### 55. calls for the identification , reinforcement or creation in each member state of a national cancer control programme (nccp) , consisting of a unique structure , possibly a national cancer institute , in charge of the implementation and follow-up of the respective nccps , with adequate objectives and resources; recommends that the nccps are set up in coherence with the european guide for quality national cancer control programmes initiated by the european partnership for action against cancer (epaac); welcomes the setting up of a network of these organisations coordinated by the european cancer institute; ### 55. calls for the identification , reinforcement or creation in each member state of a national cancer control programme (nccp) , consisting of a unique structure , possibly a national cancer institute , in charge of the implementation and follow-up of the respective nccps , with adequate objectives and resources; recommends that the nccps are set up in coherence with the european guide for quality national cancer control programmes initiated by the european partnership for action against cancer (epaac) and calls for the inclusion of a dedicated paediatric cancer and rare cancer component in all nccps to ensure that appropriate resources and implementation programmes are allocated to the specific needs of these patients; welcomes the setting up of a network of these organisations coordinated by the european cancer institute;


### 55. calls for the identification , reinforcement or creation in each member state of a national cancer control programme (nccp) , consisting of a unique structure , possibly a national cancer institute , in charge of the implementation and follow-up of the respective nccps , with adequate objectives and resources; recommends that the nccps are set up in coherence with the european guide for quality national cancer control programmes initiated by the european partnership for action against cancer (epaac); welcomes the setting up of a network of these organisations coordinated by the european cancer institute; ### 55. calls for the identification , reinforcement or creation in each member state of a national cancer control programme (nccp) , consisting of a unique structure , possibly a national cancer institute , in charge of the implementation and follow-up of the respective nccps , with adequate objectives and resources; calls for the nccps’ contents to resemble as closely as possible europe's beating cancer plan in order to facilitate the latter’s successful implementation; recommends that the nccps are set up in coherence with the european guide for quality national cancer control programmes initiated by the european partnership for action against cancer (epaac); welcomes the setting up of a network of these organisations coordinated by the european cancer institute;


### iii.b equal access to cancer care: towards a european medicines market ### iii.b equal access to cancer care: towards equal access to medicines in europe


### 56. calls on the commission to strengthen the european medicines market in order to guarantee equal access to treatment , reduce medicine shortages , overcome the problem of high prices for innovative treatments , and improve cancer treatments for adults and children; ### 56. calls on the commission to strengthen the european regulatory environment in order to guarantee equal access to adequate treatment options , including medicines , surgery and radiotherapy , reduce medicine shortages , overcome the problem of high prices for innovative treatments , and improve efficacy and safety of cancer treatments for adults and children;


### 57. calls on the commission to introduce in its pharmaceutical strategy a revision of directive 2001/83/ec of 6 november 2001 establishing a community code relating to medicinal products for human use27 ; ### 57. calls on the commission to revise directive 2001/83/ec of 6 november 2001 establishing a community code relating to medicinal products for human use27 and regulation (ec) no 726/2004 to strengthen the marketing authorisation framework , improve medicine availability and increase generic and biosimilar competition;


### 58. notes that cancer patients are frequently affected by medicine shortages; calls on the commission to present a specific strategy for managing shortages of all medicines and medical products in europe and of cancer medicines in particular; supports the development of a common basket of the cancer drugs of which there may be shortages to ensure that patients have continuous access to appropriate treatment; ### 58. notes that cancer patients are frequently affected by medicine shortages; calls on the commission to present a specific strategy for preventing and managing shortages of all medicines and medical products in europe and of cancer medicines in particular; supports the development of critical cancer drugs of which there may be shortages to ensure that patients have continuous access to appropriate treatment;


### 58. notes that cancer patients are frequently affected by medicine shortages; calls on the commission to present a specific strategy for managing shortages of all medicines and medical products in europe and of cancer medicines in particular; supports the development of a common basket of the cancer drugs of which there may be shortages to ensure that patients have continuous access to appropriate treatment; ### 58. notes that cancer patients are frequently affected by medicine shortages; calls on the commission to present a specific strategy for managing shortages of all medicines and medical products in europe and of cancer medicines in particular; calls on the commission to start an inquiry into the effects of parallel trade on medicine shortages; supports the development of a common basket of the cancer drugs of which there may be shortages to ensure that patients have continuous access to appropriate treatment;


### 59. calls for the reinforcement and diversification of the supply chain , in particular that of cancer drugs , within the eu , close monitoring of medicine tensions and shortages , and the creation of a strategic stockpile of such medicines; ### 59. calls for the reinforcement , diversification and increased transparency of the medicines supply chain within the eu , close monitoring of medicine supply chains , tensions and shortages; calls for the eu pharmaceutical legislation to introduce a legal obligation for pharmaceutical companies to maintain adequate safety stocks and the creation of a strategic stockpile of critical medicines , active ingredients or raw materials , particularly where the number of suppliers is limited;


### 60. points out that generic and biosimilar medicines enable efficient and safe cancer care , increased competition and savings for healthcare systems , thus helping to improve access to medicines for patients; stresses that their market entry should not be hampered or delayed; ### 60. points out that generic and biosimilar medicines enable efficient and safe cancer care , increased competition and savings for healthcare systems , thus helping to improve access to medicines for patients; stresses that their market entry should not be hampered or delayed; calls on the commission to increase resources to address anti-competitive and abusive market practices , including extension of market exclusivity and intellectual property protection , excessive pricing and pay-for-delay deals leading to competition distortion and profit maximisation;


### 60. points out that generic and biosimilar medicines enable efficient and safe cancer care , increased competition and savings for healthcare systems , thus helping to improve access to medicines for patients; stresses that their market entry should not be hampered or delayed; ### 60. points out that generic and biosimilar medicines enable efficient and safe cancer care , increased competition and savings for healthcare systems , thus helping to improve access to medicines for patients; stresses that their market entry should not be hampered or delayed; calls on the commission to address the misuse of the ipr (industrial property rights) system to delay market entry of generic and biosimilar medicines;


### 61. considers that member states should converge on the evaluation of medical technologies; welcomes , therefore , the provisional agreement on the health technology assessment (hta) regulation reached by the european parliament and the council on 22 june 202128 to support harmonised access to innovative cancer diagnosis and treatments; ### 61. considers that member states should converge on the evaluation of medical technologies; welcomes , therefore , the provisional agreement on the health technology assessment (hta) regulation reached by the european parliament and the council on 22 june 202128 to support harmonised assessment of and access to innovative cancer diagnosis and treatments; calls for enhanced collaboration between hta authorities and developers on the design of clinical trials;


### 62. insists on the need to ensure equal access to affordable drugs , in particular cancer drugs , within the eu; calls for collective negotiation on the price of medicines with pharmaceutical industries , as per the beneluxa initiative on pharmaceutical policy and the valetta declaration; considers that pharmaceutical companies should respect conditionalities on charging an affordable price for medicines developed in the framework of publicly funded research; ### 62. insists on the need to ensure equal access to affordable drugs with proven patient benefit , in particular cancer drugs , within the eu; calls for collective negotiation on the price of medicines with pharmaceutical industries , as per the beneluxa initiative on pharmaceutical policy and the valetta declaration; considers that pharmaceutical companies should respect conditionalities on charging an affordable price for medicines developed in the framework of publicly funded research;


### 63. strongly advocates the extension of joint procurement procedures for cancer medicines to improve affordability and access to cancer treatments at eu level; ### 63. strongly advocates the extension of joint procurement procedures for cancer medicines and cancer preventing vaccines like hpv and hepatitis b vaccines to improve affordability and access to cancer treatments at eu level;


### 63. strongly advocates the extension of joint procurement procedures for cancer medicines to improve affordability and access to cancer treatments at eu level; ### 63. strongly advocates the centralisation and extension of joint european procurement procedures for cancer medicines to improve affordability and access to cancer treatments at eu level;


### 64. calls for a review of data exclusivity in the authorisation process of medicines29 , i.e. the period of time within which the marketing authorisation holder of a medicine enjoys exclusive access to the results of preclinical tests and clinical trials , so that compulsory licensing can allow for the market entry of cancer treatments in the event of a health crisis (such as the covid-19 crisis) or to overcome the rising cost of specific treatments; ### 64. calls for a review of data exclusivity in the authorisation process of medicines29 , i.e. the period of time within which the marketing authorisation holder of a medicine enjoys exclusive access to the results of preclinical tests and clinical trials , so that compulsory licensing can allow for the market entry of cancer treatments through a waiver of data and market exclusivity in the event of a health crisis (such as the covid-19 crisis) or to overcome the rising cost of specific treatments;


### 65. calls on the commission to submit a proposal for the revision of directive 89/105/eec on the transparency of measures regulating the prices of medicinal products30 in order to ensure effective controls and full transparency of the procedures used to determine the price and reimbursement of the cost of medicines , in particular cancer medicines , in member states; calls for pharmaceutical companies to provide information on financing with public resources , as well as on the tax benefits and subsidies they have received; requests that the calculation of drug costs should take into account the use of public funds; calls on the european medicines agency (ema) to increase the number of audits in order to assess pharmaceutical companies’ compliance with the requirements on transparency; ### 65. calls on the commission to submit a proposal for the revision of directive 89/105/eec on the transparency of measures regulating the prices of medicinal products30 in order to ensure effective controls and full transparency of the procedures used to determine the price and reimbursement of the cost of medicines , in particular cancer medicines , in member states; calls for pharmaceutical companies to provide information on research and development costs , including the financing with public resources , as well as on the tax benefits and subsidies they have received; requests that the calculation of drug costs should take into account the use of public funds; calls on the european medicines agency (ema) to increase the number of audits in order to assess pharmaceutical companies’ compliance with the requirements on transparency; calls on the commission to promote and facilitate information-sharing among member states on the net prices of medicines and to contribute to the implementation of the world health assembly (wha) resolution on improving the transparency of markets for medicines , vaccines and other health products , which calls for taking appropriate measures to publicly share information on net prices;


### 66. notes that huge advances in biology have revealed that cancer is an umbrella term for more than 200 diseases , and that precision or personalised medicine can be made available through the drug targeting of various mutations; considers that precision or personalised medicine , consisting of a treatment choice based on individual tumour biomarkers , is a promising way to improve cancer treatment; encourages member states , therefore , to promote the implementation of regional molecular genetics platforms and facilitate equal and rapid access to personalised treatment for patients; ### 66. notes that huge advances in biology have revealed that cancer is an umbrella term for more than 200 diseases , and that precision or personalised medicine can be made available through the drug targeting of various mutations; considers that precision or personalised medicine , consisting of a treatment choice based on individual tumour biomarkers , is a promising way to improve cancer treatment; encourages member states , therefore , to promote the implementation of regional molecular genetics platforms and facilitate equal and rapid access to personalised treatment for patients; stresses the need for a careful consideration of personalised medicines for prevalent diseases , including some cancer indications , which should not fall within the remit of the orphan medicinal products regulation in order to prevent an unsustainable incentive system;


### 67. calls for the full and rapid application of regulation (eu) no 536/2014 of 16 april 2014 on clinical trials on medicinal products for human use31 ; considers that the application of the regulation would facilitate the launch of large clinical trials carried out in a harmonised , efficient and coordinated manner at european level in order to facilitate research into cancer drugs and improve cancer patients’ and their families’ quality of life; ### 67. calls for the full and rapid application of regulation (eu) no 536/2014 of 16 april 2014 on clinical trials on medicinal products for human use31 ; considers that the application of the regulation would facilitate the launch of large clinical trials carried out across europe in a harmonised , efficient and coordinated manner at european level in order to facilitate research into cancer drugs and improve cancer patients’ and their families’ quality of life;


### 68. calls for a more sustainable environment for conducting research into the repurposing of medicines for cancer treatment and for the creation of an additional project that uses high-performance computing to rapidly test existing molecules and new drug combinations , starting with treatment for cancers with a poor prognosis and rare cancers; ### 68. calls for a more sustainable environment for conducting research into the repurposing of medicines for cancer treatment and for the creation of an additional project that uses high-performance computing to rapidly test existing molecules and new drug combinations , starting with treatment for cancers with a poor prognosis and rare cancers; calls for a legal framework for the clinical development of repurposed medicines for indications with high unmet needs performed by non-commercial entities , including for the ema to be given the authority to require labelling changes following assessment of the clinical data from the non-profit research;


### 69. supports the development of clinical trials on the use of new cancer drugs in adults and children; ### 69. supports the development of clinical trials on the use of new and affordable cancer drugs in adults and children;


### 69. supports the development of clinical trials on the use of new cancer drugs in adults and children; ### 69. supports the development of clinical trials across europe on the use of new cancer drugs in adults and children;


### 73. notes with concern that the covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing health workforce shortages; acknowledges the urgency of ensuring a sufficient number of specialised health professionals in cancer care; reiterates that specific measures under the emergency strategy should be aimed at addressing workforce shortages through the recruitment of health professionals; ### 73. notes with concern that the covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing health workforce shortages; acknowledges the urgency of ensuring a sufficient number of specialised health professionals in cancer care; reiterates that specific measures under the emergency strategy should be aimed at addressing workforce shortages through the recruitment of health professionals; recognises the fact that the pandemic has increased the care burden for informal carers , who provide most of the daily care required by cancer patients and who need (practical and policy) support;


### 75. asks for enhanced communication between health professionals , patients and public authorities regarding the effectiveness and safety of health interventions , in particular cancer screening , diagnosis and treatment , and for increased awareness campaigns in times of crises; ### 75. asks for enhanced communication between health professionals , patients and public authorities regarding the effectiveness and safety of health interventions , in particular cancer screening , diagnosis and treatment , and for increased awareness campaigns in times of crises , which can be performed by national civil societies organisations , if financially supported;


### 75. asks for enhanced communication between health professionals , patients and public authorities regarding the effectiveness and safety of health interventions , in particular cancer screening , diagnosis and treatment , and for increased awareness campaigns in times of crises; ### 75. asks for enhanced communication between health professionals , patients and public authorities regarding the effectiveness and safety of health interventions , in particular cancer screening , diagnosis and treatment , for increased awareness campaigns in times of crises , and for carrying out multidisciplinary tumour boards;


### 75. asks for enhanced communication between health professionals , patients and public authorities regarding the effectiveness and safety of health interventions , in particular cancer screening , diagnosis and treatment , and for increased awareness campaigns in times of crises; ### 75. asks for enhanced communication between health professionals , patients , parents , survivors and public authorities regarding the effectiveness and safety of health interventions , in particular cancer screening , diagnosis and treatment , and for increased awareness campaigns in times of crises;


### 78. emphasises the importance of specific eu recommendations to improve the quality of life of patients , including via supportive care (pain relief , psychological services , adapted physical activity , nutritional support , social assistance , access to reproductive health and restoration of aesthetic integrity); asks member states for recognition of sequelae (physical or mental disabilities) , as well as social discrimination; ### 78. emphasises the importance of specific eu recommendations to improve the quality of life of patients , including via supportive care (pain relief , psychological services , adapted physical activity , nutritional support , integrative medicine , social assistance , access to reproductive health and restoration of aesthetic integrity); asks member states for recognition of sequelae (physical or mental disabilities) , as well as social discrimination;


### 79. encourages member states to take into account the frequent exhaustion of the families and relatives of cancer patients and to provide them with psychological assistance and rest periods in the workplace; ### 79. encourages member states to take into account the frequent exhaustion of the families and relatives of cancer patients and to provide them with psychological assistance rest periods in the workplace and to put in place adequate and accessible support systems;


### 80. recalls that patient empowerment is crucial for the european cancer strategy and that patient-centeredness and participatory decision-making must be at the heart of treatment and care development processes; encourages the therapeutic education of caregivers and patients and their empowerment in the care programmes; ### 80. recalls that patient empowerment is crucial for the european cancer strategy and that patient-centeredness and participatory decision-making must be at the heart of treatment and care development processes; encourages the therapeutic education of caregivers and patients and their empowerment in the care programmes; calls for participatory decision-making with personalised and understandable evidence-based information provided to patients as an integral part of the national cancer control programs (nccps) , supported by the ebcp;


### 81. acknowledges the positive role of patients’ associations in relation to patient advocacy and accompaniment; calls on the commission and the member states to take into account their requests and recommendations when formulating cancer-related policies and legislation and to provide them with public support in order to guarantee their independence from private funding; ### 81. acknowledges the positive role of patients’ associations in relation to patient advocacy and accompaniment; calls on the commission and the member states to take into account their requests and recommendations when formulating cancer-related policies and legislation and to provide them with public support in order to guarantee their independence from private funding; calls for the commission to set clear criteria according to which public financial support can be awarded;


### 82. calls on the member states to improve the reintegration of cancer survivors into the labour market and to facilitate the return to school of paediatric cancer survivors; advocates specific eu recommendations for measures for cancer survivors to prevent the recurrence of primary cancer and the development of new cancers and for their rehabilitation; ### 82. calls on the member states to improve the reintegration of cancer survivors into the labour market and to facilitate the return to school of paediatric cancer survivors; recalls the recommendations and tools developed by the chrodis+ joint action to foster patients’ retention at work , return to work and reintegration into the labour market; encourages the commission to support their implementation across the member states; advocates specific eu recommendations for measures for cancer survivors to prevent the recurrence of primary cancer and the development of new cancers and for their rehabilitation; calls for information on recurrence of cancer to be an integral part of cancer registries;


### 82. calls on the member states to improve the reintegration of cancer survivors into the labour market and to facilitate the return to school of paediatric cancer survivors; advocates specific eu recommendations for measures for cancer survivors to prevent the recurrence of primary cancer and the development of new cancers and for their rehabilitation; ### 82. calls on the member states to improve the reintegration of cancer survivors into the labour market and to facilitate the return to school of paediatric cancer survivors; advocates specific eu recommendations for measures for cancer survivors to prevent the recurrence of primary cancer and the development of new cancers and for their rehabilitation , including specific provisions for long-term follow-up care for childhood cancer survivors as they transition into adulthood;


### a. whereas europe’s beating cancer plan should effectively respond to the call for progress by the families and doctors of the 1.3 million people who die from cancer each year in europe , including 6 000 children , the crucial needs of patients who are currently in need of efficient and innovative treatments , the rightful expectations of more than 12 million cancer survivors facing the difficult return back to a ‘normal life’ , the clear will of future generations to be protected against health threats , and the concern of governments facing a growing economic burden from cancer and its related treatments; ### a. whereas europe’s beating cancer plan should effectively respond to the call for progress by the families and doctors of the 1.3 million people who die from cancer each year in europe , including 6 000 children , the crucial needs of patients who are currently in need of efficient and innovative treatments for cancer and cancer-related complications and comorbidities , the rightful expectations of more than 12 million cancer survivors facing the difficult return back to a ‘normal life’ , the clear will of future generations to be protected against health threats , and the concern of governments facing a growing economic burden from cancer and its related treatments;


### d. whereas specific national or regional cancer policies have been set up in most member states , whose missions and budgets are heterogeneous; ### d. whereas specific national or regional cancer policies have been set up in most member states , whose missions , capacity and budgets are heterogeneous;


### f. whereas health literacy includes the acquisition of knowledge and skills , awareness of rights and the confidence to take action to improve personal and community health; whereas actions to promote health literacy under the plan should focus on empowering patients and citizens; whereas all efforts to increase health literacy should take into account people with learning disabilities , as well as ensure that the necessary information is available in common non-eu languages in order to reach migrants and new arrivals; ### f. whereas health literacy includes the acquisition of knowledge and skills , awareness of rights and the confidence to take action to improve personal and community health; whereas actions to promote health literacy under the plan should focus on empowering patients and citizens; whereas improving levels of digital literacy for both the general population and all actors of the healthcare system is essential to enable the effective implementation of the plan; whereas all efforts to increase both health and digital literacy should take into account people with learning disabilities , as well as ensure that the necessary information is available in common non-eu languages in order to reach migrants , new arrivals and other minority communities;


### h. whereas addressing cancer could be used as a model for other non-communicable diseases , and whereas patients with other chronic diseases should therefore also benefit from the achievements of europe’s beating cancer plan; ### h. whereas addressing cancer could be used as a model for other non-communicable diseases , and whereas patients with other chronic diseases should therefore also benefit from the achievements and principles of europe's beating cancer plan and going forward to build similar plans for other pathologies with high mortality rates;


### i. whereas a common policy driven at european level is absolutely essential for progress in the area of cancer; whereas the primary responsibility for health protection and healthcare systems lies with the member states; ### i. whereas a common policy driven at european level is absolutely essential for progress in the area of cancer; whereas while the primary responsibility for health protection and healthcare systems lies with the member states , the union has supporting competences in those areas , furthermore the union has important shared competences in the area of health (article 168 (4)-(5) tfeu) , as well as for matters of the internal market , the environment and social policy , which need to contribute to a high level of protection of human health (articles 114 , 191 and 153 tfeu , respectively);


### 2. calls on the commission and member states to design and implement effective prevention measures at national and eu level , based on best practices , independent expertise and guidance; ### 2. calls on the commission and member states to implement the european code against cancer (ecac) to reduce the risk of cancer based on the latest scientific evidence on cancer prevention , lessons learnt and best practices based on independent expertise and guidance and to regularly update the ecac on a cycle that supports a continuous process of monitoring and evaluation;


### 4. supports the aim of the horizon europe cancer mission to avert more than 3 million additional premature deaths over the 2021-2030 period , by accelerating progress in cancer prevention and control programmes and creating more equal access to these programmes; ### 4. supports the aim of the horizon europe cancer mission to avert more than 3 million additional premature deaths over the 2021-2030 period , by accelerating progress in cancer prevention , organised screening and cancer diagnosis programmes , striving for more equal access;


### 5. deplores the significant health inequalities in the eu as regards cancer prevention; insists on the need to pay special attention to vulnerable and marginalised populations in order to ensure their access to cancer prevention services; ### 5. deplores the significant health inequalities in the eu as regards cancer prevention; insists on the need to pay special attention to vulnerable and marginalised populations in order to ensure their access to cancer prevention services include access to the appropriate tools and services to prevent transmission of carcinogenic viruses like human papilloma virus (hpv) and hepatitis b (hbv) and c (hcv);


### 5. deplores the significant health inequalities in the eu as regards cancer prevention; insists on the need to pay special attention to vulnerable and marginalised populations in order to ensure their access to cancer prevention services; ### 5. deplores the significant health inequalities in the eu as regards cancer prevention and screening; insists on the need to pay special attention to vulnerable and marginalised populations to minimise exposure to risk factors , to ensure their access to cancer prevention services and involve them in organised screening programmes;


### 8. welcomes the commission’s intention to review the tobacco products directive10 , the tobacco products tax directive11 and the legal framework on cross-border purchases of tobacco by private individuals in order to introduce the following: ### 8. welcomes the commission’s intention to review the tobacco products directive10 , the tobacco products tax directive11 and the legal framework on cross-border purchases of tobacco by private individuals and urges the commission to bring forward legislative proposals , in order to introduce the following:


### an increase in minimum excise duties for all tobacco products , which could result in a reduction in tobacco use , notably among young people; ### an increase and convergence in minimum excise duties for all tobacco products , which could result in a reduction in tobacco use and uptake , notably among young people;


### a requirement for plain packaging and the obligation to include health warnings on 80 % of the front and back of cigarette packaging; ### a requirement for standardised plain packaging and the obligation to include pictural health warnings on 80 %of the front and back of the packaging of all tobacco products , including e-cigarettes;


### the continuation of evaluations of the health risks related to electronic cigarettes and the establishment of a list of substances contained and emitted by these products at european level , based on the model published by the french agency for health security; ### the continuation of evaluations of the health risks related to electronic cigarettes , heated tobacco products and the establishment of a list of substances contained and emitted by these products at european level , based on the model published by the french agency for health security;


### 9. calls for the rapid implementation of the who framework convention on tobacco control , paying specific attention to the protection of public health policies from the vested interests of the tobacco industry. ### 9. calls for the rapid and complete implementation of the who framework convention on tobacco control (who fctc) and the who protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products (the protocol) , paying specific attention to the who fctc art. 5.3 and its guidelines on the protection of public health policies from the vested interests of the tobacco industry; urges the commission to implement specific rules of conduct for all officials and other servants when interacting with the tobacco industry in line with the european ombudsman’s decision in case 852/2014/lp;


### 11. recalls that ethanol and acetaldehyde in alcoholic beverages are classified as carcinogenic to humans by the iarc , and that in europe an estimated 10 % of all cancer cases in men and 3 % of all cancer cases in women are attributable to alcohol consumption; ### 11. recalls that ethanol and acetaldehyde in alcoholic beverages are classified as carcinogenic to humans by the iarc , and that in europe an estimated 10 % of all cancer cases in men and 3 % of all cancer cases in women are attributable to alcohol consumption; recognises that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption , and that the cancer risk starts to increase even with low levels of alcohol consumption; stresses that alcohol consumption is a key factor in developing over 60 diseases and conditions , including 7 types of cancer: mouth , upper throat , larynx , oesophagus , breast , liver , and colorectal;


### 84. supports the upcoming roll-out of a cancer survivor smart card , as announced in europe’s beating cancer plan , to all european cancer survivors , especially survivors of childhood and adolescent cancers , which will summarise their clinical history , including patients’ own experience , and facilitate and monitor follow-up care; ### 84. supports the upcoming roll-out of a cancer survivor smart card , as announced in europe’s beating cancer plan , to all european cancer survivors , especially survivors of childhood and adolescent cancers , which will summarise their clinical history , including patients’ own experience , and facilitate and monitor follow-up care; stresses the sensitive nature of individual health data and need for the smart card to be fully protected under the gdpr;


### 85. considers that insurers and banks should not take into account the medical history of people who have been affected by cancer; calls for national legislation to ensure that cancer survivors are not discriminated against compared to other consumers; notes the commission’s intention to engage with businesses to develop a code of conduct to ensure that developments in cancer treatments and their improved effectiveness are reflected in the business practices of financial service providers; supports , in parallel , the promotion of advances made in france , belgium , luxembourg and the netherlands , where cancer survivors enjoy the ‘right to be forgotten’; requests that by 2025 , at the latest , all member states should guarantee the right to be forgotten to all european patients ten years after the end of their treatment , and five years after the end of treatment for patients whose diagnosis was made before the age of 18; calls for the introduction of common standards for the right to be forgotten under the relevant provisions on consumer protection policy of the treaty on the functioning of the european union , in order to remedy the fragmented national practices in the area of creditworthiness assessment and ensure equal access to credit for cancer survivors; ### 85. considers that insurers and banks should not take into account the medical history of people who have been affected by cancer; calls for national legislation to ensure that cancer survivors are not discriminated against compared to other consumers; notes the commission’s intention to engage with businesses to develop a code of conduct to ensure that developments in cancer treatments and their improved effectiveness are reflected in the business practices of financial service providers; supports , in parallel , the promotion of advances made in france , belgium , luxembourg and the netherlands , where cancer survivors enjoy the ‘right to be forgotten’; requests that by 2025 , at the latest , all member states should guarantee the right to be forgotten to all european patients ten years after the end of their treatment , and five years after the end of treatment for patients whose diagnosis was made before the age of 18; calls for the introduction of common standards for the right to be forgotten under the relevant provisions on consumer protection policy of the treaty on the functioning of the european union , in order to remedy the fragmented national practices in the area of creditworthiness assessment and ensure equal access to credit for cancer survivors; supports the commission's draft proposal to revise the consumer credit directive in that it aims to ensure that only relevant financial data is taken into account when performing credit worthiness assessments , with the exclusion of health and cancer data;


### 86. calls on the commission to support the european code of cancer care launched by the european cancer organisation (eco) , which is an empowering and informative tool to ensure that the best available care is provided to european citizens and patients; ### deleted


### 91. stresses the need to strengthen the right to cross-border care for children and aya cancer patients when the best treatment is not available in their country of residence; ### 91. stresses the need to strengthen the right to cross-border care for children and aya cancer patients when the best treatment is not available in their country of residence; stresses the need to ensure that access to innovation in early clinical trials for difficult-to-treat malignancies in children adolescents and young adults (ayas) is covered by the relevant provisions;


### 92. calls for an ambitious revision of the regulations on paediatric33 and orphan34 medicinal products in order to ensure access to innovative cancer drugs , identify the most important drugs to meet the needs of children with poor prognostic cancers , reduce delays so that children can have faster access to paediatric drugs , and address limited access to certain essential medicines due to drug shortages and the high price of innovative medicines; recommends an increase of 20 % in the available new paediatric cancer drugs by 2027; ### 92. calls for an ambitious revision of the regulations on paediatric33 and orphan34 medicinal products in order to ensure access to innovative cancer drugs , identify the most important drugs to meet the needs of children with poor prognostic cancers as well as incentivise the first-in-child development of new paediatric anticancer medicines , reduce delays so that children can have faster access to paediatric drugs , and address limited access to certain essential medicines due to drug shortages and the high price of innovative medicines; recommends an increase of 20 % in the available new paediatric cancer drugs by 2027;


### 92. calls for an ambitious revision of the regulations on paediatric33 and orphan34 medicinal products in order to ensure access to innovative cancer drugs , identify the most important drugs to meet the needs of children with poor prognostic cancers , reduce delays so that children can have faster access to paediatric drugs , and address limited access to certain essential medicines due to drug shortages and the high price of innovative medicines; recommends an increase of 20 % in the available new paediatric cancer drugs by 2027; ### 92. calls for an ambitious revision of the regulations on paediatric33 and orphan34 medicinal products in order to ensure affordable access to innovative cancer drugs , identify the most important drugs to meet the needs of children with poor prognostic cancers , reduce delays so that children can have faster access to paediatric drugs , and address limited access to certain essential medicines due to drug shortages and the high price of innovative medicines; recommends an increase of 20 % in the available new paediatric cancer drugs with proven added therapeutic value by 2027;


### 96. supports the recommendation of the joint action on rare cancers for the roll-out of a european unique patient identifier , in order to ensure the monitoring of long-term outcomes in childhood cancer survivors in a cross-border setting; ### 96. supports the recommendation of the joint action on rare cancers for the roll-out of a european unique patient identifier , and guidelines on long-term surveillance and transition from paediatric to adult care in order to ensure the monitoring of long-term outcomes in childhood cancer survivors in a cross-border setting;


### 97. stresses that europe’s beating cancer plan should be implemented in close cooperation with the cancer mission under horizon europe and its objectives of promoting eu investment in cancer research and innovation; ### 97. stresses that europe’s beating cancer plan should be implemented in close cooperation with the cancer mission under horizon europe and its objectives of promoting eu investment in cancer research and innovation; calls for paediatric cancer research to have a dedicated partnership in "cluster 1: health" of the horizon europe pillar ii funding programme;


### 98. recalls that cancer research , and its translation into everyday clinical practice , is fundamental to ensuring continuous improvements in cancer prevention , diagnosis , treatment and follow-up care for survivors; welcomes , therefore , the launch of horizon europe partnerships to translate scientific knowledge into innovations; ### 98. recalls that cancer research , and its translation into everyday clinical practice , is fundamental to ensuring continuous improvements in cancer prevention , diagnosis , treatment and follow-up care for survivors; welcomes , therefore , the launch of horizon europe partnerships to translate scientific knowledge into innovations; recommends that the cited partnerships include paediatric competences and issues;


### 98. recalls that cancer research , and its translation into everyday clinical practice , is fundamental to ensuring continuous improvements in cancer prevention , diagnosis , treatment and follow-up care for survivors; welcomes , therefore , the launch of horizon europe partnerships to translate scientific knowledge into innovations; ### 98. recalls that cancer research , and its translation into everyday clinical practice , is fundamental to ensuring continuous improvements in cancer prevention , diagnosis , treatment and follow-up care for survivors; welcomes , therefore , the launch of horizon europe partnerships to translate scientific knowledge into innovations that reach patients;


### 99. reiterates its call for sustainable and adequate funding for competitive european research on cancer; calls for at least a 20 % increase in the mobilisation of public and private research on therapeutic and diagnostic cancer innovations; ### 99. reiterates its call for sustainable and adequate funding for competitive european research on cancer; stresses that such research should aim to address areas of high unmet need , neglected tumour types including those with poor prognosis , and be conducted across all parts of the cancer care continuum , including for all treatment modalities; calls for at least a 20 % increase in the mobilisation of public and private research on therapeutic and diagnostic cancer innovations; calls for the framework programme and national research programmes to support research into paediatric and orphan medicines through innovation prize funds that include conditionalities on product availability and affordability;


### 100. stresses the need for independent and multidisciplinary research on cancer ‘from bench to bedside’ , that is from the laboratory to applied studies in patients; urges the establishment of measures to limit misinformation , especially on social media; ### 100. stresses the need for independent and multidisciplinary research on cancer ‘from bench to bedside’ , that is from the laboratory to applied studies in patients; calls for the development of conditionalities related to affordability and accessibility of products resulting from publicly funded research; urges the establishment of measures to limit misinformation , especially on social media;


### 101. calls on member states to make a strong commitment to encouraging public-private cooperation and breaking down the barriers to competitiveness across the eu; ### 101. calls on member states to make a strong commitment to encouraging public-private cooperation , driven by public health needs , and breaking down the barriers to competitiveness across the eu;


### 105. welcomes the launch of the ‘cancer diagnostic and treatment for all’ flagship initiative under europe’s beating cancer plan , whose aim is to improve access to innovative cancer diagnosis and treatment and promote the use of the ‘next generation sequencing’ technology for quick and efficient genetic profiles of tumour cells , allowing researchers and clinicians to share cancer profiles and apply the same or similar diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to patients with comparable cancer profiles; ### 105. welcomes the launch of the ‘cancer diagnostic and treatment for all’ flagship initiative under europe’s beating cancer plan , whose aim is to improve access to innovative cancer diagnosis and treatment and promote the use of the ‘next generation sequencing’ technology for quick and efficient genetic profiles of tumour cells , allowing researchers and clinicians to share cancer profiles and apply the same or similar diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to patients with comparable cancer profiles; stresses the need to consider personalised treatments based on well-designed clinical trials with proven added therapeutic value for patients;


### 106. welcomes the planned partnership for personalised medicine , announced in europe’s beating cancer plan and to be funded under horizon europe , which will identify priorities for research and education in personalised medicine , support research projects on cancer prevention , diagnosis and treatment , and make recommendations for the roll-out of personalised medicine approaches in daily medical practice; supports the establishment of a roadmap for personalised prevention allowing for the identification of gaps in research and innovation and for the mapping of all known biological anomalies leading to cancer susceptibility , including hereditary factors; ### 106. welcomes the planned partnership for personalised medicine , announced in europe’s beating cancer plan and to be funded under horizon europe , which will identify priorities for research and education in personalised medicine , support research projects on cancer prevention , diagnosis and treatment , and make recommendations for the roll-out of personalised medicine approaches in daily medical practice; stresses the need to establish a well-defined , globally consistent terminology for ‘personalised medicines’ that would streamline investment in research and benefit patients’ health literacy; supports the establishment of a roadmap for personalised prevention allowing for the identification of gaps in research and innovation and for the mapping of all known biological anomalies leading to cancer susceptibility , including hereditary factors;


### 107. encourages research on non-profit clinical trials to improve treatment strategies , with a focus on the elderly; ### 107. calls for enhanced capacity building , infrastructure , collaboration and funding of research on non-profit clinical trials to improve treatment strategies , with a focus on vulnerable and under-represented patient populations , including women , children and the elderly;


### 108. calls on the commission and the member states to promote studies dedicated to human and social sciences , in particular those addressing health inequalities at the different stages of cancer diseases; ### 108. calls on the commission and the member states to promote studies dedicated to human and social sciences , in particular those addressing health inequalities at the different stages of cancer diseases; calls for attention to inequalities in cancer care related to factors such as gender , age , and socio-economic status , with particular attention to marginalised groups in society;


### 109. considers that the commission and the member states should support the development of european multicentre clinical trials; ### 109. calls on the commission and the member states to support the development of european multicentre clinical trials; points out that using lessons learnt from the recovery platform trial for covid-19 vaccine would have made better use of scarce resources in order to enable effective international collaboration on trials;


### 111. strongly believes that patient associations should be involved in defining research endpoints for clinical trials , in order to ensure that the trials address the unmet needs of european patients; considers that the final results of the trials should be communicated to the participating patients and to the public; ### 111. strongly believes that patients and patient associations , including parents and carers , should be involved in defining research priorities and endpoints for clinical trials , in order to ensure that the trials address the unmet needs of european patients; considers that the final results of the trials should be communicated to the participating patients and to the public;


### 112. advocates more transparency in the process of research into and the development of cancer treatments , including the establishment of a portal to allow patients access to information on the available clinical trials in europe; ### 112. advocates more transparency in the process of research into and the development of cancer treatments , including the establishment of a portal to allow patients access to information on the available clinical trials in europe; calls for transparency on the data of clinical trials , including those that have been discarded;


### 114. asks the commission to assess the functioning of the european reference networks (erns) , especially their role in gathering and sharing expertise and best practices , thus rationalising patient referral in the management of rare cancers , which affect an estimated 5.1 million patients across europe and require cooperation on a large scale; ### deleted


### 114. asks the commission to assess the functioning of the european reference networks (erns) , especially their role in gathering and sharing expertise and best practices , thus rationalising patient referral in the management of rare cancers , which affect an estimated 5.1 million patients across europe and require cooperation on a large scale; ### 114. asks the commission to assess the functioning of the european reference networks (erns) , especially their role in gathering and sharing expertise and best practices , thus rationalising patient referral in the management of rare cancers , which affect an estimated 5.1 million patients across europe and require cooperation on a large scale; emphasises the importance of the erns with regard to overcoming health inequalities and ensuring safer and high-quality treatment across eu borders;


### 115. emphasises the need to secure sustained long-term funding for the erns; supports the expansion of the erns to specific types of cancer (rare , complex , poorly curable) and paediatric cancers; ### 115. recognises that the rare adult and paediatric cancer sector is based on long-term cooperation and established cross-border structures uniting national haemato-oncology units and clinical trial groups; emphasises the need to secure sustained long-term funding for the four existing erns relevant to rare cancers , paedcan (paediatric cancers) , euracan (rare adult solid cancers) , eurobloodnet (rare haematological diseases including rare haematological malignancies) and genturis (genetic tumour risk syndromes); supports erns consolidation and expansion to rare and complex cancers , in conjunction with the rare and paediatric cancer patient and parent organisations;


### 115. emphasises the need to secure sustained long-term funding for the erns; supports the expansion of the erns to specific types of cancer (rare , complex , poorly curable) and paediatric cancers; ### 115. calls on the commission and the member states to secure appropriate and long-term funding for the erns and to ensure effective reimbursement of patient travel costs when this is required , in order to foster improved standards of care and equal access to the best possible interventions to all patients who require them across europe; supports the expansion of the erns to specific types of cancer (rare , complex , poorly curable);


### 116. believes that the revamping of erns will necessarily involve the participation of all member states in existing erns , with each member state having at least one ‘full’ or ‘affiliate’ member in each ern , the facilitation of the individual patient journey through the effective collaboration of national contact points with erns , the evaluation of the functioning of the erns by sharing data on their performance and networking in the field of rare cancers , the deployment of telemedicine tools allowing for the sharing of case records and imaging results , and the allocation of adequate and long-term funding , both at union (eu4health) and national level; ### 116. believes that the consolidation of erns will necessarily involve the participation of all member states in existing erns , with each member state having at least one ‘full’ or ‘affiliate’ member in each ern and in each sub-clinical domain/thematic network of erns , facilitate patient access through the effective collaboration of national contact points with erns , encourage the deployment of efficient telemedicine tools allowing for the sharing of case records and imaging results in a secured fashion to discuss complex rare cancer cases , foster networking in the field of rare cancers , and allocate adequate and long-term funding , both at union (eu4health) and national level;


### 116. believes that the revamping of erns will necessarily involve the participation of all member states in existing erns , with each member state having at least one ‘full’ or ‘affiliate’ member in each ern , the facilitation of the individual patient journey through the effective collaboration of national contact points with erns , the evaluation of the functioning of the erns by sharing data on their performance and networking in the field of rare cancers , the deployment of telemedicine tools allowing for the sharing of case records and imaging results , and the allocation of adequate and long-term funding , both at union (eu4health) and national level; ### 116. believes that the consolidation and further development of the erns will necessarily involve the participation of all member states in existing erns , with each member state having at least one ‘full’ or ‘affiliate’ member in each ern , the facilitation of the individual patient journey through the effective collaboration of national contact points with erns , the evaluation of the functioning of the erns by sharing data on their performance and networking in the field of rare cancers , the deployment of telemedicine tools allowing for the sharing of case records and imaging results , and the allocation of adequate and long-term funding , both at union (eu4health) and national level;


### 117. encourages member states to support a dedicated and tailored approach to rare cancers in adults and paediatric cancers , taking stock of eu initiatives , and to fully integrate erns into their national healthcare systems; ### 117. encourages member states to support a dedicated and tailored approach to rare cancers in adults and paediatric cancers , taking stock of eu initiatives , and to fully integrate erns into their national healthcare systems; recommends that member states establish national networks for rare adult cancers in order to optimise the referral of patients to specialised centres in a timely fashion and facilitate interaction with erns;


### 118. recalls that the joint research centre has taken an active role in supporting the activities and harnessing the data of cancer registries; considers that the mandate , funding and political support for the joint research centre to continue and accelerate its coordinating work with cancer registries should be strengthened; ### 118. recalls that the joint research centre has taken an active role in supporting the activities and harnessing the data of cancer registries; considers that the mandate , funding and political support for the joint research centre to continue and accelerate its coordinating work with cancer registries should be strengthened , particularly in terms of collection of patient outcomes , real world evidence and the identification of cancer clusters , and their integration in existing cancer registries;


### 120. recommends the creation of at least one cancer registry in each eu region , including remote and outermost regions; supports the strengthening of the capacity of national cancer registries to collect data (including lifestyle and socio-economic information) to better identify the causes of inequalities in cancer incidence , prevalence and survival; asks member states to ensure the comparability of data sources and the interoperability of regional and national cancer registries; ### 120. recommends the creation of at least one cancer registry in each eu region , including remote and outermost regions; supports the strengthening of the capacity of national cancer registries to collect data (including lifestyle and socio-economic information) to better identify the causes of inequalities in cancer incidence , prevalence and survival; asks member states to harmonise the information collected and its quality for full , high-quality data comparability and interoperability across the eu , and calls for national cancer registries to be mandated to carry out analyses of regional disparities in morbidity and to make recommendations to national cancer councils and the joint research centre on the need for interventions; calls for the use of modern epidemiological and molecular genetics methods to analyse the prevalence of cancer and to identify its causes; calls for the comparability of data sources and the interoperability of regional and national cancer registries;


### 120. recommends the creation of at least one cancer registry in each eu region , including remote and outermost regions; supports the strengthening of the capacity of national cancer registries to collect data (including lifestyle and socio-economic information) to better identify the causes of inequalities in cancer incidence , prevalence and survival; asks member states to ensure the comparability of data sources and the interoperability of regional and national cancer registries; ### 120. recommends the creation of at least one cancer registry in each eu region , including remote and outermost regions; supports the strengthening of the capacity of national cancer registries to collect data (including lifestyle and socio-economic information) to better identify the causes of inequalities in cancer incidence , prevalence and survival; asks member states to ensure the comparability of data sources and the interoperability of regional and national cancer registries; calls for the implementation of specific cancer registries for paediatric malignancies in line with the international classification of childhood cancer (iccc);


### 120. recommends the creation of at least one cancer registry in each eu region , including remote and outermost regions; supports the strengthening of the capacity of national cancer registries to collect data (including lifestyle and socio-economic information) to better identify the causes of inequalities in cancer incidence , prevalence and survival; asks member states to ensure the comparability of data sources and the interoperability of regional and national cancer registries; ### 120. recommends the creation of at least one cancer registry in each eu region , including remote and outermost regions; supports the strengthening of the capacity of national cancer registries to collect data (including lifestyle and environmental factors , and socio-economic information) to better identify the causes of inequalities in cancer incidence , prevalence and survival; asks member states to ensure the comparability of data sources and the interoperability of regional and national cancer registries;


### 120. recommends the creation of at least one cancer registry in each eu region , including remote and outermost regions; supports the strengthening of the capacity of national cancer registries to collect data (including lifestyle and socio-economic information) to better identify the causes of inequalities in cancer incidence , prevalence and survival; asks member states to ensure the comparability of data sources and the interoperability of regional and national cancer registries; ### 120. recommends the creation of at least one cancer registry in each eu region , including remote and outermost regions; supports the strengthening of the capacity of national cancer registries to collect data (including lifestyle and socio-economic information) to better identify the causes of inequalities in cancer incidence , mortality , prevalence and survival; asks member states to ensure the comparability of data sources and the interoperability of regional and national cancer registries;


### 121. strongly supports the creation of a cancer inequalities registry at european level , announced in europe’s beating cancer plan , in order to identify trends , disparities , inequalities and inequities between and within member states; believes that this registry will help to identify challenges and specific areas of action so as to guide investment and intervention at eu , national and regional level; ### 121. strongly supports the creation of a cancer inequalities registry at european level , announced in europe’s beating cancer plan , in order to identify trends , disparities , inequalities and inequities between and within member states; believes that this registry will help to identify challenges and specific areas of action so as to guide investment and intervention at eu , national and regional level; calls for the inequalities registry to integrate information on rare cancers which amount to about 24% of new cancer cases occurring from birth up to elderly age groups;


### 121. strongly supports the creation of a cancer inequalities registry at european level , announced in europe’s beating cancer plan , in order to identify trends , disparities , inequalities and inequities between and within member states; believes that this registry will help to identify challenges and specific areas of action so as to guide investment and intervention at eu , national and regional level; ### 121. strongly supports the creation of a cancer inequalities registry at european level , announced in europe’s beating cancer plan , in order to identify trends , disparities , inequalities and inequities between and within member states; believes that this registry will help to identify challenges and specific areas of action so as to guide investment and intervention facilitate research into inequalities at eu , national and regional level;


### 123. calls for improved standards in the education and training of health professionals; encourages common and multidisciplinary training programmes for health professionals in close collaboration with european learned societies; welcomes the launch of an inter-specialty cancer training programme , which will involve cooperation between member states via a european cancer institute; ### 123. calls for improved standards in the education and training of health professionals at every stage of the treatment and care pathway; encourages common and multidisciplinary training programmes for health professionals in close collaboration with european learned societies; welcomes the launch of an inter-specialty cancer training programme , which will involve cooperation between member states via a european cancer institute;


### 124. calls for the creation of a virtual european cancer institute , involving all stakeholders (representatives of each nccp , patients’ and caregivers’ associations , learned societies etc.) , in charge of the following missions: ### 124. calls for the creation of a virtual european cancer institute , involving all stakeholders (representatives of each nccp , patients’ and caregivers’ associations , learned societies , relevant eu bodies and agencies , etc.) , in charge of the following missions:


### f) generating a comprehensive model based on europe’s beating cancer plan and horizon europe in order to identify research priorities and possibly enable the development of a coordinated and efficient cancer research force in europe; ### f) generating a comprehensive model based on europe’s beating cancer plan and horizon europe in order to identify research priorities and possibly enable the development of a coordinated and efficient cancer research force in europe with the input from patients and carers;


### 125. emphasises that europe’s beating cancer plan should not only be seen as a political commitment to driving change but as a set of concrete and ambitious initiatives that will support , coordinate and complement member states’ efforts to reduce the suffering caused by cancer; stresses that , in order for the initiatives outlined in the plan to be translated into concrete actions , these initiatives have to be adequately funded; underlines , however , the differing capacity of member states to absorb the funds dedicated to healthcare programmes thus far; ### 125. emphasises that europe’s beating cancer plan should not only be seen as a political commitment to driving change but as a set of concrete and ambitious initiatives that will support , coordinate and complement member states’ efforts to reduce the physical and mental suffering caused by cancer; encourages the commission to optimise the coherent implementation of the initiatives outlined in the plan , with clear guidance to member states regarding concrete actions against unequal access to cancer diagnosis and treatment , as well as adequate funding; underlines , however , the differing capacity of member states to absorb the funds dedicated to healthcare programmes thus far; calls on the commission to provide member states with guidance and a clear overview of the dedicated eu resources , the specifically defined pathways that link the actions outlined in the plan with the eu funding mechanisms identified in it , as well as the possible synergies and complementarities with other eu financing instruments;


### 126. calls on the member states to ensure that enough funds are allocated for the appropriate implementation of the plan and of their respective nccps; considers that no more than 30 % of europe’s beating cancer plan should be allocated to the implementation of the nccps; ### 126. calls on the member states to ensure that enough funds are allocated for the appropriate implementation of the plan and of their respective nccps; considers that at least 30 % of europe’s beating cancer plan should be allocated to the implementation of the nccps , with a particular focus on eu member states with the worst cancer survival rates;;


### a. whereas enlargement is the most effective eu foreign policy instrument and represents a geostrategic investment in long-term peace , democracy , stability and security throughout the continent; ### a. whereas enlargement has historically been the most effective eu foreign policy instrument to incentivise and encourage fundamental reforms , including in the area of rule of law , and represents a geostrategic investment in long-term peace , democracy , stability and security throughout the continent;


### c. whereas democratic transformation , the rule of law and reconciliation play a central role in the eu accession process; ### c. whereas democratic transformation , the rule of law , adherence to eu rules , values and standards , as well as socio-economic reforms play a central role in the eu accession process;


### e. whereas accession negotiations mark a new phase in eu-albania relations and demand a united commitment in order to prepare for eu membership; ### e. whereas the long-overdue start of accession negotiations marks a new phase in eu-albania relations and demands a united commitment in order to prepare for eu membership;


### 4. commends albania’s commitment to completing its comprehensive justice reform; encourages the country to intensify steps aimed at finalising the vetting process and ensuring universal justice through cross-cutting measures; ### 4. commends albania’s commitment to completing its comprehensive justice reform and the good progress achieved , in particular through continued implementation and consolidation of the comprehensive justice reform; encourages the country to intensify steps aimed at finalising the vetting process and ensuring universal justice through cross-cutting measures; calls on the authorities to further increase efforts to mitigate the side effects of the vetting process; notes the approval by the council of ministers of a new judicial map , while highlighting that such reforms and their implementation need to take into consideration the socio-economic conditions of vulnerable groups , as well as increase citizens’ access to justice and reduce costs while fully respecting the right to due legal process;


### 5. deplores political confrontation and disruptive actions and underlines a joint political and social responsibility for reforms; invites political actors to step up their commitment to dialogue and to strengthen democratic institutions and procedures through constructive engagement , inclusive consultations and transparent decision-making; recalls the need to strengthen parliamentary oversight; ### 5. deplores the enduring political confrontation , disruptive actions and inflammatory rhetoric by high-level politicians and officials; underlines a joint political and social responsibility for reforms; urges political actors to treat matters of public interest with political maturity , to step up their commitment to dialogue and to strengthen democratic institutions and procedures through constructive engagement , inclusive consultations and transparent decision-making; recalls the need to strengthen parliamentary oversight;


### 6. calls on the albanian authorities to address the outstanding electoral and party financing recommendations well ahead of the 2025 parliamentary elections; ### 6. regrets that the main political parties failed to reach an agreement on the electoral reform and calls on the albanian authorities to urgently address the outstanding electoral and party financing recommendations well ahead of the 2025 parliamentary elections;


### 10. calls for continued action to reduce unfounded asylum claims by albanian nationals , while tackling criminal trafficking networks and increasing cooperation with the eu’s justice and home affairs agencies; welcomes successful international investigations and police operations to combat the trafficking of people , narcotics and firearms , and online fraud; ### 10. calls for continued action to tackle criminal trafficking networks and increase cooperation with the eu’s justice and home affairs agencies; welcomes successful international investigations and police operations to combat the trafficking of people , narcotics and firearms , and online fraud;


### 12. condemns malign foreign interference and hybrid attacks , including disinformation , espionage , incitement to all forms of radicalisation and cyberattacks against albanian citizens and critical infrastructure; invites the authorities to prevent data leaks by considerably strengthening cybersecurity; ### 12. condemns malign foreign interference and hybrid attacks , including disinformation , espionage , incitement to all forms of radicalisation and cyberattacks by iranian hackers against albanian citizens and critical infrastructure; reminds the authorities , however , that when dealing with national security concerns , they need to take into consideration the protection of human rights , notably data protection; calls on the authorities to urgently take measures to prevent data leaks and to considerably strengthen cybersecurity;


### 13. notes the legal steps taken to eliminate discrimination against minorities , and calls for practical steps in order to ensure their inclusion , namely the inclusion of lgbti+ , roma and egyptian minorities; recalls the need to combat gender-based violence , step up child protection , adopt and implement legislation on minority rights , strengthen property rights and conduct a population census; underlines the importance of removing barriers to the socioeconomic inclusion of persons with disabilities; ### 13. notes the legal steps taken to eliminate discrimination against minorities , and calls for practical steps in order to ensure their inclusion , namely the inclusion of lgbti+ , roma and egyptian minorities; urges the authorities to step up their work to combat gender-based violence , step up child protection , adopt and implement legislation on minority rights , strengthen property rights and conduct a population census; against this background , calls on the authorities to tackle the intersectional discrimination that minorities face through a systemic and effective institutional approach , involving civil society organisations , especially those working on the rights of minorities; underlines the importance of removing barriers to the socioeconomic inclusion of persons with disabilities;


### 14. expresses its concern with the lack of progress on achieving institutional transparency , freedom of expression and media freedom and stresses the role of political leaders in creating an enabling environment for the pursuit of these freedoms; condemns attempts to discredit reporters and arbitrarily withhold public information , as well as the failure to ensure the safety of journalists; urges the authorities to take immediate action against political and economic interference in the media and intimidation against reporters; welcomes the withdrawal of the draft anti-defamation legislation; urges the government to ensure the independence of the public broadcaster and media regulator and the transparency of media ownership , financing and public advertising; ### 14. strongly regrets the lack of progress on achieving institutional transparency and the deteriorating situation of freedom of expression and media freedom , which is also reflected in albania’s significant downgrading in the reporters without borders press freedom index from rank 83 to 103; stresses the role of political leaders in creating an enabling environment for the pursuit of these freedoms; condemns attempts to discredit reporters and arbitrarily withhold public information , as well as the failure to ensure the safety of journalists; urges the authorities to take immediate action against political and economic interference in the media and to stop verbal attacks , smear campaigns , intimidation , and (self)-censorship against journalists , especially those reporting on the rule of law , corruption and justice; calls on the authorities to adopt a legal framework that protects journalists , human rights defenders and other stakeholders from strategic lawsuits against public participation (slapps); welcomes the withdrawal of the draft anti-defamation legislation; urges the government to ensure the independence of the public broadcaster and media regulator and the transparency of media ownership , financing and public advertising; is concerned with the decisions of prime minister edi rama to ban journalists from attending government press conferences;


### 16. underlines the importance of an inclusive framework for meaningful civil society engagement in decision-making processes; ### 16. underlines the importance of an inclusive framework for meaningful civil society engagement in decision-making processes , both at the local and national level; urges the authorities to implement the roadmap for the government policy towards a more enabling environment for civil society development (2019-2023); regrets the failure of multi-stakeholder forums for discussion between csos and the government such as the national council for civil society and the open government partnership and calls on the government to improve the effectiveness of these platforms; welcomes the adoption of a code of standard for non-profit organisations (npos) in albania as a useful self-regulatory mechanism;


### reconciliation and good neighbourly relations ### regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations


### 17. commends albania’s constructive engagement in inclusive regional and cross-border cooperation initiatives; welcomes the tangible progress reached in the context of the berlin process and the eu–western balkans summit in tirana; ### 17. commends albania’s constructive engagement in inclusive regional and cross-border cooperation initiatives; welcomes the tangible progress reached in the context of the berlin process on the freedom of movement with identity cards , on the recognition of higher education qualifications , and on the recognition of professional qualifications for doctors of medicine , dentists and architects and calls on all western balkan countries to speed up their implementation; commends the progress reached in the context of the eu–western balkans summit in tirana , the first-ever eu-western balkans summit in the region;


### energy , the environment , sustainable development and connectivity ### energy , the environment , biodiversity , sustainable development and connectivity


### 21. welcomes steps in accelerating the energy transition and energy diversification towards wind and solar power; applauds , in this regard , the eu energy support package for the western balkans and calls on the authorities to make the best use of this assistance in order to build a resilient and environmentally friendly energy market; ### 21. welcomes steps in accelerating the energy transition and energy diversification towards wind and solar power; calls on the albanian authorities to further diversify the energy production and to minimise the impact on biodiversity by stopping hydropower developments in protected areas; applauds , in this regard , the eu energy support package of €1 billion in eu grants for the western balkans to help them overcome the energy crisis , including immediate budgetary support of €80 million to albania; calls on the authorities to make the best use of this assistance in order to build a resilient and environmentally friendly energy market , in line with the repowereu plan;


### 22. calls for thoroughly planned measures on biodiversity , water , air , climate , regional waste management and industrial pollution; stresses the need to strengthen the country’s resilience to the impacts of climate change; notes the initial steps taken to establish a vjosa national park; ### 22. calls for thoroughly planned measures on biodiversity , water , air , climate , regional waste management and industrial pollution; stresses the need to increase efforts and strengthen the country’s resilience against the impacts of climate change , including an update of the national strategy on climate change , mainstreaming climate change in sectoral strategies and plans as well as increasing capacity building in this regard;


### 23. calls for improved transparency , conduct , enforcement and monitoring of environmental and strategic environmental impact assessments , especially on projects with large environmental and socioeconomic repercussions; expresses concern with the economic and environmental impact of non-competitive foreign-funded development projects; calls on the authorities to take urgent action to fight environmental crime; ### 23. calls for improved transparency , conduct , enforcement and monitoring of environmental and strategic environmental impact assessments , especially on projects with large environmental and socioeconomic repercussions , such as the planned hydropower plant skavica along the black drin river; expresses concern with the economic and environmental impact of non-competitive foreign-funded development projects; calls on the authorities to take urgent action to fight environmental crime; urges the government to step up efforts to improve air quality and reduce air pollution , in particular in urban areas; notes with huge concern that in 2019 , around 10% of all deaths in albania (2.527 people) were caused by air pollution , according to the world bank report 2022;


### a. whereas enlargement is the most effective eu foreign policy instrument and is a geostrategic investment in long-term peace; ### a. whereas enlargement has historically been the most effective eu foreign policy instrument to incentivise and encourage fundamental reforms , including in the area of the rule of law , and represents a geostrategic investment in long-term peace , democracy , stability and security throughout the continent;


### b. whereas north macedonia has established itself as a reliable partner and has delivered sustained reforms; ### b. whereas north macedonia has established itself as a reliable partner , including in the area of foreign policy , and has delivered sustained reforms;


### c. whereas democratic transformation , the rule of law and reconciliation play a central role in eu accession; ### c. whereas democratic transformation , the rule of law , adherence to eu rules , values and standards , as well as socio-economic reforms , play a central role in the eu accession process;


### d. whereas russia’s war of aggression against ukraine highlights the critical importance of eu enlargement; ### d. whereas russia’s war of aggression against ukraine highlights the critical importance of eu enlargement , and has shown that non-enlargement has a massive strategic cost and can undermine security and stability on our continent;


### f. whereas each country should be judged on its own merits and whereas the accession process should not be misused to settle bilateral disputes; ### f. whereas each country should be judged on its own merits and whereas the accession process should not be misused to settle bilateral disputes , as this sets a very dangerous precedent for all future accession processes;


### h. whereas accession negotiations mark a new phase in eu–north macedonia relations; ### h. whereas the long-overdue start of accession negotiations marks a new phase in eu–north macedonia relations;


### 1. welcomes north macedonia’s consistent commitment to eu integration , which has been underpinned by steady progress on guaranteeing democracy , the rule of law and fundamental rights , while moving towards cross-cutting policy alignment; ### 1. warmly welcomes north macedonia’s consistent commitment to eu integration , despite difficult circumstances due to the unjustified and unfair delays in the enlargement process of the country , which has been underpinned by steady progress on guaranteeing democracy , the rule of law and fundamental rights , while moving towards cross-cutting policy alignment;


### 2. commends north macedonia’s full alignment with the eu’s foreign and security policy , including its clear-cut response to the aggression against ukraine by aligning with the eu’s restrictive measures against russia and belarus; ### 2. welcomes and strongly commends north macedonia’s full and consistent alignment with the eu’s foreign and security policy , including its clear-cut response to the aggression against ukraine by aligning with the eu’s restrictive measures against russia and belarus agreed by the council , as well as its support to the statements of the high representative of the union for foreign affairs and security policy , fully confirming the country's strategic choice; welcomes north macedonia’s continued active participation in eu missions and operations under the common security and defence policy (csdp); calls upon the eu to involve the country in any schemes that exist to mitigate the potential economic effects of restrictive measures against russia , such as energy support schemes;


### 3. urges decision-makers to foster a national consensus on eu integration , building upon a successful start to the screening process , to work towards the ambitious goal of meeting the criteria for eu membership by 2030; ### 3. urges decision-makers to foster a national consensus on eu integration , building upon a successful start to the screening process , to work towards the ambitious goal of meeting the criteria for eu membership by 2030; calls on the member states not to further block north macedonia’s path to the eu anymore , to constructively support the country to achieve this objective and to assess the country’s progress in light of the copenhagen criteria;


### 4. expresses concern about the unjustified delays in the accession process; stresses the need to strengthen the process’s transparency , accountability and inclusiveness , including its parliamentary dimension; ### 4. deeply regrets the unjustified and unfair delays in the accession process; stresses the need to strengthen the process’s transparency , accountability and inclusiveness , including its parliamentary dimension;


### 6. invites policymakers to constructively engage in the continued adoption and implementation of structural reforms , while strengthening decision-making transparency , inclusive consultations and the oversight abilities of the assembly of north macedonia , including under the auspices of the jean monnet dialogue; ### 6. invites policymakers to constructively engage in the continued adoption and implementation of structural reforms , while strengthening decision-making transparency , inclusive consultations and the oversight abilities of the assembly of north macedonia (sobranie) , including under the auspices of the jean monnet dialogue; urges all political parties to dedicate more efforts to reduce polarisation and to play a more constructive role;


### 7. calls on the authorities to comprehensively address the outstanding electoral recommendations well ahead of the 2024 elections; ### 7. calls on the authorities to comprehensively address the outstanding electoral recommendations well ahead of the 2024 elections; reiterates its call to promptly review the electoral legislation in a transparent , timely and inclusive manner in line with the outstanding osce office for democratic institutions and human rights (odihr) and venice commission recommendations; stresses , in particular , the importance of removing all restrictions on the electoral rights of people with disabilities;


### 8. encourages the country to increase institutional integrity and intensify its judicial reform; welcomes prosecutions related to the abuse of office and looks forward to systematic action to prevent , prosecute and follow-up on corruption cases; insists on adequate funding for and the effective functioning of independent bodies and agencies and on the consistent implementation of their decisions and recommendations; applauds anti-corruption contribution of independent civil society and the media; ### 8. encourages the country to increase institutional integrity and intensify its judicial reform; invites the government to swiftly adopt the new strategy and action plan for the judiciary sector as both expired in 2022; encourages , in particular , the office of the deputy prime minister in charge of good governance policies to take more diligent steps towards the detection of corruption cases , as well as to increase the communication and outreach with the public about the results obtained; welcomes prosecutions related to the abuse of office and looks forward to systematic action to prevent , prosecute and follow-up on corruption cases; insists on adequate funding for and the effective functioning of independent bodies and agencies and on the consistent implementation of their decisions and recommendations; applauds anti-corruption contribution of independent civil society and the media;


### 9. urges the authorities to effectively fight corruption and organised crime through coordinated investigations and prosecutions leading to final convictions and asset confiscations in cases involving high-level corruption , organised crime and money laundering; ### 9. urges the authorities to effectively fight corruption and organised crime through coordinated investigations and prosecutions leading to final convictions and asset confiscations in cases involving high-level corruption , organised crime and money laundering; in this context , calls on the competent authorities to carry out regular and intensive investigations to prevent delays in the hearings of high-profile cases; calls on the authorities to implement the recommendations of the state audit office and the state commission for the prevention of corruption;


### 10. deplores the malign foreign interference and hybrid attacks , such as disinformation campaigns , cyberattacks and false bomb threats , directed against north macedonia’s institutions and citizens; invites the authorities to considerably strengthen north macedonia’s resilience against such threats; ### 10. deplores the malign foreign interference and hybrid attacks , such as disinformation campaigns , cyberattacks and false bomb threats , directed against north macedonia’s institutions and citizens; invites the authorities to considerably strengthen north macedonia’s resilience against such threats; urges the commission and the eeas to further support the country in these efforts;


### 13. invites north macedonia to fully align with eu visa policy and to limit security risks related to its citizenship-by-investment scheme; urges the authorities to take further action against criminal trafficking networks and to step up cooperation with the eu’s justice and home affairs agencies; ### 13. invites north macedonia to fully align with eu visa policy and to immediately end its citizenship-by-investment scheme; urges the authorities to take further action against criminal trafficking networks and to step up cooperation with the eu’s justice and home affairs agencies while acting fully in line with fundamental rights;


### 14. calls for further progress on public administration and encourages the authorities to complete local governance reform; ### 14. calls for further progress on the reforms in the public administration , notably to adopt the amendments to the law on administrative servants and the law on public sector employees , as well as the law on top management service and the implementation of the reorganisation of the state administration; encourages the authorities to complete the local governance reform and the decentralisation process;


### 15. notes north macedonia’s commitment to upholding civil liberties and fundamental rights; welcomes its progress towards eliminating all types of discrimination and ensuring equality; ### 15. notes that north macedonia’s legal framework is largely in line with international and european standards , in particular regarding its commitment to upholding civil liberties and fundamental rights; welcomes its progress towards fighting discrimination and ensuring equality; against this background , calls on the authorities to tackle the intersectional discrimination that minorities face through a systemic and effective institutional approach;


### 16. urges the authorities to step up protection of vulnerable groups and the prosecution of domestic and online abuse and to improve services for the victims of violence; welcomes changes to the criminal code of north macedonia , covering crimes related to violence against women and the safety of journalists and insists on the need to strengthen north macedonia’s anti-discrimination commission and ombudsman’s office; ### 16. urges the authorities to step up protection of women , roma , the lgbti+ community and other vulnerable groups and the prosecution of domestic and online abuse and to improve services for the victims of violence; welcomes changes to the criminal code of north macedonia , covering crimes related to gender-based violence and the safety of journalists , as well as the adoption of the law on compensation of victims of crime; highlights , however , the need to further harmonise the criminal code with the istanbul convention; insists on the need to strengthen north macedonia’s anti-discrimination commission , including by guaranteeing its financial independence , and the ombudsman’s office; in this context , calls on the authorities to effectively enforce the decisions of the anti-discrimination commission and follow up on the ombudsman’s recommendations;


### 18. commends north macedonia’s well-established inter-community harmony and urges the country to sustain its long-standing commitment to multiculturalism and inclusion; ### 18. commends north macedonia’s well-established inter-community harmony in line with the ohrid framework agreement , which is a positive example in the western balkan region , and invites the country to sustain its long-standing commitment to a functioning multi-ethnic democracy , including through implementing the strategy “one society for all”;


### 19. notes the government of north macedonia’s improving engagement with civil society , while ensuring inclusive consultations and transparency; ### 19. urges the government of north macedonia to improve its engagement with civil society and to ensure transparency and inclusive and meaningful consultations in the policymaking processes; urges the authorities to restore the dialogue with csos through the council for cooperation between the government and civil society; against this background , calls on the government to foster the implementation of the 2022-2024 strategy for collaboration with and development of civil society , as well as to ensure sufficient and sustainable funding for civil society organisations;


### 20. acknowledges north macedonia’s enabling environment for media freedom and urges the authorities to ensure transparency of media ownership , financing and political advertising , as well as the public broadcaster’s and the media regulator’s ability to operate independently; recalls the need to counter political interference and foreign and home-grown disinformation and manipulative narratives; deplores threats and attacks against journalists; ### 20. acknowledges north macedonia’s enabling environment for media freedom; urges , however , the authorities to reform the legal framework for media in an inclusive and transparent manner , effectively involving civil society and the association of journalists , to ensure transparency of media ownership , financing and political advertising , with a view to ensuring the competitive and equitable distribution of public funding and safeguarding fair competition and editorial independence;


### reconciliation and good neighbourly relations ### regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations


### 21. notes north macedonia’s commitment to positive diplomacy and good neighbourly relations; reiterates its full support for a consistent mutual implementation of the treaty of friendship with bulgaria and the prespa agreement with greece; ### 21. commends north macedonia’s commitment to positive diplomacy and good neighbourly relations; reiterates its full support for a consistent mutual implementation of the treaty of friendship with bulgaria and the prespa agreement with greece; recalls that according to the new enlargement methodology of the commission , all parties must abstain from misusing outstanding issues in the eu accession process;


### 22. commends the country’s constructive engagement as part of inclusive regional cooperation initiatives and welcomes the tangible progress reached under the berlin process and the eu-western balkans summit in tirana; ### 22. commends the country’s constructive engagement as part of inclusive regional cooperation initiatives and welcomes the tangible progress reached under the berlin process on the freedom of movement with identity cards , on the recognition of higher education qualifications , and on the recognition of professional qualifications for doctors of medicine , dentists and architects and calls on all western balkan countries to speed up their implementation; commends the progress reached in the context of the eu–western balkans summit in tirana , the first-ever eu-western balkans summit in the region;