Mr President, Commissioner, I think we must first congratulate and thank the Commission for the fact that we are today holding this debate on the serious situation of the European shipbuilding industry. After the Council of Ministers for Industry, on 9 November, and the Commission’s report to Parliament on the situation of the world market in the shipbuilding industry, today we have heard this Commission statement to Parliament, which indicates that there is generalised concern within all the European institutions. But I agree with Mr Medina Ortega that this should not be a “remake”, because the concern and the measures announced, while significant, do not seem to us to be sufficient at this particular moment. Although this Parliament totally supports these measures, we ask above all for more urgency, more efficiency and more thoroughness. Free trade, but also fair trade, because everybody knows about the unfair practices in Korea, which make it impossible for our shipyards to be competitive, as has already been pointed out. The European Union, Commissioner, with all the political, economic, financial and commercial means at its disposal, must ensure that international rules are obeyed and put an end once and for all to Korean dumping, because the European sector can be viable in an environment of fair competition. Commissioner, we must also take advantage of the current unity in the European sector – I am referring to employers and unions – which has been shown in recent times and in recent days, to relaunch the European shipbuilding sector. We have to look for and find a European solution. Please allow me, Commissioner, to say that I believe that the future of the shipyards in Europe is a political question which requires brave, clear and unequivocal decisions on the part of the Commission of course, but also on all our parts, especially after the conclusions of the latest Council of Ministers for Industry. The aid which we have talked about today is also an instrument which the Commission must clarify, especially if it is a future strategy erga omnes. Parliament and European industry must know this as soon as possible, since we believe – and after this debate I believe it too – that while the world markets are not stabilised, transitional protective measures are still necessary. And we ask for these measures – and I insist – urgently, since many of our shipyards run the serious risk of disappearing, despite being technically and economically viable. Finally, since I am also from a peripheral region, I would like to mention the enormous impact on regional development which the shipbuilding industry has, since that industry is based in many of these regions, many of them also included in Objective 1 of the European Regional Policy, with very significant shipyards which generate much direct and indirect employment, a social equilibrium which the countries undergoing cohesion need so much, which demands European solidarity. On their behalf I ask, in the case of the shipbuilding industry, for special consideration within the European Union’s regional and competition policy. I will conclude, Commissioner. I believe that Parliament’s message today is one of support for energetic action by the Commission in this field. Thank you for your statement and for the efforts which the Commission has been making, but do not be afraid to apply measures energetically and urgently, as we have asked you today in the European Parliament.

Political group: PPE-DE