Debate: Preparation of the European Council meeting of - December
Date: WEDNESDAY, 25 NOVEMBER 2020
Speaker: Ursula von der Leyen
Language: EN

Honourable Members, these are decisive days for our negotiations with the United Kingdom, but frankly I cannot tell you today if in the end there will be a deal. There has been genuine progress on a number of important questions: on law enforcement and judicial cooperation; on social security coordination, and also on goods, on services and transport we now have an outline of a possible final text. In these areas there are still some important issues to agree, but they should be manageable. However, there are still three issues that can make the difference between a deal and no deal. The crucial topics for the European side are of course questions linked to the level playing field, governance and fisheries. With very little time ahead of us, we will do all in our power to reach an agreement. We are ready to be creative. But we are not ready to call into question the integrity of the Single Market – the main safeguard for European prosperity and wealth. This is why we need to establish robust mechanisms, ensuring that competition is – and remains – free and fair over time. In the discussions about state aid we have still serious issues, for instance when it comes to enforcement. Significant difficulties remain on the question how we can secure – now and over time – our common high standards on labour, on social rights, on the environment, climate change and tax transparency – you know all these standards. We want to know what remedies are available in case one side will deviate in the future. Because trust is good, but law is better. And crucial in the light of recent experience: a strong governance system is essential to ensure that what has been agreed is actually done. Concerning fisheries: no one questions the UK’s sovereignty on its own waters, but we ask for predictability and guarantees for our fishermen and fisherwomen who have been sailing in these waters for decades, if not centuries. Honourable Members, as I said, the next days are going to be decisive. The European Union is well prepared for a no-deal-scenario, but of course we prefer to have an agreement. I fully trust in the skilful steer of our Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier, but one thing is clear: whatever the outcome, there has to be – and there will be – a clear difference between being a full member of the Union and being just a valued partner. I am fully aware of the challenges the current situation is creating especially for Parliament and the ratification process, and this is why I sincerely thank you for your support and understanding. As in the past, we will walk those last miles together. Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren Abgeordnete! Zur gleichen Zeit wartet die Union auf grünes Licht für unseren nächsten mehrjährigen Finanzrahmen und NextGenerationEU. Die Kommission hat im Mai ihr Aufbauprogramm NextGenerationEU und den Mehrjahreshaushalt vorgelegt. Die Staats- und Regierungschefs der 27 EU—Mitgliedstaaten haben im Juli vier lange Tage und Nächte verhandelt und einen Kompromiss gefunden. Sie, meine sehr verehrten Damen und Herren Abgeordnete, haben dieses Paket weiterentwickelt. Am Ende steht jetzt ein Ergebnis, das die vielen politischen Anliegen angemessen berücksichtigt.  Jetzt haben zwei Mitgliedstaaten Zweifel angemeldet. Der beste Weg wäre, diese Zweifel auszuräumen. Im Juli haben sich alle 27 Staats- und Regierungschefs auch auf einen Konditionalitätsmechanismus verständigt. Es geht hier um Verstöße gegen das Rechtsstaatsprinzip, die das europäische Budget gefährden, und nur um diese. Das ist angemessen, das ist verhältnismäßig, und das ist auch notwendig. Es ist sehr schwer vorstellbar, dass irgendjemand in Europa irgendetwas dagegen haben könnte. Meine Damen und Herren, wer dennoch Zweifel hat, für den gibt es einen klaren Weg. Er kann vor den Europäischen Gerichtshof ziehen und die neuen Regeln auf Herz und Nieren prüfen lassen. Das ist der Ort, an dem wir üblicherweise Meinungsverschiedenheiten über Rechtstexte auslegen, und nicht zu Lasten von Millionen Europäerinnen und Europäern, die dringend auf unsere Hilfe warten. Wir sind ihnen eine rasche Antwort schuldig. Und zwar denjenigen, die ihre Restaurants und Geschäfte zu unserem Wohl vorübergehend schließen mussten, denjenigen, die in ihrer Existenz bedroht sind, den Menschen, die um ihre Jobs bangen – auch in Polen und in Ungarn. Honourable Members, this is especially the case as the pandemic situation remains serious. With nearly 3 000 deaths a day, COVID-19 was the number one cause of death in the EU last week. Hospitals remain under stress, and in some regions intensive care units are overwhelmed. I know that shop owners, bartenders and waiters in restaurants want an end to restrictions, but we must learn from the summer and not repeat the same mistakes. Relaxing restrictions too fast and too much risks there being a third wave after Christmas. Weeks ago, I said that this Christmas will be different. And yes, it will be quieter. This is also a question of solidarity between Member States.  But there is also good news. The Commission has now secured contracts on vaccines with six pharmaceutical companies. The first European citizens might already be vaccinated before the end of December. There is finally light at the end of the tunnel. And yes, as I’ve said, vaccines are important, but what counts are vaccinations. Member States must get ready now. We’re talking about millions of syringes, we’re talking about the cold chain, we’re talking about organising vaccination centres, we’re talking about trained personnel that is there – you name it, all this has to be prepared. In short, Member States have to prepare the logistics for the deployment of hundreds of millions of doses of vaccines, because this is our ticket out of the pandemic.  Honourable Members, with or without COVID, there is another crisis that rumbles on: global warming, the crisis of our planet. And, honourable Members, a growing number of countries have pledged carbon neutrality by 2050. Good news. I firmly believe we must all put a price on carbon. These words could have been mine, but they’re not. These are the remarks of António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, at the G20 summit last weekend. For the first time in four years, the G20 agreed on clear commitments for the fight against climate change, and Europe has been proudly leading the way. By now, more than half of the G20 members have committed to climate or carbon neutrality around 2050. This demonstrates that being courageous pays off, and it shows that we have chosen the right course when we decided to cut back CO2 emissions until 2030 by at least 55%. This should also encourage the Heads of State and Government to confirm this goal at the next European Council. Et avec cela, nous voulons renforcer la coopération et permettez-moi de parler à la fin de la sécurité des personnes en Europe. Je suis sûre que je parle au nom de toute l’Union quand je dis que l’Europe est solidaire des Français et des Autrichiens. L’Europe est unie face aux attaques terroristes au cœur de nos villes et l’Europe est prête à agir. Le 9 décembre, la Commission présentera un nouvel agenda européen pour la lutte contre le terrorisme, nous voulons renforcer la coopération entre les services de sécurité, nous voulons donner aux gardes-frontières la technologie moderne dont ils ont besoin, intensifier nos efforts pour éviter la radicalisation et mieux protéger les lieux publics. But there is only so much we can do when Member States do not put into practice what they agree upon. For example, the strong rules against money laundering and terrorist financing, or against the use of firearms. Implementation is key and I’m sure the European Council will be an opportunity to turn to action quickly. Honourable Members, from Brexit to the fight against the pandemic, from the budget to the fight against terrorists, it is when we manage to join forces that we Europeans can achieve the most. It is when we negotiate hard and then stick to the compromise found that we move forward best. This is how we will finally leave the corona world and continue to build our future. Lang lebe Europa! Long live Europe! Vive l’Europe!