourgeois governments and parties, posing the dilemma: 11:12:01.314 --> 11:12:03.134 either their profits or our lives. 11:12:06.194 --> 11:12:10.028 Thank you very much. Dear colleagues, the next sitting will take place tomorrow, 11:12:10.076 --> 11:12:13.240 Thursday 22 October 2026, at 9 a.m. The agenda has been published. 11:12:13.288 --> 11:12:15.828 It is available on the European Parliament’s website. 11:12:15.876 --> 11:12:19.854 Colleagues, the next sitting will take place tomorrow, Thursday 22 October 2026, at 11:12:19.902 --> 11:12:23.832 9 a.m. The agenda has been published. It is available on the European Parliament’s 11:12:23.880 --> 11:12:27.858 website. The minutes of today’s sitting will be submitted for Parliament’s approval 11:12:27.954 --> 11:12:30.734 tomorrow early in the afternoon; the sitting is adjourned. 11:12:31.214 --> 11:12:32.414 Thank you very much.