kfajdsl/voxpopuli huggingface dataset:
we are also setting up a european strategic closer partnership for smart specialisation investment in support of the thematic smart specialisation platform on modernisation ensuring real participation from business. finally a very quick word on the stairway to excellence the initiative here in parliament with a pilot project that identifies potential for synergies in certain member states including the adoption of horizon two thousand and twenty management tools.
the commission is continuously assisting member states and regions in the development of their smart specialisation strategies notably through the smart specialisation platform based in seville in spain.
a series of eleven national events dedicated to the project have already taken place.
so let me also inform you that we realised huge efforts to sort out some discrepancies between the seal of excellence and the state aid rules that are now almost solved and will not be creating any more bottlenecks.
this thematic smart specialisation platforms approach follows a good example that was developed by the vanguard initiative which succeeded actually to move cooperation between thirty regional governments around innovation in concrete value chains
these high quality projects can then look at alternative funding at national or regional level and since the launch of the initiative in november all the expectations were exceeded.
the research and innovation strategies for smart specialisation.
the need for an ongoing entrepreneurial discovery process involving businesses and research and exploiting transnational cooperation between all the countries.
to actually be mobilised and work together on designing and implementing measures to support the seal of excellence proposals.
these platforms and others in the future will help in ensuring effective use of available structural funds and leverage additional resources from horizon two thousand and twenty but also private funding and efsi.
that is why turning now to the future we will of course improve and continue to expand the existing synergies like for example expanding the seal to other areas of horizon two thousand and twenty like widening or the marie skodowska curie actions.
we will have to keep going.
to matchmaking with businesses and research actors.
in that respect i think that clean sky is a model to be followed by other jtis.
synergies are a little bit like the simplification process.
we called it the seal of excellence.
the aim is threefold to accelerate the implementation of smart specialisation strategies;
this project is going to be widened soon to other member states to deepen the synergies there.
these strategies were required to combine from the outset erdf funded projects in initiatives with horizon two thousand and twenty in order to actively include actors that with horizon two thousand and twenty projects in management in entrepreneurial discovery processes could do much better and ultimately it was just shaping
they are helped in this community of practices which is a platform that was set up by the commission to facilitate the exchange of experiences and mutual learning to identify and target specific needs and possible obstacles for smooth implementation.
and third to set up a series of thematic smart specialisation platforms.
so thank you very much and i am looking forward to the discussion.
indeed the regulation that set up those funds converted synergies from nice to have' in past programmes into a must have' in the current programmes and in the smart specialisation strategies.
i do not feel i have to remind you why synergies are so fundamental.
or the flagship extreme light infrastructure in the czech republic hungary and romania or the bonus programme in the baltic sea.
madam president let me start by thanking you for inviting me to address the plenary on the importance of the synergies between structural funds and horizon. two thousand and twenty unfortunately as you know commissioner creu cannot be with us today but she asked me to speak on behalf of both.
before i give the floor to mr ehler could i just say to colleagues that we will be running very much over time on our debates.
thirdly we also agree that we have to do much more that this is ongoing work teamwork that we have to keep doing and it involves parliament the commission the various services the people and the national governments and we will keep doing it.
but we need your help and i am extremely glad of all the support all the examples cited and all the questions.
thank you all for the discussion.
on that question of energy certainty i would also ask the commission to rethink its comments on the harmonisation of national support schemes for renewables.
i am all for action at a european level when it adds value but member states have only recently brought out their national renewable energy action plans and are working to implement them;
it is vital the commission meets its obligation to come forward with a proposal on this by the end of this year both to allay widespread public concern that some biofuels currently on the market may not be producing a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and also for the sake of industry which is developing innovative processes whose added value deserves to be recognised.
we have a good record over the last five years in going against market domination and this must be a key focus of our european energy policy.
we do not need a new energy policy.
we would need a specific chapter for what will be the biggest investments of the next ten years.
renewable technology is our biggest export market in all energy technologies.
for an energy strategy to deliver on climate on growth on jobs we need a much more ambitious and market based approach so that we can use the market mechanism to our advantage.
we believe that the eu needs to make this move for the sake of our economic growth climate and energy security.
when the time is right we can get ambitious' seems to be the strategy of the council and commission.
we need an ambitious energy strategy for europe not only in a cop sixteen resolution that nobody reads anyway.
china is moving and they move fast.
in this light i am sorry to say the commission's new energy strategy is discouraging in its lack of ambition for a greener future.
it is up to ourselves to create a drive in the market to show the pioneers where we want to go so that they can take us there. that is why alde is calling for the eu to move to a thirty co two reduction target.
today china houses one of the world's top ten wind energy companies. in two years they expect to have two companies in the top five. ten years ago there was nothing. today china represents fifty of global windmill production.
it is flooded with quotas and the price is too low so there are no incentives to invest in green technologies.
come on europe come on commission;
well the time is right and we cannot sit back and relax and wait for some grand international binding agreement before we act.
how can we be competitive and modern if we take decisions like this?
we have budget negotiations that go in a totally different direction from this energy strategy.
mr president we have enormous problems with the energy market and the grid in europe not to mention that energy production is mainly based on fossil sources. if someone says implementation implementation implementation i would say focus focus focus and i would mention some examples.
the moment one recognises peak oil the majority of this largely well meaning report becomes sadly incinerator fuel.
the huge energy gap opening up cannot possibly be filled by mickey mouse renewables or shale carbons.
coal nuclear fusion and in the long term nuclear fusion plus fission are the only energy sources dense enough to save us as the oil age comes to an end.
commissioner now that this has been recognised can we look forward to a new serious approach to energy?
the mesh sizes used within the defined area will also be reviewed so it is important that we review from year to year or bi annually the report approved by the committee.
it also proposes the introduction of a new and appropriate mesh size for small pelagic species. the express intention of the committee was to avoid the same problem we had some two years ago in relation to boarfish where it was necessary for parliament to introduce a specific amendment to allow that important lucrative fishery
i would like to take this opportunity to outline several key aspects of the agreement.
the majority of the amendments contained in the agreement relate to the ices area via which is located on the north west coast of scotland and the north west coast of ireland where in two thousand and nine a cod recovery plan was introduced.
the agreement removed the by catch provision for haddock and whiting which is causing a major discarding problem.
after the trialogue meeting a misunderstanding developed concerning the agreement.
this means that small inshore and island fishermen from the north west will no longer have to steam fifty miles into treacherous atlantic waters in small vessels.
the shadows met and a joint response by the shadows was sent to the presidency in which we outlined our red lined but reasonable areas. i am pleased that we now have an agreement in place which serves the best interests of our fishermen coastal communities sustainable fisheries and the consumer.
regrettably the measures for cod recovery have caused major difficulties for fishermen off the coast of my own country by stopping traditional fisheries which although they do not target cod have of course suffered as a result of this.
i do not want to hide the fact that there is some controversial content in the report and that the biggest group in parliament is still trying to get these things out of tomorrow's vote the anti flag hopping clause for example the exclusivity clause and the statement that vessel owners should pay a considerable market based share of the access fees. i regret this and
i really hope that those even in the epp group who want to see the eu leading by example on issues relating to environmental sustainability fair trade and respect for human rights will not try to delete the paragraphs in question.
the committee also recognised our heavy responsibility as the greatest fish consumer market in the world importing and eating eleven of all the world's catches in terms of volume.
i believe we have a great report here that can not only change the impact of the eu on the world's oceans but could also change how all distance fishing nations behave.
it shows how the eu can become a leader by setting an example of responsible behaviour by a long distance fishing nation worldwide.
yes there is a problem.
of you. that is why i would like to urge you to support the commission's proposal for regionalisation. i am afraid that in the council meetings i cannot see a lot of progress concerning this issue. i do not want to finalise the discussion now but we have a lack of progress in the
way. let me give you an
provision implemented.
target. i would also like to mention here that we need support in order to go for measures that can help coastal communities in a more constructive
help us. of course we need to work with our industry to find the best solutions for the implementation of this legislation.
enter the
practice. i think i have to repeat that a lot of other countries are doing the same and they have fleets that are profitable so please
on these issues; we have to work together
choice. nevertheless we are going to continue and there are other market measures which can help the local communities.
our focus. i agree with you that this has to be our main
a say on this. we have to focus
of the action of these predators but this is all we can
the majority of fishing quotas have been allocated to large scale fishing operations across the eu leading to the situation where over sixty of fish stocks in european waters are now fished beyond sustainable limits. now of course we need to support the large scale fleet because we are only forty self sufficient in marine produce in europe and we are increasingly dependent on imports of fish products from countries outside the eu but the artisanal fleet have a key role to play in all of this.
that means reducing overcapacity ending harmful subsidies and destructive practices and restoring our seas to full health.
supporting thousands of coastal communities across the eu but it is also a low impact sustainable fishery matching all of the criteria that we are demanding as legislators.
these should be our guiding principles throughout the discussions on the cfp reform.
changing marine ecosystems fishing pressure from the larger over ten metre vessels and human pressure on coastal areas are all contributing to a downward spiral for local fishermen who for centuries have supplied fresh high quality diverse locally caught fish and shellfish to the market. we have an opportunity within the current cfp reform to correct this negative trend. ever since the cfp was first introduced there has been discrimination against the artisanal sector.
one of our core objectives must be to grant the right to fish to those who fish sustainably.
despite a uk blanket ban there is nothing we can do to prevent shark finning happening on foreign vessels just off our shores. i stand by the belief that fishing rights should be controlled by domestic governments but in the meantime by pushing for an amendment stating that the fin must be attached to the shark in a natural way on landing we can work to ensure the abatement of this cruel and wasteful practice.
as a result europe ranks second in the world as a producer of shark products after indonesia.
they should somehow also be included in our view in the external dimension of the cfp.
we should therefore take the reform of the cfp really seriously and rebuild all the european stocks to levels above those capable of producing msy.
the new common fisheries policy when it arrives will have a bearing on every one of the subjects.
a discard ban maximum sustainable yield and regionalisation are all issues that have come to the fore as the reform has progressed.
however i want to pose what is for me a very important question for the commissioner and for colleagues here tonight. i want to focus on an aspect of the reform that i think is absolutely pivotal to a successful reform and that is the issue of regionalisation.
we all agree that regionalisation is important.
it is important for streamlining bureaucracy and management the more efficient protection of fish stocks and the working together of the scientific community and the catching sector be it in the baltic sea with shark finning or with queen scallop fishing as in mr gallagher's report. what i would like to see is this parliament reflecting in the weeks ahead on what it really wants from eu fisheries policy.
it seems to me that there is a tendency for us to simply want to secure a power base for various eu institutions rather than what i would like to see as a pragmatic approach to fisheries policy that will benefit fish stocks those who depend upon them in the catching sector and those who depend upon them for
mr president i am also going to use my minute to address the issue of shark finning at the risk of repetition. it is imperative that we use this opportunity to close the remaining loopholes in this regulation and ensure that the cruel and wasteful practice of finning is completely eradicated.
no derogations' is the best way to ensure a complete end to this wasteful practice.
fins naturally attached' improves and simplifies enforcement and compliance monitoring and reduces the risk of the regulation being circumvented.
but that should be seen as a first step because we know from the figures that shark species across the planet have experienced massive declines in the last few years.
this is a creature that has been on the planet for hundreds of millions of years longer than mankind.
i would be very sorry if we saw the elimination of entire species during the course of our own lifetimes.
the commission the european union shares out the fishing opportunities to member states.
this is very very encouraging and we have to work together to see this excellent work implemented.
i would like to say that the discontinuation of these measures even temporarily would have negative consequences for the conservation of some stocks and for vulnerable marine habitats so i am very pleased that agreement was found on this proposal.
let me move now to the shark finning proposal;
i think that we all agree we have to agree after all because this is the reality that we have to eradicate the horrendous practice of shark finning and protect sharks better.
we need to do that one way or another but we really need to do that.
this is impossible.
i believe that rules that cannot be controlled in practice are just not good enough.
it is therefore essential that all sharks are landed with their fins still attached without any derogations.
we are the followers rather and their fishermen the other nations' fishermen have shown that this is possible while remaining profitable.
here. i hope that this house will support the commission to close any remaining loopholes in the
vessels generating jobs and income and contributing to the social fabric of our coastal communities.
of it. they are also likely to benefit from the introduction of fish stock recovery areas in territorial
waters. i am therefore looking favourably at the idea of fish stock recovery areas as a conservation tool. small scale fisheries can also take advantage of these
burden; we differentiate fleet capacity management; we provide specific support from our new financial instrument.
policy. so here about trade and foreign policy there is a lot of work to be done with other services with other committees and i am very happy that we have gone through
worldwide. this will improve our standing as an important fishing and market entity for sound and efficient fisheries management.
new image. it will also strengthen our position in negotiations with third parties to move forward the sustainability agenda and the global fight against illegal unreported and unregulated fishing. as you know last week the commission initiated a procedure against eight
countries for failing to address illegal
fishing. i would like to thank parliament for its support on
this file. so we have to move to the international handling of this very important issue and we need the credentials let me put it this way we need the credentials of a new international aspect in our fisheries policy
agreements; this is very
industry. in particular i appreciate that parliament supports our proposal that the european fishing industry should take over a more important financial share of the costs when acquiring access rights to non eu fishing
the gallagher report deals with some highly complex technical measures which have been of great frustration to fishers in scotland and ireland amongst other places a great frustration because technical measures have been in place which have
had inappropriate catch composition rules for too long and instead of conserving resources have actually directly caused massive discards of haddock.
i am glad that at last we are finding a way hopefully to get out of that ridiculous situation.
mr ferreira rightly points out that there are very diverse ranges of types of fishery types of boats types of geography types of catches and therefore that centralised control is not the best way to manage these resources
for the benefit of consumers and communities.
it was established last year and i genuinely believe that it is an important forum for dialogue and cooperation between the eu and the icelandic parliament.
of course iceland as a member of the eea has had a major advantage in that they have already adopted a significant part of the acquis.
mr president as is so common here this debate has little connection to reality and none whatsoever to democracy.
congratulate yourselves on accession progress all you like but the coming financial meltdown in the countries being crushed in your euro straightjacket will be costly to us all but fatal to your utopia.
the commission is stepping up its own information and communication activities to facilitate well informed public debate.
it can indeed play a decisive role in increasing understanding of the realities of the policies and actions of the european union and can help to dispel myths.
for the next three years to support strengthening of administrative capacity and to prepare iceland for management of the structural funds. good progress is being made on finalising the national ipa programme for two thousand and eleven and a number of specific activities
as regards icesave and as referred to in your resolution the commission would welcome a swift resolution of this matter in the interests of all the parties involved.
the government is also working on a strategy for the gradual lifting of capital controls.
the adjustment programme is on track and the government is committed to further consolidation.
as with any accession so far it is to be expected that this will not always be an easy task but we trust that we have embarked with iceland on a successful journey.
and expectations into account within the existing approach on accession negotiations and fully safeguarding the principles and rules of the union.
since november two thousand and ten twenty four chapters have been discussed and twenty three bilateral screening meetings have been completed covering fisheries agriculture environment regional policy and financial services.
this stage of the negotiation process will be completed by june.
screening is an important technical process and the meetings have already identified sensitive issues and challenges in key chapters such as agriculture environment and fisheries.
we therefore aim to work in an open and constructive spirit to find solutions acceptable to both sides in a way that reflects the high level of cooperation between the european union and the icelandic authorities.
enhanced debt restructuring will help to strengthen economic recovery.
furthermore i warmly welcome the fact that the icelandic authorities have started intensive communication activities.
in two thousand and five iceland landed three hundred and sixty seven tonnes of north east atlantic mackerel.
what kind of good management sustainable management of fisheries do you call that?
this is almost criminal.
they have got a collapsed economy their banks have defaulted their volcano closed our airspace for nine days i presume we would have to pick up the bill for that if it happens again and now they are plundering our mackerel stocks.
they always pride themselves on having a sustainable fishery and they laugh at the common fisheries policy that we employ.
mr president the ecr group fully supports icelandic accession to the european union although the decision is firmly a matter for icelanders alone in a referendum.
its economy is heavily dependent on fishing however having had a disastrous venture into financial services and iceland is therefore likely to demand a significant concession to protect its fishing industries if it ever joins the eu.
this would then hopefully provide the uk and other member states with an ideal opportunity to push for broader and further reform of the controversial common fisheries policy.
finally iceland must commit to repaying monies owed to the uk and the netherlands after the collapse of icesave.
as acknowledged in the draft resolution we discussed today and in the commission progress report of last november iceland is at an advanced stage of meeting membership obligations and has achieved a great deal but it needs to deliver more on a number of well defined issues.
substantial differences of opinion between the parties remain particularly between the european union and norway on the one hand and the faroe islands and iceland on the other with regard to their respective shares. the sustainability of this resource is important for our fishing industry and the commission will continue to explore