Speeches

The next item is the debate on the Council and Commission statements on preparation of the European Council meeting of 18-19 December 2025, in particular the need to support Ukraine, transatlantic relations and the EU's strategic autonomy (2025/2719(RSP)). I would like to remind you that we continue with the new-ish format for this debate. So there will be no speakers list, and after the first round of speakers, Members who received time by their political groups or non-attached secretariat will be called to speak. So please keep an eye on the screen and please make your way to the lectern when your name appears as the upcoming speaker. Normal rules for blue cards and catch-the-eye apply.

The next vote is on the objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): genetically modified maize NK603 (see minutes, item 7.14). Just before the final vote, I would remind you that in the Agora, just after this vote, there is a commemoration of the victims of the terrorist attack of seven years ago.

We move to the vote on the report by Aura Salla on the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers: application EGF/2025/003 SE/Northvolt – Sweden (see minutes, item 7.12).

The next vote is on the report by Jörgen Warborn on corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements (see minutes, item 7.11).

The next vote is on the report by Rihards Kols on incentivising defence-related investments in the EU budget to implement the ReArm Europe Plan (see minutes, item 7.7).

The next vote is on the request by the EPP, the S&D and the Renew Europe groups for an urgent decision on establishing the Reparations Loan to Ukraine and amending Regulation (EU) 2024/792 of 29 February 2024 establishing the Ukraine Facility (see minutes, item 7.2). I give the floor first to Thijs Reuten to speak in favour of the urgent decision.

I have also received a proposal from the Renew Group for a Commission statement on 'Supporting French and European farmers following animal disease outbreaks: implications for the EU approach on sanitary policy and on animal health to avoid the spread of diseases'. Does any Member wish to speak against having this debate at all? OK, that's not the case. So I first put the request of the PfE Group to a vote by roll call. (Parliament approved the request) It is added to the agenda. For Tuesday, the ESN Group has requested that a Commission statement on 'Islamist attack targeting Hanukkah celebrations in Australia and the prevention of an Islamist attack on a Christmas market in Bavaria, Germany' be added on Tuesday afternoon before the Council and Commission statements on recent developments in Palestine and Lebanon. As a consequence, the sitting would be extended to 23:00. I give the floor to Christine Anderson to move the request on behalf of her group.

The LIBE and EMPL committees have decided to enter into interinstitutional negotiations, pursuant to Rule 72(1) of the Rules of Procedure. The reports, which constitute the mandates 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 16 December, 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 S&D, PfE, Renew and The Left 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.

The minutes and the texts adopted of the sitting of 27 November 2025 are available. Are there any comments? No? Then the minutes are approved.

Dear colleagues, welcome back to Strasbourg for this last part-session of 2025. I have a few announcements, starting with Amine Kessaci. Ladies and gentlemen, last month we paid tribute to Mehdi Kessaci, who was murdered by drug traffickers in Marseille. Today, we are honoured to welcome her brother Amine Kessaci – he is here – to our gallery. (Applause) Dear Amine, thank you for being with us today and thank you for the courage you show every day in your commitment against organised crime and drug trafficking. This Parliament is by your side, is by France's side in this struggle. Organized crime is a poison that destroys lives and weakens our societies. Fighting it is a responsibility for the whole of Europe. Dear colleagues, this Parliament welcomes the release over the weekend of political prisoners in Belarus, including Sakharov Prize laureates Maria Kolesnikova and Ales Bialiatski. This is, of course, very good news. But our work is not done. We will keep pushing until every political prisoner is free, including journalist Andrzej Poczobut, whom we will honour with the Sakharov Prize tomorrow, together with Mzia Amaglobeli from Georgia. To those behind bars still, our message is very clear: You are not alone, and Belarus will be free. Last week announced the anniversary of the terrorist attack of 11 December 2018 at the Christmas market in Strasbourg during a plenary session, when we were here. A lot of you remember that night that affects us all too well. Five people lost their lives; 11 others were injured. Tomorrow at 13:30, outside in the Agora Geremek, immediately after the votes, we will come together to pay tribute to them, including the young journalists Antonio Megalizzi from Italy and Bartosz Orent-Niedzielski from Poland. We will remember them and their commitment to Europe. I invite you all to join us tomorrow and I count on your presence. dear colleagues, all of us are profoundly shaken by the horrific terror attack that took place yesterday at Bondi Beach during Hanukkah celebrations in Sydney. What should have been a moment of light, of gathering and of shared celebration for the Jewish community became a scene of brutal and mindless murder and violence. At least 15 innocent lives were taken away: 10-year-old Matilda and 87-year-old Holocaust survivor Alex were among the victims hunted down by the gunmen as they were on the beach. Many others are still in hospital – some in critical condition. They are all in our thoughts. I also want to recognise that we would be talking about more victims today if it were not for the bravery of 43-year-old shop owner Ahmed, who, unarmed, ran into the gunfire and disarmed one of the terrorists. He was shot and is recovering in hospital. He was really the light on that dark day. This Parliament stands with the Jewish community of Australia and beyond. Antisemitism, religious hatred, violent extremism and terror have no place in our society, and we must do everything in our power to eradicate it. While we mourn, the story of Hanukkah tells us that no terror can ever extinguish the flickering light in these days of hope. So I invite you to join me in observing a moment of silence for all those lost. (The House rose and observed a minute’s silence)

The next vote is on the objection pursuant to Rule 114(3): amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/1818 as regards the definition of prohibited weapons (see minutes, item 5.10).

The next vote is on protecting EU consumers against the practices of certain e-commerce platforms: the case of child-like sex dolls, weapons and other illegal products and material (see minutes, item 5.9).

The first vote is on Draft amending budget No 3/2025: adjustment in payment appropriations, update of revenues and other technical updates (see minutes, item 5.1).