Speeches

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, in the face of the serious human costs and cruelty of Russian aggression, a war on our doorstep that directly undermines our security, we can no longer limit ourselves to condemnations or packages of sanctions. Europe must move from solidarity to responsibility. For this we need a concrete turning point in our defensive capacity, where defense does not mean only tanks or war investments. Defense today means protection of civil infrastructure, of our hospitals, of digital energy networks, it means food security, strategic mobility, cybersecurity. It means building a credible response capability against threats that are no longer conventional, but hybrid, asymmetric and pervasive. The time has come to strengthen with great conviction the European pillar of NATO to make the alliance stronger, fairer and more credible. Transatlantic unity is, and remains, our strategic horizon, but for it to be sustainable, everyone must play their part and Europe must finally take responsibility for its own security today.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, I believe that Europe today must resolutely reaffirm its role as responsible leader in promoting stability and security. Because defending Ukraine is not only a moral duty but a strategic investment for the peace and freedom of our continent. Supporting Kiev means defending the sovereignty of states and the freedom of peoples, but it also means strengthening the credibility of the Union as a global actor capable of translating solidarity into concrete action, without ever renouncing the firmness of its principles. The peace we want, however, cannot be the result of a surrender or an imposed compromise but must be based on just and shared conditions: the cessation of Russian aggression, respect for Ukrainian territorial integrity and a genuine return to multilateral dialogue. We need a clear vision with which to promote a common defence: strengthen the European pillar in the Atlantic Alliance and re-launch Europe’s geopolitical role in the international arena. In a world marked by new tensions and old imperialisms, true peace is not achieved by retreating, but by building a just and lasting international order.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the recent trade tensions with the United States remind us of the fragility of the global economic balance and of the need, today more than ever, for a strong, cohesive and credible European voice. In the face of unilateral measures that risk affecting entire strategic sectors of our economy, the Union's response cannot be fragmented or hesitant: It must be based on dialogue and a clear and shared strategy. We need to strengthen the single market, remove the internal barriers that still limit its potential today and invest decisively in our industrial and technological competitiveness. But the real goal must be more ambitious: Building a partnerships a structured economy with the United States and Canada, with zero tariffs, balanced free trade and common rules that protect businesses, workers and consumers. We can't just pursue other people's choices. Europe has the credentials to be a protagonist in trade but it can only do so if it speaks with one voice, strengthens its strategic autonomy and acts with courage and seriousness and foresight. A strong Europe is not afraid of confrontation but leads it.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, in an increasingly unstable geopolitical context, common security and defence are not an option, but an obligatory choice. Europe needs a credible deterrence capacity that shows the world a strong, cohesive Union that protects its citizens, interests and values. That is why we must strengthen the European pillar within NATO, with which we must be in synergy and not in competition, taking our share of responsibility and making the Atlantic Alliance and the West all the stronger. But a change in cultural perception is also fundamental, because when we talk about defence, citizens should not be frightened, nor can we think only of the military dimension. Today, defence also means cybersecurity, protection of critical infrastructure, trade routes, energy supply; means control of irregular immigration and support in civil protection activities. Security is not a cost. Investing in defence does not mean waging war, but it is the precondition for our social and economic stability, our freedom, our international credibility. Either we become global players, or we will continue to be just spectators of other people's decisions.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, although the Mercosur trade agreement with the countries of Latin America represents a strategic opportunity, because it aims to strengthen European competitiveness by diversifying supply chains and reducing dependence on other markets, it nevertheless presents certain risks and problems which, especially for the agri-food sector, deserve our attention before it is finally approved. Our farms meet very high standards in terms of safety, quality, environmental sustainability and animal welfare, unlike those of the Mercosur countries. Against this background, we must provide for strict controls to ensure reciprocity in imports, prevent unfair competition to guarantee our farmers and consumers, as well as strengthen the instruments for protecting European geographical indication products. A competitive Europe is built not only with the opening of markets, but also with the protection of its companies and its excellence. This agreement can be defined as fair if we are able to guarantee new opportunities, without sacrificing our food security and identity and above all the future of our businesses.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Minister, Commissioner, in an ever-changing global trading environment, the only question we need to ask ourselves is how to make Europe truly autonomous, strong and competitive. We can't just chase other people's choices. Trade wars are not the solution; on the contrary, they risk being worse than armed ones. Europe is a large and rich market, but without an ambitious trade policy, without concrete investments in innovation and without a drastic reduction in bureaucracy we risk being prisoners not only of the decisions of others, but prisoners of ourselves. It is good to diversify our business relationships, but it is necessary to strengthen our production chains and defend our companies not with an obsessive and frenetic hyper-regulation, but with concrete tools that increase global competitiveness. If we want to be a credible and authoritative player on the international stage, we must stop reacting and start acting, because a strong Europe is not afraid of confrontation, but leads it.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, desertification is one of the most urgent challenges of our time, exacerbated by climate change and human activities. It is not just an environmental crisis, but a social and economic problem that threatens biodiversity, food security and the stability of our communities, fueling tensions and forced migration. Every year, 12 million hectares are degraded, putting the survival of more than a billion people at risk. This alarms us and reminds us that desertification, together with increasing water scarcity, requires immediate, coordinated and ambitious responses. COP16 was an opportunity to reflect on our responsibilities, because the European Union lacks adequate joint action and the resources dedicated are still too limited compared to the scope of interventions. We must commit to and support the development of sustainable policies, promoting regenerative and resilient agricultural practices, responsible use of water resources and technological innovation to restore degraded environments. International cooperation is also important because no country can face this battle alone. Desertification knows no borders and its consequences are felt on a global scale. Only by working together can we face the complexity of this challenge. This means sharing knowledge, technologies and resources, as well as building – as is being done – strong partnerships between governments, international organisations, civil society and the private sector. Combating desertification means investing in the future, in our diversity, in food security and in the stability of future generations.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, we all agree that agricultural work is physically demanding, often solitary, characterised by long and irregular hours, which certainly do not reconcile with a balanced lifestyle, let alone with the possibility for farmers to be followed by structures dedicated to psychological support. I was particularly struck by the personal testimony of Commissioner Hansen who, in spite of himself, recalled during the hearing the accident of his brother, a farmer, who lost his life. A domestic accident, yes, in which, however, the stress and worries about his activity as a breeder have certainly had an impact. Because you know that those who work and those who live on agriculture never pull the plug, even if they take three days off, because they have to deal with the difficulties arising from climate change, access to credit, regulatory pressure to reduce the environmental impact or excessive bureaucracies – conditions and circumstances that contribute to increased stress, anxiety and, in some cases, depression, often the cause of accidents or even suicides. For this reason, it is necessary that our agricultural policies go beyond strategies on improving animal production and welfare, including actions and measures to support the physical and mental health of farmers, in the awareness that agriculture is a strategic sector thanks to so many women and men whose passion and determination can never be replaced by technology – which must instead be used to support efficient production processes and improve the well-being of those who work in agriculture and contribute to our autonomy and food security.

(IT) Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, European universities have become increasingly subject to espionage and direct or indirect interference by non-European countries which, for political or economic reasons, seek to exploit the openness and scientific research of our universities to gather sensitive information on technology, innovations, defence, international policy, and then try to influence decision-making processes. There are in fact many documented cases of unauthorized transfer of sensitive data by hostile countries that do so through regular academic collaborations or espionage activities. Italy was one of the countries that promoted the Council's decision so that there is a better sharing of information between universities and government agencies. intelligence. And it is in this direction that we must insist to ensure that scientific research remains an instrument of progress and not of external manipulation, in the interests of national security and the integrity of our European institutions.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, in recent years we have seen increasingly bold attempts to influence our democracies and threaten our security through disinformation and hybrid attacks. This Parliament has already expressed its deep concern at attempts at interference by outside actors, which are considered as dangerous as traditional war attacks, to the extent that it also envisages the use of the mutual assistance clause and the principle of solidarity under the Treaties. The same thing NATO did, recalling the famous article five of the treaty. It is clear that these phenomena undermine citizens' trust in the institutions and jeopardise the stability of our States. That is why investments in cybersecurity technologies are needed, just as we need to foster the broadest and most widespread media literacy of our citizens, so that they are able to distinguish false from true information. We must work towards closer cooperation with the Member States to share information and resources and to have a united and coordinated approach in the fight against external threats, because only an informed society can obviously become the best response against any kind of divisive attempt. I believe it is also essential to promote enhanced cooperation with international organisations such as NATO, which is already necessarily adapting its preparedness, deterrence and defence capabilities to deal with the increasing number of attacks on critical infrastructure and democratic institutions in allied countries.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the 2025 budget is crucial for addressing the challenges ahead and we are all aware of the need to use these resources appropriately and functionally in relation to our strategies. Surely agricultural policy remains one of our priorities, to increase Europe's competitiveness and food security and autonomy. Of course, our financial architecture and economic resources are not sufficient compared to our challenges. That's why it would need to be revised, perhaps using the common debt, to have more resources and better promote the achievement of the objectives. However, the approximately €60 billion allocated to the CAP continues to be a key opportunity to support our farmers, so that they are obviously engaged in the green transition. These resources are intended to promote sustainable agricultural practices, research and the use of innovative technologies. But above all they are resources with which our farmers want to be protagonists in the fight against climate change, because they are allies of the environment and not adversaries.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner, the war scenario that is emerging in Lebanon is deeply worrying and threatens to spread further into the region. Certainly the Hamas massacre of October 7th made it inevitable for Israel to defend itself. But the right of defence must also take place in full respect of international humanitarian law. For this reason, the attacks against the UNIFIL base in Lebanon must be strongly condemned, because they put at risk not only our UN personnel but also the fragile stability of the region. The disappearance of the Hamas leader is an opportunity to push for a ceasefire: But you have to work hard for one. de-escalation using every diplomatic channel. For this reason, yesterday, the Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, went to Israel and Palestine: to build a dialogue that aims at an immediate cessation of hostilities but also at a long-term solution, i.e. "two peoples, two states", where Israelis and Palestinians can live together in security and prosperity. This is the only way to ensure a just and lasting peace.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, in recent months the issue of competitiveness has been on the agenda, especially in this House. But we read from the recent Letta report that 75% of dangerous products in circulation in Europe come from third countries and this is a worrying increase. You can well understand that this not only puts at risk the competitiveness of our businesses but also the health of our consumers, to whom we must guarantee safe products with strict controls, in particular those purchased on the market.e-commerce, platforms exploded during the COVID period. We must take urgent action to combat the excessive presence of products from third countries, which through platforms can easily reach millions of users in a very short time. This situation creates unfair competition that penalizes our companies, which are instead obliged to comply with increasingly stringent rules, while many products are imported without the necessary controls. Particular attention should be paid to toys, or drugs, because they are aimed at children and people in need of care. We need to ensure safety standards. In this context, the customs union can obviously do much more and we hope that, of course, the reform that has been initiated can be carried out to ensure stricter surveillance of imports, protecting our market and above all our citizens. Only then can we ensure fair competition and a future of growth and security for all.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the Letta report, together with that of President Draghi, arrives at the beginning of this legislature, which I would like to see become reformatory, ambitious, courageous but responsible, so that the European Union is no longer a spectator in a global scene but becomes a protagonist. And we have the tools to do it: a single market that in recent years has not only been an instrument of integration but has allowed our economic growth and prosperity, an instrument that must be simplified from a bureaucratic point of view, but above all strengthened, to further express its potential and face new opportunities. Just as it is necessary to achieve a single energy market, a financial market that obviously makes it possible to guarantee conditions of competitiveness. So we have important challenges ahead of us, for which only a strong single market can guarantee us a future that lives up to our climate, social and productive ambitions.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, today's debate follows and is linked to yesterday's debate on floods. And just last night, in the region of Emilia Romagna, Italy suffered a violent flood that caused over 1 000 displaced persons and showed us once again the devastating impact of climate change on our increasingly fragile territory. This dramatic event reminds us that we can no longer put off concrete and incisive action to address climate-related emergencies. Well, then, the choice of President von der Leyen to entrust the Commissioner for the Environment Jessica Roswall also with the delegation of water resilience. This shows his attention on a now crucial issue, but also the strong concern that we must express with respect to a natural resource, indispensable, irreplaceable, but unfortunately not infinite. During the last legislature, Forza Italia called for a debate in Parliament and obtained a commitment from the Commission to take concrete action to prevent and mitigate the dramatic consequences of this phenomenon. The agricultural sector will be the most penalized, because it obviously affects productivity and jeopardizes our autonomy and food security. We are at the beginning of the new legislature and I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate my call for a concrete European infrastructure plan for the use, reuse and storage of water, so that this disaster can be tackled effectively. At the same time, we need to speed up European legislation on the use of assisted evolution techniques, which are very different from GMOs, to develop new crops that are more resilient to new pathogens, but also to water scarcity. The European Union demonstrates a strategic and courageous vision in tackling the water crisis, because only through strong commitment and coordination between states will we be able to ensure the protection of natural resources and the sustainability of our economies.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the pain and suffering that millions of Venezuelans are experiencing under the Maduro regime cannot and must not leave us indifferent. The European Union must not remain indifferent, but must make its authoritative voice heard in a firm and clear position regarding a situation destined to turn, if action is not taken immediately, into an international and humanitarian crisis. For our part, the Italian government, also because of its strong ties with Venezuela, has immediately expressed its deep concern about an electoral outcome without any legitimacy and, through the intense diplomatic work of Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, we are urging each other to get to create a strong and coordinated response also at international level. The concern about what is happening in Venezuela, unfortunately, is not limited only to the lack of electoral transparency, for which we insist on asking for clear and verifiable results, but also extends to the systematic violation of all fundamental rights, from arbitrary detention, torture and persecution to freedom of expression and information. It is a moral duty for all of us to support Venezuelans in their legitimate expectations to see their vote respected and to be able to live in a context of peace and justice, free from intimidation and repression, guaranteeing for themselves and their children a future of opportunity, prosperity and democracy. We must insist on putting pressure on the Maduro regime and guarantee our full support to ensure that the will of the Venezuelan people is respected, but above all that democracy prevails over dictatorship. Europe should do its part, use its diplomatic strength, but do it today, otherwise tomorrow we will be complicit in an unacceptable injustice.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the conclusions of the strategic dialogue on agriculture have once again confirmed how vital the agricultural sector is for our Europe and, if necessary, we recall the resilience that our farmers have shown during the pandemic. This document is the part to start a programmatic discourse, which lays the ambitious and indispensable foundations for a sector that is not only an economic pillar, but a bulwark of food and environmental sovereignty, an increasingly strategic sector to ensure our competitiveness and autonomy, even though – allow me – Mario Draghi’s report did not adequately take this into account. The People's Party shares many of these parts, because there is a pragmatic and realistic approach, a vision that focuses on the farmer, innovation and the fight against climate change, where, however, sustainability cannot be understood only from an environmental point of view, but also from a social, economic and productive point of view. We must stand by our farmers, increasing their negotiating power, guaranteeing the principle of reciprocity towards third countries, facilitating the simplification of rules and procedures for access to funds, looking above all at young people, small and medium-sized enterprises and women, who still have too many difficulties in their commitment to agriculture. We are playing a crucial game for the European Union and this document is a first positive sign, which I hope will be followed immediately by the appointment of a strong, credible, authoritative and pragmatic Commissioner, who sees agriculture and the environment as allies and not as adversaries. We cannot get lost in dangerous ideologies as in the past, which have proved useless "I want to, but I can't".

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Convention No 190 of the International Labour Organisation is in fact the first international treaty against violence and harassment, including gender-based harassment, in the workplace. It applies in every sector, public or private; in any economy, formal informal; to every worker, regardless of their contractual status. Unfortunately, this convention, adopted in 2019, to date we must take note that most of the European States have not yet ratified it, and yet in a while, following the discussion, we will also celebrate International Women's Day in this House. Many celebrate it, when in reality it is ignored that every day especially women are subjected to inappropriate and intimidating behaviors, which see their professional careers compromised. This convention is certainly an indispensable regulatory instrument to prevent and combat all forms of violence in the workplace, but it is not enough. The road is very long, it is not enough simply to ratify, we must build together a true and solid culture of work based on mutual respect and the dignity of the human being.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, first of all I would like to thank the rapporteur, Paolo De Castro, for the work he has been able to do with regard to a regulation on geographical indications which, at this very moment of great tension between the institutions and the agricultural world, confirms instead how European policies can concretely benefit the sector, enhancing the work of producers and fostering new opportunities for growth. In fact, this regulation, unlike others, reinforces the positive perception of our European Union. Geographical indications are not just a brand but a guarantee of quality and link with a territory: protect our production methods, preserve the tradition and unique characteristics of our products, which are known all over the world. With the new rules, producer groups will have more rights and a more active role in the management of geographical indications. This means greater autonomy and above all the ability to protect against unfair trading practices, which increasingly threaten the integrity and value of our products. At the same time, consumers will benefit from this initiative because they will have the certainty of being able to buy healthy products linked to the territory. In an increasingly competitive global environment, Europe must be a bulwark of quality and tradition. The new geographical indications, with this revision, are a tool to strengthen the competitiveness of our products on global markets, promote the diversity and sustainability of our agricultural system and create new job and development opportunities for rural areas. This resolution, with a favourable vote, becomes an investment in the future of our agri-food system and in the well-being of our fellow citizens.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, with the proposal to revise the European Treaties, today we are beginning to write an important new page in the history of Europe and our institution. The citizens have asked us loudly: Parliament listened and responded, because we need a different, more pragmatic European Union; a European Union that has the means to react decisively to crises; a Union that is a force of union and not of division, a place where each member can prosper from a social, economic and cultural point of view and not be crushed or isolated by rigid, outdated economic rules. To achieve this, we need a profound change, a cultural change, a change that starts right here, as our rapporteurs have shown, whom I thank. European integration is a step-by-step process that has been stalled for too long, since the 2007 Lisbon Treaty, which today needs to be relaunched with strength and conviction. Our proposal for a revision offers many ideas for a discussion on the future of our Europe, starting with the need to strengthen our democracy through the recognition, for example, of Parliament’s legislative initiative or the role of co-legislator on the budget. But we must also look at the Union's role on the international stage and increase our credibility as a global player, through, for example, a European Defence Community. This report is just the beginning of a long and complex process that we hope the Member States will have the courage to undertake, putting aside prejudices and nationalisms, which should not be confused with national identities, which instead find their recognition and their strength in the European Union.

– Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, tomorrow's vote on the packaging regulation risks calling into question the credibility of the European Union. We all want a more sustainable Europe, where there is less packaging, but we cannot forget that this same Europe for years has called for and supported research and innovation for recycling, has sensitized, stressed and trained citizens to differentiate and today, suddenly, changes direction, proposing a system of reuse, without considering the extraordinary results achieved in recycling, which instead can and must remain a parallel road to continue to have credible sustainability from an environmental, social and economic point of view. Packaging is not only a problem but in many cases also a guarantee: we think of the world of food, where they allow us to consume fresh, healthy and above all safe foods, helping to reduce waste. If the text passes like this, without the changes, entire production chains would be destroyed, with dramatic consequences for producers and consumers. I call on everyone to make common sense prevail, to show a Europe in which political choices and environmental strategies are coherent, credible and above all pragmatic in the interests of citizens.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the images of destruction, suffering and death caused by the worrying escalation of violence in the Middle East call for reflection. Peace is built neither by terror nor by violence. Hamas's grievous act of aggression has rekindled decades of conflict, territorial disputes and political complexity, creating a cycle of violence with devastating consequences. Peace in the Middle East requires a complex and challenging approach, involving international diplomacy and our Europe, to find a meeting point and encourage constructive dialogue as the only viable way to a just and lasting peace, in the interest of all parties involved and of the global community as a whole. We strongly reaffirm here today our commitment to a two-people solution in two states, respecting the rights, security and dignity of both. We must work tirelessly towards a future where dialogue, understanding and respect replace conflict and violence. Because, you know, the path of violence is a non-solution that has no winners, but only losers and many innocent victims.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, 2024 will be the year of the European elections and that is why our budget must reflect the challenges we face. Among these, there is certainly a need to communicate more and better with citizens in order to raise their awareness of the activities of the European Union, countering disinformation and breaking down the barrier that still exists between citizens and institutions. The European Union is often perceived as an abstract and distant reality, despite the fact that here we make decisions that affect the lives of our citizens every day. There is a need for resources to raise citizens' awareness of the importance of having a strong and cohesive Europe as the only solution to tackle a complex present and an ambitious future. And resources are needed to implement the Conference on the Future of Europe, where citizens have expressly asked us for a different and more concrete Europe, a Europe that is not afraid to question itself and also to initiate the delicate reform process of our Treaties.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, it is also clear from the debate that it is necessary to reduce the use of pesticides, but this can only be achieved if we imagine a gradual programme and sensitise farmers to responsible and moderate use. The Commission's proposal to renew the authorisation for the use of glyphosate was motivated by scientific evidence that we cannot but accept, but it would, in my view, have been more appropriate to prohibit and not only restrict the use of glyphosate at all stages of pre-harvesting and not to leave discretion to individual States. Let us not forget the difficulties faced by farmers as a result of the beginning of the war, as well as families due to inflation, and it is our responsibility not to worsen this situation with practices that would lead to a possible reduction in production, with a further increase in prices. That is why I believe that it is necessary to accompany this proposal with the principle of reciprocity and to ensure that products are not imported into Europe from third countries that use glyphosate disproportionately and improperly even at the pre-harvest stage. This would jeopardise the health of our consumers and also harm competition. No farmer likes to use chemical pesticides, but if we impose a reduction in these pesticides, we also have a duty to promote more research to find alternative solutions and, above all, simplify and reduce authorisation times, because our farmers must be supported and not abandoned.