Speeches

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! The Qatargate socialist scandal has shown that NGOs need more control. Unfortunately, at the time, as we voted in Parliament, the left and also parts of the Renew had not voted in favour of our transparency motion. But it is clear: NGOs need to explain how they are funded, what their business model is and what their goals are – and this is no different for every company. And it cannot be the case that the European Commission pays NGOs for influencing MEPs in order to enforce left-wing green policies against agriculture and the economy, and that with European tax money. Well, that's so. And I think because you mentioned companies earlier, Mr. Freund: Companies have to prove everything in every promotion when they start funding and even if they get the funding then, these bills are highly complicated. You really shouldn't confuse this with business.

Mr President! Commissioner! Colleagues! On the occasion of the Green Deal, then Vice President Timmermans promised us a deal for the economy. Unfortunately, he broke his promise and there were obligations, reporting obligations, unclearly defined legislation and high cost increases for our economy. I have often pointed out that decarbonisation must not lead to deindustrialisation and that the competitiveness of the European economy is declining. First the Inflation Reduction Act The US has awakened us from sleep because the relocations of EU companies have already been felt in the regions. In order to prevent future emigration, a comprehensive and high-quality impact assessment is required for each legislative proposal. And this impact assessment must necessarily include a mandatory competitiveness check – unfortunately this has not been the case in the last period. I've been an entrepreneur for many years, but the situation we have now in the economy was the last one I had in 2007, 2008, during the financial crisis. I therefore ask you, Commissioner, to focus on competitiveness and give entrepreneurs more freedom.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! While the U.S. in recent years with cheap energy, little bureaucracy and with the Inflation Reduction Act Europe is lagging behind in its ability to increase competitiveness. Timmerman's Green Deal had originally also promised a deal for the economy; What happened, however, were strains on agriculture and the economy, and economic growth stagnated. Europe has never been rich in raw materials, but rich in clever minds, which unfortunately also become less due to demographic developments. Therefore, comprehensive measures are needed, because well-trained specialists are the key to be able to survive in global competition. In Austria, but also in Switzerland and Germany, dual training, which combines practical work experience with theoretical knowledge, has proven to be a successful model. This could also serve as a model for Europe, because education is the guarantor against unemployment and for prosperity in the EU.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! Apple has lost the years-long battle before the ECJ for billions of tax rebates in Ireland, has to pay 13 billion euros. This is not a threat to Apple’s very existence, which is a good thing, but it is a big sign for Europe. It's about profits outside the U.S., and in 2016, the European Commission decided that Ireland has received 23 years of distortive tax breaks. Experts have even calculated that the tax rate was 0.00% on a case-by-case basis. Of course, this state aid to the group provides competitive advantages compared to other companies, but for our internal market we need fairness between Member States. Of course, from time to time Member States would like to see State aid legislation extended. But one should think of other things such as reforms, such as less bureaucracy and burdens – this is also how one can make a location attractive. Fairness must apply to all companies, whether large or small, whether large corporations or the bakery next door. And we must also protect citizens in our countries from these practices, because the careful handling of taxpayers' money must be a top priority everywhere in Europe.

Mr President, Commissioner, esteemed colleagues, esteemed spectators! A stable, successful, affordable energy supply is the backbone of our industry and our economy and thus also secures our prosperity in Europe. Even though energy prices are now falling, they still remain two to three times higher than in the US. This is especially true when we consider that the United States Inflation Reduction Act and, with less bureaucratic constraints, continue to be interesting for outflows of European companies. We urgently need to eliminate this imbalance and create a level playing field for our businesses. The Commission has already provided some important impetus, such as: Net-Zero Industry Act or the EU Energy Platform or the Hydrogen Bank. I also welcome Mario Draghi's proposal for a stronger separation of renewable energy and fossil fuels. Our approval procedures are still a major problem. Here, too, we must not only work here, but also hold our national states accountable. Gold plating It no longer matters when it comes to renewable energy. But even with the greatest efforts – and we must not be deniers of reality – we will never achieve complete self-sufficiency; That's why we need sensible, reliable partners. Yes, energy security and sustainability are important. However, decarbonisation must not lead to de-industrialisation and competitive framework conditions are therefore needed for our industry, our SMEs to continue to operate successfully in Europe.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, The protection of geographical indications for agricultural products is an EU success story. Of the 3 761 products, 57 come from Austria, with the first protected products already registered before our EU accession. The new Regulation brings together the existing rules into a common system of protection and also improves the online protection of geographical indications. Simplified registration procedures, which last no longer than six months, show that agriculture can work even without overregulation. Yes, there are a lot of regional specialties that not only benefit Europeans, but they are also important export products far around the world.

Dear Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to thank Markus Pieper for this report. It is an indispensable contribution to the reappraisal of the Qatargate scandal. I sometimes have the impression here that any demand for more control over the financing of NGOs or the influence of third countries is immediately seen as an attack on civil society. We all know that NGOs play an important role in defending the rule of law, human rights or democracy. Here we also support them with funds from our budget. Last year it was almost 4 billion euros. And it is our responsibility to ensure that any use of EU taxpayers' money is transparent and effective. This must apply to everyone, including NGOs. Those NGOs that are supported with tax money must also disclose their goals, their activities, their donors, so that we also know who we are dealing with and what we are financing with. And those who don't can't take part in the EU pot. A uniform definition is also very important. Colleague friend has said, otherwise it is the Chamber of Commerce or the Caritas, and that is where the separation is made. And everyone has a role to play in resolving and preventing corruption scandals in the future. We have stricter rules in Parliament, even if those rules are still too little strict for you, Mr Freund. But now it's time for NGOs to follow suit.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, The Ukrainians have also been fighting for our common values for 657 days. Therefore, Ukraine deserves a real European perspective, as do the six countries of the Western Balkans. However, it must also be clear that there is no shortcut to become a full member of the European Union. The EU accession processes take time for good reason, because reforms must also be carried out in the respective countries. Austria has already made a proposal for the gradual and gradual integration of the Western Balkan countries. For example, they should be involved in discussions at an early stage when it comes to decision-making in future areas. When, if not now, is the time to reform the enlargement process for the European Union, to think bigger, but also to recognise that people need to be involved and taken with them?

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen. In these geopolitically challenging times, it is crucial that we as the European Union maintain close and trusting relations with like-minded partners. It is therefore important that, after Donald Trump’s presidency, the EU and the US have moved closer together again, and I hope that remains the case – but without Trump. The EU-US Trade and Technology Council coordinates global trade, economic and technology issues. Especially with regard to the Inflation Reduction Act I welcome the Task Force set up by this Council to prevent a subsidy race. Not only in the economic sphere, but also in view of the crises on European and Israeli soil, a strong EU-US alliance is of great importance to stand together for our values and for peace.

Mr President, Commissioner! The single market and the eco-social market economy are the roots of the European Union. But it does not only need roots, it also needs wings, and we have neglected our wings – competitiveness – in recent years, despite the fact that major powers such as the US and China have continued on their growth path. Only when the United States with the Inflation Reduction Act Europe has woken up from its economic slumber. Cheap energy, little bureaucracy and tax credits have also attracted European companies. The European response with the Net-Zero Industry Act This is a good step for investing in the future. This makes it all the more important to quickly implement the SME relief package announced by Ursula von der Leyen. We urgently need the SME envoys in particular for our small and medium-sized enterprises in order to ensure a secure and successful future for them.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! The European Union has always stressed the importance of open, fair and rules-based trade relations. In this context, EU-Taiwan trade relations have increased significantly in recent years. The EU is Taiwan's fourth-largest trading partner after China, the US and Japan, and in 2022 total trade in goods reached a record 84.2 billion. The EU recognises the opportunities and potential of enhanced cooperation and aims to further strengthen trade and investment with Taiwan. The semiconductor industry is the engine of innovation in many sectors, from electronics to the automotive industry. This can also help us with the digital transformation in Europe. Deeper cooperation and constructive support are therefore needed for a more ambitious reform of the WTO. However, when it comes to trade relations, we must not forget that there are significant problems and tensions between China and Taiwan. The People's Republic of China's efforts to isolate Taiwan politically have an impact on economic relations. It is important that the EU adopts a balanced stance and aims to reconcile trade and political stability. In this sense, I recall the shared responsibility of the European Union and Taiwan to further deepen trade relations, build bridges of understanding and thus create a basis for a successful, peaceful and cooperative future.

Mr President, Commissioner, Secretary of State! To present a budget in times of multiple crises is certainly a major challenge, and for that we would like to thank our rapporteurs, but also our Commissioner for Budget Johannes Hahn. The present agreement represents a balanced compromise between the economical use of taxpayers' funds and important investments. The €85 million increase for Horizon Europe compared to the Commission proposal shows the clear commitment of the European Parliament to the economic and investment location as well as to its entrepreneurs. The additional EUR 20 million for young farmers is also welcome in order to increase the attractiveness of this profession and, above all, to encourage investment for these young people. Yes, after this budget, we now face another major challenge with the MFF, which we need to tackle in order to strengthen our Union and make it more resilient again.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Although women make up 52 percent of the total population, they make up only 34.4 percent of the self-employed in the EU and 30 percent of start-ups. The entrepreneurial potential of women is thus an underutilised source of innovation, economic growth, but also job creation. One of the biggest hurdles for women is the fact that female entrepreneurs are often more risk-averse than their male counterparts. Steps must also be taken here, including with regard to innovation. As an entrepreneur of a technical company, it is also very important to me that Deep tech innovation and other cutting-edge technologies take into account that women are more involved. We have many talented women in the European Union who can make a central contribution to our economy and society. But for these innovators and for the start-ups, it must also be worthwhile to stay in Europe again. Let's make Europe Location for Innovation!

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Geopolitics is a worldview or a realistic view of the world that has increasingly shaped the thinking and actions of the European Union since 2020. In retrospect, it seems naive that many have believed that mutual economic dependence, such as on Russian gas and oil, also creates security in Europe. With a joint gas purchase at European level, launched in May, the EU shows not only that we are on the path towards independence and joint cooperation, but also that our supply has become more diversified and renewable energy plays a greater role in the energy mix. You can see that we are not giving up our values – quite the contrary. We correct all too optimistic assumptions, reassess risk and must also represent our interests in the world more strongly in the future.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! Some 4.1 million war refugees from Ukraine have received temporary protection in the European Union. In addition, 5.1 million people have fled within Ukraine. It is truly unimaginable – 9 million people on the run. The Temporary Protection Directive ensures that refugees have housing, including access to education and employment, in all Member States. In terms of medical care, I think we still have all the catching up to do in all areas, in the mental sector, but also in the area of sexual and reproductive health. But there is also one thing we need to keep in mind: As the majority of refugees are women with children, we need to consider strategic options for possible residence permits after the Directive expires. We need a coordinated solution to avoid different national walks alone and a European patchwork. This should also be taken into account in the negotiations on the migration pact, otherwise we are again heading for a dramatic chapter in the migration crisis.

Mr President, Commissioner! The pandemic, Russia’s war of aggression and related inflation, the terrible Middle East terror and 800,000 people on the refugee routes – all of these crises, wars and tensions, of course, also have a financial impact on our budget. Therefore, in this position on the 2024 budget, the European Parliament is already anticipating the revision and reinforcement of the multiannual financial framework. However, the tight budgetary situation in the Member States makes it increasingly difficult to cover the call for fresh money. I dare to doubt that we can expect additional funds from the countries on a large scale. For this reason, after this budget debate, we should seriously and ideologically consider what potential savings we have. Because I don't want to be responsible for the next generation having to carry a debt backpack from us as a dowry and having no more room for manoeuvre.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! As Members of this House, it is our responsibility to ensure that European transport policy works for all citizens. Women play a crucial role in society, in business, in politics. Nevertheless, women often face unique challenges in the transport sector, whether due to safety concerns or unequal access opportunities. Yes, there is still a lot to do in this area. And this report calls on us to address necessary changes. It calls for transport infrastructure and services to be designed in such a way that they are safe and accessible to women. Unfortunately, there is still a gender imbalance in the transport sector. We need more women in technical transport professions, but also leadership positions in the transport sector. We need to look at transport planning and policy from a gender perspective and ensure that women's needs and perspectives are taken into account. This report is a step in the right direction to ensure that our transport systems become fairer and more inclusive.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! As a member of this House, we have a special responsibility to defend our European values and our independence. It is therefore important that the EU can defend itself against trade and investment restrictive measures by third countries with a specific protection instrument. In recent years, practices by third countries to force governments of EU Member States to take certain policies have increased. The primary objective is not to take countermeasures, but to prevent third countries from imposing coercive measures. Nevertheless, if economic coercion is exercised, this instrument provides a structure to encourage third countries to stop these measures. However, countermeasures must not be the ultima ratio. Dialogue must always take precedence. But in a world of increasing geopolitical tensions and economic pressure, we must also ensure that the EU and its Member States, as well as businesses in the European Union, are not blackmailed or forced into a position of dependence.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! Prostitution is regulated very differently in the Member States of the European Union: From legalization to prohibition. In my home country Austria, prostitution is basically legal. Sex workers are socially insured and undergo regular check-ups and therefore have a certain standard of protection. But we all know that violence against women and prostitution always go hand in hand. It is therefore important that we take effective action at all levels to put an end to traffickers who live off the exploitation of vulnerable women and girls. I think we have one thing in common: We want safe exit scenarios, education programmes that promote the talents and potential of prostitutes – because these women also have talents – and, above all, access to income, education and jobs. Because only in this way can women leave prostitution behind and create the exit.

Madam President, Commissioner! As an entrepreneur, I am of course pleased that an SME package was presented yesterday, for which we have been waiting for a long time. Nothing has happened in the last four years. On the contrary, in every report we have created additional bureaucracy for our companies. I am therefore looking forward to the inclusion of SMEs in future legislation and I am also happy that reporting requirements will finally be reduced. Interestingly, the directive on the introduction of a tax system for SMEs, i.e. the entrepreneur has only one point of contact for all permanent establishments in Europe – I think it is somewhat difficult to put it into practice. Yes, and it is high time that the SME Envoy is finally launched, because many tasks are already waiting for him. I now hope that these measures will be implemented quickly. If the economy is doing well, we are all doing well.

Mr President, Commissioner! The US is one of Europe's most important trading partners. However, the Inflation Reduction Act discriminates against our European companies and restricts fair trade. Therefore, I welcome these negotiations on this agreement, because we need critical raw materials very, very urgently, that we can implement the Green Deal, but also because we can counteract wrong developments. Our goal is to ensure that our companies have the same level playing field as we offer them. In addition, with this agreement, we will also create reciprocal trade, labour and environmental commitments. All these measures are, of course, to be welcomed and will undoubtedly also benefit our export companies. However, one thing must always be said in negotiations with the United States, and Henry Kissinger has already said: America has no lasting friends or enemies, only interests.

Dear Madam President, Europe's economic development is heading in a dangerous direction: Low energy prices, low bureaucratic hurdles and attractive subsidies make other world markets interesting for European companies looking to invest. Even the medium-sized economy likes to make new investments, especially in the USA. It is therefore high time that we took care of Europe's competitiveness. Otherwise, there is also the Green Deal Doomed to failure, which, incidentally, we should implement with more economic expertise. Madam President, I very much welcome your proposed measures for the transformation process in industry, as well as the SME development package. We must not leave our European businesses in the rain, because if the economy is doing well, we are all doing well.

Mr President! The Green Deal is the largest legislative package the European Parliament has ever negotiated and therefore it is logical that the EU will encounter obstacles on the way to the green transition. The big problem will be that we have set ourselves goals where we often haven't even developed the necessary technologies to meet those goals. I'm just thinking about the substitution of F-gases in the heat pumps. Yes, and moreover, the Green Deal, Mr Timmermans, still lacks the promised deal for the economy, so we do not know if and how we as entrepreneurs can successfully create this transformation process. And, by the way, the churn of companies is currently increasing very strongly. It is therefore high time that we dedicate ourselves to European location policy. Motivating and supporting companies through incentives, rather than obstructing them with obligations and penalties, would be the right way to go. We have the right concepts with the SME strategy, the industrial strategy, but implementation is waiting. But only in this way can our entrepreneurs continue to deliver the necessary innovations and make investments that help us overcome the obstacles on the way to the green transition. I would like to welcome a group of one-person companies from all over Europe.

Mr President! I am pleased and it is high time that we put the middle class in the center. As policy makers, it is our responsibility to support the medium-sized economy with the necessary measures so that it can exploit its full potential. Unfortunately, we have achieved this only mediocrely in this legislature. With the many legislative proposals, we have also created a bureaucratic monster that stands in the way of entrepreneurs in their day-to-day business and minimizes their motivation to invest. Yes, you can especially thank the left rows here in the house. But the Commission has also created new burdens with unrealistic proposals, which are hardly feasible in practice for medium-sized companies. An example of this is SMEs as suppliers in the new Supply Chain Act. It cannot and must not go on like this. Now that we are in a transformation process, we need to take greater account of the needs of SMEs. Especially with digitalization, which is so diverse in companies, we need our full support. We have set ourselves a high goal in the European Union with the Green Deal, which we can also achieve. But this requires a strong, successful and, above all, competitive economy.

Madam President, It's nothing new. Whenever elections are at the door, the demand for wealth tax usually comes out of the populism drawer. My Member State also often cries out for property taxes, even though we have one of the best-developed welfare systems in the world and are the highest-tax country. In Austria, however, a Social Democratic minister himself introduced the rich tax and then realized that it was not good for the country and abolished it again. Who was asked to pay at the time? It was the SMEs. 80% were taken over by small and medium-sized enterprises. Since I assume that we are not talking about untaxed black money, but about already taxed income, such taxes would add an extra backpack to our businesses. Therefore, we should quickly break away from this retro-think of the 1970s and instead focus on the competitiveness of our economy. Only entrepreneurs create jobs. Relieving rather than burdening must be the credo for the economy and the population, so that everyone who goes to work and performs has the opportunity to build wealth.