Speeches

Mr President, Commissioner, we all depend on essential services such as energy, transport, water, digital infrastructure, health, production and also food distribution. During the COVID-19 pandemic, countries had to work together to protect the health of the population while avoiding disruptions to the free movement of people and the delivery of goods and essential services throughout the European Union. The recent sabotage against Nord Stream pipelines is another example of our energy infrastructures’ vulnerability. Pipelines and underwater cables are essential infrastructure that connect European citizens and companies throughout the world. In an increasingly interdependent world, it is in the interests of all Europeans to protect those services and infrastructures that play an indispensable role in maintaining vital societal functions, our economic activities and the very internal market. As the rapporteur for the IMCO opinion, I support the agreement and believe that the new rules come just at the right moment to strengthen and prepare the resilience of the European Union as a whole. We don’t always have to wait till something negative happens and, instead, be prepared and resilient for sudden disruptions and crises, situations, be it pandemic, be it wars, or even natural disasters. Thanks a lot and, also, well done again to the rapporteur.

Mr President, while Europe was recovering from the pandemic crisis, faced a number of other crises: from war, high inflation, exaggerated energy and food prices, rising unemployment, exploding poverty and social inequalities. And during all these challenges, we must continue to address the challenges of climate change and the digital transition. This situation will negatively impact the social and economic situation of the European Union and it will be our citizens who will see their quality of life diminished the most. And although we see all this happening before our eyes, we are still unprepared. Next year's budget is crucial to deliver solutions to these challenges. This is not a business as usual situation; therefore an effort must be made to help the most vulnerable. In view of the high inflation rate we are experiencing, I therefore call on you to support the two amendments that we will be taking forward as a Socialists and Democrats group, which will further strengthen social dialogue and give more tools to the social partners, so that they are on the workers' side in these difficult times.

Mr President, a few months ago the President of the European Commission stated that Malta's efforts to strengthen institutions, the rule of law and governance are commendable. At the same time we are here today witnessing the ninth resolution and debate of recycled facts on the rule of law in Malta. With full respect for the memory of Daphne Caruana Galizia, I am still waiting for debates and resolutions in this parliament on the four crimes of other journalists that took place in the European Union following that of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Crimes whose legal proceedings have not yet started or have not yet been concluded. Reforms we still have as a country to carry out, but I wonder, which Member State has a perfect system for its institutions. The difference is that the Maltese government has never been supperv, heard, dialogued and carried out the proposed reforms. We have strengthened transparency in the appointment of judges, strengthened the Office of the Attorney General, strengthened the resources of the police and the FIAU and so far we already have three sentenced persons and three others, including the alleged mandant, who are waiting for the start of a trial in order to bring full justice to the journalist. These are the facts that due to an even partisan political interest in this House, they are now trying to be hidden.

– I think this debate has shown how persevering a parliament has been fighting over the last decade for what we believe in – and I think the strongest point today, the belief that this parliament has in consumer rights, in the rights of our citizens to get a better deal when buying their digital products – has ultimately led to a tangible outcome. A tangible result that, in the end, will be felt by our consumers. And the European Parliament, and even in the negotiations we had – apart from having been discussing this principle for ten years, on the basis of a European Parliament and on the basis of the work of the Internal Market Committee – succeeded in only six weeks of negotiations with the Commission and also with the French Presidency, in reaching an agreement. And we reach a much more ambitious agreement than the original European Commission proposal where we managed to double the list of small and medium-sized electronic products that will be affected by this common charger. We have also been able to introduce products such as laptops that will ultimately be revolutionising people's lives. We have managed, ultimately as well, to look forward to technologies that are already with us but, ultimately, will be more predominant when it comes to the charger market such as wireless charging. This, ultimately, as we have already said, although today we are all talking about this economic and social crisis that we are facing due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the repercussions that our people are feeling, ultimately, such a tangible proposal will also have a positive impact on the pockets of our consumers – a quarter of a billion euros per year that will remain in the pockets of our consumers and thus a better quality of life for consumers. But ultimately also, better quality for our environment, for our environmental sustainability with 11 thousand tonnes of less electronic waste generated by these extra chargers. Thank you very much for speaking with one voice in favour of European consumers today.

Madam President, Executive Vice-President, today is a great day for consumers, a great day for our environment. This is the past, and this is the present: after more than a decade, the single charger for multiple electronic devices will finally become a reality, a reality in Europe, and hopefully we can also inspire the rest of the world. Every year, more than 400 million new phones, small electronic devices and chargers are sold in Europe alone. Ten years ago, when the idea of a common charger came to life, there were more than 30 different chargers on the market. And here we are speaking only about mobile phones. Since then, there has been improvement, as well as a significant increase in new electronic devices and models on our market. People often replace their old phones or other electronics simply to update them with new ones or to be able to catch up with new trends. There has also been an increase in multi-device ownership and a shorter life cycle for such devices. And all that results in a pile of 11 000 tonnes of e-waste that we are producing each year from discarded and unused chargers, and more than 2 billion is spent annually on standalone chargers alone. Not to mention the lack of interoperability between different brands, between different models, pure safety requirements, costs for adapters and proprietary chargers, unpredictable charging times, and failed or lost chargers. The list is too long. That is why today we are replacing this pile of chargers with just this. The simplest solutions are often the best and most practical ones. And the simple solution each year will save thousands of tonnes of electronic waste, facilitate the reuse of old electronics, better consumer convenience, reduce unnecessary costs and also help to save millions of euros. And that is why we are here today. The single charger will also minimise the environmental impact of discarded and unused chargers, address the sustainability of electronic products and empower consumers to make better choices, more sustainable choices. The single charger is a huge success that will benefit everyone: the environment, consumers and businesses alike. Together with the shadow rapporteurs, it took us only six weeks to finalise negotiations with the Commission and also the French Presidency. All this just nine months after the Commission issued its proposal. This is a remarkable result: proof that there is a drive for European solutions that change people’s lives for the better. Yet again, we have achieved more, much more than just speed. We have achieved quality, ambition and future—proof rules so that by autumn 2024, USB—C will become the common charging port for smartphones, eReaders, earbuds, keyboards, computer mice, portable navigation devices, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld video-game consoles, and also portable speakers. By the beginning of 2026, USB—C will also become the common charging port for all our laptops, including notebooks, portables, hybrids and netbooks. The Commission will also be regularly revising this list with new products that up till today have not yet been included in the scope. Charging speed will also be harmonised for devices that are supporting fast charging. On wireless charging, yet again this has been another priority of the Internal Market Committee. It was important for us to propose a future—proof solution so we will leave no backroom doors open. This is why the Commission, with the help of European standardisation organisations, will develop in 24 months an appropriate standard also for wireless technologies in buying new products such as smartphones. People will be given a choice, a choice on whether to purchase the new device with or without a charger. This choice will be facilitated with improved information. A dedicated pictogram and label clearly visible on each and every package, so that people can easily understand if the charger is included or not in the product. Last but not least, I want to thank the shadow rapporteurs, staff and everyone who worked on this process to ensure that the common charger will finally become a reality for millions of consumers in Europe and hopefully for the rest of the world. Thank you, and I really hope that you can support this agreement.

Ms President, European citizens are currently looking at us to offer solutions to the economic and social crisis we are in. The actions we will take today will determine the state of the European Union of tomorrow. Energy and food prices, very fast-growing inflation, with long-term negative consequences on us of the pandemic, rising unemployment and reduced purchasing power for our families, rising material poverty and rising social inequality. All of this is just part of a broader problem we are facing. A problem that will affect many and many people in the coming years and that will bring dramatic consequences for the most vulnerable groups in our society. I therefore believe it is time to have a permanent European unemployment reinsurance scheme, to fight unemployment, to preserve jobs and workers' incomes and to create a new European Union fund for social emergencies. We need to support people in poverty, support people with disabilities, young people, the elderly, the unemployed, those who earn a minimum wage or who even do not have a salary, including platform workers, who have no rights, who have no protection at all.

Madam President, the European Union’s strategic autonomy heavily depends on our democratic, social, technological and digital agendas. Technological and digital sovereignty are key to ensuring a stronger, independent and competitive European Union in an increasingly digitalised world. Regional cooperation initiatives across our European Union, such as the Three Seas Initiative, are good examples of strategic importance of investing in regional interconnectivity that benefits the whole of the European Union. Like others of its kind, this initiative will help boost economic growth, improve the livelihoods of our citizens, create job opportunities, promote innovation and foster competitiveness. Investments in high—performance digital infrastructure and in developing innovative digital technologies are critical for achieving the Union’s strategic autonomous voice, continued economic growth and stability, and improved connectivity and security in Europe. We all know how important such initiatives will be for regions that are heavily affected by the pandemic and, because of their strategic geopolitical importance, are severely impacted by the war in Ukraine.

Mr President, both the DSA and the DMA are the first of its kind – unique instruments to regulate big tech companies. The new rules will force the tech giants to play fair and end their abuse of power and ability to game the digital economy for their dividends while creating harm for our societies, for our citizens. We will finally move away from a purely advertisement—centric and surveillance-based model to rules focusing on people’s interests in accessing and sharing high quality content, high quality information. More than ever, in the wake of the fighting of propaganda and also the disinformation war, we will need the democratic tools to regulate user safety, to protect our consumers, to fight targeted advertisement, to end the surveillance of users, and to safeguard transparency and accountability. At the beginning of the mandate, we have put the framework to ensure that what is illegal offline should also be illegal online. I must say that the new rules have fully fulfilled our expectations to empower people and to take back control of the Internet. Once again, Europe has been the champion and shaper of a better global digital world.

Ms President, these are very difficult times for our young people. The pandemic hit and hit them in the strongest terms, not only when it comes to job shortages but also negatively affected the mental health of our young people. Their situation has further deteriorated due to rising inflations, rising prices and the negative economic and social effects of the war we are currently living in. Millions of children and young people are fleeing the conflict in Ukraine and facing poverty, isolation and uncertainty. Erasmus is one of the most successful European projects, helping millions of young people to benefit from learning, mobility and job opportunities. The new programme is also more relevant in this respect, as it focuses on inclusiveness and also focuses on diversity. Erasmus is and should be accessible to all, but especially to young people without opportunities, young people facing health problems, economic difficulties, learning difficulties, social difficulties and barriers in their gender, religion and even sexual orientation. And so it is important that we continue to strengthen this programme to ensure that it is implemented in the best possible way and is always and everywhere accessible to all.

Mr President, the right to quality and inclusive education, training and lifelong learning is the first principle in the pillar for social rights. In the aftermath of the COVID pandemic, the EU reinforced its growth strategy, and its green and digital transition policies. But what about education? We need to move this to the top of the political agenda, because education is crucial to surviving and thriving in the changing world. The fixed skills or knowledge young people receive today is no longer enough. Many of today’s children will work in jobs that do not even exist yet. They have to be prepared to adapt to change and turn challenges into opportunities. I welcome, therefore, the efforts to achieve the European Education Area. Still, EU leaders need to be more ambitious and commit to have 2025 as a clear target date for completing the EEA. We need micro—credentials, individual learning accountants and training for all adults, for all young people. Continuous efforts are needed to recognise all qualifications and learning experiences across our borders, strengthen European higher education networks, and ensure a quality start for all our youngsters by putting an end to unpaid internships. Let’s keep up the work and prepare ourselves for the future.

Mr President, in the new digital world, we are facing new forms of aggression, taking the shape of hybrid and cyber warfare. We have witnessed destructive wiper attacks on hundreds of systems in the Ukrainian Government from IT, energy, financial organisations, nuclear plants, telecommunications to broadcasting companies. During the conflict, malicious cyberattacks have been a prominent component of Russian cyber operations, strongly correlated and sometimes directly timed with kinetic military operations, targeting services and institutions which are crucial for civilians, whether it is to steal data from nuclear plants or to cause chaotic disinformation in the environment, disrupting citizens’ access to reliable information and critical life services, shaking confidence in the country’s leadership. All these cyberattacks are sparking concerns of more significant consequences and catastrophic effects that could also affect and target directly our European Union, our Member States. Every Member State, every EU organisation, large or small, must be prepared to respond to these disruptive incidents. Being prepared will ultimately protect civilians from attacks that can directly affect their lives and access to critical, important services.

Mrs President, Commissioner, we are human beings and not just numbers. Although artificial intelligence has created multiple opportunities, it has increased capital, productivity, innovation, sustainable development, created a number of new jobs, we must not ignore a number of difficulties. Ethical, legal difficulties, difficulties related also to the world of work, the rights of our workers. Digital technologies are affecting the quality of life of our workers and creating an imbalance. An imbalance that is affecting the most vulnerable workers. AI and digital technologies have reorganised, in particular, the future of our world of work and are also threatening a number of particular work sectors, due to outsourcing, also due to a number of other realities. They have also created a number of new tools as they shine on our workers, shine on their personal lives, the use they make of a number of digital platforms, which is also creating multiple realities. Realities also related to abusive practices that are often occurring without the workers’ knowledge; this without any moral standard, without any ethical standard. Companies and these digital tools are also controlling the way workers also work and this is also being done at European level. And so it is important, it is fundamental to see that AI is used in a way that is ultimately also surrounded by the fundamental rights of our human beings, it is more human centric, and I therefore believe that this report is a step in the right direction in order to call for a legislative act at European level to control these realities which are also affecting our world of work. It is therefore important that these realities are ultimately known to the world of work, in order to see and ensure that we have a real balance, work-life balance, as well as other rights also respected, among others, that of theright to disconnect. It is therefore important to act today before tomorrow and I believe that this is a step in the right direction that should also lead us to the Artificial Intelligence act. Thank you very much.

Every day we are creating mountains of waste - mountains of washing machines, computers, tumble dryers. It has become too common to break these products, by chance, shortly after the end of the warranty and end up being irreparable. The reality is that it is easier for producers to put new products on the market instead of repairing these products. This is placing greater burdens on consumers and a greater burden on our environment due to the production of waste. Consumer choices are crucial to breaking this vicious circle. It is our responsibility to create a sustainable single market that provides for the right to repair. Reparability must be realistic and financially sustainable in order for consumers to use products for longer. We need to give consumers all the necessary tools to make the best choices and we can do this by cutting off the use of practices that reduce the lifespan of products, making it mandatory to provide information on the durability and repair of products and giving financial incentives to repair products.

Mr President, first of all, I would like to congratulate the rapporteur, my colleague, Domènec Ruiz Devesa, for his excellent work that he has done on this very important report that we are discussing today. First of all, let me stress that education is a fundamental right and all European citizens are entitled to one. Education is a driver to social, to economic, to cultural inclusion. And it is essential for personal and professional fulfilment. Quality education and, in particular, citizenship education, training and skills must therefore be accessible and affordable to all. However, despite the progress made, there is an implementation gap between the political consensus at European level on the need to advance citizenship, education and the teaching of common European values and the lack of concrete objectives, lack of targets, lack of benchmarks and lack of actions on the ground. This should be urgently addressed at EU level, and the EU should increase its competence in the field of European education citizenship. Moreover, EU Member States must ensure that all children, all young people have equal access to high quality education, and citizenship education in particular, in order to provide them with the knowledge, with the skills that they require to make informed choices about their citizenship. Citizenship planning should be at the heart of every school policy and practice. We want the voices of young people to be heard, and the young people must be given all the opportunities that they deserve. It is vital that we listen to and engage with younger citizens and involve them in democracy. The children of today will be the adults of tomorrow – today’s leaders and activists.

Mr President, as father of a half-year-old girl, I am worried about access to toys that could harm my daughter. Toys that contain substances that are dangerous to the health of our children, that spy on our children and that collect information without any consent on our children. And I will give a number of examples of toys that we currently have on our market. Popular toys, such as a slime toy, a coloured substance toy, which, according to tests carried out on the same toy, has a particular chemical level, boron, which in a number of cases is 14 times greater than the limit of what is accepted at European level. Smart toys which are another example, spreading on the European market and driving forward a number of privacy problems, also in relation to the cyber threats that may ultimately result from these toys. We had companies even at European level that also came and faced a number of criticisms due to dolls that ended up in the European market that were running surveillance on our children. Therefore, the Toy Safety Directive is very important in order to ultimately protect our children.

Ms President, first and foremost I would like to thank the rapporteur Eleonora Evi and also colleagues within different political groups for the work we have all done together in connection also with this very important report on the Ombudsman's activities for the year 2020. Secondly, I would like to congratulate and thank the Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, for her work over the past year, a year so full of difficulties in relation to the challenges posed by the pandemic. Work to ensure that European Institutions, Offices and Agencies adhere to the best standards of best administration, transparency and even ethics in order to ultimately protect the fundamental rights and vital interests of our citizens, in order to strengthen citizens' trust in the European Institutions. That's why it's important, and I'll be pressing on this point, and here we may not agree even with the Popular Group. The importance of full transparency in the decision-making process, especially on legislative files, on the part of the Council. Full transparency which is so important in this legislative process that this lack of transparency is leading to our citizens not ultimately having full visibility for what is going on by this important institution, the institution of the Council of the European Union. I would also like to congratulate the Office of the Ombudsman on this 25-year anniversary. An office that is vital and important for European citizens. I look forward, as a European Parliament, as a Petitions Committee, to continuing to make the difference by ultimately all of us setting aside our partisan agenda and working together hand in hand with the Ombudsman to continue to give a stronger voice to our citizens.

Mr President, when digital platforms emerged a decade ago, the societal challenges arising from harnessing new technologies and services seemed straightforward, and the possibilities were endless. Today, our situation is totally different. Those same platforms have become so big, so significant, so indispensable even for our economy, for our society, for our democracies, that they have started controlling the internet, controlling our people, controlling politics, by simply having the key and access to the online content that we read, to the online content that we watch and also that we share. For the moment, the digital world is like the Wild West, without any rules, without any limits or safeguards, leaving people defenceless, exposed, and exploited for their vulnerabilities. And in the middle of all this are private companies weaponising key digital technologies for their own private gains, for their own profits. Times have changed, and we can do better than this. People are demanding that we step up on their behalf and create a safe and healthier digital ecosystem. The Digital Services Act is the right tool to answer those calls and set a gold standard in the regulation of big tech. I want to congratulate the rapporteur for her hard work. The report is preserving the general principles that are so important for us, the country of origin, no general monitoring and stay-down obligation. It is also providing better choices for our consumers and transparency measures by banning dark patterns, introducing algorithm accountability and also providing greater transparency for recommender systems. Finally, yet importantly, it includes stronger protection and compensation mechanisms for consumers and people with disabilities – and our political family, the S&D Group, kept in mind as a primary concern the protection of our consumers. And this is highlighted throughout the whole report. The DSA should empower people to take back control of the internet, on the kind of online content they wish to read, that they wish to watch, that they wish to share. The time has come to be ambitious and address everything from user safety to consumer protection, targeted advertisement, surveillance of users, transparency, accountability, and end the tech giants’ ability to gain the digital economy for their dividends. If we don’t act now, we will miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Madam President, the French Presidency takes over while we are still struggling with the COVID—19 pandemic. It is vital to continue financing the recovery, address the social and employment related challenges resulting from the pandemic, and support our workers and our businesses in the move towards a more solidarity—based digital, greener and climate—neutral economy. I welcome the Presidency’s programme, but I wish to see more priorities driven by a reinforced commitment to promoting sustainable growth and policy actions that deliver for people and for our workers, and that build stronger European institutions based on solidarity and social progress. I am happy with the Presidency’s focus on the social inclusion of vulnerable people, such as persons with disabilities. Still, more concrete commitments are needed to unblock the current anti-discrimination directive. I also welcome the Presidency’s priorities when it comes to employment and digitalisation, but was disappointed not to see anything on teleworking and on the right to disconnect. Last but not least, I hope that, after ten years, we can deliver to European citizens a European charger proposal.

Mr President, the Committee on Petitions plays a crucial role as a bridge between EU citizens, Parliament and the EU institutions, and the right to petition is one of the fundamental rights of all EU citizens and also residents. I would like, first of all, to thank my colleague Cristina Maestre for her excellent work on this important report, which outlines the increased number of petitions in 2020, with a large number of petitions voicing citizens’ concerns over public health issues, socio—economic emergencies resulting directly from the COVID pandemic. This increased number clearly shows that, in times of crisis, our citizens rely on us and put their trust in us by directly addressing concerns and complaints. That is why it is extremely important to treat each and every petition that falls within the Union’s fields of activity in the most open, democratic and transparent way. Moreover, we need to increase citizens’ awareness on the right to petition in our Member States and encourage them to exercise this fundamental right of tabling a petition by addressing their concerns directly to elected representatives at EU level.

Madam President, the digital market is the first of its kind, an ex-ante instrument to regulate big tech and to safeguard that markets impacted by them remain fair, contestable and also competitive. Big tech giants such as Apple, Google and Amazon have not only become unavoidable trading partners, but they have dictated the rules for too long, creating an environment that can tip off the market, distort competition and also harm our consumers. The text negotiated by the rapporteur and also my colleague and shadow for the S&D Group, Evelyne Gebhardt, is an ambitious position that will introduce an obligation for interoperability for messenger and social media services, a ban on targeted ads for minors and better enforcement for the protection of personal data. Digital gatekeepers will have to be transparent and ban unfair practices, such as self—referencing, dark patterns and any obligations bundling traders to use only their own platform services. I fully support a meaningful ex-ante instrument that will finally set the record straight and create a level playing field for fair and open markets, consumer welfare, and also the protection of European businesses, particularly our SMEs.

Ms President, 2022 will be marked by an economic crisis and an unemployment crisis. This will lead to more inequalities, more poverty and more social exclusion. Therefore, I urge the Commission as well as the Council to be more ambitious and support a European Union budget with a more social dimension that contributes positively to the better quality of life for our citizens and workers, as well as to the better functioning of labour markets. A budget that boosts sustainable growth, social cohesion and convergence while fighting poverty, including child poverty, social exclusion and inequalities. The next budget should guarantee sufficient investment in S&amp flagship initiatives, such as Child and Youth Guarantees, the European Pillar of Social Rights, and social dialogue and social innovation. As regards Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions, the Commission and the EPP rapporteur had to be more ambitious by supporting projects that will address the current social and employment-related challenges arising from the pandemic.

Today we live in a world where digital platforms have become the battlefield for our democracies. We have had the negative effects that anti-democratic forces have left on our democracies following disinformation attacks. Social platforms are built by themselves to maximize the attention and time spent by those who use them. Unfortunately, often what keeps us attached to the same platforms is fake, shocking or sensational content. Democracies are built on the presumption that citizens have access to truthful information, trustworthy information to participate fully in civic and governmental decision-making. Unfortunately, the economic model of platforms is having a negative impact on our societies where information has ended up being used as a technological weapon against democracies, threatening our governance models. We can do a lot to overcome these challenges. The first thing we have to do is to lose sight of the advertising model as the main economic source from which these platforms are living. A source that is focusing on exploitation and intrusion into our private life.

Mr President, on Wednesday we will be voting on my report on the protection of persons with disabilities through petitions – lessons learnt. First of all, I would like to thank my colleagues and shadows for their important input in this report. There was a high degree of cooperation across all the political groups within the European Parliament. I would also like to thank Inclusion Europe and also Autism Europe for providing us with an easy—to—read part of my report in order to make this report accessible to all persons with disabilities. Heartfelt thanks to you. Approximately, there are 87 million persons with disabilities throughout our Union. Their situation may vary considerably from one Member State to another, but they are generally more likely to be exposed to social exclusion, more likely to be exposed to poverty, and it is more likely they are exposed to unemployment. Despite all our common agreed values and also our treaties, people with disabilities continue to face multiple obstacles and discrimination, in their everyday lives, which prevent them from basically enjoying their most fundamental freedoms and rights as laid down in applicable EU law and also in UN legislative frameworks. One of these is the mutual recognition of disability status between EU Member States, the lack of which tremendously hinders freedom of movement within the EU for persons with disabilities. Moreover, access to public transport, physical, sensory and cognitive accessibility of the built environment, goods, services and programmes, use of sign languages and all other means and types of accessible communication and information, financing of – and equal access to – education and also vocational training, access to the labour market, access to personal assistance schemes, community inclusion, equality in opportunity and treatment in employment and also in other occupations. Let me stress that here the Committee on Petitions plays a very crucial role as a bridge between the EU citizens, Parliament and other EU institutions, and also has an important instrument for getting our citizens involved in a more active way in participatory democracy. The right to petition Parliament is one of the most fundamental rights of every EU citizen. However, persons with disabilities are still facing enormous obstacles in exercising this right to petition. That is why it is important for the European Parliament to first of all ensure that its website is accessible for persons with disabilities, in line with the ‘leading by example’ policy. Moreover, it should allow the tabling of petitions in both international and national sign languages used in the EU, thus making the right to petition more accessible for sign language users. Over the years, the Committee on Petitions has received many important petitions on the protection of persons with disabilities in the EU. Citizens regularly get in touch to express their concerns on accessibility, social protection and also employment rights. My report highlights these examined petitions, in which our citizens have raised issues on accessibility and social protection, mutual recognition of disability status in the Member States, as well as inclusive education and employment rights. In the received petitions, the petitioners raise issues of obstacles that persons with disabilities face in various fields, such as access to public transport, the built environment, use of sign languages, financing of – and access to – education and also vocational training. This is a strong message for Europe to act. The report is also very timely, taking into account the recent launch of the New Disability Strategy 2021—2030 by the European Commission. The new strategy aims to improve the lives of persons with disabilities in a barrier—free Europe and to protect the social and also economic inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in our society, free from discrimination, in full respect of their rights and on an equal basis with all other citizens. It is also important to mention the Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, who played a significant instrumental role in establishing this new strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities. Currently there is still no mutual recognition of disability status between EU Member States, which is still creating an obstacle for persons with disabilities when moving from one Member State to another to work, for studies or for any other reason. The Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is basically proposing an EU—wide disability card. The European Disability Card, I must say, will be a very important instrument to help persons with disabilities to exercise their right of freedom of movement, and therefore I have stressed in my report that the European Disability Card should become mandatory in each and every Member State. The report also focuses on a number of barriers that children with disabilities encounter when it comes to inclusive education, especially children with intellectual disabilities, where such children with autism or children with hearing loss are still facing many obstacles when it comes to fulfilling their educational path. I believe that the European Commission should continue to strengthen the role of the Child Guarantee in ensuring inclusion of children with disabilities and also that Member States should increase their educational systems’ capacity to provide high—quality, inclusive education for all learners. Last but not least, I stress in my report also the important role of focal points in the EU, in all institutions, in all agencies, including in Parliament and in the Council, with the central focal point being within the Commission’s Secretariat—General, which would be supported by an appropriate interinstitutional mechanism. The report highlights the importance of prioritising the appointment of persons with disabilities to the role of disability coordinators.

Mr President, biodiversity destruction and climate change are real challenges we face on a daily basis. The majority of biodiversity destruction is taking place in developing third countries and this is also having a direct impact on biodiversity in our Member States, especially when it comes to bird migration. It is therefore pointless that the European Commission only continues to restrict sustainable hunting and trapping practices in our Member States and then ignores the ongoing massacre in our neighbouring third countries. Eradicating biodiversity and ecosystems is also preventing us from progressing to meet the ambitious milestones of the SDGs. We therefore need to address the real cause of biodiversity destruction and redouble our work in these areas. First and foremost; increase funds and investments. There also needs to be a holistic plan on due diligence in the conservation and sustainable use of the rehabilitation resources of our ecosystems. And there should also be more adequate communication with local communities of the same third countries. If we lose biodiversity we will lose our important ally against climate change as well as the challenge of eradicating poverty once and for all.

Platforms for the Collaborative Economy today have become an integral part of our lives, posing new challenges – challenges to industrial relations, challenges to social security, challenges to a regulatory framework of our Member States. The precariousness faced by platform workers is a real challenge and with the COVID pandemic it continues to expose a number of vulnerabilities that these workers were already facing in the past: false self-employment, lack of working conditions, low or fragmented income, health and safety risks, insufficient social protection, unclear employment status. And therefore the Commission's pledge to introduce enforcement measures to ensure labour market integration and eliminate inequalities in the platform economy sector is a project that we have been waiting too long now. What is illegal on an offline basis should likewise be considered illegal on an online basis, which is a principle that I fully agree with. Workers in the digital sector should enjoy the same rights and treatment as other workers. Digital platforms should no longer profit from legal uncertainties in order to abuse the fundamental rights that every worker should enjoy.