Speeches

Some months ago, we were in this same Parliament celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Single Market and today, against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the energy and inflation crises, we are here again, discussing how to make Europe the place to invest. For this important goal to be successful, Europe must be home to companies and investors, who can prevent us from yet another shortage of medicine. It must also incentivise investment and skills to ensure that we have the resources and capabilities to achieve our green and digital targets. We must continue with our efforts to diversify supplies, reduce the duration of, and simplify permit-granting procedures. However, we must also ensure collaboration with private actors guaranteeing they remain a strong partner in achieving our ambition and in choosing Europe. Upcoming legislation must increase its efforts towards achieving growth and attractiveness of our Market, as well as towards simplifying rules, especially for SMEs. Furthermore, a competitive European market must be able to provide the necessary skilled workforce, for which considerable efforts must be made, starting from aligning school curricula with the twin agenda, giving every worker the chance to gain new capabilities and contribute towards our collective aims.

It is important to debate the rule of law within the European Union but it is not appropriate to introduce a discussion on a Member State to shift the focus away from another Member State. This was evident as at yesterday's sitting, representatives of the European People's Party first said that we should not hold debates on particular countries, but as the debate on Greece was confirmed, that they opposed, changed the narrative, and pushed for a debate on Malta and Spain. As Maltese, I am sorry to see that, once again, the European People’s Party is pushing for another debate, and another resolution, on Malta to score political points. As I did just a few months ago when we had a similar debate, this time too I will not talk about what I, a proud Maltese, believe in; But on what the European Commission once again said and confirmed today. In this debate, European Commissioner Jurová has just recognised the positive advances and reforms that a Labour Government has undertaken in the last three years, including to strengthen the independence of the justice system in our country. What still needs to be done? Certainly; there is always work to be done; not only in Malta, but in any other Member State. But the advances made cannot be ignored; and another resolution on our country can never be fair if it takes place in a partisan and impartial manner!

Madam President, today we are voting on a targeted amendment to the Cybersecurity Act. We are introducing a cyber certification scheme for managed security services. This is a crucial step towards preventing market fragmentation and establishing the EU Cybersecurity Reserve. I’d like to first thank all the shadow rapporteurs and their respective teams for the collaboration. As the lead negotiator in this file, I understood well the pivotal role of MSS companies in supporting SMEs and local authorities, which often lack in-house expertise and resources. As Parliament, we succeeded with a new provision that acknowledges the importance of providing solid financial and technical support, such as through the Digital Europe Programme. Through this Act, which champions skilling, transparency, accountability to the European Parliament and all stakeholders in the preparation and implementation of the certification scheme, as well as offering more legal clarity in the definition. Over the past five years, I made it my mission to forge a digital policy that prioritises the needs of the most vulnerable. Let us not forget that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. In this era of digitalisation, coupled with geopolitical turbulence, this Parliament’s commitment to a comprehensive, safe and inclusive digital transition for all citizens and businesses alike, irrespective of where they live, must remain a priority. Thus, whilst I urge you to vote in favour, may I conclude in my mother tongue, Maltese. Nagħlaq bil-lingwa Maltija billi nirringrazzja lil dawk il-kollegi kollha illi ħdimt magħhom matul dawn il-ħames snin, mhux biss il-Membri Parlamentari Ewropej imma anke l-ħaddiema kollha f’dan il-Parlament u lit-tim tiegħi. Jien mhux ħa nkun qed nerġa’ nikkontesta l-elezzjonijiet li ġejjin, imma minn qalbi nawgura lil dawk kollha li ħa jkunu rieletti jew eletti biex ikomplu bil-ħidma pożittiva, ħidma sfiqa ta’ Unjoni Ewropea iktar soċjali, iktar reżiljenti u iktar sostenibbli. Grazzi.

– Mr President, despite representing only 7% of the world’s population, the EU accounts for 20% of global research expenditure. 32% of high impact publications and 25% of patent applications. Thus, cooperation agreements between the EU and third countries with similar values and common priorities, such as the EU and New Zealand one, which strengthen ties and advance scientific frontiers are essential. The European Parliament should continue to play a key role to foster cross-border partnerships, exchange ideas and create a more resilient and interconnected research landscape, while strengthening and assisting to strengthen the EU’s role as a global leader in R&I. To ensure this, however, we demand that a safeguard is given when it comes to the European Parliament’s competence over association agreements with third countries, an aspect fundamentally tied to upholding EU democracy. As representatives entrusted with the interests of our constituents, we bear the responsibility of robust oversight and we demand adequate guarantee of our competence. Any erosion of the EP’s scrutiny powers not only undermines effective representation, but also contravenes the principles laid out in our Treaty and rules.

President, Commissioner and colleagues, it is important to talk about today's debate. Let us not underestimate the effects of hate language and disinformation online. They threaten the security of democracy and the mental health of our citizens. They create deep and dangerous divisions in society. Hate rhetoric, often derived from discrimination, racism, homophobia and misogyny, also affects the well-being of citizens, while disinformation undermines their ability to make informed and fact-based decisions. We need to utilise all available tools and rules to hold social platforms accountable. The Digital Services Act, in which we secured rules on content moderation on platforms, must be applied rigorously. Therefore, I welcome the efforts of the European Commission to enforce the DSA also through formal procedures against renowned social platforms. I close by calling on all Member States to finalise the implementation process on time. Because after all, this is an obligation towards our citizens.

President, colleagues, proud of the results we will achieve through this Act, which will create the conditions for Member States' public services to become truly digitally interoperable. In an increasingly interconnected world, the ability of systems and organisations to work together has become very important for European citizens and businesses. One of the primary benefits of interoperability is improving efficiency and productivity leading to lower costs and allocating resources more strategically. From provisions to reduce administrative burdens to others aimed at strengthening equal access for all, as well as public sector workers, in terms of their skills, this Act will ensure that European citizens, SMEs and our businesses can rely more on online public services across the European Union. Digitalisation and efficiency must go hand in hand to ensure quality public services. This law also aims to achieve the target of converting all key public services online by 2030. An important target of the Digital Decade programme you have also worked on as a negotiator on behalf of the Socialists. I am proud that, he insisted that I did, reference was also made to the importance of maintaining the offline accessibility of public services, in the interest of those who do not have the necessary digital skills. Also the inclusive reference ensuring special attention to disadvantaged regions such as islands. Let us continue to work towards a more competitive, innovative and inclusive digital Europe.

Mr President, a competitive, sustainable and resilient European economy is one which not only cares for its smallest sectors – its SMEs – but one which also embraces and nurtures new blood in the form of scaleups and startups. For this reason, we need a New European Innovation Agenda that focuses on investments, incentives and fostering skills successfully. That would free the European Union from its dependencies, not only when it comes to deep tech scaleups, but also in relation to other essential sectors like health and agriculture. The emphasis on regional innovation valleys, which aim to support regions lagging behind, is essential, but we also need to make sure that disadvantaged and underrepresented cohorts in our societies will be able to make the most of this initiative. I therefore ask the Commission on how it intends to implement better these aspects effectively, and also how it intends to integrate also islands, which could also be a laboratory for innovation.

We greet the memory of Daphne Caruana Galizia. We condemn this brutal assassination as we condemn the murder of any journalist for his work. Such barbaric acts are unacceptable, therefore it is important to do justice, so the ongoing proceedings and convictions before the Maltese courts of those who have been or may have been involved in this murder are important. The protection of journalists relates to the protection of European values and our democratic way of life. Essential is the position we have taken in the European Parliament on the European Media Freedom Act. What I cannot accept, however, is another round of speculation and inaccuracies for the political points in this resolution. They are all aware that Malta still has to do just as other countries run by different governments have to do. But let us also recognise what has been done, what has been recognised by the European Commission itself in the annual rule of law report and also by Commissioner Věra Jourová at the moment. Let us put all the facts as they are, otherwise we can never have an objective and fair discussion in this area.

Mr President, ninety-nine percent of European businesses are small and medium-sized businesses, a figure that reminds us that SMEs are really an integral part of our economy. In my work as the negotiator of the Socialists on the report on the European SME strategy as well as on islands, I have pushed hard to help and recognise that our SMEs must struggle and fight the regulatory burden and need help in terms of lack of access and awareness of funding opportunities. We must also help them to acquire the right skills also in view of the environmental and digital goals. In the same way as cohesion policy functions, likewise, our SME Union should take a differentiated approach vis-à-vis those based on periphery and islands. This is to ensure that they also have equitable access to the single market. It is therefore essential that the European Commission accelerates the delivery of the announced package of aid measures to ensure that we have a competitive, inclusive and resilient SME Union.

Mr President, Madam Commissioner, colleagues, rapporteurs, it was a pleasure working with you from the transport side of things. Today’s vote places Europe at the forefront of becoming a global hub for cutting—edge innovation, channelling the potential of fair, accessible, transparent and trustworthy AI for our citizens. The act strives to achieve an important balance, encouraging investment, digitalisation and technological progress whilst regulating via a risk—based approach, respecting our European values and fundamental rights. Our strides in this field must continuously seek to improve our quality of life, relying on human—centric models, keeping people in the driver’s seat while also ensuring that AI serves as an enabler for inclusive mobility and transport. All this can only be achieved if we ensure that our workforce is sufficiently skilled and our SMEs are kept on board. Fostering ethical AI built on responsibility and clear liability will create a culture of trust for consumers and investors alike, incentivising the uptake of technologies that can improve the lives of European citizens and the resilience of critical infrastructure, whether it is in the health or transport fields.

Ms President, dear Commissioner, it is time for the European Union to join the Istanbul Convention as soon as possible and to do so, the vote ahead is essential to move forward effectively. This step is important. It is important for the protection of that girl who is experiencing violence against her own mother, in a space that should be safe, about even the young man who harassed her on her way to school. Even for the beaten woman struggling to find adequate shelter: it is also this that the European Union joins this Convention on the criminalisation of various acts of violence, on mandatory investment in education, in training for experts, in specific programmes for aggressors, in appropriate support services that should first and foremost seek to prevent violence. In the meantime, support should begin in our schools, in teaching our children to recognise the signs of the warning of violence itself, so that they know where to seek help. Let us continue to fight, let us take all measures to ensure that violence against women, which is a clear violation of human rights, is never tolerated.

Mr President, Mr Commissioner, colleagues, equality is not equity; equality treats all regions equally. While equity recognises that each region has different circumstances and allocates the necessary resources and opportunities to achieve an equal outcome. Additional assistance to regions suffering from severe and permanent handicaps is needed to meet renewable energy targets, a successful switch to clean technologies, as well as to address the increased impact of the pandemic, the energy crisis and inflation. It should also take into account labour market constraints, extra costs for importing raw materials and consumer products; the realities facing our islands and peripheral regions. Any revision of state aid rules and de minimis, they should fully incorporate the ‘do no harm to cohesion’ principle. They should pay specific attention to our citizens, SMEs and businesses coming from islands, who continuously face higher prices and insularity constraints. This prevents them from falling behind. My question is therefore, ‘How will the Commission achieve a truly equal outcome by embracing fairness?’

Mrs President, agriculture is the largest, one of our most vital industries. However, to ensure that it is sustainable, we must make sure that our farmers are well assisted. Farmers in Europe are not only not paid enough, but are also struggling to make ends meet and produce the much-needed harvest. In our discussion on strategic autonomy we must not ignore our dependency on third countries with regard to fertilisers, the scarcity of which is creating extra costs for our farmers and could jeopardise the food supply in Europe. European farmers expect the transformation we are pushing to be accompanied by investments, assistance, clear answers and flexibility in the use of organic fertilisers such as RENURE, which can and should have accompanied the path towards a more circular economy and less dependence in this area. Agriculture is becoming more sustainable and digital through the use of innovation. However we must do much more to support our farmers, in particular those facing increasingly high costs and scarcity, including farmers coming from islands and regions such as Malta and Gozo.

The past has shown that the success of environmental and digital hearts depends on the efficiency of our supply chains. While we are working for more energy and clean tech, let's not forget that critical raw materials are an essential commodity for the Union's economy and resilience. We have seen that the US, Japan, South Korea invest in reducing their dependence on the same raw material extraction. The European Union's industrial strategy should be a sign of our autonomy to define a full, affordable and sustainable plan for supply chains, their diversification, reuse and recycling. However, European policy cannot only prioritise the safety of raw materials such as those used in batteries and electric machines, but must go further. Therefore this act and our policy should also look at other strategic matters in all areas such as those of food supply and medicine that directly affect us, which affect our societies as well.

Madam President, the EU is finally taking a tangible commitment towards digitalisation through important trajectories and targets. The digital decade we’ve negotiated with the Council gives Member States enough flexibility to pursue digitalisation whilst taking into account their different starting points. Yet digitalisation is not an end in itself, but a means to broader societal outcomes. We have committed to achieving reliable, fast and secure connectivity for everywhere in the Union, including in rural and remote areas such as islands. By 2030, 80% of those aged 16 to 74 should have basic digital skills. There are targets for our SMEs and targets when it comes to big data and AI. A fast and steady creation of digital skills is essential if we want to also address cybersecurity concerns. In this regard, it’s very important that we continue working together. Until then, however, let’s keep in mind the disadvantaged, our elderly who cannot access the internet and let’s maintain offline accessibility of public services whilst we transit. Whilst the new measures will encourage social inclusion, democratisation of digital skills, narrowing the gender gap, our fight towards a just digital market should continue and our strive towards this. And in this regard, we should agree and work towards stronger digital rights, including access to the internet as a fundamental right. Let’s ensure that the Europe of 2030 will be digitally ready, fully connected, leading ahead whilst leaving no one behind.

Mr President, many of the conclusions of the public inquiry into the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia have been made or are in the process of being made. The level of perceived judicial independence in Malta remains high. The Maltese Government has reacted by implementing a number of reforms to address shortcomings in the democratic system and the rule of law. These words are not being said by Josianne Cutajar, a proud Maltese member of a Labour party in government. Von Der Leyen told Prime Minister Robert Abela. the European Commission in its latest report on the rule of law. The speech was delivered by the Council of Europe. More people have been found and convicted for the murder that left a stain on our country. And we have a Government that continues to change, which believes that what it has achieved so far is not the arrival. Progress being made in countries is recognised by those with impartial and objective optics. It should not be this parliament that once again tries to paint a picture otherwise. I conclude by recalling that the protection of journalists and the rule of law must be protected and strengthened everywhere and in every Member State.

President, Mr Commissioner, also the rapporteur, colleagues we have worked together. The challenges facing European islands on a daily basis have been overlooked for years. I come from the island of Gozo to experience directly the geographical disadvantage and its effects. The same is true for other citizens who struggle with the lack of adequate and affordable transport. And our businesses that are bearing the extra costs related to insularity, even those related to the pandemic and the war. This situation needs to be addressed. The permanent handicaps faced by our islands require permanent solutions. This is why we are urging the European Commission to enter into a pact with the European islands. Tangible actions are needed to help these islands. This is also to ensure a more level playing field with the more central areas. With continued flexibility regarding State aid, to support small businesses, by strengthening connectivity for sustainable tourism; all these are concrete examples of how we can help our islands not to fall behind in the digital core and, especially, in the environmental core we want to do. This week we will vote on the "Fit for 55" environmental package, a package with essential targets and ambitions but which does not yet adequately take into account the realities faced by our islands. We remember that we rely on sea and air transport, and we should have specific help with regard to it. The inclusion of islands on the political agenda of the European Union is therefore the only way forward to address this reality. A path that strengthens the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the peripheral regions of the Union. This is, after all, a question of free movement and social justice with our islands, with Maltese, Gozitans and citizens coming from all European islands. Thank you and I encourage you to join us for this report and for this work.