What Nikos spoke about.

Madam President, when I look back on my childhood, I remember a completely different everyday life, where play, company, communication played a dominant, leading role. We certainly didn't have a screen where throughout the day it would claim our attention and interest. Today, unfortunately, the picture is different. We see children, younger and younger, with a mobile phone in their hand, growing u

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the report we are debating today is supposed to be about the work of the European Ombudsman. Unfortunately, however, the text we are asked to vote on reflects neither the actual content of the investigations nor its role. Instead, it targets civil society. The Ombudsman did not accuse NGOs of undermining democracy, she stressed the need for tran

Madam President, equality is not a slogan, nor is it applied selectively. It is a fundamental commitment of the European Union, enshrined in the Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights. And yet today this commitment remains incomplete, simply because some are blocking it. For more than 15 years, we have been sitting and discussing whether we should move forward, thus leaving millions of peo

Madam President, today we are called upon to vote on a report that touches on one of our most urgent responsibilities. Ensure that children can grow up, learn and participate in the digital world without being exposed to risks. Digital spaces are now an integral part of their daily lives, and the European Union must set the standards for a safe and human-centric digital environment. However, the p

Mr President, the annual report of the Committee on Petitions reminds us of something fundamental: that European citizens turn to our committee when they feel that European law is being violated in their own countries. When they feel that the institutions at the national level do not listen to them, they turn to us as the last line of defense of their rights. The PETI Committee must respond to the

Mr President, in an international environment of increasing geopolitical pressures, it is crucial to protect the European regulatory model for the digital economy. To defend our right to set our own rules and standards. The European Union needs to make full use of all its tools to ensure high standards for citizens and businesses, but also to boost investment in digital infrastructure. We need dig

Mr President, Commissioner, first of all I would like to thank and congratulate our rapporteur for the excellent, close and effective cooperation we have had. We all agree that sport is not just fun, it's not a spectacle, it's not just business. Sport is a social good, a carrier of values and a tool for cohesion. The European sport model must serve society, promote inclusiveness and be based on so

Mr President, I come from Cyprus, my mother lived and grew up in Varosha, Famagusta, until she was 12 years old, until she was forced to leave her home to save her life after the illegal invasion of the Turks. Neither my grandmother nor my grandfather stopped talking to me about the pain of uprooting and the injustice they experienced. Tell me, too, if you were illegally taken home, how would you

Mr President, media freedom is not a luxury, it is the foundation of our democracy. And when it breaks that foundation, it breaks our own democracy. The regulation of media freedom is here to bring order. The European Union sets clear rules, obligations and protection mechanisms. What does it say in simple words? That state advertising cannot be shared under the table on lists of political criteri

Madam President, we are faced with a historical disgrace, which will remain an example to be avoided for future generations. Entire cities have been razed, entire families have been wiped out, 90% of the population has been displaced. For so many months that this crime has taken place, you – most of you – are indifferent. Don't these people have any value to you? Don't you count them? Don't you co

Madam President, this directive is a very important step in the right direction, but that alone is not enough. It's not just about punishing the culprits. It is also about freeing the victims from the burden of silence and shame. To do this, we must ensure that these crimes are never time-barred. Not for revenge, but for justice. The child who is abused must not carry the trauma for life without t

Madam President, Commissioner, culture is not just a compass for Europe. It's her soul. It unites us, teaches us and helps us to dream and build a better future. Unfortunately, nowadays, the values it represents, such as freedom, diversity, diversity and dialogue, are under threat. Extreme voices seek to divide rather than unite. For example, in my own country, a Member of Parliament vandalised wo

Mr. President, good evening. The proposal for a Union of Skills to enhance opportunities to study, train and work in the European Union is undoubtedly necessary. But the European Union often puts forward the concept of competitiveness and growth as a panacea for our society. But we cannot ignore the fact that there is an ever-increasing inequality. The aim should not only be to strengthen competit

Madam President, good evening. Not extending the ceasefire was not just a diplomatic failure. It was the sentencing of thousands of civilians in Gaza. Israel continues to bomb mercilessly, destroying entire neighborhoods, hospitals, schools, refugee camps. And, of course, the death toll is rising, with children paying the highest price. This is not self-defense, gentlemen, let's not pretend, let's

Madam President, in the world of the modern economy, the constant technological and economic upheavals are having a dramatic impact on the labour market. The use of artificial intelligence and digitalisation require new forms of vocational education and training to meet the real needs of workers. Vocational guidance since high school, vocational education and training must develop into a means of

Mr President, let me speak to you not as a politician but as a young man. In a Europe of economic insecurity, punctuality and housing crisis, how can a young person make the decision to start a family? Let me give you an example from my country, Greece, which is facing a serious demographic problem. A good, satisfactory salary is 1 200 euros. Renting a small house in a modest area costs 600 euros.

Madam President, we have been discussing the European Disability Strategy for many years and, although the European Union is committed to promoting their rights, the implementation of these commitments is still lagging behind in many Member States and the rules are not the same across Europe. But let me dwell on an area that I know well, the field of sport. The European Disability Strategy places

Madam President, despite the progress we have made, millions of children around the world continue to face great difficulties; From conflict zones to neighbourhoods, from the effects of climate change to systematic discrimination, children continue to suffer. We can't rest on our laurels. The contract is not just a document. It is a call to action for all of us to stand up for and protect children

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, you are therefore telling us that the European Union will have to spend around 20% of its total budget - currently equivalent to EUR 1 trillion - on defence and security. Once again, then, we have European Union funding for military expenditure. On the other hand, in an increasing number of European countries, poverty thresholds and infrastructure projects ar