What Alfred spoke about.

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EN Written Statement

State of the Union (continuation of debate)

One understands that a State of the Union message should emphasise positive results. However, this is best done against the background of a realistic assessment of arising uncertainties and challenges. I doubt whether in her address, the Commission President successfully achieved this. The emerging management dilemmas in the euro area were glossed over. Proposed responses to tackle growing social …

4

Oct

2023

EN Speech

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European green bonds (debate)

Mr President, I come from a region where infrastructures, businesses and private property are already subject to the financial risks and damages being caused by climate change. We need sustained public and private investments able to contain these risks and reverse the damages. They must do so profitably. Soon they will become the best financial offer available to investors against the background …

19

Apr

2023

EN Speech

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Markets in Crypto-assets (MiCa) - Information accompanying transfers of funds and certain crypto-assets (recast) (debate)

Mr President, this new system that we are voting upon brings the transfer of crypto funds and assets under full surveillance, even for small values. It’s a needed measure. It brings crypto assets within the scope of EU legislation on financial services. It signals that the regulatory framework applying to them will be strong and transparent. Whether we like it or not, crypto technology is here to …

9

Nov

2022

EN Speech

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Digital finance: Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) - Digital Finance: Amending Directive regarding Digital Operational Resilience requirements (debate)

Mr President, two years of work are being concluded, and thanks go to our rapporteur, Mr Kelleher. DORA will now set common rules for cybersecurity protocols and for good behaviour for all financial services in the EU. It aims to ensure that all companies which manage our finances have the tools by which to withstand all types of ICT-related disruptions and operational threats. For the financial s…

17

Oct

2022

EN Speech

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The Rule of Law in Malta, five years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia (debate)

Mr President, the significant commemoration of Daphne Caruana Galizia’s horrible murder is not being enhanced by this debate. The resolution before us replicates the attitudes of many other resolutions before it. They echo the messages of right—wing splinter groups which disparaged the Malta Government on all fronts and mindlessly. Before, measures were needed; indeed, they were needed. They are b…

4

May

2022

EN Speech

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Competition policy – annual report 2021 (debate)

Mr President, this competition report is an opportunity for some kind of democratic scrutiny of EU action in the competition area. It is essential, however, that the report retains a strong focus on the direct impact EU competition policy has on EU citizens. Coming from a small island, which is also a Member State of the Union, I believe that state-aid rules should allow margins for proper transpo…

4

May

2022

EN Speech

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Use of the Pegasus Software by EU Member States against individuals including MEPs and the violation of fundamental rights (topical debate)

Mr President, the risk facing the Pegasus Committee of this House is that it will end up mainly delivering indignant and pious platitudes about high—tech spying on governments, institutions and individuals. We all know that spying happens between friendly governments, possibly including within the EU, and between unfriendly ones. We protest strongly when it happens to us, less so when it affects t…

16

Feb

2022

EN Speech

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EU-Russia relations, European security and Russia’s military threat against Ukraine (continuation of debate)

Madam President, were Russia to invade the Ukraine as of now, it would be a gross mistake and greatly damage Russia’s standing and interests. Acknowledging this does not imply that the current impasse is solely Russia’s responsibility. Indeed, Western powers from within the EU and NATO and from outside consistently believed they had the upper—hand in any long—term face—off with Russia. They ignore…

19

Jan

2022

EN Speech

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Digital Services Act (continuation of debate)

Mr President, the Digital Services Act aims to benefit EU citizens by providing safer and more transparent access to online platforms. The process towards an agreement in this House has, as expected, been a rather complex one. Compromises reached will not necessarily provide an enduring answer to all pending questions. This legislation should therefore be seen as a crucial step of the work in prog…

6

Oct

2021

EN Speech

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Banking Union - annual report 2020 (debate)

Madam President, the inertia in developing the Banking Union to its logical end has made the lack of crisis news from the European banking sector sound like good news. Yet, European banks have been consistently underperforming relative to their non—European competitors for too long. Their profitability has not been too good. Generally, the European banking system is still considered too fractured …

5

Oct

2021

EN Speech

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The future of EU-US relations (debate)

Mr President, (inaudible) important report. The EU—US relationship follows from a historic alliance between the US and the European nations. It has contributed to peace and prosperity on both sides and in the world at large. Now it needs to be rewired. The US and the EU have a different institutional political profile and different competences. Their relationship is not like a marriage, and it can…

5

Jul

2021

EN Speech

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Financial activities of the European Investment Bank - annual report 2020 - Control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank - annual report 2019 (debate)

Mr President, the EIB is the essential entity to sustain EU policy on investment and to facilitate financial support for major projects. Its newly acquired role as the EU’s climate bank makes sense. Its work in the EU’s partner countries is commendable. Still, major concerns about the bank’s operational outcomes persist. Geographical imbalances in the EIB’s lending remain a vital structural handic…