8
Jul
2025
Watch
Presentation of the programme of activities of the Danish Presidency (debate)
Madam President, first of all, I want to wish you, Prime Minister, and the Danish Presidency success over the next six months. Of course, you're taking over at a very strategic time in Europe's destiny in terms of the uncertainty of international challenges, geopolitical challenges and, of course, the continuous threat of security and defence from Russia in Ukraine and our eastern borders. So, I do want to wish you and your government well. Of course, the key issues that our citizens face on a daily basis are the issues that you refer to: competitiveness, the Green Deal, energy costs and ensuring that we have sustainable policies around housing. All very key and important areas. Renew, as you know, Prime Minister, visited Copenhagen recently, where we met with your government and engaged with them. Renew will always be a bridge‑builder. In fact, we will work as effectively as we can between the S&D and the EPP. At times, they do make it challenging, but we will continue to ensure that we have a pragmatic majority in this Parliament that can address the fundamental needs of the citizens. Very often, Prime Minister, the difficulty is that we come to challenges with ideological baggage. What we need to do is look at things in a practical, clear sense. So, the Draghi report, for example, is a template that has been handed to us that we must address with urgency – not just talk about the report itself, but actually implement what it says it must do in terms of competitiveness, the Green Deal, deepening the single market, addressing energy costs and ensuring that we remain competitive and start engaging internationally in multilateralism as well. These are the key fundamental issues that are facing citizens. One issue, Prime Minister, where I think you might look at it is single European skies. We have a situation where, continually, industrial disputes bring aviation to a standstill across Europe. It is a matter that affects jobs, competitiveness, citizens on holidays and business. I believe it is one key area that, if it was addressed, would send out a strong signal that Europe works for citizens, it works for competitiveness. So, I just hope that you take that specific issue on in terms of the single European skies, along with, obviously, the larger challenges that face the European Union. I wish you, your government and your people the best.