Speeches

The next item is the debate on the oral questions to the Council and the Commission on strengthening social dialogue in the European Union, tabled by Dragoş Pîslaru, Agnes Jongerius, Stelios Kympouropoulos, Abir Al-Sahlani, Rosa D'Amato, Elżbieta Rafalska, Eugenia Rodríguez Palop, on behalf of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (O-000019/2023 - B9-0020/23) (O-000020/2023 - B9-0021/23) (2023/2536(RSP)).

Mr President, the European Pillar of Social Rights, a real shield to avoid the reversal of social progress, will not become a reality with a declaration of principle. Therefore, it’s good that we have the action plan of Commissioner Schmit, which is being implemented. But we also need a social progress protocol integrated in our EU Treaties, as requested by Europeans during the Conference on the Future of Europe. It is time to deliver more. The Pillar of Social Rights will not be implemented properly without sufficient social investment. Social investments need to be excluded from the excessive deficit calculations. Skills also need a more solid foundation. Workers cannot benefit from skilling opportunities if they do not have a decent minimum income that allows them to live in dignity while upskilling and reskilling. Poverty will not magically disappear. We cannot only blame the geopolitical situation, inflation and the increase of the interest rates. My political choice as a member of the Group of Socialists and Democrats is to make social progress a reality for all, and not only with the aim to leave no one behind, but to ensure that we first focus on those who have already been left behind. And for all these reasons, the Porto Social Forum needs to make a difference for millions of Europeans facing poverty on a daily basis.

Colleague, there is a blue card from Beata Mazurek. Do you accept it? Oh, sorry. The rules have changed. It’s the same political party, so according to the rules, since you are coming from the same political group as Mr Bielan it’s not allowed to have a blue card. Sorry. I forgot to inform you about this in the beginning.

Dear colleague, it was interesting to see that passion you have to defend your excellent report. The debate is now closed, the vote will be held tomorrow. Written statements (Rule 171)

The next item is the report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on methane emissions reduction in the energy sector and amending Regulation (EU) 2019/942 (COM(2021)0805 - C9—0467/2021 - 2021/0423(COD)) (A9-0162/2023).

The minutes of this sitting will be submitted to Parliament for its approval at the beginning of the next sitting. If there are no objections, I shall forward forthwith the resolutions adopted at today’s sitting to the persons and bodies named in the resolutions.

I think human rights are important subjects, and it’s international law, but anyway, thank you for your interventions, dear colleagues. That concludes the explanations of vote.

The minutes from yesterday’s sitting and the texts adopted are available. Are there any comments? I see there are no comments, so the minutes are approved.

Mr President, dear all, violence, harassment and hate speech in Uganda: these are not made-up allegations, but realities that activists have relayed to us. Speaking out against these attacks and protecting LGBTI rights is not a Western cultural construct, just as harassment and hate speech are not in the DNA of Ugandan citizens. This violence is a consequence of cynical choices driven by political and by religious interests. Since the Ugandan vote in favour of the total prohibition of homosexuality in the country, Kenya and also Tanzania have tabled similar texts. This is worrying, and all institutions must condemn criminalisation of homosexuality and trans identity. Europe must engage itself in the fight in favour of the universal decriminalisation of homosexuality and trans identity, not only for Ugandans, Kenyans and Tanzanians, but for all persecuted LGBTI people in the world. Europe shall commit itself to preventing the enactment of this law in Uganda or elsewhere. And to achieve this, Europe and the Commission must act strongly, going so far as to sanction the regime in place or denounce the existing trade agreements with the country, while guaranteeing the presence of special envoys in Uganda responsible for assessing the situation, and while also preserving – and foremost supporting – civil society.

Madam President, Prime Minister, I vividly remember our common time in Luxembourg politics, sometimes within the same coalition, sometimes separated by political power relations, but always united in the ambition to improve people’s lives. Thank you for being with us today. I am proud that Luxembourg, as a founding member, has always supported an ambitious European project and acted as a driving force for European integration, despite its small size. Prime Minister, solidarity, the rule of law and our fundamental values are more important than ever in a changing world. I count on you to continue defending these principles, in Europe and elsewhere, as you have always done. The Ukrainian people deserve our full solidarity in their fight against the Russian aggressor and in defending our values. It is essential, as you said, to preserve European unity on this issue. Solidarity also requires a determined fight against social inequalities. Deepening the social dimension of Europe, as citizens claimed at the Conference on the Future of Europe, is crucial. And the conference was a great exercise, where we let thousands of citizens talk. European solidarity must also be demonstrated on tax issues. While I welcome the considerable reforms implemented over the last decade in Luxembourg and within the EU, I hope that these efforts will continue. We must also extend our solidarity to those fleeing war and persecution. My Group of the Socialists and Democrats welcomes the fact that Luxembourg continues to defend a humane position in a debate whose tone continues to harden in the Council. It is also of paramount importance, as you stressed, to reach an agreement on the migration pact before the European elections. Prime Minister, the European Union has ambitious objectives, whether in the fight against climate change, digitalisation or defence. And to do so, it must renew itself, adapt its operating rules, its economic and social governance, redefine the framework of its budgetary resources and, if necessary, amend the Treaties. I hope that Luxembourg will be ready, once again, to support and promote ambitious approaches in the European interest.

The next sitting is tomorrow, Tuesday, 18 April 2023, at 9.00. The agenda has been published and is available on the European Parliament website.