Speeches

The next vote is on mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund: assistance to Austria, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and Moldova relating to floods that occurred in September 2024 and Bosnia and Herzegovina relating to floods that occurred in October 2024 (see minutes, item 7.6).

The next vote is on the amending Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 on certain measures for the purpose of the conservation of fish stocks in relation to countries allowing non-sustainable fishing (see minutes, item 7.4).

The next vote is on the objection pursuant to Rule 114(3): amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1675 to add certain countries to the list of high-risk third countries, and to remove other countries from that list (see minutes, item 7.2).

I have received a request from the competent authorities in Austria for the parliamentary immunity of Harald Vilimsky to be waived. This request is referred to the Committee on Legal Affairs.

The first item on the agenda today is the debate on the European Council and Commission statements on the conclusions of the European Council meeting of 26 June 2025 (2024/2981(RSP)). I would like to remind you that we will continue with the new format for this debate and there will be no fixed speakers' list. After the first round of speakers, Members who received speaking time from their political groups or the non-attached secretariat will be called to speak and will be reminded of their allotted to intervene. Please keep an eye on the screens in the Chamber, where the current speaker and the next three speakers will be displayed. When your name appears, I would ask you to prepare and make your way to the lectern. The normal rules regarding blue cards and catch-the-eye procedure will apply.

I have one announcement before we start. In relation to the decision by several committees to enter interinstitutional negotiations pursuant to Rule 72(1) as announced at the opening of the session on Monday, 7 July 2025, I have received no request for a vote in Parliament by Members or political groups reaching at least the medium threshold. The committees may therefore start negotiations.

I would like to inform you that, since the adjournment of Parliament's session on 19 June 2025, I have signed, together with the President of the Council, two acts adopted under the ordinary legislative procedure in accordance with Rule 81 of Parliament’s Rules. The titles of the acts will be published in the minutes of this sitting.

The LIBE and JURI Committees have transmitted a corrigendum to a text adopted by the Parliament. Pursuant to Rule 251(4), this corrigendum will be deemed approved unless, no later than 24 hours after its announcement, a request is made by a political group or Members reaching at least the low threshold that it be put to the vote. The corrigendum is available on the plenary webpage. Its title will be published in the minutes of this sitting.

Several committees have decided to enter interinstitutional negotiations pursuant to Rule 72(1). The reports which constitute the mandate for the negotiations are available on the plenary webpage and the titles will be published in the minutes of the sitting. Pursuant to Rule 72(2), Members or political groups reaching at least the medium threshold may request in writing by tomorrow, Tuesday, 8 June, at midnight, that the decisions be put to the vote. If no request for a vote in Parliament is made within the deadline, the committees may start the negotiations.

The next vote is on the report by Victor Negrescu and Siegfried Mureşan on the implementation report on the Recovery and Resilience Facility (see minutes, item 5.4).

The next vote is on the report by Borys Budka on the EU-Euratom Agreement on the interpretation and application of the Energy Charter Treaty: adoption by Euratom (see minutes, item 5.3).

The next vote is on the report by Anna Cavazzini and Borys Budka on the adoption by the Union of the Agreement on the interpretation and application of the Energy Charter Treaty (see minutes, item 5.2).

Good afternoon to you all, dear colleagues. It is an honour to welcome His Majesty King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan back to the European Parliament. Your Majesty, this is not the first time that you address this House, and each time your inspiring words have left a lasting impact on all who listened. We are grateful that every time that it feels that the world is at an inflection point, leaders like Your Majesty are able to come here and outline a way forward for our common humanity. Ten years ago, in the midst of the horror inflicted by Daesh, I was here in the Chamber when you said: 'Our world force faces an assault by terrorists with ruthless ambition. The motive is not faith, it is power; power pursued by ripping countries and communities apart in sectarian conflicts, and inflicting suffering across the world.' Your words echoed through this House and beyond, and the urgency of our shared responsibility against the threat of extremism has only since grown. Five years ago, as the globe faced further crises, you were here to remind us all that a life spent in the service of others is a life fully lived, but only if we meet the expectations of the people we represent. Words that mattered then to us all and that ring true still today. Your Majesty, on behalf of this House, I want to commend you and your great country on its commitment to stability and peace in the Middle East. We appreciate Jordan's critical efforts in reducing regional tensions; in pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza; in supporting the West Bank; in all you have been you have done for the sick; in the need for the return of hostages; for facilitating so much urgently needed humanitarian aid to those who so desperately need it; and for your unwavering support for Palestinian and Syrian refugees and a two-state solution as a path to lasting peace. The G7 has reiterated this week that Iran should not have a nuclear bomb. And with what we have witnessed between Israel and Iran in recent days and its potential spillover effects, Jordan's role has become even more vital. The challenges call for stronger ties and a renewed relationship between Europe and the Middle East as we push for broad de-escalation. So, Your Majesty, Jordan is not only a great friend to this Parliament, but an important partner for the European Union. We welcome the EU-Jordan Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership that was signed earlier this year. It represents an important political milestone in our bilateral relations, and reflects our shared commitment towards regional stability and economic cooperation. In this Parliament, we look forward to further building on it, on values, on market access, on trade. Because while our people may come from different countries, as you see before you, they may carry different histories and hold different perspectives, ultimately they all want the same things: they want peace, they want to feel safe, they want a fair chance to succeed – the same aspirations that our partnership aims to secure. So, Your Majesty, it is my great pleasure to inform you that the floor is now yours.

Thank you Mr Botenga. So does The Left Group ask that in any case the debate be wound up with a resolution? I see. So first we will vote by roll call on the joint proposal by the EPP, S&D and Renew groups to add a joint debate on 'Situation in the Middle East' as a ninth point in the afternoon. (Parliament approved the request) Now we vote on the request by The Left Group to have a resolution. (Parliament rejected the request) Therefore, the agenda is adopted and the order of business is thus established. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much, Mr Kols. In fact, I can confirm that the link is no longer active. Following your letter, we just have to deal with the exact link.

I would like to inform you that, since the adjournment of Parliament's session on 22 May 2025, I have signed, together with the President of the Council, one act adopted under the ordinary legislative procedure, in accordance with Rule 81 of Parliament's Rules. I would also like to inform you that tomorrow I shall sign, together with the President of the Council, five acts adopted under the ordinary legislative procedure. The titles of the acts will be published in the minutes of this sitting. ⁂ Now we move to the points of order. I have received 11, so we will go through them in the order that I received them. As always, I ask you, please, dear colleagues, we know there's a little bit of flexibility on Mondays – and it's also been a few weeks since we met in Strasbourg – but it's becoming longer and longer. So, please, I ask you for responsibility.