Speeches

The European Commission's proposals for the 2028–2034 budget are a step forward and show that the European Executive has listened to the messages sent by Parliament and, in particular, by the EPP Group. In recent months, we have warned of the risk of excessive centralisation through the National Plans, a risk that would have limited the role of regions and local authorities in European investment decisions. We also defended the maintenance of Pillar II of the CAP as a distinct instrument, essential for rural development. I note that some of these concerns are now reflected in the revised proposals. The introduction of a minimum rural target of 10% guarantees investments dedicated to villages – in infrastructure, digitalisation, public services and support for small businesses. Equally important is the recognition of the role of regions and the strengthening of multilevel governance, including the possibility of direct dialogue between regional authorities and the Commission at all stages of the programmes. This change reduces the risk that the allocation of funds is politically flawed and promotes a fairer use of European resources. Of course, further improvements are needed, but we now have a basis which, in the coming months, we will consolidate through amendments in the specialised committees.

Madam President, Commissioner, poverty in the European Union is not a marginal problem: 27 million citizens live in conditions of severe material and social deprivation. These realities are also visible among young people - young people not in employment, education or training. This is not only a social problem, but also one that affects long-term economic competitiveness and must be treated as a strategic investment. In this context, I support the European Commission's proposal that in the Union budget 2028-2034, at least 14% of the funds allocated to the Member States should be dedicated to the social field. We are talking about over EUR 100 billion that can make a difference in people's lives if they are oriented towards concrete results. I believe it is essential that we commit to a dedicated budget of at least EUR 20 billion for the European Child Guarantee, with a minimum of 10%, directed to countries where child poverty exceeds the European average. Moreover, I stress the importance of maintaining a European Union co-financing rate of at least 90% for social projects and even 95% for the regions of the Eastern flank, which have been severely hit economically by the war in Ukraine. Finally, I call on the European Commission to support the future anti-poverty strategy by recommending good practice models that can be integrated into national and regional partnership plans.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, I begin by thanking the European Commission for the proposal to simplify the common agricultural policy and my colleagues in the AGRI Committee for their contributions. We managed to bring more flexibility in the application of environmental rules, to include animal diseases in the list of situations eligible for crisis payments, to reduce the loss threshold from 20% to 15% and, very importantly, to increase support for small farmers to EUR 5 000 and a one-off payment of EUR 75 000 for business development. These measures are undoubtedly welcome, but European agriculture needs clear, flexible and fair rules in the long term. However, in view of the next budget of the European Union, we are witnessing another type of simplification proposed by the European Commission, namely a budget cut of 20-30% in real terms, after the adjustment to inflation and the disappearance of Pillar II by merging it with cohesion funds. This proposal has sparked strong reactions among farmers, local authorities and rural communities, whose grievances risk being exploited by populist forces at both national and European level. Farmers demand real simplification, concrete support, fair income and predictability, and citizens expect quality food and fair prices. That is why we need a truly common, simplified and properly funded agricultural policy that ensures the dignity of farmers and protects village identity, traditions and quality food.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, I begin by thanking the colleagues responsible for the reports debated today, and I would like to refer to the need to simplify cohesion policy. There are still regions of the European Union where local authorities and small and medium-sized enterprises prefer to resort to bank loans or wait for government funds instead of accessing European funds, as complex bureaucratic procedures, high costs and strict conditionalities make European funding difficult to obtain and manage. This situation is caused both by the rules established at European level, but especially by the additional rules imposed at national level, which are often superfluous. For this reason, I tabled a number of amendments to the Simplification Report, calling for a single set of rules for accessing European funds, as well as the application of the single audit in terms of implementation, monitoring and control. Only in this way can we ensure that beneficiaries, be they local or regional authorities, SMEs, NGOs, academia or individuals, focus their resources on the development and implementation of European projects and not on overcoming administrative obstacles. At the same time, I support the creation of a single European platform, connected to national platforms, that would provide all beneficiaries with quick access to the various European funds relevant to the sector in which they operate.

Madam President, Commissioner, colleagues, drought is already causing losses of around EUR 9 billion annually in the European Union. In Romania alone, over 2.5 million hectares of crops were compromised in 2024 due to drought and lack of modern irrigation systems. The recent Commission proposal on the revision of cohesion policy foresees the reorientation of cohesion funds towards a number of strategic priorities, including water resilience and the digitalisation of infrastructure. Commissioner, I would like you to confirm to me whether, in the context of the mid-term review, cohesion funding will cover the modernisation of existing irrigation systems as well as the development of smart systems in areas where they are completely lacking. Such a measure would represent concrete and essential support for farmers, severely affected by the effects of climate change and the lack of adequate infrastructure.