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PLENARY European Parliament
Follow its sittingsSpeaker 2
The aim of this exchange will be to guide the work ahead and allow us as the presidency to advance preparations for a negotiating package of indicative figures by June 2026. Three main aspects are expected to meet up to be the focus of this discussion.
The EU budget contribution to boost EU competitiveness, the funding gap between our ambition and the resources available, and the proposed new governance framework. Other important issues will also be addressed by the European Council.
Leaders will take stock of ongoing efforts to strengthen European defense and secure security, notably with a view to achieving the Union's 2030 defense readiness objective. Migration will also be discussed with leaders reviewing progress in the implementation of the various work strands agreed. At the same time, in the current deteriorating geopolitical environment, it will be essential to reaffirm the European Union's unwavering support for Ukraine, which remains a top priority. In this context, leaders will exchange views with President Zelensky and continue their discussions on how the Union can sustain its support for Ukraine at all levels.
Presidents, honorable members, turning now to the rapidly evolving, deeply concerning situation in the wider Middle East. Leaders will be joined by the UN secretary general for a on the geopolitical situation and multilateralism.
Following the recent developments in Iran, the EU has reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to safeguarding regional security and stability. We have called for maximum restraint, the protection of civilians, and full respect for international law, UN Charter, and international humanitarian law.
Let us be absolutely clear. The situation in Iran and the broader Middle East is extremely serious. This new cycle of attacks and counterattacks threatens gravely regional stability and global security.
For Cyprus, this situation is not abstract. Our geography links us directly to the region. And it links Europe to this region. From our corner of the union, at the southeastern frontier, it is absolutely clear what is at stake. While Cyprus was not directly a target, the recent drone incident involving the British bases illustrates how unpredictable this conflict is, and how quickly and indiscriminately it can spread.
Allow me to take this opportunity to express Cypress' sincere appreciation for the strong solidarity and support to Cyprus and its people extended by the EU institutions, including this house and its president, by the president of the European Commission and the European Council. I would also like from this podium to thank those member states that have responded swiftly and with tangible support to strengthen Cyprus's defensive capacities in the face of evolving threats.
Greece, France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands. Cyprus and its people will never forget. This is European unity and solidarity in action. A message that the security of a member state is the security of the whole European Union. That when one member state is attacked, the whole European Union is attacked. And an example of European autonomy.
And you've made one thing clear, Cyprus is not Europe's periphery. It is Europe's frontline and its lighthouse in the Eastern Mediterranean. From the outset, I wish to condemn the unjustifiable and indiscriminate Iranian attacks against our partners, and underscore our full solidarity with our friends. We reiterate our call on Iran to immediately cease its unjustified military strikes against our regional partners. These actions violate their sovereignty and risk further destabilization.
The European Union, since day one, is in constant contact with our partners in the region. President Vanderlijn, president Costa convened a meeting with regional leaders to assess the situation after a joint meeting with GCC countries at the foreign ministers level, where ministers reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to dialogue and diplomacy as the means to resolve this crisis. At the same time, we must turn our attention to the global implications of this crisis. The events unfolding in the region also risk disrupting international trade and supply routes, notably for energy, with potential consequences for our shared economic and security interests. Safeguarding regional airspace, freedom of navigation, and maritime routes, including through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab El Mandeb, remains essential.
While ensuring energy security. We also recall the important role of the EU's maritime defensive operations, Artemis and Atalanta, which contribute to protecting critical waterways and preventing disruptions to vital supply lines.
We are also deeply concerned about the impact of the regional crisis in our neighboring Lebanon, which is already experiencing dramatic humanitarian consequences, including large-scale displacements. Violence against civilians and attacks on civilian infrastructures are unacceptable. We underscore the need for the protection of civilians and the respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon. And we welcome the Lebanese government's decision on March 2 to prohibit any military or security activity by Hezbollah and the government's intention to implement these decisively.
Cyprus and indeed the European Union have long supported the Lebanese armed forces. It is important that we continue and step up our support to Lebanon. Diplomacy is the way forward. Further escalation will not only further destabilize the region, with its consequences expanding well beyond the Middle East.
Another key priority for all of us is the safety of EU citizens in the region. The union and its member states are taking all necessary steps, including through EU consular coordination mechanisms, to ensure their protection. More than 1,300,000 EU citizens reside or are registered in the affected region. At present, 19 member states have activated the EU civil protection mechanism to support assisted departures and evacuation operations.
In this context, I would like to express our deep appreciation to our golf partners for their assistance and cooperation in ensuring the safety of the EU citizens during evacuation and repatriation.
Repatriation efforts. Despite being attacked, the Gulf countries stepped up as reliable partners. In difficult moments such as these, solidarity and close cooperation among partners, among friends, is essential. Cyprus has activated all contingency plans and stands ready to support humanitarian operations as it has done in each and every crisis in the region, to assist European and third country nationals, and to host coordination personnel if required. We remain committed to contributing constructively, including through our consistent role as a humanitarian hub.
Always part of the solution. Presidents, honorable members, the European Union is firmly committed to revive a diplomatic path to end this crisis. As presidency, Cyprus will continue to closely monitor developments. It will continue working in close cooperation with member states, the European Parliament, the Commission, and our regional and international partners to support the escalation, promote diplomatic solutions, contribute to regional stability, and protect EU interests.
Only a sustainable diplomatic solution will allow us to address decisively our multiple long-standing concerns related. To Iran. This includes preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, curbing its ballistic missiles and drones program, and ending its destabilizing activities in the region. These objectives remain essential.
As presidency of the council, we will continue to facilitate the union's collective efforts to safeguard its security and interests, including through sanctions. At the same time, we must not lose sight of the dire situation in Gaza. The European Council will address the need for the implementation of the ceasefire and UN Security Resolution 2803 and the EU's readiness to work on the implementation of the comprehensive peace plan to end the Gaza conflict fully in line with the UN Security Council resolution.
We cannot ignore the broader interconnections between regional crises. Iran has long supplied Russia with Shahid drones, which have been used extensively to strike Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure. After years of defending itself against those drone attacks, Ukraine has developed considerable expertise. Kyiv has already offered to share this expertise. This, again, illustrates how interconnected today's security challenges have become.
And in this complex environment, the European Union must remain united, principled, and engaged. Allow me to conclude with one final point. The Cyprus presidency continues its work as planned. Where necessary, adjustments have been made. There is normalcy in Cyprus.
A presidency that, in difficult circumstances, continues producing. A presidency with an emphasis on the region of the wider Middle East and the Gulf, with an emphasis on maritime security, all pertinent, all relevant. And even more determined as presidency, and committed to fulfilling our institutional responsibilities and advancing our union's agenda, in a focused and results-driven manner, always committed to Cyprus's humanitarian role, to being an enabler of dialogue and diplomacy, always part of the solution, never part of the problem.
Thank you very much.
Speaker 1
Thank you very much, Miss Rona. Now I give the floor to the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
Speaker 3
Madam. President Diroberta, deputy minister Aruna, dear Marilena, honorable members, let me start with the ongoing situation in the Middle East. For decades, Ayatollah Khamenei ruled through repression, violence, and fear.
Under his rule, Iranians lived under a system that silenced dissent, and crushed basic freedoms. Earlier this year, hundreds of thousands of young Iranians took to the streets to demand a better future. They were met with brutal repression. More than 17,000 young men and women were killed as the regime clung to power.
But the crimes of this regime go back decades. It imprisoned and tortured its own citizens. It sponsored terrorism across the region and even on European soil. And it provided crucial support to Russia's brutal war against Ukraine. There should be no tears shed for such a regime.
Many.
Speaker 3
Iranians have celebrated Khamenei's downfall. They hope that this moment can open a path towards a free Iran. That is what the Iranian people deserve. Freedom, dignity, and the right to decide their own future.
But allow me to make one important point. Seeing the world as it is in no way diminishes our determination to fight for the world as we want it. The European Union was founded as a peace project.
Our unwavering commitment to the pursuit of peace, to the principles of the UN Charter, and to international law as a central are essential today as they were at our creation. And we will always uphold these principles.
Honourable. Members, Europe’s first responsibility is to protect our citizens and to prepare for the impacts of this conflict. And deputy minister, dear Marilena, I want also to be very clear: all of us stand here in full solidarity with Cyprus. Your security is our security.
Honorable. Members, we are also seeing the impact of the situation in the Middle East. On energy. Thanks to the actions we have taken in the recent years, Europe is now far less exposed to fossil fuels imports. Our diversification efforts are paying off. But this does not mean that we are immune to price shocks. Energy markets are global.
Disruptions in the Gulf quickly affect prices everywhere.
We're already seeing price spikes, and this is why the G7 energy ministers met yesterday, to be followed by a video call by G7 leaders. But no matter what we do, in terms of measures, as long as we import a significant share of fossil fuels from unstable regions, we are vulnerable and we are dependent. And this energy always comes at a cost.
I want to give you just an example. Since the beginning of this conflict, gas prices have risen by 50%, and oil prices have risen by 27%. If you translate this in euros, the ten days of war have already cost European taxpayers an additional €3,000,000,000 in fossil fuel imports.
Speaker 3
And honorable members, fact is we have energy sources that are homegrown. Renewables and nuclear, their prices have remained the same over the last ten days. Yet in the current crisis, some argue that we should abandon our long term strategy and even go back to Russian fossil fuels. This would be a strategic blunder. It would make us more dependent, more vulnerable, and weaker. So we should stay the course of our long-term strategy.
We can be more pragmatic. We can be smart in its implementation. No question.
But the direction of travel is the right one. Now, where do we stand today? Households and companies face pressure now. So we must deliver relief now. And we must comprehensively look at how we can reduce people's energy bills. Not only looking at one component, but rather at all four components of the price.
That is the cost of the energy itself, which makes more or less 56% on average. Of the bill, which charges on average 18%, taxes and levies 15%, and carbon costs on average around 11%. As I said, of course, these are averages, and they differ depending on the energy mix.
In the respective member state. Now, on the cost of energy. On the market design. Overall, the current market design has delivered. And there is overall support for the current system.
But it is crucial that we reduce the cost impact when gas sets the electricity price.
Therefore, we are preparing different options for better use of power purchase agreements, and contracts for difference, state aid measures, and we are exploring subsidizing or even capping the gas price. Second, on the grid charges.
That is a delicate matter because, on one hand, these charges are needed to invest in more. And smarter grids. And on the other hand, there's room to increase the productivity of grids so that fewer renewables are wasted.
And here, I want to give you a figure. That is telling. Last year, we installed more than 80 gigawatts of renewables in the European Union, a record. So far, so good. But six times more renewable energy does not get access to the grid.
So if we produce six times more renewables, that is wasted. With electricity demand set to increase, this is simply not sustainable. My third point on taxes and levy, this is, of course, a national one. I fully respect that.
But it is also true that some member states are taxing electricity much higher than gas. To give you another example, one member state applies 0% taxes, zero on retail electricity, while some others supply over 6%. That makes a difference. So there is room for action, and as I said, it is a national competence.
Finally, the fourth component on ETS. Also on ETS, let me give you one figure. Without ETS, we would now consume 100,000,000,000 cubic meters more gas, again making us more vulnerable, more dependent, and weaker.
So we need ETS, but we need to modernize it. And I look forward to continuing this debate on all these elements with you here in the European Parliament. Honorable members, let me finish on another aspect of competitiveness.
It is one thing that we actually agree on the components of competitiveness. That's good. But it's another thing that we deliver on the action and the legislation. This is why we will soon present a road map for one Europe, one market. The purpose of this road map is that we set out key legislative measures that we must adopt with clear timelines, clear targets, to deliver them by 2027. We want to be done and completed with the work by 2027 for one Europe, one market.
And I say that explicitly because we all know by experience, only what gets measured. Gets done. So the road map contains various packages of legislation. It's also very important. Savings and investment union all the topics of energy I was just touching upon, quality jobs, AI, gigafactories, the 28th regime, you just name it. These are only a few.
My point is that I would like all three institutions, parliament, council, and commission, to sign up for it. We know the challenges. We know what must be done. Now we must deliver for the European citizens.
Thank you, and long live Europe.
Speaker 1
Thank you very much. Now we go to the speakers for the political group, starting with the EPP group, Yaron Lennas.
Speaker 5
Thank you. You, madam president, dear commission president, dear deputy, minister. Iran's crisis did not begin on February 28. It began much earlier when this cruel and oppressive regime chose to wage war on its own people. When young protesters were shot in the streets, where women demanding freedom were beaten.
So, yes, we stand with the Iranian people. For years, the international community hoped that diplomacy would do the trick, and Europe tried diplomacy. We signed the nuclear deal, yet the regime continued building missile capabilities for reaching Athens, Bucharest, and Sofia.
We imposed sanctions with Iran continuing sponsoring terrorism, destabilizing the Middle East. The nuclear threat remains, and Iran delivers the weapons that Russia uses to attack Ukraine. So let's be honest, and I repeat. The world is better off without this regime. And for the first time in decades, there might be a real possibility of change.
But it's also risky. Military intervention without clear objectives or an exit strategy has the danger of instability, humanitarian suffering, and regional escalation. And it's of paramount importance that this conflict does not turn into a full-blown regional war.
We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law. This crisis also tells us something about Europe. Iranian drones reached Cyprus. That means this conflict, as the deputy minister said, is no longer distant. It has already touched European soil.
And when Europe's security is at stake, Europe must act together. At this time, Cyprus did not invoke article 40, paragraph seven. But imagine if a member state does. Solidarity cannot be improvised in the middle of a crisis. If a member state is attacked, Europe needs to know how it will respond.
We have the nuclear umbrella that France provides, and that strengthens our European deterrence. But we must also build common capabilities: drones, cyber brigade, missile shield, and ultimately, a true European defense union. But strength also does not come only from capabilities. Security also means speaking with one voice.
Europe was not consulted on Ukraine's peace talks. We were not there on Venezuela, and not on Iran. Why? Because Europe with 27 different voices is not taken seriously. When prime minister Sanchez weakens NATO or when Victor Orban breaks our common line on Ukraine, we show Washington and Beijing a simple message. When Europe is divided, Europe can be ignored.
And the next European Council must begin building real European security, starting with the 90,000,000,000 we promised for Ukraine's defense. Europe's security cannot become a tool for someone's domestic election campaign. Viktor Orban is failing Hungarian citizens on health care, on education, on the economy, and now he's trying to distract from those failures with a disinformation campaign that undermines Europe's unity and our security.
Enough is enough. And, dear colleagues, strength also means economic strength. In a world in turmoil, only a competitive Europe can secure our prosperity. That is what the EPP campaigned on, and that is what we are delivering. We are simplifying rules, cutting red tape, strengthening trade partnerships, and deepening the single market.
And this has already saved European companies billions of euros, but the work is not finished. We must go further and must go faster. And the consequences of the war in Iran are already visible in our member states.
Energy prices are rising again, putting pressure on households and businesses across the European Union. If geopolitical tensions drive up energy costs for Europeans, the European Council cannot stay silent.
We expect clear discussions and concrete action. Our citizens expect leadership. They will not accept politics that merely describe the chaos. They want us to fix it. As Degasperi once said, politics is about making things happen.
Whether in good weather or bad. And today, we are facing difficult weather. And when some in European politics choose procedural nitpicking and institutional turf wars, we choose leadership. No hesitation, no excuses, leadership.
To build a Europe that protects its people and protects our prosperity. Let's deliver. Thank you.
Speaker 1
Thank you, Mr. Lenas. Now the chair of the S and D group, Hirate Garcia Pérez.
Gracias presidenta.
Thank you.
Speaker 6
Very much, President. No to war, yes to international law. That is the feeling of a large part of the European citizens. And you, missus Wanda Lyon, have said that Europe cannot be a custodian of the old world order.
But the problem is not whether the world order is old or new. The problem is who you allow to violate this order. When Europe responds with complacency, appeasement, what it's doing is opening the door to autocrats like Trump and Netanyahu, and they're allowed to trample all over it without consequences.
Your responsibility is not to declare the international order obsolete. Your responsibility is to defend it. Is to demand compliance with these norms, to stand up to these autocrats with facts.
You're standing up to Trump if you use the anti-coercion instrument when the EU is threatened with tariffs, you stand up to Netanyahu when you put sanctions in place, genocide is committed.
You're standing up for the green deal because renewable energies will free us from the gas and oil from the most cruel tyrannies. Missus Wunderline, you justified the attack against Iran, saying that we shouldn't cry for the Iranian regime.
You're right. No Democrat is crying for the dictatorship of the ayatollahs, a regime that brutally repressed its people, particularly women, and who destabilized the whole region for decades. That is why we were putting sanctions in place against this government, and we were going to do that to suffocate the dictatorship.
But one thing to not cry for the regime, but it's another thing to stay silent in the face of the death of innocence, because many of us do feel a lot of sorry for the 150 girls who were killed in a school in Minab by US bombs.
We feel sorry for the 500 civilians killed in Lebanon by Israeli attacks. We feel sorry because all of these lives have the same value. And that is why we need to speak clearly.
The military attack of Israel and the US against Iran violates the Charter of the United Nations. If we accept that major powers can bomb whenever they want, then international law ceases to exist, and we end up with the law of the jungle.
This war is already affecting our companies, our workers. The price of oil and petrol have shot up again, and it is unacceptable just to look to the other, ignore the facts.
We're talking about a potential migratory crisis. And let me say, mister Weber, the truth. You have called for the EU to speak with a single voice when it comes to foreign policy, and I completely agree with you. But we have to actually do this in practice, and it starts by saying the most fundamental truths. You have to speak out against the violation of the Charter of the United Nations.
I think it's right to call for unity, as the European Council has done, and to show solidarity when a country of the EU is attacked. And you had an opportunity to stand by Spain's side when the conference of presidents we tabled a motion to talk about this.
But instead of standing up for Spain, you sided with the far right instead of showing a message of unity and solidarity with the country of the EU. That is how you show your solidarity.
The European Union was meant to be something different. It wasn't the law of the most powerful. It was the rule of law. And then that is the principle that we have to defend today, against these autocrats. This is that needs to guide the voice of the European Union in our world.
Peace, justice, and dignity for all peoples. Thank you very much.
Speaker 7
Thank you. Now I give the floor to the chair of the PFP group, Jordaan Vardella.
Thank you. You, the president.
Speaker 8
President von der Leyen, dear colleagues, if we take a look at the military operation that's being carried out by Israel and the United States of America against the terrorist regime of Iran, this has plunged the Middle East into a new period of instability.
The Muller's regime seized their regime base on terror partially, but this has always repressed the people. People who were looking forward to a better future. They've also sponsored terrorism in the Middle East and around the world.
France itself can recall the scars that were left by the assassination of 58 paratroopers in 1983 during the attack on Raqqa, when they were killed. France has a responsibility, especially if you follow the thread of history. The idea is to work towards de-escalation, protect stability in the region, and France has to protect its interests and those of its allies.
We feel our thinking of the people of Lebanon who are also being dragged into this war by Hezbollah, which is not only an adversary of Israel, but the worst enemy of the people of Lebanon themselves. And we think of Lebanon's sovereignty. It's territorial integrity. We have to try and help them get rid of Hezbollah.
And also look at the aspect of security. We know that the Middle Eastern region is the lung of the supply of energy to the rest of the world. We've seen what has happened to the price of oil, gas, fertilizers, which have all been penalized in Europe by the carbon tax. We've seen that the price of petrol at the pump is going to go up.
What about farmers? Entrepreneurs, craftsmen, they're all very worried. It is not acceptable that governments enrich themselves on the backs of people who are suffering in the crisis. So we have to bring down energy taxes, and each member state should be allowed to go back to their own energy sovereignty and do away with the ridiculous European laws that fix energy tariffs.
France, for example, when it comes to families and entrepreneurs, we should be able to have cheaper electricity. So let's act before it's too late.
Speaker 10
President of the ECR Group now, Nicola Boccaccini, please. Thank you. President von der Leyen.
The external power of the European Union is crucial for its internal stability. Support for the people of Ukraine quite rightly remains at the heart of our international commitments because the resistance of Kyiv is the key that protects the idea of Europe.
Terms of both its traditional and modern values. Iran, as we all know, is not in Europe. Nevertheless, the men and women and young people who look to the skies of Tehran with a blend of hope and understandable fear hold the same desire for freedom.
I think that the union of European states should act in a clear sighted and pragmatic manner basing ourselves on developments in the Middle East. I think we have absolutely to show solidarity with Cyprus, and I think the union must also manage the economic consequences that are already weighing on member states in a decisive manner.
Expensive fuel and peaking energy prices are the consequences of a war that has already brought its consequences here. And defending the economic health of families and businesses is a priority that our group has always called for and even think it's even more important now. The increases caused by the ETS were debatable when proposed by the radical environmentalists, and not reviewing that tax today would be a major error.
Yesterday, we heard the commissioner for energy presenting a proposal that, in general, we appreciate, but obviously arrives too late and remains risks remaining dead in the water if we don't act immediately. And turn it into reality.
The key to economics and political stability is energy sovereignty, I. Ability to produce energy from all the available sources. Fossil fuels and renewables, with all the technology we have available, including nuclear.
If we continue to depend on others when it comes to energy and critical raw materials, we will be neither free nor prosperous nor safe. Thank you.
Speaker 11
Now I give the floor to the president of the Renew Europe group, Valerie Ayer.
Speaker 12
Thank you. Thank you very much, madam ministers. We do not mourn the Ayatollah regime and its nuclear aspirations. We hope for a better future for the Iranian people and the brave Iranian women.
Everybody wants peace in the Middle East, but we are not there yet because we have a war waged by Israel and The US with extremely concerning consequences for the Iranian people, for the region, and for Europeans.
The Iranian regime has not fallen yet, and it retaliates. It bombards our allies and has even attacked Cyprus and an EU member state. Madam minister, you have our profound solidarity. The EU has been mobilized since the beginning of this war. It acts to help the member states with security in the region and Cyprus as well, sending military material, trying to end the blockade in the Hormuz Straits as part of an international mission.
We are helping our citizens as well. The EU acts, but it does not have the geopolitical influence it should. Yes. We want to play a mediating role, but we cannot simply take whatever Donald Trump leaves us. We know what will happen.
The US will stop bombing at some point. And then the diplomatic work will fall to us. And that's what happened to us after the Twelve-Day War last year. Dear Colleagues, I will not be there for the United States.
Europe needs to be respected. It needs to reaffirm its commitment to international law. It's not a naïve thing to say. The question is simple. What is in our interest? Is it might is right, or is it a rules-based international law system? Once the bombing has stopped, we need to be calling for rule of law, and defense of international law.
But. You cannot decree respect for yourself. We need to speak the language of the powerful if we really want to hold influence, if we want to have weight in the world, if we want to be listened to, we need to become the number one economic and trade power in the world again.
This war has emphasized what? It has shown us how much we're dependent on fossil fuels. Yes. We are right to put in place the Green Deal. We should accelerate those ambitions.
It's not just climate. It's our energy autonomy, the bills for our companies, for our citizens. It's our competitiveness. What we need to do is to end these aberrations that are such obstacles for us.
We have to complete our single market. You have a work program. I know, madam president, but we are losing huge amounts of money in terms of growth each year. There are so many institutional barriers.
We need to end this animosity. It saps our credibility on the international stage, and we see this with Victor Orban's unacceptable blackmail over Ukraine. Madam president, what the world is facing today is a disappearing world order inherited from the Second World War.
And we need to rebuild that. But a system that's still based on international law. And, in our interest, because at the heart of our project is rule of law, defense of our freedoms, and Europe needs to lead that.
Thank you.
Speaker 14
Thank you. You, madam president, madam commission president, madam minister.
Speaker 15
Dear colleagues, these last days, our thoughts have been with the people in Iran and the Middle East. After fighting with such courage against a brutal Mullah regime, killing thousands, their hopes for change are now caught in a storm of war. Their protection and their security have to be at the center of Europe's response to this crisis.
Yes. Guided by international law, not by a logic of further escalation. And colleagues, Europe United must mean that democratic leaders in Europe stand together. And when one of them is being attacked, especially by the likes of Trump, we all stand behind them.
So I also must say I was really that the EPP prevented a clear declaration of solidarity with Pedro Sanchez. What we need now is unity across political lines amongst Democrats, only that will make Europe strong.
Colleagues, the escalation of the crisis in the Middle East is already impacting European citizens as we speak. Again, we see fossil energy markets are highly volatile. And Europe is too dependent.
When Trump starts another war, European consumers pay the price. And maybe the far right cheerleaders of Donald Trump would like to explain to European citizens why now their gas and heating bills are going up. The European response, however, has to be clear.
In short term, we have to tax windfall profits for, for example, oil companies, and we need to provide household support for those most in need. But in the long term, colleagues, we need a plan on how to get out of our dependencies.
And maybe, commission president, you can help me on this, but I remember that we were actually on track to getting there, that we were working on this plan. I think if I remember correctly, it was called the green deal. We were on course for making the European Union more independent. And this is the cause that we need to stay on. Instead of attacking the green deal continuously, we have to work together to make it possible.
It is time to wake up and say yes to renewable freedom. This is what we need to do at this stage, and this is what Europe needs for climate, for security, and for freedom.
Thank you very much.
Speaker 1
Thank you. Now I give the floor to the co-president of the left group, Manon Obri.
Merci. Madame, yes.
Speaker 16
Thank you very much, president, minister, Mrs. Fonderlian. Missus Fonderlian, I've come along here with a very simple but essential slogan, no to war. And to those who propagate it. If you take a look at the war being waged by The United States and Iran in Iran and Lebanon, it's fully illegal under international law, especially when we knew that the negotiations on the nuclear aspects were coming to a close. And Iran is probably going to end their enrichment program.
Who really seriously thinks that you can install democracy with bombs? Have you not learned anything from Iraq and Afghanistan? These bombs kill blindly, for example, like the Minab school.
Over 100 young Iranians being killed. Very often, it's the civilian populations who are the victims. And 750,000 people and a lot of very many children have had to flee to survive. The objective of Benjamin Netanyahu is to turn Beirut into the new Gaza, and this in Lebanon.
And this because you, Missus Von der Leyen, have been incapable of halting him. In what he's doing in Palestine. So he's doing it all over again. Mister Bardella has talked about the situation in Iran, but you're on the side of the executioners, mister Netanyahu and mister Trump.
So no to war and to imperialist objectives. If, and we've seen that the leaders of the United States and Israel, the battle is elsewhere. Take a look at the Strait of Hormuz.
We know that Trump is focusing on these aspects of what's going on in the world to evade the Epstein files. The far right, the Israeli far right, is continuing with its colonialist genocide projects in Israel. The Golan Heights yesterday, and now Lebanon, they're filling it with white phosphorus through their bombs.
So no to war, and no to European complicity. Europe has to stand side by side with the people, the citizens, and Europe has to finally break the association agreement with Israel and that with Trump.
And instead of that, Missus Fondelayen are incapable of defending international law. You are not condemning what's going on. You're worse, you're encouraging it. And no word for the victims of these fascist actions.
Is this because of cowardice or something else? So, do not count on us to continue supporting you here. No to war. Do not feel that this or believe that this war is not without consequences for the European people.
We've seen that oil and gas prices are going up. The petrol pump note of the war blocked the prices. Croatia has already done this. So what are you waiting for? Dear colleagues, Europe is facing a historical choice.
War or peace. Spain has already shown the path that we should follow by refusing the war. Let's follow them. And defend the international law in the face of brutal violence.
No, Albert Camus said, peace is the only conflict that is worth waging war over. So we want to go back to the rules-based order in the face of what's going on.
So make your choice, Missus Wunderline.
I send the group to Roberto van Nachie.
Speaker 17
Thank you, President. Missus Vonderlein. What an honor to have you here. We don't see you all that often. I quite honestly imagined that you'd be on the phone with Trump, trying to decide the outcome of the war.
But, actually, it was Putin who was on the phone to Trump. During this war, you've done absolutely nothing so far. Missus Vonderlian. You said that you were concerned. Now clearly, it's not Mrs. Von der Leyen who talks about this kind of thing.
But some people are irresponsibly applauding this war because they're talking about exporting democracy. But Europe, as a result of this war, has fallen into an even greater crisis. So let's ditch the Green Deal.
Let's reopen the oil, gas, and fertilizer taps from Russia, and let's act in our own interests because those who launched and are running this war are looking after their own interests, and you just simply have no contact with them.
One and a half minutes.
Andrzej Halicki
Ladies. And gentlemen, two years ago, right here in this semicircle, Donald Tusk met journalists, and he said at that time that women were living in a prewar era. Some people thought that his words were a bit too tough, a bit too strong, but that is the reality. We are living in a prewar period. And as Europeans, we have to try and provide security and a solution out of this.
Obviously, we do see that the conflict in the Middle Eastern region is spreading to other countries. But I think as Europe and Europeans, we should draw three conclusions. Firstly, we have to take a look at our continent. We already have a war on our continent.
Ukraine needs further support, arms, ammunition, particularly now so that we can end this war as quickly as possible, so that we can bring more to an end on our continent. The Russians cannot benefit from the situation in the Middle East, where all eyes are turned towards the Middle East.
Secondly, we have the SAFE program, and this should be broadened, expanded, so that we include not only the production of ammunition and missiles, deterrent systems. We need to be safe and secure. We need to be able to protect ourselves against new systems and, we should ramp up our production install these systems not only on the eastern flank, but elsewhere because if we take a look at the attack on the base in Cyprus, this just goes to show that all Europe must be protected.
We all have to feel safe. And then thirdly, then there's the thread proposed by President Macron and the nuclear arsenal. All of us have to feel safe in Europe, and we have to base ourselves on European solidarity. That means that all of us have to be able to have deterrence measures guaranteed, so that Europe is only strong when we work together.
Now I give the floor to Ioannis Maniattis.
One minute.
Dear.
Speaker 19
President, Miss Vanderlijn, yesterday, you presented your proposal for a new foreign policy doctrine for the EU. Let me say from the outset that it is unacceptable even to imply that the EU could move away from international law. And international legality as its basis. Of course, that does not mean that we cannot name as they are.
We need to condemn the violations of international law like they happen in Iran. We need to our member states, like in Cyprus where Greece, Italy, Spain, France are showing solidarity in. We need to forward the European values and not just the you.
Speaker 20
Good morning. Colleagues. Let me now give the floor to Mr. Tanja Carrere, please.
Speaker 21
Senior. President, senior president.
Commissioners, minister, I apologize for my irreverence, but this session basically reminds me of this well-known piece of music, parole parole parole. Everyone's talking as though everything were roses. But it's not.
Many things are changing, but we're not. What do I mean by that? Well, what I'm saying is that we need to adapt our positions and policies to the changes we're seeing happen. The fact is that Volkswagen is going to be dismissing 5,000 workers very soon, and other businesses will do exactly the same.
And the reason is our internal legislation. It's the lack of vision that we have. It's the fault of our long-term policy. We only think about renewable renewables. We don't think about the people. The future depends on us. We have an important role to play in the future of our citizens.
Speaker 20
That's what we should be focusing on. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Let me now give the floor to Mr. Yaki. Two minutes, please.
No worries. Take your time.
Speaker 22
Yes. Thank you very much, President. Listening to some of the comments that have been made here this morning, sort of feel that people are ignoring a fact about Iran, those who are criticizing The United States. Obviously, there are values that we want to protect from here.
Iran, mass killing of protesters. Since the bloody November when we know that weapons were turned on protesters, and this is one of the largest massacres of demonstrators. And then we know, of course, that there was the young Iranian one who was killed by the moral police. And lots of people protested then. They were killed, 2,000 killed, lots of people injured as well. And there were nearly 10,000 executions that year.
A lot of people were accused of not believing in God. People were arrested. Executed, and there were even minors who were executed who didn't agree with the regime. And, we know, of course, that also a few years ago, very many other people were executed and taught using electroshock.
And then women who've been arrested and tortured, arrested by the moral police. Iran also finances Russia drones, everything that's killing people in Ukraine. So I'm not going to shed tears for Iran, and I would urge you to do the same.
Finally, the cost of energy. There's absolutely no justification today, on the eve of Easter, to do something about ETS. The only thing we should do is suspend it. Because it is, we've got some of the most expensive energy. And between the time it was introduced till now, energy has gone up 80%. So I think the only thing we should be saying is stop the ETS.
Mr. Keller, please.
Speaker 23
Nobody will shed tears for the mad theocracy and brutal dictatorship that is the Iranian regime.
And, we sincerely hope that it would fall immediately, and that the people around would be able to decide its future. But we are at a crossroads here, in terms of a number of things from the European perspective.
First and foremost, are we going to acquiesce to the abandonment of multilateralism and the international rules-based order? Because we are a rules-based order here in the European Union, and we claim to live by the UN Charter and international law. It is clearly evident that what is happening in the Middle East is not within the confines of the UN charter. So at least be honest with ourselves, either we are going to accept international rules-based order and defend it, or else we're going to abandon it.
President Trump has acted unilaterally on a number of occasions. From the point of view of the European Union, we've had the situation with regard to an attack on the sovereignty of a member state in terms of Denmark. We've had a situation where we've had on-off support for Ukraine from President Trump. This is a war that's at our front in the Eastern front. And simply, we are the ones that will be faced with either the success or failure of Ukraine, and equally in the context of the Middle East, it will be Europe that will be the ones that will be most likely affected.
We've already seen an attack on Cyprus itself. The displacement of people. If the displacement of people starts from the Middle East, they will end up in Europe. And these are the real questions that we have to ask ourselves when we are talking about the UN Charter, multilateralism, and respect for international law.
Clearly, I believe that this particular war in the Middle East is not within those confines.
Thank you, Missus Ribergine. Now, please.
Speaker 24
Thank you very much. President, commission, counsel, the attack against Iran may ensnare Europe into an illegal war. It is against international law. It is a war we do not want or need. Neither does Iran or the Middle East.
The war makes us poorer. There are higher prices, more instability. And this war militarily makes us more vulnerable. It opens up a new front on an existing war against Russia. And in humanitarian terms, leads to more suffering, and the Iranian people are forced into being adversaries or exiles. This is repeating the destiny of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.
Missus Wonder Lion being brave means not going to war, standing up to Trump, saying that Europe defends itself from Brussels, and not washing I'm look out for you.
From Mr. Olivera.
Okay? Please.
João Oliveira
Thank you. President. Missus Ribay Gina, will you refer to previous wars in The Middle East. Wars carried out by The US against Iraq, Syria, Yemen, etcetera, and the question is, we've got this whole series of wars that have destabilized The Middle East when The US was directly involved.
Speaker 28
Isn't it time for the president of the commission to criticize this US attack on Iran rather than making a speech as she did today, which was looking to find reasons why the EU should continue to be subservient to the United States? Thank you very much.
Speaker 24
I think, as was clearly said in the speech, Europe has to be stronger, has to strengthen international law. This war we have seen from the very first moment is an illegal war. Europe needs to decide where it stands. We need a Europe that defends international law, that decides on its place in the world, and once again, not stand on the side of the interest of Washington, but the interest of European citizens.
Thank you.
Speaker 29
Most. If you don't condemn or even support Trump's and Netanyahu's war on Iran, yet claim to stand with the Iranian people.
Now I dare you. To say that to the eyes of that seven-year-old girl, her backpack still beside her desk, was killed when a US Tomahawk missile hit her elementary school.
Dare to admit to the 167 other victims in that school that you are offering European bases to US killing machines. Tell the families of Tehran, a city of 10,000,000 people, that you support the chemical warfare of Israel as they poison the air with toxic fires and black rain that will cause cancers for decades. Tell the Iranian people how much you really love them.
While from Golistham to Chehil Sultan, western bombs damage century-old cultural heritage. Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, Iraq, your bombs never brought democracy and never will. They bring chaos, that destruction, and the unbearable silence of children.
Who will never come home.
Thank you. You.
Mister Ulrich.
Speaker 30
Now please Miss Van der Leijn, Miss Shevzovich, after the attack of the US and Israel on Iran, I only have one question for you. What is now your amazing, brilliant plan to ensure affordable energy prices for people in Europe?
Because I'm sorry, Miss von der Leyen has been talking about we are doing this right. No. It's not enough. We are destroying ourselves. Importing oil from the East doesn't work because Zelenskyy doesn't want the pipeline.
It doesn't want to pay anyone to repair it. You have prohibited importing oil from that region, and now we cannot even get it from the Middle East. So the result is that in France, in Germany, other countries, are paying more than €2 per liter. Liter.
Companies are going bankrupt. People are leaving. People are fed up with these high energy prices. So please, stop banning things and banning imports. Enable energy security and let people import and produce things so that it's the cheapest possible for people. Thank you.
Thank you.
Speaker 20
Mister Panayoto is not here, so let's move on to mister Haji Pantala, please.
Michalis Hadjipantela
Madam minister, miss, commissioner, dear colleagues, Cyprus knows war. For the past 52 years, we have been living with the consequences of the illegal Turkish invasion. And still, we are suffering. A third of our country is under occupation.
The operation against the Iran regime has also come to our country. Cyprus remains safe, due to the immediate solidarity of the European Union. I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart Greece, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the other friendly countries. Greek fighter jets, the European frigates, and the counter-missile batteries are protecting our country. We now see that we are not alone.
It's not a slogan anymore. It is something we can see, in fact, these past few days. Our families by our side, and we are grateful. Also, madam chair, we would like to thank you for your clear words, the security of Cyprus is the security of the EU. This solidarity in action leads us into a new era. And, of course, our goal always remains a fair solution for the Cyprus issue.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Missus Anunciatana, please.
Speaker 32
A colleague, don't know my colleagues.
Never in my long working life have I so often heard the word diplomacy as I have during the recent weeks. Missus Von der Leyen herself said that we need to do everything possible to deescalate and stop this conflict.
But what's the proposal? What do we actually, how are we actually going to deescalate? We haven't been told. Let's also talk about democracy. I mean, we hear people talking about war and democracy all the time.
And the president again referred to the conflict as one of unintended consequences. So perhaps I mean, hasn't this war been carried out in violation of international law? We haven't got an answer to that question either.
Now, yesterday was the worst day of the conflict so far. Iran sent missiles over the entire region, and at the same time, Israel crossed the traditional space in the South of Lebanon dedicated to Hezbollah, and started to attack the center of the country for the first time since I can remember.
Europe has also constantly been under attack, Cyprus and also Turkey. Nevertheless, we don't hear anything in terms of information about this. We don't know anything. If there was a time for diplomacy, I think it's long gone.
Speaker 33
May, thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen, I think we should be happy that the days of the Mueller regime are coming to an end. They're counted. Thirty-five thousand dead people in the first couple of months of this year. These are people who in Iran stood up for freedom and wanted a decent future, and they were slaughtered by this regime.
Do not forget that Iran has been threatening the region. And don't forget that Iran is seen as a terrorist hub for terrorist activities in Europe.
I'm an active politician in favor of peace, but I do understand what Trump and Netanyahu said. We cannot continue to watch these people massacre and slaughter their people. And Europe well, what are we supposed to be doing? Just sitting back and watching the petrol prices go up rather than negotiate, or we should be trying to manage this so that energy prices are affordable for people.
We have to make sure that the Iranians have a decent future. Very often, we see that people are going to be invited. Well, what about raise the Polari? Maybe, could be invited to hear what a future would be for Iran. And I think these are the kind of things we should be accompanying. That would be a task.
Thank you.
Mister Weiner, please.
Speaker 34
Thank you, madam chair. Today, Sweden woke up to yet another Iranian assassin. Assassination plot on European soil. The regime has ordered the murder of Swedish-Iranian expert and Reza Pahlavi supporter Arvind Khosravi, through its terrorist proxies in the Foxtrot criminal network. Right on our own soil.
It is something that the Sweden Democrats warned about for years. When you open the door to mass uncontrolled migration and failed integration, Islamist regimes exploit our street gangs to spread terror, attack our citizens, and threaten our national security.
Enough is enough. The EU has to wake up. We need to expel Iranian diplomats from Europe. We need to close regime-funded mosques such as the Imam Ali Islamic Center outside Stockholm. We need to follow Australia's strong example with crushing sanctions. The time when Islamists treat Europe as their own playground must be over once and for all.
Thank you.
Thank you, Missus Monserrat, now, please.
Speaker 35
Thank you very much, President. March 11 is the anniversary of one of the West Yahadist attacks in Spain. So I'd like to take a moment to remember the victims. They remain in our hearts.
The totalitarian regime of Iran is violence and death. They, women for not wearing the veil. They kill students who are protesting in favor of freedom. A factory of terrorists, Hamas, Hezbollah, and the regime itself, promoting hate and violence across its borders.
We saw that in Madrid. They tried to kill a former member of this pilot, Alejo Vila Alcuadras, because he was defending the freedom of the Iranian people as a democrat and a Spaniard.
I feel shame and embarrassment that Hamas and the regime is publicly thanking our prime minister, mister Sanchez, for his support. This is a man, a leader without scruples, who is using a war for his political survival.
He lies. He says no to war, but he sent a ship to protect the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier without the approval of parliament. He apologized in private to the US.
And you have it at who is manipulating the words of Ursula von der Leyen. We should never renounce our democratic European principles. The Spanish socialist should be talking about how they're gonna help Spanish families make ends meet at the end of the month with the increase in costs.
Sorry. Sorry.
Speaker 39
People are also victims of war.
We must prepare for what is yet to come: effects on instability of energy prices, economic uncertainty, on the supply chain, of food, and all this on the backs of European families who have already been through a lot during the pandemic, a war in Europe, and other conflicts in the Middle East.
But what are we doing as Europe to make sure that there's stability for the person who will see everything go up in the supermarket? The family who will have to pay higher electricity bills, and to that young person who will have to pay higher rent prices due to an inflation that is yet to come.
The Maltese government has had and is still intervening with subsidies to protect families and businesses. These are not capricious measures, as the commission likes to portray them. But are measures of social responsibility.
And even more now, the union must support and give flexibility to member states so that they can help people without hindrance. This is the responsibility of us all. This is a Europe that listens. This is a Europe that acts. This is a Europe of the people and for the people.
A Europe of peace. Thank you.
Speaker 40
Ladies. And gentlemen, we yes. We stand on the side of the people of Iran. But let's look at Ukraine as well. We hearing anything from mister Putin mean, what's going on in the Middle East? Is being used as an opportunity to carry out further attacks on Ukraine.
Iran supported Russia with the Shahed drone. They let Hamas attack Israel, and that led to the terrible consequences we saw in Gaza. It was Iran. That constantly got Hezbollah to attack Israel, etc., and it was Iran that pushed the Houthis to block shipping in the Red Sea.
Ladies and gentlemen, it's not only the Straits of Hormuz. It's an entire system. Which causes problems for us in Europe. Ladies and gentlemen, Europe needs to open up its capital markets, support free trade to a greater extent, and work harder to crank up the economy.
Ladies and gentlemen, we need a defense union based on article 24.7, the collective defense clause. We need to talk about that, particularly given the attacks on Cyprus. We see what could happen. We need to speak with one voice because otherwise, we can't play a role in the global order, which is dominated by the US, China, and Russia.
Ladies and gentlemen, that also means that governments such as that in Hungary of Orban need to be dealt with if they do not defend our values. It's not great to hear, but that's the reality. If we want to survive in this new world order, we really need to work hard and do something. I want Europe to play our role, and it's our role to ensure that happens.
For you, sorry.
Next speaker, honorable A. Newman.
Please.
Mrs. Newman, please.
Speaker 43
Dear colleagues, the people in Iran did not choose this war. The regime did. Yet they are the ones paying the highest price. Trapped between missiles from above and repression from within.
Trump and Netanyahu are gambling with the lives of 90,000,000 Iranians, and with the future of an entire region. How are we supposed to endorse a war when the goal is unclear and the strategy changes by the hour? A war in which desalination plants and historical sites are considered legitimate targets, a war in which the death of 150 schoolchildren is not even worth an apology.
The Islamic regime chose this war, and the regime should be its sole target. This regime will fall. It is politically, economically, and morally bankrupt. The only question is when, and how many will it drag into the before it does.
In Iran, and across the region? So to those still supporting this machinery of repression and death, choose Iran over ideology. Defend this madness.
Dear colleagues, this is not our war. But its consequences are already ours to deal with. So Europe must engage in close coordination with partners in the Gulf, in support of Iranian civil society and the diaspora, to stop escalation and prepare for a day after.
Our union was built on the ashes of the most brutal war in human history.
It is proved that freedom and peace are possible. The people in the region deserve nothing less.
Speaker 45
We're. Seeing Mister Trump out of control, and Netanyahu who is officially a war criminal. They have opened the gates of hell in the Middle East, and for the peoples of Europe as well.
We're not talking about democracy. Democracy does not exist in Iran, but it does not exist in the other Gulf countries, as well. So democracy cannot be enforced by bombs. Let's be honest.
It's all about the oil. So the consequences for the peoples will be huge loss of life, about which Miss von der Leyen is very selective, very high prices, and refugee flows.
So we need to give some space to diplomacy and peace. Respect international law. We recognize the EU's solidarity in Cyprus, but that was not done through the EU. It was done by single countries. So Turkey is still there.
You need to stand up.
Thank you.
Speaker 46
President. Well, in what's left of international law, it's already difficult to agree on the concept of legitimate defense. You can imagine how difficult it is to agree on the concept of preventive war, which was the reason given for the attack on Iran.
I do, however, think that it's actually not that useful for individual heads of state and government. Express their individual views, which are more moral than political with regard to what's going on at the international level. However, it does seem to me to be more useful for European authorities to try and get over their own problem, which is that they don't really have an overarching single remit in terms of defense and foreign policy.
We really need to try and get over the deficiencies in the treaties and try and build a position, a common position, because it's not really all about individual statements as from individual heads of state and government.
Our strength is in the unity of the peoples of Europe. And this goes for economic policy, which is why we have to review some of the pillars of European energy policy, because some of the asymmetries there are causing us massive economic and social problems. And then also in terms of deterrence, we need to talk about common deterrence when we talk about defense policy.
Speaker 20
Thank you. Mister Salini, mister Panayotu, has a blue card for you. Will you accept it? Okay, please. Mister Panayoto.
Please.
No. Don't worry about catching the eye. Okay.
Oh, it was to catch the eye.
Okay.
Speaker 20
Well, there's actually another blue card for you, Mr. Salini. Very popular today. Mister Graculis, please.
It's. Working.
Speaker 49
Or no? I would like to ask you the following.
Why doesn't the EU have a unique position concerning the conflict in Iran?
We know that Iran is not a democratic country. It poses a nuclear threat to the whole world. So I would be in favor of a stronger European Yes.
Speaker 46
I also believe that the EU should take a firm position. We need to stand up and call out the fact that Iran has for years been a violator of international law.
But I do appreciate the effort that the European Union is currently engaged in, which is to try and overcome the issues that are caused by the treaties, come up with a position that is at the very least coordinated. Thank you.
Speaker 20
Thank you very much. We move on with our speakers' list. Now, Mr. Pizzola, please.
Speaker 50
Colleagues, of course. I strongly condemn what the Iranian regime has done, but the attacks of Israel and the United States on Iran are a violation of international law.
We will have long term consequences even when Trump's administration has gone. This is a conflict of a new generation within a context of further weakened multilateral, international order. Iran is an aggressive regime, violent and repressive towards its own people, but also towards its neighbors.
Actively supporting the Russian aggression against Ukraine. But about its future, only the Iranian people can decide, and Europe needs to speak with one voice and needs to act instead of just observe.
We need to respond effectively, especially when it comes to the economic consequences of such an escalation.
Speaker 51
We. Have all on our doorstep, there is. And asymmetric war being waged by the Mullers, with no concern for their neighbors. Some thought they could reap the dividends of peace without being involved in defense.
France of yesterday, as part of this, blindness affecting Europe. War is catching up with us in Cyprus, Lebanon, in Dubai. Chao de Gaulle and other French military support have been deployed to support our allies.
The soldiers are proof of the credibility of France's commitment, but it is also a warning when we see the limitations on our defensive capabilities that cannot always respond at any time.
It's true for France, and it is also true for other countries in the EU. That is why we must reaffirm our shared commitment once again to growing our national defense capabilities. That is absolutely vital for the continent. That should be part of our strategic compass.
Thank you.
Thank you, Missus Valtmans, now, please.
Speaker 52
Colleagues, the debate of the upfalling. Dear colleagues, dear colleagues, this debate on preparation of the EU Council is extremely important given the current situation. If we take a look at the attack of the U.
S. And Israel against Iran, it's increasing the fuel prices. And Europe, ladies and gentlemen, must really think about our own citizens, and we have to show that we're supporting our citizens when it comes to them having to pay their bills.
We shouldn't be thinking of new sources of energy, but new places to find energy, but look at our own self-sufficiency. I've spoken to businesses, and 85% of the replies to some of the questions that I have put to them say that European industrial policy has failed. And they also say that the internal market must be completed, internal barriers and obstacles have to be abolished. And we have to improve competitiveness. And they say, please make sure that energy prices come down or remain at a lower level.
Speaker 52
And there are those who are saying that Europe should be a world actor, and we have to speak with a single voice in this situation. So we need a defense union, and we need a European army. That has to become a reality.
We seem to be talking a lot about Trump far too much. But I'd rather be talking about what is Europe going to do. And I think the time has come for Europe to wake up, but really wake up, and do things for our citizens.
Speaker 53
Roslund is always saying long live Europe, I think I would say long live a strong and reformed Europe.
Speaker 41
Mister. And who is? No. Okay.
I am sorry. Next speaker is Honoré Bolae Cunha.
Mister Cunha, now please.
Speaker 55
The military escalation in the Middle East is a particularly dangerous moment. In the international context. And given that, our priority should be clear: boosting mechanisms to prevent war. Demo diplomacy cannot simply be a reaction to crises. It needs to be used as a tool to avoid crises.
Europe needs to play a greater role in multilateral organizations. And work harder to prevent conflict. We now need to prevent a further escalation of violence, and create spaces where diplomatic conversations can be held. We also need to look at the consequences of this conflict.
Firstly, the humanitarian dimension. We need to boost initiatives to provide protection and assistance to innocent civilians who are affected. And secondly, we need to look at potential migration flows. We need to avoid the situations that we've seen in the past, in which migrants were used to produce political pressure. And thirdly, we need to look at the energy impact. This crisis is showing us Europe's vulnerability and shows us that we absolutely need to build our energy sovereignty by ensuring a diversity of supply and more renewable energy.
At this time of international uncertainty, Europe needs to show what distinguishes it, which is the fight for peace and international stability. Thank you.
Speaker 20
Mister Olivera. No. Thanks. Okay. I am sorry.
Next speaker, honorable Larry Pasi. Trego.
Speaker 56
President. Colleagues, the international rules-based audit is the DNA of the EU. We are at the heart of our organization and the international space system.
And if we downplay that, we're weakening ourselves. The Iranian Mullah regime was abhorrent and had committed many crimes against international law. But that does not give anyone else a carte blanche to break rules themselves. Now when we have those who call out this international rule breaking, they seem to be in the crosshairs according to Trump, rather than those actually committing those crimes.
So we have not seen solidarity in Europe. An attack on one is an attack on all of us. Europe must behave differently and act differently. We need to focus on respect of international law in these dark times.
Thank you.
Speaker 58
This is an empty dark world, that of Missus Vonderlian and its crumbling, when she said put an end to the nuclear era. Well, it was a plan to weaken us, and I think everybody should resign.
All of you preferred to prepare us for defeat, and the order based on rules turned the other eye when Turkey invaded Cyprus, when The United Kingdom consolidated an illegitimate colony on Gibraltar. And turned our country into a nest of terrorists attacking Christians.
You have allowed mass immigration, immigration to encourage people to have more children. And I solidarity for families. You've preferred those over NGO NGOs over those. Sanchez talks about sovereignty, and he's been trampling sovereignty right from the first day in Morocco, for example, by supporting an organization then.
What about Etra as well? And with the agreement of the e of the Partido Popular, they've managed to undermine our own energy industry, putting it in the hands of foreign companies.
And then prostitution and cocaine. Well, this will be judged by history.
Okay.
Thank you.
Speaker 59
Very much. Now you are in the Patriots group. Your friends in Portugal say that the operation in Iran is a humanitarian operation. Now Trump previously said he wouldn't send a single young American to war, but now they're being killed. 47 have already, excuse me.
47 have been injured, and seven have been killed. Now children have been killed in a school in Iran. So if you're such a patriot, could you do a favor to all Europeans and all people across the world and stand by the side of peace? Sorry.
Medium stiff.
Speaker 58
Well, your friends today, your friends in Spain, the anti-fat organizations, the separatists that have called for a boycott and violence against my political leader, Santiago Abascal. There is an election campaign.
There's a small village called Trevino, and your colleagues have called for war. And that's for violence. And that's the war we want to end. That's where we want peace. This mass invasion to change our population so that they can win, that otherwise they wouldn't win.
Mister Orlando now, please. Sorry.
President.
Speaker 61
The autocratic colonial alliance between Netanyahu and Trump continues. They're violating all international law, and they're showing contempt for UN agencies and the international courts. Had the genocide of the Palestinian people, and now we're seeing an attack on Iran, a land invasion of Lebanon as well. And that feeds into disorder across the world. And there are thousands of civilians who have fallen victims to these conflicts.
We need to clearly say to the ambassadors of the US and Israel, and call out this violation of international law. EU bases are being used by US troops. For the purposes of this war. We need sanctions to prevent genocide and these illegal conflicts, and we also need to prevent this war spilling over into Europe.
The European Commission needs to support the Iranian diaspora and the courageous Iranian people. We need to say that they need to democratically decide how they can rid themselves of this bloody and theocratic dictatorship.
Speaker 20
Thank you. So you have a blue card from Mr. Madison. Do you accept it? Thank you. Okay. So please put your headphones on, so that you can hear the interpretation.
Please.
Thank you. You. I will speak in Estonia.
Speaker 63
I have two short questions. You're talking about violations of international law, and I understand that. Do the mass murders in Iran that have happened, the tortures of women, is it only an internal domestic issue that shouldn't interest us? Or are we talking about infringements of international affairs or international law? Is it positive or negative that the Chinese and Russian axis will weaken if there will be no Shahed drones that will be exported in order to destroy new villages and kindergartens? Is it good or bad that they don't have this opportunity anymore to export those drones? Thank you.
We didn't pick it up.
Speaker 61
Well, clearly, your question suggests a position that isn't my position. I think that international law should be fully implemented also vis-à-vis the Muller regime in Iran. But applying international law is one thing, it is quite another to act against the International Criminal Court. And then it's another to carry out an illegal war.
War is not a way of exporting democracy. You'll recall Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, we constantly see this crazy US idea to try and export democracy, which actually causes civilian victims all over the world.
Thank you. Mister Volgin, now please.
Speaker 64
It. Is today to bemoan the end of the world order? You know, people say that there is no more any international order. Well, there has never been an international order.
After the Cold War, there was no rule-based order. It was always the United States who ruled the order of the day. On the pretext of fighting authoritarian regimes and exporting democracy, while serving their own interests by introducing puppet governments. And only very foolish people can think that this is a rule-based order.
You know, take what The United States did in Iraq 20 years ago. What they do now in Iran. At the time, Washington, in all of its hypocrisy, insisted that it was all democracy in Iraq. They do not use that language anymore. They only need someone who would toe the line. Democracy is the last thing they are interested in.
Either Trump or previous presidents, they never cared about it. All they care about is US supremacy.
Željana Zovko
Mister Zofka, for many years, we have dealt and voted for resolutions against Iranian oppressive regimes, and you all supported it.
And just to those of you who are quoting, wrongly, Albert Camus, he said, I believe in justice, but I will defend my mother before the justice. So the terrorism cannot be defended, especially the one that killed their youth in thousands over months. The youth that wanted to live in freedom and democracy.
And the recent attacks carried out by Iran and Iran-backed Hezbollah once again show us why this regime represents a serious threat to regional and international security. For decades, the Iranian regime has oppressed its own people, violently suppressing protests and treating its citizens as enemies rather than partners in shaping their country's future. This repression at home goes hand in hand with destabilizing behavior abroad. Iran's continuing support for Hezbollah and other armed groups fuels tension and spreads instability in the already extremely fragile region marked by rising extremism and multiple overlapping conflicts.
The attacks targeting bases in Cyprus and attacks directed at the territory of an EU member state are acceptable. Unacceptable, just to end, I mean, field prices cannot be the reason that we should turn a blind eye to what is happening there.
Terrorism should stop, and the menace for European citizens is greater than the increase in the prices of fuel. And I welcome the proposal by commission presidents that member states should consider their energy policy in the same way that the Croatian government has done, and to help their citizens to cope with this situation until we finally get down this terrible regime.
Thank you.
Colleagues, please stick to your speaking time. Missus Incher now.
Speaker 66
International law is not optional. The rule of the jungle cannot rule.
The actions of the United States and Israel are unlawful. And the region urgently needs de-escalation to prevent further suffering of innocent people, of innocent children. There is one person, however, that I do not shed a tear for, and that is Khamenei.
His death may mark the beginning of a new chapter, for DKT Iran has been ruled through fear, repression, and violence, and the current regime's tentacles through its proxies have even spread fear onto European soil. But Iran is not only its regime.
Iran is a country with Persians, Kurds, Baluchis, Azeris, Arabs, and many other communities. All of them who deserve the right to shape their future. The European Union must act with unity and courage. It should never take years to turn words into actions.
As it did when it took over three years to label IRGC as a terrorist organization. That was shameful. We must now act forcefully with sanctions against the Syrian regime to ensure that power ends up in the hands of the people.
For Gina, Amini, and for all those who gave their lives for a dream that must finally become.
Speaker 67
When. It comes to our political leaders, we see that the Iranian people are calling for freedom, but we have seen oppression of women in the Middle East and Europe. There is no bridge to build between the West and Islam.
It's cowardice. To say otherwise. The link is just apologizing for this, but we don't hear any criticism when it comes to these jihadi regimes and the Islamic Islamization of the continent. Thank you.
Speaker 68
Thank you, President. Missus Fonda Lyon does not represent us, and she hasn't even stayed here so that we can say this face to face. She'll obviously have gone to take a phone call from her friend. Trump, United States and Israel are pulling us into an illegal war.
This is outrageous, but not at all surprising. Ultimately, one carries out genocide and the other rule uses the rule of might is right to dominate the world. But what is unforgivable is that Missus von der Leyen wants to put Europe behind them, towards this world without rules, which looks down on international law. This war, this world that is championed by Trump, Netanyahu, and Putin, and now Missus von der Leyen, this is disgraceful.
Her statements have shown that she does not represent the peaceful spirit of the Europeans. And with her words, we see that she's undermining the values of the European Union. And here and now, we say resign now.
European citizens do not want to be complicit in another barbaric war, saying loud and clear no to war as has the Spanish government. And one question, even though you're not here, missus Vonda Elein, please answer my question.
Whose side are you on with an international rules-based order, European values, or those who want to book pay to piece.
Speaker 70
We. Know that during recent days, people have been fleeing the attacks, and we know that countries in the region are hosting millions of refugees in Lebanon. Well, Syrian refugees are fleeing Lebanon and trying to go back to Syria after the Israeli attacks in the south of the country.
Now I'm very concerned with the situation. Now you deal with the rights of migrants and people. So could you give us any information on that? Thank you.
Speaker 68
Your question is very timely because right now the commission is not preparing a proper humanitarian response. There is great responsibility here. The European Agency for Asylum has said that if only 10% of the Iranian population needed to flee, then we would be facing one of the largest flows of refugees in history.
We're not talking about 2015. When there was a huge movement of refugees. But essentially, we need a response, like we had for Ukraine. Even though these people are not blonde with blue eyes, they still need to be cared for in a dignified way.
Thank you, mister Bogdan, now please.
Speaker 71
Your. Excellencies, we cannot hold discussions with Iran. Diplomacy, talks, all of that is in the past. Now in the Gulf, it's weapons that talk. I mean, what will we talk about anyway? We need to support the United States and Israel and shouldn't get blocked in semantics as Brussels all too often does. The situation is changing very rapidly.
Iran no longer has any allies. China and Russia are just looking on. There's no draft resolution in the UN Security Council to criticize the destruction of Iran's critical infrastructure. And I think that speaks clearly, China is withdrawing. It doesn't support the current regime.
There are negotiations in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh with regard to oil. But Russia has called it force majeure. It's understood that the regime that supplied its drones has been decapitated.
But, nevertheless, we're seeing lots of propaganda and fake news. Iranian sources are weakened. So what's Europe going to do? Are we gonna sit here and wait for dialogue? Our only option is to join the US UK coalition. We need to act rapidly without hesitating, as Brussels often does.
We have 3,000 citizens in the region, and thousands of businesses that are active in the region. Terrorist cells that will be activated by Iran on European soil will cause us massive problems. They will lead to a nightmare.
So we need to act by the side of the US and the UK. We have to accept the consequences of a regime that's going to bring terror to Europe as it has done in the Gulf region? Thank you.
Speaker 41
A lot of colleagues, but we can accept just one from Mister Sense No. Okay. Okay. Miss the next speaker. Please.
Thank you. You, Christian.
Speaker 72
An illegal unilateral military intervention took place in Iran without US Security Council approval.
Violating article two of the UN Charter. In this parliament, we have condemned Iran's repression. We fought to include revolutionary in the uterus list. It's supposed to be Hezbollah and the violence against women.
We rejected Iran attacks on the GCC countries. First of all, the reliant could have made the same. It is possible for her to condemn attacks and interventions without abandoning international law.
While she remained silent, she raised the memory of 165 school girls that were killed, nine Israeli persons killed, and 83 kids in Lebanon. That was murdered. While you, she avoids taking opposition, Netanyahu government I will not confuse them with the Israelis, is not respecting Lebanon's territorial integrity, he is displacing 400,000 people, and I want to blame here Hezbollah. For that, too.
And he also is annexing the West Bank. While you keep empty statements, our citizens say no to war. We want peace. President Pedro Sanchez is the one who understands this and represents all of that, who wants all of that and those in this European Union that want peace, security, and stability.
Because don't forget that we have millions of people here that were killed after 45. We give ourselves the right to have this European Union, our international law that we need to defend. Because we don't want more killing here.
We are destroying the system. We are destroying international. Sorry.
Speaker 73
Thank you. You, president. Well, I agree that we need to be prudent in this situation. We can't give a blank check to the US or Israel. But would you be a bit more cautious when saying you can't act internationally without Security Council mandate, because I remember Javier Solana, a socialist Spaniard, who was secretary general of NATO and militarily intervened to save the lives of Albanians in Kosovo without UN Security Council mandate.
Speaker 72
Well, mister Solana is someone who is very prudent. I know him. And I don't think he would be validating a unilateral action against article two of the charter of the United Nations.
I think either we support international law or we start believing in the EU as a system. It's only because after 1945, we built this system because we didn't want to see this type of thing happen again on our continent.
Thank you.
Speaker 73
Want to come back, mister Steele, please? Thanks. You. Well, I'd just like to note that the NATO mission, while Javier Solana was secretary general, did not have the approval of the UN Security Council. It was done for humanitarian reasons, and I think it was the right thing to do. But I just wanted to note that so that it appears in the minutes.
Speaker 72
I am not Javier Solana. No, is Pedro Sanchez. We have seen what happened in the past, wars in Iraq, for example, that we were against where we had thousands of people killed. We saw what happened after the invasion of Iraq, about the terrorist groups that came out of it, and about the dangers that were posed to us.
Thank you.
Speaker 74
Mister, please. Colleagues. I must confess that for a few minutes, this morning, I was tempted to change jobs because I heard the president from the line saying, we're traveling along the right path here.
The industrialization, massive high energy costs, a lack of competitiveness, people who can't make it to the end of the month, but we have heard that we're on the right path.
Trump phoning Moscow rather than Brussels. Brussels is at the bottom of the class when it comes to competitiveness and GDP. And we're hearing that we're on the right path. In the Patriots and in the league, we need to change jobs because we're not going to follow von der Leyen.
Speaker 75
Yeah. In helping her destroy the people of Europe. Now, mister Ghirardy, please.
Speaker 76
Exactly. One month ago, from this very microphone, I was warning that the developments will reach Europe. Unfortunately, I was confirmed and missed. Costa said that we are going to be impacted. We need to be proactive and not react. We have seen that it is not only Ukraine, but Cyprus as well in the Eastern Mediterranean.
That needs to be defended. Solidarity and defense need to become real. We cannot only rely on bilateral relations. At the same time, we have the usual suspects that are trying to profit from this crisis.
Turkey, through its state bank HalqBank, was helping Iran. Has now deployed six F-16 fighter jets on the occupied territories in Cyprus in order to protect it from home.
Speaker 77
That sums in Hezbollah and Iran. How long can Europe undermine itself? Our next speaker, Willie Sondal. Thank you, chair. I'm going to speak Danish.
Villy Søvndal
The United States and Israel have attacked Iran and removed the top of the priest regime, who have killed thousands of their own citizens and caused terror in the Middle East.
This war reminds us that there is a new world order. Where international law does not apply, and Trump can do whatever he wants and only respects his own power. And there seems to be no clear plan for the future. The war has spread already through the Middle East into Lebanon, with many displaced people and many people killed.
I have been a critic of Bush's illegal war in Iraq for years. And I'm also against the brutal regime in Iran. We've seen it again and again. Bombing is simply not enough. International organization rules and standards are necessary in order to protect us against endless wars in the future.
Speaker 80
Dear colleagues, never forget this demoral regime in Iran, which is still in power, is a terror regime.
UN sources reported in January, they killed more than 35,000 of their own people.
Iran funds terrorist groups like Hamas, Hispola, or the Huttig. Iran arms Russia. With drones. And Iran was close to become a nuclear power. And we should not forget Iran has in its constitution the destruction of Israel. And on the other side, we have the UN charter, which purposes, how I see it, to protect human life, but not to shield regimes that slaughter their own people.
When the Security Council is paralyzed by vetoes coming from Russia, a strict formalist reading of the charter betrays its own spirit. Therefore, Israel and the United States were legitimate to start this operation.
Speaker 81
Hi, colleague Ole Patka. Thank you. But would you like to accept the blue card from Jungblut Alexander? 6 13. Yes. Please.
Speaker 82
Yes. Thank you for allowing this question. I think it's become quite clear during the debate that the left is preparing arguments for us on the basis of NGOs. That there are going to be these mass flows, these mass movements, and that a lot of people could be streaming to Europe. We know, of course, that this has negative consequences for the people of Europe.
So I'd like to ask you from the EPP what you think about this. Would you go along with this? Or would you make sure that Europe is turned into a fortress? Well, Europe is doing the right thing, I would say.
Speaker 80
We have beefed up our attitudes, and the commission has found support in parliament, and I think we're now going in the right direction. We're working to prevent illegal migration, and we're also doing everything possible to put an end to, as we're seeing, the regime in Iran.
Thank you.
Cool. Our floor is yours.
Speaker 83
Vice. President, dear colleagues, I am speaking to you on behalf of millions of Romanians who are experiencing an increase in energy prices. And they are worried that they won't be able to pay their bills.
The conflict in the Middle East is already present in European lives, and they expect the EU to protect them. Energy is not just an economic sector. When it becomes too expensive and the industry loses its competitiveness, it impacts farmers, our security. And our resilience suffers.
I would ask the council and commission to come with a coordinated proposal to stabilize the energy market and to protect our buying power. We need to use. Our reserves. We need to use support mechanisms. Alternative mechanisms. We need to tackle speculation.
Speaker 84
These are all different options that could be rapidly adopted. Accessible energy means protecting our citizens and the European economy. Thank you.
Yeah.
The floor is yours.
Jaroslav Bžoch
The conflict that has just broken out is in something new, but the Iranian regime is the only one to blame. They support terrorism all over the world. They support Hezbollah, Houthis, Hamas, and they terrorize the whole region.
Nobody else is to blame. If we're talking about international law and that it should be observed, yes, it should be observed. But how to proceed vis-à-vis a regime that doesn't respect international law at all, always ignored it, and terrorized its own population.
What can we do? We say that we're based on international law. That's true. But what did we do to prevent this conflict? We didn't do anything at all, only sanctions. They had no impact at all. If we want a statement from the commission, and if the commission is to speak about it, let's speak clearly, let's call a spade a spade. We know the situation.
But if people like Kayak Kalas will be saying something like Israel has the right to defend itself, but then it seems like I'm not a racist, it says nothing, but it's simply terrible.
Jan Rousson.
No reserves.
Bert-Jan Ruissen
Thank you. You, president. Dear colleagues, the military intervention by the US and Israel in Iran deserves our support. I think we have to realize that diplomacy has failed, and the intervention was inevitable. All you have to do is consider the murderous actions of the regime against its own people. Look at the development of their nuclear program, all their support for terrorist organizations in the region.
So obviously, this has to be stopped. But stopping a regime militarily and doing away with the threat is one thing. This can be achieved fairly easily in the short term, but much more difficult and equally necessary is to topple the regime. Not an easy task, but this is something that must happen. And it is up to us, therefore, to support the opposition in Iran and to work together with them and to support them.
Speaker 88
Fully. The Iranian people have to be able to count on us and our support.
Speaker 81
You have a blue card from mister Lionsky, but you are also on the KGI list and we are in a time strain. What do you choose, blue card or Blue card?
Blue card, please. Would you accept Berthian? That's thank you. I get Lionsky, you can have a floor.
Barzo Jean Quip.
Speaker 89
Yes. Thank you very much, President. Can I go ahead? Thank you. Today, we are talking about security. And the war on the eastern borders, the war in the Middle East, because we, and then we know, of course, that the missiles launched by Iran have hit a base on Cyprus.
And we're talking about this here in the hemicycle. But amongst us, there are politicians who then say that we should not be signing up to SAFE as part of our security.
Speaker 90
So what do you think about that? How would you persuade people that the money from this program is necessary? Well.
Bert-Jan Ruissen
The safe program relates to defending investing in defense, so it's absolutely necessary. But at the same time, in Europe, there are many question marks over safe, and its structure. I mean, for example, it needs to be funded through joint loans.
Well, that's a pretty dangerous choice, because the investments that we make now will then be based on money that has to be paid back by future generations. So yes, to investment in defense, but there are major questions as to how SAFE is funded.
Thank you. You.
Speaker 91
Jean Pierre Colag, colleagues.
What right does Vladimir Putin have? To make war in Ukraine? He has no right. And that's why we support Ukraine. What right does the Iranian regime have to attack other countries, bombard other countries, support terrorism, desire the destruction of Israel? To what right does it have to build a nuclear program, etcetera? I mean, it has no right to do that. So, therefore, the regime must fall.
What right does Donald Trump have to launch a war against Iran? Obviously, he has no right to do that. And that's why no European country should follow him or has followed him in what he's doing.
We've learned the lessons from 2003. In this context, I would say international law is not something that is outdated and should be got rid of. Not because Vladimir Putin, Ayatollah Khamenei, or Donald Trump are trampling international law. That we should abandon it.
So I have a question for Missus Vondelion. What right does she believe she has to speak out against the maintenance of an international rule-based order. What is her remit? What is her mandate to do that? What right does she have to talk about foreign policy when she calls on international heads of state and government to act on whose behalf is she speaking? The speaker is cut off.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Speaker 92
On March 12 tomorrow, Czech Republic will mark a 27th anniversary of joining NATO.
This was a huge step for the Czech Republic on the way to democratic Europe. Unfortunately, many Europeans have understood Nenator membership as an umbrella under which someone else looked after our security and defense.
This was a big mistake. The big mistake that have got us into current very difficult situation. We cannot change the past, but we are making the future. It's not enough if the member states will adjust properly, increase the defense expenditures.
There is a career role for our joint Europe to be played. First of all, the article 42.7 on the collective defense clause in the European treaties must be real. We must make sure that this is a credible commitment of the member states to help each other. On top of that, we should be a part of our defense together.
It's more effective, cheaper, and it will deliver quickly. This is the way to our more secure and safe future. Thank you.
Speaker 93
The commissioner, I'd like to speak to you about competitiveness. The competitiveness of Europe, I mean, the old methods, use deregulation, acting on salaries, blind faith in free trade. None of this works anymore. Even Mario Draghi has spoken out against this.
Europe needs a real industrial strategy to get the relocalization of industry in Europe as Joe Biden did in the United States. By putting 200000000000 at play. We need to massively invest in strategic sectors, technology, artificial intelligence, R and D, defense, food, medicines, renewable energies. Competitiveness should also improve the social conditions of European citizens by putting in place quality jobs, decent salaries, good purchasing power. All of this needs to be done by promoting made in Europe products, but also not closing ourselves off to the rest of the world.
Thank you.
Speaker Alexander Sell.
Speaker 94
US. Has attacked Iran. And we're seeing petrol prices increase in Germany. What petrol now costs over €2 a liter, but much of that price is in taxes. Citizens pay, and the government takes in money.
But actually, most of these petrol prices are the result of taxes. So it's Metz and Von der Leyen who are benefiting. Not oil producers. Your policies, the Green Deal, etc., have made Germany poor.
Europe no longer plays a role in the world, Taiwan, the Middle East, whatever. No one's interested in what von der Leyen has to say. You have destroyed our continent with your disastrous green policies and your open borders.
If we want to see Europe play a role in the world again, we need to stop shooting ourselves in the foot. CO2 prices must be got rid of. Sanctions need to be levied, and we really need to move back to reality.
Thank you.
Speaker 95
We. Have the threat of all-out war with the US Israel attack against Iran and Lebanon. They are talking about the protection of women. These are just excuses when they have close allies like Saudi Arabia, the Taliban, and the Syrian jihadists.
The real reason is the US China competition. And the bourgeoisie in Greece also wants a piece of the action. And the government of New Democracy was quick in protecting the British bases in Cyprus and even Bulgaria. Of course, it's not compassion for the Cypriot people, after 52 years of occupation. The US British NATO military bases were supposed to save people, but they themselves now have to be supported even by the so-called pacifist Spain because they are used for the war and are a target.
So Greece should get out of this war. We should shut down these bases. The people should not pay, and we need to put a limit on prices.
Speaker 81
Finished, six rounds, so I have 2 rounds left. There is no more blue card approved. And, to give more time for KGI even if we will not be able to do, I think, for anybody who is registered for KGI.
So next speaker, Thomas Taube.
Speaker 96
Thank you, president, colleagues. The developments in the Middle East remind us of one simple truth.
Speaker 96
And let us also be clear. The people of Iran deserve freedom. Dignity, democracy, not the tyranny of the Ayatollahs. This is yet another wake-up call for Europe. We must strengthen our defense capabilities so that Europe is prepared for modern threats.
Including drone attacks like the one that targeted the airbase in Cyprus. Secondly, we need to reinforce our internal security, regain control of our external borders. We need to protect ourselves. From Russian hybrid attacks and the proxy networks of the Iranian regime. Thirdly, we need major investments in energy, not only in renewables, but also nuclear. Because energy is fundamental to our security.
And finally, we must secure a competitive Europe. Now and for future generations. A strong economy is essential in these times of uncertainty. Now is the time for the EU leaders to double down on defense and security, simplification, and continued support for Ukraine.
This is how we will keep. Our union and citizens are safe.
Marta Temido
President. The Iranian theocracy has, for a long time, been the epitome of a brutal dictatorship. Therefore, we stand firmly by the side of the Iranian people in their courageous calls for a democratic transition. That they fully deserve. We also stand for an international order based on rules that we should all defend.
We reject the idea of might makes right. We reject the US and Israeli attacks on Iran and the Iranian retaliations against Israel and the Gulf States. As well as Israeli attacks on Lebanon. It's always civilians who pay the price of violations of international law.
The girls from the school in Minna, for example, but there's another price to pay for this walk. We're aware that this has already started to be felt in Europe.
There's been an increase in fuel prices, and there is also the risk of an increase in terrorism and migration flows. And above all, there's an increase in fear. This overshadows the lives of Israelis and this is a fear that we don't want to see return to Europe.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Speaker 101
The European Union felt that all problems could be solved on the basis of one regulation or another, but not this one. Missus Von der Leyen, we've heard that your resignation is necessary.
But anyway, we've heard we've got the climate policy. We've got ETS. And the European Commission is proposing more centralization, more administrative muzzling of member states. And what we would like to say is that if we take a look at the conflict in the Middle East, if it goes on, Europe is going to be defenseless in the face of increasing fuel prices.
Nobody counts on us, nobody is listening to us. You seem to be just giving free loans to Ukraine under this agreement. You're losing out to China, to the United States, and there's no innovation, no investment.
And the only remedy that you're putting forward is parity of governments. The whole project is crumbling. And it's Missus von der Leyen who's the gravedigger.
Deputy.
Speaker 102
Minister commissarios Forsyter Kolegas, Minister colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, the debate on the situation in the Middle East is taking place. But I think the contribution from the EU is quite limited. We see the price increases of oil and gas because it's dependent on sources in the Middle East.
Yesterday, the president of the commission gave a mea culpa, and said it was a mistake to stop using nuclear energy. We had warned her, and unfortunately, we have lost precious time. So now we need to take energy policy into our own hands. Just with renewable energy, it's not going to be enough.
We also depend on a partner, China, which has a significant portion of the solar panel market. And about 80% of wind turbines as well as quite a lot of rare earth materials.
Speaker 103
We need to be careful not to lose our strategic independence. Thank you. Okay.
Speaker 104
The. Civilians in Iran experienced a hellish situation under the murderous Iranian regime, but they're suffering again now because of the war. All of this must come to an end. We see these bombs falling, and it's not unrelated to oil.
Iran controls a fifth of the world's oil. In every crisis, it's the same. Thing. Being dependent on fossil fuels makes us vulnerable. So to Ulf Christensen, how can you talk about Sweden improving its defense capacities? But you're still dependent on oil, and there are subsidies to these fossil fuels that make us even more dependent, and it makes Sweden weaker.
Security is not going to be achieved through more fossil fuels. Security and safety will be achieved through renewable energy. Thank you.
Thank you. You.
President.
Speaker 105
Well, suddenly, the left has discovered a great passion for the defense of international law. So, and it's happened since. The war in Iran has started. But who is talking about the rights of the Iranian citizens who are being killed by a regime which is now struggling to survive.
We the Iranian theocracy has tortured demonstrators and killed children just to maintain itself in power. Mr. Sanchez talks about international law. And he criticizes the US on that basis.
But did Mister Sanchez criticize the Hezbollah and Iranian militias? Those militias that have caused death and destruction. They even organized a civil war in Lebanon so they could impose themselves everywhere.
It has Mr. Sanchez and the socialist government in Spain criticized the Houthis, those who have done their best to prevent all these countries in the Middle East region. To prevent them from becoming democratic.
And gentlemen, a few years ago, Massa Amini was murdered. And there was this women’s life freedom movement. And we wanted to do something, but the left did everything they could to stop us.
What we need to do is respect the truth, and the fact is that the Iranian people can't free themselves. They need our help to free themselves. The people of Yemen and Lebanon, and also the people of Israel and even Palestinian civilians, need Iran. To be free so that then they can be free in their turn.
Speaker 107
Dear colleagues, the illegal war that has been launched in Iran by The United States and Israel is out of control and is plunging the Middle East into chaos. The Muller regime is one of the worst that exists, but you cannot provide justice for the 30,000 Iranians and women that fell victim to the bullets just by attacking.
Because what Israel is doing and The United States, they're not only destroying military infrastructures, but oil infrastructure, desalination plants, which are essential. This mass bombing has created a huge environmental and health crisis. With many victims.
And then there are the Lebanese in the South of Lebanon who are also suffering. And, we've seen that, there's a threat that this will turn into a new Gaza.
Russia benefits because they can sell their oil. At higher prices, and this is an instrument turned against us. So please, Mrs. Vonderland, wake up. It's not up to the European citizens to pay the price for this disregard of international law.
And defend, try and do something about our oil and gas independence, support the Ukrainian people, and the speaker is interrupted.
Speaker 108
Chair, the commissioner, minister, in the past 24 hours, Islamic regime has put mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Oil, gas, and electricity prices will spike even higher. For our citizens and for our industry.
And Europe has about 100 mine sweepers and mine hunters. The United States owns only four. Our navies have practiced for such a scenario for decades. So do what needs to be done to secure freedom of movement, freedom of navigation, but a military mission will not suffice to get ships sailing.
Insurance companies should issue insurance for transport, and they are not. So Europe should take three steps. First, establish an EU shipping risk pool where insurances to be provided to companies as a standard coverage, the EU will act as a public back stop for extreme losses. And secondly, deploy naval escorts to ensure the physical security of the crews and vessels. Thirdly, let the markets know that Europe stands behind continued navigation by providing clear coordination with shipowners, insurance, and energy companies.
Whether you think this is Europe's war or not, its consequences are to deal with a strategic reality.
Thank you.
Speaker 110
Mister Chair, Trump's war increases the cost of transportation and heating homes.
At a time when many Europeans are already suffering the consequences of Putin's war.
Those who oppose the green transition are impoverishing Europe. Putin is grateful when oil money flows into his war chest. The most horrific situation is, of course, for the Iranians. Whom we must find more ways to help. They are being killed from within by their own criminal leaders, and from without by criminal states.
The fascist regime in Iran must be treated as criminals, just as we have already decided with the IRGC.
Bombs in schools and hospitals, however, will not help. Iranians. The goal of Israel and US is not pre-Iran. Have seen elsewhere how these two kill innocents without any restraints.
I am ashamed of European leaders who do not renounce violations of international law. It is time to defend justice and humanity.
Thank you very much.
No to war, of course.
Speaker 111
But we must be resounding when we say no to religious dictatorships or medieval eras, which clamped down on the Iranian people. No to executions of dissidents and political opponents, more than a thousand in 2025.
We mustn't massacre peaceful protesters. Who has been struck down by this revolutionary guard. Many in January and February. You cannot torture young people to death. Just because they won't wear the veil.
We cannot export terrorism throughout the Middle East to America and the Middle East. No. To this terrible regime having nuclear weapons. No. No.
No. We must say high, loud, and clear. That no to the war, but we must not have empty words either. We must have protection of human rights of the Iranian people, particularly women and children. We must have security and safety for the Iranian people.
The speaker is interrupted.
Speaker 81
Very much so. I have to be fair to everybody. You, Michael, I switched off.
Csaba Dömötör
Thank you. We are starting to see now the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war and the US-Israel-Iran war. This has led to a massive jump in fuel prices, and everybody seems to have an interest in keeping those prices high.
So we've seen the initial response underpinned by panic or sort of underlying admitted that it was a mistake to do away with nuclear power. In her own country, cooling towers were destroyed.
Ridiculous. So given the enormous mistakes we've made here, in Europe or that the European Commission has made here in Europe, what can we expect in other parts of the world? So, for example, those people who forced Europe to manage without imports of energy from the East, tell us, how should we solve our problem? Norway is at maximum capacity.
The United States is selling its oil at enormously high prices. There's no solution, so we have to completely reexamine the situation. Moreover, Ukraine is blocking oil deliveries to Europe. We should simply not permit Ukraine to do this.
And the president of Ukraine is calling about sanctions on the president of Hungary. Of even sending troops. This is not something we can accept. We should now start paying greater heed to what the Member States want.
Speaker 113
Dear. President, Iranians protesting all over the world are pro-Israel, pro-USA, pro-Ukraine, anti-Russia, anti-China, anti-Hamas. Where does the EU stand? Sanctions on Israel. Middle finger to the USA, monitors Ukraine, buys Russian gas, ships factories to China, funds Hamas through UNRWA. Europe needs some serious self-reflection.
Only a few get the foreign policy right. But Persians do. They risk their lives for our democracy and stand with the USA and Israel against dictators and terrorists. The moment the regime was hit, left wing pacifists scream for immediate de-escalation and resumption of diplomatic processes.
Sound familiar? Straight from Russia's foreign ministry. If you think the real problem is the strikes against tyranny, rather than tyranny itself, I'm sorry. Not even a cyclist.
Speaker 81
Sorry. It's micro. Switch off. Sorry. Our next speaker, Siegbert Frank Drosen.
Siegbert Frank Droese
Israel and US are working. Israel and The US may have their reasons, but this is an attack. And there were negotiations on nuclear weapons.
So are we going to apply the same standards as we do with Ukraine? If we were doing that, then we would be talking about sanctions. Of course, Iran is not a friend of the West.
And Khomeini managed to reach power with our support. Now, if you look at the Middle East, it's sinking into chaos. And what Arcalus and Fond du Lion doing? They're fighting over powers.
They should be protecting us from a wave of refugees or doing more. And Chancellor Metz is throwing his European partners under the bus. Where is the EU? Instead, we need a new start for sovereign nations with a strong internal market where we seize opportunities in this multipolar world.
Speaker 115
You can do it too quickly, please. Shirt could be, yes, mister president.
Thank you very much.
Speaker 116
In accordance with rule 10, the members of this house have to respect the dignity of parliament. Mister Druze just called this parliament a sham. Parliament, which is an insult to the dignity of this house.
The same insult was already perpetrated last plenary session by a member of his very own party, by a member of his very own group. We can no longer tolerate that, members of this. Thank you.
Speaker 81
We catch this as a catch a point where we I'll check the language because I was listening to the deprecation.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Speaker 117
I'll thank you.
Ladies and gentlemen, commissioner, presidency, this debate is about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. However, I'd like to talk more about the impact of this on Europe and the Europeans.
What have we seen recently? Rocketing oil and petrol prices. We've also seen attacks on Cyprus, for example, and perhaps this will be followed by a wave of migration. Last month, we were debating about the problems which our industry is facing. The problem industry faces has not decreased.
They've actually increased considerably because of high, rising energy prices. So, commissioner, we have to seize, bite the bullet. We have to bring energy prices down to help our businesses. At the same time, however, we also have to push to enhance our security.
I heard the head of commissioner talk this morning, and she said to Cypriots, your security is our security. This will only be possible if we actually ensure that article 42, paragraph seven is properly implemented. Now is the time to do it.
Speaker 118
President. The situation in The Middle East is yet another example of an erosion in the international order.
We are noticing a serious escalation that risks growing into a full scale war. No doubt, the regime of Iran has a destabilizing role in the region. It is a threat to international security, and it is a response to serious repressions against its people. Hardly anyone believes that military action will lead to democracy and stability in Iran.
We've got a sufficient number of examples: Iraq, Afghanistan, etcetera. Responding to a breach in the international order by war only deepens the instability because the message of this war to the authoritarian regimes is that it is not diplomacy and compromise but armament that is the only guarantee and security under the new geopolitical realities.
Europe has to have a voice of its own. It should have a voice in protection of international law and diplomacy, which does not get involved in this US conflict. Madam von der Leyen, you need to be more courageous.
Speaker 119
The European Union doesn't care anymore about international law. As most EU leaders have failed to condemn their attacks on Israel and the United States against Iran.
We can't defend international law only when it benefits us, like it happens in the war in Ukraine, but we need to be critical when our allies violate it on a regular basis.
Even if you leaders don't care about morals, at least they should care about the European citizens because they were the ones that are going to pay the consequences of this illegal war. An energy crisis will hit every single European household, and on top of this, EU citizens in my country, Cyprus, fear for their lives because Iran could keep retaliating with more drone attacks.
I truly believe that it's both possible to be against the authoritarian regime in Iran and at the same time against the illegal military actions by our allies. So please, colleagues, let's speak up and clearly say no to war.
Thank you so much.
Speaker 81
Thank you. Colleagues, we have a cage there, procedure. I a very long list then, and I think I will not be able to give it to everybody. I will keep a balance according to criteria as much as possible, political, geographical, and so on.
First speaker will be on KJai, Mikhail Sherba.
Speaker 121
They collaborate with Putin.
There is no doubt about it. We are living in the time between war and peace, and we cannot be weak. Europe must build security. And security of our skies. Invest in military mobility.
And also, we need unity. Our American ally has other priorities. We cannot allow the world to forget about Ukraine. We should focus on our mutual security. Orban and others in Poland, for example, undermine the safe instrument we cannot stop in Europe.
Speaker 123
Due to the war in Iran, there was an attack against the British military bases in Cyprus, and that made Cyprus a target as well. Thanks to the swift aerial and naval response of Greece, France, Italy, Spain, Holland, and others, Cyprus is fully protected. Fully protected.
Reacting to this European solidarity, the Erdogan regime transferred six F-16 fighter jets to the northern occupied part of Cyprus, which is an EU territory. Today, we heard no single word about this from Martha Fondelion. Nothing. Nothing about this new anti-European behavior of Turkey. That blocks the EU energy projects in the Eastern Mediterranean and continues to occupy EU territory in Cyprus.
Sooner or later, Madam von der Leyen will call. But UES Europe, we would have to face the feeding of the Turkish monster.
Speaker 125
There. Is a people who have been crying for freedom for years. And instead of supporting people who criticize the regime, the European parliament has wasted time criticizing Donald Trump. People have never lived in freedom.
Their protests were met with bullets, with detentions. In Iran, women are subjugated. They are killed. Because they're wearing their veil wrongly. The European Union is doing too little to fight the Iranian regime.
The regime that, once it was cornered, decided to change their flag. They removed a lion and included signal signs of Islam and of Allah. Today, I want to make it very clear what the real symbol of Iran is. It's not the flag of the Ayatollahs.
Speaker 81
Anybody showing this flag is please do what according to the rules. Thank you. Next speaker, Oi Hane, Aggregatoi Martinez.
Speaker 126
So. Several messages have been sent out to Mr. Vonda Lyon. Nobody wants to allow ourselves to be taken over by the law of the jungle. Violence leads to more violence, as we've seen in my own country.
And the people win from this in the Iranian regime. They are constantly, or repeatedly torching prisoners. Moreover, Donald Trump has also been opening the way to other authoritarian regimes.
The European Union, meanwhile, stands on the sidelines. If we want to bring an influence to bear on this new table of democrat values, we have to demand more respect. We have to have a more ambitious global approach.
And what we can't accept is the same people always paying the price. International the international order. And rules based on sovereignty. I hope that you'll be doing everything you can with your team to ensure that we do what utmost to ensure that human rights be upheld together in international law, democracy, and democratic values. That is what we require as a strategic international power.
Speaker 128
The Ayatollah was killed, we held our breath. What happens next? What will we do? Then President Vunderlaei announced the EU will discuss this on Monday. Two weeks later, we still haven't really found our course of action.
Spain wants to go left, Germany wants to go right. And while we bicker about if this was a breach of international law, spoiler, it is, the result is a standstill.
Because we don't have one foreign policy, we are bystanders. United action looks like this. A naval mission to free the strait of Hormuz from mines and protect oil and trade shippings.
Bringing European citizens back safely from the Middle East, together. Collectively pushed the US to be clear on the goal of this war and act in line with international law. Divided, we will always remain reactive bystanders. But acting as the United States of Europe can lead us through any global crisis.
Speaker 129
Thank you very much, President. Ladies and gentlemen, you and Von der Leyen want Europe to be part of an illegal war led by the US and Israel. Of course, you don't want your own kids to go to war.
Well, if you want a war, then you should go. But keep our sons and daughters at home. Who is Miss speaking on behalf of? She's speaking on her own behalf, not on mine.
Given the situation in Palestine, this woman should be judged or tried as a war criminal. Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, these are wars for oil, for power, and it is putting us in danger so that Trump can create a luxury resort on the ruins of Gaza, so that his kids can make money investing in oil two days before bombing Iran.
Ladies and gentlemen, while we're in NATO, whether we want to or not, we are complicit in these illegal wars. We need to act now. We need to control food, energy, and transport prices. We need to make no to war a reality.
Socialists, liberals, greens who have voted for her. Let's isolate her. Let's get out of NATO. Don't know what we're waiting for.
Speaker 81
It was, well, a warning which could be checked. About according to the rules. I'm calling again. Next speaker, Lukas Zipper.
Speaker 116
Since. The very first day of this conflict, people want me to pick sides. People want me to pick sides as a politician between Islamist terror regime and war criminals that are corrupt.
Transform their state into authoritarianism. I refuse to pick sides. Because the only people that I care about in this is the civilians that suffer. And you can choose which side kills more or kills worse these civilians.
What I can tell you from all of this is that we need to transform Europe to play a real role in the future. We need a European army. We need a common foreign policy.
We need to be able to get our own citizens out of such a situation. Only if we make ourselves ready, then we can really weather the storms of geopolitics. Thank you very much.
Nikolina Brnjac
Bread search is. The meeting of the European Council comes at the moment when Europe needs to make a decision on its competitiveness, security, and future investments.
Europe today can no longer look at security and competitiveness as two separate policies. It's especially important when we talk about the new MFF as a repertoire. I think that the new MFF needs to support innovations, technological developments, and dual use technologies. It's not just a matter of investment, it's a matter of competitiveness.
Today, we invest 2.2% of BDP in investment and development, and USA, 3.5, and China is investing a lot too. So Europe needs to support its innovative technological base because we cannot have a secure Europe without investments.
Speaker 131
Let us stop pretending that this crisis appeared out of nowhere. For decades, the Iranian regime has imprisoned its citizens, crushed, brutally crushed protesters, and exported instability elsewhere in the region. That is the reality we are dealing with. But we should also stop pretending that bombs will magically deliver freedom.
History teaches us a very simple lesson. Missiles can kill dictators, but they will not build democracy. The future of Iran will not be decided in Washington, Tel Aviv, or Brussels. It will be decided by the Iranian people themselves, by the women, students, and the young generation that continues to courageously demand freedom and dignity despite the brutal repression.
Europe, therefore, has a responsibility. First of all, protect our citizens from the escalation, and also stand firmly with the Iranian people in their long struggle for freedom and dignity. Because if Europe continues to be a spectator, then we should stop pretending to be a geopolitical actor.
Strategic autonomy means shaping events, not simply reacting to them. And finally, missiles will not decide the future of Iran, Iranian people will.
Thank you. Thank you.
Speaker 132
Thank you. You, president, and colleagues.
Here are 10 ways in which The United States has undermined international law in the last 12 months. One rolling out the red carpet for war criminal Putin in Alaska. Two, endless support for Netanyahu's war crimes. Three, withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement. Four, withdrawal from the WHO and the UNHRC. Five, the closure of USAID.
Six, the illegal global tariffs. Seven, sanctions on the international criminal court, eight, illegal attacks on Venezuela, Nigeria, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and Somalia, nine threatened the sovereignty of Greenland, and 10 this illegal attack on Iran.
So we have three more years of this. What are we going to do? If we try to beat this by being this, they win and we lose. So I call on President von der Leyen to choose the EU, to choose the rule of law, to choose the EU with all of its weaknesses. The United States is taking a break from political seriousness. We have to have the confidence in our values reflected in international law.
Commissioner.
Maria Grapini
Colleagues, one minute. And I want to talk about competitiveness because this is related to the agenda. But how can we increase competitiveness with the new budget? What is the parliament's response? And what is the European Court of Auditors saying? The budgetary proposal doesn't respond to our needs.
At the current time, we don't have enough money in order to pay for research. How can we have investment? Citizens can't even pay their bills. They can't pay for their medication.
Because there is so much bureaucracy. We need to move towards action. And nothing can be more important than a competitive economy in this global context, and we need to have security and safety. That is what is expected of us. We need to provide a response.
Speaker 135
Need to know what you think about the F-16s in Northern Cyprus. You haven't said anything about that. We've been spilling European blood in order to serve the West the piece of Westphalia.
We need legal equality between nations. What if all of this is still being observed in Ukraine, Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, and Iran, even Greenland or Panama, Canada, and Cuba. They're all worthy of safety and democracy.
Trump's America and Israel with their war criminal president or prime minister Netanyahu should face justice. And you are siding with them. That's what you're guilty of, Miss Vondelein. Member states of the EU have to defend international law.
Speaker 81
Fortunately, the last speaker will be Juan Fernando Lopez Aguirado. We don't have more time. Thank you.
Thank you, President.
Speaker 136
Commissioner.
The international rules-based order and the rules which come date back to the Second World War. That was based on the clear slogan, never again. But never again surely can't suggest that tyranny is possible anywhere in the world. Never again means that war isn't the response, with all the enormous human, economic, and material costs it brings with it.
International law, international rights are the fountainhead of the European Union and of a foreign policy. Nobody here in the European Parliament can ignore or turn a blind eye to the brutality of the ayatollahs. At the same time, we support the brave resistance, the heroic young people in the country, who've been resisting and dying. At the same time, however, we shouldn't fail to take to guide ourselves while criticizing those carrying out this war.
Have to ensure that protection be provided for people who are threatened, particularly given that those leading this war have not got a ramp.
Speaker 81
I was engaged by procedure, and I would like to take the floor to ask to take a floor for the commission. Commissioner Shevzczywicz, the floor is yours.
Thank you.
Speaker 137
Thank you very much, miss president, madam minister, honorable members.
Let me react on the most recurrent topics of today's debate.
Clearly, nobody here regrets Khamenei's downfall, and we all hope that this moment can open a path towards a free Iran. We all wish the Iranian people freedom, dignity, and the right to decide their own future.
We also agree that European international credentials stem from our proud history from the fact that the EU was founded and today still is a peace project. There should be no doubt about our unwavering commitment to the pursuit of peace, to the principles of the UN Charter, and to international law. And it will always uphold these principles and values. But let's be honest that despite our clear commitment, international consensus on respect for this principle is not there anymore.
The world has become a rough place. International relations transactional, and the only way for Europe is to invest a lot and work hard for our independence. Key of our success on top of hard work of our citizens is European unity and clear European solidarity.
And I would like to thank Minister Rona for highlighting how important it was and how important it is. For Cyprus. And it is and always will be part and parcel of the European Union. As it was in the case of Denmark, Greenland, and as it is in the case of Spain.
Let me conclude on the important topic of energy prices. I would like to reassure all of you that every single meeting of leaders, in the EU or as it is the case today on the G7 level, and I'm sure that it will be the case for the next European Council meeting, will deal with energy and energy prices.
We fully understand the pressure faced by our households and companies because of these high energy bills. There is a clear determination to deliver now. Therefore, we will comprehensively look at how we can reduce the price of energy. And we will do it from all aspects and through all components of the price. Cost of commodity, great charges, taxes, levies, as well as carbon costs, including modernization of ETS.
If you allow me, mister president, to use my last words today for issuing an appeal for our unity and solidarity. European inter-institutional one. We can further fortify and strengthen solidarity through dialogue, healthy debate to avoid polarization, which can be dangerous especially in the time of crisis. When Europe is united, we do great things.
That's the spirit we need right now. Thank you very much.
Speaker 81
Thank you very much, commissioner. Now I would like to ask to take the floor for the council, Minister Ravona. Floor is yours.
President.
Speaker 2
Honorable members, commissioner, thank you for this very important exchange and for your remarks, which will be duly conveyed to the president of the European Council. Let me also reiterate my sincere appreciation for the solidarity expressed by so many of you during this debate. Such solidarity demonstrates our collective strength that stems from unity. Among member states and among institutions. The security of Cyprus and the security of any member state is the security of the entire Union.
And the security of Cyprus and the people of Cyprus is within the union and the union alone. Let me be clear. The EU has always and will continue to stand with the legitimate aspirations of the Iranian people, of Iranian women, for a future in which their human rights and fundamental freedoms are respected and protected. Their right to determine their own future.
Today's discussion has certainly highlighted the plethora and complexity of the challenges that Europe faces in an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving political and economic environment. Union that is able to bring together its principles and its interests.
A predictable, reliable partner always committed to international law. Honorable members, this is not the first time our union has faced adversity. And each and every time, Europe has stepped up. Time and again, we have chosen cooperation over fragmentation, solidarity and outwardness over isolation. And this is the path we are choosing once again. To stand together and defend our interests.
More integration, completing our single market, building a true energy and defense union, one that can protect its member states collectively when under attack. Now is the time for a strategically autonomous union.
These priorities are reflected across the issues that leaders will address in March. Strengthening competitiveness and unlocking the potential of our single market, addressing energy prices, alleviating the pressures faced by our households and our businesses, advancing work on European security and defense, ensuring that the union's long term budget supports our common ambitions in a balanced way, and remaining steadfast in our support to Ukraine while actively engaging with developments and with partners in the wider Middle East region. Addressing these interconnected challenges requires strengthening Europe's capacity to act independently while remaining engaged with those regional partners committed to stability, diplomacy, and multilateral cooperation.
Not those who try to take advantage of this moment to perpetuate their illegality. Our regional partners, the golf partners, despite being under attack, have stepped up and have shown to be reliable. We must continue to stand with them and enhance our partnership.
In closing, let me reiterate that the Cyprus presidency's commitment to its institutional role is strong, working closely with member states, the European Parliament, the Commission, and our international partners to advance our common priorities. Rest assured that Cyprus knows resilience, and it is a presidency that, in adverse circumstances, will continue delivering.
With focus and determination. Thank you.
Speaker 81
Thank you very much, minister. So, colleagues, we are closing this point on the agenda. And our seating will resume in a few minutes with an address by Nicola Pashinyan, prime minister of Armenia.
Dear.
Speaker 138
Colleagues, it is an honor to welcome the prime minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, to the European Parliament today.
Prime minister, dear Nicole, welcome back. This house. When you last addressed us, you set your country in motion to deepen relations with the European Union. And since then, we have come a long way from our increased cooperation through our strategic agenda, to our support for Armenia's forces, to the European peace facility, and we are also going further, agreeing on plans to pave the way for visa-free travel and planning ahead to the European political community summit and the DEU Armenia summit in May.
I will close. Cooperation comes at a critical time for everyone. We had the opportunity to discuss this also bilaterally. In Ukraine, the brutal Russian invasion has just entered its 5th year.
And in Iran, we see people calling courageously for freedom. In this moment, Europe and Armenia stand together. In our efforts for peace and stability. Thank you for assisting in the evacuation of European nationals from Iran. Thank you for your commitment to peace and your leadership in finding solutions.
And we are also working with your country ahead of the elections later this year. We all know the unprecedented level of threat posed by disinformation and interference to democratic processes everywhere.
So now, as Armenia prepares for elections, Europe is stepping up our support for Armenia's democracy and security with a fifth €15,000,000 package. We fully support the swift provision also of EU expert assistance to counter hybrid threats, and this house is already acting together with the National Assembly to shore up democracy.
With Armenia as a priority country for democracy support. Today's discussion is another step in the right direction, and we look forward to hearing how you see the path ahead. For your country and for Europe. So without further ado, dear Prime Minister Pashinyan, dear Nicole, the floor is yours.
Just.
Ever.
Speaker 139
Honorable president of the European Parliament, distinguished members of the parliament, it is an honor for me to tell you that since my last speech from this podium, which was on 10/17/2023, Armenia and the South Caucasus have seen changes that have century-long, if not millennia-long, significance.
And it has only been 2 years and 5 months since my last speech. Most memorable change is the peace established between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which was documented on 08/08/2025 in the US capital, Washington, when in the White House, the president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and I signed a joint declaration that essentially established peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. United States president Donald Trump too signed the declaration as a witness. Prior to that, the foreign affairs ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, in the presence of the US president, the president of Azerbaijan, and myself, initialed the agreement on the establishment of peace and interstate relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Washington declaration also resolved the very important and sensitive issue of unblocking regional communications.
Paragraph three of the declaration reads, quote, we reaffirm the importance of opening communications between the two countries for domestic, bilateral and international transportation based on respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and jurisdiction of states in order to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and its neighborhood.
These efforts will include unhindered communication between the main part of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Nochevan Autonomous Republic through the territory of the Republic of Armenia, with reciprocal benefits for the Republic of Armenia in international and domestic communications, end of quote.
Paragraph four of the declaration reads, the Republic of Armenia will work with the United States of America and mutually agreed third parties to define the framework for the implementation of the Trump path for international peace and prosperity communication projects in the territory of the Republic of Armenia.
We affirm our determination to take all measures in good faith. To achieve this goal as quickly as possible, end of quote. The TRIP program is currently in the crystallization phase.
On January 13, the US and Armenian governments adopted the trip implementation framework. In the near future, Armenia and the United States will sign the relevant agreements, and the practical implementation of the project will begin.
This project, which stems from the Armenian government's Crossroads of Peace project, will create new transportation opportunities from east to west and vice versa, from south to north and vice versa.
This is also a historic change. It must be emphasized that I first spoke about the Crossroads of Peace project on 10/17/2023, at this podium in the European Parliament, and the developments above unleash new opportunities for the European Union and Armenia.
In terms of deepening cooperation in the field of transportation and making it more specific. Honorable president of the European Parliament, honorable members, the positive picture I presented is certainly overshadowed by the events that are happening next door to us.
The Islamic Republic of Iran and in a number of Middle Eastern countries. Iran is our good friend, our thousand-year-old neighbor. You have already seen the scope of our relationship with the United States.
The UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain, Syria are our good partners. We recently took a historic step with Saudi Arabia. We established diplomatic relations. We are pained by what is happening in the Middle East.
Against the backdrop of such an international crisis, a crisis of this scale. We are a small, humble state. All we can do is pray for the souls of all the victims, and for the wisdom of our partner leaders to find diplomatic solutions.
As soon as possible. Ladies and gentlemen, honorable presidents, dear members of the parliament. For eight months now, there is complete peace on the Armenia Azerbaijan border. 2025 became the first year since our independence in 1991, the first year when Armenia, Azerbaijan shootings did not cause or there were no casualties, no injuries due to Armenia, Azerbaijan, shootings.
For months now, residents living near the border have not heard the sounds of gunfire. Moreover, for the first time since independence in November 2025, a train passed through Azerbaijan, passed through Georgia, and reached the Republic of Armenia.
I repeat, this is the first time since 1991. This happened after the president of Azerbaijan declared in October 2025 that he would lift the restrictions on rail transportation via Azerbaijan to Armenia, and I am grateful to the president of Azerbaijan for such a decision. We, in turn, announced that we are ready from today to ensure transit from Azerbaijan to Turkey and vice versa. Because this is something we can do with our existing road network.
Neither Azerbaijan nor Turkey have taken advantage of this opportunity yet. I suppose one of the reasons is they think that such a solution might delay the implementation of the TRIP project. I officially declare from this podium that Armenia has no intention and no reason to delay the implementation of the TRIP project. Because the project fully corresponds to the short-term, medium-term, and long-term interests of the Republic of Armenia. And as you saw from the aforementioned quotes, in no way does it undermine the sovereignty, territorial integrity, or jurisdiction of the Republic of Armenia. Now I also wish to say that the Republic of Armenia is ready from today to provide a road connection with existing infrastructures via Cor Nizor, Cori Siregnazor, YERAS, between the western regions of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. This proposal is not intended in any way to delay, disrupt, or forget the Washington agreements.
And I am saying this officially. We are making this proposal because we, as I mentioned above, are using the Azerbaijani railway in a slightly alternative way, just as Azerbaijan is waiting for the establishment of a connection via Armenia to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
So are we waiting for the establishment of a railway connection between the South and North of Armenia via the territory of Nakhidjavan? This railway has no alternative for Armenia. The mountainous terrain of Armenia does not allow for a railway connection between the south and north of the country in any other way.
As you can see, the expectations of Armenia and Azerbaijan in this sense do not contradict one another. We are also going to use the Georgia Azerbaijan Railway for exports. I hope that in the near future, Azerbaijan will also become an export destination for Armenia. And Armenia is already importing oil produce from Azerbaijan, which led to a decline in oil produce prices in our market and broke the decades-long monopolies in the oil produce market.
I would also like to thank the Prime Minister of Georgia for supporting the railway communication between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the peace process. More broadly. Ladies and gentlemen, especially on international platforms, people often ask me why peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan became possible in 2025.
While it was not possible before, what is the reason? What changed, after all? Firstly, of course, the personal involvement and the initiative of U. S. President Donald Trump was essential. It was a turning point.
The second factor that made peace possible was the realization that at least in the last 100 years of history, Armenia and Azerbaijan have been interconnected. In 1918, Armenia and Azerbaijan gained independence. On the exact same day two years later, in 1920, the two countries lost independence. With a difference of months 1991, Armenian and Azerbaijan gained independence within months of each other or basically even on the same day, the Alma Ata Declaration documented the ends of the Soviet Union.
The Armenian-Azerbaijani clashes in 1920 were a key factor that prevented the two countries from maintaining and strengthening their independence. Now, a century later, we live in a region that is just as complex and in geopolitical turmoil as in the beginning of the twentieth century.
Now will not spare us unless we take care of ourselves. Because conflict and hostility are the virus that blinds us, makes our independence and statehood vulnerable, makes us a tempting target for deadly geopolitical diseases. And so the realization of the strategic interdependence of our destinies is another essential factor that made peace possible between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In order not to leave room for ambiguity, I would like to emphasize that this is my personal opinion and it is my personal conviction that in March, April 2024, we had reached the edge, the brink of Armenian statehood. And if on April 24, we had not made a decision to launch the demarcation process with Azerbaijan, The Republic Of Armenia would not be an independent state today. It would be, as a minimum, a territory under foreign rule. Taking that demarcation decision in April 24 was very difficult.
With the encouragement of the de facto chief of our church. One of the archbishops in Armenia had started a movement demanding not only to not carry out the demarcation, but also to essentially activate the Karabakh movement, in other words, the conflict.
Dozens of thousands of citizens succumbing to this disinformation campaign carried out by high ranking clergymen and their supporting opposition forces who claimed that the government was preparing to cede sovereign territories of Armenia and the ancient churches and settlements located there to Azerbaijan.
Took to the streets. You can imagine what this meant for our government and for our political team, came to power in 2018 as a result of the Peoples Nonviolent Velvet Revolution.
And how did we solve this problem? We talked to our employer, the people, and now the village of Kirans in the Davush region, which leaders of the church opposition movement had made their symbol, convincing people that the village would be emptied and abandoned.
Since 2024, since the demarcation. That village has seen a 50% increase in the number of houses with the support of the government. Today, it is an absolutely peaceful, safe, and colorful settlement. And the ancient churches there are being restored or renovated.
I personally organize visits and tours for groups of citizens to the village of Quirans in the Tavus region to show people what we mean when we say peace. What I mean when I say real Armenia.
The symbol of which, the image of the internationally recognized territory of the Republic of Armenia I carry on my trust. This is also a symbol of peace.
Because we established peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan by recognizing each other's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence on the basis of the 1991 December 21, Alma Ata Declaration, according to which Soviet Azerbaijan became independent Azerbaijan, Soviet Armenia became independent Armenia, and this is the outline of the map of the territory of independent Armenia.
I would not have touched upon the topic of the involvement of certain clergy in this process against peace, had I not seen how the emissaries of these clergy and representatives of certain lobbyist organizations affiliated with them are trying to spread in the European Parliament and other reputable international structures the message that the Armenian government is restricting freedom of conscience, that Armenia is establishing a dictatorship, or Armenia has political prisoners.
The reality is that certain clergymen cynically violated all the rules of spiritual decency. Thus making themselves vulnerable to foreign special services. The fact that some of them were agents of the USSR State Security Committee is proven by documents.
Those clergymen assumed the leadership of the war party in the Republic of Armenia, gathering around them the former leaders of Armenia, certain forces associated with them, some Russia residents and Propeller Russian oligarchs, and are trying to sacrifice Armenia's independence to the interests of third countries.
We will not allow a new conflict or a new war. We will not allow the conscience, peace and independence achieved at the cost of thousands of victims to be sacrificed for anti-Christian purposes. In the text of our liturgy of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, the word peace is mentioned more than 40 times. And it is not only about the person or the soul, but also about world peace.
About which there are dozens of pleas in the canonical text of our liturgy from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And today, some are using the altar of Christ to preach conflict, war, and domestic violence within Armenia.
Crossing the lines of the legislation of Armenia, this cannot be tolerated in any democratic country. Honorable president of the European Parliament, distinguished members, ladies and gentlemen, One of our important tasks is also to ensure that the emotions of our sisters and brothers from Caraba who became refugees are not exploited by giving them false hopes. Our strategy in this regard is very clear.
Our systems and products from Carabag should receive citizenship of the Republic of Armenia and permanently settle in the Republic of Armenia. We have already launched their housing program, which has benefited 4,886 families. We need the greatest possible support from our international partners to resolve this issue, with a focus on strengthening peace.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are criticized that the peace established between Armenia and Azerbaijan is not perfect. Tell me please, where is peace perfect? Where is their perfect peace? Where was it? When? And on the contrary, it is the will to care for peace that can make it as close to perfect as possible. And this is how we approach all the issues, including the issue of our compatriots held in prison in Azerbaijan.
Recently, Azerbaijan released four more of our compatriots. Armenian society, we all experienced happiness on that occasion. But the government very quickly returned to continuing its silent diplomatic work for the sake of the return of the others, because I am convinced that if we had not previously chosen the style of silent diplomatic work, the return of our four compatriots on January 14 would not have taken place.
Honorable president of the European Parliament, distinguished members, ladies and gentlemen, the next incredible change that took place in Armenia since my previous speeches is that in March 2025, Armenia adopted a law on launching the process of Armenia's accession to the European Union, and the law entered into force in April 2025. This is the political crystallization of the statement that I made in this house on 10/17/2023. When I said that the Republic of Armenia stands ready to be closer to the European Union, to be as close as the European Union considers possible.
Now, after the adoption of that law, many people in Armenia ask when Armenia will become a member of the European Union. Our answer is very clear. No country can become a member state of the EU without meeting the standards of the European Union. Therefore, our task is to continue the path of reforms with the support of our European partners. And first of all, to objectively meet the EU membership criteria.
When this happens, there are two ways. Either the EU will accept us as a fully fledged member or it will not. And I say this because I understand that EU enlargements, the accession of a new member, is not a simple matter. It is also a matter of political decisions. Therefore, if the EU accepts Armenia as a full member, it will be great. If it doesn't, then we will still benefit because we will be a country that has fully complied with EU standards.
However, I should say frankly that the biggest problem on Armenia's EU integration path at the moment is the frozen state of the political dialogue between the EU and Georgia. Georgia is for us a path to the European Union.
And we adopted the law on launching the process of Armenia's EU accession after Georgia was granted candidate status for European Union membership. It made Armenia's EU membership prospect tangible. And we expect and we request that the constructive process between the European Union and Georgia develop. This is important for Armenia. It is just as important for Georgia.
Honorable president of the European Parliament, distinguished members, ladies and gentlemen, The people's nonviolent Velvet Revolution that took place in Armenia in 2018 was based on the understandings of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. We kept our democracy viable and developing in spite of the war even. But we understood that peace is the only way to make democracy irreversible. In reality, we achieved peace thanks to democracy, thanks to our commit to democratic values, because we were able to overcome the patterns of thinking that were imposed on Armenia. We overcame by listening to the people.
The real people, the living people who were longing for life and peace. On 06/07/2026, the next parliamentary election will be held in the Republic of Armenia. And with those elections, our democracy must make peace. Irreversible, and then with peace, democracy will become irreversible. We are on this path, moving forward.
And I say this as a legitimate representative of the people of the Republic of Armenia. And so long live peace, long live democracy. Thank you. For your attention.
Speaker 138
Start with the report by mister Sven Simon. On the framework agreement on relations between the European Parliament and the European Commission, we vote first on amendment one. Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? Let's check amendment 1.
Vote. Is closed. It's rejected. Amendment two. Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? Adopted.
Amendment three. Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? Reject. We vote on the decision as a whole by roll call. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. And it's adopted. This is a very important report. Thank you.
Thank you to Sven Simon and Bernd Lange for their work. We will hold a signing ceremony with the commission president at a future parts session. We move to the report by Miss Birgit Sipple on the proposal amending regulation 2021 1232 regards the extension of its period of application.
Speaker 141
I give the floor to Dora Porter for 2 minutes. Hold on a second. It will, yeah.
Go ahead.
Speaker 142
Colleagues. We and I have been working on this for a long time. If you've been working on this for a long time, you'll remember how difficult it was to find a solution to this issue of clamping down on child abuse online.
But we do have broad backing. Or we did have broad backing for a focus on specific areas. I know that we have different backgrounds. We're coming from different places. I think we can put forward a good proposal now. With targeted measures.
That have been put forward by the EPP, S and D, and renewed together. In concrete terms, we're talking about the interim regulation. And its scope, and we can hopefully strengthen our hand in the trilogs as we establish a long-term framework on this matter.
So I'm asking you to support the compromise that has been put forward, then we can already begin discussions with the council tomorrow.
Speaker 138
Miss Sipple, so we start with a proposal to reject the commission proposal by roll call. Vote is open.
Speaker 1
Vote. Is closed. And it is rejected, so we move to the draft legislative act amendment one by Rockville. Vote is open.
The vote is closed.
Speaker 138
And it is adopted. We move to amendment five. By roll call, the vote is open. Amendment five. The vote is closed.
And. It is adopted. Amendment two in two parts, vote by roll call. First part, the vote is open.
Vote. Is closed.
Adopted. Second part vote is open.
Speaker 138
Vote. Is closed. Adopted Amendment 21. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Reject Amendment 22. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
23. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. 24. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. 25.
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. 26. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. 27. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
28. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected, 17. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected amendment three by Rocco voters. Vote is closed. Adopted amendment seven. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected amendment 8.
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected amendment nine. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 10 by Rocco. Vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected.
Amendment 14. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. 15 who's in favor, who's against? Who abstains? Rejected 16. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 18 by Rocco.
Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 11. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
Amendment 12, by roll call vote, is open. Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 13. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
Speaker 143
We vote on the commission proposal by Rocco. Voters open. The vote is closed.
Adopted.
Speaker 138
Now we since the commission proposal as amended is adopted, I give the floor to Mr. Zazalejos.
Thank you, President.
Javier Zarzalejos
I as Liebhajab, would like to request that the file be referred back to the commission to the committee for interinstitutional negotiations. Thank you.
Speaker 138
Thank you very much, mister Zarzaleh. Jose, so we will vote on the referral back by show of hands. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. So the report is referred back to the committee responsible for intersocial negotiations in accordance with rule 60, paragraph four.
We vote now on the report by Jose Cepeda and Paolo Cunha. On the Council of Europe Net Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy. We vote by consent by Rocco Votezok.
Adopted.
Speaker 138
We vote now on the report by Mister Mathieu Vale on the EU Ecuador agreement. Cooperation between Europol and the Ecuadorian authorities competent for combating serious crime and terrorism. I give the floor to Mister Vale, for two minutes.
Speaker 146
Atander, we thank you very much, president. Dear colleagues, after the Islamist threat, we're now faced with narcoterrorism. We are now invaded by cocaine. There have been many tons of cocaine seized in different ports around. Europe.
But behind these figures, there are lives broken. There was a child killed in Marseille by a stray bullet. Was mown down by a drug trafficker in Marseille. This just reminds us that drug trafficking kills. Some of them want to put democracy on its knees, but we will not flinch.
Our police forces and armed forces risk their lives every day to protect us. We have precious tools available to us, Europol and Interpol, that allow us to track these criminals beyond our borders. We need to go further.
The fight against cocaine has to start where the drug roots originate. Ecuador has become one of the major transit routes for cocaine produced in Peru and Colombia. This information allows us to better hit at these criminal gangs.
This is not a ministry. This is a fight for human lives. Voting for this text will prevent these gangs from holding us hostage. And defend those people who defend our lives every day.
I'm thinking of Eric Masson, a policeman in Avignon who was a father of two, hit by a bullet by drug lords. And various other police officers who were hit by bullets. These men died as heroes for France so that we can live freely.
Speaker 147
So please, be worthy of these heroes by voting for this text. Vote now by consent, by roll call.
Vote is open.
Speaker 138
Vote. Is closed. And it's adopted. Now I have received a motion from the SND Group to adjourn the vote on the report guidelines for the 2027 budget March part session.
I give the floor to Mister Nils Ushakov, mover of the request, for one minute.
Nils Ušakovs
President, based on article 2064, I requested the vote on the 2027 budget guidelines be on the agenda in order to provide more time for political groups to agree on the final text.
Thank you.
Speaker 138
Thank you very much, Mr. Ushakov. Would anyone like to speak against doing this? No? Alright. I put the motion to vote. Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? All right. It is adopted.
Therefore, the vote is adjourned. And there is about 20 minutes less of voting today. It will happen next time. So we vote now on the report by Mister Jean Marc Germain on the mobilization of the European Globalization Adjustment Fund for displaced workers' application BE TAPAUE Belgium.
I give the floor to Mister Jamin for two minutes.
Speaker 150
Madam, the president, Madam president, ladies and gentlemen, on 02/17/2025, 267 employees of Tupperware Belgium were made redundant overnight. This proves once again these companies allow people to turn up to work and find the doors locked.
The doors which they've been going through every day for decades. They could no longer work in the workshop, they were no longer able to work with their former colleagues or have the sense of achievement you get from work.
For workers, all of them who've lost their jobs say they face a sense of social death. They fear they can no longer pay their bills. The dizzying fear of having to find a new path through life.
Our task is to try to help them by activating the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund. As we will be doing it in a few moments, colleagues. But let's be honest about this.
Tupperware's bankruptcy is identical to that of so many other countries that are undermined by unfair competition from Asia and elsewhere. Victims of brutal decisions taken by financial entities who care little about workers' rights.
We are facing, we will face hemorrhaging of our industrial base if we don't take measures to shore up European industrial sovereignty. So, colleagues, over the next few weeks, as we start working on European industrial preference, when we work on fine tuning investment in cheap and affordable green energy.
Once we've reviewed our anti-environmental and social dumping, we should set our objectives, set our sights high. We should ensure that our workers, like those from Tupperware, will no longer be destined to face the prospect of their factories being closed down.
Vote by roll call, the vote is open.
Vote. Is closed.
Speaker 138
And it's adopted. We move to the report by Irina Joveva and Miras Jovan Nickel on the gender pay and pension gap in the EU. State of play challenges on the way forward, and developing guidelines for the better evaluation and fairer remuneration of work in female-dominated sectors.
We start with paragraph 10, original text in two parts, all by roll call.
First part, the vote is open.
Vote. Is closed.
Adopted.
The vote is closed.
Speaker 143
Vote. Is closed. Adopted. Paragraph 52, original text by Rocco, vote is open. The vote is closed.
Adopted. We vote on the resolution as a whole by roll call. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed.
Adopted.
Speaker 138
Move to the report by Keira Marie Peter Hansen. On the European semester for economic policy coordination 2020, paragraph nine, original text in two parts. First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? We checked the second part.
Speaker 143
Vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted. Amendment five by Rokow. Vote is open.
Speaker 138
Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 14. Who's in favor? Who's against? To upstate again, who's in favor? Who's against to upstate? Check. Amendment 14.
The vote is closed. Adopted. Amendment one, by roll call.
Speaker 143
Vote is vote. Is closed. Rejected. Amendment two by Rokow. Vote is open.
Speaker 138
The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment six. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment seven by Rocco.
Speaker 143
Vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment eight, by roll call. Vote is open.
The vote is closed.
Speaker 138
Vote. Disclosed. Rejected. Amendment 10. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Amendment 11 rejected.
Who's in by roll call, sorry. Vote is open.
Speaker 138
Vote. Is closed. Rejected. Paragraph 24, original text in two parts. First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted.
Second part by Rokow. Vote is open.
The vote is closed.
The vote is closed.
Speaker 138
Rejected. Paragraph 28, amendment 16 by Rocco. Vote is open. Not open yet, I see.
It's not okay.
Speaker 143
Now it's open. Amendment 16. The vote is closed. Rejected. So we vote on the original text in two parts.
First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Second part, by roll call. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted.
Amendment 17 by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote is closed.
Speaker 138
Rejected. Amendment 12. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 13 by Rocco. Vote is open.
The vote is closed. Rejected. Paragraph 32. Original text in three parts. First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted.
Speaker 143
Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Check. Second part. Vote is closed on the second part. Good to check. Reject it.
Speaker 138
It's. Adopted because it's the original text. Alright. Third part. By roll call this time.
Vote is closed.
Speaker 138
Adopted. Amendment three is in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment four by Rokow, vote is open.
Vote.
Speaker 143
Is closed. Rejected. We vote on the resolution as a whole by Rockville. Vote is closed.
Adopted.
Speaker 138
We move down to the report by Miss Nela Real. On the European semester for economic policy coordination, employment and social priorities for 2026. Start with amendment five. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment six.
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment seven was in favor. Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected amendment 8 by Rokaw. Vote is open. The vote is closed.
Adopted. Amendment nine. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Reject. 20 Barocco vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Rejected amendment 18. Who's in favor? Who's against? Abstains? Adopted. Check amendment 18.
Vote.
Speaker 143
Is closed. Adopted. Amendment 10, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 11, Barocco's vote is open. Vote is closed.
Adopted.
Speaker 138
Amendment 12. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 13. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 14.
Who's in favor? Who's against? Okay. Check. Amendment 14.
Vote. Is closed.
Speaker 143
Okay. This is rejected. Now amendment by roll-call. Vote is open. The vote is closed.
Rejected.
Speaker 138
Vote on the original text. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 16. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Paragraph 17, original text in three parts, all by roll call.
Speaker 143
First part vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted. Second part, the vote is open. Vote is closed.
Adopted.
Speaker 143
Third part, the vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Men win 22 by Rockville. Vote is open.
Vote is closed. Rejected 23 by Rokow. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected.
Speaker 138
Paragraph 20, amendment 17. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. We vote on the original text. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Let's check this. Original text.
The vote is closed.
Speaker 138
Rejected. Paragraph 22, original text in two parts. First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Amendment 19 by Rocco.
Vote is open.
Vote is closed.
Speaker 138
Rejected. Amendment one. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment two, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment three, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
Amendment four, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. We vote on the resolution as a whole. Barocco vote is open.
Vote. Is closed.
Adopted.
Speaker 138
We move to the report by Mr. Petras Ausdrevichus on the EU enlargement strategy. Amendment one by Rocco. Vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected.
The vote is closed.
Adopted.
Vote. Is closed.
Rejected.
Adopted.
Speaker 138
We vote now on the report by Mr. Tobias Kremer. On the recommendation on enhanced EU-Canada cooperation in the current geopolitical context, including the threats to Canada's economic stability and sovereignty. Paragraph one point f original text in two parts.
First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Amendment won by roll call, vote is open.
The vote is closed.
Rejected.
Speaker 138
Paragraph one point x. Original text in two parts. First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Amendment three.
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Paragraph one point a x original text was in favor. Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted paragraph one, point b, c. Original text was in favor. Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted paragraph one point b, e original text in two parts. First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted.
Speaker 143
Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. We vote on the resolution as a whole by roll call. Vote is open. The vote is closed.
Adopted.
Speaker 138
Vote now on the report by Mister Tobias Kremer on tackling barriers to the single market for defense. Amendment one by Rokaw. Vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected.
Amendment to Barocco. Vote is open.
Speaker 143
Vote. Is closed. Rejected. We vote on the resolution as a whole by all vote is open. Vote is closed.
Adopted.
Speaker 138
Final vote is on the report by Miss Lucia Annuncia on flagship European defense projects of common interest. It's a single vote by Rocco. Vote is open. Wait. Wait.
Speaker 157
Wait. Vote is don't take your cards out. Vote is closed. Don't take your cards out. Adopted.
Good afternoon.
Alright. Bye.
Speaker 158
Well. Thank you very much. We are gonna restart the season. The minutes of yesterday's sitting and the text adopted are available.
I understand that you don't have any comments. About that. Then, the minutes are approved. We move to the topical debate, to the next item on the agenda. It's a topical debate request by a political group.
In this case, the APP, the child sexual abuse online, protect children not perpetrators. Under the rule 169. I would like to inform members that for this debate, there is no catch the eye procedure and no blue card will be accepted.
Then we are moving to the first speaker of the topical debate, it's Javier Sarfalejos.
For four minutes.
The author of the initiative.
Javier Zarzalejos
Thank you, President. Yesterday, in this chamber, we listened to the heartbreaking testimony of a mother, Jackie, whose daughter Coco fell victim to online bullying. Heartbreaking testimony indeed, but also challenging to us as legislators. What are we going to do about it? What do we intend to do about it? Because right now, there are thousands of children going through the same torture that Coco suffered.
Children in isolation, in distress, in fear, who are being harassed, extorted, humiliated, bullied, and abused. Children whose images as victims are being disseminated online. This is happening now. In homes that are no longer the safe environment we think they are, sexual predators, bullies, or even criminal organizations break into them through digital doors.
Child sexual abuse, online radicalization of minors online, recruitment by organized crime online, Europol reports show that terrorist actors, organized crime groups, and online communities involved in child exploitation increasingly operate in the same digital spaces. As a result, minors can be targeted simultaneously for grooming, manipulation, criminal purposes, and radicalization. So the situation of children in the digital space, in terms of risks and threats, is deteriorating seriously.
And we need a whole of society approach, a strong commitment and involvement of governments, industry, and platforms, law enforcement, civil society, and legislators. This is a simple principle that we have to translate into truly enforceable legislation.
But if it's legal offline, should be illegal online. Unfortunately, the gap is here, and the gap is widening. The whole thing starts with prevention. I find it really extraordinary, to say the least, that while we discuss children protection online, there is no effective procedure of aid verification in place yet.
Yes. Prevention requires detection of illegal content. Content removal according to the law. Early warnings. It is feasible.
It is legally possible. Within a sound and proportionate legal architecture with a strong set of safeguards, targeted actions, clear limits, and accountable technologies. Should uphold the fundamental rights of children, their dignity, their moral integrity, their right to be protected, their right to be assisted and supported.
Protection of children is not an option. It's a primary obligation. And we, as legislators, have the opportunity and the duty to deliver. The legislation that is under negotiations now and the new proposals that we expect to be put forward by the commission should make a real difference as a comprehensive approach to children protection both online and offline, as a truly European framework of integral protection in which national responsibilities are effectively articulated and reinforced with stronger cooperation mechanisms at union level.
So let me state in the strongest possible way that protecting children is not chat control. I find it absolutely regrettable and seriously misleading. To speak about measures to protect children in such a dismissive and untrue way.
But there might be some who advocate for the digital space: no rules, no limits, and no responsibility, where hate speech spreads freely. Racism and threats go unchecked, all in the name of freedom.
Certainly, that is not my option and not that of the EPP. Children deserve protection, the protection that the law can and should provide. They do not deserve to turn our commitment into a political battlefield, in confrontation driven by ideological prejudice or partisan political interests.
Let us move beyond slogans and fear. Let us work together to deliver on our responsibility compelled by the suffering of victims and survivors and driven by our duty. As legislators. Thank you.
Speaker 158
Thank you very much, Mr. Tarzarekos. Now is the turn of commissioner Jorgensen that will speak in the name of the European Commission.
Speaker 159
Honorable members, every second, two child abuse images or videos are shared online.
Every image is a crime scene, and the scale of the problem is growing. Dramatically. In October 2025, the CyberTipline received 21,300,000 reports of suspected sexual exploitation of children. That is 20 times more than in 2010. And these reports include almost 62,000,000 videos and images.
Online enticement has increased more than 30-fold in five years. Up to 1,400,000 reports in 2025. The European Union hosts the most child sexual abuse material of any region in the world, according to the Internet Watch Foundation.
The reasons we are failing are well known. Online services operate across borders, and child sexual abuse spreads across jurisdictions. Our national systems remain fragmented. That undermines enforcement, and creates legal uncertainty. Therefore, there is a clear case for the long-term regulation to prevent and combat child sexual abuse, that we have proposed.
Setting clear obligations on companies to meet their responsibilities, and with clear safeguards, giving everyone the necessary clarity. Because what is the alternative to detection by companies? Children are often too scared to report, and family members are either unaware of the abuse or they are abusers themselves. And when the abuse is hidden in private communications, need detection by companies in order to open a case.
It is not a question of novel technologies. They can essentially use the same technologies that detect malware or spam. Technologies that cannot understand the content of the message simply flag whether or not there is possible malware, spam or child sexual abuse material.
So, we are not talking about surveillance. Regulation would also create an EU center to prevent and combat child abuse. It will give the centre the operational capacity to stop the spread of child sexual abuse material, but with strong data protection safeguards to protect.
Privacy rights. Agreeing on the regulation is taking time. And, in the meantime, we cannot allow a legal gap. So far, we've been able to rely on temporary rules to allow voluntary detection to continue until the adoption of the long-term legal framework. An extension of these interim rules and there will be no interruption or legal gap in the voluntary detection of child abuse online.
Without it, online providers will not be allowed to remove such images from class chats or other instant messages or mail services. And they do so voluntarily now. However, the position being taken now to limit to known images only would mean, in practice, that we would lose the battle against AI-generated images that can undress innocent children and make them perform sexual acts. This puts children at risk and creates gaps we simply must not.
Tolerate. We must continue to allow service providers to voluntarily detect and report child sexual abuse material. The commission is glad that this parliament has just adopted a position allowing for the extension of this possibility, and we look forward to the trilogue.
Later. Agreements will give us space to conclude the negotiations on the regulation, as well as on the recast directive. Which would update the criminal law framework to reinforce prevention and facilitate investigations and prosecutions.
Must be sensitive when it comes to the balance between security and privacy. But, do we really want to be the number one region in the world that unwillingly protects perpetrators instead of our own children?
Let us work together to find a better common ground.
Thank you.
Speaker 158
Thank you very much. Thank you very much, commissioner. The next speaker is Mister Lenares for one minute and a half representing the EPP Group.
Speaker 5
Thank you very much. Europe is facing a rapidly escalating child sexual abuse crisis.
Reports of online grooming are soaring, and we're seeing an explosion of AI-generated child sexual abuse material. And behind every image, every video, every report, is a real victim, a real child being abused.
And for years, voluntary detection and reporting by providers has helped identify abuse material and support investigations that protect victims and stop ongoing abuse. And we should use all available instruments to take down all of these types of abusive material. And it's certainly not the time to switch off these tools because that would simply mean more abuse material circulating online, fewer reports, fewer interventions, and in the end, more children left in abusive situations.
Because, yes, we're very clear about this. Privacy is fundamental. It protects our freedoms. It protects our daily lives in the digital world, but privacy can never become a shield behind which child abusers hide. Of course, all safeguards must remain in place: end-to-end encryption, clear prohibition of general monitoring, but weakening the current system would not protect privacy.
It would protect against abuse. And that would send the worst possible signal, namely that in Europe, the privacy of abuses weighs more than the safety of our children. And we choose the opposite signal.
We must protect the children, not the perpetrators. Thank you.
Speaker 158
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Missus Sipel for one minute and a half representing SND. Group.
Thank you.
Speaker 142
Protecting children and fundamental rights is very important in terms of the symbolism of politics. The title of this development sets out the many challenges facing us, sexual abuse of children, is something which shocks all of us.
This is why it's so important that we identify what protective measures and needs are. Sexual abuse of children often takes place very close to home, over years without anybody noticing.
Abuse takes many different forms on the Internet, and in particular, dissemination of images is not just the response of one person, but evil criminal gangs. Moreover, we often hear about suggested solutions according to individuals' ideas. All too often, what we're actually talking about is business models based on data manipulation, clicks for money, but when it comes to responsibility, forget it.
Online and offline, we need to adopt measures which will provide protection for young people, ensure that public prosecutor enforcement agencies have the tools they need, so as to provide protection, while undermining individual rights, including those of children.
I'm happy that the European Parliament has now found a good compromise, enabling us to extend the interim regulation. Thereby ensuring that the European Parliament's mandate for the permanent regulation be strengthened.
Child protection cannot work via indiscriminate mass surveillance, but only via evidence-led checks, while at the same time encouraging children and other members of society to be more observant and attentive.
Speaker 158
The next speaker is Mister Tanker Korea for two minutes, representing Paget's. Group.
Senior.
Speaker 21
President, commissioner. Colleagues, the abuse of children is a monstrous crime. Which we must clamp down on with heavy sentencing. Protecting children is an absolute moral obligation. There's no relativism there.
And digital monitoring is needed, but not at any cost. Totalitarianism begins by controlling people's speech and privacy. We can't transform all citizens into suspects. There are technological alternatives to this.
AI is being talked about. AI can admittedly be used for bad purposes, but also for good. There are technical solutions which work and which will ensure that children aren't bullied or able to see pornography, or fall into the trap of other threats.
What's important here is to not use children to create a monitoring system. We need to protect children without turning our societies into totalitarian systems. Once the instruments are in place to monitor parts of society, then those instruments and those tools will spread. The scope will be too big, bigger than the original purpose. And we'll end up with a society where we're constantly watched over, a totalitarian system, and all of it starts because we wanted to protect the children. Let's separate these issues, and let's not go too far.
Speaker 158
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mr. Insalvini. For one minute representing the ECR.
Speaker 160
Protecting. Children from violence, abuse, and pedophilia should be an absolute priority for us. We should punish these monsters that abuse their purity and innocence. Those that spread pornographic material and defile our society need to protect people from this disgusting material. Which can circulate, unfortunately, ever more easily.
On the web. We don't want this to be used as a hypocritical excuse to make most people feel guilty and control us more. But getting rid of these organizations is our top priority.
As a result, we should neutralize the organizations that we already know about. We're also investigating at the European level. On the Epstein files to discover whether a criminal ring of that time had put its rotten roots down. We need to do it now, for the love of truth and justice.
Thank you very much.
Speaker 158
The next speaker is Missus Joveva. For one minute. Representing Reniuk Group.
Speaker 161
Colleagues. The title of this discussion is child sexual abuse. Online, and we must protect children, not perpetrators. But I think the title is a bit misleading. None of us wants to protect perpetrators, and I think we're all aware of that.
But I'm not sure about the title that is used here. And if we have massive intervention in people's privacy, that won't protect the children. And often, we hear in campaigns that this is about protecting children.
Of course, that plays to people's emotions. The American tech giants already have access to a lot of our data. So if we give these companies the ability to scan and to go through our data, then do we want employees in Kenya to sift through our data? Now all of this could lead to greater controls. So we need to have targeted measures, not measures across the board. So let's be very careful when we hear that this is about children, because often there are other solutions lurking in the background which could actually prove harmful.
Thank you.
Speaker 162
The prediction of children online, as in real life, is a legal but also a moral obligation, and we have to put all resources behind it. But online, the confidentiality of data is key for all victims and for all users, actually.
That gives us even greater encouragement to surveil messages, but it's a message, a measure that would damage us all. And the European Parliament has just voted in favor of a more targeted approach that respects rights.
So we've just voted on the targeted scanning of suspects. Just to remind you, a criminal law directive is underway to respond to child sexual abuse. The European Parliament has once again adopted an ambitious position in favor of victims and the prevention and repression of crimes.
But we are lacking political will because they don't want to put resources behind this. To effectively fight child sexual abuse. But they are going to sacrifice our personal and private data in their fights. And this is a shame. We need to protect victims with practical measures on the ground, as well as protecting the confidentiality online.
Thank you.
Speaker 158
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Missus Funchen. For one minute.
Girma Guruduro.
Speaker 163
Child sexual abuse material online is at an all-time high, and we must do a lot more to tackle it. Children and the issues that affect them are too often treated as an afterthought in this parliament, which I have to say I found very frustrating since being elected here. The fact that we still do not have a dedicated committee focused on children's issues shows that very clearly.
The online world is becoming more complex and more dangerous for young people. Children can easily be exposed to violent pornography, access games that seem harmless at first, and start using social media at a very young age. Many fall victim to cyberbullying or harassment, often without the knowledge or support they need to deal with this.
The spread of child sexual abuse material is extremely alarming, and the Internet Watch Foundation, which deals with detection of the content, has traced the majority of this content to countries within the European Union.
We must take a lot stronger action, hold these large platforms accountable for the content they host, ensure those responsible for these horrific crimes are brought to justice, and we do need to put proper safeguards in place to protect children online. I'd like to end by paying tribute to Jackie Fox who addressed this parliament yesterday.
She's an inspirational, courageous woman, and we need to support her ask and her call that Coco's Law is extended to all of our member states.
Speaker 158
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Missus Anderson. Representing the ECN Group.
Thank you.
Speaker 164
If you look at the title of this debate selected by the APP, you might have the idea that people who criticize chat controls are being designated as a perpetrator. Here we are again, this age-old linguistic tricks to try and push through a political agenda.
You can't protect children by placing all Europeans under generalized suspicion. What would happen? What kind of outcry would we have if the state decided to open every single letter in Europe without evidence, without a judge's decision, without suspicion? That would be a massive attack on our postal secrecy. That's something which we'd be protesting against, and accusing the state of being totalitarian.
But this is just what you want to do in the digital realm. You are quite serious about automatically checking through billions of digital communications, looking for photos, family news, everything that would be suspicious.
By doing this, you would be undermining and destroying the constitutional guarantees that are extended to our citizens. To be clear about this, what you're suggesting here is something which the Stasi would have loved to do if they could have done.
Just face up to it. If citizens know everything about the speaker, it is cut off.
Speaker 165
Mister president, commissioner, colleagues, today, this house has in principle taken an important and necessary decision.
Because when it comes to the protection of children, online uncertainty is not neutrality. It is a risk. The temporary deco derogation was always meant to ensure that companies can continue detecting and reporting online sexual abuse while we negotiate the permanent child sexual abuse regulation. Without this legal uncertainty, companies face a real dilemma.
Acts to protect children face legal uncertainty, or stop detecting abuse. Altogether. And we've seen what happens when this decision needs to be taken. In 2020, when companies were unsure whether detection was permitted under EU law, reports of abuse from EU-based accounts, and I emphasize that, dropped by 48% just in a few weeks.
So let us be clear. A drop in reports does not mean a drop. In. Abuse. It means fewer victims are identified, and fewer perpetrators are stopped.
At the same time, the digital landscape is evolving rapidly. Generative AI now enables the creation of abusive material that has never existed before. That makes detection even more urgent, not less.
So working on the current rules based on the compromise expressed by EPP, S&D, and Renew is therefore not a technical detail. It's the difference between proactive protection and turning a blind eye.
We had always been clear: protecting children must come before protecting perpetrators. And this is why we urge this house, but also the council, to really rapidly conclude the trial logs and work with a vision on the standing framework for child sexual abuse material and the fight against it.
Thanks.
Speaker 158
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Missus Insid. For one minute.
Speaker 66
It is honestly difficult to understand how a debate on legislation about protecting children from sexual abuse has been turned into a debate dominated by so-called chat control lobby.
Yes. I have seen colleagues back in 2021 who voted in favor of the temporary derogation then changed their mind after the campaign kicked started. Protecting privacy and protecting children's safety are not mutually exclusive goals.
Online platforms cannot continue being wild west. Right now, the strength of the chat control lobby has made many forget what this discussion is really about. It's about children being sexually abused online. The crimes are growing. Victims are increasing.
Today's classrooms and schoolyards are not only physical spaces anymore. They are also digital spaces. For every child in Europe, we need strong and long-term legislation that protects what we should be able to agree on.
Speaker 158
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Missus Underwet for one minute.
Speaker 167
In Europe, we this should freeze in our veins. We've seen that 50,000 migrant children have disappeared over the last three years. Many of these were put into the hands of pedophile gangs.
And various affairs such as the Cortenon affair have shown that our children are in danger. And these children were sold or humiliated online.
Speaker 167
Take down this content. We must increase what we're doing. Must be severe. But let's be clear about what our target is. We must not have a Trojan horse approach where we introduce mass surveillance.
We mustn't attack privacy. We want to dismantle all pedophile networks, and we want to have protection of our borders, physical and digital protection of our borders. In Europe, it's about protecting our civilization, but first of all, our children.
Speaker 158
Thank you very much. Nice speaker. It's Mrs. Todorescu for one minute.
Speaker 168
Cannot get rid of the rights to private life with the excuse of children's rights. I'm a criminal lawyer, and we cannot touch privacy online. But, of course, we have to protect children online. Both rights are not in conflict. We have to guarantee both of them. And we have to find the right solution.
We have to combat abuse. But this can't lead to general mass surveillance of all citizens, any limitation to rights can only be done in exceptional one-off circumstances, not me that says it.
It's the European Commissioner for Human Rights who said that. We need effective mechanisms to combat this material, but I would reject technological solutions which may undermine online privacy. So I've submitted amendments to this regulation in which I request that end-to-end encryption is intact. That's the only guarantee for the confidentiality of our communication.
Speaker 52
We imagine speaker, Missus Balmans for one minute. Thank you, president. Ladies and gentlemen, yesterday here in this chamber, we listened to mammojaki folks who lost her daughter because of online bullying.
This is why it's important that we extend once again, hopefully the last time this regulation. It's not a question of wanting to do this. We have to do it. As from April 6, we're faced with a problem.
Internet giants then stop online detection of child abuse, which means no reports, no investigation, no protection for our children. And we've already seen what this means. Let's think back. At the 2020, the 2021, when we found ourselves in a similar vacuum, thousands of additional reports came in.
Sorry. They dropped by 48%. That wasn't because there was less online abuse, but because it couldn't be tracked. So, colleagues, we have to get down to work on producing a definitive regulation proposed by the European Centre for the Protection of Children.
It's not a choice between protecting children and privacy. As we showed clearly back then, we need to protect children while at the same time protecting our privacy. And is certainly possible.
Okay.
Speaker 169
If right wing parties in this house were to decide, every SMS and every photo which you were sent by SMS or mayor would be suspicious. What they want is all messages to be scanned so as to see whether your photos might actually contain child abuse or examples of child abusing.
This means no more privacy, because the companies of Bill Gates and Zuckerberg would be involved in that. And those reports would then go to the police, and they would have to start looking for a needle in a haystack.
Let's start looking for genuine solutions. This is why once again, the European Parliament voted fortunately in favor of investigations carrying out when there's actually evidence. It means we can find the perpetrators.
In addition to this, we have to ensure we have extra funding for the police so they can do their job in investigating and tracing cases, as well as improved European cooperation. At the same time, we should also ban the apps to enable us to fight against child grooming.
Speaker 171
The next speaker is Ms. Sarah Sanchez. Othello von der Leyen said that we were going there was no longer going to be international law. That's part of the past. Well, thanks for being so honest.
Commission president. Genocides are swept away. You're in favor of the genocide. Against the Palestinian people. This is totalitarianism.
And there won't be humanitarian rights for the people of the South, nor for the European people. Chat control is a serious precedent. It is a system which allows mass surveillance. Based on any pretext.
Commissioner, why would there be cameras in people's houses just in case a crime was committed? Because that's what you're suggesting. And to the PP, you don't defend children.
There was an attack on a school in Iran, wasn't there? Don't criminalize migrant children. Allow there to be sexual education throughout the EU. Protect schools. So why don't you actually protect children by going after the people that are mentioned in the Epstein papers? And protect children's rights, but also please protect the right for people to communicate and to have privacy.
Thank you.
Speaker 172
Dear chair, protecting children against abuse is our duty, of course. Already about twenty years ago, I was told by a political analyst of a transnational company that systems for tracking all communications were in the works under the guise of protecting children against abuse. I thought at the time she was exaggerating, but I was naïve. Today, no thinking person can have any doubts anymore.
We are supposed to choose between agreeing to censorship and being accused of protecting those who commit crimes against children. I have been accused of both on social media. The guise of protecting children represents the misuse of child protection as a means toward censorship and spying. It's just the same as if you said that an act of arson was the reason to prohibit the sale of gasoline. There are many ways to protect our children without infringing on the civic rights guaranteed in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.
Speaker 174
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Missus Berwick. For one minute. Kratzey Milen. Ladies and gentlemen, I have the feeling I've been standing here for three days, trying to use simple words to explain to you why it's wrong to try to confuse our private life with these measures.
And I don't really like this in my own voice enough to do that. Once again, you failed your latest test. By extending this waiver for the privacy of electronic communications. Either you like being monitored, except when it's you, or you think you are doing something to protect children.
Take careful note of the next sentence. It's important. Surveillance of private communication, the fight against child misuse is useless. Because most examples of child abuse take place on public networks.
It's as if you wanted to have safe sex by wearing a condom on your head. But I'll do it without the sex metaphors because who's got time to have sex? When we're trying to save the world? In two weeks, we'll be having another final vote on the data abuse. This will be your last show, last chance to show that you've actually learned something. Perhaps you'll even realize that you are actually part of the general population. I suspect I'll have to stand here une again.
Speaker 175
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Pablo Arias Echeverria, one and a half minutes. Thank you very much, President, Commissioner. Yesterday, at this tribune, we had the privilege of hearing from Jackie Fox.
An Irish mother who lost her daughter due to online harassment. In an admirable attempt to overcome this, and to show generosity, she turned this pain into a specific action. The approval of or the adoption of a Lauren, Ireland of Ireland Coco's Law.
This can't just end in a testimony. Jackie's words had to turn into action, and this should inspire us. Data shows an alarming reality. The Internet is not a safe space, especially for the most vulnerable among us, particularly for minors.
Today, for example, we're in Strasbourg, and if you walk around the streets, you are most probably safe as you would be anywhere else in the European Union. However, the streets on the Internet where all sorts of content circulate, such as messages of harassment or pornographic images, are not.
Today, we're talking about the protection of victims against perpetrators. Online anonymity cannot be a hiding place for criminals. Online, criminals feel safer and more protected than the victims themselves. We have to guarantee that anonymity is not a synonym of impunity.
In the European Union, we already have legislation to deal with this. The prevention of minor child sexual abuse online. And soon, the digital act. We have to make sure that it's fully implemented and be meticulous in it. There should be no loopholes. And we have to make sure that the Internet is fundamentally safe and that there are deterrents for sex criminals.
Speaker 158
Let's take an example from Jackie. Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mister Lopez Aguilar for one minute.
Speaker 136
President, sexual abuse online is an example of a major cross-border crime. And we're responsible. This is our competence because the crime may cross borders. It's about striking a balance, though, between protecting minors from pedophilic acts while at the same time safeguarding privacy. But we did this in the CSAM.
We strike that balance. But it is stuck in council. So the CSAM regulation was what we've been waiting for. And at the same time, we've had to extend the interim regulation.
Which pertains to e-privacy. E-privacy regulation. So that we cover the obligation to detect, to withdraw, and then to prosecute. CS a. AM.
It's about protecting minors from all forms of crime, sexual abuse, and pedophilia online. Thank you.
Jaroslav Bžoch
We are trying to deal with digitalization, and we definitely need legislation for that. But let's be honest. Legislation is not perfect. It cannot completely stop criminals from doing what they are doing. Let us also concentrate on the fact that we need to raise awareness about the online world because we often forget about that.
Often, parents do not know what their children do online. Often small children play games online, and they chat with anyone there. And the parents do not know. So let's raise awareness also among the parents. We also need to think about the fact that digitalization is ongoing.
And this has to be reflected in how our children are educated at school. The education system is lagging behind. We need legislation. We need to protect our children, but we cannot have legislation which interferes.
With our privacy. Thank you.
Speaker 177
President, ladies and gentlemen, every case of pedophilia reveals the monstrous dimension of humanity and it is something which fills us with disgust. For a long time, we had an idea of unlimited freedom.
This is something which left under embarrassed silence or praise to the skies by the cultural left, which is now collapsing. The Coutinho in France, or the Groomingangs in the UK have revealed to the eyes of the world the disgusting side to humanity.
Other less publicized aspects of society, the fact that children are being put in residential homes, often after having been rescued from foreign grooming gangs. Show that the fight against pedophilia is an extremely important struggle.
At the same time, lots of normal people share our disgust in the face of this crime, but they don't want their private communications to be shared. This is why we have to work together to find a fair and balanced text to protect our children.
Speaker 178
Thank you very much, President. 20,000,000 is a number of sexual abuse signals for online child abuse. Every year, millions of our children are exposed to predators on platforms.
Behind this virtual content are real lives, children who are manipulated, trans, traumatized, and broken forever. We saw it ourselves yesterday in the hemicycle. If we don't act, social networks and messaging apps can become deadly traps.
This is why we're asking for a harmonized legal framework that will last over time and that can protect all children across the European Union, both in real life and online, while guaranteeing fundamental rights and solid protection of personal data.
We don't want mass surveillance. We don't want any screening of messages, and end-to-end encryption has remained intact. We can't have safety in exchange for a lack of privacy, but we need solid prevention as well as targeted screening and safe platforms. The protection of minors must apply online, and every day counts.
Let's act now so that children can be online without danger.
Speaker 179
Dear colleagues, George Orwell once warned us about the world where surveillance becomes normal.
At least for now, we can still treat this book as a warning, not as a manual. There was always a better way. Law enforcement focusing on real suspects, on targeted investigations, on bringing criminals to justice.
And the parliament today chose this way. Thank you, colleagues, but mainly thank you, citizens, for fighting for your rights. We did not give in to pressure or blackmail, that suggests the only way to protect children is through indiscriminate mask surveillance. Protecting children and protecting our fundamental human rights are not opposites. They can and should always go hand in hand.
And today, the parliament showed that both are possible. Thank you and stop jet control.
Speaker 158
Thank you. Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mrs. Fugio. For one minute.
Putting.
Speaker 180
An end to crime. By extending exceptional tech measures that have not proven efficient.
We're trying to put an end to the problems by attacking things at the root. We need to put an end to rape culture. Because anything online hides the realities offline. How can we not recall the impunity of the men involved in the Epstein affair in a system organized by criminals who think they'd be above the law. And think that they are within their rights to abuse children.
How do we beat the silence of business managers who sell pornographic doll dolls? Sexual violence against children is endemic throughout society. It's in schools. In locker rooms, in homes.
Millions of drummers are hidden, and victims need to be heard, supported, and followed up. Let us strengthen judicial means to put an end to these networks and use finance prevention to combat rape culture. Let us stand by the victims.
You are not alone. We believe in you.
For one minute.
Thank you.
Speaker 181
Chairman, colleagues. People have had enough of constant attempts to monitor their every move. And it doesn't matter whether you cover this up with a fight against a certain problem.
Rejecting spying is not about protecting perpetrators, but about protecting all the citizens. Police will have to investigate many reports. Chat control can only make things more difficult. We need to abandon shameful attempts to mask nefarious intentions, such as the dystopian control of the and our communications.
We've seen this in the Patriot Act in the United States. Let's not make the same mistake. I'm happy that civil society is responding to this issue and telling the commission not to stick its nose into every single form of private communication, and not see every citizen as a suspect. We need to support citizens and protect them.
Thank you.
Pedro for Gwen.
Minute.
Speaker 182
There are debates in this parliament that say a great deal about our priorities. And about what we are prepared to tolerate. This is one of those debates. Images of child sexual abuse continue to circulate online. This is a crime without end.
Recently, Europol coordinated the greatest operation in its history against one of these networks, the platform Kidflix. Almost 2,000,000 users worldwide. This is a subscription platform that contains over 90,000 abuse videos that are being sold and shared, traded as a good. Systems are profiting from this, from these networks that use digital platforms.
AI, and they produce and circulate new content. Many of these crimes are only discovered because online service providers voluntarily report them. We defend the regime that defends this voluntary protection that maintains essential guarantees encryption from point to point.
Protecting children is not an artificial problem of privacy. This is our duty. Thank you.
Speaker 184
Vice president, commissioner, Are we in favor of using all the means we have to prevent child abuse? But does that also mean that our chats will be able to be monitored without any indication of suspicion?
Now, sexual abuse of children is one of the worst crimes that exist, but it's been happening online for a long time. In 2024, there are more than 20,000,000 reports of alleged child abuse online. Cyber grooming, which is targeted communication with children for sexual purposes, is increasing significantly, and we can't turn a blind eye to it.
Now we're working on a permanent European regulation, but we cannot eliminate existing options for detecting abuse. Voluntary measures for providers to scan for abuse material must remain possible. All measures must be proportionate, be targeted, and be in line with the principles of the rule of law.
Data protector must never take precedence over the investigation of the worst crimes. We need this in the digital sphere as well.
Speaker 158
Thank you. Thank you very much. The next speaker is Missus Saladone. For one minute.
Speaker 125
Abuse. And exploitation of children online is an increasingly relevant problem.
Europol flagged up an increase of 106% in notifications, and children are the hardest hit by these offenses. And there are 200,000,000 women and girls across the world that have been victims of these horrendous practices. Then there's the child marriages, and to marry off girls of ten, twelve, thirteen years.
Sometimes we're told it is justified, but we need to protect these young victims who have seen their future taken away. And the EU needs to do a great deal more, and it needs to have the courage to take a clear position.
Thank you.
Speaker 158
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Missus Gozi Weska. For one minute.
Speaker 185
You. Colleagues. Child abuse online has very specific forms nowadays. Grooming, sextortion, publishing content, content that includes the images of children, or sometimes live transmissions, which were violence against children, can be watched by millions.
This the perpetrators should be persecuted. This content should be removed from the Internet, and technological platforms should be responsible for the space that they create. If they can analyze data for advertising purposes, they should be able to do more when it comes to protecting children.
But it does not all end on the Internet. In the EU actions, I see hypocrisy. On the one hand, we stop talking about protecting children. On the other hand, we promote education, which leads to a situation where children are sexualized and the role of families is undermined. We can't talk on the one hand about protecting children against perpetrators and then open up the doors to ideological experiments on our children.
Fight against such crimes cannot also be used as a pretext to introduce censorship and limit freedom of speech online. Thank you.
Speaker 158
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mister Fudore. For one minute.
Speaker 186
Thank you. You. Chairman. Child sexual abuse is one of the most odious crimes, and we need to fight it with all the instruments available to us. And child sexual abuse has to be a priority for the EU.
But we also need to be honest. There aren't any easy solutions to complex problems. To protect children cannot mean that you have surveillance systems in place. Which have a general nature and scan private chats.
Encryption protects not just offenders, but also journalists and millions of. So I think the right way of going about it is a different way, having platforms shoulder their responsibility, have investigative instruments to go after those perpetrating these crimes, and more support for victims.
Europe needs to show that it's possible to do both. To protect children, also to protect fundamental rights. Security and freedom need to go hand in glove, and they are not mutually exclusive.
Thank you.
Speaker 187
Dear. Colleagues. Protecting children is a major challenge. Let us recall, though, that according to UNICEF, the majority of abuse does not take place online, and the child often knows the perpetrator. Of the abuse.
Establishing general surveillance of private communications to identify criminal minority would be disproportionate and harmful to fundamental freedoms. Let us act where it's sufficient. Let us tighten up criminal sanctions. Let's protect mine by limiting their exposure to the Internet.
Generalized surveillance of private communications would be disproportionate and harmful to fundamental freedoms. Removing encryption would open doors to hackers, hostile states, and criminal networks. This encryption also protects our banking transactions, our medical data, and diplomatic communications.
The challenge is clear. We need to protect children without sacrificing our fundamental freedoms. Under a system of the rule of law, this is an indispensable balance. Thank you.
Speaker 158
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Missus Chogin Vialkus for one minute. Go ahead. Whatever. Sorry.
It's Mrs. Doherty.
Regina Doherty
Thank you, chair. Colleagues, I think it's very clear that artificial intelligence is now being used to generate sexual abuse material, and not just as a mother or a woman, I'm absolutely horrified.
With all the warning signs, the reports of the recent Grok AI scandal showed that the system can be manipulated to generate explicit imagery. And I think this is really deeply disturbing, and I welcome the commission's fast move to examine this matter.
But this debate is not only about artificial intelligence, about something that's much wider and deeply troubling in our reality: the continued spread of sexual abuse images and videos online. For every year, millions of these images are reported worldwide, and the numbers, unfortunately, are continuing to rise.
And the uncomfortable truth about Europe is that it is one of the largest hosts of this kind of material in the world, and something that we absolutely urgently must change. Artificial intelligence is a really powerful tool, and we know it's gonna bring enormous benefits to every part of our lives. But like any powerful technology, it can and is being abused. And when it's misused to exploit children, we have to respond decisively.
For any parent, it's really concerning because we expect our children to be as safe online as they are in the real world. So I think we need to send clear messages to those people who believe the technology gives them a way to commit these crimes. You cannot hide behind algorithms. You cannot hide behind technology, and you will not hide in Europe.
Protecting our children online is nonnegotiable, but we must find a way that respects privacy and the fundamental rights of all our citizens. Because in Europe, technology can never be a shield for those who abuse children, and those who try must face the full rigor of our laws.
Thank you.
Speaker 158
Thank you very much, Mrs. Dougherty. Now it's a turn for Missus Chauvin Vialkus. For one minute.
Commissioner.
Speaker 189
Before I finish this speech, at least one new case of abuse online is going to be reported. The Internet Watch Foundation report for 2025 shows what is going on, and it points out to us being all those reports of abusive practices show up every 74 seconds, and 97 percent of the victims are girls.
Roblox and Discord platforms are used to gain the trust of the children and then to use them and abuse them. The scale of this risk is appalling. The new problem is AI-generated images of children's sexual abuse. And the increase is staggering by 26 thousand percent. So please bear in mind that this is happening.
The big techs must be more responsible for what they are doing. Thank you.
Speaker 190
Thank you, president. Every day online, millions of children are subjected to violence, never-ending violence, and the images of this abuse are sold, archived, stored, and this, every time, causes harm, new violence being perpetrated.
We're not talking about technology here. We're talking about children, real children with names, faces, and destroyed lives. All too often, our discussion concentrates on protecting digital spaces for adults rather than dealing with the victims, and privacy cannot be a shield for those who abuse children, and the freedoms online cannot be turned into a way of committing crimes against the most vulnerable.
We are not here to protect the platforms. And it's our task to protect children. If technology allows these criminals to perpetrate these crimes, then technology also needs to allow us to stop them. A society that hesitates to protect its children fails in its most fundamental duty, and every protected child is to be seen as a victory for Europe.
Speaker 191
And the next speaker is Miss Mileti for one minute, please. Thank you.
Speaker 192
3,500 children are victims of abuse online every month. We can see this through the thousands of videos. Available. But now we're hesitating in our debates and in our negotiations. We need solutions, child abuse save material must be identified immediately.
Platforms need to be effectively supervised in Europe. Abusive material needs to be removed. Every minute counts because pedophiles have access to this material that victimizes children again. We also need to make the trafficking of illegal materials generated by AI sanctionable.
Also need to ban the access of children 15 to digital platforms. This is part of my report on the protection of minors online. You approved this report, so we need to move to action.
Thank you.
Speaker 194
Fiona, thank you very much. While at a school recently, people told me that she got her first smartphone at age 10. The first thing that her parents did was install TikTok on her phone. And now perhaps videos she shouldn't have posted as much as she has because the risks are extremely higher.
Perpetrators used chats and applications to blackmail or put pressure on children, and so many children have experienced sexual violence online. But what happens online does not just stay online. Because things that happen online also happen in reality. What is prosecuted offline must also be prosecuted online.
Platforms need to be consistent in shouldering their responsibility. They must allow for prosecutions. And they must remove unlawful pictures as well. We also need to strengthen media literacy for children and parents, so they're more sensitive to the issue.
And outside the Internet, youth clubs, sports clubs, these also need to be protected because analog areas are also important for children, not just digital rooms. We need to ensure that children could be part of our democracy, not in a place where they are weaponized.
Thank you.
Very much.
Please.
Speaker 196
The. Colleagues' violence against children. It is a problem that cannot be solved through legislation alone. If that were the case, we would not be having this discussion because European law already provides a legal framework for this in the form of directive 2011-93.
But our new generations are growing up in front of screens. The Internet provides opportunities for education, communication, and development. But at the same time, it has opened up new channels for abuse, exploitation, and manipulation of our children. Now, unfortunately, we only start discussing these issues when something terrible happens.
Something that harms the children. Now when institutions, technology, and society are not enough, and when parents throw their children into situations and places beyond their reach and control, and effectively abandon their responsibility to be parents, it becomes an issue.
Now in Europe, there is no safe place for people who harm children, nor should there be, neither on the Internet nor offline, but we need the full force of the law and public outrage, and it's our duty to protect children rather than seek excuses for their abuses.
Thank you.
Tenet, please.
Deber Collagen.
Speaker 197
Colleagues. I was a police officer for several years. And this work sharpened my eye for strategies used by perpetrators and gaps in protection. Depictions of abuse online are forms of documented violence against children. This is violence against children who are defenseless and who often do not understand what is being done to them, and then these crimes cause wounds that last a lifetime. This is why we must not have any gaps in protection until the CSUN regulation comes into force.
If we remove unknown abuse material and grooming from the interim regulation, that would be a fatal signal. Because that is exactly where new crimes are uncovered, perpetrators are identified, and children are protected.
Data protection that shields perpetrators isn't progress. It's a failure. If you want to protect children effectively, we must have legal access to the relevant data. Our benchmark is clear. We protect children, not the perpetrators.
Speaker 198
Thank you very much. And the next speaker is mister Alex Ayosilippa for one and a half minutes, please.
Thank you.
Child abuse.
Alex Agius Saliba
Is the most heinous crime possible.
We were here yesterday in this plenary, and we heard Jackie Fox talking about abuse, even sexual abuse, generated by AI.
That her daughter had to suffer, and it led to her daughter committing suicide. And therefore, we have responsibility to ensure strong legislation, to ensure that this grooming that is becoming widespread even on platforms that parents might believe are innocent, such as childhood games, children's games, can even lead to sexual abuse, sexual abuse. And therefore, we must ensure we have a balanced legislation that fights sexual abuse, however, strikes a balance to ensure that we protect our privacy, all our citizens' privacy.
And we have to preserve end to end encryption, which ensures that citizens' privacy is kept. Surveillance of our citizens is not the answer.
We have to place responsibility on companies that have to ensure that this abuse is removed. We see that competent member states cannot carry this additional burden, that they cannot keep up with. We have all the instruments to do this. We can ensure that we can provide an online environment that is secure for our children.
Thank you.
Speaker 198
Thank you very much. And the next speaker is Mister Alexander Vondra for one minute, please.
Jonathan, thank you.
Speaker 200
Jonathan Haidt was right. Social media for children, there's going to be a huge problem. And pornography being available to children is very dangerous. We need to protect our children. But chat control and private communication being, that's not the right approach.
That's not what we should be doing. Because we shouldn't be taking on the authoritarian practices that China uses. And we need to be protected from these kinds of phenomena. People's privacy needs to be protected, and that cannot depend on private firms or on the state.
Speaker 198
This must be based on mathematics, and this is what I would like to work towards on the EU level.
Bert-Jan Ruissen
Thank you. You. Madam President. The Netherlands does not look good here. And the figures are absolutely shocking.
One third of all child pornographic images in the world are stored on Dutch servers. Millions of photographs of children that can be disseminated at the click of a mouse. Now, president, we need to be clear. Those who perpetrate these crimes need to be punished severely, and we need clear rules.
Internet platforms need to detect this kind of material, notify it, and then also remove it. But our privacy is also important. Also, in our digital dealings, we can't have the commission or tech companies looking at all of our images or reading all of our messages.
However, if there are suspicions that child sexual images are being shared, we need to take action. And we need a clear framework for this, which on the one hand protects privacy and on the other hand allows the judiciary, the police, together with Internet platforms, the opportunities and possibilities to intervene.
Speaker 198
And the next speaker is Mister Sergio Bellato, for one minute, please.
Speaker 201
Madam. President, commissioner, dear colleagues, I've always fought the scourge of pedophilia and violence against women. I have two daughters, four grandchildren, and I will never accept that criminals can use their dirty hands to go after our children by torturing them, raping them, filming these horrific scenes to then sell this online to pedophiles. It's a lifelong fight that I've been waging.
And we need to shed light on all of the Epstein files. Apparently, many very powerful people who run this world are involved. And maybe someone is scared that their connivance might be uncovered. And thank you for listening, but I certainly hope that can turn a page.
Speaker 159
Thank you. You all for your contributions.
To prevent fragmentation, ensure uniform obligations, and protect children, we need. An EU solution. Behind every case, there is a child who deserves protection, dignity, and justice. We stand by our proposal for a regulation and a directive because we include a careful balancing of the fundamental rights at stake, and it would mean real progress.
Protecting children, not perpetrators, must remain the guiding principle of EU action.
Thank you.
Speaker 198
Thank you very much. The debate is closed. And I have an announcement. The EPP and ECR groups have notified the president of decisions relating to changes to appointments within committees. These decisions will be set out in the minutes for today's sitting and take effect on the date. Of this announcement.
And the next item on the agenda is commission statement, building Europe's clean, independent, and secure energy following the 2026 North Sea Summit. And, therefore, I will give the floor back to Commissioner Dan Jorgensen to start the debate, please.
Speaker 159
Honorable members, dear friends, across the world, the winds are changing. To our east and to our West, we in Europe are caught in the center of the storm. It is a storm that threatens our security, raises our prices, and undermines our place in the world. But those of us who grew up near the North Sea know very well. At the height of the storm, we must call on our deepest resolve.
It was in my home country on the edge of the North Sea and in the mid of a crisis in the Middle East, that Europe made its pioneering move in renewable energy.
We took the wind, the power of the wind, and transformed it into wind power. In Hamburg, at January's North Sea Summit, we renewed our commitment to harnessing this power for Europe.
The leaders and energy ministers of the North Sea region agreed to accelerate offshore renewables and to strengthen Europe's energy security through clean, homegrown power. They pledged to improve cross-border planning to tackle permitting challenges and to mobilize more financing. Crucially, they also committed to improving the resilience of supply chains and the security of infrastructure.
The presence of NATO at the summit reinforced this commitment. Industry has stepped forward, committing the assets, innovation, and investments needed to deliver offshore wind at scale. So, the question is, what can we do as a union? And what are we doing as a union? To capitalize on the clean energy potential of the North Sea, first of all, we must focus on implementing our European grid package. This means more coordinated planning, accelerated permitting, improved cost-sharing, and enhanced security. All of this will help us to translate our ambitions for offshore wind into action.
In the North Sea and across Europe. We must also continue to support the sector in facing its specific challenges. For example, the commission has issued guidance on well-designed contracts for difference. Setting out the steps we can take to provide stability for investors and protect our consumers. Ensuring adequate funding for offshore wind is another key area in which we can make an impact.
Yesterday, I presented a clean energy investment strategy to mobilize both public and private capital at the scale and speed required. This will also benefit offshore wind projects. And as agreed in Hamburg, we share the responsibility to protect marine ecosystems and maintain a good environmental status in our sea. Later, I will introduce a tripartite agreement on offshore wind and grids in the coming months. This will provide further relief for the sector and contribute to accelerating the implementation of the North Sea Summit declarations.
Finally, of the 300 gigawatts of offshore wind planned for the North Sea by 2050, up to 100 gigawatts falls under the category of cross border cooperation. European Union can help to bring these projects to life by supporting peace and PMIs, funding from the Connecting Europe Facility.
Let me give you a concrete example. In Hamburg, the governments of Germany and Denmark announced a new agreement to advance the Bonhomme Energy Island project. And the commission backed this agreement with a Connecting Europe grant of €645,000,000. By providing this funding, we take a step closer to delivering our energy highways, and to building a true energy union. And by repeating this formula, we can create even more success stories in the years ahead.
So honorable members, friends in Hamburg, we made more than a political declaration. We sent a clear signal that Europe stands united, resilient, and that we are determined to charge our own cost towards energy independence. We are choosing to harness our immense natural potential. To power millions of Europeans' homes and businesses.
To echo the words of Chancellor Metz, will turn the North Sea into the largest reservoir of clean energy. The world. The possibilities are immense. And the potential cannot be wasted.
To bring down energy prices, to cut our emissions. And to usher in a new era of energy independence, so that Europe can stand strong and united whatever storms may come.
Thank you.
Speaker 198
Thank you very much, commissioner, and we will now begin with the first round of speakers on behalf of the political group, starting with EPP and mister Virgil Daniel Popescu for one and a half minute.
Please, the floor is yours.
Speaker 202
Thank you. Thank you very much, madam president, commissioner, colleagues.
Europe is now debating or talking about the energy potential of the North Sea. This is a necessary discussion, but our energy security cannot be only built in the north of the continent. It has to be built at all cardinal points.
I'm from the East, so I'm very interested in the area of the Black Sea. Romania is strategic in this effort. The project to extract natural gas in the Black Sea is not just a European project. It is an energy security project because, without that volume of oil and gas there, we risk to be vulnerable. Moreover, the Black Sea has huge potential for offshore wind energy.
Over 150, 170 gigabytes. We cannot build our energy without a resilient infrastructure and without diversified sources. Sources. There have been attacks on the energy infrastructures over the last few years.
Protecting the infrastructure from the Black Sea and from the North Sea has to be a priority. And technological neutrality has to be a fundamental principle. We have to accelerate renewable energy, but we also need nuclear energy.
Romania has already proven that it can be a stable supplier for all of the EU, so we need to invest in the Black Sea and into regional interconnection. We need to build a real energy where all the regions and all the resources contribute to a common objective.
Europe needs a green transition, but also a safe, competitive, and consistent transition as well.
Speaker 198
On behalf of S and D, mister Thomas Pelerin, calling for one minute. Please.
Speaker 203
Dear colleagues, once again, we're seeing new hikes in oil and gas prices. In Europe, we don't have oil and gas. And yet, for decades, our leaders have chosen to keep our dependence on fossil fuels.
Today, once again, two-thirds of our final energy consumption comes from oil and gas. We all know the consequences of this. Inflation once again. 1973, 2003, 2026, Pollution. Each hour, 30 Europeans die from pollution.
Then we've got climate change, droughts, flooding, and public debt. €600,000,000,000 is what's been spent out of public funds to maintain our dependence. And then our submission to Trump to the Ayatollahs.
So let's be clear. We need to move away from fossil energy. We need greater energy efficiency. We need more electric vehicles. We need more renewables.
This is how we will be able to protect our purchasing power, our environment, and our freedom.
Speaker 198
The next speaker on behalf of Patriots is mister Andrei Knootek for one minute, please.
Ondřej Knotek
This is a very impressive and ambitious project. Its success could increase energy autonomy in states around the North Sea. Also, granted, political support is a very good signal. However, even more important is a long-term trust of private investors of the capital, and this is not granted. The uncertainty remains high.
Slow risk development, scale-up issues, risk that real costs could massively exceed estimations. So as I said, this project deserves attention and support. But I would strongly recommend not to consider its success as granted, and at the same time, should, in all regions of Europe, focus on diversification of stable sources, for example, of nuclear energy.
Putting Olex into one basket doesn't work, especially in the energy sector. Thank you very much.
Speaker 198
Thank you very much. And on behalf of ECR, the next speaker is Mr. Sanders Smith for one minute, please.
Speaker 206
Madam President, Commissioner, finally I've been given time to speak. Finally, the BBB can speak freely again on behalf of the ECR Group. This week, Ursula von der Leyen has finally had to admit that her green crusade against Nudica Energy was a mistake. It lasted 15 years.
The German Atom Auschtig was a mistake. But the European Green Deal is an even bigger mistake. We're stopping gas exploration in the North Sea, and that makes us dependent on China and others more than ever before.
And this unilateral hatred has also weakened us politically. Now we want wind farms cemented everywhere, and we're changing everything into an industrial park. Fishers are being squeezed out, fishing grounds are disappearing, and everything is being hollowed out. Now taking apart these wind farms again is not affordable from a societal point of view, either.
We would need biogas from the manure. We need to have oil from the North Sea, and invest in smaller nuclear power plants. Now don't say that the BBB didn't warn you, but we will not be silenced any longer.
Thank you.
Speaker 198
Much. And on behalf of the new group, the next speaker is Miss Cyril Friess. For one minute, please.
Sigrid Friis
Thank you. It's really expensive to be dependent on someone else.
€3,000,000,000 extra since the war in Iran started. How many more euros do we want Europeans to lose before we learn? We have to make Europe more independent. We have to invest in our own green energy instead of just investing in fossil fuels. That's what matters.
Look what we've done in the North Sea area. How Denmark and Germany are agreeing on an energy island in Bornholm. That's how we make Europe more secure. That's how we make it more independent. Every time we construct a new turbine in the North Sea, we are less dependent on fossil fuels from Putin or the Middle East. What we do in Bonhomme, we need to do all over Europe.
We need clean, safe energy all over Europe, and that's why we have to accelerate the green transition.
Speaker 198
On behalf of the Green Group, the next speaker is Mister Bloss for one minute.
Please.
Thank you.
Fintech for president.
Speaker 208
Thank you very much, madam president. Every year, we import oil and gas for what, to the tune of 4 €100,000,000,000 every single year, and that money goes to Trump's pals and to Putin as well. And European policy is dependent on those people.
However, the North Sea has wind right on our doorstep, and it's fantastic. 300 gigawatts by 2050. That's enough theoretically to supply all European households. Fossil energy is not cheap. It's the most expensive energy in the world. You never stop paying for it.
Wind is a one-off investment. We buy, we build, and then the North Sea will provide the rest. We don't need to have any threats over Greenland from the White House.
So do we want to carry on paying rent to despots who are constantly increasing prices? Or should we build our own house? North Sea is part of our European home.
Thank you.
Speaker 198
And on behalf of the left group, the next speaker is Mister Pierre Clausen for one minute, please.
Speaker 209
Once again. Prices for electricity, heating, and fuel are increasing. Of course, because of the war the US and Israel are waging against Iran and Iran's attacks on neighbors. Their threat in the Strait of Hormuz, and it pushes prices up.
But we could have avoided this. If we had acted earlier, if we had transitioned to renewable energy, because we know how dependent we are on fossil fuels, but instead many of the members here, especially on the right wing, decided not to do that. They held on to fossil fuels. They insisted on gas instead of wind and the sun.
And what I hear today is that you're still fighting the green transition. That's the most important. Which means that we Europeans will just have to pay on prices, environment, and really expensive energy.
Speaker 210
I have to ask the right wing: When will you live up to your responsibility? When will you grow up? Thank you.
Speaker 198
And the next speaker is mister Petra Bustran for one minute, please. Hello.
Speaker 211
Dear. Colleagues, we're on the eve of a third oil crisis. And this is a dramatic situation, and what the commission is offering as a solution for Europe is wind farms in the North Sea.
Dear friends, please understand that it's been the green deal pursued by the commission of the past few years and foisted on Europe, which has ruined our industry. The latest news from Germany alone is alarming, Porsche has 89% loss in its share.
The share has gone down by 89%, 50,000 people being laid off at Volkswagen. Now you want to secure independent energy through wind turbines. I mean, wind turbines depend on the weather.
It's not secure. And Ursula von der Leyen has now come to the conclusion that phasing out nuclear energy was wrong, that her own party for decades was pursuing the wrong policy.
But let's return to nuclear energy, then.
Speaker 198
That was the first round of speakers on behalf of the political groups. Now I will open the blue card option and invite you to use it, and the next speaker is Mr. Nils Fleminghansen for one minute.
And a half, please.
Tak, Forman. K. A.
Speaker 212
Thank you, chair. Dear Dan, dear colleagues, on January 26, 13 countries around the North Sea agreed. To integrate up to one. This was a historical moment.
This is not just an ambition, this is a decision, and the work starts now.
Denmark, we have taken that responsibility very seriously.
The Bonhomme Energy Island, we deliver three gigawatts of green electricity to Denmark and Germany. That is enough to power around 3,000,000 homes. 1,000,000 in Denmark, 2,000,000 in Germany. This is about much more than climate policy. It's about security. It's about jobs.
And it's also ensuring energy prices are manageable for all. In the union. The alternative is continued dependence on expensive and unsustainable fossil energy imports and the geopolitical risks that come with them.
Yet, when energy crisis rise, some argue that we should slow down the transition, postpone or undermine our market-based solutions like the ETS, return to politics and technologies of yesterday.
Not on my watch. There is an old saying, when the winds of change blow, some build shelters, while others build windmills. Europe must be the continent that harnesses the power of the wind, not the one that seeks shelter from it.
Thank you very much.
Speaker 198
Thank you very much. And the next speaker is Mister Bruno Toback for one minute. Please.
Speaker 213
Madam President, Commissioner, colleagues, I have a story of two camps. In one camp, you have Team Hamburg. Team Hamburg in the sector of wind energy offers direct deployment to more than 200,000 people in Europe, more than 200 companies, and 11,000 jobs in Belgium alone, 14,000,000,000 by way of investing in European construction capacity over the past two years, which accounts in some member states. For 80% of their electricity so made in Europe, industrial and growing.
In the other camp, you have team Antwerp. 10% less production over the past five years, more than a thousand jobs that have disappeared in Belgium alone, structural dependence on foreign raw materials and energy, and chronically lagging behind in investment in electrification, fighting infighting over the ETS system, which adds 10% to the cost of energy, while gas prices this week have gone up by 50%.
Through events out of our control, which we will also never have control over. So the race for independent, secure energy is a race that has been run, dear colleagues. Clean is the only solution, but some in this parliament are still fighting windmills instead of choosing for the future.
Speaker 198
Try to stick to speaking time, and the next speaker is Miss Petra Stiga for one minute, please.
Speaker 214
Europe is destroying itself. For years now, we've seen our competitiveness destroyed, our economy is destroyed by high energy prices, phasing out new nuclear energy, renewable energy, there's one sanction package after another.
And in order to abandon Russian oil and gas. This is complete political madness. You want to foster green energy, but we are in an energy crisis that's being caused by your own policies.
We've seen more expensive energy. People's prosperity is going down. Now. We're seeing the deindustrialization of Europe. We want to be optimistic, but we are seeing a complete decline.
And then the main source of energy for one member state is currently being blocked, and it is destroying Europe's security. And what does the EU do? Absolutely nothing. It remains silent.
And it's even on the side of Ukraine and looks away when Soleitsky threatens the head of state of the European Union with murder. This is a complete scandal. There is no competitive market without proper energy supply. Thank you.
Speaker 215
I will speak in Polish. Colleagues, the fact that Europe actually ensured crisis for itself is one thing, and then green crazy group actually made this crisis our day to day reality that impacts businesses and people across Europe.
But where do we find Europe who used to express solidarity with countries that were warning against this? Where is Europe that used to freeze funds because it didn't like the government of Poland? Whereas Europe now, that was thinking about green energy, basically to destroy the entire energy security system across Europe.
So where is this European parliament? Where are you all? That express solidarity with mister Schroeder? I said two weeks ago, impose sanctions. It's someone who's not welcome here.
And then they were crying hypocrisy. Urban is not a hypocrite. President of a Polish political party, Kaczynski, is not a hypocrite. You are hypocrites. Because you destroy the security of energy in Europe.
Funded back for one minute. Please.
Don't go.
Speaker 216
Thank you. The region where I was born and grew up is the opening to the North Sea Channel, and that's the beating heart of the Amsterdam region, you know, constantly movement. This is where the future is.
In the clean tech sector, we have 300000 jobs. And in the North Sea Channel area, they're very ambitious. They want to be the first green industry region of Europe, and the North Sea is of paramount importance in achieving this.
Through joint European projects, we can make sure that there is real progress when it comes to wind energy. Now, luckily, our new cabinet is also very ambitious. They want 40 gigawatts by 2040.
So commissioner Joergensen, please don't be discouraged by what you hear from some in this Parliament. The North Sea area can be active. They want to bring in all of the industrial harbor areas around the North Sea and achieve this.
Speaker 217
Thank you. Dear commissioner colleagues, Europe used to talk about energy mainly in terms of market and prices.
Today, we clearly understand. Energy policy is a security policy. Energy keeps our homes warm and our industries running. And when Russia weaponized gas, we saw how dependence can be used against Europe. And that's why cooperation on clean energy today matters so much. When European countries connect their grids, build offshore wind together, and invest in shared infrastructure, we are doing much more than just building turbines.
We are building resilience. A system that is less exposed to geopolitical shocks and volatile fuel prices. And we see why this matters today. As the war in Iran pushes oil towards $100 per barrel and drives gas prices up again, Europe is reminded how vulnerable important fossil fuel makes us. And the more renewable electricity Europe produces itself, the less we pay for those shocks and most importantly, our citizens are less exposed.
So this is not only environmental transition as some like to call it, it's a strategic transformation. Thank you.
Speaker 198
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Miss Marina Massouda. One minute. Please.
Speaker 218
Thank you, madam President. The current situation forces us into certain realizations. Each international crisis becomes an energy bill crisis for Europe. A few days after the start of the war in the Mideast, price of petrol at pumps is over €2 per litre. We can no longer accept that daily lives of our citizens are so subject to external shocks.
This is not just something that is being played out in our borders. It's at the heart of our energy network. Our real defense lies in our ability to sustain our own supply.
How do we do that? By leaving fossil fuels, mass electrification, and deployment of renewables. The 300 gigawatt offshore wind goal for 2050 is not just a green goal. It is a strategic imperative. As long as Europe has offshore winds, we will have high-performing industry.
We must protect this, because true energy sovereignty for Europe will be renewable. We will have no sovereignty at all. Thank you.
Speaker 219
Stop with your lies. You are not saving here any trees, any bees, any fish, any swamp. You are not saving anything here. Actually, your green scam is destroying Europe. It's destroying our economy, life of the people, and the future for our children, and we should abolish it immediately.
Now people in Europe can no longer afford to pay for these high energy prices. Companies are fleeing Europe because they are not able to be competitive in Europe. Young people are not even dreaming anymore of having children and starting families because it's extremely expensive, and owning such a small house or apartment in Europe is a luxury now.
And everything of that is because of you and your crazy ideas. But you pretend not to see the consequences of your own actions. You are discussing here how to bring even more immigrants into Europe, and how to provide housing for them.
Or maybe how to facilitate sex transition for young children in every member state, or maybe how many electric cars should every company in the European Union have. Europe is falling. Europe is losing in front of the whole world.
And is losing because of you. And as I said last time, Ursula von der Leyen and her commission are the biggest enemies of Europe.
Speaker 198
Next, speaker is Miss Elena, one minute, please. For giving Quint the floor.
Colleagues.
Speaker 220
If we want a strong, independent Europe, then we need to focus on hydrogen. Must invest in our own industry and our own independence. No individual state can achieve that alone.
We, Bulgaria, must not remain on the margins of this change. We must be part of the new energy map of Europe. We need to combat increasing energy prices, invest in new nuclear power stations, and invest more in bolstering our capacity in the vertical gas corridor. This can help with stability.
Thank you.
Kelly, for one minute, please.
Mahran. Ramalgud.
Seán Kelly
The volatile global energy market is once again wreaking havoc on European wholesale electricity prices. Consumer bills. I welcome the continued commitments by the North Sea countries to realize the enormous potential of our renewable resources in Northwestern Europe.
The North Seas, including the Irish and Celtic Seas, have enough resources to power the whole of Europe. And I think delivering on this potential needs to be our number one focus in the ongoing work on the grid package. The North Sea's efforts are, in reality, only a realistic pathway to true energy independence. But not enough progress has been made. Planning systems continue to delay rollout, and this compounds the major supply-chain bottlenecks that our project developers experience.
We need giant up thinking across planning and permitting, industrial policy, redevelopment, and things like support schemes and market arrangements. Failure to develop the Nazis' potential will condemn another generation of Europeans to high and uncontrollable electricity prices.
Speaker 198
Thank you very much. And the next speaker is Miss Sophie Erickson. One minute, please.
Speaker 222
Some people in here are getting closer to the oil. Lobby, and you might wonder what their endgame really is. How much higher can prices get? How much more can we lend before we realize that they are not looking at Europe's best interest?
But you know something? In Ludwig and Smede, back in Sweden, we are showing a different path. €147,000,000,000, the biggest export order in Swedish history to produce energy systems for the North Sea from tiny Ludvillka. This is the future. We've got skilled workers, technology developments at world class levels. This provides jobs in industrial areas, and gives us sovereignty.
Speaker 223
Europe should become more like Ludwiga and Smedebergen, don't you think? Thank you. Yeah.
Next speaker is Miss Barbara Bonter for one minute, please.
Speaker 224
Colleagues. Today, once again, we see how vulnerable our energy system is. The war in the Middle East is again leading to higher energy prices. Every time Europe becomes too dependent on imports, it's our companies and families that pay the bill.
And we need oil and gas from the North Sea. We need to use those reserves in a very clever way and continue drilling. We also use this for cosmetics, electronics and other industries.
The backbone to our welfare and the industry. And we need to invest in the future, which is nuclear energy. It's low on carbon, independent, and secure. Now for years, the commission sort of said that they needed expensive, unreliable alternatives. And that nuclear energy was bad news, but we now know that that's not true. We need to use what is available and continue expanding nuclear energy, because without it, we won't have an industry.
And without industry, we don't have any welfare.
President.
Speaker 225
In this chamber, we often hear and we have now heard that during this discussion, how the green transition has been the root of all evil.
But the opposite is true. As a matter of fact, especially in the Nordic countries, which have done a lot in the field of renewable energy. Even a long time before joining the EU.
Now have electricity which is the cheapest in the EU in of your. And we warm our houses with this cheap energy as well. So, you do not know your facts now that you say that the green transition has caused their problems.
It's exactly the opposite. The fact that we have not done it enough is a cause of all of our problems. So we must have energy, which is cheaper in Europe, and it is more sensible to do so than pay our money outside of Europe. This is an energy security question and a security question as well.
Lean for one minute, please.
Speaker 226
You, madam president. Following on from the war in Iran, oil and gas prices are rising upwards. The EU has been affected, but what's worse is that Putin is profiting from this development, and these rising prices are filling his war coffers.
The Iranian regime is murdering thousands of its citizens out on the street. They survive on oil now. When war breaks out, that's now suddenly contributing to financing another brutal regime, Putin's Russia, which is now given more money with which to bomb Ukraine.
Enough is enough. The situation really shows the absurdity of our dependence on fossil fuels. To say that we stand by Ukrainians or Iranians and at the same time wanting to feed our fossil fuel dependence, is hypocritical. The green transition has to be sped up.
We need to stop subsidizing fossil fuels and make mass into renewables. This is about the climate, certainly, but it is equally much about European security. Thank you.
And the next speaker is mister Yuri Ratas for one minute, please.
Speaker 228
The Hamburg declaration aims to turn the North Sea into a clean and secure energy hub for Europe. I would like to raise an additional point: our energy must also be affordable for our people and for our businesses.
Europe should not rely on only one type of energy. Offshore wind and hydrogen are important. But they cannot be the only answer. We need a balanced energy mix as well as stronger connection, more than grids, and energy storage.
Our coal must be a truly reliable part of the European energy market. That delivers stable and affordable prices for all member states, smaller ones like my home country Estonia. My question to the commission is this: what is the commission doing to ensure the stronger connection between the Baltic Region and Nordic countries helps reduce electricity price differences?
Thank you.
Speaker 198
Thank you very much. The next speaker is mister Jenskaya for one minute, please.
Speaker 229
Thank you very much indeed, madam president, commissioner, dear colleagues, I welcome the fact that the Hamburg summit has had very good results, which means that the North Sea will be providing energy, and will become a powerhouse. It's an important area for wind.
Energy production. But what if there's no wind? The production of wind energy is so high currently that the Danish and German grids can't actually deal with the electricity. So what do we do? Well, we stop production.
And on a yearly basis, billions of euros are lost, which is why the grid package you mentioned, commissioner, is so important, because that allows us to overcome those issues. But it's going to be expensive, and will it suffice? So within the context of the grid package, I do think we also need to look at storage, you know, in the short term with batteries, in the long term with chemical storage.
And why not have electrolyzers at the coast and have green hydrogen produced? You know? That's probably the future.
Stine Bosse
Dear colleagues, president, commissioner, Victor Eguin, once again, we're facing possible energy prices. Crisis with the war in the Middle East, the unpredictability of Trump, it is raising our energy prices, and everyone feels it. It's become quite clear that the European dependence on energy from outside makes us vulnerable.
But Danish People's Party and the Denmark Democrats want to lower the taxes and excise duties on petrol or diesel, where we're already dependent on the Middle East or Russia. And I thought those two parties didn't really like countries in the Middle East. I just think they're being very short-sighted.
It's a fact.
Stine Bosse
That our energy is cheaper if we produce it ourselves, and Europe won't be safe until we are independent of energy from outside. So we need more renewable energy. Wind, sun, or nuclear.
In the EU energy we control because that's your security and my security. Thank you.
Speaker 231
As long as we are on fossil fuels, we will be vulnerable to those who control fossil fuels.
Can we control who rises to power? No. But we can control how dependent we are on them. Yet Europe keeps repeating the same mistake. After Putin invaded Ukraine, we reduced our dependency on Russia. But instead of actually breaking the cycle, we simply shifted it this time to the US. The cost of this vulnerability is enormous.
Between 2021 and 2024, Europe paid €930,000,000,000 extra for fossil fuel imports. Just because of price shocks and geopolitical crises. These costs are predictable and they are avoidable. Energy independence is not only climate policy, it's security policy.
Dear Commissioner Jorgensen, the Hamburg declaration is not optional. This is our roadmap to European independence, and it's on you to implement it.
Speaker 198
Thank you very much. And the next speaker is Mister David McAllister for one minute. Please.
Speaker 232
Thank you. You, president. Europe needs to have an affordable energy supply. The summit on January 26 in Hamburg was an important step forward. This will build up better cross border planning of North Sea power in order to facilitate common projects to create planning certainty, reduce costs and supply energy.
Secondly, the European Union needs to protect against attacks on our infrastructure. That's important at the national and European level. And thirdly, we can't just have announcements. We need to see a specific tangible reaction plan.
Which has a clear timeline and clear monitoring framework. The North Sea Summit set out a clear signal for a clean, secure energy in Europe. Thank you.
Speaker 198
And the last speaker before Catch the Eye is Mr. Barry Andrew. Draws for one minute. Please. Thank you, madam president, commissioner, and colleagues.
Speaker 132
I very much welcome the plan arrived at the North Sea Summit to dramatically ramp up renewable energy in the North Sea with joint European projects and the plans around increased generation in the time frame. I think this can provide a pathway to cost sharing for the rest of Europe and indeed for the highlighted energy pathways. I think the political point I would make is that it gives us an opportunity to remind the EIB that we need to put pressure on them to provide more risk around frontier technologies, to provide more balance sheet innovation in order to fund these developments.
We obviously need cheaper and more reliable energy, and I think we are able to give more certainty for turbine makers, for example. And we should remind Wind Europe that they have committed to deliver a 30% decrease in production costs on the basis of the political commitments made at the summit. So let's keep the pressure on. Let's make sure that we can deliver.
Renewable, cheap energy, and make sure that we can inoculate this continent from future fossil fuel price shocks. Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Speaker 198
So now we come to catch the eye, and today, I only have a few speakers, so you will all be able to speak, those of you who ask for it, beginning with mister Christoph Hetman, seat 487, please.
We. Need to have some help with a microphone. Try 485 instead. Could you maybe please help? Yeah. Well, we are seeing, we're looking into this.
We. So mister Hittmann, may we can check, and we can take the next one and get back to you then if it's okay. Yeah.
You will be next.
Speaker 198
So the next speaker will be Miss Gabriela Feria, Seat 466. Hopefully, we are luckier here.
Thank you, chair.
Speaker 233
Commissioner colleagues, that success in the North Sea is laudable. However, we cannot ignore the social reality in the East.
In Romania, over 70% of our citizens have started this year with a deep fear regarding the cost of living and the prices of energy. The Romanian government had to come up with a new emergency ordinance to keep the ceilings for gas prices until January 2027.
Romania can be a guarantor for Europe's energy stability, but it might also benefit from the cheap energy produced in the Black Sea. Neptune Deep is making progress. The first extraction is programmed for 2027.
We shall thus become the union's largest producer. Now we need products and projects that focus on household production, first. We need preparation because oil prices are going up. We need ceilings everywhere.
Speaker 234
Because this is not time for speculation. It is not necessary to look at how people get richer.
Okay.
Speaker 235
Thank you very much, Madam President, Commissioner. This summit for the Northern Sea shows that Europe can act together when it comes to our security and new technologies. I would like to highlight how important the offshore projects on the Baltic are, or indeed investment in nuclear energy in Poland, for example.
We are risking damage that comes to us because of the geopolitical tension. So we need to invest in our safe energy. It's also very important for our security and our competitiveness.
Europe cannot trust in its future, only base itself on the others. We need our own sources. We need to focus on our infrastructure. We need more investment in research.
The offshore wind parks is not just clean technology. It's also a chance for cheap, reliable energy to our industry. They are really important. They can do it. We have to cooperate on offshore wind energy and on the transmission channels? Thank you.
Speaker 236
With the microphone. And the next speaker is mister Tinkanenci 210, please. Madam President, the attack launched by Russia revealed your energy dependency. The noise of howitzers woke up European decision makers from their sleep, during which they had let Putin's gas pipelines wrap around their necks like a boa constrictor.
Now Europe is talking of self-sufficiency. And that is good. Last year in Europe, investments in wind power climbed to €45,000,000,000, and there are massive plans for the future. Wind power should be supported as long as decision makers remember that geopolitical dependency must not turn into dependency on the weather.
Europe should not rely too much on wind. Alongside wind power, we need a large amount of stable, regulating energy. The kind that is not reliant on the weather. Nuclear power, hydropower.
Burning peat, coal and wood for energy. These are forms of energy. We cannot let the Greens steal. Thank you. Thank you very much. And the last speaker is Mister Billy Kelleher, seat nine.
Please.
Speaker 23
I welcome the outcome of the Hamburg declaration and the signing by the countries in the precincts of the North Sea, and Ireland was a signatory to that declaration as well.
It's quite ambitious, commissioner, 300 gigawatts by 2050 from wind energy in the North Sea area. And, from my perspective, it means that we not only have to announce and outline what we're going to do, we have to follow through with regard to timelines and the monitoring of member states. Clearly, this is not just about, you know, transitioning.
It's also making Europe resilient, less reliant on fossil fuels from, you know, the areas that we can no longer geopolitically depend on, but more importantly, we need to get competitive. And to be competitive, we have to have cheaper electricity, for our industries and equally for our homes as well.
So while we welcome this, we have to ensure that there is a strong monitoring. From an Irish perspective, we see significant challenges, commissioner, in the area of planning and permitting, and, also, we need greater connectivity to the UK and then, obviously, into the European Union itself as well.
So we would appreciate it. Thank you. Those commitments in the. Thank you. In the Hamburg declaration, which thank you very much.
Speaker 198
Dear colleagues, thank you very much. Thank you. Very much all of you, and now we'll give the floor back to Commissioner Dan Jorgensen, to close the debate. Please.
Speaker 159
So around 1000 years ago, Vikings ruled the North Sea. A lot of people don't know why it was they were so successful. They went to America 500 years before Columbus. They went to Greenland.
How could they do this? Well, the answer is they were the first to deploy sales. To their ships. It was very difficult back then. It took us as long for them to make the sales for the ships as it took to build the actual ships.
But they exploited the wind. And it made them successful. So today, we need to learn from the Vikings. Let's exploit the winds of the North Sea. Potential is huge.
Back in 1991, Denmark built the first offshore wind farm in the world. Back then, a lot of people were shaking their heads. Surely, that's way too expensive a way to make energy. But today, offshore wind competes in price with almost any other energy source on the planet.
Certainly, with the fossil alternatives. So, offshore wind needs to be a cornerstone in our green transition. To make a safe, to secure our energy supplies, to make us independent, to lower the prices, to decarbonize our economies, and to fight climate change.
When we can do this, but it will not happen if we do not recognize that we have some challenges. First and foremost, our grids. We need to expand our grids. We need huge investments. We need faster permitting. We need better cost sharing.
And we need better planning. So fortunately, we've put forward a plan to change these things. We put forward a plan and a strategy to make this possible. So I urge you and the European Parliament to support this plan.
Give us good advice to make it even better. But support us in this endeavor. Also, I will put forward a plan for electrification later this year, a plan for heating and cooling.
A plan for digitalization and AI. So we've got a lot of work ahead of us that is, of course, related to today's discussion. But thank you so much for the input. I look very much forward to the work in the future.
Thank you.
Speaker 198
Thank you very much, commissioner. Let's learn from the Vikings, but hopefully only when it comes to wind. The debate is closed. Thank you very much, and then we will move slowly onto the next topic, and we change the commissioners.
So, the next item on the agenda is the Council and Commission statements. Savings and investments union, time to accelerate the process to deepen market integration. And as always, with a combination of statements, we will begin with the council, and I will therefore give the floor to deputy minister for European affairs, Miss Rona. Please, the floor is yours.
President.
Speaker 2
Honorable members, commissioner, today's debate comes at a crucial moment for Europe's economic future. The savings and investment union is not merely a technical dossier.
It is a political project central to Europe's competitiveness, to our strategic autonomy, and to our ability to deliver prosperity for our citizens.
Deepening Europe's capital markets is essential to finance our transitions, support innovation, and ensure that savings work better for people. The European Council has repeatedly underlined the urgency of this work.
Our leaders have been clear. Our union must deepen market integration and deliver concrete progress now. This political guidance reflects a shared recognition that the global environment is changing rapidly, with challenges increasing, and that Europe cannot afford to stand still. The presidency is fully aligned with this sense of urgency. That is why we have placed the savings and investments union at the top of our agenda.
We are committed to advancing a stronger, more integrated financial system that can mobilize private capital at scale. This is a shared political responsibility, and it requires close cooperation amongst all institutions.
From the outset of our presidency, we have launched an ambitious and accelerated work program. We are holding meetings frequently, and working diligently to advance all parts of the savings and investment union. We are pushing ahead with the market integration and supervision package. Which is essential to remove barriers, reduce fragmentation, and create a genuine single market for capital, facilitating savings flowing efficiently into productive investments. The presidency remains fully committed to making decisive and swift progress on this important file, considering it is a central piece of the current efforts for deepening European capital market.
Yesterday's exchange at Ecofin confirmed that the presidency's approach and proposed workstream is supported by member states. Ministers underlining their strong support for the objectives of the savings and investment union, and broadly acknowledge that advancing this agenda will be key to mobilizing private savings and channeling them towards productive investment across the union. Overall, the policy debate highlighted both the importance of making swift progress towards an agreement and, at the same time, the need to ensure a high quality outcome.
We are also advancing work on supplementary pensions, recognizing the importance of boosting citizens' retirement income, ensuring that Europeans can save and invest with confidence, and that long-term savings can be channeled more effectively into the real economy.
These files are part of a broader political effort to build a stronger financial architecture for Europe. I would like to acknowledge the work already undertaken by the European Parliament. Your reports, debates, and political engagement have helped shape the direction of the savings and investment union, and have kept this topic high on the European agenda. The presidency greatly values this contribution and parliament as an essential partner in driving this project forward.
Let me also underline that this commitment and readiness is matched by the council. We already hold negotiating mandates on securitization and on the digital euro. This means that politically and technically, the council is prepared to enter inter-institutional negotiations without delay.
As soon as the parliament adopts as negotiating positions, we can begin trial locks immediately. Honorable members, the Savings and Investment Union is a cornerstone of our economic strategy and of our joint effort for strategic autonomy. Accelerating progress in its implementation is in the interest of our citizens, businesses, and the union as a whole.
We must continue to work together to deliver a deeper, more integrated financial market that supports investment, strengthens resilience, and enhances Europe's global standing. The council stands ready to continue engaging constructively and swiftly.
Let us seize this moment to advance the savings and investment union and deliver the benefits that European citizens expect. Thank you.
Speaker 198
Thank you very much, deputy minister. And the next speaker is for the commission, executive vice president Sicily. Please. The floor is yours.
Speaker 237
Thank you, madam president. Madam minister, ladies and gentlemen. One year after our strategy for the Savings Investments Union was launched, I'd like to thank you for organizing this debate.
This project has been led by commissioner Abu Khaki, and it's a key pillar of our competitiveness strategy for a stronger, more resilient, more independent Europe. It's to allow for prosperity and so that citizens can benefit from wealth creation.
In this is first and foremost a political project. The commission in March 2025 presented an ambitious strategy. After that, we put in place all of the key aspects of the Capital Markets Union. In June, we adopted legislative proposals to launch securitization again in Europe. In September, we published a recommendation for savings accounts and investments, and a strategy to promote financial culture. In October, the commission adopted measures to encourage investments in insurers, banks, and infrastructure companies. In November, a package to bolster additional pensions.
In December, we presented the market supervision and integration package. So these will now be subject to negotiations between the council and the parliament. It is up to member states to look at the recommendations we've already put together.
As part of the strategy, especially on the supplementary pensions. Because there are, we want to mobilize capital, but also ensure that there are savings for people's retirements. We want to mobilize capital in Europe. This mechanism to organize capital markets, but also it's a way of fueling the new European system with capital. This also deals with some looks at simplified taxation for savings investment accounts that will attract more investment, especially on the capital markets.
It will also diversify sources of financing and optimize savings. And in that framework, I'd like to come back to the market integration package. And that's the last text that was presented by the European Commission.
The capital markets are underdeveloped and fragmented, and they are not big enough to support investment that weakens our competitiveness and our standing at the international level. Now this market integration supervision package presented in December leads off from several main principles.
First of all, a single capital market on a large scale. That is essential for growth and competitiveness in Europe. In terms of objectives, it seeks to remove barriers to the integration of national markets, cross-border operations, funding, innovation.
And this package will allow us to remove barriers which prevent financial actors from scaling up and from being more competitive, and to be able to engage in cross border business.
Interconnection is also important. And we'll eliminating barriers to supervision is also one of the key targets and key priorities of this commission. The success will be measured based on three criteria: how quick it is, how ambitious it is, and how consistent it is here in this hemicycle.
I've already spoken about the internal market, the road map, one Europe, one market. And the president of the commission, as Wunderling announced, the objectives here in this parliament. Now, obviously, there's the geopolitical situation. And the economic situation.
We will need to be ambitious and show that we are ambitious on the timeline and also on the substance. Integrating capital markets is always being promoted by this house, and it perhaps contrasts with some reluctance at the council.
We need to be ambitious and move swiftly and construct a capital markets union for the future. Thank you.
Speaker 198
Thank you very much for that. The next speaker is the first, on the first round of political groups. Speakers, and that is, mister Markus Verba for two minutes on behalf of EPP, please.
Phil, thank you, our president.
Speaker 238
I didn't like you very much indeed. Madam President, Commissioner, representative of the Council, colleagues, Europe's capital market is still fragmented. And for our companies, that really provides them with a disadvantage, lower liquidity, and higher financing costs. And that's also the reason why stock exchanges and securitization activities take place in London and New York, rather than in Paris.
Amsterdam or Dublin. So we need more market integration for financial service provision, and that needs to be at the heart of what we do. And the European Commission's proposal takes us in the right direction. Now the parliament wants to deliver on this quickly. It's our ambition to wrap up the procedure in-house by the end of the year so that Europe can have results to show for it quickly. Now legislation is a precondition for all of this, but of course, we also need to make sure that real existing cross-border ops obstacles are done away with, tax obstacles, for example, impeding investments, and we also need restructuring and insolvency frameworks.
If you want to mobilize markets, you need to overcome these hurdles and obstacles. Now commissioner, we also need controls that take markets seriously, and we need European champions that are possible.
So DG competition needs to be on ports. We can't have regulatory obstacles to market integration being done away with, then basically DG competition stopping cross-border activities and throwing up obstacles to it.
And to counsel, I have this plea. Please be as ambitious as we are in parliament, so that we can have good solutions, not just when it comes to timing, but also when it comes to the substance.
Then, hopefully, in a couple of years' time, we can meet again based on better figures. Thank you very much.
Speaker 198
Speaker is on behalf of S and D and Miss Le Luc, for one minute. Please.
Madam.
Speaker 239
President, Madam president, mister vice president, madam minister, our European savings are financing American tech growth whilst our own companies are struggling to find financing. This massive transfer is no longer just an economic error. It's a strategic and geopolitical mistake.
We need to bring back our savings. Yes. The savings and investment union is necessary. We need an integrated financial market. And above all, we need European supervision, in one single place.
I'm happy to hear that from the council and commission, you will move swiftly and parliament will adopt a similar agenda. This is all very well. But we have been speaking about the savings at Capital Union for a great length of time. It is necessary, but it is a means to the end of financing a real economy. We need to be consistent. And if it is concluded, then it needs to fund our businesses in line with what has been recently announced.
Thank you.
Colleagues.
Enikő Győri
A year ago, the commission published its savings and investments union strategy. We've seen a few draft proposals, but that's quite a weak result in my view. In the Budapest declaration, the heads of state and government said that European citizens and businesses need to have better access to the capital markets.
We know that Brussels works very slowly. They prefer to focus on Ukraine and restricting Russian energy, which impedes our competitiveness. And then companies go overseas because investment opportunities are better there, and we lose that business.
We need to remove the obstacles, and we need to create a European capital market. Which is harmonized for all member states regardless of the amount of capital available, so that ideology is not the basis for it but market needs. But member state competence needs to be safeguarded when it comes to market supervision and taxation.
We can't see a situation where the markets are put in danger. It will only be successful if every single member state and every single market participant is dealt with in the same way.
This is what we were fighting for as patriots.
Thank you. Yeah. The next speaker is Mister Cuseto for one minute, please.
Speaker 242
Thank you, madam president. Integrating capital markets is a primary objective for the EU because billions every year are being invested outside of the EU, and billions continue to be blocked on bank accounts. And it's therefore important to be effective and speedy in our work, but we need a realistic timeline for negotiations. We need to improve ESMA's role to avoid fragmentation, but at the same time, it's important to have structural involvement of competent national authorities too.
Just to give you an example, to date, the management and the consequences of crisis for supervision is carried out at a national level to a large extent. And amongst other things, that's why we want a pragmatic and gradual approach.
Thank you.
Speaker 198
Thank you very much. And on behalf of Renew Group, the next speaker is Miss Van Bruck, one minute, please.
Forseater.
Speaker 243
Commiss President commission Europe is full of talent. Everywhere, we have startups popping up with clever ideas and technologies which make our economy stronger and make us less dependent on others.
But all too often, we say the same thing happened, which is that a company starts in Europe, grows a bit, and then decamps to another country because they can't secure enough funding back home to continue their growth.
If we want strong European companies, if we want to be competitive, we need to start with the startups. They need to be able to secure enough funding, not only at the start, but also when they want to continue their growth. And that's why European capital markets now finally need to be put in order. It's only in doing so that the Netherlands and Europe can continue to be strong in today's world.
Fewer rules and differences between countries, more investment, and above all, more opportunities for our companies to continue their growth here, because we have the talent in Europe. Now we just need to make sure that the funding follows.
Thank you.
Speaker 198
Very much. And on behalf of the Green Group's Mr. Busselager, for one minute. Please.
Colleagues.
Speaker 244
The war in Iran is more than thousands of kilometers away, but the impact that we feel on our economy is immediate. Around 20% of the world's oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, and when it's stopped, the oil prices, of course, increase. We see a 10% increase in oil prices that raises the inflation of the euro area by 0.3 percentage points.
So we know that there's an immediate impact. And I think it's just another way to show that our economy by now is a question of sovereignty. So I think it's not enough that they actually are not strong enough to really build a capital markets union. And it's not enough that the councils or the national ministers stop the Capital Markets Union every step of the way, and we don't really see the push that we need to see to have a deeper capital market in Europe. I think what we should be doing is really make it more attractive to invest in venture capital also nationally.
We should make sure that our pensions and institutional investors invest in innovation across the continent, and we should consider European bonds to stabilize inflation. Thank you so much.
Speaker 198
Thank you very much. And on behalf of the left group, Miss Martins, for one minute. Please.
Catarina Martins
Thank you. You, madam, president. Commissioner, we shouldn't play about with pensions. These are the savings of someone who's saved their whole life. For a time when there's very little support.
Two, subjecting the most exposed pensioners to the roulette of financial markets is irresponsible, and I hope we put a stop to it. We are seeing more tax benefits for investment funds that are attracting investors because of the tax perks.
We're basically giving more to those who already have a lot, and letting banks sell products that are not profitable? And it gets worse, we're suggesting that we mobilize savings for high risk areas. So if people run the risk of losing their life savings, everything to finance more.
We know what you're trying to get to. You want to privatize public pension systems, and I hope that there's at least one benefit to this debate, alerting our populations to the very strong need to object to the commission's plans.
Speaker 198
This was the first round, on behalf of Polit groups, and therefore, I will now open up the blue card option. And invite you to use it. And the next speaker is Miss Pereira for one and a half minutes, please.
Speaker 246
Thank you. Thank you very much, madam president. Speed up, simplify, and empower. These are the three preconditions for completing the savings and the union. And giving our competitiveness new life.
We've lost a great deal of time, that means that we're losing scale. Europe needs an investment shock. We need this. Quality public investment, but above all, private innovation-focused investment.
In ideas being turned into start ups, and into big European businesses. First of all, we need to tackle our problem at the root, which is fragmentation. The integration and supervision package is a good opportunity, and it rightly identifies the cost of rule duplication and the inefficiency of 27 legal realities for the same line of activity. I stress the urgent need for simplification.
We need to speed up. Second, we need to scale up the retail side and lower the cost of capital. We need a simpler, more accessible truly European product with real incentives and portability. We need to simplify. Third, we need confidence and financial literacy.
Families and businesses do participate in these efforts, but they need to be protagonists. We need to empower them. The savings and investment union cannot be an empty slogan. It has to become a pillar of our commitment to our competitiveness and to our prosperity.
Therefore, commissioner, counsel, we have no time to lose. Thank you.
What do you got? Thank you, president.
João Oliveira
I have three very direct questions for Lydia. If private pension funds and complementary pension systems are so profitable and such a good idea, why do they need public financing through tax benefits and mobilization of other resources from the state and from workers? Second, if these solutions are so safe, why do we need to roll back prudential rules, the financial sector that were introduced after the financial crisis, precisely to protect people.
Speaker 28
Third, if this is such a decisive matter, speaking, then why do we need to sack the resources of the public social security systems? Thank. Thank you very much.
Honorable colleague.
Speaker 246
Well, I have very little time to answer these three questions. So I will give a more general answer. And perhaps I'll reply with another question. How do you, dear colleague, want to respond to the challenges of an aging Europe whilst guaranteeing that coming generations have a better life than previous generations? It seems to me that we absolutely must move forward with the Capital Markets Union. Here, it's been given a different focus, the savings and investment in Europe.
Speaker 247
That's the only way that we can guarantee that people my generation and your generation can aspire to a brilliant future like our parents and grandparents had.
Fernandez, for one minute please.
Présidente.
Speaker 248
Thank you, president, vice president, and council. There is no better strategy for increasing competitiveness and growth in the European economy than bolstering our single market. The letter report, the drug report, all the debates in this house and outside this house, but too long, have been focused on eliminating barriers in the internal market and consolidating Europe in the form of one market. The Vice President spoke about the road map that was presented in September.
We've seen five months ago, and we're still waiting. We hope over the next few weeks, we will have the agenda that the commission decided to start by consolidating the capital markets.
Banking union and the Capital Markets Union are fated by the socialists and democrats. And this is because we need to give more power to European supervisors. We need more ambition, and we hope that our colleagues here in this house will support us in this endeavor.
Thank you.
Speaker 249
Colleagues. We know that the objective of this famous program of investments and savings is to encourage our citizens to invest their savings. But the fact is that risk is higher than in the case of, for instance, classic banking deposits.
Poles were brutally confronted with many problems like cashback in recent months. Can you ensure them that this will not happen again, or do you want more monies from them even though they have to find their own crisis with home bills? You've ruined the finances in Poland.
You've never to those who said no to your ideas and decisions. So I would like to repeat, we don't want such programs. We don't want another piece of regulation that won't work.
Bank should finalize what brings our jobs and money, and not another pro idea that will just destroy our economies. You have no better ideas to improve our economies. You come up with mechanisms that will ruin the lives of our citizens.
Because of your decisions, we become one of the examples of the third world. So hands back from our savings.
You, Miss Vice President.
Speaker 251
I would also like to state that I understood correctly, you talked about dirty hands of the commission. I don't know that if one second.
Speaker 198
We just need, but my question Mister Sipa, we just need to make sure that we have the right translation. Is it okay now? Perfect. Yeah.
Please, we're good. Start all over.
Speaker 251
Thank you, colleague, for accepting the blue card. You asked the commission, and I think the broader chamber if they can guarantee that the bad things about the savings that you described won't happen.
So my question to you is, as a legislator, have you ever in your life, in your political career, drafted a law where you could not guarantee there would not be any bad consequences.
And is this really the right question to ask when it comes to one of the most important financial political files that we have this year? Thank you very much.
You, mister Buttig.
Speaker 249
Well, very good question, actually, because it refers to the budget of Europe families. It's about monies that will be used to finance future programs in the EU. And what do we protect here? I think we should protect our citizens and their money. And any proposal whereby you will create risk programs where you have to incur a liability or encourage your citizens to invest in markets that are high risk markets, well, I don't approve of that.
I think we should be informing our citizens. My first time in office in politics and here. So, no, I've never drafted a law like that before.
Speaker 251
Lovely. Thank you very much. So, colleague, I mean, as you're in your first legislative period, once again, I will ask, do you think it is possible to craft any law while guaranteeing that there will not be bad consequences of that law? And do you think asking that question to the commission and the parliament is the right approach? Yes.
Speaker 249
I think this is the right approach. And if you want to, maybe find an answer to my question, listen to my speech once again.
Miss Malauk, for one minute, please.
Speaker 252
Ladies. And gentlemen, we all want a stronger European economy, more investment and more capital for our companies. The integration of capital markets can be helpful. However, we often hear that Europe should be as the United States, but we tend to forget that there is a major difference between us and the US.
Over there, the single financial market has been built for almost 200 years, one market, one set of rules, one culture of investments. In Europe, it's completely different: 27 markets, 27 traditions of economy, 27 financial systems. It cannot be centralized by a couple of directives.
So is centralization going to result in more investment? No, unfortunately. The problem is not just market fragmentation. It's also overregulation and the green ideology that put brakes on our investment, makes them go somewhere else, and this destroys our economy.
There's also a difference in mentality. In the US, risk is part of the investment culture. Here in Europe, people want to protect their savings. So I'm afraid this union is going to increase the powers of Brussels, and it will be detrimental to the competition.
Speaker 253
Madam president, commissioner, colleagues, given the current complexity of the global economic environment and heightened geopolitical uncertainty, the European Union should focus much more on policy priorities which are entirely in its hands. And the single most important among them is the single market. Europe can create a lot of economic momentum from internal sources simply by removing obstacles which lead to fragmentation. Goods, services, and capital all lose a significant amount of time and money when crossing borders between member states.
There is no true European market in many important areas. Fragmentation rules, savings and investment union is especially important since there are no shortages of savings in the EU.
The problem is that there is no mechanism efficient enough to channel available funds towards badly needed productive investments. Unfortunately, progress has been slow, ambitions limited, negotiations too long. We cannot blame our competitors for not doing their homework.
Thank you.
Speaker 198
Thank you very much. So the next speaker is Mister Oliveira for one minute. Please.
João Oliveira
Thank you, President, Mister, Commissioner Sejeuner. What guarantees workers' rights to pensions of public social security systems that are universal, built on solidarity. They need to be robust and financially sustainable.
That's guaranteed for three factors: more work, more people contributing, less labor precarity, and higher wages that bring higher contributions. Beyond other measures to strengthen our public social security systems. That adds to this.
What we're discussing today has nothing to do with workers' rights or interests. This is not a savings and investment union that we're talking about. This is a union to launch an attack on public social security, on pensions, and on savings. These proposals have been considered based on the interests of financial groups that have interest in the capital markets, and that's why they're trying to use social security funds to finance private pensions funds.
Savers being launched into the world of financial speculation, and pensions can disappear overnight. We've seen this before. These proposals will not serve the interests of workers.
Speaker 255
Thank you. Thank you very much. I am very touched by your sensitivities on the labor market, on our workers, their well-being is very important also for me as a conservatist. But many people do not have lifelong contract, labor contract. They have many different contracts, not very often very good for them.
So what kind of opinion do you have about the debt that The U. S. Is making for the SAFE program, for the Ukraine war. What do you see the future of those debts that the EU is taking on it? Well, the colleague asked a great number of different questions.
João Oliveira
I'll try to respond directly to what's related to this debate. Now the rights to pensions of current workers who are tomorrow's pensioners is based on a robust social security system, and the contributions of workers at work today is what safeguards the sustainability of these systems in the future.
And that's why the three things that I mentioned are essential. We need more employment, less unemployment. We need more people contributing, and fewer people needing social support. Then we need to limit labor precariousness, and we need higher wages, which will lead to higher contributions.
Thank you.
Speaker 198
For the next speaker is Miss Benhomir Benhomir for one and a half minute, please.
Speaker 256
Thank you very much, Madam President, Commissioner, Council. Europe saves a lot, but doesn't invest much. And this is corroborated by the fact that there are billions in savings accounts in Europe. Capital is here, but it's not being put, it's not being invested. And Europe does not have the investments to face its challenges. And often, companies need to go abroad to get funding.
An action plan was launched by the commission to mobilize savings. That's five and five years later, as Rapporteur in this parliament, I warned that Europe needed much more ambition on this. And, therefore, it's good that the commission has decided to take on this ambition, but we expect the same ambition from the Council.
And will continue mentioning that the Savings Investments Union is designed for savers, for SMEs, and so people can get the most yield, the biggest yield from their savings. An idea can be converted into work, technology, can also see our citizens' lives improved.
And in the Capital Markets Union, in my view, we need five urgent changes. Firstly, we need to eliminate national barriers. These penalize our companies, especially those that want to grow. Secondly, we need more regulatory clarity. And we also need to boost financial education.
Fourthly, we need to adopt tax incentives for investment. And fifthly, we must improve the investment ecosystem so that we can mobilize private capital. We've lost a lot of time. And we don't have much time left.
Speaker 257
So I call on the council to be ambitious and provide a proper plan. Thank you.
Speaker 198
Problem, but it seems as if it's solved now. And the next speaker is Miss Aziz. For one minute. Please.
Speaker 258
Thank you, madam president. Commissioner, this is not a new problem, and I would say that we more or less agree on the diagnostic: Europe saves, but then invests very little. We need more public investment and more private investment. The idea of channeling savings into investment is what led to the creation of a specific product in 2019. A savings product.
But it's clear now that it did not meet the objectives hoped for. It is clear what needs to be done. We need greater risk and a more fertile environment for those who wish to invest. By way of politics, we need ambitious policy, but we also need to be realistic.
The culture of risk from the US is not going to grow in European minds. We can't deal with that risk aversiveness. We need to give confidence that those who want safety and security is an absolutely legitimate expectation.
Let's be clear. Big losses will always be politically and socially unacceptable, be this to public pension systems or private products. We need to draft legislation for real societies with its drawbacks and considerations.
Speaker 198
We are always available to discuss this. Do miss Ses, do you wanna take a blue card from mister Olivera? And this is the last one you're getting in this debate, please.
Thank you.
Thank you for your consideration, madam president.
João Oliveira
Mister Assis, you mentioned the risk involved in all of this savings and investment dynamics, particularly when it comes to pension funds and pensions. I have a question on that. Given the risky aspects that you identified and the need to bear in mind all the implications of decisions such as this one, how do you square this with the proposal from the European Commission to have workers automatically being signed up for complementary pension schemes? How is it possible that we have a system where pensions are at risk of speculation in private pension funds? How can workers be forced to sign up to these complementary pension systems? This is very far removed from defending workers' rights.
Speaker 258
Miss, I was wondering why I hadn't yet been struck by that question. I'm very happy to answer. I want to stress that there is a safety dimension here, and that needs to be sufficiently developed. That is fundamental for me.
We're not gonna suddenly become a society like that in the US, and that's not desirable. Either. We have a different culture in Europe, in terms of economic behavior. And that culture should be valued and focused on.
When it comes to the commission's proposals, we think that they can be discussed and in some ways amended if that means that we can get consensus. Thank you.
Speaker 23
Yes. I welcome the decision of the EU leaders on February to accelerate the completion of the savings and investment union. And indeed, when you listen to the debate here, it's quite clear that this particular project will have to work from the center out again. And I'd urge those to come out of their ideological cabins and look at what we're trying to do here. Which is effectively using private capital to invest in projects in infrastructure development, in stimulating the acceleration of small and medium sized businesses, and creating job opportunities across the European Union.
It's about making Europe more competitive, and I cannot understand why people on the left or people on the extreme right could object to the concept of making Europe more competitive and creating job certainty. I would urge all concerned to look at this from the purpose of what it is about. And, certainly, if we have the opportunity to debate this in the near future, we should also look at it in the context of the Draghi report and what is highlighted regard to the deficiencies in the investment gap.
We certainly do not need any further political stagnation, bureaucratic paralysis. All we need now is action to bring forward the savings and investment union. And if those countries that are too slow to move with this, we do need to move ahead without them, but still encourage them to stay in our court tails so they can eventually catch up.
Colleagues.
Europe is not short of savings.
Danuše Nerudová
It is short of investments. Every year, billions of euros leave Europe because our capital markets remain fragmented. At the same time, our companies struggle to access the financing they need. We need deeper market integration, fewer national barriers, and smarter regulation that actually unlocks the capital.
That also means looking seriously at the role of the pension funds.
Properly deregulated and unable to invest more broadly across borders, they can become powerful long-term investors in Europe's economy. Europe savings should finance Europe's future, our innovation, our transition, and our competitiveness.
The capital is here in the European Union. Now we must remove the barriers that prevent it from working for our Europe. Thank you.
Speaker 39
We have not yet successfully created a single market that is adapted to the different European realities and that is able to compete in the global scene.
The real struggle lies in the first step, building a genuine European investor culture. This requires building trust in the system, strengthening financial literacy, and creating transparent and tangible opportunities. Opportunities that are accessible to ordinary citizens so that they can invest directly and be part of the game, to be able to enhance financial independence, and unlock their aspirations for the future. And for this to happen, we must change the rules to give priority to our retail investors.
And we cannot underestimate the value of investing in and educating our people. We, as policymakers, must do everything in our power to facilitate, to create the right conditions, and foster a financially educated population that is ready to seize the opportunities and access instruments that we specifically designed for them.
Let us place our citizens at the heart of the savings and investment union. Thank you.
Speaker 263
Thank you very much, Madam Vice President. Minister. Commissioner, Sejourner. Thank you very much for being here today in Parliament. We need savings and investments union. Why? Because millions of Europeans invest their money on the stock exchange, and they could lose all of their money because someone believes they need to start a war.
We need to allow people to invest their money in Europe. We saw this in 2007 and 2008, many Europeans bought these bad bonds from the United States, and then they ended up in financial difficulty.
And when I'm, we shouldn't just pursue the well-intentioned path of the Green Deal. No, we need an ambitious savings and investment union, which focuses on competitiveness, which focuses on economic cooperation and not just ideology. Therefore, we need a better than a one size fits all approach.
Now we need to see a lot of diversity. Thank you.
You. Mister Reykatz is the next speaker.
Speaker 265
For president and President, the colleagues.
Europe is facing major challenges, but also has major opportunities. We need more capital for investment in our economic future. That's clear. The savings and investment union can mobilize the savings potential of European citizens, and if it is to be decided, it can also lead to progress on the integration of capital markets because that progress has been too slow.
Now, unfortunately, the commission's proposal is still too complicated and too bureaucratic in many passages. There are different national rules. There's unnecessary red tape, and that puts a brake on the use of capital where it's most needed.
We need deep integrated capital markets so that SMEs have access to financing, and at the same time, it gives attractive opportunities to save. It's time to act now. We need to be serious about this.
The EU cannot fall back on isolation, so we need proposals from the commission which are practical and can be implemented. Thank you.
Regina Doherty
Thank you, madam president. Colleagues, I know we know that Europe doesn't lack savers. What we lack is a system capable of putting those savings to work. European households have almost 10,000,000,000,000 worth of savings in low-yield bank accounts, often earning very little money and steadily eroded by inflation.
While many of our most innovative companies still struggle to access the capital that they need to grow and to scale in Europe. And too often, these companies end up looking to the United States or indeed the United Kingdom for funding, and that really should be a wake-up call for all of us.
If we're serious about delivering the savings and investment union, well, then I believe Ireland's presidency can play a practical and constructive role. Firstly, Ireland is home to one of Europe's largest international financial services. We have strong funds and asset management sectors. Ireland already channels investments from around the world into Europe. So we can build on this expertise to deepen capital markets and make cross border investment simpler. Secondly, we need stronger pathways from savings to productive investment.
Europe should do far more to channel household savings and pension funds into financing our start ups and scale ups, ensuring that our own savings are supporting European innovation infrastructure and our green and digital transitions, but we need to do more at a local level, at a national level.
Irish people want to invest and grow their savings, yet our system is too often so difficult that they'd rather keep it in the savings account. Irish people are trying to invest in ETFs, yet the deemed disposal rule acts as a stealth tax and discourages long term investment.
That rule needs to go, and it needs to go now. The reality is simple. Europol already has the capital it needs to grow our business. What we now need is the political will to make that a reality.
Thank you, Jane.
Thank you very much, Mrs. Dougherty.
Speaker 266
And now we pass to the catch the eye, and I'm happy that I can say that we can take all the requests for catch the eye this time. So I first pass the floor to Vitenius Povilas Andrea Kaites.
For one minute, please.
Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis
Thank you, madam president, commissioner. We are lagging behind. This is true. Strategies have been drafted. They can send innovations. They speak about industry, about added value. But we also have to speak about capital, because we are losing on many fronts.
We are discussing biotech, the Bio Tech Act. It is very important for our health, but we also need financial mechanisms in order to implement it.
The savings and investments union would be one of the elements which could promote biotechnologies. We would be able to develop new drugs, diagnostic equipment, and new technologies, which are so badly needed to hundreds of millions of our patients.
I am very happy to hear that we will work very hard in order to make progress in developing the Savings and Investment Union. Thank you.
Maria Grapini
Commissioner Sergei Jornay, we are now debating a topic that we launched in December. The savings and investment union is an unfortunate name because citizens in my country, with the help of the extremists, want to take away their money from their accounts.
We have to explain to our citizens what this union means. Because the wrong message was sent to the citizens in many places, there is no trust. And now people have said that we don't invest efficiently, and the investments go outside Europe.
And I'm an investor, so I know the psychology of investors. The investor goes where there is more safety and where he can trust that his money is safe. Through this package, we have to convey trust to the citizens and to the companies, especially smaller companies. That way, they will know that by investing they will earn more money, and they will earn more capital. But if there is no trust, of course, they will not invest.
And there is another issue here. You say that there should be no fragmentation, and we should have a single, a true single market. We've been talking about the single market since I first came here in 2014 and maybe even before that. But the concrete measures that eliminate the obstacles, we still don't have.
Speaker 266
Minit, for the WTI, thank you very much, Mrs. Grapini. The next speaker is Sebastian Tinkinnen. One minute.
Speaker 236
President. We do not need regulation in the union. This is the view of the Finnish financial sector, and it's 100% correct. In Europe, there is a desire to promote investment by citizens in this continent. This is a very worthy goal, but the commission needs to be reminded of one thing. Promoting it does not mean regulating it.
If we want Europeans to invest more in European companies, then, for example, in American companies, the situation is very clear. It should not happen through EU regulation. The solution to this situation can be found in the market economy, and our citizens have complete freedom to decide. They invest in companies that they believe will perform best. If European companies are not believed to be able to compete with American companies, then our business environment is inferior.
Speaker 268
And when this is the case, we can only blame the European politicians for this. Thank you.
Speaker 82
You. Very much, Madam President. Two little investment in the EU is perhaps because the framework for our economy and the conditions for our economy are too bad. Too much regulation, too much red tape, and anti-industry environment. And the EU is responsible for this.
And here, people say that we need to be more creative. Have to admit that this EU is not, because creativity in the EU means more regulations. And that's precisely what we don't need. What we need is fewer measures from the EU, because that will strengthen our economy, and a stronger economy will be the basis for more investment.
Thank you.
Speaker 95
The. Imperialist US Israel war and the participation of the EU and member states in this war constitutes a real danger for the people of Europe, we could be a target of counterattacks.
But there are also sacrifices that people must make. This war imposes policies that go against workers, life becomes more expensive. And this savings and investment union monster really is one way of digging deep into the pockets of workers and accessing their savings.
We want to make a gift of European liquidity to big groups and monopolies. We do not want to see the people affected. We don't want salaries and pensions to be taxed.
Touched.
Speaker 237
Thank you. You, madam president. Thanks for this debate. And your fairly broad support for these proposals. Perhaps I can come back to a number of doubts, questions, and comments that were made during the debate.
First of all, it is true that we've lost a great deal of time both European leaders, although they are already within the European Council. And as we drill down into governance procedures, we see that this situation has been blocked for years. We'd now need a political agreement.
When I say that the savings and investment union is primarily a political project, I mean that it is up to us here in parliament, at the commission, and at council to drive this reform and these proposals politically. We see that as we drill down into the administrative level, there will always be reasons to oppose reform in all countries. Of course. And so that's why we need the European Parliament's support today.
There is a paradox here that we are trying to avoid. And that is the fact that European capital exists today. It often funds businesses. But it often funds US businesses and sometimes even European ideas on US territory that have had to be exported in search of capital. We need to keep European capital for European businesses.
We need to make it flow more freely. We need Europe to become a stronger player, thanks to well-performing capital markets that benefit a robust Europe. In any case, you can rely on the commission to follow up the implementation of reforms on the national level. And to take all necessary action to make sure that the savings and investment union becomes a reality as soon as possible.
The commission will present new initiatives in 2027 to modernize the rules on venture capital and growth in Europe. So we can grow investment in the most innovative businesses who are looking for capital in Europe. And so that we can make investments in the real economy, the economy that creates jobs, and that allows us to stay at the forefront of global innovation and competitiveness in a number of sectors, where we are subject to great competition.
Encouraging investment in innovative businesses also means reflecting on the innovativeness of our European banking system. This report and the rules that stem from it will present some ways forward and proposals so that we can draft ambitious reform for the future of the banking sector.
Thank you.
Speaker 266
Floor to Marilena Raouna. Deputy minister for European affairs. Please, on behalf of the council.
Speaker 2
President, honorable members, executive vice president, today's debate has demonstrated that the savings and investment union is not an abstract concept but a shared political priority that speaks directly to Europe's economic future.
The presidency welcomes the strong engagement demonstrated across this House. As we look ahead, let me reiterate that the savings and investment union is not only about completing the single market for capital. It is also about strengthening Europe's capacity to act in a more competitive environment. If we want European companies to scale up, if we want innovation and talent to stay in Europe, if we want the green and digital transitions to be financed sustainably, we need deeper and more integrated capital markets. The presidency will therefore continue to drive this agenda forward with determination and focus, committed to working closely with the parliament to convert and transform this shared ambition into reality.
The time to deliver is now, and together, I am confident that we can ensure that the savings and investments union becomes a cornerstone of Europe's economic strength for the years ahead.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Speaker 266
That closes that debate. This brings us to the next item of the agenda. That is the report by Mr. Agios Saliba. Packaged travel and linked travel arrangements make the protection of travelers more effective and simplify and clarify certain aspects. Aspects.
I'll first of all give the floor to the rapporteur, Mr. Agios Saliba. You have the floor for 4 minutes.
Alex Agius Saliba
Thank you, president, for our four voters. Their holiday is the highlight of the year.
Something they have to save money for, something that is planned well in advance. Something to look forward to. But things can go wrong, the holiday can be spoilt by a natural disaster, a pandemic that leads to travel restrictions, an armed conflict, something which is also unfolding right now in The Middle East, disrupts our travel industry. And then there is the off chance that your travel organizer goes bankrupt after you did your own payment or worse, while you are still holiday.
And still, need to come back home. This is no fiction, but unfortunately something that happened to thousands of European travelers affected by the Thomas Cook bankruptcy. And after the COVID-19 pandemic, we know what a medical emergency could once again resurface in the future and obviously face us again with similar problems that we face in the travel industry.
In this world of uncertainty, we have one travel product that offers the best consumer protection, and that is EU law. Package travel directive aims to ensure that you can book your package holiday with peace of mind.
And that is also why we are here in this Parliament. And we have adopted a number of resolutions that called on the commission to draw the lessons learned from the past crisis.
Now that we are at the end of this legislative procedure, it is a good moment, first of all, to thank the European Commission for its very ambitious proposal that helped me as a rapporteur. Not everything made it to the final text.
Like the proposed limit on prepayments. Even though this proposal made sense from a consumer protection perspective, there was no majority in this House. Because of the economic importance of the tourism sector and because we want to keep this product attractive to businesses to offer, we must balance out different legitimate interests which enhance the rights of consumers. And I believe that we succeeded in this effort.
To name some things on which we will be voting tomorrow, first of all, we will clarify which packages are covered by the directive. And we grant protection to travelers who purchase from separate traders through linked online booking processes.
Will improve information to travelers because the new rules clarify the information that you must receive before, during, and after the trip. We introduce a mandatory complaint mechanism, which is harmonizing the deadlines. Each organizer must set up a complaint handling mechanism, confirm the receipt of the complaint within seven days, and give a reasoned opinion within sixty days.
New rules for vouchers that are a response to organizers' practices to offer more protection to travelers when choosing and using vouchers. Vouchers should and will remain voluntary for travelers. The vouchers should be valid for a maximum period of 12 months, and travelers must be refunded in full or partially. For unused vouchers. Voucher holders must be free to spend the vouchers on any travel service offered by the organizers, and vouchers will also be covered by insolvency guarantees.
In the case of a trader's insolvency, travelers should be refunded within six months, but shorter deadlines may be established by the member states. If unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances arise, at the travel destination or departure point of a trip or affected journey, there will be the right to cancel the trip without any penalties, with a full refund.
As a rapporteur, I fought for strong consumer rights in the revision of the package travel directive. And with the help of my colleagues, the shadows, and different political groups whom I would like to thank for their cooperation. We achieved a lot.
Fast and automatic cash refunds remain the rule. Not vouchers. Future crisis may not shift financial risks onto families, which we ensure through robust insolvency protection and better EU coordination. I look forward to the debate and hope that tomorrow I can count on your support.
Thanks a lot.
Speaker 266
Thank you very much. And I would like to welcome first our commissioner Michael McGrath, and he will take the floor on behalf of the Commission for three minutes. Thank you.
Michael McGrath
Thank you very much, chair, honorable members, dear Rapporteur, mister Alex Saliba, the vital importance of tourism for the EU economy is undisputed. Along with the EU passenger rights regulations, the package travel directive provides key consumer rights for travelers and a solid legal framework for operators. Overall, the package travel directive of 2015 has worked well and has repeatedly proved its worth. However, it was necessary to address certain challenges that had arisen in its application, for instance, in crisis situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, in November 2023, the commission proposed to revise the directive to make it more effective, to fill legal gaps, and to clarify and simplify certain provisions.
That proposal was presented on the same day as proposals in the field of passenger rights. I welcome the agreement reached last December by the European Parliament and the Council on the revised package travel directive. The compromise text is in line with the objectives of the commission's proposal and will make the EU package travel rules more effective.
I would like to thank, in particular, the rapporteur Mr. Alex Saliba for his decisive role in this process. By first gaining broad support for a negotiating mandate and then conducting the negotiations with the council and concluding them successfully. I'd also like to thank the shadow rapporteur who, through their constructive approach, made it possible to secure this outcome.
Of course, also the council representatives, the positive approach of the council presidencies played an important role in this process. The various compromises that needed to be found are positive for travelers and travel businesses, in particular for the many small and medium-sized businesses.
Including micro enterprises that we know are active in this sector in Europe. Those compromises will create a more complete and clearer legal framework, but will also bring about significant simplification.
The deletion of the concept of linked travel arrangements will significantly simplify the legal framework and will do away with five information forms. At the same time, the information of travelers on the kind of travel products that they are purchasing, package or stand alone services, and on the rights that are related to the purchase of a package will now be a lot clearer.
The new rules and vouchers for canceled packages will provide more flexibility to businesses, in particular, in a liquidity crisis. While offering solid guarantees for travelers, especially through the requirement of their express consent, plus insolvency protection for open refunds. The new seven-day business-to-business refund right for canceled travel services strengthens the liquidity of package organizers, the vast majority of which we know are SMEs. It will therefore make it much easier for them to make refunds to travelers within 14 days.
Important clarifications have been introduced in the rules on insolvency protection. We are also, we've also improved the provisions determination of package travel contracts due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, which will help travelers understand their rights when facing difficult situations abroad.
Finally, and based on amendments proposed by this Parliament, we will now have common standards on complaint handling, including the right of travelers to receive a reasoned reply within 60 days. As you can see, this provisional agreement will benefit both consumers and businesses with simpler and clearer rules, while maintaining a high level of consumer protection.
Therefore, I would like to encourage the members of this house to endorse the text provisionally agreed between the European Parliament and the Council. And once again, thank you all for your work on this file and your support. And I look forward to hearing your contributions now.
Thank you.
Speaker 266
Thank you very much, Commissioner McGrath, and now I'll pass the floor to Jan Christoph Oetjen.
Speaker 271
Thank you. Thank you very much, madam president, dear colleagues, commissioner, as the rapporteur for this package travel directive.
I'm very pleased. We got a good outcome. Package travel is beloved by families when they go on the holidays. So it's important to have a high level of consumer protection, which I think we've brought with this legislation, effective protections. We have made it clearer for the customers.
What is part of the package, holiday, what's protected, and what is not. So. We haven't made as much progress on travelers, but you do have to provide more information and clarity for the customers, and a high level of protection. So I think this is going to be very positive. We have a lot of big companies offering these package holidays, and all of this will be effectively protected for consumers. So, this is very positive.
Andreas Schwab
Yes. Thank you, President, Commissioner, dear colleagues.
First of all, I would like to thank, I would like to support him, mister Erchin, in what he said from the transport committee, the inter market committee.
He's also done a lot of work when he managed to achieve a compromise. We have always emphasized that stronger consumer protection should not be implemented on the likes of SMEs, or small travel agencies, because very often, they're the ones that do offer these package holidays.
The kind that, as Mr. Urchin said, families like to take. We have tabled amendments. We want a good simple definition for package travel. Obviously, travel agencies have to be able to offer these package travels without additional elements being seen as part of that.
So whether also sanctions are thought for the larger companies. Do have quite a few small travel agencies, family travel agencies. We don't want to threaten their existence.
But together with the rapporteur, we have in England companies that are at the heart of the reform. I have to tell you that I'm not sure that the complaint handling mechanism is really something they can deal with. Because if you have two people in your office, do you want to make a complaint handling system that is independently supervised? That will be a real challenge. And, therefore, I hope that we can still work it out in a way that for small and micro enterprises that you have been referring to, we find a way for the complaint handling to be as little red tape complaining as possible.
And like that, Libbe Frau presidentin, and so, dear president, I do very much hope that we can garner a majority today so that we can provide this solution for the small and medium sized travel agency.
Thank you.
President, commissioner.
Speaker 273
The European Parliament will this week take an important step forward to boost the protection of tourists when they go on package trips that are booked through, for example, travel agencies.
Now this thing is better for consumers. Reduces costs for operators and also clarifies matters, for example, what to do in case of insolvencies, reimbursements, etc. Now the tourism sector plays a key role in the European economy, between two and three million tourist businesses and almost 11,000,000 people who are directly employed in the sector.
Now this is a sector that is key for my country, Portugal, and my region, Madeira. And it's key for tourists to be able to rely on the fact that they get compensation or a fair reimbursement when something goes wrong.
On a trip. It's this trust that underpins the faith in the European tourist sector that is shown by so many people. Thank you.
Speaker 276
We all agree on the fact that past passenger protection is key, but this directive is not just about protecting consumers. It is also about supporting the functioning of the single market and the competitiveness of businesses.
The objective here was to simplify the rules and respond to the experiences of recent years, the COVID pandemic, the bankruptcies of large travel agencies. However, I very much appreciate the new rules for handling customer complaints, which are part of this revision, and the new information requirements for online sales of services. There will also be improved rights for communication with consumers.
In travel, there is a simpler rule.
Speaker 276
The best consumer protection is the one that people actually understand. Also, have one other comment. Here, we are introducing the obligation to return all the customers' money in case of cancellations.
However, when there are issues, it's the state budget that should take care of things. But I don't believe this is correct, that state budgets are responsible for one specific type of business.
Speaker 266
Thank you. You and I pass the floor on behalf of ECR to Dennis Nieszig.
Speaker 278
You, president, commissioner. This directive is a significant step forward in updating the European legislation on package travel. The idea is to ensure that it's more balanced and more in line with the realities of the sector.
Welcome the agreement achieved through constructive dialogue between the institutions and intensive work. We've been pragmatic, boosting the faith of consumers, and ensuring a more solid situation for the sector. Key political point is this. Clearer rules, more transparent information, and clearer care for consumers and operators. In particular, we've got a more precise definition of package travel.
And also, the obligations to provide information going the right direction too because the consumers need to clearly know their rights. In addition, there are more balanced provisions on the use of vouchers, which are optional and can only be used with a consensus of consumers. In addition, unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances are mentioned. And we have dealt with this in a reasonable manner.
To conclude, there are appropriate tools and appropriate time frames for complaint remedies. So this is Europe acting on behalf of its citizens. Thank you.
Speaker 280
Chair. Thousands of people lost their money during the pandemic. When travel companies went out of business. Flights were canceled, hotels were canceled.
And there was complete confusion about who to contact in order to get your money back.
And to arrange another flight home. We remember how companies would blame other companies, and you would be passed around from Billy to Jack, hearing the words, that's not my problem.
This meant lost money, wasted time, and distress, worry, and stress suffered by every traveler and tourist in Europe. As the lead negotiator for Renew Europe on this revised law concerning package travel.
I am pleased to say that the chaos people experience is now over. Your money will no longer be at risk. If a company goes out of business, any vouchers you receive will be reimbursed. Money you paid in advance will be returned. There will be one single point of contact instead of half a dozen. This means simplification and streamlining for our travelers with this new law.
For travel businesses and companies, it provides regulatory clarity, strict definitions, and certainty about compensation. Thank you very much.
Speaker 281
Visitors. Citizens, what is Europe doing for you? It is helping to protect your rights. If you want to go on holiday, now we've seen what's happening in the Middle East right now.
In a small country, perhaps Oman, you were traveling there. We've seen what happens with war. It's very important to have consumer protection, and we have that. Through this directive. We were able to achieve quite a lot in this trialogue.
When your trip is canceled, you don't want to have just a voucher as a compensation. You want to have your trip refunded. So that's something you can do now. Your travel provider may have gone bankrupt, you will be protected and get your money back. So that is covered as well.
Now it is possible to have vouchers, but you would, of course, prefer to have your money back. We've really achieved a lot for you. Thank you. Thank you very much to Mrs. Langenstiebel.
And now for the ESN, Mr. Bausermann.
Yes. Thank you very much.
President.
Arno Bausemer
The proposal directive gives a very clear definition of travel package travel. Which means that travelers can be reassured and they're going to be protected in case of an unpleasant surprise.
But we have to be careful. Obviously, there are those we have to look at the kind of services provided by the different companies. And there are certain businesses that are being neglected by the commission.
The idea of having this kind of overall package for baggage travel is a good one, but travel agencies may have a problem. If for whatever reason, the traveler can have the travel refunded already when they've arrived, the conditions have to be very clearly defined. And obviously, we have to be careful and look out for the small and medium-sized travel agencies as well. It's all well and good having these well-structured proposals and provisions on paper. But it means that it can't be implemented, we may end up with some companies disappearing from the market.
Speaker 175
Thank you, President, Commissioner. Tomorrow will be voting on the package travel directive update. The world is a more unpredictable one, so we need more guarantees as travelers, as businesses, and as workers.
We've seen the need to adapt our legislation given the extraordinary situations we've been through, such as the bankruptcy of Thomas Cook and COVID. That's what led to this amendment of the directive.
Now, as has been said, the problem or the point was to create a balance between consumers and businesses. And subsequent to negotiations with the council and the commission, we have made major improvements.
I come from a country where the tourist sector is key and is mainly made up of SMEs. Well, it's important not to place overarching burdens on these businesses. We currently have the geopolitical instability that we're seeing, so it's important for us to protect consumers and businesses.
As I have been said, the key is in the confidence of consumers, and our consumers really need to feel that they have the support of clear and consistent legislation. They need to be guarantees in place that boost the security of consumers.
This legislation emerges from the lessons learned from previous emergency situations. Unfortunately, these kinds of situations continue to happen. So this legislation is clearly responding to a real need. The global situation and it's the situation of the tourist sector recalls that we really need to ensure that we have these better tools for our consumers and for our businesses, and I hope a vast majority votes in favor tomorrow.
Dear.
Sakis Arnaoutoglou
Colleagues, package traveling is a valuable experience for millions of ans, but also a very important economic activity, especially for countries such as my own country, Greece. Recent years and the experiences we've had from COVID to bankruptcies of tribal operators showed very clearly that when the system doesn't work properly, it's the traveler who pays the brunt.
So this is why we need a more fair and more transparent system. Citizens need to know what exactly it is they're purchasing, who is responsible if something goes wrong, and how they can be compensated.
At the same time, however, we need to make sure that the new rules will not bring about more and excessive burden on enterprises, especially SMEs that are the backbone of our economy.
So we want the right balance, strong consumer protection, but also a fair framework. A Europe that protects its citizens.
Speaker 285
The trialog had a good outcome. We have simpler definitions. And better conditions in place. These significant improvements compared to the original commission proposal. I would thank the rapporteur and the shadows, especially my colleagues.
The new rules on vouchers and insolvency are important because consumers need to know what is happening with their money. And I think this agreement deals with the essential points. However, the 14-day compensation deadline hasn't been dealt with.
We saw in COVID how millions of reservations were canceled in just a few days, and it's very difficult then to deal with all of these reimbursements. That was one of the reasons that there was a huge amount of insolvencies at this time. So we have a clause, but it hasn't been completely dealt with, and we'll have to come back to it sooner or later.
Commissioner.
Colleagues.
I leave this, sorry.
I'm going to speak in Portuguese.
Speaker 286
The free circulation of goods and persons is at the basis of the European Union, but when consumers have no faith in the rules, they don't purchase. And these rules are left without effect. So we need these rules to generate confidence because without confidence, there's no competition, there are no transactions, and nothing happens. So this is all important in terms of the single market. When citizens can circulate freely between different countries with various means of transport, everything works well.
So this simplification and clarification was important. We've now got a clear definition of a package of package travel. We've got proper rules on reimbursements. Remedy mechanisms and insolvency. So what we shouldn't have is a repeat of what happened in the pandemic, when no one knew what was going on.
If someone buys a ticket on a digital platform, they need to know who to turn to, who to speak to, where they get their money back from, etc. Clear rules mean that consumers can compare and choose the best combination of prices, and this rewards those who provide the best services. Consumers know they won't be subject to abusive practices, so they have more faith.
Speaker 287
So this is a welcome initiative. It's good to have these clear rules, will produce more choices for Europeans. Thank you.
Speaker 288
Next. Speaker is Mister Dimitris. Thank you, chair.
Dear colleagues, an important part of European consumers. Are the difficulty to become acquainted with the rules? And the terms of the products that they purchase. Because of the complexity of the legislation we have.
This is why this is a good direct proposal. It brings more clarity about refunding the consumer after 14 days or within 14 days or to provide the consumer with a voucher.
So we also need to have a very clearly written legislation, because this will also allow for further sustainability for SMEs. But within our agenda for consumers until 2030, we need more actions to be taken and to reinforce our mechanisms, for the well functioning of our market.
European consumers need to feel that they are being protected, especially on a digital level and in environment. And that their rights are really implemented in practice. Thank you.
Speaker 266
Thank you very much. And now we come to catch the eye. Missus Grapini for one minute.
Maria Grapini
Thank you. Thank you very much. It was necessary to modify the directive on package travel. We needed to have clearer information for citizens, consumers, travelers. And on the other hand, we needed to have a balance between this protection and also a clear framework, to ensure good competition between the different tourism companies.
When I was minister in my company, I was a tourism coordinator, and I understand the problems of smaller operators. You cannot apply the same rules, the same procedures, for the micro companies as you can for the larger companies.
Citizens, travelers, they are now better protected. You can get a reimbursement, a monetary reimbursement, and not just travel vouchers. And we also need to think about possible legal proceedings for 6 days.
That could be too long for the citizens.
Sebastian Tinkinen.
Speaker 113
Try being a tourist in Paris, Rome, Berlin, even Brussels or Stockholm. Imagine someone buying a trip to Europe, and in their imagination, there is the beautiful, famous, old continent. Tourists expect seeing world famous paintings, tons of history, and stunning architect. They will see all of that, that's for sure.
But they will also see something else. Barricades protecting the Christmas markets. Patrolling soldiers armed with automatic rifles, and no-go zones inside our famous capitals. What has happened to Europe? the tourist asks.
Mass migration happened. Have you left this thought that with your catastrophic migration policy, you're also sinking one of the most vital industries we have in Europe: tourism? I have a suggestion to help the European tourism industry.
Let's deport all illegal migrants. Thanks.
Speaker 251
Mister, you surprised me over and over again, and I don't mean this in a good way.
Speaker 116
Dear people of Europe, welcome back to our wonderful show showing the fascists how the European Union works. So we had mister Bausermer. He's annoyed because in this new directive, there are all sorts of legal terms that are difficult to follow. But of course, in a directive, there are certain legal provisions that are not all that clearly defined. Because, of course, it has to be transposed into 27 bodies of law.
And colleagues from the Europe of sovereign nations, I would have thought that is important for you. So exceptional circumstances, inevitable circumstances. If there are words like that in the directive, it's because we want to provide the possibility that all of this can be implemented in your own national law and so that everybody is doing the same thing in the interest of Europe.
I hope you watch the next episode.
Speaker 266
Now we are at the end of Catch the Eye, and pass the floor to Commissioner McGrath.
Please.
Michael McGrath
Thank you. Thank you very much, chair. And, can I begin by thanking all of the honorable members for contributing to this discussion? Very interesting debate this evening. And overall, I have to say I am encouraged by the white support expressed for the text that you are about to vote on tomorrow. I would like to emphasize again that this text, in my view, indeed represents a very balanced outcome overall.
And takes due account of the interests of various stakeholder groups. Clearer and more effective rules are in the interest of all those parties that are subject to them. Travel businesses and consumers, but also in the interest of the authorities and the bodies that have to enforce them.
And as the consumer protection commissioner, of course, I want to see strong consumer protections. But it's also important that the authorities have clear rules that they can ensure are consistently applied. The new rules will also ensure better preparedness for crisis situations.
Leading to extraordinary disruptions such as the COVID pandemic or the ongoing events in the Middle East. Travelers will enjoy clearer information about what constitutes a travel package and its benefits, such as assistance and repatriation, and clearer conditions for cancellation and for refund.
Under the amended directive, the commission will present a report on the application of the new rules within five years. We will pay particular attention to the application of the new article 5a. Which provides additional transparency safeguards for travelers in the case of bookings where the criteria of a package are not met, but where travelers could easily perceive bookings of different travel services as constituting a package.
Another important aspect that is highlighted in the review clause is the impact of the new rules on micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. And many colleagues in the house raised, over the course of the discussions and negotiations, the importance not just of the large travel businesses, but indeed of the micro, small, and medium-sized businesses. So we do need to take account and reflect over time on the impact of the directive on them.
Once the new rules have been adopted by the European Parliament and the Council, member states will have 28 months to transpose them into national law. On the commission side, as always, we stand ready to accompany and support the transposition process to ensure that consumers and businesses can benefit from this new framework across the EU as soon as possible.
So I look forward to seeing the outcome of the vote tomorrow. And once again, thank you all for your work on this important file that I think will help to bring about improvements both for consumers and businesses. And thank you for your attention.
Speaker 266
Thank you very much, Commissioner McGrath. And now I pass the floor to Alex Saliba.
Alex Agius Saliba
I. Think that today we have sent out a message as regards the strengthening of our citizens. So, as a parliament, we should also be united.
And also, as regards the different opinions emerging from the different groups, whenever we speak about consumer protection, especially when these are traveling. In this reality of the geopolitical crisis that we are facing, having been through the world pandemic.
All these are problems that can disrupt our citizens' plans when they are away from home, when they are maybe they have been saving for months on end. And they find themselves in circumstances, and they remain stranded.
Therefore, the vote that we will be taking tomorrow, we're facing one of the rules that during this legislature, we manage to vote in favor, it will be a very clear message. Because if we want the European project, we want it to remain relevant in the people's opinions, because all in all, the citizens will appreciate our work. In order for this to happen, we need to address their priorities.
Their problems.
We need to address them.
Alex Agius Saliba
And Thomas Cook, when the company went bankrupt, the COVID-19 pandemic, all these brought about disasters in this tourism sector. This is why we need to act. And tomorrow, we'll be voting on legislation that will be protecting our consumers, but it is also respecting the tourism industry.
The interest we have seen during the negotiations in the European Parliament and with the Council and the Commission, we really paid attention, so it's not too bad in it unnecessarily.
So I thank everybody, all those people who were involved, the shadow operators, but most especially the European Commission, which was really steadfast in the work.
Speaker 266
This closes the debate, and the vote on this point will be taken tomorrow. We come on to the next agenda item, which is a commission statement on multilateral negotiations in view of the WTO's 14th ministerial conference from the March in Yaounde.
I will give the what we say goodbye to Commissioner McGraw. And next, we have Commissioner Maris Sevkovic, and you can take the floor.
Speaker 137
Thank you very much, madam president and honorable members of the European Parliament.
I would start with a phrase, and I quote, the World Trade Organization is at a critical and, in fact, existential juncture. End of quote. And I was using this phrase because this was the opening of the EU's formal submission on the 21st of January of this year, as we set out our vision for transform WTO. And this transformation must be substantial, because while the world has changed, the WTO has not evolved with it. This has resulted in a growing mismatch between the current WTO rule book and today's trade realities, contributing to the organization's inability to respond to some of the most pressing challenges.
Without a strong political commitment from WTO members to embrace deep, comprehensive reform, the organization risks sliding into irrelevance. This is something that the world cannot afford. For the EU, the WTO and its rules-based order is a necessity.
From both political and economic perspective. More than 70% of global trade in goods takes place under the WTO's cornerstone principle of most favored or MFN. Treatment. Importantly, global trade and our businesses need the predictability that the rules-based global trading system provides.
And it is with this understanding of the shared benefits of the WTO that the EU has taken on the leadership role in reform. We opted for an expensive and all-encompassing approach when constructing our submission to the WTO vision that embraces directors general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for there to be no sacred cows.
We are suggesting revisiting the current balance of rights and obligations and level playing field rules, improving governance, and facilitating plurilaterals amongst those willing to cooperate. Our vision for the future of the rules-based international trading system is rooted in the principles of predictability, fairness, and flexibility. It is predictable in the sense of preserving and building on core WTO rules that have proven their efficiency over time, and provide the basic architecture facilitating global trade on a daily basis.
Examples include customs valuation, technical barriers, trade, or sanitary and fundus sanitary standard. Make no mistake with regards to the importance. These rules also underpin our FDA's. They form the base on which trade is conducted globally.
Our vision is fair in terms of opening the door for a genuine discussion on whether the existing balance of rights and commitments they were negotiating 30 years ago still make sense today.
The new system should better reflect the changed economic realities, such as members sharing a global trade. It should also address imbalances by looking at the tariffs and service commitments and the rules meant to ensure fair competition. This would also include a reflection on the role of the most-favored-nation principle in today's trading context.
We also need to have a frank discussion on development and a more targeted and needs-based approach for exemptions and flexibilities for developing countries. At the same time, we must push to restore a level playing field by addressing trade and industrial policy issues in the WTO rulebook. And we also need frank discussion on the link between liberalization and reciprocity.
Taking account of members' market openers, their commitment to a fair competition, and their evolving weight in the global trade. Which brings me to a third priority: creating a system that is flexible and agile. Here, we seek to challenge the current misguided practice of equating consensus with unanimity. Approach that has resulted in paralysis. We must explore ways in which we can overcome these blockages.
This includes more flexible multilateralism, with recognition for the facilitation of plurilateral rulemaking. I'm pleased to see that the European Parliament's resolution reflects this assessment and our reform priorities for ministerial council MC14, and I close our call to WTO members to embrace this challenge.
Agreeing on a work plan for reform will not be easy. Members have differing views. We see a risk of their lowest common denominator prevailing. However, MC14 is not a make or break moment. It is a step, albeit a crucial one, in a broader reform process stretching beyond the meeting in Cameroon.
This is the overarching goal, but at the same time, we should not neglect the other deliverables that we seek to achieve in Yaounde. MC 14 needs to make progress on advancing territorial rulemaking. This is why we want to see the incorporation of the investment facilitation for development agreement into the WTO rule. This is why we should also advance the implementation of the ecommerce agreement.
This agreement promotes inclusive growth by expanding digital trade opportunities, particularly for those who need them the most. Supported by implementation periods, needs assessment, capacity building, and technical assistance. It is also vital for business that we maintain the moratorium on e-commerce.
We must move towards a permanent solution that provides business with the stability and predictability they need to fully realize the potential of digital trade. Finally, commissioner Hanssen will also be in Eaounde to discuss agriculture-related issues.
So while this will be a reform-minded ministerial conference, we will also continue pushing forward initiatives that advance step by step our long-term interests. In conclusion, it is too early to predict where we will ultimately land at MC 14. We come prepared with a clear vision, well-defined objectives, and strong sense of responsibility and leadership.
The European Union is committed to playing its part and working with its partners to deliver meaningful outcomes both in the short and the long term. Thank you very much, Madam President.
Speaker 266
Thank you very much, Commissioner Septovich. And now I pass the floor to Jurgen Warbon. On behalf of the EPP.
Speaker 290
Thank you, madam president, commissioner.
The past year has been historic.
For global trade. Exactly one year ago, the Trump administration introduced the so-called reciprocal tariffs, directly challenging the long-standing rules that underpin the multilateral trading system. For decades, these rules have reduced customs duties between countries and made trade cheaper, creating jobs and growth, and lifting millions of people out of poverty. And when the rules of trade are undermined, it is not just an institutional problem in Geneva. It is the European citizens, workers, and businesses who feel the consequences first. Uncertainty, disrupted supply chains, rising costs, and shrinking market access all follow when the rules-based system weakens.
And this is precisely why the upcoming ministerial meeting is so important. We must use this momentum now to push for meaningful reform, and that this has to include improving the decision-making, allowing the plurilateral agreements to be more easily integrated into the WTO framework. And also, making sure that the business community is closely involved. And finally, permanenting the moratorium of the customs due, as the commissioner said, is so important. Reforming it is now not simply about improving procedures, it's about protecting the rules-based system and provides predictability and security in the global trade.
Thank you.
Speaker 266
Thank you. And the next speaker is Bernd Langer on behalf of S and T. Patricia Bernd.
Thank you.
Bernd Lange
Very much. President, commissioner, colleagues. During recent days, we've seen headlines that suggest that the rules-based world order has gone. We've even heard people from the Commission saying that. But I hope that's not the basic position that the commission has, and I'd like to thank Maros actually for showing us that the commission does have a different position.
We support the world rules-based global order. We want to keep building this order. I mean, it might need reforms, but we want to continue to work within the rules even though others don't. So that has to be clear, and that's our approach to the Monday conference. There are two important reform projects that we want to drive there. An ecommerce agreement, the investment facilitation agreement, and we want a clear plan for the work to be done on the rules. And we also want to ensure that the rules that we come up with at the multilateral level are implemented.
Speaker 292
We believe that that's an important way of stabilizing the rules-based global order, and that's why we're fighting for it. Thank you.
Gilles Pennelle
WTO is brain dead. And apparently, only the European Union is unaware of this. Major powers, vendor free trade, protect themselves. European Union is the only one that doesn't do this, doesn't know this, and is multiplying free trade agreements.
The world is changing very quickly. The European Union doesn't know this and blinded by their own opinion position, The European Union is the only one that seems to feel that there is we can have happy globalization.
But Europe is being left behind in all sectors. We have these rules in the WTO that were put in place after the Second World War. They no longer apply, and the time has come to wake up and face the world as it is. We have to face up to our competitors, United States, China, and also renew production, food security, of supply. And reforming the WTO is a lost battle.
Richard calls for ECR.
Speaker 296
Dear colleagues, the World Trade Organization turns 31 this year.
Was built for a different world. One that no longer exists. Nearly every major multilateral institution today faces the same crisis. The WTO is no exception. But unlike many others, it is still relatively young and shows a willingness to adopt.
That makes it a valuable instrument worth reforming. Trade is about jobs, better living, and getting what we need. That is why the WTO must remain focused on its core mission, market access, clear rules, and legal certainty.
It is not and shouldn't be an ever-expanding forum. And we all know that decision making by de facto unanimity among 166 members guarantees paralysis. Polyratrial agreements are the practical way forward. Like minded members must be able to move ahead without one country blocking progress.
The EU should support this shift. In the past, we resisted flexibility. In the upcoming MC 14, we should show goodwill and help unlock reform. And we should not ignore systematic distortions.
China's command economy and persistent overcapacity undermine fair competition. If the rules-based system is to matter, today's realities that undermine our cooperation must be addressed. Thank you.
Speaker 266
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Catarina Vieira for the Greens.
Dear.
Speaker 297
Chair, dear commissioner Sefkovich, in a time of unilateral trades, tariffs and systematic breaches of the global order, by the way, a global order that indeed is still worth defending, it's also worth acknowledging that 70% of global trade still relies on WTO rules, and that is quite remarkable.
As we head into Cameroon in 2 weeks, three things are sharply on my mind. First, that we must defend the WTO as a multilateral framework where common rules, rather than sheer economic might, govern our trades. Second, that's to remain relevant, the WTO must be fit for purpose. Its rules must be fair, equitable, and implementable for all members, particularly those in the global South. And third, let's not forget the role that the WTO should have in ensuring that trade is a driver of collective action to green our economies and fight climate change.
Colleagues, us work for a WTO that protects the rules-based order that ensures a fair and transparent system and that makes trade a force for a just green transition. Thank you.
Speaker 298
The WTO's 14,000,000 ministerial conference comes at a pivotal moment for the multilateral trading system.
Yes. Reform of the WTO is absolutely needed, but what is being suggested is a power grab by the world's wealthiest countries. This will only further disadvantage the global South, and it will orient trade towards the profits of large corporations rather than for the benefit of ordinary citizens. The push by The United States to move away from consensus decision making and to abandon the most-favored nation for more plurilateral agreements and to attack development will undermine the multilateral trading system.
We want to see reform of the WTO so they can really deliver sustainable and fair trade. And if we do not defend multilateralism as a core principle of global trade, then we are seeding any sustainable future to the whims of the US.
The EU's approach to date has been too deferential to Donald Trump and his cronies, and we must stand up for multilateralism and for real reform, and not a power grab.
The next speaker is Borja Jimenez Larras.
Speaker 299
Thank you very much. President, commissioner, since 1990, global trade has increased people's income by about 40% around the world. It's brought millions of people out of poverty, but the multilateral system of trade is really struggling. Around 70% of global trade is carried out under WTO rules. It shows that it is still relevant.
But it also shows the responsibility that we have to reform the system. There are clear challenges, geopolitical threats that fracture global trade and competition. We believe in open trade, but it has to be fair trade as well. And I think the WTO is the best tool in order to guarantee that. But its reform is essential.
It must reform or die. And I think this summit is a real opportunity. We need an efficient dispute settlement mechanism. We need to update rules for subsidies and to deal with market distortions. And thirdly, we need to deal with the issue of development differential, and favored status is important, but only for those who really need it.
We need clear rules that strengthen multilateralism. The WTO is still the best guarantee for a free and rules-based system of trade, and the EU needs to lead the defense of the WTO.
Speaker 301
You, president. The multilateral trading system is under pressure. Geopolitical tensions, increased competition, and the fragmentation of global value chains are testing the WTO. And that's why we need to take concrete steps to improve it and make some changes so that it can deal with the challenges of our time.
The fourteenth ministerial conference in Liyanda will be an important moment, and I look forward to the discussions that will take place. I'll be taking part in a panel discussion on AI and trade. So that's a great honor for me. I've also prepared a discussion paper for delegates.
AI is changing global trade from supply chains, digital services, and data flows, that are producing innovation. There are massive opportunities, but also risks and new barriers that may well create problems.
So WTO does need to work to get over these problems, to tackle them. The current global situation is a difficult one, but it means that this work at the WTO is not only a necessity, but even more important than it otherwise would be.
Thank you.
Speaker 302
Thank you. You. President. We're discussing the WTA con conference at a time where in this hemicycle, heard people saying that we want to defend fair trade on clear rules. Based on clear rules.
But these rules are worthless if they're always being applied against Europe and not to defend Europe. And it's quite scandalous that the S and D group and the EPP group have asked for the provisional application of Mercosa to be discussed here in this chamber.
They're talking about fair trade, and they're always talking about fair trade, but they're imposing a trade agreement that nobody's voted for. They're opening the door to third countries to bring in their goods and their products under unfair conditions.
So those who say that they're championing free trade, I'd just like to say this is not free trade. This is unfair competition. And unfair competition leads to more pressure on prices.
It stifles house bills, and it's not good for the European Union. We've already seen this with previous agreements. We'll see it with Mercosur. So those who want free and fair trade will start off by respect, looking at those who respect the rules, i.e., our farmers.
Thank you.
Željana Zovko
We are facing a period of profound global trade challenges.
In response, the European Union has adopted a clear strategy, diversify our trade networks with like minded partners, strengthening economic cooperation with reliable partners, and reinforcing the rules based global trading system. At the same time, we must work with these partners to ensure meaningful reform of the World Trade Organization.
Too long, European companies have been victim of unfair trade practice by third countries from market distortion and industrial to discriminatory barriers that undermine fair competition. Our business needs a system that protects fair trade and assures that agreed rules are respected.
Behind every trade dispute stand companies and jobs that depend on clear, stable, and enforceable rules. Without them, uncertainty grows, investments decline, and global trade risks slide into fragmentation. This is why WTO reform must focus on three priorities: predictability with a fully functioning dispute settlement system, fairness, ensuring a true level playing field, and flexibility allowing them to adapt to new economic realities.
Thank you.
Speaker 266
Thank you very much, Mister Sofko, and now the next speaker is Javier Moreno Sanchez.
Speaker 304
Thank you. Thank you very much, commissioner. Some people want to see the WHO dead. They want tariffs and the law of the jungle. But in a more and more convoluted world, we believe in a multilateral trading system based in rules and cooperation and dialogue.
The next ministerial conference is a success in itself. We have countries that represent 3% of the world population that will sit down in Yaounde to talk about the administration, organization, fishing subsidies, ecommerce. It is much better that we trade words on services rather than dropping bombs. It is important that we work on dispute settlement mechanisms so it is binding and effective, and we incorporate plurality agreements into the WTO architecture.
We also want to strengthen the parliamentary dimension. Parliamentarians have the link to the citizens, and we're the ones that vote on the trade agreements that directly affect their lives.
Thank you.
Speaker 306
Thank you, President. President of the commission, colleagues. Europe has become strong through internal cooperation so that former enemy states who fought each other have now started to work together. So No 1 knows better than us in Europe how valuable cooperation is, and we cooperate with all the world.
Obviously, economic cooperation comes first because that makes it more likely that we have freedom when it comes to Putin, though you can't have freedom. So it's difficult even with economic cooperation there. But it is at least more likely that you get freedom if you cooperate.
So we're now seeing a global situation in which free trade is being called into question. So we need to ensure that we can continue to work on the basis of cooperations because that helps to boost our internal freedom, quite apart from anything else.
Thank you.
Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis
Madam Chairwoman. Commissioner Marosz, we can well remember the long way in the Junkers Commission when we had to work a lot in order to make the WTO a strong effective organization and protect the right to reach agreements that are based on clear criteria. Sanitary and phytosanitary criteria, and all other criteria that are here and that have been implemented helped many third world countries to develop their economies, to develop their food industries.
And be equal partners. Those who say that products that come from third countries contradict EU sanitary norms, these people lie, and WTO has to strengthen this. The European Union has to withstand Mister Trump's Sebastian Tinkinen.
One minute.
Speaker 113
Dear. President, Europe must come up with policies that improve our relationships with our trading partners. But unfortunately, the leftist keep pushing for something else. Diversity policies, anti-poverty regulations, Green Deal, and other socialist fantasies. The leftists hate the reality we live in.
The reality is that a strong Europe is Europe with strong trade relations with the United States. Let me tell you what the leftist want instead. The left group tried to change a text of this house by an amendment that stated that the EU should reinforce our trade relations with BRICS countries to reduce dependence on The United States. So instead of the United States, the leftist wants stronger trade relations with countries like China, Russia, and Iran.
I ask you, have you lost your mind? Thank you.
Speaker 116
People of Europe, the international trading system stands at a crossroads. For decades, the rules-based order on the World Trade Organization helped reduce tariffs, expand opportunity, and create prosperity across continents. Yet today, that system faces unprecedented pressure.
When rules are ignored or undermined, it is not institutions that ultimately suffer. It is our citizens. Our workers and our businesses. That is why the ministry conference in Yaoundé is so important.
The WTO must adapt to a changing world. Modern rules for digital trade, stronger frameworks for investment facilitation, and procedures that allow cooperation among those willing to move forward. While preserving the integrity of the multilateral system.
But reform will not happen by itself. Europe must help driving it. Together with partners who believe in openness, fairness, and international law, the European Union should act as a stabilizing and constructive force for a modern, effective multilateral trading system.
Thank you very much.
Speaker 266
Thank you, mister. This brings us to the end of the Catch the Eye session. So I'll hand the floor back to the Commission. Commissioner Maros Sevkevich, you have the floor.
Speaker 137
Thank you. Thank you very much, Madam President. And I also would like to express my gratitude to all the intervening members of the European Parliament. But also, I would like, in particular, to thank Mister Lange, Mister Varbourn, and their colleagues for the hard work they put into the resolution on the reform process in WTO, which I hope will be approved tomorrow. Because I think that from this debate, but also from all that reflection which has been incorporated into the text of the draft resolution, which will be presented to and voted on in the plenary tomorrow, I think that it's quite clear that we shared the vision for the reformed and fully functioning WTO and that we are speaking with one voice if it comes to the importance of this organization, to the crucial place, the WTO place, in a rules-based world trade. And how important it is to also uphold it in the future.
So I, once again, would like to reassure everyone that our aim is to work very hard with all of you on WTO 2.0, which would be updated to the current situation, to the current importance of the big trading powers in the global trade, and which would bring us better results along these three principles I was outlining earlier. To have more predictability, to know that the rules are the rules, they will be respected, and if not, there will be an enforcement mechanism.
We also want the system to be more fair because the last decision been taken already in 1995, which is quite some time ago when we know kind of changes have taken place since then. And how the position of many countries in the global trade has evolved. And then, of course, we also need the flexibility and agility so the organ is agile and more fine tuned to reflect the changes which are happening today. With enormous dynamism and at great pace.
And I'm sure that together we'll be able to push for these positive developments and to make the WTO be reformed. Be stronger, and will be even more relevant in the future.
I am also very pleased to hear from honorable members that we share the same position on the key files, including IFDA e-commerce, and also making sure that the meeting in Eaounde would start what I would like to describe as a new beginning.
Think that is very important to give a very clear political signal, political steer, but we shouldn't wait another two years for another ministerial council to have the results. So there has to be much more regularity in the discussion, also on the political level, to achieve our goals.
And I also would like to reassure all of the vulnerable members, who have, I would say, this hesitation about the multilateral versus spoolateral. First and foremost, of course, you would prefer to go on a multilateral basis, but we have seen that because of how this principle was involved in the practical application of unanimity, we are stuck in many files, which are important also.
For the developing country, like, for example, this investment is the proposition. And, therefore, I think that the first experiences we have with the approach, if it comes to the dispute settlement mechanism and to the MPIA, are something which are pointing us to the direction that there might be also this alternative way, how to approach, I would say, this difficult when we want to show that we have that ambition to move forward.
So I'm very much looking forward because I know that some of you will be traveling together with us to Yahounde. For sure, we will have plenty of time to compare the notes, the exchange of views, and to push in one European pro reform in the WTO direction.
Thank you very much, madam President.
Thank you very much, commissioner.
Speaker 266
And to wind up the debate on behalf of the inter committee, there's a motion of resolution that has been submitted. The debate has now closed, and the vote on the resolution will take place tomorrow. So thank you very much.
This brings us on to our next point on the agenda, and this is a commission statement on immunity of international criminal court officials and the activation of the EU blocking statute to strengthen EU strategic autonomy.
And here, I'm going to hand the floor back to the commissioner Marasifkovich. You have the floor for five minutes.
Speaker 137
Once again, thank you very much, Madam President, honorable members. Commissioner, Albuquerque regrets that she cannot join us due to prior institutional commitments. She has, therefore, me to replace her and to convey her remarks on this important issue.
The commission deeply regrets the recourse by The United States to place the International Criminal Court under undue external pressure. We also acknowledge the difficult situation that ICC officials and those working for the court are currently facing.
The ICC is not only an international court, it represents the global commitment to the most heinous crimes, genocide. War crimes and crimes against humanity must not go unpunished. The commission's position is clear.
We stand firmly by the court. Any attempt to use sanctions as a tool of intimidation against an independent judicial body is unacceptable. In response to the US executive orders, our primary tool has been and remains diplomatic outreach. The commission and the European external action service, in close coordination with our member states, have engaged with the US to convey the consistent message.
The ICC plays a vital role in the international rules-based order. In the diplomatic outreach, we continue to clearly articulate our belief that disagreements over the court's jurisdiction, including the US request for an amendment of the ICC statute to exclude this jurisdiction over nationals of the countries that are not state parties to the ICC. Should be addressed through legal and diplomatic channels, not through unilateral restrictive measures that threaten judicial independence and severely undermine our rules-based international order.
Commission maintains regular and consistent contact with the ICC and the member states, aiming to find practical solutions to secure the continuity of the ICC operations. The payment accounts directive, for example, safeguards the rights to a payment account with the basic features for everyone residing in the European Union. The right to such a basic account cannot be denied solely on the grounds someone is on the third-country sanctions list.
The blocking statute is a unique instrument in our legislative toolkit. By prohibiting compliance with the specific foreign sanctions, and allowing for the recovery of damages, it serves as a shield for our strategic autonomy. And activation deserves careful consideration. Any such move must be proportionate and strengthened rather than fragmented.
Our long-term strategic objectives. Activating the blocking statute would provide a legal shield for EU operators in the EU. However, it would not protect the EU operators from US action outside the European Union, especially if they have economic and financial exposure to the US.
As the commission continues its assessment of available options to ensure the continuity of the court's operation, we are looking at how to make our toolkit more effective. Our strategy got to know independent depends on our ability to defend our values while maintaining the stability of our global partnerships.
We'll continue to consult closely with this Parliament and with the member states as we navigate this sensitive path. Our strength lies in our unity and values. When we defend the ICC, we are not just defending the court. We are defending the very principle of justice and of the rules-based international order.
Thank you.
Speaker 266
Thank you very much, commissioner. Now I pass the floor to Michal Wavriq Kevich on behalf of the EPP.
Speaker 308
Thank you, President, Commissioner. Colleagues. We are talking today about the independence of judiciary, independence of justice, the cornerstone of the European Union. And the International Criminal Court stands as one of the central pillars of the international legal order. Its mandate to prosecute genocide crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression ensures that the gravest violations of international law do not remain unpunished.
For this system to function, judges, prosecutors, and officials of the court must be able to act independently. Immunity for ICC officials is therefore not a personal privilege. It's a structural safeguard protecting the integrity of international justice. This principle is particularly relevant today.
The prosecutor of the court is investigating allegations of war crimes against humanity and genocide committed on the territory of Ukraine. Since November 2013, including crimes linked to the annexation of Crimea and the ongoing aggression by Russia. Those who investigate such crimes must not face any pressure.
Judicial independence can be undermined not only through political attacks, but also through financial leverage. European judges must be free from any pressure, also economic. They must always be safe and fully independent. This is in our best interest because only then can we speak about justice.
We must strive to strengthen our economy, our European autonomy, and our sovereignty. To avoid being subject to any external oppression, Europe, therefore, needs stronger economic security, greater payments sovereignty, greater independence from foreign financial and payment infrastructure.
Only a Europe that is economically resilient can ensure that international judges and prosecutors act freely, without any fear and guided solely by the law. Thank you.
Thank you.
Rene Ripazino of the S and D group, please.
Speaker 56
President, colleagues, from one day to the next, Nicolette Gilles' life changed completely. No credit cards, no online payments, no online purchases or bookings. Why? Simply because he did his job as a judge at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
He deals with the law, but the US did not like this. And so sanctions against a citizen of the EU. And we just let it happen. Now know if anything can be done with the blocking statute and dealing with the effects of third country laws in the EU.
And the commission could propose a delegated act. I don't know why this hasn't been done. The explanations you've given me do not convince me it was used in the 1990s in 2012 under the presidency of Barack Obama.
It seems we can do it when it's comfortable, but not when it's uncomfortable, because Donald Trump is in the White House. This is an instrument that could protect our people on our continent, and it's not there for you to use just when it's comfortable, also when it's uncomfortable. So please act now.
Speaker 309
Next speaker. Is Helmut Brandstetter from the Renew Group, please. Thank you very much, President, Commissioner. Here, we're talking about an independent international court, but we're also talking about technological independence, actually, the U.
S. Have decided to sanction the ICC. They've frozen their assets. Digitally delete content, block their emails, except for etcetera, and it's actually an attack on us in the European Union. And it's our technological dependence that has caused this problem.
That's actually our weak point. We've got these regimes in Washington or in Beijing. And if they just arbitrarily decide to block our access to these kinds of services. Well, what are we supposed to do about it? We've got this blocking statute, and we really do need to activate that to protect our citizens from arbitrary sanctions.
We're pleased and proud that, for example, there's an Austrian government agency that no longer uses Microsoft. It uses a European option. So that's another thing that we could do, I think.
And Mikhail Gala is there. We've discussed this issue together, and we're in favor of these European technological developments. That's what we need to move towards. Thank you.
Speaker 310
The system, the multilateral system based on international law that was founded, is obviously an obstacle. We must make sure that we don't undermine geopolitical credibility. Yesterday, the conference of ambassadors Missus Fond du Lyon gave a speech: A world of segregation, racism, colonialism, for labor, totalitarian or authoritarian states. This is a world where the European Union, the United Nations, ICC, civil society, protection of victims would not exist.
If we proceed along the lines of her statement. It would be a Trumpist world. A world where there's nothing else that can be proposed. The idea is we need rights. We need justice.
Not arbitrariness. And the ICC with its partner members is a political choice. This is what we want to offer the world, and this is what we represent. It's our sovereignty. It's not a question. It's an obligation.
Thank you.
Speaker 266
Thank you very much. The next speaker on behalf of the left is Lynn Boylan.
Speaker 298
As Israel and The United States illegally attack Iran and as the Israeli government violates the sovereignty of Lebanon and displaces more than 700,000 people, 200,000 of which are children, as Trump unleashes the brutal hand of imperialism on Latin America, the role of the international Criminal Court has never been more important.
The EU has done nothing as the ICC has been attacked, and as judges have been sanctioned for doing their jobs. The EU has failed to defend the UN special rapporteur Albanyzi, as she has been attacked and sanctioned for telling the truth about the genocidal Israeli regime.
The ICC is a cornerstone of international law and accountability for war crimes. Their work must be respected, and the arrest warrants for war criminals like Benjamin Netanyahu and Johav Gallant must be executed. If we do not defend the ICC and international law, then the horrors that we see in the Middle East and in Latin America will eventually come for all of us.
Speaker 258
You, president. Commissioner. This time is showing Europe's impotence. We're seeing a new global order, and threats to the law are increasing. And yet the European Union hesitates to trigger this blocking statute, which could help us in certain situations.
We've got these sanctions from the Trump administration that are being carried out on ICC judges and prosecutors. And there's no clear explanation from the commission as to why they're hesitating to implement this blocking statute. This statute couldn't ensure that the ICC can do its job properly necessarily, but it would go and help to mitigate some of the measures that have been taken against some of these individuals. The commission continues to favor diplomatic actions over implementing or triggering the statute, but the ICC is the only possible forum for reparations and justice, and we really need to protect it.
Thank you.
Dainius Žalimas
Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, we cannot allow anyone to undermine the credibility of law on European soil.
The ICC is a cornerstone of a global system of accountability, acting as a court of last resort when other avenues to justice are blocked. We shouldn't forget the human aspect of this issue.
Both targeted by US sanctions often discovered the chilling consequences only gradually in their lives, when the payment is declined or the access to online services is suddenly refused. Effectively turning them into digital barriers simply for doing their office, their job.
I, therefore, join those who urge the European Commission to swiftly use the US blocking statute by adding the use of the exact US executive order authorizing ICC related sanctions to its scope, and together with member states develop additional measures to counter their effects. Such measures should include EU-wide minimum penalties, ensure consistent enforcement, stronger oversight at EU level, and compensation mechanism for businesses.
Thank you.
And I pass the floor to Tanika Strik.
Speaker 313
Commissioner, what is the EU commitment to upholding international law and rule of law worth if it refuses to defend international judges under attack?
The US has sanctioned ICC judges not for corruption, not for abuse, but for delivering justice against the most heinous international crimes. And the same applies to actors delivering evidence to the ICC, like UN reporters and NGOs.
This strikes at the very core of our international legal order, and it's a brutal assault on national judicial independence. The sanctions are not symbolic. They punish real people. Disrupt real lives, and try to break those who dare to stand up for international accountability.
This parliament has repeatedly called for the activation of the blocking statute, the silence of commission and counsel is plain weakness disguised as caution. Europe has the legal tools to respond, so use them. Protect the judges. Protect international law and the credibility of our Union.
These judges did exactly what their role demanded from them. Now, commissioner, it's your job to do the same.
Thank you.
The next speaker is Maputenga.
Speaker 314
Thank you. You, president. The United States sanctioned the judges of the International Criminal Court because that is what they want. They sanctioned the special rapporteur, the United Nations, for the occupied Palestinian authorities because she's drafted a report that they didn't like. And they even sanctioned a whole country.
They're suffocating the island of Cuba. Because they want a different political and economic policy. So essentially, this is gangster politics. A rogue state. If you try and suffocate an island, we're talking about hundreds of thousands of people without electricity, hospitals without fuel.
This means that operations are being carried out with somebody holding up the torch on a mobile phone. Across all the boards. And in a tropical country, no electricity means you don't have a fridge to keep your food fresh.
The European Union says, well, yes, human rights are important. But when Trump acts, you just lie down and submit. It's unacceptable, especially when it comes to human rights. We have to act now.
Speaker 239
President. Commissioner, colleagues, I have been in contact with the ICC court judge for months now. Because the judge is going through a very difficult situation. I've been with the judge all over the place when they've been to see people in the Elysee Palace elsewhere.
Nothing has happened. And they can't make payments because their car has been stopped. So what are we gonna do? I mean, we are the continent where the rule of law rules supreme, apparently international law is respected.
But the idea is for the commission to protect its citizens and its judges and prosecutors rather than itself. So you know, you gotta be pretty naive to think that you can use diplomacy to get Trump to change his mind, to appease Trump. And if he does change his mind, he can always reimpose these sanctions.
Speaker 315
At some time in the future. So please, let's use this blocking statute.
Speaker 316
Commissioner. Are you defending Israel being bombarded? Because you defend Iran being bombed, right? So I don't know. Maybe you're defending Israel being bombed as well. Israel is carrying out the worst of all crimes. Genocide in Gaza.
And other crimes in other places. They're assassinating thousands of civilians. For example, the children at the school, do you defend that? Well, in order to defend Israel's rights, are you defending them? And do you also defend the fact that judges and prosecutors are being sanctioned for investigating these crimes? There is a blocking statute to neutralize Trump sanctions, but you are not. Implementing this statute.
This is not a violation of our sovereignty. It's a crime. Of Article 70 of the Rome Statute. Obstruction of justice. So not only you are complicit in genocide, but you're also complicit in other crimes as well.
Thank you, madam chair.
Speaker 70
Commissioner. When the ICC comes under attack, it's Europe that comes under attack. It's our values that are being attacked: human dignity, international humanitarian law, peace, the independence of the judiciary.
The court convicts war criminals. That's why it's being attacked. Those who are working on the Ukraine case have been threatened. And convicted in Russia. And then the United States placed sanctions on 11 judges and prosecutors working on the Palestine case.
They're trying to force judges to do foreign powers' bidding, and we can't have that. That's why we need this blocking statute. Okay. It's not perfect, but that's no excuse not to use it. For the dignity of victims, for the independence of justice, and for our prosecutors and judges.
We need to use it. The court is just the start. We don't use this blocking statute now, others are going to be targeted.
Speaker 317
What are you waiting for, commission? The next speaker is Leyre Parín.
Speaker 318
Commissioner. This debate is about our principles and our standards. It relates to our painful past after two world wars and genocide. We made a promise we would never go back to a devastated world where atrocities were not punished. And so we have the Statute of Rome and the International Criminal Court.
Without international law, there are no human rights, and courts who apply it and judges who prosecute these criminals. We've seen impunity in Cuba, in Libya, in Iran, in Ukraine, and so many other places.
So that is why we need to defend the ICC and international law. The executive order against the ICC and against Nicolas Gyu is an attack against European citizens, who were just doing their work. It is important that the European Commission protects European citizens. It has the tools to do it and has no excuse not to do it. Defending European autonomy is defending international law, peace, stability, and the security of its citizens.
Thank you.
Krzysztof Śmiszek
Thank you. You. Starving people as a form of carrying out war, denying humanitarian assistance. Persecution or murder. This is what Netanyahu has been doing.
That is why there is an arrest warrant from the ICC. And then, of course, Putin kidnapping Ukrainian children, cruelty, torture, and also the recognition of rape as a crime against humanity.
These are examples of the actions of the ICC which are not to the liking of those people who do not wish to respect law and don't like respect of law.
We know that the previous president of the ICC, and we also have Piotr Hravskins Kiego, applied sanctions and an arrest warrant as well. To Putin. There are those who are carrying out the worst crimes, and they're the ones who don't want, who don't like the ICC.
Speaker 320
So we need to do something about the sanctions that are being imposed on the judges and the prosecutors, if only for our European catch the eye, and I think we can take all demands for catch the eye.
And we have first, we tend his povillas underiochitis.
Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis
Commissioner, today is March 11.
In Lithuania, we are celebrating the Day of Restoration of Lithuania's Independence. Declaration was declared on that day. I had a chance to sign it. As well. And we declared that we adhere to the values as they are enumerated in the Helsinki Final Act.
And therefore, it is painful for me to hear today that the commission deeply regrets the actions taken by president Trump.
The commission must be very clear. It must say that it denounces Trump's actions since Putin, Netanyahu, the criminals in Sudan or in Iran, they are all the same type of a criminal.
They must be prosecuted by criminal means.
Speaker 322
Trump is in their midst because he's helping to bring down rule of law state.
Victor Negrescu
So I confirm that we are going to take all the speakers on the caselay procedure, and we move to the next speaker, Miss Tim Cannon.
Speaker 113
Mister. President, arrest warrant against the prime minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu is beyond absurd. Even more absurd is the fact that the only country seemingly capable of acknowledging this fact is the United States.
Leftists in this parliament will again have their few seconds in the spotlight, waving their middle fingers at their two arch enemies, the US and Israel. But the irony is that Israel and the United States have been capable of doing exactly what the International Criminal Court hasn't.
The international community is unable to bring to justice criminals like Vladimir Putin and Habatullah Akhunzada, the leader of the Taliban. But when terrorist organizations like Hamas, Hisbollah, and the IRGC cannot be brought to justice, Israel and The United States will bring justice to the terrorists.
Let's not prevent justice from being done.
Speaker 23
Thank you very much. The ICC was established by a statute of Rome. It is the last court, it's the court of last resort to uphold international law, the credibility of the international community is at stake.
But from a European perspective, our credibility is at stake. If we are to stand by the rule of law, to stand by the principles upon which this particular institution and the other institutions of the EU are founded, on upholding law and the rule of law.
Well, then the very least we should do is first and foremost condemn the sanctions placed on the ICC members, but more importantly, bring forward the blocking statute to address some of the personal concerns of the individuals that have been sanctioned.
Speaker 23
And but more importantly, the international criminal court deals with international crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, crimes of aggression, and war crimes. And the reasons these sanctions were placed were stated by president Trump himself when he signed the sanctions itself.
When he said, it is an attack on the US and on Israel. Now, by any credible stretch of the imagination, what the ICC is doing is holding Israel to account and many other actors as well that have been involved in genocide, in war crimes in the Middle East, and that includes leaders of Hamas as well. So they have been impartial in addressing those particular issues.
It's a shameful act, and we should deal with it very quickly.
Nélia.
Nela Riehl
Last year, Trump signed an executive order to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court.
In other words, Trump made an official threat against the legal body investigating war crimes such as genocide, and crimes against humanity.
Trump clearly just doesn't like people investigating genocide.
But colleagues, commissioner, we do not care what Trump likes or does not like. We care about European citizens. We care about having a system that protects international law and the freedom of speech.
Commissioner, this is not the first time I'm asking you to activate the EU blocking state. But I'm happy to do it again. With this, we can protect European lawyers, judges, journalists, and citizens from the silencing attempt of foreign governance.
Zipper.
Speaker 116
Dear. People of Europe, one of the most cynic things about the crimes of national socialists and the holocaust was that it all, under German law, was perfectly legal. All the deportation, all the gas chambers, all the mass killings were not spontaneous acts of violence.
But were based on laws.
Speaker 116
On regulation, on orders. So when the Nazi regime fell, international lawyers and the international community faced a severe challenge. How to prosecute people for something that was legal. How to prosecute those in power for something that is perfectly fine under their national law at the time.
This is international criminal law was founded. To keep people accountable no matter how big their power to shape their own legal system. And this is to this day why the ICC is so important, and why we must draw a line in the sand now. To protect it.
Thank you very much.
Speaker 136
It. It was inevitable that here in the European Parliament, we would hear a reaffirmation of the European Union's commitment to international law. And the ICC is a key part of the architecture of the international order, which binds the European Union as a source of law.
Article 21 says that there's no impunity for crimes against humanity and genocide. Etcetera. And the European Union has an obligation to protect those who work for the ICC, who are exposed to arbitrary international sanctions. Particularly, they're European, but not only.
And in this case, it's the US. Who that is the problem. So we've got this blocking statute, an instrument that protects these people and also reaffirms our strategic autonomy, our commitment to international law and criminal law again, and against impunity, against the most serious crimes. It also clearly expresses the fact that the European Union cannot betray its commitment to international law without betraying itself.
Thank you.
Speaker 297
Colleagues, it's clear that for doing their job, upholding international law and investigating genocide claims, the international criminal court judges and the UN special rapporteurs are being treated like terrorists with sanctions from the US administration.
We've raised it in letters. We've raised it in committee meetings. We're raising it here in plenary. But even after this meeting, I continue to have two questions. What and where? First of all, what? What is keeping the commission from finally taking action and activating the blocking statute to protect these EU citizens?
And by the way, where? Where are our EPP colleagues, the largest group in this European Parliament, 188 members who promised to uphold international law, and one of them shows up.
I think we should think about that. Thank you.
Victor Negrescu
I will kindly ask the technical services to be careful on the mics for colleagues in this house. So we move back to the commission, and I kindly ask the commissioner to take the floor. Commissioner, please.
Speaker 329
Thank you very much, president, honorable members.
I'm replacing commissioner Safkowicz who was already replacing Albuquerque. And on their behalf or on her behalf, I would like to say that the International Criminal Court is a safety net. For our rules-based international order.
What the ICC does is that it ensures that the crimes of victims are heard, and the shadow of impunity is lifted. The commission is, of course, fully aware of the urgency by many in this house.
And we do hear your call for more assertive use of our strategic toolkit. However, as my colleague has outlined, our approach must for on a strong foundation. We are working on three fronts.
First, we're maintaining a firm and united diplomatic front to ensure our partners understand that international justice is not a variable to be negotiated. Secondly, with the member states, we're taking immediate practical steps to safeguard the daily lives and professional dignity of those who serve the court. And third, we remain prepared to use every legislative tool at our disposal. The blocking statute remains a such a potential tool. We're assessing its possible activation with the seriousness that such a significant political move does require.
I thank, once again, on behalf of Commissioner Albuquerque, this Parliament for its unwavering support. Together, we will ensure that the halls of justice in The Hague remain open and that its judges remain independent.
Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioner.
Victor Negrescu
This being said, this debate is closed, we move to the item on the agenda. So the next item is commission statement, rise of political violence, notably by far-left organizations.
Before starting the debate, I wanna inform all colleagues again of the fact that we will need to comply with the time available. So I will be very strict on the timing. Please respect the timing that has been allocated to each speaker. If we are going to have blue cards, also, we'll be respecting the procedures accordingly. Also, please call ex respect again the rules of procedures when it comes to the blue card. Procedure.
So now, commissioner, I gave you a little bit of time to prepare for the next intervention. You have, again, the floor. Commissioner Holster.
Speaker 329
Thank you. Thank you very much, chair and honorable members. Now I'm replacing commissioner McGrath, who is just thanking me for taking this debate, but also thank you for having this debate.
Democracies, conflicts are not resolved by threats or acts of violence. In democracies, conflicts are resolved by discussions and debates. No one should ever feel intimidated when speaking out. And no one should feel scared when reporting to the media.
The commission condemns any kind, and let me stress that any kind, no matter the form it might take, where it might occur, or against whom it might be perpetrated. Now it is for member states to investigate individual cases of violence in accordance with their national law.
Course, in line with the rule of law and our common values. But when it comes to protecting free and open discussion and debates, and the safety and security of political candidates and elected representatives, the commission is not standing on the sidelines.
Rising tensions and increasing polarization have exposed political candidates and elected representatives to threats and acts of violence online and offline, impacting those at heightened risk of discrimination the most. Women, in particular, are a target.
This reduces democratic representation, undermines trust in our democratic institutions, and so erodes the very foundation of democracy itself. Since the very beginning of Commissioner McGrath's career, as a local politician he has learned firsthand that democracy is for everyone, so it needs to include everyone. And that is why the commission is doubling down on the democracy under the European Democracy Shield.
Free and fair elections are fundamental to democracy, and we're acting under the shield to support member states to ensure their integrity. And we will also support an open and safe environment for political candidates and representatives to perform their democratic role.
Back in 2023, the commission's recommendations on inclusive and resilient elections called on member states and political parties, foundations, and campaign organizations to refrain from promoting stereotypes. Discriminatory statements and biases against specific groups.
The European Democracy Shield, we're now working towards a commission recommendation on safety politics. And this work is drawing on new rules and tools in various areas and will build on best practices. But safety and politics will not be achieved by institutional or legislative acts alone. What it requires is a common effort. And this is why the commission supports voluntary commitments from all stakeholders.
Such as pledges and codes of conduct to foster best practices. A notable example is the code of conduct for the 2024 European Parliament elections. And this followed the 2023 commission recommendation on elections and was signed by all European political parties.
Some national political parties as well. Ladies and gentlemen, the need for a collective effort is also why the shield highlights a whole-of-government approach. And a whole of society approach.
The commission counts on the support and also on the active involvement of all member states and all their authorities, EU institutions, political parties, and relevant stakeholders like yourself. And that is why I am looking very much forward to the exchange of today.
Thank you.
Victor Negrescu
Now. We move to the round on interventions on behalf of the political groups and on behalf of the EPP group. Monsieur Bellamy. For the minute. Monsieur Président, Monsieur de Comisere, Président Commissioner.
Kenton.
Speaker 105
Kent was 23 years old, and he was murdered, Kentan Deronk. It wasn't an accident. It's obviously tragic, and we think about his friends and family. But foremost, this is a symptom of a greater evil.
This is an evil prop that is spread by the far left, have never announced totalitarianism, and they think it's okay to kill in order to do away with truths that they don't want to be reminded of.
There was a message published on content in Ronc last week. Someone's gonna have to take responsibility for it. There's also a slogan that appeared on the walls of Sciences Po, University in Paris: save a friend, shoot down Compton.
So there are various people who've been threatened by the far left. Janis as well, for example, Klaus Kinsler, he is now under police protection. Because he said something at the University of Grenoble. There are targets everywhere.
They say they're anti-fascist, but they're actually fascists because that's what we're talking about here, fascism. When a student can't go to lessons because they have a Jewish name, what are we talking about? Just near here, in October, in Strasbourg University, glory to Hamas was written on a wall.
What does that mean? You have groups saying that they want feminist organizations to be dissolved. Are licenses to kill. And after Quintang had been killed, Jean Luc Melenchon spoke of his affection for the Young Guard, which was a dissolved anti-fascist organization whose members then killed Comte Anne Derink.
So what are we talking about, Hill? I mean, when George Floyd died, you got through a resolution that talked about the structural racism as police forces in Europe. Can you today definitively, members of this house, break with this far-left.
You should stand with us to criticize this increasing violence, because that's where the danger to democracy lies today. Thank you.
Speaker 330
Thank you. President. In 2024, I was attacked by people from the right-wing scene in my country. So I'm not going to be silent in this debate on political violence. Nothing justifies an attack on your political opponent.
No self justice. Yes. There is political violence. In different places, if you take a look at the far right, then this belongs to a part of their ideology. If figures from Germany sent 1990, then quite a few people have lost their lives too far right.
Of Ireland. So from Hanau, Munich and Halle, the CDU politician Walter Lupka was assassinated. The world vision of the far right is based on inequality of people, and when this leads to fight between the different peoples, then you get violence. And it was perpetrated by the far right, then there is no emancipation.
Everybody has to be able to express their opinion free of fear. Free from fear to be attacked, to be killed by violence. And that freedom is threatened. And those who shout the loudest are the ones who perhaps should think more carefully about this.
Fabrice Leggeri
The. Political violence of the extreme left is a reality, and a reality that kills. I'm thinking of Cantor in France. Who died from blows of the French militants, and we see them represented in the far left in this house here as well. There are people who have paid with their lives, their blood, simply for expressing a different opinion.
Here, in the European Parliament, there was a minute of silence promised for Carthane, but it was never respected. This hemicycle protects certain violent militants. The Italian MEP, who was convicted in Hungary. Nevertheless, the parliament voted against lifting her immunity.
I'm also thinking of another French Emmy MEP who talked about the Nemesis Collective. People need to be protected in France now if they want to protest. Young people want to protest, but they do it at the risk of their own safety.
My party, Hassan Blomont National, has had a number of attacks against our members in recent years. So when you preach this kind of hate, you end up with blood on your hands.
Speaker 51
Far left kills a month ago, Quentin Derank was killed in France, Charlie Kirk a little while earlier. The far left intimidates, beats people up, threatens. It even then transforms forms its victims into the guilty. Because in their view, everyone on the right should be subject to this violence. A good fascist is a dead fascist, is what they say. And this is something that takes place right across Europe.
There's a whole network of people, a kind of anti-fascist circular economy. The far left attacks and then left wing media often funded by public funding excuses what they've done, and then you have left wing activists who produce biased studies. And then France, the left wing party in France, applauds. The circle continues because the far left is a doctrine that people take on. You have a Swedish activist, Thomas Maum, who celebrated the seventh of October attacks and says that violence is necessary.
In France, 80% of political violence was caused by the far-left. According to Euro poll, 21 attacks can be attributed to the far left, almost as many as Islamic jihad. And this left-wing violence is being exported.
The member Mister Arnaud was present in a demonstration in Italy that led to violence against the Brothers of Italy. And then there was another event in Turin, and there was violence there.
So shame to those who voted for mister Arnaud and Rima Hassan who continue to defend the young guard, this banned militia. Shame on you, mister Mélenchon as well. Who seems to be excusing violence and the killing of Quentin Duranq?
Victor Negrescu
These are terrorist organizations. On behalf of Renew Europe and Mr. Murry's current.
Speaker 333
Dear colleagues, if political violence comes at the cost of people's lives, then we have to speak out very clearly. The murder of Conte de Ranc is despicable, full stop. Nothing.
No ideology. No political objective. And no alleged fight against the system justifies violence against people. It is as simple as that. And this, I think, brings us to the crux of the debate.
Extremism destroys democracy, and it always does. And, what we are hearing from both sides, the reproaches, the accusations from both sides highlight the problem. Ex extremism, whether it's from the far left or from the far right, or religious fanaticism.
If anybody believes that they want to defend open society by fighting violence, then and through violence, they haven't understood anything. Democracy is based on divisions of opinion. Passionate discussions, but when the moment comes and you see your political opponent as an enemy, that is when political violence starts.
And we, as liberals, are against any form of extremism. Open society is something that we need to defend. And we have to discuss. We have to have disputes, but not thump somebody. We have to discuss, but not terrorize.
We have to defend open society against extreme violence, whether it comes from the far right, the far left, or religious. And this is something I think that we have to say very clearly.
Speaker 334
Thank you. Thank you very much, president. Dear colleagues. Now, the title of the debate is an insult to our continent, the history of our continent, to violence of our continent.
The violence systematically comes from one side, and it is from the extreme right. Allianz, the town where Carton Duran was killed. We have seen a number of attacks there from the far right.
One dead a year over the last fifty years, that is, there's caused by the far right on the list of the Hassan Blomont National. 100 candidates were identified as being part of radical organizations, or they committed violence themselves, or spoke homophobic or racist words.
The reality is that you are this violence. You have asked for this, debate, but really, the friends of mister Bellamy, the right, who once again are bowing down to the extreme right. And it makes sense because, mister Bellamy, between Macron and Le Pen, voted for the extreme right. This collusion we can see here as well.
So let me say to you calmly, looking you in the eyes, we will not be divided in the face of the threat that you pose and your behavior. As you bow down to your future allies, we remain standing and proud.
That is the history of this continent. Thank you.
Victor Negrescu
Dear colleagues, cher colleague, please, of course, respect the speakers as the speakers have respected you and respect the house. It's for everyone. So let's move towards the next speaker.
And now, on behalf of the left group, madam Rima Hassan.
Speaker 336
Well, the rise of fascism is the result of political choices. There's nothing predetermined about it. As we all know, history does not write itself. Depends on people's actions. But recently, in the media, we've seen values being overturned according to the right. At the far right, it's the left who are involved in violence, but figures show things differently.
96% of political murders since the 1990s have been caused by the far right. Far right terrorist attacks have increased by 320% across Western countries. Violence which kills and injures people comes first and foremost from the far right.
And it's something that affects us because of who we are. This is part of an ideological ecosystem. And the far right in this house represents the institutional part of that.
We're talking about Nazism and fascism. It's at the doors of power everywhere in Europe. We will continue to fight it, and we will make no compromises. Just a wide-ranging antifascist, antiracist front defending a solidarity-based, equality-based civil society can save us.
Speaker 337
It is people who make history. We are anti-fascist. And we will remain so. Thank you.
Speaker 338
Charlie Kirk.
31-year-old who defended our values was shot during a public presentation, and only because he had conservative views. And then, of course, we had the brutal attack on Conde Ndirang and former assistant of a left wing MP was one of those involved.
We can see that, around the world, the right wing is being dehumanized, and the values don't count. And even when it comes to the murder of a right wing activist, this isn't really properly valued. For what it is, and we don't have rulings from the court.
You talk about respect and tolerance, and then you attack conservatives in a vulgar way. You should be ashamed. You must be extremely unhappy people. I think people can see your hypocrisy, your misogyny, your aggression, your hate. And hopefully, you will be held to account for this in the next elections.
Victor Negrescu
So we finish with the round of speakers on behalf of the political groups. We also open the blue card procedure, and the next speaker is Miss Thomas Tobe.
Speaker 96
Political. Debate in Europe can sometimes be tough, but it should never go to violence or threats. Unfortunately, we have seen many cases of violence against political representatives where that crosses the line.
We've seen this in my country in Sweden, the migration minister, for example, was threatened. We see the threats and conflation with the far right or Hitler. And we saw those threats from somebody in the Swedish Left Party. This is completely unacceptable.
Any kind of threat or violence, whether it comes from the right or the left, is completely in a democracy. But every time we talk about the actions of the left wing activists, we see protests from this side of the chamber.
It seems they're never willing to point their fingers when it is their side which is responsible for spreading anti Semitism. Enough is enough.
Speaker 339
Next speaker, Mr. Matias Nemes. Colleagues, allow me to begin with a bit of irony.
Speaker 340
Today, we are discussing extreme left wing violence at a time when it's the extreme right the one undermining the foundations of democracy and the international order. It is creating a political atmosphere where there's a lot of division, exclusion, and attacks on diversity. This has become commonplace.
The ideas of the left, solidarity, quality, dignity for all are often the target of attacks. In Slovenia, the Social Democrats set an exhibition of gender equality, and this was demolished on the very same day. Such actions are the result of the values advocated by the extreme right-wing.
When we talk about this, I cannot ignore the policies exemplified by Trump and Netanyahu. Trump's administration is undermining American institutions, and it's also threatening world peace. And international order without any serious consequences. Unfortunately, even in Europe, there are parties that openly admire such policies. So let's be honest.
The problem is not solidarity or equality. It is politics that uses hatred as a political tool. And this is what we should be discussing today. Thank you very much.
Speaker 341
Madam Mariake Ehlers, indeed, parliament. Yes.
Thank you very much. In this parliament, anybody who's right of center is deemed to be a fascist. And the radical left killed a 23-year-old in the street.
And then in The Netherlands, right-wing politicians and their families are intimidated. Mr. Fontaine was shot by a left wing activist who is now free and got wilderness. Very many years had to live at a safe address with protection. There are examples across Europe of people like this. And this is a sign of our times.
You always complain about far-right extremism, but recognize it within your own ranks. You say you are tolerant, but you don't seem to tolerate any other opinions. Cannot survive if one side is always being demonized and the other side is always being allowed to speak freely. The anti fascist activists seem to enjoy immunity.
Victor Negrescu
That's what they feel, this cannot continue in this house either.
Mister Anthony Smith, would you like to take it? Mister Smith? 456.
This.
Speaker 343
Is a list of names of the people who have been killed in France in 2022. You are killers from the extreme right, and we will continue to fight you.
Victor Negrescu
So plea first of all, there is a blue card procedure, and when I kindly ask you to interrupt because there is no interpretation, you have to wait for the interpretation, sir.
Speaker 345
So if you wanna reply or you don't wanna reply, it just proves my point that you think the rules apply to us but not to you. You did not ask me a question.
Speaker 346
You do not deserve an answer, but I'm happy to have given you your thirty seconds of speaking time. Have a nice evening.
Victor Negrescu
So also, this is valid for all speakers in any session, no. There are specific rules on how we can address colleagues, and I take note of how colleagues have been addressed too.
So we also forward this to the president. So we move to the next speaker. Senora Carlo Fidanza.
Thank you.
President.
Speaker 347
Concerning the red thread which links far left terrace right across Europe. In January, there were anti-fascist demonstrations in Rome, and there were Italian colleagues there, but also Mister Arnaud who is the leader of this Jean Garde or Young Garde, this anti-fascist organization.
And then a foreign group beat some Italians up. And then just a few weeks later, Quentin Derunk was killed, probably by the same people. We're talking here of people who belonged to this German guard, the young guard, including an assistant of mister Arnaud.
So we have seen all too often recently far-left attacks. Let's look at what happened in Turin, where dozens of police officers were injured, one of who was beaten using hammers while he was down on the ground. Now this is the new version of the kind of violence we saw all too often in the 1970s.
There was the famous German hammer band as well, which produced so many victims right across Europe, including the victims in Budapest in '23. Our colleague, Ilaria Saris, was arrested during those events, and shamefully her parliamentary immunity wasn't waived.
Now these aren't errors. These aren't the kinds of things that happen on a one-off basis. These are ferocious and coordinated attacks being carried out by terrorist methods. This militant activ fascism needs to be dealt with severely in a unanimous manner. We need to boost cooperation between European police forces and Europol. We need to put anti fa on the list of terrorist organizations.
Thank you.
Alexandra Geese
In Deutschland, thank you. In Germany, nearly three times as many political acts of violence are carried out by far right activists than far left activists. And they're more ready to be violent. And the death ratio is 50:1, as Ms. Eckert has said, and violence is on the increase. Perpetrator is ever younger, and far-right groups today are recruiting children and young people for terrorist attacks and even online.
Young people are approached on platforms Steam, Twitch, or Discord. And then we have algorithms on TikTok and Instagram intentionally playing far right content, hate and violence, more than other content. This is a business model. That financially rewards influencers for right-wing content and punishes voices in favor of democracy.
We have to act against this. Anybody wanting to fight real extremism should focus on algorithms which allow people to make a conscious choice as to what they want to see on the Internet, because at the moment, it's dictated to us by Hitler admirers like Elon Musk, Trump fans like Mark Zuckerberg.
Victor Negrescu
Madam Giza, there is a blue card. Would you like to take it from Mister Thomas Froedlich? 03/1962. So let's wait for interpretation also at the same time.
Oh, yes.
Speaker 349
Thank you for taking my question. I think in spite of our political differences, we can agree that physical violence shouldn't be part of the political debate. Last year, 89 violent crimes took place in Germany against the elected representatives of parties. The AFD was attacked 68 times, whereas all other attacks on parties were in single figures.
So we are the party that has attacked physically most often and is generally by far left activists with whom the Greens sympathize.
Alexandra Geese
I condemn any form of political violence, even those acts against the ATF. And if I were to try and explain this, the A FTE does provoke a lot of people with extreme hate.
You know, of course, that I belong to a group, the Greens, which suffers a lot of political violent acts. And we have to be protected by the police because we are threatened permanently by far-right activists.
Victor Negrescu
Move to the next speaker. Madam Irene Montero. So, colleagues, that debate is taking place here. I Madam Mirene Montero.
Speaker 129
Thank you very much, People of the extreme right, people of VOXX. You have been talking about the Reconquista, about the greatness of the Spanish kings, using this type of rhetoric calling for hate and violence against migrants, against feminists, against trans people, justifying the genocide in Palestine, bombing girls in Iran.
And now when it comes to defending Spain and Europe from Trump's threats, when you have to defend people from illegal wars waged by Israel and the US. When it comes to rising energy prices and bills, when companies are making record profits, when you have to be patriotic, where is your bravura and your heroism? You are putting yourselves on the side of a man who's bombing half the world in the name of business. Can you perhaps explain to the Spaniards, to the Europeans, how you defend Spain and Europe by supporting Donald Trump? Your only patriotic loyalty is to money.
Speaker 350
Well, left-wing extremism is one of the greatest dangers we now have to our democracies, and these are structures that are organized and act in a militant manner. They attack people with hammers, etc.
In France, Quentin Duranque was beaten to death. And other attacks have taken place elsewhere, as my colleague said, 70% of violence in Germany against politicians is carried out against the AfD.
Missus Geiser couldn't answer that question. And this violence isn't only against so-called right wingers. It's now carried out on people who just don't agree with the far-left. Even Mrs. Schwarz. Who is an icon in Germany was attacked.
And that shows how radical these people are. These structures are set up to so-called fight the right. And basically, we want to see the speakers cut off.
Victor Negrescu
Khan, you have a blue card. From Miss Demiral. Please, wait for the interpretation. Could you, okay.
Speaker 351
Thank you very much for allowing the question. Now the big problem is Hitler as the bad guy. You were saying, who is judging the AFD? This is people from your party, people who are willing to act violently, you have never taken responsibility for Hannah or other attacks, people who have murdered in Germany.
You distance yourself from these types of statements which are made, the reply.
Speakers cough.
Speaker 350
Okay. Well, the Hitler quote to begin with, I mean, obviously, I distance myself from that kind of thing. You know? It's simply not true. But as I said, 70% of attacks against politicians are carried out on those from the AfD. Even in local elections, the anti-fascists attacked the houses of local politicians during local elections.
There's a campaign in Bavaria where that happened. So every party conference, there are protests against the AfD. And as I said, even an icon like Alice Schwartz has come under attack. Attack.
Thank you.
Mister Lucas Dieper.
Speaker 116
I'm gonna be speaking in German. Dear people of Europe, Danger Dan, one of the German singers, said, if you cannot tackle violence through peace, then the only thing left is militancy.
I think this is perhaps what a lot of left-wing activists have. They don't, they can't really tackle right wing violence. There's this hate-filled speech as well, but I think you're wrong because our democracy is working. It is alive, and it is defending itself in a peaceful fashion.
In the European Union, political violence is always wrong. Regardless of against whom it's perpetrated. But let us not be deceived about something. If our democracy is going to be removed by any kind of extremism, it doesn't matter which side.
We'll take up the weapons, and we'll fight for Europe. So that people can live in peace. Even if our opinion is different.
Jacques. Voorhe.
Thank you.
Henrik Dahl
On Saturday, a young campaigner from the Danish Social Democratic Youth was attacked in Denmark while hanging up election posters.
He ended up in the hospital, and according to himself, the perpetrators were ANCIFA. Members. From the far left wing. Fortunately, that act has been condemned by representatives across the political spectrum, and that's extremely important because when young people choose to participate in a political campaign and you attack it, it's an attack on democracy.
We have to be honest. Political violence doesn't come out of nowhere. Comes because of radicalization. And these recent years, we've seen radicalization really picking up pace here in Europe. We see Islamic violent groups sort of mixing with others.
And the result is not just violence, it's a normalization of violence. It's the rhetoric being used, which is changed. Now we don't see political opponents, we see enemies. And the things that we are seeing now on the streets of Europe is absolutely terrible.
It's sort of a European version of Islamism, and they're only being helped by the useful idiots on the far left. We have to stop this development because once political violence becomes normalized, we all lose.
Thank you.
Sandra Gómez López
Thank you very much, President. To be very clear, from our political group, we condemn all types of violence wherever it might come from. However, we cannot allow reality to be manipulated. Eighty-five percent of cases of political violence come from groups linked to the extreme right. And we see this very clearly in Spain, where we see a very hostile campaign against the left and women in particular. A socialist woman, a colleague of mine, was punched when she was simply exercising her rights political representation.
And it was a journalist, accredited by the popular party, who didn't want to condemn this attack. We have a member, Missus Montero, who had to ask for protection because she received death threats because she was a woman from the left, which is something that obviously upset you.
So if we talk about political violence in this party, let's start by changing the title, and talk about where the violence really comes from. Thank you.
Victor Negrescu
Miss Gomez, you have a blue card from Madame Zayok Kotzka. Zayuzkovska. To 03/1961. Would you like to take it? Yeah. We move to the next.
It's a write-off a speaker to take or not blue cards. We move to the next speaker. Tom van den Drijcke.
Colleagues.
Speaker 354
Anti-fire is not a normal left-wing protest movement. It is an international network which is protected and funded internationally. And they fight against the globalized world. And they try to intimidate people at the national level and attack them just because they have a different opinion from theirs.
Racists, fascists, they're the labels they place on us. And this discourse is tolerated, even though people are sometimes killed. Charlie Kirk, Quentin Durranck, for example. The left has blood on its hands. But it continues to distract attention, and I think this really shows the situation that we're in.
This anti-foul organization is on no terrorist list. But what we do need to do is reveal their sources of funding. Because those who defend anti-fat today are involved in Yes.
Speaker 355
Thank you very much, President. Ladies and gentlemen, what the left wing activities did in the streets of Lyon is a shameful act of the whole of Europe. A student was murdered merely because he tried to defend women who were protesting against violence by immigrants. And this is not an isolated incident. If we take a look at the report of organizations that are fighting terrorism, it clearly shows that left wing extremism is a real systemic and growing problem in Europe.
And on the extreme left wing, we've seen that people are called nationalist or fascist, and this is a very sick kind of logic which can kill. And in Poland, we also have a similar problem. Left wing militants and activists are attacking religious people and right wing people. And they take they attack anybody. And this is because of the way in which mainstreaming is being accepted, and Europe cannot be silent on this.
Adam Susana Borvendik.
Speaker 356
In this chamber, conservative politicians are labeled as Nazis without any consequences, while the crimes of the far left are excused. This is where Liaria Salis got refuge and has been protected ever since.
A person who armed with hammers and vipers attacked and beat innocent pedestrians from behind. It took a tragedy for us to finally say it. There are MEPs on the left who'd hold extreme views and who relativize murder by equating antifascism with democracy.
Of course, what can we expect from a movement that was launched by Stalin and continues to incite hatred against those who have different views? We demand that Antifa be declared a terrorist organization, and that an investigation be launched into whether the EU has provided any support to far-left organizations.
Speaker 357
And enough of stigmas when respect for life and tradition and protection of normality are called natism. That's hate speech.
Céline Imart
Thank you. Thank you very much. President, commissioner. The ultra-violent left-wing groups infiltrate groups and institutions. They hide behind masks these ultra right wings, apologize for Islamism, and shout out about Islamophobia, to protect their alliances.
But they're not happy to hide in the shadows anymore. The founder of the Jean Guerre, who was elected a member of the France and Summies, is being investigated in the case of the, in Khartoum's killing.
We need to look at this connection between terrorism and extreme militants. I think there should be a European blacklist of ultra-violent organizations. This would be a tool to help police cooperation and investigations, to cut European funding to mediating structures and stop them operating transnationally.
Europe can no longer be blind when it comes to these types of extreme violence. Thank you.
Speaker 360
Thank you, President.
Well, I must say that I actually share what the commissioner said. Obviously, what's been said since then is quite another thing. Me begin by saying that the murder of this right-wing activist in France is a very serious matter. And should be condemned unambiguously. Political violence is never acceptable in a democracy, and those responsible need to be brought to justice.
You can't have violence used for political propaganda purposes. It would take me more than an hour to tell you about all the right-wing crimes that have taken place in my country, Italy. Let me just say that there's a journalist who is living under police protection because they've been threatened by the far right. And in Europe, we're seeing movements that foster nationalism and ideological radicalism increasing in strength. And this feeds into public debate and increases the risk of political violence.
And that's why we can't have violence and violent events used for political purposes. What we need is more rule of law, more of a commitment against all kinds of violence.
Speaker 362
In Europe, it is our solemn duty to remind everyone that the left all over the world, but in Europe as well, has its hands full of blood. Should we remember the RAF in Germany or the Brigadeirosa in Italy or whatever.
We know them very well in Greece. We have the murderers of seventeen November or the murderers of Capelonies and Fundulis. Or the people who murdered five people in Marfin Bank a few years ago.
Thousands of victims in the name of their ideology. A few weeks ago, we had the murder of Quanta in France, or have we forgotten about the murder of Charlie Kirk in America? The left is demonstrably the Trojan horse of Radical Islam in Europe.
They support them. They bring them over here, and they give them the right to vote. So that they will have voters. And when they disagree with someone, they murder. They're against the fatherland religion and family.
So all of the extreme left organizations within the EU should be outlawed. Today. We need to strike at the head of this snake. All of this disease, this cancerous disease of the left has to be dealt with.
Speaker 363
The next On February 14, Konten was killed. This young Christian, Patrick, 23 years old, was murdered and kicked on the ground for several minutes by members of the Zhen Garda.
Militia from La France Insoumise, Miss Rina Hassan, this is your personal group of guards. So your security team kicked this man to death. You have blood on your hands.
Conte has blood. Together with all Europeans and French people, we demand that justice be done. Starting with Rafael Arno, another member of your group, who is listed as an s on the s list, who's a member of the general assembly.
This violence is an essential part of La France and Strummy's project, together with the rest of the ultra left. The end justifies the means, even if that's violence or indeed death.
Support for communist regimes, leading to millions of deaths. Support for Hamas and Islamic terrorists, and these people are now killing our young. The Zhengard and other extreme left militias must be characterized for what they really are. That's to say, a terrorist organization.
A. Question, mister Bay.
You never do. We do the question.
Pause that question.
Speaker 180
I. Would like to speak to the member who's wearing an electronic bracelet. I'd like to know whether he spent his time under house arrest reading up on political violence.
I'd like to remind you that 90% of deaths linked to political violence were caused by the extreme right. So sir, do you condemn those assassinations committed by the extreme right? Okay.
Speaker 363
So you referred to extreme right violence. They're imaginary. You made this up to justify your unjustifiable behavior. You have been abandoned by the working class in France. I don't vote for you anymore.
You are now committed to a death cult effort to destroy a civilization using violence and death. And I'm sure that along the way, you'll be constantly causing more violence.
Speaker 17
Thank you, President. The far right, the risk of fascism, the goose steps, and the cordon sanitaire. And who is beating up, setting fire to, and assaulting police officers with hammers.
It's the left. They say that they defend freedom and democracy and rights. In reality, they're doing quite something else. Such as part of this room, that were investigated for going to Hungary to beat up people who didn't think like them. The case at hand here shows that they are capable of extreme brutality. Here again, there's a perpetrator and a victim.
But just like in international politics, Europe of technocracy and this room have a double standard. So the time has come to change Europe. And luckily, today, on the old continent, a new wind is coming.
Speaker 182
There. Was a recent attack that was committed by a far left group in Italy. Far-left group are attacking the rail networks, paralyzing trains, and risking people's lives. These are dangers which cross borders and no one in this hemicycle should be defending it.
It is being promoted by extreme left wing. They say that they serve noble purposes, but they are using chaos to impose their agenda. The far left is as dangerous as the far right. In fact, they camouflage themselves more effectively than the far-right. And what they're doing is an attack on democracy. It doesn't matter where they come from, what flags they bear, or what reasons they use to justify their actions.
What we cannot accept is that there is condemnation of violence when it comes from one side of the spectrum, but nothing is condemned when it comes from the other side.
Doesn't matter what color of politics we're talking about. We must always condemn violence when it happens.
Victor Negrescu
Blue card. There are two blue cards. We can only take one, and we will take on the word we'd like to take, okay. So due to the time, if there are several blue cards, we take only the first one register.
So just for you to know. Demeter Saba. For one minute.
Csaba Dömötör
Thank you. You, the president. I'd like to talk about another case of violence. A week ago, the president of Ukraine threatened the Hungarian presence. He said he would send troops to his home.
My Austrian colleagues requested an item on the agenda to discuss this, but that was refused. Instead of that, President Zelensky has been given a European decoration for promoting European values.
So following these threats, a Ukrainian politician said that Orban won't be able to hide. He should think about his children and grandchildren. That's a direct threat to his children.
If that isn't an example of crossing a red line, what is? When will we finally recognize what's unacceptable? Where is the limit when it comes to violence and politics? Threats to use force, troops, against the president are not part of European values.
Speaker 365
Country certainly shouldn't be offered accelerated membership. Should be that we will support our president. And that will elect electoral votes will be a response.
Speaker 349
There. Was someone like George Floyd who was shot, but he didn't get a minute of commemoration. Hilaria Salas' immunity wasn't lifted either. There is a lot of violence against the IFD, but you want to ban the AFD.
But we have Mélenchon's militia group that won't be banned. You talk about tolerance, but tolerance for you only goes in one direction. Some of your thinking is perverted. You don't convince others with arguments.
You have no arguments. So instead, you use censorship and violence. I detest you, you from the left. Because you have caused death. The death of Catholics and of others? What you are doing in Antifa in Djungal. There is blood on your hands, the blood of Quentin.
Speaker 366
You took Quentin away from us, but you have created thousands in his stead.
Speaker 367
Ladies. And gentlemen, the ideology of the extreme left draws on the ideas of Antonio Gramsci, who called for a long march through the institutions. The spilling of blood is you're replacing spilling blood with undermining institutions and public bodies. This is one of the great problems facing us today. And this is to be linked back to the extreme left. For example, the open the borders slogan you use.
You're suggesting we open our borders to millions of illegal immigrants. However, by closing our borders, we made our streets safer. Or you called for the closure of nuclear power stations in an enormous strategic mistake, which we're paying a heavy price for.
So you're committed to destroying capitalism and in doing that, you will destroy our economy at the same time. What you're doing won't save the planet, but it will certainly destroy our businesses.
I say no to all extremes.
Speaker 368
History has shown us that to kill fascists is not a crime. That's what is shouted at left-wing pro-protests. But fascism died years ago, whereas militant antifascism still kills today.
In Europe, the cradle of rights and tolerance, paramilitary organizations of the far left roam the streets, armed with molotovs and hammers. They're looking for skulls to smash, those who don't match their way of thinking.
Isn't it a crime to kill somebody who's 23 years old? Charlie Kirk was killed. And nobody on the left was indignant. But what can we expect from a parliament who gave immunity to a representative who was accused of going with a left wing organization to knock people's heads together in Hungary.
Nobody here criticized the killing of Charlie Kirk or Quentin, and you are victims of that violence, and you are complicit in that violence.
Speaker 214
Left-wing extremism kills. When will you finally wake up and become active? It is incomprehensible. You say that you want to protect rights. But if the left does nothing, you are silent.
A 23-year-old was murdered in France by those who have links to the European left. Why? Because he wanted to protect young women. And what is the reaction here? You try it and you are silent.
What we see by the left is that they burn cars, they plant bombs in Greece, they attack the police in polls in France, and they attack right wing politicians in Germany.
And yet you always try to contextualize this or play it down when it's done by the left. And look, instead of Italia Sarez, who went to Budapest, and she wanted to beat people up.
But we in Austria have a left-wing justice minister who doesn't even know what anti-fire is. The left wing seems to be becoming more and more extreme, more and more violent because you play down this violence, and you are complicit in all of this.
Victor Negrescu
So, also, based on the words at the beginning, we'll forward this intervention to the president. We will move to the next speaker, monsieur Alexandre Baroque.
Black block.
Speaker 369
Jean Garde. Zones to defend, ultra-left violence permeates the whole of French society. The justification for this is a magic word.
Antifa.
Speaker 369
That explains it all. Physical violence, murder, a refusal to accept democracy, and freedom of expression. As well as Syami Tuti and Tifashisti. Whereas in reality, you are the only real fascist in the twenty-first century.
Unfortunately, you are not alone. We now have parties who are represented in this house who support violence in France and Sumi, of course, but also the socialist and ecologist rabble, who also support violence whenever an election looms.
They say that democracy is more than just an election. I'm sure that president De Gaulle would be turning over in his grave. Brave with people who call you for the revolution.
And for the answer me extreme left, violence isn't a problem. It's simply a solution to exceed the power.
Speaker 370
In. 2017, Okupa, a far-left activist, killed Victor La Ines in Saragossa in Spain. The reason was that he had Spanish flag braces. He had already left a police officer to triple digit in 2007.
He became a hero for those Spanish left. Last September, Tyler James Robinson, an anti-famine, killed Charlie Kirk with a shot to the neck in Utah. A few weeks ago, a mob from Antifa, which should be called a terrorist group, killed a content the rank. These are just some of the many cases in which the far left has exercised violence. It's always cowardly, and based on an imaginary fight against fascism.
If I could just paraphrase a companion. They don't want to kill us because we're fascists. They call us fascists so that they can kill us. It's not surprising because the far left has always considered the use of violence legitimate.
They know this in the Basque country where the left linked to Aritzar attacks Vox, and that happens as well in Navarra and Catalonia. Every time our party sets up a stand, they experience verbal attacks.
Victor Negrescu
Sorry, Mr. Gerawata. Please respect the time that has been allocated to you. Next speaker, Mister Thiago Moreira Adesa.
Speaker 371
President. Commissioner, last month in Lyon, a 23-year-old man Quentin was kicked to death by militants of the far left. But the useful idiots of antifascism came to reassure us. This was just an isolated case, they said.
Between the far-right militants and left-wing humanists. Nothing special, we shouldn't worry. But historically, the far left has always had this talent. Of kicking its opponents while charming the naive.
But these boots in Lyon didn't appear out of nowhere. They're part of a long history of political violence, from the French revolutions to the Bolsheviks. From Trotsky to Stalin, from the Great Leap Forward to Mao's Cultural Revolution, from death camps in Cambodia to today's Antifa. Today, they are using their boots to commit violence.
They don't want to debate. They want to crush us physically. For them, they're doing what Orwell said. They are driving a boot into humanity, into our human face.
João Oliveira
Honorable member, for 48 years, there was a fascist regime in Portugal which tortured and killed Democrats and other communists. After the April 25, it was the communists who were burned to death and who suffered. And we saw that recently, a right wing militia was dismantled in Portugal. So you are not debating the death of a young person here.
You are using this man's death to whitewash your own violence, and you are complicit in this attempt to whitewash your own violence.
Speaker 371
You're. Wrong. I'm not from the Stadanovo. I'm not from the fascist regime.
Speaker 373
And what about Stalinism and everything that was done in the twentieth century? We.
Victor Negrescu
Didn't use there is a request for a follow-up, and this can be done.
Yeah.
João Oliveira
Do you got, president? I want to respond to mister Muray Roodsa. Of course, I'm against the death of any young person. Of course. And I think it's deplorable that you are instrumentalizing the death of this young man for political purposes, to politically whitewash. That's what you and the other far right groups are doing.
You don't care about the young man who lost his life. You are cleaning your conscience. You are shirking responsibility to promote organized violence.
Speaker 371
And I told you about what's happening in Port. Why don't you talk about the actual examples I've mentioned to you in Portugal today? I. I am not moralizing, but I don't want to be moralized too. You, of course, are completely virtuous. But if we look at history, we've seen that you're not virtuous at all. And I'd like you to learn your so that you know what you're talking about.
Honorable.
Speaker 375
Members, colleagues, during the opening sitting this week, the president of Parliament said the following. The security of one member states the security of the whole European Union. We have no idea what the left thinks about this.
To take the case of Hungary, the European Parliament is showing double standards. It's no problem for ultra left to go out on the streets in Hungary to attack, to belittle, to insult people. Nothing's done about that.
We saw the way in which you refused to raise the immunity for Larry Ellis. The left ignore the fact that our president and his family have now recently been threatened. Not possible to have a sensible discussion here.
Speaker 376
Meanwhile, ultra-left organizations murder a 23-year-old drunk Frenchman. We are sick and tired of these double standards. And we're sick and tired of your complicit silence.
Victor Negrescu
And we move to the KTI procedure. And we will do our best to take everyone. The first speaker register on behalf again, EPP, Tomislav Sokol.
Tomislav Sokol
Now, obviously, in objective mainstream media, violence is always attributed to the right.
But the murders of Quentin Der Ank and Charlie Kirk show that murders often come from the extreme left. Also in alliance with an Islamist group, and they are the biggest threat to European security and way of life. But the background for this had been set a long time ago.
The left has dominated. They have a monopole over the truth, and they tell us what we can and cannot do. Who does not think like them is dehumanized and is labeled xenophobe and fascist.
This has led to mass migration that prevents women from freely walking the European streets. And we have a massive promotion of gender ideology. If we let this continue, this will be the end of European civilization.
It is time to say enough.
Next speaker, Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar.
Thank you, President, Commissioner.
Speaker 136
On the left, we condemn all political violence with no exceptions. So it's wrong that violence is just restricted to your own neighborhood, and we condemn those that apply to us but not to the political opposition. But all the force of the law has to fall on any political violence, but we also have to apply a diagnosis and an analysis. In open societies, political dialogue has become impossible because of social media algorithm-based communication, which incites hatred towards those who are different and those people who want to change, women, feminists, progressives, environmental activists. The European Union has a duty to not only try to apply its own laws against incitement of hatred, but also to hold up the business model of the big platforms whose entire point is to incite hatred and political violence.
Thank you.
Speaker 378
Red. Violence now represents an emergency in Europe. According to Europol data, in 2024, 21 terrorist attacks were carried out by the extreme left and anarchists. 18 of those attacks were carried out in Italy.
The homeland of the extreme left with a complexity of our homegrown left. However, Europol statistics ignore a whole series of other regressions, which could also be characterized as terrorist attacks. They're equally serious given the intimidation they involved, carried out by these anti-fat groups against anybody who doesn't agree with them.
We have an emblematic example here when it comes to the Salis case. Who was accused of carrying out a punitive attack on the ham in the Hammer gang? After the killing of Barbara Kenten, can no longer turn away when progress the progressive left here condemns pacifist ideas of our parties for the right.
Speaker 379
At the same time, there's no effort to condemn the shameful violence committed by the ultra. Don't think of them.
Speaker 113
Dear. Speaker, it's hammer time. Antifa is a terrorist organization. And this house is a terrorist-sympathizing spineless creature. You only need to ask MEP Sullis, an anti-far activist from the left, she's grateful for your votes to secure her immunity against charges of a violent hammer attack.
Let's have a look at the facts. The Europa report states that EU countries faced 24 jihadist terrorist attacks in one year. Right after the jihadists come the leftist attacks. Left wing and anarchist terrorism counted 21 attacks within a year.
Then you see here these politicians calling for action against right wing intolerant and extremist speech. What a bunch of hypocrites you are. I call for action against these leftist terrorists.
It's time to designate Antifa as a terrorist organization.
Thank you.
Victor Negrescu
Mister Tinkerine would remind you that you are part of the house as well. I will refer to the president based on rule number 10 due to the words being used in intervention.
We move to the next speaker. Jaume Asens Llodra.
Speaker 316
Thank you to the anti-fascist. Thanks to the anti-fascists of the past. You call them terrorists. But thanks to them, we can even be here debating freely, even to say stupid things.
And some of you want to destroy democracy. Saying that you have to ban anti-fasc anti-fascism. We have democracy because anti-fascists defeated fascists. As a result, built European democracy saying we would never have fascism again.
But we in Spain have to give concessions to the fascists so that they accept the rules of the game, so that we can have political parties. That's what's happening with the PP and Vox today.
But we had neo Nazis Lendongo Okupa, and they have all harassed people like Rene Montero and others, and I have solidarity with them today. And two of these neo-Nazis threatened those on the left.
So after forty years of dictatorship, let's not forget that the violence came from the far right.
Mark Bottenga.
Speaker 314
President. In Belgium. The parents of King Zam in France, Ferruc and Schem, Marie Melein, Italy, Abalea, Millica. The long list of victims of far right sympathizers sends a chill down my spine.
However, there are actually people who call about imaginary victims. Aren't you ashamed of yourselves? Your only objective here is to turn things on their head. To portray victims as those responsible, as if antifascism rather than fascism were the problem.
Face up to this, we see across Europe the far right making inroads with its divisive strategies. They try to split the working population. So at the same time, they oppose pay rises. They oppose taxes on millionaires. They oppose controls on rents.
Who do they blame it on? Women's rights, immigrants. Meanwhile, these billionaires, Stera, Musk, finance your activities. You and your billionaire friends should face up to the fact that no.
Malika Sorel.
Speaker 187
In. The European parliament, I was photographed which was then sent to the media, and it unleashed a wave of racism online. For weeks, my family was scared that I would be attacked in the street.
My only fault was that I walked past Rima Hassan. So then I was unfairly accused of working on behalf of Algeria, of being paid by Algeria, a country that I've had no contact with for several years.
And they knew what they were doing because in France, thanks to the war of independence, there's a lot of tension around people of Algerian origin. There was an investigation opened by the parliament, and they found all the names of those people. And I hope that actions will be taken and sanctions applied. This parliament has the duty to set an example.
Victor Negrescu
Thank you. So we conclude with the intervention from the members of the European Parliament. My, I have to thank everyone for respecting the rules, of course, understanding also the responsibility that each of us has.
Beyond this house. This being said, I move back to the commission commissioner, you are ready to intervene on behalf of another colleague, if I understood correctly at the beginning.
Speaker 329
Commissioner Chair, and thank you, ladies and gentlemen. The debate was, how shall I put it, interesting, if that is a diplomatic way to phrase it. Let me maybe start with a Critique and I'm sure Commissioner McGrath would be okay with that. What I would sincerely hope is that we, particularly on this continent, with our horrible history of political violence, of fascism, communism, Nazism, religious violence, would always unite in condemning any violence. Any violence.
But it comes from extreme left terrorists, extreme right terrorists, Islamists, or any other corner. Open and free debate simply is core to our democracy. And differences in positions and opinions are fundamental. Fundamental to the functioning of our democratic institutions.
Individual citizens, political candidates, and elected representatives must all feel free at all times from threats and acts of violence. A secure and constructive debate online and offline empowers citizens to voice their views, their political candidates to enter and stay in politics, and elected representatives to exercise their responsibilities.
Without fear.
Speaker 329
And each of these is essential to our democracies. So together, with all the differences of opinion we might have, we must be resolute. In protecting and promoting our democracies and their institutions as the guarantor for our European values, our European freedoms, our European way of life. And that is why, and I mentioned that at the beginning, the European Democracy Shield highlights the need for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.
And we will continue to update and evolve the Parliament throughout its implementation. Thank you.
Victor Negrescu
Thank you, commissioner. So this debate is closed. We move to the next item on the agenda, which is the commission statement situation of the rule of law in Greece following the court decision on predator spyware.
Commissioner, again, you have the floor.
Thank you.
Speaker 329
Thank you, chair. There I am again. Chair, honorable members, on behalf of my colleague, Commissioner McGrath, thank you very much for the opportunity to discuss with you today the rule of law situation in Greece. On the situation of the rule of law in Greece, the commission's views are already set out in a 2023 rule of law report as for all the member states.
As regards the justice system, major reforms related to the rule of law are being undertaken. In dialogue with the commission and financially supported by the recovery and resilience facility.
And these include, for instance, projects to improve the level of digitalization of justice. Now, following an important reform carried out in 2024, the judiciary was involved in 2025 for the first time in the appointments of the president, vice presidents, the prosecutor general of the Supreme Court. At the same time, the length of court procedure proceedings still raises serious challenges, and efforts are being made to address them. The implementation of recent reforms is encouraging, but it is still early to assess.
Results. Regarding the anti-corruption framework, Greece is developing a common corruption case management register. And that is part of the efforts to improve the track record of prosecutions and final judgments in corruption cases.
Other positive developments were noted as regards asset declarations and rules on political parties. Funding. Furthermore, a reorganization of the police aims to strengthen integrity. When it comes to lobbying, further measures are needed to improve the effective implementation and enforcement of the rules.
Regarding media freedom and pluralism, the report notes that the legal framework concerning the right of access to documents has been significantly improved. Despite some practical challenges. Also, transparency of media ownership is strengthened by the continued operation of the registry for print media and the registry for the electronic press. A law was updated. It was adopted, I should say, apologies, in June 2025, reinforcing, amongst others, the publicity and transparency in the printed and electronic press, editorial independence, and institutional safeguards regarding state advertising, byline journalism, and copyright protection.
Resources of the media regulator have been strengthened as the number of employees has increased, but concerns remain regarding its independence and its funding. There have also been positive developments in the landscape for journalist safety, although here as well, challenges do remain. Efforts to improve the protection of journalists continue, particularly as regards the framework against abusive lawsuits.
Finally, regarding the system of checks and balances, the positive trend of avoiding expedited legislative procedures continued, and the statutory time frame for public consultations has been observed. Participation and transparency in the lawmaking process could, nevertheless, be improved.
In relation to civil society, the registration framework remains complex and fragmented, and could benefit from digital interoperability. There has been limited progress as regards the establishment of a regular and sustained dialogue with civil society organizations. Overall, further measures are needed to simplify the legal framework and foster an enabling environment for CSOs.
On the issue of spyware, let me recall the commission's position. Any attempt to illegally access data of citizens including journalists and political opponents, is unacceptable. We continue to report on the issue of spyware when appropriate in the annual rule of law report from the perspective of checks and balances and out of the protection of our journalists.
2025, the report noted that a presidential decree aiming at safeguarding the privacy of communications against software tracking has not yet been adopted. The annual reports also refer to the judicial investigations which had cleared Greek state agencies and officials of responsibility for the use of predator spyware. The rule of law reports also refer to the investigation carried out by the independent authorities, notably the Data Protection authority and the authority for communication security and privacy. These independent authorities are an integral part of the national system of checks and balances in safeguarding the rule of law, should be able to fulfill their functions independently and have sufficient resources to actually do so.
As the debate today touches on the question of the use of modern spyware tools, let me also stress that the EU has a strong legal framework in place to protect citizens against the illegal use of spyware. The data protection and privacy are key offers comprehensive protection of the confidentiality of communications and users' personal data.
Terminal equipment when the use of spyware falls within the scope of EU. And when the use of spyware falls within the scope of EU law. The ePrivacy directive prohibits the interception or surveillance of communications, without the prior consent of the user concerned, subject to limited exceptions.
EU data protection law is fully applicable to the processing of personal data by private entities. They ensure that personal data is processed lawfully, fairly, and in a transparent manner. They also limit personal data collection to specified explicit and legitimate purposes.
We must, however, clearly separate the illegal use of spyware from the law of access to data for law enforcement authorities. While law enforcement authorities use surveillance for these types of purposes, the law enforcement directive applies.
We must also acknowledge a matter of national security, which is clearly the responsibility of our member states. It is for member states to define their national security interests and to adopt appropriate measures to protect them.
Nevertheless, the case law of the European Court of Justice is clear that threats to national security must not be interpreted overly broadly, and that member states must be able to demonstrate them.
Furthermore, the legal use of spyware is only acceptable if it is non-discriminatory. Justified by an overriding reason of public interest, it has to be proportionate, and in compliance with legal certainty and the charter of fundamental rights.
Outside of data protection, there are several other relevant legislative instruments. The directive on attacks against information systems requires member states to ensure that illegal system access and legal interception are punishable as a criminal offense in national criminal law.
I'm almost there. European Media Freedom Act, in particular, its article four. Provides specific safeguards for journalists, their families, and sources regarding the use of spyware. As a principal journalist cannot be spied on for doing their work. Any derogation to this principle is to be duly justified on a case by case basis by an overriding reason of public interest.
Proportionate and subject to a prior authorization by a judicial authority. The act also entitles every journalist against whom spyware was used to seek justice. With a national court in the respective member states.
And these provisions entered into application in August. Coming to the end, bear with me. The Cyber Resilience Act, with its core obligations due to start applying on 12/11/2027, also establishes cybersecurity requirements for market access to the European Union. It will further contribute to reducing the attack surface of hardware and software that Spyware is trying to exploit by reducing the overall number of vulnerabilities.
Dear Chair, honorable members, thank you very much for your patience. I had done even more speed reading, I should have done this exactly on time. But I sort of managed to get through. Thank you very much.
Thank you, commissioner.
Speaker 381
For Schrenkard. The next speaker is Mister Linas for the EPP for two minutes.
Speaker 5
Yep. I had the honor of chairing this parliament's committee of inquiry on the abuse of spyware like Pegasus and Peretta. Now the conclusion was clear. While there is a use for such technology in fighting serious organized crime, we must also recognize the serious challenges it poses to fundamental rights.
Illegal spying on journalists, politicians, or activists is absolutely unacceptable and a clear attack on the rule of law. We need a strong legal framework that safeguards fundamental rights and ensures accountability. Effective democratic and judicial oversight, as well as accessible remedies for citizens whose rights are violated.
Regarding Greece, we called for strengthening of legal safeguards, including improved scrutiny and independent oversight mechanisms, alongside ensuring the independence of the national transparency authority's leadership. And the legal framework in Greece at that time was not capable of addressing the growing capabilities of intrusive surveillance software.
However, I also want to say that in Greece, at the time, we were met with a very constructive government. They met us. They welcomed our delegation with transparency and cooperation.
That's something we can certainly not say of all the member states we visited. Since then, decisive legislative reforms have strengthened the regulatory framework, reinforced independent authorities protecting privacy, and tightened rules for lawful interception. Oversight mechanisms have been enhanced to prevent future abuses, and we should welcome this. Crucially, judicial proceedings have also delivered results. Investigations led to the convictions of four individuals responsible.
It was welcomed by organizations like Human Rights Watch as a powerful message and an important step in the rule of law. And let us also protect the rule of law. Judicial proceedings should not be turned into a political battlefield. When political actors attempt to delegitimize court decisions simply because they disagree with them, they undermine the rule of law that they pretend to care about.
Thank you.
Take the floor.
You have one minute.
Speaker 19
President, four years ago, the president of Pasok, Nico Santoblakis, began his struggle against the parastate operations of surveillance. And the scandal of this spyware was said to be a myth, but the recent ruling of the court proved that the only myth was the propaganda of the government. These four people involved were sentenced. And they've also pointed to new suspects, including for the crime of espionage.
The National Intelligence Service was linked to Predator. And a cover-up was also indicated. First of all, there were questions that were not answered. There were interceptions in the or, obstruction of justice. Three, there was slander for people who didn't remain silent.
Greece is a country in which the rule of law and institutions have to be respected. It has to be a modern European country. And for that, we will continue to struggle both in Greece and Brussels.
Thank you.
Speaker 383
Talking about the rule of law in Greece today. What rule of law, though, when the sister of the prime minister says that the Greek parliament is her backyard? When the surveillance of other ministers and the highest court says that this was done by private individuals.
But at the first instance, it was shown that the investigation by the parliament said that the witnesses were prepared for their questioning by MPs. We shouldn't forget that in the Thembe crime, the same court had to call Kyriakos Velopoulos to show that the videos of the crime had been manually deleted a few hours after the crime.
This should have been revealed by the investigator. However, that investigator was named by the prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and it was shown that he didn't even remove the videos from the case file.
What rule of law can we talk about when the leadership or the top brass of the legislate of the just of justice are named by the government. Rule of law, are we talking about when we've proven that the spyware Tembi, and all these other scandals have been covered up? And that the government is directly involved.
There is no rule of law in Greece. Thank you.
Thank you, Mervo Garcia.
Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle
And we cannot say it loud enough or often enough.
Speaker 387
And Greek judges have delivered some justice for this illegal use of power.
Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle
And four people have been sentenced, and that is real.
It is tangible. And we should applaud it. But the fact remains that no high-ranking official in the Greek government has offered any democratic accountability. And the fact remains that protection for journalists in Greece is still the worst in the EU. And the fact remains that the Greek government keeps seeing civil society as a threat, and the fact remains that it still possesses spyware to bully and intimidate journalists, as do other countries in the EU.
And I applaud the Greek judiciary, but this sentence is a fork in the road. Do we take the road towards real accountability for the use of spyware? Or do we take this sentence as a pacifier and go back to sleep as if nothing happened? Thank you.
Thank you, ma'am.
Thank you, Miss Strick.
Speaker 313
The rule of law concerns in Greece go far beyond the spy scandal. Greece suffers from a governing culture of weak accountability and impunity. It dangles at the bottom of European media freedom indexes. Journalists are dragged to court. Trust in judicial independence is low.
And providing life-saving aid is punished, but those who put lives in danger with pushbacks walk free. Just recently, it adopted that law that further criminalizes members of registered NGOs, sending a chilling message: Help people in need and you're risking your freedom.
So why is the commission backing down? Where are the systematic infringement procedures and activation of budget conditionality? I repeat the call of this house in its last resolution on Greece: defend the EU's values in Greece.
Show the people there who continue their fight in this toxic environment that the EU system is on their side. And that consequences really do arrive.
Thank you.
Speaker 389
Commissioner. Colleagues, I'm not going to say everything about the rule of law. I want to just speak about this specific case. And Tenby is gonna be spoken about tomorrow. But two weeks ago, as mister Leonard said, four individuals, two Greeks and two Israelis, were sentenced to 126 years and eight months of imprisonment for crimes related to illegal inceptions.
The prosecutor gave an exemplary sentence, and opened an investigation for espionage. Involving some foreign state actors. They followed many people, including Miss Andro Lacus, who was a former MEP.
And he was the leader of his party at the time. And we think that the center of responsibility is the prime minister's office and Mr. Mitsotakis. It wasn't just about journalists and political figures.
We want to know who was ahead of this. So the courts did what they could, because the majority in parliament covered up and protected their ministers. So prevent them from going to court. It was a total cover-up.
Speaker 288
Thank you very much, president. Colleagues, the opposition in Greece is trying to use the parliament's first step against the government itself. The case of rule of law is not something that can be achieved by the loud shouts of the opposition, but rather by the investigative committee, which shows the very serious steps that have been taken over recent years in terms of justice, fighting corruption, strengthening transparency. Greece has been one of the member states that has made the most progress in this respect.
Recently, the courts have applied a very serious sentence to these four individuals. And some doubt that the Greek justice works when it comes to the Supreme Court, it seems that we've seen the proof that there was no involvement of state actors.
We applaud the ruling. And we don't doubt the functioning of the rule of law. This is something that comes from the courts, not from political parties. The Greek state has dealt with this with the proper seriousness that it is owed. And has taken the steps to imprison those responsible. The prime minister has followed all the correct steps.
Speaker 184
President, commissioner, in July 2022, it became apparent to the European Parliament that there had been an attempt to tap the phone of our former colleague Nicholas. Nicolas Andulakis, so to tap his phone with Predator. This was part of a far-reaching network of illegal surveillance.
Surveillance of journalists, opposition politicians, the judiciary, and the military. And there was a long fight to get answers. But we have been blocked. We have not had the right answer.
How can it be that those who brought the spies off into the country are judged in a court, but those who use the software are not being judged. We had an investigative committee on the illegal use of spyware, and the parliament has said to the commission, you must act, because the current framework does not suffice. Now is finally the time to act.
Speaker 333
Madam. President, ladies and gentlemen, the illegal use of spyware represents a severe attack on our democracy, human rights, and civil rights. It's a good thing that a verdict has finally been handed down, which does create a certain degree of justice. However, the situation is unsatisfactory.
I am sick and tired of this. For years now, we've gone through the committee of inquiry. We've discussed this time and time again in the European Parliament. The commission still hasn't put forward a new legal framework.
We know more or less what happened in Greece. We've no idea where else in Europe spyware might have been used secretly, so as to undermine our democracy and rights.
The time really has come for the commission to finally act. So, commissioner, I know you're not responsible for this. But the time really has come for the committee to put forward a legal framework to defend our country from illegal soft spyware.
Speaker 162
What. Happened in Greece? The conservative government of Mitsotakis used Predator, a spyware that was developed by Intelexa, an Israeli company. They used it on journalists and political opponents illegally. These journalists wanted justice, but they have faced slaps. Predator is like Pegasus, and it is extremely intrusive.
It downloads your content. It puts an illegal camera on your phone. That's what the software can do. The Greek government has violated fundamental rights and the rule of law, and the commission seems to have missed the boat.
There was an investigative committee, but five years afterwards, there's been nothing, no regulation of this software and spyware, which threatens our safety and European democracy. Instead, the European Commission is undoing our rules because of the pressure exerted by big tech and Trump. And because of that, these things continue.
The Greek justice has acted, but we need and are going to have a new investigation. So I turn to the council and to the commission saying we finally need rules.
Thank you very much.
Speaker 392
Ladies. And gentlemen, after the vote against my country in 2024 and the deep concerns about threats to democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights, back here again today to talk about the illegal spyware predator in Greece.
This discussion is not just about a judicial case. It's a deep wound at the heart of our democracy. The recent ruling proves that in Greece, there is a dark surveillance mechanism following journalists, politicians, and simple citizens.
Since 2022, Predatorgate could just be a domestic issue, but at the same time, it's one of the most serious tests of the rule of law in the European Union. On behalf of Nikki, we think that the rule of law is not a theoretical term. It should be a refuge for the poll for citizens against the arbitrary use of power.
That's why I asked to put this to the Libbey Committee, and I set this, I put this to the plenary. We want a binding European framework to regulate spyware and an international investigation into it.
The Greek citizen doesn't want a prison guard state that surveys them. They want a guarantor state that they can respect. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Breza.
Speaker 393
Thank you very much. Dear president, dear colleagues.
We expected the PSI politicians to be here. We wanted Mr. Von Schick to take the floor. Today, he's a member of parliament. He used to be a minister. Responsible for surveillance of many people, including myself, when I was in charge of the campaign in 2018, the campaign of the opposition.
90,000 messages were stolen, doctored, and manipulated. The victims were journalists, politicians, activists. Everyone who was trying to watch what the government was doing. Poland and Hungary were deprived by Israel of the right to use this spyware.
Paradoxically, those people who were convicted back then for illegal surveillance, today, they are ECR members of the parliament. A few years ago, they were in prison. Today, of course, there are many legal proceedings, judicial proceedings in course, and we can only be hopeful. There was the PEGA committee. We are hopeful that the system will improve.
All the phones can be hacked, and all the phones, everyone's phone contains a lot of data. Officials cannot have access to the private data of the citizens. Such data cannot be leaked to external servers.
Have one minute, please.
Speaker 360
Thank you. The verdict handed down in Athens is an important legal victory. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the victims of this spying. The journalists and the leader of Bassock who took their battle to the European Court of Human Rights. National security can't become a free for all when it comes to the rule of law.
Politicians, activists, journalists, we now know that at least 37 European journalists have had their phones infected with Spira over the last five years. The judiciary just confirmed the use of spy against French France to a French journalist, we discovered that the government had been involved.
This is why the European Parliament set up an interest group focusing on the use of spyware, with members from different political groups. This is not a party-political battle. This use of Spyler can be legitimate to fight against terrorism or crime.
However, the use of spyware against people who are exercising their fundamental rights doesn't have a link to national security. Commissioner, when would you be coming out with the recommendations stemming from the Pegasus inquiry? Thank you.
You have one minute, please.
Speaker 394
With the sentencing of four businessmen about the predator case, we have shown that we need to bring to light the political and criminal responsibility for all of these open cases of intercessor for politicians, military, journalists, former MEPs.
The new democracy government is continuing to cover up and silence the case about the interceptions of the telephone line of the Greek Communist Party. We need to put in the dock those reactionary forces who have created this culture.
And, the current government of the previous series of Pozak one, who used the EU's rule of law dogma to say that everybody is susceptible to being, to. We need a strong EU regulation on the buying and selling of the spyware, which only works to the detriment of people's rights. And the Greek Communist Party is the only party that stands by the side of the people in this case.
Belarus.
You have one minute, please.
Speaker 395
Ladies. And gentlemen, respect for the rule of law is the basis of the proper functioning of the member states and the EU. These illegal interceptions has resulted in the government taking a very severe approach. These steps have been recognized by the report of the European Commission on the rule of law, Greece is making constant progress and correcting chronic dysfunction.
But that's not all. Recent developments in the predator case have proven that institutions work. We have harsh sentences, and the Supreme Court decided that there was no involvement of government officials.
I think it's unacceptable that we are interpreting these sentences and rulings according to our political convenience. The institutions work in Greece, and the rule of law is fully implemented.
Thank you.
Thank you, Madam Laurent.
Speaker 396
President. Commissioner, imagine just for a moment your phone, your private life, your exchanges, all spied on without your knowledge. It sounds like a film.
Or fiction.
Speaker 396
But that is Predator Gate. The reality of Predator Gate in Greece, which affected journalists and political opponents. The government has tried to silence the affair, but civil society and journalists and those affected have fought back. The Athens court has ruled, and this is an important step, but it won't be enough without structural reforms.
Three years ago, the Pega Committee sounded the alarm bell and asked for a strict framework for the use of spyware. The committee also looked at the abuse and asked to end the silence of the industry, but nothing happened to these recommendations.
When will the commission finally act? When will it put forward a European framework protecting the fundamental rights of all citizens? It is time for act. Protecting our freedoms can no longer wait.
Speaker 382
Thanks very much. Going to the case, the eye procedure starting with Mister Lopez Aguilar.
Speaker 136
Thank you, President. Commissario, Commissioner.
This debate isn't just about focusing on this scandal involving a massive use of the spy predator spyware in Greece, involving a former member of the European Parliament and the current head of Plaszak, our colleague, Karyakis Mitsakis. This also pertains, of course, to the ongoing work of the Pegasus investigation by the commission.
European Parliament set up a committee of inquiry, and the conclusions of that inquiry should have been binding on the Commission. It was quite clear this spyware permitted a massive and intrusive surveillance of personal communications. It wasn't part of the fight against organized crime or terrorism.
On the contrary, this spyware was used to identify lawyers, journalists, and a series of people who the authorities weren't comfortable with. That's in violation of the European Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Speaker 397
So we're still waiting for those conclusions to be acted on and implemented by the commission. Thank you.
2110.
Speaker 113
Dear. Speaker, Europe was built on the values of democracy and human rights. Not on the values of China. European values include the right to privacy and the protection of personal communication. With the European Commission pushing for chat in its different versions, this right has been under attack.
Before, we used to send letters and engage in conversations, but the digital evolution has dramatically changed the idea of how we communicate with each other. It is imperative that conversations in the online space are protected just as strongly as traditional methods. We have technology that allows this, such as end-to-end encryption.
These must be enforced, not weakened, by the politicians. It is our job to make sure the privacy is protected. That's why I say no to chat control. Thank you.
Speaker 398
Thank you very much, madam president, dear mister commissioner, dear colleagues.
The predator conviction is welcome. But just justice that goes no further than the foot soldier is no justice. It's damage control. Those who pursued accountability were sidelined, and questions of government involvement left deliberately unanswered.
This raises a fundamental European question. Can abuses of surveillance powers happen without real consequences? Across the Balkans, we see similar concerns. In Bulgaria, the European Court on Human Rights has already warned that the surveillance framework built in the last couple of years is wide open to abuses.
Even if the next elections bring a reformist majority, undoing the damage will take years. None of this is abstract. Viktor Orban was shot at for years. And the price tag of this is a leader taking Ukraine's survival hostage to hold on to power.
Colleagues, history will not be kind to those who choose party affiliation over democratic principles. Accountability or convenience. Europe is watching. Thank you very much.
You have the floor. One minute.
Speaker 135
Petro Commissioner, there was the discovery of Predator being used in a conspiracy with the Greek intelligence services, which comes under the prime minister's office. They obstructed investigation and there were manipulations of the parliament. However, the court took their decision, and they reopened the file.
For investigation into espionage. Apart from the 90 targets, there were included MEPs including EP communications and the ministers for defense and foreign affairs at the time. If spyware can surveil somebody who sits at the top table of the EU, it could intercept the EU itself. So this is opening us up to potential infiltration by foreign services.
Europol, the European Data Protection Supervisor need to investigate the case at the European level, and the commission needs to tell us what actions they will take. Thank you.
Over. To you again, commissioner.
Speaker 329
Thank you very much, madam president. And the lavish speaking down my two in the first round, I'm gonna compensate by being relatively brief now. I want to thank the members of this house for a truly very good and interesting debate.
The commission monitors the rule of law situation in all member states. Let me reiterate that one more time through a regular and dialogue-based process. As evidenced in the 2023 rule of law report, Greece has advanced in many reforms.
And yes, further steps can be taken. To progress in the implementation of the report's recommendations. What the commission does is closely cooperating with the Greek authorities, including by providing technical assistance in some areas.
Dialogue with the commission, in our view, is a very important part of this process, and it must be matched by concrete results on the ground. The commission will continue to monitor relevant developments concerning the rule of law in Greece in the context of the annual rule of law report. It was just last week that the commission concluded the country visit to Greece in preparation for the 2026 report.
And in this visit, the commission met with a wide variety of stakeholders, including public authorities, independent authorities, civil society, and journalists. So let me conclude by assuring you that the commission shares the commitment of this house, as was articulated in the debate, to uphold the rule of law in all EU member states. Of course, including Greece. We will continue to work closely with the European Parliament to ensure progress in this regard.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Speaker 388
Accessible EU and the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities, state of play, and the future of EU accessibility policy.
Speaker 329
Thank you. You, Chair. It is me again. This time, on behalf of my colleague, Commissioner Labib. And on her behalf, I would like to thank you for bringing to the agenda the importance of promoting accessibility in our societies and in our economies, and the concrete contribution of the accessible EU flagship initiative.
People with disabilities must enjoy their human rights and have equal rights to participate in society and in the economy. They should be able to choose where, how, and with whom they live, and move freely across the European Union regardless of their support needs.
Accessibility simply is key to achieving this purpose. Now we're halfway through implementing the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities. And among the key deliverables, the commission has launched Accessible EU. Accessible EU is a resource center with the aim to support implementation of EU accessibility legislation. It provides training to stakeholders.
On accessibility, to strengthen their very capacity to create a community of practice, raise awareness, and exchange good practices. We just give you a glimpse of some of its achievements. First, its community of practice of professionals working on accessibility has currently well over 5,000 members. Second, in total, 269 events were organized either at an EU or at a national level. And these events have raised awareness and the exchange of knowledge, which is so very crucial on key topics such as access to build environment, transport, information, communication technology and policies.
And third, the digital library holds over 450 good practices on accessibility. So we're drawing on the success of the EU so far and reflecting on how to continue this work after the end of the current contract.
Of course, more still is to be done. We need even more specialized trainings for professionals, in all relevant areas such as web developers, architects, educators, engineers, and many more. And as usual, this work requires also the contribution of our member states.
As the implementation of accessibility legislation advances, with legal instruments such as the web accessibility directive and the European Accessibility Act, it is important that accessibility policies are consolidated in our member states.
We need to strengthen the capacity of economic operators to develop and deliver accessible solutions, including AI, assistive technologies in smart accessible cities, and buildings. Let us remember that accessibility is not merely an obligation. But frankly speaking, it is an opportunity. To innovate, to build inclusive communities, and to ensure that technological advancement also includes people with disabilities.
Ladies and gentlemen, as announced in the commission's work program for 2024, we are now preparing a new communication updating and enhancing the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities, up to 2030. And we're doing that in close cooperation with our member states and stakeholders. And this, in our view, will confirm our objectives and set out new actions for the remaining period of the strategy.
And I would like to thank this parliament for its contribution through the report on the future of the strategy that you have adopted already in November of the last calendar year. So let us continue to work together, let us continue to lead by example. I very much look forward to what together we can accomplish, united by our shared commitment of accessibility for all.
Thank you.
Speaker 388
Thank you, commissaire Okster. I will now give the floor to Missus Marshallac. You have two minutes for EPP.
Speaker 401
President, commissioner, deputies, thank you to the European Commission for being ready to debate. But, unfortunately, it is still another discussion about yet another document. And people with disabilities are still imprisoned in their homes and institutions. Their possibility to travel is limited, and whatever they turn, there are some barriers.
I commissioned a study concerning the implementation of our 19 of the UN Convention on Independent Life of People with Disability. The results are alarming. Each and every member state has serious problems.
Thanks to my intervention and with a lot of understanding from president Metzola, we have in the parliament in Brussels a special place where a person with a disability can get help while changing their clothes. But I'm still waiting for such things in here in Strasbourg, in offices, in public buildings, but also on highways.
Because if you can imagine, when I'm coming here by car, driving 14 hours, I have no place to change my son who is 14 years old. You cannot change him easily. Have to do it in a car.
Somewhere on a bench. We don't want to do it on the floor. So Europe should be accessible, and we should stop talking about the documents. We should start acting. And these are the actions that Europe needs today.
Not yet another document.
However, if you want to talk about strategy, we should at least be talking about the strategy which foresees consequences for not implementing it.
The member states which ignore the implementing of UN conventions should face real consequent consequences.
And another element is the necessity of strengthening the role of the accessible EU analysis center.
It should not only gather data, it should also help to introduce the standards of accessibility in transport services, construction, etc., because this is a very important thing also for the elderly. In aging Europe, these standards are a necessity.
Yes, Andy.
Speaker 402
President. Commissioner, today, we're talking about accessibility in the EU. As we debate this issue, we're talking about democracy too. When we talk about the rights of people with disabilities, we're also talking about our duty and how they ensure real equality and full accessibility and dignity.
Almost a quarter of Europeans live with some kind of disability. And many of them continue to face daily barriers which prevent them from being autonomous and from participating in social, economic, and democratic life. These are physical barriers, digital barriers, and institutional barriers, and they are still far too present in public life, in our services, and in our infrastructure.
Last November, the parliament established its opinion on the rights of persons with disabilities. And in our report, we didn't put forward empty words. We had concrete actions that we were asking for to ensure more inclusivity, where your involvement doesn't depend on your abilities. That's why we welcome Accessible EU. And awareness-raising and more enforcement of EU law. We also welcome the sharing of good practices across the EU.
Accessible EU can help improve accessibility in the EU. And Accessible Europe is a better Europe for all of us. It is a fairer, more inclusive Europe, which is more in line with the values that are so dear to us.
Speaker 404
Thank you. You, madam president. Commissioner. We demand that the European Union be more attentive to the need to do away with barriers in the face of mobility, also more resources. Hungary has achieved a great deal in recent years.
In many areas, IT, for example, more aid is made available, more support is made available. Interpreters, for example, conference systems, and international organizations working for people with disabilities have done a great deal.
Then the support for disabled people has been increased from 12 to 50. We now have a new program for people with disabilities under the Fidesh government. Our government views people with disabilities as partners and as a resource.
Speaker 405
Hungary, we think, should be an inspiration for the rest of Europe. That would give you, in other countries, the opportunity to sort real equal opportunities means.
One minute.
Chiara Gemma
Thank you very much, President. Thank you, commissioner. When we talk about it, we often think about physical barriers, but there are also linguistic barriers, invisible barriers that for millions of European citizens make it harder to fully participate in social and democratic life.
This is why European funds are essential for accessible material, including in braille, text to speech, and speech to text for deaf people. Sign language is not just a means of communication. It's a full language with its own grammar, its own expression, and its own culture. It's the way in which relationships are formed, in which knowledge is passed along, and in which citizenship is exercised. Recognizing the right to barrier-free access to language, including sign language, is fundamental. It's a fundamental way to access full democratic participation and learning.
This program can harmonize competencies and give access to the European funds. And make sure that they use it effectively. Because a language is not just a tool. It's identity, it's community, and it's freedom of expression.
Thank you.
Thank you, madam Devot.
Evelyne Boulongne
President. Commissioner. Last November, we adopted an ambitious report to renew the EU strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities. Now is the time for action. Having said that, I welcome the European Care Act and the European Gender Strategy. These should both help people with disabilities.
Where we don't yet recognize that, we expect a lot from the commission. But the parliament has responsibility too. Budgetary responsibility. Especially as we begin work on the next multi-annual financial framework.
We must mainstream the disability issue across policy areas, and it's also our democratic responsibility. We need to make our debates more accessible. Including our committees. We should have automatic subtitling of the work that we do in our committees.
Colleagues.
Speaker 281
Commissioner Hoekstra, thank you for joining us this evening. That shows that this is an important matter for you. We are committing not just to producing another set of rights on paper.
We need an agency. A body which has blood and bones. Rather than just a talking shot, which talks about freedom of movement. Once again, the German government has rejected ideas because it hasn't fully implemented the legislation.
Freedom of movement is, of course, a human right, as you quite rightly pointed out, commissioner. It's also an important investment. Business benefits from this. People with disabilities pay taxes. When we talk about competitiveness, competition, then we must also talk about people with disabilities. There are 100 million people with disabilities. This is why the accessible EU center is an important first step, but we need much more now.
Working towards the setting up of a freedom agency, which monitors, implements, and coordinates policy with other agencies. I look forward very much to that being done. Thank you.
Li Andersson
The convention on the rights of persons with disabilities is the only human rights convention that the EU itself has ratified.
And I think it demonstrates a strong commitment to improving the rights of persons with disabilities, but this commitment also needs to be seen in action. With new flagship initiatives and concrete proposals, and, commissioner, we are still waiting for those.
One important task that we have ahead of us is to follow up on the recommendations to the EU from the committee on the rights of persons with disabilities.
One of the key recommendations from last year was to ensure that EU funding is not used in a way that is contrary to this convention, such as for institutionalization in the member states.
Therefore, regardless of what political group we belong to, I hope we can work together to add a specific obligation to comply with the UN CRPD as a horizontal principle in the new MFF, as it has been removed from the current MFF proposal. And we also need a specific requirement not to use EU funding for institutionalization.
Speaker 409
Thank you, President. Commissioner, Angela is a mother from Calabria. She lives on the 4th floor with no lift. She has two very severely disabled children. For many people, this is just social housing, but it's a vertical prison for them.
Every step takes away a right. Every day, it weighs on them like a life sentence. And another, these children don't ask for privileges. They are asking for what should be guaranteed to them. Being able to leave the house, study, live, and choose.
Angela and Matteo are not alone. There are many other mothers, fathers, and children, families who are left alone to bear the burden of what institutions often can't bear. And theirs is not an isolated story.
It's shared by millions of people with disabilities around Europe, millions of young boys and girls who every day are faced not only with the limitations of their conditions, but with material, cultural, and institutional barriers, which continue to exist.
Laws and resources exist. What is often missing is proper planning and a vision for these projects. Europe has these instruments. What we're asking for is the political will to put them into practice.
Because until Angela's and Mateo's of this world and of Europe continue to be left to fend for themselves, we can't say that we've done our job. Thank you.
You have one minute, please.
Speaker 411
President. Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, if we talk about accessible EU today, we can't forget that true accessibility is an issue of legislation, but also the real opportunities of each individual, allowing them to take part in the economy. Some 100,000,000 citizens in the EU live with a disability, they face barriers day in, day out which prevents them from exploiting their full potential in the member states. We know that the accessibility directive can really bring about change, but we need to integrate accessible EU better because accessible EU is a bedrock upon which the directive can be built. So accessible EU should be part of a long-term strategy.
For persons with disabilities, and we need to have long-term funding so these initiatives can become part of a platform which will help the member states.
Have one minute, please.
Thank you, chair.
Ciaran Mullooly
Liz, when I speak to disability campaigners, they tell me the same thing. They want to live independently. Yet society and Europe are not helping them. Samantha told me this in Kilkenny Longford last year.
She needs a disabled parking area. It's not available. Basic issues. This is why the resource center, Accessible EU, is important in supporting access to people with disabilities. Today, around 87 million people in the EU live with a disability.
And only half are employed. And nearly one in three are at risk of poverty, social exclusion. It's not good enough. Accessible EU helps bridge the gap between legislation and implementation. While it's a good start, I believe we should go further.
We must consider establishing a dedicated EU agency for accessibility. Will allow experts to provide recommendations based on the very latest evidence and to help enforce legislation such as the European Accessibility Act. We must also revise accessibility legislation to ensure people with disabilities have real access while traveling by bus, rail, sea, or air. Colleagues, we must introduce new legislation and standards on access to media and labeling.
These are important issues. I hope the commission will heed this debate when presenting an updated strategy. We'll be watching it carefully, commissioner, in May.
Thank you, Missus Contura.
Have one minute, please.
Escarri, stop.
Speaker 413
Thank you very much, madam president. And commissioner, according to Eurostat data, 27% of European citizens live with some type of disability, which means anything that prevents them from fully participating in work, care, education, humanitarian aid, housing, or social life.
And we would like to or we've asked the European Commission to strengthen the strategy for the rights of people with disabilities and to give new ambitious legislative initiatives and binding measures to apply these European rules. Would like the European Accessibility Act to be implemented through a permanent regulatory body that would make sure that this is implemented, but also monitor European laws on accessibility, which is often fragmented at member state level, and to immediately adopt a definition of disability in order to ensure that any citizens with disability can enjoy full and equal rights in the European Union.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Humberto.
Speaker 414
Thank you, President, colleagues. In the EU, some 87 million people live with some kind of disability. Despite progress, many people continue to face barriers when it comes to employment, transport, services, or the digital sphere. And the numbers speak volumes. Only about 50 percent of people with a disability are employed.
This illustrates that we're far from true equality of opportunity. For these reasons, we have to ensure that EU legislation is applied. We must share good practices and ensure that accessibility becomes a reality.
A truly inclusive EU will happen when we tear down the barriers that limit millions of our citizens. Accessibility is not just a political priority. It's a question of rights, equality, and dignity.
Thank you.
You have one minute.
Speaker 194
Some. If you here might remember that I recently told you about a visit to Rostock to a sports club. This is an inclusive sport where two teams play balls in a nine meter wide court. So all these players will still with the handicapped so that they are on an equal footing.
Was very impressed by this. We have to look at things where many people just turn away. This is, for example, the case of everyday life for people with a disability.
The strategy for rights of people with disability is an important step, but that in itself is not enough. Too many measures are not binding. Too many education systems fail to be truly inclusive in Europe. Digital offerings are not accessible to everybody. We need inclusive education from the outset.
And any field of the media, culture, sport, and everyday life. Inclusion can't be developed just through strategies. It can only improve when we actually dare to look at it. And work together to do away with the barriers.
May you please come forward? You have 1 minute.
Speaker 416
Thank you very much, Madam President. A good society is one that can respond to each of our needs and gives each individual their real freedoms and opportunities. Over the last year, the European strategy for people with disabilities, accessible EU, European Charter on Disabilities, has made huge steps forward to have real inclusion.
Today, we want to understand exactly what funding is going to exist for disability under the next MFF. We want to understand the timeline for implementing the rules that already exist. The work is never done.
And the limitation is not the disability itself. The limitation comes from how society is organized, and from the effort that we have to make. Let's remember that efforts towards inclusion are not an accessory or an individual luxury.
It's up to us in politics to look into integrated, holistic, structured policies to give dignity and independence to each of us, and thereby build a truly inclusive society. Thank you.
You have one minute.
Sandra Gómez López
Gracias, President. In just three years, the European Accessibility Center has shown that when Europe acts with ambition, there are results. Look at the data. Some 209 events have been held. Thousands of professionals have been trained, and the most important thing is that now there is a network of experts involving all of the member states. Involving the main stakeholders in the sector, but this program is not just a quantitative success. It is led by the users themselves, and the work is done with those who are affected by the issue of accessibility.
And we shouldn't look at accessibility just through the lens of disability. Accessibility is about building a better Europe for all of us, for all citizens. That's why we must look to the future and strengthen this program, and ensure that it continues to exist by earmarking resources for it and having a national element to it. Accessibility shouldn't be a mere promise, but a tangible outcome.
You have one minute, please.
Thank you.
Speaker 309
Thank you, madam president. Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, we've heard lots of figures this evening. I'd like to give you figures from Austria. 800000 people in Austria are registered as disabled. That's almost 10 percent of the population.
However, just 15 percent of them work. That's to say the possibility in terms of access to inclusive jobs is extremely limited. The one of the apart from the disabled people, the other people who are affected most is their families. And I know that in everyday life, women tend to be affected by this more than men.
So we're talking about inclusive living and lifelong learning. Of the very many scandals we've heard about, this is the worst of them. In Austria, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Disabled hasn't been implemented. We can't say it often enough.
And regardless of who's in government, describe whether Trump is Christian or social. They still don't do it. So lifelong learning is essential. Because the whole of society can benefit from this. Just to conclude, we can learn from others.
I know that in other countries, school systems are superior to one. So the idea of an agency is very good. That would enable us to have a forum in which we could share examples of best practice.
I'm president.
Speaker 136
Commissioner. Sometimes, unfortunately, less and less, this parliament gets back to the principles of equality and non-discrimination. This, in the art 21 of the European Charter, which is binding for institutions, member states, Article 26 requires policies to promote the rights of people with disabilities, to give them a right to transport, to a right to access public services, and, of course, their social integration. The European strategy 2030 for people with disabilities is trying to harmonize European law at last so that all member states can have specific legislative proposals in favor of the integration of people with disabilities.
Furthermore, accessible EU requires European institutions to share good practice and show the good path, and remove the obstacles that still exist to the full integration of people with disabilities. Thank you.
Speaker 76
Apart. From the expressions of support for further access, unfortunately, these obstacles still exist. In a really modern Europe, everybody should have equal opportunities to live, work, and participate in their work life. People with disabilities require respect, understanding, and substantial support.
We need specific measures at the European level. There shouldn't be a burden requiring them to pay for their own equipment such as wheelchairs. We need to improve provisions of accessible housing and require each member state to create a specific service for people with disabilities and a specific television channel for deaf people. We have to give competencies to specific and we need a fundamental charter which ensures that these people have the right to services. We need to think about everybody's rights.
You, Mrs. Djerkovic.
Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen. We have adopted the strategy for the rights of persons with disability. We also have the Accessibility Act, but implementation is not harmonized and it's too slow. If a person with disability cannot use public transport, if they cannot
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