Speeches

Mr President, honourable Commissioner. In fact, it's a very good debate. And the fact that we are discussing the implementation of the rule of law conditionality and regime today, and also when we are applying the infringement procedure, in other words: Rule of Law Conditionality and Infringement procedures, There will be voices and voices like this all the time. Those people who raise questions about the need to enforce the rule of law do not understand the simple fact that the principle of the rule of law is their own principle. The Treaty of Lisbon is part of the legal system of each state. Everybody. And every state and every citizen must understand and master this. Therefore, the procedure needs to be deepened and we need to see even more so that we actually strengthen the mechanisms that are needed.

Mr President, it is indeed very difficult to speak in such minutes and in the face of such a drama. Terrorism has no nationality or religion. Whether Breivik in Norway, who shot innocent children, or now the two ISIS terrorists who shot 15 people, in both cases we have an example of the horror of terrorism and a terrorist culture, as you might say, to which there can be no tolerance. On the other hand, hate speech, which suddenly breaks out here in condemnation of Islamists, fundamentalists, but is also hatred of Muslims, while Ahmed Al Ahmed is a real example of a tolerant believer, a deep Muslim. So we really need to fight antisemitism, but we also need to fight the spread of any radical hate speech.

Mr President, dear colleagues, today I would like to advocate once again for the creation of a pan-European ecosystem for multi-country clinical trials and the establishment of a 28th EU regime for multi-country clinical trials as a vital initiative that could increase medical innovations and access to innovative treatments for patients across Europe. This 28th pan-European regime framework would aim to unify the currently diverse regulatory landscape that exists among our 27 Member States. By streamlining the approval process for new therapies and technologies, we could reduce bureaucratic hurdles that stifle innovation. This cohesive system must not only enhance the efficacy of multi-country clinical trials, but also improve patients' access to groundbreaking treatment, positioning the EU as a leading innovative power. It is really time to act in this case.

Mr President, Commissioner, thanks a lot for your attention last week in our meeting on a possibility to build a pan-European ecosystem based on European Reference Networks addressing issues related to clinical trials, investments and, of course, also possibilities to act much faster in our situation. Of course, we know very well that medicine shortages are affecting a lot of patients. An especially worrying issue is that multi-country clinical trials are decreasing – this is very dangerous. Of course we know that national clinical trials based on 27 Member States have 27 separate regimes. What we need now is to build a pan-European ecosystem and, of course, establish a pan-European, multi-country clinical trials regime such as the 28th Regime for enterprises just proposed in the Commission. It would be good to think about necessity, to build such an ecosystem together with multi-country regimes, competing globally and addressing issues with medical solutions. A pharmaceutical package alone is not enough.

Mr President, honourable Commissioner. Indeed, by simplifying the common agricultural policy, we are certainly seeking to reduce the administrative burden and increase the overall efficiency of the agricultural support system. This initiative is particularly important so that our farmers can focus on practice, innovation, but not get caught up in complicated bureaucracy. However, by simplifying internal problems, we must also address the differences in direct payments between the Member States of the European Union. I'm not talking about it for the first time. External convergence is necessary to create a fairer system that ensures equal, equal and non-discriminatory treatment of all farmers. Achieving a more uniform system of fair direct payments not only strengthens the competitiveness of our agricultural sector, but also strengthens rural development and the economy. In simplifying agricultural policy, let us not forget that the harmonisation of direct payments ensures a sustainable, competitive environment and equal pay for equal work.

Madam President, Commissioner, Trump's shameful 28-point plan is heavily skewed in favour of the Kremlin. A sustainable peace for Ukraine must be based on the following: first, full respect of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty; second, full respect of Ukraine's right to choose its alliances; third, full Russian accountability for the war crimes and crimes of aggression; fourth, non-negotiable Russian payments for the massive damage caused in Ukraine. The ambivalence of President Trump's policy towards Ukraine is shameful and detrimental to the objective of achieving sustainable peace for Ukraine. A pact at the expense of Ukraine and the EU would jeopardise decades-long transatlantic partnerships on common security and prosperity. Now we need to urgently ask EU Member States and international partners to join our efforts in their military support, as well as in their political and diplomatic efforts.

Mr President, Commissioner Virkkunen, dear Henna. Between 2014 and 2024, you were in Parliament. I was in the Commission with Jyrki Katainen at the time. Both the Commission and Parliament, as well as the Council, appear to have both legislated that there is now bureaucracy, there is a need for simplification. It's a story that's really populist. And yet, on the substance, it is very dangerous not to answer the questions that data protection, that the General Data Protection Regulation must be protected in the European Union as a pupil of the eye, with the Omnibus. European Health Data Space Demands extremely high levels of data protection, and it is by no means possible to succumb to pressure from major American corporations, which is quite obvious. Let's say that such a conversation between you and the American Secretary of Commerce was only about the weather, but not about the fact that something can be changed into something.

Mr President, I would like to make it clear from the many speeches, especially from those who want to protect privacy: Protect the privacy of children and adolescents, as it is most vulnerable. And if you come to a family where the child committed suicide, then you will see how that child's privacy was crushed. Therefore, the introduction of age limits – harmonised – is necessary in the same way as we do in the case of tobacco, alcohol, gambling and other addictions. There are many scientific reasons why age should be limited. And sixteen years of harmonized age is a good proposition. A 13-year age limit could also be set for the unavailability of social networks. And certainly legitimising the responsibility of platforms and algorithms.

Mr President, when discussing such an important matter such as the Gender Equality Strategy 2025, we cannot forget about those whose job it is to implement it. I would like to remind you about the European Institute for Gender Equality, which is located in Vilnius. Establishing this agency was a big step forward for gender equality – unfortunately, it is now stagnating, with too few employees, an insufficient budget and a management board that does not even have representatives from every Member State. The tasks and responsibilities of this agency are about to grow and they need more funding, more people and more operational movement. Given the strategic importance of gender equality in our political priorities, disparity in funding the agency tasked with this is undermining policy coherence. The agency's pivotal role in advancing gender mainstreaming, providing technical assistance and support, and monitoring the implementation of equality-related legislation demands more resources that would correspond with the scope of its mandate. I remind the Commission to keep this in mind.

Mr President, honourable Commissioner, thank you rapporteur. The topic is old, the situation is very obviously requiring quick solutions. The proposed Multiannual Financial Perspective and the debate on own resources directly reveal the problem that we cannot accept such deep-rooted abuses when companies actually evade taxes so much offshore zones, both through aggressive tax avoidance planning and so-called fiscal optimisation. And we are well aware of how many calculations are made about how companies avoid taxes by operating here in our single market. This is all the more so since it is about fair competition, it is about tax justice and it is about social responsibility. Congratulations and we have to move. This is urgently needed.

Thank you to both the rapporteur, Mrs Ridel, and the speakers. This is a topic that has been around for a long time. And we have so many examples. Lithuania, which borders Belarus, with Russia and also has experience with other states of the former Soviet Union. We can testify that this is an extremely topical topic. It needs to be addressed urgently, as these are fundamental requirements of both the Treaty of Lisbon, the European Charter of Human Rights and our European Charter, which must be turned into mechanisms. And I thank the proposed list of mechanisms, because it is an opportunity to react quickly. Especially since these are problems not only due to extradition, problems when they enter here take time with temporary residence documents, with, as to say, permanent residence problems. There are a lot of legal problems. It is very timely that I propose that the European Commission respond to this with action.

Mr President, Commissioner. Indeed, today we can clearly agree that the European Union is the Union which can and must demonstrate active action in the resolution of the problems in Cyprus in relation to international law, the decisions of the United Nations and its commitments to peace and the primacy of international law and the integrity of the Member States. So far, there are only words, too little activity. And now that there is a huge problem, when Russian aggression violates international law, it is the European Union that must show efficiency and mobilise all its forces and be very active in order for Turkey, not for the Cyprus issue, to be resolved. Solved as my colleague Aguilar has just said. Therefore, I urge you to make active efforts as soon as possible.

Mr President, honourable Commissioner. Indeed, I agree with those who say very clearly that this project proposed by the Commission is, in terms of its scope, too unsatisfactory for what awaits us. There are more challenges than we can really face with this budget. Both development funding and the key challenges of ensuring social cohesion, ensuring European health policy priorities, strengthening the European Health Union, noting that we need to provide security guarantees. But knowing that social security must also go hand in hand with significantly increased funding from the European Social Fund, because for people, investing in social security is a guarantee of security in general. The ambition is really too low. We want to come back with a new project.

Mr President, honourable Member of the Council, Commissioner. Indeed, after listening to the speeches of some Members of Parliament today, which are really full of hatred, full of ignorance and exploiting the simple national sentiments of some voters in order to cause even greater hatred. And they completely ignore the rationality of the report, which the Commission has presented today. Indeed, once again, if some of the MEPs here are also violating the values of the Treaty of Lisbon of the European Union, human rights and do not have a drop in humanism and do not understand what migration policy is, but necessarily fuel the fire of hatred, how can we accept them? Therefore, do not hesitate to present further plans so that we can deal constructively with this difficult but infinitely important problem.

Madam President, Commissioner, it is a very painful topic. Very painful. Of course, we know very well that regular screening is the most effective way to detect breast cancer early, save lives and reduce the burden on health care systems. However, participation in screening programs varies significantly between Member States, with many falling short of the 70 % target. And this is up to the Commission now to draw attention. We need to motivate Member States to be more active in screen screening programs – very active. We know very well that continuing investment in research and innovation can help us to develop screening models. Once again, early detection is better and cheaper and safer than treatment. Let us make a clear commitment together to protect women's health. Therefore I am calling for 15 October to be established as European Breast Health Day – a day dedicated to raising awareness, promoting prevention and fostering solidarity across Member States. I count on you, Commissioner.