Speeches

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.

Mr President! The European Investment Bank is the only international financial institution owned by our Member States and through our legislation we are helping to achieve the objectives. I would like to highlight two points that are particularly close to my heart: on the one hand, the important role of the European Investment Fund in improving access to finance for smaller companies, mid-caps and start-ups. It promotes growth and innovation and employment in the EU. Secondly, I welcome the EIB's contribution to providing an additional EUR 30 billion in loans for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in support of the REPowerEU plan over the next five years. The European Investment Bank has long been committed to the Green Deal, because sustainability also means that the transformation process succeeds, so that the competitiveness of European businesses is also ensured in this transformation. Thank you very much, Mr President, and all the best!

Madam President, Commissioner, Minister! The single market is the largest capital and the most important success factor for the EU's competitiveness. But what do we make of it? Our companies and SMEs are confronted with excessive regulations. Despite the Commission's promise to reduce bureaucracy, each new legislative act puts additional burdens on the European economy. And of course, in addition to the enormous bureaucracy, our entrepreneurs are now also struggling with the high energy costs. The United States, unfortunately, has Inflation Reduction Act This shows once again that they are also very attractive for investments by our companies. And even if I Net Zero Act He's just a drop in the hot stone. What do we need to do to remain an attractive business location in the future? Firstly, courageous and sustainable deregulation, secondly, the reduction of our energy dependencies, thirdly, easy access to capital and - Last, but not least Huge investments in research and digitalization. Commissioner, I ask you to take the necessary steps here so that we can continue to play in the concert of the world powers in the future.

Mr President! It took many years for an agreement on asylum and migration to finally be reached on 8 June. For my Member State, the last nine years have been difficult times. Austria has always been one of the countries most affected by refugee flows. And frankly, European solidarity and support has always been limited. Asylum policy needs a European solution and it is therefore important that a common asylum procedure is put in place in the EU for all Member States. Yeah, I'm not a quota fan either. But if only a few Member States are responsible for the majority of asylum applications, as was previously the case in Austria, then this will not work either. A humanitarian and secure European migration policy requires a functioning external border protection and fast asylum procedures at the external borders, so that smugglers are finally deprived of the business basis and asylum abuse and illegal migration are prevented. Incredibly many refugees are currently on the land and sea routes or waiting in Africa for their departure to Europe. It is therefore important that the agreement on the Council is now swiftly followed by action.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! Last year, artificial intelligence revenue was estimated at $433 billion. AI has not only found its way into the economy, but also into private life. These developments present great opportunities, but also risks, which we must master and can master in a democracy. Of course, legal certainty for developers and entrepreneurs is important to me. And as chair of the SME Intergroup, I would of course also like to see support for SMEs and start-ups to ensure that they are also successful in this area. business cases can develop.

Mr President! Cyprus has been facing major challenges for decades. This is probably why Cyprus has also recovered surprisingly quickly from the economic consequences of the pandemic. But like many other countries, Cyprus is also called upon to reduce its dependence on Russia, especially in terms of exports of services. You have already taken important steps by promoting institutions for cutting-edge research, but also digitalisation. Mr President, you mentioned your gas resources, which will hopefully help to reduce the EU's dependence on Russian natural gas and support the transformation process. You can show your future orientation by using NextGenerationEU funds for the European electricity network, but also for measures in the field of renewable energy projects. Yes, you are the land of the sun. Of course, she also deals with the migration issue very intensively. As for Austria, there was no European response for Cyprus to the increasing migratory flows that these countries had to cope with. The agreement in the Council brought a first breath of fresh air. But now it is also important for the whole of Europe that we get to the implementation of the measures quickly. Mr President, I wish you all the best in realising your plans, especially for a successful, united Cyprus in the European Union.

Madam President, Madam Vice-President, ladies and gentlemen! Yes, I believe that we all want large transport infrastructure projects to be implemented more quickly, but the hurdles have already been raised by our colleagues. I would like to thank Andrey Novakov for pointing out, in this report, important priorities and recommendations for improvements in such projects. As a member of the Committee on Budgetary Control, I would like to stress in particular the need for a single, integrated and interoperable information and monitoring system. Data derived from it can strengthen control and audit procedures, in particular in cases of fraud and conflicts of interest, and contribute to an effective law enforcement mechanism. Furthermore, the results of the report unfortunately show relentlessly the vulnerability of infrastructure projects to irregularities and corruption. Close and effective cooperation between the EPPO and OLAF is therefore essential. There is a need to improve the supervisory and control systems under shared management and to put a stop to the possibility of misuse of funds. I expect the Commission to take advantage of these findings and not waste valuable time in implementing the recommendations.

Mr President, Madam Vice-President, ladies and gentlemen! The EU's competition policy must ensure that Europe continues to play an important role in the concert of world powers such as the US and China. China has already ranked the US at 15.6% and the EU at 14.9%, accounting for 18.5% of global GDP. This is worrying in that it has a negative impact on our jobs, but also on our welfare systems and quality of life in Europe. The inflation Reduction Act The United States has awakened us from sleep and has shown us that America first It is still valid. Therefore, the Net Zero Industry Act the right answer for strategic projects in terms of procedural acceleration. However, the creation of a sovereign wealth fund at European level is dangerous. Because it carries the risk of deducting into a debt union, which would further weaken our competitiveness. Europe has good conditions to face China and the United States economically. However, we must finally refocus on the competitiveness of our economy, and softening state aid rules cannot be the solution. Short permitting procedures and finally cutting red tape – that is now the order of the day.

Madam President, Commissioner! Corruption not only harms society, it also undermines EU values and weakens politics. At the same time, however, it also harms the income of European citizens. It is therefore essential that we now modernise our current legal framework. The Commission proposal provides for new instruments, both at European and national level, to promote the consistent fight against corruption in Europe and beyond. For example, harmonisation across Europe of the definition of corruption offences applied in all Member States and enhanced cooperation between national authorities will facilitate effective prosecution across borders. An independent judiciary is the cornerstone of a functioning rule of law. It cannot therefore be the case that the media often know about facts earlier than the accused themselves. Here, too, we must take the necessary steps to ensure that our rule of law is not undermined in this way.

Madam President, The issue of asylum and migration is a European challenge that also needs a European solution. Unfortunately, in recent years we have not found an answer at European level to increasing migratory flows to Europe. Aligning development cooperation with measures to address the root causes of migration is certainly the right step. Return agreements are also an important milestone in asylum policy, and many countries are already considering compliance with these agreements in their development cooperation. However, refusing any assistance, as we have heard here today, would be a step in the wrong direction, as emergencies in third countries could be exacerbated. Nevertheless, a gradual conditionality of allocation of funds and compliance with contracts by third countries is conceivable. Because it is also the responsibility of third countries to use our EZA funds effectively for the people on the ground, so that there is less pressure to leave the country.

Madam President, representative of the Council, Commissioner, Mr President! At the end of the 2021 discharge cycle, it is important that we highlight the importance of parliamentary budgetary control. As a member of the Committee on Budgetary Control, the protection of the budget is our top priority. And I am confident that with the effective use of rule of law conditionality, we have another tool to stop the abusive use of tax money. I would also like to thank Commissioner Hahn for this. As shadow rapporteur for the Joint Undertakings, I can report that the budget has been spent in accordance with the principles of economy, efficiency and effectiveness. I would also like to highlight the good work at Frontex. The new management is doing an excellent job and it must be clear to all of us in this House that it is only with effective external border protection that we can preserve our freedom within Europe. For our future, it is important to ensure effective control of the Recovery and Resilience Facility under NextGenerationEU. In this regard, our partnership with the European Commission, the European Court of Auditors, OLAF and EPPO is crucial and thank you for the good cooperation.

Mr President! The Stability and Growth Pact should no longer provide Member States with opportunities to build up debt, but rather support them in debt reduction through targeted programmes. We know from the past what it was like when some Member States had built up debt in the shadow of the euro, without carrying out structural reforms, and the other Member States then had to step in to bail it out. At that time, the waves were high among us in the population, and the enthusiasm for the EU was dramatically reduced. Therefore, it must be our goal that the next generations also have room for manoeuvre and that we do not slip into a debt union. And even now, investments in the Green Deal must not be used by Member States as an excuse for new debt, because we have already provided funding for it in many areas. That is why we need a reliable system for both deficit reduction and debt-to-GDP reduction.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! The EU budget must meet the tasks and challenges facing Europe. That is why we need this new own resource. We have already talked about NextGenerationEU and it is a great package; But of course we also have to repay these funds. We must not put on a debt backlog for the next generation, nor should we take the path to a debt union. Yes, the leftists always come up with new taxes when they don't have new ideas. But I think that's the wrong way. It has never worked in the past; The wrong people, i.e. the top performers and the middle class, have always been hit. I believe it will also be difficult for our MEPs in national parliaments – if we do not have new ideas, but only come with new taxes – to agree to these new own resources.

Mr President, Minister for Europe, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! The current migration trend is dramatic. Incredibly many refugees are on the land and sea routes, and in Iran three million Afghan refugees are waiting to leave for Europe. Italy has now shown that it needs help, and the European Union should take this seriously, because Austria, as a landlocked country, was not heard last year when 112 000 asylum applications were lodged both at the borders and in the country, despite the fact that we were already among the frontrunners in refugee reception in 2015. No one has listened to our calls for help, and that is why the only way for Austria to enter a Schengen veto was because Schengen obviously does not work and because a division in our society was already underway. We need adequate infrastructure at our external borders, and we need to take even more vehement action against smugglers. This billion-dollar business at the expense and on the back of the refugees is stopped. Last year, 700 traffickers were arrested in Austria, and this is certainly just the tip of the iceberg. But we also need solidarity with those who are overwhelmed by the refugee situation. That is why I also welcome the asylum and migration package, which was voted on in the Committee on Internal Affairs penultimate week. An important step, but bigger ones still have to follow.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Migration is a European challenge that requires a European solution. Unfortunately, little progress has been made in recent years in the search for this answer. Austria received more than 100 000 refugees last year, 75 000 of whom should have been registered in another upstream EU country. There is therefore an urgent need for action, because fears are also spreading among the population. A lot of people rightly ask: What does the EU do? I therefore expressly welcome the fact that, also at the urging of Austria, the Council, in its conclusions, sets out a clear roadmap for operational measures to strengthen the external borders and manage the flow of refugees, to combat smugglers, to prevent the loss of lives, to reduce pressure on the EU external borders by strengthening Frontex, to accelerate return through the possibility of visa withdrawal and trade facilitation, and to establish pilot projects for effective border management. This could usher in a real turnaround in migration policy. Work on the Pact on Migration and Asylum and on the modernisation of the Schengen Borders Code and the Return Directive should therefore be continued immediately. It is already five to twelve, and we all do not want these right-wing ranks to become even stronger, which are once again empty today.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased that innovation and digital education are also at the heart of our debate today. As an entrepreneur, it has long been my political concern to motivate women to take the step into self-employment or to become more interested in STEM jobs and digitalization. Of course, equipping women for self-employment requires easier access to start-up capital and easy participation in EU programmes. Greater awareness of mathematical and technical fields is particularly important for female workers. Since women often work in lower-paid industries or within companies in lower-paid departments, this naturally has a negative impact on the gender pay gap. Therefore, we must succeed in employing significantly more women in STEM and digital professions. This brings benefits not only for the economy, but above all for the labour market.

Dear Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, It is really sad that in the 21st century we still have to discuss the issue of violence against women. Unfortunately, however, the figures show that there is still a need for action. Violence against women is not a cavalier offence; This is criminal and the perpetrators must be convicted. The Istanbul Convention is the first legally binding instrument to prevent and combat violence against women at international level. Therefore, I am glad that my home country Austria was one of the first countries to ratify the Istanbul Convention in 2013. In addition, on the occasion of the evaluation, GREVIO also welcomes Austria's leading role in recent decades in introducing a system of injunctions such as expulsions and protection orders for victims of domestic violence. Since all Member States have signed the Istanbul Convention, but some EU countries have still not ratified it, I see it as a strong signal from our Commission President that we want to join the European Union. For only weak men beat women; Strong people are on your side on an equal footing.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! War, inflation and an extremely volatile energy market are forcing us to pick up speed in the expansion of renewable energy. For our citizens, our entrepreneurs, it is now of the utmost importance that the European Union drastically reduces its dependence on energy suppliers from third countries and on fossil fuels. The REPowerEU programme is the right answer here. With the current trilogue agreement, we want to ensure that all EU Member States can adapt their national reconstruction plans to the current challenges. This is important because the drastically rising energy bills are damaging not only our citizens and our businesses, but above all our European competitiveness. This trilogue agreement must now be followed by action, namely that our Member States can quickly dispose of these funds for the development of infrastructure, for research and development, but also for support for those who need them most.

. – Madam President, ladies and gentlemen! I would like to thank you very much for the debate, but also for the good cooperation on this report. Yes, we know that the European Investment Bank is not running out of work. On the contrary: They will continue to face major challenges, whether it is Ukraine's continued financial support, whether it is the sustainable transformation of the economy or the European response to the crisis. Inflation Reduction Act – that is, Europe’s competitiveness – is, and much more, what colleagues have given you today. I would like to thank you, Commissioner, and your team, and I can only wish you great success in your further activities.

. – Madam President, Commissioner, Vice-President Peeters, ladies and gentlemen! The European Investment Bank is the only international financial institution owned by our Member States and which, through our legislation, helps to achieve our common objectives. She does an excellent job, but she did a particularly excellent job in 2021 during the pandemic, and we are talking about this year today as well. The report clearly shows that the European Investment Bank continuously contributes to innovation and development in capital markets and meets the strictest standards. Despite the impact of the pandemic, which was still significant during the period under review, the EIB continues to have sound liquidity. The EIB makes an important contribution not only to large companies, but above all to SMEs. Overall, more than 431,000 SMEs benefited from €45 billion in lending in 2021, which of course contributed significantly to maintaining jobs, especially during the pandemic. At present, high energy prices and inflation are hampering the competitiveness of European SMEs, and of course the question arises whether the current support is sufficient or whether we need to take further action now. In any case, it is necessary that access to finance, including digitalisation, remains a priority. In addition, innovative SMEs must also be given the opportunity to participate as easily as possible in the funding programmes in the field of research and development. I welcome the investments made by the European Investment Fund in the field of education and thus directly in the labour market. Skilled professionals are the unique selling point of the single market and thus also a key challenge for our future. I hope that with these means of education we will also support the spread of dual training in Europe in the future, because Germany, Switzerland and Austria show that this system is the best means for employment and against youth unemployment and thus also the guarantor of social peace in the Member States. This would also mean that we would need less funding from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund to support reintegration into the labour market. The pandemic has shown that the EIB needs to work to reduce structural disparities between Member States. As a solution, it will promote a consistent implementation of the Cohesion Policy Orientation Paper for the period 2021-2027. Between 2021 and 2027, the InvestEU Guarantee of EUR 26.2 billion, together with the Multiannual Financial Framework and NextGenerationEU Recovery Instrument, will trigger more than EUR 372 billion of additional private and public investment in Europe, available for digitalisation, SMEs, sustainable infrastructure, innovative research. This great responsibility of the EIB in the management of EU funds requires control and transparency to ensure that these investments are also effective. In this regard, enhanced cooperation between the European Investment Bank and EPPO, the European Public Prosecutor's Office, is an important step in protecting our EU funds from money laundering, corruption and fraud. The transformation process of the economy can only succeed through digitization, innovation and research. Therefore, these issues must continue to be a top priority in the direction of the EIB. Because we must not lose the attractiveness of our business location and risk the migration of European companies, because this certainly means a loss of prosperity and quality of life in Europe.

Madam President, Commissioner, Honourable Prime Minister! I am looking forward to the Swedish Presidency because I am sure that two areas that are very close to my heart will be addressed: on the one hand, the competitiveness of the European economy and, on the other hand, concrete measures to solve our migration crisis. The former: Everyone in this Parliament must be interested in what our businesses need to be successful, innovative and competitive. After all, only entrepreneurs create jobs. An aggressive global location competition is currently taking place. Therefore, in these times of crisis, it is also necessary to support our companies in a targeted manner. Nevertheless, we must finally address the issue of excessive bureaucracy, because it is now increasingly leading to emigration in Europe, and every dossier that we are discussing in this business-related House is leading to more rather than less bureaucratic requirements. Your Swedish EPP MEPs are already doing a very good job here, and I also ask you to work here to ensure that we work against this bureaucratic monster. Second, on migration: The European Union is once again facing a migration crisis. My home country Austria is again one of the most affected countries and, although we are a landlocked country, 80,000 refugees are not registered in any other EU or Schengen country. We urgently need a common migration policy. The Council and Parliament have already committed to implementing the proposals of the Asylum and Migration Pact. I am convinced that we will find a good solution here with your Swedish experience. All the best!

Dear Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, First of all, thank you to the rapporteur Charles Goerens and his shadow rapporteurs in the Committee on Development for taking on board important points from the opinion of the Committee on Budgets on the new European financial architecture for development. Targeted assistance and the fight against the causes of flight in the countries of origin are the best way to bring the imminent migration crisis under control. The creation of local economic prospects also reduces the influx of economic refugees into the European Union. It is therefore essential to provide development aid with sufficient resources. To ensure that every tax euro is used as effectively as possible, it is now up to the EBRD, the EIB and the national development banks to avoid duplication and work together to achieve European development aid objectives.

Dear Mr President, Ladies and Gentlemen, The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a caesura in European history and causes unimaginable human suffering. The European Union is therefore called upon to find new solutions. I therefore support the Commission's proposal to lend EUR 18 billion to Ukraine. However, I would like to address two issues of budgetary control. Firstly: The idea of a diversified funding strategy is very useful; however, Parliament still lacks information on transparency, governance, risk management and methodology. A delegated act would possibly remedy this situation. Secondly: Who will bear the interest burden after 2027 if Member States are unable or unwilling to pay more? Of course, I am voting in favour of the Commission's proposal, but I am convinced that we still have a few things to clarify internally.