Speeches

The next item is the debate on the report by Sophia in ‘t Veld, on behalf of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, on the Commission’s 2023 Rule of Law report (2023/2113(INI)) (A9-0025/2024). I just have to announce that there will be no catch-the-eye because we are running late and we have a 70-minute vote after this debate. So I will also ask colleagues to keep to their speaking time.

The EPP and S&D groups have notified the President of decisions relating to changes to appointments within committees and delegations. These decisions will be set out in the minutes of today’s sitting and take effect on the date of this announcement.

Just to inform you, colleagues, that I am now closing the catch-the-eye list. We have three people on it, but we are running late. We have a big vote at 17.00 so I’ll take the three. There will be no catch-the-eye in the next debate.

The next item is the debate on the report by Nathalie Loiseau, on behalf of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, on the Recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the situation in Syria (2023/2052(INI)) (A9-0041/2024).

Mr. Lacapelle, there is a "blue card" question from Mrs. Loiseau. Don't want to answer? Is it? Oh, sorry, I misunderstood. You can stay here thirty seconds for both of them.

The next item is the debate on the Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on Closer ties between the EU and Armenia and the need for a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia (2024/2580(RSP)).

Before we come to the next item, I have to make a little announcement. I would like to inform you that the competent authorities of the Netherlands have notified the President of the election of Henk Jan Ormel to the European Parliament replacing Esther De Lange with effect from 27 February 2024. I wish to welcome our new colleague and recall that he takes his seat in Parliament and its bodies in full enjoyment of his rights pending the verification of his credentials.

The next item is the joint debate on: – the recommendation by Jan Olbrycht and Margarida Marques, on behalf of the Committee on Budgets, on the draft Council regulation amending Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027 (COM(2023)033705818/2024 - C9-0030/2024 - 2023/0201(APP)) (A9-0051/2024); – the report by Michael Gahler and Eider Gardiazabal Rubial, on behalf of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Budgets, on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing the Ukraine Facility (COM(2023)0338 - C9-0210/2023 - 2023/0200(COD)) (A9-0286/2023); – the report by José Manuel Fernandes and Christian Ehler, on behalf of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (‘STEP’) and amending Directive 2003/87/EC, Regulations (EU) 2021/1058, (EU) 2021/1056, (EU) 2021/1057, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) 2021/1060, (EU) 2021/523, (EU) 2021/695, (EU) 2021/697 and (EU) 2021/241 (COM(2023)0335 - C9-0209/2023 - 2023/0199(COD)) (A9-0290/2023).

Madam President, dear colleagues, thank you so very much, dear Commissioner Helena Dalli. Your LGBTI Equality Strategy is already a success, as such. For the first time in EU history, our Union is committed to tackle discrimination not only on the grounds of sex and sexual orientation but also on gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics and not forgetting intersectionality. However, a lot still needs to be done to achieve a real Union of Equality. We should not forget that still today, part of our society is victim of discrimination, harassment and violence, merely as a result of the person they are or they love, be they lesbian, gay, bi, trans, non-binary or intersex persons. The Union of Equality is above all, a Union that puts human dignity at the core of our society. In this context, the renewal of the LGBTI strategy after 2025 is a priority. Dear Commissioner, this House, with large majorities, has issued clear calls for a Union that ensures safe and inclusive sex education from early childhood, a Union that protects minorities from hate speech and hate crime, a Union that bans conversion practices, a Union that recognises marriage and parenthood of rainbow families. Our fight for equality is far more than a political debate in this House. It is a societal topic and it is so good to see in the last Eurobarometer that growing majorities of our citizens are supporting LGBTIQ rights. This is a reality, despite the loud voices of haters. Human rights will always prevail.

The next item is the debate on: – the oral question to the Council on the EU’s priorities for the 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women by Robert Biedroń, on behalf of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (O-000056/2023 – B9-0005/2024), and – the oral question to the Commission on the EU’s priorities for the 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women by Robert Biedroń, on behalf of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (O-000057/2023 – B9-0006/2024).

Madam President, President Iohannis, it is a great honour for us to welcome you here at the House of European Democracy. And, of course, we welcome the fact that Romanian citizens in the Schengen area will henceforth be able to cross air and sea borders without any control. However, as Socialists and Social Democrats, we are very disappointed that the controls at the national borders, which are for many hours lost, for much displeasure – this is harmful to the climate, this is harmful to the economy – remain in place. And by the way, even aid items destined for Ukraine are blocked for a long time. This is incomprehensible and unjust, and that is why we do not give up calling on the Council to decide immediately on the abolition of checks at national borders. Romania, as well as Bulgaria, have earned this by hard work. This development will further strengthen our European family and our joint project. Dear Mr President, We are facing enormous challenges, such as the digitization of our societies. I recently had the honour of attending an event by my Romanian colleague Victor Negrescu on digital skills in rural areas. In this context, I have been able to find out about some very interesting projects in Romania. So I wanted to ask you how you see the challenges of digital transformation in Europe and what recipes for success you give us. Do we need to continue to regulate, or do we – which I do not hope – let the tech giants and algorithms run wild?

The next sitting will be tomorrow, Wednesday, 7 February 2024 at 9.00. The agenda has been published and is available on the European Parliament website.

The next item is the debate on the report by Isabel Benjumea Benjumea, on behalf of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directives 2011/61/EU and 2009/65/EC as regards delegation arrangements, liquidity risk management, supervisory reporting, provision of depositary and custody services and loan origination by alternative investment funds (COM(2021)0721 – C9-0439/2021 – 2021/0376(COD)) (A9-0020/2023).