Thank you very much Mr Lamberts. I have received the same request from The Left and the S&D Group. This is a request for Council and Commission statements on ‘National vetoes to undermine the global tax deal’ to be added as the second point in the morning on Thursday. This would mean that the Council and Commission statements on ‘The relations of the Russian Government and diplomatic network with parties of the European extreme right and extreme left in the context of the war’ would be postponed, and this new debate would be wound up with a resolution that will be voted in July. I now put the request to the vote. (Parliament approved the request) The debate will take place and what was previously foreseen will be postponed. The agenda is adopted and the order of business is thus established.
The S&D and ID groups have notified me of decisions relating to changes to appointments within committees and delegations. Those decisions will be set out in the minutes of today’s sitting and shall take effect on the date of this announcement.
Revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (A9-0162/2022 - Peter Liese) (vote)
Dear colleagues, a number of Group leaders have asked to be given the floor. Manfred Weber first, please, and then Stéphane, but quickly we have more files to vote on.
I just wanted to inform you before we start, dear colleagues, that we have just received word of an incident in Berlin where a car has reportedly hit a crowd of people. At least one person has lost their life and some 30 others are injured. So while we wait for more information and details, I wanted, on behalf of the European Parliament, to say that our thoughts are with the loved ones of the person killed and with all the survivors. We will keep you updated with the information as we receive it.
Formal sitting – Speech by Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada
Thank you so much, dear Ruslan, thank you. As you can see from the very long standing ovation that you received, this Parliament stands with you. We stand with Ukraine and we will not stop until Ukraine wins. (The sitting was suspended at 12.02) ⁂ (Ceremony: presentation of the LUX Audience Award)
Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading (Rule 71)(action taken)
In relation to the decisions by the ITRE and ECON committees to enter into interinstitutional negotiations pursuant to Rule 71(1) announced at the opening of the session on Monday 6 June, 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 the negotiations. (The sitting was suspended for a few moments)
The first item is the ceremony on the 60th anniversary of the common agricultural policy. This is an important point, dear colleagues. Today we have with us Minister Fesneau and Commissioner Wojciechowski. A few words from my side before we watch a short video. Today we mark the 60th anniversary of our common agricultural policy, a monumental policy for our Union. This is a policy that has enabled us to increase productivity, ensure the availability of reasonably priced food and provide fair living standards to farmers. Colleagues, our common agricultural policy has transformed Europe. Our farmers not only provide us with the food security we need: they also export around EUR 180 billion-worth of agri-products to third countries. Europe’s quality products have helped feed the world. But we must also consider the challenges that lie ahead. Only 11% of farm managers in the EU are under the age of 40. Our agri-sector is in desperate need of an influx of skilled young farmers that can boost innovation. We need to approach farming with a fresh perspective. We also need to pay closer attention to the quality of our products and the sustainability of production processes. This is why we need to speed up and gear up our efforts to make farming as environmentally friendly as possible. The reform of the common agricultural policy, together with the Farm to Fork strategy, are tailor-made for this purpose. Another challenge is the rising costs of production that will soon lead to higher food prices. Fertiliser prices rose by 30% since the beginning of 2022. Increases in fuel costs are reaching record levels. Inflationary pressure is having an enormous effect on the day-to-day management of our 10 million farms in the European Union. And here I must emphasise the immense disruption of trade in grain and cereals as a consequence of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Blockades of ports and an inability to find alternative ways to transport agricultural products into and out of Ukraine have led to higher prices and a sense of instability. The pressure that it has caused on global food supply chains is extremely worrying. If Ukraine is not allowed to toil its fields, we are looking at a global, multi-year lack of food supplies. All these challenges need a decisive and firm reaction from us. Agriculture is a strategic sector of our economy. On this milestone anniversary, let me end by paying tribute to all the people behind the success of our common agricultural policy: the farmers, their families and all other ancillary workers that put a huge effort in the fields, come rain or shine. They are the true narrators of this success story. (A video was shown in the Chamber)
The request is rejected, so the agenda remains unchanged. For Thursday, the PPE Group has asked that the debate and the resolution on the Council and Commission statements on ‘The call for a convention for the revision of the Treaties’ taking place on Thursday morning be postponed to the June II part—session. I give the floor to Sven Simon to move the request on behalf of the PPE Group.
The request is rejected, so the agenda remains unchanged. For Wednesday, the ID Group has asked for a Commission statement on ‘The Union’s fiscal and monetary options to fight rising prices in the EU’ to be added as a second point in the evening. I give the floor to Nicolaus Fest to move the request on behalf of his Group.
Yes, I see your point now. Yes, it keeps glitching and it keeps breaking up. We’ll have to wait a little bit. It looks like it works now. So we’ll try again. Thanks a lot, and apologies. The ECR Group has asked for Council and Commission statements on the massacre of Christians in Nigeria to be added as the third point in the afternoon for Tuesday. I give the floor to Kosma Złotowski to move the request on behalf of his Group.
Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading (Rule 71)
The ITRE and ECON committees have decided to enter into interinstitutional negotiations pursuant to Rule 71(1) of the Rules of Procedure. The reports which constitute the mandates for the negotiations are available on the plenary web page and their titles will be published in the minutes of the sitting. Pursuant to Rule 71(2) Members or political groups reaching at least the medium threshold may request in writing by tomorrow, Tuesday 7 June by midnight, that the decisions to enter into negotiations be put to the vote. If no request for a vote on the decisions to enter into negotiations is made within this deadline, the committees may start negotiations.
The EPP, S&D, Renew Europe, ID and ECR groups and the non-attached Members have notified me of decisions relating to changes to appointments within committees and delegations. Those decisions will be set out of the minutes of today’s sitting and shall take effect on the date of this announcement.
Dear colleagues, on Friday last week, a train was derailed in Bavaria. Five passengers lost their lives and forty more were injured, and I know I speak for all the House when I say that our thoughts are with the injured and the relatives of the deceased passengers.
Can I ask The Left Group whether it agrees with the S&D proposal, with Ms Incir? You agree? Okay. Then I put the request with this title from Ms Incir to a vote by roll call. I close the vote. That is adopted. Therefore, a Commission statement on the killing of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Aqla and the violent incidents at her funeral is added as a second item on Wednesday. The statement will be followed by a round of political group speakers. The agenda is adopted and the order of business is thus established.
We now come to the order of business. The final draft agenda as adopted by the Conference of Presidents on 4 May, pursuant to Rule 157, has been distributed. I would like to remind that I informed you all by email about the reception of two requests for urgent procedure from the ENVI and LIBE Committees, pursuant to Rule 163, on the following legislative files: – proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2016/1628 as regards the extension of the empowerment of the Commission to adopt delegated acts; and – proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1727 of the European Parliament and the Council, as regards the collection, preservation and analysis of evidence relating to genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes at Eurojust. The vote on these two requests will be taken today once the order of business is established and, if adopted, the vote will be held on Thursday. Next, with the agreement of the political groups, I wish to put to the House the following proposal for changes to the final draft agenda. We were informed that the Council cannot be attending this part—session in Brussels, and therefore the Council and Commission statements on the prosecution of opposition and detention of trade union leaders in Belarus, the fight against impunity for war crimes in Ukraine and European solidarity and energy security in face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and recent cuts of gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria, are changed into Commission statements. Moreover, the title of the Commission statement, scheduled as the third item on Thursday morning, is changed into REPowerEU plan – European solidarity and energy security in face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including the recent cuts of gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria. Finally, the report by Ms Kalniete on temporary trade liberalisation supplementing trade concessions applicable to Ukrainian products under the EU—Ukraine Association Agreement is added directly to the votes on Thursday. If there are no objections, these changes are approved. With regard to Wednesday, the ID Group has asked that a Commission statement on the persecution of Christians around the world, notably the case of Deborah Samuel, be added as the last item today, on Wednesday. As a consequence, the sitting would be extended until 11 p.m. I give the floor to Mr Jean—Paul Garraud to move the request on behalf of the ID Group.
The Legal Affairs Committee has proposed that Parliament confirm the validity of the mandates of 26 Members who joined Parliament as a consequence of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, and 23 Members who joined Parliament as replacements for outgoing members. The list of these Members and the dates of entry into effect of their mandates will be published on Parliament’s website.
Following the election of Tanja Fajon as a member of the national parliament of Slovenia, Parliament takes note that, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure, her seat is vacant as of 13 May 2022.
The minutes and the texts adopted of the sitting of the 5 May 2022 are available. I ask you, dear colleagues, whether there are any comments? This does not seem to be the case, and therefore they are approved.
Formal sitting – Address by Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova
Dear colleagues, we have the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, with us today. President, let me start by thanking you – as you have just witnessed – for accepting our invitation to address the European Parliament. We are really honoured to welcome you here today. I also want to thank you for your courage in the midst of Russia’s unjust and illegal invasion in Ukraine that has had such a profound impact on Moldova. Thank you for the efforts of your country and your personal commitment in sustaining a vision of a European future for your country against all odds. We know how deeply the combination of the COVID pandemic, the ‘weaponisation’ of energy supplies and the Kremlin’s full—scale war against Ukraine have affected your country. Moldova’s commitment to the European project is welcome. We are united in our commitment towards sustaining peace in Europe and to our shared values of democracy and the rule of law. This is why we want to forge a way forward where Moldova does not feel alone. I also want to praise your efforts, and those of the Moldovan people, in welcoming 450 000 Ukrainians that transited through Moldova, and for opening your homes and hearts to the 90 000 refugees who have sought shelter in your country. We have to – and we are ready to – show the same degree of solidarity with your country. As we have already, we must continue to support you politically, financially and with any in—kind assistance needed to fight the consequences of Russia’s war in Ukraine. President, we are also ready to support you as you start the process of applying for candidate status for EU membership. We know that Moldova is looking to us with a sense of purpose. Every country must follow its own path, its own timeline, but we must not be afraid to use the power of Europe to improve people’s lives, to change generations. This is why the European Union needs to send a clear and firm political signal that we recognise the European aspirations of Moldova and your effort in implementing key reforms that bring your country closer to us. Moldova belongs in the European family. Dear President, dear Maia, the floor is yours.