What Virginijus spoke about.

9

Mar

2022

EN Speech

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Batteries and waste batteries (debate)

– Madam President, I have listened very carefully to the different interventions and taken good note of the honourable Members’ ambitions and also their ideas. I think we are here to ensure that the green transition in the EU is powered by truly sustainable batteries. Setting up the new legal framework for batteries in Europe is a top priority for us and even more so in the current context after R…

9

Mar

2022

EN Speech

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Batteries and waste batteries (debate)

– Madam President, let me start by sincerely thanking the European Parliament for all the work that went into preparing the report that we are discussing this afternoon and on which you will vote later this evening. I will not be able to name all of you, but representing the lead Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI), as well as the associated committees, the Committee…

20

Oct

2021

EN Speech

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UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, the UK (COP26) (continuation of debate)

– Mr President, I would like once again to thank the honourable Members for raising this important issue in this House. Today’s debate has clearly provided additional political momentum. I have listened carefully to your interventions and I am encouraged by your support and by your commitment to maintain the European Union’s role as a leader in the field of international climate action. Strong and…

20

Oct

2021

EN Speech

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UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, the UK (COP26) (debate)

– Madam President, I would like to thank honourable Members for the opportunity to have this important debate as we look ahead to preparations for the upcoming 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Glasgow. Science demonstrates that global average temperatures will exceed 1.5 degrees within the next 20 years in all scenarios. The United Nati…

7

Jul

2021

EN Speech

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Review of the macroeconomic legislative framework (debate)

– Madam President, honourable Members, let me thank you, first of all, for the very interesting remarks on the report by the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) and the review of the economic governance framework. The emphasis put on elements of the debate might be different, but I see a broad convergence around the following points: support should not be withdrawn prematurely, and w…

7

Jul

2021

EN Speech

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Review of the macroeconomic legislative framework (debate)

– Madam President, honourable Members, let me start by warmly congratulating honourable Member Marques on this excellent report, which is a timely contribution to the review of the EU economic governance framework. As you know, we had originally launched a public consultation in February 2020, but had to put it on hold due to the onset of the pandemic. We have stated that we will relaunch the cons…

7

Jul

2021

EN Speech

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Establishment of Antarctic Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the conservation of Southern Ocean biodiversity (debate)

– Madam President, honourable Members, Minister, thank you for this inspiring debate and for your encouraging support. I’m very pleased to see that there seems to be a broad agreement amongst most Members and groups of this House that we need to urgently step up our efforts to tackle climate change and the loss of biodiversity in one of the most vulnerable regions, which is the Southern Ocean. You…

7

Jul

2021

EN Speech

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Establishment of Antarctic Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the conservation of Southern Ocean biodiversity (debate)

– Madam President, Antarctica is not only one of the harshest and most inhospitable places on Earth, it’s also one of the most vulnerable. It is, therefore, a place where the two biggest crises of our time are coming to a head: climate change and biodiversity loss. Over the past 30 years, Antarctica has warmed by 1.8°C, which is three times more than the global average and, only last week, the Uni…

7

Jul

2021

EN Speech

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A new ERA for Research and Innovation (continuation of debate)

– Mr President, honourable Members, thank you for this discussion and for your relevant comments. Europe faces huge socioeconomic challenges linked to green and digital transitions that require forward-looking approaches. With the new European Research Area (ERA) the Commission proposes an ambitious policy framework, and its implementation is our top priority. This implementation will require join…

7

Jul

2021

EN Speech

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A new ERA for Research and Innovation (debate)

– Mr President, I would like to thank honourable Members because the oral question they raise today gives me the opportunity to present the ongoing actions in a number of areas identified in our communication on the European Research Area (ERA) last year. First of all, the Commission attaches the highest importance to research careers, as researchers and their activity are fundamental for the full…

7

Jul

2021

EN Speech

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General Union Environment Action Programme to 2030 (debate)

– Mr President, honourable Members, thank you very much for your encouraging interventions and for this very interesting debate tonight. I have taken a very good note of your comments and of the large support around the draft report adopted by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety and now tabled for adoption by this House. Let me briefly reply to some issues you raised an…

7

Jul

2021

EN Speech

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General Union Environment Action Programme to 2030 (debate)

– Madam President, let me first of all thank the rapporteur, Ms O’Sullivan, and of course all the shadow rapporteurs and the entire Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI), as well as the opinion-giving Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) and the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) for their important work and efforts on this file over the last we…

5

Jul

2021

EN Speech

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European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (debate)

– Madam President, honourable Members, thank you very much for this rich debate, which has shown support for our new fund. To conclude, let me underline the following two key principles. First, in the same way as all the other sectoral funds under the multiannual framework for 2021-2027, the EMFAF will contribute to the European Green Deal. It will support the protection of biodiversity and the fu…

5

Jul

2021

EN Speech

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European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (debate)

– Madam President, honourable Members, first of all, let me thank the two rapporteurs, Mr Mato and Mr Millán Mon, as well as, of course, all shadow rapporteurs and the entire Fisheries Committee (PECH) for their good cooperation. Although not present today, my thanks also goes to the former German Presidency, which was instrumental in securing the final agreement last December. The negotiations on…