Speeches

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, We are at a turning point in history. We are at a turning point in history, because at the moment the question is whether the Member States of this European Union have understood the seriousness of the situation. We are at a turning point in history because the question now arises as to whether we can make the Member States of the European Union leap over their shadows. I believe that we in Parliament are very, very quickly in agreement that we need to take the next steps urgently now, because we have been discussing this for so long, ladies and gentlemen! Common development in the field of defence policy, common procurement – of course these are the steps we need to take. But I call on the Member States to: Stop talking about what can't be done! Start talking about what you want to do! Because that is what is driving the European Union forward now. We have arrived at a new time, a new time where we have a threat from the outside; At a time when we, as Europeans, need to be even closer together, especially in the field of defence. Let's finally live the turn of the century!

The next item on the agenda is the debate on the report by Ciarán Cuffe, on behalf of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, on the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the energy performance of buildings (recast) (COM(2021)0802 – C9-0469/2021 – 2021/0426(COD)) (A9-0033/2023).

The next item on the agenda is the debate on the report by Cyrus Engerer, on behalf of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, and Andrus Ansip, on behalf of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the substantiation and communication of explicit environmental claims (Environmental Claims Directive) (COM(2023)0166 – C9-0116/2023 – 2023/0085(COD)) (A9-0056/2024). As you can see, it is not Cyrus Engerer who is there, but Mohammed Chahim, who represents him.

The next item on the agenda is the joint debate on – the report by Tiemo Wölken, on behalf of the Committee on Legal Affairs, on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the single supplementary protection certificate for plant protection products (COM(2023)0221 – C9-0152/2023 – 2023/0126(COD)) (A9-0020/2024) and – the report by Tiemo Wölken, on behalf of the Committee on Legal Affairs, on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the single supplementary certificate for medicinal products and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1001, Regulation (EC) No 1901/2006 and Regulation (EU) No 608/2013 (COM(2023)0222 – C9-0148/2023 – 2023/0127(COD)) (A9-0019/2024) and – the report by Tiemo Wölken, on behalf of the Committee on Legal Affairs, on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the supplementary protection certificate for plant protection products (recast) (COM(2023)0223 – C9-0149/2023 – 2023/0128(COD)) (A9-0023/2024) and – the report by Tiemo Wölken, on behalf of the Committee on Legal Affairs, on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the supplementary protection certificate for medicinal products (recast) (COM(2023)0231 – C9-0146/2023 – 2023/0130(COD)) (A9-0022/2024) and – the report by Marion Walsmann, on behalf of the Committee on Legal Affairs, on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on standard essential patents and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 (COM(2023)0232 – C9-0147/2023 – 2023/0133(COD)) (A9-0016/2024).

The S&A/D Group has forwarded decisions on changes to appointments to committees and delegations to the President. These decisions will be recorded in the minutes of today's meeting and will enter into force on the day of the announcement.

The competent authorities of Sweden have informed the President of the election of Linus Glanzelius as Member of the European Parliament. Linus Glanzelius will replace Erik Bergkvist with effect from 27 February 2024. I warmly welcome our new colleague and remind him that he is now fully entitled to participate in the meetings of Parliament and its institutions, subject to the examination of his mandate. Welcome to our midst, Mr. Colleague!

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen. Rarely has a proposal for a report from the European Parliament caused so much excitement, dear colleague Delli from the Greens. Night driving bans for novice drivers, abolition of accompanied driving – all this is no longer in the position of the Committee on Transport and Tourism. That's a good thing! The most controversial point is the mandatory health tests for everyone. Personally, I believe that for us Free Democrats this is a false security that is to be introduced here. If you have a driver's license at 18, then you have a test at 33, with 48, with 63 and with 78 and then again with 93. Ladies and gentlemen, do we really believe that this will improve security? No, we do not, but we ensure that millions of additional doctor's appointments take place and that additional bureaucracy is set in motion. We believe that the current systems in place in the Member States are just the right thing to do. This is decided on the ground, it works in the Member States, and I believe that there is no reason to introduce an obligation for everyone, especially because certain diseases already exist today.

The next meeting will take place tomorrow 27 February 2024 at 9 a.m. The agenda has been published and is available on the European Parliament's website.

The next item on the agenda was one minute's speech on important political issues (Rule 172). I would like to draw your attention to the fact that you can take the floor for the one-minute speech from your seat.

The next item on the agenda is the brief presentation of the report by Antonius Manders, on behalf of the Committee on Legal Affairs, on the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of the environment through criminal law and replacing Directive 2008/99/EC (COM(2021)0851 – C9-0466/2021 – 2021/0422(COD)) (A9-0087/2023).

The next item on the agenda is the brief presentation of the report by Paolo Borchia, on behalf of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Decision (EU) 2017/1324 as regards the continuation of the Union’s participation in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) under Horizon Europe (COM(2023)0359 – C9-0213/2023 – 2023/0207(COD)) (A9-0378/2023).

The next item on the agenda is the debate on the report by Manuela Ripa, on behalf of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on detergents and surfactants, amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 (COM(2023)0217 – C9-0154/2023 – 2023/0124(COD)) (A9-0039/2024).

Thank you, colleague. The next on my list for catch-the-eye is Mick Wallace. I would remind you to be present during the debate for catch-the-eye.

The next item on the agenda is the debate on the oral question to the Commission on working conditions for teachers in the EU by Dolors Montserrat, on behalf of the Committee on Petitions (O-000002/2024 – B9-0007/24) (2023/3015(RSP)).