What Michalis spoke about.

Madam President, dear Minister, dear colleagues, dear Commissioner, I would like to thank everyone for their feedback and approach. I believe that the budgetary amendments and the resolution before us reflect a balanced approach. They provide a clear position to support the essential needs of our institutions, maintain budgetary discipline and ensure that the European public administration has the

Mr President, as rapporteur for the opinion of the European Committee on Public Health on the 2027 budget, I want to send a clear message. Public health must be a strategic priority for the European Union. Our report places particular emphasis on rare diseases, proposing the creation of a European agency to coordinate research, early diagnosis and treatment, ensuring equal access to care for patie

Mr President, we have worked on the 2027 budget at a particularly difficult time for the European Union. This is the last year of the current Multiannual Financial Framework, and pressures on the European budget are constantly increasing. This is particularly the case for Heading 7, which covers the expenditure of the European public administration and the Union institutions. At a time when the Eu

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, how much longer will we tolerate Turkish provocations? How much longer will we tolerate violations under the pretext of Turkey's imaginary rights and interests? How much longer will we tolerate an undeniable and unprovoked attack on the European family? Everyday challenges threaten Europe. It is a demand of all of us that there be a crystalline pos

Madam President, honourable Commissioner, Minister Harris, welcome to the European Parliament and thank you for presenting the Council position on the draft general budget for the European Union for 2027. With this debate, we are entering the final and particularly important stage of the budgetary procedure. As always, our responsibility is to find a European compromise while ensuring that the Uni

Madam President, Commissioner, I would like to thank the rapporteur and all colleagues for the excellent cooperation in drafting this report. As rapporteur for the European People’s Party, I am proud that the Temporary Decarbonisation Fund breathes life into very important sectors, such as aluminium and cement – crucial sectors for Europe and especially for Cyprus. This Fund is one of the many too

Madam President, Commissioner, Europe's competitiveness does not depend solely on innovation. 27 different national authorities create high barriers, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. Establishing a successful business with international growth potential requires a favourable and simple business environment. The 28th regime is the European response to the complexity of the single

Madam President, today's vote on the European Parliament's budget for 2027 is the culmination of a substantial and collective effort. I would like to warmly thank the European People's Party for the confidence it has shown in me. For a Member of the European Parliament coming from a small country such as Cyprus, it is a special honour to undertake such an important dossier. At the same time, I wou

Mr President, firstly, I would like to congratulate and thank the rapporteurs of this excellent report, Mr Mureşan and Ms Tavares. Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, for the first time, a report on the Multiannual Financial Framework explicitly recognises that legal landowners in occupied Cyprus have for decades been deprived of the fundamental right to property: a provocative and flagrant violat

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Mr President of the Republic of Cyprus, taking over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union is a historic milestone for a small country, such as our country. We will support efforts to successfully conclude this presidency, demonstrating the skills and hard work of our proud people. The Republic of Cyprus took over the presidency in a highly unsta

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to congratulate the rapporteur on this dossier, Tomislav Sokol, on his excellent work. The Critical Medicines proposal is an essential response to a key problem: shortages and security of supply of critical medicines afflicting patients and health systems across Europe. For small Member States such as Cyprus, shortages cost even mor

Madam President, first of all I would like to thank my political group, the European People's Party, for the confidence in appointing me to the negotiating team. My participation in this process is both an honor and a responsibility. The European Union’s budget for 2026 demonstrates in practice our collective effort for a more united, resilient and fair Europe. After demanding negotiations, we hav

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, 51 years have passed since the barbaric Turkish invasion. The Republic of Cyprus does not need compassion or wishful thinking, but the immediate restoration of justice. We strongly condemn the illegal and unilateral proclamation of the occupation, separatism and the continued illegal military occupation by Turkey. The historical truth cannot be called into quest

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the European Union is not just an economic and political union. It is a family of 27 states working together to ensure peace, prosperity and solidarity. In my capacity as shadow rapporteur for the 2026 budget, I consistently defend the need to ensure that European institutions have sufficient resources to do their work effectively for the benefi

Mr President, before I give you my final remarks in Greek, allow me to thank once more my colleagues, the shadow rapporteurs from all political parties and all of my colleagues for the nice words. I would like to let you know that your help was appreciated. I would like to thank the Commissioner as well for the nice words. Mr President, I have listened respectfully and attentively to all positions

Mr President, Commissioner, as a Member of the European Parliament of a small but dynamic economy, Cyprus, I see every day small and medium-sized enterprises struggling with complex tax rules. The report we are presenting today shows the way to a simpler, fairer and more competitive Europe. As author of this report, I would like to express my sincere thanks to all the political groups that partici

Mr President, Commissioner, housing is a fundamental social right. However, throughout Europe and especially in Cyprus, thousands of citizens are even struggling to secure a decent and affordable home. President Von Der Leyen’s announcement of affordable housing is a first positive step, but now actions are needed: making use of European financial instruments, mobilising the European Investment Ba

Mr President, Commissioner, imagine being arrested in your own country by authorities that no one recognises while you are going to your father's house. This is an unthinkable reality on European soil in 2025. From July 19 until today, 5 Greek Cypriots have been held hostage because they dared to visit their own property in the occupied territories. Today, we were informed of the provisional relea

Mr President, my country, Cyprus, is once again paying a very high price for climate change, as are other countries in the South, which are affected by extreme temperatures. Since the devastating fire that broke out last July in the mountainous Limassol, two people have died and more than 120 square kilometers of land, houses, properties and crops have become ashes. Commissioner, the European Unio

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the horrific terrorist attack on the Church of Prophet Elijah in Damascus, which left dozens dead and wounded, demonstrates the tragic reality experienced by religious minorities in Syria. We strongly condemn any heinous act of violence targeting innocent believers in worship and express our sincere condolences to the families of the victims. The presence of Chr

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen. For small Member States such as Cyprus, ensuring sufficient quantities of critical supplies, be it medical equipment medicines or other essential goods, is crucial. The geographical location of Cyprus and its own needs make European solidarity and joint planning essential preconditions for the effective management of future crises. Voluntary joint procurement, a