Verbatim report of proceedings of 8 February 2024
Date: 2024-02-08
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: European Parliament, parliamentary debate




C_202501348EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
C series














28.2.2025







            8 February 2024
            VERBATIM REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS OF 8 FEBRUARY 2024
            
         
(C/2025/1348)

Contents







1.

Opening of the sitting
4










2.

Composition of political groups
4










3.

Multilateral negotiations in view of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, 26-29 February 2024 (debate)
4










4.

Working conditions of teachers in the EU (debate)
11










5.

Association agreements for the participation of third countries in Union programmes (debate)
27










6.

Resumption of the sitting
33










7.

Composition of committees and delegations
33










8.

Voting time
33










8.1.

New wave of mass arrests in Belarus of opposition activists and their family members (RC-B9-0110/2024, B9-0103/2024, B9-0110/2024, B9-0115/2024, B9-0116/2024, B9-0126/2024, B9-0129/2024) (vote)
33










8.2.

Increased number of executions in Iran, in particular the case of Mohammad Ghobadlou (RC-B9-0102/2024, B9-0102/2024, B9-0109/2024, B9-0113/2024, B9-0120/2024, B9-0121/2024, B9-0122/2024) (vote)
33










8.3.

Recent attacks on Christmas Eve in Plateau State in Nigeria (RC-B9-0105/2024, B9-0101/2024, B9-0105/2024, B9-0112/2024, B9-0114/2024, B9-0117/2024, B9-0118/2024, B9-0119/2024) (vote)
33










8.4.

Automated data exchange for police cooperation (‘Prüm II’) (A9-0200/2023 - Paulo Rangel) (vote)
33










8.5.

The EU priorities for the 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (B9-0091/2024) (vote)
33










8.6.

Situation in Serbia following elections (RC-B9-0106/2024, B9-0106/2024, B9-0108/2024, B9-0131/2024, B9-0132/2024, B9-0133/2024, B9-0134/2024) (vote)
34










8.7.

Implementation report on the EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 (A9-0030/2024 - José Gusmão) (vote)
34










8.8.

Association agreements for the participation of third countries in Union programmes (B9-0096/2024) (vote)
34










8.9.

Multilateral negotiations in view of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, 26-29 February 2024 (B9-0090/2024) (vote)
34










8.10.

Russiagate: allegations of Russian interference in the democratic processes of the European Union (RC-B9-0124/2024, B9-0123/2024, B9-0124/2024, B9-0125/2024, B9-0127/2024, B9-0128/2024, B9-0130/2024) (vote)
34










8.11.

Further repression against the democratic forces in Venezuela: attacks on presidential candidate Maria Corina Machado (RC-B9-0097/2024, B9-0097/2024, B9-0100/2024, B9-0104/2024, B9-0107/2024, B9-0111/2024) (vote)
34










9.

Resumption of the sitting
34










10.

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting
34










11.

The case of Dentsu tracking and the lack of transparency of the European Commission with regard to the tobacco industry (debate)
35










12.

Explanations of vote
38










12.1.

The EU priorities for the 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (B9-0091/2024)
38










12.2.

Association agreements for the participation of third countries in Union programmes (B9-0096/2024)
39










12.3.

Russiagate: allegations of Russian interference in the democratic processes of the European Union (RC-B9-0124/2024)
39










12.4.

Further repression against the democratic forces in Venezuela: attacks on presidential candidate Maria Corina Machado (RC-B9-0097/2024)
40










13.

Approval of the minutes of the sitting and forwarding of texts adopted
41










14.

Dates of forthcoming sittings
41










15.

Closure of the sitting
41










16.

Adjournment of the session
41




Verbatim report of proceedings of 8 February 2024
                  


VORSITZ: JAN-CHRISTOPH OETJEN


Vizepräsident

1.   Opening of the sitting

(Die Sitzung wird um 9.00 Uhr eröffnet.)

2.   Composition of political groups

Der Präsident. – Vor Eintritt in die Tagesordnung habe ich allerdings eine Mitteilung zu machen: Der Kollege Fabio Massimo Castaldo ist mit Wirkung vom 8. Februar 2024, also ab heute, Mitglied der Fraktion Renew Europe.
               
3.   Multilateral negotiations in view of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, 26-29 February 2024 (debate)

Der Präsident. – Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über die Erklärung der Kommission zu den multilateralen Verhandlungen mit Blick auf die 13. WTO-Ministerkonferenz vom 26. bis 29. Februar 2024 in Abu Dhabi (2024/2527(RSP)).
               

Ylva Johansson,
Member of the Commission. – Mr President, honourable Members, first, I would like to welcome the INTA Committee's Resolution on the upcoming 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation, known as MC13. It reflects the EU's priorities very well.
I particularly welcome the emphasis on the importance of multilateralism in general and the WTO in particular, in the current challenging geopolitical context. As you know, the EU is playing a leading role in sustaining and reforming the WTO as this multilateralism is in our DNA.
MC13 in Abu Dhabi starts in less than three weeks. On behalf of Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis, I would like to underline that there is a lot of work to be done in the run-up to the conference and a lot of work to do during the conference itself.
Replicating the success of MC12 in 2022 will be extremely challenging, but we must be able to show that the process of WTO reform launched at MC12 is on track, and that we can and will deliver a more effective organisation.
In the Commission's view, a package for MC13 should include the following six components: substantial progress on dispute settlement reform; concluding phase two of the Fisheries Subsidies negotiations; a pathway for agriculture towards MC14; the extension of the e-commerce moratorium and associated work programme; making the WTO a forum to discuss trade and industrial policy and the interface between trade and environment, updating the ‘deliberative function’, in WTO jargon; a package for developing countries.
The first and most important of these for the EU is dispute settlement reform. Indeed, a binding dispute settlement system at the WTO has been one of the greatest achievements of this organisation, and we are now counting the costs of its absence with an erosion of respect for WTO rules, including through so-called ‘appeals into the void’. In other words, appeals to a non-functioning appellate body. For MC13, the principle that there should be a reformed appellate body and a time frame to have this issue resolved would be the minimum we would hope to achieve.
As Members of this House are well aware, the conclusion of phase one of the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement at MC12 was an example of the WTO's concrete contribution to implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It now behoves us to complete the work at MC13. However, the entry into force of the phase one Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies still remains uncertain as we have not reached the threshold of ratifications, despite the EU having shown leadership in already having ratified it last year. We thus continue to rally the remaining members to ratify the Agreement. With regard to the so-called ‘phase two Agreement’, we are working hard to conclude it by MC13. Unfortunately, divergences of members' positions have grown.
Agriculture will be an important file at MC13, not least given the global food insecurity context, but also given its link to development and to environmental sustainability. Outcomes at MC13 should, on one hand, address the current food security challenges, in particular for the most vulnerable WTO members and, on the other, help advanced agricultural reform towards MC14. In our view, the focus should be on reforming trade-distorting domestic support and finding a solution to the issue of public stockholding for food security purposes. It will be important for the EU to continue promoting the reforms towards more environmentally sustainable policies, in line with the approach in our own agricultural policy.
The renewal of the e-commerce moratorium is crucial to maintain business support for the WTO. It's also the key contribution from the WTO to the digital transition. We are in a better position now than at a comparable time before MC12, as we have over 100 members, including the ACP countries supporting the extension.
As a fundamental component of the reform of the organisation, MC13 should ensure that the WTO becomes the forum for policy discussions on current global challenges affecting the trading system. One key challenge is the growing use of industrial policies, including industrial subsidies, by governments across the world. Another key challenge is the interface between trade and the environment.
At MC13, we will need to deliver a development package to unlock a broader set of outcomes on other topics. We can achieve this by mainstreaming development considerations into all aspects of the WTO agenda. The package should include a solution for the graduation of least developed countries, so that they can still benefit from certain LDC advantages as they grow out of the LDC status.
On a final note, I would like to highlight the conclusions of the negotiations on services, domestic regulation and investment facilitation for development. At MC13, we will most likely see a request for the integration of the Investment Facilitation Agreement into the WTO Agreement. These developments are important from the perspective of showing that the WTO can deliver negotiated outcomes.
Honourable Members, the complex geopolitics, divergent positions and negotiation tactics will make it challenging to reach agreements at MC13 on all the issues I have outlined here. We are sure to have several sleepless nights, as was the case at MC12, but at MC12 we managed to achieve what DG Okonjo-Iweala called ‘the miracle on the lake’. The EU is fully committed to lead the charge and to work towards a ‘miracle on the gulf’ in Abu Dhabi.

Jörgen Warborn,
för PPE-gruppen. – Herr talman! Först vill jag inleda med att tacka mina kollegor från de andra partigrupperna för det mycket goda samarbetet med den här resolutionen. Vi nådde en bred enighet i utskottet och det bådar gott för ett starkt stöd i plenum och en solid europeisk röst inför kommande ministermöte.
               

                  Resolutionen är inriktad på helt centrala delar såsom jordbruket, fiskesubventioner, handel och klimat, ett permanent moratorium för att undvika digitala handelstullar och naturligtvis också för att underlätta för små och medelstora företag.
               

                  Men här och nu vill jag lyfta den övergripande frågan om WTO:s organisation. Det är mörka moln på den geopolitiska himlen. Europeiska företag och människor får hantera svåra ekonomiska konsekvenser efter covid-19-pandemin och efter två krig, varav ett i vårt absoluta närområde.
               

                  Bortom alla tragiska människoförluster har krigen föranlett ytterligare påfrestningar i form av inflation, ökade energipriser och störningar av de globala leveranskedjorna. Vi blir konstant påminda om hur sårbara våra handelsvägar är. Människor efterfrågar nu säkerhet, trygghet och förutsägbarhet. Länder efterfrågar förtroende, sammanhållning och globala partners.
               

                  En fungerande handel är viktigare än någonsin. WTO behöver nu moderniseras och reformeras. Här måste EU använda vår gemensamma tyngd för en institutionell reform av WTO för att inte minst förbättra tvistlösningsmekanismen, så att WTO kan behålla sin legitimitet och lösa ut de handelskonflikter som redan finns och som kan komma att uppstå.
               

                  Det här är ett prioriterat tillfälle för EU att ta på sig ledartröjan och bära fanan högt för en mer frihandelsvänlig värld där en regelbaserad ordning respekteras och lika villkor råder. EU måste visa att man är en ledande kraft att räkna med och en stadig mur mot protektionistiska tendenser.
               

Bernd Lange,
im Namen der S&D-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident! Schön, dass ich Sie in dieser Funktion jetzt hier sehe. Frau Kommissarin, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Wenn ich mit Menschen über die WTO rede, dann sagen sie immer: Da bewegt sich ja kaum was, das ist doch irgendwie von gestern.
               

                  Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen, das stimmt nicht – 75 % des globalen Handels wird nach wie vor über die Regeln der WTO abgewickelt. Die Europäische Union ist extrem verwoben in In- und Export. Ohne die stabilen Regeln der WTO wären wir in unserer Wohlstandsentwicklung gefährdet. Deswegen lohnt es sich, darum zu ringen, dass die WTO eine Zukunft hat.
               

                  Und ich finde es klasse, Herr Warborn, dass wir gemeinsam eine Entschließung vorgelegt haben, in der wir die zentralen Zukunftsaufgaben beschrieben haben, sowohl im Interesse der weniger entwickelten Länder als auch im Interesse der Industrieländer. Und das müssen wir einbringen und dafür ringen, damit die 13. WTO-Ministerkonferenz genauso ein Erfolg wird wie die 12.
               

Karin Karlsbro,
för Renew-gruppen. – Herr talman! Det är tufft att vara frihandelsvän i dag. Trots att vi mer än någonsin behöver samarbeta och handla med fler så har vi bara gått i mål med två frihandelsavtal – med Nya Zeeland och med Vietnam – under den här mandatperioden. Det räcker inte. Välstånd för miljarder människor går förlorat och vi går miste om viktiga samarbeten kring klimat och miljö, teknikutveckling och investeringar. Det är så synd.
               

                  Inför Världshandelsorganisationen WTO:s ministerkonferens senare i februari måste EU:s budskap vara tydligt. En öppen regelbaserad handel är den främsta garanten för tillväxt och välstånd och vi behöver ett fungerande WTO som står upp för dessa principer.
               

                  Därför måste också WTO reformeras för att kunna fungera. Tvister måste kunna lösas och handelsorganisationen måste ligga i framkant så att vi också där genom handelspolitiken kan ta oss an klimatutsläppen. För det krävs i dag en hållbar handel, inte en grön protektionism. Handeln måste också fungera i en digital miljö. Genom handelspolitiken kan vi jobba för att få bort skadliga subventioner som är dåliga för klimatet och utarmar vår biologiska mångfald och våra hav.
               

                  Men till sist handlar det här om det multilaterala systemet, om att stå upp för multilateralism som i en tid där freden och friheten måste försvaras.
               

Reinhard Bütikofer,
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. – Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, the perpetually repeated news about the imminent death of the WTO has been vastly exaggerated. And that is good, because we need the WTO. Commissioner Johansson, you have pointed out the priorities that are at the centre of our agenda, and I agree, we agree. We need dispute settlement. We need to avoid digital trade tariffs. We need mainstreaming of development. We need a solution for fisheries subsidies. And, of course, we also need, and particularly urgently, greening trade, making trade a positive tool, not an obstacle.
The resolution that we have in front of us addresses these issues and that's why the group line of my group is to support the resolution. That will not be shared by all our colleagues, because some of us have different understandings of the meaning of the word ‘compromise’. But compromise is exactly what we will need at an international level, and in particular at MC13, in our efforts to hold on to a multilateral trade system through timely reforms.
We have understood that we must also use different tools. We have introduced unilateral measures, but we also run into the obvious reality that unilateral measures are not always well coordinated with our international relations. We have tried bilateralism and just saw how Australia showed us the middle finger. We have advocated plurilateralism and harvested minilateralisms that fragment the trade world. This is why holding on to the perspective of a multilateral trade order is in the interest of the European Union, of all its citizens, and of our partners around the globe.

Marco Campomenosi,
a nome del gruppo ID. – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signora Commissaria, grazie per essere qui.
               

                  Tutti siamo d'accordo sul fatto che le regole dell'OMC devono essere modificate, soprattutto il suo funzionamento. Però non vorrei che peccassimo di ottimismo rispetto a una difesa dell'ortodossia dell'Organizzazione mondiale del commercio che i nostri partner internazionali, in primis gli americani e i cinesi, non perseguono.
               

                  L'IRA americana è stata la dimostrazione che si possono voler raggiungere i nostri stessi obiettivi di transizione ecologica, ma attirando gli investimenti. Noi abbiamo introdotto un sistema di regole talmente complesso che rischiamo, al contrario, di non migliorare sui temi ambientali, ma addirittura di allontanare possibili investimenti. Sulla Cina, ovviamente, potremmo parlare per ore rispetto a come ha abusato, anch'essa, delle regole della WTO.
               

                  Quindi, se siamo il continente che nell'ultimo ventennio è cresciuto meno nel mondo, dobbiamo porci qualche domanda. Non è perché io vengo da un gruppo critico verso le azioni della Commissione europea che non mi dovete ascoltare. Il tema è veramente importante. Dobbiamo avere più coraggio nell'uso degli strumenti difensivi che sono regolati dal WTO. Sono regole che sono lì e vanno utilizzate, in un contesto, quello geopolitico, quello della crisi della logistica, quello che ci dice che, oddio, avevamo delle filiere produttive molto fragili, così lunghe, così difficili da proteggere in una situazione così complicata come quella di adesso.
               

                  Accordi commerciali che danneggiano i settori primari, l'agricoltura e la pesca, e lo vediamo anche nelle proteste di queste settimane, perché pensiamo che anche questi beni possano entrare nel nostro continente, con regole diverse, con standard molto più bassi da quelli che imponiamo ai nostri, ma tutto questo alla fine porta a delle contraddizioni. Accordi commerciali che vengono negoziati a lungo, a lungo per anni, anni e anni, secondo principi magari vecchi e non attuali, salvo poi, per esigenze di campagna elettorale, dire: ‘No, no, no, fermiamoci, perché se no gli elettori non ci seguiranno’. Ecco, su tutto questo speriamo che anche ad Abu Dhabi si possa riflettere per il futuro.
               

Helmut Scholz,
im Namen der Fraktion The Left. – Herr Präsident, Frau Kommissarin, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Die Tagesordnung der Ministerkonferenz in Abu Dhabi ist lang – die Wiederbelebung des Streitbeilegungsmechanismus, der zweite Teil des Fischereiabkommens oder die Ausweitung des TRIPS-waiver, um nur einige Punkte zu nennen.
               

                  Wir müssen uns aber klarmachen, dass die große, unbeantwortete Frage die nach der WTO-Reform ist. Wie kann diese Institution gerechter und zukunftsfähiger werden?
               

                  Zwei Drittel der WTO-Mitglieder sind Entwicklungsländer. Trotzdem bestimmen die Interessen, Strukturen und die bisherige Logik des globalen Nordens. Deshalb sage ich: Wenn wir wirklich fairen Handel und Zusammenarbeit und ein funktionierendes, regelbares Welthandelssystem in der drängenden Zeit des Klimawandels haben wollen, ist es Zeit, die nicht mehr funktionierenden Strukturen und Mechanismen abzulegen.
               

                  Wir müssen endlich die Doha-Entwicklungsagenda umsetzen. Wir müssen unser Welthandelssystem so organisieren, dass es sich stärker am Wohlstand aller und der Erhaltung des Planeten orientiert. Handel ist kein Selbstzweck.
               

                  In Zeiten, in denen sich eine Krise auf die nächste türmt, ist Kooperation unerlässlich. Deshalb hoffe ich, dass die parlamentarische Dimension der WTO deutlich macht, dass die WTO sich nicht länger wegducken kann, dass Handelsregeln mit Arbeitsrechten, Ungleichheit, Klima und Umweltfragen verbunden sind.
               

Enikő Győri (NI). – Tisztelt Elnök Úr! A WTO a nyílt, szabályalapú kereskedelem szimbóluma. Az a tény, hogy 164 ország évről évre asztalhoz ül és megpróbálja fejleszteni az egymás közti kereskedelmet, dicséretes, még ha néha nehézkes is. Erre az összefogásra kell építeni, hisz ez szolgálja az exportorientált Európa érdekét. Támogatom a szervezet reformját, illetve minden olyan javaslatot, beleértve az ipari támogatásokra vonatkozó tárgyalások megindítását is, amely előmozdítja, hogy egyenlők legyenek a versenyfeltételek a nemzetközi kereskedelemben. Szintén támogatom a globális beruházáskönnyítési egyezmény tető alá hozását. Mondjunk igent tehát a konnektivitásra, nemet a bezárkózásra, a protekcionizmusra és a kereskedelem ideologizálására.
               

                  Arra kérem a Bizottságot és a kollegákat, hogy az Unió gazdaságbiztonsági stratégiáinak megfogalmazásakor is ezt tartsák szem előtt. A vonatkozó új jogszabályokhoz mindenképp készüljenek hatástanulmányok A javaslatok legyenek összhangban a WTO-szabályokkal, s tartsák tiszteletben a tagállamok hatáskörét. Kérem a Bizottságot, hogy a jövőben proaktívabb, okosabb és vállalkozásbarátabb kereskedelempolitikát kövessen. A nehéz ügyeket sose hagyja a ciklus végére. Ennek a Bizottságnak szegényes a bizonyítványa, közel sem hozott ki annyit a kínálkozó szabadkereskedelmi lehetőségekből, mint amennyit lehetett volna.
               

Gabriel Mato (PPE). – Señor presidente, señora comisaria, todos coincidimos en que es necesaria una reforma que haga la OMC mucho más funcional. Para ello, es esencial que el órgano de solución de diferencias vuelva a ser plenamente operativo y eficaz.
               

                  Un ejemplo claro de la disfuncionalidad de esta organización es la disputa entre Estados Unidos y España en lo relativo a los aranceles a la aceituna negra española. A pesar de que en 2021 la OMC se pronunciase a favor de España, Estados Unidos no ha cambiado su comportamiento y sigue dañando gravemente al sector. La cuestión sigue abierta en la OMC. Tenemos retos importantes por delante y la OMC tiene que jugar un papel fundamental.
               

                  Me gustaría destacar otro tema que tenemos que tener muy presente en la próxima conferencia: las negociaciones sobre los subsidios a la pesca. En este sentido, me gustaría reiterar que es necesario proteger y defender los subsidios sostenibles concedidos a los operadores de la Unión Europea en virtud de la legislación de la Unión y, en particular, los acuerdos de asociación para la pesca sostenible entre la Unión Europea y los países ACP. En ningún caso estos acuerdos deben considerarse subvenciones a la flota de la Unión Europea. Estos acuerdos son los acuerdos pesqueros más transparentes y mutuamente beneficiosos del mundo. Han demostrado ser positivos y rentables tanto para las flotas de la Unión Europea como para los consumidores y los terceros países, así como a efectos de la gestión de recursos pesqueros. Y no debemos olvidarnos de que, si la flota de la Unión Europea abandona estas aguas, serán sustituidas por otras flotas que no tienen ninguna consideración por la sostenibilidad social o medioambiental.
               

Javier Moreno Sánchez (S&D). – Señor presidente, señora comisaria, usted lo ha dicho, Jörgen lo ha dicho, Bernd lo ha dicho: en un contexto geopolítico tan complejo y convulso, es necesario apostar más que nunca por reforzar el multilateralismo y las organizaciones internacionales y, entre ellas, la OMC.
               

                  Muchos la daban por muerta, pero respondió hace dos años con éxito a las dos grandes crisis: la pandemia y la invasión de Ucrania por parte de Putin, garantizando el acceso a las vacunas con la liberalización de las patentes, por una parte, y asegurando la cadena de suministro y la seguridad alimentaria, por otra. Además, está desarrollando un papel clave para la sostenibilidad de los mares con el Acuerdo sobre Subvenciones a la Pesca.
               

                  Ahora toca proceder a la reforma institucional pendiente, agilizando el sistema de decisión y estableciendo un mecanismo de solución de conflictos vinculante. Tenemos que fomentar el comercio sostenible que integre la dimensión de género y el desarrollo de todos los países, y especialmente los más vulnerables, completando la Agenda de Doha. Por último, es imprescindible dotarla de una verdadera dimensión parlamentaria. En Abu Dabi tenemos mucho trabajo por delante.
               

Svenja Hahn (Renew). – Herr Präsident, liebe Kollegen! Die klaren Bekenntnisse aus den Reihen des Europäischen Parlaments für eine zukunftsfitte WTO sind sehr wichtige Signale, denn in einer Zeit, in der Autokratien Demokratien angreifen – mit Waffen, mit Desinformation oder mit wirtschaftlichen Abhängigkeiten –, ist multilaterale Zusammenarbeit wichtiger denn je. Und doch hat Multilateralismus es schwerer denn je.
               

                  Die Welthandelsorganisation, sie war doch immer das Herzstück unserer weltweiten wirtschaftlichen Zusammenarbeit. Aber wir erleben großen geopolitischen Druck, gepaart mit Protektionismus und Handelskriegen, und die Lösung dafür müssten wir doch in der WTO erarbeiten.
               

                  Aber das System selbst ist in die Jahre gekommen. Wenn China weiterhin den Status eines Entwicklungslandes beansprucht, wenn die USA weiterhin die Streitschlichtung lahmlegen, weil sie keine Richter benennen, dann ist wirklich offensichtlich: Die WTO funktioniert nicht mehr.
               

                  Aber unsere europäische Antwort darf doch kein Alleingang oder Protektionismus sein. Unsere Antwort muss immer sein, weiter für eine Reform zu kämpfen. Und die letzte Ministerkonferenz hat uns doch Hoffnung gemacht. Es besteht die Chance, jetzt ein Paket auf den Weg zu bringen, ein Paket für eine echte Reform der WTO, die eine Lösung bringt, um Handelskonflikte wieder beizulegen. Wir brauchen mehr Flexibilität für plurilaterale Abkommen und vor allen Dingen endlich eine dauerhafte Lösung für moderne E-Commerce-Regeln, denn digitaler Handel macht bereits heute 25 % allen Handels aus.
               

                  Die WTO muss im 21. Jahrhundert ankommen, und ich erwarte von der Kommission, dass sie aus vollem Herzen mit allem Einsatz für die Zukunft des multilateralen Handels kämpft.
               

Saskia Bricmont (Verts/ALE). – Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, mon intervention est aujourd'hui inspirée d'une conversation avec la fille d'agriculteurs atteints d'un lymphome, un cancer très probablement lié à l'exposition aux pesticides. ‘Comment rétablir le respect?’, m'a-t-elle demandé. Le respect des agriculteurs, de leur santé, de celle des consommateurs. Le respect des productions, qui passe par une rémunération juste, mais aussi par la fin du gaspillage alimentaire et de l'écoblanchiment, le respect de la vie, de la terre.
               

                  Les agriculteurs sont venus nous rappeler que ce respect n'est possible que si l'on revoit fondamentalement les règles du commerce international à l'OMC, synonyme de libre-échange débridé, qui conduit à une concurrence déloyale entre producteurs du Sud et du Nord. Un libre-échange qui ne respecte ni les producteurs, ni les travailleurs, ni les consommateurs, ni l'environnement.
               

                  Plus personne ne comprend que l'on envoie notre lait en poudre en Afrique, où les vaches donnent du lait frais pourtant, et nos frites surgelées au Pérou, pays historiquement producteur de pommes de terre. Il n'y a plus que vous pour trouver cohérent que l'on importe du poulet, du bœuf ou du sucre alors qu'on en produit, chez nous, en telle quantité que nous les exportons.
               

                  Le pacte vert, avant qu'il ne soit détricoté pour des raisons politiciennes et alors que le monde a dépassé le 1,5 oC degré de réchauffement, constitue la colonne vertébrale de notre action européenne. Pour qu'il ne soit pas un nouvel instrument néocolonial, il faut un pacte vert mondial pour assurer la souveraineté alimentaire des peuples, un commerce équitable, et dont l'objectif est de réaliser les objectifs de développement durable.
               

                  La présidence belge doit réellement marquer un tournant dans ce contexte. Vous devez vous positionner clairement pour la fin des négociations avec les pays du Mercosur de traités de libre-échange contraires à tous les engagements.
               

Rosanna Conte (ID). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, sovvenzioni alla pesca: su questo si era concentrata la precedente conferenza OMC.
               

                  Nobili intenzioni, soprattutto nella lotta alla pesca IUU, sulla quale siamo tutti concordi che debba essere adottato un pugno di ferro. Ma un grande spettro all'orizzonte: quello della fine delle agevolazioni fiscali sul carburante per le imbarcazioni da pesca. Da molti anni, i nostri pescatori sono minacciati da questa spada di Damocle e dal rischio che si torni a tassare il carburante.
               

                  Se l'accordo di Marrakech venisse ratificato dai due terzi dei membri, non ci rimarrà che appellarci all'articolo 4.3, dimostrando che i sussidi o altre misure, come MAP o raccomandazioni CGPM, sono attuati per ripristinare gli stock. E qui avremmo bisogno del sostegno dell'Europa, che finora ha girato la testa dall'altra parte. Ecco perché ad Abu Dhabi non possiamo permettere che gli sgravi fiscali sui carburanti vengano considerati come sovvenzioni dannose. La pesca deve vivere per poter contribuire alla sicurezza alimentare europea.
               

Kathleen Van Brempt (S&D). – Voorzitter, mevrouw de commissaris, de Wereldhandelsorganisatie is, zoals we weten, net als vele andere multilaterale organisaties niet in de beste staat. We hebben een redelijk succesvolle MC12 gehad, maar — in het Nederlands bestaat het gezegde ‘één zwaluw maakt de lente niet’ — dat heeft de Wereldhandelsorganisatie nog niet gebracht waar ze moet zijn. Ik weet dat er heel vaak verwezen wordt naar hervormingen van het interne systeem, maar ik denk dat we fundamentele hervormingen nodig hebben.
               

                  Laat me twee voorbeelden geven:
               






1)


De aandacht voor de noden en de stem van ontwikkelingslanden in de Wereldhandelsorganisatie is vandaag de dag ondermaats en dat moet beter. Wat er gebeurd is in de pandemie met de discussie over de Trips en de intellectuele-eigendomsrechten, was niet goed. We moeten dus nog een inspanning doen om vooruitgang te boeken.










2)


Een tweede fundamentele hervorming is natuurlijk de link tussen klimaat en handel: niet gewoon met wat woorden en hier en daar een fijne uitspraak, maar een fundamentele hervorming van het systeem van de Wereldhandelsorganisatie om ervoor te zorgen dat we het klimaat echt boven aan de agenda zetten.





Mauri Pekkarinen (Renew). – Arvoisa puhemies, vaikka valtiontuet eivät ole kokouksen agendalla, odotin, että komissaari olisi sanonut jonkun sanan valtiontuista – niin ajankohtainen aihe se mielestäni on.
               

                  Odotin siksikin, että meidän yhteisillä EU:n sisämarkkinoilla on sallittu yhteensä tuhansien miljardien eurojen valtiontukipoikkeukset. Ne kerta kaikkiaan murentavat reiluja sisämarkkinoita. On helppo sanoa, että no niinhän ne Kiina ja USA:kin tekevät.
               

                  Olisi kuitenkin suuri virhe, jos WTO:n piirissä laajemminkin yleistyisi yritysten kilpailuaseman manipulointi valtiontuilla. Se merkitsisi markkinalähtöisen teollisuuden kääntämistä valtiojohtoiseksi. Sosialistisessa järjestelmässä tätä yritettiin huonolla menestyksellä, niin kuin kaikki tiedämme.
               

                  Ymmärrän, että EU:ssakin tarvitaan de minimis- ja koheesiotukia, ja nämä tuet ovat ihan oikein. Aivan erityisesti EU:ssa kuitenkin tulisi satsata tutkimukseen, kehittämiseen ja innovaatioiden läpimurtoon. Nämä tuet ovat sallittuja ja oikeudenmukaisia, ja niistä hyötyvät kaikki. Menestys syntyy siitä, että sallitaan kilpailukykyisempien voittaa. Jos valtio valitsee tuillaan voittajat, siitä ei hyvää seuraa. Valtiontuet sotkevat hyviä pyrkimyksiä reilun maailmankaupan edistämiseksi.
               

                  Toiveeni onkin, että EU:n edustajat tunnustavat myös WTO:ssa markkinatalouden paremmaksi lähtökohdaksi kuin valtiontuilla kilpailu.
               

Benoît Biteau (Verts/ALE). – Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, la guerre déclenchée par Vladimir Poutine il y a deux ans a causé des centaines de milliers de morts. Ses conséquences sont terribles au-delà de la zone de conflit.
               

                  Les politiques agricoles néolibérales de l'OMC, mises en place à partir du milieu des années 1990, sont un échec. Elles n'ont pas permis de réduire le nombre de personnes souffrant de la faim dans le monde. La promesse d'une sécurité alimentaire fondée sur un commerce mondialisé de produits agricoles et dominé par de puissantes multinationales ne fonctionne pas. Ayons le courage de le reconnaître. L'Union européenne, en multipliant de nombreux accords commerciaux bilatéraux, sape le système multilatéral qu'elle a contribué à mettre en place.
               

                  Je ne suis pas contre le commerce, mais j'estime que l'OMC est à bout de souffle. Le temps est venu de construire la souveraineté alimentaire de l'Europe, comme l'a proposé La Via Campesina dès 1996. Nous devons laisser les autres régions du monde à faire les mêmes choses si elles le souhaitent, et même les aider. L'Europe doit arriver à Abou Dhabi avec une autre proposition de régulation du commerce mondial, fondée non pas sur la concurrence, mais sur la solidarité et le respect des droits de l'homme et du droit de l'environnement.
               

Ylva Johansson,
Member of the Commission. – Mr President, honourable Members, this has been a very interesting debate and I have listened very carefully to your intervention – very relevant interventions. The European Union will play a leadership role in the run up to MC13 and during the conference itself. We will deploy every effort at technical and political level to make MC13 a success, despite the risk of messy and unpredictable negotiations in Abu Dhabi.
Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis looks forward to seeing some of you in Abu Dhabi and I am confident that I can count on your help to convey to our WTO interlocutors that a successful ministerial is critical to show that WTO reform is on track, and that we need to continue what we set out to do at MC12.
We will, of course, keep the European Parliament closely involved along the way. We count on your continued support. Together as Europe, we can really make a difference. Thank you for your support and for this debate.

Der Präsident. – Zum Abschluss der Aussprache wurde ein Entschließungsantrag eingereicht, den einige Kolleginnen und Kollegen schon angesprochen haben.
               

                  Die Aussprache ist geschlossen.
               

                  Die Abstimmung findet heute, am 8. Februar 2024, statt.
               
4.   Working conditions of teachers in the EU (debate)

Der Präsident. – Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über die Anfrage zur mündlichen Beantwortung an die Kommission über Arbeitsbedingungen von Lehrkräften in der EU von Dolors Montserrat im Namen des Petitionsausschusses (O-000002/2024 – B9-0007/24) (2023/3015(RSP)).
               

Jana Toom,
author. – Mr President, dear colleagues, Commissioner, I am speaking here on behalf of the Committee on Petitions, but I'm also inspired by the teacher strike which ended in Estonia a few days ago. After several days of strike, our underpaid and overworked teachers got a salary increase of EUR 17 per month. And I am speaking about the country which, according to PISA tests, remains on top of EU ratings.
There is a critical need in our societies for high-quality education to prepare pupils to lead successful, fulfilling lives and contribute meaningfully to their communities by providing them with relevant educational experiences, developing practical skills, acquisitions and problem-solving abilities, as well as by fostering critical thinking, creativity and adaptivity.
The aim of the oral question we are discussing today is to address one of the challenges faced in attaining high-quality education. Namely, the situation of teachers and of the teaching profession in the European Union, as the teaching standards are closely linked to the resources made available to them, their training opportunities, as well as to the roles they are asked to fulfil.
The reality we are confronted to nowadays is that the EU faces an ageing teaching population, the difficulty of recruiting and retaining qualified teachers, severe teacher shortages especially in rural areas, inadequate salary levels, the lack of collective bargaining agreements, as well as accentuated psychological pressure related to increased levels of violence in schools, bigger classroom sizes coupled with often decreased quality of infrastructure and multiplied administrative tasks assigned to them.
The Committee on Petitions has received several petitions highlighting these aspects in recent years, the most recent one having been discussed last autumn in the Committee. In light of these discussions, it is imperative that we address the following questions: what is the assessment of the current state of working conditions of teachers in the European Union, and the effects on the quality of education and the transmission of fundamental knowledge?
Which are the instruments the Commission makes available to Member States to assist them to implement relevant improvements in school education systems, considering the evolving demands of the labour market and correlated education needs, and necessity of continuous professional development and upskilling, as well as the importance of infrastructure investments?
Which are the strategies the Commission foresees for levelling up the prestige and attractiveness of the teaching profession, including in rural, outmost and depopulated areas, to fight against negative demographic trends?
How is the Commission encouraging the development of clear career prospects and attractive pay for the teaching profession?
How is the Commission monitoring the implementation of Directive (EU) 2019/1152 on transparent and predictable working conditions in relation to the teaching profession in the EU?
Which further actions does it intend to take to guarantee the full compliance with its provisions, including as regards the right to collective agreements?

Iliana Ivanova,
Member of the Commission. – Mr President, honourable Members of the European Parliament, I would like to thank, first of all, the chair of the PETI Committee, honourable Member Montserrat, for bringing forward this important issue on the working conditions of teachers in the European Education Area. I would also like to thank Vice-Chair Toom, who is presenting the point today.
Teacher shortages are a serious cause of concern, which is shared by us all. This is also confirmed by the recent PISA results. Not even one Member State managed to improve their performance in basic skills. And if we are to contribute to a solution to this challenge, which is so important for our competitiveness, teachers are a fundamental part of the answer. That is why the Commission continues to strongly support the efforts of the Member States to tackle these complex challenges, and it is also one of the key priorities for me during this mandate.
We have already dedicated several reports and studies to assessing the situation of teachers in all EU Member States. We have also developed a brand new indicators dashboard. This interactive online tool provides comparative information supporting Member States' decisions regarding the teaching profession.
The Commission also uses all policy and funding instruments at its disposal to support Member States in improving their school education systems, and in training and preparing teachers to meet their professional challenges. For example, the European Education Area Strategic Framework offers a forum for discussion and collaboration through its working groups, composed of experts nominated by the Member States and key stakeholders. These working groups have fed into several of our policy initiatives, and we can see some of this work in the many Council recommendations that underline the key role of school leaders, teachers and other educational staff.
We also, of course, support Member States through funding. Both the European Social Fund and the Recovery and Resilience Facility invest in measures, reforms and investments supporting education, training and skills at all levels, including in the teaching profession. And, of course, our flagship education programme, Erasmus+, supports Member States by providing professional development opportunities to teachers. And then there are also the new Erasmus+ teacher academies. They aim to equip teachers to deal with common challenges, from inclusion and equity to digital education or sustainable development. Some 27 Teacher Academies projects have been initiated, exceeding the initial goal of having 25 Teacher Academies by 2025 and, given the interest, a new call has just been launched for 15 additional projects in 2024.
Yet, in addition to resources and investment, recognition is also a fundamental part of our strategy. Besides this being reflected in many Council conclusions and recommendations, we have also launched the Innovative European Teaching Award 2021 to give credit to teachers for their work and to identify and promote outstanding teaching and learning practices developed through collaboration between schools within the Erasmus+ programme.
Last but not least, the Commission is taking careful note of the coverage of the teaching profession when checking the transposition and implementation of the existing legal instruments related to working conditions and fixed-term work, including infringements addressed to a few Member States. Now, I am really looking forward to hearing your views.

Jarosław Duda,
w imieniu grupy PPE. – Szanowna Pani Komisarz! Panie Przewodniczący! Koleżanki i Koledzy! Bardzo się cieszę, że mogę przemawiać tu dzisiaj, bo swoją karierę, ścieżkę zawodową zaczynałem właśnie jako nauczyciel. Wiem, jak duża odpowiedzialność spoczywa na tej grupie zawodowej. Głos nauczycieli powinien być słyszalny tu, na forum Parlamentu Europejskiego. Odpowiednie warunki pracy nauczycieli to temat również bardzo aktualny w moim kraju. Obecnie rząd dąży do przywrócenia szacunku, godnej płacy i możliwości rozwoju dla tej grupy zawodowej.
               

                  Jako rodzice oczekujemy, by nauczyciele kształtowali nasze dzieci, by byli dla nich inspiracją i wsparciem. Jednak czy odpowiednio ich doceniamy? Czy przy tej skali biurokratyzacji mogą skupić się na tym, co naprawdę ważne? Najwyższy czas, aby szacunek do tego zawodu, tworzenie odpowiednich, stabilnych warunków pracy i rozwoju nauczycieli zacząć traktować jako kluczową inwestycję w gospodarkę i rozwój społeczny Europy. Europa zmaga się z kryzysem zdrowia psychicznego dramatycznie dotykającego dzieci i młodzież, a także z bullyingiem i cyberprzemocą. Nie możemy zostawić dzieci i nauczycieli samych z tym problemem.
               

                  Dlatego apeluję o wspieranie rozwoju zawodowego, a zwłaszcza o wyposażenie nauczycieli w wiedzę, umiejętności i narzędzia, które pozwolą im na wczesną diagnozę problemów i podjęcie odpowiednich działań. Konieczne jest stworzenie interdyscyplinarnych systemów wsparcia złożonych ze specjalistów, którzy są w stanie pomóc uczniom w kryzysie i wspomagać nauczycieli, zapobiegając poczuciu bezradności i wypaleniu zawodowemu.
               

Cristina Maestre Martín de Almagro,
en nombre del Grupo S&D. – Señor presidente, señora comisaria, bienvenida. Los docentes son el soporte que tienen nuestros niños en su día a día, esos adultos del futuro que necesitan un pilar fuerte en su enseñanza. Y deberíamos cuidarlos más. Nos lo han dicho en la Comisión de Peticiones, que nos ha trasladado sus quejas, y lo refleja muy bien también el informe Eurydice.
               

                  Habla de temporalidad. Se ha comentado aquí. Es cierto: cada vez hay más quejas por los contratos no permanentes. Aunque la mayoría de los docentes tienen un contrato estable, es cierto que para los menores de treinta y cinco años ya se ve una cifra alarmante: uno de cada tres docentes menores de treinta y cinco años tiene un trabajo o un contrato temporal.
               

                  Existe una insatisfacción general en torno a los salarios. Muchos docentes, además, reportan una excesiva carga de trabajo. Es verdad: a las actividades de enseñanza se unen actividades administrativas, de gestión, de interlocución con los padres. Eso les quita mucho tiempo y les añade un estrés enorme. Casi el 50 % de los docentes declaran bastante estrés. Y eso también es para hacérnoslo mirar. Y, claro, la incorporación de las tecnologías digitales supone para ellos un desafío muy importante.
               

                  Hay dos cuestiones muy significativas: la dificultad de encontrar personal docente y de retener el talento en las zonas rurales y despobladas.
               

                  Por lo tanto, hay que aportar soluciones. Nosotros lo tenemos claro: mejorar las condiciones de trabajo, ofrecer salarios competitivos, elevar el reconocimiento social de la profesión y establecer estrategias de apoyo al bienestar del docente.
               

                  ¿Qué se ha tratado sobre esto en la reciente reunión del Espacio Europeo de Educación celebrada el 10 de octubre de 2023? Y, ¿qué planteamientos o qué iniciativas va a llevar a cabo la Comisión Europea para hacer posibles unas mejores condiciones laborales de nuestros profesores?
               

Vlad Gheorghe,
în numele grupului Renew. – Domnule președinte, spunem mereu că educația este soluția. Dragi colegi, spunem că suntem sub un război hibrid al lui Putin care trage cu fake news în noi, în Uniunea Europeană. E adevărat, și cum ne apărăm de fake news? Cu educație. Cum spunem noi întotdeauna, că educația este cea mai importantă, că avem nevoie de oameni educați, care să înțeleagă și să nu mai fie ușor de manipulat cu fake news. Totul bine și minunat. Ce facem noi în legătură cu asta? Absolut nimic.
               

                  Avem proteste pe străzi, i-am avut la Bruxelles, i-am avut și aici, la Strasbourg, pe fermieri, i-am avut în România, pe fermieri, pe transportatori. Dar știți cine a fost prima dată în stradă și cine a început foarte bine aceste proteste ale cetățenilor noștri nemulțumiți? Profesorii, pentru că noi nu investim în educație, noi nu investim în profesori, noi nu le dăm, nu numai respectul de care au nevoie și pe care îl merită, dar nu le dăm nici măcar infrastructura cu care să-și facă treaba. Ei sunt soldații noștri în războiul împotriva fake news-ul lui Putin, dar îi trimitem fără gloanțe, fără arme și eventual și cu burta goală. După care ne plângem, aici, în acest Parlament foarte frumos și minunat că, vezi Doamne, pierdem războiul pe fake news, că cetățenii noștri nu mai au încredere în noi, pentru că, din nou, ne întoarcem la educație.
               

                  Tot timpul spunem că nu avem bani, lăsăm guvernele să își bată joc de profesorii noștri, nu avem competențe, nu avem bani. Cum să nu avem bani? Avem o grămadă de bani, dar trebuie să nu-i mai dăm pe tot felul de prostii, să nu mai facem achiziții nejustificate și să dăm bani acolo unde contează, în educație și în profesori.
               

François Thiollet,
au nom du groupe Verts/ALE. – Monsieur le Président, mes chers collègues, merci sincèrement pour cette initiative, qui nous donne l'occasion de parler de la situation difficile des enseignants partout en Europe. Moi-même prof, je constate, en France, année après année, les difficultés et la dégradation de nos conditions de travail.
               

                  Si, comme le souhaite le gouvernement français pour nos élèves, nous faisions des groupes de niveau avec les États européens, la France serait malheureusement dans le groupe des élèves en difficulté et elle aurait de ce fait un horizon assez bouché pour progresser. La solution, pour nos enfants comme pour nos États, ce n'est pas la ségrégation, ce n'est pas la compétition: la solution, c'est la coopération. La solution, c'est, dans la diversité, l'union.
               

                  La Commission s'est engagée à faire de l'espace européen de l'éducation une réalité d'ici 2025. Chiche! Il nous reste deux ans. La France est l'un des États européens où la coopération entre collègues est la plus faible, et les classes très nombreuses. La France reste, malgré tous les discours sur l'égalité républicaine, l'un des États où les écarts de réussite entre les élèves selon leur milieu social d'origine est le plus fort.
               

                  Alors, plutôt que de chercher à faire porter aux enseignants européens l'uniforme du libéral-nationalisme, donnons-nous les moyens d'une ambition commune forte sur les questions éducatives. Les États qui ont le plus progressé ces dernières années sont ceux qui, comme le Portugal, ont fait le choix d'investissements massifs dans l'éducation. Ces efforts doivent être soutenus par l'Union.
               

                  Donnons aux équipes enseignantes les moyens, partout en Europe, de se rencontrer, de partager et de coopérer. Construisons une Europe de l'émancipation de nos élèves! Construisons une Europe de l'épanouissement de nos enseignants! Construisons une Europe de l'éducation!
               

Cristian Terheș,
în numele grupului ECR. – Domnule președinte, dragi colegi, această dezbatere despre profesori este binevenită, deoarece școala, profesorii și elevii trebuie puși din nou la locul de cinste cuvenit în societatea europeană. Școala trebuie să îi învețe pe elevi nu doar cum să citească, scrie și socotească, ci și cum să fie oameni buni și drepți în societate și cum să-și iubească țara.
               

                  Valorile morale perene se dezvoltă învățând științele umaniste, precum literatura clasică, istoria, geografia, iar gândirea critică și rațională se dezvoltă prin științele reale, precum matematica, fizica, filozofia, logica. Asta a făcut în timp școala clasică, dezvoltând personalități și mari oameni ai lumii, când nici măcar caiete nu erau și poate nici acces la cărți tipărite.
               

                  Asistăm însă azi la schimbarea paradigmei educației, în care atât profesorii, cât și elevii sunt văzuți ca simpli transmițători și receptori de informație, asemenea mașinilor. Între profesori și elevi se creează o relație emoțională umană, care nu poate fi ignorată. Și vă dau exemplul PNRR-ului pe care Comisia Europeană l-a impus României. În noua lege a educației din România, se vorbește despre profesori în termeni de ‘furnizori primari de educație’, iar despre elevi în termeni de ‘beneficiari primari de educație’. De când până când un profesor, un om, este furnizor și de când până când un elev este beneficiar de informație?
               

                  Astfel de termeni sunt specifici serviciilor de informații și nicidecum unui sistem educațional, cu atât mai mult unui sistem pe care dorim să îl avem în Europa. Nu mai chinuiți profesorii și elevii cu implementarea și promovarea unei ideologii bolnave în școli, cum este ideologia de gen care îi face confuzi pe copii încât nu mai știu dacă sunt băieți sau fete.
               

                  Europa, pentru a avea un viitor, are nevoie ca noile generații să fie bine educate, iar asta nu se poate face decât repunând profesorii la locul de cinste și dându-le respectul pe care îl merită în societate.
               

Gianna Gancia,
a nome del gruppo ID. – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signora Commissaria, ormai da tempo si parla di crisi di sistemi educativi, senza però mai voler ammettere che il problema è a monte e nasce anche dalla formazione e dalle condizioni di lavoro degli insegnanti.
               

                  Mancanza di attrattività della professione del docente, mancanza di programmi omogenei di formazione continua, un disequilibrio importante a livello sia geografico che didattico, la non corrispondenza tra la domanda e l'offerta degli insegnanti, senza poi dimenticare che la scuola è ormai ostaggio di una burocrazia estrema e c'è un'assenza di sviluppo professionale, nonché una retribuzione non adeguata. Queste sono alcune piaghe che affliggono la professione e che devono essere affrontate anche a livello europeo.
               

                  Il processo di integrazione europea deve coinvolgere da vicino i sistemi didattici, favorire la mobilità transnazionale, una libera circolazione di titoli e di competenze, tutelando però al contempo storia e identità locali. Solo in questo modo potremo fare grande la nostra scuola per i nostri giovani.
               

Marc Botenga,
au nom du groupe The Left. – Monsieur le Président, chers collègues, Madame la Commissaire, en vous écoutant, parfois, je me demande dans quel théâtre j'ai atterri, franchement. Parce que, ce matin, vous venez ici clamer haut et fort que les enseignants sont importants, vous constatez le manque d'enseignants, le mauvais état des bâtiments des écoles, le trop grand nombre d'élèves par classe, et, en vous écoutant, spontanément je me dis: ‘Ben chiche! Ils ont compris! C'est bien! Mettons les sous, investissons dans nos écoles: de meilleures conditions de travail, plus d'enseignants, moins d'élèves par classe, etc.’
               

                  Eh bien non! C'est pour la galerie, vos déclarations! C'est pour la galerie! Parce que, en parallèle – et c'est là toute votre hypocrisie –, que faites-vous? Eh bien, vous ramenez des règles européennes qui interdisent aux États d'investir dans les écoles et dans l'enseignement. Les règles européennes de l'austérité! Les règles budgétaires européennes, qui vont étrangler le budget des États. Ici, en public, vous venez déclarer tout votre soutien aux enseignants et aux élèves, mais en coulisse vous leur mettez la corde au cou. Quel cynisme, franchement!
               

Αλέξης Γεωργούλης (NI). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, κύριε Επίτροπε, αναμφισβήτητα όλοι αναγνωρίζουμε τη σημασία της εκπαίδευσης για το μέλλον και για τη συνοχή των κοινωνιών. Ωστόσο, σε όλη την Ευρώπη παρατηρούνται σοβαρές ελλείψεις. Ο μέσος όρος ηλικίας των εκπαιδευτικών είναι συνεχώς αυξανόμενος και η εμφάνιση της τεχνητής νοημοσύνης έχει αλλάξει και θα αλλάξει πολύ περισσότερο τα δεδομένα της εκπαίδευσης. Επίσης, στη χώρα μου, που δεν είναι η μόνη στην Ευρώπη, το φαινόμενο της έλλειψης εκπαιδευτικών έχει πάρει επικίνδυνες κοινωνικές διαστάσεις.
               

                  Κάθε χρόνο, τα κενά στις πάγιες εκπαιδευτικές ανάγκες των σχολείων καλύπτονται από αναπληρωτές καθηγητές που είναι αναγκασμένοι να λειτουργούν υπό καθεστώς εργασιακής και οικονομικής ομηρίας. Καλούμαστε όμως σήμερα να διαμορφώσουμε ένα νέο ευρωπαϊκό στρατηγικό πλάνο που θα αναβαθμίζει κοινωνικά, επαγγελματικά, αλλά και μισθολογικά το λειτούργημα του εκπαιδευτικού, θα επαναφέρει το κύρος του και θα επενδύσει στη στήριξη και στη συνεχή κατάρτιση των εκπαιδευτικών, ώστε να ξαναγίνει ελκυστικό και στους νέους υποψήφιους καθηγητές το επάγγελμα του εκπαιδευτικού.
               

Στέλιος Κυμπουρόπουλος (PPE). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, η εκπαίδευση υψηλής ποιότητας είναι ένα από τα μεγαλύτερα στοιχήματα για τα επόμενα χρόνια και οι δάσκαλοι και οι καθηγητές είναι αναπόσπαστο κομμάτι της εκπαιδευτικής διαδικασίας. Διαπαιδαγωγούν τα παιδιά και τους νέους, το μέλλον των χωρών μας.
               

                  Κάποτε διαπαιδαγώγησαν και εμάς. Μεταφέρουν χρήσιμες δεξιότητες, αξίες, αλλά και παραδείγματα ζωής, όπως η δασκάλα μου, η Ιωάννα Μακρή, που με δίδαξε να διεκδικώ τα όνειρά μου. Έχουν, όμως, και κομβικό ρόλο για την αντιμετώπιση του εκφοβισμού, αλλά και άλλων περιστατικών βίας στα σχολεία και, συνάδελφοι, δυστυχώς, σε πολλά κράτη μέλη οι συνθήκες εργασίας των εκπαιδευτικών δεν είναι αυτές που πρέπει. Έχουν να διαχειριστούν ψυχολογική πίεση, πολλή χαρτούρα και σε κάποιες περιπτώσεις ελλιπείς υποδομές, ενώ ταυτόχρονα ο μέσος όρος ηλικίας τους αυξάνεται, με ό,τι αυτό συνεπάγεται για την αναπλήρωσή τους από νέες φουρνιές εκπαιδευτικών στο μέλλον. Οφείλουμε να απελευθερώσουμε τη δυναμική τους και να τους ελευθερώσουμε από αυτά τα βάρη. Να τους δώσουμε τη δυνατότητα και τα εργαλεία για να κάνουν τη δουλειά τους, αλλά και να κάνουμε το παν ώστε το λειτούργημα αυτό να συνεχίσει να είναι ελκυστικό για τις επόμενες γενιές. Με καλή αμοιβή, σαφείς προοπτικές σταδιοδρομίας και επαγγελματική εξέλιξη και, κυρίως, έμπρακτη αναγνώριση του ανεκτίμητου έργου τους.
               

Alex Agius Saliba (S&D). – Sur President, Ir-rwol tal-għalliema huwa wieħed: li jispiraw, li jimmotivaw, li jinkoraġġixxu, li jedukaw u jsawru l-futur ta' uliedna.
               

                  L-għalliema huma essenzjali fis-soċjetà tagħna. Huwa fatt li ħadd ma jista' jinnegah: illi ma jistax ikollna l-ebda progress, l-ebda futur, mingħajr edukazzjoni ta' kwalità, mingħajr għalliema motivati.
               

                  Minkejja l-importanza tagħhom, hemm u jeżistu diversi nuqqasijiet għall-għalliema fil-kundizzjonijiet ħżiena tax-xogħol tagħhom, pagi baxxi. M'hemmx biżżejjed inċentivi biex dawn jidħlu għal din il-professjoni, għal din il-vokazzjoni. U dan huwa ta' theddida għas-sostenibbiltà tas-sistemi edukattivi tagħna b'effetti diretti fuq iż-żgħażagħ tagħna, fuq l-istudenti tagħna, fuq is-soċjetajiet tagħna, fuq l-ekonomiji tagħna.
               

                  Għalhekk għandha tingħata prijorità lill-impjiegi ta' kwalità u kundizzjonijiet tax-xogħol deċenti, pagi deċenti, sigurtà tax-xogħol u aċċess għall-protezzjoni soċjali, postijiet tax-xogħol sikuri u b'saħħithom. U, l-iktar ħaġa importanti għall-għalliema, bilanċ tajjeb bejn ix-xogħol u l-ħajja privata tagħhom.
               

                  Matul il-pandemija l-għalliema kollha ffaċċjaw realtajiet totalment differenti, sfidi diġitali ġodda u realtajiet tax-xogħol ġodda. U għalhekk dawn fl-aħħar mill-aħħar spiċċaw biddlu l-mod ta' kif jaħdmu mingħajr l-ebda taħriġ u ħafna drabi mingħajr għodod teknoloġiċi.
               

                  U allura l-Kummissjoni Ewropea trid tagħti u tipprovdi l-għajnuna kollha lill-Istati Membri tagħna sabiex tiżgura kundizzjonijiet tax-xogħol deċenti, taħriġ professjonali u protezzjoni lill-għalliema kollha fl-Unjoni Ewropea.
               

Laurence Farreng (Renew). – Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, chers collègues, pour une Europe souveraine, innovante, inspirée, il faut des enfants éveillés, des élèves éclairés. Le rôle des professeurs est évidemment crucial, et nous devons mieux reconnaître ces derniers, mieux travailler pour eux et avec eux. L'heure est grave. Nous traversons une crise des vocations, et il y a des pénuries d'enseignants partout, dans tous les pays européens. Pour y remédier, il faut des enseignants formés, soutenus, correctement payés.
               

                  Si les politiques éducatives relèvent des États, nous pouvons y travailler au niveau européen. Depuis quatre ans, nous parlons de l'espace européen de l'éducation pour des standards communs de l'éducation. Faisons-le! Nous voulons numériser toutes les écoles, partout, dans toutes les régions les plus éloignées. Faisons-le!
               

                  Nous devons aussi, au niveau européen, travailler sur des lignes directrices pour créer de nouvelles possibilités pour les enseignants – je pense notamment aux ‘Teacher Academies’ dans le cadre d'Erasmus+ –, mettre en commun ce qui se fait de mieux dans nos différents pays, s'inspirer les uns des autres. La priorité doit être enfin donnée à l'éducation. Ce n'est pas une option, mais une obligation.
               

André Rougé (ID). – Monsieur le Président, chers collègues, jusqu'où irez-vous dans votre marche vers le fédéralisme, après le pacte européen sur l'immigration et l'asile, la souveraineté du droit européen et le rapport Verhofstadt, ou encore, maintenant, le rapport Verheyen et son cortège d'autocritique, de rééducation et de révision de l'histoire?
               

                  Dans une entorse aux traités, l'Union européenne entend imposer un récit de repentance sur les heures sombres de l'Europe. Mais l'Europe ne s'est pas construite sur des crimes. Elle est l'histoire de chefs-d'œuvre artistiques, de pionniers de l'industrie et des sciences, d'une diplomatie fondatrice de l'ordre international. Apprendre son histoire en jeune Européen, c'est admettre ce génie, celui de Dante, de Goethe et de Voltaire.
               

                  Renan définissait la nation comme ‘un plébiscite de tous les jours’, ‘une âme, un principe spirituel’. À ce concept vous préférez l'autoflagellation et ôtez toute conscience morale au peuple. Mais les élèves français n'accepteront jamais qu'on leur enseigne: ‘Nos ancêtres les salauds’.
               

Marisa Matias (The Left). – Senhor Presidente, quando chegam ao Parlamento Europeu várias petições de professores que não veem os seus direitos consagrados, que não recebem salários justos, que não sentem o reconhecimento pelo seu trabalho, algo vai muito mal na União Europeia.
               

                  O direito à educação é um direito fundamental, o verdadeiro garante da igualdade de oportunidades, e as pressões sucessivas da União Europeia sobre os orçamentos nacionais estão a pô-lo em causa. Horas de trabalho sem fim, poucas oportunidades de formação, remuneração desadequada, falta de professores são apenas alguns dos problemas denunciados.
               

                  Em Portugal, há anos que os salários dos professores não são atualizados e que se tarda em fazer justiça com a recuperação do seu tempo de serviço. Há muitos professores que andam literalmente com a casa às costas, que não veem os seus vínculos contratuais reconhecidos, que passam anos na precariedade e têm sido sistematicamente ignorados pelos sucessivos governos.
               

                  As reivindicações dos professores europeus são justas. Saibamos dar-lhes respostas e exigir aos Estados-Membros que cumpram as suas obrigações.
               

Maria Angela Danzì (NI). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signora Commissaria, stipendi bassi, carichi di lavoro sproporzionati, poche garanzie e contratti precari: in Italia, così come in altri paesi del Sud Europa, gli insegnanti sono maltrattati, sebbene l'istruzione sia la spina dorsale della nostra società. Le loro condizioni di lavoro e le retribuzioni non sono degne delle responsabilità che portano.
               

                  In Italia, poi, i vincoli di permanenza triennale nelle prime scuole di assunzione riducono le entrate per chi, lontano da casa, è costretto a pagare un affitto insostenibile o viaggi costosissimi. E questo pregiudica la continuità didattica, non il contrario. La mancanza di continuità didattica si combatte contrastando la precarietà, che nel nostro paese coinvolge più di 400 000 docenti, e garantendo la conciliazione tra vita e lavoro. Questo è il miglior investimento che possiamo fare per il futuro e, in questo senso, per il mio paese presenteremo un'interrogazione alla Commissione.
               

Асим Адемов (PPE). – Г-н Председател, качественото образование е от ключово значение за изграждането на проспериращи, устойчиви и приобщаващи общества. Нашето бъдеще, както и бъдещето на целия Европейски съюз, лежи в ръцете на учителите и на образователната система. Като дългогодишен учител и директор на училище, винаги съм наблягал и на важността на връзката родител-учител-ученик. Но за тази цел трябва да създадем оптимални условия на труд и развитие на учителите в целия Европейски съюз.
               

                  В Европа образователните системи са изправени пред професионална криза във връзка с учителската професия. Повечето страни изпитват проблем с недостига на учители, застаряването на учителите, трудностите при набиране и задържане на квалифицирани учители, както и със засиления психологически натиск и насилие в училище. Когато ги питат за факторите на стреса, учителите посочват тежестта на административните задачи, прекомерното оценяване, отговорността за постиженията на учениците и спазването на променящите се изисквания на властимащите. Учителите ни заслужават стабилни и достойни условия на труд и качествена инфраструктура, както и адекватни нива на заплащане.
               

                  От изключителна важност е Комисията и държавите членки да работят върху стратегия за подобряване на престижа и атрактивността на учителската професия, включително и в най-отдалечените и обезлюдени райони, за да се насърчи борбата с отрицателните демографски тенденции и да се задържат талантите в тези региони.
               

Massimiliano Smeriglio (S&D). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signora Commissaria, gli insegnanti rappresentano il centro della scuola: formano, educano, trasmettono conoscenza e cultura ai giovani. La scuola è cuore pulsante della democrazia, è curiosità e diversità. Se si investe in scuola, si investe in partecipazione democratica.
               

                  Negli ultimi anni, agli insegnanti è stato chiesto di farsi carico delle difficoltà dei ragazzi, soprattutto dell'impatto psicosociale della pandemia sugli adolescenti. I docenti devono sempre più spesso adottare didattiche nuove e sperimentali, che comportano maggiori responsabilità e aggiornamento continuo. Inoltre, come dimostrano molti casi di cronaca, violenza e atti vandalici sono in crescita.
               

                  All'aumento dei carichi di lavoro non corrisponde un aumento dello stipendio, delle risorse a disposizione, né della qualità delle strutture. Alcune azioni a sostegno degli insegnanti sono implementate grazie a Erasmus+, ma, senza un budget adeguato, difficilmente queste azioni potranno produrre risultati tangibili. Se vogliamo una società più giusta, dobbiamo investire nella scuola, luogo in cui le persone possono trovare la loro vocazione, il loro posto nel mondo, insieme agli altri.
               

Salima Yenbou (Renew). – Monsieur le Président, je n'ai eu de cesse de le répéter tout au long de mon mandat: l'avenir de l'Europe, c'est la jeunesse d'aujourd'hui qui doit l'écrire. Pour permettre à nos jeunesses de prendre pleinement leur part dans le projet européen, les professeurs ont un rôle déterminant. L'éducation est la clé de voûte qui soutient l'avenir de nos jeunes Européens. Plus que jamais, nous devons investir dans l'éducation pour nos jeunes, bâtir avec eux la citoyenneté européenne de demain et renforcer leur sentiment d'appartenance pour assurer le développement et la pérennité de notre projet européen.
               

                  Les professeurs sont les hussards de nos démocraties, les hussards de notre Europe, les vecteurs de l'émancipation de nos jeunesses. Mais ce n'est pas tout de le dire, il faut légitimer cette ambition par des actes concrets, en leur donnant la juste place qui leur revient dans nos projets de société et en leur donnant pleinement les moyens de mener à bien ces missions majeures pour l'avenir de notre jeunesse. Bien trop souvent encore, leur mission et leur rôle sont sous-estimés, et leurs conditions de travail continuent de se dégrader. Pourtant, malgré ces obstacles, nos enseignants restent dévoués à leur mission, à l'image de leur engagement exemplaire durant la pandémie, caractérisé par la créativité et la pugnacité.
               

                  Ensemble, engageons-nous à investir massivement dans l'éducation de notre jeunesse en permettant enfin à nos professeurs de remplir leur mission dans des conditions dignes, attrayantes et ambitieuses. C'est aussi un professeur qui vous le dit aujourd'hui.
               

Chiara Gemma (ECR). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signora Commissaria, occorre essere sempre più consapevoli di quanto il futuro dell'Unione europea sia fortemente legato al tipo di istruzione che sapremo fornire ai nostri giovani.
               

                  L'impegno nella realizzazione di uno spazio europeo dell'istruzione di qualità, equa e inclusiva è fondamentale in tal senso. L'obiettivo condivisibile e necessario è allora quello di rendere la professione docente più attrattiva, elevando i livelli retributivi e restituendole quel prestigio sociale ormai perduto, oltre a una elevata qualità professionale necessaria a fronteggiare le tante sfide che attraversano il mondo della scuola.
               

                  Un'attenzione particolare meritano gli insegnanti di sostegno, per i quali tale intento generale deve coniugarsi, per un verso, con l'esigenza di percorsi abilitanti sempre più professionalizzanti e specifici sulle varie disabilità e, per l'altro, con l'urgenza di nuove modalità di assegnazione e continuità temporale, da subordinare esclusivamente alle esigenze degli alunni con disabilità. Ricordo che, in mancanza di docenti specializzati, questi alunni, che già partono in salita, si ritrovano affidati a supplenti, il più delle volte privi delle competenze per essere d'aiuto, grazie a deroghe che si perpetuano di anno in anno.
               

                  L'obiettivo è allora quello di avere insegnanti di sostegno più motivati e preparati, evitando il problema – molto avvertito e denunciato da tante famiglie – della drammatica giostra dei docenti imposta agli alunni più fragili, costretti a ripetuti cambi di insegnante nel corso dello stesso ciclo scolastico. In Italia, ad esempio, secondo recenti indagini, questo problema colpisce il 59 % degli alunni, con punte che toccano il 62 % nelle scuole secondarie e il 75 % nelle scuole dell'infanzia. Chiedo alla Commissione di dare dignità a questi alunni, garantendo loro il diritto alla continuità didattica.
               

Marie Dauchy (ID). – Monsieur le Président, aujourd'hui, le 8 février 2024, nous devons débattre des conditions de travail des enseignants dans l'Union européenne. Mais il y a bien longtemps que ce débat aurait dû avoir lieu. Il aurait dû avoir lieu avant le 16 octobre 2020, jour de la mort de Samuel Paty, professeur d'histoire-géographie au collège, qui a été décapité par un terroriste islamiste pour avoir montré deux caricatures de Mahomet issues du journal Charlie Hebdo lors d'un cours sur la liberté d'expression. Ce jour-là, et pour la première fois, le terrorisme s'invitait à l'école, sanctuaire du savoir. Mais, hélas, ce ne fut pas la dernière fois. Le 13 octobre 2023, Dominique Bernard, professeur de français, était à son tour poignardé par un terroriste islamiste. Ils sont morts pour avoir fait leur travail. Ils sont morts pour avoir voulu transmettre aux enfants leur savoir.
               

                  Aujourd'hui, les enseignants doivent travailler avec la menace islamiste au-dessus de leur tête. Ils doivent parler à certains enfants dont les parents refusent la science, refusent la liberté d'expression, refusent les valeurs de la France. Aujourd'hui, de nombreux professeurs s'autocensurent par peur des représailles, par peur de mourir pour faire leur travail. Il est grand temps d'ouvrir les yeux sur les politiques migratoires de l'Union européenne, qui sont directement responsables de cette situation. Elles prônent l'ouverture incontrôlée des frontières et la destruction des identités nationales. Il est grand temps d'en finir avec vos politiques…
               

(Le Président retire la parole à l'oratrice)


Kateřina Konečná (The Left). – Pane předsedající, děkuji paní komisařce za odpověď na tuto důležitou otázku. Přesto bych však ráda popsala situaci učitelů v České republice, protože je alarmující. Platy učitelů nejsou důstojné, a to i přes předvolební sliby vlády, že budou navýšeny na 150 % průměrného platu. Po zvolení však učitele hodila vláda přes palubu. Investice do školství se na rozdíl od investic do zbrojení téměř nezvyšují a prostředků tak díky vysoké inflaci zůstane méně než v předchozím roce. Nepedagogických pracovníků jako kuchařek, uklízeček či školníků se zvyšování platů netýká vůbec.
               

                  Pan ministr školství se rozumu navzdory rozhodl zastropovat počet učitelů v nesmyslné snaze zabránit snížení počtu studentů na učitele, čímž výrazně ohrožuje kvalitu výuky. I přes stávky zaměstnanců ve školství se však premiér Fiala ve své aroganci nechal slyšet, že jsou podle něj tyto stávky neodůvodněné. Budu jen ráda, pokud se situace konečně začne řešit. Komise přestane škrtat a uvědomíme si, že vzdělání našich dětí je naše budoucnost.
               

Marc Tarabella (NI). – Monsieur le Président, aujourd'hui, être enseignant, c'est la galère. En Europe, cette vocation est de moins en moins courante, et on assiste à un vieillissement de la population des enseignants ainsi qu'à une difficulté croissante à recruter. La violence verbale et physique grandit. Certains professeurs paient de leur vie le droit d'enseigner – l'actualité nous l'a hélas trop douloureusement rappelé ces derniers mois.
               

                  Le mal-être est grandissant: l'épuisement professionnel et autres pressions psychologiques insoutenables sont presque devenus la règle. Les infrastructures sont parfois inadéquates, les classes souvent surpeuplées, et les professeurs, autrefois symboles d'autorité, sont de moins en moins respectés, que ce soit par les enfants ou, aussi, par les parents, voire même par les autorités, qui peinent à dégager des budgets adéquats.
               

                  Investir dans l'éducation doit être la priorité absolue car c'est investir dans nos enfants, à qui nous laissons comme héritage une crise environnementale sans précédent, des crises géopolitiques, sociales, économiques. Investir dans l'éducation, c'est leur donner, à chacun et à chacune, une chance de trouver des solutions à des crises qu'ils n'ont pas méritées.
               

Seán Kelly (PPE). – A Uachtaráin, a Choimisinéir, ní minic a bhíonn díospóireacht againn i bParlaimint na hEorpa faoi choinníollacha oibre múinteoirí. Dá bhrí sin, fáiltím roimh an díospóireacht seo. Mar iarmhúinteoir mé féin, tuigim go maith an dea-obair, an dianobair agus an dúthracht a thugann múinteoirí dá ngairm, agus an dea-thionchar atá acu ar dhaoine óga agus an todhchaí go ginearálta. Freisin, déanann a lán múinteoirí obair iontach dheonach, ní hamháin taobh amuigh d'uaireanta scoile sa scoil féin, ach sa phobal i gcoitinne. Agus go háirithe i mo shaol féin, don Chumann Lúthchleas Gael agus cúrsaí spóirt go ginearálta. Ag an am gcéanna, tá ganntanas múinteoirí againn, agus ba chóir dúinn díriú air seo. Ba chóir dúinn daoine a mhealladh isteach sna scoileanna chun múineadh, trí chonradh fadtéarmach a thabhairt do mhúinteoirí óga in ionad conradh bliantúil. Agus freisin, téann a lán múinteoirí óga thar lear ag múineadh, agus ba chóir aitheantas a thabhairt don taithí sin agus na blianta sin a chaitheann siad thar lear nuair a thagann siad ar ais abhaile, trí thuarastal níos mó a thabhairt dóibh. Tá meas nach beag agam ar mhúinteoirí, tuigim a gcás, tugaimis gach cabhair dóibh, go háirithe mar gheall ar na coinníollacha oibre atá acu. Múinteoirí abú go deo!
               

Agnes Jongerius (S&D). – Voorzitter, commissaris, leuk dat er leraren uit Zwolle op de publieke tribune zitten. Een bijzonder leuk bezoek op dit moment. Ik wil graag beginnen met een citaat: ‘Laat nu niemand beweren dat schoolmeesteren geen avontuurlijk baantje is.’ Aan het woord is meester Staal, die aan het begin van de twintigste eeuw lesgaf op een Amsterdamse armenschool. Vol trots schrijft hij over zijn vak, en terecht. Aan iedereen die het nog niet gelezen heeft: lees ‘De gelukkige klas’ van Theo Thijssen.
               

                  Leerkrachten geven de toekomst vorm en lesgeven is inderdaad een vak. Toch zijn er steeds meer belemmeringen die het werk van leerkrachten beperken. Zijn het niet de administratieve lasten, dan is het wel een overschot aan bestuurders en managers die de autonomie van de leerkracht inperken, waardoor ze minder dan ze zouden willen toekomen aan het lesgeven.
               

                  Daarom van mijn kant een pleidooi voor meer vaste contracten mét een goed salaris en zonder tweede- of derderangsleraren te creëren. Geef leerkrachten alstublieft de waardering die ze verdienen.
               

Monica Semedo (Renew). – Mr President, dear Commissioner, you stated that many teachers have difficulties transferring basic knowledge. In my experience, some teachers do more than transferring basic knowledge. In my third grade, I had a teacher who made me write essays all the time. I found it a bit annoying back then, but nowadays I am thankful to Mrs Cook because I became a journalist before becoming a politician.
And that's why each pupil deserves a teacher that has the will, the vocation and the time to identify and foster one's potential. A teacher can be a guide, a mentor, an inspiration and even a role model. Teachers with better working conditions – for example, who do not face overcrowded classrooms – can afford to dedicate more time to their students. And this is the quality education we all call for. Therefore, Member States must invest in their education systems to guarantee better working conditions for teachers and realise smaller classrooms.
And on a final note, we must guarantee equal access to quality education for all. We must avoid students being segregated and zero tolerance for discrimination related to origin, condition, disability or socioeconomic background. Investing in teachers, investing in education is investing in the citizens of tomorrow.

Rosanna Conte (ID). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, reggenze e supplenze in attesa dell'agognata cattedra: questo è il destino di tanti, troppi insegnanti che, ancora nel 2024, devono fare i conti con condizioni di lavoro precarie, salari non attrattivi, graduatorie esaurite, episodi di burnout che rischiano di avere delle ricadute sugli allievi e una comprensibile crisi di vocazione tra i giovani. Mancano docenti e presidi e così il personale invecchia. C'è difficoltà ad assumere e a farne le spese è la qualità dell'insegnamento per i nostri ragazzi.
               

                  Bisogna trovare delle soluzioni e il Veneto, la mia regione, ha chiesto l'autonomia anche per gestire il personale in modo più rapido ed efficiente. E anche questa UE deve fare il possibile per sostenere gli Stati membri a migliorare i sistemi dell'istruzione attraverso una formazione degli insegnanti dedicata e di alta qualità, soprattutto nelle competenze digitali, sempre più richieste e necessarie.
               

                  Rita Levi-Montalcini diceva: ‘La scelta di un giovane dipende dalla sua inclinazione, ma anche dalla fortuna di incontrare un grande maestro’. Dobbiamo quindi assicurare dei grandi maestri per il futuro dei nostri giovani e per farlo dobbiamo formare i formatori.
               

PREDSEDÁ: MARTIN HOJSÍK


podpredseda


Clara Ponsatí Obiols (NI). – Mr President, the teaching profession is in crisis because we are failing to attain and retain enough talented and motivated professionals.
In my country, in the 80s, we set up a language immersion model to normalise Scotland after the years of persecution under Franco's dictatorship. This very ambitious project attracted thousands of bright young graduates, especially women, that were the bedrock of our schools for three decades.
This internationally recognised model is now in crisis, not least because of the vicious attack of the Spanish nationalists, and our education system is deteriorating even more than in comparable countries. Those great teachers, the founding mothers of Catalan schools, have retired and now, when the job is the most challenging, the new generation does not have the qualifications or the incentives to become, as their predecessors, the backbone of our society.
My prescription to governments everywhere is to tackle the education crisis with the same for the Catalan government: be ambitious, be courageous, demand more of your teachers, train them properly. Give them more in return: more pay, more respect – people will follow.

Michaela Šojdrová (PPE). – Pane předsedající, vážená paní komisařko, dámy a pánové, učitelé jsou klíčovými aktéry ve školství. Oni rozhodují o tom, zda děti získají dobrý vztah ke škole, k učení, ale také k životu. Jan Amos Komenský, učitel národů, řekl, že ‘škola má být dílnou lidskosti’. To platí dnes stejně jako před více než třemi sty lety, ale na učitele je dnes kladen mnohem větší nárok tím, jak se společnost mění. A proto je třeba, aby učitelé byli adekvátně motivováni a oceněni finančně – těch 150 %, které jim přináleží, 150 % úrovně platů ve srovnání s průměrem v platovém ocenění ve společnosti, to je základ, od toho nelze ustoupit –, ale také společensky.
                  

                     A co můžeme udělat na úrovni Evropské unie? Máme podporovat členské státy v tom, aby mohly učitelům připravovat tyto podmínky. Evropská unie má program Erasmus, paní komisařka ho zde zmínila, a myslím, že naším cílem by mělo být, aby každý budoucí učitel program Erasmus mohl využít. Já si dokonce myslím, že měl využít, aby kapacita tohoto programu byla dostatečná, aby každý budoucí učitel měl zkušenost se školským systémem v Evropské unii pro jeho profesní růst i budování evropské sounáležitosti.
                  

Marcos Ros Sempere (S&D). – Señor presidente, señora comisaria, la educación de calidad es el motor de la Unión Europea, el motor de la igualdad de oportunidades. Es un motor que solo funciona poniendo a los docentes en el lugar que merecemos en la sociedad y ofreciendo condiciones de trabajo dignas.
                  

                     Como profesor, es un deber para mí defender los derechos de nuestro colectivo. De nosotros dependen las generaciones futuras y, por ende, el futuro del proyecto europeo. Debemos asegurar unas condiciones de trabajo óptimas y una remuneración adecuada para todos los profesores. Solo si aumentamos el interés por la docencia mejoraremos la calidad y aliviaremos la escasez de profesores que afecta a algunos territorios.
                  

                     Una de las dimensiones del Espacio Europeo de Educación se centra precisamente en profesores, formadores y personal educativo. Es un proyecto que debe otorgar más oportunidades para ellos, pero solo lo hará si conseguimos su implantación real en 2025.
                  

                     La fecha se acerca. Junto a los alumnos, profesores y educadores, debemos estar en el centro de las políticas educativas. El aula debe ser el eje. La Unión Europea también se construye desde las aulas, con profesores que defiendan y transmitan los valores europeos, profesores que deben tener unas condiciones de trabajo dignas.
                  

Miroslav Radačovský (NI). – Vážený pán predsedajúci, je nepochybné, že profesia učiteľa je jedno z najušľachtilejších povolaní, aké môže byť. Dosiahnuť dôstojné postavenie učiteľa, jeho spoločenské postavenie, sociálne postavenie a rešpekt je možné dosiahnuť aj dobrým platovým ohodnotením.
                  

                     V čase kolonizácie… Pardón. V čase prístupových rokovaní o vstupe Slovenska do EÚ naši občania, ale aj učitelia verili, že v priebehu niekoľkých rokov dosiahnu platové ohodnotenie rovnajúce sa západoeurópskym krajinám. Aká je realita? Po dvadsiatich rokoch nástupný plat učiteľa na Slovensku je circa 800 EUR, v západných krajinách circa 3 000 EUR. Priemerný ročný plat učiteľa na Slovensku je 18 300 EUR ročne, v Nemecku 71 000, v Holandsku 60 000 atď. Podľa hodnotiacej tabuľky patríme východoeurópske krajiny medzi tie najposlednejšie za 20 rokov existencie Európskej únie.
                  

                     Mne osobne sa nepáči, pokiaľ Európska komisia hodnotí právny štát na Slovensku, pokiaľ Európska komisia hodnotí úroveň demokracie, pretože to je vnútorná záležitosť štátu, ale veľmi by sa mi páčilo a bol by som rád, keby Európska komisia aj dala nejaké také riadne odporúčanie pre to… (predsedajúci rečníka prerušil)… dala riadne odporúčanie pre to, ako zvýšiť platy učiteľom.
                  

Peter Pollák (PPE). – Vážený pán predsedajúci, sám som pôsobil ako učiteľ a viem, že povolanie učiteľa nie je len povolaním, ale aj službou spoločnosti. Po rodine je to učiteľ, ktorý zásadným spôsobom vychováva a formuje deti. Na jednej strane spoločnosť má od učiteľov veľké očakávania, no na druhej strane spoločnosť učiteľom nevytvára adekvátne podmienky pre ich prácu. Majú mať vynikajúce pedagogické schopnosti, vedomosti, prax, majú byť osobnostnými vzormi, nositeľmi excelentných ľudských vlastností, majú byť vnímaví, chápaví, tolerantní, nápomocní, no nevieme ich doceniť.
                  

                     Povolanie učiteľa je jednoducho dnes v mnohých krajinách neatraktívne. Napríklad v mojej krajine, na Slovensku, je ťažké prilákať mladých ľudí k výkonu učiteľskej profesie. Hlavným dôvodom sú dlhodobo nízke platy, ktoré nie sú konkurencieschopné s platmi iných pracovných profesií, ale aj nedostatočné technické a pracovné podmienky. Jednoducho učia v školách, ktoré nezodpovedajú 21. storočiu.
                  

                     Deťom, ale aj rodičom chýba pred učiteľom rešpekt. Učitelia sa často stávajú terčom urážok či dokonca rôznych atakov. Všetci očakávame, že učiteľ sa prispôsobí súčasnému technologickému pokroku, no prostredie, v ktorom pracuje, ani jeho platové ohodnotenie v mnohých krajinách Európy ani v mojej krajine nenapreduje. Učitelia čelia nesmiernej zodpovednosti za svojich študentov, no študenti ani ich rodičia si ich nevážia.
                  

                     Školstvo musí byť prioritou. Mladí ľudia musia dostať možnosť rozvíjať svoj potenciál. Bez zmeny v školách a ruka v ruke bez zmeny vnímania, resp. docenenia profesie učiteľa to však nepôjde.
                  

Ilan De Basso (S&D). – Herr talman! Ett bra skolväsende bygger på kompetenta och engagerade lärare som tillåts ha fokus på elevernas behov. För det första måste vi komma bort från betungande administration och onödig byråkrati. Det andra handlar om att resurserna ska gå till att stötta eleverna och skolan och inte tillåtas hamna i fickorna på privata bolag.
                  

                     Sverige är i dag ensamt i Europa om att tillåta vinstuttag från den offentligt finansierade skolan. Kontroll, administration, betygsinflation har följt i dess spår. Det går naturligtvis att ha valfrihet i skolan utan privata intressen och riskkapitalbolag. Därför menar vi socialdemokrater att den demokratiska kontrollen över skolan måste återtas.
                  

                     Vi ska öka statusen för lärare, höja kunskapsresultaten för eleverna. Därför höjde vi socialdemokrater också lönerna för lärare i regeringsställning. Vi stärkte kvaliteten i utbildningarna och ökade möjligheterna till kompetensutveckling. Vi vet att lärarna gör ett fantastiskt arbete i dag, men de måste få ännu bättre möjligheter att klara detta viktiga uppdrag. Därför måste medlemsländerna nu ta sitt ansvar, se till att investera i skola och läraryrket.
                  

                     En sak är helt säker. För att lyckas kan vi inte tillåtas ha privata vinstintressen i skolan. Det hör inte hemma där.
                  

Eugen Tomac (PPE). – Domnule președinte, doamnă comisară, stimați colegi, suntem în era digitalizării. Am trecut printr-o criză de sănătate și am văzut ce a însemnat această pauză în sistemul de învățământ și cât de greu le-a fost profesorilor să țină pasul și să pregătească tânăra generație pentru viitor.
                  

                     Avansul tehnologic ne oferă oportunități fantastice. Din păcate, nu toate regiunile din Europa sunt capabile să fructifice aceste oportunități și, în mod special, avem mari vulnerabilități în ceea ce privește educația. De aceea, eu cred că este esențial să ne concentrăm atenția pe politici noi, creative, prin care să stimulăm o educație de calitate, prin care să le oferim profesorilor confortul necesar și încrederea că pot să își facă meseria cu onoare și dedicație. Pentru că eu cred cu tărie că ceea ce merită mai mult Europa astăzi este o investiție consistentă în statutul cadrului didactic, în statutul profesorului, care să aibă confortul necesar pentru a putea oferi o educație de calitate. Doar așa putem pregăti Europa viitorului.
                  

                     Dacă ne uităm pe testele PISA, observăm ce mari sunt derapajele și diferențele de la o țară la alta, de la o regiune la alta. Suntem în campanie electorală. Cu toții le promitem profesorilor că vom avea grijă să primească mai mulți bani. Trebuie să ne ținem și de acest angajament în viitorul mandat.
                  

Lina Gálvez Muñoz (S&D). – Señor presidente, señora comisaria, decía Mandela que la educación es el arma más poderosa que tenemos para cambiar el mundo. Pero la educación necesita de conocimiento, de leyes, de presupuesto y de profesoras y profesores, que son quienes transmiten en último término esos conocimientos.
                  

                     Es una profesión apasionante, y se lo digo por experiencia. Pero hasta la mayor de las pasiones se apaga frente a la precariedad y la falta de oportunidades. No debería de ser así para quienes tienen la tarea de guiar a las generaciones futuras hacia un futuro lleno de posibilidades. Necesitan condiciones de trabajo dignas y seguridad.
                  

                     Es imposible ofrecer una educación pública y de calidad si los profesionales se encuentran desmotivados o abandonados, algo que ocurre en muchos lugares de Europa, también en mi tierra, en Andalucía, donde la mala gestión del Gobierno andaluz y su modelo privatizador están restringiendo las posibilidades de acceso de nuevos profesoras y profesores y comprometiendo el sistema educativo.
                  

                     Siempre me gusta recordar que el talento está repartido por igual independientemente del origen. Lo que no lo está son las oportunidades.
                  

Lucia Vuolo (PPE). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signora Commissaria, riguardo alle questioni poste dalla collega Montserrat, vorrei conoscere le intenzioni della Commissione europea al fine di realizzare concretamente lo spazio europeo dell'istruzione entro il 2025, anche tutelando più efficacemente il diritto alla mobilità della professione dei docenti conseguita nei vari Stati membri. Una possibilità prevista dalla direttiva 35 del 2005, ma di fatto discriminata in molti paesi, come – mi dispiace farlo notare ancora una volta – l'Italia.
                  

                     A limitare seriamente il diritto alla mobilità è la recente legge 74 del 2023, che riguarda il conferimento dei contratti a tempo determinato degli insegnanti con titolo di sostegno estero. A fare gioco a tutto questo è la totale assenza di sistemi omogenei unionali di riconoscimento delle esperienze di insegnamento maturate in tutti i paesi europei.
                  

                     Chiedo se non sia il caso di adottare, anche per la professione docente, il sistema di riconoscimento automatico previsto dagli articoli 10 e 21 della direttiva 36, attualmente previsto solo per alcune professioni. Le ambizioni dell'Unione europea sono condivisibili, ma cominciamo con il garantire la libertà di circolazione e di stabilimento dei lavoratori. In Italia 20 000 docenti sono discriminati. Concetti come ‘equipollenza’ ed ‘equivalenza dei titoli’ sono praticamente sconosciuti nella mia amata Italia.
                  

Klára Dobrev (S&D). – Tisztelt Elnök Úr! Magyarországon a 14 éves gyerekek majdnem fele funkcionális analfabéta. Mondom máshogy: a nyolcadik osztályt úgy fejezi be a gyerekek majdnem ötven százaléka, hogy gyakorlatilag nem érti azt, hogy mit olvas. És ez drámaian romlott Orbán Viktor kormányzása alatt. Hölgyeim és uraim! Beszélhetünk mi itt európai oktatási térről, ahol minden európai gyereknek azonos lehetőséget biztosítunk, de amíg olyan kormányok vannak Európában, akik számára a szabad oktatás csak veszélyt jelent – minden egyes forint, fillér, amit elköltenek az oktatásra, az hiányzik onnan, ahonnan lopni akarnak – addig nem leszünk ebben sikeresek.
                  

                     Éppen ezért azt javaslom, hogy ha sikerült megállapodnunk az európai minimálbér-szabályozásról, megkötöttük a megállapodást a globális minimumadóról, elindultunk az energiaunió felé és még sorolhatnám, az egészségügyi unió alapjait letettük, akkor kezdjünk el az európai oktatási minimumról beszélni, hogy minden európai gyereknek, a magyar gyerekeknek is meglegyen a lehetősége a boldog és sikeres életre.
                  

Tomislav Sokol (PPE). – Poštovani predsjedavajući, biti učitelj nije samo posao, to je i životni poziv. Učitelji ne samo da podučavaju, oni odgajaju generacije mladih za izazove suvremenog doba.
                  

                     Biti učiteljem nije jednostavno. Brojni su izazovi s kojima se obrazovni kadar susreće, a u to sam se i sam osobno uvjerio kao pomoćnik ministra obrazovanja. Poteškoće u pronalaženju stalnog zaposlenja, neadekvatna primanja i sporo napredovanje u karijeri samo su neki od problema na koje treba upozoriti.
                  

                     Međutim, ono što posebno zabrinjava je to što se učitelji sve više susreću s porastom vala nasilja u školama, kako verbalnog tako i onog fizičkog. Svako malo svjedočimo vijestima o nasilju prema učiteljskom osoblju, zbog čega je potreban sustavan pristup da bi se ojačao položaj učitelja i zaštitio njihov integritet.
                  

                     Osim toga, učitelji su često izloženi pritisku roditelja koji nerealno inzistiraju na izvrsnim ocjenama djeteta, što ugrožava neovisnost učitelja i degradira sustav ocjenjivanja temeljen na izvrsnosti, što se vidi, između ostalog, i po rezultatima PISA testova.
                  

                     Stoga pozivam Europsku komisiju da razmotri modele koji će pomoći državama članicama da poboljšaju radne uvjete učitelja, osiguraju zaštitu osobnog integriteta i neovisnost u radu i primjeni sustava ocjenjivanja.
                  

Vilija Blinkevičiūtė (S&D). – Pirmininke, ponia Komisijos nare. Kokybiškas švietimas, atliekamas kvalifikuotų mokytojų, yra neatsiejamas nuo socialiai ir ekonomiškai stiprios Europos Sąjungos ir jos ateities. Tačiau, deja, beveik visose valstybėse narėse, tame tarpe ir mano valstybėje – Lietuvoje, mokytojų trūkumas išlieka didelis ir tai yra ilgalaikė problema, kuri ateityje tik didės, nes nėra imamasi pakankamų strateginių veiksmų.
                  

                     Labai pasigendame mokytojų atnaujinimo strategijų, mokytojų profesijos patrauklumo didinimo priemonių. Mokytojų atlyginimai iš tikrųjų yra gerokai per maži, faktiškai nėra finansinių ir kitokių paskatų, kurios sudarytų patrauklesnes sąlygas jauniems mokytojams dirbti regionuose. Mokytojo profesiją renkasi vis mažiau jaunuolių. Pasigendame sistemingo mokytojų kompetencijos ugdymo, ypač tęstinio profesinio tobulėjimo sistemoje.
                  

                     Gerbiami kolegos, bendroji Europos švietimo erdvė privalo užtikrinti kokybišką švietimą visiems, todėl mums būtina bendra Europos Sąjungos strategija.
                  

(Kalbėtoja sutiko atsakyti į mėlynosios kortelės klausimą)


Bogdan Rzońca (ECR),
pytanie zasygnalizowane przez podniesienie niebieskiej kartki. – Przysłuchiwałem się uważnie Pani wypowiedzi. Też jestem nauczycielem z zawodu. W Polsce trwa proces reformy edukacji. Jak mówimy o przestrzeni edukacyjnej, to mówimy zarówno o nauczycielach, o jakości pracy nauczycieli, o tych wymaganiach, które nauczyciele muszą spełniać, ale też mówimy o jakości wymagań. I chciałbym zapytać, czy Pani by się podobało takie rozwiązanie, które jest w tej chwili preferowane w Polsce od niedawna, żeby odchodzić od zadawania prac domowych, prac domowych dla uczniów? Czy to jest właściwa droga do podniesienia jakości wykształcenia i pozbycia się analfabetyzmu?
                  

Vilija Blinkevičiūtė (S&D),
atsakymas į pakėlus mėlynąją kortelę pateiktą klausimą. – Ačiū už Jūsų klausimą. Pirmiausia noriu pasakyti, kad tikrai nesu konkrečiai susipažinusi, kokia yra švietimo sistema konkrečiai Lenkijoje. Tačiau galiu atsakyti, kad bendra Europos Sąjungos švietimo erdvė pirmiausia reikalinga tam, kad neliktų nekokybiško švietimo visose Europos Sąjungos valstybėse, kad būtų pakankamas mokytojų finansavimas, kad būtų pakankamai gerbiama mokytojo profesija, kad iš tikrųjų būtų pakankamai atsižvelgiama į tai, ko reikia bendrai Europos Sąjungai žvelgiant į jos ateitį. Todėl tik bendrai imdami pavyzdį iš vienos ar kitos valstybės, vertindami esamą situaciją kiekvienoje valstybėje, galime turėti kokybišką švietimą visoje Europos Sąjungoje.
                  

Vystúpenia podľa postupu prihlásenia sa o slovo zdvihnutím ruky


Ljudmila Novak (PPE). – Gospod predsednik! Lepo pozdravljeni. Še sedaj se spomnim besed mojega učitelja latinščine in zgodovine v srednji šoli, ki je dejal, ki je povedal en pregovor: ‘Kogar bogovi sovražijo, so ga naredili za učitelja’.
                  

                     To je latinski ali grški pregovor, ne vem točno, pa vendarle me to ni odvrnilo od tega, da tudi sama ne bi postala učiteljica in sem ta poklic dvajset let z veseljem opravljala tako kot številni moji kolegi.
                  

                     Ampak današnji učitelji imajo veliko novih izzivov. Potrebujejo nova znanja za nove poklice. In tukaj vidim vlogo Evropske unije – pomoč pri izobraževalnih programih za učitelje. Potem povečuje se vzgojna problematika, kar so moji kolegi že naštevali, tudi zaradi vpliva socialnih medijev. In tukaj mi kot zakonodajalci lahko veliko naredimo.
                  

                     Torej, naša družba bo uspešna samo, če bomo imeli dobro izobražene učitelje, zadovoljne in predane svojemu poklicu. In latinski pregovor pravi: ‘Znanje je moč’.
                  

Barry Andrews (Renew). – Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, like the last speaker, I am a former schoolteacher and can personally attest to the challenging but incredibly rewarding nature of the teaching profession. However, the rising cost of living, long commutes and rising populations have led to a teacher retention crisis across the European Union.
A recent survey carried out by the Teachers' Union of Ireland showed 64% of schools have unfilled vacancies, and another by the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) showed 75% of schools surveyed received no applications for teaching posts advertised. This is affecting the most vulnerable and special education disproportionately.
Free school books for the junior cycle and the Public Sector Pay Agreement are very welcome, but I would encourage the Irish Government to engage with unions on disputes about incremental payments for teachers returning from abroad. Ireland performs extremely well on PISA surveys, and such engagement would be a practical recognition of that performance.

Sandra Pereira (The Left). – Senhor Presidente, em Portugal, um dos maiores problemas que os professores enfrentam é o desinvestimento na escola pública, pondo em causa o acesso à educação constitucionalmente consagrado.
                  

                     Falamos de milhares de professores e educadores de infância que, de norte a sul do país, têm sido confrontados com múltiplos problemas: desinvestimento na formação de professores, a desvalorização da carreira docente, a precarização e o modelo de itinerância que obriga milhares de profissionais a mudar-se todos os anos para centenas de quilómetros de distância, sem quaisquer apoios.
                  

                     A situação não é de agora. Tem décadas e tem responsáveis. O combate à precariedade e a oferta de carreiras atrativas e com futuro, com as devidas retribuições e progressões, são imperativos inadiáveis.
                  

                     Os professores têm de ser respeitados e valorizados, com carreiras, condições de trabalho adequadas, reconhecimento do tempo de serviço e o fim da precariedade. A vinculação é fundamental para a estabilização do corpo docente e para a dignificação do seu trabalho. Os professores são precisos todos os dias nas escolas e o seu vínculo tem de ser efetivo.
                  

                     Estamos com eles nessa luta.
                  

Κώστας Παπαδάκης (NI). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, στην Ελλάδα οι μαζικές διαδηλώσεις των εκπαιδευτικών μαζί με τους μαθητές τους και τους φοιτητές, όλον τον λαό, στέλνουν ξεκάθαρο μήνυμα στην κυβέρνηση της Νέας Δημοκρατίας ότι το νομοσχέδιο για τα ιδιωτικά πανεπιστήμια δεν πρέπει να κατατεθεί, έχει ήδη απορριφθεί. Οι εκπαιδευτικοί διδάσκουν το μάθημα του αγώνα για να μην είναι κριτήριο αν οι μαθητές τους θα σπουδάσουν με το πορτοφόλι των γονιών τους. Οι εκπαιδευτικοί έχουν χάσει σχεδόν 6 μισθούς σε 12 χρόνια στην Ελλάδα. Διεκδικούν αυξήσεις για να μην εξανεμίζεται στα μέσα του μήνα από την εξοργιστική ακρίβεια το εισόδημά τους και ζητούν οργανωμένη διάθεση κατοικιών. Να μονιμοποιηθούν οι πάνω από 50.000 φέτος αναπληρωτές, το 1/3 του συνόλου των εκπαιδευτικών, αντί να αναπληρώνουν τον εαυτό τους. Οι εκπαιδευτικοί απαιτούν μείωση αριθμού μαθητών ανά τάξη, επαρκή κρατική χρηματοδότηση, υγειονομική κάλυψη, καθαριότητα, γιατί ο πακτωλός του ταμείου ανάκαμψης πάει στους ομίλους.
                  

                     Την ίδια ώρα, για μια ακόμα φορά η κυβέρνηση της Νέας Δημοκρατίας σέρνει στα δικαστήρια τους εκπαιδευτικούς, επιχειρώντας να βγάλει παράνομη την απεργία-αποχή από την ατομική αξιολόγηση. Η ποινικοποίηση του δίκαιου αγώνα τους δεν θα περάσει.
                  

Peter Jahr (PPE). – Herr Präsident, Frau Kommissarin! Es ist gut, dass wir heute über das Thema sprechen, und ich möchte bei aller Bescheidenheit darauf hinweisen, dass es eine Initiative des Petitionsausschusses ist. In der Diskussion mit den Petenten im Petitionsausschuss konnten wir drei Hauptprobleme fokussieren:
                  

                     Das erste ist nach wie vor auch – es gibt Mangel in der gegenseitigen Berufsanerkennung. Das zweite sind die Arbeitsbedingungen; darüber sprechen wir heute. Und das dritte ist mit den Arbeitsbedingungen eng verbunden; das dritte Problem sind die neuen gesellschaftlichen Bedingungen. Also, Lehrer ist nicht mehr nur alleine Wissensvermittlung: Alle Konflikte der Gesellschaft spiegeln sich wie im Brennglas auch in der Klasse dann wieder.
                  

                     Deshalb meine Bitte an die Kommission: Organisieren Sie die Diskussion! Streiten Sie nicht über Zuständigkeiten! Organisieren und moderieren Sie diesen Dialog, denn wir brauchen ihn in der Europäischen Union. Bildung ist Zukunft, und die Europäische Union braucht auch Zukunft.
                  

Mick Wallace (The Left). – Mr President, In Ireland we have a serious teacher shortage also.
Many schools say they have been forced to plug staffing gaps by redeploying special education teachers. This will have a devastating impact on more vulnerable pupils. Now we have plenty of people qualifying as teachers in Ireland, and the problem is not the profession: the problem is the chronic lack of accommodation in the country. Many teachers have no option but to move abroad.
Sadly, this has all been self-inflicted by successive Irish governments implementing neoliberal housing policies. Between 2002 and 2022, wages in Ireland increased by 27 %, residential property prices increased by 75 % over the same period and rents increased by 90 %. The average Dublin rent is now over EUR 2 000 a month, and that's equivalent to the entire monthly take-home pay of a newly qualified teacher.
Newly qualified teachers in Ireland earn EUR 41 000 per year, but the average salary needed to buy a three-bed home in the Greater Dublin area is EUR 126 000. We have a big problem.

Andrea Bocskor (NI). – Tisztelt Elnök Úr! És köszönöm szépen Biztos Asszonynak a lehetőséget, hogy most erről a témáról beszéljünk. Valóban, ez a petíció arra világított rá, hogy tagállamokszerte nagyon sok általános probléma van, többek között ugye a tanárok túlterheltsége, a továbbképzések hiánya, nem megfelelő javadalmazás, a tanárhiány, a pedagógus társadalom elöregedése és a szakma népszerűtlensége a fiatalok körében. Ezek mind olyan általános kihívások, amelyekre komplex stratégiai intézkedésekkel lehetne válaszolni. Mivel az oktatás kizárólagosan a tagországok illetékességébe tartozik, az Európai Uniónak támogató és tanácsadó szerepe van ebben, hogy segítse, például a kohéziós forrásokkal, tehet, segítheti a terület fejlesztését.
                  

                     A pedagógusok valóban kulcsszereplői az oktatásnak, így erkölcsi és anyagi megbecsülésre van szükségük. A magyar kormány mindezen megfontolásokból számos, a pedagógus életpályát vonzóvá tevő intézkedést hozott. 2024. január elsejétől például 32,2 százalékos illetményemelést valósított meg, ami egy jelentős növelés és jelentős adminisztratívteher-csökkentést, és mindent megtesznek, hogy megkönnyítsék a tanárok munkáját.
                  

(Ukončenie vystúpení podľa postupu prihlásenia sa o slovo zdvihnutím ruky)


Iliana Ivanova,
Member of the Commission. – Mr President, Honourable Members, dear teachers in the gallery, I thank you very much for your very valuable comments and remarks. Dear colleagues, I thank you for the importance and respect you attach to the crucial role of the teaching profession.
I reiterate that within the limits of its remit, the Commission is committed to deploying a number of funding instruments to support the Member States' efforts in addressing this multifaceted challenge. There were a number of questions about what more the EU can do to help, besides what I mentioned in the beginning. Let me just recall the key role of the EU funding invested in education. Around EUR 73 billion have been programmed for education under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, supporting education and skills development, with a strong focus on digital education.
The national RRF plans include several investments and reforms linked to the teaching profession, to name a few. Teachers can receive training in digital skills, or in how to work with disadvantaged pupils; they can participate in e-learning courses, or they can receive financial support to purchase electronic equipment, for instance, for teaching purposes.
Under the European Social Fund Plus, more than EUR 43 billion have been programmed to support measures targeting education, training and skills. Among these investments are, again, multiple measures supporting teachers in the development of their competence frameworks, their upskilling, their career paths and in working in rural and multicultural environments.
I want to reassure you that I am fully committed to doing the utmost for us to help, together, to restore the attractiveness of one of the noblest professions.

Predsedajúci. – Rozprava sa skončila.
                  


Písomné vyhlásenia (článok 171)



Anna Júlia Donáth (Renew),
írásban. – A tanárok munkakörülményeit ma Magyarországon a krízis szó írja le a legjobban. A hangzatos ígéretek ellenére a magyar tanárok újra és újra szembesülni kényszerülnek az alacsony bérek szörnyű valóságával. Ez csak súlyosbítja a tanárhiányt, és hozzájárul a vidéki és ezen belül a hátrányos helyzetű diákok lemorzsolódásához. Ezzel pedig súlyosan sérül a fiatalok egyenlő oktatáshoz való joga is. A nemrég bevezetett, 32,2%-osnak kommunikált, de a valóságban ennél alacsonyabb béremelés, bár jelentős előrelépés, de nem elegendő egy fenntartható tanári hivatás jövőképének kielégítésére. Ráadásul csak a béremelés nem oldja meg a magyar oktatási rendszer súlyos infrastrukturális és szakmai hiányosságait.
                  

                     A magyar oktatás válságának ugyanis csak egy elemét jelenti az alacsony bérek, és az ebből is eredő tanárhiány. Legalább ekkora probléma az iskolák és a tanárok önállóságának szinte teljes hiánya, a végletekig túltolt központosítás, és ezzel a kezdeményezőkészség és a kreativitás kiirtása a rendszerből. A kormány nemzeti tantervvel és a tanárképzés reformjával kapcsolatos megközelítése, amely kizárja a szakszervezeteket, szintén aggasztó irányt jelez az inkluzivitás és a minőség terén is. Amikor az EU támogatását szorgalmazzuk az oktatás megreformálásában, alapvető fontosságú, hogy egy olyan környezetet teremtsünk, amely elősegíti a tanítást és a tanulást, biztosítja az erőforrások egyenlő elosztását, és előmozdít egy olyan párbeszédet, amely minden érdekeltet bevon egy jövőfókuszú oktatási rendszer kialakításába.
                  

Pirkko Ruohonen-Lerner (ECR),
kirjallinen. – Opettajien työolojen parantamiseksi on tärkeää kuunnella kouluissa työskentelevien opettajien ääntä, jotta työolosuhteita voidaan aidosti parantaa. Opettajat tietävät parhaiten, millaisissa rakennuksissa, työtiloissa ja luokkahuoneissa oppilailla on parhaat mahdollisuudet oppia ja kukoistaa.
                  

                     Inkluusiota kouluissa on tarkasteltava uudelleen tavallisen luokanopettajan näkökulmasta. Millaiset resurssit luokanopettajalla on, varsinkin tehostetun tuen tai erityisen tuen oppilaiden sekä erilaisten muiden huomioon otettavien asioiden (esimerkiksi monikielisyys, eri kulttuurit) kannalta. Lisäksi on mietittävä sitä, mitä kaikkea voidaan olettaa luokanopettajan hoitavan normaalin työajan puitteissa. Voidaanko edellyttää asiointia muilla kuin kotimaisilla kielillä tai onko hallinnollisia ja muita tehtäviä liikaa ja jos on, niitä on vähennettävä.
                  

                     Väkivallan ja häiriökäyttäytymisen lisääntymisen syitä kouluissa on tutkittava ja niihin puututtava. Oppilaille tarkoitettu tuki luokassa on saatava toimimaan koko luokan kannalta järkevästi. Tarvittaessa ryhmäkokoja on pienennettävä, lisää erityisryhmiä/pienryhmäluokkia on perustettava ja palkattava lisää erityisopettajia sekä muuta tukihenkilökuntaa kouluille.
                  

                     Koulutuksen perusasioiden opetukseen ja erityisopetukseen on varattava riittävät määrärahat eikä niitä tule kohdistaa ideologisiin hankkeisiin tai lyhytaikaisiin projekteihin. Tuen tulee olla määrätietoista ja pitkäkestoista, jotta on mahdollista luoda johdonmukainen perusta, joka takaa jokaiselle oppilaalle mahdollisuuden saavuttaa tietyt perustaidot (lukeminen, kirjoittaminen, laskeminen, sosiaaliset taidot) selviytyäkseen yhteiskunnassa.
                  
5.   Association agreements for the participation of third countries in Union programmes (debate)

Predsedajúci. – Ďalším bodom programu je rozprava o otázke na ústne zodpovedanie pre Komisiu o dohodách o pridružení týkajúcich sa účasti tretích krajín na programoch Únie, ktorú predkladajú Christian Ehler v mene Výboru pre priemysel, výskum a energetiku a Jean-Lin Lacapelle v mene Výboru pre zahraničné veci (O-000004/2024 - B9-0009/24) (2024/2554(RSP)).
               

Christian Ehler,
author. – Mr President, Madam Commissioner, colleagues, there are two things we need to make clear, very clear today.
First, Parliament is a strong supporter of the participation of New Zealand in the Union's programmes. We are strong supporters of other countries like the Faroe Islands, Canada and South Korea participating in our programmes. The resolution we will adopt today makes it very clear we have no problem with those countries and their participation in the Union's programmes.
However, and this is the second point, Parliament will not accept that its democratic prerogatives are disregarded. The Treaties are clear: only Parliament's consent can make the Union plausibly accept to set up a committee under the international agreement with the power to amend certain parts of the international agreement. I repeat: only if Parliament gives consent.
The Court of Justice also made clear that Parliament's consent must be meaningful. The Council and the Commission have chosen to ignore this constitutional reality. They have insisted on setting up association agreements for the Union programmes with a completely new category of third countries, which cut the parliaments out completely. They have asked the Parliament to sign a chèque en blanc. Therefore, the Parliament cannot give meaningful consent to these agreements, and we have communicated this clearly to other institutions for almost two years. It's an insult of the services, and I addressed specifically the Secretary-General that she is refusing to take up interinstitutional dialogue, although Parliament's President had asked for that a year ago.
So this resolution is our last attempt to change the course of the Council and the Commission. The only step left us after this is to start denying consent, which will kill these agreements. We do not want to do this: researchers involved in Horizon should not become the victim of this interinstitutional fight, but we protect our democratic prerogatives. We will do that, whatever it takes.
So I would have to read you the following question, also in the name of my co-rapporteur, Mr Lacapelle. As regards international agreements dedicated to the participation of third countries in the Union programmes, the Commission is asked the following: given the broad powers allocated to the Joint Committee established under the draft agreement between the EU and New Zealand – including its ability to adopt and amend the protocols on associations to Union programmes without further parliamentary involvement – how does the Commission intend to ensure that Parliament retains oversight and power of consent as regards future associations to the Union programmes?
Secondly, can the Commission commit to increase transparency of the implementation of the agreements via regular and detailed reporting in order to enable Parliament to exercise its oversight rights? Will the Commission structure future agreements in a way that guarantees the respect of Parliament's prerogatives concerning agreements on any association to a Union programme? Will the Commission launch negotiations on an interinstitutional agreement that completely abides by both the letter and the spirit of the Treaties in full respect of the principles of parliamentary scrutiny in the implementation of the association agreements, including as regards the adoption and amendment of protocols?
And, I may add, this might be today a conversation of connoisseurs, and we might not have a lot of participation because it's very specific. Believe me, there will be a lot of presence if Parliament is going to deny consent to these agreements.

Iliana Ivanova,
Member of the Commission. – Mr President, honourable Members, allow me first to thank the ITRE and other committees represented by the rapporteurs, Dr Ehler and Mr Lacapelle, for their pertinent questions.
The Commission is committed fully to ensure that the European Parliament can exercise its powers under the Treaties with regard to the association of third countries to EU programmes. In case the Parliament considers that further specific information should be provided during the negotiation and implementation phase of such association agreements in addition to the ample information already provided, the Commission is prepared to do so.
For the agreements with the so-called category D countries such as Faroe Islands, New Zealand or Canada, the Parliament is and will be, in case of other agreements to come, invited to give its consent to the framework agreement in accordance with the Treaties. The same goes for the protocols on association to Horizon Europe, which is the most significant programme to which partner countries can be associated, both in terms of depth and substance and of its financial terms.
To underline again, we fully recognise the full say of the Parliament over the policy on associations and its key principles and modalities, first though codecision on basic acts, and second by giving consent to the framework agreements. The practical and technical details of the association to individual programmes are left for the protocols to be adopted by the joint committee established under the draft agreement between the EU and the associated country. In this way, the Commission can act with sufficient expediency to allow for fast conclusion and entry into force of the specific association agreements, thus ensuring also seamless transition to the successor Union programme.
When envisaging the future protocols and specific implementing provisions, the Commission will continue respecting full transparency vis-à-vis the European Parliament. We will do that in line with the requirements set in the Treaties, and in particular Article 218, and the Framework Agreement for relations between the European Parliament and the Commission, which we believe provides all the necessary guarantees to ensure that Parliament is informed fully and in due time.

Željana Zovko,
u ime kluba PPE. – Poštovani predsjedavajući, poštovana povjerenice, pozdravljam nedavno usvajanje sveobuhvatnog dogovora o novom Sporazumu o slobodnoj trgovini Europske unije i Novog Zelanda koji će donijeti međusobne koristi u trgovini i ulaganjima.
               

                  Novi Zeland je naš ključni partner u indopacifičkom području s kojim dijelimo snažne povijesne, kulturne i ekonomske veze.
               

                  S ponosom ističem da je više od stotinu tisuća potomaka europskih doseljenika, osobito hrvatskih koji su osnovali vinsku industriju, odigralo ključnu ulogu u oblikovanju gospodarstva i društva Novog Zelanda tijekom godina. Zato je ovaj Sporazum bitan, isto kao što je i sporazum s Čileom, gdje je dijaspora odigrala ključni momenat. I u ovaj Sporazum smo to i uključili kao jedan bridge builder, ustvari, između naših kontinenata.
               

                  Izuzetno mi je drago što sam ovaj akt mogla pregovarati u ime Kluba zastupnika Europske pučke stranke zbog činjenice da Novi Zeland pokazuje koliko je za Europu značajno uzdići se iznad zatvorenosti za velike trgovinske partnere i otvoriti se svojim istomišljenicima i onima koji dijele iste vrijednosti.
               

                  Ističem važnost postojeće sigurnosne suradnje između Europske unije i Novog Zelanda, posebno u vezi s operacijama i misijama u zajedničkoj vanjskoj i obrambenoj politici Europske unije.
               

                  Jednako tako, podrška Novog Zelanda Ukrajini, uključujući pružanje pomoći i uvođenje sankcija protiv Rusije, pokazuje našu zajedničku predanost pravdi i međunarodnom poretku.
               

                  Na kraju, ja bih potvrdila zalaganje mog kolege Ehlera da je potrebna transparentnost u našoj suradnji, u suradnji u pogledu programa Obzor i to će predstavljati jednu prekretnicu koja će dati značajni učinak u napretku odnosa s Europskom unijom. I zahvaljujem povjerenici što je iskazala predanost da se ta transparentnost i otvorenost Komisije prema Parlamentu pokaže što prije.
               

Josianne Cutajar,
on behalf of the S&D Group. – Mr President, despite representing only 7% of the world's population, the EU accounts for 20% of global research expenditure. 32% of high impact publications and 25% of patent applications. Thus, cooperation agreements between the EU and third countries with similar values and common priorities, such as the EU and New Zealand one, which strengthen ties and advance scientific frontiers are essential.
The European Parliament should continue to play a key role to foster cross-border partnerships, exchange ideas and create a more resilient and interconnected research landscape, while strengthening and assisting to strengthen the EU's role as a global leader in R&I.
To ensure this, however, we demand that a safeguard is given when it comes to the European Parliament's competence over association agreements with third countries, an aspect fundamentally tied to upholding EU democracy. As representatives entrusted with the interests of our constituents, we bear the responsibility of robust oversight and we demand adequate guarantee of our competence. Any erosion of the EP's scrutiny powers not only undermines effective representation, but also contravenes the principles laid out in our Treaty and rules.

Vlad-Marius Botoș,
în numele grupului Renew. – Domnule președinte de ședință, stimată doamnă comisară, dragi colegi, Uniunea Europeană este un partener deschis și onest pentru țările terțe care vor să coopereze cu noi în domeniul economic. Aceasta este o decizie de care beneficiază direct consumatorii, cetățeni europeni, prin accesul la produse realizate în alte state, la o gamă mai largă de produse.
               

                  Este firesc, în condițiile unei economii globale, să avem acorduri, tratate de liber schimb și nu numai. Însă este absolut necesar ca aceste tratate să fie adaptate necesităților și cerințelor economiei, dar și societății noastre. Înțeleg importanța deosebită pe care o au specialiștii Comisiei Europene și aspectele tehnice pe care aceștia le stăpânesc foarte bine, însă acordurile nu sunt matematică pură. Aceste acorduri trebuie să corespundă exigențelor societății europene și priorităților noastre. De aceea, este foarte important ca Parlamentul European să aibă un cuvânt hotărâtor în negocierea și încheierea acestor tratate ca singură instituție politică ce reprezintă direct voința cetățenilor.
               

                  Este important, așadar, ca Parlamentul European să fie consultat în toate stadiile negocierilor în tratatele viitoare, atât în cele de liber schimb, cât și în cele de colaborare programată bi sau multilaterale, cum este programul Horizon, unul dintre cele mai importante acorduri de colaborare în zona științei și inovației. Sper ca pe viitor să vedem mai multă colaborare și deschidere din partea Comisiei Europene, iar procedurile să respecte nu doar litera, ci și spiritul tratatelor europene.
               

Jordi Solé,
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. – Mr President, Madam Commissioner, the participation of third countries sharing our core values and priorities in Union programmes has a positive effect both in the achievements of such programmes and in our cooperation with like-minded partners. This is especially the case in the field of research and innovation, where international cooperation plays a key role in tackling global challenges and fostering mutually beneficial relations. Therefore, association of third countries to Horizon Europe is something that we definitely welcome.
However, as a single EU institution directly elected by citizens, we are also here to defend the Parliament's democratic prerogatives. And as it happens, these prerogatives cannot be fully exercised with the Commission's approach as regards the conclusion of international agreements related to the participation in Union programmes. The current procedures do not allow the Parliament to have meaningful consent. In our role of safeguarding the democratic and fundamental values of the Union, we should and we must have a bigger say in these agreements. The negotiation, approval and implementation of them is not just a simple administrative procedure without any political connotation. Issues like academic freedom or the need to uphold the climate targets and Green Deal objectives require parliamentary involvement.
We welcome the proposal to enhance partnership through New Zealand's association with the Horizon Europe programme, and the same goes for the agreement with the Faroe Islands. But we have to make sure that there is the proper parliamentary scrutiny under a meaningful consent procedure. The proposed joint committee circumvents the Parliament and undermines its capacity to fully exercise its powers. Therefore, we urge the Commission to finally launch negotiations on an interinstitutional agreement in order to allow for proper parliamentary oversight, democratic scrutiny and power of consent in association to Union programmes.

Dominique Bilde,
au nom du groupe ID. – Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, comme l'a souligné mon collègue Jean-Lin Lacapelle dans le texte qui fait l'objet de ce débat, un réel droit de regard parlementaire sur les accords d'association, notamment pour le programme Horizon Europe, est indispensable.
               

                  S'agissant, d'une manière générale, de la participation d'entités de pays tiers, j'alerte de longue date, au travers d'une série d'initiatives parlementaires, sur les risques qui pèsent sur la propriété intellectuelle. À cet égard, les restrictions imposées à la Chine pour sa participation à Horizon Europe paraissent frappées au coin du bon sens. Il conviendra de maintenir ce cap dans la feuille de route conjointe de coopération en matière de sécurité et de réciprocité. L'Union européenne doit se départir de sa naïveté dans un contexte de concurrence mondiale exacerbée.
               

                  Enfin, la présence des Balkans occidentaux dans le cadre d'Horizon Europe n'est pas nouvelle. Pour autant, le processus d'adhésion des pays de la région à une série de programmes ou de financements européens pourrait être interprété comme participant d'une intégration graduelle au sein de l'Union européenne, alors que la majorité de mes compatriotes rejettent tout élargissement de l'Union européenne aux Balkans.
               

Idoia Villanueva Ruiz,
en nombre del Grupo The Left. – Señor presidente, Europa y este Parlamento continúan vaciándose de democracia. Se modifica el Acuerdo de Nueva Zelanda sin ni siquiera pasar por este Parlamento, como es obligación. Es inaceptable.
               

                  Pero es que, mientras Israel sigue asesinando a casi 30 000 personas, mientras la Corte Internacional de Justicia lo está investigando por delito de genocidio, mientras caen bombas, mientras tienen que amputar a niños sin anestesia, mientras la gente tiene que beber agua de cloacas porque no tienen suministros ni alimentos, hoy Europa mantiene activo el Acuerdo de Asociación con Israel.
               

                  La Unión Europea no solo está blanqueando la limpieza étnica en Palestina, sino que la está financiando: fondos que se destinan a desarrollar máquinas para demoler casas palestinas y abrir asentamientos ilegales, empresas que perforan pozos de agua en tierras palestinas, empresas de armamento de Israel que producen drones, fósforo blanco, bombas de racimo, que una vez probadas sobre los palestinos, compran los Estados miembros. Es una vergüenza. Hay que enviar un mensaje claro, acciones concretas, no deseos al aire. Y eso supone suspender el Acuerdo de Asociación ya. Ni un minuto más de complicidad.
               

Mónica Silvana González (S&D). – Señor presidente, nuestros valores son cada vez más necesarios en un mundo marcado por guerras, pandemias y el impacto de la crisis climática, que sufren más aquellos que menos han contribuido al calentamiento. Por eso debemos ampliar nuestros programas de asociación para ser más útiles en el mundo y llevar lo mejor de nosotros.
               

                  El programa Erasmus+ ya está funcionando para jóvenes de todo el mundo, también para personas con discapacidad.
               

                  Pero es necesario reforzar otros programas, como el Mecanismo de Protección Civil de la Unión, que es esencial para prevenir el impacto, justamente, de esta crisis climática en aquellos países que no se pueden permitir tener un satélite como Copernicus.
               

                  También, en el apartado digital, está el Mecanismo ‘Conectar Europa’, ampliado por el programa BELLA para conectar Europa y Latinoamérica y ser realmente útiles en esta conexión transatlántica y permitir la conectividad de millones de personas.
               

                  Horizonte Europa, al que usted se ha referido —ya se han asociado las Islas Feroe, Nueva Zelanda y próximamente Canadá—, va a resultar mermado posiblemente por estos presupuestos. Por eso, la pregunta concreta es: ¿va usted a defender el programa Horizonte Europa para que no sea recortado? ¿Va a dar más participación a este Parlamento a la hora de ampliar estos programas?
               

Marc Botenga (The Left). – Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, en fait, vous êtes embêtés par notre travail. La Commission européenne veut nous enlever notre droit de contrôle, de regard sur les accords que vous faites avec d'autres pays. Est-ce que c'est parce que nous savons lire? Parce que oui, nous savons lire, et donc nous avons un peu regardé, par exemple, l'accord d'association que vous avez fait avec Israël: un soutien important à Israël, qui a vu l'Europe devenir le premier partenaire commercial de l'État hébreu. Ainsi, 30 % des marchandises qu'Israël importe viennent d'Europe, et Israël a même accès à des milliards de financements européens.
               

                  Mais nous savons lire, et nous voyons dans l'article 2 de cet accord qu'il demande le respect des droits de l'homme. Alors, logiquement, quand la Cour internationale de justice dit qu'il y a un risque plausible qu'Israël soit en train de commettre un génocide à Gaza, que devriez-vous faire? Suspendre cet accord, arrêter cet accord, parce que, sinon, vous soutenez et vous êtes complices des crimes de guerre israéliens à Gaza. Mais, plutôt que de suspendre cet accord, Madame la Commissaire, vous voulez nous faire taire. Vous voulez nous exclure. On ne va pas se taire, on ne va pas vous laisser faire. Cette complicité, elle est inacceptable, et nous continuerons de le dire.
               

(Vystúpenia podľa postupu prihlásenia sa o slovo zdvihnutím ruky)


Seán Kelly (PPE). – Mr President, this is a very important discussion. In fairness to the European Union, we are the biggest donor of development in humanitarian aid in the world. That's very positive and it's not mentioned often enough. Also, encouraging like-minded countries in particular, although that is sometimes difficult to define, to participate in Union programmes, as well as free trade agreements and GSP+ are all very positive for third countries, maybe more than Europe.
There is huge room to involve more people in Horizon because if you want to get the best results, you have to get the best scientists. While we have a lot of them in Europe, there are obviously experts around the world that we can benefit from, and that's a very positive development. I would hope that, in the next mandate, there will be an increased budget for Horizon because it pays dividends in the long term.
Erasmus+ is also a great opportunity for our own students within Europe to travel to one of the Member States, but bringing people from abroad as well is very positive, and it's good for the overall global society.

Mick Wallace (The Left). – Mr President, the report argues it is essential the European Parliament have oversight on a third country's involvement in Horizon Europe. But why, given that the same parliament has turned a blind eye to Israel's involvement in Horizon Europe? The Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the EU and Israel establishes the general principles for Israel being in programmes such as FP7, Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe. Israel is in flagrant breach of its obligations under the agreement, and the Parliament has totally ignored this violation.
For years, Israeli Government agencies, military and security companies that are deeply involved in human rights abuses have been drawing down billions in EU research funds. The Parliament did nothing. Now they are committing genocide in plain sight and you do nothing. Do you call this oversight? If the Parliament was doing its job, it would call on the Commission to suspend the association agreement now.

(Ukončenie vystúpení podľa postupu prihlásenia sa o slovo zdvihnutím ruky)


Iliana Ivanova,
Member of the Commission. – Mr President, honourable Members, thank you very much for this honest and important debate.
As I already said, ensuring the utmost transparency vis-a-vis both co-legislators in the process of negotiating and concluding association agreements is an important priority for the Commission.
As regards association to Horizon Europe, my services have already been regularly updating the ITRE and AFET Committees on the state of play in the negotiations, including by explaining any open issues, and we shall continue this engagement.
I will also continue to ensure that we share with you the Commission's recommendations to launch negotiations, the EU proposals for draft Horizon Europe association agreement texts before tabling them in negotiations, and also the consolidated texts before they are initiated by the Union negotiator.
As regards the association of third countries to other EU programmes, the Commission will, of course, act with the same diligence towards the relevant committees. We have had more than 50 interactions with Parliament on associations since the entry of Horizon Europe into force until now.
Let me assure you again, I am very willing and open to work together with you at all levels, and I strongly hope that we will find a way forward within the existing Treaties and the interinstitutional legal framework to deal with that matter.

Predsedajúci. – V súlade s článkom 136 ods. 5 rokovacieho poriadku mi bol doručený jeden návrh uznesenia (*1).
               

                  Rozprava sa skončila.
               

                  Hlasovanie sa uskutoční vo štvrtok 8. 2. 2024.
               

(Rokovanie bolo prerušené o 11.31 h.)


VORSITZ: EVELYN REGNER


Vizepräsidentin

6.   Resumption of the sitting

(Die Sitzung wird um 12.01 Uhr wieder aufgenommen.)

7.   Composition of committees and delegations

Die Präsidentin. – Die Fraktion Renew Europe und die ECR-Fraktion haben der Präsidentin Beschlüsse über Änderungen von Ernennungen in Ausschüssen übermittelt.
               

                  Diese Beschlüsse werden in das Protokoll der heutigen Sitzung aufgenommen und treten am Tag dieser Ankündigung in Kraft.
               
8.   Voting time

Die Präsidentin. – Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Abstimmung.
               

(Abstimmungsergebnisse und sonstige Einzelheiten der Abstimmung: siehe Protokoll.)

8.1.   New wave of mass arrests in Belarus of opposition activists and their family members (RC-B9-0110/2024, B9-0103/2024, B9-0110/2024, B9-0115/2024, B9-0116/2024, B9-0126/2024, B9-0129/2024) (vote)
8.2.   Increased number of executions in Iran, in particular the case of Mohammad Ghobadlou (RC-B9-0102/2024, B9-0102/2024, B9-0109/2024, B9-0113/2024, B9-0120/2024, B9-0121/2024, B9-0122/2024) (vote)
8.3.   Recent attacks on Christmas Eve in Plateau State in Nigeria (RC-B9-0105/2024, B9-0101/2024, B9-0105/2024, B9-0112/2024, B9-0114/2024, B9-0117/2024, B9-0118/2024, B9-0119/2024) (vote)
8.4.   Automated data exchange for police cooperation (‘Prüm II’) (A9-0200/2023 - Paulo Rangel) (vote)
8.5.   The EU priorities for the 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (B9-0091/2024) (vote)
8.6.   Situation in Serbia following elections (RC-B9-0106/2024, B9-0106/2024, B9-0108/2024, B9-0131/2024, B9-0132/2024, B9-0133/2024, B9-0134/2024) (vote)
8.7.   Implementation report on the EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 (A9-0030/2024 - José Gusmão) (vote)
8.8.   Association agreements for the participation of third countries in Union programmes (B9-0096/2024) (vote)
8.9.   Multilateral negotiations in view of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, 26-29 February 2024 (B9-0090/2024) (vote)
8.10.   Russiagate: allegations of Russian interference in the democratic processes of the European Union (RC-B9-0124/2024, B9-0123/2024, B9-0124/2024, B9-0125/2024, B9-0127/2024, B9-0128/2024, B9-0130/2024) (vote)
8.11.   Further repression against the democratic forces in Venezuela: attacks on presidential candidate Maria Corina Machado (RC-B9-0097/2024, B9-0097/2024, B9-0100/2024, B9-0104/2024, B9-0107/2024, B9-0111/2024) (vote)

Die Präsidentin. – Damit ist die Abstimmungsstunde geschlossen.
                  

(Die Sitzung wird um 12.32 Uhr unterbrochen.)


PRESIDÊNCIA: PEDRO SILVA PEREIRA


Vice-Presidente

9.   Resumption of the sitting

(A sessão tem início às 15h.)

10.   Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

Presidente. – A ata da sessão de ontem e os textos aprovados já foram distribuídos.
               

                  Há alguma observação?
               

                  Não havendo, a ata é considerada aprovada.
               
11.   The case of Dentsu tracking and the lack of transparency of the European Commission with regard to the tobacco industry (debate)

Presidente. – Passamos ao ponto seguinte da ordem do dia: a Declaração da Comissão - O caso da Dentsu Tracking e a falta de transparência da Comissão Europeia relativamente à indústria do tabaco [2024/2555(RSP)].
               

Ylva Johansson,
Member of the Commission. – Mr President, honourable Members, the Commission is fully committed to protecting public health policymaking from any undue influence of the tobacco industry. This is also our obligation under the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and we fully respect it.
First, the Commission has a very robust set of rules on ethics and integrity for Commission staff and on transparency. In particular, the Commission requires its top decision makers at political and administrative level to publish information on all meetings they hold with interest representatives. Minutes of all meetings are subject to document management rules and they can be subject to request for access to document. These rules are complemented by dedicated tobacco-specific arrangement and action supplied by the Commission services, with particular responsibility for setting and implementing public health policies with regard to tobacco control.
These dedicated arrangement include limiting meetings with industry to those which are strictly necessary for the development of policy, and the publication of reports of all such meetings. Moreover, as recently indicated to the Ombudsman, the Commission has proactively initiated a process to ensure that directors, generals and heads of service as well as all heads of cabinet conduct an assessment of the exposure of their services to the lobbying by tobacco representatives in the context of health policies and policies related to tobacco control, and take necessary actions.
Second, the EU tobacco traceability system aims to monitor and reduce the circulation of non-compliant tobacco products which can provide an artificially cheap source of tobacco products, thus impacting on public health, state budgets and legal economic operators. With specific regard to tobacco traceability, the Commission ensures that all data storage providers of the European tobacco traceability system, including Dentsu, comply with strict independence criteria. These criteria aim to ensure the absence of any conflicts of interest by the providers. Ensuring independence from the tobacco industry in both legal and financial terms is central to this policy.
Third, I want to stress that the appointment of Dentsu in June last year as the secondary repositories operator in the tobacco traceability system followed all relevant rules and procedures, thereby ensuring transparency. The procurement documents for the relevant procedure have been prepared in conformity with the implementing regulation on the technical standards for the traceability system for tobacco products and with the principle of sound financial management. It is also important to note that the Commission can terminate the contract if the operator of the secondary repository fails to comply with the independence requirements of the implementing regulation, or fails to promptly communicate to the Commission and Member States any occurrences of threats or any other attempts at exercising undue influence that may actually or potentially undermine its independence.
Altogether, all the elements I have highlighted concur to build a robust, comprehensive framework with high standards of transparency and accountability, and which is compatible with the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Let me conclude by stating strongly and clearly: public health and transparency are priorities of this Commission and the Commission will continue to be fully committed to protecting public health policymaking from the influence of the tobacco industry.

René Repasi,
im Namen der S&D-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident, Frau Kommissarin, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Vertrauen von Menschen muss man hart erwerben, und dieses Vertrauen von unseren Bürgerinnen und Bürgern ist so extrem wichtig für die Arbeit, die wir hier machen. Es steht im Prinzip schon immer drei zu null hinten, wenn die EU anfängt zu regulieren. Es wird von uns erwartet, dass wir uns, wenn wir hier handeln, im öffentlichen Interesse einsetzen. Ein Vertrauen, was wir über Jahre, Jahrzehnte hart aufbauen, kann aber in Millisekunden zertrümmert werden; leider ist auch dieses Haus ein Beispiel dafür.
               

                  Umso wichtiger, dass vor allen Dingen die Europäische Kommission hier eigentlich als leuchtendes Beispiel vorangeht und nicht Fragen offenlässt – so ist es hier in diesem Fall mit Dentsu Tracking. Es ist doch schon bizarr, dass ein so teurer Vertrag zur Kontrolle von Tabakprodukten vergeben wird und anschließend ein hoher Beamter der Generaldirektion Gesundheit, der dafür zuständig ist, ausgerechnet zu diesem Unternehmen geht. Ja, das mag vielleicht irgendwie im Einklang mit den Regeln gestanden haben, aber ein Gschmäckle, wie man bei uns in Süddeutschland sagt, hat das schon – und das muss doch verhindert werden.
               

                  Nein, diese Drehtüreffekte, von denen wir es haben, dagegen ist die Kommission immer noch nicht gefeit. Es führt zu konkreten Fragen über die Integrität des Vertrages und die Auswahl des Vertragspartners. Frau Kommissarin, ich habe gehört, wie Sie über die Vertragsbedingungen berichten und wie die Vertragsbedingungen aussehen – dann bitte machen Sie doch den Vertrag öffentlich! Machen Sie ihn transparent, damit wir sehen können, ob es tatsächlich zu Verschärfungen der Bedingungen gekommen ist, ob Dentsu tatsächlich der am besten geeignete Vertragspartner dafür ist.
               

                  Schaffen Sie hier besondere Transparenz! Zeigen Sie im Einsatz der Europäischen Kommission beim Kampf gegen Tabak, dass es nicht so eine typische Von-der-Leyen-Megaüberschrift ist, dass wir gegen irgendwas kämpfen, aber am Ende nur heiße Luft und nichts dabei rauskommt!
               

                  Wo sind die Vorschläge, die die Kommission 2021 zur Tabakregulierung angekündigt und dann leise zurückgezogen hat? Wir stellen uns natürlich die Fragen, wenn wir so ambitioniert vorgehen wollen gegen Tabak als der Hauptursache für Krebs, die am besten und am einfachsten zu verhindern ist. Warum kommt da nichts? Wir sehen keine Transparenz darüber, dass Lobbyisten Zugang haben zur Kommission. Ja, intern soll jetzt geprüft werden, aber das reicht doch lange nicht aus.
               

                  Wir stellen uns Fragen, warum wir Tabak bekämpfen wollen, aber doch nichts tun. Und wir sehen einen Vertrag, der vergeben worden ist, wo wir nicht wissen, wie er aussieht, und wo ein hoher Beamter der zuständigen Generaldirektion auf einen Schlag bei diesem entsprechenden Unternehmen arbeitet.
               

                  Lassen Sie uns das gemeinsam als Chance betrachten, hier jetzt volle Transparenz zu schaffen und nach Möglichkeit noch in dieser Legislaturperiode ganz klar zu machen, wie die Kommission den Kampf gegen Tabak angehen möchte. Dann können wir aus dieser ganzen Affäre vielleicht auch noch etwas Gutes ziehen.
               

François Thiollet,
au nom du groupe Verts/ALE. –. Monsieur le Président, mes chers collègues, la consommation de tabac représente près de 700 000 décès prématurés par an en Europe. C'est la première cause évitable de cancer. L'Union européenne est signataire de la convention-cadre de l'OMS pour la lutte antitabac, qui lui impose, par son article 5, paragraphe 3, de protéger les politiques de santé publique des ingérences de l'industrie du tabac et de ses intérêts commerciaux, comme vous l'avez rappelé tout à l'heure, Madame la Commissaire.
               

                  La médiatrice de l'Union européenne a pourtant qualifié de ‘mauvaise administration’ les défaillances répétées observées dans plus de huit directions générales distinctes de la Commission, dont l'absence de procès-verbaux de certaines réunions avec l'industrie du tabac. L'affaire Dentsu Tracking, révélée par Michèle Rivasi, s'inscrit dans le smog, la fumée opaque des relations entre les géants du tabac et la Commission. Dentsu Tracking, c'est l'entreprise à qui la Commission a confié, sans appel d'offres, la solution de traçabilité du commerce du tabac en Europe. Quelques semaines seulement après avoir obtenu ce marché européen, Dentsu Tracking a annoncé le recrutement de M. Hoffmann, ex-employé de la direction générale de la santé, qui travaillait sur la traçabilité du tabac.
               

                  La transparence est un principe fondateur de notre démocratie européenne. Nous demandons à la Commission de donner accès à l'intégralité des documents concernant les liens entre ses directions, Dentsu Tracking et l'industrie du tabac. Plutôt que de perdre du temps en procédures, la Commission gagnerait, pour la lutte antitabac, à reconnaître l'inefficacité et la non-conformité du système de traçabilité, comme le dénoncent les ONG. Elle doit enfin, sans plus tarder, publier ses propositions de révision des directives sur la taxation et les produits du tabac. La corruption et les conflits d'intérêts sont un cancer pour toutes les démocraties. Mais, comme le tabac, c'est un cancer évitable.
               

Virginie Joron,
au nom du groupe ID. – Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, chers collègues, la présidence von der Leyen aura été le mandat de la glissade morale, et, vous le savez bien, quand la morale glisse, les dettes publiques dévissent.
               

                  Certains ici me disent que je parle trop des 71 milliards d'euros de contrats des vaccins de Pfizer-BioNTech, que je parle trop des SMS cachés, des prix cachés et, aujourd'hui, des doses gaspillées. Mais ce sont vos partis qui ont décidé de ne pas inviter la présidente à s'expliquer devant ce Parlement. Ce sont vos partis qui ont décidé de ne pas condamner ces comportements et de ne pas retirer les badges des lobbyistes de Pfizer, malgré le refus de son PDG de témoigner sur le plus gros contrat de l'histoire de l'Union européenne.
               

                  Résultat: des fonctionnaires de la Commission de Bruxelles ne font pas de compte rendu accessible au public des réunions qu'ils ont avec des représentants de l'industrie du tabac à Davos ou à Bruxelles. Ce n'est pas moi qui le dis, c'est la Médiatrice européenne. Dans sa décision du 19 décembre dernier, elle a ainsi spécifiquement nommé les administrateurs du marché intérieur, dont M. Breton a la charge, et un collaborateur de Michel Barnier. Je cite: ‘la Commission n'a pas tenu de procès-verbal de toutes les réunions qui ont eu lieu en 2020 et en 2021. Le Médiateur se demande donc comment la Commission peut rassurer le public sur le fait que ses interactions avec les lobbyistes du tabac ne portent pas atteinte aux politiques de santé publique […] si les procès-verbaux n'existent pas.’
               

                  Face à ces lobbies et à ces tentations, ce n'est pas la sainteté que nous demandons, mais l'Europe n'a pas vocation à se transformer en république bananière de droit oblique.
               

Anne-Sophie Pelletier,
au nom du groupe The Left. – Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, chers collègues, notre débat du jour rejoint les travaux du groupe de travail parlementaire sur le tabac, que je coanimais avec notre regrettée Michèle Rivasi et dont je vous annonce aujourd'hui que les conclusions seront présentées la semaine du 26 février sous forme d'un livre blanc.
               

                  Concernant l'affaire Dentsu Tracking/Jan Hoffmann, qui désigne le conflit d'intérêts qui entache l'élaboration du système européen de traçabilité des produits du tabac, plusieurs problèmes se posent. Tout d'abord, le choix du prestataire, Dentsu Tracking, par la Commission européenne. Le système européen de traçabilité n'est pas conforme au protocole de l'OMS, pourtant ratifié par l'Union européenne en 2016. Celui-là impose explicitement que ce système de traçabilité soit confié à un acteur indépendant et exempt de toute proximité avec l'industrie du tabac. Or, ce n'est pas le cas de Dentsu Tracking, qui utilise le système Codentify, conceptualisé par l'entreprise Philip Morris elle-même. De plus, le recrutement par Dentsu Tracking d'un fonctionnaire de la DG SANTE, Jan Hoffmann, met en lumière les collusions entre la Commission et cette puissante industrie du tabac. Le fait que cette entreprise ait été désignée comme partenaire sans appel d'offres ni procédure publique, puis renouvelée en décembre dernier dans les mêmes termes, c'est un véritable camouflet pour la transparence et la responsabilité des institutions.
               

                  Voyez, Madame la Commissaire, j'ai une grosse otite, mais j'ai l'impression que Mme von der Leyen est encore plus sourde que moi, puisque nous avons demandé les copies des échanges ayant eu lieu entre la Commission, les fabricants de tabac et Dentsu Tracking, et que nous avons obtenu des réponses qui sont parcellaires, biffées, anonymisées et inexploitables. Cela relève d'un scandale dans un scandale.
               

                  J'ai dès lors plusieurs questions. Pourquoi la Commission laisse-t-elle un simple fonctionnaire, Filip Borkowski, affirmer, dans un article publié en décembre 2023, que le système européen est conforme au protocole de l'OMS alors qu'il est prouvé que cette information est fausse? D'ailleurs, en rappelant qu'il était le chef de M. Hoffmann, quel rôle M. Borkowski a-t-il joué dans le scandale impliquant Dentsu Tracking et la Commission? Pourquoi a-t-il été exfiltré de la DG SANTE et déclassé juste après les révélations de ce scandale? Pourquoi la Commission continue-t-elle de bloquer les révisions des deux directives de 2011 et de 2014 relatives aux produits du tabac, lesquelles permettraient de mettre en application le protocole de l'OMS?
               

                  Alors, l'arbre-conflit d'intérêts, est-ce qu'il ne cache pas finalement la forêt-corruption? (C'est une question.) Et si ce n'était pas le cas – j'ose l'espérer –, faisons la pleine lumière sur ces questions et agissons enfin pour une législation à la hauteur des enjeux pour nos citoyens. Parce que, là aussi, il s'agit de santé publique, et je pense que nous devons faire quelque chose.
               

Malte Gallée (Verts/ALE). – Mr President, dear Commissioner, I guess we can all agree that the tobacco industry, they are the bad guys. And I guess we can see it also if we look at the trade of tobacco and the illegal trade of tobacco within the EU. I think we lose EUR 20 billion of tax revenue per year just because of the illegal inside EU trade. And this is something that we have to face with the traceability.
But what I think is far more important, if we look at traceability and if we look at what taxed revenues we could have, is also to look at the legalisation of weed because if we really are concerned about how we get people to stop smoking, one idea could also be to legalise marijuana to make sure that less people smoke tobacco. I would love to see an ambition from you in this direction.

Joachim Kuhs (ID). – Herr Präsident, Frau Kommissarin, werte Kollegen! Da ich kein Raucher bin, wusste ich bisher überhaupt nicht, was Dentsu ist, und kannte dieses Track-and-Trace-System nicht, bei dem anscheinend jede Zigarettenpackung in der EU mit einem Code versehen wird, der registriert, wo die Zigaretten hergestellt werden und wie sie sich durch die Lieferkette bewegt haben.
               

                  Wenn ich darüber nachdenke, bin ich fassungslos: Jetzt beobachtet Big Brother schon, welche Zigaretten du rauchst, wer sie hergestellt hat, und wer sie dir verkauft hat? Da erscheinen mir die hier debattierten und natürlich auf jeden Fall zu verurteilenden und auch zu beseitigenden oder aufzuklärenden Interessenkonflikte vernachlässigbar.
               

                  Werte Kollegen, ich frage mich, ob das überhaupt unsere Aufgabe ist, uns mit diesen Fragen zu beschäftigen. Wir sollten doch unsere Ressourcen, unsere Zeit, unsere Verantwortung besser nutzen, als diesen bürokratischen Unsinn weiter zu betreiben. Man könnte fast meinen, dass wir keine Inflation, keine schrumpfenden Volkswirtschaften, keine Kriege und keine Masseneinwanderungsprobleme haben.
               

                  Wenden wir uns doch wirklich den richtigen und schwierigen und echten Themen zu!
               

Procedimento ‘catch the eye’
                     


Mick Wallace (The Left). – Mr President, wouldn't it be terrible if I hadn't have turned up and yez had no catch-the-eye!
Revolving doors, conflict of interest and a lack of transparency: the Commission has been embroiled in yet another scandal, this time with the tobacco industry. Last April, Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly, in a letter to von der Leyen, emphasised ongoing issues with maladministration as far back as 2016, with standard practices such as meeting necessity checks and minute-taking proving to be the exception rather than the rule.
A report by Corporate Europe Observatory has found that in its dealings with the tobacco industry, the Commission has failed to limit contact, refused to disclose information and reactive transparency. With the tobacco industry's ever-increasing influence used to exploit loopholes and spread mistruths, the Commission must make drastic changes to its transparency protocols.
I'd like to ask the Commission how they can justify the appointment of Dentsu tracking without a public tender. I don't understand why no public tender was required.

(Fim do procedimento ‘catch the eye’)


Ylva Johansson,
Member of the Commission. – Mr President, honourable Members, I have listened carefully to your interventions, to your questions and to your concerns, and several important issues have been raised in this debate.
I also welcome the opportunity to restate our position. As I said in my introduction, the Commission is fully committed to ensuring a transparent and open implementation of the tobacco control policy framework that guarantees the independence of all entities participating in the EU tobacco traceability system from the influence of the tobacco industry.

Presidente. – O debate está encerrado.
               
12.   Explanations of vote

Presidente. - Passamos ao próximo ponto da ordem do dia: as declarações de voto.
               
12.1.   The EU priorities for the 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (B9-0091/2024)

Declarações de voto orais


Clare Daly (The Left). – Mr President, I voted for this file because when the EU delegation goes to the UN Commission on the Status of Women in March, I want them to raise a few priorities. Priorities like war and its effect on women. How about the women in Gaza, where women and children make up 70 % of its victims. No doctor, no midwife, no nurse to support women during labour, no pain medication, no anaesthesia. Women have to use tent scraps to soak up their postpartum bleeding.
Two mothers killed by Israel every hour, tens of thousands of babies and children without their mothers' warm arms to hold them. Thousands have been left to scream and cry while they watched their mothers die in front of them. Women crushed by the most unimaginable grief, without a moment to recover, watching their children starve, but for the cruise missile feminists in here, there seems to be no fellow feeling – they want the atrocities to continue. That's not feminism; it is an abomination. I don't know if God will forgive them, but I and millions of others certainly won't.
12.2.   Association agreements for the participation of third countries in Union programmes (B9-0096/2024)

Declarações de voto orais


Mick Wallace (The Left). – Mr President, concerning the association agreements for the participation of third countries in Union programmes, we understood that there were rules and regulations around association agreements. The European Union has an association agreement with Israel, and every rule that you can conceive of has been broken. We have totally ignored our own rules.
Israel is committing a genocide in Palestine; Israel has been persecuting the Palestinian people for 75 years, and we have no problem maintaining the association agreement with them. I'd like someone in the Commission to explain that to me, because I just don't understand it. What does Israel – this apartheid, far-right regime – have to do before we break the association agreement with them? How low do they have to get? 30 000 civilians are dead, 11 000 of them are children, and we have not even contemplated the idea of breaking the association agreement. I don't understand this.

Clare Daly (The Left). – Mr President, this oral question calls for the Commission to legislate to allow democratic scrutiny by the Parliament of the implementation of association agreements like Horizon Europe and I think the timing could not be better.
Why, for example, is Israel part of Horizon Europe? Why does Israel get 22.73 % of grants under that programme? Why did European taxpayers' money go to fund them in the development of Pegasus spyware that was used to target European journalists and politicians? And why is the EU-Israel Association Agreement still standing in the face of Israel's genocide? Hundreds of thousands of people across Europe are asking for that agreement to be suspended. Even lukewarm supporters of Palestine in here get it.
I abstained on this vote because while scrutiny would be an improvement in the situation, we need a lot more power than that. We need to break agreements when human rights are violated. We need to suspend this agreement now.
12.3.   Russiagate: allegations of Russian interference in the democratic processes of the European Union (RC-B9-0124/2024)

Declarações de voto orais


Mick Wallace (The Left). – Mr President, I voted against the resolution. I found it crazy. I actually thought that it brought the Parliament into disrepute. I was here for the debate this week, and I have never heard such nonsense in all my time here.
Where does the anti-Russian rhetoric come from? I don't like the Russian Government; we opposed and condemned the Ukraine invasion on 24 February 2022, but we also condemn every other war. The Americans killed over 400 000 along with NATO in Afghanistan; the Americans killed a million citizens in Iraq; there were 400 000 killed in Yemen, thanks to our support, but we don't talk about it.
I have no particular liking for any one culture or country over another, but we should treat them all fairly and cut out this racism. We don't seem to tolerate other countries and other cultures. We call ourselves the civilised people, but we're not behaving in a civilised manner. We demonise the Chinese and we talk about a genocide in Xinjiang without any evidence, and we ignore a genocide in Gaza. I don't understand this place anymore.
12.4.   Further repression against the democratic forces in Venezuela: attacks on presidential candidate Maria Corina Machado (RC-B9-0097/2024)

Declarações de voto orais


Clare Daly (The Left). – Mr President, I voted against this file because the situation in Venezuela is very volatile and the EU should stop the situation from escalating rather than engaging in geopolitical games.
I mean, let's remember, Venezuela's GDP has shrunk 80 % in ten years, forcing 7 million people to flee that country. It's a disaster humanly, economically and societally. And former US Secretary of State Pompeo boasted that this was what US sanctions had resulted in, a humanitarian crisis, he said, that was increasing by the hour. He seemed to revel in the fact that it was increasing pain and suffering to the Venezuelan people, and the Biden administration is continuing on with these sanctions.
The Venezuelan government had reached an agreement that has now broken down, showing how weak trust is. Against that backdrop, the decision of the US to reimpose sanctions is really dangerous. We should be concentrating on a diplomatic resolution of the conflict in Venezuela.

Mick Wallace (The Left). – Mr President, do I think that there's a healthy democracy in Venezuela? I actually don't, you know, but I don't see one anywhere else, either.
As my colleague said, over 7 million people have left Venezuela because of the illegal sanctions that have been strangling the country to death since 2017. The Centre for Economic and Policy Research found that in the two years before Trump further tightened the sanctions in 2019, they had killed 40 000 people.
The text not only ignores the carnage the sanctions are causing, but calls for more sanctions, this text today. It blames everything on the Government. But have we any humanity? I mean, we actually have blood on our hands. We introduce sanctions to kill the ordinary people. Sanctions hurt the most vulnerable the most, not the leaders and the wealthy in the country. The most vulnerable and women and children suffer more.
Our idea of sanctions is to get the people to bring about regime change. Well, we've a terrible way of doing it. You say we want free elections in Venezuela, but the Venezuelan people have been under relentless collective punishment. We're not going to get a normal election result.
Why doesn't the European Union abandon their like-minded US partner and have a healthy approach to Venezuela and help them to get on their feet? I don't understand the reason.

Presidente. – Terminaram as declarações de voto orais de hoje.
                  
13.   Approval of the minutes of the sitting and forwarding of texts adopted

Presidente. – A ata da presente sessão será submetida à aprovação do Parlamento no início do próximo período de sessões.
               

                  Caso não haja objeções, apresentarei imediatamente as resoluções aprovadas na sessão de hoje às pessoas e aos organismos referidos nessas resoluções.
               
14.   Dates of forthcoming sittings

Presidente. – O próximo período de sessões terá lugar de 26 a 29 de fevereiro.
               
15.   Closure of the sitting

(A sessão é encerrada às 15h32)

16.   Adjournment of the session

Presidente. – Declaro interrompida a Sessão do Parlamento Europeu.
               


(*1)  Pozri zápisnicu.


ELI: 
ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition)