What Roberta spoke about.

Several committees have decided to enter into interinstitutional negotiations pursuant to the Rule 71(1) of the Rules of Procedure. The reports, which constitute the mandates for the negotiations, are available on the plenary webpage and their titles will be published in the minutes of the sitting.

The S&D, Verts/ALE, ID and ECR groups have notified me of decisions relating to changes to appointments within committees and delegations. These decisions will be set out in the minutes of today’s sitting and take effect on the date of this announcement.

Following the election of Mr Silvio Berlusconi, Ms Mara Bizzotto, Ms Simona Bonafè, Mr Carlo Calenda, Mr Andrea Caroppo, Mr Marco Dreosto, Ms Eleonora Evi, Mr Raffaele Fitto and Mr Antonio Tajani as Members of national Parliaments of Italy, Parliament takes note of the vacancy of their seats from 13 October 2022, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure. Following the appointment of Mr Lefteris Christoforou as a Member of the European Court of Auditors, Parliament takes note of his vacancy from 2 November 2022, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure. Since Mr Christoforou is still here, we bid you farewell, Lefteris. I have received from the competent authorities of Austria notice of the election to the European Parliament of Ms Theresa Muigg, replacing Ms Bettina Vollath with effect from 10 October 2020. Ms Muigg, welcome. I have also received from the competent authorities of Sweden notice of election to the European Parliament of Mr Johan Nissinen, replacing Ms Jessica Stegrud with effect from 11 October 2020. I wish to welcome these colleagues and recall that they take their seats in Parliament and its bodies in full enjoyment of their rights, pending the verification of their credentials.

Good afternoon, dear colleagues, welcome. Could I ask you to take your seats? Quite a lot of work ahead of us. I will start with a few more announcements from my end before we come to the adoption of the agenda. First of all, today we mark International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. And on a day like today, we are reminded that far too many people still do not have access to food, water, clothing, shelter, education or health care. Far too many people are excluded from society, denied the possibility of a dignified job. Far too many people are not given the opportunities to achieve their potential. Dear colleagues, our Europe has always been a front-liner in the fight against global poverty, but yet a lot still needs to be done. And, sadly, the impact of the pandemic and the direct consequences of Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine are pushing millions into poverty, and we must work together to counter this. Today we have the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights in the chamber with us, Professor Olivier De Schutter. Thank you for all that you do in strengthening the protection of fundamental rights in Europe and around the world, thank you. Five years ago, Daphne Caruana Galizia, a Maltese investigative journalist, was horrifically assassinated outside her home. They used a car bomb to kill a woman in an attempt to try to silence her to stop her exposing corruption and organised crime. This Parliament has been at the forefront of calls for justice, for respect for the rule of law and for media freedom. And for the last half a decade, we have stood with Daphne’s parents, sisters and children. We have legislated, we have demanded answers and we have scrutinised. Last night, as President of this House, I addressed thousands who gathered in Malta and I promised that this House will channel grief into determination to ensure not only better laws for all, but justice for all those involved in her murder and justice for the stories that Daphne died to bring to light. So from here, I would like to say the European Parliament will always stand on the side of truth-seekers, on the side of democracy, on the side of our values.

The next item is the joint debate on: – the report by Joanna Kopcińska, on behalf of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 851/2004 establishing a European Centre for disease prevention and control (COM(2020)0726 – C9-0366/2020 – 2020/0320(COD)) (A9-0253/2021), and – the report by Véronique Trillet-Lenoir, on behalf of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on serious cross-border threats to health and repealing Decision No 1082/2013/EU (COM(2020)0727 – C9-0367/2020 – 2020/0322(COD)).

– Thank you, Mr Marques. So I’ll first put to the vote the request to add the item to the agenda, and then if carried, I will put to the vote the request to wind up the debate with a resolution to be voted in October II. (Parliament agreed to both requests) Wednesday On Wednesday, the S&D and Renew Europe groups have asked that the Commission statement on institutional racism in the EU and the breach of fundamental rights of EU citizens, scheduled as the last item in the afternoon, be replaced by an oral question on the Dutch childcare benefit scandal, institutional racism and algorithms.

I would like to inform you that, since the adjournment of Parliament’s session on 15 September, I have signed, together with the President of the Council, one act adopted under the ordinary legislative procedure in accordance with Rule 79 of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure. The title of the act will be published in the minutes of this sitting.

Dear colleagues, first of all, I would like to make an announcement about the situation in Iran, which continues to remain of concern. The world heard the chants of ‘women, life, liberty’ – three words that have become a rallying cry for all those standing up for equality, dignity and freedom in Iran. The brutal death of 22 year old Mahsa Amini marked a turning point. Colleagues, it is the daughters of Iran who, despite coming under increasing pressure, are leading the push for change. It is the women who are the change—makers, supported by so many courageous allies and friends. Today we have Professor Azadeh Kian in the Chamber with us. (Loud, sustained applause) Ms Kian, to you and to every girl fighting for her rights in Iran, let me say: you are not alone. This European Parliament stands proudly with everyone demanding change. We are with you. Mahsa Amini will be remembered, just like Hadis, Minu, Ghazaleh, Hanane, Hayedeh, Machsa, Noka and many, many others. For women, for life, for liberty! (Loud applause) Last Saturday, the EU ambassador to Nicaragua was forced to leave the country and diplomatic relations with the Netherlands were halted. I condemn the latest unilateral measures by the Nicaraguan regime, only two weeks after this House called for an inclusive national dialogue to ensure a peaceful and democratic solution to the political, social and human rights crisis. The Ortega—Murillo regime cannot continue to isolate the country from the international community. The European Parliament will always take a firm stand against the chipping—away of democratic structures. Together with like—minded partners, we remain committed towards restoring a rules-based order in the interest of the Nicaraguan people. Finally, today marks nine years since the shipwreck of Lampedusa, resulting in the tragic loss – as you will recall – of more than 360 lives. 360 dreams shattered, 360 families forever broken. Many of whom where never able to be identified. They are people, not statistics. Hopes not numbers. We cannot not become de—sensitised to the tragedy. The cruel truth is that the cemetery of the Mediterranean has claimed the lives of thousands more women, children and men since then. We need to find a way forward on migration, that looks at the issue in a holistic, humane, European way. It is not enough to shrug and point fingers. We promised change nine years ago when 360 people drowned, we reiterated that promise when young Alan Kurdi washed up on our sandy beaches, and yet only a few days ago we saw girls die of dehydration off our coasts. When young girls are dying of thirst in our seas, then it is our failure and a failure of our shared humanity. We can and we must do better on this. We must find a way forward. For all those who lost their lives, for all the victims of traffickers, for all those mothers waiting for news that will never come. We remember them. (Applause) I give the floor specifically on this point to colleague Pietro Bartolo.

I have received an announcement from the competent authorities of Portugal: notice of the election to the European Parliament of João Albuquerque to replace Manuel Pizarro with effect from 13 September 2022. I would like to welcome our colleague and point out that he will take his seat in Parliament as from today and on its bodies in full enjoyment of his rights, as provided in the Rules of Procedure. Welcome. I understand that there is a point of order that Ms Reintke wants to make.

Good morning to all of you, dear colleagues. First of all, I am pleased to welcome the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to Parliament for the annual State of the European Union address. It is also very much a special honour to have Olena Zelenska with us on this important day. Dear Olena, we are with you and with the Ukrainian people. We are here today against an alarming backdrop of an illegal, unjustifiable invasion of sovereign Ukraine. High inflation, electricity and energy price rises, a climate catastrophe, increased food insecurity and a fast-emerging cost of living crisis. I think our message today will be that Europe will respond. And to underline how to do that, it is my pleasure to give the floor to the President of the European Commission to deliver her 2022 State of the European Union Address. Dear Ursula, the floor is yours.

We now come to the order of business. The final draft agenda, as adopted by the Conference of Presidents on 8 September 2022 pursuant to Rule 157, has been distributed. I would like to inform you that I have received one request for urgent procedure from the Commission pursuant to Rule 163 on macro-financial assistance to Ukraine. The vote on this request will be taken tomorrow and, if adopted, the vote will be held on Thursday. Finally, we move to the changes requested by the political groups. For the Monday, that means for today, the ID group has asked that the Council and Commission statements on surveillance and predator private spyware systems in Greece, scheduled as the third point this afternoon, be replaced by a Commission statement on Commission’s support for FEMYSO, an association suspected of radical Islam. I give the floor to Jean-Paul Garraud to move the request on behalf of the group.

I would also like to inform you that, since the adjournment of Parliament’s session on 7 July 2022, I have signed, together with the President of the Council, four acts adopted under the ordinary legislative procedure in accordance with Rule 79 of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure. I would also like to inform you that on Wednesday, I shall sign, together with the President of the Council, one act adopted under the ordinary legislative procedure. The titles of the acts concerned will be published in the minutes of this sitting.

Following the election of Hélène Laporte, Julie Lechanteux, Joëlle Mélin and Manuel Bompard as members of the French national parliament, Parliament takes note of the vacancy of their seats from 29 July 2022, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure. Following the resignation of Luis Garicano, Parliament takes note of the vacancy of his seat from 2 September 2022, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and shall inform the national authority concerned thereof. Following the appointment of Manuel Pizarro as Minister of Health within the Portuguese Government, Parliament takes note of the vacancy of his seat from 10 September 2022, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure. I have received from the competent authorities of France notice of the election to the European Parliament of Marie Dauchy, Patricia Chagnon, Eric Minardi and Marina Mesure to replace Hélène Laporte, Julie Lechanteux, Joëlle Mélin and Manuel Bompard respectively, with effect from 29 July 2022. To those colleagues, we bid them welcome. I have also received from the competent authorities of Spain notice of the election to the European Parliament of Ana Miranda to replace Pernando Barrena Arza with effect from 5 September 2022. To Ms Miranda, we also wish her welcome. I point out that you will take your seats in Parliament and on its bodies in full enjoyment of your rights, as provided for in the Rules of Procedure.

Further events will be announced through the coming months, and in particular, an official acknowledgement of this 70-year milestone for European democracy will take place during the November 2020 plenary session of our Parliament. And to close these opening statements, I also wanted to give you a little bit of information that works have taken place over the summer to make our House truly accessible for everybody. So there has been a ramp that is installed for everybody who cannot walk to the lectern to be able to use the lectern. I think that was finally the time that we give this for our colleagues.

Dear colleagues, these past weeks have been very tough. We have witnessed the passing away of Mikhail Gorbachev, one of the most significant figures of the second half of the 20th century. We continue to face the consequences of climate change. Bulgaria and Pakistan have faced devastating floods. Major wildfires have caused severe impacts on Member States such as France, Portugal, Spain and Greece. And now the world grieves the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Allow me to pause on behalf of the European Parliament and to extend heartfelt condolences to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. Few have shaped global history like Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. And her words on European unity spoken in this European Parliament in 1992 still resonate today. As a monarch, Her Majesty’s unshakeable commitment to duty and service was an example to all. Her legacy will forever live on, inspiring many generations to come. At this point I would like to invite you all to stand for a minute of silence to honour her memory. (The House rose and observed a minute’s silence) I have also been informed that Alexei Navalny’s situation has deteriorated dramatically and he has now been put in isolation, which will impact further on his health condition. So we once again call for his immediate release. This week, 70 years ago, on 10 September 1952, here in Strasbourg, Paul-Henri Spaak, presided over the opening of the first ever session of the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community. It was the starting point of the Parliament in which we meet today. In 70 years, the Assembly has grown from strength to strength. From being a consultative body with limited powers, it became a true institution embracing European democracy and the expression of European public opinion. In 1962, it changed name and became the European Parliament, a further step towards becoming the only directly elected, multilingual, multiparty transnational parliament in the world. Over time, consecutive treaties allowed this House – with its three places of work in Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg – to develop into a powerful, independent political forum with co-legislative and budgetary powers that impact millions of European citizens, and with an ongoing illegal war in Ukraine that destroys, kills and undermines the political will of a people, we know today more than ever the importance of upholding the democratic voice of citizens and the democratic European values that this House stands for. And that is why, from this month until next summer 2023, a number of commemorative events will be held at the European Parliament to mark its 70th anniversary.