Speeches

Madam President, thank you very much. In today's many debates, the word "competitiveness" has been used very often. Meanwhile, energy costs are one of the factors that kill this competitiveness of companies in the European Union. How are European companies supposed to be competitive when they pay four times more for energy than their counterparts outside the European Union? They are no longer fighting for competitiveness. Today, European companies are struggling to survive. The lime industry, the cement industry should immediately start receiving compensation for the increase in indirect energy costs. Otherwise, they will relocate their production outside the European Union. How will the European fertiliser industry compete today with cheap Russian fertilisers that are flowing into the European Union, given gas prices in Russia and the European Union? Today, many words have been spoken by the new European Commission, but we will know it by its actions, not by its words. I hope that they will provide this support to all energy-intensive industries in the European Union.

Madam President, thank you very much. Data cable networks, power grids and pipelines are critical submarine infrastructures on which the stability of our economies and our security depend. Unfortunately, in the current geopolitical situation, there are more and more acts of sabotage or hybrid acts on this type of infrastructure, which also did not bypass the Baltic Sea. They are aimed at destabilizing the functioning of states and provocation. In the face of such threats, close cooperation between the European Union and NATO is crucial. I am pleased that the NATO-EU Task Force on the resilience of critical infrastructure such as transport, digital and energy infrastructure was established in 2023. Mapping vulnerabilities and assessing risks are important in this context. But what about other critical infrastructure? Ports, built and already built wind farms? We must act in advance on this type of hybrid action against the destabilisation of Europe and the Western world. And today we must say to ourselves clearly and distinctly: today the Baltic Sea, and in a moment critical infrastructure in Poland and throughout the European Union.

Mr President, thank you very much. Mr. Commissioner, I would like to thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, I must admit that I am astonished by the hypocrisy of the Law and Justice representatives who use the lectern in the European Parliament to spread untruth. We heard here today about the Polish railway company PKP Cargo, whose financial situation, among other things, threatens its further functioning. The dramatic situation is the result of a series of erroneous decisions and inefficient management of this company in recent years, i.e. those when the indivisible power in both the company and the supervising ministry was exercised by people of Law and Justice. They led to the lack of new contracts, a decrease in real revenues, an increase in operating costs, an increase in debt and a progressive loss of financial liquidity. In such a dramatic situation, the new company authorities are making every effort to provide employment opportunities for the dismissed employees in other companies. They actively support all affected employees by the previous authorities of the company and think about their future. Therefore, from this rostrum, I would expect the representatives of Law and Justice to apologize for the situation in relation to the company's employees and take responsibility for the state in which they left it.

Mr President, thank you very much. Mr. Commissioner, I would like to thank you. Regions and cities play a huge role in the green transition. They also work constantly for their own development and to ensure the well-being of their inhabitants. There is no doubt about it and we have so far many good examples coming from our regions and cities. Unfortunately, we must tell ourselves frankly today that some of the challenges facing our regions and cities simply overwhelm them. I am talking here, for example, about those areas that rely heavily on economic sectors that will soon have to undergo radical changes due to the green transition. In order not to lead to a complete collapse of these regions and the problem of unemployment, adequate support is needed. Speaking about the role of regions, how important their actions are, we must also make it clear that regions are the pillar of cohesion policy and that this should remain the case. It is the regions that know best their strengths and weaknesses and are able to respond quickly to emerging challenges and needs. Therefore, our goal should be to further strengthen their role in cohesion policy and even further decentralisation, allowing decisions to be taken even closer to the citizen, for which the Structural Funds should be spent. We need to pay more attention to the specificities of individual regions and give them greater confidence in the use of European funds.

Mr President, thank you very much. Ladies and Gentlemen, As we speak in this room, at the same time, millions of Europeans are fighting for their livelihoods, fighting for their businesses, fighting for their crops or their livestock, confronting a ruthless and cruel element. In Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria and Romania, this is a horrific flood of a magnitude we have not seen in years. There are huge fires in Portugal. Many European countries, such as Spain, Italy, Poland and Greece, have also had to cope with the effects of drought. Extreme weather events between 1980 and 2021 have caused losses of up to €560 billion in the European Union, with losses increasing year by year. There is no doubt, therefore, that this is a gigantic challenge, and at the same time an extremely important test for the rulers. We need to act quickly, effectively and on a multifaceted basis. We must provide immediate support to those who have been affected by these disasters. In this respect, flexibility is needed with regard to funds from cohesion policy, the Common Agricultural Policy or the Recovery Fund in order to be able to allocate funds for this purpose.

Mr President, thank you very much. Before our eyes there is a drama of thousands of people in southern Poland, in the Czech Republic, in Austria, in Romania. Thousands of people who lose their entire lives in a matter of hours, and sometimes their lives. These people today need true support and true solidarity, not just empty words. Today, during this debate, the Solidarity Fund has been named many times. It is good that this instrument exists. It is certain that all those affected and all Member States will use its resources. But it is necessary to say clearly and honestly that this is a drop in the sea of needs. It is enough to give the example of Belgium and the floods of 2021, when losses were estimated at 3 billion euros, and from this fund 90 million euros were paid to Belgium. This situation must not happen again this time. Absolutely. It is therefore necessary to call on the European Commission to take swift and courageous decisions, as there are opportunities and sources of funding in the form of structural funds under cohesion policy. The governments of the Member States, the government in Poland and the Polish regions have financial resources that, with the consent of the European Commission, could be used for the reconstruction of these damaged areas. Also, the National Recovery Plan, which is financed by the Recovery Fund, is rebuilding Europe after the COVID-19 pandemic, rebuilding Europe after the consequences of the war in Ukraine. We can also rebuild damaged areas from this fund, but for this a decision of the European Commission is needed. Brave and fast. The European Commission has proven in recent years that it can make such decisions. I call on the European Commission to have that courage this time, too, and to do it quickly.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Commissioner, thank you very much. Although housing is not an EU policy and is in principle a competence of the Member States, this topic is being debated today in the European Parliament. So you might ask: why? Well, because it is undoubtedly one of the priority issues for our citizens. Therefore, I believe that we in the European Union should also reflect on this topic and make every effort to ensure that the existing EU instruments and initiatives also target this extremely important objective. Of course, this is an extremely complex issue and there is no one simple solution here. We need comprehensive action at every level: local, national and European. We need not only supportive conditions for the construction of new housing on the free market, but also smart solutions for social housing and measures such as improving the energy efficiency of buildings to eradicate energy poverty, which is a real problem for many European families. Cohesion policy has a major role to play in this respect. I also see great potential in the EU Urban Agenda and the New Bauhaus programme, which are responsible for sustainable planning and developing new ideas for the future.

Mr President, thank you very much. Firstly, I would like to thank you for the presence of Polish parliamentarians and Polish farmers who are here with us today. Secondly, listening to this debate, I regret to say that we are missing the essence of the problem here. Imagine, my colleagues and officials of the European Commission, that for the next 12 months you would work and not receive any remuneration for it. Imagine that you would function by paying your bills, maintaining your families, in the hope that in twelve months you would receive some money for it. In the end, it turns out that the money you have received does not compensate for all the costs you have incurred for 12 months. Would you agree to such working conditions? Would you, Commissioner, agree? And in such conditions, Polish farmers work today, who have lost peace and predictability in conducting agricultural activity. They also want to help Ukraine, but not at their expense and not at the expense of their families and their only source of livelihood, which are their family farms. Finally, Commissioner, I am very pleased that you have admitted today, in this tragic situation, that transit through Poland was unprofitable. This means that it was known from the beginning that all this grain and everything else will remain in Poland. I'll leave it without comment.

Mr President, thank you very much. Commissioner, I'm sorry. In the last fifteen years, since the adoption of the current Consumer Credit Directive, this market has undergone a real revolution. Consumer habits have changed, digital transformation is progressing, e-commerce is developing or automated creditworthiness assessment is increasingly used. It was therefore necessary to adapt to the new reality in order to ensure a high level of consumer protection and a well-functioning consumer credit market. I am particularly pleased with the changes regarding the improvement of the consumer information system. A person who decides to take out a loan must be aware of the consequences of his decision, including, above all, full information on the amount that he will actually have to repay, as well as he must have the financial capacity to do so. I consider it extremely important to protect consumers from over-indebtedness resulting from responsible credit practices. In addition, in my opinion, provisions facilitating access to credit for people who have had cancer are particularly important.

Mr President, thank you very much. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Ladies and Gentlemen, While events such as the COVID-19 pandemic can never be fully predicted, many valuable lessons can and should be learned for the future. And not only in the field of health, but also in the wider field of preparedness, resilience, cooperation, management in science, economy and social life. Firstly, we already know the importance of early response and information, as well as coordination and solidarity. Strengthening the mechanism for cross-border cooperation, information exchange and joint procurement of medical supplies can help build solidarity and ensure a more effective response to future crises. For this, we need continued investment in digital infrastructure and improvements to the data sharing and exchange system. Secondly, we need a stronger European Health Union to ensure equal access to health care, to eliminate health inequalities and social exclusion, and to jointly stimulate research and development. Thirdly, we must not forget the backbone of our economy, that is, small and medium-sized enterprises, which should be supported in recovering from the crisis in the form of funds, but also in building a friendly regulatory environment, so as to lay the foundations for the long-term resilience of our economy.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Ladies and Gentlemen, The COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian aggression in Ukraine, rising energy prices and general inflation – Europe seems to be in a state of permanent crisis management lately. It is difficult to run a business in such a situation and have a predictable future. I therefore believe that, even in the debate on how to make Europe the best place to invest, we cannot limit ourselves to reiterating over and over again the idea of creating a business-friendly environment, cutting red tape and supporting research and development. All this, of course, is extremely important, but it is no longer enough. That is why we need to listen to the voice of entrepreneurs, and they are increasingly asking for just a moment of breath and time to implement changes. Therefore, I am of the opinion that at the moment a certain legislative slowdown is desirable in order to avoid a stifling overregulation of entrepreneurship. Instead, the focus should be on ensuring that existing regulations are as simple as possible to understand and implement and do not cause confusion on the part of companies. We need to learn to function in a new reality. On the one hand, we obviously need future-oriented legislation that responds to new challenges, such as the climate crisis or the rapid development of artificial intelligence. On the other hand, we must not forget that all our actions must have welfare and the protection of our citizens as their primary objective.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Ladies and Gentlemen, Quality traineeships are extremely important to bridge the gap between education and practical experience. These programs allow trainees to gain hands-on experience that cannot be learned at school or college. From problem-solving to teamwork and adaptability, internships equip you with invaluable competencies that are highly sought after by employers. They also have a positive impact on businesses and the wider economy. So many theories. In practice, however, trainees are still too often treated as a free labour force, seconded only to the simplest mechanical tasks and are not covered by any social protection or remunerated for their work. This has to change. We need a common, ambitious framework for high-quality traineeships to create equal conditions of access for all, increase the transparency of their qualifications, and ensure decent remuneration for trainees. Member States and entrepreneurs should work closely together to jointly invest in well-structured training programmes.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Ladies and Gentlemen, Food production is a strategic sector in the Union and should be treated as such. At a time when European agriculture is facing such serious problems as high fertilizer prices or falling prices for agricultural products, it is unacceptable to introduce solutions that could put it at even greater risk. New EU agricultural policies must necessarily be assessed for their potential impact on food production and food security. And such analysis must always be supported by reliable data and research. The proposals to significantly reduce agricultural land or to significantly reduce the use of plant protection products without previously providing farmers with affordable and sufficiently effective alternatives to fight pests are worrying. It is also necessary to strengthen the CAP so that it has a sufficient budget to effectively support European farmers.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Artificial intelligence carries extraordinary potential, but it can also be a source of very serious threats if left to its own devices. Therefore, the creation of a clear and stable legal framework that defines the gradation of AI risks and introduces very specific obligations, depending on the degree of AI risks, is highly needed. I am extremely pleased that the European Union is the world's pioneer in introducing these regulations, thus giving consumers confidence in this technology and legal certainty and predictability to investors and businesses. I also believe that we should use the potential of artificial intelligence for such fundamental issues as preventing terrorist attacks or searching for missing, kidnapped children. While this must be done with the full guarantee of fundamental civil rights and freedoms, in well-defined cases and, most importantly, only by a decision of an independent court.

Thank you very much, Honourable Member. Of course there were such interventions. Of course, already in the middle of last year – in the middle of last year! – Poland has been warned about this drama, which will be caused by the decisions that have been taken. Interventions? Here is Mr Jarosław Kalinowski, who was the author of the intervention on Ukrainian grain, which I also personally signed with Mr Jarubas, to Commissioner Wojciechowski. Not only that, we also signed a letter on poultry. We are currently waiting for a response from the Commissioner, because the next agricultural sectors are also beginning to be affected by this dramatic situation, because soft fruit producers are next in line. And this drama will take place in agriculture, one after the other in the agricultural industry, not only Polish, but also European.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. I have an invitation from farmers in Lublin to attend a substantive meeting, including from farmers who are gathered around the ‘Oszukana Wieś’ Association. They would like to give you their perspective. They would like to ask, among other things, where you were in the second half of 2022, when the cry of despair of Polish farmers, who found themselves in a dramatic situation after the influx of Ukrainian grain in an uncontrolled manner, was spreading throughout Poland. They, like me, have no doubt that Ukraine needs to be helped, but they are surprised that after all that has happened in the last 10 months, the Lord wants to continue a policy that does not help ordinary Ukrainians at all, but only builds a new oligarchy. Large international corporations will make money, and European and Polish farmers will only lose. These people deserve attention. These people deserve to be heard. These people deserve first of all help, but real help, and not the alms that the Polish government and the European Commission offer them. (The speaker agrees to answer the question indicated by a blue card)

Madam President, I'm sorry. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Ladies and Gentlemen, A few weeks ago, the European Commission adopted a Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework to support measures in sectors that are crucial for the transition to a zero-emission economy. The amendments to the General Block Exemption Regulation were also approved together with them. These changes aim to make it easier for Member States to provide the necessary support in key sectors, to simplify and accelerate the provision of support for the green and digital transitions. This is a very important action, especially in the context of the current difficult situation in the European Union caused by past and ongoing crises, ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and its negative impact on the European economy. The difficult situation of many European regions should also be mentioned here. These are, in particular, less developed regions, rural regions, regions facing demographic challenges or regions undergoing industrial transition. These regions are less able to cope in crisis situations, resulting in even greater disparities and stratification within the Union. We have to prevent that. I would therefore like to ask you about the current guidelines on regional State aid. As we all know, the current guidelines entered into force even before Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine in 2022. Since then, the situation has changed dramatically. I would therefore like to ask whether the Commission envisages any changes also in this respect, taking into account the current reality? I would also like to take this opportunity to refer to the limit allowed for support for companies in difficulty, which is currently EUR 200 000 over a period of 3 years. Is the European Commission considering increasing this support ceiling for disadvantaged regions, given the dynamically changing conditions and the need to react quickly to negative developments in the future?

Mr President, thank you very much. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Ladies and Gentlemen, Although we often argue in this room, it seems that the topic of today's debate should unite us all. There is no doubt that by building a more competitive economy, we are not only creating more jobs for our citizens, but also laying the foundations for a better future for future generations. This is an overarching goal that should always guide our community. Creating more quality jobs in the European Union is essential to promote economic growth, reduce unemployment and improve living standards. However, this requires a multifaceted approach and cooperation between governments, businesses and citizens. How to do it? We need to invest in education and training, as a well-educated and skilled workforce is essential to attract investment and create quality jobs. We need to support innovation by creating a favourable business environment, including in particular by simplifying rules and creating a level playing field for all companies, regardless of their size. We also need to invest in infrastructure, such as high-speed internet, transport networks and smart cities, which will attract businesses. Finally, we must remember that sustainable development is sustainable development, so any action taken must be inclusive and include not only the largest centres, but also rural and remote areas. Their development potential and human capital is often underestimated, and I assure you that it is also our huge resource.

Mr President, thank you very much. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Ladies and Gentlemen, The problem of poverty and social exclusion in the European Union is a serious problem. Following the impact of the COVID pandemic and the dramatically rising cost of living, it has once again become a priority and affects all Member States, without exception, and more than a quarter of our citizens. This is certainly a complex problem and we need to approach it holistically. Minimum income schemes can be an important element in the fight against poverty and exclusion. They can, but only if they are tailor-made, easily accessible to those in need and, perhaps most importantly, part of a wider social welfare system and combined with activation measures to reintegrate the most excluded into the labour market. Ensuring access to education, educational opportunities and personalised career guidance are key elements of modern social support that we must not forget. All this is not an easy task and I believe that, in order to achieve this, national minimum income schemes must be designed as close as possible to the citizen and correspond to the specificities of each Member State. I am therefore not in favour of a pan-European directive on this issue. I believe that there are other tools at the disposal of both the Member States and the European Commission that should be implemented first and that the priority should be to ensure that the existing support possibilities are used by all those entitled to do so, because unfortunately, but it is estimated that at the moment not even half of them are benefiting from the support they are entitled to. I therefore appeal to the Member States for a pragmatic and responsible approach and determination in implementing the recently adopted Council recommendations on responsible minimum income.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Ladies and Gentlemen, At this point, while we are debating here in the plenary chamber of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Polish farmers in my region, in the Lubelskie region, including at the border crossing in Dorohusk, are striking and protesting. And this is not just an issue related to the lack of availability and the dramatically high prices of fertilisers that farmers have felt over the past year. This is a matter of lack of predictability in agricultural activity and production. This is a question of the instability of the incomes of agricultural families. This is finally a threat to food security. Not only for those areas and countries that benefit from the export of our agricultural products from the European Union, but also, in the long term, food security in Europe, because a huge number of farmers simply abandon this activity because of the lack of predictability of agricultural activity. They cannot understand why fertilizer prices are so high and at the same time companies and fertilizer companies record incredible profits, never achieved even in the best economic situation. And who did they make that money from? After all, it is on farmers. And another point: the huge problem of today's flood of Ukrainian grain to the European market, to the Polish market. Of course, Ukraine needs to be helped, but all grain warehouses in Poland have been flooded with Ukrainian grain. Farmers cannot sell this grain, and even if they could, it is unfortunately below the cost of its production. That's why they're protesting and striking today. And they do not expect messages, but real action and support for them today, here, in this moment and now.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Ladies and Gentlemen, There is no need to convince anyone that the phenomenon of interfering in the electoral process is extremely dangerous, as we have seen, for example, in the famous example of Cambridge Analytica. The issue of the protection, transparency and integrity of the electoral process is no longer only the protection of our fundamental values, but even ‘to be or not to be’ the rule of law or the common European project. It is therefore of the utmost importance that our constituents are fully aware of the fact that a given message constitutes political advertising, as well as the source of funding for such advertising. I believe that the proposed regulation is also an expression of respect for the voter, as we are thus equipping him with the tools needed to make informed decisions. At the same time, we will also be able to effectively counter disinformation and external interference in elections.

Mr President, thank you very much. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Ladies and Gentlemen, During this plenary session, we are celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of the European single market. It is one of the pillars of the European Union and over the last three decades we have been determined to remove barriers to the free movement of people, services and capital. And although of course this is not a process that can ever be considered completely completed, much has been achieved. During these 30 years of building the single market, economic realities have also changed significantly. And we already know that sustainable, sustainable and inclusive development cannot take place without accompanying social policies and the protection of workers. I therefore believe that the European Works Councils created by the Regulation in 1994, that is, almost immediately after the establishment of the common market, are also a response to global challenges. They are an important element of employee protection in a situation where more and more European companies operate on markets in several or more countries. As I said at the beginning, however, these 30 years have brought about many changes in the economy. Even the recast of the Directive in 2009 has proved insufficient over time. I therefore consider it appropriate to call for a re-examination of the Directive. I am pleased that, once again, the European Parliament is the initiator of such changes. Although the number of more than a thousand works councils currently in operation may be impressive, the downward trend in their creation is something that can be worrying. I am in favour of a balanced approach, which is why I believe that a new revision is needed. However, it should primarily focus on solutions that will improve the enforcement and implementation of existing rules, so that next year and in this area there will be a good opportunity to celebrate the next thirty years.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. Ladies and Gentlemen, Mariupol, Bucha, Irpień are only three out of several dozen, several hundred towns, where the Russians committed cruel crimes against Ukrainians. There are 21 mass graves, 1,000 exhumed bodies, more than 16,000 murdered civilians, 5,000 torture sites, and thousands of kidnapped and abducted children. All these crimes must be tried, and the guilty must be punished. Therefore, the European Union must make a huge effort to support the creation of a special tribunal that will ensure that all the perpetrators – from those who pushed the button and released the rocket that hit a residential building in Dnipro, burying 44 victims in the rubble of this building, to all those who gave orders at different levels, to Vladimir Putin – are punished.