What Dubravka spoke about.

Dear honourable Members, to respond to the complex threat landscape, we have made the defence and security of our citizens a top priority of this Commission's mandate. Russia's brutal and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine now enters into its third year. Our adversaries are increasingly using hybrid threats to undermine and influence our democratic and economic systems and our institutions. Cyberattacks, information manipulation, interference in campaigns, arson, vandalism, sabotage against our critical infrastructure (notably the recent subsea cable incidents), instrumentalisation of migration, as well as an outright military aggression – this is all part of one single threat continuum. We need to be united to strengthen our security and defence, to build a genuine defence union. In the last few years, we have taken important steps forward, notably in support of Ukraine. I will repeat what was said by the Council: the Commission's agenda is based on the conviction that the best investment in European security is investing in the security of Ukraine. The European Union has also invested in our defence industrial readiness with the following tangible initiatives: the European Defence Fund, the Act in Support of Ammunition Production, and through support to the joint procurement of defence products through the European defence industry reinforcement through common procurement Act (EDIRPA). We will have to ramp up our defence production to address the defence capabilities gaps and the shortfalls in military material. This means spending substantially more but also better. As the European Union, we provide added value, European scale, European coordination and European funding to support joint funding or joint investment across the board, not just on ammunition but in all areas of defence production. The European defence industrial strategy and the proposal for a European defence industry programme are important building blocks for this. We should also not forget the key potential of building synergies when funding dual‑use technologies. The role of the European Parliament as co-legislator is vital in order to rapidly deliver an ambitious European defence industry programme (EDIP) and support the Commission's agenda. We also need modernisation and innovation and we need to get to work on our projects of common interest – our defence shields for air and for space. To prepare the way ahead, the forthcoming white paper will address the military capabilities, defence industry and funding which is required in order for the European Union and for our Member States to step up rapidly, in line with NATO capability targets. Security and defence remain intrinsically linked with transatlantic security. Together with the white paper on defence and the Union preparedness strategy, which will respond to different threats, scenarios and security challenges, as well as the new cybersecurity crisis management blueprint, the new European internal security strategy will set the stage for the European Union's work on preparedness, security and defence. The internal security strategy will cover all threats, both online and offline. We will ensure, and this will ensure, that security is integrated in European Union legislation and policies by design. In parallel, our security calls for improving our ability to cope with many armed conflicts and surging crises in the European Union's wider neighbourhood. The European Union's 22 common security and defence policy missions and operations are testament to the global volatile security environment. With the European Union's rapid deployment capacity, we have an important new military tool to help in crisis situations, for example, the rescue and evacuation of our citizens. To conclude, strengthening the European Union's security and defence capabilities requires a comprehensive, cross-sectoral, cross-border approach. And we count on the European Parliament's support in putting the European Union on track to protect our people.

Madam President, Prime Minister. Honourable Members, I sincerely thank you for this debate and your contributions to the challenges we are facing with regard to the crucial security items. They have been neatly addressed by the Polish Presidency. To a very large degree, we see a sense of shared purpose and a joint determination in this House to tackle the priorities of the Polish Presidency, and to do this in a spirit of joint ownership and close collaboration between our three institutions. Those security topics are indeed challenges, but they are also opportunities. Let us think of three mutual gains that we can achieve. First, the European Union has to and will become more resilient towards malign security threats. Second, we can become more self-sustaining in the production of vital resources and commodities that we would otherwise have to import. Third, we will be able to become stronger together with other international partners or players. If we work hard and with a sense of unity, we will be able to preserve key elements of the European way. As the Commission, we are glad to be in tune with the priorities of the Polish Presidency, and we are equally glad to count on the joint determination of this House and the Council Presidency to constructively work on timely agreements and on current and upcoming legislative files in this area. It is a crucial and rewarding approach to think in a whole-of-society security dimension. It is in this spirit that the Commission is looking forward to closely working with you on the implementation of the priorities of the Polish Presidency.

Madam President, dear Prime Minister, honourable Members, it won't be easy to speak now after this speech, but I will try my best. The Polish Presidency comes at a time when the Union is facing multiple challenges. We are experiencing a time of geostrategic insecurity, concrete external and internal security threats, and less predictable international relations all together. Yes, this is also a time of clear opportunities for us to improve our resilience, our unity, and to emerge stronger, as already was said by the Prime Minister, in a world of multilateral cooperation, which is no longer a standard norm. Dear Prime Minister Tusk, let me thank you, on behalf of the entire European Commission, for outlining the pertinent priorities of your Presidency. It is very reassuring to see that they are very much in line with and complimentary on the concrete steps of this new Commission. We are taking them to deliver for the present and to prepare a stronger Union for the future. Coordinated action is the way forward for Europe, and it is very good that we are on the same page when it comes to addressing fundamental challenges we are facing together. Russia's brutal war of aggression in Ukraine will soon enter its fourth year. We need to continue to stand steadfast and united behind Ukraine, while keeping the pressure on Russia through the 16th package of sanctions. We count on the Polish Presidency, as the honest broker, to steer this work. The very volatile situation in the Middle East will remain another focus. Regarding Gaza, we will start developing a dedicated reconstruction plan for Gaza with the support of international partners, including our partners in the Gulf. We will also take forward a multi-year support programme for the Palestinian Authority, which is anchored in reforms to help pave the way for the two-state solution. Regarding the situation in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine, on both matters, we will work with President Trump and the new United States administration. Allow me to comment on the Commission deliverables and expectations under the seven security dimensions which you have addressed. First, on defence and security. There should be no doubt that our ambition must match the scale of the threats. Our white paper on the future of European defence is planned for March. We look forward to the leaders' retreat on 3 February, which will provide the necessary guidance and inspiration to this work. We regard with regard to the European Defence Industry Programme, it is very good to know that we count on the Polish Presidency and on this House to reach an agreement by 30 June. This is the date when the current act in support of ammunition production expires. We will also soon present the Preparedness Union Strategy, inspired by Sauli Niinistö's insightful report. We will also work with you to strengthen our internal security, and our plan is to present a strategy soon. As part of the enforcement of the Digital Services Act, a relevant component is the fight against child sexual abuse. In this regard, we need to finalise the work on the regulation. Second priority, protection of people and borders. In December, the Commission presented the Communication on Countering Hybrid Threats from the Weaponisation of Migration and Strengthening Security at the European Union's External Borders. Ahead of the upcoming European Council on 20 and 21 March, we plan to adopt the proposal for a new legal framework on returns of irregular migrants. This new framework is vital in order to achieve workable paths of legal migration, that we need to fill labour shortages at all skill levels. We count on the sense of urgency and shared purpose of this House and of the Member States. We need to advance the interinstitutional negotiations soon, once the proposal has been adopted. On safe third countries, our review of the concept will be concluded by June. We are also working on a list of safe third countries and safe countries of origin at Union level. There is also the opportunity for the Polish Presidency and this House to soon agree on the phasing in of the entry-exit system, as proposed in December last year. Regarding our resistance to foreign interference and disinformation, with the European Democracy Shield, we will step up the fight against disinformation, foreign interference and foreign information manipulation. We are grateful that we can build on the very solid work of this House through the two subsequent special committees on foreign interference and disinformation in the last term of the European Parliament. Your stocktaking, fact finding and recommendations constitute a very useful expertise and guidance for our own work. Regarding ensuring security and freedom of business. The Commission will adopt a competitive compass which will build on the Draghi Report. The first pillar aims at closing the innovation gap with the United States and China. The second one is about decarbonisation and competitiveness and clean industrial deal. And the third pillar is on increasing our economic security and reducing dependencies. Another important deliverable is the omnibus simplification package on sustainable finance, which is also part of the 'first 100 days' initiative. It is crucial to respond to the request of the industry to lighten the regulatory load. A streamlining of the legislation depends on the support of the Member States and of this Parliament. Let me recall that better lawmaking is a joint task and that this covers the entire legislative process. We should also not forget the crucial role of human capital for the European Union's economy. In this regard, we will adopt an initiative to deliver a true Union of skills. Central to this will be to embed lifelong learning into education and careers. Regarding the energy transition, we will also soon adopt an action plan on affordable energy prices to help households, enterprises and industries through the transition. This deliverable is complementary to the Clean Industry Deal and it is a key item of our competitiveness initiatives. Two other key initiatives under the Polish Presidency will be our roadmap to phase out Russian fossil fuels, and our proposal on the revision and extension of the Gas Storage Regulation. Both initiatives will help to reduce our dependency on energy imports. We trust in the dedication, expertise and steer of the Polish Presidency in the Council on these two important files. On a competitive and resilient agriculture, we have listened closely to our farmers over the past year. This was a most worthwhile exercise, as our farmers play an important role in securing the sustainable production of competitive, quality food, and at the same time in strengthening our autonomy from food imports. We will adopt soon our vision for agriculture and food. It will be the basis for the post-2027 common agricultural policy. The CAP is going to have to continue recognising the crucial role of our farmers, not only in respect of the production of quality food, but also of their valuable work in preserving the environment and the rural cultural landscape. The seventh and the final of the Presidency security dimensions is health security. Last week we presented an action plan on the cybersecurity of hospitals and healthcare providers. We are on a good path when it comes to completing our work on the crucial safeguarding of our critical infrastructure. It goes without saying that the whole of infrastructure approach also covers healthcare services. They matter to all citizens wherever they live. Let us also recall some unfinished business regarding or addressing the health priority. A Critical Medicines Act will soon complement the pharmaceutical package. Also here, the strengthening of the security of supply in the pharmaceutical domain is a key security item. Dear Prime Minister Tusk, honourable Members, the Commission looks forward to a successful cooperation with the Polish presidency on all matters. The current term will allow us to pave the way for future presidencies of the Council. In particular, on the post-2027 multiannual financial framework and as a follow up of the pre-enlargement policy reviews. Unity and our capability to act are vital ingredients for achieving greater security. Thank you very much for your attention and I look forward to your debate.

Madam President, honourable Members. many thanks for this lively debate and very constructive debate. As all of us know, the world is moving fast. So must we. As has become evident recently, the geostrategic and security context is more challenging for the European Union than ever before. However, we can build on some solid ground of unity and togetherness, and we should engage constructively with our partners internationally. That was a clear message from the leaders at the December European Council. With regard to the new American administration, there are very relevant spheres of mutual interests across the Atlantic. Let us explore these spheres and look at mutual gains rather than differences in opinions. Whatever we agree on with our partners internationally, the competitiveness of the European economy is key. We have a strategic agenda for the Commission, as you know, and it is very reassuring that this vision is shared by the European Council. We will need to timely implement our competitiveness compass. Honourable Members, since the European Council meeting of 19 December, we have witnessed some positive developments in the Middle East. In Syria, the situation has been rather stable. Together with our partners, we should invest in humanitarian, economic and capacity-building support to help rebuild the country. This will also help create the appropriate environment for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of Syrian refugees. Regarding Gaza, we are hoping that the ceasefire is going to be permanent. We are keen to rebuild Gaza as soon as possible. We will also take forward a multi-year support programme for the Palestinian Authority and coordinate reforms. This programme will be instrumental on the way to a two-state solution. This means that we will also continue our collaboration with Israel based on the Association Agreement. The world is watching how we sustain our support to Ukraine. One of the most immediate challenges is the energy system. Just like the brave Ukrainian resistance, we will be steadfast. Dear Chair, dear President of the European Council, honourable Members, to conclude, we are glad to see that there is a large degree of support in this House to bring our joint vision forward. Let us keep our sense of unity and our sense of action. The world is calling for a strong and united Europe. Let us rise to this occasion together.

Mr President, honourable Members, I was listening carefully to all your remarks. For months, the people of Georgia have been demonstrating their undeniable attachment to democratic values and European future. The European Union will not abandon them on their journey. We will further step up our support to civil society and independent media so they can continue their work during this crucial period. We will also further improve our communication. What we are doing today is sending a message from this plenary. To the Georgian people, we must send a strong message of support and of the European Union's continued commitment. To the Georgian Dream, we need to highlight the cost of these actions.

Mr President, honourable Members of the European Parliament, for almost three weeks, the Georgian people have been protesting across the country to defend their democratic and European future. The unprecedented protests followed the announcement by the Georgian authorities of their decision not to seek the opening of accession negotiations until 2028. This step is a clear shift from the policies of previous Georgian governments and the aspirations of the vast majority of the population. It is also the first time ever we see a country that was granted candidate status immediately and markedly shifting away from its European path. The situation in Georgia keeps deteriorating. Over the past two weeks, more than 450 individuals have been detained. Around 300 have reportedly suffered violence and ill treatment, many requiring urgent medical care. The police charged over 400 individuals with administrative and over 30 with criminal offences, while no one from the law enforcement or informal violent groups has been held accountable for the excessive use of force. These events are not isolated incidents, but part of a broader pattern of Georgia's democratic decline. Prior to the parliamentary elections on 26 October, that were marked by serious irregularities, the authorities adopted the foreign influence law and so-called family values legislative package. Both these legislative initiatives go against European norms and values. In June, we responded by adopting a number of measures, including downgrading political contacts and suspension of assistance: EUR 30 million under European Peace Facility assistance and EUR 121 million in direct assistance to the government. Georgia's accession process has been effectively halted. The authorities have not reversed their course of action. Honourable Members, it was time for the European Union to react in a decisive and unified manner. This is what the Georgian people expect us to do. Those responsible for the violence need to be held accountable, and the authorities need to take urgent steps to stop the repression, release the protesters arbitrarily detained and re-engage in the accession process. Yesterday, at the Foreign Affairs Council, we agreed to halt the visa-free regime for diplomatic and service passport holders. We also discussed sanctioning under the European Union Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime those Georgian officials responsible for, involved in or associated with serious human rights violations. At the same time, we will continue to stand with the Georgian people, including by redirecting funding away from the authorities towards the civil society and towards independent media so they can continue their work during this crucial period.

– Madam President, thank you, dear honourable Members, I have listened attentively to your remarks, and thank you for your visions and for your proposal. I can agree that we have to give children a voice. As a preliminary draft assessment, the Commission believes that such an initiative would require analysis, preparation, building on existing initiatives and already available funding schemes, in close consultation with all relevant stakeholders. But coordination is necessary. These stakeholders would include – I will repeat – international organisations such as Unicef and key children’s rights organisations. The provisions and safeguards of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child will need to underpin this proposal, with the best interests of the child at the centre. It is also important to consult local and regional stakeholders, and especially children themselves, on their priorities and their needs, which could be broader than this specific initiative. Joining forces is key to make a change in children’s lives – together with the European Parliament, with Member States, local authorities, international and civil society organisations, practitioners, the whole society and children themselves. In this vein, I also want to thank this House for your engagement and partnership in making the European Union Strategy on the Rights of the Child and the European Child Guarantee a reality for every child. At this stage, we take good note of welcoming and underlying principles, and the importance of embedding children’s rights in local realities. We also note that this initiative seems to be at a preliminary reflection stage. To conclude, we therefore invite you to analyse this proposal in more detail, taking into account existing initiatives and mechanisms. We will evaluate your proposal. And I have to tell you, on a personal note, when I was a mayor back in 2000, I established a Children’s City Council so children could elect or select their own mayor, because we know that democracy starts at a very early stage. You might have noticed that we adopted in the European Commission the Defence of Democracy package, which was announced by President von der Leyen in this House. Today, we have to defend democracy – it’s obvious, unfortunately. So where do we start? We have to defend democracy from within. It’s not only about disinformation and something which comes from different third countries; it’s also within. We have to make our children be literate to differentiate between what is fake and what is a lie. What is true? What is this information? What is genuine information? So we have to start from a very early stage and this is what we are proposing. This is very important. We established the Children’s Participation Platform, which is now operational, so children can express their views there. So I think that this is very important. I see Ms Bischoff here remembering the future of Europe. You know that we incorporated one third of youngsters into this exercise, and youngsters for us are children from 16 to 25 years old. So we know when we talk about the future of Europe, we talk about their future. So how can you talk about them without them? And we want to have them in. I think this initiative is excellent. It’s always about resources, so let’s see how we can join forces and how we can find resources. So at this stage we take good note, but it doesn’t mean that we cannot develop this initiative in the next mandate. Thank you very much for this initiative and let’s stay in touch.

– Madam President, honourable Members, I want to thank you for presenting this initiative. Working on democracy and demography, we have the word , meaning people. Our work in the European Commission also signifies taking into account the views of all generations in our democracy. When it comes to children, I want to make the point that they are our agents of change. Throughout my mandate, children have made it clear to me that they are engaged citizens and eager to participate in their democracy. Equally, making children’s rights a reality in all dimensions must take place at all levels of governance. This includes the local level, the cities, the regions. This is where we can see how we can make a difference in children’s daily lives. The European Union continues to put children’s rights at the heart of its efforts. Just three years after its adoption, the Commission has delivered on the commitments to turn the Strategy on the Rights of the Child into action. It is about empowering local and regional actors to cover all dimensions of children’s rights. Everything from health and social inclusion to services and protection against violence. I would like to single out one key issue that we have collectively tried to address together throughout this mandate, and it is child poverty. In the European Union, one in five children is affected by poverty and socioeconomic exclusion. Many of these children live in cities, it is not only in rural areas. When it comes to the implementation of the European Child Guarantee, our key instrument to tackle child poverty, cities play a crucial role in delivery of services such as early childhood education and care, education, including school-based activities and healthy lunches, and also housing, which is a key problem in Europe nowadays. So it is essential to continue investing in children. It is essential to fully implement the European Child Guarantee. Also in the next mandate, child poverty in the European Union must be eradicated once and for all. Cities are key actors in democracy. The participation of children in political and democratic life is a right, it is also a necessity to make our democracies more resilient from within – it’s not only from outside. So children want and they have the rights to be included in developing solutions to their problems. They want to be involved in decisions at home, at school, in their cities, regions, countries, but also at the European level. That is why we have launched the European Union Children’s Participation Platform, together with children, civil society organisations and the European Parliament. I also want to thank the Intergroup for children because we really cooperate, this is very good collaboration. We, therefore, learnt about your initiative to establish a European capital for children with interest. In this vein, we also need to recall that any initiative involving children needs to be comprehensive. As you are probably aware, similar ideas have been developed at the European Union level. For example, the very successful European Capital of Culture, European Capital of Democracy – the European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award also recognises the role that cities and local authorities play in fostering diversity and inclusion. The objectives that you set out with this initiative are at the heart of some existing funding schemes. The European Commission Citizens Equality, Rights and Values programme fosters children’s engagement and participation. It also supports citizens’ engagement and participation in the policymaking process. Civil society and international organisations have developed initiatives that aim at supporting cities in becoming more attuned to children’s needs, and empowering children in voicing their ideas. For example, a Child Friendly Cities Initiative has been led by UNICEF with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child since 1996. All these initiatives require a thorough and complex process of preparation and management. This would also require exploring all existing mechanisms which could already support such an initiative as the European capital for children. I will end now here, listen to your remarks and then, in the end, I will express our position.

– Madam President, honourable Members, there is no need to repeat what has been said here this morning. But I have to say that I would subscribe all the statements this morning but one, which was really horrible, by the pro-Russian guy, who tried to disseminate this disinformation, fake news and propaganda. To hear this was disgusting. The Commission is committed to continue supporting the work of the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine via Eurojust. The Commission aims to secure long-term funding for this institution and welcomes that the US will contribute with over USD 1 million to this institution. Eurojust’s Core International Crimes Evidence Database is fully operational to support the activities of the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. The Commission, together with EEAS, is committed to taking forward the discussions on the establishment of a special tribunal for the crime against Ukraine. This discussion has shown the magnitude of the commitments of all of us and that all of us share the same commitments, and we have to address this issue in a much heavier manner, if I may say so. Time is ticking, and we all need to do our utmost to ensure that these children return to their families and communities. To return the missing Ukrainian children is of vital importance to us in our work, both in terms of political priority and through various initiatives that we will continue to support. We must help millions of Ukrainian children overcome the terrible trauma that has been inflicted on them to enable them to regain a sense of normality and to regain their childhood in the end. Every child matters and every Ukrainian child represents Ukrainian future. This is a sentence with which I will repeat: Ukraine cannot be rebuilt without its children. In this way, we must ensure that Ukrainian reconstruction efforts and national reform processes mainstream children’s rights and needs throughout. This is something which I’m also in charge of in my demographic portfolio. Investing in children is an investment in Ukrainians’ future, in Europe’s future and in a safer world. So it is investment in humanity. To conclude, once again, Russia must be held accountable for these horrible acts. The European Union is taking action. Sanctions have been imposed on 39 individuals for the deportations and for this forced transport of Ukrainian children. We keep drawing attention to these horrible acts also in the international fora, which is also important. And, as I already said in my introductory statement, we cooperate under ‘Bring Kids Back UA’. So, together we can do more and we are trying to do our best.

– Madam President, dear friends from Ukraine, dear honourable Members, dear minister, a generation of Ukrainian children has experienced more than a year of fear, loss, tragedy and violence. They had to leave life as they know it behind them. Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine is having a devastating effect on all Ukrainians, but especially on children. The European Union is not silent in light of Russia’s unlawful deportation or transfer of Ukrainian children. This is a terrible crime inflicting unimaginable suffering. The perpetrators of these crimes must be held accountable. These children must return to their families and to their communities. To achieve this, the European Union fully supports a number of different initiatives. The European Union participates in the Ukrainian initiative to bring kids back to Ukraine, supported by President Zelenskyy’s office. This initiative will unite the efforts of the Ukrainian authorities, foreign governments and international organisations and works on returns, on accountability and on prevention. In Kyiv, the European Union is part of the Group of Friends on Children and Armed Conflict in Ukraine with other foreign missions. The European Union will also continue to support and engage with the UN’s children and armed conflict mandate, and welcomes Russia being included in the ‘list of shame’ for the first time this year. We welcome the launch of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children on 3 February this year. The European Union will continue to follow the work of the coalition closely and is currently assessing how it can best support the coalition and its activities. The European Union is also fully committed to take all necessary efforts to ensure that those responsible for the crime of unlawful deportation or transfer of Ukrainian children are held accountable. Seventeen Member States have so far opened investigations into international crimes committed in Ukraine, and the European Union is supporting these national investigations through strengthening judicial cooperation via Eurojust. Six Member States and Ukraine are members of the joint investigation team, to which the ICC and Europol are participants. In this vein, we warmly welcome and support the issuing of arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court. The fact that the court singled out the acts of unlawful force, deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children as the war crimes as a base for the first arrest warrant since the start of Russian invasion illustrates both the urgency and severity rightly attached to the issue. The European Union has so far supported the ICC with over EUR 10 million since the beginning of the invasion. The court is a key actor for consistency and enforcement of the international criminal justice system. The European Union has been and continues to support the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine to strengthen its capacities to investigate and prosecute international crimes committed in Ukraine. This also includes support for the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group together with the US and the UK. We have financed the IT advancement of the Prosecutor General’s Office with EUR 4 million. We are furthermore dedicated to support national investigations opened into international crimes committed in Ukraine. In addition, the European Union is committed to improving the coordination of various support efforts to the Prosecutor General’s Office through the international platform of the dialogue group. Dear Members, I look forward to today’s exchange.

– Madam President, honourable Members, I want to thank you for this interesting debate. I took note of all your comments and also questions, and please be reassured that I will convey all of them to Commissioner Vălean. The debate shows that the views on the medical checks and the self-assessment are divergent. That is why in our Commission proposal we left the final decision to the Member States. Our aim was to ensure road safety, but also allow Members to find the right balance to have this measure effective and proportionate. Following this exchange today, I am pleased to note that even though there are diverging opinions on certain issues, we all share two main goals of the Commission’s proposal: to strengthen road safety and to facilitate free movement. I look forward to the vote, where I hope Parliament will support our proposal. While the file will unfortunately not be concluding during this current mandate, I am sure that the Plenary vote will send out a strong and unequivocal message to citizens that our Union is ready to work together to ensure that everyone can feel safe on our European roads.

– Madam President, honourable Members, on behalf of my colleague, Commissioner Vălean, who cannot participate in this debate due to other institutional commitments, I would like to thank the TRAN Chair, Karima Delli, the shadow rapporteurs and the rest of the Committee for their quick and constructive work on our proposal to update the Driving Licence Directive. This is a historic piece of legislation, if adopted. This will be the fourth such directive since the original one adopted in 1980. Today, we are so used to the fact that we can drive across the European Union with one driving licence that it seems difficult to imagine when driving licences were not automatically recognised between Member States. Since 1980, we have gathered countless best practices, closed loopholes, implemented important reforms and adapted to a changing world. The revision again improves what we already have. It does not seek to reinvent the wheel, and I would ask you not to support amendments that could hamper the elements which would work well and are the basis of a well-established system. Amendments to the definitions and minimum-age requirements currently in force fall into this category. These are especially important for categories B and B1. I would also like to remind you that introducing the concept of demerit points to the directive is problematic, as this would likely prove to be technically challenging to implement considering there is no harmonisation of road traffic offences and penalties at the European level. Moreover, demerit points schemes, where these are used, vary significantly from one Member State to another. I would ask you to instead focus on issues on which we put attention when drafting the proposal. One concerns the accompanying driver scheme in the European Union. We are proposing that it should be open to 17-year-olds for licence categories B and C, as we wish to build on the positive results seen in the Member States that already have such a system. We now want to make the scheme mandatory. Anything less will cancel out the positive impact on road safety, and it will also diminish its contribution to tackling the current shortage of professional drivers. I want to remind you once again that the road freight sector had around 400 000 unfilled positions at the last count. I would also ask for your support for our proposal to raise the minimum standards used to ensure fitness to drive. This applies to all drivers, regardless of age. Today, Member States have no mechanism in place to ensure that category A and B licence holders are medically fit when they renew their licence 15, 30 or 45 years, or even longer, after it was issued. We want to make clear that all drivers who are fit to drive should be allowed to do so. However, holding a driving licence is not only about entitlements, it is also about responsibilities. Between 5% and 15% of all traffic accidents can be attributed to the driver’s medical fitness. I want to make reminder that the Commission chose to include in its proposal the possibility to do a self-assessment, which we still believe to be viable and proportionate on our way forward. I would urge you to support amendments that uphold our level of ambition, so that we can help citizens understand when it is safe to drive. Finally, I would like to thank you for your support on the probationary period for novice drivers, the European Union digital driving licence, the new system for the exchange of third-country driving licences and the easing of language requirements for driving licence applicants living in Member States other than their own. Each of these measures is key to ensuring that the fourth Driving Licence Directive achieves its goal: greater road safety and facilitation of free movement within the European Union. I look forward to this interesting debate and to the adoption of your report, which I am certain will help improve safety on our roads and will offer more opportunities for our citizens wanting to exercise the right to free movement.

– Madam President, dear Members, first reply to some of your comments. First of all, this is not a foreign-agents law. We are not asking for any labels to be assigned to anyone. In fact, we are including safeguards against such actions. We are not limiting who can participate in the European public space, and we are not prescribing any penalties or limitations for those who receive funding from foreign entities. All we are asking is that, when you get funding from abroad, you declare who paid for that specific campaign. We want to know who we are talking to. So we are strengthening the basic insuring transparency. On adding too much burden on the civil society, someone asked about this. You know what, creating transparency is worth the small cost of registration. It’s only those who receive money for specific projects from foreign entities that have to register. There will be one single digital gateway, which sets up a one-stop shop to provide information about the rules and procedures in the single market. On Rangel, who is not here, he said that representative democracy must remain. Of course, nobody wants to replace representative democracy. But when we introduced deliberative or participative democracy, it was only to complement through inclusion of citizens. We talked about this a lot during the Conference on the Future of Europe. On Ruiz Devesa, yes, I won’t say that it was a fault, but there were reasons for abolishing this multilingual digital platform. But we are in procedure, just about to start the new ‘Have your say’ platform, which is coming soon and will have the Citizens’ Engagement Platform, just to let you know. And on Mr Bilčík, thank you very much for cooperation with INGE because with this package, the European Commission is also responding to the proposals of the European Parliament. I refer particular to the reports of the special INGE Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes. And with this package in particular, the recommendation on civic participation, this is an explicit response to the final report of the Conference of the Future of Europe, specifically to proposals number 36 and 37, which aim to enhance and strengthen the participation of citizens in European policymaking. We also respond to proposal 38 on democracy and elections, which propose to, I quote, ‘strengthen the links between citizens and their elected representatives, taking into account national specificities and citizens’ desire to be closer to them and have a feeling that their concerns lead to specific action by elected representatives in the European Parliament and national parliaments’. This was a quote from the final proposal of the conference. Honourable Members, this shows that representative democracy is alive and kicking in the European Union, but we cannot be complacent. We need to defend democracy, as all of you have said here, citizens are not objects of democracy, they are participants. And when even one citizen is strengthened in their ability to engage in a democratic process, then democracy as a whole is strengthened. So we have to bear this in mind. I want to thank you for this excellent debate. But my colleague Věra Jourová will have more and she will conclude.

– Madam President, dear Members, as Vice-President Jourová has said, this is a diverse and rich package which aims to strengthen and defend our democracy from threats wherever they may come from. She has spoken to you about two aspects of this package, while I will present how we are working together to strengthen the resilience of our democracy from within. I was not born in a democracy, as all of you know. Throughout my political life as mayor, as a national politician, to when I was a Member of this Parliament, I have fought hard to build democratic resilience. I did not have the privilege to live in a democracy, so it is hard to believe today that in 2023 we still need to defend and protect our democracies. But this is the reality we are living in, and this is why I am firm that we will not sacrifice our identity or our open, transparent democracy for anybody. Authoritarians thrive on a closed society. The European Union does not. This package keeps our open society open. But openness cannot mean that we are vulnerable or weak, and a crucial aspect of that is achieved by creating a space for engagement and participation of citizens and civil society organisations in public policymaking processes. We have a unique European public space which complements the national and local contexts within which citizens are active. We are providing a robust framework to encourage Member States to reach out to citizens in innovative ways. We provide standards and concrete guidance on how this can be done. We insist on four points: clear and accessible rules of citizens’ engagement; second, on ensuring inclusiveness and widest possible participation of citizens; third, developing media literacy and critical thinking from an early age; and the fourth, providing feedback to citizens. This recommendation builds on the major and unique exercise that was the Conference on the Future of Europe and its follow-up. It includes European citizens’ panels that we have embedded into our processes. We are not asking Member States to do something we have not done ourselves. At the Conference, citizens asked for greater participation in their democracy. So besides organising citizens’ panels, the Commission has also launched the Child Participation Platform and the JRC Competence Centre on Deliberative Democracy. We are approaching elections at the European level, as all of you know, and also in some Member States, elections where many new young voters will participate for the first time. We need those elections to be robust, but we also need to ensure that citizens are engaged in the time between elections. This tool protects our democracy. It can only be effective if all European citizens feel that they are part of the policymaking and directly affecting their lives, that they are listened to. Citizens must be able to feel and see that their democracy delivers to them. Authoritarians try to undermine democracy at its roots, and we are protecting these roots by offering this democracy defence package.

– Madam President, it is evident that the substantial amount of work done to strengthen research careers in Europe needs to be adequately implemented at all levels, if we want the real improvement of careers on the ground. The support of the European Parliament will be paramount in this respect. The Commission is fully committed to further strengthening the initiatives undertaken within the European Research Area and the Horizon Europe programme. I would like to respond to Mr Kelly and Mr Flego. The proposed Council recommendation addresses adequate remuneration, including for young researchers. And the pilot for the attractive careers, which I mentioned, is extremely important to improve careers and working conditions of young people, and also young and early-career researchers. Through the support for the implementation of the framework conditions, we expect young and early-career researchers to benefit from more attractive careers. This includes, for example, better remuneration and working conditions, more stable jobs, adequate social protection rights, inter-sector mobility experiences that are not only fostered but also properly valued, gender equal careers and a more balanced circulation of talents. At the same time, the Horizon Europe pilot call in support of attractive research careers that I mentioned earlier, they will provide us with information on what kind of initiatives could be put in place to foster a collective investment effort in support especially of young and early-career researchers. These measures will also allow Europe to be more competitive in the global race for talents. We want to keep our talents in Europe, and we want to have the conditions in place for being attractive for international talents – this is also part of my demography portfolio. To support implementation and to improve the situation on the ground, it is important to have data allowing for evidence-based decisions. In this regard, the Research and Innovation Career Observatory will play a crucial role. It will be developed in partnership with the OECD and will provide, on an annual basis, data and evidence on research and innovation careers, with a specific focus on skills and qualifications, on working conditions and employability, and on geographical and inter-sectorial mobility. And to conclude, please be reassured that research careers will remain high on the Commission’s agenda, including in the ERA Policy Agenda 2025-2027, which is currently being discussed with Member States, countries associated to Horizon Europe and other stakeholders.

– Madam President, honourable Members, I very much welcome the opportunity to discuss with you the important issue of young researchers or early-stage researchers. Allow me to begin by mentioning the specific actions that the Commission is undertaking in the European Research Area, in consultation with Member States and stakeholders. We have made a proposal for a Council recommendation on a European Framework for Research Careers, which we hope will be adopted by the Council by the end of the year. This recommendation covers many different aspects, including specific measures in support of early-career researchers. We will set up a dedicated observatory on research careers to improve our knowledge and data about these issues. We have developed a European Competence Framework for Researchers to foster the transversal skills of researchers and support mobility between sectors, which is already available online. We are developing an ERA talent platform as a one-stop-shop where researchers can find all available resources. We support reform of research and researchers’ assessment to move towards an assessment system that takes into consideration the overall impact of researchers’ outputs, activities and practices on research and innovation, and not only publications. We are preparing a Horizon Europe pilot call in 2034 with the objective of putting together inter-sectoral consortia, where partners join forces to improve the career opportunities for early-stage researchers. Finally, we are organising an EU TalentOn that challenges young researchers, 21 to 35 years old, to find solutions on the most pressing global issues. The next edition of the EU TalentOn will be part of the Katowice European City of Science in 2024. The Commission considers it essential to ensure a broad talent base for scientific research and to attract students and graduates to research careers in Europe. And the initiatives that I have mentioned certainly have the objectives of addressing this. The proposed Council recommendation and the new Charter for Researchers annexed to it aim at strengthening research careers in the entire European research area and countering regional divides, unbalanced talent circulation, as well as gender inequalities. In this respect, the Commission is also designing initiatives that can foster the exchange of good practices and lessons learned among Member States, including by means of mutual learning exercises. Regarding gender equality, the new Charter for Researchers includes also provisions on combating gender-based violence and sexual harassment, which are serious and under-recognised issues. These topics are also part of the ERA policy agenda, European Research Area Policy Agenda 2022-2024, and will be addressed by the upcoming project Gender Safe, funded by the 2023 Horizon Europe WIDERA Work Programme. You know how much the gender issue is close to my heart, and I am particularly sensitive to how the Commission supports projects that integrate arts, humanities and social sciences to STEM disciplines, the so-called STEAM approach to make STEM careers more appealing also to women. A range of activities are also developed under pillar three of Horizon Europe, including the Girls Go Circular initiative run by the EIT, and the package of measures introduced by the European Innovation Council to support women leadership in Europe’s deep tech industry, such as the Women TechEU scheme, offering early-stage financing, coaching and mentoring and which has already benefited 130 women-led deep tech startups. Also at operational level, Horizon Europe foresees that academic and research organisations benefit from a gender equality plan to ensure gender-equal and inclusive working environments. Allow me also to note that young and early career researchers’ precarity resulting from consecutive short-term project-based contracts is among the biggest challenges affecting the attractiveness of research careers in Europe. Again here, the proposed Council recommendation advocates limiting the use of fixed-term contracts, calls for a broader use of more adequate funding mechanisms and promotes career advisory and support services for researchers. It also addresses social protection rights to make sure that the researchers at all career stages can benefit from adequate levels of protection. Allow me to say a few words about inter—sectoral mobility. Making careers interoperable between sectors is very important. It helps close the gap between researchers and the labour market needs for highly skilled talents, and it enriches the spectrum of opportunities for young and early-career researchers contributing to addressing precarity. Here again, the Commission is proposing dedicated initiatives which include an ongoing mutual learning exercise steered by the Commission coordination and with the participation of 18 Member States. A widening action in Horizon Europe called ERA Talents, which promotes cross-sectoral staff exchanges in R&I, where there are now nine projects running, and Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions and the support of mobility offered by EURAXESS. At the same time, the Commission aims to reinforce careers in academia and the return of researchers to the academic path, and has recommended to Member States to consider the adoption of tenure-track systems. Brain drain is a complex issue caused by the interplay of several factors, including unattractive research environments and inadequate working conditions. There is a need to address the roots of this problem via system reforms that can lead to sustainable, long-term solutions. Several measures have contributed to reduce brain drain in the past, such as return grants or ERA fellowships. I believe that the implementation of the Council recommendation and of all other instruments, including the ones listed in the Harnessing Talent in European Regions communication, will be key in addressing this, both within the Union as well as in relation to young talents leaving towards third countries outside the Union. And last, a word about public investment and R&I. The competitiveness and attractiveness of the European R&I system also depends on the level of investment by the public and private sector. Resources invested at the level of the Union are only complementary to the national efforts. The Pact for R&I in Europe, adopted in 2021, reaffirms the Union-level target on investing 3% of Union GDP in research and development. The pact also refers to additional voluntary targets including 1.25% of Union GDP of public investment to be achieved by Member States by 2030. The level of investment in R&I is still far below these ambitious objectives at this moment, and 2.3% of GDP. The Commission will, of course, continue to urge investments in line with these targets.

– Mr President, thank you very much for this fruitful debate. Allow me to thank you again, and not only for the debate, but for the work that Parliament put in on this new digitalisation of justice package. It is a key step to achieve the digital transformation of judicial cooperation in cross-border cases. It is also a crucial piece of legislation to ensure an uninterrupted access to justice to everyone. The Commission – we will be back! The Commission stands ready to deploy all efforts to facilitate the implementation of these new pieces of legislation to ensure their timely application. Once again, I thank you for your attention.

– Mr President, honourable Members, I am pleased to be with you today for this debate about the new regulation and directive ‘digitalising judicial cooperation and access to justice in cross-border civil, commercial and criminal matters’. I am replacing Commissioner Reynders, who unfortunately could not be here today. Let me start by expressing the Commission’s appreciation for the swift conclusions of the negotiations on this file. The Commission welcomes the agreement reached, and we already started preparing for the implementation of the new rules following the ambitious timeline set out by this legislation. The final agreement reflects the main objectives of the initial Commission’s proposal. We are very satisfied that the common ground has been found on all points. In particular, the Commission welcomes that co-legislators maintained the mandatory use of the digital communication channel for the competent judicial authorities and the optional use for citizens. The Commission is also satisfied with the compromise found on video conferencing in civil, commercial and criminal matters. The choice of implementing acts for establishing the decentralised IT system is particularly accurate, not only from the point of view of consistency with previous similar initiatives, but also because it underlines the implementation character of the measures to be adopted by the Commission. The digital transformation changed the way we live, the way we do our work, the way we cooperate within the European Union. And justice is no exception to this trend. The use of digital tools will empower judges, prosecutors, citizens and companies. Access to justice and judicial cooperation in a cross-border context will become smoother, seamless and more resilient to crisis. The Commission believes that the new rules will improve the delivery of justice and will increase the trust in the justice systems. They will also create a safer and more secure environment for communication between the authorities of different Member States, while saving time and costs. I would like to thank you for the work done, and notably for the support of the rapporteurs, Marina Kaljurand and Emil Radev, as well as both LIBE and JURI committees. Thank you for your attention.

– Mr President, honourable Members, we heard many different and shocking stories this morning, but also we heard figures, which makes us even more alert. This international day is an important occasion to take stock of what has been done to end such violence, but, more importantly, it gives us the opportunity to assess what still needs to be done. The immediate and long-term physical, sexual and mental consequences of violence for women and girls are devastating and can limit women and girls’ active participation in society, from employment to education and politics. President von der Leyen, in her State of the Union this September said here, in this House, ‘I know this House supports our proposal on combating violence against women. And here too, I would like that we cast into law another basic principle: “no means no”. There can be no true equality without freedom from violence.’ Just to reply to some statements on the Istanbul Convention and this directive. The proposal aims to achieve the objectives of the convention in the area of judicial cooperation in criminal matters. It supports the European Union’s accession to the convention by introducing sectoral minimum standards, while not preventing Member States from maintaining a high level of protection. On one hand, the proposed directive is more limited than the Istanbul Convention because it is limited to the area of judicial cooperation in criminal matters. On the other hand, within its scope, it goes further than Istanbul Convention, as it incorporates, as binding minimum rules, several of the best practices highlighted by GREVIO in its recommendations to state parties, and it addresses online violence specifically. Dear colleagues, dear honourable Members, now, more than ever, we need the support of all players to ensure the quick adoption of this directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence. This adoption will be an important step towards ensuring that the people living in our Union live freely and safely, without fear of violence, in a Union of equality. Let us demonstrate that with our actions in the months ahead before European elections.

– Mr President, dear honourable Members, we mark this international day on 25 November annually as, unfortunately, violence against women and girls remains a pervasive violation of human rights in the European Union and around the world. Violence against women and girls remains one of the least prosecuted crimes, and it is a key barrier to progressing on women’s rights and to safeguarding the common values of our Union as a whole. I thank this House and its Members for being a strong ally in keeping the eradication of violence against women and girls high on the European Union political agenda. Since the adoption of the gender equality strategy in 2020, we have achieved significant progress in multiple areas of gender-based discrimination and equality, transforming our political commitments into meaningful actions. We remain inspired by the vision of a brighter future and present for women and girls in all their diversity, in particular those facing gender based and domestic violence. This year, the European Union finally acceded to the Istanbul Convention, marking a major step forward in making Europe a safer place for women and girls. The European Union is now bound by ambitious and comprehensive standards to prevent and combat gender-based violence, in judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement, and in its public administration. But there is no single solution to such a deeply ingrained systemic issue. This is why our legislative proposal on combating violence against women and domestic violence is so important. I would like to thank this House for your invaluable support on this important matter. The proposal includes the criminalisation of certain offences amounting to violence against women, such as rape based on a lack of consent, female genital mutilation, the non-consensual sharing of intimate and manipulated material, as well as cyber harassment and cyber incitement to violence or hatred. Additionally, the proposal guarantees the protection of victims of violence against women and domestic violence, as well as their support and access to justice and the prevention of such forms of violence. Compared to the Istanbul Convention, it implements new obligations of the European Union following its accession to that convention in judicial cooperation in criminal matters. As things stand, time is running out to adopt this directive before the upcoming European elections. We must keep pushing for progress. The European Commission very much appreciates the efforts of the European Parliament negotiating team. Let me notably thank the two co-rapporteurs, Evin Incir and Frances Fitzgerald, to ensure an outcome matching the ambition of our proposal. Looking ahead, we are working on a recommendation to prevent and combat harmful practices against women and girls, as announced in our gender equality strategy. With this recommendation, we intend to encourage Member States to take action to address female genital mutilation, forced and child marriages, honour-related violence, forced abortion and forced sterilisation and other harmful practices that disproportionately affect women and girls. On 29 and 30 November, the Commission will hold the first meeting of the newly established European network on the prevention of gender-based and domestic violence, which will bring together Member State experts and key stakeholders to explore emerging issues and discuss new practices. The role of men and boys in the prevention of gender-based and domestic violence is key and will be a key focus of the network. In the G7 setting, the European Union contributes to the strengthening of the accountability of the leaders’ political commitment and to ensure gender mainstreaming is a cross-sectoral principle in the G7’s activities. We also continue to be fully engaged as co-leader of the Generation Equality Forum, Action Coalition on Gender-Based Violence and UN Women. On the International Day, the Commission is joining the UN’s global campaign to end violence against women. The European Union expresses its unwavering support for women and girls who have suffered from violence as victims and survivors, and we condemn the use of sexual and gender-based violence as a weapon of war. We stand with our partners, civil society, women’s rights groups and human rights defenders in their call for justice and accountability.

– Madam President, honourable Members, this year marks 15 years of Russia’s illegal presence in Georgia, since the war in 2008. The European Union’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Georgia is as strong as ever. We condemn Russia’s continued military presence in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which violates international law and the commitments undertaken by Russia. Local communities continue to suffer from humanitarian challenges and human rights violations. The killing of Tamaz Ginturi is yet another blatant violent violation of human rights committed by Russian Federation border guards in Georgia. This adds to the list of Russia’s illegal activities in the Georgian-occupied breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and demonstrates the deterioration of the human rights situation there. Such actions include fencing along South Ossetia administrative boundary line, repeated and protracted closures of crossing points, as well as the use of force and illegal and arbitrary detentions of Georgian citizens. Russia’s effective control of South Ossetia and Abkhazia continues to violate several provisions of the European Convention of Human Rights. This was underlined by the European Court of Human Rights’ judgment in the interstate case concerning the armed conflict between Georgia and the Russian Federation in August 2008. Since October 2008, the European Union has been fully engaged in conflict resolution efforts in Georgia. It has done so in the capacity of co-chair in the Geneva international discussions and through the efforts of the European Union’s Special Representative. The European Union monitoring mission, present in Georgia for 15 years now, remains the only legitimate international presence on the ground. The mission has played a central role, among others, in enabling the communication among the parties involved, deescalating tensions on the ground and monitoring the situation following the killing and illegal detention of two Georgian citizens. The European Union reconfirms its commitment to stabilisation and conflict resolution in Georgia and reiterates its firm support to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders. We urge all parts of this conflict to engage constructively in the discussions to achieve the full implementation of the six-point agreement of 2008, and we urge Russia to fulfil all its obligations. The European Union’s Special Representative will insist once again on the European Union’s expectations during the Geneva international discussions this December.

– Madam President, almost four months after the coup in Niger, President Bazoum is still detained, with his wife and son, in the presidential palace in very difficult conditions. He has not resigned as the junta leaders would like. The EU should continue to pay tribute to his courage and perseverance. Since the beginning of this crisis, the High Representative has been very clear. On many occasions he has called for his release and for a return to constitutional order. We are supporting ECOWAS’ efforts in reaching these two objectives. For the time being, although some likeminded countries have practically accepted the situation and are engaging with the junta, thereby weakening ECOWAS, the European Union does not believe that such unconstitutional changes can be trivialised. The experience in Mali and Burkina Faso clearly shows that military coups do not lead to positive changes, either for the country or for the region. We should encourage Niger to reach an agreement with the US for the return to the constitutional order, and we should stand by our views that this is the best way of ensuring peace and prosperity for the people of Niger and beyond. The October European Council has called for the immediate release of President Bazoum and his family, and has also tasked the High Representative / Vice-President and the Commission with presenting options for European Union actions and instruments. That is what the relevant services are working on in view of the next Foreign Affairs Council on 11 December.

– Madam President, honourable Members of the European Parliament, this year’s Sakharov Prize shows the European full support for human rights and the respect, protection and fulfilment of fundamental freedoms, in Iran and elsewhere. We were all impressed and moved by the extraordinary courage of women and men in Iran following Mahsa Amini’s death in September last year. The decision of the Nobel Committee to award the Peace Prize to Narges Mohammadi also demonstrates how crucial the role of civil society is for peace and democracy. The world wants to see her free and not going on yet another hunger strike to improve her situation. The European Union is concerned about the continued progressive deterioration of human rights in Iran. Repression and intimidation continue in a deplorable way, particularly against women. We are also concerned about the current pace of executions in the country, with at least 550 individuals executed since January, according to unofficial estimates. We have reacted decisively to the violent crackdown on protests over the past year, including through ten rounds of sanctions. We continue to raise human rights violations, executions as well as individual cases in every diplomatic opportunity with the Iranian authorities, such as the very disturbing death of 16-year-old Armita Geravand. Regarding the arbitrary detention of several European citizens in Iran, our position is very clear. As outlined in the Council conclusions of December 2022 and the statement of the High Representative on behalf of the European Union in February this year, we strongly reject this unlawful practice and call upon Iran to end it immediately. We must keep our critical engagement with Iran in order to be able to work for the release of all European citizens in coordination with the Member States concerned, so we must keep diplomatic channels open. European Member States have the primary consular responsibility for these cases. That is why we have strengthened our coordination. The High Representative and his team are using every opportunity to express to the Iranian authorities our firmest disapproval of these distressing, unlawful and unacceptable that detentions, including the illegal detention of our dear colleague Johan Floderus, for whom we have, of course, a different responsibility, as he is a European Union employee. We will continue to work relentlessly for the freedom of all unjustly detained European citizens in Iran.

– Madam President, honourable Members, a few months ago, in March, we had a rich debate about the European Citizens’ initiative ‘Save bees and farmers!’, which was mentioned by some of you this evening. That debate clearly indicated how European citizens have great expectations for European policies in support of pollinators. I want to thank you for your efforts to build on that, and for the strong support you have shown since the very beginning of the European Union pollinators initiative. I very much look forward to working with you further – not only me, but my colleague Sinkevičius – as we roll out the New Deal for Pollinators. There is nothing more to add.

– Madam President, honourable Members, it is a great pleasure to see the support from this House for the EU pollinators initiative. All of us know that we cannot live without pollinators. Without them, our food security, livelihoods and nature are seriously undermined. Right now, bee, butterfly and hoverfly populations continue to collapse, with many on the verge of extinction. Hence, the Commission revision of the 2018 pollinator initiative, with the new framework adopted in January this year. Together with the proposals for nature restoration and the sustainable use of plant protection products, it forms a new deal for pollinators with the potential to reverse the decline. The trilogues on nature restoration are over, political validation is now taking place by both co-legislators, and our binding target to halt the decline of pollinators by 2030 is now in sight. This target will be crucial for their effective protection. I will try to reply to your questions. You ask how the Commission assesses the compliance of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) strategic plans with the goals of the pollinators initiative, and how the current CAP measures on biodiversity can help protect pollinators. Based on an assessment of the local conditions and needs, Member States prepared a national CAP strategic plans for the period 2023–2027, explaining how they will channel support to achieve the economic, environmental and social objectives of the CAP. The Commission assessed how CAP support can bring positive effects on pollination and ecosystem connectivity in the agricultural land. The strategic plans have been in place in place since January, and they support numerous practices that bring benefits to biodiversity and pollinators. Enhanced conditionality with a range of environmental conditions to be met by all farmers receiving CAP support now covers some 90% of all EU agriculture areas. Almost EUR 100 billion – one third of the entire CAP budget – is used to support the environmental and climate transition to 2027. Ecoschemes make up at least 25% of the budget for direct payments, and rural development instruments allocate at least 35% of their budget to environmental practices supporting our organic farming and landscape features, reducing pesticide use, and conserving or restoring biodiversity on agricultural land. Member States can make adjustments in the plans to ensure the appropriate uptake of the interventions, while maintaining the overall level of environmental ambition. The updated guidance document for the risk assessment of bees from the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) has been much approved and now applies to more pollinator species. It will be applied by amending the relevant implementing regulations very soon. The risk of pesticides to non-bee pollinators is included in the general approach for non-target arthropods. As a major input for this, the EFSA has started updating the guidance document for terrestrial eco toxicology. In addition, ongoing research will enable a more system-based environmental risk assessment for pesticides and may allow further revisions of the risk assessment methodology. Now to question two – a question on indicators and monitoring. The revised pollinators initiative will establish a holistic monitoring framework, enabling us to assess the state of pollinator populations and investigate key drivers of their decline. A number of monitoring initiatives along these lines have been launched by the Commission in the last five years. Looking to the future, it will be important to integrate a wild pollinator indicator that will be developed under the Nature Restoration Law in the future performance monitoring and evaluation framework of the CAP, recognising their critical importance. The Commission is developing options for a farmland pollinator indicator, which should cover the most relevant pollinator groups on the basis of a methodology that is scientifically robust. Now, just quickly, the reply to question three – a few words on capacity building to finish with. One major impediment of effective pollinator monitoring is simply a lack of tools and experts. That is why the Commission is now implementing the ORBIT and Taxo-Fly projects, building essential tools for professional taxonomists and citizen scientists. We are also considering options for supporting the training of new taxonomy experts. And lastly, the youth for pollinators pilot project, largely funded by this House, envisages a small grants facility for youth projects. The results will increase our understanding of the cost-benefit ratio of small grants and the best ways to address implementation challenges.