4
May
2022
Watch
Discharge 2020 (debate)
Madam President, Commissioners, President of the Court of Auditors, Minister, ladies and gentlemen, we must recognise the importance of the transport sector and of investment in this sector, which is going through a difficult period, that of the pandemic, and the transition to a green and digital economy. Without transportation, there is no economy. Moreover, transport affects every citizen every day as a worker, student, tourist and consumer. Without transportation, there is no high-quality life. Finally, transport plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between remote areas and Europe's main economic and industrial centres. Without transport, there is no internal market. Dear colleagues, the European transport agencies have proven their efficiency and professionalism in this time of crisis, and I welcome the fact that no suspected cases of fraud have been sent to OLAF. That is why the European institutions need to pay more attention to transport agencies and joint undertakings in the field of transport, so they call for an increase in the budget for all relevant agencies.