Verbatim report of proceedings of 10 March 2020
Date: 2020-03-10
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: European Parliament, parliamentary debate








C_202404633EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
C series














18.7.2024







            10 March 2020
            VERBATIM REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS OF 10 MARCH 2020
            
         
(C/2024/4633)

Contents







1.

Opening of the session
3










2.

Opening of the sitting
3










3.

Statement by the President
3










4.

Coronavirus outbreak, state of play and ensuring a coordinated European response to the health, economic and social impact (debate)
8










5.

Resumption of the sitting
47










6.

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting : see Minutes
47










7.

Council position at first reading: see Minutes
47










8.

Conclusions of the special European Council meeting of 20 February 2020 on the Multiannual Financial framework (debate)
48










9.

Calendar of part-sessions : see Minutes
63










10.

Request for waiver of immunity: see Minutes
63










11.

Composition of committees and delegations : see Minutes
63










12.

Migration situation at the Greek-Turkish border and the EU's common response to it (debate)
63










13.

Delegated acts (Rule 111(6)): see Minutes
87










14.

Implementing measures (Rule 112): see Minutes
87










15.

Delegated acts (Rule 111(2)): see Minutes
87










16.

Change to titles of own-initiative reports: see Minutes
87










17.

Petitions: see Minutes
87










18.

Documents received: see Minutes
87










19.

Approval of the minutes of the sitting and forwarding of texts adopted: see Minutes
87










20.

Dates of forthcoming sittings : see Minutes
88










21.

Closure of the sitting
88










22.

Adjournment of the session
88




Verbatim report of proceedings of 10 March 2020
                  


IN THE CHAIR: MAIREAD McGUINNESS


Vice-President

1.   Opening of the session

President. – I declare open the 2020-2021 session of the European Parliament.
2.   Opening of the sitting

(The sitting opened at 9.02)

3.   Statement by the President

President. – Before we move to our debate, I want to make two announcements.
We celebrate International Women's Rights Day in very difficult times. So please allow me to send our support and to thank all women that are facing the sanitary emergency of the Coronavirus in the European Union and throughout the world. They are researchers, doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, journalists, political leaders at all levels, mothers and sisters. These are difficult times and the emergency shows clearly the great importance of this work. We are proud of their engagement and we want them to be considered equal, not just in these emergency times but at all times.
40% of the Members that of this Parliament are women, and since Parliamentarians are decision-makers at the heart of change for people, there is no just and fair society without gender equality and women's participation in all walks of life, and of course in politics.
On the occasion of the International Women's Rights Day, we must remember that only one quarter of all parliamentarians worldwide are women and that millions of women and girls are still discriminated against and prevented from fully developing their skills and playing their role in society, and this is also the case within our European Union.
Realising women's rights is not an option – it is a duty, and it is possible where there is political will. It's important that the Commission has presented an ambitious EU Gender Equality Strategy to achieve significant concrete progress by 2025, and Parliament stands ready to work on the legislative proposals, in particular on binding measures for pay transparency measures to be introduced by the end of 2020. We will give our full support and contribution, since equal pay is essential to strengthen our social model.
Let me continue on the same subject. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action, a comprehensive global policy framework with measurable outcomes in several areas. 25 years after these commitments and objectives, we see that progress is still lagging behind in many areas. Gender pay and pension gap and the unequal distribution of unpaid work remain big challenges. Investing in girls' education is essential and this is much more than just access to schooling. It is about support and freedom.
Also, gender-based violence continues to have devastating consequences and it is urgent that all Member States and the European Union ratify the Istanbul Convention. The European Union must remain a model in enhancing women's rights. Recently, the European Parliament called on the six Member States that have not yet ratified the Convention do so without delay, and we repeat that call today.
But women's rights face new challenges as well, related to digitalisation, migration and climate change. It is our common responsibility to act, for us all and for future generations.
To mark this day, we fully support the No Woman No Panel campaign, and indeed I try not to participate in any European Parliament panels or public events where women are not adequately represented.
Our European Parliament will maintain a clear and firm political commitment to strengthening gender equality and women's rights in the European Union and around the world. I sincerely hope that, in forthcoming International Women's Rights Days, we will be together celebrating new achievements for gender equality for the sake of our entire society.
(Applause)

Frances Fitzgerald,
on behalf of the PPE Group. – Madam President, I want to thank the Presidency for putting this item on the agenda at what is a trying and difficult time for all of our citizens. My thoughts this morning are of course with Italy and all Italian citizens, particularly the patients, the families and the healthcare workers, and those across Europe facing the Corona virus. These are indeed difficult times for families.
On Sunday, we marked a very special International Women's Day – 25 years since the Beijing Platform for Action. We in Europe and around the world have made considerable progress in advancing women's rights and it is important to celebrate the progress, but of course we also have to say it is not enough. We have to accelerate action. We have to harness the power and the potential of women across this continent and around the world.
On Thursday, I was glad to welcome the European Gender Equality Strategy through which we can reach further and go higher, but without action a strategy is just words. We need implementation across all of the institutions. We need strong political leadership in order to implement that Gender Equality Strategy and we do have much work to do. I only have a moment to mention some of the issues: women in Europe, 84 cents pay for every euro a man earns, and an extraordinary pension gap of 40%. Think of the implications of that for families, for children, for women, for old age. We do not have a critical mass in our parliaments, in our businesses, in our boards. That is important. Critical mass matters, as does, of course, the very serious statistic in relation to violence. One in three women in the EU has been a victim of physical or sexual violence since the age of 15. It is as simple as that. We need all Member States and the EU to ratify the Istanbul Convention. Just think about the level of violence we are seeing around the world against women, think about FGM, think about what's happening in Europe, and the recent UN report that says gender equality is on the slide. We must do more. We must not just aim to break the glass ceiling. We must shatter it now.

Iratxe García Pérez,
en nombre del Grupo S&D. – Señora presidenta, a pesar de las dificultades y de la situación de excepción que estamos viviendo estos días, el pasado 8 de marzo muchas calles de Europa y de fuera de Europa también se tiñeron de morado. Muchas calles se llenaron de una voz que decía que queremos ser libres, queremos estar seguras, queremos tener derechos. Y es un mensaje que hoy debemos escuchar en esta Cámara, en este Parlamento.
               

                  Porque seguro que todos hemos escuchado muchas veces eso de que detrás de un hombre siempre hay una gran mujer. Pues nos hemos cansado de estar detrás. Queremos estar tomando decisiones. Queremos estar en los espacios donde se decide sobre nuestras vidas: en el ámbito de lo económico, en el ámbito de lo social y laboral, en el ámbito de lo político. Es el momento de las mujeres. Es el momento de construir una sociedad más igualitaria, donde pongamos encima de la mesa medidas urgentes para luchar contra los estereotipos. Contra estos estereotipos que nos han situado a las mujeres siempre en el espacio de lo privado, por lo que no hemos tenido la oportunidad de formar parte de la toma de decisiones en aquellos espacios que son fundamentales para nuestras vidas. Y cuando las mujeres estamos en esos espacios, las decisiones se toman de una forma más justa y más igualitaria.
               

                  Por eso queremos dar la bienvenida a la Estrategia para la Igualdad de Género que ha aprobado recientemente la Comisión y esperamos que eso suponga un paso adelante y firme en la defensa de una Europa más justa, en la defensa de una Europa más igualitaria y también de una Europa solidaria, que mire a las mujeres de otros espacios del mundo que están comenzando también a luchar por nuestros derechos. No es una opción, es una obligación. Porque tengamos clara una cuestión: si queremos avanzar de forma justa en el proyecto europeo, tenemos que tener en cuenta que Europa será feminista o no será.
               

Irène Tolleret,
au nom du groupe Renew. – Madame la Présidente, le 18 février dernier, lors de la première réunion du réseau pour l'égalité des genres du Parlement européen, notre président, le Président Sassoli, m'a vraiment beaucoup touchée par ses mots quand il a affirmé que l'égalité doit devenir un instrument de mesure de nos politiques. Nous sommes complètement d'accord. Les droits des femmes, l'égalité pour les femmes, c'est un sujet de droits de l'homme.
               

                  Aujourd'hui, nous sommes face à des urgences que nous comprenons. Cependant, j'aimerais m'assurer de votre soutien sur l'opportunité de reprogrammer un temps d'échange une fois l'urgence terminée. Il est essentiel que cet hémicycle puisse s'exprimer sur la nouvelle stratégie pour l'égalité des genres qui a été publiée jeudi dernier.
               

                  Je me félicite de l'adoption de cette stratégie, qui est tant attendue, qui représente le meilleur moyen de célébrer la Journée internationale des droits des femmes. Et je souligne l'engagement de la commissaire Dalli pour protéger et promouvoir les droits des femmes.
               

                  Je ne reviendrai pas sur ce que mes collègues ont déjà dit. Cette stratégie est très complète. Elle comprend des avancées importantes qui doivent permettre à toutes les femmes de vivre leur vie libres et égales, libres de violences, libres de stéréotypes, libres professionnellement, avec la carrière qu'elles veulent dans toute l'Union européenne.
               

                  Ces femmes, ce sont nos mères, nos filles, nos cousines, nos sœurs, nos voisines. C'est notre société. L'égalité des femmes, c'est un projet de société.
               

                  Une femme est à la tête de la Commission européenne. Une commissaire européenne se consacre exclusivement à la promotion de l'égalité et le Parlement européen dispose d'une ample majorité sur le sujet. Toutes les étoiles semblent alignées. Cependant, nous regrettons le fait qu'en 2020, le Conseil n'ait toujours pas de formation dédiée à l'égalité. Les ministres de l'agriculture, de la pêche, de l'emploi se réunissent périodiquement alors que les ministres en charge de l'égalité n'ont pas de forum spécifique pour se réunir. Il est urgent que le droit des femmes et l'égalité se retrouvent au sommet de l'agenda politique européen et qu'une formation du Conseil dédiée à l'égalité soit instituée.
               

Catherine Griset,
au nom du groupe ID. – Madame la Présidente, ‘les femmes comme vecteur essentiel de changement’, cet intitulé est révélateur. Incapables d'exister par elles-mêmes, les femmes auraient donc besoin de l'appui d'instances internationales, comme si elles étaient une minorité. La femme ne se résume ni à des droits ni à un statut de victime, elle est bien plus que cela. Elle n'est pas non plus un homme comme les autres.
               

                  À l'égalitarisme indifférencié vers lequel nous tendons, nous opposons égalité des droits et liberté de choix. La tradition européenne a toujours donné un rôle central à la femme et aucune civilisation n'a autant célébré la féminité que la nôtre. Mais cette place de la femme que nous tenions pour acquise dans notre art de vivre est menacée doublement. D'une part, sous l'effet de l'immigration et de l'islamisation de nos sociétés. D'autre part, par l'individualisme de nos sociétés libérales. Malheureusement, ces dangers ne sont jamais dénoncés par les mouvements féministes à indignation sélective. Mieux, ils sont encouragés. Ces lobbies communautaires prétendent défendre les femmes alors que le féminisme est avant tout un libéralisme qui pousse l'individu à s'émanciper des structures et valeurs collectives au détriment de l'éthique. L'un isole, l'autre est régressif, comme le prouvent les innombrables violences dont les femmes européennes sont victimes.
               

                  Parlons de changement. Qu'a changé, pour les femmes, l'élection d'une femme à la tête de la Commission? Les promesses sont-elles mieux tenues ? Les quotas ou la parité imposés améliorent-ils les choses? Il est temps d'en finir avec cette lecture idéologique des rapports hommes-femmes et de montrer une fois pour toutes que les femmes n'ont nullement besoin de la protection tutélaire de l'État ou d'une institution pour être libres.
               

Ska Keller,
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. – Madam President, unfortunately, on this Women's Day as on every other women's day, and as indeed on every day of all of our lives as women, we realise that equality is far, far away from being realised. Women's Day is not so much a day of celebration; it is a day to remind us of the struggle that has been done in the past, and on the struggle that still lies ahead of us. So much still needs to be done.
Since we're in a Parliament, I indeed want to remind us of the big lack of women in decision-making. Just because we might see one woman somewhere in a leading position, that just reminds us of the stark contrast of everyone else in the room usually being a man. That needs to change, but we can also all do something about that. All of our parties, all of our list elections, everyone can do something about it. It is not a natural phenomenon that women are under-represented. Everyone can, but also everyone has to contribute to this struggle.
While it takes forever, as we have seen, to break old problems, to break all old inequalities, new ones are rising by the day. For example, if we look at the online hate that people – women – are facing; the hate that we have received is an old problem but to see it so much multiplied in the online space is a new phenomenon. Also the bias of algorithms now coming up and soon having a very big influence – already having a very big, bad influence on our lives – is something that is a new phenomenon. So let's never ever for one day even think the fight is over. It is not over. It needs to be continued with women of all the regions, of all religions, no matter how they look, no matter whom they love, and let's not forget, either, the struggle of trans women, who are often overlooked.

Lucia Ďuriš Nicholsonová,
za skupinu ECR. – Vážená pani predsedajúca, v 21. storočí by ženy radšej ako kyticu kvetov ocenili rodovú rovnosť, rovnosť v odmeňovaní a naozajstnú ochranu pred násilím a sexuálnym obťažovaním.
               

                  Medzinárodný deň žien je pre mňa o jednom posolstve. A netýka sa len žien v Európskej únii, ale žien na celom svete. Nie sme len estetické rebro Adama. Sme samostatne mysliace bytosti, ktoré majú právo na slobodný výber, ktoré majú právo na slobodnú voľbu.
               

                  Toto ale nie je realita vo všetkých členských štátoch Európskej únie. Sú krajiny, kde ženy nemajú prístup k službám reprodukčného zdravia. Najmä ženy zo sociálne najslabších vrstiev obyvateľstva nemajú prístup k antikoncepcii, tak ako napríklad ženy z rómskych osád. V niektorých členských štátoch sú ženy, ktoré nemôžu slobodne naložiť nielen so svojím životom, ale ani so svojou maternicou. Osobitnou kategóriou sú slobodné matky s deťmi, ktoré čelia nielen stereotypom spoločnosti, ale aj chudobe a patria medzi najohrozenejšie skupiny na trhu práce.
               

                  Ženy neustále čelia tlaku verejnosti, ktorá im hovorí, ako sa majú správať. Lebo keď žena politička buchne do stola, je hysterka, keď to urobí muž, tak je hrdina.
               

                  Ženám hovoria, že musia byť matkami, a potom im hovoria, ako majú byť dobrými matkami, lebo vo viacerých členských štátoch neustále prežíva stereotyp, že dobrá matka je iba taká matka, ktorá zostáva doma s dieťaťom.
               

                  Našou úlohou je robiť také politiky, aby mali ženy vo všetkých členských štátoch Európskej únie možnosť naozajstnej slobodnej voľby, aby boli rovnocenné s mužmi aj v právach aj v povinnostiach za rodinu, za výchovu detí a za domáce práce.
               

                  Sme samostatne mysliace osoby, ktoré majú právo na slobodnú voľbu. Nie sme len estetické rebro Adama.
               

Manon Aubry,
au nom du groupe GUE/NGL. – Madame la Présidente, pour cette intervention sur le droit des femmes, permettez-moi de m'adresser à vous habillée en Rosie la riveteuse, icône du combat féministe et symbole en France de la mobilisation actuelle des femmes.
               

                  Ce bleu de travail, ce foulard rouge et ces gants de ménage jaunes, nous sommes des milliers de femmes à les avoir portés dimanche dernier, pour la journée internationale des droits des femmes. Nous les avons portés pour refuser les 16 % d'inégalité de salaire entre les femmes et les hommes en Europe. Nous les avons portés depuis des mois déjà, pour dénoncer une réforme des retraites en France, dont les femmes seront les grandes perdantes. Nous les avons portés pour soutenir les femmes de chambre sous-traitées et invisibilisées des hôtels de luxe. Nous les avons portés pour pointer la double journée des femmes, qui consacrent près de deux fois plus d'heures au travail domestique que les hommes. Nous les avons portés pour protéger notre droit à disposer de notre corps, sévèrement menacé dans certains pays d'Europe, dont la Pologne. Nous les avons portés pour dénoncer les violences sexuelles et l'impunité dont jouissent les agresseurs protégés par les cercles de pouvoir. Nous les avons portés pour nous lever et nous casser, comme Adèle Haenel face au César de la honte, attribué à Polanski. Nous les avons portés pour hurler notre colère face au décompte insupportable et morbide des féminicides, dont 149 en France pour la seule année 2019. Nous les avons portés malgré la répression policière qui s'est violemment abattue sur les marches féministes nocturnes organisées samedi dernier à Paris. Nous les avons portés aussi, quitte à nous faire traiter de petites connes par un député français sur les bancs de l'Assemblée nationale.
               

                  Nous les avons portés avec fierté, solidarité et combativité. Ce week-end, nous étions des centaines de milliers à déferler contre le patriarcat, partout en Europe. Alors, soyez prévenus, nous ne nous tairons plus et nous n'attendrons plus l'égalité qui nous est due. Et nous continuerons de reprendre en chœur l'hymne des femmes: ‘Levons-nous, femmes esclaves, et brisons nos entraves. Debout, debout, debout!’
               

Nikolina Brnjac,
President-in-Office of the Council. – Madam President, allow me in these circumstances to add a brief word on behalf of the Council.
Many important and inspiring events have been organised around International Women's Day, on which we celebrate the strength, the achievements and the huge potential of women in Europe and all over the world. I would like to use and celebrate the acts of courage and determination of ordinary women and women like you and me, juggling the many roles that they play, and as we speak, throughout their everyday life – professionals, colleagues, wives, friends, managers, mothers, doctors, engaged citizens, daughters, teachers and grandmothers.
I would like us also to celebrate the acts of courage and the determination of ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of countries and our communities, women like Marie Curie, Jane Goodall, Maria Montessori, Frida Kahlo, Coco Chanel, Rosa Parks and many more.
I welcome the emphasis you had placed on the debate, which was foreseen on women's role as agents of change. Women's influence, their agency, is vital at this particular moment in time as we begin a new decade, as the European Union picks up a moment in the new institutional cycle and as the United Nations marks the 25th anniversary of this Gender Equality Agenda.
Last week, the Commission adopted its Gender Equality Strategy for the next five years, a road map for advancing the discourse for the benefit of citizens, businesses and societies, and I want to sincerely thank the Commission, and particularly President von der Leyen and Commissioner Dalli, for this step which honours the wishes of the Council and the European Parliament. With this Strategy for the next five years gender equality has a firm anchor hold in the Commission's agenda.
In the meantime, let me say that Parliament has always been energetic in keeping gender equality on the agenda and for this we sincerely thank you.
As a university professor, politician and a mother of two sons, I'm aware of how much women do every day at work and in their homes. I firmly believe that through their involvement, women are capable of advancing different aspects of society, academia, businesses and politics alike. I am therefore proud that I was appointed State Secretary on this very significant day on 8 March and happy that I can contribute to the work of my government, which remains strongly dedicated to strengthening the position of women in all walks of life, including in politics and international institutions.

President. – Thank you, Minister. Indeed, on this occasion it is interesting that the panel I sit on is currently 100% women. Can I just say that those of us who are visible – those women who are visible in this Chamber – must always pay attention to the majority that are invisible, but provide invaluable services and care to the many. So thank you for this really important debate.

(Applause)

If I may perhaps just acknowledge that there is a lady whose birthday is today: Commissioner Kyriakides. I wish you on behalf of my colleagues a very happy birthday.

(Applause)

4.   Coronavirus outbreak, state of play and ensuring a coordinated European response to the health, economic and social impact (debate)

President. – Sadly, we move on to very serious matters.
The next item is the debate on the Commission and Council statements on the Coronavirus outbreak, state of play and ensuring a coordinated European response to the health, economic and social impact (2020/2591(RSP)).

Nikolina Brnjac,
President-in-Office of the Council. – Madam President, the spread of the new coronavirus known as Covid-19 is evolving rapidly. The current situation proves that like all viruses, coronavirus has the ability to cross borders and continents. It is important to stress that only together, and in a coordinated, coherent manner, can we address this global outbreak in the most effective way. Before I continue, allow me to pay tribute to the victims in Europe and elsewhere, and express my sympathies to their relatives and loved ones.
Over the last five weeks the Presidency has taken a number of steps to coordinated the EU's response to the Covid-19 outbreak. The current scale of the outbreak, however, demonstrates that we need to further enhance the coordination of our actions in close cooperation between Member States, EU institutions, bodies and agencies such as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the European Medicines Agency, and with the international organisations such as the World Health Organization.
We have had numerous meetings, including at Council level, where we have intensively discussed various consequences of the Covid-19 spread in the European Union, and exchanged information on the level of preparedness of Member States in terms of the implementation of relevant protective measures.
The Health Security Committee established to coordinate risk and crisis communication and the responses of the Member States to serious cross-border threats to health has already met 10 times to exchange information on this outbreak.
The first action taken by the Presidency at the EU level was the activation of the first level of the integrated policy crisis response on 28 January, which we then escalated to full mode last Monday due to the worsening epidemiological situation. I'm sure that you are already aware of the large-scale efforts within the Union Civil Protection Mechanism to repatriate EU citizens first from Wuhan in China and now from other countries such as Japan and Iran. In this context, it should be noted that consular affairs fall under Member States' competences, but of course also here we are stronger if we cooperate.
As to the current situation, the Presidency, together with the European External Action Service, conducted local consular cooperation meetings with the Member States to update on changing needs to consular assistance in different third countries. The capitals are also in very close contact to coordinate and support each other on consular assistance to EU citizens.
Through the constant monitoring of the situation, I believe that we currently have a good overview of the spread of Covid-19 and I need to underline at this stage that the swift exchange of up-to-date information among us, and further coordination of measures taken, are crucial elements for an effective response to reduce the impact of the outbreak. To that end, we will convene an IPCR round-table meeting at ambassador level for detailed discussions on concrete measures necessary for an effective and coordinated response.
I will now give you more details about the coordinated response at Council level to the health, economic and social impact of the Covid-19 outbreak. On 7 February, the Presidency organised an informal, high-level video-conference with Member States' delegations. Together with representatives of the Commission and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, they had an opportunity to exchange information on the implementation of protective measures taken and to compare experience concerning the activation of national systems for handling public health emergencies.
On 13 February, the EPSCO Council held intensive discussions in which Member States, the Commission, the WHO and the ECDC explored ways to further enhance communication and cooperation at EU level to efficiently tackle this public health emergency. They also focused on possible solutions to safeguard the sustainable supply of medicines and equipment on the EU internal market. We adopted conclusions that strengthened the coordinated approach and included a number of actions to be taken to protect public health in the European Union.
In light of the recent rapid increase of Covid-19 cases in the EU – where now all Member States have cases, with some counting hundreds, and, in the case of Italy, thousands of cases – the Presidency held another meeting of the EPSCO Council last Friday. The Member States had an opportunity to exchange views on the consequences of this rapid increase, to assess the effectiveness of measures in place and discuss ways to strengthen the response. That exchange of views suggested that at present our operational emergency mechanism and protective measures are functioning in a satisfactory and coordinated manner.
The key message expressed by the Council, which I would like to share with you, is above all we need to strengthen solidarity between the Member States, cooperation and exchange of information. Member States stand ready to further raise collective and individual awareness of the threat from Covid-19 and to establish coherent containment measures while maintaining the principle of freedom of movement in the European Union. We will further develop a coordinated approach to prevention and good practices for all people affected, including vulnerable groups such as the elderly.
Last but not least, Member States have identified a need for European monitoring of the supply of medicines and medical equipment. They share the same aim to secure production, stocking, availability and rational use of protective equipment in the European Union.
As regards the economic and social impact of this health crisis, we all realise that it is imperative to act quickly in order to prevent huge further costs. For that reason, finance ministers held an informal discussion last week to discuss appropriate countermeasures. They discussed the specific actions to adequately provide financial support to national civil protection systems in order to cope with this crisis. Next week, finance ministers will meet again to take stock of the situation and propose additional targeted measures if necessary. Specific sectors and regions of Europe are suffering disproportionately from this crisis and they will need all our support and solidarity to address the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on society and the economy.
Furthermore, on Thursday, on the Presidency's initiative, the EU education ministers will hold a conference call to discuss an effective national response to ensure continuity of education in the light of the Covid-19 outbreak. As you probably know, President Michel convened a video-conference with leaders this afternoon to discuss how to coordinate EU efforts to respond to the outbreak in order to protect the health of our citizens. The meeting will be an opportunity for the leaders to exchange information, facilitate the coordination of efforts and to prepare the next steps.
I know that we can count on our robust European social model, ensuring adequate social protection and that citizens are not left behind in these precarious circumstances. Solidarity and a coordinated approach are the key in this situation. We welcome the support mobilised by the Commission so far, provided in a number of sectors such as public health, research and civil protection, and we will continue to work closely with the Commission to ensure that comprehensive support is delivered to the Member States. We remain convinced that the coordinated measures taken will help sustainably diminish the impact of Covid-19 in Europe and will minimise disruption to the continuity of social, economic and democratic life.

Stella Kyriakides,
Member of the Commission. – Madam President, Covid-19 has developed into a fast-moving and increasingly severe public health emergency that is affecting our citizens, our societies, and our economies. We have since yesterday confirmed cases in all Member States. Whilst the numbers vary from a few cases only to over 9 000, we know that the picture is changing exponentially and by the hour. Needless to say, the days and weeks ahead are critical.
I want here to take the opportunity to praise the European Parliament's decision to take effective measures. I know it was not an easy decision, but it was necessary. They are critical, the next few days and months will be critical for our response. Member States must still focus on efforts to aggressively contain the virus, particularly where there are few cases. Slowing down the virus must be our greatest priority in order to gain time for our health systems to function effectively, and for research and development to advance.
The measures we are seeing are impacting on our citizens, on their everyday lives, on the economy, on businesses. It is not an easy situation to live in, and the decisions taken by government are not taken lightly. But when necessary and justified, although tough these decisions need to be followed to the letter.
It is a time of critical communication with our citizens and here Parliament can be of great help in two ways. You need to be the voices that speak to citizens for them to take responsibility for their personal protection measures: washing hands, avoiding physical contact; but you also need to be the voices against false news and misinformation, because this is equally damaging to the efforts made and the impact of the virus itself.
This is a critical time for cooperation and solidarity. Without solidarity and Europe-wide solutions, we are not going to be able to deal with this public health emergency. We need solidarity between citizens, between countries, and within countries, and this was ensured in the outcome of the extraordinary Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) last week.
We need to see solidarity in action. We need to share resources, share information, share expertise, share equipment. We need to share equipment protocols and testing protocols. Let me be absolutely clear, this cannot be business as usual. We are facing an exceptional situation, and under such circumstances everybody needs to stand up to their responsibilities.
Whilst the realities on the ground between Member States vary considerably, and whilst they are not all at the same scenarios, I have called on all of them to activate their preparedness plans and to share them with us. I have called on all of them to plan ahead, to be ready for the possible next scenario. From our side, we will continue to do our utmost to ensure that medical workers and those on the front line have the best means possible in order to face the outbreak. Complacency is not an option.
We have launched a joint procurement for personal protective equipment, and this morning we will know what response to this offer we have received. We are already looking at joint procurements for medical equipment, such as respirators and testing kits, which have been requested by Member States. With Commissioner Breton we are discussing how industry can scale up production to meet increased demands.
Yesterday I spoke with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Medicines Agency. We have established a video conference three times a week with myself, as Health Commissioner, and the Agencies, to be updated and coordinated in every way possible so that we can be proactive if possible. We are strengthening the operational support and advice of ECDC on the ground. An expert mission has already taken place in Italy and a second one is underway in Greece. We have increased funding for research and vaccine development, and we are also coordinating our border, visa and security measures.
In ending, I want to say that from day one, our priority has been to protect citizens from this virus and to support Member States in stopping the spread. We need to show a Europe that cares, a Europe of solidarity, and a Europe that protects, a Europe that offers added value to its Member States in their response to that challenge. I know that when under this kind of pressure everyone reacts in different ways, but this is not a time for fragmentation; this is a time for all of us – wherever we are positioned – to join our voices, because this is the only way we're going to be able to come out of this crisis – and that we will. And I'm sure we will have you with us in this effort.

Janez Lenarčič,
Member of the Commission. – Madam President, on 28 January, President von der Leyen activated the Commission's crisis management system, and she tasked me, as the European Emergency Response Coordinator, to chair the coordinated effort for our response. Last week, this was bolstered by the setting-up of a specific coronavirus response team of five Commissioners, including Commissioner Kyriakides and myself. But also other Commissioners – all Commissioners – are heavily involved in this effort.
For the past six weeks, we have been coordinating the work of all Commission services to identify what needs to be done, by whom and when, and get it done. Let me give you a quick overview of this effort.
Through the Union Civil Protection Mechanism, we have coordinated the repatriation of hundreds of European Union citizens from China and Japan. We have coordinated the provision of assistance to China during the initial stage of the outbreak there. Since then, we have been working with the EU Member States to coordinate assistance between them via this mechanism. We have mobilised funding to the tune of almost EUR 270 million to boost global preparedness, prevention and containment of the virus with a combination of development, humanitarian and research funding.
In the area of border controls, we have issued guidance to Member States and organised weekly meetings of the Covid-19 information group on borders, which brings together the Member States, Schengen associated countries, the Council Secretariat and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, so as to exchange information and best practices on measures taken by the Member States in view of the coordinated approach.
For transport-related measures, we have requested the development of specific advice for ship and aircraft operators, as well as the land transport sector, regarding preparedness and the response to the Covid-19 outbreak. This advice was recently published by the expert group.
In addition, we are working every day on contingency planning and preparedness measures for the EU on all aspects of this emergency, from health and research to civil protection and consular assistance, from transport and home affairs to the economy. We are assessing the impact on supply chains and working with Member States to ensure that they use the benefits offered by the single market rather than close it off to each other. Commissioner Breton is speaking directly to European manufacturers of personal protective equipment. Our aim is to make sure that the public health needs of all Member States are met and that adequate supplies get to where they are needed most.
There is no way around the fact that the economic cost of the coronavirus will be significant. We are working closely with Member States to assess the situation and coordinate the necessary economic measures. By coordinating them, we will maximise their impact. It is important that affected workers and businesses get the necessary support to weather this storm. On the fiscal front, European countries have powerful automatic stabilisers, which can cushion a good part of the shock. They can also intervene in terms of providing liquidity to small and medium enterprises, which are the most affected by this impact. In addition, our Stability and Growth Pact provides for flexibility to cater for unusual events such as this. Our letter to Italy is very clear on that.
We are well aware that exceptional times require exceptional measures, and this is such a time. We are committed to coordinating with Member States and using all appropriate policy tools to safeguard against the downside risks that are now materialising.
Finally, we have ramped up our public communication efforts with the launch of a dedicated Covid-19 webpage with daily updates.
There should be no doubt that this situation calls for a coherent response, and solidarity and cooperation are essential. Member States recognise this and the Commission has already been supporting them for weeks. In particular, the Emergency Response Coordination Centre, which is working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, remains available to them.

Manfred Weber,
im Namen der PPE-Fraktion. – Frau Präsidentin, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Zunächst sind unsere Gedanken bei den Betroffenen – bei denen, die im Krankenhaus sind, die vom Virus betroffen sind – und bei den Angehörigen, die bereits Partner, Freunde, Angehörige verloren haben. Ich möchte im Namen der EVP-Fraktion auch zunchst danke sagen: bei Präsident Sassoli, bei unserem Generalsekretär Klaus Welle für die besonnenen Maßnahmen, die wir als Parlament ergriffen haben, und auch bei den Kollegen Fraktionsvorsitzenden, dass wir in der Konferenz der Präsidenten mit der Situation, denke ich, sehr verhältnismäßig umgegangen sind. Ich möchte danke sagen bei Ursula von der Leyen, bei Stella und bei Kommissar Lenarčič für ihre Aktivitäten. Wir alle hätten uns einen anderen Beginn der Kommissionsarbeit gewünscht, dass wir nicht sofort in Krisenzeiten aufwachen. Aber jetzt gilt es, diese Krisenzeiten anzupacken. Und ich möchte ausdrücklich auch danke sagen bei denen, die jetzt Verantwortung für die Patienten tragen. Wir haben viele Menschen, die im direkten Kontakt mit den Infizierten sind; bei den Krankenschwestern, den Pflegern und den Ärzten, und bei denen, die diese couragierte Arbeit machen, möchte ich mich im Namen der EVP-Fraktion herzlich bedanken.
               

                  Corona zwingt uns zu Schritten, die gegen unseren European way of life gehen: dass wir Hände schütteln, dass wir uns küssen, dass wir Reisen tätigen, dass wir Freunde treffen. Das ist die eigentliche Herausforderung, die vor uns steht: unser Leben ein Stück weit auf den Prüfstand zu stellen. Jeder kann helfen, jeder kann einen Beitrag leisten, um den Virus zu stoppen beziehungsweise zu verlangsamen. Entschiedenes Handeln ist notwendig, und es ist andererseits auch notwendig, Panik zu vermeiden.
               

                  Was ist die Aufgabe, die wir auf europäischer Ebene anpacken müssen? Zunächst gilt es, klarzustellen, dass die Hauptverantwortung auf nationaler Ebene verankert ist. Es sind die nationalen Gesundheitsminister, die die Verantwortung tragen. Aber Europa kann natürlich einen Beitrag leisten, den wir ambitioniert anpacken wollen. Das Erste ist ein gemeinsames Risiko-Assessment. Wir haben als Europäische Volkspartei bereits in der letzten Straßburg-Tagung vorgeschlagen, dass bei allen Reisenden, die in die Europäische Union hereinkommen, an allen Flughäfen des Schengen-Grenzraums eine gemeinsame Risikobewertung vorgenommen wird, mit gemeinsamen Zetteln, die verteilt werden, wo Bürger, die einreisen, angeben, woher sie kommen, ob sie mit Infizierten in Kontakt waren. Das hat leider Gottes sehr lange gedauert, bis das von den einzelnen Mitgliedstaaten übernommen worden ist; heute wird es besser gemacht.
               

                  Als EVP-Fraktion sind wir der Meinung, dass wir bei den Maßnahmen, die jetzt auf nationaler Ebene ergriffen werden, mit den Vorschlägen, die die Kommission macht, die unsere Experten machen, auf nationaler Ebene noch zu unkoordiniert umgehen. Beispielsweise werden Fußballspiele in einzelnen Ländern mit Zuschauern durchgeführt, in anderen Mitgliedstaaten werden sie ohne Zuschauer durchgeführt. Für viele Menschen bedeutet das Verwirrung. Und deswegen spricht für uns auch eines der Ergebnisse aus diesen Entwicklungen der letzten Tage dafür, dass wir unsere Agenturen, unseren Sachverstand in den nächsten Jahren stärken müssen.
               

                  Was Europa leisten muss, ist – und das wurde durch beide Kommissare deutlich gemacht: Wir brauchen Solidarität. Nach der Entscheidung Deutschlands und Frankreichs, beispielsweise für Schutzmasken ein Exportverbot auszusprechen, gab es einen Dominoeffekt auf europäischer Ebene, wo alle Mitgliedstaaten dieses Exportverbot ausgesprochen haben. Das ist nicht das Verständnis von Solidarität, das wir als EVP-Fraktion haben. Wenn Italien jetzt in einer Sondersituation ist und Bedarf an diesen Schutzmasken hat, dann sollten andere Mitgliedstaaten der Europäischen Union bereit sein, zu helfen, und nicht national egoistisch nur auf die eigenen Herausforderungen schauen.
               

                  Wenn wir weiterdenken, dann glauben wir, dass die Frage der Forschung von zentraler Bedeutung ist. Die EU-Kommission hat jetzt 47 Millionen Euro bereitgestellt, um die Forschung am Coronavirus zu verbessern. Ich glaube, dass diese Mittel nicht ausreichen werden, um bei der Impfung und auch bei der Behandlung schnell Fortschritte zu erzielen, die von unseren Bürgern erwartet werden. Und wir werden als EVP-Fraktion auch über das Wettbewerbsrecht reden müssen. Medikamente – dass wir bei Medikamenten heute abhängig sind von chinesischen und indischen Subunternehmern, das verstehen die Bürger in Europa nicht. Das heißt, wir werden in zukünftigen Diskussionen über das Wettbewerbsrecht definieren müssen, welche Produkte wir eigenständig versorgen müssen.
               

                  Und zu guter Letzt brauchen wir ein Maßnahmenpaket für die Wirtschaft. Die EZB wird diese Woche tagen. Die state aid rules müssen überprüft werden. Die Flexibilität muss genutzt werden, um unsere Konzerne zu unterstützen; vor allem für die kleinen mittelständischen Unternehmen brauchen wir Cash, brauchen wir Darlehen, und der Stabilitätspakt muss flexibel angewandt werden. Wir sprechen uns gegen jede Änderung des Stabilitätspakts aus, aber wir wollen die flexible Anwendung des Stabilitätspakts. Das sind die Aufgaben, die vor uns stehen.
               

                  Die Situation, vor der wir jetzt stehen, ist keine Situation, die Parteipolitik erfordert, sondern Verantwortung. Sie ist keine Situation, die Panik erfordert, sondern entschiedenes Handeln. Und vor allem ist sie keine Situation, in der es um nationalen Egoismus geht, sondern um das Bewusstsein, dass es um eine Schicksalsgemeinschaft Europa geht, in der wir uns befinden.
               

Iratxe García Pérez,
en nombre del Grupo S&D. – Señora presidenta, sin duda alguna estos días estamos viviendo una situación extraordinaria que está provocando incertidumbre y preocupación en la ciudadanía y por eso creo que es importante que hoy seamos capaces de lanzar desde aquí un mensaje de calma y de prudencia y actuar con tesón. Las decisiones que tomemos en los próximos días han de tener base científica y ser conformes con lo dispuesto en las recomendaciones de las autoridades sanitarias.
               

                  Hemos de ser conscientes de que algunos Estados miembros están siendo golpeados más severamente por esta crisis que otros y están tomando decisiones que son difíciles y duras. Y en estos momentos tenemos que ser constructivos para superar esta situación de la mejor manera posible.
               

                  Como representantes públicos que somos debemos actuar con firmeza y fomentando acciones razonables que eviten estragos innecesarios. Ante cualquier crisis necesitamos dotarnos de las herramientas necesarias para abordarla y ser conscientes de su envergadura. Al no estar hoy en condiciones de poder votar la resolución sobre la que nuestros grupos habían estado trabajando, sí que quiero trasladar cuáles son las cuestiones esenciales para mi Grupo político.
               

                  Los Estados miembros deben actuar de forma solidaria y garantizando una respuesta común y coordinada, proporcionada y efectiva en respuesta al virus. La Comisión y los Estados miembros deben establecer medidas de contención y planes de emergencia, por lo que recibimos gratamente el compromiso de la Comisión Europea de invertir en la investigación del desarrollo de una vacuna. De forma simultánea, debemos establecer medidas que alivien el impacto económico de esta crisis y sirvan también de estímulo a la economía europea.
               

                  En consecuencia, los Estados miembros deberían estar autorizados a implementar medidas fiscales adicionales, incluyendo medidas de flexibilidad fiscal. Instamos al establecimiento de políticas anticíclicas y medidas concretas que tengan como objetivo proteger el empleo.
               

                  El Banco Europeo de Inversiones debe utilizar las líneas de crédito para proveer a las pequeñas y medianas empresas de fondos de liquidez en situaciones de emergencia financiera. Debemos asegurar que la especulación de los precios y mercados paralelos no se beneficie de esta crisis.
               

                  No podemos ignorar el impacto social que el virus COVID-19 está teniendo. Pero ello no implica que no tengamos que garantizar los derechos laborales: tenemos que ser capaces de garantizar los derechos de los trabajadores y las trabajadoras. Y debemos mirar más allá de esta cifra.
               

                  Debemos priorizar el fortalecimiento de la seguridad social y de los sistemas de salud pública, que están demostrando en estos momentos una gran responsabilidad y capacidad de atender a estas cuestiones. La defensa de los sistemas de sanidad pública es una cuestión esencial, sistemas que en estos momentos están dando ejemplo.
               

                  Finalmente, quiero expresar mi más firme repulsa a los actos de racismo, discriminación y prejuicios contra personas de origen chino o con ascendencia asiática. Es intolerable cualquier tipo de racismo y menos en estos casos.
               

                  Por último, envío un apoyo a todas las víctimas, a las que quiero hacer llegar la solidaridad de mi Grupo, y un agradecimiento a todo el sector médico y personas que están trabajando para poder acabar con esta situación.
               

Frédérique Ries,
au nom du groupe Renew. – Madame la Présidente, Madame la Commissaire, Monsieur le Commissaire, avant tout, j'aimerais avoir moi aussi, au nom du groupe Renew, une pensée émue et chaleureuse pour les victimes, pour les familles et pour les soignants de ceux qui sont touchés personnellement par ce coronavirus.
               

                  Notre débat, ce matin, est bien évidemment essentiel parce que nous avons un devoir d'exemplarité. Le Parlement fait comme tout le monde, il s'adapte à la propagation du virus et prend les mesures de vigilance nécessaires qui s'imposent avec cette plénière rapatriée à Bruxelles et limitée à sa plus simple expression: les débats d'aujourd'hui. En revanche, il n'est pas question de déserter comme il n'en est pas question pour les centaines de milliers de travailleurs qui, partout en Europe, restent à leur poste et continuent d'assurer le bon fonctionnement de pans entiers de notre économie.
               

                  Six semaines maintenant que ce virus est à la une de tous les médias, alors quelle est la valeur ajoutée de notre débat ce matin, dans les limites, disons très étriquées, que le traité accorde à l'Europe de la santé.
               

                  D'abord, entre minimisation et psychose, il faut placer le curseur à l'endroit juste. Oui, la situation est préoccupante, puisque 10 000 Européens ont été contaminés et que 500 décès ont été enregistrés (dans cinq pays seulement heureusement). Oui, une vigilance sans faille s'impose. Mais il faut aussi rappeler que seulement 5 % des personnes touchées doivent être soignées à l'hôpital.
               

                  Il faut dire aussi que l'Europe a réagi rapidement. Elle a notamment activé dès le 28 janvier, le mécanisme de protection civile pour rapatrier les Européens de Chine, d'Iran et du Japon. Elle a par ailleurs dégagé des crédits à hauteur de 100 millions d'euros pour la recherche, les futurs traitements et vaccins, les actions de prévention et la veille sanitaire. C'est là une preuve du savoir-faire de l'Europe et de la Commission. Mais qui le sait? Ce n'est pas une critique mais une petite suggestion à la Commission: il faudrait aussi activer vos compétences de ‘faire savoir’, c'est essentiel. Et c'est aussi une arme, Madame Kyriakides, contre la désinformation.
               

                  Mais encore, face à la globalisation des menaces, c'est la quatrième épidémie en moins de vingt ans. L'Europe doit mieux anticiper et mieux se coordonner. Renew propose tout un plan d'action que je vous invite à découvrir par ailleurs. Et en ce qui concerne les impacts sociaux et économiques de cette pandémie: je laisserai la parole dans quelques instants à mon collègue Dragoș Pîslaru.
               

Silvia Sardone,
a nome del gruppo ID. – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, io mi chiedo: ma l'avete capito che ci troviamo di fronte a una situazione davvero straordinaria, paragonabile solo a una guerra?
               

                  Perché, io mi vergogno di questa Europa, che è totalmente incapace di rispondere adeguatamente a un'emergenza di queste dimensioni. Mi vergogno di un'Europa che da un mese discute di coronavirus e non fa nulla: avete creato una task force con cinque Commissari che non ha prodotto assolutamente nulla.
               

                  Mi vergogno di un'Europa che è disunita e certamente in ritardo. Mi vergogno di un'Europa inefficace e assente: che figura ci fa questa Istituzione di fronte ai tantissimi medici e infermieri in trincea oggi negli ospedali?
               

                  Mi vergogno di un'Europa che non ha protocolli unici per gestire questa epidemia: ci sono paesi che hanno fatto tanti tamponi, chi nessuno. Ci sono paesi che usano totale trasparenza e altri che nascondono i dati o minimizzano per evitare le conseguenze economiche.
               

                  Mi vergogno di un'Europa che abbandona paesi interi, come l'Italia, imprese, commercianti, cittadini. Mi vergogno, tantissimo, dei tanti paesi che hanno bloccato le esportazioni di macchinari per la terapia intensiva; mi vergogno di quei paesi che hanno requisito le mascherine e i materiali medici per l'Italia.
               

                  Mi vergogno che non ci sia un approccio solidale all'emergenza. Mi vergogno degli speculatori e mi vergogno altresì delle catene di distribuzione che hanno preteso il bollino ‘coronavirus free’ sui prodotti alimentari italiani. Qualcuno evidentemente sta usando il virus per fare una guerra commerciale ai prodotti italiani.
               

                  Mi vergogno che, in un momento di tale emergenza, ci siano degli euroburocrati che pretendono l'approvazione del MES, invece di mettere al primo posto la questione del coronavirus. Mi vergogno di un'Europa che, di fronte al grido di aiuto dell'Italia, risponde solamente con la proposta di uno scomputo del deficit delle spese una tantum.
               

                  Non basta! Qui ci vuole un piano colossale di investimenti infrastrutturali e il superamento dei parametri troppo rigidi per affrontare una recessione, che si presenta drammatica.
               

                  Concludo: io mi vergogno di chi se ne frega delle ripercussioni sul settore turistico; mi vergogno di un'Europa che ipotizza di mettere a disposizione una cifra irrisoria. Ma mi vergogno anche di chi dice ‘più Europa’ quando qua l'Europa non sta esistendo! Mi vergogno, infine, di un'Europa che discute e basta quando ogni giorno perso è un dramma!
               

Ska Keller,
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. – Madam President, I very much want to thank all the health workers, all over the world, who are doing a tremendous job and will most likely have to continue doing a tremendous job and who we all rely on in times of emergency – I really want to thank them for all that they are doing.
And while we're following very closely what's happening with the Covid-19 spread and impact, I think what we also should be looking at is the wider impact and the wider effect it has on health systems. There are also other health problems around that might get worse when hospitals are very busy dealing with the coronavirus infections and health systems are often already at their limit.
And I think that should also encourage us to learn some lessons – I mean, there will be many more lessons to be learned in the future, but already at this point I think we can take and draw some lessons. One of them is to really strengthen the health systems, and not rely on there always being good and sunny days. We also need to have our health systems in shape for emergency situations.
I think another important thing is that we need to have social systems that enable people to indeed take sick leave, to stay at home when they're not feeling well, or even to stay in quarantine, and that's not possible if you're only paid by the hour. That's not possible when you're paid badly, if you don't get sick leave support, for example.
Another lesson, as has also been mentioned by colleagues, is that maybe it's not so smart to leave the production of vital goods to one country, one region alone – that we should spread production more widely and more economically in that sense and not just be reliant on very specific areas or very specific economies.
And while we need to listen to the medical experts and take note of the measures and emergency measures that Parliament should take – that everyone should take – it is also up to politics to draw those conclusions, to draw lessons and deal with them.
And, most importantly, I think I want to reiterate what the Commissioner said. We need to work together. A crisis can only be overcome if we all show solidarity. Exclusion and discrimination does not help anyone. It's the wrong way forward. We need to stand together in solidarity, especially when the going gets tough.

Joanna Kopcińska,
w imieniu grupy ECR. – Pani Przewodnicząca! Drugiego marca bieżącego roku Unia Europejska przeszła do pełnego aktywowania zintegrowanego uzgodnienia unijnego dotyczącego reagowania na szczeblu politycznym w sytuacjach kryzysowych, w wyniku czego zdecydowano między innymi zwołać na szóstego marca bieżącego roku kolejne nadzwyczajne posiedzenie Rady, podczas której ministrowie zdrowia mieli możliwość zapoznania się z bieżącą sytuacją.
               

                  Dla pełnej ochrony naszych obywateli musimy znaleźć najlepsze podejście do skoordynowanego reagowania na obecne rozprzestrzenianie się COVID-19 w Unii Europejskiej. Jak Komisja Europejska ocenia mechanizmy istniejące na szczeblu państw członkowskich w kontekście wyzwań, jakie stwarza rozprzestrzenianie się COVID-19 w Europie? Jakie działania dodatkowe może zaproponować Komisja, które byłyby pomocne w dalszej poprawie komunikacji i wymianie informacji?
               

                  Dostępne dane z całego świata pokazują też interesujące trendy. Z jednej strony mamy znaczący spadek zachorowań w Chinach. Czy to oznacza, że drastyczne środki stosowane przez chińskie władze przyniosły skutki? Pojawiły się również informacje mówiące o znaczącej różnicy w śmiertelności między krajami, od niecałego procenta potwierdzonych zakażeń w Korei Południowej do prawie 5% w jednym z krajów na terenie Unii Europejskiej. Czy tak jest faktycznie? Czy są takie różnice, a jeżeli tak, to jak Państwo to oceniacie?
               

                  Jakie dodatkowe środki ochrony zamierza podjąć Komisja Europejska w przypadku, gdy pomimo wprowadzonych środków wirus COVID-19 będzie się nadal rozprzestrzeniał? Czy Komisja mogłaby zaproponować dodatkowe działania, które mogłyby być przydatne w pomocy państwom członkowskim w takiej sytuacji, w tym dodatkowe fundusze i wsparcie z Europejskiego Banku Inwestycyjnego, oraz czy rozważy finansowanie walki z koronawirusem z unijnego funduszu solidarnościowego?
               

                  Pragnę również podziękować wszystkim lekarzom, pielęgniarkom, ratownikom medycznym, wszystkim służbom zaangażowanym w walkę z koronawirusem.
               

Manon Aubry,
au nom du groupe GUE/NGL. – Madame la Présidente, je voudrais tout d'abord exprimer, au nom de notre groupe de la gauche unitaire européenne, toute notre solidarité envers celles et ceux que l'épidémie de coronavirus touche le plus durement. Je pense aux plus vulnérables, aux plus âgés, à ceux que la maladie fragilise déjà et à qui nous devons assurer protection et soins. Je pense évidemment au peuple italien, violemment frappé par l'épidémie, et qui doit recevoir un soutien urgent de l'Union européenne.
               

                  Mes chers collègues, les crises mettent la réalité à nu. Elles écartent le superflu pour révéler le vrai visage de notre société, avec ses forces et ses faiblesses. Le coronavirus nous montre à quel point les dogmes du passé nous rendent fragiles, ébranlables, vulnérables, face aux crises que le marché est incapable de traiter.
               

                  L'austérité a mis à genoux nos hôpitaux publics. Partout en Europe, les soignants se mobilisent contre le délabrement généralisé de nos systèmes de santé. Et ce sont dans ces hôpitaux, déjà à l'asphyxie, que les médecins témoignent de l'atroce dilemme de devoir choisir entre deux patients, face à la pénurie de matériel et de personnel.
               

                  La mondialisation et le libre-échange nous ont privés de notre souveraineté. Le résultat, cela a été dit, est que 80 % des principes actifs de nos médicaments sont dorénavant produits hors d'Europe. Chaque crise mondiale nous met le dos au mur. La pénurie guette et nos étals se retrouvent totalement dépourvus. La dérégulation laisse libre cours à une spéculation sans limite qui touche les biens les plus vitaux. Le prix des gels hydroalcooliques par exemple, a déjà triplé en quelques jours. Il aura donc fallu attendre le coronavirus pour que les libéraux découvrent les ravages de la course au profit et les vertus de l'encadrement du marché.
               

                  La financiarisation a confié les rênes de notre économie à l'irrationalité et à l'individualisme, alors que la situation appelle au sang froid, à la pondération et à la coopération. Les cours de la bourse s'affolent et les spéculateurs s'écharpent, ajoutant encore du chaos au chaos. Il faudra bien sûr tirer les leçons de l'incapacité de ce système économique à garantir à nos pays la stabilité, la protection et la résilience. Il faudra apprendre de cette épreuve pour reprendre le pouvoir sur l'argent fou qui nous met tous en danger.
               

                  Aujourd'hui, au cœur de la crise, nous sommes bien sûr tous unis. Mais dès demain et tous les jours qui suivront, nous devrons réapprendre à être solidaires.
               

Piernicola Pedicini (NI). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, io concordo con quanto è stato detto poc'anzi dalla collega.
               

                  Credo che, purtroppo, questa crisi stia mettendo davvero a dura prova l'Unione europea e temo che l'Unione europea non reggerà all'urto. Non ce la farà se non verranno superate alcune assurde regole interne, se non verranno superate alcuni ipocrisie ed egoismi di alcuni Stati membri. Né reggerà alla crisi sanitaria se, a due mesi dai primi casi e dai primi focolai in Cina, qui non abbiamo ancora un protocollo unico o una linea guida condivisa ed europea.
               

                  E non ce la farà a superare la crisi economica: ieri la Borsa tedesca ha chiuso a meno 9%, quella spagnola a meno 9%, quella francese a meno 10%, quella italiana a meno 13,5 %, e i Commissari europei per l'economia sono riusciti soltanto a dire che verrà concessa la flessibilità permessa dai trattati.
               

                  La flessibilità? Qui stiamo andando di fronte a una crisi totale e noi parliamo soltanto di flessibilità? In questo momento bisogna fare cose coraggiose: bisogna che la BCE intervenga finanziando l'economia reale e le imprese direttamente a fondo perduto. Questa è l'unica cosa che bisogna fare per uscire da questa catastrofe.
               

Esther de Lange (PPE). – Voorzitter, natuurlijk zijn die twee minuten lang niet genoeg om in te gaan op alle uitdagingen waar het coronavirus ons voor stelt, en Manfred Weber heeft al aangegeven hoe wij de aanpak zien als EVP. En twee minuten zijn al helemaal niet genoeg om in te gaan op het verdriet van nabestaanden, op de angst van degenen die getroffen zijn of degenen die tot een kwetsbare groep behoren. Ik wil mijn spreektijd vooral gebruiken om degenen te bedanken die dag in, dag uit zorgen voor coronapatiënten en mensen die vrezen dat ze getroffen zijn door dit virus. Natuurlijk de artsen, maar vooral de verpleegkundigen die in al onze ziekenhuizen de frontlinie vormen tegen dit virus, en die vaak het onmogelijke doen – zeker in regio's waar de ziekenhuizen al boven hun capaciteit moeten functioneren, en die – dat mag ook hier wel eens gezegd worden, ook al is het geen Europese bevoegdheid – in de meeste landen veel te weinig betaald krijgen. Ik weet dat er in mijn eigen lidstaat nu ook mensen flippen dat ik dit durf te zeggen in het Europees Parlement, maar het wordt tijd dat we onze verpleegkundigen waarderen en daar hoort ook waardering op financieel gebied bij.
               

                  Ik wil de Europese Commissie bedanken voor het feit dat ze het voortouw heeft genomen daar waar zij dat kan. Ik zie een Commissie die in tegenstelling tot crises een aantal jaren geleden wél gemeenschappelijk mensen, Europeanen, uit andere delen van de wereld repatrieert, die op allerlei fronten het initiatief neemt. Waar het nu vaak mis gaat, is daar waar de lidstaten aan zet zijn. En dan is het natuurlijk van de zotte dat ik wel in de Bild-Zeitung kan lezen welke Duitsers er besmet zouden zijn in Noord-Italië, maar dat de Duitse autoriteiten die informatie – in welke hotels zaten deze mensen, in welke gemeente – niet delen met diezelfde regio in het getroffen gebied zodat ze maatregelen kunnen nemen. Dit is niet het Europa waar ik voor sta. In het Europa waar ik voor sta, wordt dat soort informatie gedeeld en in het Europa waar ik voor sta, trekken we ook lessen voor de lange termijn uit deze crisis. Dan gaat het om de afhankelijkheid die we nu hebben van grondstoffen van andere delen van de wereld voor onze medicijnen. Dat is voor de lange termijn. Nu moeten we optreden. En ja, commissaris, samen kunnen we dit maar zorgen we ook voor onderzoek als er geen crisis meer is, en in de rustige tijd, zodat we een volgende keer goed voorbereid en beter voorbereid zijn.
               

Jytte Guteland (S&D). – Fru talman! Herr och fru kommissionär! En dag som denna, och i dessa tider med corona, så går våra tankar förstås i första hand till alla de människor som insjuknat och till alla drabbade. Jag tänker också på det fantastiska jobb som vår vårdpersonal gör runtom i hela Europa, som ibland med risk för sin egen hälsa tar hand om alla dem som drabbats av viruset och kämpar för att hindra ytterligare smittspridning. Stort tack för ert arbete!
               

                  När samhället står inför den här påfrestande krisen och dess utmaningar, då måste vi alla dra åt samma håll. Jag glad över att flera av mina kollegor i plenum påtalar det. Med gemensamma krafter måste vi göra allt som står i vår makt för att minska smittspridningen, och vi måste med vetenskapen som grund och med lugn göra allt för att få kontroll över situationen. Att ge vård till de drabbade och hindra smittspridning måste vara vår första, andra och tredje prioritet. Europa här har ett stort ansvar att stå enade och med gemensamma krafter samarbeta så att vi ger bästa möjliga stöd till dem som har drabbats. Vi socialdemokrater, från den socialdemokratiska gruppen S&D, välkomnar att EU-kommissionen har avsatt drygt 230 miljoner euro i nödhjälp för att bekämpa epidemin. Det är mycket bra.
               

                  I vissa länder och regioner har man drabbats hårdare – och det har sagts här tidigare – av coronaviruset spridning. I går meddelade Italiens premiärminister Giuseppe Conte att Italien sätts i karantän. Det är givetvis en extraordinär åtgärd i ett väldigt allvarligt läge och våra tankar är förstås med det italienska folket i den tuffa prövning som man nu går igenom.
               

                  Sanningen är att vi i nuläget inte vet med säkerhet hur smittspridningen kommer att fortgå. De senaste dagarna har vi sett en väldigt stor ökning av antalet konstaterade fall runtom i Europa. Men oavsett hur situationen utvecklas framöver så råder det inget tvivel om att coronaviruset inte känner regions- eller landsgränser. Vi måste därför arbeta solidariskt och ta ett gemensamt grepp mot den här epidemin. Det gäller givetvis för Europas länder, men det gäller också utanför, det vill säga globalt. Vi har alla ett ansvar att göra det vi kan för att komma över den här krisen.
               

                  Jag vill bara avsluta med att säga att utsatta grupper är och kommer att bli mer drabbade också ekonomiskt, och där är det viktigt att vi alla ser vad som kan göras. Jag tänker i synnerhet på många av de kvinnor som kommer att bära kostnaderna för coronakrisen, inte minst genom att stanna hemma med barn och på olika sätt göra väldigt mycket av det som medför risk, men också tar hand om det här ekonomiskt. Det måste vi ha i våra tankar.
               

Dragoș Pîslaru (Renew). – Madam President, dear colleagues, first I say to you all: let's believe in Europe! Together we will act stronger and more effectively for the European citizens. This is our pledge. This is our mission. This is our purpose. We need an ambitious and coordinated response that's clear for everyone to limit the outbreak – especially in terms of economic and social impact. All Member States should act together focusing on citizens' well-being.
As part of Renew Europe, I would highlight the implementation of free actions to alleviate economic shocks. First, the Member States should use fiscal flexibility to ease the fiscal pressure on firms and self-employed workers affected by the crisis and postpone the deadlines for VAT payments and social security contributions. This should be the first oxygen given to them.
Second, we will, and we should, call for the European Investment Bank to become an essential partner that can make emergency liquidity available for SMEs to retail banks.
Thirdly, I sincerely hope that right now it's clear for everyone, in the light of the current crisis, the necessity for the EU to have a facility that would support the creation of employment schemes to help regions hit particularly hard by the crisis, to allow for the reduction of working hours, preserving jobs and avoiding business disruptions – similar to the Kurzarbeit scheme in Germany, and this is very important.
Time is upon us. Let's act together for the European citizens. Let's not leave anyone behind, especially because vulnerable people are the first hit in the crisis.

André Rougé (ID). – Madame la Présidente, chers collègues, bien évidemment, je voudrais avant tout adresser un message de compassion à toutes les victimes du virus qui perturbe la vie de tout un chacun.
               

                  M. Bruno Le Maire, ministre de l'économie et des finances de la France, déclarait hier: ‘Il y aura un avant et un après cette épidémie sur l'organisation de cette économie mondiale. Nous voyons bien combien il est important de réfléchir à une meilleure organisation des chaînes de valeur et à une relocalisation d'un certain nombre d'activités.’ Ces propos de notre ministre donnent corps au discours que Marine Le Pen tient sur le localisme depuis des semaines et des mois.
               

                  Mais, au delà de cet aveu de M. Le Maire, l'épidémie de coronavirus est pour l'Union européenne un révélateur de la primauté de l'Europe des nations. Quand la santé de la population est en danger, vers qui les peuples se tournent-ils? Vers les nations. Qui peut agir vite et efficacement? Les nations. Qui contrôle les frontières? Les nations. Qui décide du confinement? Les nations. Les nations et non pas l'administration de la Commission, ne vous en déplaise. Et cela, même si M. Lenarčič fait entendre sa voix. La France va manquer de masques. Elle a décidé, le 4 mars, de réquisitionner les masques produits chez elle. Le 6 mars, M. Lenarčič a critiqué cette initiative du président de la République française. Même si c'est légal, il y a un risque d'affaiblir notre approche collective et notre capacité collective de faire face à la crise, a t-il dit.
               

                  En Italie, en Allemagne, en France et dans l'ensemble de l'Europe, les peuples sont inquiets. Alors laissez les nations coopérer entre elles et être efficaces chez elles.
               

Petra De Sutter (Verts/ALE). – Madam President, I first want to start by expressing my empathy for the communities and the families affected by the virus, and also for the healthcare providers that have been helping them.
Indeed, we should not panic. This virus may not be as deadly as we think or as other viruses, but it will have indirect effects on health systems if we do not take the measures that are needed – and that is something that I want to explain in my intervention today.
I think you have all seen the curves of how an epidemic usually takes place. Well, we have to take all the measures possible to flatten that curve so that people do not infect other people. Usually people infected with this virus infect two to three other people, as we have learned already from the epidemiology of the virus.
We have to bring these numbers down so that, in total, people in the population do not get infected because, and let's not forget this, there is no immunity in the population. So let's not compare this with influenza. This has nothing to do with influenza where there is a high background immunity. This is a really different virus and the real danger is that the health systems, the healthcare systems are being overloaded.
I think we've all read the newspapers. Today we've seen what is happening in the northern part of Italy. Hospitals where people do not get beds, where intensive care beds are lacking because they can't put the patients where they need to be. Indeed, we really have to do everything possible to contain that virus. I want to reinforce the call of the Commissioner that maybe we have to step up our measures to make sure that this virus is contained.
I'm not going to talk about the social and economic consequences. We all know these, but if we don't do what is necessary to contain the virus and to look at the health aspects – also the indirect effects of this epidemic – the social and economic consequences will be much worse than they would be otherwise. So this should be our first priority also in this House.

Alexandr Vondra (ECR). – Madam President, the coronavirus outbreak does not respect the borders in a free moving Europe, and what we have now seen in Italy we could easily see here in Brussels in two to three weeks. So there is no doubt that the EU can – and must – provide the added value to tackle this crisis in terms of a conditional and coordinated response in the area of temporarily limiting the free movement of people inside the EU as well as from the outside, or in the area of mobilising public and private financing and resources, but we not done so much on this.
For those who are expecting to have more Europe, there are two serious challenges in building trust from below, in projecting political power from above, and in proper management of the situation. Here is just one example. The Czech National Security Council, at Minister level, is dealing with this every morning, while the Commission is just meeting once a week. So wake up, wake up. It's a test.

José Gusmão (GUE/NGL). – Senhora Presidente, a expressão que ouvimos mais da parte da Comissão no início deste debate foi a expressão ‘medidas concretas’. No entanto, a única coisa de que não ouvimos falar foi de ‘medidas concretas’. Ouvimos falar de palavras caridosas e de videoconferências.
               

                  A Europa tem duas grandes responsabilidades perante a epidemia do coronavírus: a primeira é impedir o mais possível a sua propagação no espaço europeu agindo preventivamente, a segunda é lidar com os efeitos económicos desta epidemia, que estão garantidos mesmo que ela não venha a ser tão grave do ponto de vista da saúde pública quanto aquilo que tememos, e esperemos que não.
               

                  No entanto, a Comissão Europeia, em vez de vir aqui dizer aos Estados-Membros que invistam preventivamente em todos os seus serviços públicos a começar pelos serviços de saúde, precisamente para que a epidemia não seja tão grave e não tenha tantos efeitos do ponto de vista da saúde pública, em vez de vir aqui dizer que todo esse investimento será protegido pela Comissão Europeia, que nenhum país será perseguido por não cumprir as metas do défice para prosseguir esses investimentos, para prosseguir políticas de investimento nos serviços públicos, que são também políticas económicas contracíclicas, a Comissão Europeia veio dizer que o Pacto de Estabilidade e Crescimento já é muito flexível, que não são precisas medidas adicionais e, portanto, a Comissão Europeia, o que nos trouxe aqui, são vacuidades e, se houver Estados-Membros que façam aquilo que é preciso fazer para proteger os seus cidadãos e investir nos seus serviços de saúde, eu quero ver se ainda vão ter que enfrentar a perseguição da Comissão Europeia a seguir.
               

Daniela Rondinelli (NI). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, i dati ci dicono che l'epidemia che stiamo vivendo sta diventando una tragedia planetaria senza precedenti.
               

                  Se non interveniamo presto con misure forti, efficaci, proporzionate e condivise, tutta l'Europa collasserà.
               

                  Siamo consapevoli che gli Stati membri hanno la competenza in materia sanitaria ma l'Unione dovrebbe garantire i servizi aggiuntivi a tutti i cittadini europei, mentre oggi mancano misure minime europee condivise per bloccare la diffusione del virus
               

                  Il semplice scambio di informazioni tra Stati membri non è più sufficiente per risolvere l'emergenza: dobbiamo allora adottare un protocollo sanitario comune per individuare tutti i contagiati, prevedendo quindi misure atte a contrastare il contagio, gestire i malati e garantire a tutti cure adeguate.
               

                  Colleghi, lo sapete che in queste ore i medici negli ospedali italiani stanno scegliendo quali malati curare, perché non ci sono letti sufficienti in terapia intensiva?
               

                  E poi vorrei chiedere alla Commissione e a noi tutti: ma perché non riuniamo la comunità scientifica europea per trovare un vaccino comune a livello europeo? Perché stiamo aspettando che il vaccino venga trovato e verrà fornito in Europa da Cina, Stati Uniti o Israele?
               

                  Dobbiamo assolutamente porre in essere misure urgenti a livello europeo per contrastare tutti insieme questa grave emergenza.
               

Peter Liese (PPE). – Frau Präsidentin! Ich möchte zu Beginn zunächst meine Solidarität mit allen Betroffenen zum Ausdruck bringen und meine Wertschätzung für alle, die gegen diese Epidemie kämpfen – vor allen Dingen die Menschen in Italien.
               

                  Was in Italien gerade passiert, ist dramatisch. Wir haben über das Wochenende die Meldung von mehreren hundert Todesfällen erhalten, und das zeigt, es ist eben – wie Frau De Sutter und andere sagen – keine normale Grippe; es ist sehr, sehr ernst. Wir müssen alles tun, um dramatische Situationen in allen Mitgliedstaaten zu vermeiden.
               

                  Dazu brauchen wir mehr Europa, eine stärkere europäische Antwort. Der deutsche Gesundheitsminister hat am Wochenende gesagt, das ECDC, unser Europäisches Zentrum, soll stark ausgebaut werden und mehr Kompetenzen bekommen. Diese Forderung müssen wir ganz schnell unterstützen und umsetzen. Rechtlich dauert das ein bisschen; aber ich appelliere an die Kommission und die Mitgliedstaaten, auf freiwilliger Basis schnell mehr Personal zur Verfügung zu stellen und einheitliche Empfehlungen – mit Hilfe des ECDC – auszuarbeiten.
               

                  Die meisten Empfehlungen sind bekannt. Aber ich möchte einen Punkt ansprechen und auch die Kommission bitten, das in ihre Kommunikationen aufzunehmen: Wir wissen, dass Menschen, die rauchen, sehr viel stärker vom Coronavirus befallen werden und dass es dadurch in dieser Gruppe auch sehr viel mehr Todesfälle gibt. Wer bisher noch keinen Grund gefunden hat, mit dem Rauchen aufzuhören, der hat jetzt einen, und dabei sollten wir die Menschen unterstützen.
               

                  Mein letzter Punkt: Natürlich ist Impfung wichtig, aber das kann dauern. Einige Patienten werden jetzt schon in den Krankenhäusern experimentell behandelt. Viren medikamentös zu behandeln, ist schwierig, aber es gibt Ansätze. Die Forscherinnen und Forscher, die das tun – in ganz Europa – sollten, alle Möglichkeiten finanzieller und sonstiger Art bekommen. Wir müssen alles tun, um sie zu unterstützen, damit die Erkenntnisse ganz schnell in ganz Europa verbreitet werden; damit die Patienten, die in Gefahr sind, die bestmögliche Therapie bekommen.
               

Heléne Fritzon (S&D). – Fru talman! Fru kommissionär! Antalet fall av coronavirus ökar och våra tankar i dag går till alla drabbade och utsatta medborgare. Både Världshälsoorganisationen och EU:s smittskyddsmyndighet säger och bedömer att det är sannolikt att viruset fortsätter att spridas. Läget förändras från dag till dag och det är viktigt att EU fortsätter arbetet med hög beredskap och nödvändiga åtgärder som baseras på kunskap och fakta. Kommissionens beslut att avsätta medel till forskning och att upprätta ett insatsteam är därför väldigt bra.
               

                  FN:s barnfond, Unicef, har delat en bild på sociala medier som riktas till alla barn. I bilden står det ‘Glöm inte’. ‘Glöm inte att det finns många hjälpare därute som jobbar för att skydda dig – där finns familjen, lärare, sjuksköterskor och läkare’. I bilden står det också ‘Det är inte ditt uppdrag att oroa dig, men tvätta dina händer’.
               

                  Alla våra medborgare ska känna sig trygga i att EU har en god hälso- och sjukvård och att alla EU:s medlemsstater säkerställer beredskap, tar ansvar, visar solidaritet och samarbetar. Därigenom kan våra medborgare, och också alla barn, känna sig trygga i att det finns många hjälpare som tar sitt ansvar och gör sitt yttersta för att hindra smittspridningen. Och precis som på den där bilden som Unicef har delat på sociala medier och som riktar sig till alla barn, så ska vi se till att alla – verkligen alla – nu tar sitt ansvar och såklart tvättar sina händer.
               

Véronique Trillet-Lenoir (Renew). – Madame la Présidente, Madame la Commissaire, en ce jour de votre anniversaire, le moment viendra un jour pour l'Union européenne de dresser le bilan de cette épidémie: notre réactivité, notre capacité de coordination, notre souveraineté économique. Mais ce moment n'est pas venu. L'heure est à la prise de trois types de responsabilité politique.
               

                  L'exemplarité: des mesures fortes ont été prises dans ce Parlement européen pour limiter nos déplacements, qui sont un facteur important de propagation du virus, et ces mesures pourraient être renforcées.
               

                  La solidarité: car ce sont bien les plus vulnérables de nos concitoyens, les seniors, les patients atteints de cancer que nous voulons protéger d'un pays à l'autre et à l'intérieur d'un pays.
               

                  Et puis: la pédagogie et la communication que nous devons faire pour nos dirigeants et pour nos concitoyens.
               

                  Je n'ai pas le temps de détailler ce schéma extrait d'un dernier article du Lancet. Lisez-le. Il explique comment les mesures de protection intellectuelles et collectives permettent de juguler le pic épidémique tout en maintenant la soutenabilité des systèmes de santé et des économies.
               

(L'oratrice accepte de répondre à une question ‘carton bleu’ (article 171, paragraphe 8 du règlement intérieur))


Maria Grapini (S&D),
Întrebare adresată conform procedurii ‘cartonașului albastru’
                     . – Doamnă președintă, astăzi discutăm, într-o situație de criză, despre o problemă europeană. Nu credeți că ar trebui să știm concret de la Comisie, în afară de informarea generală, cu câți bani se suplimentează bugetul pentru a preveni, câți bani alocăm pentru materiale de prevenție, câți bani alocăm pentru medicamente, cum asigurăm securitatea granițelor în Uniunea Europeană?
               

                  Eu cred că acestea sunt măsurile cu care trebuie să mergem la noi în țară, să spunem guvernelor noastre să își asume responsabilitatea, dar și la nivel de Comisie Europeană trebuie să știm concret cât dăm la cercetare, cât dăm la prevenție.
               

Véronique Trillet-Lenoir (Renew),
Réponse ‘carton bleu’
                     . – La prévention en matière d'épidémie infectieuse repose sur la vaccination. Les efforts de vaccination sont déjà financés par l'Union européenne, à hauteur de 10 millions d'un fonds spécial Horizon Europe et de 90 millions d'un fonds partenariat public-privé, soit 45 millions de la Commission européenne et 45 millions du privé. On peut toujours faire plus et il est possible que nous ayons la responsabilité de demander qu'Horizon Europe priorise la vaccination.
               

                  J'ai le temps de répondre à une seule question? Sur la sécurité des frontières… (La Présidente retire la parole à l'oratrice)


Elena Lizzi (ID). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signori Commissari, vi prego di dire alla Presidente von der Leyen che, dopo il coronavirus, nulla sarà come prima se l'Unione europea non darà risposte precise, puntuali, veloci, efficaci e solidali.
               

                  Ho sentito diversi interventi e molti di questi sono anche condivisibili, ma mi preoccupano alcuni aspetti, in particolare quello della solidarietà e quello dell'economia.
               

                  Io vengo da una terra che nel 1976 ha dovuto affrontare un evento tellurico che in sessanta secondi ha fatto mille morti e, anche se avevo otto anni a quell'epoca, io ho visto che cos'era la solidarietà, ho imparato che cos'è esprimere solidarietà e il popolo friulano ha manifestato solidarietà in tanti altri casi in cui altre popolazioni si sono trovate in situazione di bisogno.
               

                  Qui mi pare che si ritardi. Non voglio aggiungere tante cose a quanto è stato detto dai colleghi – le chiedo gentilmente di aspettare prima di azionare il martelletto – vorrei solo richiamare la necessità per gli Stati membri di poter incidere anche a livello economico per le piccole e medie imprese, che è quello che stanno chiedendo i governatori, che sono stati interrotti e tacciati anche di essere troppo…
               

(la Presidente toglie la parola all'oratrice)


Michèle Rivasi (Verts/ALE). – Madame la Présidente, chers collègues, tout d'abord je voudrais aussi exprimer ma solidarité vis-à-vis du personnel médical, parce qu'ils sont vraiment en première ligne, et toute ma peine vis-à-vis de ces très nombreuses victimes.
               

                  Concernant ce coronavirus, je dirais qu'il faut alerter sans alarmer. Alerter, il le faut, parce que c'est quand même une épidémie qui se propage dans plus de 100 pays. On voit même au niveau de l'Europe qu'on a de très nombreuses contaminations et on a aussi un taux de mortalité non négligeable.
               

                  Ce coronavirus est inconnu et ne dispose pas de traitements et de vaccins. Beaucoup de gens me parlent de vaccin, mais le vaccin, c'est au bout d'un an qu'on pourra l'utiliser après les essais cliniques. Le coronavirus touche au moins 15 % de personnes de façon plus ou moins sévère, dont 5 % nécessitent une réanimation et une assistance respiratoire, et quand on voit les taux de mortalité, ils varient entre 0,6 et 3,4 %. Mais ce qu'on ne dit pas, c'est qu'il y a plus de 80 % de gens qui développent une maladie bénigne. Ça, c'est important à dire.
               

                  Alors, est-ce que nous sommes prêts? C'est là que nous avons besoin quand même que la Commission interpelle les États. Parce que, quand on voit la situation en Italie et même aussi en France, on voit que nos systèmes sont vite saturés. À Milan, à l'heure actuelle, les systèmes sont saturés. Il faut vraiment encourager la mise en place de systèmes de réanimation pour faire face à ces nouvelles vagues de malades. En même temps, il faut interpeller tout le personnel médical. On appelle ça le plan blanc en France, où on fait appel aux réservistes parce que là, il y a véritablement urgence. Et je pense que les États ont mis un peu de temps à réagir. Il faut développer aussi la médecine ambulatoire pour les cas confinés à domicile.
               

                  Alors moi, j'ai une question à poser au Président du Parlement: qu'est-ce qu'on fait pour le Parlement? Parce qu'on est un véritable paquebot, avec des milliers de passagers. Et nous, nous sommes quand même des super-propagateurs. Je serais d'avis qu'on ferme le Parlement pendant un certain temps, qu'on suive la situation et ensuite qu'on revienne. Mais là, je trouve qu'on est dans une situation qui n'est pas tenable…
               

(La Présidente retire la parole à l'oratrice)


Anna Zalewska (ECR). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Pani Komisarz! Myślę, że dzisiaj nie tylko jesteśmy z chorymi i ich rodzinami, ale również z lekarzami i pielęgniarkami, dlatego że oni potrzebują największego wsparcia, w tym wsparcia finansowego potrzebnego na sprzęt i lekarstwa. I to jest pierwsze zaangażowanie finansowe Komisji Unii Europejskiej, jakie powinno być. Drugie to informacja i komunikacja. Niestety ze strony Komisji Europejskiej nie słyszymy żadnych konkretów. Nie wiemy o żadnych procedurach i o tym, jak codziennie wygląda rzeczywistość dotycząca epidemii w Unii Europejskiej. Dobrze, że poszczególni ministrowie zdrowia, poszczególni szefowie państw wzajemnie się komunikują. Ale chcę powiedzieć, że powinniśmy też zwrócić uwagę na siebie. Dzisiaj jest z nami na sali człowiek chory. Jest to urzędnik. Widać go. Nie będę stygmatyzować jednocześnie. Nie ma ciepłej wody w żadnym kranie w Parlamencie Europejskim. Nie ma żadnej procedury, która obowiązywałaby parlamentarzystów i urzędników. I nie ma również wspólnych procedur dla wszystkich instytucji europejskich.
               

Kateřina Konečná (GUE/NGL). – Paní předsedající, v prvé řadě je třeba si uvědomit, že v mnoha členských státech po mnoho let docházelo ke zcela nezodpovědné a likvidační politice škrtů. Docházelo k podfinancování zdravotnictví a k přetěžování zdravotnického personálu. Proto fakt, že jednotlivá zařízení ještě pořád situaci zvládají, je spíše než vítězstvím vlád vítězstvím silné vůle personálu, kterému bychom měli být vděčni. Díky nim a připravenosti ECDC a WTO není třeba panikařit. V tuto chvíli je zásadní prevence a objektivní informovanost. A co se týče agentury ECDC, ráda bych zde připomněla, že zde dlouhodobě volám po posílení této agentury jak v souvislosti s jejími pravomocemi, tak hlavně s jejím financováním. Protože jestli něco prokazuje její důležitost, je to právě tato epidemie a jsem moc vděčná, že jsem dnes od kolegů z PPE slyšela, že to také konečně pochopili.
               

                  Co je pro mě však podstatné, až usedne prach a epidemie skončí, je, abychom si z toho celého něco vzali. Zdá se totiž, že systém není nastaven tak, jak by měl. V prvé řadě nedostatek důležitého zdravotnického materiálu pro lidi v první linii, jako jsou doktoři, sestry a sociální pracovníci, je alarmující. Je zjevné, že jsme podcenili naše zásoby a schopnost tyto věci vyrábět. A to se musí do budoucna změnit a musí se toho změnit daleko víc a já pevně věřím, že až tuto krizi překonáme, jako že ji překonáme, čeká nás spousta práce na tom, abychom náš systém posílili.
               

Κώστας Παπαδάκης (NI). – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, στο πλαίσιο της υπεύθυνης στάσης απέναντι στην εξελισσόμενη επιδημία κορονοϊού ανήκει και η αποκάλυψη των τραγικών συνεπειών της πολιτικής της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης όλων των κυβερνήσεων που αντιμετωπίζουν την υγεία ως κόστος και ατομική ευθύνη, ως πεδίο κερδοφορίας για τους ομίλους μέσω της εμπορευματοποίησης.
               

                  Η ανησυχία της κυβέρνησης στην Ελλάδα να μη συμπέσει η όξυνση της γρίπης με τον νέο κορονοϊό μαρτυρά τη γύμνια σε ιατρικό νοσηλευτικό προσωπικό, μονάδες εντατικής θεραπείας και υποδομές. Αυτά δεν καλύπτονται από την υπερπροσπάθεια των υγειονομικών ούτε από τα μπαλώματα προσλήψεων με ολιγόμηνες συμβάσεις που εξαγγέλθηκαν. Επείγουσα ανάγκη είναι οι μόνιμες προσλήψεις, το άνοιγμα όλων των κλινών και υποδομών, η δωρεάν κρατική διάθεση υλικών προφύλαξης, εξετάσεων και φαρμάκων, καθώς και να παταχθεί η αισχροκέρδεια. Επίσης με κρατική απόφαση δεσμευτική για τους εργοδότες να υπάρχουν πλήρεις αποδοχές, ασφάλιση και εργασιακά δικαιώματα για όσους εργαζόμενους καλούνται να μείνουν στο σπίτι. Ο έγκαιρος σχεδιασμός πρόληψης, έρευνας, διάγνωσης, επιδημιολογικής επαγρύπνησης και προστασίας της δημόσιας υγείας συγκρούεται αντικειμενικά με τους νόμους του κέρδους και της ελεύθερης αγοράς.
               

Dolors Montserrat (PPE). – Señora presidenta, necesitamos más liderazgo y más coordinación y seguir trabajando con la evidencia científica para dar una respuesta eficaz a esta emergencia que pone a prueba todo lo que significa Europa.
               

                  Nuestro primer objetivo es contener la propagación del virus para proteger a la población, como ya lo están consiguiendo los países asiáticos.
               

                  Nuestro segundo objetivo es dar soluciones ante el impacto sanitario, social y económico. En el ámbito sanitario, debemos priorizar proteger a la población más vulnerable: mayores, enfermos crónicos y otros enfermos. También debemos proteger a todo el personal sanitario y de seguridad, porque tienen más potencial de riesgo. Debemos fortalecer con recursos económicos los sistemas sanitarios para garantizar sus plantillas y los servicios de emergencia, urgencia, atención primaria y atención domiciliaria, y también para continuar atendiendo a los pacientes de otras enfermedades. También debemos poner en marcha compras centralizadas de material de protección, de diagnóstico y de tratamiento.
               

                  El coronavirus no se frena con alarmismo ni con miedo, sino con inteligencia, unidad y responsabilidad. Por ello, para evitar una depresión económica con consecuencias devastadoras para el empleo, el Partido Popular ha presentado un plan de choque con medidas económicas y de conciliación para ayudar a las familias, a los trabajadores y a los sectores económicos más afectados, como son el sector servicios, el turístico, el hotelero, el industrial, los autónomos y las pymes. Exigimos al Gobierno de España, al Consejo, que se reúne esta tarde, y a la Comisión que hagan uso de todos los recursos financieros disponibles para paliar los efectos negativos en la economía y que ayuden a fortalecer los sistemas sanitarios y los sistemas de comunicación.
               

Simona Bonafè (S&D). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, nei momenti straordinari occorre il coraggio di mettere in campo azioni straordinarie.
               

                  Il mio paese, l'Italia, si è assunto la responsabilità di prendere misure drastiche senza precedenti per provare a formare l'avanzata del contagio. Ma l'allarme per l'impatto del coronavirus sulla salute dei cittadini europei e sulle nostre economie va preso molto sul serio in tutta l'Europa. Ognuno deve fare la sua parte: anche l'Europa.
               

                  Le prime mosse della Commissione sono state necessarie. Tuttavia l'esclusione delle spese per far fronte all'epidemia dal calcolo del deficit sono insufficienti: le nostre economie, già deboli, non reggeranno l'urto del coronavirus se l'Europa non si attrezza subito, con politiche strutturali di investimenti, necessarie per ripartire.
               

                  Ma sia chiaro: prima fermiamo il contagio e prima fermeremo il collasso economico. La Commissione appronti un programma di azione comune; prenda immediatamente ogni iniziativa utile a rafforzare il coordinamento fra Stati, avere protocolli comuni, spingere sulla ricerca e sullo studio del vaccino; costituisca una centrale d'acquisto europea per reperire e smistare i materiali necessari alla prevenzione e alle cure ed evitare, così, un'inutile e dannosa concorrenza fra Stati.
               

                  Il coronavirus è un'altra emergenza che ci dice che niente oggi può essere affrontato solo dentro i confini nazionali. Serve più solidarietà fra Stati.
               

                  L'immagine più significativa di questi giorni difficili è quella di un'infermiera di un reparto di terapia intensiva di un ospedale italiano che, dopo un turno estenuante di lavoro, appoggia la testa sulla scrivania e – con ancora i guanti, la mascherina il camice – crolla esausta.
               

                  Con quell'immagine negli occhi oggi guardo a questo Parlamento, guardo ai Commissari, guardo alla Presidenza del Consiglio: questo è il momento, per tutti, di scelte coraggiose! È il momento per tutti di scelte straordinarie!
               

Nicola Danti (Renew). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, il coronavirus sta mettendo in pericolo la vita di tanti cittadini di tutti i paesi europei.
               

                  La tutela della salute è quindi una priorità assoluta: per raggiungere questo obiettivo le Istituzioni europee devono mettere a punto una strategia comune di contrasto alla diffusione, sostenere un rapido approvvigionamento dei dispositivi medici per la cura e finanziare la ricerca per la scoperta di un vaccino che possa debellare il virus.
               

                  Purtroppo all'emergenza sanitaria corrispondono già oggi pesanti conseguenze economiche: dobbiamo sostenere il sistema produttivo, avviare un grande piano di investimenti pubblici, permettere che gli Stati membri e gli operatori economici siano in grado di adottare misure straordinarie per difendere il lavoro, garantire liquidità, proteggere dalla speculazione i bilanci nazionali.
               

                  Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, in questi giorni decine di migliaia di medici, infermieri e ricercatori stanno lavorando senza sosta per salvare vite umane, con turni massacranti e senza giorni di riposo. L'Europa, e noi, dobbiamo essere all'altezza della generosità, dell'altruismo e della professionalità di queste donne e di questi uomini.
               

Roman Haider (ID). – Frau Präsidentin. Das Coronavirus stellt unsere Gesellschaften weltweit auf eine Probe. Es wird sich zeigen, wie wir es schaffen, mit dieser Pandemie umzugehen. Es wird sich auch zeigen, was all unsere Notfallpläne wert sind. Es wird sich auch zeigen, inwieweit wir imstande sind, mit den negativen Nebenwirkungen dieser Pandemie umzugehen: Wie vermeidet man Panik und Hysterie, ohne untätig zu wirken? Wie gibt man der Bevölkerung das Gefühl der Sicherheit, ohne übertriebene Maßnahmen zu setzen? Wie hält man den Wirtschaftskreislauf und die Versorgung am Leben?
               

                  Kurz zusammengefasst: Es wird sich zeigen, wie hoch die Resilienz unserer modernen weltweit vernetzten Gesellschaft ist. Was man aber schon jetzt feststellen kann ist: Das Europäische Parlament hat diese Probe nicht bestanden. Die zweitgrößte demokratische Vertretung der Welt ist angesichts dieser Bedrohung ein Hort der Planlosigkeit, der Schnellschüsse und leider auch der Doppelmoral.
               

                  Mitarbeiter sollen einerseits einen Seite schon beim kleinsten Anzeichen einer Erkältung zu Hause bleiben, lokale Mitarbeiter dürfen überhaupt gar nicht erst anreisen, Besuchergruppen werden ausgeladen; und auf der anderen Seite werden wir Abgeordneten, wie gestern am Flughafen Zaventem geschehen, in Fünfundzwanziger-Bussen – bis auf den letzten Platz vollgepfercht – durch die Gegend gekarrt; und dann dürfen wir uns bei Eröffnung der Sitzung vom Präsidenten anhören, wir sollen einen Meter Abstand voneinander halten.
               

                  Anstatt – und das ist die Krönung – uns in Ausschüssen mit dieser Pandemie zu beschäftigen, wird alles abgesagt– nur eines nicht: eine Anhörung zum Klimaschutz. Also hier wird wirklich Doppelmoral gelebt.
               

                  Präsident Sassoli hat in dieser Situation, muss man sagen, versagt. Ich hoffe, dass unsere nationalen Parlamente und unsere nationalen Regierungen mit dieser Bedrohung besser umgehen.
               

President. – President Sassoli is acting on the best advice from our medical services. This is an evolving situation and we all have personal responsibility to cooperate with the measures.

Tilly Metz (Verts/ALE). – Madame la Présidente, bonjour et bonjour à tous. Face au coronavirus, les réactions des États membres sont variées. Je ne crois pas qu'à ce stade, nous puissions déjà évaluer quelles ont été les bonnes ou les mauvaises, mais nous constatons que nous manquons de préparation et de moyens pour faire face à ce type de crise sanitaire.
               

                  La Commission a investi des millions d'euros dans la recherche et a tenté de coordonner les réponses des États membres. Mais les citoyens restent inquiets et se posent des questions. Et pour cause: nous ne savons pas si les mesures prises sont réellement proportionnées, nous ne savons pas vraiment quelles sont les indications données par la Commission et nous ne savons surtout pas si les soins donnés aux citoyens et citoyennes sont partout les mêmes. Quid de l'accès aux tests et des remboursements dans les différents États membres?
               

                  Cette crise est aussi une occasion de nous remettre en question, de remettre en question nos systèmes de santé, parce qu'ils sont fragilisés et incapables de réagir face à des épidémies d'une telle ampleur. Au nom de l'austérité, l'Europe n'a pas consacré de soutien ni d'investissements à des systèmes de santé coordonnés. Si cette crise nous enseigne quelque chose, c'est le besoin criant d'une Europe sociale qui investisse dans l'accès aux meilleurs soins pour toutes et tous.
               

Lucia Ďuriš Nicholsonová (ECR). – Madam President, I really think what we are doing right now is quite irresponsible. You encouraged MEPs from all over the Europe to sit in one room and discuss the coronavirus. We are politicians, not experts, and I truly believe that discussions about the coronavirus should take place at an expert level. We have also exposed everyone who works here to a big risk – the staff members, the drivers, the cleaners, the chefs who have to be here, because the MEPs are here.
Just one remark: in Slovakia, we have seven cases of corona, and most of schools and children's facilities are closing down. In the UK, they close their parliament. The numbers in Belgium are rising exponentially. But the European Parliament is talking about corona with 700 MEPs from all over the European Union, and the European schools and crèches continue operating together with our kids. I really think we need a serious discussion at expert level.

Manuel Bompard (GUE/NGL). – Madame la Présidente, la crise du coronavirus met durement à l'épreuve nos sociétés. Elle nécessite une réponse sereine et déterminée, débarrassée des polémiques politiciennes. C'est en effet là une condition pour que les consignes soient comprises et donc suivies, pour que nous parvenions ainsi à endiguer la propagation du virus. Mais cette crise montre aussi nos faiblesses.
               

                  C'est d'abord la situation préoccupante de nos systèmes de soins mis à mal par les politiques d'austérité de l'Union européenne. Je veux saluer ici la mobilisation exemplaire des personnels de santé, en regrettant que, souvent, l'on ne pense à eux ou à elles que dans les moments de crise.
               

                  C'est aussi le rapport de nos sociétés à leur environnement. Car nous savons désormais que la destruction des habitats naturels, la déforestation ou l'élevage intensif favorisent la diffusion de ce type de virus.
               

                  C'est enfin la question de notre souveraineté dans la production de médicaments, bafouée par une absence totale de vision stratégique qui a conduit à ce que 80 % des principes actifs des médicaments soient aujourd'hui produits en dehors de l'Union européenne.
               

                  Alors oui, répondons ensemble à l'urgence du moment mais tirons-en aussi des enseignements pour demain.
               

Mislav Kolakušić (NI). – Gospođo predsjedavajuća, poštovani kolege, mi se nalazimo u dosad nezabilježenoj kampanji širenja straha. Ta kampanja mora odmah stati. Podaci o oboljelima i umrlima prezentiraju se građanima Europe i građanima svijeta bez usporednih podataka s ostalim oboljenjima. Primjerice, četiri tisuće ljudi je do sada umrlo od zaraze koronavirusom. Svake godine prema podacima Svjetske zdravstvene organizacije u svijetu umre od 300 do 650 tisuća građana od gripe, što znači 150 puta više.
               

                  Pozivam vas na zdrav razum, da ne zatvaramo vrata Parlamentu jer time šaljemo poruku svima, znači zaposlenima u trgovinama hrane, ljekarnama, benzinskim postajama da i oni imaju pravo zatvoriti svoja radna mjesta. Time će svijet i Europa kakvu poznajemo nestati. Ne sudjelujemo u širenju straha, iznosimo činjenice onakve kakve jesu.
               

Edina Tóth (PPE). – Tisztelt Elnök asszony! Európában látványosan terjed a koronavírus. A megbetegedések és a halálozások száma napról napra nő. A vírus terjedése előre nem meghatározható, országról országra, óráról órára változik. Miközben mi itt a járványról beszélünk, újabb eseteket regisztrálnak az Unió számos tagállamában. Mi, politikusok ezekért az emberekért felelősséggel tartozunk, az emberek élete és biztonsága számunkra az első, ezért cselekednünk kell! Általánosságban elmondható, hogy az állampolgárok biztonságérzete meggyengült, és csak akkor fog újra helyreállni, ha ezt a kihívást helyesen kezeljük, a betegséget megfékezzük. A megoldás a vakcina lenne, de jelenleg ilyen sajnos még nincs, viszont bízom benne, hogy mielőbb lesz.
               

                  Továbbá szeretném felhívni a figyelmet a hiteles, naprakész információk fontosságára. Hazámban, Magyarországon a kormány létrehozott egy honlapot, valamint egy 24 órában elérhető, ingyenesen hívható ügyeleti központot is az emberek rendelkezésére bocsátott. Úgy gondolom, hogy ez jó példája a hatékony koordinációnak. Amennyiben a járvány elhúzódik, további kedvezőtlen folyamatok indulhatnak el. Az elhúzódó bizonytalanság, az üzleti bizalom romlása a fogyasztási és a beruházási keresletet csökkentheti, ami gazdasági visszaesést hozhat magával. Ezért is nagyon fontos, hogy támogassuk vállalkozásainkat, és kérem a Bizottságot és az Európai Beruházási Bankot, hogy nyújtson segítséget e rendkívüli helyzetben is a leginkább érintett ágazati szektorok részére.
               

Biljana Borzan (S&D). – Poštovana gospođo predsjedavajuća, cijenjene kolegice i kolege, nalazimo se u situaciji u kojoj se za sada ne nazire kraj. Izuzetno je bitno da Europska unija i države članice poslože prioritete.
               

                  Prvi prioritet iznad svih je naravno zaštita života i zdravlja ljudi. Drugo je poduzimanje mjera kako bi se ekonomska šteta svela na najmanju moguću razinu, a zadnje ali ne manje važne su lekcije koje ćemo kao društvo i unija izvući iz ovoga. Ovu situaciju treba shvatiti vrlo ozbiljno, ali je također važno ne širiti paniku i lažne vijesti. Kada sve ovo završi i život se vrati u normalu, potrebno je sagledati i istražiti slijed događaja koji je doveo do epidemije te mjere koje su poduzimale države članice i Europska unija – jesu li te mjere dale rezultate, koji su potezi povučeni prekasno koji prerano, što se propustilo da bi se širenje virusa obuzdalo.
               

                  Još jednom na bolan način pokazalo se da virusi ne poštuju državne granice i rampe. Toga su svjesni i naši građani koji u golemoj većini smatraju da Europska unija treba imati veliku ulogu u odgovoru na ovakve ugroze i situacije. Prema Eurobarometru, čak 90 % građana ima takav stav što svakako obvezuje. Europska unija može u skladu s ovlastima odigrati važnu ulogu u upravljanju ovom i sličnim krizama. Neki od aspekata krize poput opskrbe lijekovima su globalni kao i kao takvi zahtijevaju zajednički europski odgovor. Kada je odgovor na ekonomske posljedice krize u pitanju, apeliram na sve dionike da se što prije postigne dogovor oko novog višegodišnjeg proračuna. To je preduvjet da Unija mobilizira sve alate za podršku gospodarstvima u ugroženim državama članicama.
               

                  Zaključno, s obzirom koliko naših članova koristi slobodu rada i kretanja, smatram kako je iznimno bitno da se tijekom trajanja epidemije poštuju prava građana Europske unije, poput europske zdravstvene iskaznice te prava putnika na pomoć i odštetu. Ova situacija pokazat će kako ta europska postignuća funkcioniraju tijekom izvanrednih situacija.
               

Dita Charanzová (Renew). – Madam President, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) said yesterday that the threat of a pandemic has become very real, but that it would be the first pandemic that could be controlled. The measures we take therefore strongly influence the trajectory of the coronavirus.
Each Member State is doing the best it can to combat the coronavirus. But, in a continent where people can move freely, we must act together. While I am hesitant to draw any conclusions already, what remains clear is that we cannot address, prevent or delay this epidemic without coordinating at a European level. We need to establish regular communication to exchange information and best practices more efficiently, and we need a united response. The world has sadly not seen the end of this epidemic but, if Europe acts as one now, we will be able to make a difference and not be at the mercy of this virus.

Mara Bizzotto (ID). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, sul coronavirus l'Europa è stata, ancora una volta, totalmente assente. Bruxelles non ha fatto nulla per combattere l'emergenza sanitaria ed economica scoppiata in Italia e in tutti i paesi europei. Anzi, invece di fermare subito gli arrivi dalla Cina, l'Europa ha trattato da appestati di italiani provenienti dal Veneto, dalla Lombardia e dall'Emilia Romagna: una vera e propria vergogna per la quale l'Europa deve chiedere scusa a tutti gli italiani.
               

                  Il coronavirus ha scatenato un cataclisma sanitario ed economico che va affrontato con misure eccezionali: ecco perché servono fondi straordinari e questi soldi servono subito, prima che sia troppo tardi.
               

                  Al diavolo i vincoli europei! Al diavolo il patto di stabilità! Al diavolo i vostri ‘zero virgola’: gli italiani non possono morire di virus o di fame per i vincoli di bilancio. Perché, se non lo avete ancora capito, qui è in pericolo la vita degli italiani e l'economia del nostro paese.
               

                  Noi useremo tutti i soldi che serviranno, perché abbiamo il dovere di salvare la vita di milioni di italiani e la vita di milioni di imprese. Cari burocrati europei, questa è la vostra ultima occasione per dimostrare che l'Europa esiste davvero.
               

(L'oratrice accetta di rispondere a una domanda ‘cartellino blu’ (articolo 171, paragrafo 8, del regolamento))


Ljudmila Novak (PPE),
Vprašanje, postavljeno z dvigom modrega kartončka. – Gospa predsednica! Najprej bom izrazila moje sočustvovanje z vsemi, ki so zboleli za koronavirusom in še posebej vsem v Italiji, ampak že nekaj poslancev iz Italije sem slišala obtoževati Evropsko unijo, česa vse ni naredila. Jaz se pa vprašam, ali ste se vprašali, ali je Italija vse naredila, da se koronavirus ne bi tako širil. Vse obolele, skoraj vse, ki jih imamo v Sloveniji, ki smo na meji z Italijo, so prišli iz Italije, z italijanskih letališč in drugih območij, zato vas sprašujem, ali je Italija… (Predsednica govornici odvzame besedo.)


Mara Bizzotto (ID),
risposta a una domanda ‘cartellino blu’
                     . – L'Europa ha sottovalutato il problema: l'OMS aveva detto che il problema era grave, come quello del terrorismo, e l'Europa non ha fatto nulla per evitare l'arrivo del virus dalla Cina.
               

                  Doveva agire subito: dovevano essere bloccati subito i voli. Questo non è stato fatto e adesso stiamo pagando le conseguenze. Però, ve lo dico con il cuore in mano, dobbiamo tutti lottare per evitare che questo contagio raggiunga tutti gli Stati europei.
               

Grace O'Sullivan (Verts/ALE). – Madam President, first I extend my deepest sympathies to individuals and families affected by Covid-19 around the world. This is above all a human tragedy.
As anxiety grows and people's awareness of the challenges become coloured by panic and disinformation, ambitious, far-reaching leadership is needed. The EU can help, as we can here in the Parliament, with multifaceted, collective action, informed by the best science and policy available. Europe must acknowledge frontline medical teams, whilst acknowledging the precarity of the global economy. We need cross-sector protection and temporary support to areas such as crucial food distribution chains, industry and transport. With Covid-19 cases moving towards pandemic levels, leaders must not allow the virus to be outflanked by the very real power of fear.

Geert Bourgeois (ECR). – Voorzitter, volksgezondheid is een bevoegdheid van de lidstaten. Crisismanagement is dat evenzeer. Ik hoop dat alle lidstaten naar behoren hun taak vervullen. Artikel 168 geeft een opdracht aan de Commissie, met name om de coördinatie te bevorderen. Dit is een grensoverschrijdende bedreiging en er is al veel gebeurd door de Commissie, waarvoor mijn dank. Maar ik vraag om nog meer te coördineren tussen de lidstaten, met name inzake preventie, resultaten van diverse behandelingen, ontsmetting, hoe om te gaan met massabijeenkomsten – dat is een zeer verschillende aanpak–, hoe om te gaan met quarantaine enzovoort.
               

                  Ten tweede stel ik vast dat wij afhankelijk zijn van derde landen voor ontsmettingsmiddelen, geneesmiddelen en dergelijke meer. Ik vraag met klem beleid te ontwikkelen om ervoor te zorgen dat ons half miljard inwoners in de toekomst niet afhankelijk is van geneesmiddelen en ontsmettingsmiddelen uit het buitenland.
               

Sira Rego (GUE/NGL). – Señora presidenta, es curioso cómo a veces los enemigos más pequeños son los que revelan nuestras grandes debilidades. Hemos visto cómo, sin un Estado fuerte, sin un sistema público de calidad, sin sistemas de salud públicos y universales, el control y la prevención son mucho más complicados.
               

                  Ayer veíamos cómo las bolsas se desplomaban; volvíamos a escuchar lo de la prima de riesgo; volvíamos a escuchar la guerra de los precios del petróleo. En definitiva, una histeria de los mercados ante cualquier cosa que afecte a los más ricos. Les recuerdo que algunos de los países todavía no nos hemos recuperado de la estafa de 2008.
               

                  Por eso, entendemos que ahora es un momento de sensatez, de poner los recursos en función del interés general, de huir de las recetas de quienes de forma obscena están aprovechando esta crisis para plantear más recetas basadas en los recortes y, sobre todo, de aprovechar el debate sobre el presupuesto europeo para respondernos a una gran pregunta: si queremos más recortes o si vamos a apostar por los servicios públicos para ser más fuertes frente a posibles crisis.
               

Tomislav Sokol (PPE). – Poštovana gospođo potpredsjednice, prvo bih iskoristio ovu priliku da iskažem svoje suosjećanje sa svim onima pogođenim ovim virusom, a isto tako i podršku svim zdravstvenim radnicima u cijeloj Europi u svijetu koji se bore protiv ove bolesti.
               

                  Radi se o golemom problemu kako humanitarnom s više od 500 smrtnih slučajeva samo u Europi, više od petnaest tisuća zaraženih do sada, ali o nečemu što već sada ostavlja goleme i vrlo teške posljedice na gospodarstvo svih država članica, a nekih više nego drugih. Europska unija napravila je s obzirom na sve okolnosti ono što je mogla, kako Komisija tako i Hrvatska predsjedanjem Vijećem.
               

                  Međutim, ono što je pokazala ova kriza je to da nam je potrebna europska zdravstvena politika. Činjenica da članak 168. Ugovora ograničava europske ovlasti u ovom smislu, ali vjerujem da se i u okviru sadašnjih ovlasti može napraviti dosta, ali isto tako i da je potrebno razmišljati i o povećanju ovlasti Europske unije u području zdravstva. Mislim prvenstveno na zajedničke protokole. Mislim na veća ulaganja u istraživanje i razvoj. Isto tako, i ono što je spomenuto već prije rasprave, a to je ujednačavanje standarda pružanja zdravstvene zaštite u različitim državama. Ti standardi su danas jako različiti ovisno o financijskim mogućnostima, a mislim da Europska unija može učiniti mnogo kroz svoje financijske instrumente, kroz proračun, kroz Europsku investicijsku banku kako bi pomogla državama članicama da svi građani Europske unije imaju isti standard zdravstvene zaštite.
               

                  I na kraju, ono što je posebno bitno jest iskazati solidarnost s onima najteže pogođenima kako s Italijom, ali i s drugim državama koje će pretrpjeti veliku štetu. Tu spada i moja država Hrvatska koja već sada u turizmu, koji je jako važan za njeno gospodarstvo, trpi velike štete tako da nam je potrebna europska solidarnost. Pokažimo da Europska unija može učiniti razliku i pomoći svim građanima Europe.
               

Brando Benifei (S&D). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghe e colleghi, l'avanzamento del coronavirus in tutti i Paesi europei sta procedendo a un ritmo preoccupante. Sbaglia chi ritiene l'Italia un caso particolare, visto che i dati degli altri paesi, come Francia e Germania, non solo mostrano un tasso di incremento identico dei casi, seppure con nove giorni di ritardo. Purtroppo temo che non tutti lo abbiano ancora capito.
               

                  Bisogna invece capire che l'Italia non è il paese colpito più di tutti ma colpito per primo e che da subito ha adottato misure drastiche, che saranno costretti a prendere tutti se non ci sarà subito una reazione comune estremamente forte.
               

                  Grazie per la solidarietà e il supporto per le prime misure che sono state prese ma non basterà: oggi avrà luogo una videoconferenza tra i capi di Stato e di governo ma in ampio ritardo rispetto all'urgenza e alla gravità della situazione.
               

                  Serve una risposta concreta, rapida e coordinata a livello europeo, in primis sulle misure in campo sanitario. Serve poi un pacchetto di stimolo fiscale per far fronte all'impatto economico negativo. Servono ampi margini di spesa per gli Stati membri per far fronte all'emergenza sociale. Parliamo di molti miliardi, per finanziare interventi a sostegno di imprese e famiglie, lavoratori dipendenti, autonomi e di gruppi vulnerabili come gli anziani soli.
               

                  Abbiamo bisogno di un consorzio europeo per la ricerca sul COVID-19, per sviluppare noi un vaccino e le cure, per sostenere la creazione di una centrale d'acquisto europea per reperire e smistare i materiali necessari alla prevenzione e alle cure, mettendo fuori gioco ogni possibile speculazione e tentativo di sciacallaggio.
               

                  Abbiamo bisogno di fare questo rapidamente, con un Parlamento europeo che già dalla prossima settimana ricominci a lavorare.
               

                  L'Unione europea oggi ha l'ultima chiamata per dimostrare che non è solo un progetto di integrazione, che ha visto la sua gloria nei decenni passati e che oggi è invece condannata alla rovina, per non essere stata capace di adattarsi a un mondo che cambia, anche in termini di minacce globali come queste.
               

                  Io invece credo a questo progetto: dobbiamo crederci e combattere insieme con azioni concrete e rapide come quelle che ho citato, per difendere il futuro degli europei e dell'umanità intera.
               

Nicola Beer (Renew). – Frau Präsidentin, verehrte Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Der Coronavirus ist eine Gefahr für Gesundheit und Leben der Bevölkerung, aber er betrifft mittlerweile auch unsere Wirtschaft zunehmend hart. Reisen, Kongresse, Messen werden abgesagt, Lieferketten unterbrochen. Die Einnahmen fallen weg, aber die Ausgaben bleiben. Kurz gesagt: Auch kerngesunde Unternehmen sind jetzt in Liquiditätsnot, und zwar völlig unabhängig von ihrem Geschäftsmodell oder ihrer Leistung.
               

                  Meines Erachtens brauchen wir in dieser Situation zwei Sachen. Das Eine ist: Wir müssen die Arbeitnehmer schützen und dazu den Unternehmen, und zwar solchen Unternehmen, die unverschuldet in diese Lage geraten sind, eine Liquiditätsüberbrückung gewähren. Dafür brauchen wir Möglichkeiten, Kurzarbeit zu vereinfachen. Wir brauchen Steuerzahlungen und Sozialabgabenzahlungen, die über einige Monate gestundet werden. Überbrückungskredite müssen verfügbar gemacht werden, denn das billige Geld ist da. Aber solche Kreditentscheidungen müssen schneller getroffen werden. Und es braucht sicherlich zur Absicherung auch staatliche Bürgschaften. Und dann, wenn wir hier eine Notifizierung der EU dazu brauchen, dann muss auch dies schneller geschehen.
               

                  Als Zweites brauchen wir einen Wachstumspakt, damit wir in Wachstum investieren und den Mittelstand stärken und Bürokratie abbauen.
               

Alessandra Basso (ID). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, la poetessa Lamarque scriveva ‘Senti che tosse, che tosse infernale. La tosse del cuore, fa troppo male. La tosse del cuore non fa respirare.’
               

                  In questi giorni non c'è la tosse del cuore ma una tosse mortale. Il momento che stiamo vivendo è pieno di anomalie e ci impone una riflessione: in una società che prima viaggiava ad alta velocità questo nemico invisibile ci ha imposto uno stop.
               

                  Cerchiamo di vedere anche ‘i lati positivi’: in questi tempi, dove si pensava solo al proprio orto, il virus ci ha mandato un messaggio chiaro. Approfittiamo di questo momento buio per riscoprire il senso di comunità; riscopriamo la responsabilità condivisa e pensiamo che dalle nostre azioni dipendono le sorti delle persone più fragili vicine a noi.
               

                  In Italia gli ospedali sono messi alla prova, anche se tutto il personale sta tenendo duro. I problemi economici, che già in alcuni settori come il turismo, sono evidenti esigono una risposta immediata.
               

                  L'Europa poco ha fatto finora. l'Italia ha chiesto aiuto e mi auguro che questo appello troverà una risposta positiva. Dobbiamo evitare che, oltre ai morti in ospedale, ci si ritrovi con imprenditori che si impiccano in azienda, uccisi non dal virus ma dalla crisi.
               

President. – There is a blue-card request which I'm going to decline because of time purposes, so apologies for that.

Jutta Paulus (Verts/ALE). – Frau Präsidentin, meine Damen und Herren! Vielen Dank für diese Debatte, und sie zeigt sehr deutlich, warum wir eigentlich mehr Europa brauchen.
               

                  Wir haben zwar mit dem ECDC, dem Europäischen Zentrum für die Prävention und die Kontrolle von Krankheiten, ein gemeinsames Zentrum für genau diese Situation. Aber das bedeutet ja leider noch lange nicht, dass sich alle Mitgliedstaaten gleichermaßen den Empfehlungen dieses Zentrums anschließen. Stattdessen erleben wir eine Kleinstaaterei in der Europäischen Union, wo jeder Mitgliedstaat seine eigenen Ideen propagiert. Sogar in meinem Heimatland – innerhalb der einzelnen Bundesstaaten – ist die Reaktion ganz unterschiedlich. Ich glaube, da ist noch Luft nach oben, da können wir besser werden.
               

                  Und zur Luft: Ich finde es unbegreiflich, dass wir in der Finanzkrise diese idiotische Regelung, dass eine Airline ihren Start- und Landeslot verliert, wenn sie ihn nicht zu 80 %der Zeit nutzt, problemlos aussetzen konnten. Jetzt antwortet GD MOVE auf eine dezidierte Anfrage einer Airline, ob das nicht auch im Fall von Corona angemessen wäre, und GD MOVE sagt: Nein, das ist nicht notwendig. Jetzt fliegen Flugzeuge leer durch die Gegend. Was für ein Quatsch ist das denn?
               

Elżbieta Kruk (ECR). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Zastanówmy się, z czym mamy do czynienia: czy koronawirus to realne zagrożenie, adekwatne do medialnej paniki? Oczywiście nie można go lekceważyć, ale trzeba sobie zdawać sprawę, że potencjalne niebezpieczeństwo w porównaniu z innymi chorobami-zabójcami nie jest aż tak duże. Co roku choćby na grypę umiera na świecie co najmniej pół miliona ludzi. Dziś wygląda na to, że wirus stanowi większe zagrożenie dla światowej gospodarki niż zagrożenie zdrowotne. Notujemy spadki na giełdach, traci turystyka, linie lotnicze, organizatorzy imprez.
               

                  Tymczasem w ostatnich dniach histeria przeniosła się z mediów również do naszej instytucji, odwołano znaczną część wydarzeń i wizyt gości, no oczywiście poza wizytą Grety Thunberg, zawieszono sesję plenarną, nawołuje się nawet do zamknięcia Parlamentu. Chaotyczne działania Prezydium w tym zakresie wynikają być może z obawy, że zamknięcie Izby wywoła niezadowolenie społeczne. Myślę jednak, że gdyby tak się stało, poza samym Parlamentem mógłby nawet tego nikt nie zauważyć. Oby nie okazało się, że pogromcą Unii Europejskiej okaże się nie brexit, nie sentymenty antyunijne, a koronawirus. Zachowujmy…(Przewodnicząca odebrała mówczyni głos)


Μαρία Σπυράκη (PPE). – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, Επίτροπε Κυριακίδου, η αντιμετώπιση των εκτάκτων συνθηκών που προκαλεί η μετάδοση του κορονοϊού απαιτεί γενναία χρηματοδότηση, ισχυρή πολιτική βούληση και εμπλοκή όλων, μα όλων, των πολιτών της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης.
               

                  Σήμερα καλούμε την Επιτροπή και το Συμβούλιο να προχωρήσουν γρήγορα στην υιοθέτηση έκτακτης ευελιξίας στους κανόνες για τις κρατικές ενισχύσεις, προκειμένου τα κράτη μέλη να μπορούν να στηρίξουν τις επιχειρήσεις που πλήττονται. Στη χώρα μου, την Ελλάδα, ο τουρισμός δίνει το 25% του ΑΕΠ και οι επιχειρήσεις που σχετίζονται με τον τουρισμό πλήττονται πρώτες απ' όλους.
               

                  Γι' αυτό, ειδικά για την Ελλάδα, είναι απαραίτητο να υπάρχει ευελιξία και στο σκέλος των πρωτογενών πλεονασμάτων, δεδομένου ότι το ένα τέταρτο της οικονομικής μας δραστηριότητας χρειάζεται στήριξη τώρα και όχι αύριο. Είναι επίσης απαραίτητο να επιδεικνύουμε ως κράτη μέλη αλληλεγγύη στην πράξη και όχι να περιχαρακωνόμαστε, όπως, για παράδειγμα, να απαγορεύουμε την εξαγωγή της ιατρικής μάσκας, αντί να ενισχύσουμε την παραγωγή της, ή να τις επιτάσσουμε. Είναι απαραίτητο και μπορούμε να το κάνουμε, να εξασφαλίσουμε την επάρκεια σε φάρμακα και σε απαραίτητα αλλά υποστηρίγματα, προκειμένου να αντιμετωπίσουμε τον ιό.
               

                  Είναι τέλος απαραίτητο, για να αντιμετωπίσουμε τις επιπτώσεις του ιού, να εμπλακούμε όλοι· να εμπλακούν τα εθνικά συστήματα υγείας και να ενισχυθούν. Στην Ελλάδα χρειαζόμαστε προσωπικό για 150 ακόμη κρεβάτια στις μονάδες εντατικής θεραπείας. Να εμπλέξουμε όλο το ιατρικό δυναμικό του ιδιωτικού τομέα, ενισχύοντας τα ιδιωτικά ιατρεία, ακόμη και όταν πρέπει να κλείσουν μετά την ανίχνευση περιστατικών. Είμαστε σήμερα εδώ για να αποτίσουμε τιμή στο νοσηλευτικό προσωπικό. Είναι όμως ανάγκη να αντιμετωπίσουμε το πρόβλημα συνολικά.
               

Paul Tang (S&D). – Voorzitter, mijn medeleven gaat uit naar de nabestaanden van de slachtoffers en mijn waardering gaat uit naar alle artsen en verpleegkundigen die de zieken terzijde staan. Inmiddels blijven miljoenen Europeanen binnen, zijn winkelstraten verlaten en vertrekken vliegtuigen halfleeg, terwijl klaplopers op een perverse manier willen profiteren door 45 euro te vragen voor een handgel.
               

                  De zorgen over de economie zijn groot. De OESO spreekt dan ook over de grootste dreiging voor de wereldeconomie sinds de financiële crisis, en dat geldt zeker voor de eurozone: de rente is laag en kan niet veel lager. Ik kijk dus niet naar Christine Lagarde, maar ik kijk naar de regeringsleiders. De ondersteuning van de economie moet volledig uit de overheidsbegroting komen om de klappen in aanbod en in vraag op te vangen.
               

                  Ondersteuning van bedrijven, maar ook van mensen. Want laten we lering trekken uit de vorige crisis, toen er werd geklaagd dat de banken wel werden ondersteund en mensen niet. Mensen verdienen ook ondersteuning, zeker de mensen met de laagste beurs die geen spaargeld achter de hand hebben. Juist zij moeten geholpen kunnen worden door verhoging van bijvoorbeeld de inkomenstoeslag.
               

                  Tot slot, juist nu moeten de begrotingsregels niet in de weg staan, juist nu moet er een gecoördineerde Europese stimulering komen en juist nu hoop ik op Europese solidariteit waarbij landen die het zwaarst getroffen worden ook het meeste krijgen. Juist nu moeten de regeringsleiders aan de slag.
               

Pascal Canfin (Renew). – Madame la Présidente, Madame la Commissaire, Monsieur le Commissaire, il y a maintenant deux dimensions très claires sur lesquelles l'Europe doit agir: la dimension sanitaire et la dimension économique.
               

                  Sur la dimension sanitaire, pouvez-vous nous dire que vous êtes passés d'un simple échange d'informations entre les différents pays, avec la Commission européenne, à des prises de position communes? J'ai l'impression que nous sommes encore dans la phase où vous apprenez par la presse ce que les gouvernements décident de faire. C'est pour cela que nous soutenons le fait qu'il y ait un Conseil européen sur le sujet, à distance bien évidemment, convoqué à l'initiative du président de la République française. J'espère que ce conseil va se tenir aujourd'hui et que cela permettra d'améliorer la réponse sanitaire au niveau européen.
               

                  Puis maintenant, il y a la réponse économique. Et là, il y a deux enjeux.
               

                  Le premier enjeu, est d'être capable à très court terme de débloquer des liquidités pour que les entreprises qui subissent des ruptures d'approvisionnement mais doivent payer leurs charges et leurs salaires, continuent à vivre et ne déposent pas le bilan.
               

                  Le deuxième élément, c'est à plus long terme: éventuellement, un paquet de relance budgétaire qui doit faire le lien avec le pacte vert pour l'Europe. J'insiste sur ce point, sinon nous serions nous mêmes incohérents.
               

Lucia Vuolo (ID). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, gli italiani non sono gli untori del coronavirus. Lo dico con forza da quest'Aula! Lo dico perché qui, e all'estero, da qualche settimana quando veniamo riconosciuti, ci allontanano.
               

                  L'Italia è il secondo paese al mondo per casi di COVID-19 ma penso che, con ritardo, il nostro Paese abbia reagito duramente: da ieri l'Italia tutta è in quarantena.
               

                  Nel frattempo, sempre ieri, c'è stata un'importante scoperta scientifica a Cagliari, in Sardegna. Sono certa che i dati ottenuti saranno messi a disposizione della comunità scientifica mondiale.
               

                  Purtroppo non vedo la stessa solidarietà da chi ci ha negato i dispositivi medici, come mascherine, guanti e macchine per terapia intensiva, ma su questi aspetti torneremo di nuovo.
               

                  Ora è tempo che ognuno faccia la propria parte: al popolo si chiede il rispetto delle regole e buon senso; alle nazioni d'Europa di essere membri dell'Unione europea.
               

                  Infine è necessario dare risposta ai settori produttivi, e in particolare al settore turistico, che ha registrato il più alto tasso di cancellazioni di prenotazioni.
               

Salima Yenbou (Verts/ALE). – Madame la Présidente, je remercie les professionnels du milieu médical qui travaillent pour assurer un service de santé. Face à cette crise, assurons-nous que, dans la majorité des pays européens, nous pouvons compter sur un système de santé juste et solidaire qui permet à toutes et tous, indépendamment des conditions de revenus, d'avoir accès à des soins adaptés. Dans certains pays, comme les États-Unis, ce n'est pas le cas puisque les plus pauvres doivent tirer un trait sur les dépenses médicales qu'ils ne peuvent se permettre.
               

                  Cette crise est un moment-clé pour notre société qui doit démontrer solidarité et civisme. Aujourd'hui, il faut accepter de renoncer à certains privilèges pour réduire tout danger de propagation. C'est le moment de rester unis et de faire attention aux plus fragiles d'entre nous. Demain, quand tout cela sera derrière nous, nous devrons tirer les conséquences de ces mois difficiles.
               

                  Quand je vois les images des rayons vides dans les supermarchés, partout en France, je pense aux personnes qui n'ont pas la chance de manger tous les jours ni d'avoir un toit ou d'être sûrs que leurs proches vont bien. Je pense notamment aux réfugiés et aux sans-abri, aux sans-papiers et aux marginalisés de toutes sortes.
               

                  Souvenons-nous de cette crise et montrons plus d'humanité envers celles et ceux qui souffrent silencieusement tous les jours.
               

Ruža Tomašić (ECR). – Poštovana gospođo predsjedavajuća, širenje koronavirusa jedinstveni je javnozdravstveni izazov.
               

                  Zaraza nije ograničena na jedno područje, već se brzo globalno proširila, a širenju panike doprinosi i činjenica da znanstvenici i liječnici još uvijek nemaju odgovore na većinu pitanja koja zanimaju javnost.
               

                  Različite regije i države imaju drukčije pristupe ograničavanju širenja zaraze pa bi se Unija trebala maksimalno angažirati u koordinaciji nadležnih nacionalnih tijela i pružiti im dodatnu podršku.
               

                  Pojedine članice trenutno ne dozvoljavaju iznošenje higijenske opreme izvan svojih granica pa tvrtke čija su središnja skladišta za cijelu Uniju u tim državama ne mogu osigurati distribuciju higijenskih proizvoda u ostatak Europe.
               

                  Europske institucije moraju zaštititi prava i interese svih građana Unije i takvoj lošoj praksi stati na kraj.
               

Maria da Graça Carvalho (PPE). – Senhora Presidente, a União Europeia deve ser muito mais do que uma união política e económica, deve proteger os seus cidadãos e zelar pelo seu bem-estar. Por isso, tem que ser decidida no combate ao Covid-19.
               

                  Exige-se, primeiro, uma maior coordenação nos esforços para conter a propagação do vírus, segundo, muito mais investimento na investigação científica incentivando a cooperação entre os centros de excelência na área. A parceria público-privada IMI tem de mostrar mais ações e mais resultados, só assim será possível à Europa contribuir para o esforço internacional de desenvolvimento de vacinas e terapêuticas contra o vírus. Os valores até agora apresentados pela Comissão nesta área são irrisórios. Terceiro, uma resposta articulada de apoio às empresas e à economia. Os efeitos colaterais deste problema de saúde pública já são evidentes em muitos setores. É urgente a adoção de medidas que permitam preservar postos de trabalho, evitar falências e preparar a retoma.
               

                  Celeridade e o mínimo de burocracia possível terão de ser os dois fios condutores desta resposta. Temos de evitar que uma crise temporária cause danos irreparáveis às pessoas, à economia e à sociedade.
               

Vilija Blinkevičiūtė (S&D). – Gerbiama Pirmininke, iš tikrųjų būtina realiai įvertinti koronaviruso grėsmę Europos Sąjungai ir jos galimas pasekmes žmonių sveikatai, jų gyvenimo kokybei ir mūsų ekonomikai, todėl Europos Sąjunga privalo solidariai ir koordinuotai rengti adekvačias priemones šitai epidemija suvaldyti. Ir čia negalima delsti. Ir dabar iš visos širdies noriu padėkoti pasiaukojamai dirbantiems medikams, nes tik veikdami kartu galime nugalėti tą klastingą virusą. Būtina efektyviai koordinuoti informavimo, profilaktikos priemones, skirti reikiamas lėšas iš Europos Sąjungos biudžeto siekiant padėti valstybėms narėms, remti mokslinius tyrimus, kad kaip įmanoma greičiau kuriant reikalingas vakcinas.
               

                  Nerimą kelia, jog dėl koronaviruso nevaldomo plitimo kyla grėsmė dėl vaistų trūkumo, nes yra stipriai paveikta vaistų gamybos ir tiekimo grandinė. Ir čia Europos Sąjunga turi imtis koordinuotų veiksmų, siekiant užtikrinti nenutrūkstamą vaistų tiekimą ligoninėms ir pacientams.
               

                  Taip pat apie Europos Parlamentą. Europos Parlamentas tikrai privalo ir toliau diegti prevencines priemones, kurios padėtų apsaugoti čia, Parlamente, dirbančius žmones, įskaitant nuotolinį darbą, lankstesnį plenarinių sesijų ir komitetų posėdžių organizavimą. Ir sunku tikėtis, kad epidemijos grėsmė trumpalaikė, todėl reikėtų turėti veiksmų planą bent jau trims mėnesiams.
               

Jordi Cañas (Renew). – Señora presidenta, nos encontramos ante una crisis que nos enfrenta a una gravísima responsabilidad. Tenemos una afectación sanitaria, pero también tenemos una afectación económica que puede poner en riesgo el futuro de Europa.
               

                  Tenemos que demostrar que el conjunto de las instituciones europeas hemos aprendido de los errores del pasado, de cómo afrontamos la gran crisis del 2008, y que somos capaces de dar respuestas ágiles, decisivas, firmes, coordinadas, contundentes, necesarias, y de adoptar las medidas necesarias —temporales y estructurales— que permitan a nuestros ciudadanos afrontar el problema y la crisis con esperanza.
               

                  Tenemos que transmitir que somos capaces de coordinar las respuestas sanitarias frente a los retos que vamos a enfrentar, que estamos enfrentando, pero que también somos capaces de dar respuestas a nuestros pequeños empresarios, a nuestros autónomos, a nuestras empresas, con un objetivo: garantizar que esta situación temporal no provoca una recesión estructural.
               

                  No tenemos que avergonzarnos de Europa, tenemos que poner en valor que en estos momentos se necesita, más que nunca, más Europa.
               

Gianantonio Da Re (ID). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, nelle ultime settimane abbiamo assistito alla diffusione in Europa del coronavirus. Le regioni del Nord Italia, in particolare il Veneto e la Lombardia, si sono attivate immediatamente, adottando misure essenziali di prevenzione per evitare la diffusione del virus.
               

                  L'Unione europea è stata completamente assente: nessuna misura adottata e nessun gesto di solidarietà. Oggi evidenziamo il volto ipocrita dell'Unione europea, presente e severa quando c'è da chiedere ed assente nel momento in cui bisogna dare.
               

                  Ingenti sono i danni all'economia italiana ed europea: sono a rischio oltre 30 000 imprese e oltre 7 miliardi di euro di perdita nel comparto turistico, con un inevitabile impatto negativo a livello occupazionale.
               

                  Oggi pretendiamo dalla Commissione europea l'adozione di misure economiche immediate a sostegno delle nostre imprese e delle nostre famiglie. L'Unione europea deve fare la sua parte e deve fare di più.
               

                  Ringrazio il personale medico e paramedico in questa grande emergenza.
               

Hermann Tertsch (ECR). – Señora presidenta, según aumentan el número de afectados y muertos y la zozobra, hay que llamar a la responsabilidad y a la calma. A la responsabilidad en el esfuerzo de no contagiarnos para no contagiar y frenar la extensión del virus y a la calma porque el pánico puede causar más daño que el propio virus.
               

                  Hay que aprender de nuestra vulnerabilidad, que es abismal en Europa. Los gobiernos están desbordados —imaginen esto con un virus más letal o con armas biológicas: un ataque—. No hay coordinación ni planes. Mucha improvisación y contradicciones y quiebras en la solidaridad.
               

                  Ahora se ve la diferencia entre una crisis real y fabulaciones alarmistas, climáticas u otras, tan falsas como interesadas. El negocio no puede eclipsar criterios de seguridad y defensa. No pueden estar lejos y en manos de terceros producciones de eventual urgente necesidad.
               

                  Necesitamos fronteras seguras y cohesión nacional para la reacción unida y solidaria y, además, coordinación. El coronavirus recuerda lecciones básicas de la supervivencia que la larga paz y el bienestar nos habían hecho olvidar.
               

Stanislav Polčák (PPE). – Paní předsedající, v první řadě bych chtěl říci, že bychom měli být opatrní, ale nepodléhat panice. Tento virus ukazuje, že hrozby mohou na lidstvo zaútočit s poměrně až nečekanými výraznými účinky na zdravotní systém, na hospodářství, na cestování. My jsme se ve výboru ENVI opakovaně zabývali touto situací, a to i s naší evropskou agenturou ECDC sídlící ve Stockholmu. A ukazuje se, že skutečně nejsme dobře připraveni. Vidíme zde poměrně výrazné důsledky. Potřebujeme výraznou evropskou akci. Skutečně potřebujeme více Evropy. Epidemie nezná hranic a my jsme kontinent nyní spojený. Co je nutné? Samozřejmě hygienická a zdravotní koordinovaná opatření a také bezpečnostní opatření. Potřebujeme aktualizovat výrobní kapacity a rozpohybovat je, pokud jde o výrobu osobních ochranných pomůcek. Také samozřejmě léčiva. Zjistili jsme, jak jsme opět velmi zranitelní, protože výrobní kapacity v Evropě nedostačují. Já nejsem příznivce zavření hranic, nicméně je důležité, aby Evropská unie vedle těchto zdravotnických konkrétních opatření také realizovala konkrétní ekonomická stimulační opatření. A je důležité přijmout víceletý finanční rámec. To je skutečně naléhavý stimul. Já bych chtěl závěrem svého vystoupení poděkovat zdravotníkům a bezpečnostním složkám za jejich službu.
               

Sara Cerdas (S&D). – Senhora Presidente, estamos perante uma doença que já atingiu todos os Estados-Membros da União Europeia, o que permite conhecer os problemas e as dificuldades que temos para enfrentar um surto desta natureza, especialmente quando se trata de uma nova doença. O impacto faz-se sentir por toda a Europa, não apenas com a saturação dos serviços de saúde, mas também no setor económico, do turismo e demais setores. E mais uma vez são os mais vulneráveis socialmente que se encontram em maior risco perante uma situação que tem já importantes reflexos na economia, no emprego e na sociedade europeia.
               

                  A Comissão deve responder a estas necessidades prementes e preparar-se para futuras ameaças e, para isso, precisamos de um plano transsetorial de resposta a ameaças à saúde pública que dê uma resposta concertada e homogénea ao longo de toda a Europa e que envolva todos os setores. Desta forma estaremos mais protegidos e melhor preparados.
               

                  Para finalizar, uma palavra de profundo agradecimento a todos os profissionais de saúde que estão a lidar com o surto de COVID-19 por toda a União Europeia e além-fronteiras.
               

Hilde Vautmans (Renew). – Voorzitter, laat me natuurlijk allereerst mijn medeleven betuigen met de getroffen families en vooral met de Italianen, en ook de waardering uitspreken voor hen die elke dag goede zorgen geven – dokters en verplegers – in moeilijke omstandigheden. Europa heeft enkel een ondersteunende en coördinerende rol, maar eerlijk gezegd, als je naar de omvang van de crisis kijkt, dan zeggen de Europese burgers terecht: ‘Europa, doe wat meer’.
               

                  Dit virus kent geen grenzen, en vandaar, mevrouw de commissaris, dank ik u voor de initiatieven die al genomen zijn. Maar ik zou ervoor willen pleiten om een versnelling hoger te schakelen, meer te coördineren, meer te ondersteunen op het vlak van gezondheidszorg. Versterk het Centrum voor ziektepreventie en -bestrijding, geef het meer middelen voor onderzoek naar dat noodzakelijke vaccin. Laten we met z'n allen meer samen gaan aankopen, zodat onze gezondheidswerkers tenminste in goede omstandigheden de zorgen kunnen verlenen aan hen die ziek zijn of denken dat ze ziek zijn. En tot slot de economische gevolgen: ook dat moet Europa opvolgen. L'union fait la force, samen sterk!
               

Patryk Jaki (ECR). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Szanowni Państwo! Mamy dzisiaj wyjątkowy czas w Europie. Mianowicie po raz pierwszy musimy się skoncentrować bardzo mocno – tak, mocno na bezpieczeństwie. Nie tak jak mamy to w zwyczaju, na ideologii, tylko na bezpieczeństwie. Dlatego bardzo ważne jest to, abyśmy zredefiniowali nasze potrzeby, również finansowe, i zaczęli w dobie tak wielkiego zagrożenia przekazywać więcej środków na leki. Potrzebna jest pilna koordynacja w sprawie leków.
               

                  Szanowni Państwo! Dodatkowo na testy, które byłyby w stanie działać, które pomagają w działaniu prewencyjnym. Dodatkowo potrzebne jest wsparcie dla regionów najbardziej dotkniętych problemami z koronawirusem, dla przedsiębiorstw, które będą miały potężne problemy: turystycznych, gastronomicznych, eventowych. Dodatkowo instytucje europejskie powinny świecić przykładem. To jest bardzo ważne dla wszystkich. Dodatkowo instytucje europejskie powinny pośredniczyć w kontaktach i w dialogu z bankami, które powinny pomóc opanować ten kryzys, również – tak jak wspomniałem – dla sektora gastronomicznego. I bardzo ważne jest to, aby pilnować, żeby nie pojawiały się firmy, które będą chciały wykorzystywać ten kryzys i podnosić ceny na kluczowe dla Europejczyków leki.
               

François-Xavier Bellamy (PPE). – Madame la Présidente, face à cette épidémie de coronavirus, il nous faut une vraie réponse européenne pour mettre en œuvre des règles cohérentes qui permettent de rassurer les citoyens et de faire face à ce défi.
               

                  Sur la réponse à la crise, beaucoup a déjà été dit mais je voudrais aussi m'appuyer sur cette expérience pour pouvoir regarder notre avenir et constater ce qui n'a pas été fait. Si nous sommes aujourd'hui si inquiets, c'est aussi parce que nous nous sentons démunis face à cette crise.
               

                  Il y a trente ans, l'Europe importait 20 % des principes actifs utilisés dans les médicaments. En trente ans, nous sommes passés à 80 %, et ces produits proviennent aujourd'hui essentiellement de Chine ou d'Inde. Nous le voyons aujourd'hui, nous ne pouvons pas en rester à une simple doctrine de la concurrence qui nous pousse à externaliser la production de ces biens qui sont nécessaires à notre simple survie dans une crise comme celle-là.
               

                  Il nous faut une stratégie industrielle, il nous faut une stratégie sanitaire et il nous faut regarder notre avenir ensemble, en tentant de nous protéger face aux menaces qui se dessinent, plutôt que de réagir trop tard comme nous le faisons aujourd'hui.
               

                  Chers collègues, Madame la Commissaire, nous sommes aujourd'hui au pied du mur sur un sujet comme celui-ci. Si nous voulons garantir aux personnels de santé qui se battent aujourd'hui courageusement face à cette épidémie, notamment en Italie, il nous faut pouvoir leur apporter les moyens nécessaires à leur travail et à leur engagement.
               

Tudor Ciuhodaru (S&D). – Doamnă președintă, doamnă comisar, e cod roșu de coronavirus. Niciodată nu ne-am mai confruntat cu astfel de situație. Eu sunt medic de urgență în Iași, România, Spitalul Clinic de Urgență și mie îmi pasă. Viața fiecărui cetățean european trebuie să fie protejată și de aceea am solicitat și am tras un semnal de alarmă încă din ianuarie privind această criză, solicitând un plan unic de intervenție la nivel european. Din păcate, nimeni este profet în țara lui, nici măcar în țara lui, și de aceea este clar că mai este doar o chestiune de timp până când pandemia actuală va fi și declarată.
               

                  De aceea e nevoie de un plan B cu măsuri clare, ferme privind suportul sănătății, suportul economic și combaterea discriminării și a infodemiei (acele informații false). Și vă solicit două lucruri astăzi extrem de importante: într-o parte, alertarea corpului medical european – am mai fost voluntar în situații de criză și mă ofer și astăzi voluntar – pentru că situația medicală din Italia riscă să fie depășită și oamenii de acolo să nu mai reziste la solicitări, personalul medical să fie depășit -, iar în al doilea rând, ca măsură de siguranță la nivel european, instituirea unor măsuri concrete pentru institutele de microbiologie, finanțarea Institutului Cantacuzino din România, pentru că în astfel de situații de criză, avem nevoie de vaccinuri și de materiale sanitare produse la nivel european.
               

Irena Joveva (Renew). – Gospa predsednica! Ne bom govorila izključno politično, kaj vse moramo, ker se mi zdi v tem trenutku pomembnejše povedati, kaj je narobe in kaj je odveč … (izjava ob izklopljenem mikrofonu)… tri različne skupine.
               

                  Prvič: vsi paniki so narobe in odveč. Zaradi novega koronavirusa ni konec sveta, če ne bo prevladala človeška neumnost. Poudarjam: če. Drugič: vsi brezbrižneži so narobe in odveč. A bi vam bilo še vedno vseeno, če bi se okužil kdo od vaših staršev, babic, dedkov. Jaz sem mlada. Virus bi najbrž prebolela, ampak kaj, če ga prenesem nekomu, ki ga ne bi. To je bistvo. Gre za odgovornost. In tretjič: samooklicani strokovnjaki so še najbolj narobe in odveč. Kar naenkrat vsi vse vejo. Samoizolacija je po mojem mnenju nujna tudi za te ljudi, ampak od družbenih omrežij v prvi vrsti.
               

                  Absolutno so razmere resne, ampak kdo sem jaz, da obsojam ukrepe, a so prestrogi, a so premili, a so prepozni. Ne vem, vem pa, da sem odgovorna in da zaupam stroki. Tisti pravi, da se razumemo.
               

Massimiliano Salini (PPE). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, siamo di fronte a una situazione critica totalmente inedita: la nostra struttura delle politiche sanitarie a livello europeo non è più abituata alle malattie infettive.
               

                  Abbiamo riconcepito nei decenni una struttura e delle risposte a emergenze sanitarie di tutt'altra natura, quindi oggi mancano posti di terapia intensiva. Un posto in terapia intensiva costa 2.600 euro al giorno. In Italia il costo è questo: sono molti miliardi di euro. Rispondere a questa emergenza significa mettere a disposizione risorse smisurate.
               

                  In seconda battuta, la risposta di cui c'è necessità è di tipo economico – come si diceva – ma prima ancora che pensare al problema del deficit bisogna pensare al problema della liquidità: le imprese per non chiudere oggi, per non licenziare le persone, hanno bisogno di cassa. Ma chiedere risorse per cassa, oggi, costa moltissimo! Quindi bisogna derogare ai quei principi di Basilea che bloccano le banche a questo riguardo.
               

                  Sono molti i fronti, quindi una proposta: non è sufficiente avere un Commissario alle crisi – che comunque sta lavorando bene – come non fu sufficiente avere Commissari competenti su materie che riguardavano la Brexit. Ma ci vuole un commissario straordinario: un Commissario straordinario per l'emergenza coronavirus. Ci vuole UNA persona competente, che si occupi di questo dalla mattina alla sera, all'interno della Commissione, da subito!
               

Nicolás González Casares (S&D). – Señora presidenta, ante el coronavirus: ciencia, prudencia y evidencia. No nos podemos dejar llevar por la irracionalidad, ni por recetas falsas, ni podemos abonar el campo a la desinformación. Es fundamental coordinarse en Europa y compartir conocimiento entre Estados miembros, porque no hay fronteras inmunes.
               

                  Ciencia, prudencia, coordinación e inversión en sanidad pública y universal. Es desagradable ver a aquellos que tanto daño han hecho con recortes abusivos lamentándose ahora de los efectos de esos mismos recortes sanitarios. Es el drama de haber tomado la salud como mercancía y no como derecho.
               

                  Además, ahora, en estos momentos, también me gustaría acordarme de los sanitarios, de los que pelean en las trincheras sanitarias cada día contra el virus y están anteponiendo la salud de sus conciudadanos a la suya. Ese es un ejemplo que debemos tomar en toda Europa. El fortalecimiento de la sanidad pública debe ser la lección que extraigamos de esta crisis.
               

Jan Huitema (Renew). – Voorzitter, het coronavirus brengt ernstige risico's met zich mee voor de volksgezondheid. Ik heb veel respect voor de hulpverleners die vooropgaan in de strijd, maar willen we de verspreiding van het coronavirus verder indammen, dan is Europese samenwerking keihard nodig. Ik roep dan ook op om te blijven coördineren tussen de Europese Commissie, de landen in de Europese Unie en ook het Europees Centrum voor ziektebestrijding en -preventie. Maar die samenwerking is alleen mogelijk als we ook solidair zijn in de landen hier in de Europese Unie. Het kan niet zo zijn dat een land bijvoorbeeld mondkapjes achterhoudt of andere medische hulpmiddelen en dat andere landen daar een tekort aan hebben.
               

                  Een ander punt waar ik me grote zorgen over maak, is het mogelijke medicijntekort voor sommige ziektes, maar misschien ook wel over een adequate bestrijding van het coronavirus. Het overgrote deel van de medicijnen die we gebruiken in de Europese Unie wordt gefabriceerd buiten de Europese Unie. Ik roep de Europese Commissie dan ook op te inventariseren waar de risico's zijn voor deze leveringszekerheid en ook te anticiperen, zodat we in de komende maanden geen tekorten krijgen aan medicijnen.
               

Seán Kelly (PPE). – Madam President, first of all our empathy with all those who have been affected by the coronavirus both directly and indirectly, and especially solidarity with our Italian friends who are in total lockdown in the most affected country in Europe. And, of course, all countries in Europe have now been affected, and that said brings us to the need for a more coordinated response at European level.
I think it's fair criticism to say that the European Union has been slow to react, and now it needs to get its act together and bring all countries together to deal with this virus as quickly as possible. In my own country we have had 24 cases. I think the authorities have acted fairly quickly. Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, has outlined a plan to move from containment to delay to mitigation phase, and the government has committed up to EUR 3 billion to help employees, businesses and medical services to deal with the coronavirus. The same must happen at European level, both financially and also logistically.
Now, as many of you know, every year I host here, on behalf of IBEC, a St Patrick's Day party to which you're all invited. But that has to be cancelled next week. The good news, though, is that Guinness, Irish whiskey and Baileys do not go off that quickly, so hopefully when this virus is over we can reschedule and you'll all be invited.

Tiemo Wölken (S&D). –Frau Präsidentin, sehr geehrte Frau Kommissarin! Immer öfter sehe ich auf sozialen Netzwerken Bilder von leeren Supermarktregalen. In Deutschland sind Nudeln ausverkauft, natürlich nicht die Vollkornnudeln. Es trendet der Begriff ‘toilet paper crisis’ in verschiedenen Ländern. Das französische Gesundheitsministerium muss auf Twitter davor warnen, dass Kokain nicht vor dem Coronavirus schützt.
               

                  Die Sorge vor einer Epidemie versetzt immer mehr Menschen in eine Panik und auch in Angst. Hamsterkäufe führen zu Engpässen von Mundschutz, Atemmasken, Desinfektionsmitteln und stellen Ärztinnen und Ärzte und Helferinnen und Helfer vor große Probleme. Daher an dieser Stelle vielen Dank an alle, die sich einsetzen und kranken Personen helfen. Aber diese Hamsterkäufe von essenziellen medizinischen Produkten führen zu einer Knappheit dort, wo sie dringend gebraucht werden. Es muss endlich aufhören!
               

                  Und deswegen müssen wir sehr transparent über echte Risiken aber auch Fake News informieren, und wir müssen als Europäische Union solidarisch an einem Strang ziehen. Es kann eben nicht sein, dass wir den Export von diesen wichtigen Produkten einschränken. An vorderster Stelle muss jetzt also die Zusammenarbeit und die Entschleunigung der Ausbreitung stehen.
               

Nicolae Ștefănuță (Renew). – Doamnă președintă, încep prin a transmite solidaritatea noastră fraților noștri italieni, dar noi astăzi ar trebui să facem mult mai mult pentru Italia decât să fim cu sufletul alături de ea. Noi ar trebui să putem ajuta astăzi cu echipamente medicale și cu materiale, cu ventilatoare, dar și cu doctori.
               

                  De aceea, am propus săptămâna trecută, în comisia ENVI, să avem rezerve strategice gata pentru astfel de situații. Azi avem nevoie de stocuri comune de medicamente și de echipament medical, de mobilizarea personalului medical din Uniune în zonele cele mai afectate, dar avem nevoie de leadership, de diseminare rapidă a informațiilor, de încredere.
               

                  Răspunsul la criza actuală nu este să limităm exporturile. Răspunsul nu este ‘scapă cine poate’. Criza aceasta ne privește pe toți și din ea nu putem ieși decât împreună. Așa că vreau, doamnă Kyriakides, să intervenim astăzi prin Mecanismul european de protecție civilă și prin clauza de solidaritate din tratat. Colegi, să nu lăsăm solidaritatea să fie doar o vorbă în vânt! Astăzi este momentul adevărului pentru noi toți.
               

Benoît Lutgen (PPE). – Madame la Présidente, Madame la Commissaire, toute crise révèle parfois le pire et le meilleur. Le meilleur, c'est la mobilisation du personnel soignant, les acteurs de santé, infirmières, médecins, etc. Le pire, c'est parfois des réflexes nationaux égoïstes comme la France et l'Allemagne, qui interdisent l'exportation des masques.
               

                  Toute crise révèle aussi nos faiblesses, cela a été relevé par François-Xavier, et je me joins à lui. Évidemment, notre dépendance médicale, à l'égard notamment de la Chine et de l'Inde, montre aux citoyens européens que l'Europe ne protège pas ses citoyens au cœur de la santé en Europe.
               

                  La crise économique et la crise sanitaire ne doivent pas être distinguées, puisque cette crise sanitaire et économique aura des conséquences sur la santé. La crise économique aussi, on l'a vu en 2008-2009: les budgets qui ont connu des diminutions importantes dans toute une série d'États membres, des personnes qui se soignent moins bien. Nous devrons nous mobiliser pour faire en sorte que chacun en Europe puisse se soigner correctement et relever ce défi aussi au travers de cette crise économique.
               

                  Nous devons tout mettre en œuvre pour apporter ces politiques cohérentes, cette solidarité nécessaire entre les États membres, avoir une Europe qui protège, avoir une stratégie industrielle, c'est vrai, mais aussi sanitaire en matière d'énergie. Toute cette crise, j'espère qu'on pourra en tirer les conséquences et aussi les leçons. C'est ça le plus important.
               

                  Je terminerai en vous disant que j'espère qu'un jour on se mobilisera de façon aussi importante pour la sécurité routière, puisque, s'il y a eu 500 décès dus au coronavirus en Europe, dans le même temps, 2 500 personnes sont mortes sur nos routes.
               

Yana Toom (Renew). – Madam President, I'm not going to repeat all the wise things that have already been said. What I want to raise is the issue of social security.
We are calling on people to isolate themselves if there is a suspicion of the virus, but not everybody can follow the advice. Those who live in working poverty and those in precarious working conditions just cannot afford to stay at home. At the end of the day, they will, but at what cost? I believe that we will succeed and in the coming months will get rid of coronavirus, but we have to learn the lesson. Decent working conditions and affordable healthcare are not just slogans to win elections, and country-specific recommendations in the field of social policy are not just useless paperwork. We have to push Member States to follow them, and to ensure that each European feels safe, even during a crisis, to get real help when needed and not to depend on small amounts of money that they earn daily, while putting their own health and the health of their family members at risk. We have to stand up for those who are exploited right now and who are the most vulnerable, while we are doing everything to protect our own health.

Daniel Buda (PPE). – Doamnă președintă, doamnă comisară, doamnelor și domnilor colegi, lumea întreagă și Uniunea Europeană se află astăzi în fața unei bătălii incomensurabile, și anume aceea cu coronavirusul. Autoritățile medicale, care merită toate aprecierile noastre, sunt implicate la capacitate maximă pentru a-i trata pe cei bolnavi. Cercetarea medicală face eforturi uriașe în vederea identificării tratamentelor eficiente pentru combaterea acestuia.
               

                  Trebuie să înțelegem însă faptul că răspunsul în combaterea acestuia nu este doar la îndemâna autorităților. Fiecare dintre noi trebuie să conștientizeze importanța bătăliei cu acest virus, care nu cunoaște granițe și să respecte deciziile autorităților naționale. Este important ca populația să nu intre în panică și să aibă încredere în capacitatea de reacție a decidenților. Cu siguranță, economiile multor state membre vor fi afectate. Acest lucru nu trebuie să ne împiedice să fim solidari unii cu alții și să ne prioritizăm cheltuielile în domeniul medical, iar cercetarea medicală trebuie să fie intensificată cu resurse financiare puse la dispoziție de Comisia Europeană.
               

                  Suntem obligați, în același timp, să ne manifestăm deplina solidaritate cu zonele cele mai afectate de acest virus. Astăzi este Italia cea mai afectată, dar mâine poate fi foarte bine Germania, Franța sau România. Fie că vorbim de Mecanismul de protecție civilă, fie că vorbim de orice altă resursă financiară sau echipamente medicale puse la dispoziția zonelor afectate, trebuie să reținem un lucru: nimic nu poate fi prea mult atunci când vorbim de salvarea vieților omenești.
               

Catch-the-eye procedure


Franc Bogovič (PPE). – Spoštovana komisarka, spoštovani komisar Lenarčič! Gospa Kiriakides. Popolnoma se strinjam z vajinim poročilom in tudi sam trdim, da je potrebno, da smo odgovorni, da moramo ravnati učinkovito in pa tudi sorazmerno.
               

                  Nikakor se ne smemo prepustiti paniki, poiskati rešitve tako z vidika zdravstvenega stanja v Evropi, ki je v nekaterih delih alarmantno, v drugih še lahko pričakujemo, da se ta virus razširi. Prav tako pa ne smemo pozabiti tudi na naša podjetja, gospodarstvo, ki bo zagotovo utrpelo zelo veliko škodo.
               

                  Kot sem že dejal, ukrepi morajo biti najprej učinkoviti znotraj posameznih držav. Vsekakor pa rabimo tudi učinkovit, odgovoren evropski odgovor in verjamem, da ga bomo tudi storili v naslednjih tednih. Evropski parlament mislim, da prav, da obravnava to vprašanje in da tudi stojimo ob strani tistim, ki za naše ljudi veliko naredijo, največ zdravstveni sektor.
               

Pedro Marques (S&D). – Senhora Presidente, estamos no meio de uma grave crise de saúde pública. A prioridade é conter e travar os efeitos desta epidemia, mas temos que ter capacidade de ação para travar de imediato as consequências económicas e sociais da situação.
               

                  Aproveitar toda a margem da política fiscal conquistada nos últimos anos, evitar a perda de milhares de empregos por toda a Europa, agir agora com medidas temporárias, certeiras, salvaguardar o emprego – como começou já a fazer o governo português no meu país – e impulsionar a procura interna.
               

                  Sabemos que há uma década atrás as medidas fiscais mais eficazes foram as que se dirigiram aos rendimentos das famílias com um rendimento mais baixo e médio. Os sistemas públicos de abono de família e pensões permitem aumentar os rendimentos destas famílias e agir já. Não podemos pagar o preço da inação. Os governos europeus não podem escolher a imoralidade da inação.
               

Valter Flego (Renew). – Poštovana gospođo predsjednice, ja naime danas ne želim ovdje govoriti o zdravstvenom aspektu koronavirusa, ali želim se zahvaliti svima koji danonoćno rade na suzbijanju širenja ove tako zlokobne bolesti.
               

                  Ono o čemu želim danas govoriti je ekonomija. Želim zatražiti vrlo konkretne aktivnosti Vijeća i Komisije kako bi spasili mnoga radna mjesta. Naime, paralelno s borbom za sprečavanje širenja ove epidemije, trebamo itekako razmišljati o radnim mjestima jer me je strah da idemo u novu recesiju. Strah me da Europa ide u jednu novu veliku ekonomsku krizu.
               

                  Zato treba nam solidarnost, treba nam europska solidarnost za sprječavanja širenja, ali i za pomoć državama članicama, posebice onima ovisnim o turizmu poput moje Hrvatske. I zato pozivam Komisiju da vrlo konkretno i fondovima, ali i riječima s premijerima riješi ovu situaciju.
               

Bogdan Rzońca (ECR). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Są powody do tego, żeby mówić odpowiedzialnie, ale nie powinniśmy popadać w panikę, po prostu powinniśmy działać. Ja myślę, że wszystkie straty gospodarcze, które są wynikiem tego dramatu, zostaną podliczone, ale dziś najważniejsze jest zdrowie i bezpieczeństwo ludzi, dlatego biznes i akcjonariusze przemysłu medycznego muszą zachowywać się odpowiedzialnie, i w ich kierunku właśnie Komisja Europejska powinna dać sygnał, że nie najważniejsze dzisiaj są zyski, ale dostarczenie na rynek niezbędnego sprzętu. Wyobrażam sobie taką sytuację, że jeśli w Europie żyje siedemset milionów ludzi, to można potrzeba sto milionów testów, może potrzeba dodatkowo jeden milion laboratoriów, i w tym kierunku powinny pójść działania Komisji Europejskiej. Pomyślmy zatem w pierwszym rzędzie właśnie o chorych, o personelu medycznym i o sprzęcie – to są realne działania Komisji Europejskiej.
               

Mick Wallace (GUE/NGL). – Madam President, this virus is a demonstration of why neoliberalism is a broken system. China has achieved miraculous results thus far in its battle and they were only possible because of the size and power of their state institutions. They bought the rest of the world extra time, which we went on to squander. Decades of neoliberalism and privatisation have undermined the public health systems of every European country, and this is evidenced by the pressures on the systems in the affected countries now.
There is talk of saving younger patients due to the strain on resources. Commissioner, you said we need solidarity, we need to share resources and equipment, but countries like Italy do need more support and less criticism. We are one global family, yet the US has sanctions against 20 countries worldwide, nearly a third of the world's population, depriving people of essential medicines and hygiene supplies. The World Health Organisaiton (WHO) recently faced delays in supplying Iran with testing equipment. We are killing people.

Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, la Storia ha posto di fronte a noi una sfida esistenziale, la sfida di dimostrare che la parola ‘solidarietà’ in Europa non è solo uno slogan ipocrita.
               

                  Vi propongo tre misure d'urgenza chiare e immediate: la prima, l'adozione di un protocollo sanitario unico in tutta l'Unione. Il virus non conosce frontiere!
               

                  La seconda, un piano straordinario europeo per la produzione non-stop e l'acquisto centralizzato delle attrezzature mediche necessarie per la terapia intensiva, a partire dai ventilatori polmonari. No allo sciacallaggio sulla pelle dei malati!
               

                  La terza, la sospensione immediata degli assurdi limiti del fiscal compact, per dare tutto lo spazio di bilancio necessario a ogni paese per proteggere l'occupazione e il rafforzamento dei fondi per l'accesso al credito delle piccole e medie imprese, al fine di scongiurare una recessione spaventosa, affinché chi viene curato non debba poi suicidarsi per la crisi.
               

                  Vere politiche anticicliche – perché la flessibilità da sola non basta – servono a sostenere subito la ricerca e un consorzio scientifico europeo per il vaccino; servono a comprare subito materiali. I veri eroi di questo…
               

(la Presidente toglie la parola all'oratore)


(End of catch-the-eye procedure)


Stella Kyriakides,
Member of the Commission. – Madam President, there have been quite a number of interventions. I will try to summarise and answer as many as I can and pick up as many points as I can.
Several of you mentioned the need to strengthen the European Centre of Disease Prevention and Control. We are, at the moment, already working with them on this and they are maximising their outreach in terms of being able to respond to Member States with a specific response team. When called, they go on the ground to Member States to offer advice. This has already happened in at least two Member States and I trust that they will be able to respond to more as more requests come in.
The second point I want to pick up is that it was mentioned that the Commission should not be reading about measures in the newspapers or be waiting to hear what they need to do. Well I can assure you we do not read about daily events in the newspapers. We are briefed by the Health Security Committee and there is an early response warning and response system which is precisely there to exchange information and coordinate. We are in very close coordination with all the European health ministers. There was an emergency Health Council last Friday and I speak with health ministers at least on a weekly basis, trying to address here their needs and different problems.
I want to be absolutely clear – this is not a situation where any of us have the luxury of saying we're going to be reading about it in the press or as it comes along. This is an evolving situation and we are literally holding meetings at least two or three times a day to see how the situation is changing, and this is the only way we're going to be able to address the many challenges. But, there is no one-size-fits-all for this situation. Not all Member States are facing the same challenges so we need to be constantly on board with ministers and readdress the way that we are advising and helping them move along. Today there is a European Council with the Heads of State and it'll be held via teleconference.
Several of you mentioned the need and the problems that we have with possible medicine shortages. I want to assure you that what we have heard so far – and yesterday I had a video call with the European Medicines Agency – is that we have had no reports of medicine shortages, but it is something that is of concern to us and we are monitoring the situation very closely. We will be re-examining it several times a week with the European Medicines Agency. It is true that dependency on third countries is an issue and it's an issue that has been highlighted. This was already in my mission letter to come forward with a pharma strategy by the end of 2020 and we will be looking at that, but in terms of the day-to-day situation we're working very closely with the EMA on this.
Research. Significant funding has been put towards research for vaccine development, with a potential to reach almost EUR 140 million through Horizon 2020 and the Innovative Medicines Initiative. Last week funding of (EUR) 47.5 million was awarded to 17 projects with 136 research teams working across Europe. Since there was also mention of the international dimension, (EUR) 232 million has been allocated to different sectors to boost global preparedness, with EUR 114 million going to the WHO, EUR 15 million to Africa, EUR 100 million to urgently needed research and diagnostics, and over EUR 3 million to the Union's Civil Protection Mechanism.
Fake news. (This is a) huge area. I think that we can all agree in this plenary, in this Chamber, that fake news and disinformation is extremely dangerous. Last week the Commission convened a meeting with all the big social media outlets – they were all there – and Commissioner Jourová to address this problem. We're taking it extremely seriously and everyone – everyone – has a part to play in this, so we can all be sure that what is out there for citizens is scientifically-based responsible information.
Finally, containment. I agree with you, I agree with what many of you said – that containment is key at this point. There are very many unpleasant measures that have had to be taken, but these measures are important in order to be able to slow down the spread and to save lives. And as I said before, we need to make sure that – and this is the coordination that we are doing, almost on a daily basis – Member States are taking these measures, but, again, I repeat there is no one-size-fits-all approach for Member States.
And finally, I want to reiterate what has been said many times here today already. This is not a time for panic and we need to stress that. It is also not a time for complacency. It is a time for solidarity. It is a difficult situation for us all and the Commission is not meeting once a week – we are meeting almost on a daily basis, working in parallel and with Commissioner Lenarčič, we speak several times a day on a number of common issues, and this needs to continue. But we need to stay calm. We need to stay solid. We need to stay focused. And we need Members of the European Parliament to spread these messages to their governments as well. We are all in this effort together, we are going to get through this, but we need to get through this responsibly and effectively.

Janez Lenarčič,
Member of the Commission. – Madam President, I am really grateful for this debate because it will help us steer the next step in facing this difficult challenge ahead.
Obviously, as the virus continues to spread, what is needed is that we collectively – Member States and EU institutions – step up our actions and the Commission intends to do so. Not everybody is affected in the same way at the moment. There are some who are hit harder and that's why we stress the need for solidarity among EU Member States in particular because, without solidarity, the mechanisms that we have simply do not work.
The Civil Protection Mechanism is a wonderful mechanism, but it is based on the contribution by Member States. If those contributions are not there, the mechanism doesn't work. Solidarity also has an impact on joint procurement, and so on. So, without solidarity, we are not going to get far. Why? Simply because the Commission doesn't possess its own stocks of protective equipment – masks and that kind of stuff. If we did have those things, Italy would be the first to get them from us, but we don't. We rely on Member States and their solidarity. So it's not an empty word: solidarity really matters. Without solidarity things aren't going to work.
The next point I want to make is that obviously we need to continue to work on preparedness and contingency. Obviously the capacities, in particular in the health sector but also elsewhere, are not sufficient in case of further propagation of the virus. We keep saying this, we have kept saying this for weeks and we will continue to say this.
Certain other aspects were highlighted. Let me say that we are working not only on vaccines, but also on diagnostics, tests, treatment and so on, and we added an additional EUR 37 million to this research area just last Friday. We are also looking into aviation, because aviation is obviously one of the sectors that are hardest hit. We are looking into that, and my colleague Commissioner Vălean is looking into that very closely, including with regard to the rules governing the usage of slots.
I will not go into further details, but I would like to assure you all that the Commission will not hesitate to propose additional measures as we face this challenge in the coming days and weeks. We will also not hesitate to find any additional funding that is available. But on this issue I would like to underline what was also said by some of the honourable Members. We are in the last year of the Multiannual Financial Framework. Reserves in the Commission's budget are meagre. This is one more reason, if ever one was needed, to have an early agreement on the next Multiannual Financial Framework. It's long overdue.
Let me close by thanking you as Members of this House for your interest and engagement. It is important that the message goes out to our citizens that the EU cares, that the EU is doing its part to address the situation, and that we will continue to do so until we win this battle. This is a time for EU solidarity. We need to stick together and support each other in fighting this outbreak at all levels – at local level, national level, European level and global level. I can assure you that the Commission will continue to play its role. We will continue to work on all fronts: on health aspects, civil protection aspects, economic aspects, transport aspects and all others. We'll do our best and we do count on your continued support.

Nikolina Brnjac,
President-in-Office of the Council. – Madam President, to conclude, I wish to thank you for the very useful debate we have had today. This is a situation of high concern to all of us – governments, politicians and citizens. We need to address the spread of Covid-19 in Europe in a coordinated and coherent manner. In order to achieve this we need to keep each other well informed about developments, cross-cutting impacts on different sectors and the measures taken. Only through close cooperation can we tackle this global outbreak in the most effective way.
It is a situation of high concern, but we must ensure that reliable information is widely available to our citizens and thereby prevent any undue panic. We need to remain vigilant and to combat misinformation and disinformation as well as discriminatory or xenophobic reactions, which are misleading the public and undermine the work carried out by our national authorities.
We also must exchange up-to-date information on preparedness plans and implementation of all measures, as this is important for our mutual security and for a coherent approach. We need to ensure that authorities and staff from relevant sectors, such as transport, health and social policy have the necessary information procedures and guidance on how to deal with cases.
We should all especially thank and support our health workers, who often work round the clock in their selfless efforts to save our citizens' lives.
It is particularly useful to hear your views and concerns and we fully share your sense of urgency. Needless to say, we take the Covid-19 outbreak very seriously. We will remain focused on a thorough implementation of measures in force in relevant sectors, be proactive in exchanging all of the necessary information on their effectiveness, and mobilise inter-sectoral coordination to develop a constructive approach in tackling various disturbances on the EU market.
As I stressed in my opening intervention, we need to strengthen solidarity, cooperation and exchange of information between all the Member States. This is why the Presidency has included discussions on the trade aspects of the Covid-19 outbreak at the Foreign Affairs Council in the trade format on 12 March, and a coordination of the Member States' efforts will be further discussed at the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 13 March, as well as the Ecofin Council on 17 March.
I can assure you that we are closely monitoring health, economic and social impacts in order to take further actions as appropriate in a coordinated manner.

President. – Thank you, Minister. Before I close this debate, colleagues, you know we are advised not to touch our faces during these times, and I know I have breached that rule, but I want to reassure you that I have been using sanitiser. I say this with great seriousness. For those who don't know what this is, it's a tissue. We are meant to use them for sneezing into and, if you don't have one, please use your elbows. You have two. These are serious times so we should listen to what the medical experts are saying.
My thanks to our Commissioners, our Council representatives and indeed to colleagues who participated in the debate. Those who couldn't can please send in a written contribution, which will be recorded.
The sitting is suspended until 3.00 p.m. We will vote on this important issue at the next part session.


Written statements (Rule 171)



Andrus Ansip (Renew),
kirjalikult. – Loomulikult nõustun nendega, kes leiavad, et teadusuuringutesse, sh uuringutesse viiruste tundmaõppimiseks, tuleb Euroopa Liidul investeerida märksa rohkem ja et me peaksime tegema kõik endast oleneva, et viiruse levik peatada. Parlament on demokraatia sümbol. Euroopa Parlament peab kasutusele võtma vajalikud ettevaatusabinõud viiruse leviku takistamiseks, kuid parlament peab kindlasti jätkama tavapärast tööd. Mõistan neid, kes peavad igal nädalal Brüsselist koduriikidesse reisivaid saadikuid potentsiaalseteks nakkuse edasikandjateks. Selle ohu kõrvaldamiseks pole mõistlik katkestada parlamendi tavapärast tööd. Otstarbekam oleks teatud perioodi vältel parlamendiliikmetel koduriiki mitte reisida ja jätkata tööd Brüsselis.
               

Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (Renew),
por escrito. – El coronavirus es un problema global que solo superaremos juntos. En primera línea trabajan con sus conocimientos, medios y dedicación las y los profesionales sanitarios. Quiero expresar aquí mi solidaridad y reconocimiento hacia ellos y los sistemas públicos en que trabajan, en mi caso Osakidetza. Apoyemos su trabajo siguiendo sus recomendaciones en materia de higiene y profilaxis porque la responsabilidad individual es también una herramienta imprescindible contra esta crisis.
               

                  Una prevención eficaz exige también combatir a los emisores de falsas noticias y a los especuladores, que tratan de hacer negocio político o comercial con este problema. Los mejores antídotos contra estos comportamientos son la ciencia, la prevención, la solidaridad y la confianza en las autoridades que deben trabajar coordinadas y construyendo acuerdos globales.
               

                  Finalmente, hay que paliar los efectos de la crisis en la economía. La flexibilidad fiscal, y una línea a especifica de apoyo financiero coherente y coordinada, para mantener la coherencia en el mercado interior es otra prioridad.
               

Milan Brglez (S&D),
pisno. – Pred več kot mesecem in pol sem na Svet EU naslovil vprašanje za prioritetno obravnavo v zvezi z grožnjo pojava pandemije zaradi koronavirusa in oceno potreb za usklajene pristope držav članic za preprečitev njegove širitve.
               

                  Žal do danes na moje vprašanje nisem prejel odgovora, še bolj pa me skrbi, da je razen izmenjave informacij ukrepanje držav še vedno posamično in mestoma stihijsko. Posledica tega je, da okužene danes štejemo v številkah čez 100.000, mrtvih je že več kot 4.000 ljudi. Tega procesa ne moremo zaustaviti z ad hoc ukrepanjem, ampak z usklajenim pristopom držav in nacionalnih zdravstvenih zavodov. Primeri tovrstnih izrednih situacij kažejo na pomen javnega zdravstvenega sistema, ki je dostopen vsem in vsakomur, še posebej tistim najbolj izpostavljenim in tistim, ki si v nestandardnih oblikah zaposlitve preventivne odsotnosti z dela praktično ne morejo privoščiti. Vse druge možnosti so lahko dopolnilne.
               

                  Od držav EU in evropskih institucij pričakujem, da bodo storile vse, da bodo okrepile nacionalne javne zdravstvene sisteme s človeškimi in finančnimi viri. Za zagotavljanje zdravstvene oskrbe ob izrednih razmerah je na ravni EU nujno sprejeti izjemo od strogega fiskalnega okvirja. Finančna pravila ne smejo onemogočati zaustavljanja pandemije in pomoči tistim, ki jo najbolj potrebujejo.
               

Joachim Stanisław Brudziński (ECR),
na piśmie. – Konfrontacja z wirusem COVID-19 stawia nas wszystkich w obliczu ogromnego problemu i zagrożenia na skalę z pewnością europejską, a może już globalną. Najdotkliwiej jak dotąd konsekwencjami epidemii został dotknięty naród włoski, jednak aby podobny scenariusz nie powtórzył się w innych krajach, musimy działać w sposób zdecydowany i skoordynowany.
               

                  Rząd Rzeczpospolitej Polskiej natychmiast dołożył wszelkich starań, by maksymalnie zminimalizować zagrożenie epidemiologiczne na terenie naszego kraju, jednocześnie inicjując działania na poziomie międzynarodowym, by aktywnie współpracować z pozostałymi krajami UE, między innymi na poziomie Rady Europejskiej. Pomagamy osobom dotkniętym wirusem, jak i tym, które są nim bezpośrednio zagrożone lub znajdują się w tzw. grupie ryzyka. Aktywnie i od dawna stosujemy czynną prewencję przed rozprzestrzenianiem się tej epidemii, począwszy od kontroli sanitarnej na granicach państwa, poprzez szereg działań na poziomie rządu i parlamentu krajowego.
               

                  Ta bezprecedensowa sytuacja powinna skłonić nas wszystkich do zrewidowania obecnych priorytetów, również na poziomie instytucji europejskich. Walczymy z bezprecedensowym zagrożeniem w sferze nie tylko zdrowia, gospodarki i ekonomii. Jest to niezbędne, by pokonać aktualne zagrożenia i być przygotowanym na podobne sytuacje w przyszłości.
               

Clare Daly (GUE/NGL),
in writing. – The Commissioner stated that our response can't be ‘business as usual.’ The irony is that it is precisely ‘business as usual’ which has hampered our ability to respond. The marketisation of health care, spearheaded by the Commission – slashing health budgets, aggressive restructuring, layoffs of health workers, and medical research concentrated in the hands of multinational pharmaceutical companies for profit – have all led to a chaotic response from the EU. We should follow the advice of the WHO regarding travel and large public gatherings to contain the spread of the virus. Listen to science and factual information, not exaggeration. If people are not well or need to self-isolate they should stay at home. But for workers to do that, they have to be paid. Isn't it an indictment of our society and a reflection of the level of casualisation of labour that has taken place in recent years that the idea of workers going into work sick has become a social norm? We need to learn the lessons from this crisis: the market is incapable of responding to the health needs of European citizens and we really need to change how society is organised, putting universal health care centre-stage.

Fajon (S&D),
pisno. – Menim, da je vsakršna panika popolnoma odveč. Prepričana sem, da so pristojni organi primerno, pravilno in učinkovito pripravili ukrepe, s katerimi bi dosegli kar najmanjšo možnost širjenja virusa.
               

                  Vsekakor pa je potrebna previdnost in upoštevanje navodila pristojnih, saj smo soodgovorni za svoje zdravje in zdravje bližnjih. Hvaležna sem medicinskemu osebju in vsem, ki v teh dneh skrbite za zdravje prebivalcev Slovenije, tudi na račun svojega lastnega zdravja. Zaščita zaposlenih in socialna varnost je ključna, kot tudi koordinacija med državami članicami EU, sprejemanje odločitev, ki jih ponuja stroka, delitev medicinskih zalog, podpora raziskavam za odkritje cepiva in investicije v naš zdravstveni sistem. Ob tem pa se mi zdi zelo pomembno, da bi o številu obolelih mediji poročali umirjeno in v primernem kontekstu, s čimer bi pomirili ljudi. Vedeti je namreč treba, da so za starejše in zdravstveno šibkejše ljudi izjemno nevarne tudi nalezljive bolezni, kot je gripa, zaradi njenih neposrednih ali posrednih posledic je v lanskem letu na svetu umrlo več kot pol milijona ljudi, v Sloveniji pa v prvih treh mesecih leta 2019 kar 160 ljudi.
               

                  Morda bo koronavirus na nek način pripomogel k temu zavedanju v prihodnje, povečal zavedanje o primerni higieni in drugih ukrepih in precepljenost populacije.
               

Laura Ferrara (NI),
per iscritto. – L'OMS ha dichiarato che l'Europa è il nuovo epicentro della pandemia Covid-19. L'Italia è il paese europeo più duramente colpito e ha adottato misure restrittive per arginare il contagio. La duplice battaglia che sta combattendo in campo sanitario ed economico richiede cooperazione e solidarietà, non iniziative che possano danneggiarla ulteriormente. Il quadro generale in Europa sta peggiorando e i medesimi problemi riguarderanno presto altri Stati Membri. L'UE ha un ruolo fondamentale in materia di coordinamento della preparazione e della risposta alle gravi minacce sanitarie transfrontaliere, ma una strategia comune sta tardando ad arrivare. Molti governi reagiscono in modo differente ad una minaccia che non conosce confini e che riguarda tutti. Oltre agli aiuti di natura economica attraverso i diversi fondi europei, tra cui quello di Solidarietà, è indispensabile garantire che forniture di apparecchiature e materiale medico/ospedaliero possano giungere a chi ne ha bisogno, evitando speculazioni di ogni genere. Assicurare ad ogni cittadino il diritto alla salute e cure adeguate deve essere la priorità. In questa grave emergenza, aiutando l'Italia e gli altri Stati che ne hanno bisogno, aiuteremo l'Europa.
               

João Ferreira (GUE/NGL),
por escrito. – O surto epidémico do COVID-19 coloca-nos, no imediato, dois tipos de exigências: o reforço de medidas de prevenção no domínio da saúde pública e a criação de condições e de meios para a resposta clínica necessária.
               

                  É necessária uma correta articulação entre os vários países e as respetivas autoridades de saúde no domínio da prevenção, na diminuição de riscos de contágio e na vigilância epidemiológica. Mas é necessário também cuidar de reforçar os sistemas públicos de saúde, que são o único e real instrumento para uma resposta adequada, universal e pronta à situação. A resposta ao surto do COVID-19 soma-se à resposta que os serviços de saúde já tinham de dar e que continuam a ter de dar a um vasto conjunto de outras situações. Percebemos melhor agora o impacto das orientações da Comissão Europeia para que se corte no financiamento dos serviços públicos de saúde. Agora, que todos os hospitais de referência são públicos e que os seguros de saúde privados se desresponsabilizam dos doentes, percebemos melhor o perigo da ideologia que faz da saúde um negócio. Percebemos melhor que quando as regras do défice se sobrepõem a direitos fundamentais o resultado só pode ser mau. Respondamos à urgência do momento sem esquecer as necessárias lições para o futuro.
               

Maria Grapini (S&D),
în scris. – În situația de criză creată de coronavirus, dezbatem în Parlamentul European ceea ce se poate face. Regret că așa târziu, când deja avem țări precum Italia, aflată în întregime în carantină. Personal, am adresat o scrisoare Comisiei Europene, încă din 27 ianuarie, în care întrebam cum se organizează Comisia Europeană pentru a evita o răspândire a virusului.
               

                  Suntem în luna martie și vedem că încă nu există o abordare coordonată la nivelul UE, nu există bugete suficiente pentru cercetare, măsuri de prevenire și de tratament (paturi suficiente în spitale) pe tot teritoriul UE. În plus, nu s-a lansat, concomitent, un plan de măsuri pentru contracararea efectelor asupra economiei, IMM-urilor, în special în domenii ca turismul, transportul și producția.
               

                  Nu toate statele membre au luat măsurile cele mai exigente de control la frontiere al cetățenilor ce vin dintr-o altă țară. Solicit măsuri de control la toate frontierele terestre, asigurarea stocului de medicamente, materiale, aparatură pentru toate statele membre și renunțarea la impunerea de deficite bugetare sub 3 % statelor membre, pentru a putea investi în sistemele sanitare, cercetare și infrastructură.
               

Łukasz Kohut (S&D),
na piśmie. – Czas pandemii to moment, kiedy życie mówi ‘sprawdzam’ i pokazuje, na ile jesteśmy solidarni, jak wytrzymałe są nasze instytucje, jak skuteczne są nasze procedury. COVID-19 zaraża coraz więcej osób, państwa wprowadzają coraz ostrzejsze środki prewencyjne i doraźne. To dobrze – mamy sytuację zagrożenia i musimy ją traktować poważnie. Nie możemy jednak ulegać panice, to byłby najgorszy scenariusz. W debacie publicznej pojawiają się głosy, że Unia Europejska robi za mało dla walki z wirusem. Są to najczęściej głosy tych, którzy oponują ściślejszej integracji europejskiej. Czyli chcą więcej Unii i równocześnie tego nie chcą. To podejście absurdalne. Dziś widzimy – tak, potrzebujemy więcej Unii. Wirusy, katastrofy klimatyczne, ekologiczne – czy one przejmują się granicami? Nie. Czas to zrozumieć. W ramach swoich uprawnień Unia robi już bardzo wiele, m.in. w ramach Unijnego Mechanizmu Ochrony Ludności, Europejskiej Agencji Leków, Europejskiego Centrum Zapobiegania i Kontroli Chorób. Są pieniądze na walkę ze skutkami pandemii. Plus Wspólny Mechanizm Zamówień UE. Niestety dobrowolny, skutkiem czego niektóre kraje – pozostając na własne życzenie poza mechanizmem – nie przystępowały w ostatnim czasie do unijnych przetargów na medyczne środki ochrony osobistej, tak ważne w tym momencie. Taka dobrowolność to nie suwerenność, to działanie na szkodę europejskiego pacjenta.
               

Ádám Kósa (PPE),
írásban. – A vírus terjedése kapcsán a legfontosabb dolog a hiteles és akadálymentes tájékoztatás, mert az állampolgárok csak akkor érzik magukat biztonságban, ha időszerű és pontos információkat kapnak. Veszélyhelyzetben különösen fontos, hogy gondoljuk a hátrányos helyzetű csoportokra, köztük a fogyatékossággal élőkre: Külön oda kell figyelnünk a mozgássérültekre, akik kevésbé mobilisak, a látássérültekre, akik az írott információkhoz nem férnek hozzá és a siketekre, nagyothallókra, akik számára jelnyelvi tolmácsolással és feliratozással kell ellátni a betegségről szóló tájékoztatásokat. Örvendetes, hogy egyes tagállamok, köztük Magyarország ennek eleget tesz – az operatív törzs napi sajtótájékoztatóján jelnyelvi tolmácsolás biztosított – és felkérem az Európai Bizottságot, hogy az akadálymentes tájékoztatás fontosságára emlékeztesse a tagállamokat.
               

Leszek Miller (S&D),
na piśmie. – Najważniejszym wyzwaniem stojącym obecnie przed Unią Europejską i jej państwami członkowskimi jest niewątpliwie walka z epidemią koronawirusa. Niezbędne jest jednak również równoległe planowanie działań zaradczych, które pozwolą przeciwdziałać negatywnym skutkom ekonomiczno-społecznym tego kryzysu w Europie. W tym celu, Komisja Europejska powinna zaproponować pakiet doraźnych działań i inicjatyw legislacyjnych, które uchronią przed upadłością tysiące małych i średnich przedsiębiorstw zmuszonych do czasowego wygaszenia swej działalności; udzielą też wsparcia pracownikom, którzy w związku z koniecznością kwarantanny lub leczenia stali się bezrobotni lub utracili dochody. Kluczowe w tym względzie wydaje się wdrożenie inicjatyw dotyczących m.in. systemu ubezpieczeń zdrowotnych i bezrobocia, jak również uelastycznienie procedur budżetowych, by w pełni zmobilizować unijne zasoby budżetowe na sfinansowanie pilnej reakcji państw członkowskich na kryzys (m.in. poprzez dopłaty do wynagrodzeń, możliwość zawieszenia płatności niektórych podatków i składek na ubezpieczenia społeczne lub bezpośrednie wsparcie finansowe dla konsumentów). Kompleksowy program przeciwdziałania skutkom kryzysu wywołanego epidemią koronawirusa w Europie i jego efektywne wdrożenie we współpracy z państwami członkowskimi pozwoli odsunąć ryzyko głębokiej recesji gospodarczej. W moim przekonaniu, da ponadto odpór ponawianym ostatnio nader często tezom mającym przekonywać o niewydolności instytucjonalnej Unii oraz niecelowości wysiłków na rzecz pogłębiania procesu integracji europejskiej.
               

Dan-Ștefan Motreanu (PPE),
în scris. – Solicit Comisiei Europene asigurarea unui răspuns european coordonat și a unei strategii clare, aplicată de toate statele membre, care să limiteze cât mai mult răspândirea virusului, astfel încât să evităm o presiune dificil de suportat de către sistemele de sănătate și să putem câștiga timp până când condițiile meteorologice pot limita răspândirea virusului și până când oamenii de știință vor crea un vaccin.
               

                  Totodată, solicit sporirea finanțării și a colaborării public-private dintre autoritățile publice din domeniul sănătății, industrie și centrele universitare de cercetare în vederea dezvoltării cât mai rapide a unui vaccin și a unui tratament al coronavirus, precum și dezvoltării de diagnostice și antivirale. Pandemia COVID-19 nu respectă granițele, tocmai de aceea doar o acțiune europeană bine coordonată poate genera eficiența necesară gestionării acestei situații extraordinare.
               

Victor Negrescu (S&D),
în scris. – Nu am să ascund astăzi nemulțumirea mea față de răspunsul CE la coronavirus.
               

                  Solicit din nou instituțiilor europene să dezvolte o acțiune comună, coerentă și mai puternică pentru a gestiona criza. S-au făcut prea puține lucruri și mult prea târziu. La nivel european putem trece peste această situație doar împreună! Sunt în total peste 100 de mii de bolnavi la nivel global și 4 000 de victime. Virusul a ajuns în toate statele UE, iar peste jumătate din victimele din afara Chinei sunt în Europa. Sute de europeni și-au pierdut viața pentru că nu a existat un răspuns coordonat la această criză.
               

                  În România, oamenii sunt îngrijorați. Transmit gândurile mele de bine pentru prietenii italieni, personalul medical din toată lumea și pentru românii din alte țări care privesc situația cu îngrijorare. Mă aștept din partea CE să comunice și, mai ales, să acționeze. CE trebuie să asigure activ coordonarea între statele membre atât pentru limitarea fluxului de persoane, cât și pentru asigurarea medicamentelor și aparaturilor medicale. Ne trebuie campanii de informare și prevenție specifice. Avem nevoie de un răspuns activ la scăderea burselor europene și un mecanism de sprijin pentru industriile și sectoarele economice afectate.
               

Bronis Ropė (Verts/ALE),
raštu. – Šiandieninė situacija gerai iliustruoja, ką mums visiems gali reikšti valstybės gebėjimas savarankiškai apsirūpinti maistu. Šias galimybes reikia įvertinti, nes tai – didžiulis saugumo garantas mūsų piliečiams. Šiai dienai turėtume būti labai dėkingi savo šalių ūkininkams, kad, nepaisant didelių sunkumų, o neretai tokiose šalyse kaip Lietuva, dirbant nelygiomis konkurencinėmis sąlygomis Europos Sąjungos rinkoje, jie bando išlaikyti žemės ūkio sektorių gyvą. Man aišku viena, mes jokiu būdu negalim leisti ūkininkams atsisakyti dirbti žemę – paprasčiau sakant – gaminti maistą. Nes maistas yra gyvybiškai būtina prekė bet kokioje situacijoje: ar tai būtų ramūs valstybės klestėjimo, augimo laikai, ar tai būtų visiškai krizinė situacija. Šiandien kaip niekad pasimatė, kad žemdirbių išlikimas turi rūpėti ne tik patiems ūkininkams, o ir skirtingų šalių gyventojams, kurie tiesiogiai neturi nieko bendro su žemės ūkiu.
               

Alfred Sant (S&D),
in writing. – Beyond expressions of solidarity with each other on the coronavirus epidemic, we need to be clear about the implications of what has been happening for ordinary citizens, including those not affected by the corona disease. Over the years, we have promoted globalisation. In Europe, we have constructed a single market for goods, services and the free movement of people. Our citizens have grown accustomed to considering these developments as good in and of themselves. Now we understand that they can bring in their wake the swift transmission of new diseases. For this we are unprepared… and not just in Europe. The coronavirus epidemic is scary not simply because it is a ‘new’ disease, but because it has also travelled so quickly. On the medical front, the new and perhaps unforeseen problems that now confront us are apparent. Can medical research be geared up to match the pace of corona's travels? But there are other fronts where similar developments could occur. Are there any other unforeseen consequences of globalisation, apart from epidemics, that might hit our citizens directly and quickly? These questions might seem to be academic at this point in time. Answers to them, though, will impinge drastically on the quality of life of our citizens.

Michaela Šojdrová (PPE),
písemně. – Zdraví je přednější než politika, na tom se asi shodneme všichni. Bohužel v případě epidemie koronaviru tomu tak neplatí. V Číně byly z politických důvodů zamlčovány informace o epidemii. Symbolem se stal lékař, který zemřel a před virem svého času varoval. Flagrantním případem neakceptovatelného politického postoje je blokování ze strany Číny účasti Tchaj-wanu ve Světovém zdravotnickém shromáždění. Toto téma se snažíme nanést na plénum již dlouho, ale vždy je někdo proti tomu ze strachu či ohledů vůči Číně. Tchaj-wan může a chce pomoci, jak dokazuje tento plakát. V této epidemii i v jiných případech. Má vědecké kapacity a jeden z nejlepších zdravotních systémů na světě. Je blízko zasaženým oblastem v Asii a je vystaven riziku epidemie koronaviru. Podle predikcí měl být velmi zasažen, neboť v Číně se nalézalo téměř půl milionu jeho občanů. Díky efektivním opatřením se ale podařilo na ostrově šíření nákazy držet pod kontrolou. Tchajwanské know-how, které se datuje již od epidemie SARS, bychom měli využít i v rámci WHO.
               

István Ujhelyi (S&D),
írásban. – Azonnali válságmenedzselést és célzott források megteremtését kérem a turisztikai szektor számára a koronavírus okozta károk enyhítése érdekében. Nincs lehetőség a késlekedésre, a turizmus több mint huszonötmillió embernek ad munkát és az európai GDP több mint tíz százalékát termeli meg. Csak az elmúlt nyolc hétben több mint kétmillió kínai turistát veszített az európai ágazat és már most milliós nagyságrendben tudunk olaszországi foglalás-lemondásokról is. A szigorítások és járattörlések miatt ez a száma ráadásul jóval magasabb lesz.
               

                  Az európai intézmények öt uniós biztos bevonásával már felállítottak egy döntéshozói csoportot, amelyben azonban a turizmus ügyét felügyelő Thierry Breton belső piacért felelős uniós biztos egyelőre még indokolatlanul nem kapott helyet.
               

                  A koronavírus okozta pánik és az azt övező gazdasági dominóhatás egyre nagyobb méreteket ölt, a turizmus ágazatban pedig felmérhetetlen károkat okoz. Már most tudunk olyan kis- és középvállalkozásokról, családi vállalatokról, amelyek csődhelyzetbe kerültek a vírus miatti korlátozásoknak köszönhetően. A turisztikai szektor különösen sebezhető és a koronavírus egyik legnagyobb áldozata lehet, ha nem cselekszünk időben és felelősen.
               

                  Mielőbb védelmi mechanizmusokat kell kialakítani a munkahelyek és vállalkozások védelmében. Erre a leghatékonyabban és leggyorsabban egy átfogó, központi uniós válságkezelés tud megoldást nyújtani.
               

Henna Virkkunen (PPE),
kirjallinen. – Koronavirus leviää Euroopassa nyt nopeasti, eikä sitä todennäköisesti pystytä pysäyttämään kokonaan. Epidemian vakavuuden kannalta olennaista kuitenkin on, kuinka nopeasti tauti leviää ja riittääkö terveydenhuollon kapasiteetti. Hitaasti ja pahimman influenssakauden ulkopuolella leviävä koronavirus on vähemmän vaarallinen kuin äkkinäisenä tautipiikkinä Eurooppaan rantautuva epidemia. Euroopan on vastattava viruksen uhkaan yhdessä ja yhtenäisenä. Kyse on ennen kaikkea vakavasta terveyskriisistä, mutta seuraavassa vaiheessa myös vaikeasta talouskriisistä. Jos viruksen torjuntatoimissa onnistutaan, jokin olemassa olevista hoidoista osoittautuu tehokkaaksi, talouden rattaat pyörivät suuressa osassa maailmaa ja epidemia rauhoittuu, talouden poikkeustila jää väliaikaiseksi. Kaikissa muissa skenaariossa sen vaikutukset ovat vakavia: useat sektorit kärsivät pitkäkestoisesti, globaalit hankintaketjut katkeavat monella alalla, taloudellinen toimeliaisuus hidastuu merkittävästi ja koko maailma vajoaa negatiivisiin kasvulukuihin. Epidemian vaikutukset tuntuisivat vakavina kaikkialla Euroopassa. Kriisin keskellä luottamuksen merkitys korostuu. Meidän on luotettava siihen, että alan parhaat ammattilaiset tekevät oikeita suosituksia oikeaan aikaan. Salaliittoteorioiden levittäminen, perusteeton paniikin lietsonta tai poliittisten irtopisteiden repiminen viruksen varjolla toimivat kaikki tätä tavoitetta vastaan. Koronaviruksen vaikutukset maailmaan ovat kaikissa tapauksissa merkittäviä. Tällaista tilannetta emme ole aiemmin kohdanneet. Haasteen edessä on syytä pysyä päättäväisenä, rauhallisena ja solidaarisena, vaikka ihmisluontomme ajoittain muuta vaatisikin.
               

Iuliu Winkler (PPE),
în scris. – Răspândirea epidemiei de coronavirus a generat deja o criză de sănătate publică în întreaga UE. Răspunsul la această criză trebuie să fie coordonat la nivel european. Măsurile care se iau la nivelul statelor membre trebuie să fie armonizate cu acțiunea europeană, iar solidaritatea este imperativă.
               

                  Criza de sănătate publică va induce încă două crize în UE, o criză economică și una socială. Într-o economie globalizată este foarte important ca UE să protejeze persoanele vulnerabile, dar la fel de important este să susțină companiile europene afectate. Conform estimărilor globale, ne vom confrunta în scurtă vreme cu o criză comparabilă cu criza financiară globală din 2008.
               

                  De aceea, răspunsul UE trebuie să fie la fel ca atunci, unul consistent și bine țintit. Avem nevoie de un plan european de stimulare economică bazat pe bugetul UE. În 2008, European Economic Recovery Plan a mobilizat 200 de miliarde de euro, adică 1,5 % din PIB-ul UE, la care s-au adăugat zeci de miliarde de euro disponibilizate la nivel național de majoritatea statelor membre. Prin flexibilizarea Pactului de stabilitate și creștere trebuie finanțat acest plan european care să ajute economiile europene să depășească efectele epidemiei de coronavirus, protejând astfel companiile, locurile de muncă și cetățenii europeni.
               

Carlos Zorrinho (S&D),
por escrito. – A epidemia global de coronavírus constitui um forte desafio à capacidade de resposta da União Europeia e dos Estados-Membros, num contexto de grande incerteza, dado o carater disruptivo da ameaça. Cooperação e solidariedade são as palavras-chave para mitigar os impactos na saúde e económicos e sociais.
               

                  As medidas já tomadas de colaboração na troca de informação, no acesso aos medicamentos e outros instrumentos profiláticos e na criação de um fundo de emergência são importantes, mas devem rapidamente evoluir para uma cooperação reforçada, aproveitando todas as sinergias entre os recursos dos Estados-Membros e os recursos da União. A solidariedade e a cooperação são também fundamentais para assegurar acesso gratuito aos testes e aos tratamentos e a cobertura das perdas salariais ou similares decorrentes da prática da quarentena. O brutal impacto económico e social do surto não pode ser suportado de forma agravada pelos mais desfavorecidos. A União Europeia tem, perante este surto, a obrigação de, em nome dos seus valores humanistas, dar prioridade aos cidadãos, empresas e instituições mais expostas na afetação dos recursos técnicos e financeiros de que dispõe. Bater-me-ei por isso.
               

(The sitting was suspended at 12.21)


VORSITZ: KATARINA BARLEY


Vizepräsidentin

5.   Resumption of the sitting

(Die Sitzung wird um 15.02 Uhr wieder aufgenommen.)

6.   Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting : see Minutes
7.   Council position at first reading: see Minutes
8.   Conclusions of the special European Council meeting of 20 February 2020 on the Multiannual Financial framework (debate)

Die Präsidentin. – Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über die Erklärungen des Europäischen Rates und der Kommission zu den Schlussfolgerungen der Sondertagung des Europäischen Rates vom 20. Februar 2020 zum mehrjährigen Finanzrahmen (2020/2575(RSP)).
               

                  Ich möchte darauf hinweisen, dass der Herr Präsident des Rates – herzlich willkommen! – dieser Sitzung nur 30 Minuten beiwohnen kann. Wir sind aber froh, dass Sie da sind.
               

Charles Michel,
President of the European Council. – Madam President, first of all I would like to thank you for giving me this opportunity to take the floor again and to have this opportunity to exchange with the European Parliament. Thank you also for your understanding, because this afternoon we will have an important video-conference with the 27 Member States about coronavirus, and we need to prepare for that meeting. That is why I will be unable to stay more than 30 minutes with you in the European Parliament, but of course I will follow the different points of view expressed by the Members of the European Parliament. One word if I may, first of all, about coronavirus.
Tout d'abord, un mot sur le coronavirus. Pour commencer, je voudrais, au nom du Conseil européen, exprimer tout notre soutien aux personnes affectées directement ou indirectement par cette situation, vous dire que le Conseil européen prend très au sérieux la situation à laquelle font face aujourd'hui l'Union européenne, les États membres et le monde.
Je voudrais aussi vous dire que, dans le cadre de la visioconférence qui aura lieu tout à l'heure, nous allons discuter avec les États membres de ce qui est à mes yeux une nécessité, à savoir celle de renforcer considérablement les capacités européennes de coordination et de coopération.
Pour relever ce défi, nous avons besoin de davantage d'Europe présente et mobilisée aux côtés des États membres et de l'ensemble des acteurs, que ce soit pour tenter de coordonner l'action afin de contenir et de faire reculer ce virus. Il faut tenter d'être plus solidaires, de s'entraider s'agissant des équipements médicaux et des produits nécessaires pour faire reculer cette menace. Il faut se mobiliser pour faire progresser la recherche et l'innovation et pour découvrir le vaccin qui nous permettra de remporter cette bataille.
Il faut aussi mentionner les conséquences économiques, mais également les mesures que l'on peut prendre dès aujourd'hui, pour réduire au maximum l'incidence économique et donc sociale de cette crise sur nos citoyens.
Le Conseil entend être extrêmement mobilisé avec l'ensemble des partenaires: le Parlement, bien sûr, mais aussi la Commission, la BCE et la BEI, car lorsque l'Union européenne fait face à un défi de cette ampleur, la seule option, c'est de se mobiliser et de se serrer les coudes. C'est le message que je veux adresser pour commencer cette après midi.
One word about the next European budget. As you know, I made a promise to the European Parliament to try as much as possible to cooperate with them in this difficult political process and whether it would be possible to reach an agreement as soon as possible on the next European budget.
We had a meeting – a summit – a few weeks ago in February, and unfortunately it was not possible to reach an agreement, because between the Member States I had to recognise and to observe that there are different opinions at the moment. On the one hand, for some Member States, it's important to stick with the idea that we have to maintain 1% of the GNI over a level for the next European budget, for other Member States it's not enough, while for other Member States it's important to have a guarantee that it will be possible in the future to continue significant support for the convergence policy, like cohesion and agriculture.
The modelisation of the budget is also an important topic. I think it's very important not to oppose – or to avoid – the traditional policies, more economic and, as a result, social convergence at the European level and, at the same time, to be able to face the new challenges we need to face, like climate change, like the digital agenda, like migration, like security, like defence. It means that we need to continue all the political efforts, and I will continue the consultations with the different Member States in order to appreciate, to assess, when it is possible to come back to a new summit with the goal of trying to reach an agreement.
Some other points. Conditionality rule of law – an important signal for the European Parliament, although not only for the European Parliament but for many Member States. In my negotiating box that I put on the table I have proposed organising a link between the rule of law and conditionality, between the rule of law governance and the next European budget, but we need to continue this situation, for example about which kind of majority we need to take a country decision.
Regarding resources, this is also on the table, and I know that in the European Parliament you had many decisions on this topic. In my negotiating box I have made some concrete proposals regarding the possibility to take a decision regarding plastic waste distribution or regarding the possibility to enlarge at European level the ETS system. Also in my proposal I gave other examples of possible measures we can take and we can discuss with the different actors and especially with the European Parliament. For many Member States the plastic waste contribution is possible, for some Member States the ETS system remains something very complex, very difficult, and we will continue decisions on these different topics.
One last piece of information – one last important point in my opinion: I've also put on the table a proposal to increase the capital of the European Investment Bank. I am very clear. In my opinion, it doesn't replace the role of the next European budget, but it's something more in order to give the possibility in the future for the Digital Agenda, for example, or for climate change to use the European Investment Bank more. In my negotiating box you have probably seen that I've proposed strengthening the possibility for the European Parliament to cooperate, to be more involved, in order to be an important player, in order to identify what the possible priorities would be if the Member States would agree to increase sooner or later the capital of the European Investment Bank.
Voilà quelques éléments. S'agissant de ce projet de budget européen, j'ai eu, à plusieurs reprises, l'occasion de débattre très directement notamment avec les parlementaires responsables du groupe de contact pour le cadre financier pluriannuel (CFP). Je leur ai indiqué que je leur présenterais le cadre de négociation, ce qui a été fait avant le sommet européen.
J'ai eu l'occasion, ensuite, de débattre à la conférence des présidents et mon intention est de maintenir le lien avec le Parlement européen. Vous savez qu'il faut l'unanimité au Conseil européen pour prendre une décision. Mais je n'oublie pas que le Parlement doit s'exprimer sur ce sujet, aussi bien sur les chiffres de ce cadre de négociation mais également sur les processus législatifs qui y sont liés, pas simplement sur la question des ressources propres d'ailleurs.
Enfin, un tout dernier mot, Madame la Présidente. Nous devons faire front à plusieurs problèmes en parallèle. Ces derniers jours, nous avons aussi été mobilisés avec le président du Parlement et avec la présidente de la Commission pour tenter d'agir sur la question de la migration.
Vous avez vu que les tensions ont augmenté, il y a une dizaine de jours, à la frontière entre la Grèce et la Turquie, raison pour laquelle nous nous sommes rendus sur place. Il nous semblait important d'aller voir la situation sur le terrain et d'agir. Cela veut dire que nous avons exprimé notre soutien aux autorités grecques qui protègent les frontières grecques, qui sont aussi celles de l'Union européenne, et nous devons le faire dans le respect du droit international, de la dignité humaine et des droits de l'homme. C'est un message très net que j'ai eu l'occasion d'exprimer à la frontière entre la Grèce et la Turquie.
J'ai aussi eu l'occasion, la semaine passée, de me rendre très rapidement en Turquie pour rencontrer le président Erdogan afin de discuter avec lui du retour à la mise en œuvre de l'accord entre la Turquie et l'Union européenne, qui date de 2016.
Suite à cet entretien, nous avons tenté d'encourager une baisse des tensions aux frontières avec la Grèce, avec Chypre également, avec la Bulgarie. Et nous avons eu, hier soir, une réunion à Bruxelles, la présidente de la Commission et moi-même, ainsi que nos équipes avec la délégation turque, emmenée par le président Erdogan. Il a été décidé de poursuivre le dialogue dans les prochains jours pour s'assurer que nous étions mobilisés pour mettre en œuvre cet accord de 2016. C'est ça, la priorité, avant de regarder de quelle manière nous pouvons, à l'avenir, continuer à coopérer en matière de migration avec ce pays, comme probablement avec d'autres.
Voilà, Madame la Présidente, Mesdames et Messieurs les parlementaires, les quelques messages que je voulais vous indiquer. Je regrette de ne pas être présent plus longuement cette après-midi avec vous. Mais, bien entendu, mes conseillers ne manqueront pas de me faire rapport des messages qui sont adressés et, dans le respect des responsabilités imparties sur la base des traités aux institutions, je renouvelle mon souhait politique de coopérer loyalement avec votre institution qui représente les citoyens européens au travers de votre élection au suffrage universel.

Maroš Šefčovič,
Vice-President of the Commission. – Madam President, it's my honour to deliver these remarks on behalf of the President of the Commission, Ms Ursula von der Leyen, who is in urgent contact with the Heads of State and Government to coordinate their response to the current coronavirus crisis. As President Michel has just mentioned, I would also like to assure you that the Commission is working flat out to find the best solution to tackle not only the health aspects, but also the economic and financial aspects of the current crisis.
It would of course be excellent, and in the interest of European citizens, if today we could discuss the achievement of the European Council in reaching agreement on the long-term budget, to allow you to scrutinise the results and move forward. We all know that this was not to be, and this is of course disappointing. The failure to agree will now, in any event, mean that many programmes can at best only be implemented very partially next year.
However, looking at the history of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), it has always needed at least two European summits to find an agreement. It will therefore be crucial to make the second summit a success and to do it quickly. We, the European Commission, call on leaders to draw lessons, not just from their deliberations but also from your contribution and, most of all, from the challenges in the real world that have been intensifying in recent days and have been on stark display on the borders of the European Union. It is time for realism, reason and responsibility.
Realism first. I have seen how difficult the discussions are. It is therefore now high time that all deepen their sense of some of the realities that should govern our work. That requires recognising the following things. First, we are facing a financial gap caused by Brexit of EUR 75 billion euros. This means that we all need to face up to this reality. Member States' contributions to the budget will have to rise, while expenditure will have to be constrained. Secondly, like the European Parliament, the Commission is also convinced that we need a budget tailored to achieving our common goals with a sufficient overall size. Follow this logic and we will fail to deliver on what citizens expect, while national budgets will simply end up having to pay these costs. We know that this is the road that leads nowhere.
Crucially, we cannot close our eyes to the challenges in the real world that we need to address together. The challenges for migration and borders, for treating people in wretched circumstances with a minimum of human dignity, need no further illustrations after last week's events. Leaders from right across the Union have pleaded for the European approach. Yet, in the negotiations on the MFF, these very same leaders are limiting funds available for borders, migration and external action. This is simply not acceptable. The MFF is not an accounting exercise or a simple numbers game. This is about equipping the Union with the resources needed to solve real-life problems and, may I add, save real lives. That reality will need to sink in much deeper as we approach the next round, and we in the Commission will not accept an outcome that does not reflect this.
Having our common priorities in mind, we have no time to lose. It is truly time for reason and cool-headedness. At this moment we have three options: the better, the suboptimal and the worst. The better option is reaching a balanced agreement very soon. This is still possible, but we are already very late. Last time we achieved a deal in the Council in early February and the final agreement only in December. Therefore, 2014 meant a lost year for some programmes, something we need to avoid this time. But that also implies that, even in our best case scenario, we are already under massive time pressure. Many of our policies will at best restart at the end of 2021. The better scenario therefore is already one that will come with serious challenges.
The suboptimal option would be a contingency plan, rolling forward existing budget programmes for another year. I know that many of you have been asking for this since it would buy more time. But let me be very clear about the consequences. It would mean additional ‘mini’ MFF negotiations running in parallel with all the contentious issues on the table, the very same things that are blocking progress on the MFF. Attempting to find a solution along these lines would therefore absorb everyone's time, energy and focus, while we need all efforts to find a good agreement on the actual long-term budget soon. It might well fail, in which case we end up with no result. Even if it didn't fail, what type of answer to structural challenges such as climate change, digitisation and external policies could we give with a one-year budget? What would this do for the credibility of the European Union? Worst of all, it would result in a budget without response to the new challenges: No Just Transition Fund, No InvestEU, no defence and digital agenda, and a lower climate ambition.
The third option is the worst-case scenario. No agreement would have severe consequences for all Europeans since it would leave us with a budget on life support, only allowing a limited number of policies to be funded. How could we explain to students that there is No Erasmus? How could we tell the regions that there is no cohesion money? How would we explain to the citizens that Europe is unable to act when it comes to climate and digital challenges, or that it lacks the means to protect our common borders effectively? No agreement in time would damage us all. Now is therefore the time for responsibility, to do everything to reach a good agreement as soon as possible.
To achieve this we need to work together. As the Commission, we engaged with you from the beginning and we encouraged the Member States to listen to the European Parliament. We also agree with you that we need new resources to fund our ambitions. They are the win-win solution which might help to find a compromise.
When President von der Leyen presented the agenda for a Europe that strives for more, you, as well as the Member States, promised the necessary support. Now is the time to give Europe the means to strive for more and to equip ourselves with sufficient shared resources. It is the time for everybody to recognise this and to stand up for realism, reason and responsibility. We need an agreement on the next long-term EU budget to secure the necessary funds to be able to act together, and we need this agreement fast. We in the European Commission know that we can count on you. Let us work together with the European Council to make this long-term budget a success for Europe and all Europeans.

José Manuel Fernandes,
em nome do Grupo PPE. – Senhora Presidente, o Parlamento Europeu rejeitaria a proposta que estava em cima da mesa, e desse ponto de vista até é positivo que o Conselho não tenha chegado a acordo. O Parlamento Europeu não pode trair os cidadãos da União Europeia, não pode aceitar uma proposta que seja contra eles.
               

                  Sr. Charles Michel, eu peço-lhe: peça também aos líderes europeus para falarem verdade aos cidadãos. Os nossos líderes fazem muitas proclamações, traçam muitos objetivos, mas depois não dão os meios financeiros para se atingir esses objetivos.
               

                  Todos defendem a coesão, a investigação, uma alimentação segura e saudável, o reforço das fronteiras, o apoio aos jovens. Depois cortam na Política de Coesão, cortam na Política Agrícola Comum, cortam no Erasmus +, cortam no Frontex, cortam na investigação. Como é que é possível ter, dessa forma, uma União Europeia competitiva? Onde é que está a União geopolítica que nós defendemos?
               

                  Com a vossa proposta, a União Europeia seria irrelevante e o coronavírus prova que não há coordenação, que não somos capazes sequer de ter os medicamentos suficientes. O que se passa ao nível da migração é uma vergonha: não temos uma proposta, uma solução comum e os meios suficientes. Quanto é que custa não termos a investigação que devíamos ter? Aliás, há números da Comissão: uma redução de 10 mil milhões de euros no programa de investigação significa um decréscimo de 110 mil milhões de euros em termos do rendimento nacional bruto. Os líderes sabem isto. Então por que é que querem cortar na União Europeia?
               

                  O Conselho Europeu não pode ser a soma dos 27 egoísmos nacionais e por isso preparem-se para uma coisa: se a proposta não for positiva, se ela quiser tornar irrelevante o Parlamento Europeu e a União Europeia, nós chumbaremos. E nós somos sempre a solução. Nós queremos um plano de contingência para haver previsibilidade, queremos recursos próprios para podermos ter um nível suficiente e estamos à espera do Conselho desde novembro de 2018.
               

                  Continuaremos à espera, mas a urgência de que a Comissão Europeia fala, e vou terminar, nós estamos à espera, mas nós não podemos ter um orçamento que não seja um orçamento capaz, um orçamento suficiente. Não podemos ter um orçamento que seja contra a vontade e as expetativas dos cidadãos.
               

Iratxe García Pérez,
en nombre del Grupo S&D. – Señora presidenta, señor Michel, gracias por estar hoy aquí. Sabemos de las circunstancias especiales de la agenda de hoy y esperamos que esa reunión que se producirá en breve a nivel del Consejo con el resto de jefes de Gobierno sea fructífera.
               

                  Hemos tenido esta mañana un debate aquí, en el Parlamento, sobre la situación del coronavirus y simplemente, de forma muy rápida, quiero reiterar dos mensajes. Por un lado, la necesidad de que haya una coordinación a nivel europeo en cuanto a las medidas, pero respetando las medidas distintas que se tienen que tomar a nivel de los Estados miembros por la intensidad de la situación en cada uno de ellos. Y, por otro lado, un mensaje con respecto a intentar mitigar los efectos en materia económica y es que desde las instituciones europeas se tendrán que tomar decisiones al objeto de establecer una mayor flexibilidad en el Pacto de Estabilidad, para permitir que se pueda hacer frente a esta situación y mitigar el efecto económico y social que puede existir al respecto.
               

                  Con respecto al marco financiero, evidentemente sabe perfectamente lo que piensa nuestro Grupo y lo que piensa la mayoría de este Parlamento. Es decepcionante no haber conseguido un acuerdo, porque creo que todos somos conscientes de que este debate va mucho más allá de las cifras. Este debate va sobre qué Europa queremos construir. Y no puede ser que estemos en el inicio de una legislatura hablando de cómo lideramos la lucha contra el cambio climático, cómo fortalecemos el pilar social europeo, cómo mantenemos las políticas que van dirigidas a nuestro territorio, como la política agrícola común o la política de cohesión, y cómo nos adaptamos a nuevas políticas que tienen que ponerse en marcha, por ejemplo, migraciones… Hoy tenemos un caso claro encima de la mesa.
               

                  Bueno, pues lo que es imposible es hacer más con menos recursos. Y eso es lo que algunos están planteando. Y por lo tanto creo que debemos ser conscientes todos de que necesitamos el tiempo suficiente para poder conformar un acuerdo y un consenso. Sé que es difícil, pero también creo que las prisas no pueden condicionar nuestro trabajo.
               

                  Evidentemente, lo deseable, como decía el señor Šefčovič, es que en breve haya un acuerdo. Pero yo creo que muchos de los que estamos aquí pensamos que es preferible un no acuerdo antes de un mal acuerdo. No podemos permitirnos un mal acuerdo en el marco presupuestario. Necesitamos un presupuesto fuerte y sólido para afrontar el proyecto político de Europa. No podemos permitirnos un no acuerdo porque un no acuerdo significará hacer frente a retos y desafíos que hoy ya están esperando a estas instituciones. Así que pongámonos manos a la obra y seamos capaces de ser conscientes de que es necesario un acuerdo fuerte, sólido y con el presupuesto suficiente.
               

Dacian Cioloș,
au nom du groupe Renew. – Madame la Présidente, je souhaite saluer tout d'abord la détermination de Charles Michel et sa présence aujourd'hui ici au Parlement, qui nous prouve son intérêt de collaborer avec le Parlement – je sais que ce message a été transmis aussi aux chefs d'État et de gouvernement – et sa détermination aussi de trouver un accord sur les perspectives budgétaires.
               

                  Mais une décision finale crédible suppose de prendre au sérieux les attentes exprimées ici au Parlement. Et je souhaite le dire très clairement, il y aura un budget annuel européen seulement quand il sera à la hauteur de nos ambitions politiques exprimées maintes fois par les États membres au Conseil autour des priorités européennes. On ne peut pas avoir des ambitions sur le green deal, sur la transition numérique si cette ambition n'est pas accompagnée par une vraie vision budgétaire et d'investissement. En outre, la politique agricole commune et la politique de cohésion doivent sortir de ce marchandage intergouvernemental et rentrer dans une ère de modernisation. Et les deux doivent être vus comme des solutions et non pas de problèmes au niveau du budget.
               

                  Notre débat sur les perspectives budgétaires aujourd'hui prend une nouvelle dimension politique dans le contexte de cette crise de coronavirus. Parce que la question n'est pas de savoir si cette épidémie aura un impact sur notre économie, mais plutôt quelle sera son ampleur. Cette crise du coronavirus va passer tôt ou tard et j'espère avec le moins de victimes possibles. Mais la question clé est de savoir comment l'économie européenne va s'en sortir et dans quelle mesure, au lendemain de cette crise, le budget européen jouera pleinement son rôle de levier d'investissement et de relance de l'économie.
               

                  Pour aider nos entreprises et nos salariés à passer ce cap difficile, nous devons avoir la prédictibilité, c'est un mot clé dans cette situation de crise. C'est pour cette raison qu'une décision rapide sur le budget, orientée vers l'investissement, vers la création d'emplois, fait partie des éléments indispensables de visibilité pour l'avenir au niveau européen, puisque le budget européen est un élément d'orientation et de prédictibilité.
               

                  Ce qui se passe à la frontière gréco-turque nous montre une fois de plus que notre politique de sécurité des frontières, mais aussi de solidarité, suppose un Frontex avec des ressources, mais aussi avec un budget pour faire de la solidarité une réalité sur le terrain. Les semaines et les mois qui viennent sont déterminants pour prouver que l'Europe post-Brexit est capable d'offrir cette stabilité et cette prédictibilité et une vision. Car une Europe géopolitique et une Europe à la pointe de l'économie ne se décrètent pas. Cela se construit avec de la détermination, mais aussi avec des moyens.
               

Joachim Kuhs,
im Namen der ID-Fraktion. – Frau Präsidentin, meine Damen und Herren! Bereits vor vier Wochen haben wir in Straßburg über den mittelfristigen Finanzrahmen gesprochen; damals funktionierten die Mikrofone noch. Meinem Rat, sich mit dem Spatz in der Hand, also mit dem Ratsvorschlag von 1,07 % des Bruttonationalprodukts, zu begnügen und nicht der Taube auf dem Dach, also den 1,3 % des Parlaments, nachzuträumen, sind Sie offensichtlich nicht gefolgt. Jetzt stecken die Verhandlungen in einer Sackgasse, denn – wie man bei uns sagt – beim Geld hört die Freundschaft auf. Guter Rat ist nun teuer.
               

                  Ich sehe folgendes Szenario, und nur eines: Die tapferen, sparsamen Vier, nämlich Dänemark, Schweden, Niederlande und Österreich, werden weiterhin die Agenda bestimmen, und Gott sei Dank werden sie aufgrund des Einstimmigkeitsprinzips ihre Position nachhaltig vertreten können. Auch die deutsche Ratspräsidentschaft im zweiten Halbjahr wird meines Erachtens keine Einigung über den mittelfristigen Finanzrahmen erreichen. Dann tritt Artikel 312 Absatz 4 des AEUV in Kraft. Wir sind dann wiederum bei den Obergrenzen und sonstigen Bestimmungen des bisherigen MFR mit höchstens 1 % des gesamten Volkseinkommens, aber ohne Rabatte. Das ist deutlich weniger als der Spatz in der Hand mit 1,07 %. Oder spekulieren Sie darauf, dass Zahlmeister Deutschland den gewaltigen EU-Hunger nach Geld wiederum stillen wird? Wir von der AfD hätten nichts dagegen, wenn Sie passend zur Bundestagswahl 2021 beim deutschen Steuerzahler in Erklärungsnot geraten.
               

Rasmus Andresen,
im Namen der Verts/ALE-Fraktion. – Frau Präsidentin! Türkisch-griechische Grenze – EU gibt Athen 700 Millionen Euro. Es droht eine neue Wirtschaftskrise. Coronavirus. Spahn spricht sich für größere EU-Seuchenbehörde aus. Wenn wir am meisten gefordert sind, brauchen wir eine starke EU. Umso enttäuschter sind wir vom Scheitern des Ratsgipfels. Statt großer Beschlüsse gab es kleinkariertes Gefeilsche. Mitten in der Klimakrise und am Beginn einer neuen Wirtschaftskrise können wir uns diese nationalistischen Machtkämpfe aber nicht mehr leisten. Vor allem die Niederlande, Österreich, Schweden, Dänemark und die deutsche Bundesregierung stehen hier in der Verantwortung und haben alles dafür getan, dass der Gipfel scheitert. Das ist unverantwortlich!
               

                  Wer jetzt wie Gesundheitsminister Spahn fordert, dass die EU-Seuchenbehörde besser ausgestattet werden muss, hat zwar Recht, kann aber nicht gleichzeitig dafür eintreten, dass die EU die Verwaltung zusammenkürzen muss. Wer möchte, dass wir europaweit gemeinsam ein Medikament gegen den Coronavirus entwickeln, kann nicht gleichzeitig Milliarden bei EU-Forschungsprogrammen kürzen. Wer jetzt sagt, dass Soforthilfe für Griechenland und für die vielen Geflüchteten notwendig ist, hat Recht, kann aber nicht gleichzeitig Milliarden bei den EU-Migrationsprogrammen kürzen. Und wer eine neue Wirtschaftskrise fürchtet, muss jetzt für gemeinsame Investitionen einstehen.
               

                  Wir brauchen mehr Mut von den Mitgliedstaaten, aber auch von der EU-Kommission. Was ist aus Ihren Versprechen geworden, Frau von der Leyen? Wie finanzieren Sie Ihren Green Deal? Wo ist die Verdreifachung der Erasmus-Programme abgeblieben? Wie stellen Sie sich das eigentlich vor? Verlassen Sie die Zuschauerrolle und stehen Sie gemeinsam mit dem Parlament für Investitionen ein! Wir brauchen sie dringend nötig. Wir brauchen einen starken Finanzrahmen. Der jetzige Zustand kann so nicht weitergehen.
               

Roberts Zīle,
ECR grupas vārdā. – Priekšsēdētājas kundze, komisāra kungs! Eiropas Konservatīvo un reformistu grupa, protams, vienmēr ir respektējusi dalībvalsts intereses, tai skaitā arī budžeta jautājumos. Tai pašā laikā mums ir svarīgs kopējais Eiropas Savienības stiprums. Un tāpēc mēs arī darbojamies Eiropas Parlamentā šajā sarunu grupā un kontaktgrupā. Un tā arī turpināsim.
               

                  Taču, ja mēs vērtējam Eiropadomes februāra sanāksmi, pats par sevi fakts, ka nav rezultātu pirmajā raundā, nav nekas būtisks. Bet jautājums, kādā mērcē, kādi signāli tiek sūtīti gan Eiropas pilsoņiem, gan arī, protams, globāliem konkurentiem vai ģeopolitiskiem konkurentiem.
               

                  Viņi redz, ka nevar vienoties par īsumā nelielu budžeta daļu no tā, ko valsts pārdala no ienākumiem. Tas ir tikai 1 % no nacionālā produkta. 7 % radītais Brexit caurums, izrādās, ir tik liels, ka arī to nevar aizpildīt. Un nauda galu galā ir tas, kas parāda nolūku vai prioritāšu nopietnību. Un šajā gadījumā, ja mēs redzam, ka militārās mobilitātes izdevumi no Eiropas Komisijas sākotnējā 6 miljardu skaitļa ir pašlaik labākā gadījumā pusotrs miljards, tas neliecina par ģeopolitisku nopietnību būt reaģējošiem un aizsargāt Eiropas Savienību. Un vēl citi skaitļi, kas attiecas uz kopējo lauksaimniecības politiku, uz lielo samazinājumu, no otrā pīlāra pārnesot naudu uz, iespējams, Just Transition fondu, un šajā gadījumā arī uz kohēzijas valstīm, kuras vairākos gadījumos zaudē mīnus 20 % pret pašreizējo finanšu perspektīvu.
               

                  Šis ir ļoti, ļoti vājš signāls, un tas parāda mūsu vājumu. Īstenībā šīm tehniskām ķibelēm ir zināms simbolisms, runājot par daudzgadu budžetu Parlamentā.
               

Δημήτριος Παπαδημούλης,
εξ ονόματος της ομάδας GUE/NGL. – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, ακούγοντας τον κ. Charles Michel, που μόλις έφυγε από την αίθουσα, και τον κ. Šefčovič, σκέφτομαι ότι έχουμε μια ευρωπαϊκή ηγεσία κατώτερη των περιστάσεων, γιατί την ώρα που μαίνεται μια κρίση στα σύνορα της πατρίδας μου, της Ελλάδας, και της Τουρκίας, που είναι και ευρωτουρκικά σύνορα, δεν ακούσαμε τίποτα για την ευρωπαϊκή πολιτική ασύλου που ζητούν εδώ και δύο χρόνια το Ευρωκοινοβούλιο και η Επιτροπή και η οποία μπλοκάρει στο Συμβούλιο, γιατί βλέπουμε μια ευρωπαϊκή ηγεσία που τηρεί ίσες αποστάσεις απέναντι στον Ερντογάν και ένα κράτος μέλος της, την Ελλάδα, και γιατί δεν ακούσαμε τίποτα για τη δίκαιη μετεγκατάσταση των προσφύγων σε όλα τα ευρωπαϊκά κράτη μέλη.
               

                  Ο κ. Κουρτς είπε: ‘Δεν δέχομαι ούτε ασυνόδευτα παιδιά ούτε γυναίκες, γιατί αν έρθουν τα παιδιά και γυναίκες θα έρθουν και οι άντρες’. Αν, κύριοι της ευρωπαϊκής ηγεσίας, πιστεύετε ότι μπορείτε με λίγα εκατομμύρια ευρώ να μετατρέψετε την πατρίδα μου, την Ελλάδα, στην πίσω αυλή της Ευρώπης, για να μην έχετε προβλήματα με την άκρα δεξιά των χωρών σας, είστε γελασμένοι. Με αυτό τον τρόπο καταστρέφετε την Ευρώπη και τρέφετε την Άκρα Δεξιά.
               

                  Για τον ευρωπαϊκό προϋπολογισμό για τα επόμενα χρόνια τα πράγματα είναι απλά. Όλες οι πολιτικές Ομάδες πρέπει να παραμείνουν δεσμευμένες σε αυτό που έχει πει ο Πρόεδρος Sassoli: Απορρίπτουμε την πρόταση του Συμβουλίου, και πρέπει εσείς κ. Cioloș να πείσετε τον κ. Rutte και να μη σας αναγκάσει ο κ. Rutte να εγκαταλείψετε τη θέση της Renew Europe, ο δε κ. Weber, που δεν είναι εδώ, πρέπει να πείσει την κυρία Merkel και να μη γίνει το ανάποδο. Δεν θα ψηφίσουμε έναν απαράδεκτο προϋπολογισμό με το πιστόλι στον κρόταφο.
               

Mislav Kolakušić (NI). – Poštovana predsjedavajuća, mi ne možemo odvojiti višegodišnji financijski okvir i proračun Europske unije od druge strane priče, a to je koliko koja država ima financijske koristi od djelovanja na zajedničkom tržištu. Najbolji primjer je Njemačka.
               

                  Dakle, Njemačka je u proteklih deset godina više uplatila u proračun Europske unije – 115 milijardi EUR. Međutim, Njemačka je, po istraživanju njemačkog nezavisnog instituta, imala koristi u istom tom razdoblju od 860 milijardi EUR. Mora doći do povećanja postotka izdvajanja u odnosu na BDP jer je to najpoštenije.
               

                  Dakle, države koje zarađuju više putem većeg postotka od BDP-a moraju više doprinositi proračunu Europske unije. To je jedino pravedno i jedino pošteno.
               

Siegfried Mureșan (PPE). – Madam President, in June 2019, the European Council adopted the strategic agenda for the next five years. What have the Heads of State and Government promised in that document? Let me quote: ‘effective control of the external borders’. What does Council President Charles Michel propose in his MFF for the next several years? A 43% cut to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.
The Heads of State and Government speak about guaranteeing the security of our citizens, and Charles Michel proposes cutting the Internal Security Fund by 23%. The Heads of State and Government also propose strengthening the Single Market, and they commit to it. President Charles Michel proposes cuts of 31% to the Single Market programme. Achieving digital sovereignty is also an objective of the Heads of State and Government. President Charles Michel proposes 18% cuts to the Digital Europe Programme.
The proposals of President Charles Michel do not respect the promises of the European Council, the Commission or of the Parliament. This is why our answer needs to be ‘No’ to this proposal. We expect a new proposal on the basis of our promises, so that we can deliver to the people of Europe in the short-term crisis, which we see appearing, and also on their expectations over the next several years.

Margarida Marques (S&D). – Senhora Presidente, Senhor Presidente do Conselho Europeu, Senhor Comissário Šefčovič, este Conselho Europeu foi mais uma oportunidade perdida, uma desilusão, mas infelizmente a falta de acordo dentro de Estados-Membros da União não foi uma surpresa. A falta de acordo significa que estão em risco os beneficiários dos programas, os cidadãos europeus, em 1 de janeiro de 2021.
               

                  Porque sejamos claros: desde maio de 2018 que os cidadãos conhecem a proposta da Comissão Europeia. Desde outubro de 2019 que os cidadãos conhecem a posição e a ambição deste Parlamento. Mas ninguém sabe o que quer o Conselho, e a nossa resposta, face aos desafios climáticos, demográficos, digitais e internacionais tem de ser mais Europa. Mais Europa para solucionar a crise das fronteiras, mais Europa para concertar uma solução europeia para o Covid-19. E nos próximos 7 anos temos de estar conscientes de que surgirão mais desafios inesperados e a Europa não pode dizer, como disse nas crises de 2007-2008, que não estamos preparados.
               

                  Temos de dotar o orçamento da União da capacidade para responder coletivamente a desafios que não conhecem nacionalidade, fronteiras ou línguas, que são desafios europeus e que necessitam de uma solução europeia, e é por isso que este Parlamento continua e continuará a lutar por um orçamento ambicioso e coerente, capaz de responder aos objetivos previsíveis e imprevisíveis. É urgente, como o era a 20 de fevereiro, que o Conselho adote a sua posição sobre o Quadro Financeiro Plurianual e comece a negociá-la com este Parlamento.
               

                  Enquanto este acordo não chega, o Parlamento usará todos os instrumentos de que dispõe para acautelar que os cidadãos europeus e as economias europeias possam beneficiar dos programas e respetivo financiamento no orçamento da União em 1 de janeiro de 2021.
               

Moritz Körner (Renew). – Frau Präsidentin! Warum ist die Einigung auf diesen mehrjährigen Finanzrahmen so schwierig? Weil mit Großbritannien ein großer Nettobeitragszahler weggefallen ist. Es ist also von vornherein klar: Alle werden mehr bezahlen und weniger rausbekommen aus diesem Haushalt. Das ist ein Denken, das die Mitgliedsstaaten leider immer haben. Sie schauen nur darauf, was zahlen sie ein, was bekommen sie raus. Das sind nicht nur die sparsamen Vier, die egoistisch sind, sondern alle. Alle schauen nur, was wird reinbezahlt, was kriegt man raus.
               

                  Und das Symbol dafür war Frau Thatcher, die irgendwann ihre Tasche auf den Tisch geknallt und gesagt hat: ‘I want my money back’. Ich finde, es ist jetzt Zeit für Frau von der Leyen, ihre Handtasche auch mal auf den Tisch zu knallen und nicht zu sagen, ‘I want my money’, sondern ‘We need our money’, und zwar für einen starken, einen modernen Haushalt, der die zukünftigen Herausforderungen wirklich möglich macht.
               

                  Wenn jetzt alle davon reden, dass Grenzschutz und die Unterstützung für Migration gestärkt werden, dann kann es nicht sein, dass zuletzt über Kürzungen von 14 Milliarden Euro im Vergleich zum Kommissionsvorschlag diskutiert wird. Das ist lächerlich, und ein Europäisches Parlament wird einem Haushalt nicht zustimmen, der in den zentralen Zukunftsherausforderungen nicht anständig finanziert ist.
               

Gilles Lebreton (ID). – Madame la Présidente, le cadre financier pluriannuel va déterminer les choix financiers de l'Union européenne pour les six prochaines années. C'est dire que son adoption va constituer une décision essentielle. Je souhaite rappeler ce qui constitue à mes yeux deux priorités à respecter.
               

                  Tout d'abord, il faudra préserver le budget agricole, en particulier celui prévu au titre du premier pilier. Nos agriculteurs ont besoin des aides européennes. Si l'Union les réduit, elle prendra délibérément la responsabilité de sacrifier beaucoup de petites et moyennes exploitations qui ne pourront plus résister à la concurrence internationale suscitée par le sacro-saint libre-échange.
               

                  Ensuite, il faudra parvenir à cet objectif en faisant des économies dans d'autres domaines et non en augmentant le budget global de l'Union. L'accueil des migrants et la défense européenne sont deux domaines dans lesquels nous pourrions faire de substantielles économies.
               

                  Aider notre agriculture, c'est préserver la souveraineté alimentaire de nos États. Voilà qui devrait faire réfléchir à une époque où l'on prend conscience qu'un virus est capable de paralyser la mondialisation économique.
               

Alexandra Geese (Verts/ALE). – Frau Präsidentin! Es gibt Menschen – und das haben wir auch heute gehört –, die sagen, nach dem Austritt Großbritanniens sei die EU kleiner geworden und brauche einen kleineren Haushalt. Das kommt aber darauf an, welches Europa wir wollen. Ein Europa, das sich klein und schwach und technologisch von den Großmächten USA und China abhängig macht? Oder wollen wir denn nicht lieber ein starkes Europa, das mit einem starken Haushalt Klimaschutz und soziale Gerechtigkeit vorantreibt, das die digitale Agenda und das Digital-Europe-Programm ausfinanziert? Das ist es doch, was wir wollen. Ein starkes Europa mit Spitzentechnologie, und die gibt es nicht umsonst.
               

                  Zu einem ehrgeizigen Haushalt gehört aber auch ein Rechtsstaatlichkeitsmechanismus, der kein zahnloser Tiger ist. Europäische Bürgerinnen und Bürger müssen darauf vertrauen können, dass korrupte Oligarchen sich nicht mit EU-Fördermitteln finanzieren, und da erwarten wir mehr vom Rat.
               

                  Wir begrüßen dagegen die – wenn auch zaghafte – Öffnung des Rates für das Gender Budgeting. Solides Haushalten geht nur, wenn wir wissen, welche Menschen genau die Mittel erhalten und wie sie dadurch gefördert werden. Frauen sind die Hälfte der Bevölkerung, ihnen gehört die Hälfte der Macht und die Hälfte des EU-Haushaltes.
               

Johan Van Overtveldt (ECR). – Voorzitter, over het MFF is al veel gezegd en er zal nog heel veel over gezegd worden. Ik zou van deze gelegenheid gebruik willen maken om twee specifieke punten te maken.
               

                  In het voorstel van president Michel zijn er bovenop hetgeen al in de Finse voorstellen stond heel veel besparingen en enkele daarvan zelfs zeer drastisch. Ik denk bijvoorbeeld aan het Europees Defensiefonds, min 39 %, de faciliteit voor militaire mobiliteit, min 74 %. Ik denk dat we ons de vraag moeten stellen of, als je dat soort besparingen gaat doen, wat er nog rest van dergelijke programma's zinvol blijft, of je niet onder een bepaalde drempel zakt waaronder de efficiëntie van dergelijke programma's komt te vervallen.
               

                  Tweede punt. Er zitten ook besparingen rond innovatiebestedingen in. Nu, als er één soort uitgaven van de Europese Unie is die hun deugdelijkheid bewezen hebben, die ook inzetten op de gemeenschappelijke toekomst, en die ook thuishoren op het Europees vlak omwille van de schaalvoordelen, dan zijn het wel die innovatie-uitgaven.
               

                  Ik denk dat het niet gepast is om daarop in deze tijden van zeer sterke technologische evolutie te besparen, en ik denk dat we die twee elementen in de komende besprekingen over het MFF zeker moeten meenemen.
               

(De spreker stemt ermee in te antwoorden op een ‘blauwe kaart’-vraag (artikel 171, lid 8, van het Reglement))


Maria Grapini (S&D),
Întrebare adresată conform procedurii ‘cartonașului albastru’
                     . – Neînțelegerea între cele trei instituții europene, Comisie, Consiliu și Parlament, sigur că a dus la nedefinirea noului cadru financiar. Ați enumerat și dumneavoastră: piața internă suferă, cercetarea suferă, politica agricolă suferă. Dumneavoastră credeți că este just în fața cetățenilor? Cetățenii își sporesc încrederea în aceste instituții care nu ajung să se înțeleagă la un buget de peste șase luni. Cum putem să transmitem în țara noastră încredere cetățenilor pentru proiecte în Uniunea Europeană când, iată, șefii de stat și de guverne nu sunt în stare să ia o decizie?
               

Johan Van Overtveldt (ECR),
blue-card answer. – I totally agree with your argument that of course we need to get the budget in order, and I think it is certainly not the fault of the Parliament that at this moment in time we are not further ahead in these negotiations.
I would like to make a further point on what you said. I think it's also time that we got to work on a contingency plan because, if nothing is done, certain programmes will end at the end of this year, full stop. So a contingency plan on the part of the Commission is greatly needed.

Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, le discussioni di queste settimane e le ridicole battaglie per i decimali e gli ‘zero virgola’ rivelano la doppia morale di chi dice, a parole, di volere un'Europa ambiziosa ma, appunto, solo a parole.
               

                  In questo momento, con la proposta attuale, non vinceremo neanche una delle sfide globali: né il Green deal, né la lotta ai cambiamenti climatici, né la digitalizzazione delle nostre economie e né, tantomeno, la sfida migratoria, e penso alla Grecia.
               

                  Soprattutto non faremo abbastanza per la ricerca in un momento in cui, ad esempio, abbiamo bisogno di stanziamenti straordinari per creare un consorzio scientifico europeo che possa trovare il vaccino per il coronavirus.
               

                  Ecco perché dobbiamo agire subito, sbloccando le risorse proprie, a partire dalla common corporate tax base (CCTB) e dalla web tax, e ancora dalla cancellazione del vergognoso privilegio degli sconti e dei rebates di cui beneficiano ancora i paesi più ricchi dell'Unione e che oggi, invece, non vorrebbero rinunciarvi.
               

                  Con l'uscita della Gran Bretagna non c'è più alcuna giustificazione: io dico che voglio un'Europa ambiziosa e questa Europa ambiziosa deve avere un bilancio ambizioso, altrimenti ci stiamo solo prendendo in giro.
               

Marian-Jean Marinescu (PPE). – Doamnă președintă, domnule președinte Michel, oriunde vă găsiți în acest moment, dumneavoastră nu respectați Tratatul european. Nu Consiliul European trebuie să negocieze cu Parlamentul MFF-ul, ci Consiliul de Miniștri. Niciodată nu s-a întâmplat acest lucru, este pentru prima oară când se întâmplă.
               

                  Noi, Parlamentul European, ar trebui să negociem dosarele orizontale. Acolo avem putere, putere de codecizie, și nu ar trebui să renunțăm, sub nicio formă, la propunerea pe care a făcut-o Parlamentul în noiembrie, o propunere foarte, foarte bună. Cred eu că ar trebui să ne uităm și la ce-ar însemna un atac la Curtea Europeană de Justiție, pentru că este evident că cei de la Consiliu nu respectă Tratatul și cred că la astfel de acțiuni trebuie răspuns cu acțiuni de același mod.
               

Eider Gardiazabal Rubial (S&D). – Señora presidenta, yo hoy no voy a hablar de cifras ni de programas —primero porque ya se ha hecho aquí y además porque esa posición es de sobra conocida—, pero sí que me gustaría añadir cuatro puntos que también son importantes para la negociación.
               

                  Primero: flexibilidad. Sí o sí. Y me preocupa mucho ver que el Consejo no solo no avanza en flexibilidad, sino que en cada papel que tiene encima de la mesa cada vez hay menos. Lo hemos visto con la crisis económica, lo hemos visto con la crisis de refugiados. Necesitamos flexibilidad en el presupuesto para adaptarnos.
               

                  Segundo: plan de contingencia. Ya no es una opción, sino que es una necesidad, porque vamos con un retraso evidente y, desde luego, no será por culpa de este Parlamento, que lleva dos años esperando para negociar. Así que, ahora, no valen prisas, no valen urgencias y, desde luego, no valen presiones. Tomémonos nuestro tiempo y tengamos un buen acuerdo. Y es evidente que, además, las circunstancias que estamos viviendo ahora hacen todavía más necesarios la flexibilidad y un plan de contingencia, porque nos vamos a tener que seguir adaptando.
               

                  Tercero: recordar al Consejo y a su presidente —aunque se ha tenido que ir— que un acuerdo en el Consejo no es el final de ningún proceso, sino que es el principio. Y que, desde luego, si van por donde van sus discusiones, van a tener muy difícil empezar a negociar con este Parlamento porque no nos gusta nada esa propuesta y la rechazaríamos.
               

                  Y, por último: caja de negociación y todo el contenido que hay dentro. Antes, el señor Michel decía que ligamos el Estado de Derecho al marco financiero —es muy loable—, pero desde luego no tienen competencias para decidir ni cómo ni quién toma esas decisiones, y así en muchos programas. Así que les recuerdo que tienen codecisión con este Parlamento.
               

Gerolf Annemans (ID). – Voorzitter, ik heb reeds bij een vorige gelegenheid gewezen op het feit dat u Charles Michel niet ernstig moet nemen. Ja, hij was de ideale kandidaat voor Emmanuel Macron: Franstalig en op een slaafse manier gedienstig aan de fanatieke federalisten Merkel en Macron. Maar dat hij daarom ook een goede vertegenwoordiger zou zijn van de lidstaten als hoofd van de Europese Raad is een complete misvatting. Nog afgezien van de immorele onzin om de begroting van de Europese Unie nog te willen optrekken in plaats van in eenklank en met wat de burgers willen de agenda te matigen nu het Verenigd Koninkrijk zijn geld aan eigen mensen eerst en niet meer aan de Europese Unie gaat besteden, is Charles Michel wel de laatste die u een begroting moet toevertrouwen. Aan het hoofd van de laatste Belgische regering die dan nog zogenaamd sociaal-economisch en budgettair orde op zaken moest stellen en daarvoor de politieke hervormingen van het land mocht uitstellen, heeft Michel een ware budgettaire puinhoop van tussen de 12 en 15 miljard euro op jaarbasis achtergelaten: het omgekeerde dus van wat was gepland. U bent gewaarschuwd.
               

Jens Geier (S&D). – Frau Präsidentin! Ich habe Herrn Michel deutlich zugehört. Was ich ihm dazu sagen wollen würde, wäre: Einigt euch doch bitte im Europäischen Rat auf irgendeine Zahl für den europäischen Haushalt, aber einigt euch zuvor darauf, welche EU ihr eigentlich wollt, und dann finanziert sie bitte eben auch auskömmlich! Wir erleben doch seit Jahren immer dieselbe Situation: Am Sonntag, in den Sonntagsreden wird mehr Innovation gefordert, mehr Grenzschutz, mehr Begegnungen, mehr Leistungen für den Klimaschutz, und jetzt auch eine gemeinsame Verteidigungspolitik. Am Montag sind die Mitgliedstaaten nicht bereit, das Geld dafür bereitzustellen. Aber am Dienstag heißt es dann wieder, wie schlimm das eigentlich ist, dass die EU die Probleme nicht gelöst bekommt.
               

                  Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Ich glaube, wir brauchen einen Haushalt, der die gemeinsamen Ziele finanziert. Wir brauchen einen Haushalt, der ausreichend geschützt ist. Daher brauchen wir auch eine Bindung an rechtsstaatliche Verhaltensweisen in den Mitgliedstaaten, und da war der letzte Vorschlag von Herrn Michel alles andere als tauglich. Und wir brauchen eine veränderte Situation bei den Einnahmen.
               

Norbert Lins (PPE). – Frau Präsidentin, Herr Kommissar, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Ich finde, wir müssen aufpassen, dass wir beim Budget keine Einschnitte riskieren, welche unsere großen europäischen Ziele für die nächsten Jahre gefährden. Als Vorsitzender des Landwirtschaftsausschusses schaue ich natürlich genau aufs Agrarbudget. Schauen wir uns mal die Zahlen an, die Präsident Michel vorgelegt hat: Wir gehen von 382 Milliarden zwischen 2014 und 2020 auf knapp 330 Milliarden für 2021 bis 2027 zurück. Es wird also um über 53 Milliarden gekürzt, und das bedeutet 14 % Kürzungen.
               

                  Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen, das ist nicht hinnehmbar. Wie sollen wir dann die Ziele des europäischen Grünen Deals erreichen? Wie sollen wir die Farm to Fork-Strategie umsetzen? Wie bleibt eigentlich Biodiversität in Europa erhalten? Das müssen wir doch mit den Landwirten machen und nicht gegen sie. Deswegen brauchen wir da ein auskömmliches Budget, damit die Landwirtschaft ihren Beitrag leisten kann.
               

Λευτέρης Χριστοφόρου (PPE). – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, ανήκω σε αυτούς που πιστεύουν στο ευρωπαϊκό όραμα που νοιάζομαι και αγαπώ την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση, γι' αυτό θέλω μια ισχυρή δυνατή, περήφανη, ηγέτιδα δύναμη στην ανθρωπότητα Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση. Θέλω μια Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση που θα μπορεί να ισχυροποιήσει τα σύνορά της, δημιουργώντας την ενιαία άμυνα και ασφάλεια και τον ευρωπαϊκό στρατό, για να μπορεί να υπερασπίζεται από την κυριαρχία της μικρής Κύπρου μέχρι και την κυριαρχία όλων των χωρών της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης. Γι' αυτό θέλω μία Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση με ισχυρό κοινωνικό πρόσωπο, με ενιαία ψηφιακή αγορά, με πολιτικές που θα έχουν να κάνουν με την πράσινη ανάπτυξη, με την καταπολέμηση του καρκίνου, με πολιτική που θα δημιουργεί συνθήκες εργασίας για τα νέα παιδιά, μια Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση που θα ανταποκρίνεται στα οράματα και τις προσδοκίες.
               

                  Ας μη γελιόμαστε: Πρέπει να μιλήσουμε με καθαρές κουβέντες στους Ευρωπαίους πολίτες. Ισχυρή Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση δεν μπορεί να υπάρξει, αν δεν υπάρξει ισχυρός προϋπολογισμός, και ισχυρός προϋπολογισμός θα υπάρξει, αν επιτέλους αντιληφθούν οι χώρες μέλη ότι δεν μπορούν να έχουν ισχυρή Ευρώπη με τα λόγια αλλά καταβάλλοντας ισχυρή χρηματοδότηση. Τελειώνοντας, κυρία Πρόεδρε, θέλω να πω ότι οι Ευρωπαίοι πολίτες ανησυχούν, όταν τα χρήματά τους δίνονται σε χώρες και σε αυτούς που δεν εφαρμόζουν τις αρχές και τις αξίες της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης και μια χώρα που παίρνει αυτά τα χρήματα, και διαμαρτύρονται οι Ευρωπαίοι γι' αυτό, είναι η Τουρκία, η οποία δεν πρέπει να λαμβάνει ούτε ένα ευρώ από τον ευρωπαϊκό προϋπολογισμό και από το πολυετές δημοσιονομικό πλαίσιο.
               

Spontane Wortmeldungen


Mairead McGuinness (PPE). – Madam President, the minds of our leaders are naturally focused on the challenge of dealing with the virus, the coronavirus, but they have to make space for this issue about the future budget. I've been through several years where the debate on the budget has been tense and extremely difficult. I think this time it's worse, and I suppose the UK departure is being used partially as an excuse to do less rather than more.
All of us who deal with citizens in the Member States know that people come to us looking for support, looking for money for many projects, and we have policies that need to be funded. The Chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, Norbert Lins, has already identified the issue for farmers, and there are serious threats to the agriculture budget from the various proposals on the table. This is not acceptable, because we want farmers to do more in the coming years rather than less, but if there is not sufficient funding it will be very difficult for them to do that. We need the leaders to act and to act now.

Domènec Ruiz Devesa (S&D). – Señora presidenta, yo estoy de acuerdo con lo que han dicho muchos diputados, incluidas la presidenta de mi Grupo y la portavoz de mi Grupo en esta materia, pero querría empezar haciendo una reflexión de carácter institucional por la dimensión constitucional que tienen la negociación del marco financiero plurianual y el funcionamiento del Consejo Europeo.
               

                  Nos encontramos en una situación en la que cuatro Gobiernos han tratado de imponer su voluntad al resto del Consejo Europeo y lo han hecho, en parte también, con una cierta connivencia por parte del presidente del Consejo Europeo y de la presidenta de la Comisión, que han aceptado su chantaje. Y esto lo que pone de relieve es que la regla de la unanimidad sigue paralizando Europa e imponiendo, en algunos casos, o facilitando la imposición de la voluntad de una minoría de Estados al conjunto de la Unión. Esto no es aceptable y por tanto tenemos que actualizar el funcionamiento de nuestras instituciones, aprovechar las pasarelas en el Tratado de Lisboa y también plantear la reforma del Tratado de Funcionamiento de la Unión Europea.
               

Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (Renew). – Señora presidenta, señor comisario, la acción pública, para ser creíble y eficaz, necesita proyectos y voluntad política, liderazgo y presupuestos. Los problemas a los que tratamos de responder desde la Unión —el cambio climático, la transformación de nuestro modelo productivo y energético, la transformación de la energía lineal en circular, las crisis de la inmigración— necesitan una acción concertada. Y sin un acuerdo razonable para este marco financiero plurianual dejamos a las instituciones europeas sin herramientas.
               

                  Luego, es muy fácil. Cuando un problema nos supera, es mucho más fácil echar la culpa de todo a Bruselas. Sin presupuesto, sin herramientas, sin instituciones europeas sólidas, la inacción, los errores propios, la incapacidad para llegar a acuerdos, las miserias y los egoísmos nacionales son más fáciles de endosar a la Unión Europea. Este Parlamento que codecide —no lo olvidemos— no va a aceptar un mal acuerdo.
               

Daniel Freund (Verts/ALE). – Frau Präsidentin! Wir reden heute über den nächsten mehrjährigen Finanzrahmen, und ich finde, da muss man auch sagen: Wir verlieren in der EU jedes Jahr viele Millionen Euro Steuergelder an Korruption. Wir haben in einer Reihe von Mitgliedstaaten ein systematisches Problem. Transparency International hat zum Beispiel aufgezeigt: Millionen von EU-Steuergeldern fließen an den Milliardär und Premierminister Babiș. Und gleichzeitig sehen wir eben auch im Budget, dass wir viel zu wenig Geld für die Institutionen ausgeben, die genau das verhindern sollen: Korruption, Betrug, Missmanagement. OLAF, Eurojust, die Europäische Staatsanwaltschaft – alle haben zu wenig Ressourcen, und gleichzeitig binden wir die Mitgliedschaft bei diesen Institutionen, gerade bei der Europäischen Staatsanwaltschaft, nicht an das europäische Budget. Das heißt, die Einhaltung der Grundregeln, der Kampf gegen Korruption wird nicht mit der Auszahlung von EU-Geldern verknüpft. Ich finde, das geht nicht, das ist ein Verrat an unseren Werten. Wir brauchen einen funktionierenden Rechtsstaatsmechanismus, der endlich dafür sorgt, dass Korruption bekämpft wird, dass die Grundwerte eingehalten werden. Das muss die Bedingung für EU-Gelder sein.
               

Ruža Tomašić (ECR). – Poštovana predsjedavajuća, izlaskom Ujedinjene Kraljevine iz Europske unije nastala je poprilična proračunska rupa koju neće biti lako zakrpati.
               

                  Migracijski izazovi, epidemija koronavirusa i slični globalni izazovi tu zadaću čine još težom. Pri donošenju Višegodišnjeg financijskog okvira moramo jedno imati na umu. On mora održavati europski duh solidarnosti i ambiciju dugoročnog ravnomjernog razvoja Unije. U protivnom neće ispuniti svoju zadaću i stvorit ćemo samo dodatne podjele. Postoji opasnost da slabije razvijene članice ostanu zakinute za sredstva za koheziju i poljoprivredu.
               

                  Bio bi korak u pogrešnom smjeru i jasna poruka sadašnjim i budućim članicama da članstvo u Uniji više ne donosi vrijednosti kakvu je nekad donosilo onima koji kaskaju u razvoju i vjerujem da bi to dodatno oslabilo međusobno povjerenje i stvorilo preduvjete za nove podjele koje bi u konačnici stabilizirale Uniju.
               

Clare Daly (GUE/NGL). – Madam President, for me, the discussion around the MFF really exposes what European values are, because the problem isn't that agreement hasn't been reached or that some programmes will be cut – the real problem is the areas of expenditure that are being prioritised by the Commission and the Council.
This is a budget defined more than anything else by an enormous domination of expenditure on security and defence and on border management. The obscenity that the same arms companies that benefit from the wars that make people refugees are going to benefit from the contracts in us reinforcing our borders to keep them out. We've seen it in the decision last week to give EUR 700 million to Greece as a shield – a shield for Europe and not a single word about the adherence to international law, the right to asylum, the need for a new migration pact. The pursuit of militarism in this EU will not meet the expectation of citizens and it's a failure for all.

Loránt Vincze (PPE). – Madam President, the failure to reach an agreement on the MMF in February was brushed off by many as a necessity for talks to succeed later on, but the negotiation also had to fail because it started from a totally wrong premise – that Europe is divided between generous benefactor countries and poor ones living off handouts. It failed to consider how closely the EU budget is interlinked with the Single Market that everybody benefits from. It overlooked all the dividends for all the Member States from the internal market, as well as the indirect benefits they receive from the implementation of the cohesion funds.
In reality, the EU budget is not a financial burden, it is an investment tool. In reality, it is not fair that today Member States benefiting from rebates contribute less to the EU budget as a share of GNI than others. The non-transparent and unfair system of rebates has no reason to exist in an EU which wants to be strong, cohesive and relevant.

Victor Negrescu (S&D). – Doamnă președintă, cetățenii europeni s-au săturat de acest joc în jurul bugetului european. Avem nevoie de un viitor cadru financiar multianual de calitate, avem nevoie de un buget acum, care să răspundă nevoilor pe care le au cetățenii europeni. Avem nevoie să începem viitorul program rapid, să nu mai existe o întârziere de un an sau chiar de doi și avem nevoie, practic, de continuitate.
               

                  Avem nevoie din partea instituțiilor europene să reacționeze într-o manieră coerentă. Pe de o parte, Comisia Europeană ar trebui să fie mai implicată, mai activă. Nu este normal că a acceptat propunerea lansată de Președintele Consiliului European. Nu este normal că nu a apărat suficient cetățeanul european în aceste negocieri. De cealaltă parte, Președintele Consiliului European a venit cu o propunere inacceptabilă și a pus pe masă o propunere care nu a fost discutată cu Parlamentul European, pe care noi nu o putem accepta și acest lucru este clar din dezbaterea de astăzi.
               

                  Nu vorbim de bani alocați Uniunii Europene, vorbim de bani pe care noi îi alocăm, statele membre, pentru a dezvolta această Uniune Europeană, pentru a răspunde la crizele majore cu care suntem confruntați și trebuie să gândim acest buget într-o manieră constructivă, axat pe dezvoltare, axat pe dezvoltare sustenabilă.
               

Valter Flego (Renew). – Poštovana predsjedavajuća, izrada proračuna nikad nije jednostavan posao. To vam mogu reći i kao bivši gradonačelnik i kao bivši župan, ali ako nešto radite s puno puno iskrenosti i dobre vjere, onda je moguće postići dogovor, ali da biste to učinili onda treba različita ega smiriti, treba definitivno dvoličnost ukloniti i treba vjerovati u jasne prioritete.
               

                  Zato i kažem, proračun mora biti zamašnjak i digitalizacije i borbe protiv klimatskih promjena i sigurnosti i poljoprivrede, a sve to skupa ja trenutno u ovom prijedlogu proračuna ne vidim. Iz tog razloga želim poručiti odavde da ovaj Parlament, dok ne vidi takav prijedlog proračuna, reći će ne, a da bismo došli do jednog kvalitetnijeg, jasnijeg prijedloga proračuna, odnosno aktivnosti sljedećih sedam godina, molimo vas, budite solidarni ne samo na riječima nego i u eurima.
               

Franc Bogovič (PPE). – Gospa predsednica! Hvala za besedo. Evropski svet se je na zadnjem zasedanju osredotočil zgolj na procente in pokazal različna stališča neto plačnic, neto prejemnic. Vendar je proračun dosti več.
               

                  Proračun je tako na eni strani odgovor na koronavirus in izzive, ki jih bo ta virus povzročil, na drugi strani ima Evropa velik pritisk na evropske meje. Ne vem, če je sedaj realna ocena Sveta, da bi zmanjšal za skoraj 40 procentov število ljudi, ki branijo evropske meje. Pritiski se bodo nadaljevali. Vojaška ogroženost je na nek način podobna zadeva: čutimo, kaj se nam dogaja na turški meji.
               

                  Pozabili smo na samooskrbo, kar se tiče kmetijstva. Kaj bomo storili za to, da se ne bodo izseljevali ljudje iz enih delov Evrope, iz revnejših se selili v druge. In na vse to je treba pomisliti pri sestavi proračuna in takšnega proračuna, kot je sedaj, sam zagotovo ne bom podprl.
               

Maria Grapini (S&D). – Doamnă președintă, domnule comisar, eu cred că prelungirea unei decizii este o rușine. Nu înțeleg cetățenii cum trei oameni, patru oameni, chiar 27 de șefi de stat să fie mai mult decât reprezentanții cetățenilor, Parlamentul European, reprezentanții cetățenilor, până la urmă, prin comisari.
               

                  Domnule comisar și doamnă președintă, îmi pare rău că nu avem aici Consiliul prezent, când noi discutăm ce au decis ei în 20 și ce vor să facă. Eu sunt vicepreședintă a Comisiei pentru piața internă; nu se poate ca la piața internă să acceptăm o tăiere de 31 %. Nu se poate, la digitalizare, la IMM-uri, la cercetare, la Orizont, la politica agricolă comună. Despre ce buget vorbim noi aici?
               

                  Eu cred că trebuie, așa cum s-a mai spus aici, să acționăm, pentru că nu putem să așteptăm să decidă cele 27 de state acum, când avem încă două crize: migrația și criza cu coronavirusul. Vă mulțumesc și sper, domnule comisar, că veți transmite acest mesaj.
               

(Ende der spontanen Wortmeldungen)


Maroš Šefčovič,
Vice-President of the Commission. – Madam President, I would like to reassure Ms Grapini that I will definitely inform the President and the College of Commissioners about the debate, which I think was marked by two very important elements, underlined in almost all interventions in this House.
The first was a sense of urgency, and here I could not agree with you more. We need to get the budget as soon as possible; in my introductory remarks I already described to you the dire consequences of acting late. Therefore, we have also called on the President of the European Council to work closely with the Parliament and the Commission to hold the summit as soon as possible – this time hopefully with a positive outcome.
Second, I think a very important element, which I felt in all interventions, was the sense of ambition, that we simply want a Europe that strives for more, despite the fact that our British friends are leaving us. It was underlined in the interventions by Madame García Pérez that we need a budget of a sufficient overall size, and that – as Mr Fernandes and Mr Lins underlined – we need a budget which would enable us to respond to the challenges ahead because, as Ms McGuinness has said, if we don't have proper funding, how are we going to convince our farmers that we need to invest more in a Farm-to-Fork Strategy? How are we going to create that huge investment fund which we want to use to modernise Europe, to invest in the Green Deal project and to prepare the industry for this important twin transition – digital and green – that we are going through? We also need to be much better prepared for contingencies. I think it was underlined in the interventions by Ms Marques and Mr Cioloș that we need to have some flexibility in the budget to respond adequately to all the challenges and unexpected emergencies we have to face.
Almost all of you referred to the situation at the Turkish-Greek borders and to the coronavirus. These are exactly the situations where European citizens expect us to act and act fast. I think that on both occasions we did our utmost and my dear colleague Ylva Johansson is here to debrief you on the details of the visit of the three Presidents to the Greek borders and on all the contingency planning we are doing in the Commission.
I think that what is very important right now is to focus on the deal – to focus on the agreement – because I believe none of us want to disappoint our young generation and tell them that next year there is simply No Erasmus. Nobody wants to disappoint the citizens who came out to vote in such large numbers and who sent us a clear message to prepare Europe for the important Green Deal transition because, put simply, we need to lead by example and we are in the best position to do so.
So all these are tasks which we have to deal with. We therefore hope that, together with you, in the spirit of the close cooperation we have had, we will be able to push for an ambitious budget – a budget which responds to the expectations of our citizens. We agree with you that there is no time to lose. So thank you very much for your support. Let's cooperate very closely on this until we get the ambitious budget that Europe needs.

Die Präsidentin. – Die Aussprache ist geschlossen.
               


Schriftliche Erklärungen (Artikel 171)



Tamás Deutsch (PPE),
írásban. – Mi, a FIDESZ–KDNP európai parlamenti képviselői is ambiciózus költségvetést szeretnénk Európának, legyen az EU GNI 1,3%-a a hétéves pénzügyi keret! A Parlament állásfoglalásában világosan kimondtuk, a következő hét évben sem csökkenhetnek a tradicionális EU politikák, a közös agrárpolitika és a regionális fejlesztési politika keretei. Az Európai Parlament kiáll a ‘Kohézió Barátai’-ból az ‘Ambiciózus Európa Költségvetése’ csoporttá alakult 17 ország törekvése mellett, ne a gazdagabb országok fukarsága határozza meg Európa jövőjét. A legnagyobb és a legkisebb költségvetési javaslat között háromszázötven milliárd euró a különbség, ami talán soknak tűnik, de valójában azt jelenti, hogy az európai állampolgároknak havi kilenc euróval kellene többet befizetniük a közös költségvetésbe. Ennyit megér az európai jövő. Az állam és kormányfők tárgyalását figyelve megbukni látszik az elképzelés, amely összekötné a jogállamiság ügyét az uniós kifizetésekkel. Véleményünk szerint itt elvi kérdésről van szó. A helyzet az az, hogy az európai történelem legrosszabb hagyományait felelevenítő módon, meglévő politikai véleménykülönbséget a jog eszközeivel, egy önkényes alapon kiróható durva jogi büntetés kilátásba helyezésével akarják megoldani. Ez nem európai módszer. Ez ellentétes az európai demokráciával. Tehát a demokráciát védő megközelítésből utasítjuk el ezt a politikai okok miatt kiróható büntetés elvére épülő elgondolást. Ilyen megoldás nem elfogadható Magyarország számára.
               

Rovana Plumb (S&D),
in writing. – Talking about the budget means talking about the EU's future. Sufficient funding is key to achieving common ambitions such as fighting climate change, the digital and ecological transformation, dealing with the social consequences of the later and continuing to support regions and cities, farmers, young people, researchers or entrepreneurs. The European Parliament adopted its position in November 2018 and re-confirmed it in October 2019. Unfortunately, the Council, as co-legislator has not been able to agree on a position yet. The proposal of reducing the funds for cohesion policy is unacceptable. How can we strengthen economic and social cohesion by reducing disparities in the level of development between regions if we reduce the funds for cohesion policy? Therefore we need a budget proposal that will not leave people and regions behind.

Susana Solís Pérez (Renew),
por escrito. – Estamos en un momento clave para el futuro de Europa, en el que se va a decidir el próximo presupuesto europeo, que tendrá que hacer frente a los grandes retos que tiene la UE: la transformación digital, la lucha contra el cambio climático y la migración. La salida del Reino Unido ha dejado un agujero en los presupuestos que no puede traducirse en recortes en partidas fundamentales, para conseguir una Europa fuerte que no deje a nadie atrás.
               

                  En España estos recortes pueden tener un gran impacto, especialmente en las zonas rurales, ya que la política agrícola común sufriría un recorte del 14 % y el desarrollo regional uno del 12,7 %. Es decir, afectarán directamente a nuestros agricultores y pymes.
               

                  Para que el presupuesto tenga el tamaño adecuado es urgente una reforma de los ingresos de la UE. Los nuevos recursos propios son una oportunidad para combatir la elusión fiscal de las grandes empresas y para hacer pagar a los grandes contaminantes por su deterioro del medio ambiente.
               
9.   Calendar of part-sessions : see Minutes
10.   Request for waiver of immunity: see Minutes
11.   Composition of committees and delegations : see Minutes
12.   Migration situation at the Greek-Turkish border and the EU's common response to it (debate)

Die Präsidentin. – Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über die Erklärungen des Rates und der Kommission zur Lage von Migranten an der Grenze zwischen Griechenland und der Türkei und zur gemeinsamen Reaktion der EU (2020/2594(RSP)).
               

Nikolina Brnjac,
President-in-Office of the Council. – Madam President, I would like to thank you for this very timely debate. Since the start of our Presidency, this is the third time that we are discussing in the plenary the situation at our external borders. This shows the importance this Parliament gives to this issue, and we fully endorse it.
Let us start with the situation on the Greek borders, which is indeed the most pressing one. Greece has been under considerable pressure since 27 February 2020, following the announcement of Turkish authorities on opening borders towards the EU. According to some reports, there were some 20 000 persons inside the border area on the Turkish side trying to move towards the Greek sea and land borders. However, due to the timely reaction, both on operational and political levels, massive illegal border crossings did not take place. Despite certain incidents, we can say that the current situation is stable, both on land and sea borders.
Last week, Home Affairs Ministers met for an extraordinary Council meeting to discuss the situation at the EU's external borders with Turkey. In line with the strong statements made by the Presidents of the EU institutions the day before their visits to the Greek-Turkish border, the Ministers expressed strong solidarity with Greece, but also with other Member States which might be similarly affected in other efforts to manage the EU's external borders. The Ministers sent a clear message that, while we acknowledge the increased migratory burden and risk that Turkey is facing on its territory, and the substantial efforts it has made in hosting 3.7 million migrants and refugees, we strongly reject Turkey's use of migratory pressure for political purposes. The EU and its Member States remain determined to effectively protect the EU's external borders, and illegal crossings will not be tolerated. In this regard, the EU and its Member States will take all necessary measures in accordance with EU and international law.
The current situation at our external borders is not acceptable. We express clearly our expectations that Turkey will continue with the full implementation of the 2016 Joint Statement. The Joint Statement produces tangible results in both the EU and Turkey, and we are therefore in favour of the continuation of this cooperation and commitment. The EU wants to continue supporting refugee communities in Turkey, as it has been doing for the past years.
Migrants should not be encouraged to endanger their lives by attempting illegal crossings by land or sea. The Council called upon the Turkish Government and all actors and organisations on the ground to relay this message and counter the dissemination of false information. Linked to this is the thriving business of organised crime networks and opportunistic migrant smugglers, which we will continue to fight actively. These messages were again clearly stated by our Foreign Ministers following the Foreign Affairs Council on 6 March, which took place in Zagreb.
As you know, yesterday, President Michel and President von der Leyen met President Erdoğan. The leaders discussed bilateral relations, the implementation of the EU-Turkey statement as well as the crisis in Syria. President Michel said, after the meeting, that it had been a step in the right direction, as both Turkey and the EU need to work on the full implementation of the EU-Turkey statement on migration in order to de-escalate the situation.
The leaders decided to task High Representative Borrell and the Turkish Minister for Foreign Affairs with working over the next few days on clarifying the implementation of the deal between Turkey and the European Union. President Michel noted that the meeting had clarified a number of aspects relating to the implementation of the statement, and, in particular, had provided an opportunity to show how the EU has implemented its financial commitments, including the pledge to mobilise a total of EUR 6 billion to support refugees in Turkey.
Coming back to the situation in Greece, our response has so far been the following: last week, Frontex launched two calls for rapid intervention upon Greece's request – one for the sea border and one for the land border. Deployments of additional staff under the rapid reaction pool, and technical assets under the rapid reaction equipment pool, are taking place. Greece also activated the Union Civil protection mechanism for equipment that will help them provide arriving migrants with basic non-food items such as medical equipment, shelters, tents, blankets and other necessary supplies.
Member States have been very responsive and quick in their reaction, and the Commission has been efficient in coordinating efforts. The Commission has offered immediate assistance of EUR 350 million to Greece, which is available to support border and immigration management. The Commission also announced an additional EUR 350 million to further support the Greek authorities. The European Asylum Support Office will issue the call for 160 experts to be deployed in Greece, as soon as discussions with Greek authorities have been finalised.
In addition, it is important to further strengthen regional and operational cooperation with our partners. The Commission has proposed to further develop its coordination mechanism with the Western Balkan countries, the pending status agreement between the Western Balkan partners and Frontex should be completed as a matter of priority and quickly implemented.
All these actions are a strong expression of our solidarity with Greece. They show we are firm, united in our commitment to protect the external borders. We will continue to closely monitor the situation at the EU external borders and ensure coordination between all those involved through the relevant channels.
In a similar vein, the Presidency will continue the cooperation with the Western Balkan partners in addressing migratory challenges. The Justice and Home Affairs Council will meet on 13 March to follow up on the EU's response to the migratory situation. The Council and the Commission will continue to monitor the situation and coordinate EU action.
On the border between Bulgaria and Turkey, we were informed the situation is stable. There is no increase in the number of illegal border crossings. However, the situation has to be closely monitored and we should increase our level of preparedness.
Concerning the western and central Mediterranean routes, we have not observed deterioration in the overall migratory situation, but we remain vigilant on all routes. I will let the Commission elaborate on the specific points of this action plan, presented last week, for the comprehensive assistance that the EU provides to improve the situation at the Greek-Turkish border.

VORSITZ: RAINER WIELAND


Vizepräsident


Ylva Johansson,
Member of the Commission. – Mr President, we are faced with an urgent and serious situation at our external borders. I am worried about the situation and I know that I share these concerns with you.
It is absolutely necessary that we, the European Union, protect our external borders, but it's also absolutely necessary that we defend our fundamental rights and values, including the right to asylum. It's our legal and moral duty to do both and I can hear sometimes in the debate that there should be a contradiction between the these two, and that's not true. It's absolutely possible both to defend our external borders – of course it's not Turkey that decides about the EU's external borders – but it is also possible to combine this with the right to asylum and to stand up for fundamental human rights and for our values.
I think that our most urgent concern is people, human beings. We need to support and protect people who are, right now, living under unacceptable conditions. In this situation, there are three things that we need to deliver at a European level. First, as I mentioned, support for people. We have a lot of people who are already in a difficult situation, who have been brought to the border under false pretences and are now in a very difficult situation. Even worse, I should say, is the situation for people on the islands, on the Greek islands, people in [inaudible] hotspots, living in unacceptable conditions and who have been doing so for quite a long time, vulnerable people. Also families with children; unaccompanied minors; people with sickness and disabilities. But let me also mention the islanders themselves, Greek citizens that are also under high pressure living on the islands.
Second, support for Greece of course. Greece manages entry at our common EU border, and we are now facing politically-motivated pressure at the European external border. It's necessary that we support Greece, and we are supporting Greece, and we are now taking urgent measures in all these areas. And third, of course we must share responsibilities for supporting Syrian refugees, also in Turkey.
As you all know, last week the Presidents of the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council and the Commission visited the Greek-Turkish and Bulgarian-Turkish borders, stressing our unity, commitment and solidarity.
Last week also, the Commission presented an action plan on measures to be taken by the Union and the Member States together to provide critical support to Greece. As a result, together with the Member States and our agencies, we agreed on a number of concrete steps.
First, we agreed to support Greece and other countries to handle this situation, to protect our external borders and support people. Greece is obliged to protect its borders and the EU external borders, but it also has to do this with proportionate measures. With the launch of two rapid border intervention operations by the European Border and Coast Guard at the land and sea borders between Greece and Turkey, an additional 100 border guards will be deployed as well as assets like helicopters and boats. Frontex stands ready to coordinate a new programme for the quick return of irregular migrants from Greece to countries of origin.
The European Asylum Support Office is also ready to accelerate the deployment of experts to support in Greece. At the request of Greece, the Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated; 16 Member States have so far pledged support to Greece. That, I think, is European solidarity in action and in action quite quickly. Member States are assisting Greece by sending medical equipment, medical teams, shelters, tents, blankets, and a lot of other items that are needed.
We also need to give financial support. The Commission will immediately make available EUR 350 million with a possibility to increase this by another 350 million through an amending budget, and this will be used to increase the reception capacity and the living conditions for the migrants on the islands and on the mainland. It will be used to support the provision of services such as healthcare, food provision and transportation, to support the Greek asylum service, and to strengthen the ongoing voluntary return programme.
Tomorrow evening I will go to Greece and on Thursday I will meet with the Greek Minister and the authorities to discuss how we should implement this action plan, and of course I will also ask the Greek Government how they will act now to make sure that they comply with EU law and the right to asylum, and also with the principle of non-refoulement.
Second, our relationship with Turkey. The EU-Turkish statement remains valid. We must continue our dialogue, we must de-escalate the rhetoric and decrease the tension. That involves finding a path forward with Turkey.
The lines of communication with Turkey remain open and active. With Turkey, we share a joint responsibility for refugees and a joint commitment to the statement. That is why we're continuing a constructive engagement. As you all know, yesterday evening President von der Leyen and President Michel had a constructive dialogue with President Erdoğan. The two Presidents expressed very clearly to President Erdoğan their commitment to move forward with a perspective for migrants and stability in the region. On our side we are delivering on our commitments in the EU-Turkey statement by having provided safe and legal pathways to Europe for over 26 500 Syrian refugees, and by supporting schools, healthcare and basic services for Syrian refugees in Turkey.
We must relieve the pressure that has been brought on the border, and the main way to do that is, of course, a dialogue together with Turkey, but we also must ensure that the right to asylum is respected.
To conclude, let me say that the situation at the European external border towards Turkey is worrying, but I also must say that this is not 2015. We are much better prepared now to manage the situation because we know better what to expect. We have reinforced our agencies, we have strengthened, we now have Frontex, we have the European Asylum Support Office. We have more willingness to cooperate between Member States and we have stronger structures between the Member States. That's why it is possible for the European Union to react so quickly in support to Greece and to the external borders of the European Union.
But let me also say that, even if we are much better prepared in 2015, we are not well prepared enough, and what we are lacking is a common European migration and asylum system. This is really a problem for us and this has been my task since I took office. I have had constructive dialogues with all the 27 Member States and a lot of dialogues here in this Parliament on this topic to find a compromise forward for a common approach so that we together will be better prepared to face migration and asylum together in the European Union.
And I must say that these dialogues have been constructive. We all know it's a difficult task, of course, but at least I'm more optimistic now than before I started the dialogues and I'm preparing now the proposals and you can expect them to be presented after Easter.
Let me conclude with one aspect; I think I share it with many of you. It is the situation for children and maybe especially those that are without their parents – unaccompanied children, minors, teenagers. One third of all children arrive in Greece without parents or family, around 5 500 children and teenagers in total according to Europol; 10% are younger than 14 years old. They face violence, abuse and exploitation.
Many of them just disappear from their asylum reception centres and we don't know where they are. I'm afraid that many of them fall into the hands of criminals. Sometimes the same criminals who traffic migrants also traffic people for sexual exploitation. Just imagine being a 15-year-old, fleeing, searching for a better life. Imagine how afraid you would be alone under these circumstances and at risk of being a victim for abuse and trafficking.
My mission, together with the Greek Government, is to put in place a process to protect and care for these vulnerable children and teenagers. I want to find solutions that will help unaccompanied migrant minors, in particular on the Greek islands, with relocation to other Member States, with medical aid, with housing, with safety, protecting them from being victims of trafficking.
On Thursday, I will be in Greece together with President von der Leyen. This is the aim of our purpose: to continue or to develop new ways to protect these unaccompanied minors. I call on all Member States to help these children and these youngsters and to welcome them. That's the spirit of solidarity we need that will see us through these difficult times.

Der Präsident. – Vielen Dank, Frau Kommissarin Johansson! Sie haben ja gemerkt, dass wir Schwierigkeiten mit der Mikrofonanlage haben. Wir versuchen, sie zu stabilisieren. Es sieht so aus, dass diejenigen, die aus der ersten Reihe sprechen, mit einem drahtlosen Mikrofon sprechen, während die in der zweiten Reihe – wir versuchen es zumindest mal – nach dem bisherigen System sprechen können und die normale Anlage benutzen können.
                  

Manfred Weber,
im Namen der PPE-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Zunächst ist das Lagebild wichtig, das wir an der griechisch-türkischen Grenze haben. Ich bedanke mich dafür, dass sowohl Rat als auch Kommission hier ein klares Bild gezeichnet haben: Erdoğan benutzt das Leid der Menschen für seine politischen Interessen. Das ist die Realität an dieser Grenze. Und die andere Realität ist, dass Kyriakos Mitsotakis mit seiner griechischen Regierung das europäische Recht an dieser Grenze umsetzt. 2015 darf sich nicht wiederholen, Europa lässt sich nicht erpressen! Das ist die Realität an dieser Grenze; deswegen hat zunächst einmal die griechische Regierung volle Unterstützung verdient. Und wenn wir es noch mal mit 2015 vergleichen, dann darf schon gesagt werden: Wir haben heute eine andere Lage an der Grenze, weil wir heute in Athen eine Regierung haben, die in der Lage ist, die Grenze zu sichern. Das war 2015 mit Tsipras nicht der Fall. Das ist die Realität, und deswegen ist es richtig, dass wir das unterstreichen.
                  

                     Ich möchte Danke sagen bei den drei Präsidenten, die nach Griechenland gefahren sind und die griechische Regierung unterstützt haben. Die Europäische Union steht an der Seite Griechenlands. Und wir als EVP haben auch volles Vertrauen in die handelnden Beamten. Diejenigen, die dort vor Ort tätig sind und ihren Job durchführen, wollen keine Gewalt anwenden. Und alle griechischen Beamten, die dort tätig sind, werden europäisches Recht auch respektieren.
                  

                     Was ist jetzt zu tun? Erstens: Bevor wir einen Dialog mit der Türkei starten, der notwendig ist, muss Erdoğan deeskalieren, das heißt, an der griechisch-türkischen Grenze dafür sorgen, dass wir wieder zu geordneten Verhältnissen kommen.
                  

                     Zweitens: Griechenland braucht unsere Unterstützung – mit Geld, mit Frontex, mit Zelten, so wie das bereits jetzt am Laufen ist.
                  

                     Drittens: Wir sind bereit für ein erneuertes Abkommen mit der Türkei. Aber die Zahlungen sollten weiterhin direkt an die Hilfsorganisationen gehen. Wir als EVP sind nicht bereit, das türkische Staatsbudget zu finanzieren, aber wir sind bereit, die Flüchtlinge in der Türkei zu unterstützen. Und wir sollten auch nicht vergessen, dass auch Libanon und Jordanien weiter hohen Bedarf an Unterstützung haben. Es sollte nicht nur die Türkei im Mittelpunkt stehen.
                  

                     Viertens: Wir brauchen eine Lösung für die Menschen in Lesbos. Frau Kommissarin, Sie haben auf die unsägliche Situation vor allem für die unbegleiteten Kinder hingewiesen. Deswegen begrüßen wir, dass es jetzt endlich den Willen für eine Koalition der Willigen auf europäischer Ebene gibt, die bereit sind, auch Menschen in Not aufzunehmen. Es ist dringend notwendig, das anzupacken.
                  

                     Das Fünfte: Die Entwicklung ist ein Weckruf für die Europäische Union, jetzt bei der mittelfristigen finanziellen Vorausschau, die wir vorhin diskutiert haben, endlich ehrlich zu sein. Vor zwei Wochen haben die Staats- und Regierungschefs beschlossen, Frontex zu kürzen. Sie haben beschlossen, dem Grenzschutz weniger Geld zu geben. Das ist indiskutabel! Die Mitgliedstaaten müssen sich endlich ehrlich klar machen: Wollen wir einen gemeinsamen Außengrenzschutz? Dann müssen die Staaten auch bereit sein, die notwendigen Gelder bereitzustellen. Und wir brauchen einen Durchbruch bei der legislativen Vorlage. Frau Kommissarin, wir warten da auf Ihre Vorschläge, die ja nach Ostern dann kommen sollen. Und wir werden Sie konstruktiv begleiten. Wir brauchen einen neuen Aufschlag, um voranzugehen.
                  

                     Die eigentliche Ursache der Entwicklungen ist natürlich Syrien, wo Erdoğan zu Recht sagt, dass Europa endlich aktiv werden und nicht nur kommentieren soll. Und deswegen: Europa braucht mehr Ambition, geopolitisch zu handeln, und Kyriakos Mitsotakis braucht unsere volle Unterstützung. We stand by Greece!
                  

Iratxe García Pérez,
en nombre del Grupo S&D. – Señor presidente, en los últimos días hemos sido testigos de la actitud temerosa del presidente de Turquía al utilizar la vida de seres humanos vulnerables en búsqueda de su propio beneficio político. Pero, a pesar de esta conducta inmoral, tenemos la obligación de actuar con responsabilidad.
                  

                     Debemos prestar todo el apoyo a Grecia. Grecia merece nuestra responsabilidad. Porque Grecia está siendo víctima de la falta de responsabilidad del Consejo ante el bloqueo de la reforma de Dublín. Y permítame, señor Weber: me parece muy irresponsable por su parte que haya hecho esa referencia al cambio de gobierno en Grecia, porque las mismas dificultades que encuentra hoy el Gobierno para ser capaz de actuar ante esta situación las tuvo el anterior Gobierno. Es muy irresponsable hacer una utilización política de esta cuestión, mucho. Pongámonos de acuerdo en lo que tenemos que hacer y no usemos esta desgracia de muchas personas para atacar a un gobierno nacional.
                  

                     Siendo conscientes de ello, los socialdemócratas no podemos dejar de lamentar que el debate haya girado únicamente en torno a la protección de nuestras fronteras, mientras que olvidamos a los miles de personas, en campos de refugiados o en tierra de nadie, que están sufriendo las consecuencias. Las imágenes que hemos visto en la frontera de Grecia con Turquía son estremecedoras. Sí, los Estados miembros tienen el derecho de ejercer un control efectivo de sus fronteras, pero dicho control debe realizarse en estricto cumplimiento del Derecho internacional.
                  

                     No sé si la presidenta Von der Leyen piensa lo mismo, porque, cuando visitó Grecia y tuvo una reunión con su Gobierno, defendió con orgullo que ese Gobierno, que el Gobierno de Grecia actúe como escudo de Europa. ¿Escudo de qué? Los escudos se utilizan para protegernos de las armas, y estamos hablando de la vida de personas, de seres humanos, de seres vulnerables. Escudos no, protección.
                  

                     Nos gustaría escuchar qué piensa la Comisión ante la decisión unilateral por parte del Gobierno griego de suspender todas las solicitudes de asilo durante un mes. ¿Esto significa que la Comisión Europea ignora la Convención de Ginebra? Me gustaría recordar su papel como guardiana de los Tratados, porque el artículo 78, apartado 3, del TFUE establece que cualquier medida en este sentido requiere una decisión del Consejo a propuesta de la Comisión y previa consulta del Parlamento Europeo.
                  

                     Si queremos acabar con este drama, debemos trabajar en todos los frentes. Porque no habrá solución a esta crisis humanitaria si no se pone fin a la contienda civil en Siria. La Comisión y el Consejo tienen una responsabilidad crucial. La señora Johansson hoy nos ha anunciado la presentación de este paquete, que estamos esperando, porque es urgente y necesario. Tenemos que tener en cuenta que la solidaridad con Grecia no puede ser incompatible con el respeto a las leyes internacionales. Actuemos con esa responsabilidad… (el presidente retira la palabra a la oradora).
                  

Sophia in 't Veld,
on behalf of the Renew Group. – Mr President, I would like to thank the Council and Madam Commissioner for her very heartening speech.
Today we are facing the consequences of four years of inertia: the government leaders who've been sitting on their hands since 2015 are now crying big crocodile tears because they've been cornered by Mr Erdoğan, which cannot come as a surprise. Europe has abandoned its citizens and Europe has betrayed its values. So now let's try and use this crisis to do better. I think that our adjusted work schedules should not be a reason for not doing our parliamentary job as a co-legislator and a budget authority.
Firstly, we urgently need to relocate people from the islands, with priority for unaccompanied minors and families with children. I find the refusal of most Member States – fortunately not all – to relocate people from the islands an absolute disgrace. I would like to praise the local authorities. who have been a lot more generous and welcoming – and very often wiser – than their own national governments. Yes, Europe also has to renegotiate with Mr Erdoğan. Not a statement, which is basically no more than a press release, but a proper international, enforceable agreement under EU law and under the scrutiny of this House. But, more importantly, Europe needs its own asylum and migration policy and we're very interested to see what the European Commission will propose. But let's be clear: we're not in the business of rubber-stamping here. We will play our full role as a co-legislator and not sign on the dotted line.
As for the EUR 700 million which have been so generously promised by the Commission and Council, we would like to know, again as the budget authority, what the money is for before we sign up for the EUR 350 million.
Finally, all allegations of violence by the authorities – and that includes Frontex – will have to be investigated by an independent authority.
Colleagues, let's use this crisis to end the paralysis and let's show the citizens that we can deliver.

(Applause)


Annalisa Tardino,
a nome del gruppo ID. – Signor Presidente, signora Commissario, la situazione degli hotspot in Grecia, di cui avevamo già discusso invano, ha assunto tratti ancora più drammatici, a causa della debolezza dell'Europa di fronte ai ricatti di Erdoğan.
                  

                     Isole con presenze superiori sei volte la capienza ordinaria, bambini in condizioni disumane nei campi profughi, frontiere aperte e milioni di immigrati in arrivo dalla Turchia: una fotografia desolante! La Grecia è sola, come lo era l'Italia.
                  

                     E l'Europa che cosa fa? Incontra Erdoğan, come se non fossero già troppi i miliardi di euro erogati sino ad oggi, mentre tagliamo i fondi per l'agricoltura e mentre ancora la Presidente von der Leyen deve valutare se sostenere economicamente l'Italia di fronte all'emergenza coronavirus. Invece che sanzionare la Turchia, noi negoziamo. Questa è l'Europa che non ci piace!
                  

                     Abbiamo ascoltato parole come difendere i confini europei: la Grecia è il nostro scudo, bene, complimenti! Noi della Lega lo sosteniamo da anni che difendere i confini è la soluzione, così come indichiamo da anni il problema turco.
                  

                     Passate ai fatti: il tempo a vostra disposizione si è esaurito, così come la pazienza dei cittadini europei.
                  

Ska Keller,
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. – Mr President, what we're witnessing here is a humanitarian catastrophe in many dimensions. We have one catastrophe of a humanitarian dimension at the Greek-Turkish border, but we also have one on the Greek islands, and we have one – let's not forget about that – in northern Syria around Idlib. It's the fate of those women, of men and children – that is the crisis, and that is what we need to care about.
It is shocking that Europe will only care about refugees when they pose a problem at our own borders. It is shocking how Europe answers people in need with tear gas, with breaking the law and with suspending human rights. Is that what we really want to be?
Those who are fleeing from a war, those who need protection, and those who are living in unbearable conditions on Greek islands or anywhere else, they need our solidarity. The EU needs to support the Member States on the borders, but it completely fails if this support is understood as just more policing and keeping people out. Rather, the EU should support Greece with applying international law by a rapid redistribution of the people trapped on the islands or at the border. The EU should focus on safely distributing the refugees. Hundreds of municipalities all across Europe have volunteered to accommodate refugees. They are real heroes, and those communities deserve our praise and they deserve our support. Europe cannot just turn a blind eye if it wants to be worth anything. It needs to help because we are all human beings and we are all equal.

Εμμανουήλ Φράγκος,
εξ ονόματος της ομάδας ECR. – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, τις τελευταίες μέρες οι Έλληνες βιώσαμε και βιώνουμε έναν υβριδικό πόλεμο από την Τουρκία στα σύνορά μας στον Έβρο. Έναν πόλεμο στον οποίο δεν έχουμε ως θύματα λαθρομετανάστες, όπως δυστυχώς προσπαθούν να μας παρουσιάσουν οι πολιτικοί της Αριστεράς, ανάμεσά τους και οι Έλληνες, αλλά έχουμε ως θύτες μισθοφόρους τζιχαντιστές, οι οποίοι ακολουθώντας τις εντολές του Ερντογάν προσπαθούν να εισβάλουν παράνομα στην Ελλάδα. Είναι ντροπή που λόγω και των πολιτικών της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης τέτοιοι εντολοδόχοι κατακλύζουν σήμερα τα ελληνικά νησιά και την ελληνική ενδοχώρα και συντηρούνται από μια σειρά ΜΚΟ των οποίων βασικός χρηματοδότης είναι ο Σόρος. Για τον λόγο αυτό καλούμε την ελληνική κυβέρνηση να σταματήσει να ακολουθεί τις οδηγίες αυτής της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης και να ακολουθήσει τις τρεις βασικές προτάσεις της Ελληνικής Λύσης για το λαθρομεταναστευτικό, οι οποίες είναι σφράγισμα των ελληνικών συνόρων, μεταφορά όλων των λαθρομεταναστών σε ακατοίκητα νησιά και απέλασή τους και κλείσιμο όλων των ΜΚΟ.
                  

(Ο ομιλητής δέχεται να απαντήσει σε ερώτηση με ‘γαλάζια κάρτα’ (άρθρο 171 παράγραφος 8 του Κανονισμού)).


Πέτρος Κόκκαλης (GUE/NGL),
ερώτηση με γαλάζια κάρτα. – Κύριε Φράγκο, διαφωνείτε νομίζω με τον κύριο Weber, ότι θα πρέπει να χρηματοδοτούμε μη κυβερνητικές οργανώσεις. Ππιστεύετε ότι η χρηματοδότηση που στήριξε αυτούς τους ανθρώπους τα τελευταία χρόνια δεν προήλθε από αυτή την αίθουσα αλλά προήλθε από τον κύριο Σόρος;
                  

Εμμανουήλ Φράγκος (ECR),
απάντηση σε ερώτηση με γαλάζια κάρτα. – Εμείς πιστεύουμε ότι συγκεκριμένη χρηματοδότηση προέρχεται από συγκοινωνούντα δοχεία και είναι ένας από τους άμεσους λόγους της κατάστασης που επικρατεί στα ελληνικά νησιά. Οι ΜΚΟ για μας είναι μια από τις βασικές αιτίες που έχουν φέρει τα ελληνικά νησιά σε αυτή την κατάσταση και απαιτούμε να κλείσουν όλες.
                  

Cornelia Ernst,
im Namen der GUE/NGL-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident, meine Damen und Herren! Ich möchte mich als Allererstes von dem Vorredner und dem, was er gesagt hat, distanzieren. Das ist eine Schande für dieses Haus! Und ich will auch eines klar sagen: Ein freiwilliger Helfer hat zu dem, was wir an der EU-Außengrenze erleben, eines gesagt, ein Wort verwendet: Apokalypse. Das kommt aus dem Griechischen und heißt Enthüllungen, im Christentum heißt es Offenbarung. Und die Offenbarung vom Rat und im Übrigen auch von Herrn Weber ist ganz offensichtlich eines: Erst die Grenze sichern, und irgendwann dann kommen die Menschen.
                  

                     Da kann ich nur sagen: Nein, da machen wir nicht mit. Und die Offenbarung, von der ich hier sprach, bedeutet auch: Statt die dort festsitzenden Menschen unverzüglich in die Mitgliedstaaten zu verbringen, dem Aufruf der solidarischen Städte zu folgen – allein in Deutschland sind es 138 Städte, die sofort Flüchtlinge aufnehmen würden – tolerieren Sie, der Rat allen voran, Unmenschlichkeit und Gewalt. Ihnen sind Pakte mit Diktatoren viel wichtiger als das Leben der Menschen vor den Toren der EU. Das ist die Wahrheit. Das nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg etablierte individuelle Asylrecht gerät unter die Abrissbirne.
                  

                     Und ich sage auch ganz klar an die Adresse der Kommissarin: Auch Sie müssen sich entscheiden: Wollen Sie …
                  

(Der Präsident entzieht der Rednerin das Wort.)


Der Präsident. – Ich weise darauf hin, dass ich keine blauen Karten zulassen werde, wenn ich dem jeweiligen Redner wegen Überschreitung der Redezeit das Wort entzogen habe bzw. entziehen musste.
                  

                     Nein, ich habe es genau dokumentiert, Frau Kollegin Ernst. Der Herr Kollege Weber hat bei 3 Minuten 26 Sekunden überzogen, die Frau Kollegin García Pérez hat bei 2 Minuten 30 30 Sekunden überzogen, die Frau Kollegin In't Veld bei 2 Minuten 19 Sekunden. Die anderen waren in der Zeit. Sie haben bei 1 Minute 15 Sekunden, also im Anteil am allermeisten überzogen, deshalb werde ich Sie nicht mit einer blauen Karte belohnen.
                  

Κώστας Παπαδάκης (NI). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, οι Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες, το ΝΑΤΟ και η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση ανταγωνίζονται τη Ρωσία για τον ενεργειακό έλεγχο, οδηγώντας σε διάλυση της Συρίας και σε κύματα ξεριζωμένων προσφύγων. Στηρίζουν την Τουρκία στην εισβολή της στη Συρία, στις απαράδεκτες διεκδικήσεις της στο Αιγαίο, στην Κύπρο και στη Λιβύη ως ανταλλάγματα για την απόσπασή της από την επιρροή της Ρωσίας. Η αστική τάξη της Τουρκίας επιχειρεί να επωφεληθεί με μοχλό τα θύματα αυτών των σχεδίων· τους κατατρεγμένους προσφυγές, τους οποίους Δουβλίνο και Δήλωση Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης-Τουρκίας εγκλωβίζουν στα ελληνικά νησιά πριμοδοτώντας τις ακροδεξιές συμμορίες. Η ελληνική κυβέρνηση στηρίζει το να γίνει η Ελλάδα φυλακή της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, περιφρονώντας τη μαζική εξέγερση των νησιωτών, και εμπλέκεται στα ιμπεριαλιστικά σχέδια, ενώ καλεί ξένες στρατιωτικές δυνάμεις τύπου Frontex στα σύνορα.
                  

                     Να καταγγελθούν τώρα το Δουβλίνο και η συμφωνία Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης-Τουρκίας αλλά και τα σχέδια νεκρανάστασής της! Να κλείσουν τα hot spots και, με ευθύνη της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης και του ΟΗΕ, να οργανωθούν διαδικασίες ασύλου μέσα στην Τουρκία με πλήρη σεβασμό στα δικαιώματα των προσφύγων και άμεση μεταφορά στις χώρες τελικού προορισμού τους.
                  

Esteban González Pons (PPE). – Señor presidente, Turquía está provocando a la Unión Europea usando vidas humanas. Nuestra primera preocupación debe ser siempre la vida de todos los que se encuentran en la frontera. Los inmigrantes no son culpables, son las víctimas. Y debemos estar también con el Gobierno y el pueblo de Grecia, que están haciendo todo lo posible para que esta crisis no vaya a más.
                  

                     El Gobierno griego se encuentra ante la difícil situación de proteger la frontera de todos utilizando los recursos de uno solo de los 27 Estados. Grecia necesita nuestra solidaridad, necesita el apoyo real y directo de la Unión Europea. Lo que está ocurriendo no es un problema griego, es un problema europeo.
                  

                     Por eso, mi Grupo ha propuesto el despliegue inmediato de 2 000 agentes de la Guardia de Fronteras y Costas, la activación del Mecanismo de Protección Civil de la Unión y una ayuda financiera de 1 000 millones de euros para ayudar a las autoridades de Grecia y de Bulgaria en la gestión de la crisis migratoria.
                  

                     Y, sobre todo, necesitamos acabar de una vez por todas con la improvisación y los medios a corto plazo. Necesitamos una política migratoria común para toda la Unión Europea; una política que aborde problemas reales de la emigración, que salve vidas, que proteja nuestras fronteras y en la que todos los Estados miembros participen por igual, es decir, compartiendo los mismos derechos, las mismas obligaciones y las mismas responsabilidades respecto de los inmigrantes que llegan a Europa.
                  

                     Por último, este Parlamento debe exigir a Turquía que ponga fin inmediato a esta escalada que solo sirve para poner en riesgo miles de vidas humanas y es una escalada cruel e inhumana.
                  

Kati Piri (S&D). – Mr President, if there's one thing we know for sure, it is that after nine years the war in Syria is not over. Only in the last weeks we have seen one million people fleeing from Idlib. And what did the EU do during the last four years?
We stopped relocating people from Greece. We were not able to fulfil all the promises made to Ankara in 2016, of course partly due to the human rights situation in Turkey, but also because No EU leader was willing to put money on the table to continue financing 3.7 million Syrians living in that country. We failed to set up a real asylum system and we looked away from the misery in Syria.
Finally, last week EU leaders acknowledged the urgency of this crisis. Ursula von der Leyen spoke at the Greek border about Greece being the shield that protects Europe. A shield from what? The misery of vulnerable people fleeing war? We don't need a shield for that, we just need to close our eyes – something we have been doing for way too long. It's time to act, strike a new agreement with Ankara, and help the real people on the Greek islands.

Malik Azmani (Renew). – Mr President, yesterday, the EU and Turkey started evaluating the 2016 migration deal and talked about the way forward – finally, Commissioner!
Many doubts have been raised over this deal, but let's not forget that Turkey has provided shelter to millions of refugees and migrants for the last few years. Without this Agreement, many would have come to the EU.
However, that migrants are now being used to start dialogue, to bring pressure to bear, is unacceptable. We need to return safely the people stuck at the Turkish-Greek border, and help especially those in Idlib, and also help to de-escalate the situation over there. Moreover, we urgently need a comprehensive approach on migration. We need a full assessment at the external border of those likely to be allowed to stay and those who are not. We need also to have more sustainable partnerships with safe third countries.
The EU presented the solution two months ago. When will the Commission act?

Thierry Mariani (ID). – Monsieur le Président, la Grèce est une fois de plus l'épicentre des errements de l'Union européenne. Après avoir subi de plein fouet les méfaits d'une organisation financière irrationnelle et les diktats des agences européennes, la Grèce est laissée pour compte face à son vieil ennemi ottoman.
                  

                     Aujourd'hui, l'Union européenne se satisfait d'inviter M. Erdogan alors qu'il nous agresse, utilisant la misère humaine pour servir son ambition expansionniste et violente. Une ambition servie par un islamisme conquérant qui agit aujourd'hui jusqu'au cœur de nos nations.
                  

                     Le rôle des parlementaires européens est d'être aux côtés du peuple grec, mobilisé pour défendre son pays. C'est ce qu'a fait la délégation française du groupe Identité et démocratie, puisque nos collègues Jordan Bardella et Jérôme Rivière sont en ce moment à la frontière gréco-turque.
                  

                     Nous ne pouvons accepter cette agression turque, qui est d'autant plus lâche, qu'elle est orchestrée avec des immigrés transformés en mercenaires involontaires du président Erdogan. Madame la Commissaire, vous voulez continuer le dialogue, le seul langage que comprend M. Erdogan, c'est le rapport de force.
                  

Tineke Strik (Verts/ALE). – Mr President, at the Greek-Turkish border, we are facing a humanitarian crisis as a result of four years of Member States shifting their responsibility towards refugees and failing to find a common solution. Men, women and children are now stuck in a no-man's land in horrific circumstances, refused access from both sides, treated with violence and even run the risk of being shot at. Governments have failed to act. They declare that our borders are under threat, but what about our refugees who are stuck at the border and on the Greek islands? Isn't that our common responsibility as well? If we are serious about a common European asylum policy then let's act now. And that means that all Member States should organise the relocation of asylum seekers, starting with the vulnerable ones, with local communities showing the way.
At the same time, we need to ensure that the Greek Government fulfils its obligations. The Commission has to clearly denounce the suspension of asylum requests, as it is a violation of EU law. Commissioner, I urge you to use the financial and material support to enforce access to an asylum procedure, legal aid and all necessary services and to bring an end to the violence at the border. It's our common and essential duty to guarantee that asylum seekers are not a victim of any political game.

Joachim Stanisław Brudziński (ECR). – Panie Przewodniczący! Przez ostatnie lata mieliśmy do czynienia z sytuacją niejednokrotnie kuriozalną, swoistego rodzaju kohabitacją grup przestępczych i również NGO-sów. Nieodpowiedzialna polityka socjalistów europejskich, również Komisji Europejskiej, doprowadziła do sytuacji, jaka jest dzisiaj na granicach Grecji i Turcji. I sytuacja w Grecji wymaga solidarności, prawdziwej, niepozorowanej, idącej w kierunku zaspokojenia rzeczywistych potrzeb i skutkującej przywróceniem stanu bezpieczeństwa dla obywateli Unii Europejskiej. Dlatego polski rząd, osobiście premier Mateusz Morawiecki, podjął decyzję o wyrażeniu solidarności rzeczywistej. Gotowi jesteśmy wesprzeć Grecję siłami naszych funkcjonariuszy granicznych oraz policji w liczbie 1500. Odbędzie się to poprzez wzmocnienie agencji Frontex oraz bezpośrednio naszych greckich przyjaciół, jeżeli tylko wyrażą taką potrzebę. Skala naszej solidarności jest bezprecedensowa i daje obraz, jak poważnie Polska podchodzi do bezpieczeństwa naszych wspólnych granic. Niech wezmą to pod uwagę krytycy polityki prowadzonej przez Polskę w odniesieniu do migracji i bezpieczeństwa i wskażą w Unii Europejskiej państwa, które chociaż mają zbliżoną do Polski skalę oferty solidarności z Grecją.
                  

Κωνσταντίνος Αρβανίτης (GUE/NGL). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, κύριε Weber, την ξέρουμε την αγάπη σας για την Ελλάδα! Τη ζήσαμε στο πετσί μας πάρα πολύ άγρια, αλλά το θέμα είναι αλλού. Σήμερα ζούμε στιγμές απόλυτης υποκρισίας. Ο Ερντογάν εργαλειοποιεί τον ανθρώπινο πόνο για να εκβιάσει την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση –κύριε Weber, δεν είπατε κάτι για τον Ερντογάν. Κράτη μέλη πιέζουν για πολιτικά παιχνίδια στη Συρία και στην ευρύτερη περιοχή και η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση δεν καταδικάζει την πολιτική Ερντογάν. Αντιθέτως, στις δηλώσεις της η ηγεσία της μιλάει για ‘φίλη χώρα’.
                  

                     Η κυρία von der Leyen και ο κύριος Σχινάς προσφέρουν στην Ελλάδα 700 εκατομμύρια ευρώ για τη δημιουργία κλειστών κέντρων κράτησης. Χωρίς απόφαση των οργάνων της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης αλλάζει η πολιτική στο προσφυγικό. Καθιστάτε τη χώρα μου φυλακή κατατρεγμένων. Διά της πλαγίας οδού φέρνετε την πολιτική των κλειστών κέντρων κράτησης, χωρίς να πείτε κουβέντα για την αποσυμφόρηση της Ελλάδας και την ισότιμη αναλογική μετεγκατάσταση προσφύγων στα κράτη μέλη. Δεν συγκαλείτε Σύνοδο Κορυφής. Γιατί; Τα κορυφαία στελέχη της Επιτροπής δεν είπαν κουβέντα και την αναθεώρηση του Δουβλίνου, κουβέντα για την παραβίαση της Συνθήκης Γενεύης και του δικαιώματος στο άσυλο. Μετατρέπετε την πολιτική του Βίσεγκραντ σε πολιτική της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης.
                  

                     Αυτή τη στιγμή είναι μεγαλύτερη από ποτέ η ανάγκη για τη δημιουργία ενός προοδευτικού δημοκρατικού μετώπου για την Ευρώπη της ειρήνης και της αλληλεγγύης. Πήραμε κουράγιο από τους Σοσιαλιστές και τους τους Πράσινους.
                  

Ιωάννης Λαγός (NI). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, πριν από τέσσερις μέρες περίπου είχα την τιμή και τη χαρά να είμαι στα σύνορα μαζί με τους Έλληνες στρατιώτες, μαζί με τους Έλληνες αστυνομικούς και μαζί με τους Έλληνες πολίτες, οι οποίοι περιφρουρούν τα σύνορα της Ελλάδας και της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης. Πρέπει να τονίσουμε και να είναι ξεκάθαρο ότι ακούμε ωραία λόγια εδώ πέρα από την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση για τη βοήθεια που θα δώσει στην Ελλάδα, όμως τα πρώτα δύσκολα εικοσιτετράωρα δεν είδαμε τίποτα και δυστυχώς ήμασταν μόνοι μας εκεί. Όπως δεν πρέπει να ξεχνάμε ότι το λαθρομεταναστευτικό ζήτημα δεν ξεκίνησε τώρα και δεν το βλέπουμε τώρα να το αντιμετωπίσουμε. Έχει ξεκινήσει σε ένα βάθος πενταετίας τουλάχιστον και η Ελλάδα όχι μόνο έμεινε σε αυτό μόνη της αλλά εξαναγκαζόταν επί της ουσίας να δεχτεί όλους αυτούς τους λαθρομετανάστες. Έτσι λοιπόν σήμερα φτάσαμε σε αυτό το σημείο. Έχουμε φτάσει στο σημείο ο Ερντογάν να μας κουνάει το δάχτυλο και να απειλεί ουσιαστικά την Ευρώπη ότι θα ανοίξει τις πύλες εισόδου, πράγμα που έχει κάνει, και το έχει κάνει με λεφτά που του δίνει Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση.
                  

                     Πρέπει να σταματήσετε λοιπόν να δίνετε λεφτά στον Ερντογάν και στην τουρκική κυβέρνηση, γιατί μόνο έτσι καταλαβαίνουν και μόνο έτσι θα αντιμετωπιστεί η κατάσταση. Αν λέτε ότι η Frontex πρέπει να έρθει και να βοηθήσει στα σύνορα της πατρίδας μας, τότε η Frontex θα πρέπει να περιπολεί στα τουρκικά σύνορα, μέσα στην Τουρκία και όχι στην Ελλάδα. Από 'κει ξεκινούν οι λαθροδιακινητές και κάνουν όλη αυτή την ιστορία.
                  

Βαγγέλης Μεϊμαράκης (PPE). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, ο κύριος Weber με την ομιλία του έθεσε σωστά το πλαίσιο της συζήτησης και των κινήσεων που πρέπει να κάνουμε και το προσυπογράφω απόλυτα, διότι η κρίση στα σύνορα της Ευρώπης, με αποκλειστική ευθύνη της Τουρκίας σήμερα, αποτελεί μια πρωτοφανή καταπάτηση των ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων και των αξιών που χαρακτηρίζουν την Ένωσή μας και που υπερασπίζεται σήμερα η ελληνική κυβέρνηση μαζί με την αντιπολίτευση, διότι και ο κύριος Τσίπρας κι ένα πολύ μεγάλο μέρος της αντιπολίτευσης έχει συμφωνήσει με τις κινήσεις της σημερινής κυβέρνησης. Αποτελεί όμως και ιδανική συγκυρία για την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση, προκειμένου να τηρήσει τις δεσμεύσεις της· να δείξει έμπρακτα ότι απέναντι σε προκλητικούς ηγέτες μπορεί να σταθεί ισχυρή, χωρίς να εκβιάζεται από προκλητικές συμπεριφορές και ενέργειες.
                  

                     Το προσφυγικό μεταναστευτικό λοιπόν απειλεί την ύπαρξη της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης. Έχουμε επανειλημμένα αποδείξει ότι κατανοούμε τα προβλήματα της Τουρκίας και βοηθούμε στην επίλυσή τους, με γνώμονα όμως το διεθνές δίκαιο, το οποίο απαξιώνει ο Ερντογάν, ο οποίος πρέπει να καταλάβει ότι στις πλάτες απελπισμένων ανθρώπων και με απάνθρωπες συμπεριφορές δεν μπορεί να γίνουν διαπραγματεύσεις και δεν είναι συνομιλητής μας, εάν δεν αλλάξει συμπεριφορά και τακτική.
                  

(Ο ομιλητής δέχεται να απαντήσεις σε ερώτηση με ‘γαλάζια κάρτα’ (άρθρο 171 παράγραφος 8 του Κανονισμού)).


Δημήτριος Παπαδημούλης (GUE/NGL),
ερώτηση με γαλάζια κάρτα. – Κύριε συνάδελφε, σωστά σημειώσατε ότι η αξιωματική αντιπολίτευση στηρίζει την προσπάθεια της Ελλάδας απέναντι στον γεωπολιτικό εκβιασμό Ερντογάν. Σας ερωτώ όμως: Πώς κρίνετε το γεγονός ότι η ελληνική κυβέρνηση δεν ζητά δίκαιη μετεγκατάσταση των προσφύγων σε όλη την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση, ότι η ευρωπαϊκή ηγεσία ήρθε και είπε πάρτε λίγα χρήματα αλλά δεν είπε θέλουμε να μοιραστούν…
                  

(Ο Πρόεδρος διακόπτει τον ομιλητή)


Βαγγέλης Μεϊμαράκης (PPE),
απάντηση σε ερώτηση γαλάζια κάρτα. – Είναι αλήθεια καταρχήν ότι η κρίση του 2015 είναι διαφορετική από τη σημερινή. Σήμερα λοιπόν έχουμε ένα διαφορετικό πλαίσιο με μια προκλητικότατη και απάνθρωπη συμπεριφορά εκ μέρους του κυρίου Ερντογάν, ο οποίος πρέπει να καταλάβει ότι αυτές οι εικόνες που βλέπουμε είναι δική του ευθύνη, γιατί η Ελλάδα πρέπει να υπερασπιστεί αυτές τις αρχές και τις αξίες και πρέπει να υπερασπιστεί τα σύνορα της Ευρώπης. Κατά συνέπεια, εφόσον η συμφωνία που εμείς ζητούμε να εφαρμοστεί από τον Ερντογάν αυτή τη στιγμή είναι νεκρή με δική του ευθύνη…
                  

(Ο Πρόεδρος διακόπτει τον ομιλητή)


Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D). – Señor presidente, ante la enormidad y complejidad de este drama, no bastan simplificaciones, ni basta con señalar culpables. Lo primordial son las víctimas, que son los miles de seres humanos que se hacinan en las islas griegas en condiciones infernales, y hay que exigir, renunciando al ritual de indignación, respuestas de los responsables: inmediatas y en el medio plazo.
                  

                     En lo inmediato: Grecia no es un país tercero. Grecia somos nosotros. Es la Unión Europea y su frontera es la nuestra. Como lo es la de Chipre, la de Malta, la de Italia o la de España. Y, por tanto, Grecia exige solidaridad. Pero eso no equivale a convalidar las prácticas brutales de neonazis griegos con violencia xenófoba, ni tampoco a aceptar la suspensión unilateral del derecho de asilo, ni tampoco la invocación unilateral del artículo 78, que requiere la participación de todas las instituciones y también del Parlamento Europeo. En lo inmediato: hacen falta corredores humanitarios, realojamientos vinculantes para niños menores no acompañados, pero también para personas vulnerables, y, por supuesto, la movilización del Fondo de Asilo, Migración e Integración.
                  

                     Pero en el medio plazo: el pacto sobre migración y asilo, que esperamos con solidaridad vinculante y responsabilidad compartida… (el presidente retira la palabra al orador).
                  

Jan-Christoph Oetjen (Renew). – Herr Präsident! Natürlich stehen wir in dieser schwierigen Situation an der Seite von Griechenland. Das ist für mich völlig außer Frage, denn wir dürfen uns von Präsident Erdoğan nicht erpressen lassen. Und insbesondere dürfen wir nicht das machen, was er gerne möchte, nämlich dass wir das Geld aus dem Deal direkt in die türkische Staatskasse überweisen. Vielleicht müssen wir uns auch fragen, ob wir dieses Geld nicht besser direkt in Syrien investieren, da, wo es wirklich gebraucht wird. Denn die Europäische Union ist eine Wertegemeinschaft, und in Syrien können wir zeigen, dass wir diese Werte auch anwenden. Ich finde es auch richtig, dass wir zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt mehr Personal von Frontex und von EASO nach Griechenland schicken. Die können dann übrigens, wenn sie dort im Einsatz sind, dafür sorgen, dass Rechtsstaatlichkeit und Bürgerrechte auch an allen Seiten der europäischen Grenze angewandt werden und von allen. Klar ist aus meiner Sicht auch, dass die Situation in den Flüchtlingslagern in Griechenland für einen Mitgliedstaat der Europäischen Union nicht akzeptabel ist, und das muss sich dringend ändern. Ich hoffe, dass sich möglichst viele Mitgliedstaaten daran beteiligen, insbesondere die Schwächsten der Schwachen, die Kinder, dort rauszuholen.
                  

Peter Kofod (ID). – Hr. formand! EU-systemet burde være tynget af skam. De ydre grænser har aldrig fungeret, og de ydre grænser kommer aldrig til at fungere. Der er simpelthen ikke villighed til det i EU-systemet. Tyrkiske Erdogan har de facto taget magten over de ydre grænser, som hænger i laser, og flertallet af uansvarlige politikere i det her parlament betaler ham endda for det med milliarder af euro betalt af skatteborgerne. Jeg synes, det er væmmeligt! Systemet har taget grundlæggende fejl. Tyrkiet er ikke nogen ven, det er en fjende. Erdogan er ikke bare en præsident, men en diktator og en slyngel. Og mange af de migranter der kommer til Europa, er ikke reelle flygtninge. Det eneste, der til fulde har levet op til sit ry og rygte, er EU, der har opnået at udstille sin egen inkompetence og impotens i forhold til at løse kontinentets største problem: den islamiske masseindvandring fra Mellemøsten og Afrika.
                  

(Taleren accepterer at besvare et blåt kort-spørgsmål (forretningsordenens artikel 171, stk. 8))


Morten Løkkegaard (Renew),
Blåt-kort-spørgsmål. – Jeg deler sådan set analysen fra hr. Kofod omkring Erdogan, og jeg tror ikke, der er mange her, der har lyst til at forsvare det, Erdogan gør. Jeg er bare nødt til at stille et spørgsmål til hr. Kofod: Al denne skælden ud på EU-systemet og os, der ikke kan finde ud af at lave løsninger – hvad er alternativet, hr. Kofod? Hvad er det, som ID-Gruppen har lyst til at komme op med af forslag, der kan afklare den her ulykkelige situation, hvis ikke det er en eller anden form for europæisk fællesskab?
                  

Peter Kofod (ID),
Blåt-kort-svar. – Tak til hr. Løkkegaard for spørgsmålet. For mig at se er svaret ganske klart: Vi har brug for lukkede ydre grænser og for at gennemføre det, der bliver kaldt for en australsk model, altså at man ikke kan få beskyttelse i Europa, men har man behov for beskyttelse, kan man få det et andet sted. En stor del af de mennesker, der kommer hertil, har jo ikke krav på beskyttelse. Der er tale om migration. Der er ikke tale om mennesker, der lider, eller som måtte have et aktuelt behov for beskyttelse, men der er tale om mennesker, der tager hertil af økonomiske grunde, og de kan jo ikke komme til Europa, og det skal vi bremse helt for.
                  

Damien Carême (Verts/ALE). – Monsieur le Président, je suis écœuré. La Grèce et l'Union européenne sont dans l'illégalité la plus totale.
                  

                     L'article 2 du traité dispose que l'Union est fondée sur le respect de la dignité humaine et des droits de l'homme. L'article 78 précise que l'Union respecte le principe de non-refoulement, conformément à la convention de Genève. Or, voici ce qui se passe aujourd'hui: suspension du droit d'asile, refoulement aux frontières, usage d'armes. En plus d'être inhumain, tout cela est donc parfaitement illégal. Mais ces embarcations de migrants que l'on tente de couler, c'est le naufrage de l'Europe, chers collègues!
                  

                     Écœuré aussi par cet accord avec la Turquie que nous dénoncions et qui nous revient comme un boomerang.
                  

                     Écœuré enfin par le bal des faux-culs des dirigeants européens qui souhaitent accueillir aujourd'hui des mineurs isolés alors qu'il y a trois mois, aucun pays n'a répondu à l'appel au secours de la Grèce.
                  

                     Nos dirigeants sont une bande de lâches qui font le jeu de l'extrême droite en prétendant la combattre. En endossant leurs costumes de militaires et en fermant les frontières, ils alimentent la peur et lui préparent un boulevard pour arriver au pouvoir. C'est de la plus belle manière que l'on combat l'extrême droite: en restant aligné sur ces valeurs humanistes auxquelles on croit, en disant la vérité, en prenant ses responsabilités au lieu de se défausser en faisant un chèque à Erdogan. Ça suffit maintenant, retrouvons nos valeurs fondatrices de solidarité et d'humanisme!
                  

Ангел Джамбазки (ECR). – Г-н Председател, колеги, много хора днес тук в тази зала трябва да се срамуват. Колеги отляво, в ляво от мен: в годините назад всички вие оправдавахте и прикривахте турския диктатор Ердоган. Правихте се, че не виждате, че това е един диктатор, който използва човешкото нещастие за своите лични политически цели. Вие бяхте тези, които казахте: ‘Wir schaffen das’ — ние ще се справим. Ами не, не се справихте. И нямаше как да се справите. Сега чувам колеги, които призовават да се отворят отново границите, и ги питам: кой от вас, от тези които се изказаха в подкрепа на нелегалната емиграция, е приел в своя дом поне един нелегален имигрант от Афганистан, от Иран или от Еритрея? Ако има такъв, нека вдигне ръка и аз ще призная, че съм сгрешил, но знам, че това не е така. Знам, че никой от вас не би и не е приел нито един нелегален имигрант, но продължавате да ни учите на ум и разум. Това, уважаеми, е лицемерие и трябва да се срамувате.
                  

(Ораторът приема да отговори на въпрос ‘синя карта’ (член 171, параграф 8 от Правилника за дейността))


Mick Wallace (GUE/NGL),
blue-card question. – Given that Europeans have supported wars against peoples in these countries where the refugees have come from, and given that we – both militarily and economically – have absolutely destroyed their communities and their lives, do you not think that we should take some responsibility for these refugees, and do you not think that all European states should play their part? And yes, I've had an Afghan refugee in my house for over a year and a half and I've had an Iraqi Kurd in it.

(Applause)


Ангел Джамбазки (ECR),
отговор на въпрос, зададен чрез вдигане на синя карта. – Много екзотично, много интересно — благодаря Ви. По отношение на въпроса, обаче, уважаеми колега, ще си позволя да Ви преподам кратък, много кратък и бърз, урок по международно право. Бежанецът идва от война. Турция е сигурна държава, на територията на Турция не се води война, от територията на Турция в България и в Гърция не може да дойде бежанец. Това е нелегален имигрант и когато Вие заблуждавате или, веднага казвам лъжете, че тези хора са от Сирия — не, не са. Ще Ви подаря глобус.
                  

Der Präsident. – Vielen Dank, Herr Kollege Dzhambazki! Ich will Ihnen auch sagen, dass ich vorhin gerade gezögert habe, Herr Kollege Dzhambazki. Sie sind um einen Ordnungsruf nur deshalb herumgekommen, weil Sie die Kollegen pauschal als Heuchler bezeichnet haben und nicht einen Kollegen in Person.
                  

Malin Björk (GUE/NGL). – Herr talman! Kommissionen och rådet fortsätter att prata om att skydda Europas gränser, när ni vet att det sker med våld och brutalitet. Ni berömmer kustbevakningen, när den sänker båtar i stället för att rädda liv. Det är inte bara uppochnedvända världen. Det är olagligt, och det är fullständigt och djupt oanständigt. Vad vi borde prata om – alla av oss – är hur vi ska skydda människor. Skydda människor på flykt, skydda asylrätten, skydda rättsstaten, rädda det som finns kvar av medmänsklighet och skydda oss alla mot den växande fascism som kommer att plocka bort oss en efter en.
                  

                     Vi ska öppna Europas gränser och vi ska fördela ansvaret för ett värdigt mottagande och vi ska göra det nu. Vi ska sluta att göra upp med despoten Erdoğan, som bara genererar mer krig och mer förtryck. Vi kommer aldrig att acceptera ett Europa som dansar efter Orbáns pipa. Vi kommer att stå upp för ett Europa för mänskliga rättigheter, för asylrätten och för vår värdighet. Vi står i solidaritet med dem som flyr.
                  

Roberta Metsola (PPE). – Mr President, the situation at the Greek-Turkish border is critical. My message is clear: we stand with Greece. We will not allow Turkey and President Erdogan to try to blackmail Europe by using some of the most vulnerable people on the planet as pawns in a geopolitical power play. It is unacceptable and it is irresponsible. We can be proud that Europe has stood together in what is a very trying and volatile time.
That said, Europe must and will fulfil its obligations. Long-standing overcrowding is being addressed and, as we've heard, thousands of unaccompanied minors will be relocated from, hopefully, as many participating Member States as possible. Of course, we need to reform Dublin, and ensure a new pact on migration and asylum. But we need to take those decisions without threats from across the border.
At the same time, we need to do all we can to support the Greek authorities, and that means ensuring the presence of all the Frontex border guards and European Asylum Support Office (EASO) personnel required immediately, and providing any and all financial assistance.
To conclude, migration challenges are a global phenomenon that need a global response, and Turkey and the EU must be part of that approach. It is time for cool heads, de-escalation and serious discussions.

(Applause)


Pietro Bartolo (S&D). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, mi rivolgo a quest'Aula in una situazione che non è quella consueta, ovviamente.
                  

                     L'Europa sta vivendo un momento difficile, ma dobbiamo continuare a lavorare e dobbiamo farlo anche per coloro che si trovano al confine tra la Turchia e la Grecia e per coloro che sono da mesi, a volte anche addirittura da anni, intrappolati nelle isole greche.
                  

                     È stato l'egoismo dei nostri Stati membri a causare tutta questa sofferenza, a portare bambini a gesti di autolesionismo e addirittura al suicidio. Servono misure di solidarietà immediata nei confronti di coloro che si trovano bloccati lì.
                  

                     Non abbiamo bisogno di difendere le nostre frontiere ma dobbiamo invece stabilire un meccanismo di ricollocamento di emergenza, prima di tutto dei minori non accompagnati. Non è pensabile lasciare dei bambini in quelle condizioni!
                  

                     Dobbiamo essere vicini alla Grecia, certo! Ma dobbiamo anche chiedere in modo chiaro e senza ambiguità che il governo greco ristabilisca il pieno rispetto dei diritti umani ai suoi confini, perché le immagini dei giorni scorsi mi hanno fatto vergognare come essere umano prima e come europeo poi.
                  

Maite Pagazaurtundúa (Renew). – Señor presidente, esta mañana he escuchado que pagamos en Europa lo que pasa en Siria. Me parece que es un verdadero error de análisis. Somos una potencia internacional en un mundo globalizado y no somos una potencia militar. Lo que ha caracterizado a Europa —nuestra aportación al mundo— ha sido precisamente lo humanitario. Nuestra aportación a la solidaridad. Al menos así era.
                  

                     Y ahora lo que nos encontramos es que hay muchísimas personas escapando de Idlib que son refugiados reales —no imaginarios— y no les estamos apoyando. Y los que crearon el Derecho internacional humanitario después de la Segunda Guerra Mundial —los que crearon la Convención de Ginebra— pasaron por circunstancias muchísimo peores que las que nosotros estamos sufriendo. Estamos abandonando lo que es el corazón de lo que somos como europeos. Y nuestra debilidad está en ponernos en manos de Turquía. Nuestra debilidad está en no tener corredores humanitarios, en no tener una política común de asilo. Esa es nuestra debilidad.
                  

Jaak Madison (ID). – Austatud istungi juhataja! Esiteks, neid lahendusi, mida pakuti välja migratsioonikriisi puhkedes aastatel 2015/2016, me nägime. Angela Merkel kutsus üles avama piirid kõigile. Tekitati massiline kaos, mida üritati lahendada kvootidega, ühtsete lahendustega. Ja mille see tekitas? See tekitas Euroopa Liidu kriisi. Minu sõnum on see, et igasugune surve kvootidele või jagamistele viib Euroopa Liidu lõpuni. See tekitab Euroopa Liidu lõpliku kriisi.
                  

                     Teiseks, ma olen korduvalt käinud pagulaslaagrites Kreekas Ateenas ja Lesbosel ning nimetada kõiki migrante pagulasteks on otsene valetamine. See on valetamine. Üle 80 protsendi inimestest aastatel 2015 ja 2016 ei olnud Süüriast, sõjapiirkonnast. Tegemist oli majandusmigrantidega ja meil, Euroopa rahvastel eri riikides, puudub igasugune kohustus lahendada neid probleeme, mille on tahtlikult tekitanud vasakäärmuslikud jõud üle Euroopa, nt Saksamaal. Ma tulen Eestist ja esindan oma rahvast, kellest 65 protsenti ei toeta ühtset migratsioonipoliitikat. Seega unustage ära!
                  

(Sõnavõtja nõustus vastama sinise kaardi küsimusele (kodukorra artikli 171 lõige 8).)


Mairead McGuinness (PPE),
blue-card question. – Mr Madison, I have known you for some time on the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union (COSAC). I know what you're against, but I'm never certain what you are in favour of. So, instead of telling us what you're against, could you tell me how you might resolve this problem? What about the real humanitarian situation of refugees and migrants? They're all people. Who do you put first, people or borders?

Jaak Madison (ID),
blue-card answer. – Thank you, Ms McGuinness. I know you very well, and I know that you're a very nice person. My solution is also that we have to protect refugees in their own home countries and neighbourhoods. I was in Jordan in 2015, where about 80 000 refugees were stuck in the refugee camp and they got help from the EU.
They didn't want to come to the EU. They wanted to stay in a neighbouring country and go back home as soon as possible. That's the first solution; we have to help neighbouring countries in the Middle East, like Jordan. The second is a solution like Australia ….

(The President cut off the speaker)


Ernest Urtasun (Verts/ALE). – Señor presidente, la decisión de convertir nuestra relación con Turquía en una relación mercenaria es lo que hoy permite a Erdogan chantajear a Europa a través de la vida de miles de refugiados. Por el camino muere el derecho de asilo. La decisión del Gobierno griego de suspender de facto la Convención de Ginebra y los aplausos de la presidenta de la Comisión suponen una página negra en la historia de la Unión. La presidenta ha degradado hasta extremos inimaginables el cargo que ostenta, avalando una flagrante vulneración del Derecho Europeo.
                  

                     Hoy pagamos la inacción de los últimos años en dos frentes: nuestra pasividad en Siria y el bloqueo de la reforma del sistema europeo de asilo.
                  

                     En lo inmediato, solo hay un camino posible. Exigimos a los Estados miembros que abran urgentemente vías de reubicación. Celebro que algunos se hayan mostrado dispuestos a acoger menores, pero es totalmente insuficiente. Relanzar la reubicación desde Grecia, el reasentamiento desde Turquía y un escrupuloso respeto de los derechos de las personas que llegan a nuestras fronteras son hoy la única solución para librarse del chantaje de Erdogan, pero también para cumplir a la vez nuestros compromisos internacionales en materia de derechos humanos.
                  

Patryk Jaki (ECR). – Panie Przewodniczący! To jest oczywiste, że musimy bronić granic europejskich przed szantażem tureckim, musimy być tutaj zjednoczeni, ale nie możemy zapominać o tym, skąd wziął się problem z nielegalną migracją w Europie. Od nieodpowiedzialnych liderów europejskich, którzy zaprosili ich i powiedzieli: ‘Będziecie tutaj mieli wszystko, czego będziecie chcieli’. Wtedy były dwa kraje: Polska i Węgry, które mówiły, że to jest zły kierunek, że skończy się tak, jak to dzisiaj widzimy, mówiły, że trzeba pomagać na miejscu. No i kto miał dzisiaj rację z tej perspektywy? Szanowni Państwo, to jest tak, że w 2015 roku Viktor Orban mówił, że ten problem trzeba rozwiązać tak: zabezpieczyć granice, wzmocnić ochronę, powstrzymać falę nielegalnej imigracji. Właśnie odbył się szczyt ministrów spraw zagranicznych Unii Europejskiej, który przedstawił jaką receptę na problem na granicy grecko-tureckiej? Zabezpieczyć granice, wzmocnić ochronę, powstrzymać falę nielegalnej imigracji. Czas na refleksję, Wysoka Izbo.
                  

(Mówca zgodził się odpowiedzieć na pytanie zadane przez podniesienie niebieskiej kartki (art. 171 ust. 8 Regulaminu))


Stelios Kouloglou (GUE/NGL),
blue-card question. – Mr Jaki, some of the thousands of refugees that are in the border areas of Greece, my country, are coming from Iraq. After this devastating, catastrophic war in which more than one million people have died, your country was one of the alliance of the willing under George Bush that invaded Iraq and destroyed the country. Why are you not taking more political responsibility as a country for the disaster you created?

(Applause)


Patryk Jaki (ECR),
odpowiedź na pytanie zadane przez podniesienie niebieskiej kartki. – Proszę teraz nie udawać, że wszystkie osoby, których dotyczy problem, pochodzą właśnie z tego miejsca. To jest oczywista manipulacja. I my nie mówimy, żeby nie pomagać, Proszę zobaczyć, jak Polska pomaga. Polska pomaga, inwestuje gigantyczne środki, żeby pomagać na miejscu. Bo tutaj chodzi o to, żeby problem rozwiązać kompleksowo, a nie tymczasowo, jak państwo próbujecie nam dziś wskazać. I chcę panu powiedzieć, że to jest oczywiste, że trzeba szanować każdego człowieka i próbować mu pomóc. Różnica polega na tym, jak efektywnie pomóc. Naszym zdaniem efektywnie można pomóc na miejscu.
                  

Γιώργος Γεωργίου (GUE/NGL). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, κυρία Επίτροπε, την πραγματική κατάσταση αναφορικά με το προσφυγικό την περιγράφει πολύ προφητικά ο μεγάλος Έλληνας νομπελίστας Γιώργος Σεφέρης στην ‘Ελένη’ του, λέγοντας ‘τόσα κορμιά ριγμένα στα σαγόνια της θάλασσας, στα σαγόνια της γης· τόσες ψυχές δοσμένες στις μυλόπετρες, σαν το σιτάρι’. Έτσι αλέθονται οι άνθρωποι εκεί στην Ανατολική Μεσόγειο· ανάμεσα στις μυλόπετρες· χυδαία και προκλητικά. Και εσείς δώσατε το κλειδί στον κύριο Ερντογάν, ο οποίος μας εμπαίζει εμφανιζόμενος ως προστάτης των προσφύγων. Και αυτή τη στιγμή θα του δώσετε, φαίνεται, και νέα δώρα ρίχνοντας τα τεράστια βάρη στην Ελλάδα και την Κύπρο.
                  

                     Πάρτε κι εσείς κι οι χώρες σας όσους πρόσφυγες σάς αναλογούν. Ο κύριος Weber, αντί να κριτικάρει την προηγούμενη ελληνική κυβέρνηση, καλά θα κάνει να μας πει τι κάνει ο ίδιος, η χώρα του και το κόμμα του. Να συμπεριφερθείτε επιτέλους με αξιοπρέπεια και αλληλεγγύη. Να καταργήσετε το Δουβλίνο. Να αλλάξετε την επαίσχυντη συμφωνία με την Τουρκία του Ερντογάν, γιατί εκεί, στον Έβρο, κρίνεται η δημοκρατία στην Ευρώπη.
                  

Kris Peeters (PPE). – Voorzitter, tienduizenden migranten proberen Griekenland binnen te komen en het is begrijpelijk en terecht dat Griekenland nu Europese steun vraagt om deze migratiecrisis aan te kunnen. Wij hebben gelukkig die steun ook toegezegd en moeten meer dan ooit solidair zijn met de landen aan de Europese buitengrenzen. Maar vergis u niet, door de grenzen te bewaken los je het probleem natuurlijk niet op. We moeten ervoor zorgen dat de noodmaatregelen die in 2016 zijn getroffen en die voor een deel zijn uitbesteed aan Turkije, dat 3,7 miljoen migranten opvangt, natuurlijk tijdelijk en gedeeltelijk zijn geweest. We moeten absoluut gaan voor een gemeenschappelijk Europees asiel- en migratiebeleid. Het Europees Parlement nam zijn verantwoordelijkheid. Maar, mevrouw de commissaris, hoelang moeten we nog wachten voordat er met de andere instellingen eindelijk een doorbraak komt?
                  

Νίκος Ανδρουλάκης (S&D). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, ο Ερντογάν χρησιμοποιεί την τραγωδία της Συρίας και τον πόνο χιλιάδων προσφύγων και μεταναστών ως πεδίο διαπραγμάτευσης. Η γκαιμπελική πρακτική ανακοινώσεων και ψευδών στοιχείων του υπουργού Εσωτερικών, Σοϊλού, δείχνει το πολιτικό αδιέξοδο που τους οδηγεί σε επικίνδυνα μονοπάτια. Η Ελλάδα κάνει το καθήκον της και προστατεύει τα εξωτερικά σύνορα της Ευρώπης διατηρώντας ακέραια τη ζώνη Schengen και οφείλουμε να συνεχίσουμε να το κάνουμε με απόλυτο σεβασμό στα ανθρώπινα δικαιώματα. Χρειαζόμαστε όμως περισσότερη βοήθεια από τη Frontex και πλήρη ανάπτυξη των δυνάμεων RABIT.
                  

                     Η προσφυγική μεταναστευτική κρίση δεν υπάρχει όμως μόνο στον Έβρο. Φαίνεται να ξεχνάτε πολλοί εδώ μέσα, ιδιαίτερα κάποιοι από τα δεξιά έδρανα, ότι υπάρχουν σαράντα χιλιάδες πρόσφυγες και μετανάστες εγκλωβισμένοι στο βορειοανατολικό Αιγαίο. Αποδείξτε λοιπόν την αλληλεγγύη σας, όχι μόνο στο πώς θα περιφρουρήσει η Ελλάδα τα σύνορά της, αλλά και στο πώς θα υπάρξει επιτέλους πρόγραμμα μετεγκατάστασης, για να φύγουν πρόσφυγες από την Ελλάδα προς τα υπόλοιπα κράτη της Ευρώπης και πώς επιτέλους θα αναθεωρήσουμε με ένα δίκαιο τρόπο το Δουβλίνο, ώστε να μη σηκώνουν το βάρος μόνο οι πρώτες χώρες εισόδου.
                  

Dragoș Tudorache (Renew). – Domnule președinte, iată că ne găsim din nou, la cinci ani de la primele semne ale crizei din 2015, confruntați cu aceleași provocări și riscuri și, din păcate, cu aceeași lipsă de soluții structurale pentru a le răspunde. S-a vorbit timp de cinci ani de nevoia de solidaritate, de o gestiune strategică a relațiilor externe cu țările de origine și tranzit, de securizarea frontierelor și, în general, de nevoia acută de politici europene comune și corelate în materia migrației. Am stat toți acești ani într-un blocaj politic rușinos.
                  

                     Avem acum cu toții – Comisie, Consiliu și Parlament – o ocazie și o datorie istorică de a găsi soluții. Ni s-a spus că ele se vor regăsi în Pactul privind migrația. Sper să fie acolo și sper ca pactul să fie prezentat cât mai rapid. Până atunci sunt câteva măsuri imediate pe care le consider esențiale: în plan diplomatic trebuie să ieșim din logica de șantaj a președintelui Erdogan. Da, UE nu poate ignora criza umanitară din nordul Siriei, dar ea nu poate fi o contrapartidă pentru ca Erdogan să-și controleze frontiera cu Grecia.
                  

                     Revenirea asupra acestei decizii trebuie să fie necondiționată. Și, în plan intern, trebuie acționat imediat în Grecia în spiritul solidarității, dar ajutând-o. E esențial, să înțelegem de ce taberele arată la fel ca acum cinci ani și procedurile sunt atât de încurcate ca acum cinci ani.
                  

Harald Vilimsky (ID). – Herr Präsident, meine sehr geehrten Damen und Herren! Ich möchte zunächst den griechischen Sicherheitskräften meinen Dank aussprechen, dass sie diesen Ansturm illegaler Migranten auch entsprechend effizient abwehren. Warum spreche ich hier von illegaler Migration? Wir wissen aus den über 700 000 Asylanträgen, die vergangenes Jahr in der Europäischen Union gestellt wurden, dass zwei Drittel – zwei Drittel – weder dem Status eines Flüchtlings nach der Genfer Flüchtlingskonvention entsprechen noch dem eines subsidiär Schutzberechtigten. Das heißt, zwei Drittel kommen und drängen in die Europäische Union unter Vorspiegelung falscher Tatsachen.
                  

                     Und so sehr ich den Griechen auch Danke sage dafür, dass sie diesen Ansturm abwehren, so sehr möchte ich das verurteilen, was Herr Erdoğan und die Türkei gegenüber Europa macht. Das ist eine Erpressungsmethode, die man sich nicht gefallen lassen darf. Ich fordere: Dieser faule Deal mit der Türkei gehört beendet, der Beitrittsstatus der Türkei für die Europäische Union muss entsprechend beendet werden, und die Heranführungshilfen sind ebenfalls zu beenden. Hier muss endlich ein Schlusspunkt gesetzt werden.
                  

(Der Redner ist damit einverstanden, eine Frage nach dem Verfahren der ‘blauen Karte’ gemäß Artikel 171 Absatz 8 der Geschäftsordnung zu beantworten.)


Roberta Metsola (PPE),
blue-card question. – So dear colleague, if I understood you correctly, you are admitting that a number of the persons who are currently in Greece are benefiting from refugee status. Would you therefore agree that there has to be an agreement for the redistribution of those people, including to your country, or would you conveniently try to pretend that those are not refugees?

Harald Vilimsky (ID),
Antwort auf eine Frage nach dem Verfahren der ‘blauen Karte’
                        . – Frau Kollegin, ich kann keine Ferndiagnose vornehmen, wer jetzt vielleicht den Status eines Flüchtlings nach der Genfer Konvention oder eines subsidiär Schutzberechtigten hat. Ich habe Ihnen aus dem Jahr 2019 die Zahlen genannt: Von über 700 000 in der Europäischen Union gestellten Asylanträgen sind zwei Drittel negativ beschieden worden, und das ist schon eine klare Sprache, dass hier zwei Drittel falsche Tatsachen vorgespiegelt haben, um in die Europäische Union zu drängen. Warum? Weil diese Leute wissen, auch wenn negativ beschieden wird, bleiben diese Leute hier ……
                  

(Der Präsident entzieht dem Redner das Wort.)


Paulo Rangel (PPE). – Senhor Presidente, julgo que esta grave crise que estamos a passar na fronteira entre a Grécia e a Turquia deve ser essencialmente resolvida em 3 pilares. Um é o pilar humanitário, para acorrer no local, nas ilhas gregas, na zona de fronteira, em campos de refugiados que existam na Turquia, às situações mais prementes, e para isso tem de haver mobilização de fundos e até de recursos humanos da União Europeia.
                  

                     A segunda frente é uma frente também urgente: a defesa das fronteiras europeias. A fronteira da Grécia é uma fronteira europeia. Nós temos todas as condições para deslocar pelo menos mil a dois mil efetivos da Frontex para apoiar o Governo grego na defesa das fronteiras europeias.
                  

                     E, finalmente, o terceiro pilar é, naturalmente, o do médio prazo, com o Pacto sobre Asilo e Imigração.
                  

                     Haverá, porventura, uma quarta frente, que é a frente da guerra na Síria e é a frente de fazermos oposição a esta tentativa de Erdogan, e também de Putin, de condicionarem a estabilidade da vida europeia.
                  

Chrysoula Zacharopoulou (Renew). – Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, cinq ans ont passé et l'Europe est face à une nouvelle crise migratoire et humanitaire. On l'imaginait, on savait qu'on devait trouver des solutions mais, malheureusement, nous avons attendu que M. Erdogan nous rappelle notre inertie.
                  

                     Madame la Commissaire, nous n'avons plus d'excuses. Il faut agir. J'appelle le Conseil à cesser d'ignorer la position du Parlement. Qu'il prenne ses responsabilités et revienne à la table des négociations. Je demande à la Commission de proposer rapidement un nouveau pacte européen pour l'immigration et l'asile. Il n'y a plus de temps à perdre. La Grèce (Grèce de la crise économique, Grèce de la crise migratoire) donne des leçons d'humanité depuis des années. Mais comme vous pouvez le voir, comme Atlas, elle ne peut plus porter seule sur ses épaules la responsabilité de 27 pays. Je termine en grec.
                  

                     Η Ελλάδα δεν έχει ανάγκη από φιλοδωρήματα. Έχει ανάγκη την αλληλεγγύη των εταίρων της.
                  

Željana Zovko (PPE). – Poštovani predsjedavajući, dragi kolege, pozdravljam pravovremeni i koordinirani odgovor Europske unije na čelu s hrvatskim premijerom Plenkovićem da zaštiti europsku vanjsku granicu od orkestriranog pokušaja prodora u Europsku uniju putem masovnih, neregularnih migracijskih tokova koji dolaze iz Turske. Duboko sam razočarana što turske vlasti nisu poštovale sporazum koji im je osigurao znatnu količinu sredstava za smještaj velikog broja izbjeglica tijekom sirijskog rata. Tursko poticanje migranata na marš u Europsku uniju bilo je pogrešno sredstvo za pregovaranje o situaciji koja se mogla dogovoriti bez uplitanja i iskorištavanja ljudske bijede.
                  

                     Ohrabrujuće je vidjeti usklađeni pristup i zajednički dogovor svih europskih partnera o nedopustivosti neregularnih migracija. Možemo biti ponosni što je u ovoj prilici mehanizam civilne zaštite iskorišten pri odgovoru na rastuću potrebu za pomoći tamo gdje se kriza razvijala.
                  

                     Na kraju se moramo usredotočiti na druge posljedice koje bi se mogle pojaviti ako se ovaj pokušaj nastavi i trebamo osnažiti zemlje zapadnog Balkana s dovoljno kapaciteta da njihove granice budu sigurne. Oni su naši … (predsjedavajući je govornici oduzeo riječ)


Ελισσάβετ Βόζεμπεργκ-Βρυωνίδη (PPE). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, εδώ και μια εβδομάδα η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση εκβιάζεται ωμά από τον πρόεδρο Ερντογάν, ο οποίος εργαλειοποιεί μετανάστες και τους προωθεί κατά χιλιάδες στην Ελλάδα. Η ηγεσία της Ένωσης διαπίστωσε επιτόπου την κατάσταση και αποκάλεσε τη χώρα μου ασπίδα, λόγω της αποτελεσματικής φύλαξης των ευρωπαϊκών συνόρων. Ο υβριδικός πόλεμος του Ερντογάν με προπαγάνδα, fake news και παραπληροφόρηση έχει αποτύχει, όμως η απειλή υπάρχει. Έχουμε καθήκον να απαντήσουμε δυναμικά στην πρόκληση. Η Δήλωση Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης-Τουρκίας πρέπει τώρα να αναθεωρηθεί. Να οριστούν κοινές περιπολίες με τη Frontex και στα τουρκικά χωρικά ύδατα και επιστροφές μεταναστών από τα ελληνικά νησιά αλλά και από την ενδοχώρα. Ζητούμε την καταδίκη της Τουρκίας. Να υποχρεωθεί να αλλάξει την εκβιαστική πολιτική της με άμεση απομάκρυνση των μεταναστών που έχει μεταφέρει στον Έβρο. Επιπλέον να εξετάσουμε τη λήψη έκτακτων μέτρων με βάση το άρθρο 78 παράγραφος 3 της Συνθήκης, για να αντιμετωπιστεί η σοβαρή αυτή κατάσταση. Σήμερα αυτό είναι πιο αναγκαίο από ποτέ.
                  

Spontane Wortmeldungen


Pernille Weiss (PPE). – Hr. formand! Situationen ved den græsk-tyrkiske grænse og Erdogans forsøg på at presse flere penge ud af EU og uden om dem, der løfter den vigtige humanitære opgave, afslører, at grænseagentur Frontex endnu ikke fungerer, som det skal. Det handler ikke kun om at stille 10 000 grænsevagter. Det handler heller ikke om at sende flere penge. Frontex fungerer i sin struktur, sine redskaber, sin organisering og i sine samarbejdsmodeller med de nationale grænsevagter ikke godt nok! Det skrev jeg til dig, kommissær Johansson, på din første arbejdsdag i december måned 2019. Derfor vil jeg gerne spørge dig igen: Hvad vil du gøre for, at Frontex bliver redesignet og gjort til den attraktive arbejdsgiver og samarbejdspartner, der gør europæerne sikre på, at vores ydre grænser bevogtes, og menneskesmuglerindustrien bliver stoppet?
                  

Maria Arena (S&D). – Monsieur le Président, nous l'avons entendu: la Grèce, bouclier de l'Europe. Protéger nos frontières, décourager les migrants, mais quelle honte! Priver les personnes en danger de la protection est tout simplement illégal. L'Union est donc dans l'illégalité.
                  

                     Quel mensonge de faire croire aux Européens que dresser nos frontières face à la détresse serait la solution efficace. Quel cynisme de proposer plus d'argent encore à M. Erdogan qui n'est pas la solution mais qui est le problème.
                  

                     Il faut agir: priorité à la protection des êtres humains; une coalition des États volontaires; arrêter de sous-traiter à des pays tiers; modifier Dublin; appliquer la directive de 2001. Il y a des solutions, il faut des volontés politiques.
                  

Bernard Guetta (Renew). – Monsieur le Président, chers collègues, avec humanité ou sans humanité, avec ou sans intelligence de la situation, nous venons d'évoquer un drame qui n'est rien à côté de ce qui va se passer dans quelques semaines ou quelques mois au plus, quand le compromis passé entre la Russie et la Turquie se brisera sur les réalités. À ce moment-là, un million, deux millions, trois millions de personnes voudront passer en Turquie. La situation deviendra totalement intenable.
                  

                     Nous devons, mes chers collègues, nous préparer, nous les pays européens, car l'Union en tant que telle ne le peut pas. Mais nous, les États membres, nous le pouvons. Nous devons nous préparer à organiser une ‘no fly zone’ au dessus d'Idlib pour protéger ces populations, éviter une catastrophe et marcher vers un accord de paix.
                  

Gilles Lebreton (ID). – Monsieur le Président, le président turc Erdogan vient d'adresser à l'Union européenne une véritable déclaration de guerre migratoire. Au mépris de ses engagements de 2016, il a lancé vers la frontière grecque des milliers de migrants.
                  

                     Il faut bien sûr manifester notre solidarité avec la Grèce mais cela ne suffit pas. Il faut aussi montrer notre détermination à résister à l'agression d'Erdogan. Or, qu'a fait l'Union jusque là? Rien de sérieux à mes yeux. Elle a aimablement accueilli Erdogan à Bruxelles et s'apprête à lui verser la rançon qu'il réclame. Nous n'avons même pas été capables de renvoyer le moindre ambassadeur turc en Turquie. Et bien entendu, nous osons encore moins rompre définitivement le processus d'adhésion de la Turquie à l'Union.
                  

                     Cette agression a au moins le mérite de montrer que seuls les États sont capables de défendre leurs frontières. Frontex est une hôtesse d'accueil des migrants. L'Armée grecque fait quant à elle son devoir et nous montre l'exemple à suivre.
                  

Katrin Langensiepen (Verts/ALE). –Herr Präsident! Die Situation an der türkisch-griechischen Grenze ist ein humanitäres Desaster. Was wir aber in dieser Debatte nicht vergessen dürfen und betonen müssen, ist, dass der Grund dafür eigentlich der Krieg in Syrien ist. Revolution und Krieg gehen mittlerweile ins neunte Jahr. Dieser völkerrechts- und menschenrechtswidrige Krieg darf hinter der Debatte um die – Zitat – ‘Aufrechterhaltung der Ordnung an unseren Außengrenzen’ nicht vergessen werden. Wir brauchen daher dringend humanitäre Korridore für Idlib, um den Menschen vor Ort jetzt in ihrer Not zu helfen, und es muss endlich aufgehört werden, dieses Land in Schutt und Asche zu bombardieren.
                  

                     Gleichzeitig gilt es, die Kriegsverbrechen dieses Krieges zu dokumentieren und NGOs dabei zu unterstützen. Die Europäische Union muss ihre Kapazitäten zur Verfolgung von Kriegsverbrechen ausbauen. Sie muss die Einrichtung eines internationalen Kriegsverbrechertribunals vorantreiben. Die EU und einzelne Mitgliedstaaten müssen die Phase dieser fragilen Waffenruhe auch nutzen, um in multilateralen Formaten alle direkt und indirekt beteiligten Akteure an den Verhandlungstisch zu bringen …
                  

(Der Präsident entzieht der Rednerin das Wort.)


Özlem Demirel (GUE/NGL). – Herr Präsident, Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Vergangene Woche war ich an der türkisch-griechischen Grenze. Dort habe ich verletzte Menschen gesehen, erschöpfte Menschen, die von einer Seite zur anderen Seite gejagt werden. Ich habe Menschen gesehen, die entwurzelt sind und entheimatet wurden, Menschen, die vor Kriegen und Waffen – auch made in Europe – fliehen. Ich habe Kinder gesehen – Kinder, die weinen und spielen zugleich. Das, was ich dort gesehen habe, ist eine Schande für die Europäische Union.
                  

                     Als Linke haben wir die ganze Zeit vor dem Flüchtlingspakt mit Herrn Erdoğan gewarnt. Er benutzt Geflüchtete für seine dreckige Politik. Doch die EU hält derzeit weiterhin an diesem dreckigen Pakt fest. Was hier gespielt wird, wird nicht in meinem Namen gespielt.
                  

                     Es gibt nicht nur jene, die immer wieder tatenlos zuschauen wollen. Viele Städte, viele Bürgerinnen und Bürger in Europa sind bereit, Menschen aufzunehmen und den Menschen zu helfen. Und jetzt ist eine Notsituation …
                  

(Der Präsident entzieht der Rednerin das Wort.)


Der Präsident. – Vielen Dank, Frau Kollegin Demirel! Frau Kollegin Demirel, ich habe gesagt ich bin sehr streng. Sie haben nicht mehr das Wort. Ich rufe Sie zur Ordnung. Sie haben nicht mehr das Wort, und es wird der Nachwelt leider verborgen bleiben, was Sie gesagt haben, denn wenn ich Ihnen das Wort entziehe, können auch die Dolmetscher nicht mehr dolmetschen.
                  

Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, in questi giorni la Turchia sta nuovamente conducendo azioni ostili contro uno Stato membro dell'Unione europea, spingendo profughi e richiedenti asilo disperati, in fuga dalle bombe di Idlib, a forzare i confini con la Grecia.
                  

                     Colleghi questo ci deve spingere a fare due riflessioni fondamentali. La prima: ridefinire i nostri rapporti – come Unione europea ma anche come membri della NATO – con la Turchia, che sotto la guida di Erdoğan e la sua politica neo-ottomana rappresenta ormai sempre di più un pericolo per la nostra sicurezza e i nostri interessi. Altro che un alleato e una risorsa!
                  

                     Questi fatti costituiscono solo l'ultimo di una serie di comportamenti scellerati, aggressivi e irrispettosi degli impegni della sicurezza collettiva – penso al caso Saipem, agli accordi con Al-Sarraj, all'intervento militare in Libia – che la Turchia ha ormai assunto verso paesi membri dell'Unione europea e della NATO.
                  

                     La seconda riflessione riguarda noi come Unione europea e il modo in cui la nostra incapacità di adottare la riforma di Dublino e di gestire i flussi migratori, nonché l'esternalizzazione del problema alla Turchia, ha conferito a quest'ultima un enorme potere di ricatto. Il nostro fallimento sta causando….
                  

(Il Presidente toglie la parola all'oratore)


Traian Băsescu (PPE). – Domnule președinte, aș vrea să mulțumesc grecilor și celor care apără frontiera și celor care suportă zecile de mii de migranți care au venit în casele și în localitățile lor din insule, dar este surprinzător că așteptăm de la Erdoğan să ne rezolve problema.
                  

                     Uniunea Europeană trebuie să facă ceea ce are de făcut, adică să negocieze acorduri de readmisie cu țările furnizoare de migranți, să negocieze cu guvernele statelor de tranzit și să neutralizeze rețele de crimă organizată și, cu flotele de la Mediterana, flotele militare, să întoarcă ambarcațiunile care au migranți ilegali. Altfel, vom sta la mâna lui Erdoğan încă 20 de ani de acum înainte.
                  

Κώστας Μαυρίδης (S&D). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, εάν το ζητούμενο είναι μια κοινή ευρωπαϊκή απάντηση, όπως είναι το θέμα της σημερινής συζήτησης, η απάντηση υπάρχει: Μετεγκατάσταση όλων των ασυνόδευτων παιδιών και των προσφύγων. Αλλά αυτό που βλέπουμε σήμερα, ιδιαίτερα στον Έβρο, είναι ένα οργανωμένο έγκλημα κατά της ανθρωπότητας και κατά της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης από έναν εγκληματία, τον οποίον όλοι ξέρουνε, αλλά δυστυχώς κατάφερε να μας διχάσει. Αντί να αντιμετωπίσουμε τον εγκληματία, αλληλοκατηγορούμαστε εμείς οι ίδιοι.
                  

                     Κλείνοντας, θα πω το εξής χαρακτηριστικό στην Επίτροπο. Γνωρίζουμε όλοι μας και το είδαμε σε βίντεο: τουρκικό τεθωρακισμένο όχημα χρηματοδοτούμενο από τα λεφτά μας, τα λεφτά του Ευρωπαίου πολίτη, επιχείρησε να διασπάσει τα ευρωπαϊκά σύνορα στην Ελλάδα. Έχετε να πείτε κάτι επ' αυτού; Αυτόν ανταμείβουμε. Το εγκληματικό καθεστώς του Ερντογάν στην Τουρκία!
                  

(Ο Πρόεδρος διακόπτει τον ομιλητή).


María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos (Renew). – Señor presidente, Grecia somos todos y no solamente para ir una mañana a decir que la Unión Europea les apoya en el uso de la fuerza en la defensa de las fronteras. Grecia lleva sola mucho tiempo. Nos lleva esperando cinco años, esperando una política de reubicación y de reasentamiento para que los refugiados no se hacinen en campos en condiciones inhumanas como se encuentran en el campo de Lesbos.
                  

                     Claro que hemos dejado sola a Grecia, y Grecia somos todos. Pero, para esto es importante que las fronteras de Grecia, que son las europeas, se defiendan aplicando el Derecho internacional, los derechos humanos. Un Derecho internacional que no se suspende, se aplica. Y, desde luego, no permitiendo que a las puertas de Europa se mueran niños que han sobrevivido a nueve años de una guerra fratricida.
                  

Gianantonio Da Re (ID). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, nel marzo 2016 l'Unione europea e la Turchia hanno siglato un accordo scellerato che prevedeva, da parte della Turchia, il blocco del flusso dei migranti verso l'Europa in cambio di 6 miliardi di euro. Nelle scorse settimane il dittatore Erdoğan ha deciso di non rispettare tale accordo, scatenando l'esodo di oltre 100 000 migranti verso la Grecia.
                  

                     Ieri si è tenuto qui a bruciare un incontro tra Erdoğan e la Presidente della Commissione, von der Leyen. Il dittatore Erdoğan ha forse chiesto all'Unione europea ulteriore denaro pubblico, ancora di più di quello che abbiamo dato?
                  

                     L'Unione europea non deve cedere al ricatto di un dittatore e deve immediatamente interrompere il processo di adesione della Turchia all'Unione europea: la Turchia non è l'Europa e l'Europa non vuole la Turchia e chiudiamo pure anche Frontex.
                  

Diana Riba i Giner (Verts/ALE). – Señor presidente, la situación vivida esta semana en la frontera de Grecia y Turquía atenta contra los derechos humanos de los inmigrantes y pisotea los valores democráticos que, supuestamente, deberían prevalecer en la Unión Europea. Esta situación es el resultado de años de inoperancia de las instituciones europeas y de los Estados miembros. Es el resultado de pactos de la vergüenza con terceros países, a los que se les paga para que asuman de forma cruel e inhumana lo que Europa debería haber asumido de forma solidaria y humanitaria.
                  

                     Se ha tratado una crisis de la gestión del asilo en Europa como una amenaza al estilo de vida europeo. Este error de enfoque da alas a movimientos reaccionarios y neofascistas. En Lesbos es alarmante la violencia y la impunidad con la que actúa la extrema derecha contra los refugiados, periodistas, ONG. Si la Comisión y el Consejo quieren encontrar una respuesta común al contexto migratorio actual, les pediría que dejaran la hipocresía a un lado… (el presidente retira la palabra a la oradora).
                  

Μαρία Σπυράκη (PPE). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, η πατρίδα μου, η Ελλάδα, δέχτηκε ασύμμετρη απειλή με μαζική πίεση από ανθρώπους, στην πλειονότητά τους παράτυπους μετανάστες που θέλουν να περάσουν στην Ευρώπη. Η Τουρκία εργαλειοποιεί τους απελπισμένους είτε προέρχονται από την εμπόλεμη Συρία είτε θέλουν να αναζητήσουν την τύχη του στην Ευρώπη. Στην Ελλάδα φυλάττουμε ευρωπαϊκά σύνορα, κύριε Πρόεδρε, και ζητάμε αποκλιμάκωση με κοινή δράση και έμπρακτη αλληλεγγύη. Πρώτα απ' όλα είναι απαραίτητο να μετεγκατασταθούν οι πρόσφυγες και, κυρία Johansson, η ελληνική κυβέρνηση σας έχει ήδη στείλει από τις 27 Ιανουαρίου σχετικό αίτημα, το οποίο δεν έχει διαβιβαστεί στα κράτη μέλη για να ξέρουμε τις αντιδράσεις τους. Είναι επίσης απαραίτητο να ενισχυθεί η FRΟΝΤΕX, η επόμενη συνοριοφυλακή ή ακτοφυλακή. Είναι επίσης απαραίτητο να αναστήσει η Τουρκία την κοινή δήλωση Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης-Τουρκίας μέσα από τα κομμάτια τα οποία δεν έχει εφαρμόσει.
                  

Bettina Vollath (S&D). – Herr Präsident! Die gute Nachricht zuerst: Wir müssen uns nicht entscheiden, entweder unsere Grenzen mit Gewalt und Verletzung von Menschen- und Grundrechten dicht zu halten oder sie zu öffnen und Zigtausende Menschen ohne Kontrolle und Registrierung nach Europa einreisen zu lassen, sondern es geht darum, dass Einigkeit unter den Mitgliedstaaten darüber hergestellt wird, dass an unseren Grenzen nicht Sicherheitskräfte mit Tränengas und Knüppeln darüber entscheiden, wer in Europa Schutz erhält und wer nicht, sondern dafür ausgebildete Beamte in rechtsstaatlich basierten Verfahren. Und es geht auch darum, dass die EU endlich Griechenland solidarisch und tatkräftig zur Seite steht, und zwar nicht nur beim Schutz der Grenzen, sondern auch darin, die Menschen endlich ordentlich zu versorgen, die Verfahren zu beschleunigen, die besonders Schutzbedürftigen herauszuholen und so mit menschenwürdigen Lösungen allen Erpressungsversuchen entgegenzutreten. Erst wenn wir das alles schaffen, haben wir aus 2015 etwas gelernt.
                  

(Ende der spontanen Wortmeldungen)


Nikolina Brnjac,
President-in-Office of the Council. – Mr President, let me thank the House for this debate. The input coming from this discussion is important in finding efficient and appropriate answers to current challenges. There is no doubt the situation at the Greek-Turkish border is very serious from a humanitarian and political point of view. We must address it jointly and in a comprehensive and timely manner, in accordance with EU and international law. Let me assure you that the Croatian Presidency will keep working towards this goal, as it has done so far.
Many EU Member States – Croatia included – have expressed readiness to accept unaccompanied children and minors living in camps on Greek islands. Those children need our special protection. Member States will discuss this pressing issue next week after the Commissioner returns from her visit to the Greek islands.

Ylva Johansson,
Member of the Commission. – Mr President, I would like to thank the honourable Members for this debate. We are, for sure, in a difficult and worrying situation and I'm sorry to say there are no simple solutions. But there are concrete and possible ways forward, and the EU and the Member States have acted quite quickly in solidarity with Greece and in support of those people in need in Greece, and I'm quite proud that we have been able to do that.
I will not repeat what I said in my introductory speech because many of you have asked the same questions that are actually addressed there, but let me just say these things. We need secure external borders. They must be staffed well and managed well. Therefore, Frontex has an important role to play, and it's important that the standing corps become a reality.
With Member States supporting Greece, the European Union can stand strong because we stand together, but the reason that we can stand strong is because of our values. We must show that the EU holds fast the fundamental rights even in difficult times. The circumstances that the Greek border is under are serious and exceptional, but the right to asylum is a fundamental right and enshrined in the EU Treaty and international law. I expect Greece to comply with fundamental rights and with the right to access the asylum process.
As already mentioned, I'm going to Greece to hold discussions with the Greek Government on Thursday, and the following day the Justice and Home Affairs Council will meet to discuss further initiatives to be taken together. I was asked here about the extra money that we would like to allocate if needed to the Greece Action Plan, and this is of course something that we need to discuss together with Parliament. If necessary, it would be aimed at providing even more money than the first EUR 350 million. Hopefully we can achieve a more stable situation, but we have to be prepared, because what we need is de-escalation, dialogue and concrete actions.
I hear many of you argue for a new deal on migration and asylum to be presented soon – arguing for the importance of getting out of the impasse that we have been in for many years in Council – and for agreement to be reached on a sustainable common European migration and asylum policy with the right balance between solidarity and responsibility. I fully agree with this. Since the von der Leyen Commission took office on 1 December, I have worked very, very hard to find a fresh start for this new agreement that I hope to present after Easter. I have been in dialogue with all 27 Member States – this has involved a lot of travelling but was before the coronavirus, so it was easier – and I have lots of dialogues with Parliament, and I hope for more good dialogue to find a solution that is sustainable for a common European approach, because this is what we really need.
To conclude, I would like to say this. Many of you have stressed the importance of relocation of vulnerable (people), especially from the overcrowded camps on the Greek islands. I do share this view. It's of fundamental importance. Member States have shown strong solidarity (with) and support for Greece that is now under pressure to protect its external borders with Turkey, which are also EU external borders and therefore very important. I now call on the Member States – on all Member States – to show the same solidarity and support towards the vulnerable, the minors, in refugee camps that need to be relocated and welcomed in other Member States.

(Applause)


Der Präsident. – Die Aussprache ist geschlossen.
                  


Schriftliche Erklärungen (Artikel 171)



Dominique Bilde (ID),
par écrit. – Insigne aveu d'impuissance de l'Union européenne, réduite à quémander au Président turc le respect de l'accord sur le contrôle des migrants qui aura coûté quelque six milliards d'euros. Sans compter les 3,2 milliards d'euros perçus depuis 2014 au titre de l'Instrument d'aide de préadhésion. Une générosité qui n'empêche pas le Président turc d'avoir le verbe haut et la parole acerbe. En témoignent ses propos indignes assimilant sans ambages le gouvernement grec au régime hitlérien. Un tel mépris n'étonnera toutefois guère, quand l'Union européenne n'a pas même la décence de faire preuve de solidarité envers ses propres États membres. Je me réfère en particulier au commissaire Ylva Johansson, qui aura préféré pointer du doigt les autorités grecques, plutôt que de préconiser les mesures d'urgence aux frontières permises par l'article 78(3) du Traité sur le fonctionnement de l'Union européenne, et qui s'imposent désormais de façon aussi évidente qu'impérieuse. Cette crise aura en tout cas servi de révélateur. Car à l'instar de Viktor Orban, seuls les dirigeants animés du sentiment national auront su prendre les décisions de rigueur: celles qui consistent à renouer avec les frontières nationales, et pour tout dire, avec le bon sens.
                  

Andor Deli (PPE),
írásban. – A görög határhelyzet megmutatta, hogy hová fajulhatnak a dolgok, ha a politikusok a problémákat a szőnyeg alá söprik. A migráció és a határok védelme pontosan egy ilyen kérdés volt. Az európai vezetők nem akartak vele foglalkozni, ezért Törökországra bízták Európa kapuinak védelmét a 2016-os egyezménnyel. Magyarország kormánya volt 2015-ben az egyedüli, amely kiállt a határok védelme mellett, még annak árán is, hogy alaptalan kritika és durva támadás érte miatta. Úgy tűnik, hogy az európai vezetők végre megértették a határvédelem és a biztonság fontosságát annak érdekében, hogy az oly sokat hangoztatott európai szabadságjogok, értékek és életmód megmaradhasson. Jobb később, mint soha! Mindazonáltal a magyar néppárti delegáció teljes mértékben támogatja a görög kormány lépéseit a határvédelem érdekében.
                  

Εύα Καϊλή (S&D),
γραπτώς. – Αυτή δεν είναι μια ακόμα συζήτηση για το μεταναστευτικό, ούτε διαγωνισμός αλληλεγγύης στα λόγια. Οι Έλληνες έχουμε αναλάβει μια τεράστια ευθύνη που καμία χώρα μόνη της δεν αντέχει. Έχουμε υβριδικό πόλεμο στα σύνορα της Ευρώπης με τις τουρκικές αρχές να εξοπλίζουν το μεταναστευτικό χωρίς σεβασμό στα ανθρώπινα δικαιώματα. Είμαστε πολιτικοί για να δίνουμε λύσεις άμεσα! Να απαιτήσουμε να περάσει η αναμόρφωση του Δουβλίνου από το Συμβούλιο, να σταλεί η FRONTEX στην Τουρκία, να ανοίξουν οι πρεσβείες της Ευρώπης στην Τουρκία για αιτήσεις ασύλου έτσι ώστε να υπάρξουν νόμιμες οδοί εγκλωβισμένων προσφύγων, κρατώντας έτσι ασφαλή τα σύνορα της ΕΕ με σεβασμό στα ανθρώπινα δικαιώματα. Όσο είμαστε απόντες από τις εξελίξεις στη γειτονιά μας, τόσο θα αφήνουμε χώρο σε εθνικά συμφέροντα, λαϊκιστές και ακραίους. Και όχι, δεν αρκεί να ανοίξει το πορτοφόλι της η Ευρώπη για να μεταθέσει τις ευθύνες της. Απαιτείται λύση στη ρίζα του προβλήματος! Κοινή και Ευρωπαϊκή!
                  

Elżbieta Kruk (ECR),
na piśmie. – Istniała nadzieja, że kryzys migracyjny zakończy się w 2016 r, wraz z podpisaniem porozumienia między Unią Europejską a Turcją. Był to optymizm przedwczesny. Spodziewać się można nowej fali imigrantów i powtórzenia kryzysu imigracyjnego z lat 2015-2016. Nadszedł czas na pragmatyczne, całościowe podejście do migracji, zarówno w wymiarze wewnętrznym, jak i zewnętrznym.
                  

                     Po pierwsze, niezbędne jest udzielenie przez odpowiednie agencje UE wsparcia dla wysiłków państw członkowskich znajdujących się obecnie pod presją migracyjną, w celu wzmocnienia bezpieczeństwa granic i zwalczania grup przemytników ludzi. Do niedawna potępiano Grecję za twarde stanowisko wobec imigrantów znajdujących się na jej granicach, obecnie nazywana jest ‘tarczą’ Europy. Dziś europejscy politycy przybywają do Grecji w akcie solidarności. Dobrze, że elity unijne zmieniły zdanie, bo do niedawna nawoływali do solidarności w przyjmowaniu migrantów. Szkoda, że poniewczasie, kiedy już doszło do zagrożenia bezpieczeństwa.
                  

                     Po drugie, współpraca z Turcją musi pozostać jednym z kluczowych elementów polityki europejskiej. Istnieje konieczność utrzymania w mocy zobowiązań wobec Turcji wynikających ze wspomnianego porozumienia. Ankarę należy wesprzeć również jako sojusznika NATO i państwa stowarzyszonego z Unią. Dlaczego dla przedstawicieli liberalno-lewicowej ideologii współpraca z Turcją stanowi problem? Brak współpracy i wsparcia dla Turcji jest wbrew interesom całej Unii. Najwyższy czas wyciągnąć wnioski z przeszłości.
                  

Antonio López-Istúriz White (PPE),
por escrito. – Las fronteras externas de la Unión son las fronteras de todos y todos los Estados miembros tienen que solidarizarse con el Gobierno griego.
                  

                     El Gobierno de Erdogan usa vidas humanas para presionar a la Unión. La actuación coordinada de los tres presidentes y su viaje a la frontera entre Grecia y Turquía han demostrado claramente la determinación de la Unión en tener una respuesta común a la presión migratoria provocada por el Gobierno de Erdogan.
                  

                     Como vicepresidente del Intergrupo sobre los Derechos del Niño en el Parlamento Europeo no puedo dejar de llamar la atención sobre la preocupante situación de los niños no acompañados en nuestras fronteras. Hay más de 5 000 niños no acompañados en los puntos críticos y muchos no tienen acceso a sus derechos más básicos, como refugio, agua, alimentos, atención médica y psicológica. Comparto la preocupación del Gobierno griego por su situación y me sumo a su pedido de apoyo a los demás Estados miembros de la UE para reubicar voluntariamente a los niños no acompañados. Nos falta un pacto a medio plazo para la gestión común de migración y asilo. Esto es una prioridad de la presidenta de la Comisión, a la cual doy todo mi apoyo.
                  

David McAllister (PPE),
schriftlich. – Die Europäische Union ist sich der Anstrengungen der Türkei bei der Aufnahme und Verpflegung syrischer Flüchtlinge bewusst und unterstützt daher das Land seit 2016 enorm. Die Europäische Union darf sich jedoch nicht unter Druck setzen lassen. Die flüchtenden Menschen dürfen kein Spielball geopolitischer Interessen sein. Entscheidend ist: Wir brauchen Humanität und Ordnung an der türkisch-griechischen Grenze. Derzeit fehlt es an beiden. Eine Situation wie 2015 darf sich nicht wiederholen. Das bedeutet vor allem eines: Keine unkontrollierte Migration nach Europa. Um Ordnung sicherzustellen, müssen wir für einen wirksamen Schutz der EU-Außengrenzen sorgen. Die Ereignisse der letzten Wochen haben gezeigt, dass die Europäische Union in ihrem Denken und Handeln sowie in ihrer Kommunikation nach außen stärker, geeinter und strategischer auftreten muss. Es ist höchste Zeit, dass die EU einen humanen, wirksamen und umfassenden Ansatz für die Migration findet. Es ist ungemein wichtig, dass Kommissionspräsidentin Ursula von der Leyen den Dialog mit dem türkischen Präsidenten wiederaufgenommen hat. Ziel muss es sein, Migration zu ordnen, zu steuern und zu reduzieren.
                  

Janina Ochojska (PPE),
na piśmie. – Sytuacja na granicy grecko-tureckiej jest krytyczna. Nie zapominajmy jednak, że jest to przede wszystkim granica Unii Europejskiej, pod którą koczują tysiące migrantów i łamane są prawa człowieka. Stali się oni zakładnikami przepychanek geopolitycznych.
                  

                     Mówimy o tym, że Grecja potrzebuje realnego wsparcia. Zgadzam się. Jednak nie chodzi tutaj o kolejne miliony euro przeznaczone przez UE na wzmocnienie granic, ale na tworzenie korytarzy humanitarnych i stworzenie mechanizmu relokacji oraz opieki dla nieletnich. Turcja nie powinna otrzymać dodatkowych środków po to, żeby zatrzymać migrantów u siebie. W przeciwnym razie za jakiś czas znowu złamie postanowienia umowy i będzie szantażować UE. Rozwiązaniem jest przeznaczenie środków dla organizacji pozarządowych, które pomagają na miejscu w obozach dla uchodźców w Turcji, oraz zapobieganie nierównościom na świecie. Ciągle zapominamy o tym, że migracje są przejawem nierówności, niezależnie czy dotyczą rozwoju ekonomicznego, bezpieczeństwa, przestrzegania praw człowieka, czy zagrożenia klęskami żywiołowymi i zmian klimatu. Tak długo jak te nierówności będą występowały, tak długo będziemy musieli mierzyć się z kryzysem uchodźczym.
                  

                     Na próżno uniemożliwiamy przekroczenie granic migrantom, bo koszt ludzki jest zatrważający. Szacunkowo 35 000 migrantów na świecie straciło już życie w poszukiwaniu lepszej przyszłości. Bądźmy solidarni z Grecją i nie dopuśćmy do klęski humanitarnej tuż pod samą granicą UE.
                  

Sandra Pereira (GUE/NGL),
por escrito. – Falamos de seres humanos que fogem da guerra e da fome e ninguém abandona o seu lar e o seu país de ânimo leve. A UE tem dupla responsabilidade nesta situação: primeiro, apoia e participa na agressão e desestabilização de países terceiros, alimentando guerras que obrigam as pessoas a abandonar os seus países; depois, a UE, que se arvora paladina dos direitos humanos, convive hipocritamente com a situação desumana nestes campos de concentração e faz acordos vergonhosos com países como a Turquia.
                  

                     No nosso entender, é necessário: i) condenar a agressão turca à República Árabe da Síria, dando-lhe todo o apoio no combate ao terrorismo e na defesa da sua integridade territorial e soberania, no respeito pelo direito internacional, ii) rejeitar a consolidação do conceito de UE fortaleza, que criminaliza aqueles que procuram ou oferecem ajuda, iii) defender o direito internacional, nomeadamente o direito de asilo, e iv) promover políticas genuínas de cooperação para o desenvolvimento que assegurem direitos, progresso social e paz.
                  

Емил Радев (PPE),
в писмена форма. – През последните две седмици сме изправени пред нова бежанска вълна от Турция. Близо 35 000 души са на прага на Европа. Сред тях има и много деца, повечето от които – непридружени. Макар фокусът на всички да е обърнат към Гърция, аз искам да припомня, че България също дели обща външна граница с Турция, която и преди се е използвала като маршрут към западните страни. Риск от нахлуване на нелегални мигранти има и на границата между България и Гърция, която е на 30 км. от турско-гръцката граница. Предвид това аз приветствам отпуснатата финансова и техническа помощ за Гърция за справяне с кризата, но искам да призова ЕК да обърне внимание и на трудностите, пред които е изправена България предвид рисковата ситуация. Европа се нуждае от незабавно преразглеждане на Дъблинския регламент и законодателството, свързано с убежището. ЕС е отговорен партньор, придържащ се стриктно към поетите ангажименти. Като такъв се надявам да се прояви и Турция и да продължи да изпълнява своята част от споразумението с ЕС, без да извива ръце. Вярвам, че сега е моментът да покажем своята солидарност и да предприемем всички необходими действия, в дългосрочен и краткосрочен аспект, за да постигнем нова амбициозна политика за миграцията, отговаряща на днешните предизвикателства.
                  

Андрей Слабаков (ECR),
в писмена форма. – Комисията обяви, че ще предостави до 700 милиона евро на Гърция като помощ за справяне с кризата. Наричате го знак на солидарност, доказателство, че Европейският съюз е единен. Не е. Това е просто поредният опит да решите проблема с пари. Наливането на пари в Гърция няма да промени нищо, също както наливането на пари в Турция само отложи кризата. Проблемът е, че веднъж щом дадем на изнудвача това, което иска, той ще продължи да иска още и още. Турция прие парите, усвои ги и ги използва за да финансира войната си в Сирия. Ердоган обеща да използва финансовата помощ само за проекти, свързани с бежанците. Това си беше безочлива лъжа! Всеки който разбира от бюджетни финанси ще ви каже, че тези пари позволиха на Ердоган да закупи повече ракети и дронове, с които да атакува кюрдите. Стига лицемерие. Трябва да спрем да се залъгваме, че Турция е наш стратегически партньор. В най-добрия случай Ердоган е съперник, а в момента се държи като наш враг и изнудвач. Трябва да прекратим всички финансови взаимоотношения с Турция и да им наложим ембарго. Спрете му парите и до час Ердоган ще е на телефона, съгласен да прави компромиси.
                  

Sylwia Spurek (S&D),
na piśmie. – Od kilkunastu dni docierają do nas zdjęcia i filmy, na których widać, jak służby Unii Europejskiej na granicy grecko-tureckiej prowadzą wojnę … z kobietami, dziećmi, rodzinami, z ludźmi, którzy zmuszeni są uciekać przed wojną z własnego kraju. Gdzie są wartości Unii Europejskiej? Jeżeli zapominamy o naszych wartościach, o prawach człowieka, to zapominamy, po co tutaj jesteśmy, jakie są nasze cele, na straży czego powinniśmy stać!
                  

                     Ta sytuacja to efekt zaniedbań poprzednich władz Unii. Ale to już historia i nowa Komisja, nowa szefowa Komisji, nowy szef Rady Europejskiej muszą zacząć działać – ale zgodnie z unijnymi wartościami. Wspólnota musi podjąć natychmiastowe i zdecydowane działania. I nie chodzi tylko o pomoc na granicy grecko-tureckiej, a tym bardziej – o ochronę granic przed uchodźcami i uchodźczyniami. Konieczne jest wdrożenie systemu relokacji migrantów i migrantek. I, jak mówiła przewodnicząca S&D Iratxe García Pérez, traktowanie tych ludzi z godnością to nie tylko moralny obowiązek, ale również, a może przede wszystkim, kwestia przestrzegania prawa.
                  

                     Przed Komisją stoją obecnie trzy wyzwania: ochrona praworządności, walka z kryzysem klimatycznym oraz rozwiązanie kryzysu migracyjnego. Komisja musi wykazać się w każdym z tych obszarów zdecydowaniem, potwierdzając, że wartości wskazane w artykule 2 Traktatu nie są tylko pustymi słowami.
                  

Loránt Vincze (PPE),
írásban. – Európa számos országa küzd a koronavírus járvánnyal, a járvány terjedésének lehetséges megfékezése és gazdasági következményeinek mielőbbi kezelése mellett a görög-török határon történtekre is figyelnünk kell. Számomra a feladatok egyértelműnek. Elengedhetetlen az európai határok védelme. A kialakult válsághelyzetre konkrét válaszokat kell adnunk. A tagállamoknak segítséget kell nyújtaniuk – lehetőségeikhez képest – rendfenntartók, határőrök és szükséges eszközök formájában a görög határt elérő menekültáradat megállításában. Hasonlóképpen erősítésre vár a Frontex uniós határvédelmi ügynökség állománya és eszközei, hogy az megfelelően kezelni tudja a kialakult helyzetet. Végül a diplomácia útján az EU-török viszonyban, egyenértékű felekként a tárgyalóasztalnál kell megoldást keresni. A törökországi, de hasonlóképpen a közel-keleti menekülttáborokban szinte tarthatatlanná vált a helyzet és ezzel kapcsolatban érdemes elgondolkodni azon, hogyan lehet segíteni Törökországot abban, hogy a származási országukba küldje vissza menekülttáboraiból azokat, akik nem a háború elől menekülnek, illetve hogyan lehet előkészíteni azt, hogy a háborús menekültek visszatérhessenek Szíria biztonságos régióiba? Nem várhatjuk azt, hogy magától megszűnjön az EU határain lévő migrációs nyomás, az Európai Uniónak cselekvő félként részt kell vennie a válságkezelésben.
                  

Θεόδωρος Ζαγοράκης (PPE),
γραπτώς. – Η κατάσταση στα ελληνοτουρκικά σύνορα αποδεικνύει περίτρανα ότι ο Ερντογάν δεν καταλαβαίνει ούτε από διάλογο ούτε από διεθνές δίκαιο. Επί χρόνια κάποιοι προσπαθούσαν να μας πείσουν ότι η Τουρκία είναι αξιόπιστος σύμμαχος. Η πραγματικότητα όμως για μια ακόμη φορά τούς διαψεύδει. Η αμυντική στάση που κράτησε η ΕΕ το προηγούμενο διάστημα έφερε, δυστυχώς, αυτά τα αποτελέσματα. Πρέπει επιτέλους να βγούμε εμείς στην επίθεση, ανοίγοντας άμεσα τη συζήτηση για: Πάγωμα της τελωνειακής ένωσης με την Τουρκία και κατάργηση των αδασμολόγητων εισαγωγών τουρκικών προϊόντων στην ΕΕ. Η Τουρκία δεν πρόκειται να συμμορφωθεί διαφορετικά. Κλείνοντας, θα ήθελα να ευχαριστήσω τους άντρες και τις γυναίκες των ελληνικών ενόπλων δυνάμεων και της ελληνικής αστυνομίας, καθώς και τους πολίτες των συνόρων μας, που σηκώνουν όλο το βάρος αυτή τη στιγμή, γιατί τα ελληνικά σύνορα είναι τα ευρωπαϊκά σύνορα. Και θα τα υπερασπιστούμε με όλες μας τις δυνάμεις.
                  
13.   Delegated acts (Rule 111(6)): see Minutes
14.   Implementing measures (Rule 112): see Minutes
15.   Delegated acts (Rule 111(2)): see Minutes
16.   Change to titles of own-initiative reports: see Minutes
17.   Petitions: see Minutes
18.   Documents received: see Minutes
19.   Approval of the minutes of the sitting and forwarding of texts adopted: see Minutes
20.   Dates of forthcoming sittings : see Minutes
21.   Closure of the sitting

(Die Sitzung wird um 18.28 Uhr geschlossen.)

22.   Adjournment of the session

Der Präsident. – Ich erkläre die Sitzungsperiode des Europäischen Parlaments für unterbrochen.
               


ELI: 
ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition)