Debate: Conclusions of the European Council meeting of - December  – MFF, Rule of Law Conditionality and Own Resources – Council regulation laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years  to  – Proposal for an Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources – Regulation on the protection of the Union’s budget in case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States
Date: WEDNESDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2020
Speaker: Petri Sarvamaa
Country: Germany
Language: EN

We started this process years ago. Some of you might remember from the previous mandate when the Commission published its proposal for this regulation. We in the Parliament processed it fairly fast, but then we got stuck in the mud waiting for the Member States to form their position. Back then, many thought that the original proposal and the Parliament’s mandate were too bold.  Some thought that this legislation would actually never even see the light of day, but we in the European Parliament were vigilant. We really took the dangers posed to the rule of law seriously because we had noticed the deterioration of our values early. Authoritarianism and disrespect for our basic values had already been on the rise in Europe for years. Considering this, it was high time for us to act. It was high time for a change of pace.  However, the Parliament does not of course have the means to stop this sad process alone. We need the Member States to come along in this change, and a majority of them did. A majority of Europeans were clearly backing their governments in this. There was scepticism along the way and I have to say that at times we were worried – some of us more than others – about some of the turns that took place. For example, the European Council conclusions from July gave some room for speculation and even seemed a blow to our ambitious goals.  However, this past October and November presented another turn of events. We had fruitful and serious negotiations with the German Presidency, who managed to bring to the table the Council’s proposal. Extremely quickly, in about four weeks, we managed to reach a deal that respected the original ideas of the Commission proposal as well as Parliament’s mandate and, most importantly, our values enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty.  I want to thank wholeheartedly everyone involved in this process, my co—rapporteur, Ms Gardiazabal Rubial, Ambassador Clauss from the German Presidency, and our whole European Parliament negotiation team, as well as Commissioner Hahn. I also want specifically to thank the Chair of the EPP Group, Manfred Weber, for his support throughout these difficult negotiations. Now we, as co—legislators, are finally about to adopt this legislation, along with other important budgetary files, Here I want to emphasise the word ‘co—legislators’. The Council and the Parliament are the ones who have adopted this legislation. There has been a lot of a chatter about the European Council conclusions. Let me remind you that the European Council shall not, and does not, exercise legislative functions and therefore any political declaration of the European Council cannot be deemed to represent an interpretation of legislation. Equally importantly, the Treaty is very clear on the role of the Commission. The Commission is bound by the Treaty to adopt the legislation and to implement it, and it will be done as of 1 January 2021. Let me also thank the Commission President for her extremely clear words on this. This is of the utmost importance.  What actually is the rule of law that we are talking about here? It’s quite simply the cornerstone of our democratic existence in Europe, so therefore it is the most important thing that we have. That’s why this step is very important for us. It will not end everything, but it will be the first step on our way.  I hope we can reach a vast majority in this House for this historic law and I want to wish our independent Commission and the guardian of the Treaties wisdom and vigilance in its application of this law as of 1 January 2021.