# C_2023333EN.01021601.xml

| 21.9.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 333/216 |
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21.9.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 333/216

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18 January 2023
  VERBATIM REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS OF 18 JANUARY 2023

(2023/C 333/03)

Contents

| 1. | Opening of the sitting | 219 |
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1.

| 2. | Request for waiver of immunity | 219 |
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2.

| 3. | Request for the defence of immunity | 219 |
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3.

| 4. | Request for waiver of immunity | 219 |
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4.

| 5. | Negotiations ahead of Parliament's first reading (Rule 71) (action taken) | 219 |
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5.

| 6. | Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 15 December 2022 (debate) | 219 |
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6.

| 7. | Announcement by the President | 229 |
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7.

| 8. | Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 15 December 2022 (continuation of debate) | 229 |
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8.

| 9. | An EU strategy to boost industrial competitiveness, trade and quality jobs (debate) | 238 |
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9.

| 10. | Resumption of the sitting | 253 |
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10.

| 11. | Amendment of the agenda | 253 |
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11.

| 12. | Extension of the term of office of special committees and committees of inquiry | 254 |
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12.

| 13. | Voting time | 254 |
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13.

| 13.1. | Election of a Vice-President of the European Parliament (to replace Eva Kaili) (first and second ballots) (vote) | 254 |
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13.1.

| 13.2. | 30th Anniversary of the Single Market (B9-0004/2023) (vote) | 255 |
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13.2.

| 13.3. | Consumer protection in online video games: a European Single Market approach (A9-0300/2022 - Adriana Maldonado López) (vote) | 255 |
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13.3.

| 13.4. | Implementation of the common foreign and security policy - annual report 2022 (A9-0292/2022 - David McAllister) (vote) | 256 |
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13.4.

| 13.5. | Implementation of the common security and defence policy - annual report 2022 (A9-0296/2022 - Tom Vandenkendelaere) (vote) | 256 |
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13.5.

| 13.6. | Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union's policy on the matter - annual report 2022 (A9-0298/2022 - Isabel Wiseler-Lima) (vote) | 256 |
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13.6.

| 14. | Resumption of the sitting | 256 |
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14.

| 15. | Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting | 256 |
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15.

| 16. | Protecting the Rule of Law against impunity in Spain (topical debate) | 257 |
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16.

| 17. | Control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank - annual report 2021 (debate) | 272 |
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17.

| 18. | Protection of the EU's financial interests - combating fraud - annual report 2021 (debate) | 283 |
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18.

| 19. | Terrorist threats posed by far-right extremist networks defying the democratic constitutional order (debate) | 293 |
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19.

| 20. | Verification of credentials | 312 |
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20.

| 21. | Composition of political groups | 312 |
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21.

| 22. | Composition of committees and delegations | 312 |
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22.

| 23. | Revelations of Uber lobbying practices in the EU (debate) | 312 |
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23.

| 24. | Criminalisation of humanitarian assistance, including search and rescue (debate) | 323 |
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24.

| 25. | Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (debate) | 337 |
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25.

| 25.1. | Humanitarian consequences of the blockade in Nagorno-Karabakh | 338 |
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25.1.

| 25.2. | The storming of the Brazilian democratic institutions | 342 |
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25.2.

| 25.3. | Situation of journalists in Morocco, notably the case of Omar Radi | 349 |
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25.3.

| 26. | Small-scale fisheries situation in the EU and future perspectives (debate) | 354 |
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26.

| 27. | Explanations of vote | 365 |
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27.

| 27.1. | 30th Anniversary of the Single Market (B9-0004/2023) | 365 |
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27.1.

| 27.2. | Consumer protection in online video games: a European Single Market approach (A9-0300/2022 - Adriana Maldonado López) | 366 |
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27.2.

| 27.3. | Implementation of the common foreign and security policy - annual report 2022 (A9-0292/2022 - David McAllister) | 366 |
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27.3.

| 27.4. | Implementation of the common security and defence policy - annual report 2022 (A9-0296/2022 - Tom Vandenkendelaere) | 367 |
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27.4.

| 27.5. | Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union's policy on the matter - annual report 2022 (A9-0298/2022 - Isabel Wiseler-Lima) | 367 |
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27.5.

| 28. | Agenda of the next sitting | 368 |
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28.

| 29. | Approval of the minutes of the sitting | 368 |
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29.

| 30. | Closure of the sitting | 368 |
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30.

Verbatim report of proceedings of 18 January 2023

Verbatim report of proceedings of 18 January 2023

PRESIDENZA: ROBERTA METSOLA

PRESIDENZA: ROBERTA METSOLA

President

President

1.   Opening of the sitting

(The sitting opened at 09:08)

(The sitting opened at 09:08)

2.   Request for waiver of immunity

President. – I have received a request from the European Public Prosecutor's Office for the parliamentary immunity of Eva Kaili to be waived.

President. –

3.   Request for the defence of immunity

President. – Georgios Kyrtsos has submitted a request for the defence of his parliamentary immunity in the context of the complaint he has made against the Greek authorities about phone-tapping. This request is referred to the Committee on Legal Affairs.

President. –

4.   Request for waiver of immunity

President. – I have received a request from the European Public Prosecutor's Office for the parliamentary immunity of Maria Spyraki to be waived. This request is referred to the Committee on Legal Affairs.

President. –

5.   Negotiations ahead of Parliament's first reading (Rule 71) (action taken)

President. – In relation to the decision by the EMPL Committee to enter into interinstitutional negotiations pursuant to Rule 71(1) announced at the opening of the sitting on Monday 16 January, I have received requests for a vote in Parliament pursuant to Rule 71(2), from Members reaching at least the medium threshold, on the decision to enter into negotiations on the proposal for a directive on improving working conditions in platform work.

President. –

The votes will be held tomorrow.

6.   Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 15 December 2022 (debate)

President. – The next item is the debate on the European Council and Commission statements on the conclusions of the European Council meeting of 15 December 2022 (2022/3007(RSP)).

President. –

Charles Michel,
  Président du Conseil européen. – Madame la Présidente du Parlement européen, Madame la Présidente de la Commission, Mesdames et Messieurs, chers collègues.

Charles Michel,

Président du Conseil européen

For nearly one year, Russia has pursued a strategy of destruction, a strategy of terror, trying to bomb the people of Ukraine into submission, and we have witnessed this strategy in Bakhmut, in Soledar or more recently in Dnipro. But Ukrainians are resisting and they will continue to resist. And we, the European Union, will continue to support them for as long as it takes. We will continue our military support thanks to an increase of the European Peace Facility. The time is now. They urgently need more equipment and I am personally in favour of supplying tanks to Ukraine.

We have also adopted a macro-financial assistance programme of EUR 18 billion and we are stepping up the pressure on the Kremlin, with a ninth package of sanctions. We have also increased our material aid, especially to help Ukrainians face winter as Russia continues to destroy their infrastructure. We have sent nearly 80 000 tonnes of material such as generators, boilers and transformers. The European Union and its Member States are massively supporting Ukraine. We have already committed nearly EUR 50 billion and European citizens are in favour of this support, according to the latest Eurobarometer. Our citizens know that supporting Ukraine means supporting peace, democracy and the international order.

Ladies and gentlemen, the European Council had a debate on our transatlantic relationship, a debate closely linked to another key priority for the EU: our European competitiveness, especially of our industry and future technologies. And this will feature at our next European Council meeting in February. The European Union and the United States – we are close allies, yet even allies sometimes have differences.

This is the case with the Inflation Reduction Act. This legislation creates a USD 370 billion package of subsidies and tax credits to develop an ecosystem of advanced technologies to foster the climate transition and to promote American leadership in these sectors. And let's be clear: these goals are laudable and legitimate, but their translation into the Inflation Reduction Act poses serious problems for international competition and trade rules. And we sincerely hope the dialogue with our American friends will lead to concrete positive results.

Let's be clear: in my opinion, European companies must be able to benefit from the same conditions as Canadian and Mexican companies. But, dear colleagues, we must look reality squarely in the face. Our American ally is embracing a massive state aid policy and China continues to invest state money in its technology sector.

In Europe we must also act to show our European industry and our citizens that we are up to the challenge. Our European model consists of a social market economy that implies – for very good reasons – higher labour and environmental costs, and the current energy crisis means that we have to face high energy costs for the foreseeable future. The EU has helped to build a global system based on free trade while striving to ensure a level playing field, but we cannot stand idly by as our main competitors embrace policies of massive economic support for their companies.

We must therefore mobilise massive resources to drive forward an ambitious European industrial policy, to boost competitiveness, to turbocharge activity and to spur investment. And that's why, in December, the European Council tasked the Commission with bringing forward proposals in view of our next meeting.

| — | Madame la Présidente, Mesdames et Messieurs, nous le voyons bien, le moment que nous vivons est un moment clé pour soutenir l'avenir économique et l'avenir du marché intérieur de l'Union européenne. Je vais partager avec vous ce qui, selon moi, devrait être le cadre pour notre réunion du Conseil européen au mois de février sur ce sujet-là. |
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—

Madame la Présidente, Mesdames et Messieurs, nous le voyons bien, le moment que nous vivons est un moment clé pour soutenir l'avenir économique et l'avenir du marché intérieur de l'Union européenne. Je vais partager avec vous ce qui, selon moi, devrait être le cadre pour notre réunion du Conseil européen au mois de février sur ce sujet-là.

Je vois quatre points pour lesquels nous allons devoir prendre des décisions, donner un certain nombre d'orientations. Le premier porte sur la question des régimes d'aides d'État. Les régimes d'aides d'État traduisent l'ambition de l'Union européenne de faire confiance au secteur privé, à la mondialisation, à l'initiative. Ce régime a joué un rôle clé pour faire en sorte que l'on puisse, au cours des dernières années, développer la base économique de l'Union européenne. Mais dans le même temps, on voit bien que le monde qui se transforme autour de nous doit nous amener à prendre en considération des adaptations qui seront nécessaires. On compte sur la Commission pour faire des propositions opérationnelles afin de pouvoir tirer les bénéfices d'un régime amendé sur ce sujet-là, tout en garantissant l'intégrité du marché intérieur, en veillant bien, c'est important, à ce qu'il n'y ait pas de ‘deux poids, deux mesures’, qu'il n'y ait pas d'analyse au cas par cas, mais qu'il y ait bien des règles partagées pour consolider la dynamique du marché intérieur.

Le deuxième point important, c'est du bon sens, c'est de regarder comment on peut mobiliser les moyens existants sur le plan européen. Bien entendu, le budget, le plan de relance, mais également sur le plan national. Donner plus de flexibilité, accélérer, peut-être réorienter quand c'est nécessaire, afin de prendre en considération la situation telle qu'elle a pu évoluer depuis ces dernières semaines.

Le troisième point qui doit tous nous tenir à cœur, c'est l'exigence de ce projet européen, c'est la solidarité. On mesure bien que tous les pays européens n'ont pas exactement les mêmes capacités sur le plan financier. Il ne s'agirait pas d'être engagé pour tenter de garantir des conditions de concurrence équitables avec nos compétiteurs à l'extérieur de l'Union européenne sans avoir l'ambition de continuer à travailler pour plus de convergence économique et sociale sur le plan européen. Et c'est la raison pour laquelle je suis de ceux qui pensent que l'on va devoir regarder une possible extension du mécanisme SURE qui peut être une source d'inspiration, je le crois, afin d'apporter une réponse réaliste et tangible à cette exigence de solidarité.

Et enfin, quatrième point, je voudrais vraiment exprimer tout mon soutien à l'idée qui a été émise à cette tribune du Parlement européen au moment du discours sur l'état de l'Union prononcé par la présidente de la Commission, en lien avec le Fonds de souveraineté européen. C'est une idée, je le mesure bien, qui prendra plus de temps, qui nécessitera sans doute un travail minutieux, mais c'est une idée qui a du sens. Si nous croyons à l'autonomie stratégique de l'Union européenne, si nous croyons que cela a du sens de socialiser les moyens financiers nécessaires pour investir dans les technologies de demain, numériques et climatiques, nous devons aussi avoir l'ambition, je crois, d'en socialiser les bénéfices et de prendre en considération cet intérêt d'investir dans des capitaux propres. Je crois là que la Banque européenne d'investissement devrait jouer un rôle majeur d'épine dorsale en je forme le vœu que l'on puisse réussir au départ des propositions de la Commission, avec une mobilisation du Parlement et des États membres de progresser sur ce qui devrait être un instrument de puissance européenne. De mon point de vue, c'est là un point directement lié à notre ambition de souveraineté et d'autonomie stratégique.

Une réflexion simplement à ce stade que je veux partager avec vous: nous mesurons bien que le paradigme dans lequel l'Union européenne s'est construite depuis ces dernières années sur le plan économique est ébranlé. Ébranlé parce que depuis longtemps maintenant, la Chine perturbe les règles du jeu par son action de subsides massifs. Et perturbé parce que notre principal allié, partenaire sur le plan international, dans tant de sujets et de domaines, dans tant de sujets et de priorités, décide de mettre en place un plan massif. Cela veut dire qu'il y a une responsabilité d'agir vite et d'agir fort pour veiller à protéger, à consolider la capacité du marché intérieur de demeurer un atout clé pour le futur de l'Union européenne. Voilà quelques points, chers amis, que je voulais partager avec vous.

Brièvement et avant de conclure, quelques autres points en lien avec les sujets abordés au Conseil européen du mois de décembre. Sur le plan de l'énergie, vous avez pu suivre les débats, je pense que nous avons bien progressé depuis notre dernière réunion dans ce Parlement, sur la capacité du Conseil, après qu'une proposition a été émise par la Commission, de s'accorder sur un dispositif plafond pour le prix du gaz. On voit d'ailleurs que ce dispositif, couplé avec une météo qui était favorable, entraîne une amélioration de la situation sur le terrain du gaz, ce qui est une bonne chose. Des progrès qui ont été enregistrés, nous l'avons bien vu, en termes de stockage. Des progrès qui ont été aussi enregistrés en termes d'efficacité énergétique, mais on voit bien que ce sujet va continuer à nous mobiliser beaucoup, et spécialement lorsque la Commission fera la proposition en lien avec la réforme du marché de l'électricité, qui est également un sujet extrêmement important.

Enfin, ce Conseil a aussi été l'occasion d'aborder brièvement la question de la migration, avec l'ambition de revenir au mois de février plus en détail sur le sujet migratoire. Quelques points par rapport à cela pour vous indiquer que les chiffres sont connus: il y a eu en 2022 une croissance substantielle du nombre d'arrivées illégales sur le sol de l'Union européenne, cela veut donc dire que l'on va devoir de nouveau être engagés, à la fois dans la dimension externe de la migration, les partenariats avec les pays tiers, le renforcement de la capacité de contrôler les frontières extérieures de l'Union européenne, mais également être très engagés pour progresser dans le cadre du pacte migratoire mis sur la table par la Commission et pour lequel, vous le savez, il y a un accord entre le Parlement et les présidences tournantes sur un travail législatif. Je forme le vœu que le Parlement puisse également, avec le Conseil, continuer à progresser en vue de la mise en œuvre de cette feuille de route, qui apporte, je le pense, des solutions structurelles possibles pour résoudre de manière équitable, de manière solidaire, de manière juste et responsable, ce défi de la migration.

Et enfin, chers collègues, je ne peux pas m'adresser à vous sans avoir une pensée pour les femmes, pour les jeunes, pour le peuple en Iran qui se lève contre un régime brutal, contre un régime qui terrorise. C'est la raison pour laquelle le Conseil a donné des impulsions pour renforcer le régime des sanctions. Cela s'ajoute aussi à l'engagement de l'Iran de soutenir la Russie sur le plan militaire dans le cadre de la guerre contre l'Ukraine. Ces raisons-là nous amènent à considérer que ces visages des femmes, des jeunes, de tout ce peuple iranien qui se mobilise pour la liberté, ce sont les visages de la liberté, ce sont les visages de la démocratie. Notre responsabilité, c'est de ne pas être aveugles ni sourds, de ne pas être les bras ballants, mais d'être engagés pour soutenir celles et ceux qui se lèvent pour la liberté, pour la démocratie.

Je conclus en vous disant que 2023 sera certainement, pour le projet européen, une année clé. On le voit bien, nous sommes quelques jours après le début de cette nouvelle année avec un certain nombre d'incertitudes devant nous, mais aussi avec des repères, quelques points de repères. Nous savons que l'autonomie stratégique qui, il y a quelques temps, était peut être un débat théorique, devient un débat extrêmement réel, avec trois piliers clés qui sont au cœur de l'actualité européenne. D'une part, la question énergétique: garantir la souveraineté, garantir aussi la prise en compte de l'enjeu climatique et la nécessité de garantir le soutien à nos familles, la compétitivité des entreprises, premier élément.

Deuxième élément, la sécurité et la défense: nous voyons bien, dans le cadre du soutien militaire à l'Ukraine, que dans le cadre de l'OTAN – une déclaration avec l'OTAN a été validée par la présidente, le secrétaire général et moi-même il y a quelques jours – nous souhaitons renforcer le pilier européen et la capacité de l'Europe d'assumer davantage son propre destin en matière de sécurité avec nos alliés.

Et puis le troisième pilier, on est au cœur du sujet, c'est la base technologique, c'est l'innovation. Toutes les sociétés, dans le monde et dans l'histoire, qui ont pu progresser, qui ont pu élever leurs conditions de vie, l'ont fait sur le pilier de la technologie et de l'innovation, qui sont des enjeux clé si on veut donner un avenir prospère et sûr à nos concitoyens. Et tout cela dans le cadre de cette double promesse des pères fondateurs: la paix et la prospérité.

2023, année clé pour la paix, année clé pour la prospérité, et c'est encore une fois l'unité qui sera le facteur déterminant pour nous amener à relever les défis auxquels nous sommes collectivement confrontés. Merci pour cette bonne coopération avec le Parlement européen, vous pouvez compter sur le Conseil davantage encore que vous l'imaginez.

Ursula von der Leyen,
  President of the Commission. – Madam President Metsola, dear Roberta, President Michel, dear Charles, honourable Members, first of all let me wish a very happy birthday to you, President Metsola. I am sure that I am speaking for all Members of this House when I say how much I admire the strength and the resolve you bring to your position as President of the European Parliament, because this kind of strength and resolve is exactly what Europe needs as Russia's war against Ukraine continues.

Ursula von der Leyen,

President of the Commission

The latest symbol of Russia's terror is – you might have all seen it – a yellow kitchen. A very simple yellow kitchen in an apartment building in Dnipro. One day the room is filled with happiness. A little girl celebrates her birthday, surrounded by this yellow furniture and by a loving family. The day after, the kitchen is no more, the family is no more, the girl's father has been killed by Russian missiles. All their lives have been shattered by Russian imperialism – and this is what Ukraine is standing up against. This is what we are all standing up against. We have just launched as the European Union the first tranche of EUR 3 billion of our EUR 18 billion support package for 2023. And again, we will remain at Ukraine's side for as long as it takes.

We have also shown strength and resolve to replace Russian fossil fuels and to bring down prices and our joint efforts are paying off now. Gas prices are now lower than they were before Russia's invasion in Ukraine. The prices of Dutch TTF have dropped more than 80% since August. We have been able to replace most of the Russian fossil fuels. Our gas storages are still over 80% full. This is among the highest level ever this time of the year. And most importantly, we managed to double the amount of additional renewable energy that was coming to our market during the last year.

Of course, some external factors helped – the mild weather and China's COVID lockdown. But at the same time, other external factors also made our life more difficult. It's exactly this unusual warm and dry weather which also resulted in a sharp decrease in hydropower. You all recall it. So, we've been able to completely get rid of the Russian coal. We have been able to wind down the Russian oil. We have been able to really fence off the blackmail of Russia where the gas is concerned because Putin decided to cut 80% of the gas supply, and this was a big strategic mistake. We freed ourselves from his grip. And thus, honourable Members, that we came through this winter safely is first and foremost the result of unity, the result of collective hard work and I think we should take pride in this.

So for this winter, we are safe. But we're not out of the woods yet. We now have to prepare for next winter. And here, the joint energy platform is up and running. With the support of Member States and European industry we are creating a European consortium that will allow us to aggregate demand and effectively leverage the EU's political and market weight. That's what we always wanted – our collective market power of 27. Now we aim at launching negotiations with the key international gas suppliers already in early spring, with the aim to conclude first joint contracts well before summer.

Honourable Members, these achievements show the power of Europe's collective ambition and will, and we need more of the same for the year ahead of us. And it is good to know that the Swedish Presidency shares this ambition. Because not only are our energy systems at a crossroads: the competitiveness of the whole of our economy needs to be maintained and this transformational task is huge. Just keep in mind that in less than three decades we want to reach net zero. That's a huge transformation. And everybody knows that the key to manage or, even better, to lead this transformation is our clean-tech sector. The International Energy Agency estimates that the market for mass-manufactured clean energy tech will be worth around USD 650 billion a year – a year! – by 2030, more than triple today's value. And this is why, of course, the United States put forward the Inflation Reduction Act.

So, we discussed the pros and the cons here in the plenary in December. Today, I want to lay out our answer, and that is the Green Deal industrial plan. The Green Deal industrial plan will be built on four pillars. The first pillar is about speed and access. We need to create a regulatory environment that allows us to scale up fast and to create conducive conditions for the clean-tech industry. Speed and access, over and over. If there's anything the companies are complaining about, it's that, for example, permitting is too slow and that there are too many barriers.

So to help make this change happen, speed and access, we will put forward the new Net-Zero Industry Act. What is it? Just think this act will follow the same model as the Chips Act. It will specially look at how to simplify and fast-track permitting for new clean-tech production sites. Competitiveness, that's the key word – enable the companies to go forward with innovation and with production that is so crucial.

The second pillar of the Green Deal industrial plan will boost investment and financing of clean-tech production. We will propose to temporarily adapt our state aid rules to speed up again and to simplify – so easier calculations, simpler procedures, accelerated approvals, for example, with simple tax-break models. But at the same time, if we give state aid and this is for the level playing field globally, we have to be very careful that we preserve the level playing field for businesses all across Europe, so in our single market. And thus the second or the other side of the coin of state aid, beyond the European Sovereignty Fund that I announced in my State of the Union, we will have to look into a bridging solution to provide fast and targeted financial support where it is most needed for the clean-tech sector. State aid one side of the coin, funding the other side, investment the other side of the coin.

The third pillar of the Green Deal industrial plan has to do with skills: people. Just two figures. As an example, the battery industry will need 800 000 skilled workers by 2025. That's huge, this figure. So this is why we launched the European Battery Academy. This is one part to address this topic. Or take the solar industry, 1 million skilled workers are needed by 2030. This is twice as many as we have today. This is a huge challenge, but it's also a huge opportunity to create good jobs, well-paying jobs, the jobs of the future. And this will be the absolute priority of our European Year of Skills.

And finally, the fourth pillar. We will follow through with our ambitious trade agenda for clean tech, to deliver net-zero globally, there will be a need for strong and resilient supply chains and this is linked to trade. So we will seek to conclude new trade agreements with Chile, with Mexico, with New Zealand, with Australia. We will do everything to progress with India, with Indonesia, and we have a unique window of opportunity now to take forward, finally, the EU-Mercosur Agreement.

So honourable Members, this is the plan, time is of the essence and I count on your support to make it happen. Long live Europe!

Siegfried Mureșan,
  on behalf of the PPE Group. – Madam President, President von der Leyen, President Michel, welcome back to the European Parliament. Indeed, almost a year ago, Russia started what is an unjustified and unprovoked war in Ukraine. We have seen during this time that Russia knows no limits in harming people. But we have also seen that Europe can help people more than Russia can harm people.

Siegfried Mureșan,

on behalf of the PPE Group

We have also seen the fundamental difference between the European model and the Russian autocratic model. We are a model that puts the citizen at the centre of our action, we act for the citizens; Russia and all autocrats around the world act against the citizens. They use people just for the will of political leadership.

While Russia talks about the past, we prepare for the future. We are ready to modernise our countries, to further develop, to provide jobs, to care for the people, also in the future. We know that Russia is losing militarily. We see that Russia is losing economically, politically, and they have already lost morally. This is why the European model is the model that people have to look to. And the Russian model and any autocratic tendencies around the world are worth turning our backs upon them.

This year will still be a difficult year for all of us, but we are also seeing the strength and the resilience of Europe. We see that unemployment is low, that people have jobs. We see that production is stable. We see that consumption is stable. And we see that EU Member States are helping the most vulnerable people in the face of this crisis, with fiscal measures, with measures to overcome well this winter, this period.

We also see that the European Union has done its part. Just one week before Christmas we have managed to get the European Parliament Council and Commission to successfully conclude the negotiations on REPowerEU. This will help improve our infrastructure, further reduce our dependency on Russia, and it will bring European money to help companies in need and to help people in need.

Last year we have managed to reduce our dependency on Russian gas, on Russian energy. We have taken first measures to reduce prices of energy in Europe, and this year, with the measures announced by the President, with the measures that we are going to do together, buying together, storing together, we are going to make sure that prices remain predictable, controllable, no more price-hikes in the future. And this is good for the people in Europe and it is bad for the Russian leadership.

Competitiveness will also be important because we can only secure high standards of living, high social standards in Europe if our economy is strong, if there is global demand for our goods. This is why, in the Conference on the Future of Europe, we have together agreed on the competitiveness check to make sure that any legislation that we put forward together in the future does not harm the competitiveness of our economies. The European Parliament, national parliaments, Council, Commission, citizens, businesses support this, so let us work on this deal. Make sure that it sees the light of the day.

And yes, simplifying and financing the transition to the green economy will be key. This is what we have started last year. This is what we have to continue this year. Let us do this together. It is all about preparing and acting together to overcome this situation. We have done a lot. I think premises are good to overcome difficulties this year together.

Marc Angel,
  on behalf of the S&D Group. – Madam President, Commission President, Vice-President, President, dear colleagues, the cost-of-living crisis affecting our European citizens unfortunately persists, and we are therefore concerned that the European Council conclusions fail to prioritise the support for our citizens and the cushioning of the crisis' social consequences.

Marc Angel,

on behalf of the S&D Group

While we support the European Council's efforts to safeguard Europe's industrial and also technological base, we urge the European Council not to neglect strong measures for households to bring the bills down. The Socialists and Democrats believe that especially our vulnerable citizens must be protected from getting their electricity and their gas disconnected. No one should have to live in a cold home in the midst of this winter.

More broadly, we need to strengthen European fiscal capacity, support employment and equality, as well as to facilitate investment to accelerate the just transition. Better working conditions for platform workers, a strengthened framework for fair taxation and an economic governance that foresees a permanent fiscal capacity inspired by Next Generation EU will support social and economic progress. We expect the Council to work on these files with urgency and with determination.

And now more than ever, it is crucial that we remain all united in our unprecedented support to Ukraine. We should push for qualified majority voting in foreign policy decisions to respond to Putin's attempt to undermine our unity. Russia's disinformation campaigns and attempts to interfere with our democratic systems, as well as the corruption allegations, show that we need vigorously to defend our democracies from external threats and we welcome the proposed joint actions.

We must equally stand firmly behind a European perspective for Ukraine, for Georgia, and for the Republic of Moldova. In the Western Balkans we must accelerate the enlargement process and we must prove our credibility. We therefore welcome the decision to grant candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Further, we would like to reiterate that for the Socialists and Democrats, the rule of law is not negotiable. We deplore the practice of some Member States that threaten to deploy vetoes on essential files to achieve a softer approach on the rule of law, and for my political group, it is also very crucial to uphold our core values when it comes to migration. We reject the narratives of fear, and we want to finally advance on finding sustainable solutions based on solidarity and the individual right of asylum.

Madam President, this Parliament and our Union must remain strong and we must remain united to face all these challenges.

Stéphane Séjourné,
  au nom du groupe Renew. – Merci, Madame la Présidente, et bon anniversaire! Monsieur le Président, Madame la Présidente de la Commission, je reprendrai peut-être les mots du président du Conseil européen, avoir un plan d'action pour notre industrie européenne relève du bon sens et, en un mot, nous devons élaborer notre réponse à la nouvelle politique américaine. L'Europe ne peut pas prendre du retard et le risque est réel, le risque est là de délocalisations et de destructions d'emplois – le constat a été fait, y compris dans cet hémicycle, lors de la dernière plénière.

Stéphane Séjourné,

au nom du groupe Renew

D'une part, nous avons des secteurs dans lesquels nous avons beaucoup investi pour qu'ils reviennent produire en Europe et pour nous permettre de concentrer notre production en Europe. D'autre part, des industries qui relocalisent en ce moment sur notre continent pourraient revoir leurs plans. Donc, une énergie bon marché, un environnement compétitif, un haut niveau de qualification et le soutien à l'innovation, tels sont les fondements de notre succès industriel européen. Nous devons agir sur tous ces plans pour éviter, évidemment, le décrochage.

Pour atteindre cet objectif, qui doit s'imposer comme une priorité absolue de notre action, chaque mesure et chaque plan d'action doivent être savamment calibrés. Notre groupe porte depuis maintenant quelques semaines trois propositions d'ampleur et je me réjouis, Madame la Présidente, Monsieur le Président, puisque nous avions déjà discuté de nos propositions, de revoir dans votre plan d'action un certain nombre de propositions que le groupe Renew Europe avait formulées.

D'abord, nous avions formulé une loi pour les technologies propres, pour la compétitivité et pour l'innovation en Europe. La loi sur les industries à zéro émission est en réalité une forme de concrétisation de ces propositions. Nous espérons que cette législation marquera, notamment, la fin des démarches interminables et de la bureaucratie pour nos entrepreneurs et nos ingénieurs. Trois ans pour un projet portant sur l'hydrogène, ce n'est vraiment plus possible. Nous devons accélérer la délivrance des permis pour les énergies renouvelables et les sites de production. Et ce choc de compétitivité ne doit pas concerner uniquement les projets financés par l'Union européenne: il doit s'appliquer à tout le monde et en particulier – mon groupe y est sensible – aux PME.

Une autre demande du groupe Renew Europe, depuis un an, était un Fond européen de souveraineté – chacun d'entre vous en a également parlé. Nous avions aussi abordé ce point avec les autres groupes du Parlement européen au moment du mi-mandat, et nous l'avions formulé dans un texte. Évidemment, la réponse financière européenne doit être à la hauteur des mesures prises par les Américains. Il est essentiel de ne pas fragmenter notre marché unique et nous devons permettre notamment à nos États qui le souhaitent d'investir dans leurs industries, dans les plus petites comme dans les plus grandes.

Enfin, la question des nouveaux partenariats mondiaux, que vous avez également abordée, Madame la Présidente. J'ai la conviction que nous devons privilégier le commerce avec des démocraties et armer l'Europe en cas de différends, notamment vis-à-vis de la Chine. La clé de la réussite de notre réponse européenne sera une vue d'ensemble et je me félicite en tout cas qu'il y ait un paquet de réponses. Ce paquet de réponses, chers collègues, tient à cœur de mon groupe puisque, pour protéger notre industrie, des politiques de concurrence, d'investissements, de financements publics et privés, de commerce international sont indissociables les unes des autres. Et trop souvent, dans cet hémicycle, on entend telle ou telle proposition qui serait la panacée et la solution miracle à tous nos maux. Nous avons comme conviction qu'il faut agir sur l'ensemble des indicateurs de compétitivité et non uniquement sur une forme de réponse. Et ce paquet de réponses est une bonne solution.

Madame la Présidente, chers collègues, nous devons donc apprendre de ces dernières années. Nous devons réussir la transition écologique, mais comment faire si nous ne produisons pas davantage sur notre sol ? 98 %, et c'est un chiffre assez remarquable, 98 % des panneaux photovoltaïques ne peuvent pas aujourd'hui être produits en Chine, conformément à notre politique environnementale européenne. L'Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) nous pose donc un défi de taille. Avoir de bonnes idées ne suffit pas. Il faut déployer vite et en même temps un certain nombre de politiques que vous avez développées. Et je pense qu'il est de bon aloi que les groupes politiques, y compris ici dans cet hémicycle, puissent s'engager à adopter ces textes avant l'été. Je propose aussi à la Commission de nous envoyer ces textes le plus rapidement possible, puisque, si l'urgence est là, il faut que l'Union européenne y réponde avec le temps nécessaire.

Le temps nécessaire, c'est d'avoir des politiques publiques européennes le plus rapidement possible, en réponse notamment à l'IRA. Nous nous engagerons donc, à Renew Europe, à adopter ces textes le plus rapidement possible, pour l'efficacité de notre politique de compétitivité internationale.

Philippe Lamberts,
  au nom du groupe Verts/ALE. – Madame la Présidente, bonjour chers collègues, Monsieur le Président du Conseil, Madame la Présidente de la Commission, je voudrais évidemment vous souhaiter les meilleurs vœux du groupe Verts/Alliance libre européenne pour 2023.

Philippe Lamberts,

au nom du groupe Verts/ALE

Vous avez dit, Monsieur Michel, que l'année 2023 serait une année-clé, mais 2020 a été une année-clé, 2021 a été une année-clé, 2022 a été une année-clé et je me réjouis de voir que, face à toutes ces années-clés, l'unité et la détermination des Européens a tenu bon. Je pense que l'enjeu que nous avons ici, c'est de garder cette dynamique collective, qui est le seul moyen pour les Européens de conserver de la souveraineté, c'est-à-dire la capacité de décider de manière autonome de notre avenir.

Je voudrais me livrer avec vous à un petit exercice de politique-fiction. Imaginez qu'en 2004, José Manuel Barroso ait eu, à l'entame de son premier mandat, l'idée de lancer un pacte vert pour l'Europe. Dix ans plus tard, en 2014, l'Europe se serait affranchie à ce point des énergies fossiles russes que nous aurions pu prendre alors les sanctions nécessaires à l'égard de Vladimir Poutine, peut-être de manière à le dissuader d'aller plus loin que l'annexion de la Crimée. Peut-être qu'en 2022, alors, le ralliement tardif des États-Unis à l'urgence climatique nous aurait réjouis et nous l'aurions attendu de pied ferme, parce que nous aurions eu à ce moment-là tellement d'avance que la compétitivité de notre économie n'aurait pas été risquée. Mais voilà, la vision a fait défaut. Il a fallu attendre Ursula von der Leyen pour que le pacte vert soit lancé. On est donc confrontés à une urgence et on ne va pas se lamenter sur le passé. Nous sommes où nous sommes, alors que faire?

La première chose que je dirai, c'est en tout cas de ne pas relâcher l'ambition du pacte vert. Vous l'avez dit, Madame la Présidente, je sais que ce pacte vert nous met tous dans l'inconfort, c'est-à-dire que nous devons faire des changements extrêmement profonds extrêmement rapidement. Mais c'est aussi de l'inconfort que vient le mouvement. Et j'en veux pour preuve le fait que la guerre énergétique que nous fait le président russe a produit des économies d'énergies, que pas même la présidente de la Commission n'aurait imaginées: quand vous disiez moins 15 %, on a fait mieux que ça. Autrement dit, quand on met la pression, il y a du mouvement, et je pense que nous devons accepter que, pour quelques années encore, nous serons dans l'inconfort. Mais c'est cet inconfort qui va nous faire bouger.

Deuxième élément, je comprends que la situation de certaines entreprises soit mise en difficulté par cet inconfort. Et si subsides il doit y avoir, je voudrais vraiment insister pour que ces subsides soient ciblés; je suis en effet très préoccupé par l'état de nos finances publiques. Il est vrai qu'avec le Covid, nous avons arrosé tellement largement que certains qui ne devaient pas recevoir de subsides en ont reçu. À titre d'exemple, je peux, en Belgique, recevoir un chèque mazout alors que je n'en ai pas besoin. Je pense donc que l'urgence est de cibler.

Troisième point, je vais, et cela étonnera Manfred Weber, manifester mon accord avec certaines déclarations du Premier ministre suédois hier. Il est vrai que l'un des facteurs de compétitivité pour l'économie européenne, c'est l'investissement dans la recherche et dans le développement. C'est absolument crucial, nous sommes en retard là-dessus, nous souffrons de nouveau d'un capitalisme de rentiers au lieu d'avoir un capitalisme d'entrepreneurs. Nous avons vraiment besoin d'accroître les efforts de recherche et développement parce que c'est là que se trouvent les bases de la compétitivité future.

Enfin, je pense que nous ne ferons pas l'économie d'une prolongation, d'une pérennisation de cette belle réalisation qu'est Next Generation EU. Autrement dit, pour répondre au Covid, nous avons trouvé l'énergie collective sur la base d'un plan de la Commission et avec un accord à l'unanimité au Conseil qui n'était quand même pas facile à obtenir. Nous avons lancé Next Generation EU, nous pensons que le faire pour trois ans, c'est bien, mais il va falloir le pérenniser tout au long de la transition si nous voulons mettre les moyens publics nécessaires pour faire de l'Europe la leader de la transition. J'espère en tout cas que Next Generation EU sera perçu, en particulier dans les États membres contributeurs nets, comme un succès, de manière à les convaincre et à nous convaincre que c'est la voie de l'avenir.

Marco Zanni,
  a nome del gruppo ID. – Signora Presidente, ancora buon compleanno, onorevoli colleghi, l'ultimo Consiglio europeo a un anno quasi dallo scoppio della guerra in Ucraina ha ribadito il supporto incondizionato che i paesi europei e le istituzioni europee sono pronte a dare al popolo ucraino nella sua lotta di libertà.

Marco Zanni,

a nome del gruppo ID

Ma ha anche posto le basi importanti per quelle che sono le priorità politiche per il 2023, che deve essere un anno di rinascita dopo tanta sofferenza. E le priorità politiche di queste istituzioni devono focalizzarsi principalmente su tre grandi temi che definiranno il futuro dei paesi europei e delle istituzioni europee nei prossimi 20, 30, 40 anni: l'energia, l'economia e la regolamentazione dei flussi migratori.

Accogliamo con piacere il fatto che in quella riunione si siano poste le basi per un incontro a febbraio, che verterà sui temi della sicurezza e dell'immigrazione, e spero che nel 2023 e che in questo incontro si pongano le basi per un approccio differente rispetto al passato su questo tema, che si deve focalizzare sulla riduzione delle partenze e sulla protezione delle frontiere esterne. Solo riducendo le partenze ridurremo le morti in mare e convinceremo su numeri più ridotti tutti i paesi europei a parlare di redistribuzione.

Per quanto riguarda il tema energetico, che è quello più caldo, condivido parzialmente quanto detto dalla Presidente Van der Leyen: è vero che in questi mesi, con difficoltà, l'Unione europea si è mossa, ma forse il risultato e la condizione meno peggiore di quello che ci aspettavamo in questo inverno non è dettata tanto dall'efficienza delle misure messe in campo, ma piuttosto da condizioni esogene e favorevoli, non dipendenti da questo.

Questo deve essere un motivo per spronarci a lavorare in maniera più concreta su due direttrici: uno, quello dell'autonomia energetica, che è ancora lontana dall'essere raggiunta, e due, quello sulla valutazione di una transizione verde, che deve essere però pragmatica e non ideologica.

E anche per quanto riguarda la Russia, è vero che le misure sono state abbastanza efficienti, ma è altrettanto vero che i prodotti energetici russi, aggirando le sanzioni, continuano ad arrivare in maniera importante anche in Europa. Quindi su questo ci aspettiamo molto di più.

L'ultimo tema, ne ha parlato a Davos, è quello dell'economia. L'outlook presentato nella prima giornata è un outlook non molto positivo per l'Europa, anche se anche su questo campo le condizioni sembrano meno peggio di quello che ci aspettavamo. Bene la revisione degli aiuti di Stato, ma attenzione non dobbiamo preoccuparci solo della competitività con paesi al di fuori dell'Unione europea, ma dobbiamo preservare la competitività dentro al continente e l'integrità del mercato unico, che è sicuramente il più grande successo dell'integrazione europea.

outlook

outlook

I dati sono preoccupanti sugli aiuti di Stato. Nell'ultimo anno delle centinaia di miliardi di schemi approvati dalla Commissione, l'80 % ha riguardato le due più grandi economie dell'Europa e più del 50 % la più grande. Così il mercato interno è in pericolo. Ci aspettiamo azioni concrete e su questo giudicheremo anche l'azione delle istituzioni europee nel 2023.

Beata Szydło,
  w imieniu grupy ECR. – Pani Przewodnicząca! Panie Przewodniczący! Szanowni Państwo! Rozpocznę od tego, co znalazło się w ostatnich konkluzjach Rady Europejskiej i co oceniamy w mojej grupie politycznej jako bardzo pozytywne decyzje. Przede wszystkim wsparcie dla Ukrainy. Rzeczywiście mija już prawie rok tej barbarzyńskiej wojny, którą Putin wypowiedział Ukrainie. I ta pomoc, która płynie z Unii Europejskiej, również jest niezwykle ważna i konieczna. Dzisiaj Ukraina przede wszystkim potrzebuje broni. Bardzo dziękuję Panu Przewodniczącemu Michelowi za deklarację, którą również tutaj wygłosił, że takie wsparcie powinno być przekazane Ukrainie.

Beata Szydło,

w imieniu grupy ECR

Dobrą informacją jest również refleksja – bardzo późna, ale jednak refleksja – że jeżeli Europa chce być bezpieczna, musi mieć możliwości obrony. Konieczna jest więc ścisła współpraca z NATO i wreszcie odbudowa naszego przemysłu obronnego, bo to, co stało się w wielu krajach członkowskich, praktycznie oznacza rozbrojenie. Dzisiaj już widać, że to były błędy.

Muszę też powiedzieć o czymś, czego nie ma w tych konkluzjach, a co powinno się w nich znaleźć. Dzisiaj Unia Europejska, wszystkie instytucje europejskie, wszystkie organy Unii Europejskiej stanęły w obliczu ogromnego kryzysu korupcyjnego. I nie można tego przemilczeć, Szanowni Państwo, gdyż jeżeli chcemy mówić o podejmowaniu decyzji o przyszłości, jeżeli chcemy mówić o transformacji energetycznej, jeżeli chcemy mówić o tym, że decyzje, które zapadają w organach i w instytucjach europejskich, mają być wiarygodne, to powinniśmy przede wszystkim w tej chwili zrobić wszystko, żeby oczyścić Unię Europejską z tego skandalu korupcyjnego, wyjaśnić wszystkie kwestie i nie dać więcej podstaw do tego, że gdy w Unii Europejskiej mówi się o praworządności, to wielu z nas ma poczucie, że mówi się wyłącznie o praworządności w wielu krajach europejskich, które praworządności nie łamią, tylko dlatego, żeby przykryć afery i łamanie praworządności tutaj, w Unii Europejskiej.

President. – The debate is suspended.

President. –

7.   Announcement by the President

President. – We have just been informed that the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and the leadership of his Ministry have been killed in a helicopter crash near Kyiv. We are informed that an investigation is under way to establish the cause.

President. –

I think I speak on all our behalf when I say that our thoughts and those of this House are with all the brave people of Ukraine, with the families and loved ones of Minister Monastyrskyy and first Deputy Yenin, and with all those tragically killed, allegedly also children. We mourn with them today and we will remain by their side.

8.   Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 15 December 2022 (continuation of debate)

President. – We now continue with the debate on the European Council and Commission statements on the conclusions of the European Council meeting of 15 December 2022 (2022/3007(RSP)).

President. –

Chris MacManus,
  on behalf of The Left Group. – Madam President, President of the Council, President and Vice-President of the Commission, this has been a tough winter for many people across Europe, and we must be clear: much of the blame lies at the door of Vladimir Putin and his brutal war of aggression against Ukraine.

Chris MacManus,

on behalf of The Left Group

As always, solidarity with the people of Ukraine must be our watchword, and to join with your words a couple of minutes ago, Madam President, I too – as with all colleagues, I'm sure – join in sharing those words of sympathy with regard to what has happened over the last number of hours.

Solidarity should also be a requirement with our most vulnerable. This solidarity cannot be just one-off actions. These must last as long as is needed through the winter and beyond, and they must be substantive and worthwhile. The EU and the Irish Government have taken some steps and actions, but there remains an ideological block in place that means a commitment to a certain economic model and the market, which often clouds judgements and prevents real and immediate action to help families and workers. We need only to look at the time wasted in setting a cap on runaway gas prices to see how real solidarity is subject to a veto by abstract right-wing ideology.

My own government must act before we have a mortgage crisis as mortgage rates follow the ECB's lead. In Ireland, this comes on top of the disastrous rental market situation, and only this week new research showed the wealthiest 1% of Irish society owns over a quarter of the country's wealth. This creates understandable anger. A tiny percentage are attempting to direct this anger towards some of the most vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers. Their agenda is hateful and will be rejected by communities from across Ireland.

So we need to see real solidarity: rent freezes; pay rises; a ban on energy disconnections; concrete economic and social support for all workers and families. This is the way through this crisis. Solidarity with our most vulnerable who struggle to put food on the table or heat the home, or those in difficulty maintaining a roof over their heads and for all who seek refuge at this time.

My message to the Council is to drop the excuses and commit to long-term solidarity in actions, not just words.

Mario Furore (NI). – Signora Presidente, Commissari, onorevoli colleghi, sull'attuale crisi energetica, come Movimento 5 Stelle avremmo preferito più coraggio e più ambizione da parte di questa Unione.

Mario Furore (NI).

Il tetto al prezzo del gas è difficilmente realizzabile e mancano gli investimenti necessari per sostituire il gas con un mix di politiche basate sulle rinnovabili e il risparmio energetico. Non basta sostituire il gas russo con quello del Qatar o dell'Algeria, regimi che peraltro non sono pienamente democratici. Questo per dire che poi tutto va bene, perché invece alla prima crisi saranno i cittadini e le imprese a pagarne il conto.

Presidente, Next Generation EU è stato un successo, ve lo riconosciamo, ce lo riconosciamo, in un periodo difficile come quello della pandemia, abbiamo garantito coesione sociale e rilanciato gli investimenti nei settori chiave come la transizione verde e l'innovazione tecnologica.

È evidente che la riforma degli aiuti di Stato non basta, serve un nuovo recovery, cosa peraltro proposta dal nostro presidente Giuseppe Conte. Un recovery basato e costituito sull'energia. Solo in questo modo le nostre imprese non saranno vittime di questo rincaro dei prezzi e saranno tra l'altro più competitive, quando saranno a gara con le imprese americane e asiatiche.

recovery

recovery

Al prossimo Consiglio europeo pensiamo a costruire l'Europa del futuro, più forte, più verde, più giusta.

Paulo Rangel (PPE). – Madam President, happy birthday! President of the European Council, Vice-President of the Commission, first I would like naturally to show our deepest concern with the news that we receive from Ukraine and Kyiv.

Paulo Rangel (PPE).

Then let me say that I would like to congratulate again Croatia for joining Schengen. However, two Member States, Bulgaria and Romania, were left out, and a major injustice occurred. It is highly regrettable that the European Council was not able to overcome politically this huge mistake of 8 December. This is inexcusable and we call on the Swedish Presidency to do their utmost to turn this injustice around.

Then I would like also to congratulate the decision on Bosnia and Herzegovina, to grant to this country the candidate status, and we look forward to cooperate with them in this European path.

Em dezembro, o Conselho instou a Comissão a apresentar uma estratégia para a indústria europeia e para impulsionar as nossas economias. Ontem, a Presidente Von der Leyen apresentou o plano da Comissão.

Todos concordamos que os Estados Unidos não são os nossos inimigos, são parceiros e aliados, e por isso devemos trabalhar em conjunto para alcançar uma concorrência equitativa e leal, para ter um level playing field justo a nível global, mas também a nível europeu.

level playing field

E por isso termino deixando uma pergunta à Comissão Europeia: será que os subsídios que a Alemanha ou a França estão dispostas agora a gastar com as suas empresas não põem em causa o level playing field europeu? Não põem em causa o mercado interno que agora celebra 30 anos?

level playing field

O que vai fazer a Comissão e o que farão os governos, e nomeadamente o Governo português, para evitar que milhões de pequenas e médias empresas dos pequenos e médios Estados europeus sejam prejudicadas por estas medidas discriminatórias?

Gabriele Bischoff (S&D). – Frau Präsidentin! Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag auch von meiner Seite. Sechs von zehn Europäerinnen und Europäern sind zufrieden mit der Zusammenarbeit der Mitgliedstaaten, wenn es darum geht, die sozialen und wirtschaftlichen Folgen des Krieges zu adressieren. Das ist auf der einen Seite gut, aber es zeigt auch, dass da noch Luft nach oben ist und dass alles damit steht und fällt, dass wir den Bürgerinnen und Bürgern das Vertrauen geben, dass Europa in der Lage ist, diese Herausforderungen zu bewältigen.

Gabriele Bischoff (S&D).

Und in der Tat: Wir haben Inflation, und die Kaufkraft ist bedroht, was viele Menschen in Europa besorgt. Die hohen Rohstoffpreise stellen unsere Unternehmen vor große Herausforderungen. Und deshalb reicht es nicht, nur über Wettbewerbsfähigkeit zu reden, sondern wir reden, wenn wir über Wettbewerbsfähigkeit reden, auch immer über Arbeitsplätze in Europa. Und in der Tat, es ist extrem wichtig, dass wir die wirtschaftliche und industrielle Basis sichern, umso mehr, als wir den US Inflation Act haben, aber der hat auch ein großes Klima- und ein großes Sozialpaket.

US Inflation Act

Und deshalb bitte ich nicht nur um die alte Leier, sondern dass wir wirklich neue Konzepte entwickeln hier, um das Vertrauen zu geben. Und erlauben Sie mir einen letzten Satz auch zum Iran: Die iranischen Revolutionsgarden müssen auf die EU-Sanktionsliste gesetzt werden. Das ist ganz klar, und das ist überfällig.

Jordi Solé (Verts/ALE). – Madam President, the ongoing energy crisis, inflation, the American Inflation Reduction Act – all this is casting a large shadow over our economies. But it also is offering us an opportunity, which is to provide for a common European response. We have already seen that when the EU opts for common solutions at European level, it yields positive results. Take, for instance, the NextGenerationEU and the impact that the RRF has and is having in dodging a prolonged economic downturn, or hopefully in keeping the EU on the path of economic growth.

Jordi Solé (Verts/ALE).

If we leave the answer only in the hands of each Member State we know what happens. The gap will increase, according, amongst others, to the capacity of those with greater fiscal firepower, to offer subsidies to their citizens and companies. We need now to mobilise new resources to accompany European industries in the much-needed green transition to improve their capacity to compete internationally against other massive state aid schemes or against the lack of a level playing field.

Therefore I hope that the Green Deal industrial plan that has been announced today has a strong pillar in European common financial resources.

Jordan Bardella (ID). – Madame la Présidente, Monsieur le Président du Conseil, il s'appelle Olivier, artisan-boulanger de la Marne, et ne se verse plus de salaire depuis des mois. Elle s'appelle Estelle, restauratrice dans le Vaucluse, et elle a pris la décision radicale de fermer son établissement. Ces témoignages, ces drames, parmi tant d'autres, sont ceux de milliers de chefs d'entreprise partout en Europe, boulangers, bouchers, artisans, restaurateurs, commerçants, submergés par l'explosion des factures d'énergie: des coûts multipliés par deux, trois, quatre, cinq, parfois dix et jusqu'à mettre la clé sous la porte.

Jordan Bardella (ID).

Leur exigence n'est pas d'être maintenus sous perfusion d'aides publiques, mais de pouvoir vivre de leur travail dans la dignité de ceux qui ont osé, risqué, entrepris pour bâtir une activité durable. Leur exigence est de payer leur énergie au prix juste, régulé, garanti par un État stratège qui protège ses intérêts économiques. Pour eux, vos subventions de dernière minute seront leur dette et leurs impôts de demain.

Depuis plusieurs mois, votre refus de remettre en cause les règles du marché européen de l'énergie et notamment l'adossement artificiel des prix de l'électricité sur ceux du gaz, livre nos entreprises à la spéculation des prédateurs mondiaux. L'Espagne et le Portugal ont pourtant prouvé qu'il était possible de s'en affranchir. Ce qui est en jeu ici, ce n'est ni plus ni moins que l'existence même de cette France de l'initiative et de l'effort, de ces lieux de socialité, de partage, de convivialité, de production que sont nos bistrots, nos brasseries, nos petits commerces et nos ateliers, de nos savoir-faire et de notre patrimoine vivant, de cet art de vivre qui caractérise l'âme européenne.

Ce mur de faillite, nous pouvons l'éviter. Ayez le courage de rompre avec le prêt-à-penser européiste lorsqu'il est un échec pour ces milliers de chefs d'entreprise. Leur société, c'est le travail de toute une vie, alors laissez-les vivre.

Nicola Procaccini (ECR). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, è passato un tempo congruo dall'ultimo Consiglio europeo per valutare la decisione di porre finalmente un tetto al prezzo del gas, da cui dipende, come sappiamo, il prezzo di tutta l'energia elettrica. Ebbene, si è arrestata la speculazione sul mercato di Amsterdam e il prezzo del gas è crollato ieri a 51 euro e 40 centesimi per megawattora.

Nicola Procaccini (ECR).

Uno dei degli avversari più irriducibili del price cap è stato il governo socialista tedesco, il cui ministro dell'Economia Robert Habeck, verde, ieri ha testualmente detto: ‘è vero, ad agosto abbiamo distrutto il mercato del gas e fatto salire i prezzi fino a 350 euro per megawattora, ma dovevamo riempire gli stoccaggi e credo che abbiamo fatto la cosa giusta’.

price cap

No, non è stata la cosa giusta, è stata una scelta suicida che ha arricchito Putin, che è costata 200 miliardi di euro ai cittadini tedeschi, decine di miliardi di euro ai cittadini italiani e che ha causato atroci sofferenze alle imprese e alle famiglie di tutta l'Europa.

Kateřina Konečná (The Left). – Paní předsedající, nepřítomná předsedkyně Komise s námi vydržela přesně hodinu. Také to něco ukazuje o zájmu Komise o názory europoslanců. Děkuji, pane Micheli, že s námi vydržíte snad do konce.

Kateřina Konečná (The Left).

Jsem zděšena z toho, co tady slyším. Jestli si představujete podporu Ukrajiny tím, že tam dodáte více tanků, tak je mi z toho smutno. Další sankce, vojenská podpora, 3 miliardy EUR, které již byly uvolněny z peněz Evropanů na podporu Ukrajiny, ale nikdo neví, komu a k čemu slouží. To opravdu neumí Evropská rada a Komise nic jiného? To si ani na chvilku nepřipustí, že by třeba byly hybatelem a mírotvůrcem? Vzpomínáte vůbec, proč ESUO jako předchůdce Evropské unie vzniklo? Přeci proto, aby předcházelo válce. Na to už jste ale všichni zapomněli.

Nakonec to vyřeší Green Deal. Víte co se vám z vaší politiky vytratilo? Člověk. Ten si z vašich bojových plánů doma nezatopí, toho zbraně nevyléčí, sankce mu nezaplatí předražené potraviny a Green Deal mu nezajistí důstojnou mzdu. Myslete tak alespoň někdy, dámy a pánové, na něj. Nebo se pak nedivte, že čím dál více lidí napříč Evropou vám nevěří a pochybuje o samotném smyslu této instituce.

Green Deal

Green Deal

Márton Gyöngyösi (NI). – Madam President, I wish you a happy birthday. Dear colleagues, the autonomy of universities was perhaps the first freedom to appear in the European civilisation, and it made Europe one of the world's most developed regions over the centuries. It paved the path to the Renaissance, Enlightenment, the great discoveries, universal rights, democracy and indeed the nation-state.

Márton Gyöngyösi (NI).

Today, the freedom of universities is trampled upon by the Orbán regime in Hungary when he puts pro-government politicians into the governing seats of universities. You all know our Fidesz-delegated fellow MEP, László Trócsányi. Did you know that he heads a university in Hungary despite being a party politician? It comes hence as no surprise that the Council, on the Commission's proposal, banned most Hungarian universities from the Erasmus and Horizon programmes. But what I am asking you is not to punish Hungarian students and researchers, instead punish Orbán and his government, punish his cronies and impose the same kind of economic sanctions on them as you impose on the operators of Putin's system. It is time to take action and protect our values.

Frances Fitzgerald (PPE). – Madam President, shocking news again today from Ukraine. Of course, our deepest sympathies. Last Saturday in Europe, a pregnant woman and her husband were slaughtered, along with so many others, as the bombs rained over Dnipro. Madam President, as she said: a yellow kitchen, a sad reminder of lives lost and lives destroyed.

Frances Fitzgerald (PPE).

As we approach the one-year anniversary of this dreadful war, it should strengthen our resolve and support for Ukraine and its people. As we see from the Commission, and indeed from the Council, that is the direction we have to go. This is a defence of the global order. It is a defence of democracy. We must also make sure that the sanctions are monitored and implemented in an ongoing way.

In relation to energy policy, we are making good progress, but we must protect the most vulnerable. This year will also mark 25 years of the Good Friday Agreement, which ended another serious conflict. That agreement laid the foundations for a new start and a peaceful future in Northern Ireland. We do not want this to be put in jeopardy.

Commissioner, I want to thank you for your very serious, committed and patient work and for the ongoing discussions between the European Commission and the UK Government on the operation of the Northern Ireland Protocol. As we approach the anniversary, let us work towards an agreement and embed a hard-won peace for all our future generations.

Pedro Marques (S&D). – Senhora Presidente, Presidente do Conselho, Comissão, ao longo do ano de 2022, os europeus apoiaram de forma intransigente os ucranianos.

Pedro Marques (S&D).

Hoje, que alguns dos seus principais responsáveis, mas também tantos outros, incluindo muitas crianças, perderam a vida, renovamos esse apoio. Mas, ao longo de 2022, também nós defendemos, socialistas e democráticos, não só o apoio aos ucranianos, mas o apoio aos europeus que sofreram com o aumento do custo de vida aqui na Europa.

Conseguimos no final do ano algumas vitórias importantes: a tributação sobre os lucros extraordinários, o programa CARE para apoiar as famílias mais vulneráveis a esta crise. Valeu a pena lutar.

Bring the bills down é a nossa prioridade, mantém-se a nossa prioridade no contexto europeu. Nenhuma família mais vulnerável deve ver os seus contratos de energia interrompidos por impossibilidade de pagar.

Bring the bills down

Queremos ação legislativa nesse sentido e pedimos à Comissão Europeia que priorize as famílias europeias, como foi capaz de o fazer relativamente às empresas, na proposta que hoje aqui nos foi trazida.

Jan Zahradil (ECR). – Paní předsedající, dovolte mi, abych využil tohoto bodu ke krátkému zhodnocení českého předsednictví v Radě, protože to byla poslední Rada za českého předsednictví. Dovolte mi říci, že české předsednictví, a doufám, že se na tom všichni shodneme, bylo předsednictvím úspěšným. Že se Česká republika ukázala jako trpělivý vyjednavač kompromisů, jako hledač konsensu, jako facilitátor, ne jako země, která by prosazovala své vlastní zájmy za každou cenu. A tak to má samozřejmě být.

Jan Zahradil (ECR).

České předsednictví se zabývalo konkrétními problémy. Vyhnulo se pastem různých ideologických řešení, např. na změnu Smluv nebo fungování institucí, která vzešla z Konference o budoucnosti Evropy.

Na závěr mi dovolte připomenout také to, že to bylo poprvé, kdy v čele vlády předsednické země stál premiér z mojí politické skupiny, ze skupiny Evropských konzervativců a reformistů. Doufám, že už zde v Evropském parlamentu nebudou vzhledem k dobrým výsledkům toho předsednictví zaznívat zejména z levé strany spektra různé trapné poznámky o antievropanech nebo krajní pravici.

Marcel de Graaff (NI). – Voorzitter, Oekraïne is en blijft een verschrikkelijk corrupt land. Westerse wapens komen op de zwarte markt. Financiële steun komt in corrupte zakken. Wat doen we in dat land? Toen Irak werd binnengevallen door de VS stonden we ook niet met z'n allen te roepen om sancties tegen Amerika en steun voor Irak.

Marcel de Graaff (NI).

De EU vernietigt zichzelf. De sancties op gas en olie treffen onze industrie. De financiële steun schaadt onze economie. Bovenop de gevolgen van de oorlog in Oekraïne komen ook nog eens belastingen en dictaten voor onzinnige en onnodige klimaatdoelen. De lidstaten verarmen en de burgers en bedrijven betalen de prijs. De burgers willen geen oorlog, geen armoede, geen groene dictatuur, maar vrede, welvaart en vrijheid.

Ik zeg de Commissie: stop met deze zelfvernietiging, start met werken aan vrede.

Dan Nica (S&D). – Doamna președintă, domnule vicepreședinte Šefčovič și domnule președinte Charles Michel, vreau să salut concluziile Consiliului. Avem un mecanism de corecție care de data asta poate să și funcționeze și vrem să vedem aceste rezultate. Ne pare rău că nu le-ați introdus la începutul anului, nu am fi avut acum, ca să ne uităm cu toții la topul celor mai profitabile companii de energie, cu profituri în primele nouă luni de peste 200 de miliarde de euro.

Dan Nica (S&D).

Companiile au făcut profit, au plătit oamenii, au plătit firmele și acum este momentul să spunem stop. În al doilea rând, mecanismul comun de achiziție a gazelor trebuie pus în funcțiune și să sperăm că toate aceste facturi le vom vedea, în sfârșit, la un nivel corect.

Domnule președinte, am un mare regret, că în acest Consiliu, România nu a fost primită în Schengen și acest regret este pentru 20 de milioane de români, este pentru o țară care este profund europeană și pentru că o singură țară, Austria, a putut să pună un veto care este împotriva regulilor europene, împotriva reglementărilor europene și, în pofida unor evidențe, Comisia Europeană și toată lumea a spus că România și-a făcut temele.

Reparați această nedreptate, domnule președinte. Pierderile economice sunt uriașe, sunt cozi la tirurile care transportă marfa de zeci de kilometri, zile și săptămâni sunt pierdute și nu merită România și nici românii acest tratament. Vă rog, domnule președinte, să luați aceste măsuri de îndată.

(Catch-the-eye procedure)

(Catch-the-eye procedure)

Franc Bogovič (PPE). – Gospa predsednica. Razpravljamo o zelo pomembni temi in energetika je tudi ena od tistih, ki je tudi zaradi vojne zelo zaznamovala lansko leto in bo tudi v prihodnje. Govorimo tudi o ameriških ukrepih za umiritev inflacije in eden izmed teh ukrepov, ki so ga v ZDA sprejeli, je zelo povezan z uporabo jedrske energije.

Franc Bogovič (PPE).

Pri njih je načrt, kako transformirati premogovne lokacije v jedrske, kako ustvariti ekosistem, okolje, proizvodnjo tehnologij na področju obstoječe jedrske energije, subvencionirati s petnajstimi dolarji po megavatu tudi gradnjo elektrarn, kakor tudi subvencionirati in pospešiti gradnjo modularnih blokov in vlaganje v fuzijo.

Ali je v Evropi kaj takega možno? Kajti sam sem trdno prepričan, da nam ne bo pomagalo, da bomo oblikovali trge, govorili veliko samo o obnovljivih virih, v kolikor ne bo v tej mešanici nizkoogljičnih virov tudi jedrska energija. In vemo pa, da je elektrifikacija osnova za prehod v nizkoogljično družbo. Ali se kaj takega načrtuje tudi v letošnjem letu v ukrepih Evropske unije?

Margarida Marques (S&D). – Senhora Presidente, Presidente do Conselho Europeu, Vice-Presidente da Comissão, o Conselho Europeu sublinhou a importância, no atual contexto mundial, de uma política industrial europeia ambiciosa para adaptar a economia europeia às transições ecológica e digital e reduzir as dependências estratégicas.

Margarida Marques (S&D).

Para quando a proposta da Comissão Europeia para a criação de um fundo de investimento, a sovereignty fund, que possa apoiar esta política industrial europeia?

a sovereignty fund

No final do ano passado, Portugal, Espanha, França comprometeram-se conjuntamente num programa com vista à integração plena destes três países no mercado interno da energia.

Queria deixar aqui um apelo à Comissão no sentido de tudo fazer para que este acordo seja cumprido, seja disponibilizado em tempo o financiamento necessário, o calendário seja respeitado.

Efetivamente, trata-se de um instrumento importante para a transição verde, para a construção da autonomia energética, para a construção da união para a energia.

Michiel Hoogeveen (ECR). – Voorzitter, de uitspraken van topman Peter Berdowski van het succesvolle Nederlandse bedrijf Boskalis sloegen in Nederland in als een bom. Verregaande wet- en regelgeving maakt het bedrijven zoals Boskalis steeds moeilijker om zaken te doen en zij dreigen te vertrekken.

Michiel Hoogeveen (ECR).

Nou is het vooral Nederland dat weer eens last heeft van zijn gidslandklier, door de Wet maatschappelijk verantwoord ondernemen sneller en strenger uit te voeren, maar de bron van de bureaucratie bevindt zich hier: de EU. Steeds weer bedenkt de Commissie nieuwe wetten, nieuwe regels, nieuwe bureaucratische constructies die ondernemen moeilijker maken, op allerhande vlakken: financieel, IT, maatschappelijk verantwoord ondernemen, sancties, milieu, klimaat... Bedrijven worden gek van de rapportages voor compliance en audits.

Wij roepen de Commissie en de nationale regeringen op: matig eens een beetje, verlaag juist de regeldruk op bedrijven en zet in op hervormingen, want met het huidige beleid maken wij ons vestigingsklimaat kapot. Dat raakt de gemeenschappelijke markt en dat zal ons duur te staan komen.

PRESIDENZA DELL'ON. PINA PICIERNO

PRESIDENZA DELL'ON. PINA PICIERNO

Vicepresidente

Vicepresidente

João Pimenta Lopes (The Left). – Senhora Presidente, Senhor Charles Michel, o povo quer a paz, trabalho com direitos e salários dignos, o direito à saúde, à educação, à habitação.

João Pimenta Lopes (The Left).

A vossa resposta, porém, é a da escalada da confrontação, da militarização da guerra, sem qualquer vislumbre da exigência do fim da guerra e da defesa da paz. A vossa resposta é a insistência nas sanções, mesmo que implique, como até aqui, que os povos paguem com língua de palmo.

A vossa resposta é a de medidas temporárias e insuficientes, que não afrontam a especulação e salvaguardam os interesses e lucros dos grandes grupos económicos à custa dos bolsos vazios dos trabalhadores.

Nenhuma medida concreta para o caminho verdadeiramente imprescindível: aumento geral de salários, controlo de preços de bens essenciais e de produtos energéticos, regulação do mercado, recuperação do controlo público de setores estratégicos, desenvolvimento da produção nacional, entre outros.

Da nossa parte, estamos onde sabemos que os senhores não estão, nunca estiveram: ao lado da luta dos trabalhadores e dos povos, pela justiça e progresso social, pela paz.

Δημήτριος Παπαδημούλης (The Left). – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, κύριε Charles Michel, ο εξωραϊσμός της κατάστασης, στον οποίον προβήκατε και εσείς και η κυρία von der Leyen, δεν είναι καλός σύμβουλος. Χρειάζονται περισσότερες διπλωματικές πρωτοβουλίες από την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση, σε συνδυασμό με την αλληλεγγύη στην Ουκρανία, για τον τερματισμό του πολέμου. Επειδή υπάρχει επιβράδυνση της οικονομίας, χρειάζονται ισχυρότερα μέτρα αλληλεγγύης και στήριξης υπέρ των ασθενέστερων. Επειδή η δημοκρατία και το κράτος δικαίου υποχωρούν και μέσα στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση, χρειάζεται ισχυρότερη υπεράσπιση του κράτους δικαίου και από το Συμβούλιο, που συχνά ενεργεί ως φρένο σε αυτά που ζητάει το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο και η Επιτροπή ως κυρώσεις κατά των κυβερνήσεων, όπως για παράδειγμα της Ουγγαρίας. Επίσης, χρειάζεται περισσότερη διαφάνεια και μηδενική ανοχή στη διαφθορά για να υπερασπιστούμε την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση και την κοινοβουλευτική δημοκρατία. Τέλος, απέναντι στα μέτρα προστατευτισμού των Ηνωμένων Πολιτειών χρειάζεται μια ισχυρή και συντονισμένη ευρωπαϊκή απάντηση, γιατί ο προστατευτισμός δεν είναι λύση.

Δημήτριος Παπαδημούλης (The Left).

Maria Grapini (S&D). – Doamna președintă, domnule președinte al Consiliului, domnule comisar, trebuie să spun că mi-au plăcut concluziile, sunt corecte, sunt bune.

Maria Grapini (S&D).

Este important cum le aplicăm, pentru că vă reamintesc că avem o strategie de reindustrializare de doi ani și nu s-a întâmplat nimic. Acum avem un plan de industrializare, sper că e în sensul acelui acelei strategii, dar aș adăuga trei lucruri pe care, sincer, mă surprinde că nu le-ați prins.

Domnule președinte, domnule comisar, nu e nimic scris aici despre IMM-uri. Ce facem cu IMM-urile? IMM-urile sunt zdrobite de toate crizele suprapuse și mi-ar fi plăcut să existe cuprins în acest proiect și măsuri pentru IMM-uri.

Doi, sigur că sunt bune să avem noi acorduri comerciale, dar este important cum le facem. Avem încă pe piața internă competiție neloială și o spun ca vicepreședinta a acestei comisii și trei nu pot să vorbesc de piață unică și am spus și ieri nu voi folosi acest termen, voi vorbi de piață internă până când piața va fi unică.

De aceea, cred că trebuie să vă propuneți ca România și Bulgaria să facă parte din piața internă. Să fie într-adevăr o piață unică, să nu avem fragmentarea pieței interne. Și da, mi ar fi plăcut să văd, să aud și cuvântul pace. Cum facem să mergem pe calea păcii între Ucraina și Rusia, pentru că suferă tot continentul euro european?

Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D). – Señora presidenta Picierno, presidente Michel, vicepresidente Šefčovič, no se recuerda un solo debate de conclusiones del Consejo en esta legislatura que no haya hablado del hecho migratorio y de la situación del Estado de Derecho en la Unión Europea.

Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D).

Es cierto que la brutal, ilegal y criminal guerra de Putin contra Ucrania los ha redimensionado a los dos. En cuanto al hecho migratorio, la respuesta humanitaria desplegada por la Unión Europea impone, sin embargo, una oportunidad para, por fin, trazar el equilibrio adecuado entre solidaridad vinculante y responsabilidad compartida, que está pendiente de la finalización, conforme a la hoja de ruta, del Nuevo Pacto sobre Migración y Asilo de la Unión Europea.

En cuanto al Estado de Derecho, celebramos el anuncio efectuado por la Presidencia sueca de que va a retomar las audiencias respecto del procedimiento del artículo 7, que concierne a dos Estados manifiestamente incumplidores de las reglas del Estado de Derecho: Hungría y Polonia.

Celebramos que Polonia haya reformado su Cámara Disciplinaria y sus leyes judiciales conforme a los mandatos de este Parlamento, presionada por el Reglamento de condicionalidad del Estado de Derecho. Pero me permito subrayar el papel decisivo que ha tenido el Parlamento Europeo en conseguir este paso adelante, que significa la dirección correcta en el cumplimiento de las reglas del Estado de Derecho.

Maria Spyraki (PPE). – Madam President, Vice-President Šefčovič, today we welcome the Commission's proposal to accelerate and facilitate investments for the clean-tech sector. It is of paramount importance to implement, to deliver our Green Deal industrial plan. However, in the meantime, there are two issues, according to my opinion, on which we need to take immediate action.

Maria Spyraki (PPE).

The first one is the urgent facilitation to our industry, in particular to our SMEs, to transform themselves into green and digital entities overall sustainable under the new competition circumstances.

Second, it is the fast and effective adoption of our Green Deal industrial plan by the Member States, too slow permitting, additional red tape, which are still here, creating additional barriers to the investors.

Vice-President Šefčovič, it is now time to have more focus, more focus on creating jobs, jobs and jobs.

Seán Kelly (PPE). – A Uachtaráin, míle buíochas as ucht an t-urlár a thabhairt dom.

Seán Kelly (PPE).

Sad news from Ukraine reminds us that we need to redouble our efforts – both militarily and economically – to help Ukraine win the war and also to cut off all economic ties with Russia.

We are also celebrating, of course, the single market, which has been a huge success, but side by side with that has been growing regulation and red tape. Businesses across Europe – especially SMEs – are overburdened with this. We have been talking about it for a long time, but we haven't done enough. So I think that's a priority for us over the next number of years: to reduce red tape to the minimum so that our businesses can grow. ‘Fit for growth’ should be our policy in relation to industry and businesses for the next decade.

(Fine della procedura ‘catch the eye’)

(Fine della procedura ‘catch the eye’)

Maroš Šefčovič,
  Vice-President of the Commission. – Madam President, Minister, President of the Council, honourable Members, my dear colleague, Commissioner Breton, first and foremost, honourable Members, I would like to thank you for the clarity of your support for Ukraine. We know how important it is. Yet again today, we learned about another tragic accident, which cost young lives, even the lives of children. And I think that Mr Mureșan put it very well when he said that Russia is trying to restore the past. But we Europeans and Ukrainians are clearly focused on the future.

Maroš Šefčovič,

Vice-President of the Commission

And, therefore, your support, the European support for Ukraine, will continue and will continue in all its forms, be it financial – as you know, we just disbursed EUR 3 billion to support Ukraine and the Ukrainian Government. We will support Ukraine militarily, but we will also provide political support for Ukraine and Ukrainians, with a clear European perspective for Ukraine, as highlighted by Mr Angel in his intervention.

Mr Séjourné, Mr Lamberts and others underscored the importance of that European competitiveness and the potential risk of the localisation of the well-performing European companies elsewhere. Therefore, as our President highlighted this morning, we are laying out our Green Deal Industrial Plan and we will propose a Net-Zero Industry Act that will simplify and accelerate our procedures and our state aid assessment. And we will focus more than ever on the skills which are needed and required by our industry.

As Mr Angel underlined, there is also a clear understanding of the importance of the level playing field in our single market. And I would like to reassure all honourable Members that all state aid schemes which needed to be checked were properly checked. But also we understand and we know that there are differences among the Member States when it comes to the fiscal space. Therefore, we propose the creation of the Sovereignty Fund to make sure that we make our economy stronger and more competitive, that our strategic autonomy will be more present, and that the single market would deliver even more.

So I think that our message to industry is very clear: we want you to prosper and we want you to prosper in Europe. And I am sure that you will have a very good debate on this topic with my colleague, Mr Breton, who is going to discuss how to boost industrial competitiveness in the European Union.

Allow me to conclude on the very important point of Schengen. Ms Grapini, Mr Nica and Mr Angel have highlighted how important it is to make sure that Romania and Bulgaria become members of Schengen. Therefore, also, on behalf of the Commission, we would like to appreciate the decision of the Swedish Presidency to include this item on the agenda of the next Justice and Home Affairs Council because, as you know, the Commission firmly believes that the place of Bulgaria and Romania is in Schengen because they fulfil all the necessary criteria. So, Madam President, Madam Minister, honourable Members, thank you very much.

Presidente. – La discussione è chiusa.

Presidente. –

Dichiarazioni scritte (articolo 171)

Dichiarazioni scritte (articolo 171)

Gunnar Beck (ID),
  in writing. – EU leaders agreed to grant EU candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina. European Council president Charles Michel even stated ‘the future of the Western Balkans is in the EU’. Bosnia and Herzegovina needs to address serious issues, such as strengthening the rule of law and fundamental rights, stepping up the fight against corruption and organised crime, and improve migration management. According to Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index, Bosnia and Herzegovina ranks 110th, with a dismal 35 out of 100. That is the lowest ranking of any European nation, except for Ukraine, which ranks 122th. Bosnia's ranking has declined continuously since 2013, and according to the 2022 World Report of Human Rights Watch, Bosnia did not progress on human rights in 2021, citing public pressure on journalists, discrimination of minorities, and reluctance to continue prosecuting war crimes. The EU is giving a wrong signal by granting EU candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina. While Brussels is criticizing countries like Poland and Hungary for their rule of law problems, it gives a corrupt failed state like Bosnia and Herzegovina the prospect of EU membership. The hypocrisy is striking, and an insult to those who really care about true European values.

Gunnar Beck (ID),

in writing

Joachim Stanisław Brudziński (ECR),
  na piśmie. – Spotykamy się dziś na tej sali, by podsumować posiedzenie Rady Europejskiej z dnia 15 grudnia 2022r. Z zadowoleniem obserwujemy większą konsolidację starań państw UE, jeśli chodzi o pomoc dla walczącej Ukrainy. Tu jednak kładzie się cieniem bierność niektórych państw w tej kwestii. Trudno tu nie wymienić bierności Niemiec w kwestii dostawy broni. Ukraina została zbrodniczo napadnięta i przede wszystkim musi się bronić. Jeśli takie państwo jak Niemcy zajmuje tak bierne stanowisko co do trwającej już niemal rok agresji Rosji, to stawia to pod znakiem zapytania takie wartości jak wzajemna solidarność i współpraca między krajami wspólnoty. Kwestią najwyższej wagi jest również potrzeba rzetelnego wyjaśnienia afery korupcyjnej w Parlamencie Europejskim. Coraz więcej poszlak wskazuje na to, iż również za pieniądze z Rosji korumpowani byli członkowie tej Izby, że za łapówki kupowana była przychylność dla jednych państw, zaś pod pręgieżem stawiano inne kraje. Wiemy, ile to debat i rezolucji atakujących mój kraj, Polskę, odbyło się dotąd. To nie przypadek, iż odbyły się głównie z inicjatywy tych osób, które teraz są aresztowane, oraz ich politycznego otoczenia. Nie było żadnych podstaw, by te debaty w ogóle miały miejsce. Teraz należy więc pilnie zrewidować te oszczercze i bezpodstawne oskarżenia! Miejcie odwagę przyznać się do błędów!

Joachim Stanisław Brudziński (ECR),

na piśmie

Kinga Gál (NI),
  írásban. – Minden jel arra mutat, hogy az idei év sem lesz könnyebb a tavalyinál Európa számára. Az orosz-ukrán háború nem csillapodik, az illegális migrációs nyomás fokozódik, miközben Európában energiaválság tombol, és az európai gazdaságok zöme ütemes léptekkel halad a recesszió felé. Az elmúlt időszakban már sajnos megszokhattuk, hogy Brüsszel rendre nem találja a megfelelő válaszokat válsághelyzetekben.

Kinga Gál (NI),

írásban

A szankciós politika viszont a korábbiaknál is súlyosabb következményekkel jár. A hibás döntések felülvizsgálatára, és új megközelítésre lenne végre szükség. A decemberi tanácsi ülés tanulságai azonban sok szempontból éppen ellentétes irányba mutatnak: megerősítésre került a szankciós politika, zöld utat kapott az uniós gázársapka, miközben stratégiai szempontból kulcsfontosságú kérdésekben nem sikerült előre lépni. A csúcsot beárnyékolta a brüsszeli korrupciós ügy, amellyel összefüggésben azóta is sorra hullanak ki a csontvázak a szekrényből. Brüsszel elvesztette minden hitelességét, hogy korrupciót kérjen számon másokon.

Az is ismételten bebizonyosodott, hogy az európai fősodor nem tűri az ellenvéleményt, ‘térdre kívánja kényszeríteni’ azokat a tagállamokat, amelyek kiállnak a nemzeti érdekeikért – legújabban például az egyhangú döntéshozatal felszámolására irányuló kísérleteikkel. Ennek a politikai nyomásgyakorlásnak a kisebb gazdasági hatalommal rendelkező, erős nemzetállamokban hívő tagállamok nem engedhetnek. Nem hagyjuk továbbá azt sem, hogy az elhibázott brüsszeli döntések és a politikai játszmák árát a magyar emberek fizessék meg.

Ivan Štefanec (PPE),
  písomne. – Som rád, že v záveroch zasadnutia Rady bola opätovne dôrazne odsúdená ruská agresívna vojna proti Ukrajine. EÚ plne podporuje jej nezávislosť, zvrchovanosť a územnú celistvosť v rámci jej medzinárodne uznaných hraníc, ako aj prirodzené právo Ukrajiny na sebaobranu proti ruskej agresii. Preto musíme byť naďalej odhodlaní poskytovať politickú a vojenskú podporu Ukrajine a pomoc pri odmínovaní jej územia. Pokračujúce systematické raketové útoky Ruska na ukrajinských civilistov, civilné ciele, energetickú infraštruktúru a iné verejné služby s cieľom spôsobiť ešte väčšie utrpenie ukrajinskému ľudu sú zločinom, ktorý nemožno ponechať beztrestne.

Ivan Štefanec (PPE),

písomne

9.   An EU strategy to boost industrial competitiveness, trade and quality jobs (debate)

Presidente. – L'ordine del giorno reca la discussione sulle dichiarazioni del Consiglio e della Commissione su una strategia dell'UE per stimolare la competitività industriale, gli scambi e posti di lavoro di qualità (2023/2513(RSP)).

Presidente. –

Jessika Roswall,
  President-in-Office of the Council. – Madam President, honourable Members, Commissioner, let me first extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims of those injured, many of them children, in the tragic helicopter crash in Ukraine. As we await more information, we are once again reminded of the brutality of war and how children suffer the most. Let me take this moment once again to underline the Swedish Presidency's and the Council's unwavering support for Ukraine and for its people.

Jessika Roswall,

President-in-Office of the Council

Now on the important topic of European competitiveness, the multiple crises we have faced in recent years have showed us that Europe needs a strong, efficient and forward-looking approach on its economy. Numerous disruptions in global value chains and a significant increase of energy prices have a very negative impact on the EU economy. In addition, the US Inflation Reduction Act is raising concerns across Europe. Although the ambitious green objectives are to be welcomed, its discriminatory provisions could – depending on how the law is implemented – have considerable negative effects on EU industry. It is clear that further engagement with our US friends is needed to minimise the negative consequences for EU industries, and I encourage the Commission to continue this dialogue.

These different challenges call for a smart European policy response, based on the forthcoming Commission analysis of how the Inflation Reduction Act will affect European industry. Most importantly, we need to safeguard Europe's economic, industrial and technological base and preserve the global playing field. To do so, we must continue to accelerate the green and digital transitions of our economy. Fortunately, European companies are global leaders in green technology. Going forward, we must continue to provide the right conditions for our companies to uphold this position and to push the boundaries further.

Member States are asking for a more targeted industrial policy strategy that support this. Energy costs in Europe are high in a global comparison, which makes it difficult for European companies to compete with global peers. Europe needs more cheap, green energy in order to get that, so we must continue rolling out the REPower EU plan. In Europe, we have several assets: skills, cutting-edge research institutes and universities, first-rate infrastructure and our single market as the backbone.

We should continue to build on these foundations. Our main goal should be to transform Europe's strong fundamentals into more job opportunities, increased productivity, and stronger, more sustainable growth. On Monday, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the single market. In this context, let us not forget that the single market is a key asset, with clear benefits for European citizens and industries.

State aid can in some cases be useful to nudge development and innovation in a desired direction. But we should make sure that our rules are coordinated, balanced and based on proper analysis. And as many have pointed out, no one would gain from a subsidy race, neither between the EU and the US, nor between EU Member States.

Finally, as suggested by the European Council conclusions from December, there is also a long-term work stream in relation to this. In other words, the short-term actions to mitigate consequences of the Inflation Reduction Act should not be counterproductive and pose an obstacle to long-term competitiveness. These work streams need to be aligned. The long-term competitiveness and productivity strategy is about the EU taking charge of its attractiveness and standing in the world economy. Businesses have long-term perspectives and therefore need predictable, competitive framework conditions for their investments. Ultimately, this is what will decide where future economic growth will take place.

Thank you very much for your attention. I am really looking forward to this debate.

Thierry Breton,
  membre de la Commission. – Madame la Présidente, Mesdames et Messieurs les députés, Madame la Ministre, d'abord, je voudrais remercier le Parlement européen pour avoir mis ce sujet très important à l'ordre du jour ce matin. Évidemment, on connaît le contexte. On le connaît même trop bien puisque, outre la crise énergétique dont l'impact est chez nous, en Europe, bien plus important que dans le reste du monde, l'Europe fait face aux efforts de pays tiers qui, n'ayons pas peur de le dire, tentent d'attirer nos capacités industrielles.

Thierry Breton,

membre de la Commission

La loi américaine sur la réduction de l'inflation, dite IRA, est bien sûr au centre de toutes les préoccupations depuis maintenant plusieurs mois. Mais ne nous y trompons pas, la Chine, elle aussi, encourage les entreprises à forte intensité énergétique à délocaliser tout ou partie de leur production en leur promettant un accès à une électricité bon marché et un environnement réglementaire moins strict qu'en Europe. En conséquence, le risque de délocalisation des entreprises est bien présent, vous le savez toutes et tous. Les investissements qui sont nécessaires pour construire une base industrielle européenne des technologies propres de demain sont réorientés en dehors de l'Union européenne. Du reste, cela ne touche pas que les grands groupes, mais affecte aussi l'ensemble des chaînes d'approvisionnement et, de manière aussi très inquiétante, nos PME.

L'Europe a donc besoin de prendre son destin en main, vous m'avez entendu le dire, je crois, à plusieurs reprises depuis que je suis commissaire. D'abord, il s'agit de donner très vite un signal puissant aux entreprises. Europe means business – l'Europe, ça veut dire le business, et l'avenir de l'industrie se fera sur notre continent. C'est ça notre signal politique. Car l'Europe est à la pointe de l'innovation. On dispose d'une main d'œuvre qualifiée et aussi d'infrastructures de pointe.

Europe means business

Deuxièmement, il s'agit d'accélérer le développement de la base manufacturière qui est nécessaire à notre transition verte. Parce que sans une base manufacturière solide, la sécurité d'approvisionnement, la capacité d'exportation et la création d'emplois en Europe sont à risque. Nous voyons se dessiner une tendance à être relégués au simple rang d'importateurs nets de véhicules électriques ou de panneaux solaires. Mais nous ne pouvons pas nous résigner à remplacer notre dépendance aux combustibles fossiles par des dépendances nouvelles, industrielles, technologiques ou en matière d'approvisionnement de terres rares, par exemple.

Troisièmement, il s'agit de mettre en place des solutions durables et qui fonctionnent pour l'ensemble des pays de l'Union européenne. Parce que face à cette nouvelle réalité structurelle, le cadre que nous mettons en place ne doit pas évidemment bénéficier aux seuls quelques grands pays de l'Union. Nous avons besoin de solutions qui préservent l'intégrité du marché intérieur et garantissent des conditions de concurrence qui soient évidemment équitables.

Mesdames et Messieurs les députés, pour mener à bien notre transition numérique, nous avons su nous fixer l'objectif qui est de porter la part de marché mondial de l'Union européenne dans la fabrication des semi-conducteurs à 20 % d'ici 2030. Et pour traduire cette ambition en réalité, nous avons clairement proposé, comme vous le savez, ce fameux ‘Chip Act’, le règlement sur les semi-conducteurs, qui nous permettra de construire une chaîne d'approvisionnement résiliente dans le domaine des semi-conducteurs. Eh bien, faisons la même chose pour la transition verte.

Nous avons l'ambition d'être le premier continent neutre en carbone à l'horizon 2050. C'est une belle et forte ambition. C'est notre ambition. Alors assurons-nous que cela se fasse grâce à une base industrielle européenne forte dans les domaines des technologies propres, les fameuses technologies dites cleantech. Et c'est donc bien un acte pour les cleantech, à l'image de l'acte pour les semi-conducteurs, le fameux ‘Chip Act’, que nous devons présenter aujourd'hui. Le ‘Net-Zero Industry Act’, la loi sur les industries à zéro émission, annoncé par la présidente von der Leyen permettra donc de fixer des objectifs réglementaires clairs pour une base manufacturière des technologies propres, les cleantech, et ce d'ici à 2030. Par exemple, pour la production de batteries, de panneaux solaires, d'électrolyseurs, d'éoliennes et de toutes les chaînes de valeur connexes et qui permettent de soutenir la production des éléments indispensables à notre transition.

cleantech

cleantech

cleantech

Concrètement, nous créerons les conditions propices à la fabrication de technologies propres en Europe, grâce d'abord à une charge administrative réduite et à des procédures d'octroi de permis accélérées. Grâce, ensuite, à des modifications et à des accélérations des règles relatives aux aides d'État, y compris en offrant une intensité d'aide équivalente à celle de pays tiers, pour permettre de soutenir des usines de fabrication de technologies propres et qui concernent tous les acteurs de la cleantech. Grâce, enfin, au soutien à la demande de solutions européennes au travers de nos marchés publics.

cleantech

Le ‘Net-Zero Industry Act’ sera aussi le véhicule politique et législatif permettant d'assurer la transparence et la coordination européenne nécessaires plutôt que de dépendre de solutions uniquement nationales. Il nous faudra aussi un pilier de financement européen où la simplification et la rapidité seront des éléments-clés. Et dans l'attente du Fonds de souveraineté, qui sera discuté dans le cadre de la révision à mi-parcours des perspectives financières de l'Union, nous avons en effet besoin de solutions de financement à court terme pour que chaque État membre ait la capacité de soutenir sa base industrielle. À cette fin, nous sommes en train d'évaluer les besoins et de stabiliser un panier d'instruments cohérents pour répondre aux différents besoins des États membres, seul moyen évidemment de garantir la cohérence et l'égalité des conditions de concurrence.

Tout cela nécessite bien sûr une politique commerciale plus affirmée et, n'ayons pas peur de le dire, moins naïve. Le règlement sur les subventions étrangères, qui entrera en vigueur cet été, jouera un rôle-clé à cet égard et nous rappelle que les marchés publics sont devenus un levier économique et géostratégique absolument majeur.

Enfin, je voudrais conclure avec quelques mots sur le rôle absolument essentiel des PME dans la compétitivité européenne. Nos quelque 25 millions de PME européennes, qui emploient près de 100 millions de personnes, constituent clairement l'épine dorsale de notre économie. Et pourtant, elles sont vulnérables. C'est pourquoi la Commission prépare un paquet d'allégements pour les PME en 2023. La révision de la directive sur les retards de paiement sera également un élément-clé de ce paquet. Mais nos PME ont besoin de bien plus que cela. Pour 55 % d'entre elles, la charge administrative est la préoccupation numéro un. Et malgré nos efforts collectifs pour exempter les PME ou les traiter plus légèrement dans notre législation, cette charge continue de croître. Je travaillerai donc avec mes collègues du collège pour que toute nouvelle initiative prévue cette année soit précédée d'un test complet pour les PME. Et je compte sur vous, en tant que colégislateurs, pour me soutenir dans cet engagement et brandir vous aussi le drapeau des PME dans tous les domaines politiques.

Mesdames et Messieurs les députés, c'est bien d'une réponse globale dont nous avons besoin et je sais pouvoir compter sur vous.

Esther de Lange,
  on behalf of the PPE Group. – Madam President, in a way, it's ironic that it takes an Inflation Reduction Act in the US and high energy prices to put our industrial competitiveness higher on the agenda of this House. For the EPP, this should be a permanent priority, but unfortunately our calls to discuss it have often landed on deaf ears. So I'm happy we're discussing it today.

Esther de Lange,

on behalf of the PPE Group

And let me be clear: for us, this is not about protecting the old or even the status quo. It's about ensuring that the green and digital transitions can actually take place. The unfair competition that we face from China, from the US and others goes to the heart of the Green Deal. If the Green Deal does not deliver sufficient and good-quality jobs in Europe, it will not succeed and therefore it's time to act. We should not sit here and take it just because some of the threats come from our American friends.

But we should be smart and measured in our response, and therefore the EPP looks forward to the Commission's proposals, which we hope will be targeted, steering for the highest potential impact, not just the highest amount. We want them to be flexible when it comes to using existing funds, but also – and thank you for mentioning them – when it comes to speeding up planning procedures.

And thirdly – that's our responsibility in this European House – we want them to be a solution for all, not for the lucky few.

Dan Nica,
  în numele grupului S&D. – Doamna președintă, domnule comisar, doamna ministru, creșterea competitivității industriei europene, locuri de muncă de calitate, comerț, toate aceste lucruri nu pot fi făcute decât dacă acceptăm cu toții că perioada de naivitate în politica industrială a Uniunii Europene s-a sfârșit.

Dan Nica,

în numele grupului S&D

De ce avem nevoie? Avem nevoie să concurăm cu cei care sunt mari actori pe această piață globală, Statele Unite, China. Cum putem concura cu aceștia? Dând subvenții mai mari? Nu putem, dar putem face un sistem de ajutoare de stat care să fie rapid, să fie eficient și să nu mai fie business as usual. Să fie un sistem în care permisele pentru construirea și pentru ca o investiție să fie în funcțiune să poată să fie date la timp.

business as usual

Acestea sunt lucrurile de care are nevoie astăzi Uniunea Europeană, pentru ca altfel vom constata că închidem în continuare capacități de producție și în oțel și în aluminiu, și în industria chimică și industria de fertilizatoare, pentru că nu suntem în stare să dăm acest sprijin care trebuie la momentul potrivit și nu putem să facem acest lucru dacă nu venim și cu compensarea prețurilor la energia electrică.

Nu putem vorbi de competitivitate în condițiile în care opt ,din cele mai mari prețuri la gaze din lume, din primele zece sunt Uniunea Europeană și fără un mecanism de compensare nu vom avea o competitivitate a industriei europene de aceea, vă rog, domnule comisar, să fiți puternic, decis și să luăm măsurile care trebuie să fie luate acum, până nu este prea târziu.

Dita Charanzová,
  on behalf of the Renew Group. – Madam President, Mr Commissioner, Europe is facing a turning point. After years of growth success based on free trade, we are seeing two of the world's largest economies setting out a vision based on subsidies by national acts. So which way do we go? Do we follow or do we stick to the status quo? Clearly we need to find a third way, European way.

Dita Charanzová,

on behalf of the Renew Group

We need a united European solution which protects the single market while supporting critical sectors and European supply chains. Europe cannot afford a national subsidies race both outside but also within Europe itself. We must act together to protect our businesses and to protect European jobs, and we must do so quickly. This is why Europe will act. The key, however, is that we must act in a way that supports both an open Europe based on open trade with like-minded nations, and that supports our businesses in these times of crisis and transformation. Temporarily, this might include European financial support. However, we must do even more.

We want items made in Europe, but we want them to be made here because the business environment, our educated workers and our regulations make businesses want to grow here. We do not want business to take subsidies and once subsidies end to leave. Therefore Renew Europe believes we need European support for critical European sectors which support our companies in all Member States equally, which prevents the fragmentation of the single market.

But any new European strategy must go beyond money alone. Europe will and must act to defend growth and jobs in Europe. But let's get this right: millions of Europeans are counting on us.

Sara Matthieu,
  namens de Verts/ALE-Fractie. – Voorzitter, collega's, wat China al jaren doet voor zijn staatsbedrijven, willen de Verenigde Staten nu ook: honderden miljarden dollars aan subsidies uitdelen voor de Amerikaanse groenetechnologiebedrijven.

Sara Matthieu,

namens de Verts/ALE-Fractie

Onze industrie vergroenen, dat vraagt investeringen. Maar we moeten zelf geen handelsoorlogen gaan opzoeken via protectionisme. Alleen onze staatssteunregels versoepelen is een slecht idee, want dan winnen vooral de grote landen met de diepste zakken, zoals Duitsland. Dat verdeelt onze Unie, net op het moment dat we die Europese solidariteit heel hard nodig hebben.

Wij, als Groenen, pleiten voor een permanent solidariteitsfonds, naar het voorbeeld van het coronaherstelfonds. Ik ben heel blij dat de Commissie – commissaris Breton – nu ook inziet dat die extra middelen echt nodig zullen zijn.

Wij moeten elk jaar minstens 1 % van het Europese bbp gaan investeren om onze klimaatdoelen te halen. We hebben een coherent plan nodig voor de toekomst van onze industrie om die middelen gericht te investeren in specifieke sectoren. Ik denk daarbij in het bijzonder aan de circulaire economie, want die biedt een enorm potentieel voor lokale, duurzame en kwalitatieve jobs voor Europeanen.

Tegelijkertijd is het een kans om ons minder afhankelijk te maken van landen als China, als het gaat over zeldzame kritische grondstoffen. Dat is een opportuniteit die we niet mogen laten liggen.

Dominique Bilde,
  au nom du groupe ID. – Madame la Présidente, chers collègues, nous nous sommes trompés sur tout. C'est en substance l'aveu que Charles Michel fait du bilan de l'Europe, un aveu qu'il a fini par devoir admettre dans sa tribune publiée dans le journal Politico le 15 janvier dernier. Après trois décennies de désindustrialisation, le président du Conseil européen ne peut plus nier l'échec total en matière économique et l'impasse dans laquelle nous conduit l'Union européenne.

Dominique Bilde,

au nom du groupe ID

Politico

Face à la politique industrielle agressive de la Chine et des États-Unis, Bruxelles réalise que toutes ces montagnes de réglementations, ces listes de promesses et ces multiples déclarations d'intentions n'ont servi à rien. En effet, le plan massif de soutien aux entreprises américaines ainsi que les aides d'État du gouvernement chinois à leurs industries contrastent avec la liquidation de nos joyaux industriels imposée par l'Union européenne, comme ce fut le cas pour Pechiney ou Arcelor. Protectionnisme, volontarisme industriel, défense de nos grands groupes, c'était ce qu'il fallait faire depuis le début. C'est en tout cas ce que nous, au Rassemblement national, avons l'intention de faire et avons prévu depuis longtemps.

Geert Bourgeois,
  namens de ECR-Fractie. – Voorzitter, collega's, minister, commissaris, eindelijk een debat over welvaart en jobcreatie in de Europese Unie. Hoog tijd, want onze Europese economie bloedt, door externe factoren, maar ook door falend beleid. Het zo geprezen wereldwijde Brussel-effect van onze standaarden taant, de aantrekkingskracht van onze interne markt faalt en autocratische regimes zijn – helaas – in opmars.

Geert Bourgeois,

namens de ECR-Fractie

De realiteit is, collega's, dat we welvaart, jobs én internationale slagkracht verliezen. En wat zet de commissaris hiertegenover? Nog meer regelgeving, uitgaven en staatssteun. Nog meer ongedekte Europese uitgaven, transfers en belastingen. Nog meer centraal geleide economie met een soevereiniteitsfonds. En een ruk naar protectionisme met een onzalige ‘Buy European Act’, in strijd met de WTO-regels.

Het roer moet om! Met de voltooiing van de interne markt. Met betere handhaving die het feitelijk protectionisme aanpakt. Met diversificatie van onze aanvoerlijnen. Met – dringend – nieuwe handelsakkoorden. Met een verschuiving in de begroting naar onderzoek, innovatie en ontwikkeling. Met beperkte en tijdelijke staatssteun, gericht op marktfalen en innovatie, mét respect voor een gelijk speelveld. Meer ruimte voor onze industrie om te experimenteren. En tot slot, collega's, snellere vergunningstrajecten, niet alleen voor hernieuwbare energie, maar voor álle investeringen.

Marc Botenga,
  namens de Fractie The Left. – Voorzitter, wij riskeren in Europa een nieuwe de-industrialisering. Dat risico wordt vandaag verergerd door het beleid van de Verenigde Staten, die via allerlei subsidies proberen de Europese industrie te doen delokaliseren en daar ook nog eens telefoontjes aan toevoegen om te zeggen: ‘Kom alstublieft bij ons investeren en niet meer in Europa.’ Wij zitten dus in crisis en de Verenigde Staten proberen ons daar nog verder in te duwen.

Marc Botenga,

namens de Fractie The Left

Les États-Unis n'ont ni amis ni alliés, ils n'ont que des intérêts. Et si nous voulons construire une Europe autonome, nous ferions bien de ne plus être aussi naïfs et aussi suivistes vis-à-vis des États-Unis. Alors, quelle sera la réponse européenne? Pour l'instant, je vois surtout des vieilles recettes qui ont échoué et des avantages fiscaux et des subsides pour les multinationales dans l'espoir que celles-ci seront gentilles avec nous et qu'il restera des miettes aux travailleurs. Ce modèle a échoué. Nous avons besoin d'un changement de cap public pour vraiment reprendre en main les rênes de la politique industrielle en Europe. Osons penser à la renationalisation de certains secteurs et obligeons les entreprises à intervenir, à investir dans l'énergie verte.

András Gyürk (NI). – Elnök Asszony! Az európai ipar több száz éves fennállásának egyik legsúlyosabb válságával küzd most: üresen álló gyártósorok, leépítést és kivonulást fontolgató vállalatok, zuhanó versenyképesség. Ez a szomorú eredménye az elhibázott szankcióknak, az irreális zöld célokra és a bürokrácia növelésére építő iparpolitikának. Mondjuk ki: ez a politika megbukott. A helyzet mostanra tarthatatlanná vált. Az ipar ellehetetlenítésére irányuló törekvések, mintegy 30 millió ember életét sodorják veszélybe Európa szerte. Ez elfogadhatatlan, ezért újabb ideológiai légvárak helyett felelős és gyors cselekvésre van szükség.

András Gyürk (NI).

Az első lépés a vállalatainkat megkárosító szankciók azonnali eltörlése kell, hogy legyen. Emellett Brüsszelnek fel kell függesztenie a vállalkozások bürokratikus terheit növelő javaslatait, és sürgős pénzügyi támogatást kell nyújtani számukra. Tisztelt Ház, nem hagyhatjuk, hogy az európai ipar összeomoljon! Legyünk bátrak, és a megfelelő lépéseket tegyük meg ez ügyben.

Christian Ehler (PPE). – Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner, when he presented the Green Deal in this House back in 2019, Vice-President Timmermans said that the fundamental question before us was whether we would be masters of the momentous change ongoing in our industry or we would be subject to what others decide. Through the Green Deal we are supposed to be masters, and the American Inflation Reduction Act showed us that the Green Deal did not us masters. We became subjects to what others decide.

Christian Ehler (PPE).

The Green Deal was supposed to be the growth strategy and was supposed to support our business to become world leaders in clean technology. But it never delivered on that. It delivered the ‘Fit for 55’ regulatory framework, which forces the European economy through a massive transformation. But it did not deliver the business case for that transformation. Yesterday, finally, the Green Deal industrial plan was announced, a plan that finally considers how to ensure there is a business case for the transition in Europe.

We should not fear the Inflation Reduction Act. It shows us simply that the Americans incentivise this transformation and we regulate. And we need breathing space for our industry. We need deregulation. We need not additional burden. We have to reduce and to focus on what we want to achieve on 55 and not to add burden to the industry. That's what industry want. Not simply much more money. The end of this regulatory nightmare in this Parliament.

Patrizia Toia (S&D). – Signora Presidente, signor Commissario, onorevoli colleghi, finalmente in Europa, accanto alla parola ambiente, si affiancano altre parole: industria, tecnologia, competizione internazionale, lavoro e competenze.

Patrizia Toia (S&D).

Finalmente l'industria torna in primo piano, perché si è capito che gli obiettivi ambiziosi della decarbonizzazione non potranno essere raggiunti senza una coerente ed efficace e sostenuta politica industriale. Se vogliamo puntare alla mobilità sostenibile, dobbiamo fare qui in Europa le batterie, e fare le batterie significa progettarle qui, significa costruirle, produrle e significa anche preparare quella formazione del personale necessaria. Se vogliamo mettere il solare ovunque, dobbiamo produrre qui in Europa i pannelli, se non vogliamo dipendere da altre aree del mondo o se non vogliamo vedere nuove delocalizzazioni delle nostre imprese.

Questa gigantesca riconversione richiede urgenti risorse private e pubbliche. Private, se non vogliamo creare anche in Europa un deserto industriale, rischio che è molto presente. Noi dobbiamo avere risorse private che vanno favorite con investimenti necessari e con aiuti. E poi dobbiamo anche puntare su risorse pubbliche, perché non bastano gli aiuti di Stato, signor Commissario, altrimenti noi avremo imprese sane e buone che moriranno perché sono nate per sfortuna nel paese sbagliato, il paese che non può aiutarle perché non ha risorse di bilancio.

Occorre insomma il coraggio che abbiamo avuto nel 2020. Un nuovo piano come Next Generation EU. Tutto il resto è abbastanza inutile ed è ben poca cosa.

Valérie Hayer (Renew). – Madame la Présidente, Monsieur le Commissaire, Madame la Ministre, chers collègues, en 2023, nos industries ont rendez-vous avec l'Europe. Et face à l'inflation et à la crise énergétique, l'Europe doit être au rendez-vous, sans quoi c'est outre-Atlantique que partiront nos constructeurs automobiles. C'est en Asie que continueront de se construire nos batteries, nos panneaux photovoltaïques. La situation, chers collègues, est brutale mais elle est bien réelle. La crise sanitaire et la guerre en Ukraine nous ont rappelé avec force combien, nous, Européens, nous sommes dépendants d'autres États de ce monde. Et une chose est sûre, aucun n'attend l'Europe.

Valérie Hayer (Renew).

La Chine, depuis des années, place ses pions sur l'échiquier mondial à coups de subventions pour dynamiser ses exportations. Les États-Unis viennent de lancer un vaste plan de soutien à l'économie pour relocaliser. C'est le made in America first, un plan très attractif pour les entreprises américaines, certes, mais aussi européennes. Certaines entreprises européennes ont déjà annoncé qu'elles abandonnaient leur projet en France, en Espagne, en Allemagne, pour bénéficier de ce plan américain. Qui pourrait les blâmer? L'inflation pèse sur notre économie et nos entreprises font des choix qui répondent à leurs intérêts. Alors, comment leur donner les moyens de continuer à investir en Europe? Comment leur donner les moyens de continuer à créer des emplois en Europe? En réagissant ensemble, vite et fort.

made in America first

Une impulsion extraordinaire est en train de se mettre en place aujourd'hui, chers collègues, avec la présidente de la Commission, Monsieur le Commissaire, les États: tous rejoignent l'appel du Parlement européen pour renforcer nos industries. Cet appel doit notamment inclure plus de flexibilité dans les aides d'État afin que les règles prévues pour les temps ordinaires ne nous empêchent pas de faire face aux défis des temps extraordinaires. Mais 30 ans après la création du marché unique qui nous a apporté prospérité et opportunités, nous devons éviter de le fragmenter.

Dans ce contexte, le Fonds de souveraineté européen, que nous appelons de nos vœux depuis près d'un an ici au Parlement européen, est une nécessité absolue pour maintenir la compétitivité de l'Europe dans son ensemble, mais aussi pour asseoir notre autonomie stratégique. Notre ambition doit donc être globale, vous l'avez dit, Monsieur le Commissaire, pour investir avec force et sans tabou dans nos propres industries, dans notre santé, dans notre défense, dans les matériaux rares, dans les composants industriels, dans l'écologie, dans le made in Europe. Ne gaspillons pas cet élan.

made in Europe

(L'oratrice accepte de répondre à une intervention ‘carton bleu’)

(L'oratrice accepte de répondre à une intervention ‘carton bleu’)

Bogdan Rzońca (ECR),
  wystąpienie zasygnalizowane przez podniesienie niebieskiej kartki. – Wysłuchałem uważnie Pani wypowiedzi. Widzę, że nie podoba się Pani to, co robi Ameryka, Stany Zjednoczone. Nie podoba się to, co robią Chiny. A jak się Pani podoba taka sytuacja, kiedy w ramach pomocy publicznej w Unii Europejskiej Niemcy dedykują swoim firmom 200 mld euro, Francja ponad 100 mld euro, w ramach pomocy publicznej, a inne kraje spośród 27 krajów Unii Europejskiej nie mają takiej możliwości? Czy według Pani to nie zakłóca rynku? Czy rzeczywiście powinniśmy instruować Amerykę, co ma robić? I czy Ameryka powinna czekać na to spowolnienie, które jest w Unii Europejskiej? Chciałem zapytać po prostu, co Pani uważa na ten temat? Czy to jest sprawiedliwe, że Niemcy, dysponując tak ogromnym budżetem, mogą popierać własne firmy? Francuzi mają pieniądze. Mogą popierać francuskie firmy. A inne kraje? Co z Polską, Rumunią, Węgrami, Czechami, Słowacją, biedniejszymi krajami, które takich pieniędzy nie mają? Czy to nie jest brak solidarności według Pani?

Bogdan Rzońca (ECR),

wystąpienie zasygnalizowane przez podniesienie niebieskiej kartki

Valérie Hayer (Renew),
  réponse ‘carton bleu’
  . – Alors, cher collègue, si vous m'aviez écoutée, vous auriez retenu que j'ai évoqué la question des aides d'État, mais pas seulement. Je crois profondément, et je le porte avec mon groupe depuis plus d'un an, qu'il faut qu'on accélère sur la question du fonds de souveraineté, qu'on a appelé de nos vœux déjà au printemps dernier, pour avoir une action coordonnée à l'échelle de l'Union européenne, pour éviter effectivement également la question de la fragmentation du marché intérieur. Quant à l'action des États-Unis et la Chine, nous devons agir, ne pas attendre la décision des Américains. Je l'ai dit, la Chine, les États-Unis ne se préoccupent pas de ce que nous faisons. Donc agissons pour protéger nos emplois et nos industries partout en Europe.

Valérie Hayer (Renew),

réponse ‘carton bleu’

Michael Bloss (Verts/ALE). – Frau Präsidentin! Vielen Dank, Herr Kommissar, dass Sie einen europäischen Net Zero Industry Act angekündigt haben. Das ist richtig. Wir müssen führend werden in den zentralen grünen Zukunftstechnologien: Solaranlagen, Windkraft, Stromspeicher und -netze, Wärmepumpen und Wasserstoff-Elektrolyseure.

Michael Bloss (Verts/ALE).

Net Zero Industry Act

Diese Klimaindustrie muss die dreckige fossile Industrie ablösen, wenn wir das Klima retten und zukunftsfähige Arbeitsplätze in Europa sichern wollen. Der globale Wettlauf hat längst begonnen, und Europa hinkt gerade hinterher. Damit wir vorne mitspielen können, brauchen wir einen europäischen Weg. Der beinhaltet drei Dinge: Die Schuldenbremse darf die europäischen Investitionen nicht verhindern, Europa muss einfache Möglichkeiten bekommen, die Klimaindustrie zu fördern – und zwar in allen Regionen –, und drittens, hohe europäische Standards für die Recyclingfähigkeit, für die Umweltverträglichkeit und für Arbeitnehmerinnen und Arbeitnehmer.

Die Modernisierung der Industrie, die Umstellung auf Kreislaufwirtschaft und die soziale Gerechtigkeit – packen wir das gemeinsam an!

Guido Reil (ID). – Frau Präsidentin, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Wir reden heute über die Förderung der Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der Industrie und die Schaffung von Qualitätsjobs. Qualitätsjobs, die gibt es Gott sei Dank noch beim ehemaligen Exportweltmeister Deutschland, zum Beispiel in der Automobilindustrie und in der Chemieindustrie. Aber Industrie braucht vor allen Dingen – um erfolgreich zu sein – bezahlbare Energie. Und die hat sie nun leider nicht mehr. Schuld daran ist die Klimapolitik der EU und niemand anders.

Guido Reil (ID).

Jetzt will die EU wieder einmal Probleme lösen, die sie selbst geschaffen hat. Wieder einmal durch einen Fonds sollen Milliarden der Industrie zur Verfügung gestellt werden, um den Wettbewerbsnachteil auszugleichen – Milliarden, die wir wieder einmal nicht haben, Milliarden, die erzeugt werden. Und das wird auch nicht verhindern, dass diese Unternehmen in die USA und nach China abwandern.

Ich frage mich, warum dieser Fonds überhaupt? Eigentlich passiert doch genau das, was die Grünen wollen, genau das, was der Grüne Deal eigentlich bewirken soll. Wir wollen doch die Transformation der Wirtschaft! Wir wollen doch die Deindustrialisierung! Wir wollen diese Jobs doch gar nicht, wo Menschen mit ihren Händen arbeiten und gut dafür verdienen, Menschen, die sich schmutzig machen. Diese Jobs wollen die Grünen nicht.

Die Grünen wollen Jobs für Menschen, die nichts gelernt haben, nichts können und nichts wissen und viel Geld damit verdienen, sich gegenseitig irgendeinen Blödsinn zu erzählen. Diese Jobs gibt es aber nur bei der Grünen Partei. Im wahren Leben gibt es solche Jobs nicht, und wir wollen Jobs für normale Menschen – Menschen, die anständig arbeiten, die ihre Familie ernähren wollen. Solche Jobs brauchen wir und keine Jobs für die Grünen. Die gibt es schon in der Partei der Grünen und in diesem Parlament und leider viel zu viele.

Robert Roos (ECR). – Voorzitter, in Sri Lanka stortte vorig jaar de economie in, was er opeens een tekort aan essentiële goederen, ontstonden er stroomstoringen. Er braken als gevolg daarvan massale onlusten uit. Mensen waren woest.

Robert Roos (ECR).

En wat nu zo interessant is: Sri Lanka had een bijna perfecte score van 98,1 op de E van ESG. ESG staat voor Environmental and Social Governance. Onze klimaattsaar Frans Timmermans is een grote fan van dit concept. Maar in Sri Lanka zien we waar dit toe leidt.

Environmental and Social Governance

ESG zorgt ervoor dat er niet meer wordt geïnvesteerd op basis van financiële gegevens zoals winstgevendheid en risico. In plaats daarvan wordt de maatstaf: ‘Is het klimaatneutraal genoeg? Is het wel woke genoeg?’

Collega's, ESG heeft de potentie om onze innovatiekracht, ons verdienvermogen, ons midden- en kleinbedrijf – ja, zelfs onze democratie – de genadeslag te geven. Het kan zomaar de ondergang van onze economie worden.

Het getuigt van een ongelofelijke domheid als we niet leren van Sri Lanka. Laat ESG daarom geen onderdeel van de nieuwe industriestrategie worden. Minder regels in plaats van meer regels. Dat zal onze innovatie en ons bedrijfsleven stimuleren.

Marina Mesure (The Left). – Madame la Présidente, chers collègues, la Commission européenne affiche une ambition, celle de réindustrialiser l'Europe afin de produire ce dont on a besoin et de mettre en œuvre la transition écologique. Pour y parvenir, les institutions souhaitent renforcer la compétitivité de l'industrie européenne. Mais je me pose alors cette question simple: comment réindustrialiser notre continent sans protectionnisme et sans contrôle du prix du bien le plus essentiel à l'industrie, c'est-à-dire l'énergie? Comment parler de compétitivité alors que les factures d'électricité poussent chaque jour nos artisans, nos TPE, nos PME à la délocalisation?

Marina Mesure (The Left).

Pendant que la Commission ne jure que par le marché intérieur, nos concurrents directs, États-Unis en tête, profitent de notre incapacité à réguler les prix de l'énergie pour attirer sur leur sol nos industries prises à la gorge par les prix de l'électricité. Là où l'UE parle de marché, nos concurrents planifient et régulent. Là où nous signons des accords de libre-échange, nos concurrents protègent et subventionnent leurs productions stratégiques.

Donc oui, nous devons mettre en place une stratégie industrielle en Europe, mais pour cela, nous devons sortir des logiques de marché pour nous tourner vers la production stratégique, à commencer par l'énergie. Il en va de notre souveraineté.

Enikő Győri (NI). – Elnök Asszony! Biztos Úr, hogy fordulhat elő, hogy Önök fél évet várnak azzal, hogy Európa megfelelő választ adjon az amerikai inflációcsökkentési törvényre? Sőt, Önök először még üdvözölték is azt. Értetlenül állok az előtt is, hogy miért csak most kezdenek el konzultálni a tagállamokkal. Mégis mit csináltak eddig? Fennáll a veszély, hogy a legmodernebb európai cégek áttelepülnek az USA ba, a vesztesek pedig a kkv-k lesznek. Magyarországot különösen sújtja a törvény, mert sokat ruházott be a fenntarthatóságot szolgáló iparba.

Enikő Győri (NI).

Az Unió versenyképességével régóta gondok vannak. A világ 20 legnagyobb cége között nincs európai. Az energia ára a háború és a szankciók miatt többszöröse, mint a versenytársaknál. Közben Európa gazdasága idén stagnálni fog. A Bizottság javasoljon végre intézkedéseket az ipar védelmére és a beruházási környezetünk vonzóképességének javítására. Garantálja, hogy a kisebb tagállamok is egyenlőképpen élvezhessék a könnyítéseket. Igazítsa az állami támogatási szabályokat a megváltozott körülményekhez.

A Parlament pedig hagyja végre abba a szabadkereskedelmi megállapodások ideológia alapú blokkolását, engedje lehetőséghez jutni az európai cégeket. A Bizottság azzal, hogy visszatartja nekünk járó pénzeket, versenyhátrányba hozza tudatosan Magyarországot és Lengyelországot. Pártatlanságot és elfogulatlanságot várunk el. Folyósítsák végre a minket megillető forrásokat, biztosítsák az egyenlő esélyeket a belső piacon!

Christophe Hansen (PPE). – Madam President, Mr Vice-President, on Monday we celebrated the success of our 30th anniversary of the single market. Today, unchecked state largesse threatens its continued existence in the form of undue subsidies. Picking winners and losers fragments the internal market. It is divisive internally when smaller Member States like Belgium and my own, Luxembourg, see their spending power eclipsed by their larger neighbours. And it is divisive externally when it locks us into a doomed race to the bottom against our allies like the US.

Christophe Hansen (PPE).

Dislocating the foundations of our single market and tightening US protectionism with similar foolishness is not how we restore our competitiveness. We should instead play to our strengths and build trade partnerships that benefit all Member States alike. In this framework, I welcome very much the commitment of Ursula von der Leyen to Mercosur as well. We have to secure access to the raw materials that will drive our green transition, create new opportunities and drive costs down for our companies. Red tape is also one of the big issues we need to fight.

René Repasi (S&D). – Frau Präsidentin, Herr Kommissar, Frau Ministerin, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Die Gefahr der Delokalisierung von Zukunftsindustrien ist richtig analysiert worden. Die Fokussierung auf die Digitalisierung und die grünen Energien ist richtig vorgetragen worden. Es sind schöne und richtige Ziele. Aber, let's face it: Wir als Europäische Union haben dafür nicht die finanziellen Mittel. Nur weil wir hier im Plenum das gut finden, ändert sich noch gar nichts in der europäischen Wirtschaft.

René Repasi (S&D).

let's face it

Wir brauchen staatliches Geld, um unsere Wirtschaft in die richtige Richtung zu steuern. Aber woher kommt das? Entweder von der EU, wir haben aber kein Geld, sehr wohl einen Binnenmarkt. Oder von den Mitgliedstaaten, da haben einige Geld, aber keinen Binnenmarkt. Setzen Sie bitte nicht den Binnenmarkt auf das Spiel. Nur weil einige Mitgliedstaaten es sich leisten können, dürfen wir die Beihilferegeln nicht so lockern, dass wir den Wettbewerb und den Binnenmarkt in die Tonne kloppen.

Sehr wohl kann das Wettbewerbsrecht und vor allen Dingen die Fusionskontrolle weg vom consumer welfare standard und sich hin in den Dienst der Transformation stellen. Vor allem aber brauchen wir mehr EU firepower, und dafür reicht der MFR nicht aus. Wir brauchen permanente schuldenfinanzierte Investitionsfonds. Und darüber müssen wir sprechen, wenn wir den Binnenmarkt und den europäischen Wettbewerb nicht opfern wollen.

consumer welfare standard

firepower

Rosa D'Amato (Verts/ALE). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, la Commissione e la Presidente Von der Leyen annunciano un piano industriale per il Green Deal e per la transizione verso emissioni zero, evitando le delocalizzazioni. Il piano si concentra però sull'aumento di aiuti di Stato per le industrie energivore.

Rosa D'Amato (Verts/ALE).

Voglio portare qui in plenaria, approfittare per parlare con voi di un caso in particolare. In Italia, a Taranto, il governo destina centinaia di milioni per mantenere attiva l'acciaieria che inquina a norma di legge. E non è un paradosso. È la drammatica realtà, perché negli ultimi dieci anni tutti i governi hanno decretato la possibilità di produrre inquinando e operando anche al riparo dalla magistratura, mentre una sentenza di primo grado già individua nel processo ‘Ambiente svenduto’ responsabilità precise.

E oggi cosa sta accadendo? Il governo Meloni introduce uno scudo penale. Avete capito bene, per chi gestirà l'ex Ilva ci sarà un'immunità penale. Si potrà continuare a produrre impunemente. Ieri, a Taranto, i cittadini, gli ecologisti, gli stakeholder, gli industriali puliti si sono ribellati scendendo in piazza, mentre le centraline del quartiere Tamburi denunciano pericolosi picchi del livello del benzene nell'aria. Il benzene è un cancerogeno.

A Taranto la salute continua ad essere sacrificata sull'altare del profitto e per di più aiutato dallo Stato e a questo punto aiutato dall'Europa. Se il piano industriale per il Green Deal parte dalle stesse premesse che hanno condannato la mia città, a piangere non saranno solo i tarantini, sarà tutta l'Europa.

Date un senso ai trattati, date un senso alle direttive europee, fermando una volta per tutte l'attività di questi impianti.

Elżbieta Rafalska (ECR). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Panie Komisarzu! Panie Ministrze! Szanowni Państwo! Nowa strategia Unii Europejskiej powinna określić kluczowe technologie i sektory przemysłu, które determinują konkurencyjność gospodarki Unii Europejskiej. To jest też niezwykle ważne ze względu na dobre miejsca pracy. Strategia powinna uwzględniać cyfryzację oraz konieczność wzmocnienia umiejętności cyfrowych społeczeństwa, w szczególności w odniesieniu do miejsc pracy. Coraz częściej wykorzystywane są nowe technologie, jednak utrzymuje się brak odpowiednich kompetencji cyfrowych i nierówny dostęp do technologii.

Elżbieta Rafalska (ECR).

Tworzenie miejsc pracy i ich wysoka jakość to konieczne elementy unijnej strategii Europa 2020 na rzecz inteligentnego, trwałego wzrostu gospodarczego sprzyjającego włączeniu społecznemu. Zmieniają się gospodarka i świat, w tym formy zatrudnienia. Jest coraz mniej umów na czas nieokreślony czy pracy na etacie w ogóle. Mamy też do czynienia ze zjawiskiem ubóstwa pracujących mimo pracy w pełnym wymiarze. W strategii w związku z tym nie możemy zgubić troski o wysokiej jakości dobre miejsca pracy.

Helmut Scholz (The Left). – Frau Präsidentin, Herr Kommissar, werter Rat! Die Amerikaner investieren mit ihrer American workers first-Förderpolitik in Zukunftstechnologien, in die Wiederbelebung ihrer Produktionsstätten, in die Modernisierung der maroden Infrastruktur und in Arbeitsplätze. China investiert ebenfalls gewaltige Summen. Die EU aber blieb viel zu lange gelähmt vom Nachhall neoliberaler Allergien gegen staatliches Engagement für sinnvolle Produktion und zukunftsgewinnende Investitionen.

Helmut Scholz (The Left).

American workers first

War die Rede von Präsidentin von der Leyen gestern in Davos nun endlich der Startschuss zum Einsatz von ausreichend hohen öffentlichen Investitionen in die Zukunft Europas? Ich sage ganz klar: Beim angekündigten Net-Zero Industry Act dürfen wir nicht wieder ein unterfinanziertes Bürokratiemonster schaffen wie beim Chips Act. Mein dringender Appell an Rat und Kommission: Nehmen Sie Geld in die Hand! Gerade wenn es um Zuwachs an Qualifikationen und qualifizierten Arbeitskräften in diesem Sektor geht.

Net-Zero Industry Act

Chips Act

Wir brauchen im Wettbewerb und bei gleichen Wettbewerbsbedingungen Investitionen, mutige Investitionen in allen Wirtschaftszentren der Welt, um gemeinsam und mutig den Klimawandel noch stoppen zu können und den sozial- und umweltgerechten Wirtschaftsumbau zu organisieren.

Lassen wir die EU-27 als Standort nicht zurückfallen. Handeln wir verantwortungsvoll und kooperativ für die Weltwirtschaft, auch mit Blick auf Afrika und den Globalen Süden. Zu lange handelt die EU schon auf Kosten der anderen.

Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI). – Signora Presidente, signor Commissario Breton, gentile Ministra Roswall, onorevoli colleghi, i nostri concittadini hanno bisogno di una risposta forte dall'Unione alle sfide che ci vengono poste a livello internazionale.

Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).

Non possiamo permettere la delocalizzazione all'estero della nostra industria, soprattutto verso mercati concorrenti come Stati Uniti e Cina. Gli obiettivi verdi che ci siamo posti attraverso gli incentivi per lo sviluppo di un'industria a impatto zero sono e restano centrali e indispensabili, ma la nostra risposta deve essere una risposta europea unitaria, che vada davvero a perseguire l'interesse generale dell'Unione. Ecco perché dobbiamo assicurare il rispetto della parità di condizioni a livello intra ed extra europeo, entrambi egualmente importanti.

Servirà quindi un grande fondo europeo pubblico, evitando che i paesi con più spazio fiscale si salvino da sé a detrimento di tutti gli altri. Il dramma della pandemia ci ha insegnato che solo insieme possiamo difendere la nostra Europa e i nostri concittadini e solo insieme possiamo promuovere una vera autonomia e sovranità europea, anche tecnologica e industriale. Ricordiamocelo e applichiamolo veramente questo insegnamento, è più di un dovere politico, è un imperativo per noi morale.

Pilar del Castillo Vera (PPE). – Señora presidenta, señor comisario, señora presidenta en ejercicio del Consejo, la competencia internacional es hoy muy intensa y la Unión Europea tiene que actuar con inteligencia y determinación. Algunos de nuestros socios ya lo están haciendo, como es el conocido caso de los Estados Unidos con la Ley de Reducción de la Inflación.

Pilar del Castillo Vera (PPE).

Nuestro objetivo debe ser reforzar la competitividad y fortalecer nuestra industria. Hay que actuar desde múltiples niveles, por ejemplo, mediante una política energética sensiblemente más integrada, eliminando trabas administrativas y agilizando la concesión de permisos para crear nuevas industrias y, de esta manera, atraer la inversión, y, también, mediante el incremento de ayudas de distintos tipos a los sectores más estratégicos. Pero no solo para su puesta en marcha, sino también para su funcionamiento a medio plazo, cuando fuera necesario.

Esta semana hemos celebrado el trigésimo aniversario del mercado único, uno de los grandes hitos del proyecto europeo. La futura Clean Tech Act debe tenerlo muy presente y evitar distorsiones que pudieran producirse por la distinta capacidad de endeudamiento de los Estados miembros.

Agnes Jongerius (S&D). – Voorzitter, commissaris, minister, Brussel broedt op miljardensteun voor bedrijven. Bedrijven en mensen hebben het zwaar sinds de inval in Oekraïne en sinds de energiecrisis. En er komt ook nog een Amerikaans megasteunpakket aan. Europese steun moet ervoor zorgen dat onze bedrijven het voortouw nemen. Dat is belangrijk. Dat is zelfs essentieel. Want zonder hulp heeft onze economie straks het nakijken, waarschuwde de Europese Commissie – terecht.

Agnes Jongerius (S&D).

Maar laat ik op mijn beurt de Europese Commissie waarschuwen. Publiek geld investeren kan alleen daar waar fatsoenlijke arbeidsvoorwaarden worden nageleefd, waar mensen fatsoenlijk betaald krijgen. Publiek geld mag niet gaan naar het creëren van belabberde banen die mensen uitbuiten. Laten we in deze tijden onze waarden niet te grabbel gooien, want zo wordt deze race een race naar de top in plaats van een race naar de bodem.

Tom Berendsen (PPE). – Voorzitter, ik heb de commissaris en vele van mijn gewaardeerde collega's vandaag horen zeggen dat er een antwoord moet komen op de Amerikaanse Inflation Reduction Act. Ik vind dat fundamenteel onjuist. We moeten niet antwoorden. We moeten onze eigen positie versterken.

Tom Berendsen (PPE).

Inflation Reduction Act

In het industrieverslag van mijn hand van september vorig jaar riepen we in dit Parlement al op tot een echt Europees groen en strategisch industriebeleid. We riepen op om meer Europees samen te werken om snel voldoende schone en betaalbare energie te hebben, want die hebben onze bedrijven nodig om concurrerend te zijn. We moeten meer samenwerken om fors te kunnen investeren in strategische technologie voor de economie van onze toekomst, zoals batterijen, zonnepanelen en computerchips: technologie waarvoor we niet afhankelijk willen zijn van anderen. We moeten ook beter samenwerken om onze kennis en technologie te beschermen, zodat we niet eerst veel belastinggeld investeren om er vervolgens achter te komen dat onze veelbelovende bedrijven overgenomen zijn door Chinese partijen en de kennis verdwijnt uit Europa.

Voorzitter, als het gaat om onze economie van de toekomst, onze banen, dan moeten we niet reageren op anderen, maar dan moeten we zelf aan het stuur zitten.

Inma Rodríguez-Piñero (S&D). – Señora presidenta, señor comisario, sin duda alguna, el comercio internacional se encuentra en un contexto muy difícil y complejo, agudizado por la actuación de los Estados Unidos con la aprobación de la Ley de Reducción de la Inflación, que, sin duda alguna, supone un giro hacia el proteccionismo, desencadenando una cadena global de subsidios donde prevalece el más fuerte y no el más competitivo.

Inma Rodríguez-Piñero (S&D).

Europa tiene que actuar ya. Hemos visto las consecuencias de carecer de una auténtica política industrial, tecnológica, de innovación y comercial que garantice unas reglas del juego equitativas para nuestras empresas, para nuestra industria y su desarrollo. El no haberlo hecho ha dado lugar a la deslocalización empresarial. Y eso es un error que no puede volver a ocurrir.

Europa necesita un plan. Necesita un plan ya. Y me pregunta es: ¿tenemos un plan global? ¿Cómo vamos a garantizar que ese plan garantice la unidad de mercado y un reparto equilibrado entre los Estados miembros para que no suceda lo que ha ocurrido hasta ahora? Necesitamos seguir dialogando con los Estados Unidos para garantizar que las medidas que se han tomado en la Ley de Reducción de la Inflación sean corregidas para que no discriminen a nuestras empresas.

Mi Grupo apoyará una estrategia inteligente que combine todos estos elementos. Pero necesitamos un plan en el que el papel del Parlamento Europeo sea también determinante.

Procedura ‘catch the eye’

Procedura ‘catch the eye’

Maria da Graça Carvalho (PPE). – Cara Presidente, Caro Comissário, a indústria europeia foi duramente afetada pela crise dos preços das energias. Muitos países responderam a esta crise de forma decidida e atempada.

Maria da Graça Carvalho (PPE).

Infelizmente, não foi o caso do meu país, Portugal, cujo Governo reagiu tarde e timidamente aos problemas do setor.

Espero que, de futuro, exista uma outra abordagem, não apenas sobre quando e como acionar os apoios financeiros, mas também sobre que medidas a tomar ao nível do alívio da carga burocrática, do funcionamento da justiça, da criação de todas as condições favoráveis à indústria, como um ecossistema forte da ciência e inovação, porque só assim teremos um verdadeiro crescimento económico, criação de riqueza e mais empregos de qualidade.

Radan Kanev (PPE). – Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear Minister, dear colleagues, I'm afraid that today we're not brave enough in this House facing the challenges from the biggest clean-tech investment plan in the US and – I would rather say – in Western history. We are not brave enough because we dare not say that our main task today is not to discuss protectionism and certainly not to discuss nationalisation, but to discuss the revival of transatlantic free trade negotiations and discuss maybe the opportunity to have a clean-tech transatlantic free trade agreement between the largest democratic blocks and the blocks that are really devoted to the green transition in the world we live in, which is far from perfect.

Radan Kanev (PPE).

And secondly, we are not brave enough to dare to say that we must literally turn the tide of overregulation and endless paperwork that investors in European clean tech are facing.

Henna Virkkunen (PPE). – Madam President, Presidency, Commissioner, dear colleagues, I am pleased to say that we are discussing enhancing the competitiveness of Europe. However, I want to underline that the way of boosting Europe's competitiveness is not done by relaxing the state aid rules – not at all. In order to be competitive on the global markets, Europe needs successful companies, industries and jobs.

Henna Virkkunen (PPE).

To achieve that, we need to have regulation that encourages investments and innovations in Europe. We have to cut red tape from our businesses, SMEs and industries. Here I find it very positive that Commission President von der Leyen has promised to perform a competitiveness check on all new regulations being introduced. This is an important step in the right direction.

Secondly, Europe needs to invest more in research and development. In this regard, we have fallen behind the US and China. And thirdly, we need to ensure that Europe has a skilled workforce. We know that the lack of skilled workforce is a crucial issue, especially in the digital sector, which is a sector essential for increasing our productivity and economic growth.

Seán Kelly (PPE). – A Uachtaráin, okay, so we have a problem with China. We have a problem with our friends in the US. But our biggest problem is with ourselves. As Commissioner Breton said, we've been too naive. My friend Esther de Lange said, ‘we need to be smart and flexible’, and therein is the solution.

Seán Kelly (PPE).

A Uachtaráin

We have allowed galloping regulation to stifle our industries and drive them out of Europe. Who's to blame for that? Ultimately, politicians, because politicians are supposed to rule. So we've got to get hold of it here in the European Parliament and get rid of regulation that's not helping us to be competitive.

And ministers in governments across Europe have to get hold of the civil servants who are gold-plating regulation, making it even worse than it is here in Europe. When we have done that and dealt with it, and got a good knife and got rid of all the necessary regulation, then we can talk about dealing with our friends in the West and those in China.

Maria Grapini (S&D). – Doamnă președintă, domnule comisar, sigur, este bine că analizăm cum să creștem competitivitatea industrială. În primul rând, trebuie să avem o industrie europeană.

Maria Grapini (S&D).

Să nu uităm că depindem de importuri. Nu există aproape un produs industrial la care să nu avem nevoie de importuri de completare. De aceea, cred că pentru pornirea unor capacități care să completeze lanțul valoric pentru fiecare produs avem nevoie de investiții, avem de nevoie de investiții țintite.

Și mai este o problemă, domnule comisar, s-a vorbit aici de strategia Americii - first America. Noi nu-i putem opri pe americani, dar haideți să facem și noi first Europa, să găsim soluții în care să întregim aceste lanțuri valorice, să integrăm IMM-urile acolo, să alocăm bugete și statele membre și bugetul european pentru inovație, pentru că altfel nu vom putea fi competitivi. Și cred că se poate, important este să vrem să facem acest lucru și să o facem organizat.

first America

first Europa

Sandra Pereira (The Left). – Senhora Presidente, no debate de hoje sobre estratégia industrial, queremos uma vez mais lembrar como, em países como Portugal, assistimos há décadas à destruição do aparelho produtivo e à acentuação do despovoamento e da desertificação de vastas zonas do país, sacrificando as bases indispensáveis a um verdadeiro processo de desenvolvimento económico e social.

Sandra Pereira (The Left).

Situação que reflete o impacto profundamente assimétrico de políticas comuns e neoliberais da União Europeia nos Estados e confirma a necessidade de recuperação da soberania nacional em domínios como a indústria, a agricultura, as pescas, o comércio, mas também a energia.

Insistir na lógica da competitividade e do mercado único não vai alterar os resultados, continuando a prejudicar países como Portugal.

A estratégia que defendemos é que se promova a produção nacional e o aproveitamento das potencialidades do país; que se combata a dependência externa e afirme uma via soberana de desenvolvimento; que se apoie as micro, pequenas e médias empresas; que se crie emprego com direitos, dignificando os trabalhadores; que se valorizem salários e vínculos estáveis, impedindo que os trabalhadores sejam forçados a emigrar.

Clare Daly (The Left). – Madam President, so Europe is all aflutter now with a new industrial strategy. The Swedish Presidency has put competitiveness at the top of its agenda, and we hear Charles Michel telling Politico it's all about new ways of thinking and a can-do attitude. Well, God knows, somebody needs to do something, because right now Europeans wake up every single day a little poorer than they were the day before. And will this strategy fix it? I have to say, I have my doubts because the problems facing us are much bigger than some tinkering around the edges of the state aid rules.

Clare Daly (The Left).

The EU is currently doing everything it can to alienate our largest trading partner, China. It is hell-bent on fanning the flames of war in what used to be our largest gas supplier, caught flat-footed by the new American protectionism and its energy-gouging. We're flailing around now, pretending we have a plan to stop Europe going underwater. Well, you can be absolutely guaranteed that unless you abandon neoliberalism and start examining renationalisation in the key areas of energy and infrastructure, then you're on a hiding to nothing.

(Fine della procedura ‘catch the eye’)

(Fine della procedura ‘catch the eye’)

Didier Reynders,
  membre de la Commission. – Madame la Présidente, Mesdames et Messieurs les députés, les objectifs européens visant à réaliser les transitions verte et numérique sont en bonne voie. Sur le plan technologique, les sources d'énergies renouvelables sont plus compétitives que les énergies fossiles et les colégislateurs ont adopté les mesures nécessaires pour s'assurer que nous atteignons les objectifs de 55 % en 2030 et de la neutralité climatique en 2050. Jusqu'à présent, il nous manquait peut-être une réflexion de fond sur le volet industriel de cette transition, car cette transition énergétique et climatique ne sera un succès que si elle se traduit par une industrie européenne forte, compétitive et créatrice d'emplois.

Didier Reynders,

membre de la Commission

Nous devons ensemble relever le risque majeur de désindustrialisation auquel nous faisons face, à la fois en traitant la question des coûts de l'énergie, qui est un facteur d'impulsion, et en réagissant à l'important paquet de soutien que plusieurs de nos partenaires ont récemment mis en place et qui agissent comme un facteur d'attraction. Je tiens à dire que mon collègue Thierry Breton, qui a dû nous quitter, alerte sur ce risque depuis septembre. La présidente de la Commission a fixé hier un cap très clair autour d'une loi pour une industrie à zéro émission, pour soutenir l'émergence d'une industrie européenne des technologies propres. Elle a aussi clairement appelé à une approche pragmatique sur les questions de financement autour d'une analyse des besoins et d'un financement européen permettant de répondre au risque de fragmentation du marché intérieur que les aides d'État peuvent générer.

Ce financement pourrait s'articuler en deux temps: d'abord un financement-relais pour agir vite et apporter une solution immédiate, et ensuite un fonds de souveraineté à moyen terme, pour une solution plus structurelle dans le cadre de l'exercice de révision des perspectives financières.

La Commission sait pouvoir compter sur le Parlement européen et sur les États membres pour renforcer la compétitivité de l'industrie européenne et protéger l'intégrité du marché unique. Le débat d'aujourd'hui a confirmé la nécessité d'agir vite; nous allons maintenant nous employer à mettre en œuvre ces différents éléments, en commençant dès le début de février, dans le cadre de la contribution de la Commission au Conseil européen du mois de février, car il n'y a plus de temps à perdre pour une réponse forte, commune, solidaire, pour le bénéfice de tous les Européens et pour une industrie des technologies propres made in Europe.

made in Europe

Jessika Roswall,
  President-in-Office of the Council. – Madam President, honourable Members, Commissioner, thank you very much for this very interesting debate and for the various points of view on the future of Europe's industry. This debate has confirmed that we face complex challenges, in particular on the issues of high energy prices.

Jessika Roswall,

President-in-Office of the Council

I think that we can all agree that EU industry needs affordable, safe and sustainable energy in order to remain globally competitive. At the same time, this debate has shown that Europe needs to boost public and private investment, to accelerate the energy transition and to promote clean-tech industry in Europe.

Thirdly, the EU has to diversify its access to technologies and resources, notably the raw material needed for the green transition and transformation of our industry. The discovery of rare earth metals in Kiruna in Sweden – which was announced last week – is for this purpose very good news.

Furthermore, we need to build sufficient European production capacity for these technologies. Trade policy and further development of a network of strategic partnerships are important instruments in securing a supply at reasonable costs.

Last but not least, besides the Inflation Reduction Act response, the EU needs a long-term strategy to boost competitiveness and productivity, not least for the SMEs who are the backbone of the European economy. The single market's 30th anniversary provides an excellent occasion to launch this work. So again, thank you very much for the debate and for your attention.

Presidente. – La discussione è chiusa.

Presidente. –

La votazione si svolgerà durante la tornata di febbraio I 2023.

Dichiarazioni scritte (articolo 171)

Dichiarazioni scritte (articolo 171)

Lina Gálvez Muñoz (S&D),
  por escrito. – La UE está definiendo una estrategia para impulsar la competitividad industrial, el comercio y los empleos de calidad frente a la carrera de subsidios a nivel internacional, como EE. UU. con la Ley de Reducción de la Inflación o China, en un contexto global cambiante, de dependencia energética, guerra en Ucrania, alza de precios y revisión del marco de ayudas de Estado.

Lina Gálvez Muñoz (S&D),

por escrito

El Grupo S&D ve positivamente el Plan Industrial del Pacto Verde, anunciado por la Comisión Europea como respuesta para la industria, con la ley de industria de cero emisiones netas y el Fondo Europeo de Soberanía. Aplaudimos las propuestas para acelerar y hacer más competitiva la industria verde y digital europea, haciendo énfasis en las capacidades de las y los trabajadores.

Es necesaria una acción europea coordinada y conjunta para evitar acciones individuales de Estados miembros que acaben minando la competitividad industrial e incrementen las diferencias entre unos y otros. Sin embargo, estas medidas siguen siendo poco específicas, pese a su urgencia, por lo que pedimos que se aclaren y desarrollen con velocidad, con recursos suficientes, involucrando al Parlamento Europeo y teniendo en cuenta las implicaciones y dimensiones sociales para garantizar la autonomía estratégica abierta de la UE con justicia social.

Karol Karski (ECR),
  na piśmie. – Znajdujemy się obecnie w okresie historycznych zmian geopolitycznych, które powinny wpłynąć na sposób, w jaki Europa postrzega dalszy rozwój europejskiego przemysłu oraz łańcucha dostaw. Jest to szczególnie istotne w kontekście potrzeby jak najszybszego uniezależnienia się Europy od dostaw surowców energetycznych, takich jak węgiel czy gaz z Rosji, ale również potrzeby zapobiegania tworzeniu nowych zależności, wobec innych części świata. W tym aspekcie należy wspomnieć o imporcie komponentów niezbędnych do produkcji m.in. paneli fotowoltaicznych bądź części potrzebnych do rozwoju energetyki wiatrowej. Dalszy rozwój europejskiego przemysłu oraz poprawa jego konkurencyjności będą się wiązały z potrzebą produkcji dużych ilości łatwo dostępnej energii oraz surowców. Obecnie jednym z nadrzędnych celów polityki energetycznej Unii jest uzyskanie niezależności od dostaw gazu, ropy i węgla z Rosji. Z tego też powodu Unia powinna dywersyfikować swoje źródła dostaw, ale również skupić się na wydobyciu oraz produkcji energii ze źródeł, którymi sama dysponuje, w tym produkcji energii z atomu, która gwarantuje przystępne oraz stałe dostawy prądu. W okresie przejściowym oraz w okresie kryzysu energetycznego niezmiernie ważna będzie również rola, jaką pełnią węgiel i gaz oraz zasoby własne państw członkowskich.

Karol Karski (ECR),

na piśmie

Adriana Maldonado López (S&D),
  por escrito. – La UE está definiendo una estrategia para impulsar la competitividad industrial, el comercio y los empleos de calidad frente a la carrera de subsidios a nivel internacional, como EE. UU. con la Ley de Reducción de la Inflación o China, en un contexto global cambiante, de dependencia energética, guerra en Ucrania, alza de precios y revisión del marco de ayudas de Estado.

Adriana Maldonado López (S&D),

por escrito

El Grupo S&D ve positivamente el Plan Industrial del Pacto Verde, anunciado por la Comisión Europea como respuesta para la industria, con la ley de industria de cero emisiones netas y el Fondo Europeo de Soberanía. Aplaudimos las propuestas para acelerar y hacer más competitiva la industria verde y digital europea, haciendo énfasis en las capacidades de las y los trabajadores.

Es necesaria una acción europea coordinada y conjunta para evitar acciones individuales de Estados miembros que acaben minando la competitividad industrial e incrementen las diferencias entre unos y otros. Sin embargo, estas medidas siguen siendo poco específicas, pese a su urgencia, por lo que pedimos que se aclaren y desarrollen con velocidad, con recursos suficientes, involucrando al Parlamento Europeo y teniendo en cuenta las implicaciones y dimensiones sociales para garantizar la autonomía estratégica abierta de la UE con justicia social.

Alfred Sant (S&D),
  in writing. – European policy to boost industrial competitiveness needs to be asserted more forcefully. Practices built up over the years need to be overhauled. Firstly, industrial manufacturing should be given first or equal priority with other sectors. Secondly, all efforts must be unleashed to promote innovation and protect it when of European origin, without preventing the quick adoption of innovation developed outside the single market. Thirdly, when industrial areas and projects of European importance have been identified, it should be ensured that they are really launched and not subjected to unnecessary delays. Fourthly, better account should be taken of the demands of the Green Deal on industry in order to assist the latter satisfy such demands without losing competitiveness. As background to all this there must be some revision of state aid rules. Our major partners have clear, strong and focused state aid programmes aimed at boosting their prioritised industrial sectors. While the integrity of the single market remains crucial, state aid rules should not be allowed to act as a drag on industrial investment and innovation. This is actually happening, as for semiconductors which supposedly is a priority area for the EU. Unfortunately, from the perspective of industrial competitiveness, state aid might have become the tail that wags the dog.

Alfred Sant (S&D),

in writing

Mihai Tudose (S&D),
  în scris. – Sub șocul realității, forurile UE își întorc fața dinspre himera ‘tranziției verzi’ spre provocările majore ale competitivității europene, într-un mediu global marcat de multitudinea de crize, dar și de măsurile protecționiste ale SUA și Chinei.

Mihai Tudose (S&D),

în scris

Păcat că a fost nevoie ca SUA să treacă la acțiune pentru ca Europa să realizeze că aleargă după fluturi ecologici, în loc să-și stopeze dezindustrializarea. Și mai grav e că, în loc să treacă la acțiune, măcar acum, Comisia Europeană se cramponează în reproșuri fără temei la adresa Washingtonului. SUA fac ceea ce trebuie să facă pentru a-și asigura baza de producție industrială în noul context geopolitic, tehnologic și de mediu.

De la Bruxelles, în schimb, zboară planuri grandioase despre ‘zero poluare’, fără să avem răspuns la dependența cvasi-totală de importuri de materii prime critice și la lipsa de fabrici pentru industriile viitorului ori de forță de muncă de înaltă calificare.

E cazul ca UE să-și susțină concret întreprinderile, nu să dezbată transformarea nerealistului ‘Green Deal’ într-un tardiv ‘Green Deal Industrial Plan’. Iar dacă se dorește cu adevărat o soluție negociată cu SUA, atunci aceasta trebuie să fie discutată la un summit la nivel înalt UE-SUA, nu lăsată în grija unor funcționari ai Comisiei.

Iuliu Winkler (PPE),
  în scris. – Azi, UE se află într-un moment de mare cumpănă. SUA erodează competitivitatea europeană prin măsurile pe care le-a luat pentru a se proteja de inflație, iar China își continuă planurile de expansiune economică. Prinsă între doi giganți economici, UE trebuie să dea dovadă de inteligență și să acționeze rapid.

Iuliu Winkler (PPE),

în scris

Acum, nu avem nevoie de declarații belicoase, de declanșarea unor războaie comerciale, de măsuri protecționiste, de o competiție a subvențiilor. Avem deja mecanisme de apărare comercială, iar de acum înainte trebuie să concretizăm cât mai multe acorduri de liber schimb, astfel încât să asigurăm reziliența lanțurilor noastre de aprovizionare, lucru absolut necesar pentru o industrie sănătoasă.

Trebuie să încetăm cu frenezia supra-reglementării cu care sufocăm industria, IMM-urile și inițiativa privată. Trebuie să reducem povara administrativă și să consolidăm cadrul european care să încurajeze investițiile și mediul de afaceri.

Noua strategie industrială europeană trebuie să țină cont de principiul solidarității: nici unul dintre statele membre nu trebuie lăsat în urmă. Trebuie să eliminăm distorsiunile care azi alimentează procesul de fragmentare a pieței comune. Voi continua să acționez, împreună cu colegii mei din Grupul EPP și cu întreaga echipă a SME Europe în sprijinul IMM-urilor europene, coloana vertebrală a economiilor din Uniunea Europeană.

(La seduta è sospesa alle 11.53)

(La seduta è sospesa alle 11.53)

PRESIDENZA: ROBERTA METSOLA

PRESIDENZA: ROBERTA METSOLA

President

President

10.   Resumption of the sitting

(The sitting resumed at 12:06)

(The sitting resumed at 12:06)

11.   Amendment of the agenda

President. – Pursuant to Rule 158(2) and following discussions in the Conference of Presidents, I would like to propose to the House to postpone to the part-session of 1 and 2 February the plenary votes on the decision of the EMPL Committee to enter into negotiations on the basis of the report on improving working conditions in platform work, and the report by Mr Radtke on revision of the European Works Councils Directive that were scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday 19 January.

President. –

Would there be any objections to that?

I see that is not the case. We will postpone them and the changes are adopted. The rest of the votes will take place.

12.   Extension of the term of office of special committees and committees of inquiry

President. – Also at today's meeting of the Conference of Presidents which just ended, there was a decision to extend the term of office of the Special Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future, the term of office of the Committee of Inquiry to investigate the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware, and the Special Committee on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation, for a three-month period. These extensions were necessary on account of the work that still needs to be done to allow the special committees and the committee of inquiry to fulfil fully and correctly their mandate.

President. –

If no objections are raised in the following 24 hours, these extensions will be deemed to be approved. Otherwise these extensions will, at a later date, be put to the vote in plenary.

Hannah Neumann (Verts/ALE). – Madam President, dear colleagues, I would just like to make a point of order.

Hannah Neumann (Verts/ALE).

The European Union is a key player when it comes to Iran, and our High Representative is the coordinator for the nuclear negotiations with Iran. So what we do here matters for the future of Iran and the Middle East, and the European Parliament has a role in that. Yet for three times now, the High Representative did not show up for the debate with this Parliament on the issue of Iran – despite the fact that he was in town. On 9 November he couldn't be there so we rescheduled the debate for 22 November, when right when we started the debate he walked out of the plenary.

So we had a unanimous message from the Conference of Presidents to him that he had better be here for the debate yesterday. Yet again yesterday, Mr Borrell was in Strasbourg, but he wasn't here in the evening. Colleagues, we are talking about one afternoon a month where we ask him to adjust his schedule to our plenary debates. I have to say that I find it difficult not to interpret this behaviour as a sign of disrespect to Parliament, and also to the 12 000 people who were here on Monday.

(Loud applause)

(Loud applause)

I understand very much that we cannot drag him here by physical force. So maybe this public statement will help. I encourage the Conference of Presidents to also define what else they can do to make him appear here next time. Otherwise, I promise you, I will make this point of order again!

13.   Voting time

President. – The next item is the vote.

President. –

(For the results and other details on the vote: see Minutes)

(For the results and other details on the vote: see Minutes)

13.1.   Election of a Vice-President of the European Parliament (to replace Eva Kaili) (first and second ballots) (vote)

President. – The next item is the election of a Vice-President of the European Parliament to replace Eva Kaili. I would like to remind you that, pursuant to Rule 20 of Parliament's Rules of Procedure, the newly elected Vice-President shall take the place of his or her predecessor in the order of precedence.

President. –

For the election to be held for a Vice-President to replace Ms Kaili, I have received the nominations of Marc Angel, nominated by the S&D Group, Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield, nominated by the Green Group, and Annalisa Tardino, nominated by the ID Group.

The candidates have confirmed to me their consent to their candidacies. As the number of candidates exceeds the number of seats to be filled, we shall hold a secret ballot in accordance with Rule 17(1) of the Rules of Procedure. The ballot will take place electronically.

Let me also remind Members of the provisions of Rule 17(1): ‘The Vice-Presidents shall [...] be elected on a single ballot. Those who on the first ballot, up to the number of 14, secure an absolute majority of the votes cast shall be declared to have been elected in order of the number of votes obtained. If the number of candidates elected is less than the number of seats to be filled, a second ballot shall be held under the same conditions to fill the remaining seats. If a third ballot is necessary, a relative majority shall suffice for election [...]. In the event of a tie, the oldest [candidate] shall be declared to have been elected.’ Blank or void ballots will not be regarded as votes cast.

As we have done in the past, we shall first hold a dummy vote to ensure that everybody is familiar with the electronic voting system.

(A dummy vote was held)

(A dummy vote was held)

We shall now hold the election for the Vice-President replacing Eva Kaili.

I remind you that you can vote for one candidate or you can abstain, but you cannot vote against a candidate.

(The vote was held)

(The vote was held)

Members voting: 648; Abstentions: 93; Votes cast: 555; Absolute majority needed: 278.

The results are as follows: Marc Angel – 263; Annalisa Tardino – 179; Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield – 113.

This means that no candidate has obtained an absolute majority of the votes cast and a second ballot will be necessary. I need to ask whether any of the candidates will withdraw. If not, I take it that the candidates in the first ballot are still standing. That seems to be the case, and therefore the candidates in the first ballot will also stand in the second ballot.

Also for the second ballot in accordance with Rule 17(1), in order to be elected a candidate must obtain an absolute majority of the votes cast. Blank or void ballots will not be regarded as votes cast.

(The vote was held)

(The vote was held)

Members voting: 645; Abstentions: 55; Votes cast: 590; Absolute majority needed: 296.

The results are as follows: Marc Angel – 307; Annalisa Tardino – 185; Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield – 98.

That means that Marc Angel has been elected Vice-President of the European Parliament. Congratulations to Mr Angel.

(Applause)

(Applause)

13.2.   30th Anniversary of the Single Market (B9-0004/2023) (vote)

13.3.   Consumer protection in online video games: a European Single Market approach (A9-0300/2022 - Adriana Maldonado López) (vote)

13.4.   Implementation of the common foreign and security policy - annual report 2022 (A9-0292/2022 - David McAllister) (vote)

13.5.   Implementation of the common security and defence policy - annual report 2022 (A9-0296/2022 - Tom Vandenkendelaere) (vote)

— Before the vote on Amendment 15:

— Before the vote on Amendment 15:

Alviina Alametsä (Verts/ALE). – Madam President, dear colleagues, I would like to propose an oral amendment to Amendment 15, which should be inserted at the beginning of the text of paragraph 35 and read like this: ‘Stresses the need to increase civil military coordination and cooperation at EU level’.

Alviina Alametsä (Verts/ALE).

President. – There is opposition, so the amendment cannot be taken.

President. –

Niklas Nienaß (Verts/ALE). – Madam President, you had made the decision to take the oral amendment to a vote. The opposition has been expressed after the decision of the President has been made. Therefore, I request that the decision stands as it has been proposed to Parliament and, therefore, we vote on the amendment as proposed by the colleague.

Niklas Nienaß (Verts/ALE).

President. – Thank you for that. However, and this will happen to all groups, if there is opposition that was expressed – because Mr Złotowski said it and I heard him – then that happens, so that is in the context of the vote as had already been in motion. Therefore the oral amendment cannot be taken, and we vote on Amendment 15 as originally tabled.

President. –

13.6.   Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union's policy on the matter - annual report 2022 (A9-0298/2022 - Isabel Wiseler-Lima) (vote)

(Members of the House sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to the President)

(Members of the House sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to the President)

President. – I'm sorry, I'm not very good with these things. I tend to blush. Thank you very much!

President. –

Congratulations to Marc Angel. Thank you very much to all of you. This has been a difficult week.

(The sitting was suspended for a few moments)

(The sitting was suspended for a few moments)

VORSITZ: KATARINA BARLEY

VORSITZ: KATARINA BARLEY

Vizepräsidentin

Vizepräsidentin

14.   Resumption of the sitting

(The sitting resumed at 13:03)

(The sitting resumed at 13:03)

15.   Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

Die Präsidentin. – Das Protokoll der gestrigen Sitzung und die angenommenen Texte sind verfügbar. Gibt es Einwände? Das sehe ich nicht.

Die Präsidentin.

(Das Protokoll der vorangegangenen Sitzung wird genehmigt.)

(Das Protokoll der vorangegangenen Sitzung wird genehmigt.)

16.   Protecting the Rule of Law against impunity in Spain (topical debate)

Die Präsidentin. – Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über ein aktuelles Thema (Artikel 162 der Geschäftsordnung) über den Schutz der Rechtsstaatlichkeit vor Straflosigkeit in Spanien (2023/2519(RSP)).

Die Präsidentin. –

Ich weise die Mitglieder darauf hin, dass es bei dieser Aussprache keine spontanen Wortmeldungen gibt und dass keine blauen Karten akzeptiert werden.

Dolors Montserrat,
  autora. – Señora presidenta, señor comisario Reynders, España sufre una preocupante deriva de degradación democrática, deterioro institucional e irresponsabilidad gubernamental provocada por las últimas decisiones del actual Gobierno español.

Dolors Montserrat,

autora

Traemos este asunto porque la defensa del Estado de Derecho, de nuestras instituciones y de la independencia judicial es competencia de este Parlamento. No podemos callar mientras este Gobierno mercadea con España haciendo cesiones ante los que buscan acabar con el propio país.

No se puede identificar al conjunto del país con su actual Gobierno. Un Gobierno que ha entregado el Código Penal a los condenados por atentar contra la Constitución, modificándolo a la carta para así lograr que sus delitos desaparezcan. Un Gobierno que ha suprimido el delito de sedición, el delito que en España protege al Estado ante los golpes contra nuestro sistema democrático. Un Gobierno que ha abaratado también las penas por malversación, el delito que protege contra la corrupción. Un Gobierno que ha impulsado una ley que, lejos de proteger a las mujeres, está provocando una cascada de rebajas de penas y excarcelaciones a los agresores sexuales. A día de hoy, ciento noventa agresores sexuales condenados se han beneficiado y, como les parecía poco, han acabado colocando a un ministro y a un alto cargo del actual Gobierno en el Tribunal Constitucional. Todo esto lo está haciendo un Gobierno que presumía de ser el Gobierno de la transparencia, de la ejemplaridad y de la anticorrupción.

Comisario Reynders, el Partido Popular Europeo cree que el Consejo General del Poder Judicial debe renovarse y que el modelo debe reformarse, algo que el Gobierno no quiere.

Queridas señorías, debemos ser claros: los delincuentes no pueden dictar las órdenes para reformar el Código Penal. Las instituciones no pueden estar al servicio del Gobierno y los agresores sexuales no pueden verse beneficiados por culpa de la incompetencia del Gobierno.

La fortaleza democrática e institucional de los países y la protección de los ciudadanos son clave para el futuro de la Unión Europea y, como comprenderán, el Partido Popular Europeo no va a mirar hacia otro lado mientras todo esto ocurre.

España es una gran nación, una democracia plena y un país profundamente europeísta y, por ello, no podemos tolerar que un mal Gobierno dañe todo lo que hemos logrado juntos todos los españoles.

Didier Reynders,
  membre de la Commission. – Madame la Présidente, Mesdames et Messieurs les députés, je vous remercie tout d'abord d'avoir inscrit à l'ordre du jour ce débat sur la situation de l'état de droit en Espagne. Nous devons plus que jamais protéger la démocratie et l'état de droit dans l'ensemble de l'Union européenne, et la Commission a intensifié ses efforts à cet égard. Le rapport annuel sur l'état de droit joue, comme vous le savez, un rôle central dans ce domaine.

Didier Reynders,

membre de la Commission

En juillet de l'année dernière, la Commission a publié la troisième édition du rapport qui comprend pour la première fois des recommandations spécifiques pour tous les États membres. Je souhaiterais développer nos recommandations relatives à l'état de droit en Espagne et aborder aussi quelques développements récents.

In relation to the Spanish justice system, the 2022 Rule of Law report highlights that the renewal of the Council for the Judiciary has been pending since the end of 2018. In this context, there have been further calls to modify the appointment system in the Council in line with European standards. In particular, the Commission has recommended to Spain to proceed with the renewal of the Council for the Judiciary as a matter of priority. We also recommend to initiate, immediately after such renewal, a process in view of adapting the appointment of the judge members to take into account European standards. We continue to call on all parties involved to take the necessary actions for the successful implementation of this recommendation.

In relation to the Prosecutor General, the 2022 Rule of Law report refers to legal amendments adopted in Spain, which aim at increasing the transparency of its relations with the government. However, the Commission has noted that concerns remain because the term of office of the Prosecutor General and of the government coincide. The Commission has therefore recommended to strengthen the statutes of the Prosecutor General, in particular with respect to avoiding such coincidence of the terms of office.

As regards the quality of the Spanish justice system, the report acknowledges progress in several areas, such as measures facilitating access to justice for persons with disabilities, the ongoing reform of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the fact that the digitalisation of justice is progressing. The launch of proceedings remains a challenge in Spain. Work is ongoing on draft laws to enhance the organisational, procedural and digital efficiency of the justice system.

As regards the anti-corruption framework, the report underlines that work is ongoing to adopt a law on the transparency and integrity of interest groups. The Commission has encouraged Spain to continue those efforts, in particular with the establishment of a mandatory public register for lobbyists. We understand that since the publication of the report, a law has been tabled to this end which is currently being discussed in the Spanish Parliament. The report also acknowledges that resources have been increased for the prosecution services.

At the same time, we also highlight that the investigation and prosecution of high-level corruption remains a concern as proceedings continue to be lengthy and complex. The Commission has therefore recommended to Spain to pay specific attention to this challenge.

As regards media freedom and pluralism, a law on audiovisual communication was adopted attributing new competences to the audiovisual regulator. In this context, the Commission has recommended to ensure adequate resources for this regulator to enable it to carry out its functions properly.

Work is also ongoing to strengthen access to information. In this context, the Commission has encouraged Spain to continue the work on the revision of the law on official secrets in order to make access to official information easier for journalists and citizens at large. We understand that, last August, the government presented a first draft of the law on classified information that will replace the law on official secrets, and that this text is now in the phase of consultation with stakeholders.

Moreover, a draft law for the protection of the professional secrecy of journalism was presented last December. The government has also continued the implementation of an agreement aimed at facilitating the work of media professionals. We also noted that journalists are still confronted with some challenges.

Finally, when it comes to checks and balances, the report reflects that several constitutional bodies, including the Ombudsperson, saw their members appointed by the Spanish Parliament. The report also refers to the efforts that the government is undertaking, with several initiatives aimed at increasing public participation in policymaking. Moreover, actions aimed at reinforcing cooperation between the public administration and civil society are being taken.

Moreover, a number of developments have been taking place after the publication of the report. The Commission is aware that a legal proposal was tabled in the Spanish Parliament to modify some aspects of the appointment of members of the Constitutional Court. In this context, interim measures were taken by the Constitutional Court suspending the vote of this proposal in the Senate. We are also aware that in the meantime, in December last year, four new members of the Constitutional Court have been appointed – two by the government and two by the Council for the Judiciary. Those appointments were pending since June 2022. These appointments are important as the functioning of constitutional organs is an essential element of the rule of law.

According to the information available to the Commission, a reform of the Spanish Criminal Code has been approved in Parliament. This reform introduced changes to several crimes, including the crime of embezzlement. The Commission is currently analysing these new provisions to verify the compliance of this reform with EU law, notably as regards the protection of EU financial interests.

The Commission will continue following these developments in the context of the preparation of our 2023 Rule of Law report. I want to insist on the fact that in the 2023 Rule of Law report, we will, of course, assess the implementation of the recommendations and, as said, we have asked as a matter of priority for the renewal of the National Council for the Judiciary, and then to start immediately after the process for a reform. It is an important element that I have myself mentioned during my visit to Spain at the end of September, if I remember well, last year. I'm sure that it is very important to continue to work on it because the top bodies of judiciaries are the most important pieces to organise a real promotion, protection of the rule of law, but to have also a very good perception in the population about the independence of the judiciary. I thank you for your attention. Thanks for the debate and, of course, I am looking forward to listening to your interventions and your remarks.

Paulo Rangel,
  on behalf of the PPE Group. – Madam President, dear Commissioner, we are deeply concerned about the situation of the rule of law in Spain. We are used to speaking here about Hungary and Poland, and rightly so. But the measures that the Spanish Government has taken in the last year – and in the last years – are very, very concerning.

Paulo Rangel,

on behalf of the PPE Group

We cannot forget that the Consejo General del Poder Judicial, the Judicial Council, is totally paralysed by decisions of the government. That the Minister of Education has not implemented decisions of the High Court on Catalonia. That there are pardons and amnesties for people that were condemned by the High Court. And that the crime of sedition was totally changed, and that of misuse of public funds also.

And this means that these laws – that were made in a procedure that was accelerated and not consensual – these laws are ‘photo laws’. They were done, they were approved, to favour people whose names and faces we know. They are totally unconstitutional. And by the way, about the Constitutional Court, Commissioner: please don't forget that a minister and someone that was very close to the government were nominated to be judges of the Constitutional Court. And the problem is not that they are former ministers. The problem is that they were members of this government, of this majority.

I have never seen this in all of Europe: nominating to the Constitutional Court someone that was a member, a minister of the government. This is totally against the rule of law. I have never seen this. And I regret that a country like Spain – which was a role model for all of us, with its democratic transition – is now at stake in this problem of independence, of judicial power. This is, I would say, a shame for us, because we used to admire the democratic model of Spain and its respect for the rule of law.

Juan Fernando López Aguilar,
  en nombre del Grupo S&D. – Señora presidenta, señor comisario Reynders, para quienes tenemos el honor de representar a la ciudadanía en este Parlamento Europeo, cualquier presidencia semestral del país del que procedemos en el año en curso es una ocasión preciada para mostrar unidad en un compromiso europeísta desde objetivos de país compartidos.

Juan Fernando López Aguilar,

en nombre del Grupo S&D

Señores del Partido Popular, ¿no les da vergüenza perder míseramente esa oportunidad para mostrar aquí su confrontación con el Gobierno de España? ¿A quién quieren engañar ocultando que el problema señalado en los informes de la Comisión sobre el Estado de Derecho en relación con España es el bloqueo, el secuestro de los órganos constitucionales que requieren mayorías parlamentarias de tres quintos —cualificadas, por tanto— para su renovación?

El ejemplo peor es el Consejo General del Poder Judicial, que es un órgano de gobierno de la Judicatura, bloqueado, este año 2023, desde hace cinco años por la exclusiva responsabilidad del Partido Popular, que no acepta los resultados de las urnas. Cinco años en los que el Partido Popular ha pretendido perpetuar la mayoría absoluta que tuvo en 2011, pero que perdió en 2015, hace la friolera, este 2023, de ocho años.

No engañan absolutamente a nadie. Lo hacen en grave perjuicio del poder judicial, de la administración de justicia y de los derechos fundamentales de la ciudadanía, entre ellos el acceso a la tutela judicial de la ciudadanía, perjudicado por el bloqueo y el secuestro del Consejo General del Poder Judicial.

Les digo más, señores del Partido Popular: la idea europea de democracia efectivamente exige gobernar con la mayoría que te inviste en el Parlamento del Estado miembro, respetando a las minorías. Sí, la idea europea de democracia exige saber gobernar respetando a las minorías, pero hay algo más importante todavía: la idea europea de democracia exige saber perder reconociendo el resultado cuando pierdes las elecciones y el Partido Popular no ha sabido perder y ese es el origen del problema. No ha sabido perder las elecciones y, por tanto, está deslizándose por la misma pendiente que los seguidores de Trump y Bolsonaro —tenemos que deplorar aquí que nunca les oímos criticarlos—, que no han sabido perder, no han sabido reconocer el resultado de las urnas.

La democracia europea exige reconocer el resultado, saber perder. Pero no perdamos la esperanza, todavía tienen ustedes una oportunidad de aprender a perder después de nada menos que cuarenta años de convivencia en la democracia constitucional española, saboreando la derrota de nuevo este diciembre de 2023.

Jordi Cañas,
  en nombre del Grupo Renew. – Señora presidenta, si les hablase de un presidente de Gobierno europeo que desobedece, incumple leyes y sentencias judiciales, que nombra a su ministro de Justicia fiscal general del Estado, cuyos socios de Gobierno acusan de golpistas con toga a jueces y magistrados del Tribunal Constitucional por hacer cumplir la ley, que provoca que tres de las cuatro asociaciones judiciales escriban una carta al señor Reynders acusando a este Gobierno de amenazar el Estado de Derecho, si dijera que hay un presidente que quiere cambiar las mayorías de nombramiento de miembros del Poder Judicial ilegalmente, que indulta a políticos condenados por sedición y malversación, sí, que reforma el Código Penal a su medida para que además no tengan un coste de inhabilitación, ¿de quién creen que hablo? ¿De Orbán? No, de Pedro Sánchez. Pedro Sánchez, sí. Cosas fácticas. Ya sé que no les gusta escucharlas, pero son así.

Jordi Cañas,

en nombre del Grupo Renew

Pero les voy a decir una cosa: España no es Pedro Sánchez, ni su Gobierno, ni el Partido Socialista, ni sus cómplices separatistas y comunistas. Eso se les tiene que meter en la cabeza, no lo confundan. España soportó un golpe de Estado de sus socios y será capaz de soportar los abusos del Estado de Derecho que ustedes provocan, porque su Gobierno es la principal amenaza a la igualdad ante la ley —un principio básico, la igualdad de cualquier ciudadano ante la ley— y al respeto del Poder Judicial y a la separación de poderes. Ustedes lo son. Pero recuerden una cosa: ustedes, en el año 1985, dijeron que Montesquieu había muerto, pero no vamos a permitir que Pedro Sánchez, ni su Gobierno ni ustedes lo entierren.

Ernest Urtasun,
  en nombre del Grupo Verts/ALE. – Señora presidenta, el Partido Popular hoy nos trae un debate sobre el Estado de Derecho en España. Yo creo que los problemas del Estado de Derecho en España los últimos años han sido dos: la corrupción, con cientos de cargos electos del Partido Popular, con un daño gravísimo al funcionamiento institucional de nuestro país; y, en segundo lugar, el boicoteo del Partido Popular, porque cuando no ganan las elecciones deciden que el funcionamiento institucional normal y la aplicación de la Constitución ya no vale, porque o gobiernan ellos o la Constitución ya no se aplica. Y ese es el motivo por el cual hay seis miembros del Consejo General del Poder Judicial cuyo mandato está caducado, lo que provoca un grave daño al funcionamiento institucional de nuestra judicatura.

Ernest Urtasun,

en nombre del Grupo Verts/ALE

Ahora hay otra cosa que me preocupa, que les quiero decir de una manera muy clara. De aquí a seis meses empieza el semestre de la Presidencia española, algo único que no ocurre desde hace muchos años. Yo tuve el placer de participar como joven diplomático, en 2010, en una Presidencia que fue fantástica. Cientos, miles de funcionarios de la Administración General del Estado están en estos momentos dejándose la piel para que esta Presidencia sea un éxito. ¿Saben cuál va a ser su mayor problema? Su mayor problema van a ser ustedes, que van a empezar una campaña de boicot a la Presidencia que ya han empezado hoy. Ese va a ser su mayor problema. En un ejercicio de deslealtad, yo no conozco partido político en esta Cámara más desleal con los intereses, no de su Gobierno, sino de su país, que el Partido Popular español.

Pero yo les digo una cosa: pueden hacer todo el ruido que quieran, pero no van a lograr empañar el buen trabajo que el Gobierno de coalición de España está haciendo en Europa con la excepción ibérica, con los fondos de recuperación, en materia de política laboral... Pueden hacer el ruido que quieran, porque este Gobierno va a seguir haciendo un buen trabajo en Europa y ustedes no van a empañar este trabajo, Y estoy seguro de que la Presidencia va a ser un éxito a pesar de ustedes. Ladran, ladran, luego cabalgamos...

Nicolaus Fest,
  im Namen der ID-Fraktion. – Frau Präsidentin, Herr Kommissar! Wir reden heute wieder einmal über die Rechtsstaatlichkeit, diesmal erstaunlicherweise nicht über die Rechtsstaatlichkeit in Ungarn oder Polen, sondern über die in Spanien.

Nicolaus Fest,

im Namen der ID-Fraktion

Wie ich hier schon öfter gesagt habe, bin ich kein Freund dieser Debatten. Welche Gesetze sich Mitgliedstaaten geben, ist vor allem deren Sache. Aber man stelle sich vor, die polnische oder ungarische Regierung hätte entschieden, die Strafen für Sexualverbrechen deutlich zu reduzieren. Die Empörung der Linken, der Grünen, der Sozialisten und Liberalen wäre ohne Grenzen. Man hätte Ungarn und Polen der strukturellen Gewalt gegen Frauen bezichtigt, des Rückfalls in dunkelste Zeiten, und man hätte mit Sicherheit ein Artikel-7-Verfahren verlangt und schwere finanzielle Sanktionen gefordert.

Nun haben wir genau diese Situation in Spanien. Allerdings kommt hier die Reduzierung der Strafen für Sexualverbrechen von der sozialistischen Regierung. Mehr als 200 verurteilte Sexualstraftäter haben von der Neuregelung profitiert. Ihre Strafen wurden teils drastisch reduziert. Viele von ihnen sind wieder frei. Was das für die Opfer bedeutet, kann sich jeder vorstellen.

Aber die sozialistische Regierung hat nicht nur ein Herz für Sexualstraftäter, sie hat auch ein Herz für Kriminelle, die öffentliche Gelder veruntreuen: Auch hier wurden die Strafen drastisch reduziert. Auch insofern muss man sagen: Hätten die Polen oder Ungarn ein solches Gesetz erlassen, wäre der Aufschrei der Linksparteien riesig gewesen, und die Kommission, das ist sicher, hätte sofort alle Gelder eingefroren.

Aber nun ist es eben Spanien, und dann kommen die Gesetze auch noch von den Sozialisten. Die setzen, was Korruption und Veruntreuung angeht, auch hier im Parlament gerade neue Standards. Wir sollten noch einmal festhalten: Es sind übrigens nicht die Kollegen von PiS oder Fidesz, die Geld von den Katarern genommen haben, sondern ausschließlich Sozialisten.

Die Kommission und die Kollegen der Linksparteien haben jetzt ein ernstes Problem: Wenn sie den Schutz der Frauen und den Kampf gegen Korruption und Veruntreuung ernst nehmen, müssten sie gegen Spanien vorgehen. Wenn sie es nicht tun, machen sie deutlich, dass der Schutz der Rechtsstaatlichkeit davon abhängt, ob in dem Land eine der EU genehme Regierung an der Macht ist oder eben nicht.

Jorge Buxadé Villalba,
  en nombre del Grupo ECR. – Señora presidente, George Orwell, en 1984: ‘Si el líder dice de tal evento esto no ocurrió, esto no ocurrió. Si el líder dice que dos y dos son cinco, dos y dos son cinco’. Esta es la situación del Estado de Derecho, la democracia y la libertad en España. Bajo una apariencia de frases grandilocuentes, se esconde la voluntad de acabar con el principio de legalidad. El Gran Hermano es Pedro Sánchez. El Estado de Derecho exige respeto del procedimiento, de las minorías y de los órganos constitucionales de consulta. Sánchez viene aprobando sistemáticamente leyes de forma fraudulenta, utilizando los grupos parlamentarios para evitar los informes del Consejo de Estado, el Consejo General del Poder Judicial y el Consejo Fiscal.

Jorge Buxadé Villalba,

en nombre del Grupo ECR

1984

España es el único Estado miembro cuyo órgano de Poder Judicial no puede realizar, desde 2021, nombramientos porque el Gran Hermano lo ha prohibido. El Gran Hermano sigue colocando a sus peones judiciales con la complicidad de todos los partidos menos VOX.

Para garantizar la independencia judicial, las normas de procedimiento deben evitar que se susciten dudas legítimas en cuanto a la neutralidad de los jueces. Sin embargo, Sánchez ha nombrado magistrado del Tribunal Constitucional a quien hasta hace un año era su ministro de Justicia, y magistrada a quien hasta hace seis meses trabajaba en su Gabinete de Presidencia. Pero, ¿qué recursos van a resolver sobre las leyes que ellos han redactado? El Gran Hermano ha decidido corromper las instituciones. Antes de asaltar el Tribunal, Sánchez acusaba a los magistrados de atropellar la democracia.

Sánchez ha convertido España en un espacio de impunidad donde el delincuente recibe recompensa y la víctima, humillación. Ayer eran las víctimas del terrorismo de ETA, hoy son las mujeres o los menores víctimas de violaciones y de abusos sexuales los que ven cómo sus agresores son excarcelados o ven rebajadas las penas. Golpistas, políticos, ladrones y violadores son los beneficiados por Sánchez. Esta es la verdad que ninguna propaganda podrá ocultar.

El Gran Hermano Sánchez dicta lo que los españoles pueden pensar de su historia reescribiendo el pasado para controlar el futuro: requisas e incautaciones de libros, profanaciones de tumbas y cancelación del nombre de calles y monumentos.

Termino citando a Chesterton: ‘Las cosas muertas pueden ser arrastradas por la corriente, solo algo vivo puede ir contracorriente’. No se preocupen, seguimos muy vivos, contracorriente, para recuperar en España la unidad, la libertad, la seguridad, la prosperidad de los españoles y el principio de legalidad.

Sira Rego,
  en nombre del Grupo The Left. – Señora presidenta, este debate es un debate instrumental del Partido Popular, que utiliza esta Cámara para cuestionar la legitimidad del Gobierno de España, al puro estilo de la extrema derecha en otros lugares del mundo, sobre todo teniendo en cuenta el historial que arrastran y, sobre todo, su particular visión de la legalidad.

Sira Rego,

en nombre del Grupo The Left

¿Algún ejemplo? El que fuera su ministro del Interior pagó con fondos reservados a policías para espiar a adversarios políticos y miembros de su propio partido: ilegal. Su sede reformada con dinero negro: ilegal. Sus ministros encarcelados por hacer cosas ilegales, por corrupción. Su presidente, M. Rajoy, cesado por el mayor escándalo de corrupción en nuestro país. Pero también su concepción del Estado de Derecho, que no les impide situarse fuera de la Constitución, bloqueando la renovación del Consejo General del Poder Judicial. O su Gobierno de coalición con la extrema derecha en lugares como Castilla y León, donde esta semana proponían obligar a las mujeres a escuchar el latido de sus fetos antes de abortar. Un atentado contra nuestros derechos. Podría seguir, pero no me da tiempo en los dos minutos que tengo a enumerar todo el historial de esta gente. Aunque creo que con estos ejemplos queda claro que quizá quien más retuerce el Estado de Derecho en nuestro país es precisamente el Partido Popular.

Y claro que tenemos muchas cosas que mejorar, como todos, pero sin duda es uno de los Gobiernos de la UE que más avances en derechos y democracia ha impulsado este año: nuestra excepción ibérica, que sitúa la factura eléctrica como la más baja de Europa, el aumento del salario mínimo, la cifra récord de contratos fijos por la reforma laboral, la ley del ‘solo sí es sí’, que por fin nos protege a las mujeres de las violencias sexuales, la ley trans y LGTBI, la ley del aborto, el refuerzo y revalorización del sistema público de pensiones, el ingreso mínimo vital y, algo muy importante, la ley de memoria que cierra el capítulo más negro de nuestra historia reciente y que, sí, cancela al fascismo en nuestro país.

También podría seguir, pero valgan estos ejemplos para que el PP español no trate de confundir a esta Cámara en los próximos meses con debates que tienen poco que ver con la defensa de derechos y mucho tienen que ver, sin embargo, con un interés electoralista.

Clara Ponsatí Obiols (NI). – Madam President, nobody really cares about the rule of law in Spain. No matter how much you fuss about it, the Partido Popular certainly don't care. They have forced this debate to score political points at home, even though they themselves shamelessly instrumentalise Spain's institutions over and over again. Under their watch there have been illegal police operations, friendly judges that look the other way and relentless political persecution.

Clara Ponsatí Obiols (NI).

Partido Popular

The Socialists don't care either. Their government has taken over the repression of a peaceful political movement through any means necessary, including political espionage. And this Parliament? Well it has never expressed serious concern about the serious systematic violations of the rule of law in Spain. And now it bills itself to be used as a pawn in this petty ridiculous political fight.

Do you want to debate impunity in Spain? Then start by looking at how Socialists and Populists both cover up the scandalous corruption of the Spanish crown!

Jeroen Lenaers (PPE). – Madam President, last week we had the Spanish Minister of Justice in the LIBE Committee to discuss the rule of law in Spain. It was very interesting. She said many fascinating things about vaccination strategies, about green hydrogen energy, about organ transplants. She didn't say much about justice, which you could think is strange for a Minister of Justice. But looking back, it actually makes sense because there is not much about justice and the rule of law that a Minister can proudly share in Spain, and the interests of this Spanish Government are certainly not with justice, the separation of powers or checks and balances.

Jeroen Lenaers (PPE).

When they do not like the composition of the Council of the Judiciary, they just adopt a law to prevent it from functioning. When they need to appoint an independent attorney-general, they just pick a loyal party colleague – the former Minister of Justice. When they need judges in the constitutional court, they pick another lawyer and former Minister of Justice and a director-general.

No wonder the Minister of Justice last week shockingly called the Constitutional Court a political body! When they adopt new legislation against and ignoring all those advisory reports and the consequences are that sentences are reduced and sexual offenders and rapists are released early, what do they do? They blame the judges for misinterpreting the law. When they find parliamentary democracy too difficult, they just rule by decree.

This is truly bizarre, because two and a half years ago Iratxe Garcia stood here and she blamed Viktor Orbán for ruling by decree. She said it was like trying to rule like a proper dictator. I agreed with her then and I still agree with her today, but where is the criticism of Prime Minister Sanchez then? He who is breaking the ‘ruling by decree’ records at home? Truly, he is the ‘king of decrees’. Is that democracy, dear colleagues of the S&D, or is that trying to rule like a dictator? You cannot have it both ways. Packing courts and independent bodies with your political friends, politicising the judiciary, ruling by decree, blaming judges for your own mess. This is page-by-page out of the populist and autocrat playbook. It is beneath Spain, it is beneath Europe, and it needs to stop!

Evelyn Regner (S&D). – Frau Präsidentin, Herr Kommissar! Reden wir Klartext: Es geht hier um einen Angriff auf Frauenrechte. Eine Frau ist nur frei, wenn sie über ihren Körper entscheiden kann. Frei über den Körper zu entscheiden, das heißt, dass jede Frau für sich entscheiden kann, eine Schwangerschaft freiwillig zu beenden. Frei, das heißt frei von jedem Zwang, von jedem psychologischen Druck, von jedem Druck von außen.

Evelyn Regner (S&D).

Wenn einer Frau auf dem Weg zur Schwangerschaftsabbruchklinik Bilder von Föten zugesteckt werden, wenn eine Frau vor dem Abbruch die Herztöne abhören muss, dann ist diese Frau nicht frei. Wenn gerade das in Kastilien und León passiert, geht es uns alle etwas an. Das erinnert an Orbáns Ungarn, es ist inakzeptabel. Es sind manipulative und bevormundende Maßnahmen mit drastischen Auswirkungen auf das Leben von Frauen, und sie bewirken Angst und Zwang, aber nicht, dass es weniger Abbrüche gibt, nur gefährlichere.

Die extrem rechte Vox spielt mit dem Leben von Frauen und ihre politischen Unterstützer der Konservativen ebenso. Spaniens Regierung hat so viel Gutes für Frauen erreicht. Eine echte freiwillige Entscheidung – das müssen wir verteidigen.

Frankreich zeigt uns vor, in welche Richtung die Debatte gehen muss. Das Recht auf freiwilligen Schwangerschaftsabbruch gehört in die Verfassung. In so vielen europäischen Ländern wird freiwilliger Schwangerschaftsabbruch im Strafgesetzbuch geregelt. Somit wird jeder einzelnen Frau gesagt und mitgegeben: Ihr macht zwar etwas Verbotenes, aber wir sind gnädig und sprechen euch von eurer Schuld frei.

Ich will, dass jede Frau in Spanien wie in jedem europäischen Land weiß: Sie und nur sie allein darf ganz allein über ihren Körper bestimmen, und dabei müssen wir sie unterstützen.

Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (Renew). – Señora presidenta, el PP español presenta hoy aquí un problema de técnica jurídica como un intento de favorecer a los delincuentes sexuales. La voluntad del legislador era la contraria. De hecho, ha mejorado la definición penal de violación. Como parece compartirse el objetivo, animo a bajar el tono y encontrar la solución acordando un texto mejor en las Cortes. Y, de paso, aplicar la misma receta a un problema más profundo.

Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (Renew).

España no tiene un problema de impunidad. Tiene un problema grave de independencia judicial. El sistema de renovación del Consejo General del Poder Judicial y el del Tribunal Constitucional nacen de un bipartidismo que ya no existe. Los mismos que aquí discuten se han acostumbrado a judicializar lo político y así se dictaron sentencias que, cuando nos afectaban a nosotros, a los ‘otros’, aplaudieron en su día los que ahora discuten. Decisiones que muchos expertos relacionan más con el nacionalismo de Estado y el abuso de poder que con el Derecho, que abordan procesos políticos como casos penales, que niegan una diversidad que existe, que se expresa y que hay que reconocer y hay que respetar.

Empezaron aplaudiendo una condena injusta al presidente del Parlamento vasco por cumplir la ley. Terminaron padeciendo un esperpento: un Tribunal Constitucional con un mandato caducado prohibiendo debatir al Parlamento. Un lamentable ejemplo de activismo político desde el supuesto garante de los valores constitucionales. Una avería en toda regla en la división de poderes.

A su disposición para acabar con esta crisis a base de diálogo, entendimiento y encuentro. Animo a los responsables europeos a sumarse al empeño, con el nivel de discreción que necesiten, ahora que saben que nuestras reiteradas denuncias y pronósticos estaban plenamente justificados.

Diana Riba i Giner (Verts/ALE). – Señora presidenta, señor comisario, somos muchas las que tenemos un gran interés en la salud de la democracia en el Estado español, porque nos va la libertad en ello.

Diana Riba i Giner (Verts/ALE).

¿Quieren ustedes hablar de aquellos temas que son una amenaza para el Estado de Derecho?

Comencemos por el sistema judicial, que transitó del franquismo a la democracia sin reformas y que, controlado por apellidos fácilmente identificables, es el arma predilecta de la extrema derecha y la no tan extrema.

Sigamos por la criminalización de la participación y la movilización de la sociedad civil a causa de una ley mordaza que sigue sin derogarse.

Podríamos poner también encima de la mesa la corrupción, pero si comienzo por los dos grandes partidos, se nos acaba el tiempo de este debate. Por no hablar de la utilización de Pegasus, comprado por unos, utilizado por todos, sin ningún tipo de control.

Por eso, nos alegra que se ponga el Estado de Derecho en España en el centro de la agenda europea y esperemos que este mismo empeño que tienen las derechas y no tan derechas en promover aquí debates electorales lo tengan para corregir las muchas deficiencias democráticas que hace décadas que se arrastran.

Patryk Jaki (ECR). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Panie Komisarzu! Otóż rząd Hiszpanii, jak typowa lewica, robi dokładnie wszystko odwrotnie, jak mówi. Od lat atakuje Polskę za wybieranie Rady Sądownictwa przez polityków, mimo że robi dokładnie to samo, dokładnie w ten sam sposób. Co więcej, właśnie powołali na sędziów swoich polityków, w tym ministra sprawiedliwości. Wasz wymiar sprawiedliwości, drodzy Hiszpanie, podobnie jak niemiecki, jest najbardziej upolityczniony w całej Europie. Tylko oczywiście Pan Komisarz udaje, że tego nie widzi. Swoją drogą bardzo zabawne jest to, że sami podejmowaliście wielokrotnie rezolucje w tej izbie – i to dotyczy zarówno PPE, jak i lewicy – że politycy nie powinni wybierać sędziów. Potem przyjeżdżacie do swojego kraju i bez względu na to, kto rządzi, robicie dokładnie to.

Patryk Jaki (ECR).

Mówicie, że najważniejsza jest sprawa gender i obrona kobiet. Ile razy usłyszeliśmy to tutaj z tej mównicy? Po czym przyjmujecie nowelizację kodeksu karnego obniżającego kary za przestępstwa seksualne, wychodzi prawie 200 gwałcicieli i kobiety są teraz w większym niebezpieczeństwie. Chcecie Europy, gdzie lewica i komuniści mogą bezkarnie kłamać, puszczać na żer gwałcicieli i niszczyć praworządność? I jeszcze mówić, że to wszystko robią w imię prawdy, sprawiedliwości i praworządności. Typowa lewica. Najciemniej pod latarnią.

Eugenia Rodríguez Palop (The Left). – Señora presidenta, señor comisario, este debate está instrumentalizado por las ambiciones electoralistas de un partido sedicioso que lleva cuatro años incumpliendo la Constitución, que no reconoce los resultados electorales y que pretende difundir la idea de que el Gobierno español es ilegítimo solo porque no es el suyo.

Eugenia Rodríguez Palop (The Left).

Todo el mundo sabe que el Partido Popular es el que ha impedido la renovación del Consejo General del Poder Judicial en España y que no es la primera vez. Se ha bloqueado tres veces desde que se aprobó la Constitución en 1978 y siempre lo ha hecho el Partido Popular: en 1996, durante ocho meses; en 2008, un año y diez meses; y, ahora, cuando llevamos cuarenta y nueve meses de bloqueo.

Su modus operandi es siempre el mismo: patrimonialista y oportunista. Primero colonizan el Poder Judicial y, cuando las cosas no les son favorables, bloquean su renovación. En esta ocasión se blanquean exigiendo un cambio normativo para cumplir con el mandato constitucional y dicen que ese cambio lo exige Europa. Pero en Europa hay modelos muy distintos y la Comisión nos ha recomendado únicamente que se proceda de inmediato a la renovación del Consejo, que es lo que impide el Partido Popular.

modus operandi

El Consejo de Europa ha dejado claro que son tan válidos los mecanismos de elección a través de órganos de representación política como por parte de los miembros de la carrera judicial, asumiendo que todo tiene sus riesgos, como ya apuntaba el Tribunal Constitucional español en 1986, que no fue ayer. Tan mala es la politización como el corporativismo. Como dice la Comisión de Venecia, aquí lo importante es garantizar que los jueces son autónomos y que no trabajan al dictado de un partido, que es lo que impide el Partido Popular.

En fin, aunque están empeñados en que España sea Polonia o Hungría, no hay comparación posible, porque en España es la oposición, y no el Gobierno, la que pretende controlar a los jueces y porque nuestro Poder Judicial es resiliente y sigue contando con garantías efectivas. A pesar del Partido Popular, este Gobierno se ha puesto a la cabeza de Europa en protección y garantía de derechos fundamentales y en políticas sociales.

Sabrina Pignedoli (NI). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, la situazione che si è venuta a creare in Spagna è un chiaro esempio di come il rispetto dello Stato di diritto, anche in paesi democratici, non possa mai essere dato per scontato, ma sia necessario un monitoraggio e un lavoro costante per mantenerlo.

Sabrina Pignedoli (NI).

Il potere giudiziario deve avere il solo ruolo di amministrare la giustizia, indipendentemente dal colore del governo; dall'altra parte, le riforme dell'esecutivo non devono avere come obiettivo il controllo politico degli organi giudiziari.

Il punto chiave che credo sia importante far emergere in questo dibattito è la fragilità di uno dei pilastri dello Stato di diritto, rappresentata appunto dall'interessenza tra potere giudiziario ed esecutivo.

Abbiamo assistito in diversi Stati dell'Unione europea a governi che hanno condizionato e sottomesso la magistratura, per questo sono stati fortemente stigmatizzati in quest'Aula, ma, dall'altro lato, non dobbiamo accettare nemmeno la politicizzazione della magistratura, deriva altrettanto deleteria ma non altrettanto stigmatizzata e purtroppo ampiamente diffusa in altri Stati membri, compresa l'Italia.

Javier Zarzalejos (PPE). – Señora presidenta, señor comisario, yo quisiera ser claro y empezar por decir que España no tiene un problema con el Estado de Derecho, sino que el Estado de Derecho tiene un problema con el actual Gobierno de España.

Javier Zarzalejos (PPE).

Nuestra Constitución y el desarrollo de sus instituciones han hecho de España una democracia vigorosa y tres generaciones de españoles, ya, sentimos el orgullo de haber edificado un sistema de libertades desde la transición de la dictadura a la democracia, con un pacto de reconciliación y un proyecto nacional ampliamente compartido. Y esto queremos precisamente que se mantenga.

Ataquen al Partido Popular todo lo que quieran, pero no ofendan a las mujeres diciendo que es ruido el hecho de que doscientos agresores sexuales hayan visto reducidas sus condenas —y estos son datos— y diecinueve hayan sido excarcelados.

Ataquen al Partido Popular, pero no ofendan a los contribuyentes cuando los malversadores de fondos públicos van a ver reducidas sus penas como consecuencia de una reforma legal del Gobierno. Y, por cierto, hablando de casos de corrupción, yo creo que en Andalucía todavía estarán esperando la devolución del dinero detraído de los eres.

Ataquen al Partido Popular, pero no ofendan a los ciudadanos cuando ustedes debilitan la protección del sistema democrático con una reforma penal que suprime el delito de sedición pactada con los sediciosos.

Pues bien, la organización judicial española —lo sabemos— está sufriendo las consecuencias devastadoras de otra reforma legal del Gobierno que impide desde hace dos años que el Consejo de la Magistratura nombre jueces y magistrados en los principales tribunales.

Sobre el Tribunal Constitucional, solo diré que es un buen ejercicio comparar su composición y la extracción de sus miembros con otros tribunales constitucionales de la Unión Europea.

Y esta no es solo una cuestión nacional, esto es ya un problema europeo. El comisario emite todos los años un informe sobre el Estado de Derecho. Es un problema que tiene el nombre y apellido de un Gobierno que además ha dejado claro —lo repitió la ministra de Justicia en Bruselas la semana pasada— que no piensa cumplir con las insistentes recomendaciones de la Unión Europea y del Consejo de Europa.

Por tanto, esta es la realidad que nosotros queremos poner de manifiesto y que usted, señor comisario, lamentablemente, tendrá que seguir afrontando.

Елена Йончева (S&D). – Г-жо Председател, каква е целта на днешния дебат? За пореден път Европейската народна партия злоупотребява с правото си на предлагане на тематичен дебат. През октомври, при това в предизборна обстановка, ЕНП наложи дебат за България по тема, която вълнуваше единствено техния приятел Борисов, и по тема, която беше отдавна решена в съда.

Елена Йончева (S&D).

Днес отново сме свидетели на поредния абсурд. Обсъждаме Испания, страна с утвърдени демократични принципи, страна с демократични, ефективни институции. Според световния индекс за върховенството на закона Испания е в топ 20 на целия свят. Какво, колеги, искате да обсъждаме днес? Когато фактите говорят, редно е политиците да се съобразяват с фактите.

Къде бяхте, колеги от ЕНП, когато вашият съпартиец Борисов срина свободата на словото в България и овладя съдебната система? Къде бяхте, когато Виктор Орбан, верен член на ЕНП по това време, унищожи правовата държава в Унгария? Къде бяхте, когато Янша се опита да овладее обществените медии в Словения? Колко тематични дебати поискахте тогава? От подобно поведение, колеги, губи цяла Европа.

Estimados colegas del Partido Popular Europeo, hoy tengo un mensaje para ustedes: España es uno de los países más democráticos del mundo y el Estado de Derecho no es un juego político. El Estado de Derecho no es un juego político que pueda utilizarse a su conveniencia.

Maite Pagazaurtundúa (Renew). – Señora presidenta, señorías, señor comisario, el Gobierno de Sánchez consigue poder por apoyar al populismo ultraidentitario en Cataluña. No nos lo inventamos, lo dicen los propios interesados. Y asistimos a la erosión de salvaguardas que son importantes para un Estado democrático y el motivo es otorgar impunidad total o parcial a autores de graves delitos contra el Estado de Derecho. Esto es lo sustancial.

Maite Pagazaurtundúa (Renew).

España acaba de sufrir un carrusel de reformas judiciales que llevan a eliminar el delito de sedición cuando todavía hay acusados sin juzgar por los graves hechos de 2017, que son el ataque más grave en la Unión Europea al Estado de Derecho, señor comisario. Y la rebaja de las penas por malversación afecta directamente a las personas que proclamaron el fin de la separación de poderes en Cataluña —no lo olvidemos—, contra las instituciones democráticas, contra el orden constitucional, señor comisario.

Y no hablamos de suposiciones. Los propios beneficiados por la impunidad lo han reconocido públicamente una y otra vez. Y la deriva no cesa, señor comisario. Usted mismo ha hablado de que hay que cumplir las sentencias cuando se refieren a derechos fundamentales y el Gobierno intenta evitarlo, tal vez por otro pacto secreto. La impunidad aparece como una derivada y desde Ciudadanos hemos avisado una y otra vez de esto.

Hermann Tertsch (ECR). – Señora presidenta, ya era hora, desde luego, de que este Parlamento se ocupara del caso más escandaloso y grave de degradación antidemocrática en Europa, que es el que sufre España.

Hermann Tertsch (ECR).

En tres años, bajo Pedro Sánchez y su Gobierno de socialistas y comunistas, el acoso a los jueces y fiscales ha llegado a niveles propios de regímenes chavistas iberoamericanos. El abuso de los medios públicos y privados para la propaganda del Gobierno y para los ataques a la oposición, con descalificación y criminalización de la misma, es propio de sistemas no democráticos.

Eso no es casualidad. Los partidos del Gobierno —socialistas y comunistas— tienen estrechos vínculos ideológicos y de corrupción con dictaduras, como en el caso PDVSA con Venezuela o los envíos de dinero a Podemos, a los comunistas, desde narco-Estados como Venezuela y como Bolivia.

El Gobierno de España ha forzado, manipulado y hasta abolido leyes y presionado a jueces y puesto a políticos de su confianza como magistrados para ayudar a criminales golpistas y liberar a asesinos terroristas, porque depende de sus votos minoritarios para seguir gobernando. Hasta el último día en su campaña prometió que no haría eso, justo lo que hizo después: pactar con los criminales para conseguir los votos de los criminales.

Balázs Hidvéghi (NI). – Elnök Asszony! A spanyol igazságügyi miniszter azt találta mondani itt az Európai Parlamentben múlt héten, hogy teljesen rendben van az, hogy egy politikust neveznek ki az Alkotmánybíróság tagjává, merthogy az egy politikai természetű testület. Mindezt mondta azok után, hogy ki is nevezték a volt miniszterüket, egy spanyol szocialista politikust az Alkotmánybíróságba. Na, most képzeljék el, hogy mi történt volna, hogyha ez Lengyelországban vagy Magyarországon történik meg. A demokráciáért és jogállamiságért folyamatosan álszent módon aggódó politikusok, itt azonnal eljárásokat kezdeményeztek volna, szankciókat és így tovább.

Balázs Hidvéghi (NI).

Érdekes módon Spanyolországgal szemben nem indul jogállamisági eljárás, és az Európai Bizottság sem akarja visszatartani az uniós forrásokat a spanyoloktól. Egyszerűen azért nem, mert ott egy olyan baloldali kormány van hatalmon, amely kritika nélkül elfogadja az összes brüsszeli őrültséget. Hát mi ez, kérem szépen, ha nem a kettős mérce klasszikus esete? Ideje lenne felismerni, hogy a jogállamiság politikai célokra való felhasználása tévút, és tönkreteszi az európai együttműködést. Mindenkire egyforma szabályok érvényesek, még a spanyol szocialista kormányra is.

Nuno Melo (PPE). – Senhora Presidente, Colegas, enquanto português, sinto uma grande ligação a Espanha, país com que partilhamos fronteiras, cultura e muitos afetos. Por isso, é com respeito que digo que lamento muito que em Espanha, como em Portugal, os socialistas partilhem os mesmos defeitos.

Nuno Melo (PPE).

Para os socialistas, só importa o poder pelo poder, e para o alcançarem qualquer negócio prevalece sobre razões de princípio. Em Portugal, para governarem apesar de terem perdido as eleições, os socialistas e António Costa aliaram-se à extrema-esquerda que rejeita o Euro, a NATO e a própria União Europeia.

Do mesmo modo, em Espanha, os socialistas e Pedro Sánchez dão aos radicais de esquerda e aos independentistas o que seja para se manterem no poder. Quando o Estado de direito é atacado, os atos são censuráveis por razão de princípio e não por um governo ser de esquerda ou ser de direita.

Em Espanha, os socialistas e Pedro Sánchez querem vezenuelizar o país e controlar o poder judicial, acabando com consensos democráticos de muitas décadas. O que é condenável na Hungria ou na Polónia também tem de ser condenado em Espanha.

Este Parlamento tem de levantar a voz. Este Parlamento tem de saber levantar a voz e tem de saber lutar pela defesa do princípio da separação de poderes e pelo Estado de direito em Espanha. Porque, lutando pelo Estado de direito em Espanha, estamos a lutar pela democracia em toda a União Europeia.

Ibán García Del Blanco (S&D). – Señora presidenta, España, como se ha dicho aquí, no tiene un problema con su Estado de Derecho. España tiene un problema fundamentalmente con la oposición y el tipo de oposición que se está realizando, fundamentalmente porque hay un partido que es el Partido Popular, que era uno de los pilares del sistema —era un partido sistémico en la arquitectura constitucional—, que se está comportando como un partido que va locamente detrás de la extrema derecha, entre otras cosas porque no sabe competir, porque no sabe cómo contrarrestar a una extrema derecha que es un fenómeno relativamente reciente en España.

Ibán García Del Blanco (S&D).

Llama la atención que ustedes traigan un debate de estas condiciones al Parlamento Europeo viendo lo que han hecho ustedes con la renovación del Consejo General del Poder Judicial.

Me gustaría que tomaran nota de lo que ha dicho la Comisión: el problema prioritario es la renovación del Consejo General del Poder Judicial —el organismo de funcionamiento y dirección de la Judicatura en España—, lo cual no quiere decir que los jueces no sean independientes y no funcionen.

El Poder Judicial es independiente en España, pero es verdad que se crea un grave quebranto en el funcionamiento del sistema con la no renovación del Consejo General del Poder Judicial, que lleva bloqueado ya más de 1 500 días, 1 506 días exactamente en el día de hoy.

Y, por cierto, animo a la gente y animo a sus propios compañeros que aquí han intervenido a revisar la hemeroteca. Pero si es que no es difícil averiguar la cantidad de excusas que ha puesto el Partido Popular para no renovarlo en estos últimos 1 500 días: desde que no quería negociar con uno de los socios de gobierno hasta que había una modificación del Código Penal, hasta que se quería una determinada medida política. Todo han sido excusas. La última: que quieren cambiar una ley que crearon ustedes, que aprobaron ustedes en 2013 —la aprobó el Gobierno con mayoría absoluta del señor Rajoy en 2013—; una ley que tienen que cumplir y se lo ha dicho la Comisión: tienen que renovar el Consejo General del Poder Judicial, porque es absolutamente prioritario en España.

El patriotismo no es llevar banderitas en la muñeca, el patriotismo es fundamentalmente cumplir la ley. Y, por cierto, también patriotismo es hablar bien de su país en el exterior. Yo no veo otro Partido Popular de un gran país de la Unión Europea que traiga esta clase de debates constantemente al Parlamento Europeo, como el vergonzoso comportamiento de la presidenta de la Comisión de Peticiones constantemente, utilizando las instituciones europeas para hablar mal de su país.

De verdad, señores del Partido Popular, la democracia española les necesita. Yo creo sinceramente que les necesita. Así que, por favor, bajen del monte.

Eva Maria Poptcheva (Renew). – Señora presidenta, comisario Reynders, la imagen de España la embarran aquellos que debilitan las instituciones. El Gobierno del Partido Socialista y Podemos pactó la eliminación del delito de sedición precisamente con aquellos que lo cometieron organizando un referéndum de independencia inconstitucional, declarando la independencia y aprobando leyes de desconexión.

Eva Maria Poptcheva (Renew).

Argumenta el Gobierno que había que adaptar nuestro Código Penal al de los otros países europeos. Mentira: en la Unión Europea no existe tal armonización del Derecho penal, porque el Derecho penal da respuesta a circunstancias específicas en cada Estado.

España necesita el delito de sedición porque los nacionalistas amenazan diariamente con romper la convivencia entre ciudadanos. ¿O acaso pensáis que el resto de países europeos no se defendería contra un golpe de Estado? Por favor, no debilitemos las instituciones que tanto nos ha costado construir. No dejemos a nuestros jueces sin los instrumentos necesarios para defender el Estado de Derecho.

Beata Kempa (ECR). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Zacytuję tutaj jednego z moich przedmówców: demokracja europejska uczy przegrywać. To ja pytam, siedzącego tutaj pana Lópeza Aguilara, dlaczego tej maksymy życiowej nie przekazał polskiej opozycji, którą tak ochoczo wspierał, kiedy Pan wziął pałkę pod tytułem ‘praworządność’ i nawet na terenie naszego kraju potrafił Pan tą pałką uderzać? Niech Pan zobaczy dzisiaj, jak to boli. Bo dzisiaj kwestia dotyczy pańskiego rządu. Ja jestem daleka od wtrącania się w jakiekolwiek wewnętrzne sprawy kraju członkowskiego, bo właśnie w Polsce mówiliśmy, że kwestie sądownictwa to nie jest domena traktatowa Unii Europejskiej. Pan wpadł we własną pułapkę i państwo wpadli we własną pułapkę.

Beata Kempa (ECR).

Ale jeśli już jestem przy głosie, to nie zgadzam się z tym, aby była łamana wolność słowa i wolność wyznania, aby były wprowadzane w krajach przepisy, które wolność religii ograniczają. A tak jest w pańskim kraju. To zrobiliście. I nie zgadzam się z tym, żeby przestępcy seksualni biegali luzem po kraju, mieli obniżone kary, żeby kobiety, właśnie kobiety nie czuły się bezpiecznie. I to dedykuję Panu i proszę Pana, żeby przestał się Pan również wtrącać w sprawy naszego kraju.

Enikő Győri (NI). – Señora presidenta, señorías, necesitamos un gran escándalo de corrupción por parte de varios diputados socialistas en esta Cámara para que el Grupo S&D acepte poner el debate sobre España en el orden del día.

Enikő Győri (NI).

El Gobierno de Sánchez funciona gracias a un acuerdo con partidos anticonstitucionales y de extrema izquierda. Su actividad implica cumplir con su agenda: desmantelar el Estado de Derecho, las libertades, interferir en la vida privada y poner en riesgo la seguridad cotidiana de los españoles. Criminales a la calle. Nombramientos de los compañeros a altos cargos de la justicia. Cambio de las reglas de juego para validar sus posiciones. Criminalizar a los jueces por sus decisiones. ¿Y ustedes tienen el valor de criticarnos por nuestro Estado de Derecho? En Hungría, la ley y la Constitución no permitirían jamás hacer esto.

Ustedes utilizan los fondos de recuperación con mucha opacidad, mientras chantajean a la Comisión para que no dé fondos a Hungría. Comisario, ¿cuándo van a tomar medidas contra el Gobierno de España? ¿O solo las toman contra Gobiernos conservadores que representan valores como la libertad y la familia?

Andrzej Halicki (PPE). – Madam President, dear colleagues, as deputy chair of the Committee on Civil liberties, Justice and. Home Affairs (LIBE), a person from Poland, a member of the Polish opposition, and also as an ex Minister, I have some very friendly advice for you. You would like to lead a common Europe in several months with the lady who was in Brussels last week – such an aggressive minister who was not answering any questions. Let us think about your image. The standards are the same for everybody in Europe, the law also. You cannot be above the law, even if you are a member of the government.

Andrzej Halicki (PPE).

So let's think: on a green light you can go, but on the red, even if you love this colour, you cannot go. You are very close to the red light, and I have advice to change this person, because I cannot imagine the European Council meeting with a person who would like to protect the rule of law with this language, which is very similar to our colleagues from the far right.

The second piece of advice, which is much more important, is that you have to change this direction. You still have time, and it is high time to change it, because you are on a slippery slope, very similar to other well-known ways. I don't want to prolong this discussion. This is my friendly advice to you: don't make a mistake on that.

Pedro Silva Pereira (S&D). – Senhora Presidente, um debate político sério sobre a muito séria crise institucional que se vive em Espanha faz todo o sentido. Mas deve ter lugar no local próprio: o Parlamento de Espanha, não aqui no Parlamento Europeu.

Pedro Silva Pereira (S&D).

É evidente que o agendamento deste debate pelo Partido Popular Europeu é apenas uma tentativa de utilizar este palco europeu para prosseguir o confronto partidário contra o Governo de Espanha.

Sem dúvida, o Estado de direito é um valor europeu e as ameaças sistémicas ao Estado de direito são um assunto europeu, como tem sido entendido em relação a vários Estados-Membros. Mas não é esse o caso de Espanha.

Ainda hoje, a Comissão Europeia veio aqui reconhecer os progressos feitos no funcionamento da democracia e do Estado de direito. Se, em Espanha, há motivos de preocupação com o funcionamento do Estado de direito e com o princípio da separação de poderes, é precisamente naqueles dois pontos que a direita e os proponentes deste debate se recusam a reconhecer.

Primeiro, o longo bloqueio de muitos anos na renovação do Conselho Geral do Poder Judicial, e agora também do Tribunal Constitucional, mantendo vários juízes em funções muito para lá do seu mandato, para perpetuar um desequilíbrio político favorável à direita.

Segundo, e mais grave, o caso sem precedentes da interferência do poder judicial no funcionamento do poder legislativo: quando o Tribunal Constitucional, a pedido da direita, usou o expediente da providência cautelar para impedir a votação no Senado, num processo legislativo ainda em curso.

Isto, sim, não tem precedentes, nem em Espanha nem em qualquer Estado de direito. Fez bem o Governo de Espanha ao acatar esta decisão do Tribunal e contribuir assim para o respeito pelo Estado de direito. Mas faz bem também em não se conformar com este bloqueio. Essa é, aliás, a prioridade número um das recomendações da Comissão.

Se o Partido Popular leva a sério as suas preocupações com o Estado de direito, o caminho é simples: travar este bloqueio de muitos anos à renovação dos órgãos do poder judiciário em Espanha.

Jadwiga Wiśniewska (ECR). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Panie Komisarzu! Wczoraj dyskutowaliśmy o korupcji w Parlamencie Europejskim, która bardzo mocno dotknęła lewą stronę sceny politycznej. Dziś mówimy o praworządności w Hiszpanii. De facto dzisiaj ta dyskusja sprowadza się do tego, że obnażamy podwójne standardy. To właśnie socjaliści najgoręcej, najbardziej bezwzględnie atakowali Polskę i Węgry pod każdym zarzutem, bardzo często względem Polski, w stu procentach zawsze pod fałszywymi zarzutami, zarzucając rzekomo łamaną praworządność. A więc popatrzmy, Panie Komisarzu, jak to jest z tymi kamieniami milowymi. Czy do kamieni milowych hiszpańskich wpisano, czy zadbał Pan o to, żeby usprawnić kwestię krajowej rady sądowniczej w Hiszpanii? Czy zapisano, że ograniczy się dostęp do środków unijnych, jeśli Hiszpania nie podniesie kar za korupcję? Bo przecież to w Hiszpanii obniżono kary za korupcję. Obniżono kary dla gwałcicieli. Czy pani przewodnicząca Barley oburzyła się i powiedziała, że w związku z tym, że w Hiszpanii obniża się kary za przestępstwa seksualne, należy Hiszpanię zagłodzić? Nie. Dziś ta dyskusja jest o podwójnych standardach. A to socjaliści pokazują, że mają gębę wypchaną frazesami. A kiedy chodzi o realne sprawy, okazuje się... (Przewodnicząca odebrała mówczyni głos)

Jadwiga Wiśniewska (ECR).

(Przewodnicząca odebrała mówczyni głos)

Jiří Pospíšil (PPE). – Paní předsedající, dámy a pánové, jako český europoslanec se nechci zabývat vnitrostátní situací ve Španělsku. Ta debata ale o tom není. Ta není o tom, jaká je politická situace ve Španělsku, ale je o tom, že jedna z klíčových hodnot Evropské unie – právní stát – je v jedné z členských zemí ohrožena. A ta debata tím pádem je zcela legitimní, patří na půdu Evropského parlamentu a my jsme povinni jako europoslanci, ať už jsme občany kteréhokoli z členských států, debatovat o tom, zda právní stát ve Španělsku je či není ohrožen.

Jiří Pospíšil (PPE).

Jako člověk, který se profesně – jsem právník, byl jsem ministr spravedlnosti a jsem akademik – zabývá nezávislostí justice, tak musím říci, že mě velmi znepokojuje, co se ve Španělsku děje s Nejvyšší soudcovskou radou: že je zablokovaná, že nefunguje, že se současná vláda snaží zvýšit politický vliv na španělskou justici. To zde musíme řešit, stejně jako jsme o tom debatovali a řešili to v případě Polska a Maďarska. Musí platit heslo ‘padni, komu padni’. Není možné, aby některá země byla z naší debaty vyloučena jenom proto, že tamní vláda se prezentuje jako proevropská. Pokud bychom na to přistoupili, pak by do budoucna naše ochrana právního státu byla výrazně zneužita, relativizována a naše ochrana právního státu by byla brána jako určitý nátlak Bruselu vůči nepohodlným vládám v členských státech Evropské unie.

Pane komisaři, velmi prosím, nepodceňte situaci ve Španělsku. Zahajte dialog se španělskou vládou, zahajte dialog, jak napravit situaci zablokované Nejvyšší soudcovské rady, jak řešit bezprecedentní rozhodnutí španělského Ústavního soudu, který sám upozornil, že tento problém je velmi vážný, a udělejme vše pro to, ať Španělsko zůstane právním státem.

Juan Ignacio Zoido Álvarez (PPE). – Señora presidenta, señor comisario, como magistrado, me entristece profundamente que, desde la Unión Europea, se señale a mi país por ataques contra el Estado de Derecho.

Juan Ignacio Zoido Álvarez (PPE).

Estamos acostumbrados a que, con cierta frecuencia desde la bancada del Grupo Socialista, nos quieran dar lecciones de patriotismo. Y, aquí, lecciones de patriotismo, el Grupo del Partido Popular no tiene por qué recibir ninguna. Creo, además, que no es ninguna lección de patriotismo el proferir una agresión verbal gratuita a la jefa de la delegación española del Grupo del Partido Popular. Me congratulo, comisario, de que vaya a seguir evaluando la conformidad con las recomendaciones que se sugieren desde la Unión Europea.

Lamentablemente, que el PSOE trate de interferir en la independencia judicial no es ninguna sorpresa. Y lo explico: ya lo hicieron en el año 1985, durante una mayoría absoluta, cuando cambiaron la Ley Orgánica del Poder Judicial para cambiar el sistema de elección de los vocales del Consejo General del Poder Judicial.

Por tanto, comenzaron por ahí, siguieron en otra etapa con otro presidente y están culminando ahora: la ministra de Justicia, el otro día en el Parlamento Europeo, nos reconoció que el Tribunal Constitucional era un tribunal político y que el Gobierno no tenía nada que ver con la renovación del Consejo General del Poder Judicial, cuando resulta que el que negocia en nombre del Partido Socialista es el ministro de la Presidencia, el señor Bolaños.

Por tanto, estamos llegando a un nivel de descaro y de injerencia sin precedentes que está dejando, desde luego, a poco nivel aquella afirmación de Alfonso Guerra cuando se vanagloriaba de que Montesquieu había muerto.

Por lo tanto, aquí defendemos que España es una de las democracias más avanzadas de Europa. Pero el presidente del Gobierno, el señor Sánchez, se ha empeñado en degradarla y está moldeando todas las instituciones a su imagen y semejanza. Es lo que está haciendo con el Código Penal, cambiado hasta seis veces en el año 2022, algo que nunca había ocurrido, para revertir las sentencias judiciales por puros intereses partidistas y de sus socios de Gobierno.

Dejen de buscar pretextos y cambien y vuelvan al texto original, que coincide con las recomendaciones de la Comisión Europea.

Didier Reynders,
  membre de la Commission. – Madame la Présidente, Mesdames et Messieurs les députés, je me réjouis que nous puissions continuer notre dialogue sur la situation de l'état de droit dans différents États membres. Comme vous le savez, je me tiens à la disposition de votre Parlement à cet égard, que ce soit en plénière, en commission ou dans tout autre format.

Didier Reynders,

membre de la Commission

S'agissant plus particulièrement de la situation en Espagne, je voudrais réitérer que nous apprécions la volonté des autorités espagnoles d'avoir un dialogue avec la Commission sur les réformes à mener. Je souhaite toutefois insister sur l'importance de mener à bien toutes les réformes nécessaires en matière d'indépendance et d'efficacité de la justice, de lutte contre la corruption, de liberté des médias et d'équilibre des pouvoirs, et de les mettre en œuvre concrètement.

À cet égard, la Commission, je le rappelle, a émis plusieurs recommandations aux autorités espagnoles dans son rapport sur l'état de droit de juillet dernier. Je voudrais revenir sur quelques éléments du débat.

As regards the Council for the Judiciary, both its renewal and its reform are essential. This is what the Commission highlights in the Rule of Law Report, and this is part of our recommendation to Spain. The Commission also emphasises that the reforms should be initiated immediately after the Council is renewed. What is important is to ensure that the Council for the Judiciary is not perceived as vulnerable to politicisation. Moreover, the Rule of Law Report also highlights that, according to recent studies by the Spanish Supreme Court, the lack of renewal of the Council is already having an impact on the efficiency of justice.

We acknowledge that the discussions are very complex, and the Commission has taken into account the complexity while drafting its recommendation. We regret that the negotiations to renew the Council were suspended again in October 2022, and we continue to call on all parties involved to take the necessary actions for the successful implementation of our recommendation.

While associations of judges are involved in the proposal of potential candidates to the Council of the Judiciary, the last word for the moment in the appointment of its judge-members lies with Parliament, which still has a lot of discretion to decide.

What is important is to ensure that the Council for the Judiciary is not perceived as vulnerable again to politicisation. European standards, such as GRECO recommendations, provide that political authorities, such as the Parliament or the Executive, should not be involved at any stage in the selection process of judge-members of the Judicial Council.

Concerning the reform of the Criminal Code, the Commission is aware – as I mentioned in my first remarks – of the reform of the provision on the crime of embezzlement in the Spanish Criminal Code. As I said, we are currently analysing the new Spanish provisions on embezzlement, including the lowering of penalty levels for such offences, in order to assess their compliance with EU law. It is very important to continue to protect the financial interests of the Union by such analysis of the compliance with the EU law.

The Commission is also aware of the reform of the provisions on the crime of sedition in the Spanish Criminal Code. However, as with most criminal offences, the crime of sedition falls exclusively within the competence of the Member States, which means that Member States remain free to adopt or amend legislation in this field as they deem appropriate, as long as they respect their international and constitutional obligations.

Et comme je l'ai dit, Madame la Présidente, Mesdames et Messieurs les députés, tout à l'heure, en conclusion, je voudrais rappeler que nous allons évidemment continuer à suivre la situation de l'état de droit en Espagne, comme dans tous les États membres, en particulier dans le cadre de l'élaboration du rapport 2023. Et dans ce rapport, nous aurons à évaluer la mise en œuvre des recommandations du rapport de juillet dernier et en particulier, bien entendu, la recommandation que nous avons formulée en insistant sur son urgence, je pense au renouvellement du Conseil supérieur de la justice.

Je vous remercie en tout cas pour ces échanges et je reste à votre disposition, non seulement, comme je l'ai dit, dans le débat concernant l'Espagne, mais aussi dans le débat sur l'état de droit dans chacun des États membres de l'Union européenne.

Die Präsidentin. – Die Aussprache ist geschlossen.

Die Präsidentin.

17.   Control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank - annual report 2021 (debate)

Die Präsidentin. — Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über den Bericht von Angelika Winzig im Namen des Haushaltskontrollausschusses über die Kontrolle der Finanztätigkeit der Europäischen Investitionsbank – Jahresbericht 2021 (2022/2153(INI)) (A9-0294/2022).

Die Präsidentin.

Angelika Winzig,
  Berichterstatterin. – Sehr geehrte Frau Präsidentin, Frau Kommissarin, sehr geehrter Herr Vizepräsident Peeters, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Die Europäische Investitionsbank ist die einzige internationale Finanzinstitution, die im Eigentum unserer Mitgliedstaaten steht und die mit Hilfe unserer Gesetzgebung dazu beiträgt, unsere gemeinsamen Ziele zu erfüllen. Sie leistet hervorragende Arbeit und hat aber ganz besonders hervorragende Arbeit geleistet im Jahr 2021 während der Pandemie, und wir sprechen ja heute auch über dieses Jahr.

Angelika Winzig,

Berichterstatterin

Der Bericht zeigt deutlich, dass die Europäische Investitionsbank kontinuierlich zu Innovation und Entwicklung auf den Kapitalmärkten beiträgt und die strengsten Standards erfüllt. Trotz der Auswirkungen der Pandemie, die im Prüfungszeitraum noch erheblich waren, verfügt die EIB weiterhin über eine solide Liquidität.

Nicht nur für Großbetriebe, sondern vor allem für KMU leistet die EIB einen wichtigen Beitrag. Insgesamt profitierten 2021 mehr als 431 000 KMU von Darlehensvergaben in der Höhe von 45 Mrd. EUR. Dies trug natürlich wesentlich zur Erhaltung von Arbeitsplätzen gerade in der Pandemie bei.

Derzeit beeinträchtigen hohe Energiepreise und Inflation die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der europäischen KMU, und es stellt sich natürlich die Frage, ob die derzeitigen Unterstützungen ausreichen oder ob wir jetzt noch weitere Maßnahmen ergreifen müssen. Auf alle Fälle ist es notwendig, dass der Zugang zu Finanzmitteln, auch zur Digitalisierung, weiterhin ein Schwerpunkt bleibt. Zudem müssen auch innovative KMU die Möglichkeit bekommen, im Bereich Forschung und Entwicklung an den Finanzierungsprogrammen möglichst leicht teilnehmen zu können.

Ich begrüße die vom Europäischen Investitionsfonds durchgeführten Investitionen im Bildungsbereich und somit direkt im Arbeitsmarkt. Qualifizierte Fachkräfte sind das Alleinstellungsmerkmal des Binnenmarktes und somit auch eine zentrale Herausforderung für unsere Zukunft. Ich wünsche mir, dass wir mit diesen Mitteln für Bildung künftig auch die Verbreitung der dualen Ausbildung in Europa unterstützen, denn Deutschland, die Schweiz und Österreich zeigen, dass dieses System das beste Mittel für Beschäftigung und gegen Jugendarbeitslosigkeit und so auch der Garant für sozialen Frieden in den Mitgliedstaaten ist. Dies würde auch dazu führen, dass wir weniger Mittel aus dem Europäischen Fonds für die Anpassung an die Globalisierung benötigen, um die Wiedereingliederung in den Arbeitsmarkt zu unterstützen.

Die Pandemie hat gezeigt, dass die EIB daran arbeiten muss, die strukturellen Unterschiede zwischen den Mitgliedstaaten zu verringern. Als Lösungsansatz wird sie eine konsequente Umsetzung des kohäsionspolitischen Orientierungspapiers für den Zeitraum 2021 bis 2027 vorantreiben. Im Zeitraum 2021 bis 2027 wird die InvestEU-Garantie in Höhe von 26,2 Mrd. EUR zusammen mit den Mitteln aus dem Mehrjährigen Finanzrahmen und dem Aufbauinstrument NextGenerationEU mehr als 372 Mrd. EUR an zusätzlichen privaten und öffentlichen Investitionen in Europa auslösen, die für Digitalisierung, KMU, nachhaltige Infrastruktur, innovative Forschung zur Verfügung stehen.

Diese große Verantwortung der EIB bei der Verwaltung von EU-Mitteln erfordert Kontrolle und Transparenz, um sicherzustellen, dass diese Investitionen auch wirksam sind. In dieser Hinsicht ist verstärkte Zusammenarbeit der Europäischen Investitionsbank mit der EPPO, der Europäischen Staatsanwaltschaft, ein wichtiger Schritt zum Schutz unserer EU-Fonds vor Geldwäsche, Korruption und Betrug.

Der Transformationsprozess der Wirtschaft kann nur durch Digitalisierung, Innovation und Forschung gelingen. Daher müssen diese Themen auch weiterhin oberste Priorität in der Ausrichtung der EIB sein. Denn wir dürfen nicht die Attraktivität unseres Wirtschaftsstandortes verlieren und Abwanderungen der europäischen Betriebe riskieren, denn das bedeutet mit Sicherheit einen Verlust von Wohlstand und Lebensqualität in Europa.

Kris Peeters,
  Vice-President of the EIB. – Madam President, dear Members of Parliament, ladies and gentlemen, it is a pleasure to be here with you today. First of all, I would like to thank the rapporteur, Angelika Winzig, for the excellent work, the good cooperation and the relevance of the report. It is always strange to talk about activities looking back, as the report analyses the year 2021. So much has happened since then, but the EIB performed well, being instrumental in the EU response to multiple crises, without losing sight of our core missions.

Kris Peeters,

Vice-President of the EIB

There is a common thread between past and current crises, which is investment. Crises always put investment at risk, whether it is private or public money. This is the reason why institutions like the EIB play a key role in providing stabilising effects and sending signals to the market.

When you talk about financial performance, as rightly acknowledged in the report, the EIB Group is an effective instrument in support of EU policies. For the second year in a row, the EIB focused on fighting the COVID-19 crisis, while increasing its financing for green projects. The EIB Group worked with partners in Europe and globally to deliver a record EUR 95 billion in financing – a 23% increase from 2020.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues, almost half of the Group's financing – EUR 45 billion – went to small and medium-sized enterprises hit hard by the pandemic. The European Investment Fund, as part of the EIB Group, has played an instrumental role in that respect. As the report mentions, our financial support in 2021 to small and medium-sized enterprises sustained 4.5 million jobs.

Now to say something about the fight against COVID-19 and the crises. Think of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine or the urgent need to mitigate climate change: we have moved towards permanent crisis management. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the EIB Group has approved almost EUR 72 billion in targeted support for the public health sector, delivery of vaccines and for businesses hit by the crisis. Thank you for acknowledging this in the report.

On Ukraine, ladies and gentlemen, the Bank acted swiftly in supporting the country with its immediate finance needs. The EIB quickly reallocated and distributed over EUR 1.7 billion to support the most urgent reconstruction needs, with the support and the guarantee from the European budget, of course. The EIB's engagement complements EU budget financing under the macro-financial assistance instrument and the new MFA+.

Ladies and gentlemen, the war also underlined the importance of a sound European security and defence policy. I am happy with last year's adoption of the Strategic European Security Initiative, SESI, which aims to mobilise investment in support of Europe's dual-use security and defence systems by backing Europe's technology industry and civilian security infrastructure.

Until 2027, we have the ambition to finance about EUR 1 billion a year in dual-use projects, and I am glad, dear colleagues, to announce today that in the first year, 2022, we have by far exceeded this ambition and signed a total of EUR 1.5 billion for projects that qualify under SESI, the Strategic European Security Initiative.

Let me say something about the green transitions. Crises do not distract us from our core responsibilities. The EIB has a key role to play in supporting and managing transitions. Together with the European Commission, we have been looking at how to make a lasting contribution to cope with the EU's energy crisis. Currently, the EIB Group is stepping up its efforts in supporting REPowerEU. Last October, our Board endorsed an additional EUR 30 billion in loans and equity financing over the next five years.

We will increase our support to renewables, energy efficiency, grids and storage, electric-vehicle charging infrastructure and breakthrough technologies, such as low-carbon hydrogen. This approach is in line with our ambitions and achievements as the EU climate bank. In 2021, 51% of EIB investments went to climate action and environmental sustainable projects. Another important step in line with our Climate Bank Roadmap is the adoption of our revised Transport Lending Policy last year to ensure that the Bank's activities in the transport sector support EU policies.

To underpin a resilient transition, more support is also needed in research and development – as already mentioned by the rapporteur – carried out by European companies, notably at the crucial intersection between digital and technology. That is why the EIB provides financing to cutting-edge technology firms, with facilities ranging from standard senior debt to the very popular non-dilutive venture debt specifically for start-ups. It is our ability to innovate within the EU that will help us to strengthen our strategic autonomy.

But resilience has to go hand-in-hand with inclusiveness. Climate action and just transition are complimentary goals. Cohesion – as mentioned also by the rapporteur – will therefore remain part of our DNA. By 2025, the EIB will aim to commit 45% of its total financing in the European Union to support projects in transition and less developed regions.

Finally, transparency and accountability. I am very much aware that accountability and integrity, and our related policies and practices, are also important to you, ladies and gentlemen, as much as they are to us. I fully agree with you that we cannot become complacent in that respect, and we take your recommendations very seriously. At the Bank we are committed to raising the bar.

On transparency, I am happy to see that the report welcomes our revised policy, which lays down provisions for the proactive publication of information and documents, as well as possible disclosure. Furthermore, we are constantly improving our policies and practices in various fields, notably related to the wellbeing of our staff, gender and diversity, anti-corruption safeguards, protection of whistleblowers, and so on. We also revised and adopted our Environmental and Social Sustainability Framework as well as our whistleblowing policy in 2021, which also grants protection to these persons.

Last but not least, outside the EU. Finally, let me say some words about our operations outside the EU, which typically represent about 10% of our activities. It is increasingly important for the EU to be able to offer financial support in building partnerships with emerging and developing economies around the world and in promoting policy goals and initiatives of the EU.

Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, we created EIB Global, which officially started its operations in January 2022. EIB Global is a flexible and agile Team Europe partner that contributes to effective EU external action in response to crises, as well as long-term sustainable solutions. In the years ahead, we expect to deliver financing of around EUR 10 billion annually outside the EU. I thank once again the rapporteur. I thank you for your attention and I am looking forward to listening to the reactions.

VORSITZ: EVELYN REGNER

VORSITZ: EVELYN REGNER

Vizepräsidentin

Vizepräsidentin

Ylva Johansson,
  Member of the Commission. – Madam President, before I start on the topic at hand, I want to make a brief statement on the tragic events in Kyiv this morning. The death of Denys Monastyrskyy has shocked me deeply. He lost his life together with 17 other victims in a helicopter crash, including children. My thoughts are with each of these families. Denys was the Minister of the Interior of Ukraine and, more importantly, he was the husband of Zhanna and a father of two children. He was only 42 years old. Denys is a true Ukrainian hero. Over the last year, leading with bravery and stoicism, that bravery was clear when he frequently visited the frontline. It was clear when I met him in his office in Kyiv and the air raid sirens started, and he didn't flinch. ‘Don't worry, we are safe’, he said. I liked him very much. He was a warm person and a great leader, and it has been an honour to work closely together with him. His death will be a great loss for the Ukrainian Government, where he played a pivotal role. It will be a great loss for all of us that worked closely with him – and I talk also about the 27 Ministers of the Interior of the Member States – and, of course, most importantly for his family. My promise is that we will continue to stand by Ukraine as long as it takes. We will not let Putin win.

Ylva Johansson,

Member of the Commission

I will now turn to the topic in hand. I would like to welcome the report and thank the European Parliament and in particular the rapporteur – also on behalf of Vice-President Dombrovskis, who cannot be here today.

The European Investment Bank is a crucial partner for implementing EU policies inside and outside of the Union. I welcome this opportunity today to discuss the main findings of the CONT Committee report on the Bank's activities. I look forward to Parliament's views and recommendations with regard to how the EIB can better help the EU to achieve our global policy goals.

While the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were fading away, Russia's unjustified and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and a resulting energy crisis have presented our societies with extraordinary challenges that require us to respond with decisive and coordinated EU action. The support of key partners, including the European Investment Bank, is important for providing and leveraging investments aligned with EU policy priorities, including green and digital transformations that leave no one behind and to boost energy efficiency. For example, through the REPowerEU Plan, the EU has raised its renewables and energy efficiency targets and put significant resources into achieving them. The EIB Group answered our call with its REPowerEU package from own resources, which adds much needed firepower for an efficient response to the energy crisis.

InvestEU, our flagship investment programme, is a powerful tool to achieve the EU's policy priorities. I would like to say a few words on its successful deployment and the role played by the EIB.

Implementation of the InvestEU programme is well on track. I'm happy to see that the EIB and the European Investment Fund are moving forward and already generating operations under the InvestEU Fund. InvestEU is already out on the financial market, supporting SMEs, investments in solar, wind energy, energy efficiency, renewable hydrogen and in the social and skills area. InvestEU also allows for innovative ways of supporting promising projects to enable the decarbonisation of the EU economy, such as the EU-Catalyst Partnership, which brings together the European Commission, the EIB and the Breakthrough Energy Catalyst in a unique public-private partnership.

With regard to the EIB activities outside the EU, I would like to highlight our joint efforts to support Ukraine last year. I appreciate that the EIB mobilised urgent financial support for Ukraine with unprecedented speed. It managed this by re-proposing an early disbursement of several loans backed by the EU budget guarantee. These disbursements, more than EUR 1.7 billion in 2022, were achieved in close cooperation with the Commission. This complemented the micro-financial assistance that the Commission provided to Ukraine in 2022, which totalled more than EUR 7 billion, offering immediate financial assistance to Ukraine on very favourable terms when its funding needs were acute. Support from the EU, including from the EIB, contributed to making sure that the most critical functions of the Ukrainian State could continue.

We also appreciate the EIB pledging EUR 3 million to finance projects, contributing to solidarity lanes, and encourage the EIB to accelerate identification of such projects and ensure their timely implementation.

In the longer run, I am confident that the bank will play an important role in financing the reconstruction of Ukraine. To this end, we expect the EIB to maintain strong partnerships with other international financial institutions and national promotional banks that are active in Ukraine.

Externally, many other challenges lie ahead, including climate change, connectivity and the need to achieve an inclusive post-pandemic recovery.

We also look forward to discussing with the EIB the strategic orientation of the EIB Global branch.

Thank you very much. I am looking forward to listening to the interventions in the debate.

Die Präsidentin. – Herzlichen Dank, Frau Kommissarin, und auch ausdrücklich besonderen Dank für Ihre berührenden Worte zum Tod von Denys Monastyrskyj, der Kinder und aller anderen Opfer.

Die Präsidentin. –

Monika Hohlmeier,
  im Namen der PPE-Fraktion. – Frau Präsidentin, Frau Kommissarin, liebe EIB – sage ich jetzt einfach mal so im Gesamten –, liebes Team der EIB! Lieber Vizepräsident, ich freue mich sehr, dass Sie bei uns sind. Und ich freue mich sehr, dass wir heute wieder diese Diskussion führen können.

Monika Hohlmeier,

im Namen der PPE-Fraktion

Zu Anfang möchte ich mich ausdrücklich der Frau Kommissarin anschließen und mein herzlichstes Beileid in Richtung der Ukraine schicken, denn das ist schon ein dramatischer Vorgang, und wir sehen ja tagtäglich, wie die Menschen zu leiden haben unter Bombenangriffen und unter entsetzlichen Umständen. Deshalb auch aus Sicht der EVP die herzlichsten Beileidsgrüße an die Ukraine und unser Mitgefühl.

Dann zurück zur EIB: Die EIB hatte im Jahr 2021 nicht die einfachste Ausgangslage und musste mit den Auswirkungen der Pandemie kämpfen, und die Krisen haben seitdem nicht abgenommen. Jeden Tag eine neue Krise, hätte ich beinahe gesagt, jeden Tag eine neue Anforderung und jeden Tag ein neues Problem. Das ist natürlich für eine Bank wie die EIB – zusammengestellt als multilaterales Konstrukt – keine ganz einfache Situation.

Ich möchte mich bedanken, dass die EIB sich als starker Partner im Bereich der Gesundheit hervorgetan hat, im Besonderen, dass im Jahr 2021 Darlehen in Höhe von 5,4 Milliarden Euro für Gesundheitsprojekte unterzeichnet wurden. Es ist ganz wichtig, dass wir den Standort Europa in Bezug auf Gesundheit, auf die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit, auf die Nichtabhängigkeit von Drittstaaten und auf die Fähigkeit, uns selbst zu versorgen, wesentlich vorantreiben, und da spielt die EIB eine besondere Rolle.

Ich bedanke mich auch dafür, dass Sie im Besonderen die Finanzierung von medizinischen Infrastrukturen im Bereich Forschung, Impfstoffe, Behandlungen zur Verfügung gestellt haben. Auch BioNTech/Pfizer war eines der Projekte, das dabei war, das dazu beigetragen hat. Und die EIB war die erste multilaterale Bank, die darin investiert hat. Deshalb für diese Weitsichtigkeit ein herzliches Dankeschön.

Sie haben aus der Sicht der Haushaltskontrolle auch eine Partnerschaft mit EPPO abgeschlossen – das halte ich für sehr wichtig. Was aus Sicht des Haushaltskontrollausschusses nicht kritikwürdig gegenüber der EIB, sondern eine dringende Bitte an die Kommission ist: Wir haben im Bereich gerade der Weltraumforschung sehr viele kleine und mittlere Unternehmen, und es gab schon einmal Kritik daran bei Ausschreibungen, dass die Kommission wiederholt nur mit großen Unternehmen zusammenarbeitet. Die EIB braucht entsprechende Garantien, um den innovativen kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen entsprechend Finanzierungen geben zu können. Da bitte ich die Kommission dringend um Nachholbedarf, dieses zu gewährleisten. Denn nicht nur die Großen sind unsere Rettung, sondern, wie man an BioNTech gesehen hat, braucht man auch die Kleinen.

Corina Crețu,
  on behalf of the S&D Group. – Madam President, dear Commissioner thank you for the moving words that you have expressed here today and I would like also to share our and your solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Thank you very much for what you are doing for our countries. I am from Romania. So thank you once again.

Corina Crețu,

on behalf of the S&D Group

Coming back to the report, Mr Vice-President, the report that we are discussing today clearly outlines that the European Investment Bank is of great importance for the European Parliament as it is the biggest lending arm of the European Union. The EIB is the biggest creditor in the world and it plays a special importance in over-passing the tumultuous days we live in – here I am referring to the different crises that we are facing, meaning COVID measures, the war in Ukraine and the global energy crisis.

I welcome the new EIB cohesion report. You know that I was Commissioner for Cohesion Policy, so cohesion is very important for me. The Cohesion Orientation 2021-2027 is very important, it's an effort in terms of a continuation of all the aid within the Member States to funds, projects and beneficiaries located in the EIB cohesion priority regions identified as less-developed regions and transition regions.

I also welcome the InvestEU programme, which will provide the European Union with crucial long-term funding by leveraging substantial private and public funds in support of sustainable recovery.

Moreover, by implementing 75% of InvestEU, the EIB Group's goal is to generate new investments mainly for sustainable infrastructure, research, innovation, digitalisation, SMEs, access to finance, social investments and skills. However, I suggest to continue to enhance transparency.

Alin Mituța,
  în numele grupului Renew. – Doamna președintă, 2021 a fost într-adevăr un an dificil, cu multiple crize provocate de pandemie. Banca Europeană de Investiții a jucat un rol important, sprijinind furnizarea de vaccinuri, infrastructura de sănătate și, bineînțeles, companiile care au fost grav afectate.

Alin Mituța,

în numele grupului Renew

Crizele, evident, nu s-au terminat, ci din contră, s-au multiplicat și de aceea avem în continuare nevoie ca BEI să fie în prim plan pentru a sprijini economia europeană și, evident, tranziția ecologică și digitală. Și, bineînțeles, avem în egală măsură nevoie de BEI să continue și să și îndeplinească rolul tradițional de investitor în infrastructura și coeziunea Uniunii.

Pentru toate acestea, cred că e necesar ca Banca Europeană de Investiții să dezvolte mai mult asistența tehnică în regiunile care au cea mai mare nevoie, de asemenea, să continue să acorde prioritate investițiilor în infrastructura de sănătate pentru a reduce inegalitățile dintre țări, să sprijine investițiile în tranziția și autonomia energetică, atât în Uniunea Europeană, dar și în țările candidate care se confruntă cu mari probleme, așa cum este Republica Moldova, să investească în securitatea alimentară, în agricultură și în zonele rurale. Sunt niște domenii care sunt de multe ori uitate și, bineînțeles, să asigure un nivel de transparență și etică în toate domeniile.

Viola von Cramon-Taubadel,
  on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. – Madam President, colleagues, and also a big thank you to you, Madam Commissioner, for your warm words regarding the unbearable tragedy which we have seen today in Ukraine. But of course, the war we are facing now is affecting our work and our life everyday.

Viola von Cramon-Taubadel,

on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

It's not easy to come back to this rather technical topic now regarding the annual report of the EIB's activities in 2021, which was very detailed and which reflects the challenges of that year still in pandemic mode and with the institution expanding. However, there are areas where the Greens have been repeatedly calling on the EIB to take decisive actions.

Firstly, we want to underline the importance of green and sustainable investment – it was mentioned. While the EIB has increased its support for renewables and an energy efficiency project, it still provides significant funding for fossil fuel investments. This is concerning, as the EU has committed to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Mainstreaming of green investment and not spending money on anything that has a negative climate impact must remain a priority so that the EIB becomes truly the EU's climate bank.

The report also fails to provide sufficient information on social and environmental effects to the EIB's investments. It is of the utmost importance that the transparency of use of public funds clear (sound ends abruptly). Action. While the EIB annual report highlights some positive developments, it is clear that there are also areas for improvement.

(sound ends abruptly)

Joachim Kuhs,
  im Namen der ID-Fraktion. – Frau Präsidentin, Herr Vizepräsident, Frau Kommissarin, werte Kollegen! Das einzig Gute, das ich diesem durchaus anspruchsvollen und detaillierten Bericht, liebe Kollegin Winzig, abgewinnen kann, ist die Aufnahme der wiederholten Forderung unseres Haushaltskontrollausschusses, dass die EIB dem Rechnungshof umfassendere Prüfungs- und Informationsrechte einräumen sollte. Danke dafür.

Joachim Kuhs,

im Namen der ID-Fraktion

Ansonsten wird in dem Bericht deutlich, dass die EIB mit finanz- und betriebswirtschaftlich sinnvollen Investitionen innerhalb der EU immer weniger zu tun hat. Mit den Geldern der EIB sollte eigentlich in unsere Zukunft und in die unserer Kinder in der EU investiert werden. Stattdessen werden Forderungen laut nach Stärkung und Umsetzung von Gender-Mainstreaming, Vielfalt, sozialer Inklusion – was immer das auch sein mag – und Klimaschutzmaßnahmen, die lediglich dazu dienen, unsere Wirtschaft, unsere nationale Identität und das Wohlergehen unserer Familien zu schwächen.

Zwischen den Zeilen gelesen – und das haben Sie, Herr Vizepräsident, und auch meine Vorrednerin ja bestätigt – fordert der Bericht sogar, die EIB in eine europäische Klimabank umzuwandeln, die nicht nur die EU, sondern die ganze Welt vor dem Klimawandel schützen soll. Ich bin leider sicher: Es wird nicht mehr lange dauern, bis deutsche und auch andere europäische Steuerzahler für die Klimawende in Brasilien oder für angebliche Klimaschäden in Pakistan aufkommen müssen. Dieser Bericht sollte daher nicht weiter befasst werden, damit wir unsere Zeit und unser Geld mehr für Investitionen verwenden können, die gut für die Menschen sind, die wir in diesem Hause vertreten.

Ryszard Czarnecki,
  w imieniu grupy ECR. – Pani Przewodnicząca! Panie Wiceprezesie! Pani Komisarz! Wyrazy solidarności z Ukrainą. To nas łączy ponad podziałami. Ale Pani Komisarz, prawdę mówiąc, prosiłbym także o wyrazy solidarności z krajami, które pomagają Ukrainie, np. z Polską, która dotychczas otrzymała bardzo niewiele pomocy finansowej z Unii Europejskiej, właśnie gdy chodzi o ukraińskich uchodźców. Przyjęliśmy ich prawie 9 milionów. Oczekujemy choćby części takiej pomocy, jaką Unia Europejska zaoferowała Turcji, a więc krajowi, który nie jest członkiem Unii Europejskiej.

Ryszard Czarnecki,

w imieniu grupy ECR

Rok 2021, który omawiamy, był rokiem pandemii. EBI podpisał nowe umowy kredytowe na rekordową kwotę 95 mld euro, przyczyniając się do ochrony prawie 450 tys. małych i średnich przedsiębiorstw. Chwała bankowi za to. Ale chciałbym zapytać z tego miejsca, co z finansowaniem energetyki jądrowej? Bo EBI pomaga w powstaniu firm wiatrowych i fotowoltaicznych, jednak prawdziwa energia to energia atomowa. Obecny kryzys energetyczny w Europie pokazuje, że ta energia atomowa jest konieczna. Stąd prośba, żeby państwo na to zwrócili uwagę.

Mislav Kolakušić (NI). – Poštovana predsjedavajuća, poštovani kolege, dragi građani, hrvatska vlada je prije dva tjedna odlučila odreći se hrvatske valute kune i preuzeti euro. Gotovo u par dana cijene u Hrvatskoj su porasle 10 do 50 posto. Standard građana je devastiran.

Mislav Kolakušić (NI).

Sada me zanima što će Europska investicijska banka učiniti. Hoće li i dalje investirati u cjepiva koja to nisu, u države koje nisu niti članice Europske unije ili će poduzeti nešto da smanji gubitak građana Republike Hrvatske zbog uvođenja eura? Hvala puno i očekujem izravan odgovor.

Eero Heinäluoma (S&D). – Arvoisa puhemies, Euroopan investointipankilla on keskeinen rooli ja hyvä historia unionin tavoitteiden saavuttamisessa. Tänään se vauhdittaa toiminnallaan investointeja niin vihreään siirtymään, digitalisaatioon, infrastruktuurihankkeisiin kuin myös tutkimukseen ja innovointiin. Koronapandemian keskellä investointipankin tuella kehitettiin rokotteita ja helpotettiin pk-yritysten tilannetta. Nyt pankki osoittaa suuren arvonsa tukemalla Ukrainaa.

Eero Heinäluoma (S&D).

Julkisten varojen käyttö vaatii aina huolellista toteutusta ja tarkastusta. EU-parlamentilla on tässä valvonnassa tärkeä rooli. Euroopan investointipankin käytännöt ansaitsevat monessa suhteessa kiitosta. Silti toivon, että rimaa tavoitteiden toteuttamiselle vielä nostetaan. Toivon, että pankki ottaa yhä kunnianhimoisemmin askeleita läpinäkyvyyden ja avoimuuden parantamiseksi. Erityisen tärkeänä haluan nostaa toimet väärinkäytösten ja petosten torjumiseksi. Kun varoja on enemmän jaossa, korostuu tiukan valvonnan merkitys.

Billy Kelleher (Renew). – Madam President, having spoken previously in this House on the European Investment Bank annual reports, I was often critical when we were speaking about fraud issues and non-protection of whistleblowers. But reading this report and looking at what has been achieved in recent times, particularly guiding ourselves through the COVID pandemic and the impact that that was having on real economies, real lives, small and medium-sized businesses and employment, I do welcome very much the capabilities and the competence of the EIB in terms of navigating small and medium-sized businesses and broader economies through that particular crisis.

Billy Kelleher (Renew).

I also welcome the fact that the EIB has taken its previous statements, to the effect that it wanted to become the climate bank, seriously. It is now well committed to funding the transition, both in the digital economy, as well as in climate change directly itself. I do welcome very much its commitment to REPowerEU. We have to continue with that, both because of the geopolitical reasons with regard to the invasion of Ukraine and Russia's aggression, and due to the fact that there is huge opportunity in terms of protecting the environment and the climate, as well as in terms of innovating and creating jobs in those particular areas to do with the transition and the digital economy.

So I do commend the report and I welcome the continued commitment to the climate agenda.

Johan Van Overtveldt (ECR). – Voorzitter, vicepresident, commissaris, collega's, we zijn het er allemaal over eens dat er gewerkt moet worden aan duurzame investeringen ten voordele van klimaat en milieu, en de EIB doet dat op een gedegen manier. Maar dat mag niet de enige prioriteit zijn.

Johan Van Overtveldt (ECR).

De strategische investeringen van de EIB, ongeacht of ze klimaatgerelateerd zijn, moeten ook het niveau van onze welvaart in de samenleving blijven bewaken en stimuleren. De return van klimaatgerichte investeringen in groei en jobs – op nettobasis bekeken – is trouwens minder evident dan al te vaak wordt voorgehouden. Ligt het stilaan trouwens niet meer voor de hand om bepaalde klimaatgerelateerde activiteiten – ik denk bijvoorbeeld aan mijnbouw en nucleaire industrie – toch weer positiever te benaderen?

Ik pleit dus heel eenvoudig voor minder dogma's en meer evenwicht om finaal de samenleving, de economie, het klimaat en de welvaart in hun geheel beter te dienen.

Maria Grapini (S&D). – Doamna președintă, doamna comisar, stimată echipă BEI, dragi colegi, toți știm că băncile, în general sunt foarte importante pentru dezvoltarea economică și pentru viața socială a oamenilor, dar acum vorbim de BEI.

Maria Grapini (S&D).

Și da, Banca Europeană de Investiții a trecut și ea prin problemele pandemiei și crizei și știm cu toții că toată lumea ne-am confruntat cu această criză. Ca membră a Comisiei CONT, însă, susțin, ca de fiecare dată, că este bine să țineți cont cât se poate de mult și să faceți analiză că toate măsurile pe care le luați au impact asupra economiei și mai ales asupra IMM-urilor. Și mă bucur că ați raportat aici că ați avut acordate împrumuturi IMM-urilor, dar eu cred că trebuie să consolidați și pe viitor asta și să creșteți sprijinul pentru IMM-uri, că până la urmă IMM-urile sunt coloana vertebrală, spunem noi toți în economia europeană.

Și nu pot să închei fără a vă spune că, cred foarte bine ,că a fost foarte bine că s-a încheiat acordul din 2021 cu Europol, pentru că totdeauna este mai ieftin să previi decât să corectezi după aceea. De aceea, cred că prevenirea și detectarea riscurilor este foarte importantă și acum pentru Comisie am o recomandare ca să fie mai multă transparență atunci când acordați avizele, ce proiecte se finanțează din BEI?

Mauri Pekkarinen (Renew). – Arvoisa puhemies, tieto muuttuu Euroopassa aivan liian hitaasti uusiksi tuotteiksi. EIP on kuitenkin hoitanut sille kuuluvan tehtävänsä hyvin. Mielestäni juuri EIP:n muskeleita tulisikin nyt vahvistaa. Sitä tarvitsisimme sekä strategisten investointien että myöskin kilpailukykymme kohentamiseen.

Mauri Pekkarinen (Renew).

EIP:n vahvistaminen olisi radikaalisti parempi vaihtoehto vastata myös Yhdysvaltain IRA:n haasteisiin kuin EU:n oman IRA:n rakentaminen. EIP:n vahvistaminen on myös EU:n reilujen sisämarkkinoiden kannalta tärkeä asia. Ne ovat tällä hetkellä enemmän tai vähemmän sekasortoisessa tilassa. Nyt kun valtiontukisäännöt on korvattu kriisikehyksellä, jotkut EU-maat ovat voineet käyttää julkista rahaa – normaalisti kiellettyä rahaa – yritystensä tukemiseen. Valtiontukipoikkeuksia on haettu, kuten tiedetään, 700 miljardia euroa, ja niistä 80 prosenttia kahteen maahan eli Saksaan ja Ranskaan. Radikaalisti vahvistettava EIP on mielestäni kaikenkokoisille Euroopan unionin maille ja niiden yrityksille paras mahdollinen vaihtoehto.

Dorien Rookmaker (ECR). – Voorzitter, vicepresident, geachte commissaris, de Europese Investeringsbank (EIB) verstrekt overheden en het bedrijfsleven jaarlijks meer dan 60 miljard EUR aan leningen onder zachte voorwaarden. Doel is eenwording van de Europese markt en het leveren van een bijdrage aan EU-doelstellingen.

Dorien Rookmaker (ECR).

Ik wil graag twee dingen onder de aandacht brengen.

De rapporteur vraagt om de focus te verleggen naar het mkb, maar daar is de EIB in principe niet voor opgericht. Private banken hebben momenteel moeite met kredietverlening aan het mkb vanwege de Europese antiwitwasregels, die kredietverlening kostbaar en ingewikkeld maken. Het probleem moet bij de bron worden aangepakt.

Ten tweede – daarnaast dus – vraag ik om de onbalans in de kredietverstrekking op te heffen. In totaal zijn 42 % van de leningen verstrekt aan drie landen: Italië, Frankrijk en Spanje. De geografische spreiding van de kredietverlening zou in de toekomst evenwichtiger moeten zijn.

We kunnen genoemde problemen in één keer aanpakken door de EIB te vragen dat te doen waarvoor ze is opgericht, zoals door financiering van een hsl-netwerk in Europa. Dit draagt bij aan alle EU-doelstellingen, duurzaamheid enzovoort, en zorgt voor een evenwichtige kredietverlening die profijtelijk is voor iedereen.

Udo Bullmann (S&D). – Frau Präsidentin, Frau Kommissarin, Herr Vizepräsident, werte Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Ja, wir brauchen die Europäische Investitionsbank, Frau Kollegin Winzig hat recht. Und ja, wenn sie 2021 beschlossen hat, eine eigene Abteilung für globale Aufgaben zu gründen, dann ist das richtig.

Udo Bullmann (S&D).

Aber der Auftrag ist, die Ziele der europäischen Partnerschaftspolitik umzusetzen. Und da gibt es eine europäische Institution, die dafür zuständig ist, sicherzustellen, dass diese europäischen Mittel auch im Sinne europäischer politischer Ziele verwendet werden, und das ist das Europäische Parlament. Wir haben im Bericht des Kollegen Goerens ausdrücklich die Europäische Investitionsbank aufgefordert, eine stärkere Zusammenarbeit mit der Afrikanischen Entwicklungsbank zu forcieren und regelmäßig Bericht zu erstatten, auch eine gemeinsame Tochtergesellschaft in Erwägung zu ziehen und dem Parlament Bericht zu erstatten über die nächsten Schritte. Das scheint uns im Sinne einer Effektivierung unserer Partnerschaftsarbeit zwingend erforderlich. Wir freuen uns auf den Dialog, aber er muss stattfinden. Und das jetzt.

Charles Goerens (Renew). – Madame la Présidente, en cette période de vaches maigres budgétaires, les institutions ayant fait le choix stratégique d'accompagner les orientations politiques de l'Union européenne s'imposent tout naturellement. On pense d'abord à la Banque européenne d'investissement, aussi, me semble-t-il judicieux de placer son action dans cette perspective.

Charles Goerens (Renew).

Première banque climatique à l'échelle mondiale, la BEI dispose d'un potentiel considérable pour continuer à réaliser les transitions énergétiques et numériques. Ajoutons que la BEI s'engage aussi de plus en plus dans le financement des pays en développement. Seule banque multilatérale à répondre pleinement aux exigences en matière de droits fondamentaux de l'Union européenne, elle est appelée désormais à consolider sa position de leader en matière de financement des politiques du futur.

Par ailleurs, la BEI a toute sa place dans la future architecture financière de développement, où elle joue un rôle fédérateur en recherchant sans cesse des effets synergétiques avec d'autres banques de développement, notamment la Banque européenne de reconstruction et de développement.

Andżelika Anna Możdżanowska (ECR). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Pani Komisarz! Panie Prezesie! Ponad 65 mld euro w 2021 r. Europejski Bank Inwestycyjny przeznaczył na inwestycje w miastach i regionach, w innowacje i rozwój małych przedsiębiorstw, ochronę klimatu i środowiska oraz infrastrukturę.

Andżelika Anna Możdżanowska (ECR).

W Polsce małe i średnie firmy otrzymały dofinansowanie w wysokości blisko 2 mld euro, a 6,5 mld euro i wsparcie 670 tys. miejsc pracy to rekordowe osiągnięcie w ponad trzydziestoletniej historii działalności banku w Polsce.

EBI odegrał szczególnie wiodącą rolę w walce z kryzysem COVID-19 w całej Unii Europejskiej, oferując te dodatkowe środki w ramach pakietów pomocowych, co potwierdza, że grupa EBI jest gotowa do bardzo szybkiej reakcji na kryzys i skuteczna, aby w krótkim czasie dostarczyć środki finansowe do kluczowych gałęzi gospodarki.

Fakt, iż kolejne kryzysy gospodarcze i ekonomiczne, wysokie ceny energii czy rosnące ceny surowców mają poważny wpływ na konkurencyjność europejskich MŚP, zobowiązuje jednak EBI do bieżącego nadzoru i kontynuowania działań w celu zwiększenia wsparcia za pomocą dodatkowego kapitału wzrostu, by umożliwić firmom zwiększenie skali działalności oraz rozwój na rynku europejskim i światowym.

Pedro Silva Pereira (S&D). – Senhora Presidente, o Parlamento Europeu cumpre hoje, mais uma vez, a sua função de realizar o escrutínio democrático da atividade do Banco Europeu de Investimento, sendo que o relatório em discussão incide sobre o ano 2021.

Pedro Silva Pereira (S&D).

Um ano muito difícil, marcado ainda pelo impacto da pandemia nas nossas sociedades e nas nossas economias. Mas 2021 também voltou a confirmar o papel decisivo do Banco Europeu de Investimento no apoio à economia europeia e às políticas públicas europeias, em especial através de financiamento de emergência, de apoio à recuperação económica e de ajuda às pequenas e médias empresas.

É preciso agora que o BEI continue a esforçar-se por garantir um equilíbrio geográfico dos financiamentos e uma especial atenção às regiões menos atrativas para o investimento.

Ao mesmo tempo, é preciso continuar a assumir-se como o Banco do Clima na Europa. Já no relatório anterior, de que fui relator, defendi o reforço do capital do Banco Europeu de Investimento. Creio que depois da invasão da Ucrânia, esse desafio é ainda mais urgente do que nunca para poder alavancar os investimentos na Europa.

Ylva Johansson,
  Member of the Commission. – Madam President, I would like to thank all participants for today's valuable debate. The CONT Committee report shows that the EIB is overall on a good path, particularly as a frontrunner in climate action and as a role model for other international financial institutions in their quest to become aligned with the Paris Agreement.

Ylva Johansson,

Member of the Commission

Nevertheless, there are also new challenges ahead, and some of them have been raised by you here in the debate. This is a warrant for closer-than-ever cooperation with the EIB Group to ensure that its activities are aligned with the evolving context and EU policy priorities.

Kris Peeters,
  Vice-President of the EIB. – Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Members of the European Parliament. First, I would like to thank Commissioner Johansson for her words on the tragic death of the Ukrainian Minister and send my condolences, of course, on this very tragic accident. Secondly, thank you, dear Members of the European Parliament for your interventions – certainly for the positive reactions, but also for the comments and the questions. I shall try to give some answers to your questions.

Kris Peeters,

Vice-President of the EIB

First of all, there was the suggestion as to what more we can do in education and the educational sector. You know that we are already the largest lender when you speak about education and education investments. Since 2002, we have invested EUR 2 billion each year and that is in the sector of education infrastructure, research centres, but also vocational and professional training as well as, for example, student housing and student loans. But we shall take the suggestions and proposals into account and see what we can do more in the future.

Secondly, about small and medium-sized enterprises – several Members of this Parliament intervened about that – I can assure you that small and medium-sized enterprises are, and remain, a priority for the Bank. I've already mentioned the EUR 45 billion that we invested in 2021. You know that also we provide some loans to banks, and the purpose of these loans is that the banks provide, in their turn, some loans to small and medium-sized enterprises. Also I mentioned the very popular product or instrument that we deliver for small and medium-sized enterprises in the sector of innovation – the venture debt product – which is also very important to support small and medium-sized enterprises. And, like the Commissioner said, with InvestEU we can continue our efforts to provide small and medium-sized enterprises with this kind of products and instruments. I think also that it was mentioned by one of the Members of the European Parliament that we must of course think what we can do more in certain areas like the space area, where we need, of course, guarantees when we provide this kind of instruments. I hope that also the European Commission can support us when we talk about that kind of investments in very risky sectors like space.

Coming to the climate and REpowerEU, I think that everyone underlined that we have put on the table EUR 30 billion extra to stimulate renewable energy, energy efficiency, innovation and so on. I can assure you, ladies and gentlemen, that we do not finance new fossil fuel projects. That is very clear in our climate bank roadmap. There is perhaps a misunderstanding about that, but once again I can assure you that we are very clear about this.

There were also some reactions about cohesion to say, okay, we have done a lot, and I can tell you that we are very eager to not only to reach our goals, but also to go further than the goals that we put in front. I can tell you that we are above the goals that we have put on the table. This cohesion is also, for us, very important.

Then Ukraine. A lot of interventions underlined that we support Ukraine. That's for sure. I hope that also in the future we can, in cooperation with the European Commission, of course, have the opportunity to support also in the future European reconstruction with loans and to help the country.

I can tell you that also about migration, and certainly in the countries in the neighbourhood of Ukraine, we have provided some loans for refugees and so on. I do not understand very well why this reaction was on the table by some Members of the European Parliament, but we also support not only countries like Poland and a lot of others, but also have a specific instrument to support the costs and the infrastructure for refugees.

I think that when we talk about competitiveness and what we are doing, of course we place a lot of emphasis on the impact of our loans – loans to make our companies more competitive and also to create jobs. And I can tell you that now we have a discussion also in the dialogue with the European Commission and the Council on what we can do in the area of the Inflation Reduction Act of the United States of America, and what role the Bank can play in this endeavour and what can be our contribution to find solutions at a at a European level.

Last but not least, transparency was mentioned. We have done a lot to be very clear, also to this European Parliament, that transparency is also for us a very important issue and policy. We have reached an agreement with the European Court of Auditors. We have a new tripartite agreement. I have met the President of ECA. We try to cooperate at a very high and very good level. On this also, I hope in the next reports we can have the support of the European Parliament that we have this new tripartite agreement, and with the cooperation of ECA and the European Parliament we are on the right track.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues, is for me very important to have this debate with you. When you want to have some specific debates in the committees we are there. You call us and we shall be there where you need us.

Angelika Winzig,
  Berichterstatterin. – Frau Präsidentin, geschätzte Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Ich darf mich ganz herzlich für die Debatte, aber auch für die gute Zusammenarbeit bei diesem Bericht bedanken.

Angelika Winzig,

Berichterstatterin

Ja, wir wissen, die Arbeit geht der Europäischen Investitionsbank nicht aus. Ganz im Gegenteil: Sie werden auch künftig vor großen Herausforderungen stehen, ob es die weitere finanzielle Unterstützung der Ukraine ist, ob es die nachhaltige Transformation der Wirtschaft bis hin zur europäischen Antwort auf den Inflation Reduction Act – also sprich die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit Europas – ist und vieles mehr, was Ihnen die Kolleginnen und Kollegen heute mitgegeben haben.

Inflation Reduction Act

Ich darf mich bei Ihnen, Frau Kommissarin, und Ihrem Team bedanken, und ich kann Ihnen nur sehr viel Erfolg bei Ihren weiteren Aktivitäten wünschen.

Die Präsidentin. — Die Aussprache ist geschlossen.

Die Präsidentin.

Die Abstimmung findet am Donnerstag, 19. Januar 2023, statt.

Schriftliche Erklärungen (Artikel 171)

Schriftliche Erklärungen (Artikel 171)

György Hölvényi (PPE),
  írásban. – Az ukrajnai háború következtében Afrika egyre súlyosbodó válsággal néz szembe: elszabadult élelmiszerárak, munkanélküliség és növekvő megélhetési költségek. Mindezek fokozzák az elvándorlást és az Európára nehezedő migrációs nyomást. Az Európai Beruházási Bank új afrikai fejlesztési csoportjának létrehozása új lehetőséget jelent,arra, hogy támogassuk afrikai partnereinket, hogy saját maguk találjanak kiutat a kontinenst érintő válságokból.

György Hölvényi (PPE),

írásban

Kulcsfontosságú azonban, hogy a fejlesztési bank forrásait, helyben, célzottan, a valódi kihívások kezelésére használják fel. Ehhez elkerülhetetlen a helyi partnerek bevonása már a projektek tervezésének korai szakaszában. A hatékony fellépéshez világosan kell meghatároznunk célkitűzéseinket. A mostani afrikai élelmiszerválság leküzdésében döntő szerepük van azoknak a kis, családi birtokoknak, akik a kontinens mezőgazdasági termelésének mintegy 70%-át adják. Képessé kell tennünk az afrikai gazdákat arra, hogy új, modern mezőgazdasági technológiákat alkalmazhassanak.

Az EBB-nek ehhez elérhetővé kell tennie számukra a megfelelő mikro hitelezési lehetőségeket. Emellett égető a munkanélküliség megoldása. Az afrikai fiataloknak megfelelő jövőbeli kilátásokra van szükségük és nem arra, hogy hamis ígéretekkel Európába csábítsuk őket. A helyben való boldogulás lehetőségét kell megteremteni. Ehhez megfelelő oktatásre és képzésre van szükség az és új munkahelyek megteremtése mellett. Amennyiben az Európai beruházási bank új, afrikai befektetésekkel foglalkozó ága képes lesz ezek mentén az elvek mentén működni, úgy valóban új lendületet adhat az európai-afrikai fejlesztési együttműködésben.

18.   Protection of the EU's financial interests - combating fraud - annual report 2021 (debate)

Die Präsidentin. — Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über den Bericht von Sabrina Pignedoli im Namen des Haushaltskontrollausschusses über den Schutz der finanziellen Interessen der Europäischen Union – Betrugsbekämpfung – Jahresbericht 2021 (2022/2152(INI)) (A9-0299/2022).

Die Präsidentin.

Sabrina Pignedoli,
  Rapporteur. – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, Commissaria, io partirei da alcuni numeri dei casi di frode e di irregolarità che sono stati segnalati nel 2021, rispetto, per esempio, a quelli del 2020. I numeri dei casi sono stabili. Quello che però salta assolutamente agli occhi e che crea preoccupazione è il valore delle irregolarità, che sono aumentate del 121% e l'importo totale delle irregolarità e delle frodi è arrivato a 3,24 miliardi.

Sabrina Pignedoli,

Rapporteur

Nella relazione che presento abbiamo sottolineato gli strumenti per la protezione degli interessi finanziari dell'Unione europea. Uno degli strumenti principali che è entrato in funzione, e credo che sia di estrema importanza, è l'EPPO, cioè la Procura europea. È un elemento essenziale, deve essere rafforzato assolutamente e possono essere anche aumentate le sue competenze, penso, per esempio, la questione dei reati ambientali.

Però non vanno scordate altre agenzie importanti, come per esempio l'OLAF, Europol ed Eurojust, per cui debbono essere date le risorse adeguate e chiaramente non si tratta di una spesa, dare le risorse a queste agenzie, ma si tratta in realtà di un investimento per appunto tutelare gli interessi finanziari dell'Unione europea.

Le necessità che vengono sottolineate all'interno della relazione sono diverse. Per esempio, la necessità che gli Stati membri aderiscano alla direttiva PIF, ce ne abbiamo ben 17 che non l'hanno recepita adeguatamente. Poi è necessario aggiornare le linee guida del NAS, cioè gli audit nazionali che risalgono al 2015. È importante puntare sulla trasparenza e fare una relazione annuale anticorruzione, che è una cosa diversa rispetto alla relazione che viene fatto sulle frodi, l'obbligatorietà di Aracne e applicare correttamente le norme sul conflitto di interesse. Poi è importante avere una trasparenza sui beneficiari effettivi ed evitare i pagamenti per le società che hanno sede in paradisi fiscali e contrastare anche le strutture oligarchiche.

Un elemento che mi preme sottolineare e che ho sottolineato nella relazione è il contrasto alla criminalità organizzata, anche di tipo mafioso. Ricordiamoci che gli interessi finanziari dell'Unione europea vengono pesantemente condizionati dalla criminalità organizzata anche quella mafiosa, e quindi è importante, che ci siano norme a livello europeo ma norme anche a livello di Stati membri che debbono essere più efficaci e specifiche in tutti gli Stati membri, perché chiaramente la criminalità organizzata può contare sulla transnazionalità e anche su tanti professionisti che l'appoggiano nella creazione di truffe.

Poi un un pensiero va chiaramente alla protezione dei giornalisti e dei whistleblower che permettono di scoprire tante truffe e quindi è necessario che l'Unione europea si impegni proprio per cercare di proteggerli.

Concludo questa presentazione con un ringraziamento che non è strettamente legato a questa relazione. Nell'ambito, appunto, della criminalità organizzata è doveroso ringraziare l'arma dei Carabinieri italiana e il suo comandante generale per l'impegno antimafia. E avrete letto la notizia sui giornali ed è stato annunciato l'arresto del più grande latitante di Cosa Nostra, Matteo Messina Denaro. Sono 30 anni che questa persona girava indisturbata per l'Europa, dalla Spagna all'Olanda ad altri Paesi. Io ringrazio i carabinieri per il lavoro svolto. Ora però è necessario sapere tutta la verità sulle coperture e le protezioni istituzionali e la verità sulle stragi.

Ylva Johansson,
  Member of the Commission. – Madam President, honourable Members, I would like to thank on behalf of Commissioner Hahn, the rapporteur and the Members of the Committee on Budgetary Control for this thorough report on the protection of the EU's financial interests and the fight against fraud for 2021.

Ylva Johansson,

Member of the Commission

The EU's crisis response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the related energy challenges demonstrate how essential effective EU action is to the lives of EU citizens. The EU budget and NextGenerationEU aim at building resilience and at creating a more secure and sustainable future.

We must all strive to ensure that EU funds are spent correctly. By doing so, we not only protect taxpayers' money, but also our common future. Fraud and corruption are damaging to the EU as a whole, whether they occur in Member States or in EU institutions. It's imperative that any allegations are fully investigated so that the EU and our actions do not lose credibility.

We have strong tools in place to protect the Union's financial interest. The mandate of OLAF includes serious matters relating to the discharge of professional duties, including corruption. OLAF carries out administrative investigations into serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies. The European Public Prosecutor's Office prosecutes criminal offences affecting the financial interest of the Union, including corruption. The Union's staff regulations establish a strict disciplinary system and enable the necessary high protection standards, including for whistle-blowers.

As you know, the Commission triggered the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation in relation to the protection of the Union budget against the consequences of breaches of the rule of law in Hungary. This is testament to the importance that the Commission attaches to the rule of law and the protection of the EU budget. Today's report focuses on exactly those key areas.

First, enhanced operational coordination. Close coordination of operational activities and effective harmonisation and transposition of the relevant directives is key. These are directives such as the Directive on the Protection of the EU's Financial Interests, the Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive and the Directive on the Protection of Whistle-blowers. The Commission is following up on the corrective measures taken by the Member States following the infringement procedures launched over the past years.

Secondly, digitalisation and interoperability of data. It is clear that the fight against fraud, corruption and conflict of interest must adapt to the digital world. We need tools that enable us to handle increasing amounts of data and foster a cultural change to enable those managing and protecting EU resources to use up-to-date technologies. The targeted adjustment of the financial regulation offers an opportunity to improve the reliability and quality of data, especially on recipients of Union funding and transparency on the use of EU funds.

The recent Commission initiative on VAT in the digital age, in particular, the real-time digital reporting of transactions, would be key in protecting the VAT revenue source for national and EU budgets. The Commission is also revising the action plan to the anti-fraud strategy. The revision will focus on the current Multiannual Financial Framework, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, digitalisation and conflict of interest.

Thirdly, fighting corruption and organised crime. As announced by President von der Leyen during the State of the Union address, we will soon present an anti-corruption package this spring. As part of the package, we will set out the priorities of the EU and the actions to fight corruption. We will also propose an update of the EU legislation to ensure that all forms of corruption are criminalised in all Member States, that legal persons may also be held responsible for offences, and that these offences incur effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties.

All the initiatives that I have mentioned today are key examples of our actions in the fight against fraud. They are part of the tremendous work that goes on to protect crucial aspects of the European project and its funding. Thank you for your attention. I look forward to a constructive debate.

David Lega,
  för PPE-gruppen. – Fru talman! Kommissionär Johansson! Att skydda EU:s budget och ekonomiska intressen är fundamentalt för medborgarnas förtroende. Vi måste garantera att skattebetalarnas pengar används korrekt och ändamålsenligt.

David Lega,

för PPE-gruppen

Korruption, bedrägerier, fiffel, kriminalitet – sådant föder ilska och besvikelse, men också misstänksamhet och oro. Därför måste det stå kristallklart att Europaparlamentet har nolltolerans mot missbruk av EU-medel. Vare sig det handlar om misstag eller organiserad brottslighet: problemen ska åtgärdas. Vare sig det handlar om ett enskilt företags småfiffel eller om stater och regeringar som inte respekterar rättsstatliga principer: allt ska utredas och åtgärdas. Det är så nitiska vi ska vara. Det är därför det är bra att det finns ett brett stöd i parlamentet för att öka EU:s insatser rörande bedrägeribekämpning.

Det saknades emellertid en aspekt när förhandlingarna om detta betänkande påbörjades, nämligen den om EU-medel som spenderas utanför EU:s gränser. Jag är glad att mina kollegor gick med på mitt förslag om att inte bara fokusera på bedrägerier och korruption inom EU, och bortse från de stora summor som går till EU:s kandidat- och partnerländer.

Vi måste kräva krafttag mot korruption i alla länder som tar emot EU-stöd. Om partnerländer och kandidatländer uppenbart visar att man inte vill eller förmår bekämpa korruption, då måste EU-stödet till dem strypas. Det är helt oacceptabelt att EU-medel fortsätter att flöda till genomkorrupta mottagare.

Mina förslag vann majoritet bland de andra politiska grupperna, och den text som vi nu har att ta ställning till inkluderar nya rekommendationer, exempelvis att EU bör frysa budgetstöd till tredjeländer som underlåter att vidta åtgärder mot utbredd korruption, och att kampen mot korruption ska ges högre prioritet i förhandlingarna med EU:s kandidatländer.

Jag hoppas därför att betänkandet får stort stöd av parlamentet i morgon. Man kan ha olika åsikter om storleken på EU:s budget. Jag själv och Kristdemokraterna tycker att EU bör en betydligt mindre budget. Men oavsett vad man tycker om budgetens storlek, är jag säker på att vi alla är överens om att oriktigheter, bedrägerier och korruption måste bekämpas.

Caterina Chinnici,
  a nome del gruppo S&D. – Signora Presidente, signora Commissaria, onorevoli colleghi, il 2021 ha rappresentato un anno importante per la tutela degli interessi finanziari dell'Unione europea ed è stato segnato da significative innovazioni.

Caterina Chinnici,

a nome del gruppo S&D

Infatti, la Procura europea ha finalmente iniziato le sue attività di indagine, i cui primi significativi risultati già dimostrano quanto la sua piena operatività fosse ormai necessaria, ed è entrato in vigore il dispositivo per la ripresa e la resilienza, pilastro importante della risposta dell'Unione alla crisi pandemica, insieme al QFP 2021-2027, un ammontare di risorse senza precedenti, che esige un deciso rafforzamento delle attività di prevenzione e contrasto a irregolarità e frodi, anche e soprattutto contro il rischio di infiltrazioni della criminalità organizzata.

Ed è questo un impegno che deve coinvolgere tutti, le autorità nazionali, perché adottino un approccio davvero proattivo nell'individuazione delle frodi ai danni del bilancio europeo, gli organi e le agenzie dell'Unione, e mi riferisco a EPPO, OLAF, Eurojust ed Europol, che già apportano un valore aggiunto fondamentale anche in questo settore, perché però rafforzino sempre più la loro collaborazione e la loro cooperazione.

Le istituzioni dell'Unione tutte, incluso questo Parlamento, e tutti noi, chiamati tutti ad adottare un approccio uniforme e deciso a favore della trasparenza per il contrasto alla corruzione, alle attività illegali di lobbying, ai conflitti di interessi e per prevenire le situazioni delle cosiddette porte girevoli.

L'architettura antifrode dell'Unione europea deve quindi essere ancora e sempre più rafforzata. Occorre favorire lo scambio di informazioni, superare la frammentarietà e la difformità dei meccanismi di monitoraggio e controllo, ed altresì occorre armonizzare e uniformare le legislazioni, inclusa la necessità di una nuova, più moderna definizione di criminalità organizzata, che sia davvero comune a livello europeo e che risulti effettivamente adeguata ad impedire ai gruppi criminali di approfittare delle differenze fra le legislazioni degli Stati membri per infiltrarsi nell'economia legale dei nostri paesi.

Proteggere gli interessi finanziari dell'Unione e il bilancio dell'Unione europea significa tutelare i diritti e gli interessi dei cittadini europei, che affrontano oggi un momento di particolare difficoltà a causa della crisi economico-finanziaria determinata nei nostri paesi dalla pandemia e poi ulteriormente aggravata dalle conseguenze della guerra in Ucraina.

Assicurare che i fondi dell'Unione siano spesi esclusivamente a loro vantaggio e nel pieno rispetto della legalità deve rappresentare la nostra priorità, anche al fine di preservare la fiducia dei cittadini nelle istituzioni europee.

In conclusione, Presidente, voglio ringraziare la collega relatrice, l'onorevole Pignedoli, e gli altri colleghi relatori ombra per il lavoro svolto, in piena collaborazione con l'obiettivo comune, condiviso dalla Presidente e da tutti i componenti della commissione CONT, di rafforzare la tutela degli interessi finanziari dell'Unione.

Katalin Cseh,
  on behalf of the Renew Group. – Madam President, Commissioner, colleagues, when it comes to matters of budget control, you very often hear me standing here delivering very impatient and very critical remarks. But this time, let me use this opportunity to not only thank the rapporteur for an excellent job, but also to take a much more positive approach, because the European Commission's recent decision to reform the EU's blacklist and exclude fraudulent applications from receiving EU contracts is a very important breakthrough. It is also a victory for this Parliament.

Katalin Cseh,

on behalf of the Renew Group

Let me add, it is perhaps a bit of a personal legislative success for me, myself and the Renew team, because right from the start of this mandate, we have been calling for an effective blacklist. We raised the specific case of Viktor Orbán's son-in-law, who continued to receive large amounts of EU money, even though he has a record of fraud, as concluded by the EU's own investigators. So why aren't such applicants blacklisted, we kept asking, and we dipped into the legislation and found that the EU indeed does have a blacklist – the so-called early detection and exclusion system – but not for funds jointly managed with Member States. So in other words, it failed to cover 80% of the funds. So we raised this problem in letters, we organised a committee hearing, and then the Commission agreed with us – which is great – that this glaring loophole needs to be closed.

This is just common sense, colleagues. The EU must not give second and third and 11th chances after a proven record of fraud. EU funds are not a right, but a privilege, and those who already prove to be undeserving should not be granted this privilege. I'm very glad that, as a result of the work of the Renew team and myself, our EU legislation now reflects this.

Mikuláš Peksa,
  za skupinu Verts/ALE. – Paní předsedající, dámy a pánové, ne všichni politici jsou zkorumpovaní. Není normální brát úplatky. Není normální jezdit na neohlášené placené mise, které připomínají dovolenou. A rozhodně není normální, aby premiéři kradli veřejné prostředky. To je to, na čem spolu s Piráty pracujeme už řadu let, a proto také máme naději pro lepší Česko a lepší Evropu.

Mikuláš Peksa,

za skupinu Verts/ALE

Ochrana evropských finančních zájmů je taky zároveň ochranou vnitrostátních rozpočtů. OLAF každý rok vyšetřuje stovky případů podvodů a korupce, které ale pouze z pětatřiceti procent končí před soudem, protože prostě není politická vůle v členských státech je řešit. Díky novému Úřadu evropského veřejného žalobce jsme ale nyní konečně schopni získat zpět značné množství ukradených finančních prostředků bez toho, abychom se museli zabývat zdlouhavým vnitrostátním řízením. Za prvních šest měsíců činnosti úřadu se podařilo získat zpět nějakých 147 milionů EUR. Tedy zhruba na každé jedno euro, které investujeme do jeho provozu, se nám vrátí čtyři eura zpátky. Není žádným překvapením, že vlády států, jako je Polsko nebo Maďarsko, nadále odmítají na tomto nástroji spolupracovat a pravděpodobně asi z toho důvodu, že mají samy hodně co skrývat.

V poslední řadě potřebujeme silnější opatření na ochranu veřejných institucí před korupcí. Skandál, který minulý měsíc zasáhl Evropský parlament, je dalším příkladem toho, že potřebujeme větší transparentnost a silnější ochranu whistlerblowerů. A abych tomu sám pomohl, tak společně s kolegy připravujeme zřízení společného etického tělesa pro instituce Evropské unie.

whistlerblowerů

Gunnar Beck,
  im Namen der ID-Fraktion. – Frau Präsidentin! Die EU muss endlich gegen Korruption und Betrug vorgehen. Im Zentrum des Katargate-Skandals stehen zwei gut finanzierte Brüsseler NGOs: Fight Impunity und No Peace Without Justice. 2018 veröffentlichte der Europäische Rechnungshof einen schockierenden Bericht über die mangelnde finanzielle Transparenz von NGOs. Obwohl NGOs Dutzende Milliarden EU-Mittel erhalten, bleiben sie als sogenannte nicht verpflichtete Einrichtungen von den EU-Geldwäscheregeln ausgenommen.

Gunnar Beck,

im Namen der ID-Fraktion

Fight Impunity

No Peace Without Justice

Daher behauptet die Kommission, ihr lägen keine ausreichend detaillierten Informationen darüber vor, wie EU-Gelder von NGOs ausgegeben würden. Der Rechnungshof fordert genau deshalb die sofortige Einführung einer EU-weiten Definition von NGOs, um Transparenz und Kontrolle zu verbessern. Doch Kommission und Parlament bleiben untätig. Im Ausschuss für Wirtschaft und Währung wird mein Vorschlag, die Definition politisch exponierter Personen auf Manager von EU-subventionierten NGOs zu erweitern, von den selbsterklärten Vorkämpfern gegen Korruption in anderen Fraktionen abgelehnt.

Ob von der Leyens SMS an den CEO von Pfizer, sozialistische Abgeordnete, die Bestechungsgelder aus Katar und Marokko erhalten, oder die Verbindungen der EZB zu BlackRock und Goldman Sachs – eines bleibt deutlich: Vertreter der herrschenden Meinung werden nicht verfolgt, nur hin und wieder gibt es ein Bauernopfer.

Ryszard Czarnecki,
  w imieniu grupy ECR. – Pani Przewodnicząca! Pani Komisarz! Szanowni Państwo! Polska pod względem liczby zgłaszanych nieprawidłowości pozostaje w absolutnej czołówce państw członkowskich Unii. Jako kraj zgłosiliśmy w roku 2021, który omawiamy, 1020 przypadków. To jest czwarte miejsce w Unii Europejskiej. Ja przytaczam te dane, żeby pokazać pełną skuteczność polskiego systemu wdrażania i kontroli środków unijnych, i pełną współpracę polskich instytucji finansowych z organami ścigania, a także należyte wywiązywanie się z obowiązku sprawozdawczego względem Komisji Europejskiej.

Ryszard Czarnecki,

w imieniu grupy ECR

Mimo że nie uczestniczymy we wzmocnionej współpracy w ramach Prokuratury Europejskiej, wiele państw, które z tą Prokuraturą współpracują, ma dużo gorsze wyniki wykrywalności i ścigania przestępstw na szkodę finansów Unii Europejskiej, a mimo to często w ocenie medialnej przedstawia się tę sytuację inaczej. Pokazuje się nasz kraj, a nie pokazuje się państw, które mają dużo gorsze, konkretne wyniki, gdy chodzi o nieprawidłowości finansowe względem środków unijnych. Nie będę tutaj tych krajów wskazywał. Każdy z państwa zna te wyniki odnośnie korupcji środków unijnych, które są publikowane co roku choćby przez Eurostat czy inne agencje unijne. Dziękuję bardzo tym wszystkim, którzy to sprawozdanie przygotowali.

Petri Sarvamaa (PPE). – Madam President, dear colleagues, the report that we have at hand here is really a very important one. It's a yearly exercise, of course, but guides our work in our fight against fraud and corruption as well, to some extent.

Petri Sarvamaa (PPE).

It's a huge task because as we know, the Member States manage more than 85% of EU expenditure and collect the EU's traditional own resources. Therefore, it's worth mentioning a couple of things. First of all, the number of cases of fraud and irregularities remained stable in 2021, compared to 2020. However, the total sum involving fraud increased to EUR 3.24 billion. This was mostly because there was a limited number of very large cases in some Member States.

Then, of course, it's good to bear in mind that the scrutiny over spending under the NextGenerationEU recovery package and RRF started at the same time, and that the regulation was adopted in February 2021. Therefore, this Parliament, and especially the Budgetary Control Committee, should also have a very strong role in the RRF's governance, including through regular structured dialogues where the Commission is invited to discuss the implementation of the RRF, with the Commission being required to take into account the views arising therefrom.

So, in conclusion, I would say that it is exactly the detailed nature of this report, the protection of the European Union's financial interests and combating fraud, that makes it such a valuable asset. I highly welcome the work of everyone involved in this report.

Maria Grapini (S&D). – Doamna președintă, doamna comisar, stimați colegi, combaterea fraudei și protejarea banului public trebuie să fie preocuparea permanentă și a Uniunii Europene și a statelor membre.

Maria Grapini (S&D).

Din păcate, dacă ne uităm după cifre, constatăm că batem pasul pe loc, pentru că dacă am vedea cauzele de fraudă din 2021, comparativ cu 2020, sunt aceleași. Deși am adăugat o instituție cu atribuții de control, cum este Parchetul European și e bine că am adăugat, problema este de eficiență.

Cred foarte mult că trebuie să mergem la prevenție și cred că accentul trebuie pus pe cum se concentrează manipulări în anumite situații prin care se pot frauda banii, de exemplu achizițiile publice. Sunt aceiași oameni care câștigă achizițiile publice. Nu știm nici acum unde e, cine e beneficiarul final și tot dezbatem acest lucru în Comisia de Control Bugetar.

Sigur, trebuie să rezolvăm conflictele de interese și este bine că v-ați propus să revizuiți, pentru că dumneavoastră, doamnă comisar, spuneați, avem regulamente, avem directive, avem proceduri, însă rezultatele sunt foarte importante. Și am mai spus și Curții de Conturi când am prezentat raportul, nu este important numai contabil să se poată justifica banii, ci trebuie să vedem eficiența banilor investiți.

În final, atrag atenția mai ales a amenințărilor majore pe care o reprezintă criminalitatea transfrontalieră și aici trebuie găsită o soluție cu instituțiile care au responsabilitate.

Gilles Boyer (Renew). – Madame la Présidente, les risques qui pèsent aujourd'hui sur les intérêts financiers de l'Union européenne sont immenses, d'ailleurs à la hauteur des sommes colossales qui sont engagées dans les plans de relance nationaux. Notre Union s'est engagée fortement ces dernières années dans la consolidation de son architecture antifraude avec la mise en place du Parquet européen. Le rapport que nous voterons demain illustre clairement cette dynamique positive.

Gilles Boyer (Renew).

Nous devons poursuivre nos efforts en donnant à cette architecture antifraude les moyens de fonctionner pleinement à l'aide de moyens humains, financiers et technologiques accrus pour l'OLAF et pour le Parquet européen, mais aussi en nous attaquant sous tous les angles possibles à la criminalité organisée et à la corruption à tous les niveaux. Le travail est engagé en ce sens avec le développement de règles et d'outils efficaces pour lutter contre le blanchiment et l'évasion fiscale. C'est ainsi que nous renforcerons la confiance dans l'Europe que nous souhaitons, car les intérêts financiers de l'Union, ce sont avant tout, ne l'oublions pas, les intérêts des contribuables et des citoyens européens.

Gilles Lebreton (ID). – Madame la Présidente, chers collègues, le rapport 2021 sur la lutte contre la fraude repose sur un constat inquiétant: le montant des irrégularités dépasse 3 milliards d'euros, contre 1 milliard et demi en 2020. Il propose donc plusieurs mesures pour tâcher de remédier à cette situation. Certaines sont intéressantes, comme la suggestion d'obliger la Commission à produire un rapport annuel sur la corruption. Compte tenu du Qatar Gate, c'est une proposition bienvenue. D'autres, en revanche, tentent de profiter de la situation pour accélérer la fédéralisation de l'Union. J'y suis totalement hostile.

Gilles Lebreton (ID).

Je suis contre la proposition d'augmenter les pouvoirs de l'OLAF et du Parquet européen, qui viennent d'administrer la preuve de leur cécité. Contre la stigmatisation des cinq États membres qui ont refusé d'adhérer au Parquet européen, ce qui est leur droit. Et contre l'extension du mécanisme de conditionnalité en vue de priver de subventions les États qui ne coopéraient pas assez avec l'OLAF et le Parquet européen. Ce n'est pas en transformant l'Union en une Europe à la schlague qu'on restaurera sa crédibilité.

Joachim Stanisław Brudziński (ECR). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Szanowni Państwo! Również w tej debacie pojawiają się jakieś kuriozalne zarzuty pod adresem mojego kraju, Polski. A chciałbym zwrócić uwagę, że w tym sprawozdaniu, które omawiamy, w żadnym punkcie nie wskazuje się na nieprawidłowości w wydawaniu środków unijnych przez Polskę. Ba, przeciwnie, Polska jest w czołówce państw – jak słusznie zauważył mój szanowny przedmówca pan poseł Czarnecki – w czołówce państw wydających transparentnie środki unijne, jak również w czołówce państw zwalczających i wskazujących ewentualne nieprawidłowości w ich wydawaniu.

Joachim Stanisław Brudziński (ECR).

Dlatego chciałbym zapytać: dlaczego ciągle do Polski nie popłynęły środki z KPO? Dlaczego próbuje się straszyć Polskę i Polaków wstrzymaniem finansowania w ramach kolejnej perspektywy budżetowej? Słyszymy ciągle jakieś bzdury o rzekomym łamaniu praworządności w Polsce. A jak wygląda praworządność w sercu europejskich demokracji, tu w Parlamencie Europejskim? Każdy kolejny dzień przynosi porażające informacje. Ci z lewej strony sali, którzy tak chętnie atakują Polskę, mają najwięcej za kołnierzem.

Chciałoby się zapytać: kto finansował raporty wymierzone w mój kraj? Maroko? Kuwejt? Nie sądzę. Być może, pytanie otwarte, to Rosja, Rosja, która konsekwentnie próbuje niszczyć obraz Polski w oczach europejskich obywateli. Polska jest państwem praworządnym, a środki unijne, które Polsce się należą, są wydawane w sposób transparentny.

Ivan Vilibor Sinčić (NI). – Poštovana predsjedavajuća, kad govorimo o zaštiti financijskih interesa Europske unije, treba naglasiti da je ona organizacija sastavljena od ljudi, prije svega od ljudi. Dakle, financijski interes EU-a mora biti onaj njezinih stanovnika.

Ivan Vilibor Sinčić (NI).

Hrvatska je članica EU-a, a naša zemlja propada, ljudi se raseljavaju, a u dućanima im se mahom prodaju skupi i manje kvalitetni proizvodi, koje uvoze strane korporacije. Neki će reći da se radi o slobodnom tržištu, ali vidjeli smo dovoljno u proteklih par godina da možemo reći da je od slobodnog tržišta ostalo vrlo, vrlo malo, a kormilo je preuzela sprega vrha politike i vlasnika najvećih korporacija i investicijskih fondova svijeta.

Gdje u takvim društvenim i ekonomskim odnosima nalazimo interes stanovnika? Nema ga. Je li možda financijski interes EU-a to da Hrvatska u zajednički proračun uplati sve više, a dobije sve manje? Jeste li svjesni da čak i oni poticaji koje dobijemo u Hrvatskoj idu u ruke kriminalaca, često povezanih s politikom? Crony kapitalizam, neki bi rekli. Prikažite lažne poljoprivredne površine, lažnu stoku i dobijete realan novac poreznih obveznika. Dobijete posao izgradnje neke infrastrukture, a niste to nikad radili, nemate reference, ali imate veze. Što je s financijskim interesima Europe kada je predsjednica Komisije preko SMS poruka dogovarala astronomske stoljetne poslove, koji su se pokazali potpuno promašenima. Čini se da bi najveći interes stanovnika bio upravo da se prestane ovako uzimati novac i dijeliti podobnima.

Monika Hohlmeier (PPE). – Frau Präsidentin, Frau Kommissarin, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Zunächst einmal darf ich der Berichterstatterin Sabrina Pignedoli ganz herzlich zu ihrem hervorragenden Bericht gratulieren. Obwohl ich nicht alle Inhalte aufzählen will, die sie sehr sorgfältig vorbereitet und inhaltlich aufbereitet hat – der Bericht ist wirklich hervorragend.

Monika Hohlmeier (PPE).

Ich möchte auf drei Punkte eingehen: als Erstes auf das Thema, das uns im Bereich Katargate betrifft, das ist die Rolle von NGOs, die angesprochen wird. Ich bin da jemand, der sehr differenziert ist. Wir haben NGOs, die hervorragend arbeiten und die wichtig sind für unsere Gesellschaftsordnung. Wir haben leider aber auch ein Stück weit Entgleisungen, liebe Kommission, es gibt tatsächlich keine Definition ordentlicher Art zu der Unterschiedlichkeit von NGOs.

Wir haben kleine regionale, wir haben große Konzerne, die nach Macht, Geld und politischem Einfluss streben. Wir haben Tarnorganisationen, und wir haben sogar Hilfsorganisationen wie das Rote Kreuz, die auch noch unter den Titel NGO fallen, und auch Universitäten fallen darunter. Darunter fällt so ziemlich alles. Deshalb bin ich nicht eine, die generell von NGOs spricht, sondern die sagt, wir brauchen eine Transparenz von Geldflüssen in Nichtregierungsorganisationen und, was Sie letztendlich auch ein Stück weit unterstützen, wir brauchen Transparenz in diesen Vorgängen, um zu vermeiden, dass Tarnorganisationen unmäßigen Einfluss politischer Art oder gar krimineller Art ausüben im Rahmen von Korruption oder anderen Aktivitäten.

Zweiter Punkt: die ARF. Im Bereich der ARF sehe ich die Schwierigkeit, dass die Kontrolle für das Europäische Parlament, aber selbst für die Auditbehörden in dieser Form nicht adäquat gegeben ist. Wenn die internen Auditoren der Kommission keinen Zugriff haben auf die ARF und auch keine Kontrollen ausüben können, wenn der Rechnungshof nur begrenzte Möglichkeiten hat, Einblick zu nehmen, und wenn auch das Parlament keine Rückverfolgbarkeit hat, dann wird die ganze Aktion ganz schön schwierig. Die ARF darf nicht zu so einer Aktion werden, denn wenn eine Menge Geld – und zwar fast 600 bzw. fast 700 Milliarden Euro – ausgegeben wird, dann muss darüber ordnungsgemäß Rechenschaft über die Effizienz, über die Richtigkeit und über den Erfolg ausgeübt werden.

Letzter Satz, wenn ich ihn noch sagen darf, Frau Präsidentin: Wenn eine Ethikbehörde gefordert wird, dann muss sie unter Einhaltung der Rechtsstaatlichkeit stattfinden. Die Gewaltenteilung stellt einen grundlegenden Wert in der europäischen Rechtsordnung dar. Also eine Ethikbehörde kann nicht ermitteln, sanktionieren und Rechtsprechung auch noch gleichzeitig machen. Das ist außerhalb unserer Rechtsordnung. Deshalb, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen, bitteschön in der Rechtsordnung bleiben, wenn wir schon von rule of law sprechen.

rule of law

Hannes Heide (S&D). – Frau Präsidentin, Frau Kommissarin! Die konsequente Bekämpfung von Straftaten zum Nachteil der finanziellen Interessen der EU ist für den Haushalt, aber vor allem für das Vertrauen der Bürgerinnen und Bürger in die Europäische Union, von größter Bedeutung. Wie notwendig es ist, die finanziellen und personellen Ressourcen der Betrugsbekämpfungsbehörde OLAF und der Europäischen Staatsanwaltschaft aufzustocken, machen aktuelle Zahlen mehr als deutlich.

Hannes Heide (S&D).

Die Anzahl der Fälle von Unregelmäßigkeiten und Betrug ist zwischen 2020 und 2021 zwar in etwa gleich geblieben, aber das Ausmaß hat sich – auf 3,2 Milliarden Euro – mehr als verdoppelt. Alleine mit einem Budget von 45 Millionen Euro hat die Europäische Staatsanwaltschaft schon in ihrem ersten Arbeitsjahr die Beschlagnahme von mehr als 250 Millionen Euro bewilligt. Alle Anstrengungen für mehr Transparenz und Kontrolle gegen Betrug und Korruption stärken gerade jetzt, wo es so notwendig ist, die Glaubwürdigkeit in die Europäische Union und das Vertrauen der Bürgerinnen und Bürger in die europäischen Institutionen.

Ramona Strugariu (Renew). – Madam President, the 2021 PIF report revealed that the number of cases of fraud and irregularities reported by the competent EU and national authorities remained stable in 2021 compared to 2020. But the value involved rose significantly – from EUR 1.46 billion in 2020 to EUR 3.24 billion in 2021 — and this is really worrying. Detection of fraud and irregularities simply takes too long, averaging from two and a half to three years until they are reported to the Commission. We need to work together in order to change this. The EPPO and OLAF are doing a very good job, but Member States also have to improve their detection methods in order to decrease this significant delay.

Ramona Strugariu (Renew).

On 1 June 2021, the EPPO finally started its operational activities and proved its capabilities and cost-effectiveness, despite the minimal resources and extreme time pressure. Although the EPPO's budget for 2021 was less than EUR 45 million, they managed to order the seizure of more than EUR 250 million in their first year of operations.

This means that we – in this House and at home – need to ensure full support and full speed to this institution. It is one of the best performing projects of Europe so far. They need money, human resources and trust. Let us give them the means and we will all succeed to better counter fraud in the European Union.

VORSITZ: NICOLA BEER

VORSITZ: NICOLA BEER

Vizepräsidentin

Vizepräsidentin

Johan Van Overtveldt (ECR). – Voorzitter, collega's, in het verslag dat we vandaag bespreken, wordt meermaals verwezen naar de herstel- en veerkrachtfaciliteit, het herstelfonds van ruim 720 miljard EUR, waarvan bijna de helft subsidies. Dat valt eigenlijk buiten de reguliere begroting en is dus ook moeilijk te controleren.

Johan Van Overtveldt (ECR).

Van nieuwe financieringskanalen zouden we toch mogen verwachten dat ze van bij de start maximaal fraudebestendig worden gemaakt. Maar de herstel- en veerkrachtfaciliteit voldoet helaas niet aan dat criterium. Het heeft de Raad immers behaagd om de controle door te geven aan de lidstaten zelf. Het gaat daarbij dan ook nog eens om een beperkt aantal grote landen die aanspraak maken op het grootste deel van de middelen, zeker wat de subsidies betreft.

Dat de controle bij de lidstaten zelf wordt gelegd, is om problemen vragen. Ik herhaal mijn oproep om zowel het Parlement als de andere controlerende entiteiten in dezen een echte en objectieve controlerende rol te geven.

Andor Deli (NI). – Elnök Asszony! Közismert mindannyiunk számára, hogy a Bizottság minden évre vonatkozóan, jelentésben értékeli az Unió pénzügyi érdekeinek védelmét. Az is megszokott, hogy ehhez a Parlament saját jelentést készít, ahol a Parlament a jellemző módon kioktató hangnemben leckézteti a tagállamokat és a nemzeti hatóságokat, hogy miként is kellene a csalás és a korrupció ellen fellépni. Arról azonban egy szó sem esik, hogy egy ilyen szerteágazó uniós csalás és korrupció elleni intézményrendszer mellett, mint amilyen az OLAF, az EPPO, az Europol ,az Eurojust, miként tudott éveken keresztül egy hatalmas korrupciós megvesztegetési hálózat működni, itt magában az Európai Parlamentben?

Andor Deli (NI).

Mennyi hitelessége maradt egy olyan intézménynek, tagállami joggyakorlatokat kifogásolni, kormányokat leckéztetni, jogállamisági feltételeket szabni, ahol hosszú időn keresztül, az intézmény kapuin belül ilyen magas szintű megvesztegetési rendszer tudott működni. A Költségvetési Ellenőrző Bizottság ezért inkább ezzel kellene, hogy foglalkozzon, és ezért nem tudjuk támogatni ezt a jelentést.

Андрей Новаков (PPE). – Г-жо Председател, организираната престъпност отдавна не е това, което помним от средата на 90-те години, или пък онова, което знаем от филмите за улични гангстери. Днес организираната престъпност често има главни действащи лица добре образовани и добре изглеждащи хора, с правилни дипломи от правилни университети, които предлагат иновативни финансови продукти. Лъскавият офис обаче, хубавият сайт и усмихнатите млади лица са само опаковката, а отвътре понякога се крият финансови измами, пране на пари, финансиране на политически партии или избягване на санкции към Руската федерация.

Андрей Новаков (PPE).

През последните дни бе оповестено едно международно мащабно разследване между Съединените американски щати, Великобритания и България, в което финансовата, предполагаемата финансова пирамида ‘Нексо’ е ужилила десетки хиляди души с десетки милиарди евро. Вероятно се чудите защо това ни интересува? Тази финансова пирамида е финансирала партията ‘Да, България’, която участваше доскоро в управлението на България. Аз мисля, че европейските институции не могат да действат селективно. Трябва да проверят този случай и да покажат, че няма двоен аршин, че се действа еднакво. Да покажат на европейския избирател, че неговият интерес е над всичко друго. Прозрачността на европейското финансиране и на техния финансов интерес стои над всичко останало.

Billy Kelleher (Renew). – Madam President, I welcome the report. The EU and Member States share responsibility in many aspects of this particular report. The EU Member States' authorities manage the largest share of EU expenditure and collection of own resources. The recovery and resilience fund over the next number of years will inject EUR 1.8 trillion into the European economy in supports and grants. There are certainly the issues of money laundering, tax evasion, procurement and public contracts being awarded, and a very significant issue that we have to deal with as well is the VAT gap that is consistently being highlighted.

Billy Kelleher (Renew).

Of course, if we don't have rule of law, if we don't have independence of police forces, tax authorities, revenue authorities, audit authorities and prosecution authorities, and ultimately the independence of the judiciary, we will always have significant challenges in holding individuals or authorities to account when they fail to do their duty at Member State level in ensuring that EU funds are spent appropriately.

Eugen Jurzyca (ECR). – Vážená pani predsedajúca. Ak chceme efektívne chrániť európske peniaze, potrebujeme zlepšiť veľa vecí. Uvediem dve, o ktorých sa hovorí menej, než by si zaslúžili.

Eugen Jurzyca (ECR).

Po prvé transparentnosť. Začnime v Únii zverejňovať všetky zmluvy s verejnou správou, ako to robí napríklad Slovensko. Zároveň potrebujeme kontrolovať aj to, kto profituje z verejných zákaziek ako konečný užívateľ výhod. Odporúča to napríklad Svetová banka v Správe o boji proti podvodom z roku 2020 alebo aj Medzinárodný menový fond v Príručke ku kontrole vlastníctva z roku 2022.

Po druhé musíme merať výsledky, nie výstupy. Nestačí merať počet kilometrov postavených ciest. Ak sa vo výsledku nezlepší plynulosť premávky, neskráti cestovný čas alebo sa neznížia počty nehôd, tak sme zrejme v takom prípade investovali neefektívne. A aj v tom najlepšom systéme sa nájdu zlyhania. A je ťažké a drahé odhaliť ich a napraviť. Efektívnejšie je odhaliť a napraviť zlyhania v systéme.

Morten Petersen (Renew). – Fru Formand! Organiseret svindel og humbug kostede os ifølge Den Europæiske Anklagemyndighed, EPPO, 5,4 milliarder euro i 2021. Og det er jo en helt uhyrlig stor sum penge, der kun viser vigtigheden af, at vi netop har en europæisk anklagemyndighed, som er dedikeret til at afsløre grænseoverskridende svindel. Der er alt mulig god grund til at øge anklagemyndighedens budget og udvide dets beføjelser. Den organiserede grænseoverskridende kriminalitet vokser hele tiden, og det europæiske samarbejde er simpelthen nødt til at kunne følge med. Forbrydelse skal jo ikke kunne betale sig. Desværre så deltager lande som Polen, Ungarn, Sverige, Irland og mit eget land, Danmark, ikke i EPPO-samarbejdet omkring Den Europæiske Anklagemyndighed. Og det tjener jo kun til at gøre livet lettere for kriminelle svindlere. Derfor vil jeg opfordre disse medlemslande til at få meldt sig ind i EPPO-samarbejdet så hurtigt som muligt. Hvis vi skal sikre Europa effektivt mod grænseoverskridende kriminalitet, må alle deltage helhjertet i samarbejdet. Tak.

Morten Petersen (Renew).

Dorien Rookmaker (ECR). – Voorzitter, het geld dat de EU verstrekt heeft, heeft ze via de lidstaten van de belastingbetalers ontvangen om er verstandige dingen mee te doen. De EU-lidstaten zijn verantwoordelijk voor het rechtmatig uitgeven van de EU-gelden en dus ook voor de bestrijding van fraude.

Dorien Rookmaker (ECR).

Ik ben van mening dat het belangrijk is om fraude te voorkómen. Dat is belangrijker dan om achteraf te proberen de schuldigen voor het gerecht te brengen, met alle moeilijkheden van bewijslast en beroepsmogelijkheden vandien.

Ik pleit sterk voor meer transparantie in plaats van meer rapportages. Het moet voor alle EU-burgers mogelijk zijn om te zien waar EU-budgetten exact voor zijn bedoeld, hoe, waar en door wie ze worden besteed.

Kortom, ik pleit ervoor om de fraudebestrijding over een volledig andere boeg te gooien en om ze te moderniseren. Als alle burgers in Europa op één kaart kunnen zien waar en met welk doel middelen worden besteed, zorgen we voor veel meer controle op de bestedingen zonder een extreme toename van rapportageverplichtingen en personeel. De techniek is er klaar voor. Het is nu tijd voor actie!

Zbigniew Kuźmiuk (ECR). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Pani Komisarz! Mimo tego, że Polska nie przystąpiła do Prokuratury Europejskiej ani nie przygotowaliśmy strategii walki z nadużyciami, to okazuje się, że jesteśmy liderem w zgłaszaniu tego rodzaju nieprawidłowości do instytucji europejskich. Jak to już było mówione, aż 17% wszystkich zgłoszeń pochodzi właśnie z Polski, co oznacza, że polskie instytucje walczące z korupcją i złym wykorzystaniem środków europejskich pracują bardzo dobrze.

Zbigniew Kuźmiuk (ECR).

Co więcej, Pani Komisarz mówiła także wiele o wyłudzeniach podatku VAT. Tak się składa, że rząd w Polsce przez osiem lat swojej działalności doprowadził właśnie do tego, że podwojone zostały dochody budżetowe z podatku VAT, wzrosły o 100% w ciągu siedmiu lat. A jeżeli chodzi o tak zwaną lukę VAT-owską, to w Polsce została ona zmniejszona w 2021 r. z 24% do 4%. To instytucje europejskie powinny brać przykład z Polski, bo my pokazujemy, jak należy walczyć z korupcją i nadużyciami finansowymi.

Spontane Wortmeldungen

Spontane Wortmeldungen

Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D). – Señora presidenta, comisaria Johansson, celebramos que un debate en el Pleno del Parlamento Europeo sobre la lucha contra la corrupción y el fraude que afectan a los intereses financieros de la Unión sea ya una costumbre: está institucionalizado.

Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D).

No hace mucho era impensable; recuerdo bien que la primera estrategia contra la corrupción la puso en marcha su predecesora, la comisaria Malmström. Siendo yo presidente de la Comisión de Libertades Civiles, Justicia y Asuntos de Interior, fui ponente para la Directiva sobre la lucha contra el fraude que afecta a los intereses financieros de la Unión a través del Derecho penal, que actúa como base jurídica de la competencia atribuida a la Fiscalía Europea; que nadie se alarme si la considero una institución, en sentido federal, capaz de ejercer acusación después de haber investigado supranacionalmente los atentados financieros contra los intereses financieros de la Unión.

Pero ninguna institución europea reemplaza a los Estados miembros, ni a sus poderes judiciales, ni a sus fiscalías. Por tanto, los defectos de ajuste que pueda experimentar la Fiscalía Europea con respecto a las fiscalías nacionales y los poderes judiciales nacionales exigen formación constante, velada por la Comisión como guardiana de los Tratados, en relación con la lucha contra el fraude y los intereses financieros de la Unión.

(Ende der spontanen Wortmeldungen)

(Ende der spontanen Wortmeldungen)

Ylva Johansson,
  Member of the Commission. – Madam President, I wish to thank everyone for this very good debate. I think it has been a very fruitful debate. I really appreciate the support that you give and the hard work that you put into this important policy area.

Ylva Johansson,

Member of the Commission

Effective protection of the financial interests of the EU requires collective and coordinated efforts from all EU institutions and from all Member States. The Commission will continue to do everything in its power to improve and increase the level of protection that is already in place. But we and our operational bodies will need support from partners in the EU to make sure that the budget, and equally the reputations of the EU institutions, are properly protected from those that seek to harm it.

The European Parliament, and in particular the Budgetary Control Committee, has a particularly important role to play in this respect. I would like to thank you again and I look forward to continuing our close cooperation on this topic.

Sabrina Pignedoli,
  Relatrice. – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, volevo ringraziare tutti coloro che sono intervenuti in questo dibattito e hanno dato spunti interessanti.

Sabrina Pignedoli,

Relatrice

È stato importante sentire Lei, Commissaria, e tanti colleghi che hanno indicato tra le priorità la lotta alla criminalità organizzata e ci sono stati tanti spunti interessanti, la trasparenza dei flussi di denaro, l'importanza della prevenzione, i tempi per la scoperta delle frodi e anche l'importanza del recupero del denaro.

E volevo ringraziare in questa sede i relatori ombra che hanno lavorato insieme a me per la realizzazione di questa relazione, è stato un lavoro importante credo, e ringrazio anche la presidente della commissione CONT, Monika Hohlmeier, e tutti i colleghi della commissione CONT con cui è sempre un piacere lavorare in maniera costruttiva.

Spero in un'ampia condivisione dei voti domani per mostrare un'unitarietà del Parlamento europeo contro le frodi e contro la corruzione e per riacquistare e mantenere la credibilità davanti ai cittadini.

Die Präsidentin. – Die Aussprache ist geschlossen.

Die Präsidentin. –

Die Abstimmung findet am Donnerstag, 19. Januar 2023, statt.

19.   Terrorist threats posed by far-right extremist networks defying the democratic constitutional order (debate)

Die Präsidentin. – Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über die Erklärungen des Rates und der Kommission zu der von rechtsextremistischen Netzwerken ausgehenden terroristischen Bedrohung der demokratischen Grundordnung (2022/3016(RSP)).

Die Präsidentin. –

Jessika Roswall,
  President-in-Office of the Council. – Madam President, honourable Members, Commissioner thank you for inviting me to speak.

Jessika Roswall,

President-in-Office of the Council

I would like to start my intervention by recalling a fundamental principle of EU action: violent extremism and terrorism should be addressed in all its forms, be it right wing, left wing, religious or otherwise, and we should do everything in our power to prevent it. The Directive on combating terrorism, which the Council and the European Parliament updated together in 2017, is the cornerstone of our response to terrorism and does not distinguish between ideologies.

Combating all forms of terrorism, violent extremism and radicalisation is a fundamental part of providing security for our citizens. During our Presidency, we will give attention to both new forms of violent extremism and terrorism, as well as the evolvement within existing violent threat environments, and at the same time not forget that the threats of yesterday.

When it comes to far-right movements and their destabilising effect there is a worrying and growing trend in many EU Member States that we cannot ignore – ranging from anti-Semitic, anti-LGBTI, anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant to eco-fascist sentiments. Their aim is to create political tension and social chaos and ultimately undermine our democratic systems.

Our absolute rejection of such movements requires not only strong and swift action, but also a united voice from national and EU institutions. This is why, already in 2019, the Council agreed on the following four joint work strands against violent right-wing extremism and terrorism: one, creating a better understanding and extent of the problem in Europe; two, developing and sharing best practices against extra extremist; three, tackling the spread of unlawful right-wing extremist content online; and four, cross-border cooperation.

It is our intention during the Swedish Presidency not only to take stock of the implementation of these four strands, but to go further and to look at whether further measures might be needed.

I would highlight in particular the use of the internet for spreading extremist ideologies, a trend that has grown exponentially with the COVID-19 pandemic and now in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. These are very often very fluid, fast-evolving movements, and the digital space remains a considerable breeding ground for radicalisation and space for recruitment. The origin, financing and impact of such movements is difficult to assess. However, we cannot ignore their potential and that is why we need more cooperation among our law-enforcement and intelligence communities.

I would also wish to highlight the rising transnational nature of the extremist right-wing threat that we have witnessed in the past couple of years. New transnational narratives such as the Great Replacement or white genocide transcend national boundaries and have led to strong international networks. Cracking down on those networks requires more regular exchange with like-minded partners.

In particular, I should mention the role of EU agencies such as Europol to ensure that the EU is a part of international investigations against extremist networks. Indeed, violent right-wing extremism is not just a threat within the EU, but worldwide as the shocking events in Brazil only a couple of weeks ago have demonstrated. Widespread international condemnation of those events has been a positive sign that the international community is paying attention.

We must now turn words into action, starting with our Member States. The EU has taken some decisive actions in this field and has set itself as an example of the international community in addressing violent extremism. I would recall in particular the Regulation on addressing the dissemination of terrorist content online, which came into effect last year, or the Digital Services Act, which will provide a general framework for regulation of harmful and unlawful expression on the internet.

The use of violence language to incite extremist and anti-democratic behaviour must be met with zero tolerance by democratic institutions, while of course respecting the principle of freedom of speech and of expression. Much more still needs to be done, as was stated at the beginning. We will focus on violent right-wing extremism and will invite Member States to share their experiences and strategies. Among other things, we will take into account of how to arrive at a working definition of violent right-wing extremism and establish a framework with the Commission and share with the Member States on how it is used or could be used. We very much expect this Parliament to be part of this discussion. In addition, we will organise a conference in Stockholm on how to prevent radicalisation.

Ylva Johansson,
  Member of the Commission. – Madam President, Minister Roswall, honourable Members, just before Christmas, in a lone-wolf attack in Paris, a far-right extremist shot three men dead: a terrorist attack intended to cause death and fear.

Ylva Johansson,

Member of the Commission

In the last months and years, we have also seen a new type of threat, from Washington to Berlin, to Brasilia: violent attacks on institutions representing the people. Last December, German police put a stop to a conspiracy, detaining 25 men and women suspected of membership of a terrorist organisation who planned to assault the Bundestag, round up Members of Parliament and the Government, and abolish democracy.

It's tempting to laugh at this plot around Prince Heinrich and its outlandish ideology, including nostalgia for the German empire, anti-Semitic and anti-vax elements. But it would be a serious mistake to underestimate a network including a pilot, a judge, a lawyer, a doctor, a policeman and former soldiers, including special forces, spread out over Germany with arrests also in Austria and Italy, with money, with weapons and with the will to carry out their plans.

So to the German police, I say, well done with this crackdown. Well done for showing democracy in Germany is resilient and strong. But we cannot take support for democracy for granted. In a worrying trend, right-wing extremists are getting younger and younger. In Estonia, a 13-year-old boy founded a far-right extremist movement. In Bratislava, a 19-year-old shot dead two people in a gay bar.

Teenagers and adults are going down internet rabbit holes, making up what I would like to call a ‘do it yourself’ ideology from what they find: hate of minorities, hate of democracy, hate of women, hate of Jews, hate of gays. And with conspiracy theories and warrants for violence, a Frankenstein ideology of different parts is forming a living, violent, dangerous monster.

But how can we expect young people to do the right thing if adults don't give the right example? We must speak out against the creeping normalisation of hatred. As democrats, we must say, it's not normal to be a Nazi, it's not normal to destroy our institutions, it's not normal to attack the symbols of our democracies or our elected representatives.

When democracy is under attack, Russia is never far away. The far-right Russian imperial movement, the Night Wolves biker gang have ties with extremists in the EU. The German plotters apparently tried to get the blessing of the Russian consulate in Leipzig, which would make them not only terrorists, but also traitors. We will never tolerate Russian attempts to undermine us. The EU launched sanctions against Sputnik and Russia Today, and day in and day out, our services counter Russian disinformation, and we will do more to counter external threats.

In May, the Commission will launch a new ‘defence of democracy’ package to bring covert foreign influence and shady funding to light against third country entities covertly impacting public opinion and undermining democracies, supporting Member States' actions on funding of national political parties in the EU by Russia and others.

The Terrorist Content Online Regulation allows authorities or providers to take down terrorist propaganda within the hour. The Digital Service Act will provide a solid legal framework to tackle the spread of illegal content. Europol's Internet Referral Unit monitors and analyses far-right material. To take it down, tech companies and Member States join forces in the EU Internet Forum, which gives guidance to providers to help identify far-right symbols and prevent extremist from raising funds online. This year, the Forum will publish a new handbook on borderline content: propaganda that is harmful but not illegal, like disinformation or conspiracy theories. The Radicalisation Awareness Network will focus its research on finding new trends in far-right extremism.

As shown in France and Germany, the fight against terror depends on police action. To fight terrorism across borders, we are improving police cooperation and information exchange. As we outlined in our counter-terrorism agenda two years ago, we gave Europol a stronger mandate so it can work directly with internet companies essential to removing terrorist content.

In case of terrorist offences, Member States must now create alerts in the Schengen Information System. We made sure of that, and the updated Prüm Regulation will make police information exchange more efficient. So I call on you today: adopt your negotiating position on Prüm as soon as possible, and give police the up-to-date tools they need to fight terror.

Dear Members of Parliament, today we discuss a new threat: political violence mobilised online, inspired by populist leaders, driven by a far-right ideology but defeated by the forces of democracy. They failed in Washington. They failed in Berlin. They failed in Brasilia. But they are watching. They are learning. They could try again and they must fail again.

We need legislation, police cooperation and inspiration. We can there can be no democracy without democrats. We must speak out against all forms of extremism and say, hands off our institutions, our politicians, our parliaments. They don't belong to you. They belong to the people of Europe.

Lena Düpont,
  im Namen der PPE-Fraktion. – Frau Präsidentin, Frau Kommissarin, liebe Kollegen! Im Dezember gab es in Deutschland einen großen Anti-Terror-Einsatz gegen Reichsbürger: 150 Durchsuchungen, 25 Verhaftungen, 54 Verfahren. Deswegen gilt zuallererst mein Dank den Einsatzkräften und den Sicherheitsbehörden. Die Beschuldigten waren bewaffnet, sie haben sich taktisch geschult, sie haben sich radikalisiert. Verharmlosungen als ‘Rollator-Umsturz’ werden dem Anlass nicht gerecht. Das Alter ist keine Entschuldigung für die Einschätzung von Gefahr und Radikalisierung. Der Einsatz war wichtig, er war richtig. Er hat gezeigt, was wehrhafte Demokratie ausmacht.

Lena Düpont,

im Namen der PPE-Fraktion

Worauf kommt es jetzt an? Erstens: Niemand steht über dem Recht. Wenn wir uns die letzten Wochen anschauen, dann muss man sagen: niemand, keine Reichsbürger, keine iranischen Sprengstoffattentäter, keine Clans, keine radikalen Aktivisten. Für alle gelten die Regeln des Anstands und die Regeln der freiheitlichen demokratischen Grundordnung. Deswegen auch volle Rückendeckung für diejenigen, die bei der Durchsetzung von Recht ihren Dienst ausüben und allzu oft mitten in gesellschaftlichen Auseinandersetzungen stehen.

Zweitens – die Kommissarin hat es angesprochen: Kooperation und Informationsaustausch zwischen Sicherheitsbehörden sind der Schlüssel. Siehe die enge Zusammenarbeit in der Terrorabwehr auf europäischer Ebene, die wichtige Arbeit des Anti-Terrorismus-Koordinators oder auch den police cooperation report, über den wir gerade gesprochen haben. Aber, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen, das alles kann nur Schaden verhindern, wenn unsere Dienste, unsere Behörden, national und europäisch, die richtigen Mittel an der Hand haben, um uns zu schützen. Denn am Ende können sie uns nur so gut schützen, wie wir als Gesetzgeber das ermöglichen.

police cooperation report

Drittens: Es ist vollkommen egal, ob von rechts, links, ideologisch oder religiös motiviert: Jeder, dem unsere Demokratie, unsere Werte, unsere Art, Kompromisse auszuhandeln, zuwider sind, der trifft auf Gegenwehr. Unsere Demokratie lebt von Regeln, vom Aushandeln von Regeln, von der Einhaltung von Regeln. Demokratie fordert, Demokratie verlangt ab, Demokratie ist bisweilen anstrengend, aber sie ist am Ende die Garantie für gesellschaftlichen Ausgleich und Zusammenhalt. Sie verdient den besten Schutz, den wir ihr geben können.

Gabriele Bischoff,
  im Namen der S&D-Fraktion. – Frau Präsidentin, sehr geehrte Frau Ministerin Roswall, sehr geehrte Kommissarin Johansson! Danke für die klaren Worte auch in Bezug auf die Gefahren, die für unsere Demokratie hier drohen.

Gabriele Bischoff,

im Namen der S&D-Fraktion

Wir wissen schon seit Langem, dass wir wirklich eine wehrhafte, eine streitbare Demokratie brauchen. Bei uns in Deutschland sind dieser Diskurs und das Bewusstsein dafür durch die Erfahrungen im Nationalsozialismus wirklich entstanden, und es ist für uns wichtig, dass die Demokratie sich gegen die Feinde wehrt. Sie ist dabei aber auch auf die Bürgerinnen und Bürger angewiesen, die hier wirklich eine ganz aktive Rolle einnehmen. Deshalb ist es gut, dass wir diskutieren, was wir hier tun können auf europäischer Ebene und wie wir diesen rechtsterroristischen Gefahren begegnen können.

Es ist schon gesagt worden: Wir brauchen nicht nur in Länder wie die USA oder Brasilien zu gucken. Wir können hier gucken, was in Europa passiert, und wir haben gesehen, dass die Pandemie, aber auch der Krieg wirklich zur Radikalisierung von bestimmten Gruppen, rechtsextremen Bewegungen, Stiftungen und Bürgern beiträgt. Das muss uns zu denken geben.

Wir haben auch gehört, dass wir genauer hingucken müssen: Wer finanziert eigentlich diese Gruppen? Russland ist in der Tat einer derjenigen. Wir müssen und können hier in Europa, als Europäisches Parlament, stärkere Hürden aufbauen, damit das in Zukunft nicht mehr so gelingt.

Wir haben in Deutschland wirklich furchtbare Erfahrungen gehabt. Wir haben den NSU gehabt, eine Gruppe, die mordend durch Deutschland gezogen ist und Bürgerinnen und Bürger ermordet hat aus rassistischen Gründen. Wir haben lange Scheuklappen gehabt – auch die Behörden –, da wirklich zu ermitteln, dass am Ende rauskam, dass es eben nicht irgendwelche ‘Dönermorde’ sind, wie das in den Medien transportiert wurde, sondern wirklich einschlägige Gruppen. Wir haben jetzt, und das ist schon genannt worden, tatsächlich diese Razzia bei den Reichsbürgern gehabt und müssen feststellen, dass wir in Deutschland, so der Verfassungsbericht, 21 000 Menschen haben, die diesem Umfeld zuzurechnen sind.

Wir müssen hier wirklich mehr tun, dass wir da hingehen in solche Gruppen. Die Frau Kommissarin hat es gesagt: Es sind eben nicht die abgehängten Globalisierungsverlierer, die in solche Gruppen gehen, sondern es ist genau die Mitte der Gesellschaft, es sind Akademiker, es sind Adlige, es sind Ärzte. Da müssen wir die richtigen Antworten finden.

Wenn wir in die Forschung gucken, dann sehen wir einen Punkt, dass mehr getan werden muss, weil die Normalisierung von solchen Bewegungen, die wir feststellen, in Europa auch dazu beiträgt, dass diese Bewegungen stärkere Unterstützung finden. Auch hier gibt es viel zu tun für uns hier im Parlament, um sicherzustellen, dass diese vierte Welle an Rechtsextremismus und Terrorismus sich nicht weiter ausbreitet, sondern wir sie stoppen – gemeinsam.

Valérie Hayer,
  au nom du groupe Renew. – Madame la Présidente, Madame la Commissaire, Madame la Ministre, chers collègues, je vais rappeler ici une réalité qui ne va pas faire plaisir au Rassemblement national ici présent. Cette réalité, c'est que l'extrême droite reste, aux côtés des djihadistes, ni plus ni moins, la plus grande menace associée à de potentielles attaques terroristes et extrémistes en Europe. Ce n'est pas moi qui le dit, c'est un rapport d'Europol. Autrement dit, l'extrême droite n'est guère moins violente que le djihadisme. Et qui pourrait donner tort à cette affirmation?

Valérie Hayer,

au nom du groupe Renew

Depuis plus d'une décennie, nos démocraties font face à cette menace qu'on croyait appartenir pourtant au siècle passé. Charleston, Charlottesville, Christchurch. Mais aussi chez nous. Nous nous rappelons tous avec effroi le massacre commis par Anders Breivik en Norvège, il y a un peu plus de dix ans – 77 morts. En France, avec Claude Sinké, un ancien candidat du Front national qui tente d'incendier la mosquée de Bayonne en 2019 avant de tirer sur deux fidèles. À Paris le mois dernier, où un homme a fusillé des membres de la communauté turque. Deux mois seulement après que des personnes LGBTI ont été abattues à Bratislava à la sortie d'un bar.

Chers collègues, l'extrême droite porte des idées nauséabondes depuis des décennies. Ces idées instillent la haine et mènent à des drames – quand ce n'est à la mort. Alors je m'adresse ici au PPE: ne courtisez plus l'extrême droite. Là où vous pourriez gagner un allié, vous perdriez votre intégrité.

Terry Reintke,
  on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. – Madam President, in 2011 in Utøya and Oslo, 77 people were killed by a Nazi terrorist. In 2020 in Hanau, nine people were killed by a far-right terrorist. In 2022 in Bratislava, two queer people were shot coming out of a gay bar by a right-wing extremist. This list is far from exhaustive, and you all know it; hundreds of people have been killed by far-right extremists over the past years.

Terry Reintke,

on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

In December last year, security forces conducted one of the biggest anti-terror investigations in German history against an alleged far-right terror network trying to overthrow the constitutional order in Germany. Among the suspects, and I want to say this clearly, there was a member of the far right party AfD, and not just any member, but a former Member of the German Parliament.

These people planned to overthrow the democratic constitutional order in Germany. They are especially dangerous, because many of them have a lot of money, they have resources, and they have very good links to police and security forces, as well as to the justice system.

Let me be clear, colleagues, in the twenties and thirties of the last century, many conservatives and liberals in Germany made a fatal mistake. They believed that they could keep the far-right, the violence and the hatred for democracy, in check. They failed. You all know the outcome of this. We cannot let the same mistake happen again.

I must say that also here in this House, I see very dangerous tendencies to normalise the far-right, not least today, where a far-right candidate also received votes from democratic groups. Colleagues, we have to stand up to this far-right threat together, as democrats. These people are not playing. They are not making jokes. They mean it when they say that they want to overthrow our constitutional democratic order. We have to stop them.

Jean-Paul Garraud,
  au nom du groupe ID. – Madame la Présidente, Madame la Commissaire, mercredi dernier, un Libyen présent illégalement sur le sol français commettait des agressions au couteau d'une extrême violence à la gare du Nord, blessant plusieurs personnes. Lors de cette attaque, l'assaillant a crié ‘Allah Akbar’, donnant à son geste infâme une connotation islamiste. Depuis des années, ce terrorisme prolifère en Europe, souvent financé directement ou indirectement par des États étrangers liés à l'islamisme.

Jean-Paul Garraud,

au nom du groupe ID

Par un aveuglement idéologique, certains eurodéputés, et généralement l'Union européenne, sont obsédés par un terrorisme d'extrême droite qui, dans les faits, est minoritaire par rapport aux terrorismes d'extrême gauche et islamiste. La réalité de la situation est celle du lien indéniable entre le terrorisme islamiste et l'immigration massive que nous connaissons. C'est bien ce fléau terroriste qui a ébranlé les démocraties européennes, comme l'a rappelé, en juillet 2022, le rapport d'Europol sur la situation et les tendances du terrorisme.

Qui, au sein de cet hémicycle, peut sérieusement émettre l'idée que l'ordre constitutionnel démocratique en Europe serait mis en danger par l'extrême droite? Terme par ailleurs flou, qui englobe tout et n'importe quoi. Peut-être que notre Parlement s'est trompé dans l'intitulé de ce débat: il voulait pointer les menaces que représentent l'islamisme et l'extrême gauche en Europe. Cette dernière, l'extrême gauche, commet en effet régulièrement des violences dans les manifestations, notamment en France. Les militants antifas et les black blocs y sèment le chaos en toute impunité, s'en prennent aux forces de l'ordre abandonnées par leur ministre. Voilà la réalité qui est niée ici.

Si la démocratie vacille dans nos pays, c'est parce que ses représentants sont déconnectés des attentes des citoyens. Et effectivement, la réalité vécue par les Européens diffère des priorités que vous vous êtes fixées. Pendant que le terrorisme islamiste frappe notre continent, nous discutons d'une menace qui existe surtout dans votre imagination. Chers collègues, il serait temps d'enlever vos œillères et de vous ouvrir au monde. La sécurité de nos compatriotes en dépend.

Joachim Stanisław Brudziński,
  w imieniu grupy ECR. – Pani Przewodnicząca! Pani Komisarz! Myślę, że nie ma na tej sali nikogo, kto mógłby stwierdzić, że nie należy walczyć zarówno z prawicowym, jak i lewicowym ekstremizmem. Każdy ekstremizm jest czymś złym. Natomiast chciałbym zwrócić uwagę na inne niebezpieczeństwo. Otóż pod płaszczem tej rzekomej walki z ekstremizmem prawicowym próbuje się przypisywać partiom konserwatywnym właśnie ten termin, tak niejasny, ekstremizmu prawicowego.

Joachim Stanisław Brudziński,

w imieniu grupy ECR

Mam przed sobą sprawozdanie Komisji LIBE. W lipcu go dyskutowaliśmy. Próbuje się w nim przypisać ten ekstremizm prawicowy mojej partii – Prawu i Sprawiedliwości. Wskazuje się tutaj rozgłośnię radiową Radio Maryja, a również – uwaga! – Solidarność, tę Solidarność, która doprowadziła do upadku muru berlińskiego, jako przejaw właśnie ekstremizmu prawicowego. Taka uwaga politologiczna: zarówno nazizm, jak i faszyzm mają korzenie i konotacje lewicowe, więc to jest wasz problem, droga lewico, a nie problem konserwatystów. Byłem ministrem spraw wewnętrznych, zwalczałem wspólnie z policją, ze służbami specjalnymi, każdy przejaw ekstremizmu. I ze zdumieniem słyszałem, kiedy obchodziliśmy 100-lecie polskiej niepodległości, jak ponad 300 tysięcy polskich obywateli pod biało–czerwonymi flagami było również w tej izbie określanych mianem faszystów. Opamiętajcie się! Konserwatyzm nie ma nic wspólnego z szaleństwem ekstremizmu lewicowego. Taki był faszyzm czy nazizm.

Cornelia Ernst,
  im Namen der Fraktion The Left. – Frau Präsidentin! Rechtsextreme sind in Europa allgegenwärtig vertreten in Parlamenten, hier auch in diesem Parlament, in Regierungen, und sie sind europaweit vernetzt.

Cornelia Ernst,

im Namen der Fraktion The Left

Allein 2016 gab es in Deutschland 22 Menschen, die von Nazis getötet wurden. 2021 stiegen antisemitische Straftaten in einem Jahr um 29 Prozent. Es gab allein in diesem Jahr 1042 rechte Gewalttaten. Das sind drei Gewalttaten pro Tag im Jahr 2021. Linke Abgeordnetenbüros, aber auch andere Abgeordnetenbüros werden regelmäßig überfallen. Und ich sage: Die Polizei muss Rechtsextremismus wirklich ernst nehmen. Und wir wünschen uns, dass Europol endlich die Definition von rechtsterroristischer Gewalt erweitert. Das ist längst notwendig, denn Rechtsextremismus zielt auf den Tod von Demokratie und Pluralität.

Insbesondere in Krisenzeiten konstruieren rechte Apologeten ganz einfache Feindbilder: Ausländer, Muslime, Juden, Schwule, sie alle sind am Ungemach dieser Welt schuldig. Wir müssen dieses Monster Rechtsextremismus strafrechtlich, politisch, öffentlich bekämpfen, in den Parlamenten und auf den Straßen.

Ernő Schaller-Baross (NI). – Elnök Asszony! A mai vita egy újabb példa arra a sajnálatos jelenségre, hogy az Európai Parlament ingerküszöbét csak a szélsőjobboldali atrocitások érik el. Önök az erőszakkal szembeni fellépést is kettős mérce alá veszik. És úgy vélik, hogy a jogszerűség egy baloldali előjog. Szeretném emlékeztetni Önöket arra, hogy 2006-ban, uniós tagságunk második évében ez a Parlament nem is gondolt arra, hogy napirendre tűzze a szélsőségesen baloldali, posztkommunista Gyurcsány-kormány békés tüntetők ellen elkövetett tetteit. Pedig lett volna miről vitázzunk.

Ernő Schaller-Baross (NI).

Elég abból a felfogásból, hogy a baloldalnak mindig csak közepe van, és a jobboldalnak pedig mindig csak széle. Pártállástól függetlenül közös európai fellépésre van szükség, minden olyan esetben, amikor egy csoport politikai véleményét erőszakkal fejezi ki. Az egyre dagadó korrupciós botrányra tekintettel pedig, ez a tisztelt Ház inkább most tarthatna önvizsgálatot.

Vladimír Bilčík (PPE). – Madam President, the insurrection of 6 January 2021 in the US two years ago, the attacks in Brazil, the uncovered plot against the democratic order in Germany, but also the homophobic terrorist murders in my home country Slovakia last autumn – they all share some common traits. While none of these plans and brutal killings would have happened unless there were real people willing to attack our democratic institutions, the actions of these extremists were set in motion with the immense help of the online space, as hateful behaviour and violent radicalisation thrive in an ever more dangerous way.

Vladimír Bilčík (PPE).

There are many open and even more hidden dark spaces of the global internet, where calls to murder and attacks on democracy are not only tolerated, but nurtured and spread further. Here, especially, young men and disillusioned adults find both an outlet and a foundation for horrendous ideas and terrible public acts.

As we are learning lessons from the latest wave of extremism, some recipes for safeguarding democracy are already clear. First, seemingly simple disinformation can get amplified by a small number of politicians who have no respect for truth and democracy. I am pleased that the European Union is setting regulatory boundaries to social media giants. However, colleagues, we must do a lot more to fight against the spread of disinformation, and stop malign interference in European democracy from abroad, especially from actors such as Russia, always ready to exploit our weaknesses.

Second, we need strong and accountable security services that are technologically equipped to help prevent actions by extremists. Let us recall, even the most recent attack on democracy in Germany was prevented thanks to the work of democratic intelligence services. In short, whether it is lone wolves or an organised insurgency, attacks by extremists against the European way of life remind us, ever more urgently, that democracy in Europe needs robust security as much as robust security needs strong democratic institutions.

Brando Benifei (S&D). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, 6 gennaio 2021: assalto a Capitol Hill con il benestare di Donald Trump. 9 ottobre 2021: attacco alla sede della CGL, principale sindacato italiano a Roma, architettato insieme all'estrema destra neofascista italiana.

Brando Benifei (S&D).

7 dicembre 2022: è stato sventato un tentativo di golpe in Germania, ideato da militanti neonazisti tedeschi, tra cui alcuni ex deputati dell'AfD.

8 gennaio 2023: assalto al palazzo presidenziale brasiliano e ad altre istituzioni da parte dei seguaci di Bolsonaro.

Questi non sono episodi di una serie televisiva su distopie, ma drammatici eventi del mondo reale, legati da un filo ben definito, un filo nero caratterizzato dal disprezzo per le regole democratiche e per lo Stato di diritto. Il filo nero transnazionale delle reti dell'estrema destra, che minacciano l'ordine costituzionale delle nostre istituzioni, da fuori come da dentro i palazzi, servendosi di notizie false e teorie del complotto.

I timori dell'ascesa di una certa destra reazionaria e golpista venivano presi in giro, a volte anche in quest'Aula. Ebbene, questi eventi che ho ricordato, come altri, ci dicono che non c'è nulla su cui scherzare. Dobbiamo investire in una cultura che rifiuti qualunque tipo di cedimento a questo messaggio, che sia invece una cultura antirazzista, antinazista per i giovani europei.

Ci è stato sempre detto che finché non vengono commessi atti illegali, non si può vietare loro di prendere parte al gioco democratico. Ebbene, penso che questa soglia sia stata largamente valicata in troppi casi. È necessario mettere al bando le organizzazioni neofasciste e neonaziste in Europa, non solo perché sono incompatibili con i valori della nostra democrazia, ma perché agiscono per sovvertirli.

Mi batterò affinché nella futura revisione dei trattati sia inserito il carattere fondativo dell'antifascismo dell'Unione. Penso che la democrazia europea non sia scontata né piovuta dal cielo, bisogna difenderla, come dimostrano anche altri fatti di queste settimane.

Abir Al-Sahlani (Renew). – Fru talman! Fru kommissionär, fru minister! Den extrema högern här i parlamentet spyr ut sin främlingsfientlighet utan några konsekvenser. I deras hatfyllda, extrema propaganda finns det inget ansvarstagande för den radikalisering som de har bidragit med till våra samhällen. De är duktiga på att peka ut alla andra som terrorister, men förmår inte själva se sitt eget ansvar i det som har lett till högerterrorism i Europa.

Abir Al-Sahlani (Renew).

Jag är uppriktigt rädd för att möta någon av era anhängare en kväll ute på gatan. För att inte tala om min oro för mina barn om de skulle träffa på era anhängare som lyssnar ständigt på er – och ni har fått en politisk plattform här för att sprida ert hat, era konspirationsteorier och er rasism.

Jag och alla andra européer har faktiskt rätt att få vara fria från kränkningar och rasism och terrorism på EU:s gator och torg. Slaget om demokratin sker varje dag. Men vi får inte vika oss. Demokratin är produkten av en hård och lång kamp, och därför måste vi konstant och jämt kämpa för den.

Låt oss inte glömma de principer som ligger oss varmt om hjärtat, de principer som har byggt vår union. Men låt oss heller inte glömma dem som konstant undergräver dessa principer, vilket leder till att människor får sätta livet till på grund av er hatfyllda retorik.

Saskia Bricmont (Verts/ALE). – Madame la Présidente, l'extrême droite frappe encore. Une tentative de coup d'État en Allemagne; en France, un attentat raciste contre des représentants de la communauté kurde et des violences racistes à l'encontre de supporters de foot; un militaire qui dévalise un dépôt d'armes et entraîne la police dans une chasse à l'homme durant plusieurs semaines en Belgique; des attaques contre des personnes migrantes partout en Europe. Autant de manifestations du terrorisme d'extrême droite qui se multiplient en Europe et qui portent atteinte à nos valeurs, nos démocraties, aux vies et à la sécurité de nos concitoyens.

Saskia Bricmont (Verts/ALE).

Les alertes se multiplient pourtant depuis plusieurs années sur ces menaces, mais la priorité et l'attention ont longtemps été ailleurs, permettant le déploiement des réseaux violents d'extrême droite, avec la complicité d'une partie du monde politique. Celui qui représente cette idéologie extrémiste ici, sur le banc de nos assemblées, mais aussi celui qui collabore avec l'extrême droite au sein d'alliances gouvernementales. C'est le cas de la Suède, qui assure pour le moment la présidence du Conseil de l'Union européenne. C'est aussi le cas de plus de 100 députés de cette assemblée qui ont apporté leur soutien à la candidate d'extrême droite à la vice-présidence de ce Parlement. C'est ici et maintenant que commence le combat contre l'extrême droite.

Laura Huhtasaari (ID). – Arvoisa puhemies, mistä tietää, että vaalit lähestyvät? Ainakin Suomessa sen tietää siitä, että alkaa vimmattu nimittely rasismista, koska vastapuoli ei muuta osaa. Kun ei voida argumentoida, niin sitten nimitellään.

Laura Huhtasaari (ID).

Terrorismi kaikissa muodoissaan on tuomittavaa. Ideologia on ainoastaan sumuverho sen toteuttamiseen. Sitä voidaan harjoittaa valtioiden tukemana, uskontojen nimissä tai monien eri ideologioiden nimissä. Tämän olemme Euroopassa verisellä tavalla nähneet monena eri vuosikymmenenä. Miksi Euroopan parlamentti ei ole koskaan huolissaan anarkistien mielenosoituksesta tai vaikkapa Berliinissä uutenavuotena poliisiin, ambulansseihin ja palomiehiin kohdistuvasta väkivallasta? Onko komissiolla mitään käsitystä kokonaiskuvasta ja siitä, että äärioikeisto ei ole ainut ääriliike Euroopassa, josta tulisi keskustella? Mutta emme täällä koskaan mistään muusta keskustele kuin äärioikeistosta. Mitä mieltä komissio on poliittisen islamin uhasta? En tiedä, koska siihen ei koskaan oteta kantaa. Äärioikeistolaisten Israel-vastaisuus – siitä pidetään paljon ääntä, ja syystäkin. Mutta sen sijaan vasemmistolainen antisemitismi ja vihanlietsonta, se ei ole komissiolle tai parlamentille mikään ongelma.

(Puhuja suostui vastaamaan sinisen kortin puheenvuoroon)

(Puhuja suostui vastaamaan sinisen kortin puheenvuoroon)

Samira Rafaela (Renew),
  blue-card speech. – I hear a lot of, I would say, complaining that we speak a lot about the rise of extreme right movements. I would like to know from my colleague, are you basically saying that the extreme right is not at all a problem in Europe? Like, are you recognising that we have a serious issue with extreme right movements? What exactly are you recognising or not in this regard?

Samira Rafaela (Renew),

blue-card speech

Laura Huhtasaari (ID),
  vastaus sinisen kortin puheenvuoroon. – Kiitoksia hyvästä kysymyksestä. Tietenkin meillä on ääriliikkeitä sekä äärioikealla että äärivasemmalla, ja meillä on myös uskonnon nimissä tehtäviä terrori-iskuja. Esimerkiksi Suomessa on tehty terrori-isku nimenomaan uskonnon nimissä, ja se ei ollut mitenkään äärioikeistoa. Kyllä meillä suurempi ongelma on Antifa ja äärivasemmiston tuoma terrorismi ja uskonnon nimissä tehtävä terrorismi kuin äärioikeiston, mutta kyllä, meillä on myös äärioikeistolaista terrorismia.

Laura Huhtasaari (ID),

vastaus sinisen kortin puheenvuoroon

Elżbieta Kruk (ECR). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Zagrożenia terrorystyczne to istotny problem. Należałoby się spodziewać, że będzie debatowany w Parlamencie Europejskim poważnie, z troską o bezpieczeństwo obywateli, a nie wykorzystywany instrumentalnie. Ze sprawozdania Europolu z 2022 r. na temat terroryzmu religijnego i politycznego w Unii wynika, że w trzech ostatnich latach doszło do większej liczby ataków o charakterze islamistycznym (43 przypadki) i lewicowym (52 przypadki) niż prawicowym (tylko 9 przypadków). Oczywiście i to za dużo. Ideologia lewicy i muzułmański ekstremizm stanowią wobec tego poważniejsze zagrożenie dla demokracji, porządku konstytucyjnego i bezpieczeństwa w Unii. Zaniepokojenie Parlamentu wyłącznie terroryzmem prawicowym jest więc hipokryzją. Chodzi tu o oczernianie przeciwników politycznych. To właśnie partie zatroskane bezpieczeństwem Europejczyków, potępiające masową migrację, poważnie traktując obawy obywateli, otrzymują miano skrajnej prawicy. Czy to dziwne? Takie tu mamy tradycje.

Elżbieta Kruk (ECR).

Miguel Urbán Crespo (The Left). – Señora presidenta, basta ya de menospreciar el peligro de la extrema derecha. Basta ya de cicatrizar la violencia y el terrorismo de la extrema derecha. Ni son lobos solitarios ni son locos radicales. Son actores necesarios de la internacional reaccionaria que recorre el mundo. Y no son casos aislados. Hoy la extrema derecha representa el mayor peligro para la democracia en Europa.

Miguel Urbán Crespo (The Left).

Vayamos a las causas de esta violencia. Señalemos a los cómplices que, con sus políticas, normalizan los discursos del odio, esa gasolina para el terrorismo ultraderechista. Pero no olvidemos que el neoliberalismo autoritario es la economía política de la exclusión, la escasez y el odio: ese ‘no hay para todos’, ese ‘sobra gente’, que alimenta el auge de la extrema derecha y su violencia.

A la extrema derecha se la combate reconstruyendo los lazos de clase y de comunidad. Hoy más que nunca, no pasarán.

(El orador acepta responder a una intervención realizada con arreglo al procedimiento de la ‘tarjeta azul’)

(El orador acepta responder a una intervención realizada con arreglo al procedimiento de la ‘tarjeta azul’)

Bogdan Rzońca (ECR),
  wystąpienie zasygnalizowane przez podniesienie niebieskiej kartki. – Przysłuchuję się pilnie tej debacie i chciałem podać pewną informację. Otóż do października 2022 r. Europejska Agencja Straży Granicznej Frontex zarejestrowała około 280 tysięcy nielegalnych wjazdów do Unii Europejskiej. To o 77% więcej niż w 2021 roku. Wczoraj podczas wystąpienia premier Szwecji powiedział, że trzeba walczyć w Unii Europejskiej z nielegalną imigracją. Trzeba uporządkować ten temat. Jakie jest Pana zdanie na ten temat?

Bogdan Rzońca (ECR),

wystąpienie zasygnalizowane przez podniesienie niebieskiej kartki

Miguel Urbán Crespo (The Left),
  respuesta de ‘tarjeta azul’
  . – Es un magnífico ejemplo de los discursos del odio que alimentan el terrorismo ultraderechista. Muchas gracias, compañero, por demostrarlo en público ante el resto de los compañeros.

Miguel Urbán Crespo (The Left),

respuesta de ‘tarjeta azul’

Por cierto, mire su móvil y las pegatinas que tiene en su móvil y que luego pone en los despachos de los diputados que no votan como a usted le gusta.

Dino Giarrusso (NI). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, l'Europa nasce per unire popoli che orgogliosamente hanno origini etniche e culturali differenti, ciò che rende forte e necessaria l'unione fra popoli diversi con obiettivi affini.

Dino Giarrusso (NI).

La bellezza di queste diverse radici è dimostrata dai fiori e dai frutti che hanno dato, come le nostre splendide capitali, stupefacenti per la loro storia ed oggi metropoli multiculturali. Per questo, ogni episodio di razzismo o intolleranza etnica, come quelli avvenuti di recente a Parigi, a Bruxelles e in Italia, è da condannare con la massima severità. Dobbiamo fermare la nascita di formazioni che si ispirano all'estrema destra e simpatizzano per Hitler e tutte le organizzazioni che rigettano la democrazia e la libera espressione del voto, come è accaduto in USA e in Brasile.

Razzismo e antisemitismo vanno combattuti dai primi anni di vita dei nostri bambini, da famiglie, scuole, gruppi sportivi, ricreativi e culturali. Ma se tornano a inquinare con organizzazioni strutturate le nostre vite vanno stroncati con durezza e senza la minima tolleranza, partendo proprio da qui, dalle alte istituzioni europee.

Subculture mortifere che hanno rischiato di travolgere l'intera umanità nel secolo scorso, non possono e non devono trovare spazio oggi nella nostra Europa.

Tom Vandenkendelaere (PPE). – Voorzitter, collega's, commissaris, vorige maand zagen we de grootste antiterreuroperatie in de Duitse geschiedenis. Meer dan vijftig verdachten werden onderzocht over de geplande gewapende aanval op de Reichstag, het hart van de Duitse parlementaire democratie. Het doet denken aan wat we in onze geschiedenisboeken gelezen hebben en lezen over 1933, toen de Reichstag ook brandde en de nazi's de macht overnamen. Het roept ook herinneringen op aan de bestorming van het Capitool en de parallellen met de bestorming van de regeringsgebouwen in Brazilië de afgelopen weken zijn ook niet ver weg te denken.

Tom Vandenkendelaere (PPE).

Eén zaak hebben ze gemeenschappelijk. Het toont aan hoezeer onze democratie onder druk staat. De afgelopen jaren prolifereerde de schimmige extreemrechtse Reichsbürger-organisatie enorm. Maar ook de politieke volatiliteit, kwaadaardige buitenlandse inmenging en de stijgende online-desinformatie rondom ons hebben geprolifereerd. Het zorgt ervoor dat de wereld waarin we leven gekenmerkt wordt door onzekerheid, kwetsbaarheid en onvoorspelbaarheid en dat we er vaker dan we wensen aan herinnerd worden dat democratie géén verworven zaak is, dat voor sommigen politiek geweld écht een reële optie is. Een zorgelijke evolutie, inderdaad.

Elke vorm van extremisme in het politieke spectrum is even slecht. Links en rechts, offline en online. De bescherming van onze constitutionele democratieën staat voorop, net zoals onze steun voor nauwe en betere samenwerking tussen inlichtingendiensten, politie en justitie, zowel op nationaal als op Europees niveau, om te voorkomen dat Europa vanbinnen en vanbuiten uit bedreigd kan worden door destabilisering.

Evin Incir (S&D). – Madam President, Commissioner, Minister, democracy is in danger. The coup d'état attempt in Germany in December by far-right extremists goes back decades in history. This development has not happened over one night. It hasn't happened over a week. It has happened step by step.

Evin Incir (S&D).

coup d'état

We Social Democrats, have been warning for this development for a long while. Conservatives and, unfortunately, also some liberals have tried to undermine our warnings, claiming we imitated the boy who cried wolf. We never imitated anyone because the wolf in sheep's clothing was easy to detect.

There has never existed such a thing as ‘far right only’, because the far right are in their nature extremists. They might dress like me and you, but the sound of their boots hitting the ground is just as audible today as it was in 1930s and 1940s Europe. Normalisation of right-wing extreme parties also mean normalisation of their ideologies. When these kind of ideologies normalise, the distance between their words and their actions shrinks. That's when the rule of law starts to get attacked. And our democratic constitutions are in danger.

In Germany, the US and Brazil we have seen these extremist forces in actions. Some of their friends, unfortunately, also sit in this Parliament, whether they are representing Sweden, Italy, Germany, France or any other Member State, their mission is the same. As democrats, we should know better than normalising them. Shame on all of those even cooperating with them.

Colleagues, remember that their words are not only words. Their words can smash our democracies into rubble. Democracies must be fought for and defended by every generation.

Samira Rafaela (Renew). – Voorzitter, onze democratie staat onder druk. De kern, het hart van Europa, wordt aangevallen door het extremistische gedachtegoed dat we niet alleen zien in onze lidstaten, maar ook gewoon hier in het Europees Parlement. Theorieën die schadelijk zijn, theorieën die zich ook hier in het Europees Parlement verspreiden. Slechts een paar maanden geleden hoorde ik hier een collega spreken over de omvolkingstheorie. Dat is het gif dat we ook hier in ons Parlement zien.

Samira Rafaela (Renew).

Wij hebben een voorbeeldfunctie. Daar moeten we ons bewust van zijn. Die voorbeeldfunctie moeten we uitdragen door te laten zien dat we deze waanideeën en complottheorieën niet accepteren. We moeten pal staan voor de fundamentele rechten van onze burgers. Het extremistische gedachtegoed en het rechts-extremisme moeten we bestrijden, ook hier in ons Parlement.

Stoppen met bagatelliseren. Het is tijd voor reageren. Structureel. We kunnen het niet meer negeren, want onze waarden, onze rechten staan onder druk door het rechts-extremisme.

Mounir Satouri (Verts/ALE). – Madame la Présidente, Madame la Commissaire, Trump et Bolsonaro ont inspiré les attaques des institutions brésiliennes et américaines. L'extrême droite s'installe en Israël, en Hongrie, en Suède et des groupuscules planifient des attaques en France et en Allemagne. La France totalise 45 % des interpellations pour terrorisme d'extrême droite. L'extrême droite avance sans frein. Nous sommes beaucoup à le dénoncer, mais trop peu à le combattre. Notre silence est coupable, notre complaisance aussi. Nous, parlementaires, devrions être les premiers garants de la démocratie. Mais que dire quand l'Assemblée nationale française porte à la tête de sa commission contre l'antisémitisme un élu d'extrême droite? Que dire aujourd'hui, ici même, quand les groupes politiques majoritaires accordent plus de voix à la candidate de l'extrême droite qu'à une candidate écologiste au poste de vice-présidente?

Mounir Satouri (Verts/ALE).

Chers collègues, chacune de vos compromissions fait peser un grand risque pour l'état de droit en Europe. Face à la menace terroriste, la défense molle ne sera jamais victorieuse. Nous devons combattre les dangers de l'extrême droite. Nous devons agir le plus rapidement possible.

Bernhard Zimniok (ID). – Frau Präsidentin! Beim gescheiterten Putschversuch 2016 in der Türkei geht die Staatsanwaltschaft von einer Beteiligung von 8000 Soldaten mit 35 Kampfflugzeugen, 37 Helikoptern, 74 Panzern und 246 gepanzerten Fahrzeugen aus. Hätten sich die Putschisten doch ein Beispiel an den Reichsbürgern in Deutschland genommen! Hier haben nach offizieller Lesart ein paar Dutzend mehrheitlich mit Armbrüsten und alten Langwaffen die ganze Demokratie und unser System in Gefahr gebracht. 3000 Polizisten waren erforderlich, um diese Gefahr für die Demokratie zu bannen. Eine beeindruckende mediale Inszenierung, die das Narrativ der Gefahr von rechts stützen sollte, aber die nach einer kurzen Analyse wie ein Kartenhaus in sich zusammengebrochen ist. Selbst Urgestein Otto Schily von der SPD sieht von dieser Kasperletruppe keine Gefahr für die Demokratie ausgehen.

Bernhard Zimniok (ID).

Es gäbe trotzdem unzählige Beispiele dafür, wie unser demokratisches System unter Beschuss genommen wird: eine EU, die den Anschlag auf Nord Stream 2 nicht aufklären will, weil der Täter vermutlich der falsche ist; eine Regierungspartei, die Seite an Seite mit Klimaextremisten demonstriert, die Pflastersteine und Molotowcocktails auf Polizisten werfen und dabei ein Umsturz zum System Sozialismus hin fordern; eine Migrationspolitik, die ständig zu massiver Migrantengewalt führt; eine Corona-Politik, bei der Abermillionen ungeimpfter Wissenschaftsleugner diskriminiert wurden, und die Instrumentalisierung staatlicher Institutionen zum Kampf gegen die Opposition.

Κωνσταντίνος Αρβανίτης (The Left). – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, ο φασισμός δεν έρχεται από το μέλλον, ‘ο φασισμός δεν έρχεται από το μέλλον, καινούργιο τάχα κάτι να μας φέρει’. Τον ξέρουμε, τον πληρώσαμε, πονέσαμε, ματώσαμε. Και η ακροδεξιά δεν είναι ένα φαινόμενο εφήμερο. Eίναι μια κατάσταση που οπλίζεται, ποτίζεται και αναζωπυρώνεται και εδώ μέσα, σε αυτά τα κοινοβουλευτικά έδρανα. Σήμερα, η πρώτη ψηφοφορία ήταν πολύ ανησυχητική, πάρα πολύ ανησυχητική.

Κωνσταντίνος Αρβανίτης (The Left).

Έχουν λοιπόν βαρύτατη ιστορική και πολιτική ευθύνη όλοι εκείνοι που, στον μικροπολιτικό τους οπορτουνισμό και με τη νοσηρή ρητορική του εσωτερικού εχθρού, καταλήγουν να εκκολάπτουν το αυγό του φιδιού. Οι ίδιες πολιτικές οικογένειες κάνουν το ίδιο ιστορικό λάθος του 1935. Είμαστε στο ίδιο έργο θεατές, δυστυχώς, αποδίδοντας κανονικότητα και νομιμοποίηση σε μια εξτρεμιστική, απάνθρωπη, φασιστική ρητορική, που μπορεί να έχει εφήμερες νίκες στο αφήγημα —στις εκλογές ενδεχομένως, αλλά στην πραγματικότητα πυροβολεί τη δημοκρατία. Όσοι εδώ μέσα λοιπόν πιστεύουμε, νομίζω ότι μπορούμε να συμμαχήσουμε. Η δημοκρατία είναι πάνω από όλα.

Lukas Mandl (PPE). – Frau Präsidentin, Frau Kommissarin, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Historisch hat der Rechtsextremismus in ganz Europa seine üble Fratze gezeigt und für viel Leid gesorgt, in Teilen Europas auch der Linksextremismus.

Lukas Mandl (PPE).

Nächste Woche begehen wir im Europäischen Parlament, wie das üblich ist und richtig ist und besonders wichtig ist Jahr für Jahr, den International Holocaust Remembrance Day, den Gedenktag an die Shoah. Das zeigt den historischen Rechtsextremismus auf, das zeigt auch auf, dass Rechtsextremismus uns alert machen muss, uns in Mark und Bein erschüttern muss, wenn irgendwo in unseren Gesellschaften solche Tendenzen auftauchen.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Aber es zeigt auch, mit Blick auf die Gegenwart, dass wir prüfen müssen: Antisemitismus, ist das heute immer Rechtsextremismus? Ist das auch manchmal Linksextremismus? Ja, das ist es. Ist es der Missbrauch der Religion, des Islam in Form des Islamismus, des politischen Islam? Ja, das ist es auch. Und es ist ein Feld, ein wichtiges Feld, vielleicht das wichtigste Feld, das für alle Felder aufzeigt: Es ist immer der Extremismus, ganz egal, welches Adjektiv wir da davor setzen, der zerstört.

Das kann uns auch zu denken geben: Wenn etwas nicht aufbaut, sondern zerstören will, wenn etwas nicht entwickeln will, sondern kaputtmachen will, dann ist das ganz offensichtlich eine extremistische Tendenz. Wir leben in Zeiten, in denen das von außen auch noch gefördert wird durch Desinformation, durch den Versuch, unsere Gesellschaften zu spalten. Die jüngsten Beispiele waren die Migrationskrise seit 2015, die Pandemie, ist jetzt der Krieg Putin-Russlands gegen uns alle, nicht nur mit militärischen Mitteln gegen die Ukraine, sondern mit Mitteln der hybriden Kriegsführung gegen alle.

Wir begegnen dieser Bedrohung gemeinsam. Wir haben als Europäische Union die Pandemie ganz offensichtlich besser im Griff als andere Teile der Welt. Aber wir müssen die Migrationskrise und viele andere Krisen bewältigen.

Theresa Muigg (S&D). – Sehr geehrte Frau Präsidentin, liebe Kolleginnen, liebe Kollegen! In unseren Nationalstaaten, in Europa, weltweit sind die Zunahme rechtsextremer Netzwerke und Bewegungen und die Normalisierung und Präsenz ihres Gedankenguts mehr als besorgniserregend. Auch sehr besorgt stimmt mich die Verharmlosung, das Leugnen, das ich hier in vielen Wortmeldungen hören musste, das wir alle hier hören mussten.

Theresa Muigg (S&D).

Rechtsextreme in Brasilien stürmen die demokratischen Institutionen. In Deutschland planten Rechtsextreme, sogenannte Reichsbürgerinnen und Reichsbürger, einen Putsch. Wir alle erinnern uns an die schockierenden Bilder aus den USA vom Sturm des Kapitols. Rechtsextreme Bewegungen sind eine Bedrohung für uns alle, für die Grundwerte der Europäischen Union. Sie propagieren und verteidigen Ideologien, die mit Demokratie, die mit Menschenrechten unvereinbar sind.

Das Europäische Parlament ist in der Verantwortung, ist in der Pflicht, politischen Rechtsextremismus und jegliche Erscheinungsform von Xenophobie, von Rassismus, von Antisemitismus, von Migratismus auf allen Ebenen zu bekämpfen. Auf nationaler Ebene und auf internationaler Ebene müssen wir mit allen Mitteln gegen diesen Rechtsruck vorgehen. Denn eines ist klar: Rechtsextreme Bewegungen haben keinen Platz in unserer Gesellschaft, sie sind nicht Teil unseres politischen Spektrums. Sorgen wir dafür, dass sie eine mahnende Lektion in Geschichtsbüchern bleiben.

Vlad-Marius Botoș (Renew). – Doamna președintă, doamna ministru, doamna comisar Johansson, extremismul de orice parte a eșichierului politic este și a fost periculos pentru societate. Iar acum, în aceste timpuri, cu atât mai mult cu cât propaganda extremistă are acces la mijloace de comunicare moderne, globalizate.

Vlad-Marius Botoș (Renew).

Anul trecut, folosind canale de comunicare și rețele de socializare online, extremiști de dreapta au îngrozit întreaga lume, atacând Capitoliul din Statele Unite - simbol a ceea ce credeam a fi cea mai stabilă democrație din lume. Anul acestea, aceleași tehnici au fost utilizate de extrema dreaptă pentru a ataca instituțiile guvernamentale din Brazilia.

Avem de-a face cu același model de încercare de destabilizare a democrației și trebuie să remarcăm nu doar mijloacele de comunicare, ci și mesajele asemănătoare și modul de dezinformare și manipulare a populației.

Aceste mesaje le vedem deja răspândite din ce în ce mai mult și în statele noastre, la noi în Uniunea Europeană, și trebuie să luăm măsuri cât mai repede pentru a contracara manipularea și transformarea a mii de oameni în simple unelte de preluare abuzivă a puterii.

Alice Kuhnke (Verts/ALE). – Fru talman! För några av oss här inne har hoten från högerextremisterna förföljt oss sedan vi var små barn. De har präglat oss, byggt oss och genom livet påmint oss om att bara för att du ser ut som du gör, finns det människor som hatar dig så mycket att de är beredda att ta till våld.

Alice Kuhnke (Verts/ALE).

Vi vet också att bakom extremisterna finns det högerpopulister som med ord fyllda av förakt och hat inte bara sanktionerar utan aktiverar våldet. Dessa högerpopulister finns här i Europaparlamentet och de finns i Sveriges riksdag.

Vill vi få stopp på hoten, hatet och våldet från högerextremisterna, då måste vi också sätta stopp för högerpopulisterna.

Filip De Man (ID). – Voorzitter, het is toch straf! De socialisten agenderen hier een debat over rechts terrorisme, in een krampachtige poging om de aandacht af te leiden van Qatargate, waarbij een trits socialisten betrapt werd op corruptie en koffers vol dollars uit Qatar.

Filip De Man (ID).

Ook de Belgische staatsveiligheid waarschuwt nu plots voor extreemrechts. En in Nederland stelt de liberale minister Kaag zopas dat ‘rechts-extremisten en complotpopulisten de democratie bedreigen’. Tussen haakjes: dezelfde dag bleek dat de veiligheidschef van Islamitische Staat, verdacht van oorlogsmisdaden in Syrië, doodleuk in Nederland rondliep. Tot zover het geklaag van Kaag.

Maar zeg eens, socialisten, hoeveel extreemrechtse aanslagen zijn er de laatste jaren gepleegd in België of in Nederland? Waar was dat? Hoeveel doden zijn daar gevallen? Ik zal het u zeggen. Niks, nul, nada. Er is nog geen vuurpijl afgeschoten door rechts. Dat is namelijk het voorrecht van jullie allochtone jongeren die telkens weer onze steden in brand steken na een voetbalmatch of tijdens oudejaarsnacht. Om natuurlijk nog niet te spreken over de honderden doden die de voorbije jaren zijn gevallen door islamitische aanslagen.

Het is doorzichtig: de mensen schrik aanjagen voor het rechtse gevaar en tegelijk de aandacht afwenden van uw eigen corruptie.

Leila Chaibi (The Left). – Madame la Présidente, chers collègues, partout l'internationale fasciste gagne du terrain. Le dernier exemple en date, c'est la tentative de coup d'État avorté au Brésil, où des milliers de putschistes d'extrême droite ont envahi le palais présidentiel brésilien parce qu'ils refusaient le résultat des urnes. Plus près de nous, en Allemagne, c'est l'extrême droite séditieuse qui tente de prendre d'assaut le Bundestag. En France, des terroristes d'extrême droite tuent des Kurdes en plein cœur de Paris. Les ressemblances sont troublantes avec l'Europe de l'entre-deux-guerres.

Leila Chaibi (The Left).

Partout, l'extrême droite exprime une même détestation de la démocratie, une même détestation de l'ordre constitutionnel, une même violence xénophobe. Et je suis très, très inquiète quand je vois le glissement de la droite classique, la droite républicaine vers l'extrême droite, que ce soit en Suède, en Italie, en France, avec la victoire d'Éric Ciotti chez les Républicains. Pour défaire l'extrême droite, les déclarations d'intention ne suffisent plus, les postures moralisatrices ne suffisent plus. Ce qu'il faut, c'est construire par l'action un projet politique alternatif, casser la résignation et changer le quotidien.

Balázs Hidvéghi (NI). – Madam President, dear colleagues, with this debate the European Parliament once again is making a fool of itself. Month after month, the left is trying to prove that the biggest threat to Europe is the extreme right. Well, do you seriously believe that the laughable attempt of a bunch of German cooks and veterans poses the biggest security threat to Europe today? You can't be serious about that.

Balázs Hidvéghi (NI).

In early December, a migrant stabbed two schoolgirls in a small town in Germany. One of the girls died, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Crimes committed by migrants are on the rise across Europe, from France to Germany, from Belgium to Sweden. Let's talk about the attacks on firefighters, the ambulance and police by migrants during the New Year's Eve celebrations in big cities in Germany. What about Cologne in 2015 where thousands of women were harassed sexually and robbed by migrants? Let's recall the violent street riots in Paris and Brussels during the World Cup.

Let us say it out loud: illegal migration and its consequences, that's the real security problem and threat to Europeans today.

Benoît Lutgen (PPE). – Madame la Présidente, Madame la Commissaire, nous le savons de par notre histoire, l'extrême droite représente des millions de morts sur notre territoire européen, mais le communisme également. Reconnaissons-le, l'extrême gauche comme l'extrême droite ont fait des ravages. C'est la faillite de nos sociétés et la ruine des libertés individuelles. Il y a une distinction entre l'extrême droite et l'extrême gauche, pour aider un petit peu le débat: c'est le racisme – et ce n'est pas rien.

Benoît Lutgen (PPE).

Les deux sont soutenues, et largement, par de l'ingérence venant de la Chine ou venant de la Russie, par exemple. La commission contre l'ingérence fera toute une série de propositions pour nous protéger, protéger notre démocratie, lutter contre les fausses informations, la cybercriminalité et bien sûr encore d'autres actions de coordination européenne en matière notamment d'éducation pour les plus jeunes. Dans un dernier rapport de la sûreté de l'État, en Belgique, on voit que la montée des extrêmes chez les jeunes de 14-15 ans est extrêmement inquiétante.

Chaque fois, c'est la même chose, c'est l'attaque de notre démocratie, des valeurs que nous défendons depuis maintenant plus de 70 ans, tous ensemble au niveau européen. Alors oui, nous devons nous poser des questions, au-delà bien sûr de l'aspect policier, de la justice, de la lutte absolue contre toute forme d'extrêmes – et j'ai distingué l'extrême droite de l'extrême gauche. Au-delà de cela, nous devons trouver les sources qui permettent à certains de faire grandir leur espace électoral. Nous le voyons au travers notamment de différents votes: plus un citoyen se sent peu considéré par l'Europe, par son pays, plus il est loin d'un hôpital, loin de la réalité d'un parlementaire, loin d'une administration, moins il a de possibilités de s'épanouir, et plus il aura tendance effectivement à voter pour des partis extrêmes. La détresse sociale, c'est le terreau des extrêmes, Mesdames et Messieurs. À nous, au niveau européen, d'apporter des solutions économiques et sociales en matière d'énergie pour chaque citoyen européen et de faire en sorte que l'Europe soit une chance pour tous et pour chacun sur l'ensemble de nos territoires, partout dans le territoire européen.

Billy Kelleher (Renew). – Madam President, the playbook from the extreme right is the same time and time again: take a group of people, isolate them, dehumanise them and debase them to the point where other people start thinking that they are not human. We've seen this time and time again.

Billy Kelleher (Renew).

I'd like to quote from a former MEP and Nobel Peace laureate, John Hume, who brought peace to the island of Ireland, and I quote, ‘Difference is the essence of humanity. Difference is an accident of birth and it should therefore never be a source of hatred or conflict. The answer to difference is to respect it’.

In my own country, where we don't have an extreme far right of substance, they are outside reception centres where we are housing refugees fleeing war, protesting and harassing and haranguing them.

So we would not want to dismiss the fact that the far right is alive and it has now capacity to organise through social media. It's in this House. I have heard chants and cheers from that side of the house when we were speaking about migrants drowning in the Mediterranean and in the English Channel. So we don't have to go too far to see racists in Europe.

Alexandra Geese (Verts/ALE). – Frau Präsidentin! In Deutschland planten Rechtsextreme einen Staatsstreich. Sie wollten die Freiheit und Demokratie mit Waffengewalt beseitigen. Das waren keine Verrückten und das war auch keine Lumpentruppe, wie das die Kollegen auf der rechten und rechtsextremen Seite des Hauses hier darstellen. Das war eine Richterin, das waren ehemalige Soldaten, ehemalige Polizisten, gebildete, einflussreiche Leute, die auch an der Waffe ausgebildet waren.

Alexandra Geese (Verts/ALE).

Dennoch haben sie sich radikalisiert, genauso wie viele andere Menschen, die in sozialen Netzwerken jeden Tag mit Lügen, mit Desinformation und mit Hass überschwemmt werden. Dank gigantischer Datenprofile können Plattformen zudem jeden Einzelnen von uns auch noch ganz persönlich ansprechen und gerade dafür anfällige Menschen im Sekundentakt mit rechtsextremen Untergangsbotschaften bombardieren.

Die Internetkonzerne wissen das ganz genau. In einem internen Facebook-Memo hieß es bereits 2019, dass genau die eigenen Empfehlungen und die Optimierung der Algorithmen auf Interaktion, also auf das, was wir teilen und kommentieren, dazu führen, dass Hass und Desinformation in sozialen Medien so dominant sind. Aber sie ändern es nicht, weil sie mit dem Ausverkauf unserer Demokratie viel Geld verdienen. Wenn wir unsere Demokratie schützen wollen, müssen wir die sozialen Netzwerke endlich transparent und demokratisch gestalten.

Roman Haider (ID). – Frau Präsidentin! Der Terrorismusbericht von Europol dokumentiert für die letzten drei Jahre 52 linksextreme terroristische Anschläge, 43 islamistische, 15 separatistische und neun rechtsextrem motivierte Anschläge. Ich kann mich nicht erinnern, wann wir in diesem Haus hier jemals eine Debatte über linksextremen Terror geführt hätten.

Roman Haider (ID).

Nein, auf dem linken Auge sind Sie alle blind. Und wie verstellt ist Ihr politischer Kompass eigentlich, dass Sie in gewaltbereiten Linken keine Bedrohung sehen? Aber sogar dazu gibt es eine Studie, erstellt für die Kommission vom Radicalisation Awareness Network, und die spricht die Verharmlosung des Linksextremismus durch das politische Establishment auch ganz klar an.

Radicalisation Awareness Network

Während also rechtsextreme terroristische Netzwerke erfreulicherweise ein kümmerliches Schattendasein führen und der Linksextremismus von Kommission und Parlament verharmlost wird, erwächst in Europas Großstädten eine ganz neue, größere Bedrohung: Ich spreche hier von einer Generation jugendlicher, gewaltbereiter Migranten, die unsere Staatswesen und unsere Werte ablehnen. Schauen Sie nach Berlin, Paris, Wien, Brüssel. Sogar in einer kleinen Stadt wie Linz, wo ich herkomme, hat letzte Woche ein irakischer Asylwerber einen Amoklauf verursacht. Aber diese Debatte, die wollen Sie nicht führen. Da würde Ihre völlig verfehlte Migrationspolitik entlarvt werden, und davon wollen Sie mit allen Mitteln ablenken.

Es ist erbärmlich, dass sich dieses Parlament rein aus ideologischen Gründen nur auf rechtsextreme Gewalttäter konzentriert und dabei sowohl gewaltbereiten Linksextremismus und Dschihadismus als auch gewaltbereite und staatsfeindliche jugendliche Migranten völlig ignoriert.

Die Präsidentin. – Herr Kollege, ich glaube, dieses Haus diskutiert über alle Probleme, die wir in Europa sehen und angehen wollen. Verallgemeinerungen helfen an dieser Stelle nicht weiter, weder gegen bestimmte Gruppierungen in unseren Mitgliedstaaten noch gegenüber bestimmten Fraktionen in diesem Haus.

Die Präsidentin. –

Milan Zver (PPE). – Gospa predsednica. Naj na začetku pokomentiram pristop k današnji temi. Bolje bi bilo, da bi skupaj opravili tako levi kot desni ekstremizem, torej obravnavali. Na ta način bi lažje dosegli neko soglasje demokratičnega loka o nesprejemljivosti obeh nevarnosti. Raziskave kažejo, da je levi ekstremizem bolj prisoten v našem prostoru, zato najprej nekaj več o njem, da bo malo ravnotežja.

Milan Zver (PPE).

Poznamo zgodovino skrajne levice tam nekje do devetdesetih let, ko so črpali svojo ideologijo iz marksizma, leninizma, pa tudi maoizma. V kasnejši fazi je postala nova ideološka podlaga tako imenovani kulturni marksizem, ki so ga na veliko forsirale celo univerze in mnogi inštituti po svetu. Znan je recimo Forum São Paulo iz Latinske Amerike, ki je kovačnica ekstremnih idej in kadrov, saj so mnogi predsedniki regije v regiji ravno njegovi člani.

Torej ekstremna levica, ki nista tudi nasilje in teror, je močno prisotna tudi v EU. Iz Slovenije imamo z njo posebno izkušnjo, saj so z nasilnimi metodami rušili vlado in njenega predsednika. No, znano je tudi, da je ena od dejavnih mednarodnih mrež Antifa. Toda na drugi strani se tudi Putinovi motoristi, Nočni volkovi, kot se imenujejo, množično vozijo po Balkanu, sejejo strah med ljudmi, pa tudi v sami Evropski uniji je preveč desnega ekstremizma, kot smo slišali danes. In so tudi države in vlade, ki podpirajo terorizem in ekstremna gibanja in pišejo črne liste, na katerih se najdejo demokrati. Skratka, težki časi. No, za pravega demokrata je vseeno, ali so ekstremisti levi ali desni. Pomembno je, da vidi in tudi kaj ukrene. Pa tudi države bi morale biti take.

Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (Renew). – Señora presidenta, este Parlamento aprobó el 25 de octubre de 2018 una Resolución que ponía el dedo en la llaga sobre el problema que nos ocupa.

Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (Renew).

En algunos Estados miembros, se tolera la falsificación de la historia de regímenes totalitarios que han gobernado en países europeos. En el mío, contrasta la admirable celeridad con que se ha procesado a periodistas o titiriteros por hacer bromas sobre la Corona con la pasividad con que se permite la apología de crímenes de lesa humanidad cometidos por el franquismo. Así es más fácil deformar la realidad; fabrican fake news que defienden recetas simples, totalitarias y demostradamente fallidas para resolver problemas complejos.

fake news

Así hemos visto en Alemania nostálgicos, afortunadamente aislados, planeando tomar el Parlamento y asesinar al canciller y escuchamos, en otros lugares, a ultraderechistas aplaudiendo en redes sociales los incidentes de Brasilia o el Capitolio.

Apliquémonos para combatir el resurgimiento del fascismo con verdad, justicia y reparación, una garantía para no dar alas a quienes defienden la repetición de este tipo de catástrofes.

VORSITZ: RAINER WIELAND

VORSITZ: RAINER WIELAND

Vizepräsident

Vizepräsident

Gilles Lebreton (ID). – Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, chers collègues, le débat qui nous est proposé aujourd'hui est assez étonnant. Il porte sur les menaces terroristes des réseaux d'extrême droite. Certes, toutes les menaces terroristes doivent être condamnées et combattues, d'où qu'elles viennent. Mais il est évident qu'en Europe, les principaux attentats émanent depuis plusieurs années de l'islam radical. En France, nous sommes bien placés pour le savoir. Dès lors, détourner les yeux de cette réalité me paraît très suspect. J'ai la conviction que ce débat artificiel n'est destiné qu'à allumer un contre-feu au scandale du Qatar Gate qui a embrasé la gauche du Parlement européen. Je ne suis pas dupe de cette pitoyable tentative, qui sert une fois de plus les intérêts du Qatar. Si vous voulez dénoncer le terrorisme, penchez-vous plutôt sur le terrorisme islamiste et cessez de vous bander les yeux sur les agissements de vos amis qataris. Enquêtez sur les liens troubles du Qatar avec le terrorisme islamiste.

Gilles Lebreton (ID).

Peter Pollák (PPE). – Vážený pán predsedajúci. Pravdou je, že po všetkých krízach, ktoré Európu postihli, sa ľuďom žije v Európe ťažšie. Niektorí prišli o prácu, niektorí o zdravie, či dokonca niektorí o svojich blízkych. Po tom všetkom dnes navyše čelíme vojne na Ukrajine, enormnému zvyšovaniu cien energií a potravín. Tento zúfalý stav je živnou pôdou pre tých, ktorí síce nemajú žiadne riešenia, no majú ľúbivé, populistické reči, nenávisť, nadávky, výsmech a ponižovanie.

Peter Pollák (PPE).

Vážení priatelia, čelíme prudkému nárastu agresivity, ktorú vyvolávajú extrémisti a fašisti. Výsledkom sú nenávistné útoky či dokonca nenávistné vraždy tak, ako to bolo v mojej krajine nedávno v Bratislave. Extrémisti úradujú v celej Európe. V Nemecku extrémna pravica, takzvaní ríšski občania, sa pokúšali o štátny puč. V mnohých krajinách v posledných rokoch badáme, že extrémistickí politici sú súčasťou demokratických parlamentov. Dokonca aj tu, v Európskom parlamente, máme zvolených poslancov, ktorí obdivujú Hitlera a popierajú holokaust. Na Slovensku, v mojej krajine, sú v parlamente fašisti, ktorí sa združili v politických stranách a ľúbivo si ich nazvali Ľudová strana či Republika. Dnes, krytí demokraciou a slobodou slova, vyzývajú na zriaďovanie domobrany za účelom fyzických zákrokov voči Rómom. Ešte prednedávnom však nosili uniformy, naháňali a bili ľudí inej farby pleti, hajlovali a verejne sa prezentovali nacistickými symbolmi.

Vážení kolegovia, musíme otvoriť oči a priznať si, že extrémisti rastú aj našou vinou. Celý čas o tom iba rozprávame a nečinne sa na to pozeráme. Prestaňme akceptovať, že vyjadrovanie extrémistických názorov je sloboda slova, súčasť demokracie. Extrémizmus je totižto, vážení kolegovia, terorizmus. Extrémizmus je vážny zločin. Nedovoľme im viac, prosím vás, zneužívať demokraciu. Extrémisti a teroristi patria do basy.

Fabienne Keller (Renew). – Monsieur le Président, Madame la Ministre des affaires européennes, chère Jessika Roswall, Madame la Commissaire européenne, chère Ylva Johansson, depuis plusieurs années, l'Union européenne a été régulièrement la cible d'attentats terroristes dramatiques. Dans son dernier rapport, Europol signale la hausse significative du terrorisme d'extrême droite dans l'Union: c'est le deuxième type de terrorisme le plus recensé après les djihadistes. Ces attentats vont de pair avec un discours haineux et une idéologie populiste qui vise à déstabiliser nos démocraties, nous l'avons constaté avec les actualités récentes que plusieurs collègues ont citées, en Allemagne, à Bratislava, à Paris, à l'initiative de réseaux d'extrême droite.

Fabienne Keller (Renew).

Pour y faire face, l'Europe doit rester unie. Je me félicite des avancées que nous avons obtenues ensemble, Madame la Commissaire, avec le règlement qui lutte contre la diffusion de contenus à caractère terroriste en ligne. Mais nous devons aller plus loin. Cela doit passer par une plus grande coopération entre les services répressifs, une plus grande coopération entre les autorités judiciaires et les services de renseignement des États membres. Car, nous le savons, le terrorisme d'extrême droite ne s'arrête pas aux frontières.

Jean-Lin Lacapelle (ID). – Monsieur le Président, pour dissimuler vos propres turpitudes quant aux véritables menaces terroristes qui pèsent sur les pays européens, vous nous avez ressorti votre vieux fantasme sur la soi-disant extrême droite. Vous qui avez ignoré cette organisation criminelle mondiale numéro un qu'était le communisme, vous utilisez n'importe quel leurre pour dissimuler votre responsabilité directe dans la montée de la menace islamiste en Europe. Par votre politique délibérée visant à organiser la submersion migratoire de l'Europe, par votre complaisance pour les organisations islamistes, en allant même jusqu'à les subventionner, par votre servilité vénale à l'égard du Qatar et autres, vous portez une responsabilité accablante dans la diffusion de la seule menace réelle qui se pose aux peuples européens.

Jean-Lin Lacapelle (ID).

Pour prendre le seul cas de la France, la totalité des assassins antisémites, ceux d'Ilan Halimi, de Mireille Knoll, de Sarah Halimi, des enfants de l'école Ozar Hatorah de Toulouse, ont tous le même profil: des individus issus de l'immigration maghrébine et africaine, islamistes radicaux. De sinistres individus que votre politique fait venir massivement en Europe et que vous protégez par vos juridictions et autres. Il existe assurément un danger de la part de groupuscules qui, d'où qu'ils viennent, menacent...

(Le président retire la parole à l'orateur)

(Le président retire la parole à l'orateur)

Der Präsident. – Herr Kollege Lacapelle, das stimmt nicht. Ich war in der Tat bei der Frau Kollegin Keller abgelenkt, drei, vier Sekunden, und Sie haben fast 1 Minute 15 Sekunden gesprochen. Ich weiß nicht, warum Sie sich aufregen. Ein bisschen mehr Präzision in der Vorbereitung wäre viel besser.

Der Präsident

Eugen Tomac (PPE). – Domnule președinte, doamna comisar, stimați colegi, cred că această temă este de mare actualitate, pentru că observăm că odată cu avansul tehnologic, cei care trăiesc din promovarea discursului urii, cei care neagă evidențele, cei care dezinformează folosesc extrem de eficient aceste instrumente.

Eugen Tomac (PPE).

Tocmai de aceea, doamna comisar Johansson, cred că este esențial ca Comisia Europeană să vină cu o serie de reglementări noi, pentru că avem o generație nouă de copii și tineri expuși în fața acestui val extrem de agresiv care amenință democrația europeană. Odată cu războiul declanșat în Ucraina am văzut cât de solidari între ghilimele sunt cei care promovează teoriile conspirației, care pun sub semnul întrebării efortul făcut de către statele europene pentru a îl combate pe Putin și fi solidari cu Ucraina. Deci toate aceste fenomene sunt extrem de periculoase și ele trebuie combătute ferm.

Nu putem rămâne indiferenți în fața dezinformărilor, în fața acestor grupuri extremiste care nu se hrănesc decât din discursul urii prin care încearcă să ducă în eroare populația și cetățenii Uniunii Europene. Este esențial să creăm mecanisme prin care, prin educație, să protejăm copiii și tânăra generație de acest val, care este din ce în ce mai periculos și reprezintă o adevărată amenințare la adresa democrației europene.

Cred că avem nevoie de instrumente mult mai ferme, mult mai clare, mult mai bine pregătite pentru a face față tuturor provocărilor pe care, din păcate, avansul tehnologic îl oferă și celor care urăsc democrația și ne-o prețuiesc.

Jiří Pospíšil (PPE). – Pane předsedající, byla to velmi zajímavá debata. Pozorně jsem ji poslouchal. Střídaly se zde často pohledy, jestli je třeba debatovat o extremistických činech spojených s pravicovým extremismem. Jsem přesvědčen, že tato debata mimo jiné jasně ukazuje, že je třeba o tom diskutovat.

Jiří Pospíšil (PPE).

To nemění nic na tom, že vedle pravicového extremismu a jeho protizákonných projevů zde máme i silný levicový extremismus. Že oba extrémní politické proudy bohužel sílí, sílí v celé Evropě a demokracie na ně musí reagovat a musí být schopna se s nimi vypořádat. To je zcela jednoznačná věc a musíme si uvědomit, že to, co posiluje extrémní politické proudy, nejsou jen moderní technologie, sociální sítě, jak se zde uvádělo, ale jsou to některé země, které jim poskytují útočiště. Rusko, které je agresorem vůči Ukrajině, je také dnes ‘ostrovem bezpečí’ pro extrémní politické síly. Poskytuje jak pravicovým extremistům – těm zvláště –, ale i levicovým extremistům zázemí, a to jim pak umožňuje realizovat útoky v Evropě.

Moc prosím, aby toto bylo vnímáno a nebylo to podceňováno. Chci upozornit třeba na ruské imperiální hnutí, které má silné zázemí v Rusku a podniká útoky i na území států Evropské unie. Jsem přesvědčen, že je třeba, abychom společně dělali vše v boji proti extremismu, a zvláště díky práci našich tajných služeb, které spolupracují. V tom vidím hlavní možnost oslabení extremismu.

Stanislav Polčák (PPE). – Pane předsedající, vážená paní komisařko, milí kolegové, všichni víme a známe jméno Breivik. Kolik mladých životů bohužel připravil o jejich budoucnost. V mé zemi, v České republice, v devadesátých letech konali pravicoví extremisté hon na Romy a bohužel u našich sousedů v minulém roce jeden extremista připravil o život dva mladé lidi s menšinovou orientací. Všechny podoby pravicového extremismu nebo extremismu obecně jsou nepřijatelné a nesmí být pro něj vytvářen jakýkoliv prostor v Evropě.

Stanislav Polčák (PPE).

Pravicový terorismus se vyvíjel, a to tak, že nejprve bojoval proti Židům, které vraždil. Následně popírali příslušníci této ideologie dokonce holocaust. Pak si našli další terč – islám a muslimy. A nyní se občas stává jejich terčem také dokonce naše společenství – Evropská unie nebo lidé s menšinovou orientací. Všechny tyto formy, které zde popisuji, jakékoliv nepřijatelné násilí, musíme odmítnout co nejrazantněji.

Krajně pravicového terorismu a násilí v EU se v poslední době také dopouštějí jednotlivci nebo skupiny dokonce navázané na organizace, které mají politickou účast i v našem Parlamentu. Pravicový extremismus představuje reálnou hrozbu pro demokratický vývoj v EU. Co proti tomu můžeme udělat? Musíme prosazovat právní stát, demokracii a samozřejmě vzdělání pro mladé lidi. To je naše nejlepší investice do budoucna.

Spontane Wortmeldungen

Spontane Wortmeldungen

Diana Riba i Giner (Verts/ALE). – Señor presidente, señora comisaria, que la ultraderecha es una fuerza creciente en Europa es una realidad que todos conocemos bien. Los sucesos del pasado diciembre en Alemania demuestran que ahora está organizada hasta el punto de planear un golpe de Estado. Pero las amenazas terroristas son la punta del iceberg del peligro que supone el crecimiento de la ultraderecha.

Diana Riba i Giner (Verts/ALE).

Justamente en España, la ultraderecha tiene nombre y apellido, está políticamente institucionalizada e, incluso, ha entrado en Gobiernos regionales de la mano del PP. El partido VOX defiende una política xenófoba, homófoba, racista y misógina, como ha demostrado con el protocolo antiabortista de Castilla y León, copiado de la ley de Orbán en Hungría.

Que partidos como VOX se encuentren cada vez con más influencia y poder político es la auténtica amenaza al Estado de Derecho de la Unión Europea. Especialmente, porque su discurso legitima eventos tan lamentables como los que hemos presenciado en Brasilia y en Washington.

Actuemos antes de que los valores democráticos y los derechos humanos sean cosa del pasado.

Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana (Verts/ALE). – Herr Präsident! Ein rechtes Netzwerk plante in Deutschland einen gewaltsamen Staatsstreich. Diese Menschen bekleiden häufig wichtige Positionen im deutschen Sicherheitsapparat. Wir jedoch müssen die Bedrohung durch solche Netzwerke ernst nehmen. Die Rechtsextremisten äußern ihren Rassismus, ihre menschenverachtende Ideologie, sie verbreiten ihre Parolen.

Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana (Verts/ALE).

Wehrhaft demokratisch sein heißt aber, Rechtsextremismus entgegenzutreten, wo wir ihm begegnen, und das bedeutet auch in unseren Reihen. Das bedeutet auch, aufzustehen, wenn hier im Haus Theorien vom großen Austausch verbreitet werden. Das bedeutet, nicht mit Nazis abzustimmen. Das bedeutet, jegliche Form der Salonfähigmachung von rechtsradikalen Ansichten zu verhindern. Seien wir wehrhaft und schmeißen wir sie aus dem Salon. Sie haben keinen Platz in unserer Gesellschaft.

Kim Van Sparrentak (Verts/ALE). – Mr President, Commissioner, Capitol Hill, Brasília, the Reichsbürgers and Forum voor Democratie – a dangerous global far right is moving from their social media rabbit holes into the offline world, and they all promote the same harmful narratives based on disinformation, targeting women, targeting LGBTI people, targeting people of colour, and trying to overthrow democratic institutions.

Kim Van Sparrentak (Verts/ALE).

The spread of this sort of disinformation and extremism online is organised by far right groups, spread by Putin troll farms and then amplified by social media algorithms. In the current geopolitical context, the EU cannot afford to be naive. We need to unite against fascism, against Putin, and against tech capitalism that threatens our safe, online public debate.

To defend our democracy, the role of social media in the spread of disinformation is key. That's why I call upon the Commission to present strong rules on how platforms should handle disinformation, not just voluntary agreements, to make fact checks on content that goes viral on social media obligatory, and to ban polarising recommender algorithms.

(Ende der spontanen Wortmeldungen)

(Ende der spontanen Wortmeldungen)

Ylva Johansson,
  Member of the Commission. – Mr President, thank you and thank you all for putting this important debate on the agenda. Thank you for the discussion and thanks to all of you who so clearly condemned the threat from violent far-right extremists, as we have to condemn all violent extremism – and we do so – and also for the support in our fight against terror.

Ylva Johansson,

Member of the Commission

The plotters in Germany planned a Day X for democracy. What they got was a day of reckoning, a day of reckoning for far-right extremists thanks to the decisive action by the German police, showing that the fight against terrorism depends on police action.

The EU has taken a large number of measures to make Europe safer. I mentioned some of them in my speech. Prevention, on the one hand, police cooperation on the other. I could add the action we are taking against firearms or our security databases that will make it harder for terrorists to enter Europe or the protection of our public spaces like churches and stadiums and the resilience of our critical entities.

Beside resilient, critical entities, we need resilient democracies. A resilient democracy is a vigilant democracy. To fight internal threats we have the forces of law and order, which did the successful work in Germany, ready to defend the constitutional order, democratic values and fundamental rights. And against external threats, my colleagues Didier Reynders and Věra Jourová will soon present the Defence of Democracy package to help prevent Russia from manipulating public opinion in the EU, including elections and democratic debate.

Above all, as democrats, we must take a stand against violent extremism. In the Capitol in Washington and the President's palace in Brasilia, the rioters shouted ‘This is our house!’. No, this is not your House and it will never be. Let that be clear to anyone with similar plans on this side of the Atlantic! This house belongs to the people of Europe. Finding for whom is having Johansson on too much. Just that was known minister. And it was well, I mean this is. President. Honourable Members. Commissioner, it is clear that what we hear today, the far right extremists and indeed all forms of extremism, has a various ramification which together pose a very serious threat to our democracy societies. As I said in my initial intervention, addressing the various dimension of the phenomena is a shared responsibility of all democratic institutions, be it at local, national or even at EU level. Despite our diverse political views, we should be able to draw the line between what we can consider normal and healthy political debate on the one hand.

Jessika Roswall,
  President-in-Office of the Council. – Mr President, honourable Members, Commissioner, it is clear what we are hearing today, that far right extremists – and indeed all forms of extremism – have various ramifications which together pose a very serious threat to our democratic societies.

Jessika Roswall,

President-in-Office of the Council

As I said in my initial intervention, addressing the various dimensions of the phenomenon is a shared responsibility of all democratic institutions, be it at local, national or even EU level. Despite our diverse political views, we should be able to draw the line between what we consider normal and healthy political debate on the one hand, and the spread of violent and hateful messages aimed at destroying the very core of democratic societies on the other.

The proper application of the Regulation on addressing the dissemination of terrorist content online and the recently-agreed Digital Services Act to curb the spread of illegal and harmful content should be a key priority to counter extremism while protecting the freedom of speech and of expression.

Cooperation with internet companies is key. However, we cannot ignore the fact that extremist group groups evolve very quickly, and it is a challenge for law enforcement authorities to keep up with and counter new trends. An effective EU response to extremism is therefore a permanent effort where the European Parliament plays a decisive role not only as a legislator but also as an awareness-raiser.

The prevention of radicalisation is key. Like I said in my earlier intervention, the Swedish Presidency will organise a conference in Stockholm in March with the title ‘Violent Extremism and Terrorism: Challenges and Responses’. It will address, for example, the issues of violent right-wing extremism, online radicalisation and recruitment to violent extremism and terrorism, and as well as lone actors.

We look forward to the working together with the European Parliament in the coming months. Once again, thank you for your attention and for the debate.

Der Präsident. – Die Aussprache ist geschlossen.

Der Präsident.

20.   Verification of credentials

Der Präsident. – Es folgen drei Bekanntgaben.

Der Präsident. –

Das Parlament prüft auf Vorschlag des Rechtsausschusses die Mandate von Frau Lara Comi, Frau Maria Angela Danzì, Frau Elisabetta De Blasis, Herrn Matteo Gazzini, Frau Paola Ghidoni, Frau Alessandra Mussolini, Herrn Denis Nesci, Frau Eleni Stavrou und Herrn Achille Variati mit Wirkung vom 2. November 2022.

21.   Composition of political groups

Der Präsident. – Herr Kollege Andrea Cozzolino hat die S&D-Fraktion verlassen und sitzt mit Wirkung vom 18. Januar 2023 bei den fraktionslosen Mitgliedern.

Der Präsident. –

22.   Composition of committees and delegations

Der Präsident. – Die S&D-Fraktion hat der Präsidentin einen Beschluss über die Änderung von Ernennungen in einen Ausschuss übermittelt. Dieser Beschluss wird in das Protokoll der heutigen Sitzung aufgenommen und tritt am Tag dieser Ankündigung in Kraft.

Der Präsident. –

23.   Revelations of Uber lobbying practices in the EU (debate)

Der Präsident. – Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über die Erklärungen des Rates und der Kommission zu Enthüllungen zur Lobbytätigkeit von Uber in der EU (2023/2514(RSP)).

Der Präsident

Jessika Roswall,
  President-in-Office of the Council. – Mr President, honourable Members, Commissioner. The Council and its Presidency are aware of the allegations of lobbying practices by Uber. Like the Parliament, the Council believes that clear rules on transparency are essential. This common belief is reflected in our interinstitutional agreement of May 2021 on a mandatory transparency register. I would like to recall that as Council Presidency, I am here today to represent only the Council of the European Union and its General Secretariat, and I cannot therefore speak on behalf of individual Member States.

Jessika Roswall,

President-in-Office of the Council

The Swedish Presidency is implementing the transparency register. The Permanent Representative and the Deputy Permanent Representative will only meet registered lobbyists during the term of office as Presidency of the Council. As for the Council Secretariat, its contact with interest representatives are regulated by the 2021 Council decision, which established a strict transparency policy to meetings between its staff and interest representatives.

President, since what prompted this debate was the EU legislation on platform workers, let me also take this opportunity to address the ongoing discussion on the working conditions and social rights of platform workers, namely in the context of the Platform Work Directive. The Council shares the view with the Parliament that platform workers should also enjoy protection under the European social model. This was a very clear message sent by the ministers following the EPSCO Council session last December. As you know, the Council has not yet been able to agree on its mandate, as views diverged on a number of points, notably related to the legal presumption. However, the Presidency is firmly committed to taking forward the work in the Council in order to allow for a successful conclusion of this file before the end of the legislature.

Thank you very much for your attention.

Ylva Johansson,
  Member of the Commission. – Mr President, Minister Jessika Roswall, honourable Members, also on behalf of Vice-President Věra Jourová, who cannot be here today, allow me to make a first few remarks concerning transparency and ethics.

Ylva Johansson,

Member of the Commission

The Commission always stands for the highest standards. We apply very strict transparency measures to ourselves and have been working towards a common approach with other EU institutions. This Commission has been uncompromising in delivering the highest standard of transparency on who we meet, who seeks to influence us. The Commission requires all members of the Commission, members of their Cabinets and directors-general of the Commission to meet only interest representatives that are registered in the Transparency Register and to publish information on all meetings held with them. Interest representatives that register in the Transparency Register are required to comply with its code of conduct. This contains the ethical and behavioural rules and principles they need to observe in their interaction with the EU institutions.

We are glad that the Parliament, the Council and the Commission reached a major milestone in fostering a common transparency culture with the adoption of the interinstitutional agreement on the Transparency Register in 2021. This is a starting point to further build and improve transparency in the institutions.

The Commission's approach is that the other institutions should ensure an equivalent regime and, overall, at least the same level of transparency as the Commission concerning meetings and other interactions with interest representatives. For us, it is key to have strong rules and common principles covering in the same way all European institutions and bodies, and this is what the Commission will continue to push for.

As regards the revelation of the Uber company lobbying practices from last year, the Commission attaches great importance to the role of whistle-blowers for good functioning of our democracy and also economy, as represented by the directive on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law from 2019. And we have taken the allegations in the media reports very seriously. The Commission sought clarifications from former Vice-President Kroes immediately in July 2022.

The European Anti-Fraud Office has opened an investigation to establish the facts in view of possible breaches of professional duties; that is, the ethical obligations of Commissioners set out in the Treaties and in the Commission's Code of Conduct for the members of the Commission. The Commission is closely cooperating with OLAF in this matter. Only after the investigation has been closed will it be considered whether any individual consequences need to be drawn or not.

Sven Simon,
  im Namen der PPE-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident, meine sehr geehrten Damen und Herren! Die heutige Debatte ist sicherlich ein guter Anlass, um grundsätzlich über die Rolle von Interessenvertretern und Lobbyismus in der europäischen Politik zu sprechen. Für die politische Willensbildung ist es zunächst einmal unabdingbar, dass Betroffene in Gesetzgebungsprozessen ihre Stimme erheben und ihre Perspektive einbringen. Das gilt für Unternehmen genauso wie für Gewerkschaften, NGOs usw. Dabei gibt es auch nicht gute und schlechte – Transparency und Greenpeace auf der einen Seite gut, Wirtschaft und Industrie auf der anderen Seite schlecht. Das ist ja das Weltbild, das hier von manchen geteilt wird.

Sven Simon,

im Namen der PPE-Fraktion

Aber im demokratischen Prozess geht es natürlich immer um das Ausverhandeln von Einzelinteressen hin zur gemeinwohlorientierten Politik, jedenfalls bei uns in der EVP. Und deshalb ist es zunächst auch nicht anrüchig, dass ein Unternehmen sich dafür einsetzt – wie bei Uber –, bestimmte Wirtschaftssektoren zu liberalisieren, und das Gespräch mit Abgeordneten sucht. Was allerdings schon stimmt, ist, dass also das Unternehmen Uber mit diesen 124 000 Dokumenten der sogenannten Uber-Files – das wissen wir jetzt – erhebliche Ressourcen in dem Bereich Lobbyismus eingesetzt und investiert hat. Das für sich genommen ist auch noch nicht verwerflich, aber die Tonalität in diesen Firmendokumenten ist es dann schon. Da geht es nicht nur um eine Unternehmenskultur. Das ist jedenfalls sehr befremdlich in der sozialen Marktwirtschaft.

Es kommt aber am Schluss auf uns an. Und wenn es hier darum gegangen ist, dass politische Beziehungen zu vorteilhaften Gesetzen skrupellos ausgenutzt worden sind, muss das aufgedeckt, aufgeklärt werden. Wenn allerdings jetzt behauptet wird, dass hier wirtschaftsstarke Sonderinteressen europäische Politik gekauft hätten, stimmt das nicht. Dafür fehlt die Substanz. Es wird ja eine Richtlinie zur Plattformarbeit mit hohen Schutzstandards für Arbeitnehmer geben. Und wir müssen bei diesem Themenfeld – wie bei vielen Themen oder bei dem, was wir insgesamt jetzt hier diskutieren –, immer ein bisschen achtgeben, dass wir nicht Dinge skandalisieren, das Kind mit dem Bade ausschütten, sondern in Ruhe analysieren, wo wir nachjustieren müssen. Und, Frau Kommissarin, es ist eben schon ein Unterschied bei Transparenzvorschriften, ob die Kommission agiert, ob Beamte agieren oder Abgeordnete mit einem freien Mandat, die sich danach richten.

Agnes Jongerius,
  namens de S&D-Fractie. – Voorzitter, – en ter informatie voor de vertalers: ik ga Nederlands en Engels door elkaar spreken –,

Agnes Jongerius,

namens de S&D-Fractie

‘We've weaponised our drivers, we've weaponised our customers. All that was needed to get governments out of the way. Our driving mantra was: do whatever it takes.’

De getuigenis van Uber-klokkenluider en ex-lobbyist Mark MacGann in de Commissie sociale zaken in oktober legde bloot hoe Uber in Europa voet aan de grond probeerde te krijgen door overheden onder druk te zetten en zelfs aan de kant te schuiven. Uber hanteert dubieuze lobbypraktijken om zijn verdienmodel zo lang mogelijk in stand te houden. In zijn getuigenis zei Mark MacGann:

‘When politicians try to stop us or slow us down, we co-opted democracy itself by leveraging consumers' political power, putting very public pressures on elected officials to back off, drowning them in millions of riders' petitions.’

Het bedrijf verkiest winst boven alles, zelfs als het ten koste gaat van hun chauffeurs. Uber kan goedkope prijzen aanbieden, hoge winsten boeken, de markt domineren, omdat het zijn chauffeurs uitbuit en onderbetaalt. In de woorden van MacGann:

‘The policy team was ordered to talk about “creating economic opportunities”. On no account was the word “jobs” ever to be spoken or written. For the business model to succeed, someone would have to lose for others to succeed. And it turned out that we sold people a lie. Governments, the media, and especially the drivers.’

De lobby van Uber is niet gestopt sinds het vertrek van MacGann. Integendeel, het afgelopen jaar zijn wij overspoeld door lobbyisten die het model van Uber en andere platforms hardnekkig proberen door te duwen.

Daarom is mijn oproep: laten we niet alleen kijken naar de inmenging door buitenlandse mogendheden, maar laten we hier in het Europees Parlement ook kijken naar de buitensporige invloed van grote technologiebedrijven. Want niemand heeft belang bij een arbeidsmarkt waarin werknemers niet beschermd worden en waarin werkgevers geen premie afdragen, belasting betalen of het ontslagrecht respecteren. Als we het nu niet voor eens en altijd goed regelen, kan dit arbeidsmarktmodel de hele economie als een olievlek besmetten.

Dat moeten we koste wat het kost voorkomen. De Commissie is er klaar voor. Het Parlement is er klaar voor. Dus minister, geen reden meer om te treuzelen. Een laatste quote van MacGann:

‘When tech companies have disproportionate financial resources to push their message at the expense of far less powerful workers upon whom their model is built, there is something truly undemocratic happening.’

Karen Melchior,
  on behalf of the Renew Group. – Mr President, Presidency, Commissioner, colleagues, thank you all for being here. This is an extremely important debate about protecting and listening to whistleblowers, as well as the transparency and accountability of this institution and other democratic institutions across Europe.

Karen Melchior,

on behalf of the Renew Group

For the European Parliament, we have been under specific scrutiny since the arrests by Belgian authorities before Christmas. The revelations of the Uber files are shocking and completely unacceptable, purposely flouting existing laws and regulation, obstructing police and regulatory investigations. Most appalling were the reports that potential violence against drivers could be exploited.

But also remember that the revelations we are discussing here, they document a period before and during 2017. Our work on the proposal of platform workers began in 2020. Any illegal and illicit behaviour should be sanctioned, both at the EU and Member State level. Uber must ensure that such activity can never be allowed to happen again.

As legislators, and national as well as local authorities, we also have a responsibility to be critical of the lobbyists and companies we meet. Innovation and disruption should happen with respect for the society we live in, but without excessive protection of vested interests.

We must protect the whistle-blowers who so often reveal information crucial to the public interest at a professional and personal cost to themselves. The EU Whistleblower Directive must be implemented by the Member States that have not yet transposed it. I am proud that my political group led the parliamentary work on platforms in the Brunet Report, which gathered a huge majority for a balanced proposal. Because it is important that we do not throw out the baby with the bathwater here. Uber is one platform, and platforms are not homogenous.

We need to create laws for all kinds of sizes of platforms. Digital platforms are important for innovation, both for work and for commerce. We must ensure improvement of working conditions of people performing platform work while making sure that flexible working arrangements and genuine self-employment can continue.

Kim Van Sparrentak,
  on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. – Mr President, the Uber files confirmed what we already knew.

Kim Van Sparrentak,

on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

Uber has been able to roll out its business model by operating illegally, dodging labour law and employing aggressive lobby tactics. It was the plan all along to squeeze drivers for Uber to become profitable. With this scandalous behaviour, Uber has become a market leader in the platform economy, and paved the way for other companies to follow in their exploitative footsteps.

Working on the Platform Work Directive, I have been able to witness first-hand how Uber still manages to sway colleagues in this House. Please stop buying the myths that Uber is trying to sell you. Workers can have flexibility while being employed. People with difficulty finding work deserve a real job with rights and fair wages, rather than a gig-work app that follows their every step, including the music they listen to. And freelancers will still be able to find clients through platforms. They will actually enjoy more protection from subordination and intrusive algorithms.

When voting on this file, I count on your support for the deal reached in the EMPL Committee on the Platform Work Directive. We give platform workers access to social protection, tackle bogus self-employment, and ensure fairness and transparency when using algorithms in a workplace. Breaking the rules is not innovation. This legislation will be a milestone for the future of work, and we cannot have Uber riding this future again.

Dominique Bilde,
  au nom du groupe ID. – Monsieur le Président, ‘Uber Files, c'est une tonne de mousse avec un gramme de savon’. C'est ce qu'osait déclarer le porte-parole du gouvernement français lors de la publication des documents montrant l'ampleur du lobbying hyper agressif des plateformes, il y a plusieurs mois. Une tonne de mousse... Ce scandale qui touche tous les pays européens est balayé d'un revers de la main alors que des livreurs meurent, que l'anarchie règne en matière de droit du travail et que nos tribunaux croulent sous le nombre de contentieux. Non, s'indigner du sort des travailleurs français, ce n'est pas faire une tonne de mousse, comme ils disent.

Dominique Bilde,

au nom du groupe ID

Uber a fait pression pour contourner nos législations nationales dans le seul but de faire de bonnes affaires, comme l'expliquait Mark MacGann, le lanceur d'alerte à l'origine des Uber Files, devant la commission de l'emploi le 25 octobre dernier. Le mépris des irresponsables politiques est insupportable. Face à ces dirigeants qui mettent nos travailleurs en danger, nous réclamons que la lumière soit faite. Du savon, de la mousse? Non, mais! Surtout le droit de connaître la vérité.

Elżbieta Rafalska,
  w imieniu grupy ECR. – Panie Przewodniczący! Pani Komisarz! Pani Minister! Szanowni Państwo! Niedawno Komisja Zatrudnienia i Spraw Społecznych zorganizowała wysłuchanie z udziałem Marka MacGanna, byłego pracownika firmy Uber na szczeblu kierowniczym. Pan MacGann, działający obecnie jako sygnalista w dobrej wierze, ujawnił praktyki lobbingowe firmy i działania niezgodne z prawem oraz wywieranie nacisku na najwyższych szczeblach władzy w krajach takich jak Wielka Brytania, Francja i Rosja. Według prasy Uber prowadził również spotkania, rozmowy z członkami Parlamentu Europejskiego i Komisji Europejskiej. Ludziom po prostu sprzedawano kłamstwo. O nieuczciwości firmy wobec własnych pracowników, ich wykorzystywaniu poprzez fałszywe prezentowanie modelu zatrudnienia jako korzystnego finansowo chyba wszyscy już słyszeliśmy. Firma Uber oczywiście oskarżeniom zaprzecza, ale w tej walce pracownik jest na straconej pozycji. Pani Komisarz, czekamy, aż dochodzenie, które jest otwarte, zostanie zakończone, bo wszystkim należą się rzeczywiste i uczciwe wyjaśnienia w tej kwestii. Nie można wykluczyć również działań o charakterze korupcyjnym.

Elżbieta Rafalska,

w imieniu grupy ECR

Leila Chaibi,
  au nom du groupe The Left. – Monsieur le Président, au mois de juillet, quand les Uber Files ont été publiés, la réaction immédiate des porte-parole d'Uber a été de dire: ‘Circulez, il n'y a rien à voir. Tout ça, c'est de l'histoire ancienne’. Pourtant, ces révélations confirment ce que nous constatons désormais depuis trois ans dans ce Parlement européen, à savoir la façon dont Uber et les plateformes s'acharnent pour influencer les décisions des législateurs dans l'objectif d'écrire eux-mêmes la loi. Alors oui, je l'affirme, car oui, je l'ai vu, le lobbying d'Uber et des plateformes est toujours d'actualité.

Leila Chaibi,

au nom du groupe The Left

Et pourquoi est-il toujours d'actualité? Parce qu'il faut le dire, il bénéficie de la complicité de députés européens, des députés qui sont bizarrement absents aujourd'hui dans ce débat et qui passent leur temps à répéter comme des perroquets les arguments des plateformes, qui font pression sur les équipes de négociation de la directive sur les droits des travailleurs des plateformes. Des députés qui sont prêts à s'enfermer dans des salles, dans ce Parlement européen, pour se faire bourrer le crâne par des plateformes en refusant la présence de travailleurs, voire en les insultant quand ils ont l'audace de s'inviter eux-mêmes.

Chers collègues, notre Parlement doit valider sa position sur cette directive. Ce vote va faire tomber les masques et permettre de répondre à une question importante: pour qui roulons-nous? Pour qui roule ce Parlement? Pour les plateformes ou pour les travailleurs? Chers collègues, je compte sur vous. Je compte sur nous. Montrons que ce Parlement européen roule pour les citoyens et les travailleurs et que non, nous ne céderons pas au lobbying d'Uber et des plateformes.

Salvatore De Meo (PPE). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, le rivelazioni in merito ad Uber in questo momento storico per le nostre istituzioni impongono al Parlamento un dibattito responsabile, senza sfociare in conclusioni generalizzate e demagogiche.

Salvatore De Meo (PPE).

Il rischio che si corre, infatti, in questi momenti di grande emotività, è quello di arrivare a demonizzare qualcuno, senza rendersi conto che i fatti da cui nasce il dibattito sono riconducibili spesso a pochi soggetti e non possono compromettere la credibilità di un intero sistema, che sembra quasi apparire come privo di ogni regola. Anzi, facciamo attenzione che su questi gravi episodi non ci sia la speculazione di chi ha interesse a delegittimare l'Europa quale soggetto che sta conquistando la centralità sullo scenario geopolitico.

Sicuramente la diffusione della documentazione Uber conferma che sono state adottate tecniche di pressione politica estremamente aggressive e che in alcuni casi hanno superato i limiti dell'etica. Questa condotta va condannata apertamente, ma è altrettanto giusto precisare che l'attività di lobbying è un'attività politica legittima e i comportamenti illeciti di alcuni non possono infangare un'intera categoria di professionisti che spesso, grazie al loro contributo, ci forniscono punti utili ed importanti per meglio svolgere il nostro compito istituzionale.

L'attività di lobbying è un'attività essenziale all'interno del Parlamento, rappresenta uno strumento di valutazione per comprendere i vari aspetti delle tante questioni che ci vengono sottoposte. Chi è portatore di interessi, nel rispetto delle regole e nella massima trasparenza, non può essere confuso con chi svolge in modo illegale il suo lavoro. I fatti di Uber ci insegnano che c'è bisogno di più trasparenza, anche finanziaria, e questa va richiesta a chi esercita attività di lobbying e che bisogna ampliare un codice di condotta che preveda sanzioni più severe.

Noi deputati possiamo e dobbiamo fare la nostra parte anche a sostegno dell'attuale processo di modifica avviato dalla Presidente Metsola, affinché le nostre attività, già rigorosamente disciplinate, possano essere maggiormente protette da condotte illegali e sleali di taluni soggetti che vanno tenuti lontani da ogni forma di rappresentanza istituzionale. Resta comunque inteso che chi vuole agire nell'illegalità continuerà a farlo a discapito di ogni regola presente o futura.

Elisabetta Gualmini (S&D). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, quando abbiamo ascoltato Mark MacGann in commissione Lavoro, ex lobbista di Uber, siamo rimasti scioccati. Se le sue rivelazioni e le indagini verranno confermate, siamo davanti a un sistema pervasivo di lobbying illegale su governi europei e non, con tanto di violazioni di legge, di presunta violenza contro i lavoratori, pressioni di ogni tipo. Infilarsi dentro a Facebook e WhatsApp con account falsi per condizionare i lavoratori, pagare ricerche accondiscendenti: questo è stato fatto.

Elisabetta Gualmini (S&D).

In questo Parlamento stiamo discutendo molto purtroppo di corruzione, di interferenza di Stati terzi nella nostra democrazia e questo ci fa orrore. Sia chiaro, però, che non ci sono solo i governi autoritari di paesi terzi che vogliono interferire. Ci sono anche le grandi multinazionali, le grandi corporation, i giganti del web. E allora, io mi chiedo, quali forme e quante forme ha il lobbying? Qual è il confine tra lobbying legale e illegale?

corporation

Sia chiaro che lobbying non vuol dire corruzione, ci mancherebbe. Illustrare interessi e punti di vista per migliorare le nostre decisioni va benissimo, ma non ci può essere una sproporzione enorme tra grandi interessi concentrati in poche mani e, dall'altra parte, interessi diffusi tra tanti soggetti debolissimi.

Non posso dire di avere delle prove, ma io li ho visti i corridoi pieni di lobbisti nel Parlamento durante il negoziato sui rider e i lavoratori delle piattaforme. Sono stata bombardata di richieste di incontri, e per fortuna ho avuto la lungimiranza di incontrare le piattaforme tutte insieme e insieme ai sindacati. E il testo che stiamo negoziando diventa ancora più importante. La Presidenza svedese deve andare avanti perché diciamo cose giuste.

rider

Primo: difendiamo i lavoratori e chiediamo una corretta classificazione del rapporto di lavoro. Se sei un lavoratore autonomo, oggettivamente, ma va benissimo, ma se sei un falso autonomo e sei schiavizzato dall'algoritmo, sei subordinato e hai diritto alle tutele dei lavoratori subordinati. Ma perché abbiamo il terrore del rapporto di lavoro subordinato? Ma perché abbiamo il terrore di dare tutele minime a chi semplicemente le desidera? Io la voglio capire questa cosa qua.

Secondo: difendiamo i buoni imprenditori perché ce ne sono tante di piattaforme che hanno ottimi contratti con i sindacati. Benissimo, evitiamo la concorrenza sleale rispetto a chi ha falsi lavoratori autonomi.

Terzo: le regole sugli algoritmi. Vogliamo essere condizionati solo dalle macchine? Serve un controllo umano sulle decisioni del rapporto di lavoro. Ma è mai possibile che un ragazzo di 26 anni sia morto in un incidente stradale, sia stato licenziato da un'e-mail dopo essere morto? Ma vergognatevi! Vergognatevi! E allora dobbiamo andare avanti con il nostro lavoro, perché il nostro scopo è molto semplice: aumentare la giustizia sociale. Lo faremo senza condizionamenti e senza interferenze.

Tilly Metz (Verts/ALE). – Mr President, the news on the Uber files broke in the middle of the negotiation on the Platform Workers Directive here in the European Parliament. It was shocking to hear about how Uber broke the law and used aggressive lobbying tactics to delay and block laws on labour and social rights. That's why it has been particularly concerning to see how many colleagues here in this Parliament have been echoing the voices of Uber.

Tilly Metz (Verts/ALE).

There are also good examples of platform companies who deliver innovative services while ensuring labour rights, but they can't compete with exploitation. The deal on the Platform Workers Directive agreed with EMPL last December would allow for a level playing field for all the actors. It would also give social rights to 28 million platform workers all over the EU who desperately need it.

Don't be fooled by this multimillion lobbying machine. We need to stand up for workers' rights and fight against second— or third-class workers' conditions.

Έλενα Κουντουρά (The Left). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, σε πολλές χώρες, οι πρακτικές της Uber για βίαιη και παράνομη επέκταση των δραστηριοτήτων της μέσω αδιαφανών σχέσεων με την εξουσία έβλαψαν τα συμφέροντα των νόμιμων οδηγών ταξί και των επιβατών. Λίγες κυβερνήσεις, όπως η κυβέρνηση του Αλέξη Τσίπρα το 2018 στην Ελλάδα, κατάφεραν να αντισταθούν στις πιέσεις των λόμπι και των συμφερόντων και να βάλουν τέλος στις απαράδεκτες αυτές πρακτικές.

Έλενα Κουντουρά (The Left).

Ωστόσο, ακόμα και σήμερα, η Επιτροπή αρνείται να αναγνωρίσει τους κινδύνους της απορρύθμισης της αγοράς και, στο νέο πλαίσιο αστικής κινητικότητας, ζητά περαιτέρω άνοιγμα της αγοράς με προφανή στόχο τη διείσδυση υπηρεσιών τύπου Uber. Η Επιτροπή, λοιπόν, θα πρέπει, αντί να υπονομεύει τον ρόλο και τα δικαιώματα των νόμιμων οδηγών ταξί, να διερευνήσει πώς μπορεί να προασπίσει τα συμφέροντά τους και τα συμφέροντα των επιβατών απέναντι σε πανίσχυρους τεχνολογικούς κολοσσούς, για παράδειγμα μέσω της ανάπτυξης ευρωπαϊκών δημόσιων εφαρμογών προς όφελος του κλάδου και των επιβατών.

Jiří Pospíšil (PPE). – Pane předsedající, tato rozprava je velmi zajímavá a mně z toho plynou dvě poučení. Kauza Uber: první je to, co tu bylo často zmiňováno, pravidla lobbingu v evropských institucích a obecně v Evropě. Máme zde pravidla, ale tento příklad jasně ukazuje, že úplně nefungují a že princip transparentnosti, který musí být s lobbingem spojen, není vždy naplněn. Je to tedy otázka, nakolik lobbing regulovat tak, abychom zabránili tomu, že lobbista v zásadě vytváří názor zákonodárce nebo je názor zákonodárce nahrazen názorem lobbisty. Na druhou stranu říkám, že lobbing jako takový, pokud je transparentní, regulován, přináší-li informace z nějakého prostředí pro poslance, který se na základě i těchto informacích rozhoduje svobodně, to je důležité říci, tak podle mého názoru zcela zakázán být nemá. Je to způsob, jak si zákonodárce, který má mít vlastní morální integritu, opatřuje informace pro své rozhodnutí. Bavme se tedy o tom, jak regulaci případně upravit.

Jiří Pospíšil (PPE).

Na druhou stranu, už to zde zaznělo od některého z mých kolegů, bylo by špatné, kdybychom z vaničky vedle vody vylili i dítě a kdybychom tak lobbing jako takový vehnali do šedé zóny a zcela ho vyloučili. Regulace je nutná, ale nemůže to být úplný zákaz, podle mého názoru.

Je třeba už také dokončit, a ten příklad to ukazuje, jasnou právní úpravu, která se týká platforem, a konkrétně Uberu. Padla zde celá řada věcí. Padly zde otázky týkající se ‘zaměstnanců’ nebo řidičů, kteří pracují pro Uber. Jsem pro to, aby jaksi získali určitou právní ochranu. Ale co vidím jako důležité, že tyto platformy narušují rovnost v podnikatelském prostředí. Vnímám ve svém městě, v Praze, jak Uber narušuje taxikářské prostředí. Taxikář jako živnostník musí splnit určité podmínky, zatímco Uber ty podmínky plnit nemusí. A to je také důležité: rovnost podnikatelského prostředí, které platformy nesmí narušovat.

Gabriele Bischoff (S&D). – Herr Präsident! Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen, viele von uns haben an die Anhörung erinnert, die im Ausschuss dieses Hauses für Beschäftigung und soziale Angelegenheiten stattgefunden hat. Es war wirklich eine Sternstunde des Parlaments, und hin und wieder stockte uns der Atem, wenn wir gehört haben, mit welchen Methoden Uber arbeitet.

Gabriele Bischoff (S&D).

Und deshalb ist es richtig: Die Whistleblower brauchen unseren besonderen Schutz. Die nehmen Risiken auf sich, weil sie merken, da läuft was falsch in ihrem Unternehmen, um dafür zu sorgen, dass das abgestellt wird. Und eben auch Dank an die Journalisten. Die haben sich durch tausende dieser Files durchgearbeitet. Das ging eigentlich nur in einem Konsortium, um die Öffentlichkeit zu informieren und um sicherzustellen, dass wir Licht in dieses Dunkel bringen und wissen, was da in den Hinterräumen und Hinterzimmern eigentlich stattfindet, wie Uber europäische Regierungen dazu gebracht hat, ihre Märkte zu deregulieren, um sein Geschäftsmodell zu etablieren und auszubauen, und zwar zulasten der Beschäftigten.

Und wenn der Kompromiss zum Verhandlungsmandat bestätigt wird, dann ist das für mich auch ein Beleg, dass dieses Haus, dieses Parlament sich nicht beeindrucken lässt – anders als manche Regierungen – von diesem massiven Lobbying, das direkt oder indirekt stattfindet.

Und um was geht es denn hierbei? Hier geht es nicht nur um ein Unternehmen oder um Plattformen. In Wirklichkeit geht es auch darum, dass wir die Wahl haben zwischen guten Arbeitsbedingungen und sozialer Absicherung für alle, die beschäftigt sind und ihre Arbeitskraft anbieten, und der Etablierung neuer Formen von Wildwestkapitalismus, die sich auch immer weiter ausbreiten. Deshalb haben wir die Wahl, wir haben die Abstimmung verschoben. Das gibt vielleicht manchen auch noch mal Zeit, nachzudenken. Wir haben die Wahl, eine Entscheidung zu treffen, ob wir Millionen von Plattformbeschäftigten im Regen stehen lassen oder ob wir sicherstellen, dass sie auch wissen – nicht nur heute –, wie viel Geld sie kriegen, sodass sie ihre Mieten bezahlen können, dass sie planen können und dass sie Zugang haben zum Arbeitsmarkt und guter Beschäftigung.

Karima Delli (Verts/ALE). – Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, mes chers collègues, qu'est-ce qu'il nous faut de plus pour agir? On a des révélations en cascade grâce au Consortium international des journalistes sur les méthodes de voyous d'Uber. On a un lanceur d'alerte, M. Mark MacGann, ancien chef lobbyiste d'Uber, qui a dénoncé les agissements illégaux d'Uber entre 2013 et 2017. En 2017, moi-même, ici, j'ai dénoncé au sein de la commission des transports du Parlement les méthodes frauduleuses d'Uber pour influencer une étude du Parlement. Vous savez ce qu'ils ont fait? Ils se sont fait passer pour des chercheurs indépendants. Ils ont co-écrit l'étude. Résultat: Uber est cité 130 fois dans l'étude, une étude qui portait sur l'économie collaborative dans les transports. Soyons sérieux, cela s'appelle des méthodes de voyous et ce sont les salariés qui trinquent derrière, qui sont sous-payés et sans protection sociale.

Karima Delli (Verts/ALE).

Alors regardons ce que font nos amis belges: le Parlement bruxellois a ordonné la semaine dernière la constitution d'un comité spécial pour lever le voile sur les réseaux d'influence d'Uber. L'Europe a été touchée en son cœur, une commission d'enquête sera...

(Le Président retire la parole à l'oratrice)

(Le Président retire la parole à l'oratrice)

Maria Walsh (PPE). – Mr President, political integrity means exercising political power consistently in the public interest. Lobbying has shown us that it can be a force of good when it is being ethically practised, but it can also lead to undue influence to the detriment of public interest and affect public policies when action is taken to benefit one lobbyist group.

Maria Walsh (PPE).

Transparency is key to ensuring that policymakers, like you and I, do not give preferential treatment to interest groups. Transparency promotes openness, accountability and public trust, and there is an inherent obligation on politicians to share this information with citizens, thus making those in political power accountable to citizens.

Today we debate Uber, who themselves have stated that they massaged the facts to earn the trust of drivers, consumers and politicians. This is not acceptable. It is not acceptable to the drivers who work for them and the consumers who use their platform business.

In relation to politicians, this only heightens the importance of the Transparency Register, and rules for lobbying are crucial to safeguard the integrity of the public decision-making process. Transparent lobbying is a fundamental component of our democracy. It therefore falls to the Parliament and our Member States to ensure that our European citizens get the truth and all the truth.

Alex Agius Saliba (S&D). – Mr President, the Uber files are another example of why a sound framework on transparency and lobbying is crucial to safeguard the integrity of the public decision-making process.

Alex Agius Saliba (S&D).

Not all lobbying is bad, and not all platforms are bad, but when a company like Uber has unlimited resources and prefers to spend millions of euros to strategically lobby high-ranking politicians to gain a market advantage, while disregarding their drivers' working conditions and their well-being, or when they work to block legislation that aims to ensure the bare minimum protection for its workers, decent pay and health insurance, instead of investing the same resources in providing decent working conditions and well-being to its people.

When a company prefers to spend millions of euros for expensive law firms to drown their workers in legal fees and continue finding ways to deny their basic human rights, when a company engages in immoral practices by using fake identities, trying to infiltrate the account of its drivers so it can monitor them and stop them from unionising, when a company consciously takes such decisions to avoid responsibility and undermine employment standards, thus giving rise to precarious forms of employment, labour exploitation, tax fraud at the expense of powerless workers, then there is something wrong and undemocratic happening.

Platforms like Uber did not invent this form of employment. They are simply using ways to avoid the costs and responsibilities that they should abide by as employers. That is why I urge you, we must ensure that this imbalance is corrected, and that the platform economy must uphold the application of labour law and labour rights. To this end, we need a strong directive for improving working conditions in platform work that protects the rights of platform workers, irrespective of their type of employment or from where they are located in the EU.

Dennis Radtke (PPE). – Herr Präsident, Frau Kommissarin, Frau Ministerin, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Lobbyarbeit – Interessenvertretung – ist für sich genommen erst mal nichts Schlimmes. Das tun Unternehmen und Verbände genauso wie Kirchen und Gewerkschaften. Das ist Teil der politischen Arbeit.

Dennis Radtke (PPE).

Aber, Kolleginnen und Kollegen, man muss sagen: Irgendwann ist der Punkt erreicht, wo Lobbyarbeit jegliches gesunde Maß als Teil der politischen Arbeit verliert, wo einfach Grenzen übertreten werden. Ich kann nur sagen: Die Uber Files haben deutlich gemacht, wo diese Grenzen übertreten sind, aber auch die Arbeit der letzten Wochen an der Plattformrichtlinie. Das, was ich hier in den letzten Wochen und Monaten an Lobbyarbeit erlebt habe – und da ist Uber ein Synonym für das, was in dieser Branche abläuft –, hat wirklich jedes gesunde Maß verloren, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen!

Uber Files

Es hat nichts mehr mit Lobbyarbeit zu tun, wenn wir hier Fake News verbreiten. Was ich hier in den letzten Wochen an Lügen über die Arbeit an der Plattformrichtlinie gehört habe – dass angeblich jeder, der eine E-Mail-Adresse benutzt, auf einmal eine Plattform sei, dass wir auch hochqualifizierte Selbstständige in Angestelltenverhältnisse pressen würden, dass selbstständige Handelsvertreter unter diese Richtlinie fallen würden und, und, und. Eine Lüge nach der anderen, nur um die Arbeit an dieser Richtlinie zu sabotieren und kaputtzumachen, bis hin zu Lobbyisten, die vor parlamentsinternen Treffen hier auf den Fluren stehen und Abgeordnete anfeuern, sie sollen reingehen und diese Richtlinie zu Fall bringen.

Das ist nicht mehr meine Vorstellung von Parlamentarismus. Deswegen ist es richtig, dass wir uns hier nicht irremachen lassen, sondern dass wir Zähne zeigen an dieser Stelle und dass wir klarmachen: Geschäftsmodelle, die nur funktionieren, weil Beschäftigte um ihre elementaren Mindestschutzrechte wie Zugang zu Mindestlohn und Sozialversicherung betrogen werden – solche Geschäftsmodelle müssen ein Ende finden!

Wir als Parlament haben unsere Hausaufgaben gemacht. Bitte, Frau Ministerin, der Rat ist gefordert, machen Sie auch Ihre!

Alicia Homs Ginel (S&D). – Señor presidente, comisaria Johansson, cuando el pasado mes de julio salieron a la luz los archivos de Uber, pudimos comprobar cuál era el modus operandi utilizado por ciertas grandes multinacionales: creerse por encima de la ley y utilizar tácticas éticamente cuestionables para influir en el proceso democrático.

Alicia Homs Ginel (S&D).

modus operandi

La cruda realidad muestra que plataformas de trabajo como Uber se han desarrollado a través de un modelo de negocio basado en el retroceso social y en socavar los derechos de los trabajadores y trabajadoras.

Mientras este Parlamento busca proteger a más de treinta millones de personas que, a día de hoy, trabajan a través de plataformas digitales en la Unión Europea, garantizándoles acceso a sus derechos sociales y laborales, otros tienen por objetivo desmantelar el modelo social europeo que tanto nos ha costado construir.

No es muy habitual que un mandato negociador aprobado en comisión se desafíe y se traiga a Pleno, sobre todo cuando sale adelante por una amplia mayoría, como pasó en la Comisión de Empleo. De hecho, solo ha ocurrido con siete de los ochenta y dos mandatos anunciados en el Pleno durante esta legislatura.

Por tanto, una no puede evitar preguntarse qué hay detrás del retraso deliberado de las negociaciones de una Directiva que pretende prohibir el falso trabajo por cuenta propia en las plataformas, cuando los únicos que están en contra de esta legislación son precisamente las plataformas como Uber.

Helmut Geuking (PPE). – Herr Präsident, schönen guten Abend, meine Damen und Herren, Frau Kommissarin! Ja, Uber – Uber ist hier das Gespräch, Uber ist hier die Diskussion. Natürlich hat Dennis recht. Dem, was er vorhin gesagt hat, kann man sich eigentlich nur anschließen. Es bleibt mir nur wenig dazu zu sagen. Deswegen möchte ich dieses auch nutzen, weil es geht nicht nur um Plattformarbeit. Es geht nicht nur um Uber.

Helmut Geuking (PPE).

Und ich frage mich, nachdem ich die Reden heute gehört habe: Wo haben Sie denn gelebt in den letzten Jahren? Ist das alles neu, die 124 000 Seiten? Sie hätten doch nur Ihren Taxifahrer zu Hause fragen müssen. Oder die Demonstrationen, die gelaufen sind in verschiedenen Städten, auch in Frankreich. Oder fragen Sie Macron. Fragen Sie Macron oder das Wirtschaftsministerium in Frankreich, was Uber und wie Uber praktiziert und vorgeht. Oder fragen Sie Obama und seine Mitarbeiter. Das ist alles nichts Neues, aber es wurde jetzt noch einmal bestärkt, und es wurde jetzt noch mal ganz offensichtlich dargelegt. Natürlich müssen wir handeln.

Ich möchte diese Rede aber auch nutzen, um eine frohe Botschaft hinauszuposaunen. Eine frohe Botschaft, insofern unsere Mechanismen greifen. Unser Katargate – sag ich mal: Die Akteure sitzen hinter Schloss und Riegel. Sie sind erwischt worden. Die Staatsanwaltschaften ermitteln mit großem Erfolg. Uber ist entlarvt und enttarnt worden – und das nicht erst neu, sondern seit Langem schon –, und hat natürlich Lobbyarbeit betrieben, wie jeder Großkonzern auch.

Was mich allerdings nur immer stört, ist, dass man von allem nichts gewusst haben will. Und plötzlich steht man hier und sagt: Oh Gott, wir haben von nichts gewusst. Uber – das ist doch ganz schlimm. Ja, das ist schlimm, und nicht nur Uber. Schlimm finde ich aber auch, dass es Politiker gibt wie Daniel Freund, der diese seine Position missbraucht, der in die Öffentlichkeit geht, ins öffentliche Fernsehen geht, unser ganzes Parlament in meinen Augen beleidigt, mich persönlich auch beleidigt und andere Abgeordnete, denn er sagt: Die sind alle korrupt, die Europaabgeordneten, ganz schlimm, nur er nicht. Er ist nicht korrupt, alle anderen sind korrupt. Er kriegt sechs Flaschen Bier zugeschickt, zeigt dann im Fernsehen, ich trinke die nicht, ich schütte die weg, die anderen trinken diese Flaschen Bier. Und so einen Schwachsinn höre ich mir in Deutschland an. Und da hätte ich erwartet, dass man da auch mal einschreitet, nämlich Verunglimpfung des Parlaments geht gar nicht.

Marianne Vind (S&D). – Hr. Formand! Da AB5-loven i Californien blev fremsat, brugte Uber og de andre platformsvirksomheder over 200 millioner dollar i anti-kampagner mod den lov. Den lov, der skulle stoppe grov udnyttelse af falske selvstændige på digitale platforme. Med denne kampagne lykkedes det dem at sikre en undtagelse for Uber-chauffører, der stadig gælder i dag, selvom den er forfatningsstridig. Det er noget, som man kun troede var amerikanske tilstande. Men det er også sket i Europa. Her er Uber mildest talt blevet båret igennem EU-systemet af regeringsledere og EU-kommissærer. For her har big business åbenbart fået lov til at få en helt særlig adgang til at fortælle om deres forretningsmodel. Og i dag har vi kun en simpel redegørelse uden nogen form for sanktioner. Selv om 124.000 sider i Uber-leaks beviser helt, vi skulle gøre det modsatte. I næste måned stemmer vi om platformsdirektivet. For også i Europa-Parlamentet er der stor modstand mod ordentlige arbejdsvilkår og løn for dem, der arbejder på digitale platforme. Jeg kommer nu med et stort opråb; Stop Ubers lukrative adgang til EU-institutionerne og støt i stedet op om arbejdstagernes vilkår. Kæmpe milliardfirmaer skal ikke have direkte adgang til at påvirke europæisk lovgivning.

Marianne Vind (S&D).

Eugen Tomac (PPE). – Domnule președinte, doamnă comisar, stimați colegi, cred că această temă este de mare actualitate, pentru că atunci când auzim despre întâlniri clandestine cu oameni politici, incitare la violență, distrugeri de probe, fapte anticoncurențiale și multe altele, lucruri pe care le-am observat și am putut descoperi cu uimire în mii de documente publicate în dosarele Uber, arată cât de vulnerabilă este societatea noastră și cât de important este ca Directiva 1937 privind protecția persoanelor, care raportează încălcări ale dreptului Uniunii, să funcționeze, să fie implementată întocmai așa cum este spiritul ei, pentru că oamenii pot aduce în discuție, pot scoate la suprafață ilegalități care se întâmplă doar atunci când se simt protejați, iar eu cred că cetățenii europeni asta așteaptă: răspunsuri din partea instituțiilor europene, din partea guvernelor naționale prin care să putem evita aceste înțelegeri care sunt pe lângă lege.

Eugen Tomac (PPE).

Eu sunt un adept al dialogului cu mediul de afaceri. Cred că este esențial pentru o societate democratică, pentru o societate în care concurența și capitalul sunt cheia pentru dezvoltare, însă este important ca legea să fie respectată de către toți actorii implicați. Ori, aceste practici prin care este încurajată încălcarea legii sunt de-a dreptul periculoase pentru societatea europeană.

Tocmai de aceea avem nevoie de standarde foarte ridicate în ceea ce privește transparența și aplicarea legii. Altfel, Uniunea Europeană va avea de luptă cu un inamic extrem de periculos, care se adaptează din mers tocmai pentru a încălca legea.

Robert Hajšel (S&D). – Mr President, dear Commissioner, colleagues, digital platforms significantly contribute to an increased competition. However, the legislation that should define fair rules for all employees, consumers and businesses is lagging behind. We need to set clearer rules that would secure adequate working conditions with clear employment status, social protection, and prevent practices such as false self-employment that discriminate thousands of workers and lead to unfair competition within businesses.

Robert Hajšel (S&D).

Finding the right balance between functioning businesses model and workers' rights is a challenge, but improving social and labour rights needs to stay the priority of this House elected by the citizens. This is not about the automatic mass reclassification of workers that would cause the existential threat to the business models, as some even in this House claim. We claim that we want to increase transparency and avoid any shady lobbying practices. Then it's legitimate to ask, what is the reason behind the pushback of some Members of this Parliament who put the economic interests of those companies above the basic working and social rights of...

(The President cut off the speaker)

(The President cut off the speaker)

Радан Кънев (PPE). – Г-н Председател, боя се, че допускаме в този дебат сериозна грешка. А ние съвсем правилно, съвсем основателно тук изразяваме неодобрението си към практиките на една конкретна компания в лобирането и влиянието й върху формирането на политическите решения.

Радан Кънев (PPE).

Няма никакво съмнение, че всичко, което е разкрито по този въпрос, е дълбоко осъдително. Но съвсем неправилно пренасяме този проблемен опит от конкретната компания и конкретните политици и чиновници, които са вземали тези решения, към връзката между новите технологии и пазара на труда. Една връзка, която ние нямаме право да пренебрегнем, а боя се системно го правим. И тъй като никога не съм се притеснявал да бъда в малцинство в даден дебат, както безспорно е в случая, ще си позволя да отправя две конкретни предупреждения.

Едното е, че ако ние не адаптираме трудовото и осигурителното си законодателство към реалностите на пазара на труда и към реалните, различни избори, които хората правят днес, когато работят, в сравнение с период преди десетилетия, жертвите на това наше решение ще бъдат най-бедните и най-уязвимите на трудовия пазар.

И второто, тежките регулации, които ние се подготвяме да наложим, ще се отразят много по-слабо на гигантите от типа на ‘Убер’, отколкото на техните конкуренти, а именно конкуренцията на този пазар ще изхвърли нечестните практики от него по силата на волята на самите работещи.

Spontane Wortmeldungen

Spontane Wortmeldungen

Matjaž Nemec (S&D). – Gospod predsednik. Spoštovani! Podjetje Uber je v želji po svoji agresivni globalni širitvi močno preseglo ustaljene lobistične prakse. Metoda naj bi zajemala zaničevanje zakonov, slepitve policije. Prav tako naj bi Uber izkoriščal nasilje nad vozniki in na skrivaj lobiral pri vladah. Zaposleni naj bi se zavedali, da je njihov poslovni model nezakonit v številnih državah. Lovke podjetja so sicer segle tudi v mojo državo, v Republiko Slovenijo. Pravno podlago za delovanje Ubra je predlagala prav prejšnja vlada. Še več, težko se izgubimo občutka o netransparentnosti, kajti njen minister za digitalizacijo je pred nastopom svoje funkcije opravljal celo vlogo lobista za Uber. Naj bom jasen. Tovrstne prikrite in sporne metode poskusov vplivanja na odločevalcev so napad na demokracijo! Gre za delovanje kot na Divjem zahodu, kjer ni pravil in kjer cvetijo izkoriščanje, manipulacije in korupcija. Ukrepati moramo odločno. Zaostriti moramo pravila o preglednosti in zahtevati popolno odprtost, kršitelje pa kaznovati in razkriti. Tovrstnim praksam, spoštovani, se moramo najodločneje upreti.

Matjaž Nemec (S&D).

Sandra Pereira (The Left). – Senhor Presidente, desregulação, liberalização e precariedade são a face de uma política que encara as novas tecnologias como uma renovada e moderna oportunidade para o aumento da exploração, a destruição de direitos dos trabalhadores, e a expansão e concentração de capitais.

Sandra Pereira (The Left).

O modelo de negócio promovido pelas empresas multinacionais de plataformas só pode agradar a esta União Europeia neoliberal.

Os chamados Uber files, expondo as estreitas relações entre a empresa nacional Uber e uma série de decisores políticos dos Estados-Membros e das instituições europeias, que permitiram a entrada e a implantação territorial desta empresa e dos seus múltiplos serviços, revelam muito objetivamente a quem e a quais interesses serve a União Europeia.

Uber files

Quando, em julho, questionei o ponto de situação das investigações e que medidas já foram tomadas relativamente às informações veiculadas nos Uber files, a Comissão deu-me a mesma resposta que deu aos milhares de taxistas que se manifestaram em Bruxelas, em setembro de 2022: nenhuma.

Uber files

Diz-se que quem cala consente. Nós não nos calaremos.

(Ende der spontanen Wortmeldungen)

(Ende der spontanen Wortmeldungen)

Jessika Roswall,
  President-in-Office of the Council. – Mr President, honourable Members, Commissioner, thank you very much for this useful exchange.

Jessika Roswall,

President-in-Office of the Council

At the end of this debate, let me reiterate the Council's full commitment to engage with other EU institutions on issues of transparency and accountability. I believe we share a common goal to ensure the highest standard of integrity and independence. The work has led to the setting up of the transparency register that we have talked about. It's a good example of what we can achieve together. It is a common task of all institutions to remain watchful, but also that their members and representatives always act in accordance with the applicable rules when dealing with lobbyists.

Just as I said in my final and in my first intervention, the Presidency is firmly committed to taking the Platform Directive forward. So with that, I just want to conclude and say thank you very much for this debate.

Ylva Johansson,
  Member of the Commission. – Mr President, thank you very much for this debate, and thank you very much for your very valuable contributions. This debate shows how important transparency is to making sure integrity, independence and accountability are the pillars of our decision making, particularly when we speak about the important topics of workers and social rights.

Ylva Johansson,

Member of the Commission

For us in the Commission. It's key to have strong rules and common principles covering, in the same way, all European institutions and bodies. That is what the Commission will continue to push for. We will need to look at the relevance of several angles as we move forward with the creation of a truly interinstitutional ethics body looking at the transparency rules.

The Commission is working to move swiftly on these matters. The Commission will soon reach out again to other institutions on these matters, and we hope that we can come quickly to solutions, which are convincing and truly common to all institutions, and which deliver the level of integrity that Europeans and European citizens deserve.

We also look forward to the EP report on platform workers, which will bring us closer to improving the working conditions of platform workers and improve the transparency of platform activities.

Der Präsident. – Die Aussprache ist geschlossen.

Der Präsident.

Schriftliche Erklärungen (Artikel 171)

Schriftliche Erklärungen (Artikel 171)

Estrella Durá Ferrandis (S&D),
  por escrito. – Para los y las socialistas, es indispensable la Directiva europea que regule la situación de los falsos autónomos en las plataformas digitales. No puede retrasarse más, pese a los intentos confirmados de dilación de empresas de plataforma de trabajo como Uber, con un modelo de negocio basado en socavar los derechos de los trabajadores y trabajadoras. Estas injerencias de grandes empresas no son tolerables, como tampoco el mantenimiento de empleos esclavos de los algoritmos.

Estrella Durá Ferrandis (S&D),

por escrito

Necesitamos proteger ya a los trabajadores y trabajadores de las plataformas digitales.

24.   Criminalisation of humanitarian assistance, including search and rescue (debate)

Der Präsident. – Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über die Erklärung der Kommission zur Kriminalisierung humanitärer Hilfe, darunter von Such- und Rettungseinsätzen (2023/2526(RSP)).

Der Präsident. –

Ylva Johansson,
  Member of the Commission. – Mr President, the year is still young, but so far the IOM reported already 30 deaths in the Mediterranean. Our main goal must be to prevent dangerous journeys in the first place by taking action along migration routes with countries of origin, transit and destination, by fighting smugglers, and improving opportunities for regular migration, and by creating a truly European migration policy. That's why we launched a pact and proposed two action plans at the end of last year.

Ylva Johansson,

Member of the Commission

Where we can't prevent it's imperative to save lives. Saving lives at sea is a moral imperative and a legal obligation. Coastguard, navy and merchant vessels, fishing boats, carry out this duty faithfully. Ships of NGOs also save many lives. We have to acknowledge the role of NGOs, not only at sea, but also on land in forests, mountains, deserts.

We have always been clear: genuine humanitarian assistance should not be criminalised. What must be criminalised is facilitating illegal entry or exit across the border for money, for profit – that is smuggling, a criminal activity, pure and simple.

Rescuers, volunteers, have concerns. They do not want to be punished for helping people. This is not a new concern. We addressed it when we launched the pact on migration and asylum over two years ago, where we issued guidance to create clarity for Member States about what is criminal and not, to help them implement a law, guidance on the Facilitators' Package. In this guidance, we made it clear that humanitarian assistance mandated by law cannot and must not be criminalised. And we want Member States to follow up in their national law to make it crystal clear that humanitarian assistance is not to be criminalised. At that time, only eight Member States made explicit exceptions from punishment in case of humanitarian assistance in their national laws – to date, nine. I think we can do better.

It is now time to take stock and further steps. We will report this year on the implementation of the Facilitators' Package and on the implementation of the 2020 Commission guidance on humanitarian assistance. In preparation, we will organise targeted consultation with various stakeholders, including relevant NGOs. The goal is to build up better knowledge and gather evidence to assess the state of play, also regarding humanitarian assistance, and discuss ways forward.

The pact brings a more European approach to search and rescue. It's the Member States who carry out and coordinate search and rescue operations at sea. But we also have responsibility as a Union. We can make sure that the right rules and policies are in place. We can bring all the right people together to discuss challenges and solutions.

That's why, just over two years ago, we adopted a recommendation on search and rescue to improve information-sharing, coordination and cooperation between Member States and other relevant actors in search and rescue, including private vessels, and setting up the contact group on search and rescue to gather knowledge and promote cooperation. I am now relaunching the work of this group, and the next meeting will take place before the end of this month. I count on the full participation of all Member States and all other partners. This is a direct follow-up on the Commission's action plan for the central Mediterranean that I presented to ministers last November, and that was also very much welcomed by the Member States.

Effective search and rescue will remain essential. What is crucial in the first place is to prevent people from embarking on dangerous journeys. We are working intensively on reinforcing our migration partnerships with countries of origin, transit and destination to fight smugglers who will put lives at risk every day. And we are working to improve possibilities for regular legal migration so people can come safely to Europe for work and study.

I truly welcome the recent agreement between the Parliament and the Council on the Resettlement and Humanitarian Framework Regulation, which creates a common approach for bringing refugees in need to Europe safely and legally. Until it enters into force, Member States will continue their current resettlement efforts, pledging 29 000 places this year, just over half for resettlement, and the others for humanitarian admissions.

And we are constantly looking for new approaches. Just yesterday, we launched a funding call to expand complementary pathways linked to work and community sponsorship, because the local community is the best guarantee for successful integration. And every refugee who can find a job with a business in Europe is one who will not feel the need to embark on an unsafe, dangerous journey.

Honourable Members of this Parliament, what we need most of all is an agreement on the pact, a truly European migration policy to put an end to unsafe journeys and open up legal pathways. I am confident we will continue to make progress and that with your help, we will succeed. Thank you very much.

SĒDI VADA: ROBERTS ZĪLE

SĒDI VADA: ROBERTS ZĪLE

Priekšsēdētājas vietnieks

Priekšsēdētājas vietnieks

Jeroen Lenaers,
  on behalf of the PPE Group. – Mr President, should humanitarian assistance be criminalised? That's the question of this debate. No, of course, not. There are many people around the world making sacrifices in order to help people in need, and their work should be applauded. So no, we should not criminalise humanitarian assistance.

Jeroen Lenaers,

on behalf of the PPE Group

But should we criminalise crimes? Yes we should. And it really is as simple as that. When crimes are committed, they should be investigated, they should be prosecuted, and they should be brought before an impartial judge, regardless of who has committed them. In the eyes of the law, everyone is equal. Nobody, not me, not NGOs, not humanitarian workers should receive preferential treatment.

Yet that is what some colleagues sometimes here seem to argue, that somehow some people should be above the law, and that when suspicions of criminal activities arise, they should be ignored or covered up for specific groups of people. I don't think that's fair. Let me remind you, we are in the midst of a corruption scandal. It centres around an NGO. Should we not prosecute this NGO because we would be at risk of criminalising humanitarian work? Should the people working at this NGO not be investigated because we would be risking criminalising humanitarian workers? No, I should hope not.

Crimes are crimes regardless of the perpetrator, and in a rule of law, they need to be proven in a court of law with independent judicial institutions to ensure due process.

In Greece, people arrested under the Syriza government have been acquitted of their charges last week even. Is it a crime to save lives? No, of course not. Saving lives is a legal duty, but first and foremost a moral obligation. And every death at sea is an unspeakable tragedy.

So, saving lives, of course, is not a crime, but forging license plates or documents is. Unauthorised entry into military zones is. Cooperating directly with smuggling gangs that have turned human vulnerability into a multibillion-dollar business model is a crime. And so is illegally intercepting communications from authorities or Frontex. And when such crimes are committed, Member States have every right to investigate and prosecute them with full respect of the right to a free trial within a reasonable time. And we should support them in doing so.

Birgit Sippel,
  im Namen der S&D-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident! Wir reden heute über die Kriminalisierung humanitärer Hilfe. Es geht um Menschen, die sich mutig für unsere Werte, für unseren European Way of Life einsetzen, die Menschen vor dem Ertrinken retten.

Birgit Sippel,

im Namen der S&D-Fraktion

European Way of Life

Es geht um Menschen, die Zivilcourage zeigen und eine Aufgabe übernehmen, die eigentlich Aufgabe aller Mitgliedstaaten ist. Dieser Einsatz verdient Unterstützung. Stattdessen erleben wir, wie etwa die italienische Regierung Seenotretter per Dekret schikaniert. Statt des nächsten Hafens werden lange Umwege angeordnet, die billigend den Verlust von Menschenleben in Kauf nehmen. Fadenscheinige administrative Hürden sollen zudem die Arbeit behindern.

Oder der Prozess gegen Seán Binder, Sarah Mardini und 22 weitere Menschenrechtsverteidiger in Griechenland. Ihnen wird unter anderem die Mitgliedschaft in einer kriminellen Vereinigung vorgeworfen. Mitgliedschaft in einer kriminellen Vereinigung – ernsthaft? Kriminell ist womöglich eher, wie Mitgliedstaaten systematisch den Zugang zum Asylsystem verhindern, auch unter Gewaltanwendung gegen schutzbedürftige Menschen. Wo ist da eigentlich die Kommission als Hüterin der Verträge?

Lassen Sie mich daher zum Abschluss einen Aufruf wiederholen, den ich bereits im Juli 2019 hier geäußert habe: Menschenleben retten ist kein Verbrechen. Es ist unsere Verpflichtung und darf niemals kriminalisiert werden.

Jan-Christoph Oetjen,
  im Namen der Renew-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident, Frau Kommissarin, verehrte Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Warum diskutieren wir heute über diese Frage? Wir diskutieren über diese Frage, weil in Italien, mal wieder, die Regierung versucht, mit fadenscheinigen Gründen Seenotrettern das Leben schwer zu machen. Und das ist ein Skandal, verehrte Kolleginnen und Kollegen, das müssen wir auch so benennen.

Jan-Christoph Oetjen,

im Namen der Renew-Fraktion

Wir reden aber auch darüber, weil NGOs dabei einspringen müssen im Mittelmeer, Menschen zu retten aus Seenot, weil es keine staatliche Seenotrettungsmission gibt. Ich möchte hier an dieser Stelle klar sagen: Ich finde, das ist eine staatliche Aufgabe, dass wir uns darum kümmern, dass Menschen, die in Seenot sind, gerettet werden. Und deswegen rufe ich die Mitgliedstaaten auch dazu auf, endlich wieder eine Seenotrettungsmission auf den Weg zu bringen und dafür zu sorgen, dass NGOs eben nicht mehr einspringen müssen und die Arbeit machen müssen von denen, die das eigentlich tun sollten, nämlich die Staaten der Europäischen Union.

Gleichzeitig müssen wir aber auch alles dafür tun, verehrte Kolleginnen und Kollegen, dass Menschen sich gar nicht mehr auf den Weg machen müssen auf diese gefährliche Route. Und da gehört aus meiner Sicht dazu, dass wir mehr legale Wege nach Europa schaffen müssen, legale Wege beispielsweise im Bereich resettlement – das ist gerade schon angesprochen worden –, wo wir als Parlament endlich jetzt auch eine Vereinbarung haben mit dem Rat.

resettlement

Aber wir brauchen auch legale Wege in den Arbeitsmarkt, verehrte Kolleginnen und Kollegen. Und als Liberale haben wir dafür auch ein gutes Instrument vorgelegt. Das ist der Talent Pool, auf dem sich Leute aus Drittstaaten bewerben können sollen, um nach Europa zu kommen, um bei uns zu arbeiten. Dann haben wir endlich auch weniger Leute, die sich auf diese gefährliche Route machen müssen, und weniger Leute, die im Mittelmeer sterben. Das wäre ein wichtiger Beitrag für mehr Menschenrechte in Europa.

Talent Pool

Tineke Strik,
  on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. – Mr President, Commissioner, checking someone's pulse before checking his passport is not a crime – on the contrary. Yet Greek authorities made it one, cynically prosecuting 24 humanitarian aid workers for saving lives at sea. Helping refugees to settle is not a crime. Yet Italian Mayor Lucano faces a sentence of 13 years behind bars for it. A Greek registration law hinders NGOs from doing their work. The new Italian decree obstructs rescue activities by humanitarian organisations, and these governments fail to fulfill their national obligations themselves, but they sanction those who fill the gaps.

Tineke Strik,

on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

Commissioner, your silence leaves humanitarian workers out in the cold and encourages states to impose further restrictions. So I urge you: say out loud that this criminalisation violates EU law, enforce your guidelines on the Facilitation Directive and propose a reform to strip any ambiguity and, of course, force Member States to rescue and assist people in distress or desperate need for help. We must protect those who protect others. We must protect the rule of law. We must protect humanity.

Silvia Sardone,
  a nome del gruppo ID. – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, ma quale criminalizzazione delle ONG? L'immigrazione clandestina, non come lo dico io, ma come sostiene Frontex, è facilitata dalle ONG che con la loro attività nel Mediterraneo aiutano i criminali, gli scafisti e fanno anche aumentare i morti in mare. Perché più partenze vogliono dire più tragedie.

Silvia Sardone,

a nome del gruppo ID

Ci annoiate con paroloni buonisti, ma dov'è la solidarietà europea? Dove sono i ricollocamenti? Pensate che dall'Italia sono stati più di 100, più o meno, nell'ultimo anno. Dov'è la rotazione dei porti? Ma poi vogliamo veramente parlare di ONG criminalizzate dopo lo scandalo del Qatargate?

Ai cittadini è ben chiaro il vero utilizzo di alcune ONG, spesso messe in piedi per affari sottobanco e riciclo di denaro. Ma, devo dire, non solo in questo Parlamento europeo, anche nel Parlamento italiano abbiamo visto il caso di Soumahoro, paladino della sinistra, le cui ONG di famiglia, invece di accogliere i migranti facevano affari milionari e sfruttavano i lavoratori.

La verità è che l'unico ad essere stato criminalizzato è stato Matteo Salvini, finito sotto processo con l'unica colpa di aver difeso i confini e la sovranità italiana, contrastando l'immigrazione clandestina e bloccando di fatto gli sbarchi in Italia. Siamo stanchi della vostra retorica, dei vostri inviti in Parlamento a personaggi come Carola Rackete o Luca Casarini. Fa bene il governo italiano a voler limitare l'attività fuori dalle regole delle ONG. Noi siamo contro l'immigrazione clandestina e lo rivendichiamo con orgoglio.

Jorge Buxadé Villalba,
  en nombre del Grupo ECR. – Señor presidente, señora comisaria, es alucinante que tengamos que repetirlo otra vez. Llevar a puerto seguro a una persona en peligro en la mar es una situación de necesidad regulada por el Derecho marítimo, pero concertar en origen con un grupo de personas en un lugar previamente determinado el transbordo al lugar que el capitán del buque decide unilateralmente no es rescatar náufragos, sino trata de seres humanos, un negocio lucrativo en el que las vidas no les importan.

Jorge Buxadé Villalba,

en nombre del Grupo ECR

No son refugiados. Ustedes lo saben, lo saben las mafias, lo saben las ONG y lo sé yo, pero el único que lo dice soy yo; porque ustedes tienen un interés político claro: promover el multiculturalismo fracasado. Son los europeos los que sufren en las calles una oleada sin precedentes de violaciones en manada, tiroteos y asesinatos, sin contar con el elevado riesgo del terrorismo yihadista, sobre todo, en la ruta argelina.

¿Valores europeos? Valor europeo es cumplir la ley y que nuestros jóvenes, mujeres y mayores caminen tranquilos por las calles. Les doy otra vez la receta: fronteras seguras, repetir sin cesar ‘si cumples la ley, aceptado; si no cumples la ley, pierde toda esperanza’, juicio y cárcel para los traficantes, repatriación inmediata del ilegal y, a las ONG que incumplen la ley, sanciones.

Si ustedes no saben o no quieren, déjenlo. Nosotros estamos preparados y dispuestos.

Cornelia Ernst,
  im Namen der Fraktion The Left. – Herr Präsident! Dann reden wir doch mal über Italien. Seit Jahren versucht die italienische Regierung, Seenotrettung, Aktivistinnen und Aktivisten zu schikanieren durch Diffamierungen, administrative Schikanen, eine ganze Flut von Gerichtsverfahren.

Cornelia Ernst,

im Namen der Fraktion The Left

Die neueste Schikane ist ein kürzlich erlassenes Dekret zur Seenotrettung, das eigentlich ein Aufruf ist, möglichst tödlich vorzugehen. Denn dieses Dekret verlangt, dass Rettungsschiffe nach einer ersten Rettung direkt einen italienischen Hafen anfahren müssen und mehrere Rettungseinsätze auf ein und derselben Fahrt nicht unternommen werden können. Das ist sogar verboten! Das ist ein Aufruf zum Ertrinkenlassen.

Und jetzt sage ich auch noch mal was, ich frage Sie alle: Seit wann ist unterlassene Hilfeleistung rechtens? Seit wann ist Lebensrettung tatsächlich kriminell? Die Frage hätte ich gern beantwortet. Ich möchte von Ihnen auch wissen – von all denen, die hier über Seenotretter herfallen: Haben Sie sich mal gefragt, warum die überhaupt auf hoher See sind und das in Kauf nehmen? Deshalb, weil es sonst niemanden gibt.

Meine Damen und Herren, das italienische Dekret verstößt gegen das Seerecht, gegen Menschenrechte, europäisches Recht. Es muss weg. Frau Johansson, ich erwarte, dass Sie handeln und nicht zugucken und die Augen verschließen. Es muss gehandelt werden, und zwar jetzt!

Ernő Schaller-Baross (NI). – Elnök Úr! Míg az Európai Parlament baloldali többsége emberi jogi kérdésnek tartja az illegális migráció szervezését, annak pénzügyi, jogi támogatását, Magyarország nemzetbiztonsági kérdésként tekint rá, és ennek megfelelően kezeli, és megígérem Önöknek, ennek megfelelően fogja kezelni. Az illegális migráció szervezése ugyanis nem humanitárius segítségnyújtás. A legrosszabb, amit tehetnek. Az Európai Uniónak tudomásul kellene vennie, hogy az illegális migráció veszélyes, nem szabad legalizálni, sem megszervezni, hanem meg kell állítani a nyilvánvaló biztonsági kockázatai miatt.

Ernő Schaller-Baross (NI).

Ezzel szemben a valódi humanitárius segítségnyújtás, Magyarország számára külpolitikai prioritás. Nemzetközi fejlesztési együttműködési politikája, fontos eszközt jelent ezen a téren, ennek segítségével a migráció okait helyben kezelhetjük, és megteremthetjük azt a gazdasági hátteret, ami arra készteti ezeket az embereket, hogy helyben maradjanak. Afrika kiszipolyozása után a segítségére kellene koncentrálnunk. Az illegális migráció szervezése ellen a továbbiakban is fel fogunk lépni! Köszönjük ezúton is Salvini miniszter úrnak a munkáját, és köszönjük a Meloni-kormánynak a fellépését!

Lena Düpont (PPE). – Herr Präsident, Frau Kommissarin! Niemand steht über dem Recht. Das Recht an sich ist neutral und unterscheidet nicht nach guten oder schlechten Motiven. Das ist eines der Grundprinzipien unserer rechtsstaatlichen, demokratischen Ordnung.

Lena Düpont (PPE).

Dazu gehört auch: Wenn es einen Anfangsverdacht einer strafbewehrten Tat gibt, dann muss ermittelt werden. Wer sich im Verdacht befindet, Recht gebrochen zu haben, unterliegt der Strafverfolgung und entsprechend auch der Rechtsprechung. Er genießt dabei, auch das ist Ausdruck unserer Rechtsordnung, den Schutz durch die Verfahrensrechte und die Unabhängigkeit der Justiz. Genau das hat das Verfahren bisher gezeigt: Verfahrensfehler gehen nicht zulasten der Angeklagten, sondern der anklagenden Behörde.

Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen, natürlich ist das ein hochsensibles Thema und eine schwer auszubalancierende Herausforderung. Menschen in Seenot zu retten ist internationale, europäische, nationale Verpflichtung und – wir haben es hier heute häufiger gehört – natürlich auch eine moralische Verpflichtung. Darüber gibt es keine Diskussion.

Ebenso internationale, europäische und nationale Verpflichtung ist aber auch der Kampf gegen Schleuserkriminalität, gegen die, die das Leid der Menschen zynisch ausnutzen, sie in Lebensgefahr bringen und damit auch noch Unmengen an Geld machen. Zwischen diesen rechtlichen Herausforderungen und Anforderungen hindurchzunavigieren ist für Staaten nicht einfach, auch für NGOs nicht. Deswegen wäre es klug, miteinander statt gegeneinander zu arbeiten.

Es bräuchte Verlässlichkeit, es bräuchte Vertrauen, gemeinsame Vereinbarungen wie beispielsweise einen Verhaltenskodex. Ausgangsbasis dafür muss aber umso mehr sein, dass den Anspruch, den wir an staatliche Stellen haben, auch zivile Helfer erfüllen. Einhaltung von Recht und Gesetz, volle Transparenz über Kooperation und vor allem Offenlegung von finanzieller Unterstützung und Finanzströmen – im Übrigen im eigenen Interesse der NGOs. Sie haben einen Ruf gegenüber denjenigen zu verteidigen, die ihren Namen und ihre Arbeit als Deckmantel für illegale Tätigkeiten nutzen. Es kann und es darf hier kein zweierlei Maß geben.

Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D). – Señor presidente, comisaria Johansson, ¿debería ser posible y tolerable en la Unión Europea criminalizar la asistencia humanitaria, incluida la operación de salvamento y rescate en la mar?

Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D).

La respuesta es no, y, sin embargo, sucede, porque depende demasiado todavía de la legislación de los Estados miembros y, aún peor, del comportamiento de los Gobiernos nacionales, en ausencia de un marco europeo vinculante.

Esta legislatura arrancó con un voto ajustado —por apenas dos votos— de una Resolución, de la que fui ponente, buscando un marco vinculante, un mecanismo europeo de salvamento y rescate que coopere con los esfuerzos de los Estados miembros, que los hay, pero que además ataque en origen el modelo de negocio de las mafias que trafican con personas y que explotan, por tanto, la desesperación de los que están dispuestos a todo y a dejar la vida en el empeño y perderla con tal de llegar a la Unión Europea.

Por tanto, este esfuerzo hay que complementarlo con vías legales —legal pathways—, los visados humanitarios con los que terminó la pasada legislatura, con una Resolución aprobada de la que también fui ponente.

legal pathways

Concluyo afirmando lo obvio: salvar vidas en la mar no puede ser un delito. Es una obligación del Derecho internacional humanitario y debe ser también una obligación —y no podemos parar hasta conseguirlo— del Derecho europeo.

(El orador acepta responder a una intervención realizada con arreglo al procedimiento de la ‘tarjeta azul’)

(El orador acepta responder a una intervención realizada con arreglo al procedimiento de la ‘tarjeta azul’)

Karen Melchior (Renew),
  blue-card speech. – (start of speech off mike) ... I'm not quite sure if the translation was misconstruing things. The resolution on search and rescue in the Mediterranean that we voted on in 2019 unfortunately failed to be adopted by Parliament, as far as I remember, by only two votes. We've seen Member States not acting, and now having colleagues in this Chamber claiming that we must all follow the law seems hypocritical when the same Member States are not acting to actually save lives and create legal pathways. The resolution that you mentioned in your speech was promoting cooperation with the Member States. Was this adopted, or was it unfortunately not adopted by this House?

Karen Melchior (Renew),

blue-card speech

(start of speech off mike)

Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D),
  blue-card response. – That is a point. It was unfortunately not adopted, by only two votes. A very tight vote was decisive in this particular case. My assumption is that most of the Members which voted against should have reason to rethink, and particularly some who voted against must have a reason to be sorry about it, because there is the situation as you describe it: some governments are doing their best and investing massive public resources to save lives at sea while others are misbehaving grossly. And this gross despising of the importance of human life and their international obligations according to humanitarian international law is precisely because of the lack of a European binding framework, which is the aim of that resolution. My message is that we shouldn't stop until we have the job done.

Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D),

blue-card response

Charles Goerens (Renew). – Monsieur le Président, le droit maritime international est formel: il faut porter assistance aux personnes qui sont en danger en haute mer. Il est malheureux de constater que nombre d'États membres de l'Union européenne sont incapables d'adopter une posture qui va au-delà de la pure répression. Le surplace en matière de politique migratoire, dont sont responsables une majorité d'États membres, est, de mon point de vue, un vrai scandale.

Charles Goerens (Renew).

Il importe dès lors de faire triompher ce si peu d'humanité auquel ont droit aussi ceux et celles qui sont interdits de séjour en Europe. Ce qu'il faut criminaliser, ce n'est pas le sauvetage en haute mer, mais la destruction des hôpitaux, des écoles, des infrastructures en Ukraine. Ce qu'il faut criminaliser, c'est le placement de centaines, voire de milliers d'enfants ukrainiens dans des familles russes. Ce qu'il faut criminaliser, c'est la barbarie à laquelle sont exposés les citoyens depuis le 24 février dernier, mais pas celles et ceux qui s'honorent de porter secours à ceux qui sont en vrai danger.

Erik Marquardt (Verts/ALE). – Herr Präsident! Wir sind ja eigentlich in der Politik, um die Realität schön zu machen, und nicht, um sie schönzureden. Und wenn wir uns die Realität an den Außengrenzen anschauen, dann ist sie nicht nur nicht schön, sondern einfach grausam. Es müsste uns eigentlich ja schon wütend genug machen, dass so viele Menschen an unseren Außengrenzen auf der Suche nach Sicherheit leiden und auch Tausende sterben.

Erik Marquardt (Verts/ALE).

Aber die Realität ist noch viel schlimmer: Mehrere EU-Staaten an den Außengrenzen helfen nicht nur nicht genug, sondern sie behindern, sie kriminalisieren und hetzen auch noch gegen diejenigen, die unsere Aufgabe machen und Menschen in Not helfen wollen.

Was ist das denn für ein Europa, in dem man sich der realen Gefahr ausgesetzt sieht, für Seenotrettung ins Gefängnis zu kommen? Was ist das für ein Europa, in dem man sich verstecken muss, um Menschen Suppe zu geben, die Hunger haben, oder Menschen eine Decke, die frieren? Genau das passiert an unseren Außengrenzen jeden Tag. Und warum passiert das? Weil die Menschen leiden sollen. Das ist Teil einer Abschreckungsstrategie. So ehrlich müssen wir schon sein, das ist kein Zufall. Diese Abschreckungsstrategie, die ist ein direkter Angriff auf unseren Rechtsstaat. Wenn es weiterhin stärker bestraft wird, Menschen nur zu helfen, statt sie leiden zu lassen, dann können wir eigentlich auch gleich moralische Insolvenz anmelden.

Susanna Ceccardi (ID). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, partiamo dal titolo di questo dibattito che parla di criminalizzazione del salvataggio in mare.

Susanna Ceccardi (ID).

Ecco, secondo voi porre delle regole significa criminalizzare? Vi faccio un esempio: a bordo delle ambulanze ci sono medici e volontari che ogni giorno salvano milioni di vite umane, eppure, giustamente, sono sottoposti a regole, protocolli, procedure. Nessuno si sognerebbe mai di dire che bisogna togliere qualsiasi tipo di regola, perché le regole salvano le vite e aiutano tutti a gestire in maniera più ordinata la nostra convivenza.

Perché le ONG in mare dovrebbero fare eccezione? Che la presenza di ONG in mare sia un fattore di attrazione è provato scientificamente. Ultimamente c'è stato uno studio congiunto di studiosi dell'Università di Torino, Cagliari e Houston che lo conferma. I migranti, se sono confortati dalla presenza di ONG in mare, partono con mezzi meno sicuri e barche precarie, aumentando così la possibilità di naufragio.

Il dovere di un buon ministro e di un buon governante è quello di tutelare la sicurezza di un paese. Matteo Salvini è a processo per aver difeso i confini dell'Italia e quindi d'Europa, per aver reso un servizio all'Europa. A processo, invece, ci dovrebbero andare tutte quelle ONG che si accordano con gli scafisti per far sbarcare irregolarmente sulle nostre coste immigrati irregolari.

Far gestire l'immigrazione ad organismi privati come le ONG significa siglare il fallimento delle politiche europee. La politica torni a fare la politica, a difendere i confini e i propri cittadini. Altrimenti hanno ragione quei cittadini che pensano che questa Europa è inutile o, nel peggiore dei casi, dannosa per la nostra sicurezza.

(L'oratrice accetta di rispondere a un intervento ‘cartellino blu’)

(L'oratrice accetta di rispondere a un intervento ‘cartellino blu’)

Silvia Sardone (ID),
  intervento ‘cartellino blu’
  . – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, non sono impazzita, chiedo la blue card alla mia collega perché prima di lei qualcuno a sinistra ha citato Mimmo Lucano, preso probabilmente qua ancora a modello di accoglienza e, dato che la collega parlava proprio di accoglienza, volevo sapere la sua opinione rispetto alla condanna che Mimmo Lucano ha avuto e, quindi, anche in generale alle ONG che trattano la materia.

Silvia Sardone (ID),

intervento ‘cartellino blu’

blue card

Susanna Ceccardi (ID)
  risposta a un intervento ‘cartellino blu’
  . – Grazie Silvia Sardone perché mi consente di rispondere ad alcuni interventi che sono stati fatti in quest'Aula.

Susanna Ceccardi (ID)

risposta a un intervento ‘cartellino blu’

Forse la collega Strik e altri colleghi non sono informati su quello che è successo in Italia. Mimmo Lucano non è stato condannato perché è di sinistra e che quindi era un paladino della giustizia. È stato condannato perché con i soldi destinati all'accoglienza ci si è fatto la villa, perché ha distratto i soldi destinati ad accoglienza ed altri miti della sinistra, purtroppo, forse i vostri colleghi italiani non vi hanno informato, rubano i soldi destinati all'accoglienza per metterli nelle proprie tasche, come il caso Soumahoro.

Quindi, per favore informatevi meglio, perché questi vostri miti non fanno un buon servizio alla sinistra europea.

Joachim Stanisław Brudziński (ECR). – Panie Przewodniczący! Pani Komisarz! Szanowni Państwo! Wzmocnienie ochrony granic zewnętrznych Unii Europejskiej powinno być priorytetem. Mając na uwadze sytuację, w której nielegalna migracja traktowana jest jako instrument politycznego nacisku i stanowi jedno z zagrożeń dla bezpieczeństwa Unii Europejskiej (patrz chociażby sytuacja, która miała miejsce na granicy polsko-białoruskiej), należy położyć większy nacisk na zapobieganie nielegalnemu przekraczaniu granic Unii, a nie tylko na kontrole i rejestrację osób przekraczających te granice.

Joachim Stanisław Brudziński (ECR).

Ważne jest unikanie wszelkich rozwiązań, które stanowią zachętę do przemytu migrantów i nielegalnej migracji. Koncepcje obowiązkowej relokacji, sponsorowanie powrotów czy też mechanizmy SAR są kontrproduktywne i mogą skutkować przyciąganiem nielegalnych migrantów i ich przemytników do Unii Europejskiej zamiast rozładowywaniem presji migracyjnej. Faworyzowanie osób przybywających do Unii Europejskiej w następstwie operacji poszukiwawczo-ratowniczych i tworzenie stałych mechanizmów solidarności związanych z tą podkategorią nielegalnych migrantów to działanie expressis verbis skutkujące tym, że zachęcamy nieszczęśników z krajów trzecich, aby tutaj przybywali. I tak naprawdę nabijamy kasę nielegalnym grupom przestępczym, które żerują na tych nieszczęśnikach.

expressis verbis

(Mówca zgodził się na wysłuchanie wystąpienia zasygnalizowanego niebieską kartką)

(Mówca zgodził się na wysłuchanie wystąpienia zasygnalizowanego niebieską kartką)

Janina Ochojska (PPE). – wystąpienie zasygnalizowane przez podniesienie niebieskiej kartki. – Panie Wiceprzewodniczący! Panie Pośle, ja mam pytanie o granicę polsko–białoruską. Na tej granicy 212 osób zaginęło, a 34 osoby zmarły, przede wszystkim młodzi ludzie, ostatnio nawet człowiek z doktoratem z medycyny. Chciałam zapytać, czy Pan uważa, że to jest chronienie granic? I czy Pan uważa, że to jest bezpieczna i legalna migracja? A budowa muru na tej granicy?

Janina Ochojska (PPE).

wystąpienie zasygnalizowane przez podniesienie niebieskiej kartki

Joachim Stanisław Brudziński (ECR). – odpowiedź na wystąpienie zasygnalizowane niebieską kartką. Pani poseł, każda śmierć to tragedia, każda śmierć, również w tym przypadku. Nad każdą tą śmiercią należy się z szacunkiem pochylić. Ale też należy stwierdzić jasno, że jest bardzo dużo fake newsów, kłamstwa. Opinia publiczna mogła usłyszeć taką ckliwą opowieść o biednym Yusufie, który rzekomo 6 dni płynął Bugiem, wychodząc tylko nocą, aby się ogrzać. Bug to taka rzeka, bardzo zimna o tej porze roku. I on przez 6 dni płynął tą rzeką, a następnie wychodził na brzeg, aby się ogrzać, bo był terroryzowany przez polską Straż Graniczną. Pani poseł, to dobra okazja, żeby w pas w moim imieniu pokłonić się polskim strażnikom, którzy bronią bezpieczeństwa nie tylko Polski, ale całej Unii Europejskiej przed nieszczęsnymi ludźmi zwiezionymi przez Putina i Łukaszenkę za pieniądze Putina i za pieniądze Łukaszenki.

Joachim Stanisław Brudziński (ECR).

odpowiedź na wystąpienie zasygnalizowane niebieską kartką.

Stelios Kouloglou (The Left). – Mr President, Madam Commissioner, I'm not challenging your good intentions, but, you know, sometimes good intentions cannot prevent hell. And what's happening in different countries of the European Union is hell. We just heard the spokesmen of Italian hell just now. And I know what's happening in my country, Greece, where it is hell that the people that will express solidarity with the refugees are charged as a criminal organisation. It is hell that if refugees are just touching the wheel, they are condemned to 142 years in prison.

Stelios Kouloglou (The Left).

We just managed last month to get out of prison refugees from Afghanistan, they got 50 years. And when the trial occurred, finally, the prosecutor said, ‘Why is this guy here? There's not a single piece of evidence against him. He has spent two and a half years in prison.’ And he tried to commit suicide. This is hell. And so yes, I fully agree with you as to your intentions, but do something concrete, you know, against hell.

Ελισσάβετ Βόζεμπεργκ-Βρυωνίδη (PPE). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, για μια ακόμη φορά, συγκεκριμένη πολιτική ομάδα φέρνει προς συζήτηση —με επιμονή— ένα θέμα το οποίο ούτε υπάρχει ούτε χαρακτηρίζει τα κράτη μέλη ως προς τη διαχείριση του μεταναστευτικού προβλήματος. Αναφορικά με τη χώρα μου, την Ελλάδα, είναι δεδομένο και αποδεδειγμένο —μεταξύ άλλων— ότι η Ελλάδα προστατεύει αποτελεσματικά τα εξωτερικά σύνορα της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, με προσήλωση στο διεθνές δίκαιο και τον Χάρτη των Θεμελιωδών Δικαιωμάτων. Ότι, ειδικά τα τελευταία χρόνια, η Ελλάδα υπήρξε ασφαλές λιμάνι για πάνω από 1.000.000 ανθρώπους που ήρθαν στο έδαφός της. Ότι, κατά το διάστημα 2015-2022, οι άνδρες και οι γυναίκες του Λιμενικού Σώματος διέσωσαν με αυτοθυσία πάνω από 240.000 υπηκόους τρίτων χωρών που κινδύνευσαν στη θάλασσα.

Ελισσάβετ Βόζεμπεργκ-Βρυωνίδη (PPE).

Πρέπει να τονιστεί επίσης ότι, στο κορυφαίο ζήτημα της καταπολέμησης των διακινητών, η Ελλάδα έμεινε μόνη της, διότι η Τουρκία παραβιάζει την υποχρέωσή της να ελέγξει την οργανωμένη διακίνηση από τα παράλιά της, όπως έχει καθήκον βάσει της κοινής δήλωσης Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης-Τουρκίας του 2016. Αντί λοιπόν να επικρίνουμε την Τουρκία για τη στάση της και για το γεγονός ότι εργαλειοποιεί συστηματικά απελπισμένους ανθρώπους για να μας εκβιάζει, θέτουμε θέμα αμφισβήτησης της νόμιμης φύλαξης των συνόρων, χωρίς καμία απολύτως τεκμηρίωση ή απόδειξη. Το έργο των ΜΚΟ, συνάδελφοι, που έχουν συνδράμει στην έρευνα και διάσωση ανθρώπων στη θάλασσα, έχει αναγνωριστεί από τις επίσημες αρχές της Ελλάδας. Δεν θα δεχτούμε όμως περιπτώσεις ΜΚΟ που εμπλέκονται στη διευκόλυνση παράνομης διέλευσης από τα σύνορά μας. Για τέτοιες περιπτώσεις τον πρώτο και τελευταίο λόγο έχει η ανεξάρτητη Δικαιοσύνη. Αυτό θα πει σεβασμός στο κράτος δικαίου. Πρέπει να δοθεί πλέον ένα τέλος στην υιοθέτηση ψευδών ειδήσεων που —προφανώς— εξυπηρετούν σκοπιμότητες. Όλοι βρισκόμαστε ενώπιον των ευθυνών μας και κατά μείζονα λόγο βρίσκεται το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο, που είναι ο ύψιστος δημοκρατικός θεσμός της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης.

(Η ομιλήτρια δέχεται να απαντήσει σε ερώτηση με ‘γαλάζια κάρτα’).

(Η ομιλήτρια δέχεται να απαντήσει σε ερώτηση με ‘γαλάζια κάρτα’).

Tineke Strik (Verts/ALE),
  blue-card speech. – You just said that the Turkish authorities do not cooperate with Greece. We all know that this EU-Turkey deal is not working at the moment because Erdogan has not taken back any migrants since March 2020. Yet the Greek Government declares asylum requests inadmissible if people have traveled from Turkey into the EU – because of the reasoning that they can go back to Turkey as a safe third country. In the Asylum Procedures Directive, it's made clear that this cannot be applied. It cannot be held against an asylum seeker if the country does not take someone back. So why, then, if the Greek authorities know very well that Turkey doesn't take people back, are those people still not being examined on their merits?

Tineke Strik (Verts/ALE),

blue-card speech

Ελισσάβετ Βόζεμπεργκ-Βρυωνίδη (PPE),
  απάντηση ‘γαλάζια κάρτα’
  . – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, κυρία Strik, καταρχάς είναι δύο διαφορετικά πράγματα. Πράγματι, η Ελλάδα διαμαρτύρεται κατά της Τουρκίας γιατί δεν δέχεται εκείνους που πρέπει να δεχθεί πίσω τη στιγμή που είναι μια ασφαλής χώρα. Αυτό είναι τελείως διαφορετικό από την υπογραφή της κοινής δήλωσης Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης-Τουρκίας. Ουδέποτε συνεργάστηκε η Τουρκία για την καταπολέμηση των διακινητών. Αντίθετα, υπάρχουν σοβαρές ενδείξεις ότι προωθεί και συμβάλλει στη διακίνηση ‘κάνοντας τα στραβά μάτια’ —όπως λένε στη χώρα μου, δηλαδή παραβλέποντας και περιφρονώντας την υπογραφή της. Αυτή είναι η θέση της Τουρκίας απέναντι στην Ελλάδα και τα στοιχεία τα οποία σας έδωσα είναι με αποδείξεις και με τεκμήρια. Δεν μιλάμε μόνο θεωρητικά.

Ελισσάβετ Βόζεμπεργκ-Βρυωνίδη (PPE),

απάντηση ‘γαλάζια κάρτα’

Pietro Bartolo (S&D). – Signor Presidente, signora Commissaria, onorevoli colleghi, vengo da un'isola, Lampedusa, la mia isola, che vanta il mare più bello del mondo, un mare che si è trasformato in un luogo di morte e di sofferenza.

Pietro Bartolo (S&D).

Oltre a questo, il governo di destra sta criminalizzando, attraverso dei decreti legge, le attività di ricerca e salvataggio in mare da parte delle ONG, peggiorando ulteriormente la situazione. E non facciamoci ingannare dal titolo di questi provvedimenti: disposizioni urgenti per la gestione dei flussi migratori – questo è il titolo – nasconde misure inadeguate e pericolose, talvolta in pieno contrasto con il diritto europeo e internazionale.

Assistere chi rischia di annegare è un obbligo giuridico e morale. Strumentalizzare quest'obbligo è vergognoso. Criminalizzare le ONG significa mettere a rischio la vita delle persone. Servono risposte comuni. Servono vie legali e sicure di accesso in Europa, non decreti che complicano le attività di soccorso in mare sulla pelle dei disperati. Servono risposte sicure. Non possiamo rimanere indifferenti di fronte a queste tragedie. Fermiamo questa mattanza, la dobbiamo fermare e non abbiamo bisogno neanche di teatrini.

(L'oratore accetta di rispondere a un intervento ‘cartellino blu’)

(L'oratore accetta di rispondere a un intervento ‘cartellino blu’)

Susanna Ceccardi (ID),
  intervento ‘cartellino blu’
  . – Onorevole Bartolo, però le sue parole sono sicuramente ideologizzate, perché sa benissimo che mettere delle regole alle ONG significa mettere delle regole anche alla salvaguardia dei migranti.

Susanna Ceccardi (ID),

intervento ‘cartellino blu’

Chi dovrebbe occuparsi, secondo voi, dell'accoglienza, delle ONG private, che in molti casi sono state anche inquisite per avere poi preso dei soldi indebiti per raccogliere più migranti possibili? Questi sono scafisti del mare, non sono persone che salvano i migranti. Per salvare i migranti bisogna attuare delle politiche nei paesi di origine e non prendere tutta l'Africa. Perché tutta l'Africa, Signor Bartolo ...

Pietro Bartolo (S&D),
  risposta a un intervento ‘cartellino blu’
  . – Chi dovrebbe occuparsi? Intanto dobbiamo capire che noi abbiamo dato quasi per scontato che queste persone debbano arrivare in questo modo, e questa situazione l'avete provocata voi.

Pietro Bartolo (S&D),

risposta a un intervento ‘cartellino blu’

Perché se queste persone vengono in questa maniera è perché qualcuno li ha obbligati a venire in questa maniera e sono le condizioni di disagio che abbiamo noi tutti provocato in Africa. Noi li abbiamo colonizzati e schiavizzati e depredati. Ancora oggi andiamo in Africa e vediamo tutto questo disagio. E allora io dico che dovrebbe essere l'Europa a occuparsi, non le ONG, ma visto che l'Europa, grazie a voi, non ha potuto approvare quel decreto, quella risoluzione sul salvataggio in mare, e allora, ecco che dobbiamo dare a qualcuno il compito di farlo.

Barry Andrews (Renew). – Mr President, Commissioner and colleagues, one of the central arguments, I think, that's been ventilated by the ECR and ID is that search and rescue carried out by NGOs is a pull factor for irregular population movement, and this is sadly also repeated by Frontex, who say that this has been done unintentionally.

Barry Andrews (Renew).

However, research has been done which demonstrates this is not true, based on data going back to 2014, carried out in the European University Institute. The research found, and I quote, ‘no relationship between the presence of NGOs at sea and the number of migrants leaving Libyan shores’. The same holds true in the eastern Mediterranean, in Spain and in Morocco, where there was a 50% increase in population movement despite the absence of NGO boats. In fact, the only thing that changed when NGOs were not present was that the fatality rate increased.

I think what we should do in this Parliament is revisit the resolution of Mr Lopez Aquila, and to wipe from the record of this Parliament and this mandate that shameful vote in 2019.

Damien Carême (Verts/ALE). – Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, chers collègues, plus jamais nous ne devions accepter que des atrocités soient commises en Europe. Plus jamais. Ce plus jamais s'est incarné dans la construction européenne où nous avons hissé au plus haut les valeurs de dignité humaine, de liberté, d'égalité, de fraternité, de solidarité.

Damien Carême (Verts/ALE).

Quelle honte de constater combien toutes ces valeurs fondatrices et le droit européen sont bafoués aujourd'hui. Des femmes, des enfants, des hommes meurent à nos frontières chaque jour, sans sembler émouvoir le moins du monde des dirigeants européens. Personne ne peut dire qu'il ne sait pas. Comme dans les périodes les plus funestes de notre histoire, on cherche à intimider et à harceler des citoyens altruistes et courageux. Pourtant, les humanitaires ne font que combler l'inaction des États membres. Ce sont des justes, des passeurs d'humanité, certainement pas des criminels. Au lieu d'honorer ces humanitaires qui défendent nos valeurs, on les criminalise.

Madame la Commissaire, il est temps de combattre ce climat d'impunité ainsi que la rhétorique nauséabonde et les fantasmes de l'extrême droite. Il est temps de ne plus nous laisser dicter nos politiques et nos valeurs par des racistes et des xénophobes. Allons-nous enfin agir concrètement au lieu de discourir pour éviter que ces drames ne se perpétuent? Il nous faut d'urgence un sursaut humanitaire, un sursaut politique.

Alessandro Panza (ID). – Signor Presidente, signora Commissaria, onorevoli colleghi, l'arroganza della sinistra in quest'Aula ormai non conosce più limiti.

Alessandro Panza (ID).

L'uso di dibattiti pretestuosi ormai ha superato il ridicolo. Siamo al teatro dell'assurdo. Tutti si aspettavano un dibattito serio e onesto sul ruolo delle ONG, visto quello che è successo proprio in questo Parlamento meno di un mese fa, invece no. Questa sera siamo qui a discutere di come questi piccoli cuccioli indifesi, le ONG, siano braccati da lupi famelici di Stati.

E sapete perché? Uno è perché in Italia c'è un governo democraticamente eletto. So che democraticamente è una parola che vi fa paura, anche stamattina ne avete dato dimostrazione. E due perché volete provare a distogliere l'attenzione dai veri problemi, cioè i vostri.

Poco vi importa se la stessa Commissione europea, di cui voi siete gli azionisti di maggioranza, con la raccomandazione 1365 del 2020, dice che le operazioni di salvataggio in mare da navi private vanno coordinate e gestite dagli Stati membri. E poco vi importa se le normative su cui è intervenuto ora il governo italiano siano quelle scritte da un certo Marco Minniti, ministro dell'Interno del Partito Democratico.

No, a voi importa mistificare la realtà per nascondere i fatti. Quali? Le norme italiane che ostacolano le ONG le ha scritte la sinistra. È un fatto. Le più partenze equivalgono a più morti. È un fatto. Le ONG agiscono come pull factor e si vogliono sostituire agli Stati nazionali nelle operazioni di ricerca e soccorso, pretendendo di dettare le regole. È un fatto. Lo dice Frontex. La sinistra usa le ONG come bancomat per prendere i soldi dai paesi terzi. Purtroppo è un fatto anche questo, ma nel teatro dell'assurdo tutto è possibile.

pull factor

Sappiate però che fuori da quella porta il teatro finisce. I conti con la realtà prima o poi li dovrete fare. Anzi, qualcuno dei vostri ha già iniziato a farli.

Johan Nissinen (ECR). – Herr talman! Kommissionär Johansson! Om vi verkligen vill minska eller hindra människor från att drunkna på Medelhavet, måste vi lägga om politiken. Vi kan inte fortsätta lova guld och gröna skogar till migranter som kommer till Europa.

Johan Nissinen (ECR).

Förra året tog sig 330 000 människor illegalt till Europa. Det är 64 procent mer än året innan. I stället för att belöna illegal migration måste vi vara tydliga med att tar man sig illegalt till Europa, förlorar man rätten att söka asyl.

Australien är ett tydligt och bra exempel på detta, där man har stoppat människor från att drunkna i havet genom att införa nolltolerans. Alla båtar som kommer skickas tillbaka direkt. Man kommunicerar det tydligt i transitländerna, och man är tydlig i migranternas hemländer. Alla vet att de har noll chans.

Vi behöver göra likadant i Europa. Jag tror att alla här i kammaren är överens om att människor inte ska drunkna i Medelhavet. Vi vill inte ha denna tragedi. Är det inte dags att vi driver en politik som faktiskt förhindrar detta på riktigt?

(Talaren godtog att svara på ett inlägg (‘blått kort’))

(Talaren godtog att svara på ett inlägg (‘blått kort’))

Karen Melchior (Renew),
  blue-card speech. – The dear colleague claimed that the Australian model is functioning and is a success. Could you please provide proof for this? And also, if Sweden had applied the Australian model during the Second World War, my father would probably have been put on an island in Øresund and I would not have been here today. Would that have been a success?

Karen Melchior (Renew),

blue-card speech

Johan Nissinen (ECR),
  blue-card answer. — Mr President, the problem is that people are dying, and it is because of the politics we have now. So the people we can blame is the people who are supporting the politics now – because you have blood on your hands, you're making people die instead of saving them.

Johan Nissinen (ECR),

blue-card answer

Clare Daly (The Left). – Mr President, the fact that some of the charges against Irish activist Seán Binder were dropped last week is incredibly welcome. But my God, how did we ever get to this place where 24 volunteers and activists were on trial in Lesbos in a case spanning more than four years? Not to mention the fact that a far, far larger number of innocent migrants are currently squandering their time in prisons in Greece, charged with the crime of helping other people, an obligation in international law.

Clare Daly (The Left).

Of course, it's not just Greece. Italy, too, criminalises this humanitarian work. Latvia has just levelled criminal charges against two activists for helping Syrian refugees on the Belarussian border. It's disgusting. There's no other word for it.

And it all has the tacit approval of EU governments and the European Commission, who know that EU money is being used to fund repressive apparatus on Europe's borders, violating the human rights of vulnerable people fleeing wars and climate change that we caused in the first place. The same companies that benefit from this destruction benefit from the borders to keep them out. This is your Europe, and it's a very dark place indeed.

Sylvie Guillaume (S&D). – Monsieur le Président, depuis plusieurs années, nous avons remarqué la tendance à la criminalisation des ONG dans les États membres. Mais cette tendance a franchi un nouvel échelon avec l'adoption du décret italien sur le sujet en ce début d'année 2023. Cette criminalisation va un peu plus fragiliser les acteurs humanitaires qui, en réalité, se substituent déjà à des pouvoirs publics défaillants.

Sylvie Guillaume (S&D).

Comme nous l'avons rappelé maintes fois, laisser les gens mourir en mer ne génère pas un effet de dissuasion de venir en Europe. La fumeuse théorie de l'appel d'air est un mythe qui a été 1 000 fois déconstruit par les spécialistes du sujet. En revanche, cette criminalisation va faire prendre plus de risques aux acteurs humanitaires et aux migrants. Et elle va renforcer les passeurs qui seront une fois de plus les grands gagnants de ces politiques populistes. L'unique solution n'est ni nouvelle ni révolutionnaire, c'est de rétablir de véritables opérations européennes de recherche et de sauvetage. Alors les ONG n'auront plus besoin de faire le travail des États ou de l'Union. Le droit international sera respecté, tout comme les valeurs européennes.

Grace O'Sullivan (Verts/ALE). – Mr President, ‘close and control’ – this is what the manager of Lesbos refugee camp last week told me was their policy for dealing with thousands of refugees. In a camp of barbed wire and shipping containers, it is a policy of a prison.

Grace O'Sullivan (Verts/ALE).

Off the coast, illegal pushbacks of people in distress continue unabated. Locals and humanitarians in Lesbos recounted how masked men have been seen violently kidnapping refugees. Meanwhile, around 40 organisations work in constant fear of criminalisation after the example was made of Seán Binder, Sarah Mardini and over 20 search and rescue workers.

Any new policy on migration and asylum must include protection for humanitarians, and immediately end the vast prison camp system we have established on EU borders. As long as desperate people flee desperate situations, ‘close and control’ does not work.

Rob Rooken (ECR). – Voorzitter, we hebben het hier vanavond over de fundamentele leugens die ten grondslag liggen aan dit debat. De titel van het debat luidt: ‘over de criminalisering van humanitaire hulp, inclusief zoek- en reddingsacties’. De suggestie die hier gemaakt wordt, is dat migranten uit Afrika schipbreuk lijden en niet zouden mogen worden geholpen. Maar dat is natuurlijk niet aan de orde.

Rob Rooken (ECR).

Veel migranten betreden doelbewust gammele bootjes, vaak zelfs zonder motor. Ze weten dat ze met deze bootjes nooit ofte nimmer Europa zouden kunnen bereiken. Wat ze wel weten, is dat ze opgepikt zullen worden. Ze gaan dan ook pas te water om zich een stuk uit de kust te laten slepen als ze weten dat de smokkelboten van de ngo's binnen bereik zijn om hen op te halen.

Beide partijen maken hier misbruik van een wet die bedoeld is om mensen op zee in nood te helpen. Dit is inderdaad geen hulp, maar georganiseerde mensensmokkel. Daarvoor worden die ngo's rijkelijk betaald door donateurs en ook de Europese staten. De rechtsstaat, die hier heel vaak genoemd wordt, wordt ook op deze manier ondermijnd door alle subsidies aan ngo's die deze wet misbruiken om illegale migratie te faciliteren.

Wat mij betreft maken we hier een eind aan.

Evin Incir (S&D). – Herr talman! Kollegor! ‘Alla människor är födda fria och är lika i värde och rättigheter. De har utrustats med förnuft och samvete och bör handla gentemot varandra i en anda av gemenskap.’ Så står det i artikel 1 i FN:s allmänna förklaring om de mänskliga rättigheterna.

Evin Incir (S&D).

Jag undrar hur kriminalisering av att rädda liv till havs går hand i hand med att vi måste handla i en anda av gemenskap. Jag undrar nog mest av allt hur kort minne vi människor har, och hur en del kan bli så empatilösa att de föredrar att människor berövas sina liv än att räddas. Det är ofta samma människor som predikar att embryon minsann är liv, men den existerande människan verkar inte ha ett människovärde.

Ingen människa lämnar sitt hus, hem, vänner, familj för att riskera sitt liv till havs bara ‘för skojs skull’. När bomberna faller och förtrycket knackar på dörren, har du inget val. Empati och medmänsklighet – och kanske mest av allt vår mänskliga plikt att hjälpa varandra – kan och får aldrig kriminaliseras.

Italiens, Greklands och andra länders regeringar agerande är skamligt. Vi behöver en gemensam, fungerande, hållbar och human migrations- och asylpolitik som respekterar internationell rätt. Jag förstår varför högern är rädd för internationell rätt, nämligen för att ...

(Talmannen fråntar talaren ordet.)

(Talmannen fråntar talaren ordet.)

Saskia Bricmont (Verts/ALE). – Monsieur le Président, Seán Binder, Sarah Mardini, Cédric Herrou, Walid C, Anouk Van Gestel, Miriam Berg et tant d'autres ont fait l'objet de procès bouleversant leur vie à jamais. Rendons leur hommage aujourd'hui, car non, il n'est pas normal d'être poursuivi pour avoir fait preuve de solidarité et d'humanité. Non, il n'est pas normal d'être poursuivi pour avoir hébergé ou sauvé des personnes migrantes d'une noyade certaine, dans la Méditerranée notamment, pour avoir rempli des missions que nos gouvernements devraient eux-mêmes prendre en charge et qui ne seraient pas nécessaires avec une politique migratoire sûre, légale, humaine.

Saskia Bricmont (Verts/ALE).

Partout dans l'Union, des actes de solidarité sont criminalisés à l'encontre du droit international et des valeurs ancrées dans nos traités. Sauver des vies est un enjeu de civilisation. Ces héros et héroïnes sont la fierté de notre continent. Mes questions sont simples: quand nos gouvernements et la Commission européenne vont-ils assurer la protection de celles et ceux qui assurent le respect de nos valeurs et des droits humains? Quand la Commission, garante des traités, engagera-t-elle enfin des procédures d'infraction contre les États membres qui abusent des dispositions du droit pénal pour criminaliser des travailleurs humanitaires et des citoyens engagés?

Εμμανουήλ Φράγκος (ECR). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, μιλάμε για ένα οργανωμένο σχέδιο συκοφάντησης των θεσμών μας, διάβρωσης των κρατών μας και —τελικά— αντικατάστασης των εθνών μας. Θα έπρεπε να ντρέπονται οι κατήγοροι του ελληνικού Λιμενικού και θα πρέπει να ερευνηθούν —και περισσότερο πρέπει να ερευνηθούν οι σπόνσορές τους. Εικοσιτέσσερις εργαζόμενοι σε ΜΚΟ στη Λέσβο συνελήφθησαν για κατασκοπεία, πλαστογραφία και παράνομη ακρόαση ραδιοσυχνοτήτων ώστε να ενημερώνουν τους Τούρκους λαθροδιακινητές για τη θέση των πλοίων του ελληνικού Λιμενικού. Λίγο πριν από την ανακοίνωση της απόφασης του ελληνικού δικαστηρίου υπήρξε παρέμβαση της Ύπατης Αρμοστείας του ΟΗΕ ζητώντας να αποσυρθούν οι κατηγορίες. Μιλάμε για σύσταση και υποστήριξη εγκληματικής οργάνωσης, λαθροδιακίνηση και απάτη. Οι ΜΚΟ προσπαθούν να αλλοιώσουν το κράτος δικαίου στην Ελλάδα. Τα δίκτυα εκμετάλλευσης της ανθρώπινης δυστυχίας, μαζί με το σκέλος των ΜΚΟ, αποτελούν ένα θανατηφόρο καρκίνωμα για τη δημοκρατία και τις πατρίδες μας.

Εμμανουήλ Φράγκος (ECR).

Theresa Muigg (S&D). – Mr President, saving lives is not a crime.

Theresa Muigg (S&D).

Fragen wir uns bitte heute hier eine Sache: Welche Botschaft sendet die strafrechtliche Verfolgung von Seenotrettung wirklich aus, das Verbot von zivilgesellschaftlichem Engagement, die Kriminalisierung von Flucht?

In ein anderes Land zu fliehen, einen Asylantrag zu stellen, eine faire, rechtsstaatliche Prüfung zu haben, ist das Recht eines jeden Menschen. Wie oft müssen wir das hier noch wiederholen? Menschenrechte haben nicht nur einen theoretischen Wert, sie gelten immer, sie gelten für alle. Sie hätten auch gegolten für Zehntausende Tote im Mittelmeer.

Menschen lassen ihr Leben dort, wo Pushbacks passieren, wo versagte Hilfeleistung Leben gefährdet, wo europäisches Recht gebrochen wird. Alle fragen immer nach Lösungen. Legale Fluchtrouten sind Lösungen. Menschen auf der Flucht nicht zu behindern ist eine Lösung. Niemanden in Seenot zurückzulassen ist die Lösung. Was nicht die Lösung ist: Menschen verfolgen, anklagen und inhaftieren, die dort ansetzen, wo Behördenversagen vorliegt oder der Pflicht der Rettung von Menschen nicht nachgekommen wird. Freispruch für Sarah Mardini und Seán Binder, Freispruch für alle angeklagten Seenotretterinnen und Seenotretter!

Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana (Verts/ALE). – Monsieur le Président, actuellement, il y a environ 26 millions de réfugiés dans le monde, dont la moitié sont des enfants. Beaucoup fuient leur pays en raison des persécutions, des famines, des guerres, mais aussi en raison de leur orientation sexuelle ou de leur identité de genre. Une chose est claire, ces réfugiés veulent se bâtir une nouvelle existence ailleurs.

Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana (Verts/ALE).

Quelle honte de constater que les ONG sont prises en otage et que la criminalisation prend le pas sur la dignité humaine. Les mers ne doivent pas devenir les cercueils de milliers de réfugiés. Les récents décrets adoptés par les gouvernements de l'Union criminalisent l'aide humanitaire car les ONG sont obligées de violer le droit de sauvetage inscrit dans le droit maritime international. Est-ce un appel à laisser les gens se noyer lorsque l'assistance humanitaire aux réfugiés est bloquée via des lois? Nous autres, nous devons nous mobiliser et nous élever contre une telle situation qui va à l'encontre de nos valeurs. Car tout être humain a le droit de fuir et d'être accueilli dignement.

Catch-the-eye procedure

Catch-the-eye procedure

Στέλιος Κυμπουρόπουλος (PPE). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, βλέπω ότι βρισκόμαστε πάλι ενώπιον μιας προσπάθειας εργαλειοποίησης του μεταναστευτικού, με στόχο να πλήξει την πατρίδα μου, την Ελλάδα. Μια χώρα η οποία με αυστηρή —αλλά δίκαιη— μεταναστευτική πολιτική προστατεύει τα εξωτερικά της και άλλα ευρωπαϊκά σύνορα, σώζοντας παράλληλα χιλιάδες ανθρώπινες ζωές. Και το λέω κατηγορηματικά: οι ενέργειες της κυβέρνησης, όπως το μητρώο οργανώσεων που υλοποιούν δράσεις στον τομέα της μετανάστευσης, είναι σε πλήρη συμμόρφωση με την ευρωπαϊκή νομοθεσία. Το μητρώο επιτρέπει στο ελληνικό κράτος να διασφαλίζει ότι αυτές οι ΜΚΟ παρέχουν όντως τις υπηρεσίες που ισχυρίζονται ότι παρέχουν, διασφαλίζοντας έτσι την ασφάλεια και τα ανθρώπινα δικαιώματα των προσφύγων και των μεταναστών. Επιτρέπει δε στις ελληνικές αρχές να ενημερώνονται πλήρως για τη νομιμότητα των ενεργειών τους, όπως συμβαίνει σε οποιοδήποτε άλλο νομικό ή φυσικό πρόσωπο δραστηριοποιείται στην ελληνική επικράτεια. Αντί να κατηγορούμε, λοιπόν, τις χώρες πρώτης υποδοχής, όπως η Ελλάδα, ας επικεντρωθούμε στην εξεύρεση μιας πραγματικής ευρωπαϊκής λύσης, η οποία θα διέπεται από την αρχή της αλληλεγγύης και θα εξασφαλίζει δίκαιο και μόνιμο επιμερισμό ευθυνών μεταξύ των κρατών μελών.

Στέλιος Κυμπουρόπουλος (PPE).

Domènec Ruiz Devesa (S&D). – Señor presidente, veinticuatro cooperantes humanitarios en la isla de Lesbos acusados de facilitar la inmigración ilegal en Europa, un caso que un estudio de este Parlamento calificó como el más grande caso de criminalización de Europa y para el que la Oficina del Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para los Derechos Humanos pidió la retirada de los cargos.

Domènec Ruiz Devesa (S&D).

Y este no es el único caso, desgraciadamente. Ahora vemos como el Gobierno de derecha dura italiano intenta obstaculizar con este decreto las actividades de las ONG que ayudan en el mar. No se trata de regular nada sino de hacer más difícil su labor y de complicarla. Y también vemos que otros Gobiernos, además, lo que hacen es practicar devoluciones en caliente, devoluciones forzadas. Lo hemos visto en Grecia, lo hemos visto en Croacia, lo vemos en Polonia.

Por tanto, señora comisaria, la Comisión tiene que actuar. El Derecho de la Unión Europea está siendo violado por estas autoridades y por estos Gobiernos, tanto en la criminalización de las ONG —que es un problema de Estado de Derecho— como en el tema de las devoluciones forzadas sistemáticas. Por favor, actúen abriendo el procedimiento de infracción del Derecho de la Unión.

Karen Melchior (Renew). – Mr President, thank you for giving me the floor again. I would have wished that the Member States and the Council Presidency were here this evening. I would wish that they had listened to Commissioner Johansson in her introduction because there we have all of the solution.

Karen Melchior (Renew).

But the Member States are not here, and for more than a decade they have not acted. Today, we have listened to colleagues holding up legislation as a shield and defending the criminalisation of humanitarian assistance. We need to save lives at sea. It is an international obligation and it is a tradition for seamen at sea.

Barry Andrews underlined that rescue at sea does not pull people out to sea. What pushes people out to sea is a lack of legal pathways. We must act now and agree on this migration package so that we can stop people dying in the Mediterranean. And we must not criminalise the humanitarian organisations that are filling the gaps that the Member States are leaving open.

Janina Ochojska (PPE). – Panie Wiceprzewodniczący! Po pierwsze popieram słowa mojej poprzedniczki, nie chcę się powtarzać. Jestem osobą, która stworzyła pierwszą polską organizację humanitarną i przez 30 lat pracowałam w najróżniejszych krajach, nie chcę tu wyliczać. Chcę powiedzieć, że pomaganie jest legalne i że gdybyśmy mieli miarę tego, jak rządy poddają się korupcji i porównali to z organizacjami pozarządowymi, to jestem pewna, że wynik wypadłby na korzyść organizacji. Bo to są najczęściej bardzo ideowi ludzie i oskarżanie ich i kryminalizowanie, tak jak to robi rząd polski kryminalizujący organizacje na granicy białoruskiej, to jest zaprzeczanie podstawowym wartościom Unii Europejskiej.

Janina Ochojska (PPE).

(End of catch-the-eye procedure)

(End of catch-the-eye procedure)

Ylva Johansson,
  Member of the Commission. – Mr President, thank you very much for this important debate. Today is 18 January. It's the very beginning of the year but, according to IOM, already we have seen 30 lives lost in the Mediterranean.

Ylva Johansson,

Member of the Commission

Rescuing people is always both a legal and moral obligation. Many are involved in saving lives at sea – navy and coast guards, but also fishing boats and merchant vessels who help people in need, and NGO vessels also play an important role. Humanitarian assistance to save lives should never be criminalised. The Commission will continue to follow closely practical and legislative developments in all Member States to make sure they stick to European norms.

Let me finish now as I started, by saying that we need to do everything to prevent people from embarking on dangerous journeys in the first place by stepping up the fight against smugglers and working together with our partners along the migratory routes – those that are already preventing tens of thousands of departures every year, effectively saving lives.

But that is not enough. We need to invest in more and broader legal pathways: migration for work and legal pathways for refugees through resettlement and also humanitarian admission. And what we need most of all – and I would like to thank those who stressed this in this debate – is an agreement on the pact. We need a true European legislation and a true European legislative framework for an orderly and humane migration and asylum system. I call on you all again to reach an agreement before the end of this mandate. I know we can do this.

President. – The debate is closed.

President. –

25.   Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (debate)

25.1.   Humanitarian consequences of the blockade in Nagorno-Karabakh

Sēdes vadītājs. – Nākamais darba kārtības punkts ir debates par pieciem rezolūciju priekšlikumiem attiecībā uz Kalnu Karabahas blokādes radītajām humanitārajām sekām (2023/2504(RSP)) (*1).

Sēdes vadītājs. –

*1

Marina Kaljurand,
  author. – Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, on 15 December last year I made a statement as the Chair of the Delegation for Relations with South Caucasus, expressing concern by the actions of the Azerbaijani state authorities and purported environmental protesters. I urged the Azerbaijani authorities to end the blockade of the Lachin corridor and fulfil its obligations under the trilateral statement of 9 November 2020.

Marina Kaljurand,

author

More than a month has passed and Azerbaijani inaction has led to a severe humanitarian crisis, including one death. 120 000 Armenians live under effective blockade. Hundreds of families remain separated. People are deprived of essential goods and services. Children do not go to school.

Recently we witnessed a new wave of high-level inflammatory rhetoric calling to discriminate against Armenians and urging them either to take Azerbaijani citizenship or to leave Nagorno-Karabakh. These statements and inaction are inappropriate for a state that considers itself the EU's reliable partner.

I urge the Azerbaijani side to respect its international commitments, to end the blockade of the Lachin corridor and humanitarian crisis, to provide unimpeded access of international organisations to Nagorno-Karabakh and to start negotiations on a comprehensive peace agreement that must guarantee all rights and security to the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh.

I would like to thank the co-authors of the resolution and encourage the House to adopt the resolution unanimously.

Finally, I would like to conclude on a personal note and address Azerbaijani officials who have started a witch-hunt against me personally. I want to tell you that you will neither frighten me nor silence me. Your attacks expose your weakness. You have gone below low. But I will not go low. I will follow Michelle Obama's example. When you go low, I go high.

Nathalie Loiseau,
  auteure. – Monsieur le Président, 38. Cela fait 38 jours que 120 000 Arméniens du Haut-Karabakh sont coupés du monde, que la nourriture comme les médicaments viennent à manquer, que les familles sont séparées. 38 jours, mais en vérité, bien davantage, au point que les mots n'ont plus de sens. La Russie prétend maintenir la paix dans le corridor de Latchine. En réalité, ses soldats sont inertes et depuis des années la seule chose que maintient la Russie, c'est un conflit empoisonné.

Nathalie Loiseau,

auteure

L'Azerbaïdjan assure qu'il n'y a pas de blocus, juste la présence spontanée de militants écologistes. Est-ce pour cela que l'armée est venue les épauler? Le président Aliev prétend traiter les populations du Haut-Karabakh comme il traite tous les habitants de l'Azerbaïdjan. Mais sur quelle partie de son territoire impose-t-il un blocus à son peuple? Il vient de déclarer: ceux qui ne veulent pas vivre dans le Haut-Karabakh en tant que citoyens de l'Azerbaïdjan peuvent sortir. C'est donc plus qu'un blocus qu'il impose, plus qu'un chantage auquel il se livre, c'est un nettoyage ethnique auquel il aspire.

Et nous, Européens, que faisons-nous? Rien. Pire que rien, en fait. Une déclaration piteuse de l'envoyé spécial de l'Union européenne par laquelle il rassure Bakou: nos observateurs n'ont rien à voir avec ce qui se passe dans le corridor de Latchine. J'ai honte. J'ai honte que la présidente de la Commission ait qualifié de partenaire fiable un pays qui organise sciemment une catastrophe humanitaire. J'observe les dirigeants de l'Union européenne imiter les trois singes chinois, pressés de ne rien voir, de ne rien entendre et de ne rien dire. Ne nous y trompons pas, chers collègues, ce ne sont pas les symboles de notre sagesse, seulement ceux de notre lâcheté.

Viola von Cramon-Taubadel,
  author. – Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, violence only promotes more violence. The best time to end the century-old hate in Nagorno-Karabakh was 30 years ago. The second best time is now.

Viola von Cramon-Taubadel,

author

Why should the Caucasus be a land of hostility when it can be a land of prosperity? Imagine all the possibilities. A train running from Baku to Yerevan and beyond, old friends who became enemies becoming friends again, investments flowing freely and fairly and prosperity built on the solid ground of cooperation, not hate.

For this to happen, 120 000 Armenians who endure an inhuman blockade must be allowed to live in peace and without fear of ethnic cleansing. Azerbaijanis who were too forced to flee should be allowed to return to their homes peacefully.

An honest peace deal can never be brokered by Russia. Russia creates chaos only to benefit from it. Instead, the EU can and should bring sustainable peace to both countries, because it is our European value and interest to see a peaceful and prosperous Caucasus.

Bert-Jan Ruissen,
  auteur. – Voorzitter, de situatie in Nagorno-Karabach wordt met de dag schrijnender. Tekorten aan voedsel en medicijnen, stroomstoringen, rantsoenering van levensmiddelen, en dat alles door de aanhoudende blokkade van de Laçın-corridor door zogenaamde milieuactivisten. Dat ondertussen Azerbeidzjan hier achter zit, is overduidelijk. Recent nog voerde Azerbeidzjan aanvallen uit op soeverein Armeens grondgebied. Dit alles moet stoppen.

Bert-Jan Ruissen,

auteur

Nu overduidelijk is dat Rusland het bestand van 2020 niet meer handhaaft, moeten wij onze verantwoordelijkheid nemen door meer Europese waarnemers te sturen naar het gebied, meer druk uit te oefenen op de regering van Bakoe en door actief aan te sturen op de-escalatie en het starten van vredesbesprekingen, met duidelijke garanties voor de rechten en de veiligheid van de Armeense bevolking in Nagorno-Karabach. Noch de Kaukasus noch de EU is gebaat bij nieuw wapengekletter in de regio.

Martina Michels,
  Verfasserin. Herr Präsident, meine Damen und Herren! Ja, wir sind uns einig, dass wir die Blockade Bergkarabachs durch Aserbaidschan verurteilen. Aber schon 2020 befanden Analysten und das Rote Kreuz, dass der Waffenstillstand – vom ungeklärten Gefangenenaustausch bis zu den aserbaidschanisch-türkischen Siegesfeiern in Baku – kaum eine Konfliktlösung einleitete.

Martina Michels,

Verfasserin

Ja, die russischen Truppen sichern den Latschin-Korridor nicht. Die frierenden und hungernden Menschen in Bergkarabach hoffen auf eine Luftbrücke, egal, ob von Russland oder der EU. Die EU sollte schleunigst unangemessenes bothsiding, Doppelstandards und Selbstbetrug aus ihrem diplomatischen Arsenal streichen. Denn jeder weiß: Das Gas aus Aserbaidschan hat russische Anteilseigner. Jeder weiß, dass Aserbaidschan diesen Konflikt nicht erst seit dem 12. Dezember eskaliert.

bothsiding

Wenn also unsere Kommissionspräsidentin und Josep Borrell abends in den Spiegel sehen wollen, muss diese humanitäre Katastrophe gemeinsam mit der OSZE und den UN sofort beendet werden. Europäische Zurückhaltung wegen möglicher Gaslieferungen aus Aserbaidschan wäre beschämend.

Robert Hajšel,
  on behalf of the S&D Group. – Mr President, dear Commissioner, the ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor, which is the only way to connect Armenian people from Nagorno-Karabakh with the Republic of Armenia, is deeply worrying. The EU has to call on Azerbaijan to take all measures to allow the free movement of people and humanitarian goods through this corridor.

Robert Hajšel,

on behalf of the S&D Group

The humanitarian situation in the region, already aggravated by a disruption of the gas supplies, further worsens and can soon be transformed into a humanitarian catastrophe if the blockade does not end immediately. Around 120 000 people don't have access to essential goods and services such as medication, food and fuel.

We have to strongly condemn the blockade of the Lachin Corridor and urgently call on Azerbaijan's authorities and the peacekeeping forces deployed in the region to respect and implement the trilateral statements from 2020 and to ensure that access through the corridor remains open.

We know that both countries, and especially Armenia, are far from being satisfied with the implementation of the 2020 ceasefire. They should undertake genuine negotiation to find a sustainable and peaceful settlement that would ensure fair and lasting peace and stability in the region. But in the meantime, the Lachin Corridor needs to be reopened now.

Klemen Grošelj,
  on behalf of the Renew Group. – Mr President, the blockade of the Lachin corridor has humanitarian as well as geopolitical consequences for the stability and security of the Southern Caucasus.

Klemen Grošelj,

on behalf of the Renew Group

Azerbaijan's aggression on sovereign Armenian territory, in combination with the Nagorno-Karabakh blockade, are following the pattern we have witnessed in the past in the Balkan wars and also in the tragic war of Russian aggression in Ukraine. With these acts Azerbaijan is in breach of the UN Charter and preventing any possibility for a comprehensive peace agreement, which must guarantee the rights and security of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, the return of all displaced people and the liberation of detainees in order to ensure lasting peace between the two nations.

This is why Azerbaijan must immediately reopen the Lachin corridor to enable freedom of movement and ensure access to essential goods and services, release all detainees and fully withdraw its armed forces from Armenian sovereign territory. At the same time, the international community should negotiate the replacement of Russian peacekeepers with international peacekeepers under the UN mandate.

Markéta Gregorová,
  on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. – Mr President, dear colleagues, the problem is quite clear: the current blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh leads to many people being left without the basic needs, causing a severe medical situation, risking starvation and endangering any agreed commitments. Whatever the reasons for the blockade, no protests should deny Nagorno-Karabakh residents their access to freedom of movement and necessary goods.

Markéta Gregorová,

on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

Moreover, in line with its commitments, it is Azerbaijan's responsibility to ensure that the Lachin corridor strategic road remains open, whether genuine environmental concerns exist. I insist that Azerbaijan refrains from undermining the corridors functioning and allows for the unhindered movement of goods and civilians. And I urge both countries that only continuous peaceful dialogue without sabotaging can lead to consistent peace.

Εμμανουήλ Φράγκος,
  εξ ονόματος της ομάδας ECR. – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, αν υπήρχαν φυσικά φαινόμενα —φωτιές, σεισμοί, πλημμύρες— θα είχε υπάρξει μια αερογέφυρα διάσωσης. Βλέπουμε τον απάνθρωπο βασανισμό 120 χιλιάδων ανθρώπων. Χρειαζόμαστε διασωστική πρωτοβουλία. Χαίρομαι που η πλειοψηφία του Σώματος αναγνωρίζει και καταγγέλλει το αζερικό σχέδιο. Η αζερική δικτατορία φυλακίζει ή σιγάζει τους Αζέρους αντιφρονούντες. Αν υπήρχε δημοκρατικό καθεστώς που θα σεβόταν τα δικαιώματα των Αρμενίων, ίσως η ιστορική εξέλιξη να ήταν διαφορετική. Όμως το Αζερμπαϊτζάν δίνει σήμερα στους Αρμένιους του Ναγκόρνο Καραμπάχ τρεις επιλογές: ή να εγκαταλείψουν τις πατρογονικές εστίες τους ή να παραδοθούν στο Αζερμπαϊτζάν και να εγκαταλείψουν την ταυτότητά τους ή να παραδοθούν και να έχουν την τύχη των Αρμενίων της Τουρκίας του 1919. Αν θέλουμε να λεγόμαστε άνθρωποι, η διάσωση των Αρμενίων με αερογέφυρα παροχής ανθρωπιστικής βοήθειας είναι το ελάχιστο που οφείλουμε να κάνουμε μέχρι το τέλος της εβδομάδας.

Εμμανουήλ Φράγκος,

εξ ονόματος της ομάδας ECR

Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI). – Mr President, in Nagorno-Karabakh, the guns are currently silent, yet the war is far from being over.

Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).

Indeed, after the previous criminal attack to Armenia, we are now seeing one of the worst sides of the war, with a hateful blockade since 30 days of the Lachin corridor from fake Azeri eco-activists that are putting the lives of thousands of people, of children, of women and fragile persons at risk, not due to bombings or gunshots but to starvation and hindered access to medicines. We must seriously step up our force for stopping these atrocities.

First, our monitoring mission should have the mandate to enter the Lachin corridor immediately to verify what is happening on the ground. Yerevan has already granted access to its territories, and we demand Baku do the same without any further delay. Then we must be proactive in ensuring that the affected population receives the necessary humanitarian supplies, organising immediate relief to the region.

If the Baku regime denies access, we have to stand ready for adopting a set of adequate, strong sanctions targeting those responsible for these atrocities. Dear colleagues, in this context, any attempt to undermine access to food amounts to a war crime. We have loudly denounced that in Ukraine, and we must reaffirm that in the same way in Nagorno-Karabakh. When the lives of people are at risk, there is no space, not even a single inch, for double standards.

Catch-the-eye procedure

Catch-the-eye procedure

Peter van Dalen (PPE). – Voorzitter, de blokkade van de Laçın-corridor is een schandaal. Meer dan honderdduizend mensen hebben nu geen voedsel meer, geen medicijnen. Zieken kunnen niet meer getransporteerd worden. Gas en elektra zijn ook al afgesloten. En dit schandaal komt mede door de Europese Unie. Mevrouw Von der Leyen heeft een gasdeal gesloten met de dictator in Bakoe en die voelt zich nu gesterkt om hier de bulldog uit te hangen.

Peter van Dalen (PPE).

Dit moet mevrouw Vălean duidelijk mee terugnemen naar huis. Stop met die gasdeal! Die gasdeal moet kappen, want die moedigt Azerbeidzjan alleen maar aan. Verder moeten we een luchtbrug openen naar het getroffen gebied en de mensen in Nagorno-Karabach helpen. En ten slotte sancties tegen Azerbeidzjan. Er is geen dialoog mogelijk met de dictator in Bakoe. Alleen sancties zullen hem weer in zijn hok krijgen.

Costas Mavrides (S&D). – Mr President, for over a month the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia and the outer world has been blocked by self-proclaimed environmentalists from Azerbaijan, joined now with Azerbaijani military personnel.

Costas Mavrides (S&D).

This blockade has led to a severe humanitarian crisis for over 120 000 Armenians, who stay there with no food, no fuel, no medication – and they call that their home for over 2 000 years. This humanitarian crisis was further aggravated by the disruption of the natural gas supply.

This may be another resolution in the European Parliament, but we have another crime committed by Azerbaijanis in the making. For over 120 000 residents in Nagorno-Karabakh – including 30 000 children and 20 000 elderly – with no food, no medicine, no schooling this debate may be their only window for salvation.

Jordi Solé (Verts/ALE). – Mr President, blocking access to Nagorno-Karabakh and depriving 120 000 Armenians living there of access to essential goods is an act of barbarism. Doing so under the disguise of alleged environmental NGOs is an act of cynicism. And doing it by cutting off the Lachin corridor is a mockery to the trilateral ceasefire statement of 9 November 2020.

Jordi Solé (Verts/ALE).

People in Artsakh have the right to live in peace, dignity and security in their own places. It's time to reach a peace agreement that guarantees the rights and security of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh and settles its final status, taking into account the will of their own people. The EU should step up its involvement to reach such a final deal.

Silvia Sardone (ID). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, l'Unione europea ha dimenticato le sofferenze del popolo armeno e ignora la crisi umanitaria nel Nagorno Karabakh.

Silvia Sardone (ID).

Nessuno considera la situazione dei 120 000 armeni che vivono lì. Stanno chiudendo asili e scuole materne perché non c'è alcuna possibilità di offrire pasti ai bambini. I beni di prima necessità stanno finendo, i supermercati sono quasi vuoti, non ci sono più medicine, idem il carburante e anche gli ospedali sono in difficoltà. Fino a quando gli abitanti di questa zona potranno resistere?

È inaccettabile questa situazione, questa continua persecuzione nei confronti degli armeni, che sono dimenticati in quanto deboli di fronte all'alleanza Azerbaigian-Turchia. È ora che l'Unione europea abbia il coraggio di difendere questa popolazione e di chiedere il rispetto dei diritti umani con parole forti di condanna.

Miriam Lexmann (PPE). – Mr President, dear colleagues, for over a month now, an Aliyev regime-sponsored group who pretend to be environmental activists are blocking the corridor between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. As a result, the humanitarian situation is becoming dire. Basic food and medicine are running out and even fuel is in short supply. Many lives are in danger.

Miriam Lexmann (PPE).

The strategy of the dictatorship in Baku is clear. However, also we bear responsibility for this situation. For years we have neglected the Caucasus region. Because of our energy deals, we have even shut our eyes to the human rights situation in Azerbaijan and Aliyev's aggression against Armenia.

In this time, we need to invest in serious diplomatic effort to help solve this decades-long conflict, work with our partners to establish an international peacekeeping mission and provide immediate humanitarian aid.

(End of catch-the-eye procedure)

(End of catch-the-eye procedure)

Adina-Ioana Vălean,
  Member of the Commission. – Mr President, honourable Members of the European Parliament, the EU has been closely following developments around the Lachin corridor since the beginning of December 2022.

Adina-Ioana Vălean,

Member of the Commission

In a statement issued on 13 December, the EU called on the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure freedom and security of movement along the corridor, in line with commitments deriving from the trilateral statement of 9 November 2020. Restrictions to such freedom of movement are causing significant distress among the local population. The EU is increasingly alarmed about the negative humanitarian impact resulting from the lack of food, medicine and other essential goods and medical services, in addition to regular disruptions to energy supplies and telecommunications.

The EU's humanitarian funding for 2022 amounts to EUR 3.6 million that has been entirely given to the ICRC, being the only partner on the ground able to access Nagorno-Karabakh. The programme focuses on two areas for its intervention: economic security, which includes programmes to provide conflict-affected people with material and financial support to help them meet their basic needs; second, actions against weapon contamination, with programmes to ensure conflict-affected people are aware of the dangers posed by mines and the explosive remnants of the war and how to safely behave around these.

The current situation is not sustainable and creates tensions that run contrary to the much-needed confidence-building efforts. The EU reiterates that other concerns can and should be addressed through dialogue and consultations with the parties involved. It calls for a return to negotiation and for the mounting pressure on the civilian population to cease without further delay. The EU stands ready to contribute to all efforts to build confidence and to address concerns through facilitation and dialogue.

Sēdes vadītājs. – Debates ir slēgtas. Balsošana notiks rītdien.

Sēdes vadītājs. –

Rakstiski paziņojumi (171. pants)

Rakstiski paziņojumi (171. pants)

Theresa Muigg (S&D),
  schriftlich. – Seit Jahrzehnten leidet die unschuldige Bevölkerung von Nagorno-Karabakh unter Kriege, Embargos und brutaler Verfolgung. Die Internationale Gesellschaft konnte bis jetzt Armenien und Aserbaidschan nicht überzeugen, den Disput in friedlichen Verhandlungen zu lösen. Das armenische Volk leidet bis heute. Es ist Zeit, dass die internationale Gemeinschaft, insbesondere wir, die Europäische Union, endlich unsere Augen öffnen, und effektive Schritte unternehmen, um weiteres Leiden der Zivilisten zu verhindern. Jene, die die Menschenrechte verletzen, und den Frieden bedrohen, müssen mit internationalen Maßnahmen und Sanktionen konfrontiert werden. In Artsakh sollte ab sofort eine internationale humanitäre Luftbrücke organisiert werden, die Lebensmittel und andere lebensnotwendige Güter an die lokale Bevölkerung liefert und diejenigen evakuiert, deren Leben in Gefahr ist.

Theresa Muigg (S&D),

schriftlich

25.2.   The storming of the Brazilian democratic institutions

Sēdes vadītājs. – Nākamais darba kārtības punkts ir debates par pieciem rezolūciju priekšlikumiem attiecībā uz ielaušanos Brazīlijas demokrātiskajās iestādēs (2023/2505(RSP)) (*2).

Sēdes vadītājs. –

*2

Maria-Manuel Leitão-Marques,
  autora. – Senhor Presidente, não vamos deixar que a democracia escape das nossas mãos. Foram essas as palavras do presidente Lula da Silva já no Palácio do Planalto, depois de receber o apoio dos governadores de todos os Estados brasileiros, do Presidente do Congresso, dos Juízes do Supremo Tribunal Federal, no rescaldo dos inaceitáveis ataques de 8 de janeiro.

Maria-Manuel Leitão-Marques,

autora

A este inesperado momento de convergência alargada da sociedade brasileira, juntaram-se as declarações de vários líderes mundiais e da comunidade internacional. O jogo de imitação que os movimentos pró-Bolsonaro fizeram do ataque do Capitólio nos Estados Unidos revela-se uma repetição de métodos similares de extrema-direita.

O não reconhecimento do resultado de eleições democráticas, a criação e disseminação de informação falsa através de redes sociais, que potenciam posições extremistas, e o uso destas plataformas para organizar e incentivar este tipo de eventos tornaram-se num contagioso vírus antidemocrático que urge repudiar.

E a Europa não está imune a ele. Esta situação é mais uma que nos mostra a importância de uma colaboração alargada, a nível global, em torno da regulação necessária para garantir um modelo democrático digital.

Caros colegas, quando vi nas reportagens televisivas serem vandalizados o quadro das mulatas de Di Cavalcanti ou a bandeira do Brasil de Jorge Eduardo, que já tive o gosto de visitar, senti que este ataque não foi só às instituições democráticas, foi uma inaceitável violação da cultura e memória do Brasil, que me deixou profundamente chocada.

É agora importante que prossigam as investigações, identificando os seus autores diretos, mas também todos aqueles que por detrás instigaram e financiaram estes acontecimentos.

Sabemos como a impunidade corrói as sociedades democráticas. Espero que esta resolução conjunta e a convergência de posições que esteve na sua origem, e agradeço a todos que para ela contribuíram, seja a clara demonstração de solidariedade deste Parlamento para com o Governo brasileiro e o seu Presidente legitimamente eleito, Lula da Silva.

Samira Rafaela,
  author. – Mr President, it's obvious: democracy is under attack worldwide. And let us begin with condoning the storming of the democratic institutions in Brazil, because that is awful and that is really bad for our democracy worldwide.

Samira Rafaela,

author

What I see here is a pattern. The US Capitol, the prevented attack of the German Bundestag and now Brazil. This is a pattern; this is a dangerous trend. And what I also see here is that it's the anti-democratic Trump playbook to undermine our democratic values. That's what is happening here.

We need to prevent that these damaging strategies are basically implemented here in Europe. By protecting other democracies, we are protecting ourselves. And this is why we need to enforce strong legislation. Take, for example, the Digital Services Act. But we also need to develop new legislation to make sure that fascism, extremism cannot spread around and that we prevent radicalisation.

It is not the question if it happens here in Europe. But I believe that nowadays it's the question when will it happen in Europe? And that's a very confronting question. So, we should support Lula and his government and the democratic institutions in Brazil. We need to support the investigation that's now going on in Brazil. And we need to cooperate with our democratic allies in the world to make sure this will not happen to other democracies any more.

Anna Cavazzini,
  author. – Mr President, dear colleagues, if you play with fire next to a haystack, don't be surprised if the thing catches fire. If you spread lies for months and months about the electoral system that is broken and the elections that will be stolen, don't act like you're surprised if those democratic institutions are literally catching fire. So I say to you, Jair Bolsonaro, that the storming of the democratic institutions in Brasília is your personal responsibility, with your attacks on democracy and its defenders, with your lies, with your spreading of hate and your attempts to divide society.

Anna Cavazzini,

author

Democracies are not only under threat in Brazil, the right wing is also attacking them in the US, in the EU and elsewhere. And the right-wing playbook, like Samira said, is always very similar: they spread fear, anger, fake news with the help of social media platforms built on algorithms, which prefer spreading polarising hate. Let's counter this with our democratic playbook. We need to do everything in our power to strengthen independent media, foster civil society, boost education and regulate big platforms here and in Brazil.

Today, we in the European Parliament stand in full solidarity with the democratically elected government in Brazil, and in full solidarity with all the Brazilians who are defending democracy.

Marisa Matias,
  autora. – Senhor Presidente, o ataque vivido violentamente pela extrema-direita às instituições democráticas em Brasília, de 8 de janeiro, insere-se num fenómeno mais global.

Marisa Matias,

autora

Há um ano foi o Capitólio e agora foi Brasília. Trump e Bolsonaro andam de mãos dadas na mesma luta pela destruição da democracia.

Apoiamos, por isso, fortemente, os esforços para garantir que uma investigação rápida, imparcial, séria e eficaz, a fim de identificar, processar e responsabilizar todos os envolvidos, incluindo os instigadores, organizadores e financiadores, bem como as omissões de instituições estatais que não agiram para prevenir estes ataques.

Apoiamos também e somos profundamente solidários com o presidente Lula da Silva, eleito democraticamente, e com o seu Governo. E estaremos atentos, sabemos perfeitamente que a tentativa de golpe não acabou aqui.

Somos profundamente solidários com o povo brasileiro e todos os que durante anos foram alvo da violência, discriminação, assassinatos e tentativas de desestabilização. Deste lado do mar, estamos prontos para ajudar a arrancar as raízes do bolsonarismo e continuar a semear o alecrim.

Hermann Tertsch,
  Autor. – Señor presidente, aquí todos parecen estar muy de acuerdo. Yo estoy muy de acuerdo en que hay que condenar con toda firmeza la violencia ocurrida en Brasilia el día 8, con el asalto a unos edificios estatales y que representan al Estado democrático de Brasil y todos debemos condenarlo firmemente y esperar que tengan un juicio justo aquellos que realmente participaron en aquello.

Hermann Tertsch,

Autor

Sin embargo, yo no recuerdo a nadie ahora mismo que haya recordado que, en el año 2017, los seguidores de Lula asaltaron e incendiaron tres ministerios en Brasilia —tres ministerios ardieron en Brasilia por seguidores del señor Lula—. El señor Lula fundó el Foro de São Paulo, la gran red narcocomunista que existe en este momento en Iberoamérica y que está incendiando todas las democracias. El señor Lula lo fundó con el señor Castro. El señor Castro no es conocido como un demócrata que llegara al poder, precisamente, de forma pacífica.

A ver si vemos todo con un poquito más de claridad y vemos que la democracia está en peligro en Iberoamérica por el Foro de São Paulo, que Lula fundó —Lula fundó—. Esa es la amenaza fundamental para la democracia allí.

Javi López,
  en nombre del Grupo S&D. – Señor presidente, hoy el Parlamento Europeo quiere mostrar un apoyo total al presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, el presidente electo del país de Brasil, después de unas elecciones justas y libres, y expresar nuestra máxima solidaridad después de un ataque sin precedentes en la democracia de Brasil a las principales instituciones, a los principales poderes del país.

Javi López,

en nombre del Grupo S&D

Un ataque que, además, tiene un mismo patrón: el patrón de la extrema derecha que intenta deslegitimar las instituciones. Igual que las mentiras, la desinformación y las fake news guiaron a la turba en Washington hacia el Capitolio: ha pasado exactamente lo mismo en Brasilia.

fake news

Es el momento de apoyar las investigaciones que hoy se están produciendo en el país. Las investigaciones que buscan responsables y culpables. También respecto de aquellas fuerzas y cuerpos de seguridad que, por acción u omisión, permitieron el ataque. También las investigaciones acerca de la financiación de los manifestantes.

Estamos preparados para colaborar con las nuevas autoridades de Brasil, porque ahora, con Lula, Brasil vuelve al mundo y lo necesita tanto como los brasileños necesitaban que volviera Lula a la presidencia.

Jordi Cañas,
  en nombre del Grupo Renew. – Señor presidente, estamos aquí evidenciando que el Parlamento Europeo denuncia y condena el asalto a las instituciones democráticas en Brasil para apoyar su democracia, para denunciar esa inaceptable violación de las sedes que representan los poderes de la democracia brasileña y, repito, para apoyarla.

Jordi Cañas,

en nombre del Grupo Renew

En Europa conocemos bien qué significa esto. En el año 2018 los separatistas catalanes intentaron asaltar el Parlamento de Cataluña. En Europa vivimos con estupefacción que, en el año 2021, los seguidores de Trump asaltaran el Capitolio norteamericano. Pero no solo tenemos que transmitir palabras de apoyo a la democracia brasileña —que por supuesto—, sino que tenemos que pasar a los hechos. Y los hechos son que tenemos que reforzar nuestras relaciones políticas, de cooperación y económicas con Brasil.

Para ello tenemos un instrumento que es el Acuerdo de Mercosur, que no es un problema —lo que denuncian algunos—, sino que es la solución, porque también para afrontar los retos en la defensa de la democracia es necesario el Acuerdo de Mercosur.

Ana Miranda,
  em nome do Grupo Verts/ALE. – Senhor Presidente, o Brasil saiu às ruas para defender a democracia diante de factos gravíssimos nunca antes vistos na história do Brasil.

Ana Miranda,

em nome do Grupo Verts/ALE

O movimento golpista tentou reverter ilegalmente o resultado da última eleição presidencial, que deu a vitória ao presidente Lula da Silva. Os apoiantes do ex-presidente Bolsonaro invadiram e depredaram os prédios dos três poderes em Brasília, num atentado sem precedentes à democracia brasileira.

O exercício dos direitos e liberdades democráticas deve ocorrer com respeito às instituições democraticamente eleitas. Tal como disse o Presidente Lula, as diferenças políticas não podem justificar atos criminosos ou questionar os resultados das eleições democráticas.

Desde o Parlamento Europeu, quero reiterar a confiança na democracia do Brasil, na força do seu povo, que prevalecerão contra a violência, o fascismo e a extrema-direita, que tanto dano faz à convivência e à paz no mundo.

A democracia voltou ao Brasil. Dizia ontem o Presidente Lula: o Brasil cansou de muita tristeza, de muito ódio e de muita raiva. Lula a presidente, e nós com Lula.

Matteo Gazzini,
  em nome do Grupo ID. – Senhor Presidente, Colegas, hoje eu quero contar uma história para vocês, uma história de um povo, uma história de um país.

Matteo Gazzini,

em nome do Grupo ID

| | Ouviram do Ipiranga as margens plácidas |
| --- | --- |

Ouviram do Ipiranga as margens plácidas

| | De um povo heroico o brado retumbante, |
| --- | --- |

De um povo heroico o brado retumbante,

| | E o sol da liberdade, em raios fúlgidos |
| --- | --- |

E o sol da liberdade, em raios fúlgidos

| | Brilhou no céu da Pátria nesse instante |
| --- | --- |

Brilhou no céu da Pátria nesse instante

| | Se o penhor dessa igualdade |
| --- | --- |

Se o penhor dessa igualdade

| | Conseguimos conquistar com braço forte |
| --- | --- |

Conseguimos conquistar com braço forte

| | Em teu seio, ó liberdade |
| --- | --- |

Em teu seio, ó liberdade

| | Desafia o nosso peito a própria morte |
| --- | --- |

Desafia o nosso peito a própria morte

| | Gigante pela própria natureza |
| --- | --- |

Gigante pela própria natureza

| | És belo, és forte, impávido colosso |
| --- | --- |

És belo, és forte, impávido colosso

| | E o teu futuro espelha essa grandeza |
| --- | --- |

E o teu futuro espelha essa grandeza

| | Ó Terra adorada |
| --- | --- |

Ó Terra adorada

| | Brasil, de amor eterno, seja símbolo |
| --- | --- |

Brasil, de amor eterno, seja símbolo

| | O lábaro que ostentas estrelado |
| --- | --- |

O lábaro que ostentas estrelado

| | E diga o verde-louro dessa flâmula |
| --- | --- |

E diga o verde-louro dessa flâmula

| | Paz no futuro e glória no passado |
| --- | --- |

Paz no futuro e glória no passado

| | Mas, se ergues da justiça a clava forte |
| --- | --- |

Mas, se ergues da justiça a clava forte

| | Verás que um filho teu não foge à luta |
| --- | --- |

Verás que um filho teu não foge à luta

| | Nem teme, quem te adora, a própria morte |
| --- | --- |

Nem teme, quem te adora, a própria morte

| | Terra adorada |
| --- | --- |

Terra adorada

| | Entre outras mil |
| --- | --- |

Entre outras mil

| | És tu, Brasil |
| --- | --- |

És tu, Brasil

| | Ó Pátria amada! |
| --- | --- |

Ó Pátria amada!

Dos filhos deste solo, és mãe gentil

Pátria amada, Brasil!

Deus te abençoe, és mãe gentil.

Manu Pineda,
  en nombre del Grupo The Left. – Señor presidente, celebramos que este Parlamento se posicione con la democracia, condenando rotundamente el ataque fascista de los seguidores de Bolsonaro.

Manu Pineda,

en nombre del Grupo The Left

Seamos claros: el vergonzoso asalto a la democracia en Brasil empezó el 17 de abril del 2017, con el golpe a la presidenta Dilma, y continuó con la campaña de lawfare que llevó injustamente a prisión al presidente Lula.

lawfare

Ambos contaron con el silencio cómplice de la mayoría de esta Cámara. Ese mismo silencio que, lamentablemente, guardan hoy ante la masacre y graves violaciones de derechos humanos que están desangrando al pueblo peruano con más de cincuenta personas asesinadas.

El intento de golpe en Brasil, que hoy condenamos aquí, no es exclusivo del Bolsonarismo. Es la agenda de la derecha cuando no gobierna. Como en el intento de asesinato contra Cristina Kirchner en Argentina o contra el presidente Petro y la vicepresidenta Francia Márquez en Colombia; como el golpe de Estado contra Evo Morales en Bolivia en 2019; o como la permanente guerra sucia que sufren el Gobierno y pueblo venezolano y cubano.

No repitan los errores. Dejen de ignorar que la extrema derecha es incompatible con la democracia, en América Latina y aquí.

Brando Benifei (S&D). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, il gravissimo assalto dei sostenitori di Bolsonaro alle istituzioni brasiliane è purtroppo in continuità con altri episodi in altri paesi.

Brando Benifei (S&D).

Una situazione che si ripete per via di un'ideologia di destra che non vuole accettare il voto popolare. Io sono stato nel 2018 al Forum sociale mondiale a Salvador de Bahia, dove Lula era intervenuto per poi essere incarcerato e colpito da accuse che si sono poi rivelate un grande complotto politico.

Oggi è stato rieletto presidente del Brasile, e lui è la nostra speranza per riunire e riappacificare il popolo brasiliano dopo i disastrosi quattro anni del presidente Bolsonaro. In gioco c'è il futuro del Brasile, di una grande democrazia, ma anche del nostro pianeta, per esempio per la lotta al cambiamento climatico, difendendo e preservando l'Amazzonia, come Bolsonaro non ha saputo fare.

Quindi siamo e dobbiamo essere, come Europa, al fianco di Lula e a fianco del popolo brasiliano che deve poter difendere la propria democrazia.

Katalin Cseh (Renew). – Mr President, the images of Bolsonaro supporters storming Brazil's centre of power were absolutely shocking. This attack was deliberately modelled after the 6 January insurrection in the United States. It was also perpetrated by a far-right mob who refused to accept the results of a democratic election. This attack was also fuelled by unregulated media platforms working as a misinformation machine.

Katalin Cseh (Renew).

Colleagues, we must finally open our eyes to the threat of the far-right authoritarian contagion. It is an interconnected global movement, and we need a global movement to counter it. We need to stand in solidarity with democrats in Brazil and elsewhere, and we also need to help each other. So let's start by a globally coordinated regulation of social media platforms.

We also need to realise that democratic norms breaking down in one country make democracy vulnerable elsewhere, too. And nowhere is this more relevant than in the European Union. In the last decade, the two most rapidly autocratising countries in the world were EU Member States, Poland and Hungary. So in order to help democrats all around the world and to fight the far-right authoritarian contagion, we also need to put our own house in order.

Thomas Waitz (Verts/ALE). – Mr President, thank you Katalin for your speech. What do we actually learn from these events in Brazil? Be aware of strong men: they sell you sweet language and easy solutions. And it's a global phenomenon that we see with Bolsonaro, with Trump, but it can also be observed right here in Europe with Meloni, Salvini, Vučić, Orbán, Austrian Kickl or Swedish Åkesson.

Thomas Waitz (Verts/ALE).

They all say ‘freedom of speech’, but they actually mean ‘only my view is valid’. They say ‘prosperity’, but they actually mean ‘more tax money for friends and big companies’. They say ‘justice’, but they really mean ‘more protection for me, more rights for me and my family, and more privileges for my people’. They say ‘for the people’, but in reality they mean ‘me, myself and I’.

Their only goal is to maintain power, and for this they are willing to cast out people in margins and to use them as scapegoats. They're not afraid to undermine elections and democracy as a whole. This is how fascism begins. We've seen it before and we know where it leads. We must defend our democracies. We must defend our rule of law. We must defend our civil society.

Kein Fußbreit für den Faschismus!

Miguel Urbán Crespo (The Left). – Señor presidente, Bolsonaro fue derrotado en las urnas, pero el bolsonarismo sigue muy vivo en las instituciones y en las calles, como pudimos comprobar recientemente con el asalto trumpista, porque la internacional reaccionaria comparte agenda, discurso y también maneras de actuar. En la derecha hay quien cree que las instituciones le pertenecen y que la democracia es un estorbo para sus intereses. Los responsables intelectuales y los financiadores también tienen que ser juzgados.

Miguel Urbán Crespo (The Left).

Pero más allá de los tribunales, la mejor manera de combatir al bolsonarismo es desmontando su herencia política. Desde Europa podemos dar nuestro apoyo y una buena manera de hacerlo desde este Parlamento es negándonos a firmar un acuerdo comercial como el de Mercosur negociado por Bolsonaro, romper con su herencia.

Brasil necesita una agenda que amplíe derechos, que reparta la riqueza, que construya la democracia popular y que combata la emergencia climática.

VORSITZ: NICOLA BEER

VORSITZ: NICOLA BEER

Vizepräsidentin

Vizepräsidentin

João Albuquerque (S&D). – Senhora Presidente, os ataques simbólicos e efetivos aos três poderes do Brasil foram um acontecimento que só podem merecer o nosso repúdio, tal como merecem da maior parte da população brasileira.

João Albuquerque (S&D).

Mas estes acontecimentos não são só um problema do Brasil, são um problema de clareza e um problema de escolhas.

Um problema de clareza, porque é preciso desmistificar quem está por detrás destes ataques e a forma como a extrema-direita internacional está organizada para atacar as democracias em todo o mundo.

E um problema de escolhas, porque é preciso saber escolher com quem se quer andar e a quem se quer dar a mão.

Deste lado, tal como no outro lado do Atlântico, continuaremos o nosso trabalho para rejeitar qualquer esforço da extrema-direita em atacar a nossa democracia e em garantir que os sistemas e as instituições democráticas continuarão a funcionar.

É com este esforço que continuamos a trabalhar, aqui, como com Lula, no Brasil.

Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (Renew). – Señora presidenta, señora comisaria, el asalto que sufrieron el pasado 8 de enero los tres poderes de Brasil merece nuestra rotunda condena y exige la máxima solidaridad con las nuevas autoridades surgidas de las urnas.

Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (Renew).

Es el segundo intento que un movimiento mundial, reaccionario y violento, hace para imponerse a la voluntad democrática de la ciudadanía. Ya lo intentaron los seguidores de Trump asaltando el Capitolio. Para que a la tercera no sea la vencida, hay que combatir la polarización y el extremismo; hay que fortalecer el pluralismo, creerse de verdad que la diversidad es riqueza y modernizar los mecanismos de participación para que la inmensa mayoría se sienta partícipe y representada en nuestras democracias.

No basta solo con denunciar los algoritmos que envenenan las redes sociales. El camino emprendido con iniciativas como la Conferencia sobre el Futuro de Europa, mejorado y practicado de manera estructural, la escucha activa y productiva, la movilización del conocimiento y, por supuesto, la equidad y la justicia social son el mejor antídoto contra esta plaga; una enfermedad que se propaga mejor en los lugares en los que hay demasiada gente sin nada que perder.

Francisco Guerreiro (Verts/ALE). – Senhora Presidente, a extrema-direita tem um roteiro fanático e violento. E os últimos episódios de invasão de instituições representativas do Estado de direito, tanto nos Estados Unidos como no Brasil, são um exemplo claro desta selvajaria política.

Francisco Guerreiro (Verts/ALE).

Mas este roteiro fanático e violento vive e alimenta-se sobretudo de desinformação, irrealismo e de negacionismo.

E o objetivo é claro: rejeitar eleições democráticas, quando são perdedores, minar a confiança da sociedade civil nas instituições, pintando-se como os salvadores da pátria, e circundar os princípios da liberdade de imprensa, sempre que questionados e criticados.

Porém, e a contraponto, a solução tem que vir do campo progressista. E se há lição a tirar destes recentes atos bárbaros, como o ex-candidato presidencial Ciro Gomes apontou, é que a pacificação da sociedade apenas decorrerá de uma reestruturação profunda do modelo económico e social.

E esta mudança terá que ocorrer também na própria fisionomia das instituições democráticas e expandir-se no debate político de ideias e de propostas.

Jakop G. Dalunde (Verts/ALE). – Fru talman! Vi samlas här i ett parlament i demokratins hus, där vi löser våra problem och motsättningar – inte med våld eller vapen utan genom voteringar. Det är så vi gör i en demokrati.

Jakop G. Dalunde (Verts/ALE).

För några månader sedan befann jag mig på besök i Kiev, Ukraina, i det ukrainska parlamentet. Det var omgärdat med skyddsställningar, med sandsäckar för att försvara detta parlament mot ett yttre hot – ett Ryssland som inte accepterar Ukrainas demokratiska beslut utan vill förändra dessa beslut med våld.

Samma rörelse såg vi angripa den amerikanska kongressen, där högerkrafter, ytterhögerkrafter, inte accepterar demokratiska beslut utan vill ändra dem med våld. Samma sak såg vi i Brasilien.

Jag är rädd för att vi kommer att se ytterligare exempel, också här i Europa, där extremhögern vill förändra demokratiska beslut med våld, och det kan vi inte acceptera.

Spontane Wortmeldungen

Spontane Wortmeldungen

Sandra Pereira (The Left). – Senhora Presidente, as ações de caráter golpista, levadas a cabo pelas forças mais reacionárias e fascistas brasileiras, num processo que tem sido dirigido por Bolsonaro e que atentam contra a democracia do Brasil, merecem a nossa firme e veemente condenação.

Sandra Pereira (The Left).

O principal objetivo deste assalto às instituições federais do Brasil, promovido pelos grandes interesses económicos, alguns setores militares e importantes meios de comunicação social, foi o de desrespeitar a vontade do povo brasileiro, expressa nas urnas, criando as condições que servissem de pretexto para uma intentona golpista e a imposição de um poder de cariz fascista.

É essencial, para a defesa da democracia no Brasil, o cabal apuramento dos factos pelas autoridades brasileiras e a condenação e punição dos responsáveis pela instigação, promoção e participação direta nas ações golpistas e reacionárias.

Daqui reafirmamos a nossa solidariedade a Lula da Silva e a todas as forças democráticas e progressistas brasileiras que se empenham na luta por um Brasil mais justo, democrático, desenvolvido e soberano, que concretize as aspirações do povo brasileiro.

(Ende der spontanen Wortmeldungen)

(Ende der spontanen Wortmeldungen)

Adina-Ioana Vălean,
  Member of the Commission. – Madam President, honourable Members, we were all shocked by the violent attacks against the heart of Brazil's democracy on 8 January. European and world leaders were quick to condemn this unacceptable act of political violence.

Adina-Ioana Vălean,

Member of the Commission

In a statement on behalf of the 27 Member States, we expressed our solidarity with President Lula and our full support for the democratic institutions of Brazil. Last Tuesday, High Representative Borrell also had the opportunity to speak with Foreign Minister Vieira and to express our support.

The EU has reiterated its trust in Brazil's democracy and in the strengths of its institutions. Our conviction is that they will prevail over violence and extremism. The attack on Brazil's core institutions did not start last Sunday. Regrettably, it is the outcome of years of political polarisation, attacks against the judiciary, against the free press and against civil society, further amplified by social media.

This is by no means limited to Brazil. This is a problem for all our democracies and beyond. We are committed to stepping up our strategic partnership with Brazil and to joining forces in the defence and promotion of democracy, rule of law and human rights. We are ready to deepen our cooperation on digital development, including in the field of regulating social media and the fight against disinformation.

These efforts will not be sufficient on their own and need to go hand in hand with addressing lasting inequalities, which are one of the root causes of polarisation. Government, parliament, civil society and businesses each have a role to play in this.

While we applaud the efforts to build unity across the political spectrum, it would be a mistake to assume that we can now go back to business as usual in Brazil and elsewhere. Uniting around democracy requires more than simply condemning violence and extremism. Our political forces carry the responsibility to prevent radicalisation and defend democratic processes on a daily basis, fostering a culture of dialogue and compromise.

Protecting democracy will clearly be a long-term challenge that will call for continuous cooperation with Brazilian democratic institutions and civil society. All of Europe's institutions need to stand together. We highly value the role of the European Parliament in defending democratic values both in the EU and abroad, including through your parliamentary diplomacy.

We want to thank you for organising this debate and we look forward to working with you in reactivating our strategic partnership with Brazil.

Die Präsidentin. – Die Aussprache ist geschlossen.

Die Präsidentin. –

Die Abstimmung findet am Donnerstag, 19. Januar 2023, statt.

25.3.   Situation of journalists in Morocco, notably the case of Omar Radi

Die Präsidentin. – Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über fünf Entschließungsanträge zur Lage von Journalisten in Marokko, insbesondere zum Fall Omar Radi (2023/2506(RSP)) (*3).

Die Präsidentin. –

*3

Thijs Reuten,
  auteur. – Voorzitter, vandaag schrijven we een klein beetje geschiedenis. Voor het eerst in tientallen jaren debatteert het Europees Parlement over Marokko's mensenrechtenschendingen.

Thijs Reuten,

auteur

Zeker nadat Marokko de vreedzame Hirak-protesten in de noordelijke Rifregio hard neersloeg, is de lijst van mensenrechtenschendingen lang geworden. En het houdt niet op. Omar Radi, een fantastisch journalist die de corruptie van de Marokkaanse overheid aan de kaak stelde, is voor zes jaar achter de tralies gezet, onder meer ook voor zijn verslagen over de Hirak Rif. En hij is niet de enige. Nasser Zefzafi, de leider van de Hirak, en andere politieke gevangenen zijn in de gevangenis zelfs gemarteld. Hun misdaad? Opkomen voor meer jobs, betere scholen en goede gezondheidszorg.

En het stopt niet bij de grens. Tot in onze Europese Unie achtervolgt en intimideert Marokko dappere activisten. Zelfs hier in ons Parlement liepen vertegenwoordigers van de Marokkaanse overheid de afgelopen dagen schaamteloos de deur plat. En dat midden in een corruptieschandaal. Het is te bizar voor woorden!

De eisen in onze resolutie zijn snoeihard. Stop nu met die intimidatie en laster tegen journalisten, mensenrechtenactivisten en de diaspora. Laat politieke gevangenen onmiddellijk vrij. Vrijheid voor Nasser Zefzafi, vrijheid voor Omar Radi. De Europese Unie – en ook mijn land, Nederland – moet heel duidelijk begrijpen dat niet migratieafspraken, niet de chantage door Rabat, maar mensenrechten de basis zijn voor de relaties met Marokko. Vandaag een nieuw hoofdstuk voor Marokko én voor Europa. De tijd dat Rabat overal mee wegkwam, is voorbij.

Georgios Kyrtsos,
  author. – Madam President, we call upon the authorities of Morocco to free the independent investigative journalist Omar Radi and stop restricting media freedom.

Georgios Kyrtsos,

author

According to the annual report of Reporters Without Borders, the Moroccan authorities control most media outlets and suppress freedom of opinion and independent reporting. Morocco is ranked 135th out of a total of 180 countries, according to the World Press Freedom Index.

The methodology followed by Moroccan authorities against its critics is completely unacceptable. Morocco's intelligence services use Pegasus to wiretap investigative reporters and then launch legal proceedings against them using or even perverting private data. It is no coincidence that most critics of the Moroccan regime have been condemned for alleged sexual crimes after carefully staged trials that characterise authoritarian regimes.

Moroccan authorities have also acquired the habit of trying to influence Members of the European Parliament and our decision-making process by means that refer to Qatargate.

In the interests of cooperation between EU and Morocco, we call upon the Moroccan authorities to immediately release from prison Omar Radi, other journalists, as well as all prisoners of conscience.

Tineke Strik,
  author. – Madam President, Commissioner, for the first time in 25 years, the human rights situation in Morocco is on the Parliament's agenda. Omar Radi and many other journalists critical of the regime face smear campaigns, arbitrary detention and are convicted in dodgy trials. Peaceful Hirak al-Rif protesters and diaspora activists are systematically harassed and intimidated. Sakharov Prize finalist Nasser Zefzafi is still in prison.

Tineke Strik,

author

With intimidation, blackmail, instrumentalisation of migrants and even bribery of MEPs, Rabat tries to silence critics and cover up the domestic human rights situation – successfully, until now. Let this be a moment of reflection, not only for this Parliament, but also for the Commission and the Member States to critically assess their priorities within their relationship with Morocco. Human rights are universal. If we want to be credible, we cannot be silenced by regimes just because we prioritise our own interests.

Miguel Urbán Crespo,
  autor. – Señora presidenta, más de veinte años y un escándalo de corrupción como el Moroccogate han tenido que pasar para que podamos hablar sobre los derechos humanos en esta Cámara. Hasta ahora, Marruecos ha sido el niño mimado de la política exterior europea.

Miguel Urbán Crespo,

autor

Solo así se entiende que Europa mire hacia otro lado ante la represión de las protestas en el Rif, en las que cientos de personas como Nasser Zefzafi fueron detenidas y torturadas por exigir los derechos más básicos, y ante la criminalización de los periodistas que denuncian esta situación o la corrupción del régimen marroquí, como el caso del periodista Omar Radi, que es un magnífico ejemplo de cómo el régimen marroquí encarcela y espía con programas como Pegasus a periodistas independientes o críticos. Europa no puede seguir siendo cómplice de la violación de los derechos humanos y la libertad de información o de la ocupación del Sáhara.

Por ello debemos exigir la libertad de Omar Radi y del resto de periodistas presos, así como el cese del acoso judicial al periodista español Ignacio Cembrero y la libertad de los presos políticos y de conciencia, especialmente saharauis y rifeños. Mención especial debe hacerse del finalista del Premio Sájarov Nasser Zefzafi.

Debemos pedir el respeto escrupuloso de la libertad de expresión y de prensa y condicionar los fondos europeos al respeto de los derechos humanos y no al control migratorio. Y adoptar con Marruecos las mismas medidas cautelares que con Qatar hasta que se aclare judicialmente la presunta trama de injerencia en este Parlamento.

Hoy podemos mandar un mensaje al pueblo marroquí: que más allá de los cálculos económicos o geoestratégicos, los derechos humanos, la libertad de prensa y la democracia en Marruecos importan y que quienes luchan por conseguirlo en Marruecos nunca estarán solos.

Kathleen Van Brempt,
  namens de S&D-Fractie. – Voorzitter, het Europees Parlement – en laat me zeggen, de S&D-Fractie in het bijzonder – zal schendingen van mensenrechten blijven aankaarten binnen Europa, wereldwijd en dus ook in Marokko.

Kathleen Van Brempt,

namens de S&D-Fractie

De veroordeling en opsluiting van Omar Radi is geen alleenstaand geval. Hij past in een rij van politiek gemotiveerde veroordelingen die het gemunt hebben op mensenrechtenactivisten, journalisten en leiders van de Hirak Rif. Finalist voor de Sacharovprijs Nasser Zefzafi – en ik heb er een klein aandeel in, samen met vele collega's, om hem genomineerd te krijgen – zit vandaag na zoveel jaar nog steeds als politiek gevangene opgesloten in een Marokkaanse gevangenis. Dit omdat hij vreedzaam opkwam voor de mensenrechten in de Rif en kritiek leverde op het regime. Dat is onaanvaardbaar.

Ik roep de collega's van de Commissie op om de situatie van de mensenrechten en de onvoorwaardelijke vrijlating van alle politieke gevangenen, onder wie Nasser Zefzafi en Omar Radi, bij élk gesprek met de Marokkaanse overheid op tafel te leggen. Respect voor de mensenrechten is een fundament waarop de EU-Marokko-relaties gebaseerd zijn.

Salima Yenbou,
  au nom du groupe Renew. – Madame la Présidente, Omar Radi, Hajar et Soulaimane Raissouni, Taoufik Bouachrine, voilà quelques noms de ceux dont les droits à une justice équitable sont bafoués au Maroc pour leur travail de journaliste. Allégations d'espionnage, de blanchiment d'argent, de viols ou encore d'adultère réservé aux seules femmes: Human Rights Watch l'a montré, c'est un véritable arsenal de techniques répressives qui est utilisé systématiquement par les autorités marocaines pour faire taire toute voix dissonante.

Salima Yenbou,

au nom du groupe Renew

L'État marocain a tenté de réfuter les arguments de notre résolution. Alors quoi? Nous devrions les croire et jeter à la poubelle le rapport de 150 pages de Human Rights Watch, les rapports de Reporters sans frontières, du Comité de protection des journalistes, de l'Association marocaine des droits humains, de l'Association féministe marocaine Khmissa et d'Amnesty International?

Je le répète, la garantie de la liberté et de la pluralité de la presse est vitale à notre démocratie. Peuple marocain, journalistes, défenseurs des droits humains, je suis à vos côtés dans ce combat pour la liberté et, comme le chante Soolking: ‘La liberté, nous, ça nous fait pas peur’.

Jordi Solé,
  au nom du groupe Verts/ALE. – Madame la Présidente, le Maroc s'est engagé à faire des progrès en matière de droits humains, mais dans certains domaines, ces progrès ne se font pas sentir. C'est le cas de la liberté de la presse et des actes d'intimidation dont sont victimes les journalistes critiques du gouvernement, à travers des campagnes de diffamation et de harcèlement judiciaire ou par des méthodes de surveillance illicites telles que Pegasus, y inclus contre des journalistes européens, comme Ignacio Cembrero.

Jordi Solé,

au nom du groupe Verts/ALE

Les cas que nous dénonçons aujourd'hui sont des exemples de la façon dont on discrédite les journalistes et détruit leur réputation par l'utilisation abusive d'accusations de harcèlement sexuel, entérinées dans des procédures judiciaires qui ne respectent pas les normes d'un procès équitable. Nous appelons les autorités marocaines à lever les restrictions à la liberté d'expression qui sont incompatibles avec le droit international et à mettre fin aux tactiques d'intimidation contre les journalistes critiques qui finissent par saper la liberté de la presse.

Thierry Mariani,
  au nom du groupe ID. – (Début de l'intervention hors micro) ... ce discours en disant que nous nous réunissons pour condamner les pratiques d'un pays qui brime les droits de l'homme, oppresse les voix contestataires et participe à la déstabilisation de l'Afrique. Mais alors cela signifierait que nous parlons ici de l'Algérie. Or, la gauche européenne ne condamne jamais l'Algérie et l'Union européenne lui passe tout en espérant son gaz. À la place, nous débattons du Maroc, qui est pourtant un des pivots de notre partenariat stratégique en Afrique. Qu'y a-t-il dans cette résolution? L'affirmation que M. Radi ne serait pas un violeur. Comme chacun d'entre vous, je n'en sais rien.

Thierry Mariani,

au nom du groupe ID

(Début de l'intervention hors micro)

En revanche, à la différence de la majorité de cette assemblée, je ne considère pas que les décisions de la justice marocaine, que les accusations de la victime du viol valent moins que les communiqués d'Amnesty International ou de Human Rights Watch. Le récent exemple des pratiques de l'ONG Fight Impunity devrait d'ailleurs avoir alerté chacun d'entre nous sur le crédit que nous accordons systématiquement aux ONG. Comme les États, elles ont leurs intérêts et leurs limites.

Si M. Radi est victime d'un complot, c'est à ses avocats et au peuple marocain de le démontrer, et ce n'est pas au Parlement européen de s'essuyer les pieds sur la justice marocaine.

Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI). – Signora Presidente, gentile Commissaria, onorevoli colleghi, oggi abbiamo il dovere di sostenere il coraggio dei giornalisti marocchini, che sono stati tra i primi al mondo a denunciare l'uso di spyware contro i reporter e le inquietanti criticità di questa pratica di sorveglianza digitale già nel 2015.

Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).

spyware

Bene aver fatto riferimento al testo del regolamento del dual use: è un passo importante, ma non basta. Dovremmo andare oltre e iniziare a pensare ai software e ai dispositivi di sorveglianza nello stesso modo in cui pensiamo alle esportazioni militari ordinarie, includendoli ogni volta in cui si parla di sanzioni o di embargo delle armi senza sconti e mettere finalmente sanzioni dure, automatiche e dissuasive per gli Stati inadempienti. Se non ora, quando?

dual use

Cari colleghi, questa risoluzione è fondamentale per lanciare, dopo il Qatargate, un forte segnale alle autorità marocchine e prendere le distanze dalla condotta indegna di questa casa, tenuta da alcuni di noi. Il tempo dell'ambiguità, della connivenza, del chiudere un occhio o anche tutti e due è finito. Niente più business as usual. Dobbiamo applicare le stesse norme pensate per il Qatar e non ci faremo intimidire.

business as usual

Dobbiamo chiedere a gran voce la liberazione di Omar Radi, di tutti gli attivisti e giornalisti che si battono per la libertà della società civile marocchina, perché la loro lotta, la lotta per l'indipendenza è anche la nostra lotta. Speriamo di dirlo tutti insieme.

Pedro Marques (S&D). – Senhora Presidente, Senhora Comissária, a prisão de jornalistas e a sua condenação, com base em acusações que, de acordo com reputadas organizações de direitos humanos, são, pelo menos, muito duvidosas, têm sido utilizadas pelas autoridades marroquinas como forma de pressão e intimidação.

Pedro Marques (S&D).

Este tipo de ações é inaceitável para este Parlamento e para a União Europeia; e Marrocos, com quem a União Europeia tem uma relação privilegiada, tem a obrigação de cessar essas e todas as atividades que violam a liberdade de imprensa, a liberdade de expressão e os direitos humanos em geral.

Apelamos, assim, às autoridades marroquinas para que libertem imediatamente os jornalistas detidos num processo de regularização do funcionamento democrático que o povo marroquino merece.

Finalmente, não poderia deixar de me referir às suspeitas de corrupção com origem em Marrocos: a confirmarem-se, terão da parte deste Parlamento uma resposta veemente.

O Grupo dos Socialistas e Democratas estará na linha da frente para exigir sanções contra todos aqueles que procuraram subverter a democracia europeia.

Jordi Cañas (Renew). – Señora presidenta, Marruecos es un socio estratégico de la Unión Europea y, como socio estratégico, debe respetar los acuerdos y los compromisos que adopta.

Jordi Cañas (Renew).

Cuando no lo hace, este Parlamento está en la obligación de recordarle que no puede usar la inmigración para chantajear a un Estado miembro, que no puede espiar a Gobiernos amigos y que no puede sobornar a diputados de este Parlamento para condicionar sus debates. Y, cuando no cumple los derechos humanos, este Parlamento está en obligación de recordarle que no puede violarlos, que no puede perseguir y encarcelar ilegalmente a periodistas marroquís por hacer su trabajo, que no puede acosar a periodistas europeos por denunciar lo que hace el régimen marroquí y, sobre todo, lo que no puede hacer es mirar hacia otro lado mientras todo esto pasa.

Hoy hace más de veinte años que en este Parlamento no se hablaba sobre la situación de los derechos humanos en Marruecos. Ahora sabemos por qué. Pero Marruecos —su Gobierno— tiene que saber que este Parlamento no va a volver a mirar hacia otro lado. Que una buena relación de socios se debe fundamentar en el respeto de los derechos humanos y en el respeto mutuo, por muchas presiones que el Gobierno marroquí haga sobre esta Cámara.

Irena Joveva (Renew). – Gospa predsednica. Pravica do informacij in svoboda izražanja. Zapisani sta v maroški ustavi. Za prazen nič očitno. Novinarke in novinarji so v svojem delovanju izjemno omejeni, prisiljeni v samocenzuro. Pravica do poročanja o korupciji, statusu monarhije in statusu Zahodne Sahare je, milo rečeno, izredno okrnjena. Ker če nihče ne poroča o vladni korupciji, potem ta zagotovo ne obstaja, kajne?

Irena Joveva (Renew).

Medtem maroška vlada navidezno prikazuje pluralizem medijev v državi. V resnici imajo pa samo en neodvisni medij, čigar novinarje nadlegujejo, preganjajo, pogosto neupravičeno aretirajo, jih celo zaprejo na podlagi lažnih obtožb o nezakoniti prekinitvi nosečnosti in spolnih napadih.

Vse to in še več, kar počne maroška vlada, je nezaslišano. Čas je, da EU ne samo jasno obsodi takšna ravnanja, ampak ukrepa še bolj ostro. Naj bo ta resolucija šele začetek. In gospodom, ki zagovarjajo takšne poteze, sporočam: Ne, resolucija ne temelji na prirejenih podatkih in ne bomo tiho in mirno gledali tega, kar počnete.

Spontane Wortmeldungen

Spontane Wortmeldungen

Ana Miranda (Verts/ALE). – Madame la Présidente, le Maroc vit une régression sans précédent. Je dénonce la mise à mal de la liberté de la presse au Maroc et nous demandons la libération de M. Omar Radi, des journalistes marocains, de Nasser Zefzafi, des prisonniers politiques du Rif et des prisonniers politiques du Sahara occidental. Nous dénonçons la constitution du discours intimidateur, la torture et la manque de garanties des prisonniers.

Ana Miranda (Verts/ALE).

La liberté de la presse au Maroc n'existe pas. Ces derniers mois, les services secrets du Maroc ont provoqué l'arrestation de journalistes, de blogueurs, de rappeurs et d'utilisateurs des médias sociaux qui réagissaient à la répression de la dissidence et de la libre opinion de la presse. Je témoigne toute ma solidarité et tout mon support au comité de soutien et aux associations de défense des droits de l'homme au Maroc, ainsi qu'au journaliste espagnol Ignacio Cembrero.

Le style du régime dictatorial du Maroc est la corruption, l'espionnage, l'ingérence et l'intimidation des voix libres, des tactiques qui touchent l'Europe en son cœur. Liberté pour les pétitionnaires. Liberté pour les journalistes. Fin de l'impunité du Maroc.

(Ende der spontanen Wortmeldungen)

(Ende der spontanen Wortmeldungen)

Adina-Ioana Vălean,
  Member of the Commission. – Madam President, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms underpins the strong and strategic partnership the EU has built with Morocco over time and which we are committed to developing even further.

Adina-Ioana Vălean,

Member of the Commission

The EU and Morocco have put in place a trustworthy and open dialogue. Human rights features regularly on the agenda of our discussions, and we do not shy to express our concerns to the Moroccan partners. In particular, freedom of expression, media freedom and the protection of journalists and human rights defenders are an area where we express concern to our Moroccan partners whenever appropriate. This was also the case most recently during the visit of High Representative Borrell to Rabat on 5 and 6 January, where the point was raised with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Bourita.

As the High Representative stressed in his press conference, the EU Morocco partnership is based on values. We attach great importance to the protection of fundamental rights, human rights defenders, fundamental rights such as freedom of the press and freedom of expression and we work together with Morocco on this subject. The work of national and international non-governmental organisations remains therefore of critical importance to assess the situation on the ground in these areas. The EU takes good note of the fact that some NGOs continue to report that more needs to be done to create an enabling environment for the full exercise of freedom of expression.

We also pay special attention to the need to ensure full respect for due process guaranteed for all. Specific institutional fora are the most appropriate framework to raise in a spirit of constructive criticism and further improvement the situation of human rights in Morocco. We have created, under the framework of the EU Morocco Association Agreement, a Subcommittee on Democracy and Human Rights, which meets regularly. We discuss the principles, but when relevant and useful, we do not refrain from referring to individual cases.

This structure complements our continuous engagement, both in Brussels and in Rabat, through our delegation, with civil society organisations, human rights defenders and relevant international actors to promote and consolidate respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Morocco's membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council in January this year will provide additional opportunities to explore areas of joint cooperation in this field.

Let me conclude by reiterating the EU's commitment, in Morocco as everywhere in the world, to media freedom and the protection of journalists in compliance with international human rights obligations. We will continue our efforts to ensure that all citizens can benefit from the rights guaranteed by their constitution and the full respect and implementation of the laws.

Die Präsidentin. – Die Aussprache ist geschlossen.

Die Präsidentin. –

Die Abstimmung findet am Donnerstag, 19. Januar 2023, statt.

Schriftliche Erklärungen (Artikel 171)

Schriftliche Erklärungen (Artikel 171)

Elżbieta Kruk (ECR),
  na piśmie. – Pogarsza się sytuacja dziennikarzy w Maroko. Dotykają ich stronnicze procesy, przedłużone, tymczasowe aresztowania, skazania na wieloletnie wyroki więzienia na podstawie sfabrykowanych zarzutów, inwigilacja i zastraszanie. Debata na ten temat winna być przyczynkiem do generalnej oceny zagrożeń, z jakimi dziennikarze borykają się w trakcie swojej pracy. Według danych UNESCO w 2022 roku na całym świecie zginęło 86 dziennikarzy i pracowników mediów. Dotknięty został każdy region, w tym Europa. Nie tylko w Maroko wobec dziennikarzy stosowane są różne formy przemocy, jak porwania, nieuzasadnione zatrzymania, nękanie prawne, inwigilacja i przemoc cyfrowa. Wojna z Ukrainą pogorszyła i tak trudną sytuację niezależnych dziennikarzy w Rosji. Ich bezpieczeństwo jest na tyle zagrożone, że wielu ucieka z kraju, a niezależne redakcje zamykają działalność. Presja Kremla wobec mediów niepodających rządowej propagandy jest coraz silniejsza, a uciszane są również dlatego, by świat nie dowiedział się o protestach przeciw wojnie. Istnieje więc ogromna potrzeba silnej kontroli w tym zakresie ze strony społeczności międzynarodowej. Wolność, niezależność i pluralizm mediów to fundament wolnego świata. Pytanie jest, czy Unia Europejska robi wystarczająco dla zagwarantowania tych wartości i bezpieczeństwa dziennikarzy? I czy gdy tu mowa o wolnych mediach, chodzi na pewno o takie, które mówią prawdę?

Elżbieta Kruk (ECR),

na piśmie

26.   Small-scale fisheries situation in the EU and future perspectives (debate)

Die Präsidentin. – Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über den Bericht von João Pimenta Lopes im Namen des Fischereiausschusses über die Lage der handwerklichen Fischerei in der EU und die Zukunftsaussichten (2021/2056(INI)) (A9-0291/2022).

Die Präsidentin. –

João Pimenta Lopes,
  relator. – Senhora Presidente, quando, nas instituições europeias, se discute o segmento da pesca de pequena escala artesanal e costeira, que representa 75 % da frota no setor da pesca, são mais as proclamações, a retórica do que as medidas concretas.

João Pimenta Lopes,

relator

As opções de centralização da Política Comum de Pescas, da arquitetura de sucessivos fundos para a pesca e demais regulamentos, desajustados das necessidades e realidade do segmento, têm constituído um espartilho cada vez mais apertado, que sufoca lentamente a pequena pesca.

Enquanto a política da União Europeia beneficia, há décadas, a pesca de grande escala, a concentração no setor, abrindo inclusivamente portas à privatização dos recursos, que daqui liminarmente rejeitamos, o segmento confronta-se com crescentes dificuldades.

Limitado acesso aos fundos: ao longo dos anos, apenas 7 % dos fundos para o setor terão chegado à pequena pesca; se nos reportarmos estritamente às operações ligadas a embarcações, 25 %; um quarto dos fundos para três quartos da frota, simultaneamente, a menos capitalizada.

Elevada carga burocrática, baixas taxas de comparticipação, necessidade de antecipar verbas, limitado espectro de operações elegíveis: problemas, a que o FEAMPA não responde, que se assinalam e que exigem alteração.

Envelhecimento da frota e das tripulações: há mais de 20 anos que não há verbas para a renovação da frota, que, com uma idade média superior a 32 anos, se encontra, em muitos casos, obsoleta, aumentando os riscos e custos da operação.

São necessárias verbas para a renovação e modernização da frota no segmento, sem pruridos ou falsas concessões com que se vão bloqueando estes apoios.

Baixos rendimentos: o segmento, em particular os seus profissionais, confronta-se com baixos rendimentos da pesca, para o que muito contribuem os baixos preços à produção.

Ganham os intermediários, perde o produtor e o consumidor.

É preciso uma justa e adequada distribuição do valor acrescentado pela cadeia de valor do setor, reduzindo as margens de intermediação, melhorar o preço de primeira venda e exercendo uma contenção de preços pagos no consumo final.

Aumento dos custos de produção: como noutros setores, o segmento foi confrontado com o substancial aumento dos custos de produção, particularmente nos combustíveis, com impactos negativos nos rendimentos.

Os apoios nos combustíveis a este segmento, inclusive por via do FEAMPA, são uma necessidade premente. Rejeitá-los, particularmente no atual contexto, é contribuir ainda mais para pôr em causa este segmento – já agora, potencialmente mais sustentável, não só do ponto de vista social como ambiental.

É ainda necessário dar passos para contrariar o caminho de centralização para uma gestão de proximidade, que tenha em conta a realidade e a complexa e enorme diversidade entre Estados, e mesmo no plano nacional, da pesca de pequena escala costeira artesanal, nas suas frotas, espécies-alvo, artes de pesca, preferências de consumo e peixe consumido por habitante.

Uma gestão de proximidade, que dando maior protagonismo aos Estados, no quadro da sua soberania, contrarie a lógica da crescente subordinação ao mercado e à concentração no setor, determinando objetivos de uma política de pescas que devem passar por uma gestão de recursos com base em conhecimento científico adequado, pela garantia do abastecimento público de pescado às populações, no contexto da segurança e soberania alimentares, e pelo desenvolvimento das comunidades costeiras, pela valorização e reconhecimento social e laboral das profissões ligadas à pesca, promovendo o emprego e a melhoria das condições de vida dos pescadores e a viabilidade socioeconómica do setor.

Estes, entre outros, são alguns caminhos e medidas que o segmento reivindica e que são necessárias, e que o relatório procura apontar.

Sem deixar de notar a ausência do comissário responsável nesta discussão, gostaria de deixar uma palavra de apreço aos relatores-sombra pela boa cooperação, que permitiu, ainda que nalguns tópicos não ir tão longe como necessário, consagrar neste texto um conjunto de importantes recomendações sobre a pesca de pequena escala costeira e artesanal.

Importa agora concretizá-las.

Adina-Ioana Vălean,
  Member of the Commission. – Madam President, honourable Members, I would like to thank the rapporteur, Mr Pimenta Lopes, and the shadow rapporteurs for this report. The Commission welcomes the European Parliament's contribution on the important topic of small-scale fisheries in the EU and future perspectives.

Adina-Ioana Vălean,

Member of the Commission

As you rightly recall in your report, the small-scale and coastal fishing fleet represents nearly 75% of all fishing vessels registered in the EU and nearly half of the employment in the fishing sector. This clearly shows the important socio-economic role of this sector in European coastal communities and the outermost regions.

Your report calls for a broader definition of small-scale and coastal fisheries in a horizontal piece of legislation, like the common fisheries policy. Due to the size of the sector, the geographic differences across Europe and differences in the type of fishing conducted, this would be a difficult task.

The existing specific references in the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund already facilitate access to EU funding for small-scale fisheries, while the references in the control regulation are specific to control needs. I agree with your draft report that small scale unfortunately often also means small voice in the value chain and in relation to other stakeholders.

I also agree that a large part of the solution lies in a better collective organisation of small-scale operators to have a more collective weight and a louder voice. This is why the Commission adopted the rules for the advisory councils in 2022 to ensure more participation of small-scale and coastal fisheries.

This is also the reason why the Commission strongly encourages Member States under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, as well as the new European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, to support collective organisation of producers, organisations and fisheries local action groups. I want to underline in this context that Member States have the possibility to provide preferential rates of support under the new EMFAF, and they should use this possibility.

Support can also be applied for the installation of storage, freezing and refrigeration infrastructure on small-scale vessels as long as they comply with the conditions for vessel modifications, as defined in the Regulation on the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund.

However, and here I need to be clear, the Commission cannot agree with establishing new criteria in relation to the fishing capacity. In most Member States, there is available capacity within the capacity ceilings set by the Common Fisheries Policy, and this could very well be used to increase the capacity of vessels in order to improve safety, living and working conditions on board or for more energy efficient propulsion systems. Again, our Fund foresees financial support here.

So, the Commission could not agree more with your report that young fishers need to be attracted to this important economic sector and that upgrading skills and training play a crucial role here. In this context, the financial support available must be pointed out again, and I would like to encourage Member States to use it.

We have taken careful note also of the other proposals contained in your report to improve the situation of small-scale and coastal fishers who are indeed part of Europe's fishing and maritime heritage. The Commission will carefully examine them. But my main message today is that the Commission fully supports all initiatives to strengthen the role of small-scale and coastal fishers in parallel to our continuous and joint efforts to further reduce the environmental impact of those fisheries.

I thank you for your attention. I look forward to hearing your views. I gave you the message of my colleague Commissioner Sinkevičius, of course, but everything you will say will be duly noted, and I will pass your message to him.

Gabriel Mato,
  en nombre del Grupo PPE. – Señora presidenta, señora comisaria, me alegra enormemente que tengamos este debate, aunque sea a estas horas y sea el último punto del orden del día. Y, ¿saben por qué? Porque a mucha gente se le llena la boca al hablar de pesca artesanal, pero, a la hora de la verdad, cuando hay que adoptar medidas y tomar decisiones que favorezcan a esta flota, tan importante para muchas zonas costeras, los hechos se quedan en palabras vacías.

Gabriel Mato,

en nombre del Grupo PPE

Siempre he defendido lo evidente: que la pesca artesanal tiene características específicas y necesidades singulares. Y, por ello, hemos pedido a los Estados miembros, sin necesidad de entrar en conflicto con cualquier otra pesca, que tengan en cuenta las necesidades de la pesca artesanal.

También en el nuevo Fondo Europeo Marítimo, de Pesca y de Acuicultura, para el que fui ponente, contemplamos un apoyo especial para esta pesca. Argumentos hay, previsiones legales también. Tan solo falta voluntad para hacerlo efectivo.

¿Por qué razón se siguen negando a que los pescadores puedan pescar mejor, que no más? ¿Por qué no se puede financiar la modernización de una flota obsoleta e insegura, especialmente en las regiones ultraperiféricas, de cara a mejorar la seguridad, las condiciones de vida a bordo y la eficiencia energética? ¿Por qué, a la hora del reparto de cuotas, como la del atún rojo o la de la tuna, no se tiene en cuenta a esta flota, por otra parte, la más sostenible que existe?

Señora comisaria, los pescadores esperan respuestas. También las esperan las cofradías de pescadores, que desempeñan un papel fundamental y que confían en poder recibir algún tipo de ayuda financiera, como lo hacen las organizaciones de productores.

Acojo con satisfacción este informe, que incluye no solamente un sólido diagnóstico de aquellos problemas que padece la flota pesquera artesanal, sino que también propone medidas inmediatas, significativas y eficaces que, además, permitan mayores ingresos para los pescadores.

Señora comisaria, tienen encima de la mesa una nueva oportunidad. No defrauden a los pescadores, que hoy más que nunca necesitan de todo nuestro apoyo.

Isabel Carvalhais,
  em nome do Grupo S&D. – Senhora Presidente, eu começo, antes de mais, por saudar o trabalho do relator e dos relatores-sombra neste relatório, que importa – aqui foi dito para cerca de 76 %, mas há inclusivamente dados que apontam – para 85 % da frota pesqueira da União Europeia; falo da frota de pequena escala.

Isabel Carvalhais,

em nome do Grupo S&D

Sabemos que, em virtude das características do ser humano, trabalhar no mar sempre foi mais difícil do que trabalhar em terra. Não é, assim, por acaso que a pesca é considerada uma atividade de alto risco.

Atividade de alto risco, em especial, para estas embarcações costeiras de pequena escala, uma vez que a sua dimensão as deixa particularmente vulneráveis, sobretudo quando a faina decorre sob condições meteorológicas adversas.

Neste contexto, é fundamental o desenvolvimento coordenado de políticas e medidas que visem mitigar os riscos da atividade, aumentar a segurança e conforto dos pescadores a bordo, ao mesmo tempo que se procuram desenvolver soluções tecnológicas que permitam a adaptação das pequenas embarcações às exigências da diminuição da pegada carbónica.

Isto é o cenário ideal, mas a realidade é que, devido à sua dimensão e às regras da arqueação bruta, as embarcações de pequena escala dificilmente podem hoje proporcionar espaços de segurança e conforto a bordo.

E isso traduz-se em riscos óbvios para os seus pescadores. A limitação da arqueação bruta para estas embarcações necessita, por isso, de ser repensada e adaptada à realidade do setor, à necessidade de melhorar a segurança e às condições de trabalho dos pescadores, à necessidade de acomodar alterações técnicas, mais compatíveis com a sustentabilidade ambiental dos barcos, e à própria necessidade do setor da pesca de pequena escala conseguir atrair algo tão difícil, mas tão importante, que são as novas gerações de homens pescadores e de mulheres pescadoras.

Pierre Karleskind,
  au nom du groupe Renew. – Madame la Présidente, chers collègues, Madame la Commissaire, dans ce rapport, on trouve des solutions ou des pistes de solutions – et merci, chers collègues, de les avoir dressées – aux différents aspects de la petite pêche côtière et aux enjeux auxquels elle doit répondre. Mais enfin, honnêtement, ce rapport devrait avant tout être une autocritique de ce qui se passe, de ce que nous faisons depuis des années sur la petite pêche côtière. En plus, les communistes, vous savez ce que c'est que l'autocritique. Donc on aurait dû aller plus loin. En fait, c'est une pâle autocritique de la réalité. La réalité, c'est que nous avons rendu la vie des pêcheurs de la petite pêche côtière parfaitement impossible. Nous avons accumulé des réglementations. Quand vous regardez les tonnes de paperasse qu'ils doivent remplir, les tonnes de réglementation qu'ils doivent lire, enfin il faut être bac plus dix pour comprendre les choses. Des quotas, des licences, du zéro rejet, du pas de rejet.

Pierre Karleskind,

au nom du groupe Renew

Vous avez abordé, Madame la Commissaire, l'accès au fonds. Mais c'est une plaisanterie. C'est une plaisanterie. Moi, je veux savoir et je demanderai à la Commission européenne de nous dire quelle est la proportion du FEAMP, le précédent fonds qui a été alloué à la petite pêche côtière. La réalité, c'est que c'est inaccessible. Les types, ils sont tout seuls sur leur bateau. Qu'est-ce qu'ils vont aller passer leur temps à déposer des dossiers qui font des pages et des pages? Moi, je suis très en colère parce que j'ai eu la gestion de ces fonds européens pour la pêche dans ma région. C'était impossible à faire. Notre collègue Bijoux parlera de ce qui se passe outre-mer. Qu'est-ce qu'on fait en outre-mer? Je suis allé en Guadeloupe. Je suis allé à la Réunion. J'ai vu ces pêcheurs qui ne comprenaient pas pourquoi est-ce qu'on leur enfonçait la tête sous l'eau à ce point-là.

Vous parlez de la congélation des produits de la pêche côtière. Mais enfin, Madame la Commissaire, je suis désolé. Dites-le aussi à votre collègue. On ne congèle pas ces produits qui ont une grande valeur ajoutée. Ça n'a pas de sens. Je suis désolé de le dire. La Commission est à côté de la plaque. Il est temps qu'on se réveille et qu'on sorte la tête des dogmes que nous avons eu depuis des années. Parce que la petite pêche côtière, c'est celle qui fait vivre nos littoraux et il est hors de question que nous les soldions.

Caroline Roose,
  au nom du groupe Verts/ALE. – Madame la Présidente, Madame la Commissaire, chers collègues, je vous ai écoutés. Nous sommes tous d'accord ici pour dire que la petite pêche artisanale est essentielle pour la vie de nos territoires côtiers, pour la sécurité alimentaire de notre continent. Nous sommes d'accord pour dire qu'il faut défendre les petits pêcheurs, qu'ils devraient recevoir une part plus importante des quotas de pêche et qu'ils doivent être davantage intégrés dans les processus de décision. Mais quand je gratte un petit peu sous le vernis, quand je lis le rapport dans ses détails, je commence sérieusement à douter de vos intentions.

Caroline Roose,

au nom du groupe Verts/ALE

Comment peut-on prétendre défendre les petits pêcheurs et en même temps demander d'élargir la définition de la petite pêche pour y inclure des navires de plus de douze mètres? Si on fait ça, les financements du Feampa qui sont aujourd'hui réservés à la petite pêche côtière seraient totalement dilués et il n'y aurait plus que des miettes pour la petite pêche.

Comment est-ce qu'on peut prétendre défendre la pêche artisanale sans s'attaquer à la première menace qui pèse sur eux: la pêche industrielle? Quand un navire industriel passe quelque part et ravage toute une zone de pêche, ce sont les petits pêcheurs, ceux qui ne peuvent plus aller pêcher ailleurs, qui en sont les premières victimes.

Alors aujourd'hui, ce sont à ces pêcheurs que je pense, ceux qui mettent en place des circuits courts pour vendre leurs produits à un prix juste. Ceux qui ont attaqué l'État français pour obtenir une répartition juste des quotas de thon rouge, les ligneurs de la Pointe de Bretagne qui demandent une période de repos biologique pour le bar et ceux qui se sont battus pour faire interdire la pêche électrique et qui se battent aujourd'hui pour un moratoire contre la senne démersale.

Rosanna Conte,
  a nome del gruppo ID. – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, la direzione giusta è la via intrapresa da questa relazione dove abbiamo lavorato tutti, a dimostrazione che quando si uniscono le forze si raggiungono buoni accordi.

Rosanna Conte,

a nome del gruppo ID

La pesca artigianale è il cuore della pesca europea ed incarna i valori e le tradizioni più profonde. È una pesca sostenibile, più selettiva e meno inquinante, portata avanti con sacrifici e passione dei nostri pescatori, uomini e donne forti e fieri, che ci garantiscono prodotti sani e di qualità. Bisogna riconoscere il loro valore e il loro ruolo strategico a livello economico, ambientale e sociale, visto l'impatto occupazionale e di crescita delle comunità costiere lagunari.

Per questo abbiamo voluto sottolineare il valore aggiunto che la pesca di piccola scala apporta ai mari, agli stock ittici e alla società. Le nostre proposte sono state chiare: destinare i fondi FEAMPA per ammodernare le imbarcazioni e garantire più sicurezza e agibilità a bordo; favorire la vendita diretta per aumentare la redditività dei pescatori e promuovere prodotti locali; valorizzare giovani e donne; considerare anche tutti gli altri fattori che impattano sui mari, perché la pesca non è l'unica responsabile dell'impoverimento degli stock.

L'invito è che la Commissione tenga conto di questa posizione del Parlamento europeo, soprattutto nel regolamento controlli e nella prossima revisione della politica comune della pesca. Cercate di non distruggere ciò che è rimasto di buono.

La pesca europea vuole vivere.

Ladislav Ilčić,
  u ime kluba ECR. – Poštovana predsjedavajuća, poštovani kolege, cilj svakog posla nije samo zarada, već i razvoj zajednice, uvođenje novih generacija u posao, solidarnost i povezanost.

Ladislav Ilčić,

u ime kluba ECR

Mali priobalni ribolov sve to sadrži, a prenosi i tradiciju, ima kulturni značaj i iznad svega osigurava svježu i zdravu hranu. Kao koordinator u sjeni čiji su svi amandmani prihvaćeni, smatram da je ovo dobro izvješće, koje potiče sve veće sudjelovanje ribara u donošenju ribarstvenih politika i poziva na očuvanje i daljnji razvoj malog obalnog ribolova, koji, primjerice, u Hrvatskoj čini preko 90 posto ukupnog ribolova.

Pozivam samo sve klubove da sutra glasuju protiv naknadno predloženih amandmana zelenih. Oni predlažu ukidanje subvencija za ribare koji imaju plovila na fosilna goriva. Iako tih ribara ima mnogo, oni čine samo osam posto tonaže europske ribarske flote, tako da predloženim amandmanima ne bismo napravili nikakvu posebnu korist, a doslovno bismo upropastili mali obalni ribolov jer si oni jednostavno ne mogu priuštiti nova plovila.

Anja Hazekamp,
  namens de The Left-Fractie. – Voorzitter, kleine vissersboten veroorzaken minder milieuschade dan de industriële monsterboten waarmee de Europese vissers de wereldwijde zeeën en oceanen leegvissen. Maar een heleboel kleine vissersschepen vangen samen alsnog heel veel vissen. Nog steeds jagen te veel vissers op te weinig vissen. De overbevissing in Europa en de rest van de wereld, die uiterlijk zou stoppen in 2020, duurt voort.

Anja Hazekamp,

namens de The Left-Fractie

Desondanks blijft Brussel honderden miljoenen steken in het subsidiëren van de visserij. Er wordt hier zelfs voor gepleit om de visserij-industrie, die jaarlijks 2 miljard liter fossiele brandstof gebruikt, te blijven vrijstellen van de brandstofbelasting. Zulke belastingvrijstellingen voor fossiele brandstoffen zijn niet alleen desastreus voor de oceanen, maar ook voor het klimaat. Het is cruciaal dat de vervuiler betaalt. Dat geldt ook voor de visserijsector.

Ook daarom ben ik voorts van mening dat de Europese visserijsubsidies moeten worden afgeschaft.

Maxette Pirbakas (NI). – Madame la Présidente, Madame la rapporteure, chers collègues, en tant qu'ultramarine, je suis particulièrement sensible au problème de la pêche à petite échelle, artisanale, traditionnelle et durable, telle qu'elle est pratiquée dans les cinq départements de l'outre-mer. Je remercie donc Mme la rapporteure pour son rapport très utile.

Maxette Pirbakas (NI).

me

Je voudrais faire un rappel: le 21 avril 2017, adoption par le Parlement européen d'un rapport d'initiative appelant la Commission à mettre en place des mesures pour le renouvellement de la flotte de pêche traditionnelle dans les RUP. Le 28 février 2022, la Commission autorise finalement la France à mettre en place un régime d'aides d'État afin de financer ce renouvellement.

Dans cet intervalle de cinq ans, la Martinique est passée de 1 100 à 450 pêcheurs traditionnels. Cette courbe descendante se vérifie dans les autres départements d'outre-mer. La vérité est que notre pêche traditionnelle, célébrée pour ses vertus sur la ressource halieutique ou son impact environnemental limité, est en train d'agoniser. Bien sûr, le non-renouvellement de la flotte n'est pas le seul à mettre en cause: la pénibilité du métier et sa faible attractivité, le manque de formation et le vieillissement des pêcheurs, la faiblesse de l'autofinancement et de l'accès au crédit, la pêche illégale, la pollution des eaux côtières au chlordécone, les sargasses qui détruisent les moteurs chez moi aux Antilles et l'organisation déficiente de la filière dans certains territoires contribuent également à la disparition de cette activité. C'est important pour moi de le dire aujourd'hui.

Je voudrais aussi pointer un autre problème, qui est fondamental. On applique dans les RUP les mêmes politiques européennes qu'ailleurs, notamment concernant la surpêche, alors que dans la pêche traditionnelle, tout le monde sait qu'il n'y en a aucune.

Alors pour conclure, deux minutes, cinq secondes, je veux dire que vu son poids dans les économies locales et dans les habitudes alimentaires, la pêche traditionnelle dans les outre-mer doit faire l'objet d'une attention particulière, Madame la rapporteure, c'est important pour moi. Elle devrait être considérée pour ce qu'elle est: une activité structurante dans ces territoires. Alors, aidons nos pêcheurs ultramarins, permettons-leur de vivre dignement et de leur métier.

(La Présidente retire la parole à l'oratrice)

(La Présidente retire la parole à l'oratrice)

Maria da Graça Carvalho (PPE). – Senhora Presidente, Cara Comissária, Caro Relator, caros Colegas, a pesca de pequena escala artesanal e costeira tem um papel crucial na União Europeia. Representa 76 % das embarcações ativas e quase 50 % do emprego total no setor das pescas.

Maria da Graça Carvalho (PPE).

Em Portugal, cerca de 90 % das embarcações registadas para a pesca são deste tipo. Este segmento é fundamental para promover uma gestão mais sustentável dos recursos marinhos. Desempenham um papel importante na valorização das comunidades costeiras.

A União tem o dever de apoiar os pequenos pescadores e operadores e deve fazê-lo através de medidas eficazes e orientadas às necessidades específicas do setor.

O relatório, que iremos votar amanhã, contém sugestões muito úteis para a Comissão Europeia e os Estados-Membros, aos quais se pedem decisões corajosas.

No imediato, deve-se agir para reduzir os custos de produção, nomeadamente através de apoios aos pescadores para aliviar a carga do preço do combustível. Este segmento caracteriza-se pelo envelhecimento das embarcações e dos seus profissionais. São necessárias medidas, visando a progressiva renovação e modernização das frotas e também medidas para atrair e dirigidas aos jovens e às mulheres, incluindo atividades de formação e de requalificação.

Por fim, as regiões ultraperiféricas, como os Açores e a Madeira, desempenham um papel crucial na conservação e recuperação dos ecossistemas marinhos. Considero muito importante a reintrodução do programa especificamente dedicado às regiões ultraperiféricas, também no setor das pescas.

Assim, um POSEI para as pescas será necessário.

Carmen Avram (S&D). – Doamna președintă, pescuitul tradițional în Marea Neagră e și el amenințat cu dispariția. Pe coasta românească, ca de altfel și în Delta Dunării, doar câțiva pescari mai folosesc azi tehnicile străvechi, încercând să țină în viață această activitate și să asigure traiul familiilor și comunităților lor.

Carmen Avram (S&D).

Dar acest mod de supraviețuire în perfectă armonie cu mediul devine tot mai complicat. E victimă a dezvoltării zonelor costiere, a concurenței acerbe și neloiale a flotelor de pescuit din țări învecinate și, mai nou, a războiului din Ucraina, care i-a făcut pe micii pescari să-și oprească activitatea. În Marea Neagră pericolul e mortal din cauza minelor plutitoare și a enormului arsenal rusesc din proximitatea României. Pescarii noștri au nevoie de ajutor.

Raportul de astăzi are soluții asupra acestei crize ca accesul facil la finanțare europeană și națională, crearea unor lanțuri de aprovizionare locală, o mai bună promovare a produselor pescărești, atragerea tinerilor și a femeilor în sector și îmbunătățirea condițiilor de muncă pentru pescari. Dar aceste măsuri chiar trebuie implementate și trebuie implementate rapid dacă vrem ca în viitorul apropiat să mai putem vorbi despre pescuitul tradițional la Marea Neagră.

Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (Renew). – Señora presidenta, comisaria, la pesca a pequeña escala, junto a la de gran escala y altura, son claves para mantener la vida, la actividad y el patrimonio cultural que aportan a la Unión las comunidades costeras.

Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (Renew).

La primera necesita de manera urgente una definición que recoja toda su diversidad y garantice su acceso a los programas europeos. Tenemos que garantizar el relevo generacional haciendo atractiva esta actividad. Y eso requiere mejorar la posición de los pescadores en la cadena de valor para que reciban una renta coherente con su actividad y aportación a la dieta de la Unión Europea, que enriquecen con productos sostenibles, de calidad y garantizados.

Necesitamos etiquetas que distingan sus producciones ante los consumidores y mejorar las condiciones de las embarcaciones en las que trabajan. Hay que dar apoyo financiero para ello y apoyar el reconocimiento del papel de las mujeres en el sector y las medidas de diversificación que, de la mano de la innovación y la digitalización, deben llevar el espíritu Next Generation a la orilla del mar.

Ana Miranda (Verts/ALE). – Senhora Presidente, saúdo o trabalho do Deputado Pimenta pelo seu relatório. O meu país, a Galiza, é um povo marinheiro, onde mulheres e homens trabalham na pesca de pequena escala e apanha de marisco, o marisqueio, e no cultivo do mexilhão, que alimenta muitas famílias, tem baixo impacto ambiental, usa artes de pesca sustentáveis e respeita os ciclos biológicos das diferentes espécies.

Ana Miranda (Verts/ALE).

Com estas características, a pesca de pequena escala, apesar da sua dimensão e da sua importância, é o segmento menos apoiado, recebendo a quota mais baixa dos fundos europeus.

Não podemos permitir que a UE ponha em perigo este setor tão importante e que cria tanto emprego e que garante o abastecimento de peixe.

O futuro da pesca de pequena escala, costeira e artesanal depende não só de medidas sustentáveis e a longo prazo, mas também de medidas imediatas, significativas e públicas.

O futuro da pesca de pequena escala exige o reconhecimento da sua natureza na futura PCP e a sua exclusão das taxas e quotas de pesca que Bruxelas decide, e também ter mais voz na Europa.

France Jamet (ID). – Madame la Présidente, l'avenir de la pêche artisanale est menacé parce qu'elle est, pour son plus grand malheur, de la compétence exclusive de la Commission européenne. C'est contre ces directives qui imposent un centralisme européen mortifère et des sommations dogmatiques pseudo-écolos que nos marins pêcheurs doivent lutter pour survivre.

France Jamet (ID).

Ainsi, l'essentiel des fonds européens est versé au profit d'une pêche intensive et prédatrice sans que la pêche artisanale en bénéficie vraiment, sauf en général pour financer le déchirage de ses bateaux. Une foultitude de normes technocratiques aléatoires et d'interdictions ruinent la rentabilité du métier des pêcheurs artisanaux . Et plus grave, le domaine maritime est actuellement la proie d'intérêts privés où se multiplient les aires marines protégées, puis les parcs éoliens offshore qui excluent nos pêcheurs de nos zones de pêche.

Et oui, chers collègues, nous devons d'ores et déjà, en pleine crise énergétique et inflationniste, pérenniser l'exonération de taxes sur les carburants pour le secteur de la pêche. Nous devons aussi pouvoir privilégier nos métiers de la pêche et ses productions par le localisme que Bruxelles nous a interdit au profit d'importations du bout du monde. L'avenir de la pêche artisanale pour son plus grand malheur est de la compétence exclusive de la Commission européenne. Nous devons la défendre souverainement.

Raffaele Stancanelli (ECR). – Signora Presidente, signora Commissaria, onorevoli colleghi, grazie al relatore, possiamo dire di aver lavorato in maniera costruttiva per questa relazione sulla piccola pesca artigianale, che rappresenta una delle maggiori eccellenze tradizionali del nostro paese.

Raffaele Stancanelli (ECR).

Gli aspetti socioeconomici ed occupazionali per le comunità costiere e i territori coinvolti sono molteplici e non vanno trascurati, semmai supportati attraverso specifiche azioni di tutela, soprattutto in un momento economico particolarmente difficile per l'intero settore ittico. Per questo siamo assolutamente contrari agli approcci puramente ideologici, aventi la volontà di far cessare i contributi carburante – l'abbiamo sentito poco fa dall'intervento di chi mi ha preceduto – per determinate tipologie di imbarcazione, che finirebbero solamente con il mettere in serio pericolo tutte le attività di pesca già gravate da incrementi di costi vertiginosi.

La pesca si trova in un momento critico e il compito delle istituzioni europee e degli Stati membri deve essere quello di mettere in pratica un sistema in grado di fare una sintesi tra sostenibilità ambientale ed economica, salvaguardando le attività di tutti.

Dino Giarrusso (NI). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, la pesca artigianale svolge un ruolo fondamentale nell'UE, rappresentando circa il 76 % dei pescherecci attivi e il 50 % degli equipaggi. Ha un ruolo chiave per la sicurezza e la sovranità alimentare e un'importanza strategica per il progresso socioeconomico delle comunità costiere e la conservazione delle tradizioni culturali locali.

Dino Giarrusso (NI).

Per garantire la sopravvivenza della pesca artigianale servono misure immediate che tutelino i profitti. Teoricamente si può già attingere dal FEAMPA su tanti aspetti, ma noi chiediamo con forza il rafforzamento della catena di valore; interventi su prezzi di garanzia per assicurare un reddito equo; favorire le filiere corte creando mercati di origine; creazione di programmi di sostegno per ridurre i costi di produzione anche alla luce dell'aumento del carburante; fondo di compensazione salariale che permetta di conteggiare, ai fini della pensione, anche il periodo di sospensione delle attività di pesca, ma soprattutto snellimento e facilitazione delle procedure di richiesta.

La pesca artigianale in comunità come Mazara del Vallo, Sciacca, Santa Flavia, Acitrezza è un patrimonio culturale ed economico da tutelare; senza l'aiuto reale e facilmente ottenibile dall'Europa, invece, rischia di estinguersi con danni tremendi.

Francisco José Millán Mon (PPE). – Señora presidenta, acabamos de finalizar el año 2022, el que la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas declaró como Año Internacional de Pesca y Acuicultura Artesanales.

Francisco José Millán Mon (PPE).

Pero me temo que la pesca artesanal no tiene mucho que celebrar. A las crisis del Brexit y de COVID se les ha sumado la guerra contra Ucrania, con su impacto en la inflación y en los precios de los combustibles.

Brexit

A mi juicio, el informe que hoy debatimos recoge un diagnóstico certero de los problemas a los que se enfrenta la pesca artesanal en Europa, tan importante y tan numerosa. Doy la enhorabuena al ponente, al señor Pimenta Lopes, por abordar cuestiones como las condiciones de seguridad y habitabilidad de los buques, la necesaria revisión de la definición de la flota costera artesanal o la injusta supresión del gasóleo bonificado.

Celebro también que el informe insista —de nuevo gracias a una enmienda presentada por el Grupo Popular— en que las cofradías de pescadores, tan importantes en España, obtengan reconocimiento jurídico y opten a ayuda financiera en pie de igualdad con las organizaciones de productores. Espero que la Comisión Europea incorpore nuestras propuestas en su informe de evaluación de la política pesquera común.

Señorías, yo quiero concluir con una referencia a Ribeira, importante villa marinera de mi comunidad autónoma, de Galicia. La visité recientemente con la conselleira do Mar. Allí pudimos ver de nuevo la pujanza de su lonja y la importancia que tiene para toda la comarca el sector pesquero.

El alcalde de Ribeira, Manuel Ruiz, suele decir que sin la pesca no somos nada. Y, efectivamente, la Unión Europea y el resto de administraciones públicas deben hacer una apuesta decidida por la pesca artesanal como elemento vertebrador sustancial de las comunidades costeras dependientes de la pesca.

Billy Kelleher (Renew). – Madam President, I welcome this report and in particular the call for additional support and policy changes for small-scale fishers. This is incredibly, incredibly important to maintain their viability and they play a huge role in coastal communities across the European Union.

Billy Kelleher (Renew).

Speaking of additional support and viability, I want to implore the EU Commission and Member States not to ignore the needs of commercial Irish fishers. Negotiations are currently ongoing over granting access to Norwegian boats to Irish waters to catch considerable amounts of blue whiting. Norway are looking for 450 000 tonnes, 60% of which will be caught in Irish waters. Ireland currently has a quota of 48 000 tonnes and no prospect of an additional blue whiting quota under the current deal.

This deal does nothing for Irish fishers and the industry in general. In the interests of fairness and parity, Irish fishers should get two things as part of the deal: an additional blue whiting quota – at the minimum it must be doubled to at least 100 000 tonnes – and, secondly, additional quota in other species as Ireland lost out heavily as part of the Brexit fishing deal. Our fishers need additional quota to maintain viability, their families and the future of coastal fishing in Ireland.

Colm Markey (PPE). – Madam President, Commissioner, I would like to welcome this new report on small-scale fisheries. They play an enormous role in our local communities: they employ local crews; they multiply what they bring into the economy through selling seafood in the local restaurants; they enhance tourism and preserve a culture and a tradition that is very important.

Colm Markey (PPE).

They've faced many challenges in recent years through COVID, Brexit and the energy crisis – no different than any other business. But this CFP review offers an opportunity for small fisheries, particularly under Article 17, where we can ensure that small fisheries get resources and indeed quotas specifically allocated toward them.

In relation to Ireland, the abundance of bluefin tuna that's in Irish waters and virtually the minimum amount of it that is collected by Irish fisheries – we need to ensure that international trawlers aren't reaping the benefit of that, that it comes to the local, indigenous community that has been hit so hard by the impact of Brexit.

If you look also in relation to the Norwegian situation, where Norwegian fisheries are looking to access Irish waters – 400 000 tonnes of fisheries – we need to address this. Irish fisheries have a tiny percentage compared to that, and this needs to be addressed.

Small-scale fisheries represent 76% of the fleet. They represent 50% of the jobs. And yet they only catch 5.8% percent of the fish. They are the least damaging environmentally and they need to be regarded and supported, as do fisheries in general in Ireland, which have been so badly impacted by Brexit.

Stéphane Bijoux (Renew). – Madame la Présidente, Madame la Commissaire, une fois de plus, je vais dénoncer ici les conditions de travail épouvantables des pêcheurs dans les territoires d'outre-mer. On ne peut pas parler de pêche en Europe sans redire que nos pêcheurs ultramarins sont des Européens. Ce ne sont pas de gros industriels avec des gros bateaux, ce sont des artisans avec des petits bateaux, avec du matériel hors d'usage. Ils n'ont rien à voir avec les pirates qui dévastent nos océans. Notre responsabilité collective, c'est de les protéger, c'est de les accompagner.

Stéphane Bijoux (Renew).

Alors il faut que cesse immédiatement cette partie de ping-pong insupportable entre Bruxelles et Paris, où chacun se renvoie la balle. C'est insupportable qu'un millefeuille administratif mette en danger la vie de nos marins, décourage nos jeunes qui voudraient prendre la relève et fragilise une filière artisanale indispensable à notre autonomie alimentaire. Alors il faut immédiatement autoriser, lancer, concrétiser le renouvellement des flottes de petits bateaux de pêche dans nos outre-mer. C'est une urgence absolue.

Tomislav Sokol (PPE). – Poštovana predsjedavajuća, kolegice i kolege, ribarstvo je dio identiteta brojnih europskih država. U Hrvatskoj, državi iz koje dolazim, ono je prisutno od antičkih vremena. Tisućljetna ribarska tradicija neizostavan je dio mediteranskog života, a s vremenom je ona postala i dijelom bogate turističke ponude.

Tomislav Sokol (PPE).

Nažalost, brojni problemi s kojima su se ribari, naročito u malom i obalnom ribarstvu, suočavali samo su se pogoršali zbog nestabilnih geopolitičkih okolnosti. Činjenica je da zaposleni u ribarstvu imaju male prihode i da rade u teškim i često nesigurnim uvjetima, dok sve veći troškovi poslovanja čine ribarstvo manje privlačnim, osobito mladim ljudima. Poseban problem za ribare je porast cijene plavog dizela, koji se izravno odražava na troškove njihova poslovanja i cijene ribe.

Zato su važni konkretni brzi oblici potpore ribarima, koji uključuju subvencije i očuvanje poreznog izuzeća za gorivo, ali i potpore za skladištenje, zamrzavanje i hlađenje ribe. Osim toga, kada je riječ o malom ribolovu, valja napomenuti da je prosječna starost ribarske flote 32,5 godina, što dovodi do povećanja troškova rada i smanjuje konkurentnost u ribarstvu.

S tim u vezi, ključno je da Europska komisija predvidi dodatne potpore kojima se može odgovoriti na navedene izazove. Stoga, podržavam ovo izvješće. Vjerujem da kao stratešku djelatnost i dio našeg identiteta ribarstvo možemo sačuvati za generacije koje dolaze.

Spontane Wortmeldungen

Spontane Wortmeldungen

Στέλιος Κυμπουρόπουλος (PPE). – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, συζητώντας για την κατάσταση της αλιείας μικρής κλίμακας στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση, δεν πρέπει να ξεχνάμε την επαναλαμβανόμενη παράνομη δραστηριότητα τουρκικών αλιευτικών σκαφών εντός της ελληνικής αιγιαλίτιδας ζώνης. Τούρκοι ψαράδες ψαρεύουν παράνομα και λαθραία εντός των ελληνικών χωρικών υδάτων, πολλές φορές συνοδεία πλοίων του τουρκικού Λιμενικού, αρνούμενοι να συνεργαστούν με τις ελληνικές αρχές. Οι παράνομες αυτές δραστηριότητες στρεβλώνουν τον ανταγωνισμό, πλήττουν την οικονομική ανταγωνιστικότητα της αλιείας μικρής κλίμακας και αποδυναμώνουν τις μικρές παράκτιες κοινότητες που εξαρτώνται από αυτή. Ας μη γελιόμαστε όμως! Τα περιστατικά αυτά λαθραίας αλιείας δεν είναι μόνο ένα προεκλογικό τρικ μιας τουρκικής κυβέρνησης σε αποδρομή. Είναι ένα ακόμη μέσο της αναθεωρητικής πολιτικής του προέδρου Ερντογάν, το οποίο αυξάνει την πιθανότητα ενός ατυχήματος, με ό,τι αυτό συνεπάγεται για την ασφάλεια και τη σταθερότητα στην περιοχή. Και γι' αυτό δεν πρέπει να μείνει αναπάντητο! Ζητάμε ένα ηχηρό μήνυμα προς την Τουρκία, με κυρώσεις κατ' εφαρμογή της υπάρχουσας ευρωπαϊκής νομοθεσίας περί παράνομης αλιείας, συμπεριλαμβανομένης της απαγόρευσης της εισαγωγής προϊόντων αλιείας από την Τουρκία στην αγορά της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης.

Στέλιος Κυμπουρόπουλος (PPE).

(Ende der spontanen Wortmeldungen)

(Ende der spontanen Wortmeldungen)

Adina-Ioana Vălean,
  Member of the Commission. – Madam President, thank you very much for your intervention and comments. It was very interesting for me to listen to you all. I took very good note on everything you said.

Adina-Ioana Vălean,

Member of the Commission

Let me say first a few words on the future perspectives for our small-scale and coastal fishers. Ensuring generational renewal of well-trained fishers is essential and will be one of the key tasks we will need to address jointly in the coming years, and will only succeed if the sector and in particular the general working environment is perceived as attractive, and if hard working conditions and especially safety are improved.

Through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and the new European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund we are offering support to improve the working conditions on board, while of course respecting the capacity limits of the vessels and we encourage Member States to use this support. There is also a wide offer available to promote training and skills to enable fishers to fish in a safer environment. This is a very important aspect, especially at the beginning of our European Year of Skills, and can be supported in a very broad context beyond the fisheries funds – I'm thinking in particular of the European Social Fund+, Erasmus+, the Recovery and Resilience Facility and the Just Transition Fund.

Honourable Members, small-scale coastal fisheries are part of the backbone of our European fisheries and our coastal communities, and they are a strong part of our cultural identity. Indeed, it is our joint responsibility to make them fit for the future and our common fisheries policies, along with the EU funds available, will continue to support them.

Thank you once again for this debate and for your important contribution to our common task.

João Pimenta Lopes,
  relator. – Senhora Presidente, finda a discussão, que valorizo, permitam-me destacar mais alguns elementos e recomendações do relatório.

João Pimenta Lopes,

relator

A defesa ou criação de mercados de origem, promovendo circuitos curtos de comercialização, valorizando o pescado e, dessa forma, os rendimentos dos pescadores.

Face a situações de perda de rendimentos, a criação de mecanismos que prevejam uma compensação salarial, contando-os como tempo de trabalho efetivo para efeitos de reforma e outros direitos de segurança social.

A reintrodução da componente pescas do POSEI e a criação de um POSEI-Transportes para apoio às regiões ultraperiféricas, face aos custos acrescidos da insularidade.

A agilização de procedimentos do FEAMPA, reduzindo a carga burocrática e a alteração do processo de financiamento por um sistema de pré-financiamento, garantindo a utilização dos limites máximos de financiamento às medidas elegíveis que deveriam, em todo o caso, ser ampliados para este segmento.

Os apoios à substituição das motorizações, incluindo o aumento de potência, quando devidamente justificado, como forma de melhorar a segurança e operação das embarcações.

A reintrodução de possibilidades de apoio ao armazenamento, à congelação e à refrigeração, com vista ao aproveitamento integral de todo o pescado, assegurando o abastecimento público e o aprovisionamento da indústria de transformação alimentar.

Permitam-me, ainda, para terminar, deixar algumas sugestões ao Senhor Comissário: é fundamental sair de dogmas e simplificações como um conceito de pequena pesca desadequado ou correlações entre potência e capacidade de pesca, que nem podem ser verificados de forma direta, nem se podem aplicar de igual forma a cada embarcação.

É preciso que o Senhor Comissário saia da inércia, redefina prioridades, que vá ao terreno sem ser em visitas para tirar fotografias, mas para conhecer, no concreto, a realidade dos problemas do setor, ouvir o porquê de os fundos não chegarem a quem mais deles precisa. Bem podemos dizer, até à exaustão, que há verbas no FEAMPA que podem ser utilizadas pela pequena pesca, se a pequena pesca não conseguir aceder-lhes de nada serve, são inúteis.

É preciso conhecer a realidade. A redução do impacto ambiental também pode ser feita, e deve, à custa da renovação da frota que esta Comissão rejeita. São muitas as recomendações do relatório que a pequena pesca reclama.

O que agora é importante é que a Comissão e os Estados-Membros tomem medidas para as concretizar. É isso que se exige.

Die Präsidentin. – Die Aussprache ist geschlossen.

Die Präsidentin. –

Die Abstimmung findet am Donnerstag, 19. Januar 2023, statt.

Schriftliche Erklärungen (Artikel 171)

Schriftliche Erklärungen (Artikel 171)

Dominique Bilde (ID),
  par écrit. – Dans le cadre de ma commission du développement, je me suis exprimée à de maintes reprises en faveur de la pêche artisanale. Dans les pays tiers, la sécurité alimentaire et la pérennité des communautés côtières en dépendent. Or, des accords européens de pêche inefficaces, et surtout la pêche illégale, pratiquée par les navires d'États tiers (notamment chinois), contribuent à la déplétion des ressources halieutiques dans certains pays africains et à une vague migratoire, qui atteint actuellement des sommets. Au reste, la connaissance par les pêcheurs des routes maritimes aiguise leur tentation de prendre le large. Il est tout aussi naturel pour moi de promouvoir la pêche artisanale au sein de l'Union européenne. Je tiens donc à saluer un texte à la sensibilité sociale affirmée et qui dénonce notamment, à juste titre, l'impact néfaste de l'éolien offshore. En France, l'éolien offshore a malheureusement pris son envol, comme le démontre le lancement, à la fin de l'année dernière, du parc de Saint-Nazaire. La promotion des circuits courts ou encore une définition plus favorable de la pêche artisanale sont parfaitement cohérentes avec cette vision. Je vous remercie.

Dominique Bilde (ID),

par écrit

27.   Explanations of vote

Die Präsidentin. – Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgen die Erklärungen zur Abstimmung.

Die Präsidentin. –

27.1.   30th Anniversary of the Single Market (B9-0004/2023)

Mündliche Stimmerklärungen

Mündliche Stimmerklärungen

Eugen Tomac (PPE). – Doamna președintă, doamnă comisară, cred că este un moment important, o realizare importantă pentru Uniunea Europeană și plec de la cele patru libertăți care definesc piața unică - libertatea de circulație a persoanelor, libertatea de circulație a bunurilor, serviciilor și capitalului.

Eugen Tomac (PPE).

Și, sigur că sunt obiective care așează Uniunea pe un postament extrem de solid pentru viitoarele generații, însă atrag atenția că cele două libertăți prevăzute și în tratat, precum libertatea de circulație a persoanelor și a bunurilor sunt grav încălcate de către state care, în Consiliul Uniunii Europene, resping extinderea spațiului Schengen, așa cum s-a întâmplat la Consiliul JAI din 8 decembrie a anului trecut, când României și Bulgariei, în mod nejustificat, i s-a respins acest drept.

Uniunea va fi puternică atunci când piața unică va fi integrată complet.

Stanislav Polčák (PPE). – Paní předsedající, tento návrh usnesení jsem podpořil. Jsem přesvědčen, že 30 let společného evropského trhu ukazuje jeho potřebnost a také smysluplnost pro občany.

Stanislav Polčák (PPE).

Třicet let požíváme nejen konkrétní ekonomické výhody, ale i další synergické výhody právě z tohoto jednotného vnitřního trhu. Nejde pouze o pracovní místa, ale také o lepší přístup na trhy, lepší konkurenceschopnost na světových trzích. Řekněme si to upřímně – značka Made in Europe je velmi dobrou značkou, ve světě má dobrý zvuk. Občané též díky jednotnému vnitřnímu trhu, myslím, více pociťují konkrétní benefity Evropské unie, naší společné unie i ve svém vlastním životě.

Made in Europe

Co tuto unii – jednotný vnitřní trh – ohrožuje? Že si vystačí sám o sobě, že nepotřebujeme ta pravidla prohlubovat? To je samozřejmě nesmysl. Potřebujeme též prohlubovat vymahatelnost právního státu a práva.

27.2.   Consumer protection in online video games: a European Single Market approach (A9-0300/2022 - Adriana Maldonado López)

Mündliche Stimmerklärungen

Mündliche Stimmerklärungen

Stanislav Polčák (PPE). – Paní předsedající, také jsem tento návrh zprávy z vlastního podnětu podpořil. Online hry jsou velmi důležitou součástí kreativního průmyslu. Česká republika patří ke světové špičce. Je důležité ocenit i práci všech, kteří se na této části kreativního průmyslu podílejí. Je důležité chránit jejich práva, to znamená jak konkrétních nositelů práv, tzn. těch firem, tak i konkrétních tvůrců. Myslím si, že tato zpráva na to velmi dobře poukazuje.

Stanislav Polčák (PPE).

Je také důležité chránit spotřebitele, což je ostatně to zaměření této zprávy. I proto jsem ji velmi rád podpořil, protože myslí i na ochranu spotřebitele před praktikami nekalé hospodářské soutěže. Samozřejmě také služby on demand velmi často prověřují vymahatelnost evropského práva. Jak se spotřebitel domůže svých práv např. navrácení peněz za nespokojenost se službou, kterou dostal.

on demand

Je také důležité, aby byla ochrana před závislostí. A to si myslím, že ta zpráva všechno podchycuje. Proto jsem ji podpořil.

27.3.   Implementation of the common foreign and security policy - annual report 2022 (A9-0292/2022 - David McAllister)

Mündliche Stimmerklärungen

Mündliche Stimmerklärungen

Michaela Šojdrová (PPE). – Paní předsedající, dovolte, abych zdůvodnila, proč jsem dnes podpořila zprávu Evropského parlamentu o provádění společné zahraniční a bezpečnostní politiky. Jde o samozřejmě velmi důležité, zásadní oblasti, které jsou úkolem pro Evropskou unii. A zpráva obsahuje řadu konstatování i úkolů, které Evropská unie naplňuje.

Michaela Šojdrová (PPE).

Evropský parlament potvrdil odhodlání Evropské unie reagovat rychle a důrazně na ruskou útočnou válku proti Ukrajině a vyzývá členské státy, aby zachovaly úroveň podpory. Evropský parlament podporuje rozhodnutí Rady navýšit rozpočet European Peace Facility o dvě miliardy eur a navrhuje vytvoření samostatné obálky pro Ukrajinu, která by zaručila odpovídající podporu.

European Peace Facility

Parlament zdůrazňuje potřebu plného využití dostupných zdrojů EU a vyzývá členské státy k plnému využití stálé strukturované spolupráce PESCO. To jsou všechno důležité důvody, které mne vedly k podpoře.

Miriam Lexmann (PPE). – Madam President, during today's vote, I supported the annual report on the common foreign and security policy. However, I believe that because we are today facing serious geopolitical threats, we can no longer afford to be spending time discussing empty concepts or engage in unnecessary turf battles between the EU and NATO. Instead, we must put all efforts into concrete action, and to do this in lockstep with our transatlantic allies, and ensure that EU and NATO work together to address the pressing challenges in accordance with their respective competences.

Miriam Lexmann (PPE).

Stanislav Polčák (PPE). – Paní předsedající, loňský rok přinesl jednoznačné významné politické a bezpečnostní výzvy. Jsme svědky regulérní války na evropském kontinentu způsobené ruskou agresí. Myslím si, že je důležité říci, že dochází k paralýze mezinárodního práva a my v této zprávě podporujeme jednoznačně Ukrajinu a myslím, že také podporujeme naši bezpečnostní politiku, naši rozpočtovou politiku v oblasti obrany a také naše bezpečnostní svazky.

Stanislav Polčák (PPE).

Dříve jsem podporoval posuny v evropské politice, v obranné politice, dokonce jsem byl příznivcem zřízení regulérní evropské armády. Přiznám se, že po vstupu Švédska a Finska nad tím přemýšlím, zdali je to skutečně správná cesta, zdali není lepší prohlubovat to spojenectví v rámci NATO, tzn. berlínské smlouvy, které již máme uzavřené, a lépe tedy spolupracovat na tom, co již funguje. Zdá se mi, že spolupráce mezi NATO a EU může být hlubší a lepší.

27.4.   Implementation of the common security and defence policy - annual report 2022 (A9-0296/2022 - Tom Vandenkendelaere)

Mündliche Stimmerklärungen

Mündliche Stimmerklärungen

Michaela Šojdrová (PPE). – Paní předsedající, také tuto zprávu za období roku 2022 o provádění bezpečnostní a obranné politiky jsem podpořila, protože velmi jasně hovoří o tom, jaké kroky za uplynulý rok byly učiněny a co je třeba činit.

Michaela Šojdrová (PPE).

Agresi na Ukrajině nazývá brutální agresí Ruska vůči Ukrajině a jasně popisuje genocidu páchanou na Ukrajincích. Evropský parlament vyzývá Evropskou unii k urychlení svého úsilí v pomoci Ukrajině, včetně k finanční, humanitární a vojenské asistence. V této souvislosti je důležité, že zpráva uvádí výzvu německému kancléři Scholzovi k iniciaci evropského konsorcia příslušných evropských zemí s cílem dodat Ukrajině hlavní bojové tanky Leopard 2. Současně také vyzýváme členské státy EU, aby plnily své závazky v rámci NATO a navýšily své rozpočty na obranu alespoň na dvě procenta HDP.

27.5.   Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union's policy on the matter - annual report 2022 (A9-0298/2022 - Isabel Wiseler-Lima)

Mündliche Stimmerklärungen

Mündliche Stimmerklärungen

Eugen Tomac (PPE). – Doamna președintă, urmăresc cu mult interes în fiecare an Raportul privind drepturile omului și democrația în lume. În calitate de membru în Subcomisia pentru drepturile omului, am responsabilitatea de a urmări din aproape încălcările ce aduc atingere drepturilor fundamentale ale persoanelor.

Eugen Tomac (PPE).

Și aici vreau să aduc în atenție o situație pe care o cunoaștem foarte puțin, și anume situația cetățenilor Republicii Moldova din zona ocupată de către Federația Rusă, de mai bine de 30 de ani. În regiunea transnistreană, în fiecare zi, mii de copii se confruntă cu un regim care le îngrădește dreptul la educație. Lor, profesorilor și directorilor acestor școli care încearcă să studieze în limba de stat a Republicii Moldova, iar Federația Rusă nu le permite acest lucru, le aduc cu o profundă recunoștință, pentru că sunt un caz grav de încălcare a drepturilor omului aici, în Europa. Încă o dovadă că Rusia dintotdeauna a sfidat și a îngrădit libertăți fundamentale.

Michaela Šojdrová (PPE). – Paní předsedající, výroční zpráva za rok 2022 k lidským právům a demokracii ve světě by měla objektivně hodnotit situaci lidských práv a aktivity Evropské unie v této oblasti. Bohužel zpráva, o které jsme dnes hlasovali, neobsahuje zásadní informace, které by obsahovat měla, a mezi jinými je to informace o tom, že křesťané jsou stále nejvíce pronásledovanou náboženskou skupinou na světě. O pozměňovacím návrhu, který by do zprávy začlenil tento fakt, jsme hlasovali, ale bohužel tento návrh nebyl přijat. To znamená, že tato zpráva vůbec nezmiňuje křesťany jako pronásledovanou náboženskou skupinu. Naopak ve zprávě zůstal zachován požadavek na začlenění práva na bezpečné, legální umělé ukončení těhotenství do Listiny základních práv EU, což je pro mě nepřijatelný požadavek, který je v rozporu s právem subsidiarity. Proto jsem pro tuto zprávu nemohla hlasovat.

Michaela Šojdrová (PPE).

Miriam Lexmann (PPE). – Vážená pani predsedajúca. Ochrana dôstojnosti a práv každého človeka vo svete je jednou z mojich hlavných priorít a každodenne sa jej venujem. Tvorí základ mojej politickej práce.

Miriam Lexmann (PPE).

Žiaľ, výročnú správu k ľudským právam a demokracii vo svete som nemohla podporiť. Obsahuje totiž výzvu na zaradenie práva na umelé prerušenie tehotenstva do Charty základných práv EÚ, čo považujem za neakceptovateľné. Tento krok stavia samotný princíp ľudských práv do úplného protikladu s jeho vlastnou podstatou, pretože ohrozuje ochranu ľudského života a základné ľudské právo, ktorým je právo na život. Takéto naštrbenie univerzálne platného systému ľudských práv ohrozuje hlavný nástroj, na základe ktorého ľudské práva chránime.

Die Präsidentin. – Damit ist dieser Tagesordnungspunkt geschlossen.

Die Präsidentin. –

28.   Agenda of the next sitting

Die Präsidentin. – Die nächste Sitzung findet morgen, Donnerstag, den 19. Januar 2023, um 9.00 Uhr statt. Die Tagesordnung wurde veröffentlicht und ist auf der Website des Europäischen Parlaments verfügbar.

Die Präsidentin. –

29.   Approval of the minutes of the sitting

Die Präsidentin. – Das Protokoll dieser Sitzung wird dem Parlament morgen zu Beginn der Nachmittagssitzung zur Genehmigung vorgelegt.

Die Präsidentin. –

30.   Closure of the sitting

(Die Sitzung wird um 22.40 Uhr geschlossen.)

(Die Sitzung wird um 22.40 Uhr geschlossen.)

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