Verbatim report of proceedings of 20 October 2014
Date: 2014-10-20
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: European Parliament, parliamentary debate








C_2022373EN.01000101.xml










29.9.2022   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 373/1






20 October 2014VERBATIM REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS OF 20 OCTOBER 2014
(2022/C 373/01)
Contents







1.

Resumption of the session
3










2.

Statement by the President
3










3.

Composition of political groups
3










4.

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting : see Minutes
4










5.

Composition of Parliament : see Minutes
4










6.

Composition of political groups (continuation): see Minutes
4










7.

Composition of committees and delegations : see Minutes
4










8.

Election of the European Ombudsman – application received: see Minutes
4










9.

Corrigendum (Rule 231): see Minutes
4










10.

Signature of acts adopted under the ordinary legislative procedure (Rule 78): see Minutes
4










11.

Action taken on unfinished business (Rule 229): see Minutes
4










12.

Action taken on Parliament's positions and resolutions: see Minutes
4










13.

Texts of agreements forwarded by the Council: see Minutes
5










14.

Petitions: see Minutes
5










15.

Decisions concerning certain documents: see Minutes
5










16.

Documents received: see Minutes
5










17.

Order of business
5










18.

Better prevention and management of floods at European level (debate)
8










19.

Response to Ebola crisis (debate)
19










20.

Agenda for next sitting: see Minutes
35










21.

Closure of the sitting
35




Verbatim report of proceedings of 20 October 2014


VORSITZ: MARTIN SCHULZ


Präsident


(Die Sitzung wird um 17.00 Uhr eröffnet.)

1.   Resumption of the session

Der Präsident. - Ich erkläre die am Donnerstag, dem 18. September 2014, unterbrochene Sitzungsperiode für wieder aufgenommen.
2.   Statement by the President

Der Präsident. - Meine Damen und Herren! Angesichts der aktuellen Lage in Nordirland hat mich die Konferenz der Präsidenten gebeten, im Namen des Europäischen Parlaments alle Seiten dazu aufzurufen, von den gefährlichen gegenseitigen Provokationen abzusehen. Versuche, den weiteren Friedensprozess zu stören, müssen sofort eingestellt werden. Auf politische Probleme kann es immer nur eine Antwort geben: eine friedliche Lösung durch Dialog. Wir rufen deshalb alle Parteien dazu auf, sich weiterhin an einer friedlichen Lösung und damit an der am 16. Oktober gestarteten neuen Gesprächsrunde zu beteiligen.
Der Friedensprozess in Nordirland ist ein erfolgreiches europäisches Projekt. Wir werden diesen Friedensprozess weiterhin beständig begleiten. Das Europäische Parlament steht auch bereit, als ehrlicher und unabhängiger Vermittler in diesem Prozess zu agieren. Wir wollen, dass dieser Friedensprozess von weiteren Erfolgen gekrönt ist. Und wir unterstützen Nordirland dabei, stabile Institutionen und eine stabile Wirtschaft aufzubauen, damit alle Menschen in diesem Teil unseres Kontinents, in Nordirland, einer sicheren Zukunft entgegenblicken.
3.   Composition of political groups

Der Präsident. - Meine Damen und Herren! Ich möchte Sie darüber informieren, dass ich am vergangenen Donnerstag von der Abgeordneten Iveta Grigule schriftlich darüber in Kenntnis gesetzt wurde, dass sie mit sofortiger Wirkung die Fraktion der EFDD verlassen hat. Ich habe am selben Tag die Konferenz der Präsidenten darüber informiert, dass mit diesem Schritt die EFDD nicht länger die in der Geschäftsordnung festgelegten Bedingungen für die Bildung einer Fraktion erfüllt, da in ihr nicht mehr Abgeordnete aus mindestens sieben Ländern vertreten sind. Die EFDD hat damit den Fraktionsstatus verloren.

Paul Nuttall (NI). - Mr President, although we have changed – or should I say you have changed – our seating arrangements, I just want to clarify that this afternoon we achieved the necessary number of signatures to ensure that the EFDD Group remains intact.

(Applause and laughter)

Last week we came under attack when one of our MEPs resigned in what can only be described as curious circumstances, allegedly aided and abetted by you, which I believe brings into question your neutrality as President of this Parliament.

(Applause and cries of ‘Hear, hear!’)

I would therefore like a commitment from you that no shenanigans like this will take place again in the future and that you will remain neutral, as your job title says you should be.

(Applause)


Der Präsident. - Die Bildung von Fraktionen erfolgt auf der Grundlage der Geschäftsordnung dieses Hauses. Artikel 32 der Geschäftsordnung sieht vor, wie Fraktionen gebildet werden. Wenn die Grundvoraussetzung für die Bildung einer Fraktion – Abgeordnete aus mindestens sieben Ländern – nicht erreicht ist, ist die Fraktion damit nicht mehr existent. Der Präsident des Parlaments stellt diesen Umstand lediglich fest. Ich habe der Konferenz der Präsidenten das – und nicht mehr – mitgeteilt. Damit haben Sie Ihren Fraktionsstatus verloren.
Sollte sich eine neue Fraktion in diesem Hause bilden, sind auch dafür Geschäftsordnungsregularien vorgesehen, und zwar: Abgeordnete aus mindestens sieben Ländern, die alle durch Einzelunterschrift bekennen müssen, dass sie sich dieser Fraktion anschließen. Wenn dies der Fall ist, kann mir das mitgeteilt werden, und ich werde dann die entsprechenden Verfügungen in die Wege leiten, und zwar auf der Grundlage der Geschäftsordnung. Nichts anderes ist meine Aufgabe, und so verfahre ich auch.
Zur Sitzordnung: Die Sitzordnung ist in einem Beschluss der Konferenz der Präsidenten festgelegt worden.
4.   Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting : see Minutes
5.   Composition of Parliament : see Minutes
6.   Composition of political groups (continuation): see Minutes
7.   Composition of committees and delegations : see Minutes
8.   Election of the European Ombudsman – application received: see Minutes
9.   Corrigendum (Rule 231): see Minutes
10.   Signature of acts adopted under the ordinary legislative procedure (Rule 78): see Minutes
11.   Action taken on unfinished business (Rule 229): see Minutes
12.   Action taken on Parliament's positions and resolutions: see Minutes
13.   Texts of agreements forwarded by the Council: see Minutes
14.   Petitions: see Minutes
15.   Decisions concerning certain documents: see Minutes
16.   Documents received: see Minutes
17.   Order of business

Der Präsident. - Der endgültige Entwurf der Tagesordnung dieser Tagung, wie er in der Konferenz der Präsidenten in ihrer Sitzung vom Donnerstag, dem 16. Oktober 2014 gemäß Artikel 149 der Geschäftsordnung festgelegt wurde, ist verteilt worden.
Zu diesem Entwurf wurden folgende Änderungen beantragt:

Νότης Μαριάς (ECR). - Κύριε Πρόεδρε, ζήτησα να παρέμβω για δύο θέματα. Το πρώτο αφορά το άρθρο 163 του κανονισμού για τις παρεμβάσεις διαρκείας ενός λεπτού. Υπέβαλα πρόταση για να μιλήσω με θέμα τις γερμανικές πολεμικές επανορθώσεις, το αναγκαστικό κατοχικό δάνειο, τις αποζημιώσεις συγγενών των θυμάτων εκτελεσθέντων κατά τη διάρκεια της γερμανικής κατοχής στην Ελλάδα. Το αίτημα μου απορρίφθηκε διότι, ισχυρίζεται η υπηρεσία, δεν υπάρχει επαρκής χρόνος για να αναπτύξω τις απόψεις μου. Όμως, κύριε Πρόεδρε, βλέπω για πρώτη φορά να μην γίνεται η συζήτηση τη Δευτέρα, η οποία πάντοτε περιελάμβανε τη συζήτηση για τις παρεμβάσεις ενός λεπτού, αλλά να έχει προσδιοριστεί για την Πέμπτη, όπου διαθέτουμε μόνο δύο ώρες για το θέμα αυτό καθώς και για πολλά άλλα ζητήματα.
Εάν όμως, κύριε Πρόεδρε, είχε τεθεί το θέμα σήμερα, Δευτέρα, που η συνεδρίαση τελειώνει στις 7.00 θα ήταν δυνατό να συνεχίσουμε μέχρι τις 10.00 και τις 11.00. Διότι, κύριε Πρόεδρε, το δικαίωμά μας να μιλήσουμε κάθε φορά δεν μπορεί να εξαρτάται από τον περιορισμό του χρόνου και σας ζητώ, ως εκ τούτου, να προσδιορίσετε το θέμα αυτό για σήμερα, τη Δευτέρα, ούτως ώστε να έχουμε τη δυνατότητα να τοποθετηθούμε όλοι οι βουλευτές, διαφορετικά, κύριε Πρόεδρε, παραβιάζετε το δικαίωμά μας.

Der Präsident. - Vielen Dank, Herr Abgeordneter. Ich glaube, das ist klar geworden.
Zunächst einmal: Änderungen dieser Art zur Geschäftsordnung sind bis 16.00 Uhr einzureichen. Das ist in der Geschäftsordnung so vorgesehen. Da Sie aber ein neues Mitglied dieses Hauses sind, weise ich Sie darauf hin. Für heute kann ich das so akzeptieren.
Die Verlegung der Ausführungen von einer Minute zu wichtigen politischen Fragen ist nicht aus inhaltlichen Gründen erfolgt, sondern aus rein formalen Gründen. Wir haben heute Abend Anhörungen für die Besetzung zweier Positionen innerhalb der Kommission durchzuführen. Das war der Grund, warum die Konferenz der Präsidenten ausnahmsweise die Ein-Minuten-Reden auf einen anderen Zeitpunkt gelegt hat, weil wir die entsprechende Infrastruktur und die Kapazitäten den Anhörungen vorbehalten müssen, wenn wir am Mittwoch über die Kommission abstimmen wollen. Das hat also keinerlei inhaltliche Gründe, wie Sie unterstellen, sondern rein formale.

Beatrix von Storch (ECR). - Herr Präsident! Ich möchte ganz kurz auf einen Fehler in der Tagesordnung hinweisen, zumindest in der deutschen Übersetzung. Da steht für Mittwoch, 12.00 Uhr, Wahl der EU-Kommission. Das ist ganz offenbar ein Fehler. Ich bitte, das zu prüfen – auch in den anderen Übersetzungen. Denn in Artikel 17 Absatz 7 des EU-Vertrages steht ausdrücklich: Die nationalen Regierungen wählen ihren Vertreter für die EU-Kommission. Wir, das Parlament, können das dann bestätigen, und das nur en bloc – 28 Mann en bloc bestätigen. Wählen können wir die Kommissare nicht. Also deswegen wäre ich dankbar, wenn das korrigiert wird.

(Beifall)


Der Präsident. - Das ist sicher eine interessante Variante. Artikel 118 der Geschäftsordnung des Parlaments sieht die Wahl der Kommission durch das Parlament vor.

Νότης Μαριάς (ECR). - Κύριε Πρόεδρε, παρότι νέος βουλευτής, γνωρίζω ότι το αίτημα πρέπει να υποβληθεί μέχρι τις 4.00 η ώρα. Από τις 11.00 το πρωί αναζητώ στο τηλέφωνο τις υπηρεσίες σας και δεν έχω βρει κανέναν για να θέσω το θέμα αυτό. Είμαι εδώ. Το δεύτερο λοιπόν θέμα που θέτω, κύριε Πρόεδρε, αφορά στο κατεπείγον.
Είχε τεθεί μία πρόταση να συζητηθεί ως κατεπείγον το θέμα των τουρκικών προκλήσεων στην κυπριακή ΑΟΖ. Αυτό απερρίφθη από το Προεδρείο. Όμως σήμερα, ήδη, τουρκικό σεισμογραφικό σκάφος έχει εισέλθει στην ΑΟΖ και δημιουργεί προβλήματα. Ζητώ λοιπόν κύριε Πρόεδρε, εδώ στην ολομέλεια, να πάρουμε απόφαση να συζητήσουμε αυτό το κατεπείγον θέμα, διότι είναι καθοριστικό για τη διατήρηση της ειρήνης, αφού παραβιάζεται το διεθνές δίκαιο.

Der Präsident. - Herr Marias! Ich habe das verstanden, es hat aber nichts mit der Geschäftsordnung zu tun.
Im Übrigen bedaure ich sehr, dass Sie mich oder meine Dienststellen telefonisch nicht erreicht haben. Ich wollte Ihnen mitteilen: Dieses Haus verfügt über Infrastrukturen. Sie können das also auch per E-Mail machen. Dann melden wir uns sofort. Wir werden Ihnen aber erklären, wie das geht.
Montag:
Keine Änderungen zum Arbeitsplan.
Dienstag:

Jean Arthuis (ALDE). - Monsieur le Président, la Conférence des présidents a prévu, pour la discussion budgétaire, d'appeler d'abord le projet de budget pour 2015 et ensuite le budget rectificatif no 2 de 2014.
En plein accord avec l'ensemble des coordinateurs de la commission des budgets, je souhaite que nous puissions inverser l'ordre des discussions et que nous abordions d'abord le budget rectificatif 2014 et ensuite le projet de budget 2015. À la vérité, le grand débat budgétaire portera certainement sur les 300 milliards du programme annoncé par le président Juncker mais, pour l'immédiat, l'enjeu de la discussion budgétaire est celui des impayés.
Au fil des années, depuis 2010, nous voyons apparaître une somme d'impayés qui ne cesse de progresser: 5 milliards en 2010, 11 milliards en 2011, 16 milliards en 2012, 23 milliards en 2013 et peut-être 30 milliards à la fin de l'année 2014. C'est une dette sournoise qui est en train d'apparaître et nous ne pouvons pas altérer l'autorité de l'Union européenne en laissant ainsi progresser des impayés.
Dans ces conditions, nous souhaitons tester l'intention du Conseil en évoquant d'abord les projets de budget rectificatif 2014, car ils sont l'occasion de stabiliser cette dette. Lors du trilogue qui s'est tenu jeudi dernier, nous avons posé ce principe en plein accord avec les coordinateurs: d'abord les budgets rectificatifs 2014 et ensuite 2015. C'est la raison pour laquelle j'exprime le souhait que nous puissions inverser mardi, lors du débat, et mercredi, lors du vote, l'appel des dossiers, c'est-à-dire d'abord les rectifications 2014 et ensuite le budget 2015.

Der Präsident. - Vielen Dank, Herr Arthuis! Im Einvernehmen mit den Fraktionen ist das bereits beschlossen worden. Wir haben in der Konferenz der Präsidenten unter den Fraktionen Einvernehmen darüber erzielt, dass der Entwurf des Berichtigungshaushalts Nr. 2 für das Jahr 2014 vor die Aussprache über den Gesamthaushalt für das Jahr 2015 vorgezogen wird. Ihrem Wunsch ist also bereits vorab entsprochen worden.
Im Übrigen bin ich Ihnen dankbar dafür, dass Sie darauf hingewiesen haben, wie die tatsächliche Lage ist. Ihr Vorgänger in diesem Amt als Vorsitzender des Haushaltsausschusses und ich selbst hatten in den vergangenen Jahren das traurige Privileg, immer wieder das Gleiche hier im Haus vortragen zu müssen.
Mittwoch:
Die Fraktion der ECR hat beantragt, eine Erklärung der Vizepräsidentin der Kommission / Hohen Vertreterin für Außen- und Sicherheitspolitik zur Todesstrafe für Asia Bibi am Mittwoch als dritten Punkt ohne Entschließung auf die Tagesordnung zu setzen.

Peter van Dalen (ECR). - Voorzitter, ik richt mij tot u, niet alleen namens mijn fractie, maar ook als covoorzitter van de werkgroep van dit Parlement voor godsdienstvrijheid en de vrijheid van geloof.
Als werkgroep, Voorzitter, verzetten wij ons al langere tijd tegen de blasfemiewetgeving in Pakistan, een wetgeving op grond waarvan mensen kunnen worden veroordeeld als ze verondersteld worden de profeet Mohammed te hebben beledigd, en de hoogste straf die daarop staat is de doodstraf. Enkele jaren geleden is mevrouw Asia Bibi ter dood veroordeeld op grond van zo'n zaak en onze Raadsvoorzitter Renzi heeft deze kwestie ook bij zijn speech deze zomer nog expliciet genoemd.
Helaas is het nu zo, Voorzitter, dat afgelopen donderdag een gerechtshof in Lahore, het doodvonnis tegen mevrouw Asia Bibi heeft bevestigd. Nu is het dus zaak, Voorzitter, dat we alles op alles zetten om de uitvoering van dat doodvonnis te voorkomen en die blasfemiewetgeving af te schaffen. Daarom ons verzoek om woensdagmiddag een uur toe te voegen voor gedachtewisseling met de Hoge Vertegenwoordiger.

Der Präsident. - Für den Antrag möchte Frau Abgeordnete Björk sprechen. Bitte sehr!

Malin Björk (GUE/NGL). - Herr talman! Vi i GUE/NGL är naturligtvis djupt oroade over Asia Bibis fall, men vi är också djupt oroade över att snarare än att minska så ökar antalet dödsstraff som utdöms.
Enligt Amnesty så dömdes 778 personer 2013 till avrättning genom dödsstraff. 778 har avrättats 2013 och 1 925 dömdes till döden. Det sitter 23 392 dödsdömda och väntar på s.k. death row. Vi skulle vilja ha en mer generell debatt i plenum med den höga representanten för utrikes- och säkerhetsfrågor.

Der Präsident. - Vielen Dank, Frau Björk. Möchte jemand gegen diesen Antrag sprechen?
Das ist nicht der Fall. Dann lasse ich über den Antrag abstimmen. Wer ist dafür, dass wir das als dritten Punkt auf die Tagesordnung bei den Erklärungen der Hohen Vertreterin setzen? Ich bitte um ein Handzeichen.

(Das Parlament nimmt den Antrag von Herrn van Dalen an.)


Marie-Christine Vergiat (GUE/NGL). - Monsieur le Président, je n'ai pas bien compris ce que nous venons de mettre à l'ordre du jour. Il y avait une proposition d'un groupe et une contre-proposition d'un autre groupe. Vous n'avez procédé qu'à un vote, qui n'était pas très clair. Pourriez-vous nous expliquer le point que nous avons mis aux voix en vue de l'inscrire à l'ordre du jour?

Der Präsident. - Der Antrag von Herrn van Dalen beinhaltete, dass Frau Ashton in ihrer Erklärung am kommenden Mittwoch einen dritten Punkt auf die Liste ihrer Erklärungen nehmen soll, als Erklärung der Hohen Vertreterin, und zwar den Fall der Verurteilung von Asia Bibi zum Tode. Dieser Antrag ist von Frau Björk unterstützt worden. Es hat niemand dagegen gesprochen.
Frau Björk, auf meine Frage: ‘Wer möchte den Antrag unterstützen?’ haben Sie sich ausdrücklich zu Wort gemeldet, und Sie haben gesagt, Sie hätten gerne eine breitere Debatte. Eine breitere Debatte als die Erklärung der Hohen Vertreterin hier im Plenum in einer Plenardebatte gibt es nicht.
Was wollen Sie? Das müssen Sie schon substanziieren und sagen, was Sie noch breiter haben wollen.

Malin Björk (GUE/NGL). - Herr talman! Jag ber om ursäkt. Jag är ny här i kammaren. Vad jag skulle vilja be om är att istället för att diskutera ett specifikt fall så skulle jag vilja att vi diskuterar med den höga representanten mer generellt om dödsstraffet, så att vi inte bara begränsar oss till ett fall. Vi vill ha ett uttalande från henne om dödsstraffet och det faktum att det ökar i världen snarare än minskar.

Der Präsident. - Das habe ich jetzt auch besser verstanden. Ich hatte Ihre Äußerung so verstanden, dass Sie nichtsdestoweniger, weil Sie sich als Unterstützung für den Antrag zu Wort gemeldet hatten – ich gebe zu, das ist im Prinzip keine Unterstützung für diesen Antrag, sondern das ist ein alternativer Vorschlag.
Frau Björk, ich hatte bei der Abstimmung aber den Eindruck, dass die überwältigende Mehrheit im Hause für den Antrag des Kollegen van Dalen ist. Deshalb würde ich sagen: Wir behalten im Auge, was Sie wünschen, nämlich eine breitere Debatte über die Frage der Todesstrafe. Der Fairness halber muss man aber sagen, es wäre nicht die erste, die dieses Haus dann in breiterer Form führt. Dennoch sehe ich für den Antrag des Kollegen van Dalen eine breite Mehrheit.
Wenn Sie aber darauf beharren, Frau Björk, kann ich gerne über Ihren Antrag nochmal abstimmen lassen.

(Frau Björk bejaht.)

Das wünschen Sie also.
Der weitergehende Antrag ist der von Frau Björk, nämlich nicht über den Einzelfall zu debattieren, sondern eine generelle Aussprache über die Todesstrafe zu führen.

(Das Parlament lehnt den Antrag ab.)

Dann lasse ich erneut über den Antrag von Herrn van Dalen abstimmen.

(Das Parlament nimmt den Antrag an.)

Donnerstag:
Keine Änderungen zum Arbeitsplan.

(Der Arbeitsplan ist somit angenommen.)

18.   Better prevention and management of floods at European level (debate)

Der Präsident. - Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über die Erklärung der Kommission über bessere Verhütung und Bewältigung von Überschwemmungen auf europäischer Ebene (2014/2897(RSP)).

Tonio Borg,
Member of the Commission
. - Mr President, on behalf of the Commission and Commissioner Georgieva, I would like to make the following statement. The recent heavy floods which have hit northern Italy and claimed at least three lives, causing several million euros' worth of damage, show once again the importance of sustainable investment in better preparedness against disasters. I would like to focus on three main points.
First of all, natural disasters have become more frequent and more intense over recent decades, not only globally but also in Europe. Urbanisation, population growth and environmental degradation have very much contributed to this trend. It is estimated that average annual losses over the last decade have risen to EUR 200 billion, with floods accounting for 35% of all losses. If we take last year's floods in Central Europe alone, these are estimated to have cost EUR 17 billion, topping the list of the costliest natural disasters in 2013.
This spring, the floods in Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Bulgaria also caused widespread devastation and left more than one hundred people dead and half a million people homeless. Fortunately, the damage caused by the current floods in northern Italy and southern France is not on the same scale, but still reflects the same trend.
This brings me to my second point. What is the European Union doing to better manage natural disasters? Natural hazards such as floods cannot be prevented, but the number of lives they take and the damage they cause can be greatly reduced through better preparation and protection. Another major benefit, investment in prevention, is cost-effective. On average, for instance, every euro spent on prevention saves between four and seven euros that would have been spent once a disaster has hit.
So the Commission is implementing the approach across various policy areas, including civil protection, the environment and also regional policy and research and development. The most visible piece of EU legislation relating to flood management is certainly the Floods Directive, which has been in force since 2007 and which establishes a framework for the assessment and management of flood risks. Flood risk management plans focusing on prevention, protection and preparedness should set the objectives and include the measures to achieve flood risk reduction.
Thanks to the support of Parliament, we also have a new mechanism for disaster-proofing the major infrastructure projects covered under the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive. There are also provisions to disaster-proof new investments funded by the EU's structural funds. Flood prevention is actually receiving the bulk of available regional policy funds earmarked for risk prevention. For instance, for the 2007-2013 period, funding made available to Member States to invest in risk prevention, including against floods – so this is risk prevention in its entirety but it includes floods as well – in risk management and in climate change adaptation amounted to around EUR 60.5 billion. Now the first estimates for the new 2014-2020 period show that this sum would increase to EUR 78 billion. Related projects include maintaining or developing flood plains such as along the Tisza river in Hungary; cross-border and transnational cooperation on flood prevention; the deployment of early warning systems, as well as support to civil protection. A concrete example of support is the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, supporting projects to develop a common risk assessment methodology for the region.
We have also come a very long way in the area of civil protection, which showed its benefits also during the recent Italian floods – more about this in a moment. And, as of this year, we have our new civil protection legislation in place, with a very strong focus on preparedness and prevention, building up a voluntary pool of disaster response capacities, better response planning, a training network and reinforced cooperation among authorities in the field of training and exercises.
Of course, these are the things which have already been done. What else can be done? As regards the floods in northern Italy, since I was referring to the civil protection mechanism, I must say that the Italian authorities saw no need to activate the EU civil protection mechanism, but on 16 October requested activation of the EU Copernicus emergency mapping system.
What else can be done? I think, in conclusion, we also need to engage more closely with industry. We need to put disaster management firmly on the agenda of EU finance ministers because it is cost-effective. By investing euros in prevention, we save much more when disasters actually happen. Let me conclude by stressing that we are now equipped with the tools not to completely prevent, but to mitigate and manage disasters, including floods.

IN THE CHAIR: OLLI REHN


Vice-President


Lambert van Nistelrooij,
namens de PPE-Fractie
. – Voorzitter, dank u wel, commissaris, dank voor uw samenvattende inleiding.
Hier komt nog bij dat we net vóór de verkiezingen het Solidariteitsfonds hebben aangepast, de verordening zo hebben ingericht dat we sneller kunnen inspringen in gebieden waar het goed fout gaat. Dit geldt inderdaad voor Noord-Italië, evenals voor het zuiden van Frankrijk. Ik verwacht ook wel dat ze boven die grens zullen zitten. De criteria liggen allemaal vast. Dat is in ieder geval een heel duidelijk signaal naar de burgers.
Maar er is eigenlijk meer. U geeft het ook aan en dat is ook de titel van het debat vandaag. In Genua bijvoorbeeld lijkt het erop dat de afvoer van de rivieren, de capaciteit, eenvoudigweg niet voldoende was. Je moet heel goed inspelen op dingen die kunnen gebeuren. Ik ben Nederlander. Wij bevinden ons voor een belangrijk deel onder de zeespiegel en wij weten wat er gebeurt. Ik heb dan ook het idee dat preventie in de praktijk onvoldoende op de agenda is gekomen en dat we nu met fondsen moeten bijspringen, maar dat het politiek onvoldoende wordt opgepakt. We kunnen inderdaad inspringen met het Regionaal Ontwikkelingsfonds – dat is ervoor om die ecosystemen beter toe te rusten – maar er moeten lokale prioriteiten worden gesteld. En als het water niet weg kan, zoals nu in Genua het geval was, dan zijn de burgers en de bedrijven daar uiteindelijk steeds weer de dupe van.
In Nederland kennen we een Deltaplan, op andere terreinen in Europa moet hetzelfde gebeuren en als er politieke druk moet worden gezet op de lidstaten, op de ministers en de regio's, dan moet dat maar. Een prachtig onderwerp om met de nieuwe Commissie te bespreken.

Renata Briano,
a nome del gruppo S&D
. – Signor Presidente, Signor Commissario, onorevoli colleghi, intervengo dopo le alluvioni che hanno colpito la Maremma, il Basso Piemonte, Trieste, Parma e la mia città, Genova. In Italia, il territorio è fragile; quattro comuni su cinque sono a rischio idrogeologico. La risposta della politica è invece debole e ricorre l'emergenza. Ogni anno spendiamo mille milioni di euro per i danni alluvionali, ma solo cento per prevenirli. È un'emergenza, come ha detto il Commissario, che riguarda quasi tutta Europa.
Le cause sono molteplici: basti pensare ai cambiamenti climatici, alla cementificazione e all'abbandono delle campagne. Serve una rivoluzione culturale e politica per mitigare i rischi, anche se dobbiamo dire la verità: dovremo in parte imparare a conviverci, perché purtroppo il rischio zero non esiste.
L'Europa, può e deve dare una risposta efficace, serve però un approccio più trasversale, perché in diversi territori ad esempio, gli aiuti ai piccoli agricoltori sono al tempo stesso lotta al dissesto, ed è soltanto un esempio. Servono investimenti, indirizzare parte dei fondi strutturali per la prevenzione deve diventare un obbligo. Non solo, penso che parte dei 300 miliardi annunciati da Junker debbano essere impiegati per proteggere le nostre case e le nostre imprese dal fango.

Νότης Μαριάς,
εξ ονόματος της ομάδας ECR
. – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, κύριοι βουλευτές, το περίφημο Ταμείο Αλληλεγγύης της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης έχει αποτύχει πλήρως στο ρόλο του, ιδίως όσον αφορά στην αποζημίωση των πληγέντων από πλημμύρες στην Ελλάδα. Έτσι, οι πληγέντες από τις καταστροφικές πλημμύρες του Νοεμβρίου 2013, στη Ρόδο, στην Κω, στην Κάλυμνο και στην Ψέριμο ακόμη περιμένουν να αποζημιωθούν.
Το ίδιο ισχύει και για όσους έχουν πληγεί από τις καταστροφικές πλημμύρες που έπληξαν την Αττική τον Φεβρουάριο του 2013, όταν και θρηνήσαμε μία νεκρή συμπολίτη μας. Πέραν όμως της ανακούφισης των πληγέντων και της αποκατάστασης των ζημιών σε νοικοκυριά και υποδομές, θα πρέπει να υπάρξει μια σύγχρονη αντιπλημμυρική πολιτική σε όλα τα κράτη μέλη και η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση να χρηματοδοτήσει την κατασκευή αντιπλημμυρικών έργων ούτως ώστε, τόσο τα αστικά κέντρα όσο και η ύπαιθρος, να μην υφίστανται ανεπανόρθωτες ζημιές.
Μάλιστα εκεί που τα καταστροφικά αποτελέσματα των πλημμυρών αποκτούν διασυνοριακά χαρακτηριστικά, όπως είναι η διαρκής υπερχείλιση του ποταμού Έβρου λόγω έλλειψης αντιπλημμυρικών έργων στη Βουλγαρία, θα πρέπει να υπάρξει συνεργασία των υπηρεσιών της Επιτροπής με Ελλάδα και Βουλγαρία για χρηματοδότηση των έργων αυτών. Τέλος χρειάζεται σχεδιασμός μιας σύγχρονης αντιπλημμυρικής πολιτικής της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης που θα λαμβάνει υπόψη τις κλιματικές αλλαγές.

Ivan Jakovčić,
u ime kluba ALDE
. – Gospodine predsjedniče, Hrvatska i nama susjedne države, Bosna i Hercegovina te Srbija bile su područje gotovo biblijskih poplava ovoga proljeća. U tom kontekstu želim upozoriti Europski parlament i europsku javnost da sam uvjeren da trebamo učiniti ozbiljne pomake kako bismo mogli pomoći zemljama koje nemaju dovoljno uspostavljenu prekograničnu suradnju te koje još uvijek na neki način zaziru od suradnje.
U ovome smo slučaju imali situaciju kada su štete iznosile stotine milijuna eura, pa možda i milijarde eura, imali smo gubitak ljudskih života - na desetke ljudi je poginulo ili nestalo. Tragedije su zaista velike, za građane, za njihovu imovinu i za njihovo opće bavljenje poljoprivredom, pogotovo sutra, budući da su i polja doživjela ogromnu štetu.
Ono što predlažem je svakako, da trebamo stvoriti sustav - i to je moj prvi prijedlog - koji će upravo iz fonda solidarnosti, odmah, interventno moći djelovati, barem nekim minimalnim sredstvima.
U roku od 24 sata, 48 sati, moramo odmah djelovati, jer onda pokazujemo našu efikasnost i našu ozbiljnost. Ovako kada djelujemo nakon 4, 5 ili 6 mjeseci, ljudi su frustrirani, zaborave tko im je uopće pomogao, te odakle su sredstva došla. Zato predlažem stvaranje jedne interventne grupe ljudi koja je u mogućnosti da odmah djeluje na europskoj razini i bude poslana u neka područja, jer često upravo nacionalne zemlje ili regionalne vlasti znaju zakazati.
I moj treći prijedlog je zajednički europski monitoring za sva ona područja za koja znamo da mogu imati velike štete upravo od poplava.

João Ferreira,
em nome do Grupo GUE/NGL
. – Algumas palavras sobre as recentes cheias que afetaram vários países, partindo da observação de Lisboa, capital de Portugal, um caso paradigmático, mas sem esquecer o que se passou em Itália, nomeadamente em Génova, em França e noutros países.
Chuvas intensas não são, necessariamente, sinónimo de cheias. As cheias devem-se não tanto às irritações divinas de S. Pedro mas sim ao homem, às políticas vigentes da ocupação desregrada e abusiva dos solos, aos meios de prevenção e de gestão que não são devidamente mobilizados.
São necessárias medidas de prevenção estrutral, preteridas nos últimos anos, sobretudo nas cidades pelo avanço do betão e da impermeabilização dos solos. A
correção de situações indutoras de risco e a concretização de planos de drenagem eficazes são dois exemplos.
Tudo isto exige investimentos públicos vultuosos mas imprescindíveis. Exige romper também com a desresponsabilização do Estado e os ataques aos serviços públicos, da proteção civil aos serviços de água e saneamento, ataques que expõem os cidadãos a intoleráveis e evitáveis riscos.

Molly Scott Cato,
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
. – Mr President, I want to talk about some of the extreme weather events that we expect to see as a result of climate change. My region of South-West England was subject to extreme flooding this past winter, which has focused our minds on both flood alleviation and flood prevention. As Greens, we call for three elements of a responsible flood policy. First there needs to be adequate investment in the infrastructure that prevents flooding, and we must not allow austerity cuts to increase the risk as our communities become inundated.
We also need to take a whole-catchment approach and consider how our farming practices have reduced the land's ability to absorb rainfall for longer before it drains into the river. Land management that involves maintaining hedges and trees using organic methods that reduce soil run-off should be prioritised in the CAP subsidiary scheme.
Thirdly, we must make explicit the link between flooding and climate change and be reminded by flooding incidents across Europe of the urgent need to agree meaningful carbon-dioxide reductions at the COP 21 negotiations in Paris next year.

Louis Aliot (NI). - Monsieur le Président, chers collègues, le Sud de la France a été durement touché par les inondations pour la quinzième année consécutive. En quinze ans, quinze catastrophes majeures ont engendré la mort de quatre-vingt personnes et occasionné plus de 500 millions d'euros de dégâts.
Systématiquement, on relève les mêmes causes suivies des mêmes effets. Or, il faut aussi s'occuper de l'immédiateté de cette catastrophe, et les dossiers ainsi que les procédures sont lourds.
Je n'ai qu'une seule question: qu'envisagez-vous pour simplifier ces procédures et pour que les fonds soient débloqués rapidement afin de venir en aide aux populations et aux collectivités?

Elisabetta Gardini (PPE). - Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, saluto il Commissario Borg. Ha nominato anche la Commissaria Georgieva. Io ho avuto l'onore di essere relatrice del nuovo meccanismo di protezione civile europea, quindi non sto a ripetere quello che abbiamo detto tante volte in quest'Aula. È tutto giusto quello che è stato detto, ed è importante ricordare come noi abbiamo cercato nel nuovo meccanismo di protezione civile proprio di enfatizzare e di dare un nuovo spazio proprio alla prevenzione, perché la prevenzione siamo consapevoli è quello di cui oggi abbiamo estremamente bisogno in Europa.
Però da italiana, lasciatemi ricordare che in questi ultimi mesi noi abbiamo veramente subito una serie di disastri drammatici che hanno causato 11 morti e immense devastazioni: l'alluvione di Imola dell'Alta Romagna, l'alluvione di Alessandria, di Parma, della Maremma e di Genova.
Ecco, noi abbiamo con il nostro meccanismo cercato di costruire un sistema capace di raccogliere tutte le risorse e le competenze che l'Europa è capace di esprimere. Il mio paese è particolarmente difficile e fragile, però io vorrei approfittare di questa sede per dire ai colleghi italiani che esprimono le forze politiche che oggi sono al governo in Italia, di fare attenzione, perché come lanciano l'allarme i sindaci, lanci la coalizione per la prevenzione del rischio idrogeologico, in Italia stiamo rischiando di perdere di vista la sussidiarietà.
Allora è giusto, l'Europa faccia la sua parte e la stiamo facendo e credo che nell'ultima legislatura l'abbiamo fatta, ma non possiamo pensare che sia dall'Europa che arrivano le risposte del territorio. È pericolosa, lo dicono i sindaci: l'orientamento preso dal decreto ….

Tibor Szanyi (S&D). - Tisztelt Parlament! Valóban, amikor természeti csapás éri az embereket, akkor az első szó mindig a szolidaritásé. Így vagyunk ezzel Olaszország esetében, de egyébként más országok esetében is. A második szó azonban az, hogy gondolkodjunk el a jövőn. Amennyiben igaz, hogy a víz a jövő aranya, akkor ezt az aranyat már most el kell kezdeni tartalékolni. Én olyan Európát szeretnék látni előbb vagy utóbb, de inkább előbb, amelyben nem arról van szó, hogy milyen károkat okoz a víz, hanem hogy akármennyi víz van, akármennyi víz jön, azt hogyan hasznosítjuk. Éppen ezért ennek a Parlamentnek az állna jól, ha a Bizottságot rendszeresen beszámoltatná arról, hogy miként áll az árvízi irányelv, az árvízi akcióprogram.

Giulia Moi (NI). - Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, lo scorso 18 novembre una grave alluvione ha purtroppo devastato le coste della Sardegna, tra cui Olbia, dove ha causato vari morti e i danni sono stati ingenti. Allora, è avvenuto lo stesso in Liguria, esattamente a Genova pochi giorni fa. L'Italia chiede sempre aiuti e fondi dall'Europa. Questi fondi in teoria dovrebbero essere stati usati per ripristinare ponti o fiumi, per agire in modo chiaro e netto e onesto, invece abbiamo visto, per esempio, che questi soldi e molti altri soldi pubblici sono stati usati per premiare dipendenti che invece hanno spesso con la loro noncuranza causato questi danni. A volte succede anche in altre nazioni dell'Europa. Ora noi vogliamo sapere se la Commissione vuole controllare e continuare a controllare dove vanno a finire questi soldi pubblici?

Michèle Alliot-Marie (PPE). - Monsieur le Président, même lorsque des efforts de prévention ou des efforts de gestion des risques sont fournis depuis des années, des catastrophes peuvent se produire.
En septembre et en octobre derniers, des épisodes pluvieux exceptionnels et survenus à trois reprises ont endeuillé et frappé le Languedoc-Roussillon et le Midi-Pyrénées. Dans le seul département du Gard, 147 personnes ont été sauvées, dont plus de la moitié par hélitreuillage, ce qui montre bien que la sécurité civile est intervenue. Malheureusement, cinq décès sont à déplorer. La plupart des équipements publics et des collectivités ont été endommagés. Les dégâts sont colossaux. Les pertes agricoles sont également considérables. Les dégâts matériels représentent près d'une centaine de millions d'euros.
Mis en place durant les fortes intempéries qui ont touché l'Europe en 2002, le Fonds de solidarité de l'Union européenne pour les catastrophes naturelles permet de soutenir les victimes. Avec mon collègue Franck Proust, nous souhaitons son intervention, et son intervention rapide, pour montrer que l'Europe n'est pas synonyme simplement de règlements ou de contraintes mais également d'une vraie solidarité.

Илияна Йотова (S&D). - Благодаря ви, г-н Комисар за подробната информация за инструментите, с които разполага Европейския съюз за реакция при бедствия. Въпросът е обаче как те действат и дали са обвързани така, че да бъдат максимално ефективни. Очевидно, дошло е време да бъдат преразгледани или най-малкото събрани в цялостен законодателен пакет с взаимна координация помежду си.
300 милиона евро са загубите от наводненията в България само за последните няколко месеца. Фонд ‘Солидарност’ отпусна 10 милиона – капка в морето и разбира се недостатъчно. И те трябва да стигнат по-бързо до пострадалите от Мизия, от черноморското крайбрежие, от централна България, защото зимата не се интересува от бюрокрацията. Хората са на улицата и не ни разбират, когато говорим за проекти и за фондове. Имаме спешна нужда от опростяване на процедурите, от заделени средства специално в Кохезионните фондове и селскостопанските програми при бедствия, както и от възможности за трансгранично сътрудничество при бедствия и аварии.

Tiziana Beghin (NI). - Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, un'altra alluvione ha colpito la città di Genova. Appena tre anni dopo l'alluvione del 2011 che aveva già messo in ginocchio cittadini e imprese. Il sindaco di Genova ha dichiarato che la città è stata ferita dall'ennesima catastrofe. Vorrei che il sindaco di Genova fosse qui per ricordare a lui e alle amministrazioni precedenti, che sono loro che hanno ferito Genova. L'hanno ferita costruendo sul letto dei fiumi, seppellendo i corsi d'acqua e spendendo miliardi di euro in grandi opere inutili piuttosto che fare prevenzione.
E vorrei poter parlare con chi si è occupato di ambiente nella regione Liguria, in effetti lo posso fare, è qui con noi la nostra collega Briano, ha parlato poco fa. La politica – vorrei ricordarle cara collega – è responsabile di quello che fa e di quello che non fa, il suo partito amministra città e regione da trent'anni; quando centinaia di imprese devono chiudere, quando degli innocenti perdono la vita perché non c'è stata prevenzione, io vorrei che ci fosse un responsabile, vorrei che qualcuno potesse pagare per ciò che doveva fare e non ha fatto.
Non sono le acque che uccidono le vittime delle alluvioni, ma sono le persone ogni volta che gettono cemento nei fiumi e ogni volta che si ostacola la prevenzione, perciò le chiedo che cosa ha fatto lei quando si occupava di ambiente in Liguria? Che cosa ha fatto per impedire quello che è successo a Genova? E lo stesso vale per il basso Piemonte, dove abbiamo assistito alle stesse cose. Anche questa regione cronicamente è inondata e alluvionata.

Flavio Zanonato (S&D). - Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, è stato già ricordato più volte che il nord Italia, insieme ad altre regioni europee, è stato colpito da un susseguirsi di eventi atmosferici eccezionali che combinandosi con la fragilità del territorio hanno causato molti danni all'economia locale, alle infrastrutture pubbliche e ai beni privati. Enormi sono i disagi della popolazione, tanto da rendere necessario l'intervento massiccio della protezione civile.
Purtroppo le previsioni meteo stimano che tali eventi atmosferici potranno ripetersi anche nelle prossime settimane, interessando altre zone. A questo proposito, invito la Commissione europea a valutare l'immediata attivazione del Fondo di solidarietà dell'Unione, con particolare riferimento ai contenuti dell'accordo adottato a grande maggioranza lo scorso aprile del 2014 da questo Parlamento, che contempla scadenze più lunghe e procedure più rapide per l'erogazione dei sostegni alla popolazione civile.
In particolare, Presidente, mi riferisco alle disposizioni che prevedono il versamento di un anticipo del 10% sull'entità del sostegno complessivo e che è assolutamente prioritario per le popolazioni gravemente danneggiate e le infrastrutture colpite poterlo ottenere.

Catch-the-eye procedure


Lara Comi (PPE). - Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, Signor commissario, Genova è stata colpita settimane fa da una forte alluvione. L'abbiamo sentito da molti altri colleghi. Peccato che è un'alluvione che ha creato danni molto simili a quelli del 2011. L'Europa – come ha ricordato il collega van Nistelrooij – ha messo a disposizione fondi di solidarietà per le emergenze: ma sono stati spesi? Questa è la domanda che dobbiamo porci.
Ad ora si rileva che non è stato fatto nulla dalla regione Liguria dal 2011 al 2014: allora chi governa si prenda ora tutte le responsabilità! Sono stati fatti male i bandi di gara? Il TAR non ha dato la sospensiva e quindi è un'altra scusa che si utilizza. Ci sono 2 miliardi di euro ancora da spendere per i dissesti idrogeologici. Perché la politica non li ha spesi per riparare i danni del 2011 e per prevenire come lei ha detto? Alla fine chi è danneggiato è il cittadino che paga regolarmente le tasse, ma non riceve ancora i soldi per i danni dell'alluvione del 2011 e quindi la politica si metta una mano sulla propria coscienza e prenda le proprie responsabilità.

Ангел Джамбазки (ECR). - Тази година беше изключително сложна и тежка откъм наводнения, както за Италия, така видимо и за Гърция, и за България. Имаме десетки загинали, много тежки материални щети, нанесени в много български селища – в Мизия, във варненско, около пловдивско, в цяла северозападна България. Бих искал да знам какъв е принципът, по който се разпределя и се определя размера на помощта, която ще бъде отпусната. Питам, защото от медиите научаваме, че в съседни държави, които не са членки на Европейския съюз, има отпуснати повече и по-големи средства. Разбира се, мъката на хората не може да се оценява, но на мен ми е любопитно да знам какъв е принципът, по който тези средства се определят и как се разпределят.
Бих искал да знам също в какъв срок могат да бъдат получени тези средства, защото хората в тези най-засегнати краища на България – европейски граждани, имат нужда точно сега да усетят и да разберат европейската солидарност и да видят, че има смисъл и има помощ в това да бъдем членове на Европейския съюз.

Jozo Radoš (ALDE). - Gospodine predsjedniče, u prijedlogu Komisije, direktive iz 2005. godine govori se o tome da koordinacija treba biti i s državama nečlanicama Europske unije, dakle državama koje pripadaju istom riječnom bazenu, što je naravno vrlo logično, jer ta koordinacija pojeftinjuje ukupne troškove.
Ja sam se javio za riječ kada je govorio kolega Jakovčić koji je izvjestitelj Europskog parlamenta za jadransko-jonsku inicijativu s prijedlogom njemu, Komisiji i Parlamentu da se i ta dimenzija suradnje unutar jadransko-jonske inicijative iskoristi za bolju koordinaciju napora država članica te inicijative, ali jednako tako i za bolju koordinaciju njihovih napora s državama članicama Europske unije.

Εμμανουήλ Γλέζος (GUE/NGL). - Κύριε Πρόεδρε, πριν από είκοσι ακριβώς χρόνια σε όλες τις χώρες της Ευρώπης είχαν σταλεί από μέρους της Διεύθυνσης Περιβάλλοντος της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης ειδικές οδηγίες αντιμετώπισης των πλημμυρών με βάση τα έργα τα οποία εφαρμόστηκαν από μένα τον ίδιο στην Απείρανθο της Νάξου, με αποτέλεσμα να μην γίνονται πλημμύρες όπου υπάρχουν αυτά τα έργα.
Ρωτάω τον Επίτροπο, γιατί δεν εφαρμόζονται αυτές οι οδηγίες που ήδη έχουν σταλεί; Ας μην στεκόμαστε μοιραίοι και άβουλοι μπροστά στα φυσικά φαινόμενα.

Sergio Gaetano Cofferati (S&D). - Signor Presidente, Signor Commissario, onorevoli colleghi, in circostanze come queste che hanno colpito molti paesi dell'Unione europea, soprattutto nel corso degli ultimi anni, è sempre molto importante non dimenticare l'utilità della solidarietà – però poi non bisogna fermarsi lì. Bisogna certo – come ha detto lei – anche intervenire con gli investimenti, perché ci siano azioni di prevenzione efficaci e non sempre quelle fatte hanno avuto questa funzione, ma bisogna, io credo anche prendere atto di una novità, una novità non positiva.
In tutte le circostanze più recenti, comprese le ultime che hanno toccato la mia città, Genova e il mio paese, ma non solo che hanno coinvolto, ancor prima grandi paesi del centro dell'Europa, si è dimostrato oramai del tutto insufficiente, l'utilizzo delle tecnologie e della conoscenza. In queste realtà, l'allarme è stato dato con grave ritardo non soltanto per limiti burocratici, per errori delle amministrazioni che pure ci sono stati, ma soprattutto perché gli strumenti oggi disponibili non sono più sufficienti. C'è un ritardo evidente, una distanza enorme da colmare, tra gli effetti che produce il cambiamento climatico e la capacità della nostra scienza e della nostra tecnologia di prevederne l'entità e la velocità. Credo che l'Unione europea debba fare uno straordinario sforzo proprio rivolto in questa direzione.

(End of catch-the-eye procedure)


Tonio Borg,
Member of the Commission
. - Mr President, I will limit myself to addressing some important points which have been made. Let me first make it clear: the Solidarity Fund exists to pay compensation for damage after the fact. Under the current legal framework, the Solidarity Fund cannot be used to prevent something; it can only be used ex-post facto, and even then it has to be activated by an application from the country concerned.
As to the question: is it true that different funds have been allocated to different countries? There is no pre-allocation of funds. It depends on the type of disaster; it depends on the type of damage. For instance, one of the conditions is that the damage must exceed 0.6% of the region's GDP: in the case of Liguria, for example, that means damage in excess of EUR 660 million. Then, assistance is dependent on proof of the damage. There are so many factors which can differ from one country to another that I cannot give a straight answer except by enunciating the main principles.
To take Italy, for example: so far there has been no application by Italy to activate the funds, but once that happens and once it is determined that the damage exceeds 0.6% of the GDP of Liguria then, of course, the Solidarity Fund will pay for part of the damage. I must add, however, that the compromise struck by the European Council in February this year has reduced the maximum annual allocation from the Solidarity Fund from EUR 1 billion to EUR 500 million: a 50% decrease. So no one can perform miracles – one can only do, perhaps, something approaching the impossible with the funds available.
I had a question from Ms Moi, if I remember rightly, about allegations of irregularities in the use of the funds, and whether the Commission checks their use. Of course we check their use: there are a number of financial regulations which have to be followed and, more than once, when it has turned out that funds were used for the wrong purpose, or for purposes other than that for which they were allocated, a request has been made for the recovery and collection of those funds.
As regards prevention – and I made it clear in my statement how cost effective prevention is – there is no specific fund in the European Union just for floods. There are the structural funds, on which all the Member States can draw, and particularly those states which are liable to natural disasters. I mention Italy, in particular, because Italy has experience of volcanic eruptions, mud slides, floods and earthquakes, so it is a country with one of the best-developed civil protection systems. Because of the realities on the ground, Italy can use the structural funds for purposes of prevention.
I would like to finish by saying that funds are important, and government intervention is important, but I was impressed recently by seeing how volunteers – the so-called angeli del fango – also gave their assistance in Genoa. We had seen them before: I was still young but I remember them in 1966-1967 at the time of the floods in Florence. Even then they were called the angeli del fango, which literally translates as ‘the mud angels’.
The Commission will continue its emphasis on coordinating the efforts of Member States for prevention. That is why we have the Floods Directive which, although it is not a financial instrument in itself, is a legal instrument for coordination and cooperation between Member States in response to natural disasters of this kind.

President. - The debate is closed.

Written statements (Rule 149)


Lucy Anderson (S&D),
in writing
. – I welcome this statement on tackling flooding in Europe, and congratulate the Commission on promoting better options for addressing this critical issue, including green infrastructure, natural water-retention measures and sustainable urban drainage. As a member of our Delegation to the Serbian Parliament, I also express my solidarity with the Serbian people in particular, given the appalling consequences in their country of recent floods. We must continue to allocate EU emergency aid and ongoing technical assistance to Serbia and other countries in desperate need of our help.
Despite the wettest winter ever in the United Kingdom last year, our Government is failing to allocate the necessary resources to deal with increased flood risk as a result of climate change. In contrast, budgets have been slashed and Environment Agency staff numbers reduced. In my home city of London, we share many common concerns on flooding with cities and towns across the European Union affected by tidal rivers, and know that at least 24 000 properties are at risk of flooding. We must be ready for the even more difficult times ahead. I urge the Commission to keep up the pressure on Member States to prioritise better flood prevention and management.

Daniel Buda (PPE)
, în scris
. – Inundațiile sunt fenomene naturale cu impact major asupra vieții oamenilor și a mediului înconjurător. Intervenția umană asupra mediului înconjurător prin expansiunea urbană, a dezvoltării agricole, dar mai ales prin defrișările necontrolate au schimbat considerabil situația bazinelor hidrografice. Un răspuns complet la această problemă implică, pe lângă mecanismul de intervenție în cazul inundațiilor, și un management de prevenire a riscurilor pe termen mediu și lung. Strategia în acest sens trebuie să cuprindă nu doar acțiuni de coordonare care să se limiteze la capacitatea de răspuns în cazul inundațiilor. Măsurile structurale se concentrează asupra protecției și siguranței cetățenilor, a mediului înconjurător precum și a surselor esențiale de hrană. Există instrumente la nivelul statelor membre care pot da rezultate concrete. Programe de finanțare precum ‘prima împădurire’, au ca scop creșterea suprafeței de pădure cu rol de protecție împotriva factorilor naturali. Din păcate, în România, interesul pentru finanțările proiectelor pe Măsură 221 au fost deosebit de redus, fiind contractate doar 26 de proiecte cu o valoare de 1,55 milioane euro dintr-o alocare totală de 230 milioane euro. Comisia și guvernele trebuie să depună mai multe eforturi pentru dezvoltarea unui program coerent la nivelul întregii Uniuni Europene de prevenire a inundațiilor.

Andor Deli (PPE)
, írásban.
– Európában az idén talán nem volt ország, amelyet ne sújtott volna valamilyen természeti csapás. Több tagállam mellett Szerbiában és Bosznia-Hercegovinában is az évszázad árvize pusztított. A klímaváltozás, az időjárás szeszélyessége gyakoribbá tette az árvizeket és más katasztrófahelyzeteket. Úgy tűnik, az emberiség könnyelműsége a környezetvédelmet illetően állandósította és rendszeresítette ezeket a helyzeteket. Ez azt is jelenti, hogy a megelőzés, védekezés és szanálás köre és költsége állandósul, és tartósan megjelenik a tagállamok költségvetésében, legtöbb esetben tovább nehezítve az amúgy is érzékeny költségvetési egyensúlyt. Az EU Szolidaritási Alapjának az elmúlt években nagy kihívásokkal kellett szembenéznie, elsősorban a pénzeszközök szűkösségével, de azzal is, hogy állandó kritika célpontját képezte az alap felhasználására feljogosító kritériumrendszer. A Bizottság minden igyekezete ellenére még mindig túl összetett az eljárás, és túl lassú a reagálási idő. Az emberiség magatartása valószínűleg nem fog belátható időn belül megváltozni, ezért a környezet pusztítása folytatódik, minden káros következményével együtt. Szükségesnek tartom ezért egy jelentős anyagi eszközökkel rendelkező európai katasztrófa-segélyalap létrehozását, amelyen keresztül szakszerűen, hatékonyan, és – ami a legfontosabb – gyorsan tudnánk kezelni az előállt helyzeteket. Mert úgy tűnik, hogy a jövőben a természeti csapások és a velük kapcsolatos megelőzési vagy újjáalakítási tevékenységek szerves részét fogják képezni az európaiak életének.

Neena Gill (S&D),
in writing
. – People in my region, the West Midlands, have been hit hard by extreme floods over the past years, and 2014 was no exception. According to local experts, over 70 % of businesses have incurred significant damages due to extreme weather, with nearly half of them having suffered losses exceeding GBP 200 000. This is not to mention the material and emotional damage that floods have brought to people in the private sphere. Meanwhile, the UK Government has cut the budget of our Environment Agency, thereby significantly straining its ability to undertake decent flood risk management.
In this context, it is vital that the Commission scales up investment in flood prevention with a focus on structural measures that protect health, safety, valuables and property, and closely scrutinises flood-risk management plans required to be submitted by Member States under the Floods Directive. Given that expert evidence indicates that the increased occurrence of storms causing these floods is linked to climate change, a crucial part of the EU response should moreover consist in increasing efforts to tackle greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of pollution, and setting ambitions high for next year's Climate Conference in Paris.

András Gyürk (PPE),
írásban
. – Budapest tavaly, 2013. június 9-én szembesült történelmének eddig mért legmagasabb Duna-vízállásával (891 cm). Ugyanakkor a 2002-es dunai, és a 2006-os dunai és tiszai, a 2010-es észak-magyarországi tapasztalatok alapján megtörténtek a megfelelő előzetes beruházások, előkészületek az Országos Katasztrófavédelmi Főigazgatóság és egyéb szervek részéről. Így 2013 júniusában példátlan országos összefogással sikerült kivédeni a valaha volt legnagyobb árvízi fenyegetést Magyarországon. A magyar példából kiindulva, kiemelném az árvízi védekezés során az előzetes felkészülés fontosságát. Üdvözlöm az EU Szolidaritási Alap folyamatainak tavasszal történt átalakítását, amely alapján 2015-től a tagállamok előzetes kifizetések keretében is hozzáférhetnek pénzügyi segítséghez, a várható végső támogatási végösszeg 10 százalékának erejéig. Ahogyan a jelenlegi, szerbiai példa is mutatja, az előzetes kifizetések lehetősége kiemelt jelentőségű: Szerbiában az árvíz május közepén történt, a regionális politikáért felelős biztos október közepén jelentette be a várható támogatás összegét, azonban a Parlament és a Tanács jóváhagyására csak a későbbiek folyamán kerül sor. A tagállamok közötti összetartás és szolidaritás módja természeti katasztrófák bekövetkezése idején – a nyilvánvaló gyakorlati segítségen túl – szimbolikus jelentőségű.

Danuta Jazłowiecka (PPE),
na piśmie
. – Szanowni Państwo! Pochodzę z regionu, który niejednokrotnie doświadczał powodzi. Moje rodzinne miasto – Opole, w 1997 roku niemal w całości zostało zalane przez wezbraną Odrę i doświadczenie to będę pamiętała do końca życia. Wiem, jak ogromne spustoszenie czynią wezbrane rzeki, i rozumiem sytuację ludzi dotkniętych tym kataklizmem. Doświadczenia te wskazują na kilka istotnych problemów. Po pierwsze, stworzenie infrastruktury przeciwpowodziowej wymaga uregulowania rzek i często zniszczenia tym samym unikalnego środowiska przyrodniczego. W Polsce niejednokrotnie stoimy przed dylematem: chronić nasz dobytek, czy chronić zagrożone gatunki, co często opóźnia konieczne inwestycje na długie lata.
Po drugie, efektywna walka z powodzią wymaga ścisłej współpracy pomiędzy sąsiadującymi ze sobą państwami. W Europie bardzo rzadko rzeki znajdują się całkowicie w granicach jednego kraju. Dlatego też działanie jednego państwa może poprawić lub pogorszyć sytuację w innym. Póki co nie zostały jeszcze przygotowane wymagane przez dyrektywę powodziową plany zarządzania ryzykiem powodziowym, a to ich realizacja pokaże, czy potrafimy ze sobą skutecznie współpracować. Doświadczenia minionych lat raczej nie nastrajają optymistycznie. Trzeba mieć jednak nadzieję, że z upływem czasu poprawi się zarówno współpraca pomiędzy państwami członkowskimi, jak i możliwości szybkiej rozbudowy infrastruktury przeciwpowodziowej. Musimy bowiem pamiętać, że obserwowane zmiany klimatyczne zwiększą częstotliwość występowania powodzi i innych kataklizmów.

Gabriel Mato (PPE),
por escrito
. – Mientras celebramos este debate, en Tenerife, los vecinos se esfuerzan hoy por recuperarse de la terrible tromba de agua que durante varias horas descargó sobre Santa Cruz de Tenerife y otras zonas de la isla, provocando graves daños materiales en inmuebles, coches e infraestructuras públicas. Y lo que es peor, se cobró la vida de una persona.
Estudiamos hoy cómo mejorar la respuesta a las inundaciones a escala europea, y yo les pido tener muy en cuenta la situación de las regiones ultraperiféricas y, en concreto, de Canarias dado que la situación y características geográficas de estas regiones las hacen más vulnerables ante este tipo de fenómenos naturales.
Se trata de prevenir estas catástrofes y minimizar los riesgos, para que los ciudadanos europeos sientan que vivan donde vivan, hay una respuesta adecuada de la UE cuando más la necesitan.
Por otra parte el Fondo de Solidaridad no da una solución adecuada ya que el umbral para acceder a los fondos sigue siendo altísimo y no da respuesta a situaciones puntuales como la que se vivió ayer en Tenerife.
No podemos hacer nada para evitar las fuertes lluvias, pero desde luego sí para que sus efectos no sean tan devastadores.

Alessia Maria Mosca (S&D),
per iscritto
. – In Italia abbiamo dovuto assistere, ancora una volta, a un'alluvione distruttrice, abbattutasi su Genova il 9 e 10 ottobre scorsi. Si tratta di un problema europeo, al quale va cercata una soluzione europea che non può limitarsi all'aiuto ex-post ma deve immaginare soprattutto efficaci misure di prevenzione. Secondo una ricerca sul cambiamento climatico, tra il 2000 e il 2012 le inondazioni hanno provocato all'Unione Europea una perdita media annua di circa 4,9 miliardi di euro. Nel solo 2013 le alluvioni estreme, che hanno interessato prevalentemente l'Europa centrale e l'Inghilterra, hanno comportato danni stimabili in 12 miliardi di euro ed entro il 2050 la loro frequenza potrebbe aumentare da una media di una volta ogni 16 anni a una volta ogni 10 anni, coinvolgendo più nazioni allo stesso tempo, con un aumento delle perdite economiche conseguenti del 500 per cento. Non possiamo più permetterci di ignorare il problema del cambiamento climatico, che ci riguarda tutti. Per questo a strumenti importanti come il Fondo di solidarietà europeo, la cui attivazione dovrebbe essere velocizzata e semplificata, dobbiamo affiancare un importante investimento nella ricerca ai fini della prevenzione, molto più consistente degli 11 milioni di euro recentemente impiegati in questo settore dall'Unione europea.

Момчил Неков (S&D), в писмена форма
. – Уважаеми господин Председател, в резултат на наводненията, случили се в България в последните четири месеца, много градове и села преживяха опустошителни бедствия. Бяха дадени над 20 жертви. В десетки населени места бяха прекъснати всички инфраструктурни и комуникационни връзки, а десетки хиляди граждани тепърва ще възстановяват своите домове. Предвид реалната опасност от възникване на екологични и епидемиологични проблеми, потърпевши се оказаха не само хората, живущи в районите на наводненията.
По моя официална информация, последните две български правителства подготвиха и защитиха пред Европейския фонд за солидарност искане за нанесени щети от 311,3 млн. евро, а Европейската комисия съобщи, че предлага по правилника да бъдат изплатени 10,5 вместо 12,5 милиона евро.
Воден от разбирането, че пред нас като представители на институциите стоят редица задачи до пълното възвръщане към нормален живот на пострадалите райони, искам да попитам Европейската комисия как беше изчислен този размер, има ли щети, които не са признати и поради какви причини? Освен това, предвид недостига на средства в европейския бюджет за 2014 г. — осигурено ли е изплащането на тези средства, след като бъде завършена процедурата?

Franck Proust (PPE),
par écrit
. – Après les terribles inondations chez nous, dans le nord du Languedoc, j'ai voulu que le Parlement se saisisse de cette actualité. Je me suis battu pour que nous tenions un débat sur la situation dans les zones touchées. Dès le premier jour, en tant que 1er adjoint au maire de Nîmes, j'étais sur le terrain aux côtés de mes concitoyens sinistrés. Je peux témoigner que certains d'entre eux ont vu leurs vies littéralement emportées par les eaux déchaînées. Je demeure persuadé que, dans ce genre de situations catastrophiques, l'Europe a toute sa place, tant pour répondre à l'urgence qu'aux défis environnementaux qui doivent être réglés. C'est en cela que ce débat a son importance.

Емил Радев (PPE),
в писмена форма
. – Уважаеми колеги, България е една от държавите, които пострадаха изключително тежко след наводненията през тази година. Водната стихия помете десетки български градове, взе редица животи и остави без дом хиляди други. Едни от най-тежките наводнения се случиха именно във и около моя роден град Варна. Бедствието доказа, че нито една държава не може да се справи сама.
Европейският механизъм за реакция при кризи предоставя своевременна, но краткосрочна, техническа и експертна подкрепа от другите държави членки. Основният инструмент за обезщетение – фонд ‘Солидарност’, се активира едва когато е ясен размерът на щетите, което за съжаление може да стане месеци след бедствието. Реално Европа се нуждае от повече инвестиции за превенция и борба с природните бедствия и в частност наводненията, както и от повече яснота за потенциалните природни опасности в отделните райони. Единствено по този начин човешки животи могат да бъдат спасени, а щетите намалени. Също така за страни като България е изключително важно отпускането на средства от фонд ‘Солидарност’ да се базира на реалното икономическо състояние на засегнатите региони, като се взема предвид и ефектът на бедствието върху хората. Вярвам, че чрез по-добра превенция и опростени правила за реагиране при кризи ЕС може да помогне на обикновения европеец.

Claudia Schmidt (PPE)
, schriftlich
. – Seit dem Jahr 2000 wurden knapp 30 Extremwetterereignisse in Europa gezählt. Das Leben tausender Menschen ist durch diese Unwetter stark verändert worden. Naturkatastrophen stoppen nicht an Landesgrenzen und somit ist länderübergreifende Arbeit und Hilfe in diesem Bereich wichtig und geboten. Einerseits um die Bevölkerung bestmöglich vor Unwettern zu schützen und andererseits um nach Unwetter zu helfen! Gerade im Bereich des Hochwasserschutzes kann mit klug eingesetzten finanziellen Mitteln im Vorfeld einiges erreicht werden. Mit Blick auf die Veränderung der Niederschlagsmengen und vermehrter Extremwetterereignisse begrüße ich die Arbeit der Kommission ausdrücklich und möchte zu weiteren Anstrengungen in diesem Bereich aufrufen!

Olga Sehnalová (S&D),
písemně
. – Fond solidarity Evropské unie pomohl během posledních deseti let České republice již třikrát s likvidací škod a následků po ničivých povodních. Celkem byla České republice poskytnuta finanční pomoc ve výši necelých 156 milionů eur. Fungování tohoto fondu nám pomáhá připomenout si smysl společné evropské myšlenky. Jedná se o výraz solidarity bohatších s méně rozvinutými regiony a příklad pomoci postiženým v nouzi. Ta nejúčinnější pomoc musí být zároveň dostatečně rychlá. Jsem proto ráda, že v červnu vstoupila v platnost nová pravidla, která fungování fondu značně urychlí, zjednoduší a zprůhlední. Vítám také možnost poskytnout zálohu až 30 milionů eur na místa, která byla katastrofou nejvíce zasažena, a v neposlední řadě důraz na preventivní opatření, která by pomohla ničivým katastrofám předcházet.

Davor Škrlec (Verts/ALE),
napisan
. – Pozdravljam odluku Komisije kojom je dodijeljena pomoć od 80 milijuna eura za područja pogođena poplavama u Hrvatskoj, Bugarskoj i Srbiji. Podržavam pojednostavljenje pravila i uvjeta za pristup Fondu solidarnosti s ciljem učinkovitije i pravovremene pomoći ugroženom stanovništvu. Važno je da pogođene države imaju potpuno shvaćanje kriterija Europskog fonda za solidarnost. Jedino tako moguće je kvalitetno predstaviti Komisiji stanje na terenu, a time i ostvariti najveću moguću financijsku pomoć.
Od samog početka treba uključiti Komisiju u raspravu, a ne djelovati pred sam istek roka. Na konferenciji Zelenih stranaka u Makedoniji zaključeno je kako prirodna katastrofa koja je pogodila područja jugoistočne Europe skriva odgovornost u klimatskim promjenama. Iz tog razloga, moramo se boriti protiv štetnih učinaka za okoliš te se ozbiljno založiti za poticanje i financiranje preventivnih mjera s ciljem suzbijanja prirodnih katastrofa.
Zelene stranke Balkana zalagat će se za održivu i sigurnu budućnost s naglaskom na zdrav okoliš i ljudski život u istom. Koncept eko-sistem pristupa nedovoljno je prepoznat od strane država članica i Komisije, iako sam pristup pokazuje bolje rezultate od tradicionalnih tehničkih rješenja. Pozivam sve dionike na korištenje ovog održivog načina sprječavanja i rješavanja posljedica poplava i inih prirodnih katastrofa. Učinkovita prevencija uvijek je jeftinija od obnove pogođenih područja.

Dubravka Šuica (PPE), napisan
. – Postojeći ad hoc Europski fond solidarnosti koji je nedavno ustanovljen spada u politiku regionalnog razvoja, a od naknade šteta iz ovoga fonda puno je važnija pravodobna prevencija koja uključuje izgradnju nasipa i brana u skladu sa Strategijom obrane od poplava i upravljanja rizicima, koju nažalost Hrvatska nema. Svibanjske štete u Hrvatskoj uzrokovane poplavama u kojima je čak 26 000 ljudi bilo evakuirano, procijenjene su na 297,6 milijuna eura, dok će Hrvatskoj prema prijedlogu paketa povjerenika za regionalni razvoj EK, Johanesa Hahna, pripasti tek 8,96 milijuna eura. Predviđeni iznos nedostatan je za obnovu stambenih, poslovnih, komunalnih i infrastrukturnih objekata u Hrvatskoj, kao i za obeštećenje stradalih poljoprivrednika i stočara te za uništenu mrežu opskrbe električnom energijom, ali i ceste. Ovo je prilika za apel Komisiji da poveća iznos sredstava iz Fonda solidarnosti za Hrvatsku, a istovremeno pozivam Vladu RH da što prije izradi Strategiju obrane od poplava i upravljanje rizicima kako bismo izbjegli ovakve katastrofe u budućnosti. Također, prilikom apliciranja za postojeće fondove EU-a važno je voditi računa o mogućoj prekograničnoj suradnju, jer su uz Hrvatsku, štetnim posljedicama svibanjskih poplava pogođene i Bugarska, Srbija te Bosna i Hercegovina.
19.   Response to Ebola crisis (debate)

Puhemies. - Esityslistalla on seuraavaksi komission julkilausuma ebolakriisiin reagoimisesta (2014/2896(RSP)).
I trust that the Commissioners will divide the speaking time into two-and-a-half minutes each. I know from past years that you are both excellent in summarising your messages, even on such a dramatic and difficult subject.

Kristalina Georgieva,
Member of the Commission
. - Mr President, I would like to thank all Members of Parliament for firmly keeping your attention on this extraordinary crisis. I was here just less than five weeks ago, on 17 September, and in this short period of time the number of cases has almost doubled. There were 4 963 people sick then, and there are now 9 191. Similarly, the number of people who have lost their lives has almost doubled, from 2 453 to 4 546. Unfortunately, a very high number of health professionals are affected, with 427 doctors and nurses sick and, of those, 230 have lost their lives trying to save the lives of others.
If we do not act in a very determined manner, by mid-December we might already have 10 000 cases per week – in other words as many in one week as have been accumulated since 21 March when the epidemic started. The longer the epidemic lasts, not only do more people die, but it is hugely destructive for the economies of the affected countries. The World Bank predicts that it would cost EUR 7.5 billion in losses this year and up to EUR 25 billion – basically wiping out the economies of the countries – in 2015.
But there is also some good news. Senegal and – as of today – Nigeria are Ebola-free. Regarding the case we had in Spain – the first case of infection by Ebola within Europe – we had good news that the nurse may be on the road to recovery. Most importantly, since I was last here international attention and action have surged, including from us in the European Union. We have more than doubled funding to fight Ebola. When I was last here it stood at EUR 227 million. Today it is over EUR 500 million, and more will be coming in pledges in the days to come. Of this, EUR 180 million is from the Commission, which is EUR 30 million more than last time around.
We have addressed a very serious constraint making it harder for more people to go there – and as Europeans we should be proud because there are hundreds of volunteers, doctors and nurses, who want to be trained and sent to West Africa. But to do so they expect medical evacuation. We now have in the Commission a contract for medical evacuation, and Member States such as the UK, Germany, and Italy are also going to join. I am very proud of the efforts of the UK and France in Sierra Leone and in Guinea, as well as Germany and others that are stepping up – not just funding, but bringing teams and beds so we can fight Ebola together.
Last, but not least, we have significantly increased our delivery of in-kind assistance – protective gear, equipment. Three planes are leaving within a week to help UNICEF have the necessary equipment and in-kind assistance in the field. I will now pass the ball to Tonio, who will use the remaining one minute and fifteen seconds to finish our presentation.

Tonio Borg,
Member of the Commission
. - Mr President, I shall be extremely concise. What have we done and what more should we do? First of all, as regards what we have done, and here I am referring to the internal dimension, because the European Commissioner for Health is of course responsible for what happens as regards health on European territory now.
A network of high-security laboratories has been activated to ensure that all Member States can use them to diagnose Ebola. We have mapped all – by ‘we’, I mean the Health Security Committee which was recently established for cross-border health threats – we have mapped all the health facilities in the European Union which are equipped to treat Ebola patients. We have drawn up together, within the Health Security Committee, joint information for travellers, joint messages and joint criteria to diagnose Ebola. We provide independent scientific assessment and guidance to the Member States through the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
Only last Thursday we had an informal meeting of health ministers – about 22 health ministers attended – where it was agreed to strengthen medical screening at exit points in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea and to coordinate national measures on entry screening. I am saying this because different countries have different views on entry screening. But, as regards exit screening, we decided to strengthen it and to that end, in collaboration with the WHO, the Commission will in the next few days audit exit screening in those countries and strengthen such screening systems as necessary.
The Member States have agreed to step up awarenes-raising campaigns at EU entry points, and we shall establish a network of volunteer clinicians with experience in treating Ebola patients in Europe as an infection control measure. I am pleased to inform Parliament that the Research and Innovation Commissioner, under Horizon 2020, will approve 25 million euros for research on candidate vaccines. As you know, there are already vaccines also being financed by the European Commission, but we need to speed up approval of vaccines for human consumption.

Peter Liese,
im Namen der PPE-Fraktion
. – Herr Präsident! Herr Kommissar, Frau Kommissarin, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Ich habe gegen Ende meiner Ausbildung als Arzt eine Zeitlang in einem Krisengebiet gearbeitet – in Mittelamerika. Ich kann ein wenig nachempfinden, wie die Kolleginnen und Kollegen, das medizinische Personal insgesamt und vor allen Dingen die Betroffenen sich fühlen. Aber so etwas, wie es jetzt gerade in Westafrika passiert, das haben wir, glaube ich, alle noch nicht erlebt, und wir können uns nur schwer in die Situation der Betroffenen hineinversetzen.
Ich habe riesigen Respekt vor Ärzten, Krankenschwestern und anderen, die sich dort engagieren und dabei ihr eigenes Leben viel stärker in Gefahr bringen, als wir das normalerweise aus anderen Situationen kennen. Auch wenn man ein Risiko für die Bevölkerung in Europa dann nicht 100 %-ig ausschließen kann, finde ich es ganz wichtig, dass wir den Menschen, die helfen, unsere Hilfe anbieten, wenn sie sich selber infizieren, und dass sie dann auch in unseren leistungsfähigen medizinischen Zentren in Europa behandelt werden. Man muss das Risiko minimieren, aber man kann es nicht 100 %-ig ausschließen.
Vielen Dank an die Kommission für alles, was sie getan haben. Machen Sie weiter! Kämpfen Sie weiter!
Zum Schluss noch ein Gedanke. Ich habe – zumindest in meinem Land – wahrgenommen, dass wir eine erschreckend geringe Spendenbereitschaft in der Bevölkerung haben. Die Hilfswerke klagen, dass sie zu wenig Spenden bekommen. Hier sollten wir aufrufen, aber auch selber mit gutem Beispiel vorangehen. Wir müssen jetzt alle alles tun, politisch natürlich, aber auch persönlich sollten wir die Menschen, die dort die Krise bekämpfen, unterstützen, nicht nur moralisch, sondern auch mit Geld und auch mit unserem persönlichen Geld.

Linda McAvan,
on behalf of the S&D Group
. – Mr President, it is a shame that we have given our Commissioners such little time on what is a key issue for European citizens and the rest of the world. As Chair of the Committee on Development, I will limit myself to the issues in West Africa and leave the issues concerning Europe to my colleagues from the Committee on the Environment. Commissioner Georgieva, you have talked about efforts having been stepped up since we last met in September here in the plenary, and that is good, but you have also given us some dreadful figures. It is good that you met today as a council and it is good that we have the pledges, but what worries me is that the big NGOs on the ground, like MSF, Oxfam and UNICEF, are telling me that they are not feeling that effort on the ground – that we are talking about it and pledging money but that nothing is changing for them. My question is: when will this change? Have you got a grid with all these commitments? Is there a list of when the medical facilities are going to open? Who is going to staff them? Do we know which countries have pledged which doctors and healthcare professionals? On medevac, we keep hearing good news from the Commission, but healthcare professionals tell me that it is not happening on the ground. If you have that information, could you share it with Parliament, as it is extremely important. We have a window until Christmas, as you have said. We do not want 10 000 cases a week. We have got to get this short-term crisis under control and then look at the lessons to be learned, and that is what the Committee on Development will be doing, under the guidance of Mr Goerens. Finally, I would just like to thank Commissioner Borg, on what is probably his last appearance here in plenary, for all the work he has done on health over many, many years. Commissioner Georgieva, you will be here in a different capacity, and we also look forward to working with you.

Charles Tannock,
on behalf of the ECR Group
. – Mr President, as the fragile health care systems of Sierra Leone and Liberia struggle to cope with the outbreak of Ebola, we today saw the death toll tragically passing the four and a half thousand level. So far the number of cases beyond West Africa has been limited and it is extremely important for strict EU-wide measures to be adopted to ensure that this remains the case.
The introduction of screening processes at EU airports and border control points is a vital step and the EU must therefore do more to encourage all Member States to follow the leading examples set by France and the United Kingdom in this regard. Protecting our own shores alone, however, is insufficient and more must be done to support efforts, including exit screening in West Africa itself.
Nigeria is a clear success story to be studied, as it has managed to contain the virus after its first known case. This success was largely thanks to the efficient process of contact-tracing that was implemented: a process which made it possible for over 800 known contacts of the patient to be identified, traced and tested. Such work requires relatively strong institutions, efficient cooperation between them and the resources to make that happen. These are all things that, sadly, West Africa is largely lacking and it is an area where the EU can be of assistance.
As a British doctor, I am proud that the British Royal Navy is en route to the region as we speak, taking medical equipment, personnel and helicopters by way of assistance. With just under 200 doctors and around 2 000 nurses in Sierra Leone and Liberia combined – the two countries that is – the support from the medical contingent within that mission will be a great asset. With this in mind it is interesting to note that there are currently 108 nurses from Sierra Leone working in the British National Health Service and it is at times like this that we see the difficulties that countries suffering from so-called medical brain drain can face. In the longer term it is key that the EU also continues to financially support the pharma industry to work for an effective vaccine for Ebola.

Charles Goerens,
au nom du groupe ALDE
. – Monsieur le Président, si l'on veut vaincre Ebola, il faut être plus rapide que le virus et il faut l'attaquer à la racine. En Afrique, au Liberia, en Sierra Leone, en Guinée. Combien de morts faudra-t-il en Europe pour que les choses bougent un peu plus au niveau des États membres?
Il faut en effet se rendre à l'évidence: la protection de nos populations doit se faire sur le front, c'est-à-dire dans les pays précités. Se retrancher derrière des murs ne sert à rien. Au Liberia, où le système de santé est pratiquement par terre, mais pas seulement, il importe de faire deux choses.
Premièrement, il faut des lits supplémentaires, des médecins supplémentaires, du personnel d'encadrement supplémentaire, une logique de transport et de l'argent. Comme le personnel médical fait trop souvent défaut, il faut qu'il vienne d'ailleurs. Chapeau bas devant Cuba qui vient d'envoyer 130 médecins dans la région. Même remarque pour les États-Unis qui se sont engagés à installer 3 400 lits dans la région d'ici la fin de l'année. Ils sont déjà arrivés à la moitié, mais il manque encore beaucoup de personnel médical.
En Europe, de nombreux médecins hésitent encore à se porter volontaires pour se rendre dans la région où sévit le virus parce que, pendant des semaines et des semaines, il n'y a pas eu le moindre espoir de rapatriement pour les personnes contaminées. Il est essentiel de résoudre ce problème dans l'immédiat. On n'a plus envie d'entendre des prétextes, des faux-fuyants, des excuses de tous genres pour masquer l'incapacité notoire des vingt-huit États membres de coordonner leurs actions en la matière.
Deuxièmement, il faut lutter contre ‘la crise dans la crise’, comme l'appelle Médecins sans frontières, c'est-à-dire faire en sorte que les malades non encore contaminés par le virus puissent se faire traiter en dehors des centres d'isolement. Il n'y a pas de fatalité dans tout cela. Comme Madame la commissaire vient de le rappeler, le Sénégal et le Nigeria sont devenus exempts du virus.
Je viens de téléphoner à Jean-Claude Juncker pour l'inviter à faire de la lutte contre Ebola sa priorité. Il y a tant de choses à coordonner, tant d'obstacles à surmonter avant d'être en mesure de formuler une réponse à la hauteur du défi. Bref, l'Union a besoin d'un grand programme. Permettez-moi de rappeler, avant de conclure, que David Cameron vient de dire que l'Europe a besoin d'un milliard d'euros supplémentaires pour financer les efforts de l'Union. Ayons le courage d'appuyer cette revendication et faisons en sorte que l'Europe puisse être en mesure, dorénavant, de financer les actions européennes. Cette fois-ci, ce n'est pas le Royaume-Uni qui devrait incarner le rôle de l'empêcheur de tourner en rond. Il faut voir si des obstacles subsistent ailleurs, et si tel n'est pas le cas, passons aux actes.

Lola Sánchez Caldentey,
en nombre del Grupo GUE/NGL
. – Señor Presidente, hace unas semanas, una enfermera —Teresa Romero —, resultó infectada de ébola en Madrid. Hoy nos alegramos porque puede ser que ya esté curada. A pesar de ello, este caso pone de manifiesto las enormes negligencias políticas del Gobierno de España a la hora de abordar el virus.
En línea con las quejas de la Federación Sindical Europea de Servicios Públicos, denunciamos la escasez de recursos, de medios y de preparación que las autoridades españolas han destinado a este problema. Aquellos que luchan contra el ébola han sufrido recortes en los últimos cinco años, tanto desde España como desde la Unión Europea.
Ahora mismo, en España, las enfermeras están siendo empleadas con contratos de tres semanas y sin prima de peligrosidad. Los equipos y trajes de seguridad no están siendo los adecuados —como los propios interesados no paran de denunciar—; la austeridad impuesta desde Europa ha conducido a este caos organizativo y a esta dramática falta de medios que ponen en peligro a millones de personas. En mi país, los trabajadores sanitarios son unos auténticos héroes.
¿Van a seguir permitiendo ustedes el desmantelamiento continuado de la sanidad pública? ¿Y van ustedes a conducir algún tipo de investigación para determinar responsabilidades políticas en esta crisis?

Maria Heubuch,
im Namen der Verts/ALE-Fraktion
. – Herr Präsident! In der Debatte im September haben wir genau das Szenario gezeichnet, das wir jetzt erleben müssen. Die Hilfen für die betroffenen Länder kommen zu langsam, waren zu wenig, und die frühen Warnungen der Hilfsorganisationen sind überhaupt viel zu spät wahrgenommen worden. Und jetzt entwickelt sich ein Horrorszenario, wenn wir nicht sehr schnell wirklich alles, was uns zur Verfügung steht, auch zur Verfügung stellen und in die Länder und an die Stellen bringen, wo es jetzt notwendig ist.
Mindestens zwei Dinge müssen wir aus diesem Szenario jetzt lernen. Erstens: Wir brauchen global abgestimmte, gut koordinierte Hilfssysteme für Epidemien, damit wir wirklich bei Bedarf auf frühe Anzeichen rechtzeitig reagieren können, adäquat reagieren können, und uns nicht erst in Beratungen und zu Gipfeltreffen zusammenfinden müssen.
Zweitens: Wir brauchen leistungsfähige und funktionsfähige Gesundheitssysteme und müssen dies als globale Aufgabe sehen und anerkennen. Da sind wir Industriestaaten sehr in der Verantwortung, sonst fällt es uns immer wieder auf die Füße.

Eleonora Evi,
a nome del gruppo EFDD
. – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, il virus Ebola si sta diffondendo con una velocità preoccupante nei paesi centroafricani, mietendo vittime il cui numero sembra crescere in modo esponenziale.
Il resto del mondo è giustamente impegnato a prevenire la diffusione della fatale patologia che il virus porta con sé, però si deve prendere seriamente atto che la risposta internazionale nei paesi veramente colpiti da questa piaga è stata oltremodo tardiva. Nonostante gli allarmi giunti tempestivamente dalle associazioni non governative, in particolare Medici senza frontiere, le istituzioni internazionali hanno perso del tempo prezioso per confinare la diffusione e salvare migliaia di vite.
Ora l'imperativo è salvare vite umane, nei paesi più duramente colpiti, e prevenire lo sviluppo di una pandemia, ma una riflessione a parte merita un aspetto di cui si è discusso poco, ovvero le possibili cause della recrudescenza dell'attacco virale. È risaputo che i pipistrelli frugivori appartenenti alla famiglia Pteroptide sono portatori sani del virus. Questi innocui mammiferi vivono solitamente nelle zone meno accessibili delle foreste, ma il loro ospite mortale può agevolmente passare ad altri animali che si nutrono di frutti già morsi dai pipistrelli o dagli animali stessi. Eppure la diffusione rapida del virus ha un'altra causa: la deforestazione massiccia. Questi animali, come quelli di molte altre specie si trovano sempre più spesso spinti nei pressi di insediamenti umani, in quanto il loro habitat naturale è distrutto dall'avidità umana.

Davor Ivo Stier (PPE). - Gospodine predsjedniče, epidemija ebole mora se zaustaviti tamo gdje je buknula, a to je u zapadnoj Africi. Dakle, svi naši napori, pa i ova rasprava danas moraju se usredotočiti na zapadnu Afriku. Naravno da možemo i moramo govoriti i o mjerama prevencije i ovdje u Europi, ali ne smijemo izgubiti fokus na zapadnu Afriku. Ako se epidemija ebole tamo ne stavi pod kontrolu, onda ni naše preventivne mjere u Europi neće biti dovoljne. Dakle, moramo djelovati na terenu i to energičnije i odlučnije nego dosad.
Cijenim pravodobnu reakciju povjerenice Georgieve još u ožujku ove godine, ali države članice moraju činiti više. Doista ne smije se ponovo dogoditi da kada se jedna medicinska sestra iz Europe razboli, nijedna država članica nije kadra po nju poslati posebni avion, nego moramo čekati da to učine drugi.
Dakle, osim procedura i moje pitanje, imamo li sada identificirani avion i posadu, je li se u tome postigao napredak? Mislim da je to ključno pitanje za uspjeh svih naših napora. Na kraju još jedna misao: mi želimo i moramo izolirati epidemiju ebole, ali ne želimo izolirati Sierru Leone, Gvineju, Liberiju. Ne želimo i ne smijemo okrenuti leđa zapadnoj Africi i zato je naš kandidat za povjerenika Christos Stylianides koji je ovdje s nama obećao da će njegovo prvo službeno putovanje biti u zapadnu Afriku. Mislim da je to pravi primjer i pravi pristup kako se mora pobijediti strah, da je to upravo način na koji možemo pobijediti ebolu.

Gilles Pargneaux (S&D). - Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, Monsieur le Commissaire, le temps presse, il y a urgence! Que d'occasions perdues depuis le mois d'août! Souvenez-vous, Monsieur Borg, nous étions ensemble, devant la commission ENVI, et nous vous indiquions toute l'urgence qu'il y avait. Or, il est vrai que nous n'avions pas trouvé d'oreille aussi attentive que nous aurions pu le souhaiter.
L'organisation française Médecins sans frontières estime que les États ont rallié une sorte de coalition mondiale de l'inaction. C'est la guerre que nous devons déclarer au virus Ebola! Au-delà des 180 millions d'euros débloqués par l'Union européenne, il faut que vous puissiez nous donner un programme des mesures à prendre en Afrique de l'Ouest! Il faut que vous nous disiez ce soir – après la nomination, cet après-midi, d'un coordonnateur européen par le Conseil des ministres des affaires européennes – comment nous pouvons, avec ce coordonnateur qui sera nommé dans les prochains jours, mettre en place un dispositif européen pour éviter que ce virus puisse proliférer en Europe. Car, on le sait – Mme la directrice générale de l'OMS l'a dit encore récemment –, si rien n'est fait, ce sont plus de 20 000 personnes, en Afrique de l'Ouest et en Europe, qui vont mourir du virus Ebola.
On attend donc que vous nous donniez des réponses urgentes, dignes et à la hauteur de cet enjeu et de cette guerre.

Bolesław G. Piecha (ECR). - Dziękuję bardzo Pani Komisarz i Panu Komisarzowi za te informacje, ale oczywiste jest, że z Ebolą nie wygramy w Europie, z Ebolą musimy wygrać w Afryce. W związku z tym trzeba mieć określony plan działania. Ten plan działania musi określać czas. Czasu też nie mamy, straciliśmy go wystarczająco dużo, natomiast skala dramatu rośnie.
Po drugie, pamiętajmy o ludziach, a nie tylko o bardzo zasłużonych organizacjach wolontariuszy, lekarzy, pielęgniarek, a także instytucjonalnych służbach zdrowia, w tym ekspertach.
Po trzecie – instytucja. Czy jesteśmy w stanie umocować jakąkolwiek instytucję w krajach Afryki, która koordynowałaby wszystkie działania, a nie tylko reagowała po fakcie?
I na koniec, choć z pewnością nie jest to ostatni aspekt sprawy: kwestie finansowe. Trzeba przygotować dokładne wyliczenie, ile taka ogromna akcja i plan będą kosztowały i z jakich źródeł należy je sfinansować. Mam nadzieję, że działania nie będą finansowane z różnych źródeł kryzysowych, chociażby z puli przeznaczonej na rolnictwo czy zapobieganie skutkom powodzi, lecz stworzony zostanie osobny fundusz.

Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy (ALDE). - Voorzitter, ik denk dat wij het er allemaal over eens zijn dat de ebola-uitbraak een krachtige Europese respons behoeft. Maar toont de ebolacrisis niet op schrijnende wijze aan dat de huidige Europese instituties te zwak zijn in deze ons boven het hoofd groeiende zaak? Nu de ebola-uitbraak in West-Afrika totaal uit de hand dreigt te lopen, is er een grote behoefte aan een centraal gestuurde, met grote discipline gerunde organisatie. Maar het Europese crisisresponssysteem is daarvoor veel te zwak, vanwege een gebrek aan geld en vooral aan bevoegdheden. Helaas heeft de Raad Buitenlandse Zaken daar vandaag niets aan verbeterd.
Voorzitter, de gevolgen van de ebola-uitbraak zijn hartverscheurend en vreselijk, en Europa moet veel meer doen om deze te bestrijden. Is de Commissie het met mij eens dat het EU-crisisplatform een veel sterker mandaat nodig heeft? En is zij het met mij eens dat de Europese Raad daar later deze week toe zou moeten besluiten?

Lidia Senra Rodríguez (GUE/NGL). - Para combater o Ébola, não chegam só os medicamentos. Cumpre combater também as causas que tornam as pessoas altamente vulneráveis a este vírus.
A extração maciça, por parte das potências ocidentais, da grande riqueza que acumulam os solos de países como a Libéria, a Guiné, a Costa do Marfim ou a Serra Leoa, é causa de fome, de empobrecimento destas populações e de um desemprego que supera 80%, assim como de longos períodos de conflitos bélicos.
As políticas impostas a estes países pelo Banco Mundial, o Fundo Monetário Internacional e o Banco Africano para o Desenvolvimento são também responsáveis pelo desmantelamento dos serviços públicos, especialmente dos sistemas sanitários, o que dificulta grandemente a contenção desta doença.
A solução, portanto, não passa por enviar soldados e por dar dinheiro à indústria farmacêutica do Ocidente. Os países afetados precisam de pessoal sanitário, precisam de medidas para recuperar e fortalecer o sistema de…

(O Presidente retira a palavra à oradora.)


Margrete Auken (Verts/ALE). - Hr. formand! Jeg tror, at Kommissionen og hr. Borg kan høre, at vi er nogenlunde enige om at være utilfredse med den indsats, der er gjort fra Kommissionens side. Vi er også her i Parlamentet nogenlunde enige om, hvad der skal gøres, heriblandt nødvendigheden af, at vi ikke vender ryggen til Vestafrika og ikke lader Vestafrika i stikken, men tværtimod forstærker vores indsats også der. Her vil jeg godt tilføje til Nigerias gode eksempel, og at man faktisk kan: Man har også kunnet i Den Demokratiske Republik Congo, hvor der jo virkelig er kriser og krige, og der har de alligevel været i stand til at inddæmme det, fordi de var dygtigere – også dygtigere, end vi åbenbart har været! Så jeg synes, det er meget vigtigt, at man lytter til NGO'erne og selvfølgelig Læger uden Grænser, men også til andre, og i hvert fald også sender et meget klart signal om, at de mennesker, der tager afsted og hjælper, altid har mulighed for at komme tilbage. Jeg synes, at noget af det mest uhyggelige, vi har hørt, er, at man også lukker vores egne hjælpearbejdere ude. Men kære Kommission, hør efter, vi ved godt, hvad der skal gøres, og jeg håber, at vi får et godt svar.

Mario Borghezio (NI). - Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, lo screening in uscita, questo rafforzamento è l'unica soluzione che la Commissione oggi: la montagna ha partorito il topolino, serve a poco! Se l'incubazione è di tre settimane, lo screening in uscita tardivamente deciso, tardivamente rafforzato, serve a poco. Se ci sarà l'espansione del virus anche in Europa o in altri continenti, sarà colpa vostra! Il 23 settembre, un mese fa, il Commissario Tonio Borg è venuto a Milano a dire che non c'erano rischi per l'Europa, era tutto circoscritto: Alice nel paese delle meraviglie e anche adesso non dite niente! Gli esperti dicono che ci sarà sicuramente l'espansione in Europa e avverrà attraverso i mezzi aerei e ancora adesso all'arrivo in Europa, a differenza di quello che si fa in altri continenti, per esempio negli Stati Uniti, non c'è lo screening all'arrivo. Ma siete matti? In questo modo siete voi i responsabili dell'annuncio previsto, dell'espansione di Ebola in Europa ed anche altrove! Non riuscite a far niente per i poveri africani e ve ne fregate per noi europei!

Françoise Grossetête (PPE). - Monsieur le Président, Madame et Monsieur les Commissaires, la gravité de la menace et l'urgence que nous affrontons aujourd'hui nous obligent à nous comporter avec responsabilité, humanité et solidarité. Et pourtant nous avons mis beaucoup de temps à réagir face à une crise qui, pensait-on avec naïveté et orgueil, ne nous menaçait pas directement. Or, les crises de l'autre bout du monde sont aujourd'hui notre affaire et notre responsabilité. La mondialisation est passée par là.
Il aura fallu un seul cas mortel aux États-Unis et quelques cas déclarés en Europe pour que, subitement, s'enchaînent réunions de crise, hauts sommets, éditoriaux alarmants et climats de psychose.
En réalité, qu'attendons-nous? Tout simplement que ce coordonnateur européen – que nous devrions avoir – sache coordonner les moyens pour stopper l'épidémie et protéger nos concitoyens. Pourtant l'urgence première n'est pas ici, elle est là-bas, sur place, car une crise humanitaire et économique s'est déjà ajoutée à la crise sanitaire! On ne compte plus le nombre d'orphelins laissés pour compte ou de malades abandonnés et stigmatisés, que plus personne ne veut approcher.
Face à cette crise, il faut des moyens matériels et humains. Il nous faut aussi du personnel médical à envoyer sur place.

Norbert Neuser (S&D). - Herr Präsident, verehrte Kommissare, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Zunächst einmal muss man Respekt und Demut vor der Leistung der Ärzte und Krankenschwestern und Pflegerinnen und Pfleger zeigen, die tagtäglich in den drei betroffenen Ländern bereit sind, in die Krankenhäuser zu gehen, in die Feldlazarette zu gehen – jeden Tag aufs Neue. Es ist ganz wichtig, dass wir dies herausstellen. Das ist eine unglaubliche Leistung, das sind jetzt die wahren Helden im Kampf gegen Ebola.
Wir müssen auch über Entwicklungspolitik nachdenken. Wir haben es mit drei Staaten zu tun, die alle drei Bürgerkriege hatten, die fragil waren. Wir müssen uns fragen: Haben wir genug Entwicklungshilfe aufgewendet, um dort gute Regierungsarbeit zu organisieren? Haben wir genug Mittel aufgewendet, um Gesundheitssysteme aufzubauen? Die Beispiele Nigeria und Senegal zeigen, dass mit guten Strukturen Ebola bekämpft werden kann. In dem Sinne wünsche ich mir, dass wir nachhaltig in der Entwicklungspolitik arbeiten.

Νότης Μαριάς (ECR). - Κύριε Πρόεδρε, ο θανατηφόρος ιός του Έμπολα έχει πλήξει την Αφρική εδώ και πολλά χρόνια. Και όμως ο ιός, όσο ήταν περιορισμένος στην Αφρική, η πολιτισμένη Δύση παρέμενε προκλητικά αδιάφορη. Τότε που έπρεπε να επενδυθούν πόροι για την αντιμετώπιση του Έμπολα, η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση και τα κράτη μέλη της ‘σφύριζαν’ αδιάφορα. Τώρα η επιδημία είναι προ των πυλών της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, των ΗΠΑ και αλλού. Τώρα πλέον οι κίνδυνοι για πιθανή μετάλλαξη του ιού είναι αυξημένοι. Τώρα πλέον τα θύματα του Έμπολα αυξάνονται με γεωμετρική πρόοδο.
Τώρα ξύπνησε επιτέλους η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση. Χρειάζονται λοιπόν επείγοντα μέτρα. Τα 500 εκατομμύρια ευρώ που έχει υποσχεθεί να αποδεσμεύσει η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση δεν επαρκούν για τις χώρες της Αφρικής οι οποίες έχουν φτωχοποιηθεί από την εκμετάλλευση. Πρέπει να ενισχυθούν οι εθελοντικές οργανώσεις που βρίσκονται στην πρώτη γραμμή και δίνουν τη μάχη στην Αφρική, όπου έχουν διαλυθεί κυριολεκτικά όλες οι δομές υγείας. Πρέπει να ενταθεί η έρευνα για να βρεθεί το εμβόλιο για τον Έμπολα.
Στα κράτη μέλη της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης πρέπει να υπάρξει αποφασιστική και επείγουσα προετοιμασία σε όλα τα επίπεδα, με έμφαση στην αύξηση των νοσοκομειακών κλινών για την ιατρική περίθαλψη, και όλα αυτά σε μία φάση που τα μνημόνια έχουν επιβάλει δραστική μείωση των δαπανών για την υγεία στα κράτη του ευρωπαϊκού νότου. Τέλος, πρέπει να αυξηθούν οι έλεγχοι στα σύνορα και σε όλα τα αεροδρόμια και τα λιμάνια να εγκατασταθούν θερμικές κάμερες για την προστασία των τοπικών κοινωνιών από τον θανατηφόρο αιμορραγικό πυρετό.

Jiří Maštálka (GUE/NGL). - Pane předsedající, hovoříme tady o nemoci, kterou známe jako lékaři desítky let a na kterou nemáme ani preventivní vakcínu, ani specifickou léčbu. Nemůžeme se ale vyhnout tomu, že zásadní roli v šíření této nákazy hrají katastrofální sociální a ekonomické poměry v prvotně postižených zemích, ve kterých fakticky nefungují efektivní zdravotnické systémy. Lidé žijí v podmínkách, které jim nedovolují ani základní preventivní hygienická opatření.
Za dané situace bychom tedy měli: zaprvé, poskytnout nejen zdravotní, ale i hospodářskou pomoc postiženým africkým zemím; zadruhé, posílit, a to i finančně, naše výzkumné kapacity, aby bylo možné v rámci mezinárodní spolupráce vyvinout účinnou vakcínu a efektivní léky.
Epidemie je výzvou – zátěžovým testem pro náš zdravotní systém včasného varování a naši solidaritu. Doufám, že nezklameme.

Jordi Sebastià (Verts/ALE). - Señor Presidente, los ministros de Asuntos Exteriores de los veintiocho países de la Unión Europea se reúnen hoy para tratar el problema del ébola. ¡Siete meses después del brote epidémico! Un poco tarde, ¿no? Pero claro, hasta ahora era un problema de África, un continente arrasado por el hambre, la miseria y la guerra, donde los europeos tenemos muchos intereses y responsabilidades.
La insolidaridad allí y la improvisación aquí han provocado ya 4 500 muertos y 9 000 afectados, catorce en la Unión Europea. Hemos reaccionado tarde y mal. La gestión en España ha sido nefasta y la propia Organización Mundial de la Salud reconoce muchos fallos en la gestión de la crisis.
El consejero de Sanidad de la Comunidad de Madrid acusó a la sanitaria contagiada en España de ser ella la propia culpable. Algo indecente, para lo que no valen sus disculpas.
Nuestra insolidaridad produce muerte. ¿Por qué no se actuó antes allí con hospitales y ayuda especializada?
Este Parlamento debe exigir un nuevo planteamiento de la ayuda al desarrollo y un protocolo estricto y europeo para controlar la enfermedad aquí, que incluya también los movimientos en las bases americanas, como la de Rota, desde donde los Estados Unidos pretenden dirigir sus operaciones contra el ébola. Si no, seguiremos siendo insolidarios e ineficaces.

Joëlle Mélin (NI). - Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, si j'en crois la presse française, vous découvrez que la planète et, a fortiori, l'Europe manquent d'un système de gestion des crises. C'est très exactement ce que seul notre groupe avait dénoncé dans ce même hémicycle il y a un mois. L'impréparation de l'Europe est tout aussi affolante que l'épidémie elle-même car cet épisode, qui a touché près de 10 000 personnes et en a tué 5 000, met en lumière les conséquences des déplacements humains incontrôlés. C'est la fermeture de ses frontières qui vient de sauver le Nigeria, momentanément ou, j'espère, définitivement.
Que dire des contrôles des vecteurs lorsque celui de vecteurs tels que les moustiques sont quasi impossibles? Pour exemple, malgré les progrès thérapeutiques, ce sont près de 627 000 personnes sur les 207 millions infectées par le paludisme qui sont mortes en 2012. Il s'agit bien là d'une pandémie. Que dire de la tuberculose multirésistante qui se répand dans le monde? Que fait-on demain si une pandémie de type grippe espagnole se déclare?
Il est urgent que l'Europe assume enfin une de ses rares prérogatives positives et assure la santé publique sur notre continent.

Esteban González Pons (PPE). - Señor Presidente, un caso de contagio en Europa que se está curando no muestra el poder del ébola, no todo el poder del ébola. El poder del ébola se plasma en miles y miles de ciudadanos en África que no pueden curarse. El ébola se cura con higiene y con medicinas, no con política.
España reaccionó con profesionalidad y con seriedad ante un contagio, que se produjo en Madrid, de una voluntaria, de una heroína: Teresa Romero. Y hoy, gracias a los servicios sanitarios españoles, está en proceso de curación.
No siempre lo vamos a conseguir. Por eso, es muy importante que tengamos claro que, ante esta enfermedad, nuestra insolidaridad podría provocar una pandemia global: solo nuestra insolidaridad.
A Europa le tenemos que transmitir tranquilidad, pero a África le tenemos que transmitir esperanza. Solo con barreras y con controles no vamos a salvar a Europa del ébola. Si no salvamos a África, es imposible que salvemos a Europa: hay que ir donde el problema está, y a los ciudadanos hay que decirles la verdad.

Maria Arena (S&D). - Monsieur le Président, c'est avec attention que j'ai écouté les commissaires sur les actions qu'ils veulent mener, mais j'ai aussi lu attentivement les conclusions du Conseil. Bien entendu, votre objectif est de rassembler le maximum de moyens financiers, techniques et humains et de coordonner tout cela.
Malheureusement, les besoins sont encore criants aujourd'hui. MSF nous a donné des informations concrètes indiquant que de nombreux besoins sur le terrain restent encore insatisfaits. Quelle est la réponse que vous apportez?
Aujourd'hui, la progression de l'épidémie n'est pas du tout contenue. Quelle est la réponse que vous apportez?
Il y a une lenteur manifeste dans l'apport de l'aide sur le terrain. Quelle est la réponse que vous apportez? Comment répondez-vous concrètement à tout cela?
Avec tout le respect que j'ai pour Médecins sans frontières ou l'Unicef, dont vous avez cité l'impact, il s'agit ici d'une crise sanitaire mondiale et il n'est pas correct de faire peser ce poids et de laisser cette responsabilité à des ONG. Je pense qu'il y a là un véritable rôle à jouer pour les services publics européens, en soutenant la lutte contre une épidémie telle que celle-là.
Enfin, je tiens à dire que s'il est important d'établir des diagnostics à l'entrée, ceux-ci ne peuvent jamais, en aucun cas, être un argument en faveur de la fermeture de nos aéroports, qui entraînerait l'isolement des pays touchés par le virus.

Mairead McGuinness (PPE). - Mr President, I welcome that today the Foreign Ministers have agreed to step up efforts as a community to tackle this Ebola crisis. Amongst the measures that they are talking about, one that I hope will resonate in this Chamber is to give guarantees to healthcare workers who volunteer and put themselves at risk, so that they will go there and tackle this disease; because you can treat the disease and you can prevent it from spreading. So that is one small piece of good news. Clearly we are debating this with greater urgency because Ebola has now reached the European Union. I am not proud to say that is the case, but it is the reality and perhaps it may lead to a cure, and indeed more effective action.
In terms of the budget that we are using to tackle this disease, it has to come from the existing pot and clearly there is already a reduction in the common agricultural policy budget predicted for next year of EUR 448 million. It is hard to argue against it, but we need to be careful of resources. Lastly, there are children who have been orphaned because of this disease. They are not being looked after, because people are concerned about them. This crisis will go on, beyond the immediate crisis, into looking after those left behind.

President. - Colleagues, we still have a few speakers, but we have to end at 7 p.m. because the parliamentary hearings of some Commissioners-designate are starting exactly at 7 p.m. For technical reasons related to web streaming, we have to conclude this debate by 7 p.m… I am sorry about that, but that is the decision of the Bureau and the Conference of Presidents, who take full political responsibility for it. Those Members who are not able to speak under catch-the-eye will be able to have their speeches included in the Minutes under Rule 164 of the Rules of Procedure.

Soledad Cabezón Ruiz (S&D). - Señor Presidente, está claro que la comunidad internacional en su conjunto viene minimizando el problema de la epidemia de ébola — me remito a los claros errores cometidos por el Gobierno de España, que son una buena muestra de ello—.
Quizás pensábamos que el virus podía entender de fronteras y no conoceríamos casos en Europa, pero lo cierto es que el papel de la Unión Europea debe ser reforzado. Debemos pedir protocolos coordinados en la frontera, un sistema común de evacuación de repatriados, pero, sobre todo, lo que debemos pedir es una actuación en el origen, una actuación en África Occidental.
Apoyamos una misión civil; saludamos las conclusiones del Consejo de Ministros de Asuntos Exteriores, celebrado hoy en Luxemburgo. Pero lo que pedimos especialmente es que del próximo Consejo Europeo salgan el compromiso y la solidaridad suficientes que requieren este gran problema, y eso solamente se llama ‘fondos suficientes’, fondos con dinero ‘fresco’ para que, de verdad, las buenas intenciones se transformen en hechos.

Annie Schreijer-Pierik (PPE). - Vandaag weer een debat. Ik ben hier sinds juli actief bij betrokken en het eerste punt was de centrale controle op de luchthavens, de centrale coördinatie, het ontwikkelen van een vaccin, maar het belangrijkste, de hulp aan West-Afrika.
Dank voor de financiering die is vrijgemaakt voor het ontwikkelen van het vaccin. Gelukkig is ook aan mijn oproep daarvoor gehoor gegeven. Maar we zijn er nog lang niet. Het is niet voldoende.
De aanpak in de lidstaten gaat echter alle kanten op. België doet wel aan controles op de luchthavens, Nederland niet. Dit zorgt voor onzekerheid en angst bij de burgers. Hoe gaan we dit centraliseren? Hoe gaan we de zorg wegnemen? Want burgers reizen via omwegen, via risicolanden, hier naartoe.
Verder, extra geld en coördinatie ook buiten Europa. Kunt u mij verzekeren dat wij het wel echt onder controle hebben?
En als laatste: wat te denken van de Afrikaanse burgers? Wanneer gaat Europa in op de oproep van de internationale gemeenschap om meer inzet en middelen naar de getroffen landen te sturen?
We kunnen als Europa veel meer en veel beter helpen dan we tot nu toe hebben gedaan. Daarvoor zijn wij Europa.
Ten slotte, het belangrijkste: hoe voorkomen we met elkaar paniek? Daar gaat het om.

Puhemies. - Tässä vaiheessa valitettavasti meillä ei ole, kuten sanoin, aikaa catch-the-eye-menettelyyn. Työjärjestyksen 162 artiklan 12 kohdan mukaan jäsenet, jotka eivät ole osallistuneet keskusteluun, voivat enintään kerran istuntojakson aikana jättää kirjallisen lausuman, jonka pituus saa olla enintään 200 sanaa ja joka liitetään sanatarkkoihin istuntoselostuksiin.

Kristalina Georgieva,
Member of the Commission
. - Mr President, thank you for your comments, and I agree with each and every one of you who has said we have to do more. Now is the time to do it. What specifically have we been doing in the last weeks? First, on medical evacuation: we have a contract with three commercial providers, two for the so-called dry cases and one for the so-called wet cases. We can evacuate three international workers per week. Clearly, if we have a surge of medical capacity, this is not going to be enough, and for that reason we are doing two more things. One, we are working with the Member States to have a coordinated pool, with the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy already identifying capacity (by the way, Germany is refurbishing a plane specifically for that right now, and other countries like Luxembourg and France are likely to also join). So our pool of predictable medical evacuation capacity will be based on more than just the Commission's three a week, and that is what we would be delivering for the safety of health workers.
Secondly, we are working to have, in the countries affected, high-quality medical care. The UK in Sierra Leone, France in Guinea and the United States in Liberia are already setting up medical capabilities. The UK told us to guarantee 4 000 workers; in other words, they would have a bed proportionate to risk to 4 000 international workers, and similar proportions are being built in Liberia and in Guinea. We are also very specifically identifying and delivering an increase of bed capacity as well as calibrating training for the volunteers who would like to go. Even military personnel which the UK is deploying have to go to very specific training to be sure that they can face the risks and not cause more trouble than they are bringing down, and this is a very massive operation.
Our contribution from the Commission is both in terms of coordinating and providing in-kind assistance on a very massive scale, and I know people say: where is it? But ask UNICEF and they will tell you where it is. Actually only one point I would respectfully disagree on is with everybody who says: what you are in the Commission doing? This started on 21 March. We were the first – ask UNICEF about it – to fund actions against Ebola. For months and months we were trying to get attention drawn to this crisis, but it became visible only when it showed up on the Six o'Clock News. So my plea as outgoing Commissioner is: listen to the voices of the humanitarian community in crises, because we are like the canary in the mind. We smell trouble before the rest of the world gets to see it.
Finally, I very much support everybody who spoke about root causes of this problem. Why is Nigeria doing better? Why is Senegal doing better? Because they have better health systems and, of course, in Nigeria we also had 50 international US experts coming to help. But it was the country itself being more capable. Uprooting what causes this tragedy is what we need to do with our systematic development work. There is no point treating people with Ebola or saving them from malaria if they are going to die from lack of safe drinking water.
I know we have a great incoming Commissioner to take over on this task.

Tonio Borg,
Member of the Commission
. - Mr President, I would first of all like to reply to some of the criticism when the Commission said that the risk of the disease spreading in Europe remains low. First of all, it is not only the Commission that said that but also the World Health Organisation. And the choice of words was specific: not that we will not have cases, but that the risk of it spreading once there is a case inside the European Union remains low. In fact, until now there has been only one case of a secondary infection – that is to say, of a person who has never set foot in Africa and still got the disease – and because it was isolated – I am referring to the case in Spain and, thank God, she is on the way to recovery – it was an isolated one and did not spread. So, I do not want the words of the Commission to be misinterpreted in any way.
One person criticised saying: why did you not introduce screening at point of entry? First of all, the Commission cannot force any Member State to introduce screening of any kind; that is a sovereign decision for the Member States. Along with Minister Lorenzin from Italy, I convened an informal meeting of Health Ministers which 21 Health Ministers attended. There were divergent views amongst the Member States; most of them were against introducing entry screening even though I gave the advice that it was good to consider entry screening. Some were opposed to entry screening and then introduced it five days later. But, it is not within my competence to order any screening at the airport. So what we did, as there was no consensus, was to enhance the exit screening in these countries in Africa.
As to the external dimension, which Commissioner Georgieva has spoken about: of course the external and internal dimensions are not mutually exclusive because by containing the disease in Africa, one is not only doing the right thing, because we have a moral obligation in that regard, but we are also protecting ourselves. Only three weeks ago, the WHO was requesting half a billion euros from the entire world. The European Union alone has already allocated half a billion euros – EUR 180 million from European funds and EUR 320 from the Member States. I will conclude with this, to show I think it is unfair: we should not enter into some masochistic exercise of saying ‘Europe is not doing anything’, because it is doing a lot. Whether we should do more is another question, but we have already done a lot.

President. - The debate is closed.


Written statements (Rule 162)



Jonathan Arnott (NI), in writing
. – It is estimated that the cost of the necessary actions on Ebola worldwide would be just USD 600 million (http://www.unfoundation.org/news-and-media/press-releases/2014/ebola-response-fund-WHO.html). This is equivalent to what the UK spends every 2-3 weeks in foreign aid, which is often mis-spent and given to countries with nuclear or space programmes or even to countries in the G20. The longer we leave this crisis, the more costly it will be to deal with. Individual countries could and should be doing far more to respond to the Ebola crisis than we are doing at the moment. Lives are at risk; this is a time for compassion and real assistance not mere words.

Pilar Ayuso (PPE),
por escrito.
– Nunca se había dado un contagio de ébola fuera de África ni lo esperábamos. Ahora, los médicos y sanitarios han adquirido experiencia, el sistema operativo está rodado, las instalaciones están siendo mejor acondicionadas y los protocolos y los recursos farmacológicos se han mejorado. Con la experiencia, hemos aprendido en España, en Europa y en los Estados Unidos. Quiero expresar mi admiración a todos los profesionales de la salud que están dando lo mejor de sí mismos para luchar contra la enfermedad. Y también mi repulsa más absoluta a los que han aprovechado un drama sobrevenido para sembrar el pánico, agitando las más bajas pasiones desde el desconocimiento, la demagogia y el oportunismo político. Afortunadamente, esta crisis del ébola se ha superado en España gracias a una buena gestión, pero no me cabe duda de que en los próximos días asistiremos al espectáculo mediático del ébola por parte de los que siguen queriendo obtener rentabilidades personales de cualquier tipo y a cualquier precio. No obstante, debemos conocer los fallos y remediarlos, debemos dedicar más esfuerzos a la investigación. Y debemos atender más y mejor a las carencias de África.

Biljana Borzan (S&D),
napisan
. – Epidemija ebolom počela je u vulnerabilnim i siromašnim zemljama Afrike, no doprla je i na druge kontinente. Smirujuće i optimistično djeluju vijesti poput one da je prodor ebole u Senegal uspješno okončan. S druge strane, uznemiruju napisi u medijima o dokumentu Svjetske zdravstvene organizacije u kojem se navodi da nije učinkovito reagirala na epidemiju ebole. Živimo u vremenu kada su dostignuća znanosti značajna i ne možemo se pomiriti s tim da će epidemija i bez naše intervencije prije ili kasnije stati, kako je to bilo s mnogim epidemijama u povijesti. No, naravno, i istraživanje i pomoć ugroženima košta. S obzirom na ozbiljnost situacije pozivam Europsku komisiju da aktivira sve financijske, političke i zdravstvene mehanizme kako bi zaštitila građane. Dokle god nema lijeka niti cjepiva, smatram presudno važnim raditi na podizanju svijesti i znanja o načinima širenja ebole, kako ne bi bilo panike, već točne i pravovremene reakcije.

Cristian-Silviu Bușoi (PPE),
în scris
. – Conform Organizației Mondiale a Sănătății, 4o447 de persoane au murit de Ebola până la 14 octombrie, această epidemie devenind o amenințare tot mai mare la adresa securității globale. Cu toate că Centrul European de Prevenire și Control al Bolilor susține că riscul de transmisie a bolii în Europa este extrem de mic, consider că această criză nu trebuie subestimată. Pentru a limita contaminarea cu virusul Ebola este nevoie de acțiuni rapide și coordonate la nivel european, iar sistemele europene de sănătate trebuie să fie pregătite pentru diagnosticarea și tratamentul acestei boli, în cazul în care acestea vor fi necesare.

Nicola Caputo (S&D),
per iscritto
. – Il rischio di diffusione del morbo Ebola si fa drammaticamente piú concreto anche in Europa.
Nelle scorse settimane ho chiesto alla commissione europea, in una interrogazione, di adottare misure urgenti per il rafforzamento della sorveglianza nei punti di ingresso internazionali.
Oggi i ministri degli Esteri dei Paesi Membri riuniti in Lussemburgo hanno formalizzato una risposta comune all'epidemia di ebola individuando la figura di un ‘coordinatore unico’. Si tratta di un primo importante passo ma non può bastare : i sistemi sanitari di molti paesi europei risultano ancora inadeguati. Permangono le preoccupazioni che l'epidemia si trasformi in una vera e propria pandemia.
In attesa del vaccino, e saluto con favore gli stanziamenti annunciati oggi dal Commissario Borg, ritengo più che mai urgente che si prendano misure più concrete, un master plan, come si diceva prima, per evitare che il morbo si diffonda anche in Europa.
L'Europa deve poter assicurare la massima assistenza ai Paesi colpiti da questa drammatica epidemia. Non commettiamo l'errore di considerare con superficialità quanto accade a poche migliaia di Km da Strasburgo.
È una sfida importante per l'Umanità e l'Europa deve fare la sua parte! Se non salviamo l'Africa non possiamo salvare l'Europa.

Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI),
per iscritto
. – Perché l'epidemia di Ebola sta dilagando? Secondo il New York Times, l'Oms ha messo oltre 400 persone al lavoro su questa emergenza internazionale. Fino ad ora la febbre emorragica ha causato 2400 morti… e potrebbe arrivare a 20mila secondo l'Oms. Come mai non si riesce ad arrestarla? Da quando è scoppiata la crisi finanziaria, l'Organizzazione mondiale della sanità ha dovuto tagliare quasi un miliardo di dollari, investendo sulle malattie globali croniche e riducendo fondi e personale dedicati alle grandi epidemie. Negli ospedali mancano gli strumenti per impedire le infezioni: la Liberia è il quarto paese più povero del mondo, l'83% della popolazione vive con meno di un dollaro al giorno. Ora l'Oms chiede ai donatori 490 milioni di dollari e migliaia di operatori sanitari stranieri e locali per contenere l'epidemia. Pochi però hanno risposto all'appello. è una vergogna per la comunità internazionale. Forse la vera epidemia che ha contaminato l'ingenua Europa e il mondo intero è l'illusione di poter vivere al sicuro nel proprio giardino mentre la foresta intorno a noi è divorata da un incendio.

Birgit Collin-Langen (PPE),
schriftlich
. – Die Ebola Epidemie ist in ihrer Dimension einmalig. Diese Katastrophe ist die Hauptursache des Leidens von tausenden Menschen in der Republik Guinea, Liberia und Sierre Lione. Deshalb unterstütze ich das Europäische Parlament in seinem Aufruf an die Kommission, den Kampf gegen das Virus zu verstärken und die EU-Mittel hierfür zu erhöhen. Die Gefahr einer weiteren Ausbreitung muss verringert werden und Kontrollen an Flughäfen müssen verstärkt werden. Um das Virus einzudämmen müssen wir in Europa gemeinsam mit dem übrigen der Welt schnell und koordiniert handeln.

Therese Comodini Cachia (PPE),
in writing
. – The number of confirmed Ebola cases across West Africa is growing at an alarming rate. The EU cannot remain inactive when a humanitarian catastrophe of this nature occurs in third countries. In a globalised world such as ours, Europe must recognise its responsibilities towards those in need and must have the necessary mechanisms to ensure that it acts in a rapid manner and through meaningful and effective action. While the risk of anyone becoming infected with Ebola within Europe remains minimal, the EU is not immune. Member States need to step up infrastructural and operational preparations in the field of health services to be ready for any eventuality and to take all precautions in the interest of the general public and also those prone to encounter the virus, such as persons working in the security and health sector. The EU has a dual role: to act by assisting third countries as well as to ensure that its own Member States are prepared.

Rosa Estaràs Ferragut (PPE),
por escrito
. – Como dijo el próximo comisario para Ayuda Humanitaria y Gestión de Crisis, Christos Stylianides, el ébola debe abordarse como un gran desastre natural. Y tenemos que estar allí, en las zonas afectadas. Nuestros objetivos deben basarse en la prevención, la ayuda, la información y la investigación. La ayuda humanitaria es fundamental para las personas más necesitadas en las zonas más remotas y olvidadas. Queremos aislar el virus del Ébola, pero no aislar a los países afectados. En España, la noticias esperanzadoras sobre la salud de la enfermera Teresa Romero invitan al sosiego. Se ha hecho y se está haciendo un seguimiento de sus contactos y el Gobierno coordina a todos los expertos implicados en el caso. Se ha creado un comité especial coordinado con un comité científico. España ha seguido las recomendaciones de la OMS, coordinando, formando y reforzando los protocolos. Mal haríamos en dejar que el miedo se propague o en descalificar prematuramente los sistemas sanitarios de salud que, aunque falibles, son nuestros mejores aliados. Son momentos de olvidar nuestro color político y ponerse a disposición del Gobierno que sea.

José Inácio Faria (ALDE),
por escrito
. – Há pouco mais de um mês havia já alertado este Plenário para a necessidade urgente de aumentar no terreno os meios técnicos e humanos que permitissem combater, de uma forma eficaz e bem articulada com outros parceiros internacionais, a epidemia do ébola. Decorrido este período, o auxílio aos países que estão na primeira linha de combate com esta doença continua a tardar, os fundos de solidariedade internacional ficam escandalosamente abaixo daquilo que tinha sido solicitado pela ONU, e, como consequência, há um crescimento do número de infetados e de perdas de vidas humanas nos países africanos afetados. O número de 10 000 novos casos semanais previstos para o curto prazo é assustador! Não podemos convencer-nos de estar imunes a esta epidemia quando nos surgem os primeiros casos de contágio para lá de fronteiras continentais. Por isso penso que temos de apostar mais na preparação dos nossos sistemas de saúde, na informação das pessoas e no controlo transfronteiriço da doença, bem como no apoio humano, material e logístico aos países africanos. Creio sobretudo que há que usar de mais determinação e urgência no combate a esta epidemia na origem do problema, em África!

Enrico Gasbarra (S&D)
, per iscritto
. – La riunione dei ministri della salute del 16 ottobre è stata un'occasione importante per discutere le misure per prevenire il virus Ebola in Europa, a partire da un rafforzamento dei controlli sui passeggeri in provenienza dall'Africa occidentale. Sarà fondamentale adoperarsi perché il sistema di controlli stabilito, che assegna al Centro per la prevenzione e il controllo delle malattie trasmissibili la funzione di inviare rapporti di verifica sulle operazioni nei paesi africani, sia resto flessibile, efficace e in grado di essere adattato con prontezza all'evolversi della diffusione dell'epidemia.
La riunione dei ministri UE non ha tuttavia raccomandato un approccio comune sui controlli in entrata, che quindi vedranno un'applicazione differenziata: andrebbe fatto ogni sforzo, al contrario, per rassicurare i cittadini europei su procedure comuni negli aeroporti. Per fronteggiare la diffusione di un virus così eccezionale l'Europa deve dimostrare una volontà politica in grado di avviare misure straordinarie. Vanno mobilitati con urgenza fondi ulteriori a sostegno dei paesi africani colpiti: è responsabilità dell'Europa, primo finanziatore mondiale di quella regione, mettere in campo nuove risorse. L'Europa dimostri lungimiranza mobilitando con urgenza i fondi per la ricerca previsti da Orizzonte2020, avviando procedure rapide di finanziamento dei progetti di ricerca sull'Ebola, in cooperazione con l'Oms.

Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal (ALDE),
por escrito
. – Todos conocemos los estragos que está produciendo el ébola en África, tanto por los muertos causados por la enfermedad misma como por la mortalidad asociada a otras enfermedades que no son atendidas debido al colapso de los hospitales y a la renuencia de la población a acudir a ellos por temor a infectarse de ébola. La Unión Europea debe mejorar su contribución a la lucha contra una epidemia cuya extensión no hace sino aumentar la posibilidad de que se produzcan nuevos casos en Europa. No podemos cerrar nuestras fronteras, pero debemos reforzar nuestros protocolos de actuación para los casos que se confirmen en nuestro territorio y tenemos que centrar nuestra acción en los países africanos afectados. El caso de Senegal demuestra que no es imposible detener la transmisión del virus. Ayudemos a Guinea, Sierra Leona y Liberia a seguir el mismo camino. Si no, el continuar como hasta ahora nos llevará, según estimaciones de la OMS, a que, en diciembre, se produzcan hasta 10 000 casos nuevos cada semana solo en África occidental.

Barbara Kappel (NI),
schriftlich
. – Die Ebola-Epidemie ist heute ein prioritäres EU-Thema: Am Montag beschlossen die EU-Außenminister, die Position eines EU-Koordinators im Kampf gegen Ebola zu schaffen. In der letzten Woche gab es ein Krisentreffen der EU-Gesundheitsminister in Brüssel, um Maßnahmen im Umgang mit der Ebola-Epidemie zu diskutieren – mit durchwachsenem Ergebnis. Und beim EU-Gipfel am Donnerstag und Freitag dieser Woche werden die Staats- und Regierungschefs nicht nur die Klimaziele 2030 beschließen, sondern sich auch mit Ebola beschäftigen. Bisher hat Europa 450 Millionen Euro für den Kampf gegen Ebola veranschlagt. Laut Weltgesundheitsorganisation war es auf Pannen und Fehleinschätzungen vieler Regierungen und Organisationen zurückzuführen, dass sich Ebola in Westafrika so stark ausbreiten konnte. Es sei verabsäumt worden, auf die von Anfang an erkennbaren Bedingungen für ein rasches Ausbreiten der Krankheit zu reagieren. Ebenso bemängelte die WHO inkompetentes Personal und bürokratische Verzögerungen – etwa bei der Ausstellung von Visa – und den Fokus auf den Kampf gegen andere Krankheiten. 4500 Todesopfer und 9000 Infizierte in Westafrika sind heute die traurige Untermauerung des Befunds der Weltgesundheitsorganisation. Und: Falls die Hilfsmaßnahmen nicht deutlich verstärkt werden, rechnet die WHO mit 5000 bis 10000 neuen Ebola-Fällen pro Woche im Dezember. Aktuell sind Guinea, Sierra Leone und Liberia jene Länder, die von der Ebola-Epidemie am stärksten betroffen sind. Sollten auch Nigeria, der Senegal und die Elfenbeinküste von der Ausbreitung der Seuche erfasst werden, so rechnet die Weltbank mit wirtschaftlichen Folgen in Höhe von 40 Milliarden Dollar bis Ende 2015. Während die EU Freiwillige für den Hilfseinsatz sucht und eine Luftbrücke nach Westafrika organisieren will, um Hilfsgüter und Ausrüstungen ins Krisengebiet zu bringen und internationales Personal zu evakuieren, setzen die USA auf Einreisekontrollen und eine schnelle Eingreiftruppe.

Eduard Kukan (PPE), písomne
– Svetová zdravotnícka organizácia minulý týždeň varovala, že v najbližších dvoch mesiacoch sa môže objaviť v západnej Afrike každý týždeň okolo 10 000 nových prípadov nakazenia ebolou. Najväčší boj s ebolou nás preto ešte len čaká. Je potrebné, aby sme poskytli dostatočnú pomoc západnej Afrike a začali taktiež krízový manažment v rámci Európy. Európa bude s veľkou pravdepodobnosťou onedlho taktiež územím, po ktorom sa bude ebola šíriť. Je potrebne sa pýtať, či sme na túto situáciu pripravení, či dokážeme identifikovať prípady nákazy v jej počiatkoch, zabezpečiť dostatočnú karanténu a zabrániť jej ďalšiemu šíreniu. Otázkou tiež je, či sú na túto situáciu pripravené naše zdravotné systémy. Prípady z USA ukazujú, že podcenenie situácie môže byt' kritické pre ľudské životy. Na to, aby sa zo súčasného stavu nestala z eboly pandémia, je potrebná medzinárodná koordinácia. V rámci Únie by sme mali vytvoriť krízový manažment a pripraviť sa na scenáre ďalšieho šírenia tejto epidémie.

Marlene Mizzi (S&D),
in writing
. – Just a month ago, I was speaking before this House on the EU's response to the Ebola outbreak and as a result we adopted a resolution with recommendations. I am a little bit disappointed that one month after our discussion nothing has changed and the international community continues to underestimate the crisis. The only difference now is that what started as an Ebola outbreak in West Africa has evolved into a worldwide threat. Although the Commission has strengthened its support to tackle the crisis, too little has been done too late and definitely not enough. We need to turn our promises into actions and to fight this deadly disease on the ground. We also need to guarantee that laboratories, hospitals and public health services are ready to effectively protect our citizens and stop Ebola from spreading if and when it arrives in Europe. I would like to ask the Commission: Is the EU prepared for more Ebola cases in Europe? Can the Commission guarantee that European health systems are ready for the diagnosis and treatment of Ebola? What is happening with medicine or a vaccine for the Ebola?

Giulia Moi (EFDD),
per iscritto
. – Dai dati del OMS, aggiornati al 10 Ottobre, i decessi causati dal virus dell'Ebola ammontano a 4033 e nella Risoluzione 2177 il Consiglio di Sicurezza dell'ONU ha dichiarato che il virus dell'Ebola è ‘una minaccia alla pace e alla sicurezza internazionali’. Il finanziamento della Commissione Europea ammonta, ad oggi, a circa 180 milioni di euro di aiuto umanitario e allo sviluppo. Riteniamo sia assolutamente necessario porre in essere sistemi di controllo affinché questo budget venga effettivamente destinato a combattere l'epidemia nei Paesi affetti dal virus (Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia e Nigeria) e non venga destinato ad altri fini. Chiediamo, inoltre, alla Commissione: come intende vigilare rispetto ai 38 milioni di euro che sono stati destinati (fra gli altri) a migliorare la sicurezza alimentare, l'approvvigionamento idrico e le strutture igienico-sanitarie, oltre a prevenire una potenziale carestia nelle aree sottoposte a quarantena?

Sirpa Pietikäinen (PPE),
kirjallinen
. – Kuluneella viikolla brittiläinen Oxfam-järjestö varoitti, että ebolaviruksen hallitsematon leviäminen voi synnyttää vuosisadan pahimman humanitaarisen kriisin. EU ja jäsenmaat ovat tähän mennessä kohdentaneet yhteensä 500 miljoonaa euroa viruksen leviämisen torjuntaan, mutta rahaa tarvitaan vielä paljon lisää. Terveyshenkilökunnan saaminen Länsi-Afrikkaan ja täysimittaisen projektin käynnistäminen edellyttää myös laajaa logistista tukea, jota on saatavilla vain sotilasorganisaatioilta. Poikkeuksellinen tilanne edellyttää poikkeuksellisia toimia. Ebola ei myöskään ole vain terveyshaaste. Levitessään sillä voi olla suuria poliittisia seuraamuksia. Köyhyyden syventyessä yhteiskuntarauha voi aina järkkyä. Samalla on vältettävä pelon ilmapiiriä, jollaiseen jo toisinaan törmää. Hysteria ei auta ketään. Ebolaa ei tule vain padota alueelle, vaan kaikki sairastuneet ihmiset tulee saada nopeasti parhaan mahdollisen hoidon pariin. Kaikki tämä vaatii paitsi resursseja myös rohkeutta ja päättäväisyyttä.

Pavel Poc (S&D),
písemně
. – Rok 2014 s sebou přinesl další velkou výzvu pro celé lidstvo, jmenovitě vypuknutí a šíření smrtelného viru Ebola. Tento problém nepředstavuje totiž ohrožení obyvatelstva pouze v západní Africe, kde virus propukl a kde má za následek přinejmenším 5 000 lidských životů. Naopak, v dnešním světě, kdy nejsou úzce propojeni jen obyvatelé v rámci jedné země, ale i několika států a kontinentů, je při podobných událostech naléhavé zakročit co nejdříve. Zvláště, jedná-li se o možné ohrožení ochrany evropských občanů. Proto apeluji na vytvoření lépe koordinovaného evropského postupu, který by měl být veden Evropskou komisí, jakožto odpovědi na tuto hrozbu. Vítám veškeré potřebné legislativní kroky, jež jsou namístě. Je čas, aby i všechny členské země EU přijaly nevyhnutelná opatření. Dále zdůrazňuji nezbytnost adaptačních mechanismů týkajících se změn klimatu, které by měly zahrnovat i schopnost Unie reagovat na smrtelné epidemie, ke kterým se řadí i tento případ. Jsem přesvědčen, že Evropa i jednotlivé členské státy mohou dělat více pro ochranu svých občanů než doposud. Úroveň rizika nákazy musí být stlačena na co nejnižší úroveň. Proto podporuji zavedení celoplošné evropské kontroly cestujících a přestupujících ze všech postižených oblastí, ucelené posílení jednotlivých zdravotních systémů a přijmutí opatření řešících problém ve svém zárodku, tzn. v Africe.

Bronis Ropė (Verts/ALE),
raštu.
– Pritariu ES veiklos reaguojant į Ebolos viruso grėsmę įvertinimui. Kartu norėčiau pabrėžti, jog toli gražu ne visos Valstybės narės su tuo susiduria tiesiogiai. Tačiau fizinis grėsmės tolumas nereiškia didesnio saugumo, tai kaip tik gali reikšti menkesnį pasirengimą realaus kontakto atveju.
Pavyzdžiui mano šalis, Lietuva, turi labai nedaug kontaktų su Ebolos židiniais Afrikoje. Ir mūsų medikai apie šią grėsmę daugiau sužino iš kolegų ar specializuotų leidinių, jei ne iš žiniasklaidos. Tačiau tai nereiškia, kad Lietuvos medikai yra geriau pasirengę kovoti su galimu šio viruso plitimu Lietuvoje. Kaip tik atvirkščiai - realios medikų patirties trūkumas galimo viruso pateikimo atveju gali labai prisidėti prie tokios grėsmės plitimo.
Tam, kad išvengti Ebolos, kaip ir kitų pavojingų virusų plitimo, reikia ES lygmeniu skatinti informacijos mainus tarp visų Valstybių narių, skatinti medikų mainus, sudaryti galimybę visiems norintiems sukaupti tinkamos tiesioginės patirties. Ir šioje vietoje ES gali atlikti labai svarbų vaidmenį, tiek skleisdama informaciją, tiek ir paremdama specialistų patirties mainus.

Alfred Sant (S&D),
bil-miktub
. – Kemm ilna ffaċċjati bit-theddida tal-ebola, l-awtoritajiet pubbliċi u internazzjonali ħasbu biex ma jqajmux paniku. Għal xhur smajna stqarrijiet li jimminimizzaw it-theddida. Biss, aktar ma għadda ż-żmien, dawn aktar dehru bħala wisq ottimistiċi. Fil-pajjiżi tal-Afrika l-kriżi aggravat. Każi ta' infezzjoni qamu fl-Ewropa u fl-Istati Uniti. Issa, l-Organizzazzjoni tas-Saħħa qed tgħid li r-riskju ta' epidemja serja fl-Ewropa u fl-Istati Uniti mhux kbir. Qed tgħid ukoll li t-theddida tal-ebola ma tqisitx bis-serjetà li jistħoqqilha. Hekk għadu qed jiġri. Niskanta kif fl-Ewropa il-mobilizzazzjoni ta' inizjattivi baqgħet daqstant dgħajfa. Sa mill-bidu, kien ovvju li ma stajniex nilqgħu tajjeb għall-ebola biss fuq livell nazzjonali. It-trasport u l-kummerċ globalizzati faċilment se jwassluha mad-dinja kollha. Lanqas stajna nilqgħulha sempliċement fuq livell mediku. Lil hinn mill-oqsma tal-għajnuna umanitarja, kienet meħtieġa wkoll mobilizzazzjoni transnazzjonali fost oħrajn, fil-livelli ta' trasport, kontroll tal-fruntieri, riċerka u għajnuna għall-iżvilupp. L-Ewropa għandha interess vitali fil-pajjiżi Afrikani milquta bl-epidemja. Madankollu, baqgħet ma varatx pjan strateġiku u integrat fl-oqsma kollha rilevanti. Hekk fhimt mir-risposta li tatni l-Kummissjoni Ewropea għall-mistoqsija dwar jekk għandniex pjan integrat kontra l-ebola. Ħafna ċittadini Ewropej qed jistaqsu xinhu s-siwi għalihom tal-Unjoni Ewropea. Quddiem theddida bħal tal-ebola li kulħadd jibża' minnha, l-Unjoni setgħet turi li tista' tagħmel differenza. Dan baqa' ma sarx.

Alyn Smith (Verts/ALE),
in writing
. – The Ebola crisis threatens not just a humanitarian tragedy but the breakdown of a number of already vulnerable states, creating fertile ground for extremist and militarist forces which have already proven they are more than able to expand into vacuums of authority. I met with the excellent Médecins Sans Frontières last week and have nothing but praise for their work in tough circumstances. Sixteen 16 of their staff have already become infected and ten of those have died – people trying to help and assist. We as Europe have no shortage of organisations with expertise and people willing to put themselves in harm's way, but we have lacked the political will to get involved. We need to do so urgently and provide real support to those organisations already on the ground. In particular we must reassure volunteers that there will be a coordinated EU medevac procedure, and that the operation will be properly financed. We have a humanitarian duty to intervene, but we have a selfish motivation too. If we allow Ebola to destroy such governmental authority as exists, we will see hostile regimes take their place.

Miguel Viegas (GUE/NGL),
por escrito
. – Na década de noventa, o FMI e o Banco Mundial entraram na África Subsaariana, com as suas terapias de choque e com os seus programas de ajustamento e restruturação das economias. Na Sierra Leo, 5000 profissionais de saúde forma despedidos. A massa salarial no sector de saúde foi reduzida a um terço. Ou seja, os parcos sistemas públicos de saúde forma desmantelados. Note-se que este pais foi citado como um exemplo na aplicação das reformas. E portanto, este vírus do Ébola, com todos os dramas humanos que comporta, funciona aqui como revelador dos efeitos das políticas neoliberais aplicadas em África no passado e hoje na Europa. A OMS, que deveria ser a vanguarda desta batalha, numa estratégia articulada de combate ao vírus, debate-se hoje com orçamentos que decrescem de ano para ano, porque assim o determinam os países ricos. Em particular, o seu orçamento para 2012-13 sofreu um corte de 13,4% justamente nas operações em África, retirando-lhe capacidade operacional. Gostaria de ouvir algumas palavras sobre esta realidade.

Ελισσάβετ Βόζεμπεργκ (PPE),
in writing
. – Στα πλαίσια της εύλογης ανησυχίας της Διεθνούς Κοινότητας για τον κίνδυνο εξάπλωσης του θανατηφόρου ιού Έμπολα και της προσπάθειας αναχαίτισης του, έχει παρατηρηθεί έντονη παραπληροφόρηση και ελλιπής ενημέρωση, η οποία δικαιολογημένα μπορεί να οδηγήσει σε καταστάσεις πανικού, όπως πολύ συχνά συμβαίνει σε τέτοιες περιπτώσεις. Σύμφωνα με τις διαβεβαιώσεις του Ευρωπαϊκού Κέντρου Ελέγχου και Πρόληψης Νοσημάτων, οι υγειονομικές αρχές της Ευρώπης είναι αποτελεσματικές στην ανίχνευση και επιβεβαίωση κρουσμάτων Έμπολα, εντούτοις, τα πρόσφατα κρούσματα του ιού εντός ΕΕ δεν μας επιτρέπουν σε καμία περίπτωση να εφησυχάσουμε. Λόγω λοιπόν αυτής της έκτακτης και επείγουσας καταστάσεως, πρωταρχικό μέλημα της ΕΕ επιβάλλεται να είναι η συντονισμένη δράση για τη σωστή ενημέρωση των ευρωπαίων πολιτών όσον αφορά τη μετάδοση, την πρόληψη και την προστασία από τον ιό. Δεν θα πρέπει επομένως να ενοχοποιούνται τα κράτη μέλη με κρούσματα του ιού, αλλά να τους παρέχεται η απαραίτητη συνδρομή και υποστήριξη!

Jarosław Leszek Wałęsa (PPE),
in writing
. – The rapid spread of Ebola cannot be understated or overlooked. We must be cautious in our daily activities and remain diligent in our efforts to fight this disease. As stated by my colleague Ms Georgieva, we must be proud of the efforts of the many Member States that are lending support and resourses for this fight. The numbers show the shocking speed with which Ebola is spreading; the latest data shows that ‘there were 4 963 people sick, and there are now 9 191. Similarly, the number of people who have lost their lives has almost doubled, from 2 453 to 4 546. Unfortunately, a very high number of health professionals are affected, with 427 doctors and nurses sick and, of those, 230 have lost their lives trying to save the lives of others’. It is important that we stay the course and prevent Ebola spreading to reach our shores. I remain confident that given the efforts by health professionals and the caution exercised by our citizens, we can beat this problem.
20.   Agenda for next sitting: see Minutes
21.   Closure of the sitting

(The sitting closed at 19.00)