Speeches

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the American red carpet for the war criminal Putin has produced only more bombs on Kiev, killing defenceless civilians. Listening to Trump, the war was supposed to end 24 hours after he took office, but we're still here making fun of ourselves by a murderous autocrat. No ceasefire was reached, but this was to be the precondition for further negotiations. It is enough to waste time, it is necessary to take a concrete step forward in the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine so that it really pays those who caused all this, overcoming the divisions between European countries. Now let the international community unite in defining the right conditions for a sustainable and secure peace that is respectful of the Ukrainian people and of Europe, of which Ukraine is a part, and that rebuilds an international order based on law and not on spheres of influence and arrogance.

Mr President, renewing the mandate of the Internet Governance Forum is essential for safeguarding global internet governance. Its inclusive, multi-stakeholder model ensures that governments, civil society, businesses and the technical community can work together on equal footing, preventing fragmentation and purely state-driven approaches and political manipulations that threaten digital rights. The 20th IGF, held in Norway, with over 9 000 participants and over 165 countries represented, demonstrated the forum's irreplaceable role in preserving an open and interoperable internet. I was honoured to take part in these discussions, reaffirming the IGF as a cornerstone of global cooperation. With this resolution, we urge the United Nations General Assembly to renew and reinforce the IGF mandate, providing it with the resources it needs. Looking forward, the IGF must address pressing issues regarding artificial intelligence, disinformation and responsibilities of major platforms. European Union must stand for an internet governance for all, and with everyone involved in dialogue and cooperation, to deliver the best results for the whole humanity.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, illegal US tariffs, which are outside the rules of the World Trade Organisation, are already affecting 70% of European goods. The Union is negotiating in good faith, also thanks to your work, Commissioner Šefčovič, just as it does between allies, but today Europe is increasingly being treated as an adversary, not as a partner. This is not acceptable, it has to change. When a framework agreement, a first stage, is agreed, these tariffs will have to be largely revised, otherwise the European Union will have to take serious countermeasures on goods, but also on services, immediately. Some countermeasures are already ready and must be activated, others must be prepared, to disincentivize further volatility and chaos, inevitable, if we remain defenseless. We can no longer move from one ultimatum to another: Let us set clear deadlines, at this point, to arrive at a final agreement that is mutually beneficial. Europe's unity is being tested and we must respond as Europeans: firmly, consistently and courageously, showing that words are followed by deeds.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, illegal US tariffs, which are outside the rules of the World Trade Organisation, are already affecting 70% of European goods. The Union is negotiating in good faith, also thanks to your work, Commissioner Šefčovič, just as it does between allies, but today Europe is increasingly being treated as an adversary, not as a partner. This is not acceptable, it has to change. When a framework agreement, a first stage, is agreed, these tariffs will have to be largely revised, otherwise the European Union will have to take serious countermeasures on goods, but also on services, immediately. Some countermeasures are already ready and must be activated, others must be prepared, to disincentivize further volatility and chaos, inevitable, if we remain defenseless. We can no longer move from one ultimatum to another: Let us set clear deadlines, at this point, to arrive at a final agreement that is mutually beneficial. Europe's unity is being tested and we must respond as Europeans: firmly, consistently and courageously, showing that words are followed by deeds.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, respect for the law is what underpins accession to the European Union. Precisely this is missing in the shameful memorandum signed by Giorgia Meloni with Albania, a bankruptcy agreement of 800 million, now recycled with the idea of transforming empty centers into CPR, throwing mountains of taxpayers' money. An inhumane plan, but also useless and expensive, that does not really address the migratory challenges. This is also demonstrated by criticism from several European governments, even those closest to Meloni. Instead, the government should really support Albania's entry into the European Union and not exploit the issue for useless and harmful agreements. Instead, Albania's European path must be supported with seriousness and commitment, supporting reforms and supporting proximity to our Union. We will continue to do so with commitment, here, from the European Parliament.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, 70% of Europeans buy online and the increase in imports from outside Europe poses new challenges to the safety of our citizens and consumers. We need to act now. In 2024, 4.6 billion low-value parcels arrived in the Union, often taking advantage of the duty exemption below €150. This flaw fuels fraud, undervaluation and unfair competition, harming our companies: In the clothing sector alone, fake products cost us 12 billion a year. I have worked on this dossier to strengthen the rules and fill these gaps. We have worked well together with the rapporteur and the other Members. We support a fair tax on e-commerce imports, to finance controls without weighing on consumers. We now need to accelerate customs reform and invest in digital and modern control tools. We need to protect European consumers and businesses: Strong and uniformly enforced rules are key to the safety of all.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the European Union's support for a fair, sustainable and comprehensive peace in Ukraine must go hand in hand with justice. It is precisely on this basis that the new European Loan Cooperation Mechanism for Ukraine is based, on which I have worked together with other colleagues. It guarantees resources for reconstruction using the profits derived from the asset Russians frozen in Europe. Because the cost of supporting Ukraine must be paid by those responsible for this devastation: Vladimir Putin's Russia, not Ukrainians and Europeans. No peace can be built behind Ukraine's back. Kiev must be part of the negotiation process. Europe must be at the table, not as a spectator, but as a key player. The only way to do this is to stay together. Faced with what is happening in the world, I think of the massacre of civilians in Gaza with Netanyahu's criminal plan to occupy the Strip, defending international law everywhere remains an existential necessity for Europe but, I would say, also for the future of the world to stop conflicts and violence.

Mr President, Commissioner Šefčovič, ladies and gentlemen, the real objective of the illegal tariffs imposed by Donald Trump is one and only one: to overturn the European democratic and social model, breaking down our rules that protect us on what we eat and drink, in what environment we live, what rights we have in front of the technological giants. From here we have to send a clear message: We decide our laws in Europe for Europeans. In the coming months, we will negotiate to overcome this damaging situation for the economy on both sides of the Atlantic. With the Trade Committee we will be in Washington at the end of the month. We want to find a useful agreement: But if there is really no willingness to get there, we will be ready to respond with strong countermeasures on American goods and services. In any case, Europe must establish an alliance with all those who want to maintain a rules-based world trade order and enter into new agreements. What we are experiencing is yet another proof: In this complicated world, we need a more united and stronger European Union.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Europe's well-being is severely jeopardised by the American tariffs to be announced tomorrow; This issue is, of course, at the heart of the debate between us and our governments. We must respond immediately in a cohesive manner, as the European Union, and we must do so clearly and without hesitation, because only then will we be able to sit at the negotiating table on an equal footing and avoid incalculable economic damage to our companies, but also to those of the United States. We need to prepare tariff measures such as response duties and, if necessary, also non-tariff measures, for example by strengthening the rules for the purchase of European goods as a matter of priority in some areas. An escalation of trade conflicts with America is nobody's interest and we need to negotiate, but to do so, we need to use the language of force. I also say this to Giorgia Meloni, who calls for calm and engages in a ridiculous justification of Vice-President Vance's attacks on Europeans. This is not the way. To the Italian government and to the European right I say clearly that there is no more time to waste with divisions and confused attitudes, we need to defend the interests of our citizens!

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, simplifying is necessary, deregulating is not. We will always be available to work to de-bureaucratise European mechanisms, such as access to funds, but we are not available to throw the European social model overboard. The Omnibus package today is an attack on the progress of the last legislature on social and environmental sustainability. Simplification is only apparent: proposals are rushed and create legal uncertainty. This deregulation also affects the digital sphere, such as the wrong choice to withdraw the proposal for a directive on civil liability for damage caused by artificial intelligence. We are thus faced with a system that does not offer enough legal protection to citizens and that confuses small and medium-sized enterprises. The absence of clear rules does not create innovation. We must work to make Europe more competitive with the quality of work, skills, products, and not make a run down to the detriment of our workers, entrepreneurs and territories. Surely, here in the European Parliament, we will work to prevent these choices that are contrary to real European interests.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the debate on Starlink in Italy has raised a double question: we can rely on communications from the government and the intelligence and to defend companies founded and led by those who today publicly support pro-Putin and anti-EU forces, with the use of powerful media and unlimited resources? And, if we adopt systems like Starlink, can we risk that the American government will interrupt its functionality, as happened on one occasion in Ukraine? I think we need balance and depth. It applies to Italy, which I used as an example, and it applies to Europe. We cannot preclude any technological solution, but when it comes to national and European security we must be sure to maintain the necessary control and confidentiality. In any case, we must carry out our projects. The EU has already launched the IRIS project.2 for secure satellite connectivity. This project is late. The Commission must commit itself to achieving this faster together with the Member States. And then there are the growing geopolitical tensions. Dependence on external suppliers for critical infrastructure is a theme not only compared to satellites, but also for submarine cables, mobile technologies. If we do not work on this, Europe's strategic autonomy is at risk. We need to do more, now and together. Let's not waste any more time, because our freedom is at stake.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the agreement with Mercosur is an agreement of great geopolitical importance and could redefine the global balance. It is a strategic opportunity for the European Union to strengthen its presence in Latin America and counter the influence of other superpowers. However, in order to decide whether we can vote for it, it is essential to assess its impact on workers, businesses, agriculture and the environment, ensuring that clear and shared rules are respected. The inclusion of the Paris Agreement and the Trade and Sustainable Development chapter are positive steps, but there are still unresolved issues that need to be deepened: the rebalancing mechanism, dispute settlement, the effectiveness of measures against deforestation, but also the need to strengthen the customs system to ensure the security of the internal market and consumers. As Socialists and Democrats, we have engaged in a dialogue with the Commission, the social partners and NGOs to assess every aspect of the agreement. I would like to address myself in particular to the Commission: We have a year to give answers, as institutions, to the questions raised by Europeans, to act on the critical issues in a convincing way, with measures and actions and thus be able to convince this Parliament too of the goodness of the agreement. We have to work together and then we can decide what to do.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the sanctions imposed by Trump against the International Criminal Court are a serious threat to the world order, while the Court itself carries out its mission of combating impunity without looking anyone in the face, from Putin to African leaders, from Hamas to Netanyahu. I am ashamed of the absence of the Italian signature to the letter in defence of the Court drawn up by 79 countries, including all the founding countries of the Union. Shame on Melons! Shame on Salvini! Shame on Tajani! The European Union must act immediately by activating Regulation 2271/96 to protect the Court and its officials. The extraterritorial effects of US sanctions must be blocked, allowing the Court to continue its mission. And it is right that the Court should shed full light on the Al Masri case, another humiliation inflicted on Italy by Giorgia Meloni, freeing an international criminal despite the arrest warrant of the same Court. This is the time for Europe to choose its side: with justice or impunity.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the decision by the United States to impose restrictions on the export of chip AI superpowers is a direct challenge to Europe's economic resilience and technological sovereignty. By classifying Member States into different categories, the common commercial policy is undermined and transatlantic relations are damaged. The European Union must act decisively to defend the single market and invest in strategic technologies. I have just returned from the AI summit in Paris, like Vice-President Virkkunen here, and the Commission has, right now, pledged EUR 200 billion with the InvestAI initiative. But in the compass of competitiveness semiconductors are just mentioned. It is a contradiction that must be remedied, because this conflict is not just about competitiveness, but about our strategic autonomy. The United States has invested $52 billion in its Chips Act. We need a relaunch, so that the production capacity of advanced semiconductors in Europe is strengthened, and we also need to relaunch transatlantic cooperation with the European Union. Trade and Technology Council. Concrete actions are needed to ensure innovation, security and technological leadership, and they are needed now.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Donald Trump has once again taken office in the White House and is announcing a new golden era for America, which, according to his words, will have to be based on retaliation against those who are taking advantage of the United States and enriching behind them. The first acts, after the inaugural speech, held in the presence of the main American tech billionaires and some leaders of the world right, highlight a clear political line and in many respects worrying for European interests. The American President did not mention Europe or invite representatives of the European Union. I agree with what President von der Leyen said when she said that we must be pragmatic in our relations with Trump, but without giving in to our principles and defending our interests and values. We should negotiate hard on issues such as trade, possible tariffs, environmental measures, energy, international security and much more. We will also have to accept that on some issues distances will remain, as on the regulation of digital spaces, we have also seen this in today's discussion. But, first of all, we must demand respect: This is the basis for a constructive relationship. This message, dear representatives of the Commission and the Council, must be sent very clearly, and we too - I say this as Chair of the European Parliament's Delegation for relations with the United States - will do our part to advance the European agenda: a Europe that must be open to dialogue, but always aware of itself, its values and its commitments to its citizens.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, this morning's debate has made it clear that for many colleagues on the right, freedom of expression means that in Europe it should be possible to discriminate against women or declare mentally ill homosexuals, amplifying this content through algorithms, in a non-transparent way and paying to give this content more visibility. We disagree. The majority of this Parliament has decided to really defend freedom of expression, with rules that must be implemented without shyness. Commissioner Vice-President Virkkunen, let us not waste any more time. We must demand respect from those who have called us a tyranny, and we must make it clear that we do not – and will not – accept interference in democratic processes through manipulation and abuse of conflicts of interest, perhaps by exploiting wealth and power. Our own democracy is at stake today. We all have to make the right choices.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the conclusions of the G20 summit were disappointing: a downward agreement reflecting the difficulty of working together on a global climate change agenda, investment for transition and development cooperation. The text is weak on international crises, such as the war in Ukraine and the Middle East. Concrete commitments on a global tax on multibillionaires and on reforming global governance to rebuild an effective multilateral system are lacking. Even the COP29 in Baku was not up to the challenge, despite the last-minute agreement reached. These developments oblige the European Union to relaunch clearly its commitment to the objectives of the ecological transition, working to find all the necessary resources and supporting the most affected economic sectors. We cannot accept the downplaying speeches of right-wing leaders, such as Giorgia Meloni: This is likely to translate into less commitment to objectives that are increasingly urgent, if we want to give a future to our planet and therefore also to the new generations. Therefore, for all these commitments we need a renewed European leadership that can find agreements at the international level, that take steps more than what has been achieved in this area. summit, which could have done more and that is why we will have to keep working.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the American people have spoken and, as chairman of the delegation responsible for this Parliament for maintaining relations with the US institutions, I will continue to work for a strong transatlantic relationship. I returned yesterday, in fact, after a few days of meetings with representatives of the American Congress together with other colleagues I see in this House, and I am sure that there are indeed many areas on which we can work to unite and not divide. But it is certainly striking that, just today, Elon Musk, who will be appointed by the new President Trump to take care of a new government department, violently attacks the Italian judiciary, that of an allied country. We need to be respected – always – for relationships to work. Trump's words about trade, defense and international relations worry us, but the answer can only be one: It is time for Europe to really come together and do its own thing, together.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the news of unprecedented interference and disinformation by Russia in the pro-European Union referendum and the presidential elections in Moldova came just a few days ago: fake news e Deep Fake They proliferate. However, the European Union already has the tools to ensure more integrity in our electoral processes, thanks to the Digital Services Act, thanks to the European Cyber Resilience Act, thanks also to the new proposal for a European Interference Shield to close the gaps in addressing hybrid threats and disinformation. We have the tools, but we must proceed to put them in place. We must be clear, proclamations are not enough. The new European Commission must not be afraid and must not downplay what has been done under political or Member State pressure. What has been approved must be implemented. The laws to defend the fundamental principles of our democracy are there, they must be strengthened. Together we must move forward to protect our future.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, we are extremely concerned about the explosions and shootings that took place near the Israeli embassies in Stockholm and Copenhagen. We are waiting for the investigation to continue but the hypotheses seem to lead right to the track of Iranian state-sponsored terrorism. In the face of these serious events, we cannot remain helpless: We must be inflexible as Europeans. This Parliament has long denounced the Iranian regime, its infiltrations, its activities to suppress human rights and the democratic aspirations of its own people. In 2023, Iranian women received the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Today we are still calling for respect for human rights in Iran and we have called for the inclusion of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on the list of terrorist organizations. Europe must not allow itself to be exploited, but must remain vigilant and not ignore the cry for help of the Iranian people and denounce any attempt to interfere and, of course, to support terrorism.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the European Parliament is called upon to concretely renew solidarity with Ukraine with the new loan cooperation mechanism, which I am proud to have worked on behalf of my political group. An urgent and necessary tool to support a European country that is under the brutal and unjustified attack of Putin's Russia, which is intensifying its war effort precisely to destroy Ukraine's strategic and energy infrastructure, right now that winter is approaching to cause further suffering to a people fighting for its freedom. A right instrument, because the 45 billion of aid that will arrive in Kiev will be financed by the profits deriving from the asset frozen Russian sovereigns, because the cost of supporting Ukraine must be paid by those responsible for such devastation, not by European citizens. I believe that the Union must therefore keep all options open to ensure effective support for financial stability and the reconstruction of Ukraine, because Europe's future passes through here.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the sole purpose of this right-wing debate is to slander UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Thanks to EU funds, it provides schools, primary health centres and other essential services to millions of people, children, women and men. This debate is superfluous because the European Commission, less than a year ago, has already verified the financial assistance to Palestine, decreeing the legality, neutrality and independence of UNRWA. More: The Agency was also subject to an independent review, the Colonna report, which confirmed its full neutrality. As High Representative Borrell has already said, in the absence of evidence, the right accuses without foundation and I also say this to those of the Italian right who have uttered calumnies in this House. There are no Hamas supporters here. UNRWA must be funded and supported because it is a vital lifeline for millions of refugees in Gaza and beyond. Let us not allow the civilian population, already massacred by war, to suffer collective punishment. Stop the massacres, stop the cruelty, support the people, thanks to those who, like the UNRWA organization has always done, will continue to do it, must be able to continue to do it, if we still preserve a bit of humanity.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the 'Pact of the future of the United Nations' must be supported because it promotes a more interconnected multilateralism in order to tackle today's challenges together. It is a right choice and one of these challenges is undoubtedly the functioning of international institutions. True, we need a more effective, representative and financially stable UN system. Without deep reform, there is a risk of irrelevance and irreparable loss of credibility. We also see this in the current crises, what is happening around us. And then the Global Digital Compact, It calls for global digital cooperation through more responsibilities for technology companies, online platforms and a roadmap for global governance of artificial intelligence. We as the European Union can only support this approach in line with what we have already done on the subject. I worked as a speaker of theAI Act I think we need to continue to play a leading role. Now is the time of truth. States must respect their commitments and responsibilities in the face of the new generations, those who will live the future more than any of them.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Europol's recent report on the 821 most dangerous criminal networks operating within the European Union paints an alarming, but not surprising, picture. The mafias today are increasingly agile, more transnational, active in a multiplicity of sectors. Links with their countries of origin are weakened. Today, the money accumulated through illicit activities is transferred and laundered to distant places, often without leaving traces, thanks to new technologies such as cryptocurrencies and also the use of the dark web. The phenomenon, therefore, cannot be managed exclusively at national level: calls for increasingly effective and rapid forms of investigative and judicial cooperation at European level. An important role must be played by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, as an independent body from the EU and the Member States, with an initiative in investigating and prosecuting cases, but also by Europol and Eurojust. New and appropriate tools are needed. It is also essential in this European Parliament to reconstitute a parliamentary committee against the mafia and organised crime, because this is not a cost: It is a necessary investment for security, legality and democracy.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the work being carried out by the Brazilian presidency of the G20 deserves not only our applause, but also our full support. President Lula's push to tackle global inequalities is now at the heart of the G20 agenda, and what was adopted at the last ministerial meeting in Rio is a big step forward in tackling world hunger, poverty and climate change. The Rio Declaration does not escape what I believe to be the key theme: building a direct link between fiscal justice and economic and social justice. For the first time in history, all G20 member countries recognize the need to address the system of taxation of the super-rich on our planet, committing to work on a common solution. Without fiscal justice there is no democracy, because without the distribution of wealth, governments cannot offer essential services, from education to health, social and social security issues, to environmental protection. We need a global taxation of at least 2% on billionaire assets, otherwise the range of inequalities is destined to widen more and more, to the point of no return. That is why we must also support the European Citizens' Initiative, which goes in this direction.