Speeches

Mr President, I welcome first of all the help package presented by the European Commission. Small and medium-sized enterprises across Europe have been severely hit by the pandemic and also by the war of aggression against Ukraine. Before the pandemic these enterprises were already facing major challenges in order to innovate and thus be in a position to grow and be able to compete on international markets. It is clear that we need to establish new, more sustainable, more resilient models, in order to help our enterprises. To this end, this financial envelope was especially needed in order to help those in a dire situation. High inflation, rising interest rates and the obstacles that these enterprises would have encountered in finding finance have been and are obstacles that need to be addressed. Positive that the Directive on late payment will also be revised and other measures taken to increase the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in public contracts and cross-border contracts. But last but not least, all proposed measures should safeguard the existing rights of workers and even consumers.

Ms President, Ms President of the Commission, is only with the courage and ambition that we can achieve in order to give full protection to our citizens in the digital world. We were brave when we moved forward, as you said well, the Digital Services Act, the European Digital Markets Act. We were brave when we approved the common European charger law a year ago. Some of us were at that time. Yesterday we saw the largest company in the world that, after 13 years of resistance, implemented it is also the standard we agreed about a year ago. With the same enthusiasm, ambition and determination, we need to do more. There is a need for stronger enforcement so that it is no longer just a beautiful law on paper - the law of the DSA and the DMA on a European basis. We need to conclude as soon as possible the work on the Artificial Intelligence Act, the Platform Workers Act, the Data Act. The European Commission needs to move and implement, as soon as possible, the proposal we endorsed in the European Parliament of the Right to Disconnect. We need to invest in enhancing digital knowledge so that the most vulnerable are not excluded and discriminated against. We need to protect our consumers when shopping online. We need to continue to protect the privacy of our citizens on an online basis from surveillance.

Ms President, the Single Market Emergency Instrument is designed to help the European Union and Member States to better confront future crises and to also ensure the supply of essential goods and materials on the market during times of emergency. We all remember when during the pandemic, countries were caught on one foot, and had critical shortages of life-saving essential medical equipment. The proposal we are discussing today is a tool for future crises, to help us prepare, prevent and not repeat the mistakes we had during the pandemic. The social dimension of the proposal and the element of the free movement of persons, and the fundamental freedoms linked to the provision of services are extremely important. To this end, such an instrument should not undermine the right of workers to strike, which is a key right stemming from labour law. Nor should such an instrument undermine the role of the European Parliament vis-à-vis the strength of the Council. But last but not least, public procurement contracts that should be transparent, including the reasons leading to the selection of specific companies to also ensure accountability and transparency on the part of the European Commission.

Mr President, we cannot deny an obvious fact. The climate crisis is with us. During this summer we experienced extreme weather across Europe; from floods, extreme heatwaves and even fires. We had even Member States that faced heatwaves and even major floods within a few days. In Malta, the smallest Member State, we have assisted with record temperatures of around 43°C, which lasted for a number of days, leading to major challenges when it comes to our country's critical infrastructure. These extremes are with us and will continue, and will increase in their intensity. And all this is having a negative impact on the quality of life, the environment, the economies of our Member States. A strategic plan is therefore needed to continue investing as a European Union in a climate proofing plan that protects citizens, protects industries, protects our critical infrastructures as well as our environmental sustainability.

Mr President, the ChatGPT quickly gained popularity and reached today more than a hundred million users in a few months. Generative Artificial Intelligence systems and ChatGPT conversion have shown impressive results and potential for innovation and digital transformation. No one has any doubt about this. But in the process, ChatGPT also raised important questions about the fundamental rights of our citizens, the protection of consumers, the livelihoods of artists. The generative Artificial Intelligence system is constantly improving and becoming smarter, increasingly generating real but not real writing, video, audio and content. The generative Artificial Intelligence industry can be dangerous, and if this technology goes wrong, it can have devastating effects on many sectors. So the hype around the generative Artificial Intelligence of ChatGPT, should not alienate us from the real dangers. The European Union was a driving force behind the Artificial Intelligence Act, and with our vote we sent a global message to governments and Artificial Intelligence developers that some use on this Intelligence is dangerous and needs to be regulated. And this is also the case for ChatGPT and similar generative systems.

The role of SMEs in Europe is crucial for economic growth, job creation and also for social cohesion. European SMEs have been hit very negatively by both the pandemic and the war of aggression against Ukraine. Even before these two challenges we are facing today, SMEs were already facing major challenges in order to remain competitive in innovation, growth and even competition on an international basis. SMEs still face major difficulties in accessing finance while acquiring full knowledge, full knowledge of all the opportunities that can help them both at European and international single market level. Many small companies are being dismantled, eliminated from the market before almost starting their operations or in the infancy of their operations, while those who survive continued to fight against many currents. It is therefore important to establish sustainable models, resilient models to help SMEs, in particular micro-enterprises and self-employed. It is therefore vital that the package proposed by the European Commission includes measures to ensure that these difficulties are addressed while ensuring fair competition for SMEs that prevents market problems while protecting the protection and rights of both workers and consumers.

I believe that, as I have already said, the balance struck both in the ITRE Committee, in the ENVI Committee, and in all the Committees, which have ultimately had an opinion on this legislation that is so important to finally find this balance, I think and believe that, on the one hand, we are seeing to strengthen environmental protection, the sustainability that is so important and so important. And it makes no sense to keep saying that this problem does not exist but ultimately also the importance that the targets we are putting before us do not create a disproportionate burden on European industries which ultimately need to see that they still remain competitive. I believe that this balance has been reached, and it has been achieved very well.

First of all I would like to congratulate the rapporteur and also my colleagues on the work we have done on this important report which aims to guide European industries to reach the zero pollution ambition by 2050. I believe that the Industrial Emissions Directive has been and is crucial to reduce pollution and emissions from industrial sectors and bring environmental, climate and health benefits to the European Union. As a shadow rapporteur in ITRE on the revision of the Emissions Directive, I particularly welcome the introduction of a new chapter on promoting innovation that foresees in particular the creation of an innovation hub for industrial transformation and emissions operated by the Commission, gathering and analysing information on innovative techniques. This report addresses the most important issues of this review, which ultimately strikes an important balance between the protection of the environment and human health, but at the same time makes sure that we do not place a disproportionate burden on European industries that are ultimately overwhelmed. (The speaker agreed to answer a question "blue card")

Mr President, as long as Europe does not catch up with other key regions, in digital technologies, will be vulnerable in all sectors to growth and even competitiveness. Given all the crises and events, in the last few years, on our continent, we need, more than ever, a robust Europe that develops its digital capabilities and even autonomy. Both China and the US are currently investing heavily in artificial intelligence, connectivity and other digital technologies so we should not lag behind. Europe should also invest in research and innovation capacity in strategic sectors, such as artificial intelligence and high-performance computers, cloud computing, privacy-enhancing technologies and clean technologies that contribute to reducing carbon emissions. We need more attention, more investment in research and development which is the force of technological development. European entrepreneurs should not feel compelled to relocate to Silicon Valley in order to find the necessary funding to grow their businesses. European Union programmes, such as the one dedicated to future and emerging technologies as well as the Research Council of Europe, play a decisive role in reaching these important milestones.

Mr President, we have been calling for a fair solidarity mechanism for years: solidarity with those most in need, solidarity with our citizens and solidarity between Member States. After years of negotiations in the Council, it is disappointing that the agreement reached last week does not strike the right balance between responsibilities and solidarity. The agreement reached in the Council, will be very difficult to function with the current volume of migratory flows towards the European Union. Concrete commitments on responsibility-sharing and solidarity lag behind the ambitions of this Parliament. While I welcome the mandatory solidarity mechanism, I firmly believe that it still lacks the level of commitment needed to ensure that the needs of the most exposed countries are met, especially countries such as Malta which is so vulnerable due to its size and particularities. We need to see more will from all Member States to show solidarity, after all this is a fundamental principle established by the Treaty of the same European Union.

Mr President, children should live free from all forms of discrimination, from all forms of intimidation, feel different, choose to leave school early, feel, also have suicidal thoughts that can unfortunately lead to tragic situations such as that of Coco. These are just a few elements that young people feel, children when they are bullied. The consequence of violence and bullying, including online bullying, has major effects, profound and lasting effects on children’s physical, psychological and emotional development. During the pandemic, the lives of our children and young people became one with the online world. As has also happened with bullying which is now no longer restricted only in schools but has also become predominant in the online world. If we want young people to become digital and confident, competent and active citizens, we need a safe digital environment where they can thrive without fear, without feeling threatened. To this end they need to be equipped with digital skills and competences and with the critical thinking needed for responsible online decision-making and tackling a wide range of online risks, including bullying. I'll close here: preventing and eradicating online bullying involves a profound commitment that must start with our communities, schools and homes. But this needs to happen together with a European strategy.

Mrs President, thank you Prime Minister who is with us today. For the European project to remain relevant, we must talk about people’s priorities. And one of the top priorities people are, and citizens are talking about, is the priority of strengthening the social field on a European basis, in a situation where we have very high inflation rates, high energy and food prices, rising unemployment, rising poverty and rising social inequalities and the war in Ukraine. So it is important that the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights, the SDGs, continue to be the compass guiding reforms and investments. Social rights should have the same importance as macroeconomic and environmental goals with the common aim of improving the well-being of our European citizens. And so I would also like to ask you what our priorities are and should be at present as Europeans as well, when it comes also to the social field, even if we have incidentally also a Commissioner in charge of the social field who is doing a good job, which is Luxembourg too.

Mr. President, we need to move from words to facts. We have heard such speeches when we begin to see human tragedies occurring in our seas, in front of our eyes. When we see a lounge full of children, women, men, who lose their lives when they make such trips. And so solidarity is needed. Solidarity on a European basis that is no longer just beautiful, written in paper, in the Treaty - sanctified under Article 5 - but true solidarity. True solidarity with bordering countries to continue saving lives so that there can ultimately be solidarity between all countries on a European basis, so that protection can truly be given to all. Our approach to the Pact on Migration should again be based on solidarity: solidarity with those in need of protection, solidarity with our citizens and solidarity between Member States. We must fight for an agreement based on solidarity both towards those seeking protection but also between Member States. With only a few countries responsible for the majority of arrivals, thestatus quo It is neither fair nor sustainable. Solidarity between Member States should be the rule and not the exception!

Risks are high for the 2024 Budget of the European Union. The current situation requires an unprecedented response from the European Union budget to reflect the realities around us and protect jobs, workers, young people, children, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups in the recovery of our economy. The next year's budget should match our political commitments on key programmes for youth, children, workers, health and recovery in a just transition from the crisis and the war in Ukraine. Unfortunately, existing programmes and financial instruments are no longer sufficient to support people, and there is a need for new solutions and a socially responsible budget that defends the rights and funds of European citizens where resources are most needed. We urgently need a European Social Resilience Package and a European Union fund for social emergencies, for crises, so that Europe can respond more quickly to crises of a different nature, which are becoming increasingly urgent. We also need a European unemployment reinsurance scheme to strengthen social dialogue and collective bargaining and provide sufficient funding for the Child Guarantee.

Ms President, cybersecurity attacks have increased in terms of numbers, impact and even complexity. The face of the attack continues to grow with a new cyber threat and devastating effects on our economies, on the well-being of our citizens, on the well-being also of our businesses. New technologies and digital products and services are creating challenges for individuals and governments to meet the requirements of the modern era and protect themselves from new forms of cyberattacks. The development, uptake and use of large-scale digital products and services requires high levels of trust from their users, a proper cybersecurity certification process and even high standards. With more than 22 billion devices worldwide linked to the Internet of Things by 2024, computing products and services should include fewer vulnerabilities and security standards embedded in their lifecycle. We also need more cooperation to reduce the risk of cyberattacks and improve the resilience of important European Union infrastructure, infrastructure such as our hospitals, power plants and digital networks. Finally, we lack experts with the cyber skills needed to fight and prevent these attacks in both the public and private sectors. I am therefore pleased that the Commission has taken steps to address these problems so that we can work together towards a stronger and more coordinated cybersecurity response at Union level that builds an open space, a secure space.

Mr President, for the EPP, Malta has become the easiest excuse to divert attention from real issues of threat to the rule of law being perpetrated by popular governments across Europe. An average of three resolutions a year on Malta, repeating recycled facts and total misinformation, such as what we are experiencing today in this debate. Now, for our tribute, Malta is under attack, because according to the paladines of the rule of law, the Maltese Court does not have a right to protect important documents and evidence that could lead to full justice in the case of the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Those who believe so much in the separation of powers want us to condemn the Maltese Courts because the Court requested an investigation and not the police, David, after a person violated his own order and published documents that could never be published. In the same breath that they attacked Malta, the EPP are defending the Greek Conservative Government, which believes so much in the rule of law that it ends up spying on one of the leaders of the Greek opposition - what fascination and hypocrisy! Today the EPP, together with the far right, have taken a full break from this very important debate.

The hypocrisy of the Popular Group lights up and brushes in this case. We have a situation where the EPP defends a situation where one Member of this Parliament, our colleague here, Nikos Androulakis, the leader of the PASOK, is spiked, his mobile phone is spiked. Imagine if it had happened in Malta, how many resolutions we would ask for. Then we come here with a call from the People's Group that they are saying that a debate should be held on Malta because evidence from the Court, which the Court said is protected and should not issue, against the Court's decision, has been published. Now I am not defending what has been written but that evidence emanates from the Court and is published against, against the direction of the Court, I think that is something that this Parliament has ever looked after. If we really want to talk about a separation between courts, governments, the executive and the rule of law, we cannot here try to raise a discussion against a decision of the Maltese Court that is totally separate from the organs of the Government.

Ms President, The European Citizens' Initiative is a very important tool for the participatory democracy of our citizens that helps them to have a central way in decision-making and the legislative process on a European basis. And this initiative on the protection of bees is a very important one. Also in the light of this initiative, I would like to highlight another problem that we may not have spoken of as facing bees on a European basis especially in the Mediterranean region: the hornet, which is destroying bees and causing many, and many, problems in the biodiversity of many Member States of the European Union, including in Malta, including also in Italy. It is therefore extremely important to have such initiatives so that we can take action at the level of the European Union to provide remedies to our farmers, including, for example, by helping our farmers to also eradicate this problem. It is also important to see the effect of climate change in our Member States for example; two years ago in Malta due to low rainfall, in just one year, we had honey production in Malta which was 80% lower than the previous year – in just one year! And so it is important to address these problems because without bees we will not eat, without bees our biodiversity will end once and for all.

Mr President, having a job is not a guarantee against poverty, it is not a guarantee against social exclusion. In-work poverty is a problem affecting millions of workers in the European Union. Too many workers are facing situations of precariousness, job insecurity, low wages and exclusion from the most basic social protection. Digital innovation, demographic changes, the green transition continued to have a stronger impact on the labour market and on the low-skilled. Quality of work was already a challenge before the outbreak of the pandemic and the war against Ukraine. Low working qualities lead to a mid-scheduled recovery. The current situation has led to more rhetoric on fair wages, decent protection for workers, and protection of health and safety at work which are now being considered as barriers – allajbierek – to competitiveness and job creation in Europe. Let's stop talking about the thumbnails. Quality work is not a burden. Evidence shows that quality work is fundamental to economic growth and competitiveness. Quality work gives workers satisfaction, increases skills, gives more motivation and thus leads to higher productivity. President, Commissioner – we must not only create jobs in Europe, we must create quality jobs in order to have a more competitive Europe. This is what can make Europe more competitive in a globalised world – we do not want to just have an ambition to compete for third world working conditions. We must therefore create a job that delivers a high quality of life for our citizens. Work must above all be decent, well-paid, based on fair conditions, a high level of health and safety, social protection and be fair to all genders.

Ms President, the challenge of raw materials, the supply of raw materials, is a real one on a European basis. Europe has become too dependent on imports of raw materials from third countries; important raw materials to make the transition, green and digital. In the current geopolitical situation, all this is putting us in a situation of unacceptable strategic vulnerability. The pandemic and the war in Ukraine have further disrupted the global supply chain causing huge shortages of raw materials that are crucial for our enterprises. Digital technology and technological sovereignty need secure access to critical raw materials. The European Union therefore needs an action plan to develop a resilient supply chain, a diversified supply chain, matching the current demand for critical raw materials for European industries. This, if we succeed, will make us more competitive and reduce shortages and delays of European products to be placed on the market, while safeguarding the best social and environmental standards in the European Union.

Ms President, it is very important to accelerate the Green Transition of our economies while ensuring that we maintain quality jobs in Europe. Although it is a step in the right direction, the Commission communication on the industrial strategy, needs far more concrete measures and far more ambition. If this is our response to the American Inflation Reduction Act, I would say that we are only trying to solve the problem by throwing more money on the problem and only proposing to reduce the burden of European legislation. This will not give us solutions to the challenges ahead. The relaxation of the State Aid rules without monitoring, without evaluation, without conditions, will not work and will create further divergences and inequalities between the big and the smallest, between richer regions and Member States and the poorest. So I expect more from the European Union: more commitment to families; more commitment to equality; more commitment to environmental justice; quality work; decent working conditions; good wages; involvement of trade unions; respect for collective agreements; fewer redundancies and less deterioration of workers' conditions, should be central in our industrial strategy.

Mr President, Commissioner Schmit, we can never have full rights for our workers if they are not and do not have full participation in decision-making. We have 10 million workers working with multinational companies represented by the European Works Council. The situation is one that we have legislation that does not, ultimately, track the realities that workers are facing in a globalised world, in a digital world. We have a situation where we have ridiculous sanctions. We have information rights that are very low and make no sense in our realities. We have rights where workers should be involved in decision-making, which is often not enforced. And we have a system of dialogue that is not effective in disagreements. And so it is important to be brave and see that we have upgrade legislation governing the Works Council on a European basis. And then it's unforgettable. It is unfortunate that we are in this situation and unfortunate to hear a number of colleagues who speak out against the proposal which also promoted MEP Radtke in order ultimately to strengthen these rights. And so I thank the rapporteur and the shadow rapporteurs for the work they have done. And ultimately, I appeal, especially to the colleagues of the Popular Group, to endorse the work carried out by the Labour Committee with this report which is so important to give all European workers a voice.

Mr President, the Uber files are another example of why a sound framework on transparency and lobbying is crucial to safeguard the integrity of the public decision—making process. Not all lobbying is bad, and not all platforms are bad, but when a company like Uber has unlimited resources and prefers to spend millions of euros to strategically lobby high—ranking politicians to gain a market advantage, while disregarding their drivers’ working conditions and their well—being, or when they work to block legislation that aims to ensure the bare minimum protection for its workers, decent pay and health insurance, instead of investing the same resources in providing decent working conditions and well—being to its people. When a company prefers to spend millions of euros for expensive law firms to drown their workers in legal fees and continue finding ways to deny their basic human rights, when a company engages in immoral practices by using fake identities, trying to infiltrate the account of its drivers so it can monitor them and stop them from unionising, when a company consciously takes such decisions to avoid responsibility and undermine employment standards, thus giving rise to precarious forms of employment, labour exploitation, tax fraud at the expense of powerless workers, then there is something wrong and undemocratic happening. Platforms like Uber did not invent this form of employment. They are simply using ways to avoid the costs and responsibilities that they should abide by as employers. That is why I urge you, we must ensure that this imbalance is corrected, and that the platform economy must uphold the application of labour law and labour rights. To this end, we need a strong directive for improving working conditions in platform work that protects the rights of platform workers, irrespective of their type of employment or from where they are located in the EU.

Mr President, the online video sector, online video games, is the fastest growing cultural and creative sector on a European basis, responsible for thousands of jobs and also with an important role in the market of up to billions of euros. There is no doubt about the importance of this highly innovative digital sector for growth, job creation, for Europe's digital single market. However, we should in no way weaken the need for stronger consumer protection and better protection forgamers, especially for children, from addiction to games and even manipulative practices. Online games are particular to children, who are growing up in a digital video game environment available on various devices: from computers, to game consoles, to smartphones, and other screens. While online games are often very fun and a good way to talk to friends and others, there are risks that children can be exposed to a lot of harm and a lot of danger. Therefore, I would like to thank the S&amp rapporteur;D, Adriana, for asking the Commission to consider new rules to better protect thegamers online video games, in particular children.

Free roaming, the common charger, Erasmus, the freedom to live, work and travel in Europe, consumer protection – including better compensation for citizens, high quality standards for products, competitive choices, lower and fairer prices, online shopping in the European Union, the freedom to negotiate and access for small companies in all markets across Europe. This is where the Single Market has arrived over the last thirty years. The Single Market is not a milestone in itself but a tool that can substantially improve the quality of life of European citizens and help Europe respond to different emergencies, including the pandemic and the lack of essential services, including medicines, as well as the energy crisis brought about by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Single Market is undoubtedly a success story that has helped us bring about some of the European Union’s greatest achievements. We must now achieve the same high levels of resilience and protection in the Digital Single Market. What is illegal offline It should also be illegal in the world online. To this end we must protect the highest level of standards, principles and rules of the Single Market, also in the digital world, and ensure that European consumers, workers and small and medium-sized enterprises are protected in the new digital realities they are entering. Europe must develop resilient digital strategies that enable this market to be a primary catalyst for economic recovery and at the same time work for citizens, putting their interests at the forefront and protecting the most fundamental rights of our consumers.