Speeches

Madam President, do you know that more than 4 000 of the 10 000 persons killed by Israel in Gaza are children? I call the European Parliament for a minute of silence. What is doing the European Parliament and the European Union to avoid the death of these civilians? Palestinian children sent yesterday a message: they want to live, they want peace, they want food, water, medicines and education – not bombs. (The speaker spoke a non-official language) Stop the war! Ceasefire!

Mr President, President von der Leyen, how is it possible for you to give lessons in ethics, if you have taken sides, instead of exercising mediation and neutrality to facilitate peace? Europe has been silent in front of Gaza. He is more concerned with using an Israeli flag in Brussels or visiting Netanyahu than denouncing the cruel and relentless punishment of the people of Gaza. And that's why, President, you should resign. Bombs on hospitals and power, water, energy and food cuts are an international crime. And they cannot, under any circumstances, count on the shameful complicity and hypocrisy of Europe. Not on our behalf. The occupation suffered by the Palestinian people, denounced in numerous United Nations resolutions, was deplorable. Because the apartheid The blockade of Gaza by the Zionist government is deplorable. Israel's disproportionate violence towards Palestine is a collective punishment of a people demanding their self-determination. I absolutely reject the genocide in Gaza and the ethnic cleansing that Israel is carrying out in Palestine. We demand a ceasefire, humanitarian corridors and the immediate implementation of international humanitarian law. It is necessary to work tirelessly for the immediate cessation of violence in Gaza and for a peace solution. We don't want any more deaths of any nationality. Oh, oh, oStop genocide in Gaza! Not in our name!

Mr President, Galicia, my country, suffers the consequences of poor water management by the Spanish State by failing to comply with European regulations, in particular the Water Framework Directive, especially by failing to update its watershed plans and flood risk management plans. That is why the European Commission launched an infringement procedure in February last year and also, on 28 September, presented an ultimatum to the Spanish State to complete the revisions of its hydrological plans, before taking the case to court, Commissioner. Droughts, floods, supply problems are consequences of a climate change that requires actions by responsible governments and a coordinated program. Each year, the drought is more drastic, it is more dramatic, because in my country the availability of water is conditioned by the supply network, sized according to its wet conditions. This is why droughts in several territories have shown that Europe faces growing challenges related to water scarcity, which require a coordinated programme.

Madam President, I am going to talk about the AP9 motorway. We welcome the collective’s complaint, lodged with the European Commission, which opened an infringement procedure against the Spanish State in 2021 for failing to call for the public tender of that motorway. Spain has failed to comply with the obligations of the Directive and the procedures for the award of public works contracts. The European Court of Justice has stated that the extension of a new concession is equivalent to a new concession. The two extensions by the governments of the Spanish State were given to the company Audasa, in breach of several Community directives, and made it one of the most expensive motorways in the Spanish State. This is a serious competition problem for Galicia and northern Portugal, since this AP9 motorway has no alternative, as is already the case in other territories of the Spanish State. We will continue to denounce.

Madam President, I wonder where the Commissioner is. Indeed, in a debate like this that has taken so many years, it is truly shameful that the Commissioner for Fisheries is not present. The activity of fishing crews is a very risky daily exercise to obtain few resources and, in many cases, to risk their lives. Ships are not offices at sea, as the European Commission officially intended in its first proposal. That is why, from my party, the BNG, we do not have a favourable position towards this control regulation, also based on the opinion of the fishing fleet. galega was stationed for many months in many ports in protest of the Control Regulation. Because the end of fishing activity can be done with certainty, but it has to be done with sufficient means and they are not being put. Undoubtedly, although there are exceptions, even if it is said that the text has been improved, artisanal fishing – inshore fishing – is the one that will suffer the most. Control measures must be realistic and simplified, not placing a greater burden on crews, fishermen and shipowners, as the sector complained. Galician after many months of unemployment. Above all, dialogue and respect for competences are called for.

Madam President, the lack of houses, their high price and rising interest rates are some of the main problems of concern to the popular classes in our countries. Prices rise, speculative capitalism rises, robbing the possibility of living with dignity, banks and real estate funds are left with houses for tourist apartments. It's a business. Empty houses, people without houses, houses without people. A young man with no prospect of a future who returns to his family home because he cannot afford an apartment. In Europe, public housing accounts for 9.3% of the total, while in my country, Galicia, it is less than 1%. In my city in Vigo alone, there are 20,000 empty apartments, while in Spain there are 3 million houses. We must not forget that between 2014 and 2017, the Galician Government of the Popular Party did not build any public housing for rent in Galicia. The price of rentals increased by 95 %. A real catastrophe. There is a need for public policy, affordable prices and the introduction of limits on tourist apartments. Dignified housing for all and for all.

Mr President, in the European Parliament today, we have been many Members from different political groups expressing our solidarity with the Armenian people. It is a disaster, it is genocide, ethnic cleansing and Europe was absent. We are facing a silent war, and silent in front of the world. Azerbaijan is responsible for the fate of the Armenian population. While the Armenian forces asked for our help, while the Azerbaijani forces blocked the humanitarian aid corridor, the European Union reached a ‘reliable agreement’. A reliable agreement: the supply of gas against human rights and against the people of Artsakh. This reliable partner of the European Union and Ms von der Leyen has caused exodus, military control and human rights violations. We in the European Free Alliance stand with the people of Artsakh, with international solidarity and call for sanctions against Azerbaijan.

Mr President, rising prices have made it impossible for many people to live. Living each day and reaching the end of the month is a heroic act. Commissioner, you have just been in my country, Galicia, in Santiago de Compostela, where the minimum interprofessional wage does not reach 50% and where there are 680 000 poor people, temporary contracts, low wages and a lack of job stability. The worst is that inequality among young people has worsened. Young Galicians with higher education have a low activity rate and higher qualifications. And what happens? Young Galicians emigrate, emigrate to Europe, Commissioner. Precariousness has a woman's face, a young man's or a girl's face, a single-parent family face, a popular class face. Precarity is the opposite of dignity.

Madam President, fifty years after the coup d'état in Chile, the assassination of the president of Popular Unity, Salvador Allende's project is still valid in the demands for equality, historical memory, democracy and freedom. Allende was betrayed because he was fighting inequality in Chile with transformative changes, without taking a step back, he paid with his life for loyalty to the people. The dictatorship brought years of silence and it was thanks to the struggle of left-wing social forces, the Mapuche people, social movements and human rights and memory organizations that his legacy remained and is still alive. From Recoleta to Temuco, from Santiago to Chiloé, the Allende, Salvador, is a heritage of the world, not only of Chile, it is an international reference that today we must honor in the European Parliament, as was honored yesterday in the streets and sidewalks of Chile. That is why, today more than ever, he is alive and is the opposite of far-right forces that attack democratic governments with hate speech. Allende is never again, never again, to torture, to murder, to exile and to disappearances. Allende is democracy, dignity, equality. Allende is a town because, as he said: They have the strength. They may overwhelm, but social processes are not stopped either by crime or by force. History is ours and the peoples make it. Comrade Salvador Allende! Come on in! Now and always! Allende lives. The fight goes on.

Mr President, Mr High Representative, the alliance between Europe and Latin America is strategic and must be preferential, fair and harmonious. I hope that for the first time there will be a predisposition to the opportunity of this regional cooperation based on mutual respect and reciprocity and that it will put nature and life at the centre of public policies. It is time for this bi-regional cooperation, which must be based on mutual respect, reciprocity and transparency and be inclusive and supportive. Because until now Europe has spoken to Latin America and the Caribbean with a colonial position, not respecting the sovereignty or self-determination of peoples and, above all, plundering their natural resources. Latin America presented itself at the EU-CELAC summit in Brussels with a strong voice, demanding equal treatment, fighting for societies free of poverty, exploitation and racism, seeking paths of peace, dialogue and sovereignty of peoples. And demanding respect for their linguistic, cultural diversity and their native peoples. By the way, Mr. Borrell, in America there are more than 550 indigenous languages, in addition to other languages, with which, what wealth, right? As President Petro said, we are in a crisis between capitalism or life. Let these agreements be the center of commitments, life, nature and, of course, equality.

Madam President, I come from a country rich in rivers and rivers, mistreated by governments for failing to protect them. Therefore, in the debate on this important report, I want to denounce what is happening at the San Fins mine. An environmental, economic and social risk, Commissioner, for the Muros and Noia estuary, rich in fish and seafood. This complaint is open in the European Parliament. Despite requests to the Galician Government for measures to enforce the law and resolve irregularities, despite complaints of injustice and social and political opposition, the Galician Government authorized, in February this year, the discharge of 4 million cubic meters of wastewater from contaminating effects. As a result, very high levels of heavy metals were detected in the water, far exceeding the maximum permitted levels. So, Commissioner, rapporteur, take into account the case of the San Fins mine.

Madam President, how the right and the far right like to get their head out just before the EU-CELAC summit. Getting your head out to attack Venezuela is nothing new. When the lie is the instrument of communication, when the fake news are the target of many political groups of the extreme right and the right, what is provoked is a manipulation. Fake to repeat. Many things have been changed and distorted in Latin America, also in Venezuela. In those laboratories of the extreme right that are forged in the Madrid Forum, in the economic interests, in the Atlantic Forum, the reactionary servants of power unite with the looters of many of the riches that the peoples have conquered with their electoral battles and with their democracy, because despite what you say, the people have voted for the current rulers of Venezuela. The battle now takes place in media, in networks, in streets and on walls. Please treat Venezuela equally, not by telling it what to do, but by respecting it. Venezuela has the right to be at the EU-CELAC summit.

Mrs Mussolini, when you sit in the seat, you get very nervous. You are the one who does not respect the debates because you start screaming, kicking, doing so at the table... The truth is that it is quite disrespectful to the House. In addition, those on the left are here to defend values, to defend human rights, to defend migrants and to defend people. I have been in Italy, on the Open Arms boat, which your government – the previous government, but also this one – did not allow to dock. Therefore, do not give us lessons in ethics or democracy. Has Italy prevented the ship from getting help? Can you say it? Because the law that Italy has passed in recent months is not exactly a law of European coordination and solidarity.

Madam President, last February I tried to have a meeting with the Palestinian Authority, with Israeli NGOs and with Palestinian NGOs, but I was prevented from entering the territories occupied by Israel. This is precisely what Mrs Incir's resolution says. And I would also like to thank you for mentioning that two MEPs have not been able to accede as part of an official delegation. Because, while Israel cares about the Palestinian Authority to divert attention, illegal occupation and apartheid, illegal settlements and illegal annexation continue to be maintained and, above all, its authority continues to be extended to the occupied territories where the Palestinian Authority has its authority. That is what Israel is doing. I am not saying this, it is not a personal opinion, it is an opinion of the United Nations and of Mrs Albanese's latest report. As you said, Commissioner, the cycle of violence is increasing, but we must return to cooperation and peace. There is no balanced approach - I say this to the far right of the House - when peace is destroyed. There is no balanced approach when Israel does what it has just done in Jenin.

Madam President, I want to show support as a Bloc MEP for workers in the metal sector who have been protesting in my country since 15 June for fair wages and decent work. The workers took to the streets with great support in Vigo, Pontevedra and Vila Garcia, in a sector that is vital for Galicia. They claim their rights because the entrepreneurs do not comply with the agreements. Europe cannot accept the precarious nature of the Galician metallurgical sector. Trade unions are calling for dialogue. If there is no agreement, there will be an indefinite strike starting July 18. The Galician trade union CIG spoke loud and clear. The metal sector is speaking forcefully so as not to lose the social rights won in years of struggle, since the European Parliament: "Convenio do metal, solución".

Mr President, Commissioner, on behalf of the Committee on Petitions of the European Parliament, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the organisers for their good work and for having garnered the support of 1.2 million Europeans committed to eliminating animal testing in the EU before the end of the current legislature. The ECI (European Citizens' Initiative) tool once again gives visibility to citizens' initiatives by promoting participatory democracy. While the formal promotion of animal testing methods is unique to the EU, there are bureaucratic obstacles to their acceptance. Its use is not properly implemented and funding for its development is insufficient. Some Member States have adopted national implementing measures ensuring a high level of protection of animals used for scientific purposes, while others apply only minimum requirements. Despite the progress made thanks to animal testing in the development of medical treatments and vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, European citizens support the total and global ban on the use of animals in research. It is necessary to replace animal testing with advanced alternative methods to meet the environmental health objectives set out in the various European plans. To achieve the objective of Directive 2010/63/EU, it is crucial to improve coordination between Member States and stakeholders in order to develop an action plan at EU level that promotes the reduction, refinement and replacement of procedures with live animals. This must be done without compromising the protection of human health and the environment, or jeopardising the EU's technological sovereignty. It is also necessary to strengthen the European Research Area and to base the plan on research carried out in the EU so far. Preferential funding mechanisms for non-animal methods are also needed in all research initiatives. Academic institutions play an essential role and should promote alternatives to animal testing, disseminating new knowledge and practices. Education and training of scientists should be prioritised. There are many elements to analyse and I am sure that today's presentation will be very useful and constructive.

Madam President, Commissioner, I am going to talk about the drought in Galicia. In the country of 1,000 rivers there is also a lack of water. Rainfall patterns are changing in a context of climate urgency. Water availability in Galicia is conditioned by the supply network sized according to wet conditions. There is a lack of excess rainwater storage infrastructure and water-saving irrigation systems. Farmers need harvests that ensure they can produce. In my country, the productive rural environment suffers. There are significant economic losses from the increase in the productive costs of inputs in agriculture and fruit production requires the Galician Government to provide aid and compensate for the effects of drought. Commissioner, we need a water strategy, public mechanisms in Europe to combat the prolonged and severe drought that also affects wet countries like mine.

Madam President, how important it is for the European Union to make its voice heard in the fight against the blockade, but also in the intensification of these diplomatic relations. The United States blockade of Cuba is unacceptable, unjust and inhumane. The far right no longer knows what to do and provokes this resolution. And we know that, from 2019 to the present, Cuba has had a tightening of the embargo. President Donald Trump did his homework and, before leaving, placed Cuba on the list of terrorist-promoting countries. Please! The country that has helped thousands of people with its doctors and humanitarian missions. It has helped thousands of people around the world. The increase in staggered measures to harm the economy and generate humanitarian damage is huge. Consular relations are cut off, family reunification is prevented, and it is difficult for Cubans to obtain visas to travel or emigrate. During the pandemic, the blockade was also intensified in order to prevent the importation of pulmonary ventilators and the importation of oxygen, and also to prevent the production of Cuban vaccines and their industrial escalation. The blockade causes humanitarian harm, suffering, deprivation and distress, and is a violation of humanitarian law. The BNG MEP does not say it, the United Nations says it

Mr President, voting to end the far-right is what we did in Galicia last Sunday. The advance of the far-right in Europe and the Spanish state is worrying. In Galicia they had only one representative. What an example if we compare it to the rest of the state! The Bloque, my party, was the antidote in my country to stop the right and its far-right friends, because Mr Feijóo, who wants to be the president of the state, has very dangerous friendships and wants to conquer with lies and fake news. Nothing is more dangerous than whitewashing the far-right, as Mr Feijóo of the People’s Party does. In July we have to vote again, vote again to set an example on how to fight the extreme right and have a parliamentary group in the Spanish Congress to fight what is one of the greatest dangers for European democracy.

Mr President, Galicia also has a historical relationship with the harvesting of algae, such as sargassum. The natural resource of algae gives work, picks up standing, with their hands. It is a natural resource with high nutritional value in proteins, but also good for health, for cosmetics, for biofuels. In Galicia, we have several innovative companies producing algae and, in addition, in this sense – and we welcome this European plan – we also need financial support, because in Galicia, the optimal conditions are given for the development of algae production, but this must be accompanied by a biological plan for water sanitation and with a clear commercial and labelling policy. Because it does not serve the production of intensive aquaculture, but an extensive algae production and always respecting the natural environment.

Mr President, Commissioner, on 9 May the Galician and European fleet stopped at ports and asked to resign. And you know why? Because it has lost its trust and legitimacy. Because a Commissioner cannot demonise certain fishing gear without having scientific, environmental, but also social and economic foundations. I agree with protecting the marine ecosystems, the estuaries, the seas, but I also agree with protecting the sailors, the fishermen, the shellfishers, the nets, those who live off the sea. I come from a country that is Galicia, a fishing nation that lives from fishing and the first ones interested in having clean ecosystems are those that live from fishing and shellfishing. Without a healthy marine ecosystem, there is no sustainable fishing, neither economically nor socially. Therefore, it is necessary to integrate the empirical knowledge of sailors with the knowledge of scientists. Do not demonize fishermen, Commissioner, do not demonize fishermen. Integrate them into the Community decision-making of the Common Fisheries Policy.

Mr President, finning is a reprehensible, condemnable, detestable and anti-ecological practice, as the European Citizens' Initiative says. European regulations have prohibited finning since 2013, as you know, Commissioner. When the measure was approved, there was an express commitment by the European Commission to adopt a ban on finning, without the agreement being reached in opposition to China, Korea and Japan. Do you know, Commissioner, that the Galician fleet does not practice finning? I would like to clarify that projecting on the fleet and the Galician value chain the suspicion of finning It is false and unjust and devoid of arguments. There is no market for dry cleaners or any other fishing species. That dark market of sale that is spoken of, of fins of Asia from Vigo, does not exist. The Galician fleet fishes the whole piece for all the meat and never for the fin. In our fishery and our industry the fin is simply a by-product of the processing of this fish, not an end in itself. The Galician surface longline fleet and the related processing industry have been making sustainability efforts for years. Efforts such as the commitment called the implementation of the FIP BLUES (Fishing Improvement Project), an initiative that monitors and evaluates the FisheryProgress organization, of transparency of a fishery that acts together for the sake of fisheries sustainability throughout the value chain.

Madam President, our concerns from the Greens/EFA Group of the European Parliament about the proposed Willow project in Alaska: there are a big opposition of the project of the natives and in the public opinion, the Willow project is a disaster for the native communities and for the wildlife. This is a huge climate threat, inconsistent with the administration’s promise to take on the Biden administration. The Alaska natives living closer to the proposed Willow project, the native village of Nuiqsut, are deeply concerned about the health and climate impacts caused by burning fossil oils and gas operations. The Nuiqsut mayor, whose community of about 525 people is the closest to the proposed development, is a prominent opponent who has called the project a climate disaster waiting to happen. She said it is affecting the health of community members. The indigenous people have a right to free prior and informed consent under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. And this right is being disregarded by the Government of the United States. Is not too late to say ‘no’ to the Willow project for indigenous people and for their home culture and the well-being of the planet. They are not a colony.

Mr President, sailors see how Brussels decides with its back to the sea. Seamen, shipowners, workers and seamen, such as those who catch seafood or weave nets, who sell fish, all tired of seeing that Brussels decides without knowing it, with deep ignorance and without taking into account the interests of coastal communities, such as Galicia, where I come from. Commissioner Sinkevičius ignores the fishing fleet, decides without taking into account the socio-economic impact, as if drawing a straight line, without seeing the particularities of each fleet, as happened with bottom fishing and now also with marine wind. So tomorrow, from the ports of Vigo to Burela, from Guarda to Ribeira in Galicia and in the rest of European ports, there will be a fleet strike, because fisheries are also Europe. All that remains is for the Commissioner to resign, because he will never have the recognised legitimacy in the fisheries sector, because he has not been able to listen to it or put himself on his skin, in the tide, in the difficulty, in the powerlessness to see how, while Europe prohibits and limits, imported products are being measured. Galician and European fisheries are fed up, Commissioner.