What Vera spoke about.

13

Dec

2021

NL Speech

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Equality between women and men in the European Union in 2018-2020 (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, 1989: ‘A smart girl is prepared for her future.’ I was 17 years old and this was the government campaign in the Netherlands that called on young women to learn well, because in the future you had to be independent, work and be financially independent. I thought that was a good and fair proposal. 2021: Here I am in the future and the European Institute for Gender Equalit…

6

Oct

2021

NL Speech

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The Council's lack of will to move the European cross-border mechanism forward (debate)

Mr President, Minister and ladies and gentlemen, 30% of all people in the EU live in a border region. And 30% of all people experience major obstacles to – among other things – employment opportunities, such as public transport that does not connect, but above all to social rights: pensions, benefits, and more recently during the COVID crisis, entrepreneurs who had their business on the other side…

5

Oct

2021

NL Speech

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Assessing the Union’s measures for the EU tourism sector as the end of the Summer season nears (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, COVID-19 has struck mercilessly all over the world, and certainly also in the tourism sector. 2020 was a catastrophic year for the travel industry. The tourism sector employs 27 million people directly and indirectly across the EU. Entrepreneurs are often small family businesses. 27 million people saw their income and savings evaporate every month.…

4

Oct

2021

NL Speech

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EU Road Safety Policy Framework 2021-2030 – Recommendations on next steps towards "Vision Zero" (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, 60% of all truck drivers are tired while driving. This is dangerous for them and for all of us on the road. Therefore, this proposal for improving road safety on our roads. Targeted action should be taken so that drivers are not tired while driving and have good working conditions. In the Netherlands, we have achieved success by requiring all new trucks to be equipped w…

14

Sep

2021

NL Speech

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Natural disasters during the summer 2021 - Impacts of natural disasters in Europe due to climate change (debate)

Mr President, the devastating power of the water has caused many casualties and enormous destruction. The province of Limburg was severely affected, including Valkenburg. The damage is estimated at 400 million euros. Also in Venlo the water in the Meuse rose quickly and dangerously and family members and friends had to be evacuated. These were exciting days, in which man and power tried to keep th…