Speeches

Mr President, Commissioner, the conflict in the Middle East is once again straining energy markets and Europe is once again showing its vulnerability: there will be no real strategic autonomy without a profound change of approach. First, it is imperative to accelerate the deployment of storage technologies. Secondly, we must preserve and strengthen stable generation sources, such as nuclear power. In this regard, it is essential that the EUR 200 billion committed by the Commission for the development of small modular reactors be translated into real, commercial and stable solutions. That is why I would also like to point out that it is highly irresponsible to close down operational and safe nuclear power plants, as the Spanish Government claims. Thirdly, with regard to security of supply, it is imperative to adopt a long-term vision with stable and durable contracts. Finally, there is a need to speed up interconnections and simplify authorisation procedures. In short, the question is no longer what we should do but how quickly and with what determination we should do it.

Mr President, Commissioner, first, the current energy system is made up of multiple deeply interconnected layers: electricity grids depend on digital infrastructure for real-time monitoring, the functioning of the energy market depends on the availability of data, and the energy system increasingly depends on satellite services. That is why energy and digitalisation cannot continue to be treated as silos, but must be addressed in a much more integrated way. Second, it is important to continue advancing new digital technologies. It is very clear that small nuclear reactors require less initial investment, are more scalable, allow serial production and strengthen our energy independence: it seems a lie that until now there has been such remarkable resistance by many of those responsible here regarding this phenomenon of small reactors, which have so many possibilities. And finally, transparency. Do you know what the best transparencies are, Commissioner? That the electricity bill, the energy bill, can be understood by all consumers from the first moment they have it in front of them.

Madam President, Madam Vice-President, ladies and gentlemen, the world is not changing, the world has already changed. And historical moments – I think we all agree on this – call for different solutions. Now you have to choose between watching the game or playing it. Shy statements and defensiveness are no longer enough, we must go on the offensive; because there will be no competitiveness without connectivity, and no connectivity without fast and secure high capacity and low latency networks. And, in addition, the scale is also essential. That is why it is in our hands to complete something that Europe has been pursuing for decades: a genuine internal market that allows us not only to innovate, but to compete, and not only to innovate and compete, but to compete for leadership. Therefore, every instrument that contributes to contemplate it is an opportunity that we cannot miss. That is the case with the Digital Networks Act. For example, the single passport makes it easier for an operator to enter services other than those of different States through a single notification. The ambition shown by the Commission in regulating spectrum must also be emphasised – and this seems to me to be very relevant. For example, automatic license renewal will support the investment and deployment of autonomous 5G and 6G networks. Madam Vice-President, I believe that this proposal understands the current moment, when the telecommunications sector is undergoing a transformation that incorporates cloud-based architectures and artificial intelligence, allowing the deployment of innovative services. It is now Parliament's task, which will have to be geared towards making the Digital Networks Act not a missed opportunity, but a decisive step towards a more connected, more competitive and more autonomous Europe.

Mr President, Commissioner, a competitive economy with a strong digital footprint – artificial intelligence, cloud, data centres and so on – requires high-capacity electricity grids that contribute to lower energy prices for households and businesses. However, while demand is already growing exponentially, our networks are still old, to the point that more than 40% exceed four decades. On the other hand, it is estimated that the costs of network congestion could reach €26 billion over the next five years. Moreover, we are still a long way from the 15% interconnection target set for 2030 – in the case of Spain it is only 3.6%. In this context, the Commission proposal is right to simplify licensing procedures, to strengthen security already from the planning point of view – and this is important – to optimise the use of networks through digitalisation and to increase funding under the Multiannual Financial Framework. All this with an overview, and not only of the sum of the parts: This is a vision at European level, i.e. a single market approach. I believe this is the way; a path that will also facilitate the development of priority projects: I am referring to the eight energy motorways – in the case of the Iberian Peninsula through the Pyrenees via the Iberian Highway—. Interconnections with energy islands need to be resolved urgently. The legislative process is now coming to Parliament, and it is our responsibility to act as quickly as possible.

Mr President, Madam Vice-President of the Commission, the digital bus must help accelerate innovation and competitiveness. The proposal focuses on data, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, as we know, and in the case of data, as the Commission says, it is about having more coherent and unified legislation, integrating different rules into the Data Regulation. The Data Regulation has opened up enormous possibilities for innovation, development of new business models and competitiveness in all sectors. The manufacturing industry, the agricultural, health sector, the after-sales sector or airlines and a long etcetera have to benefit from the Data Regulation. On the bus, the Commission proposes to further strengthen the protection of industrial secrecy against third-country entities subject to jurisdictions with legislation not equivalent to that of the European Union. However, without undermining this, we need to ensure that the vault key of the Data Regulation remains intact, i.e. the user's right to access industrial data generated by their own connected devices. In short, it is about balancing guarantees and rights, which is key to accelerating innovation and competitiveness.

Mr President, Commissioner, we have a valuable roadmap to end Russian energy imports, a guide that includes an ambitious list of actions. Some concern nuclear energy, as mentioned, with measures to prevent new uranium supply contracts. On the other hand, Russian oil should be replaced by 2027 as the deadline. But most of these measures are related to gas, such as banning imports for contracts. spot, to be completed by the end of 2025, and for long-term ones, to be completed by the end of 2027. In relation to the latter, the Commission should design effective and legally sound tools to facilitate the termination of such contracts. take or pay European companies are not penalised. In other words, legal soundness is essential. Otherwise, the Europeans will have to pay for the contracts and Russia will keep the gas.

Madam President, I am going to help ensure that this debate does not take longer than necessary, because there are others who come later and I want to help ensure that they can be managed well and that we do not delay.

Madam President, Commissioner, the total collapse of the Spanish electricity system leaves us with a first lesson: there is an urgent need to eradicate the messianic vision of renewable energy and the demonisation of nuclear energy. This confrontation has been the hallmark of the energy policy of the President of the Government and his Minister Ribera. Energy security does not need confrontation, but balance. It requires every energy source to fulfill its role, from renewables to nuclear, from gas to hydraulics. Each one has a precise and essential contribution. Only from technological neutrality can the stability of the energy system be guaranteed. And this is what the Government of Spain is systematically ignoring today. Now, Commissioner, it is urgent to ensure an independent audit, an audit to be entrusted to the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators.

Madam President, Mr Vice-President, energy-intensive industries are a fundamental part of the European economy and play an indispensable role in value chains such as defence and automotive. For years they have had a great competitive capacity and have been at the forefront in quality and innovation. But now their competitiveness is progressively weakened. In fact, declining production and offshoring are a reality. That is why we have to have – because these are new times that demand it – new formulas. Today our industry needs a truly effective revitalizing formula, based on active principles such as faster and simpler permitting, an attractive regulatory environment for investment and affordable energy prices, which in turn require a more integrated energy market with interconnected, digitalised and more flexible grids. In short, it is a formula that combines more innovation, more simplification and more investment. In that sense, the Net-Zero Industry Regulation is a good starting point. And now the announced Industrial Decarbonization Acceleration Act has to take steps in that same direction.

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Mr President, thank you, Commissioner, for being with us. Indeed, in 2022 – as you yourself mentioned – the Versailles Declaration led us to commit to phasing out Russian gas, oil and coal imports as soon as possible. And, in response to that commitment also mentioned, the REPowerEU plan has now made it possible to reduce dependence on gas and other fossil fuels, so that, in 2023, imports of Russian gas from the Union fell below 15%. But there is still a long way to go. That percentage that I have mentioned is not shared by all countries. Unfortunately, there is still a lack of countries, such as my own, which remains one of the main buyers of gas. It is clear that we need additional efforts: continue to diversify supplies, strengthen our relationships with reliable partners and explore new partnerships with other regions. Of course, we also hope that we will soon have the roadmap for the phase-out of Russian gas that has been announced by the Commission.

Mr President, Mr Executive Vice-President, the Draghi report marked a path, and now we have a compass to go through it. The destination is clear, a competitive Europe, but on this path speed matters: the European Commission has stepped on the accelerator with a series of key measures that we will be progressively getting to know, within a few days, the Clean Industrial Pact. But special circumstances require special procedures, we cannot afford long implementation or transposition deadlines: We need to lighten, with immediate effect, the bureaucratic burdens on our businesses, and we need to make rapid progress in removing the barriers to our internal market, which are those that prevent us from taking advantage of the continental scale that is our best asset. We cannot allow the awareness of urgency to be diluted in a new and lengthy legislative procedure and be late again: That is why it is imperative that we have mechanisms for rapid intervention, and I believe that this is where the omnibus instrument stands, a total of five simplification packages aimed at existing legislation. There is, of course, to welcome the first of them very soon, and it must be said that the destination is clear: We have the route, arriving on time is in our hands.

Mr President, Commissioner, every person must have his or her chance in the digital transition. Only with proper training will everyone be able to take advantage of the full potential offered by digitalization. This gap, as Mr Draghi points out, with countries that have more developed both technological innovation and technological training is, to a large extent, what explains the deficit we have with respect to the competitiveness of countries such as the United States. It is imperative that competitiveness and digital training go hand in hand. Digital training should be present throughout the education period; for example, programming should always be incorporated at the beginning of school education, so that pupils understand the digital nature of the system in which they live. On the other hand, the European Union must increase the number of STEM graduates, which, despite progress, is still far from meeting the demand that exists in these profiles. It is also essential to strengthen digital training in vocational training systems. Finally, the updating and acquisition of new digital skills must be constant throughout life; What's more, it has to be guaranteed. In short, digital training is not only key to achieving an innovative and competitive Europe, it is also key for each person to have their opportunity in this process of digital transformation. And, I add, it is not only essential, it is also urgent: The time is now, tomorrow will be late.

Madam President, the Draghi report puts Europe in the mirror and sets out a path of competitiveness with the central objective of increasing productivity. We need to be productive to be competitive, and to be innovative to be productive, and order, in this case, is important: Europe must innovate to produce, and produce more and better to compete. As stated in the report, the productivity gap between Europe and the United States is largely explained by the technological factor. Indeed, the development of 5G, the Internet of Things and technologies such as artificial intelligence offer an opportunity for unprecedented innovation, and Europe cannot continue to be late for this event. To do this, appropriate resources need to be deployed, such as a 5G and 6G network infrastructure where innovation can nest. On the other hand, access to hitherto largely underutilised industrial data is essential. Data is, on the other hand, the nutrient for the development of digital technologies: we need to move towards a European data space in a single market. In short, the report puts us on a broad and well-signposted path to a digital and competitive Europe. Mr Draghi says that the challenge is existential, and I think it is. For this reason, the time is now: It'll be late tomorrow.

Madam President, Commissioner, the 2019-2024 parliamentary term is coming to an end and we recapitulate. The COVID-19 crisis and the war in Ukraine have generated a new awakening in the European Union and the need to provide it with new instruments that have a future horizon, as the ECSC Treaty had more than 20 years ago. It is urgent to set our common project in such a way that we are not left behind other countries in the world, some of them quasi-continents such as China or the United States. In my opinion, the triad of competitiveness, industry and the internal market is essential. For these three major objectives there are three major tractors: innovation, energy sufficiency and digitalisation. It is necessary – as Mario Draghi has pointed out – to make an industrial agreement in Europe. European industry is weakening and has to develop tone that allows it to be truly competitive. Without forgetting that simplification is needed, avoiding gold-plating and, of course, ending fragmentation in the internal market, the vitamin complex that the European Union needs is strong and its master formula is threefold: as I have pointed out, innovation, energy and digitalisation.

Mr President, Commissioner, the reform of the electricity market that we are voting on today meets the threefold objective of reducing the influence of wholesale price volatility on consumer bills, making the cost of energy more stable and predictable, and boosting investment in renewable energy. To this end, the agreement reached by Parliament and the Council includes important measures in this direction, such as the promotion of bilateral contracts for the sale of electricity and public support through contracts for difference, which can be used to increase coal and gas efficiency capacity and extend the lifetime of nuclear power plants. The importance of interconnections is clearly recognised and the protection of the most vulnerable consumers is emphasised. However, in addition to these measures, the price crisis mechanism is essential, which refuses to establish permanent interventions and supports that any intervention is done exceptionally, in the event of a crisis, preferably applying it to consumers who need it most and avoiding asymmetries and distortions in the internal market. This means, among other things, that the so-called "Iberian exception" is totally rejected. In addition, the text allows, if necessary, price intervention to be extended to the industrial sector and not only to private consumers and small and medium-sized enterprises. In short, it is a reform that will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the functioning of the European Union's electricity market. And let me say one thing, which in this case I think I must say. I have to thank our colleague Maria da Graça Carvalho, who cannot be here because she is Minister for the Environment and Energy of the Portuguese Government, for the exceptional work she has done during the process of debate and development of this whole reform.

Mr President, Commissioner, the succession of violent actions and the destabilisation that Ecuador has been suffering in recent days deserve - I think no one doubts this - the strongest condemnation. Insecurity in Ecuador has escalated to historic levels. Intentional homicides have increased fivefold since 2021 and increased to 43 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023. These data are – no one can doubt it either – very worrying. The fight against organised crime requires the utmost cooperation of law enforcement agencies. This situation has led President Novoa to declare a state of emergency in order to restore peace and security. In the European Parliament, we are closely following developments in the country, because it is also a key partner of the Union in that Andean region. Violence destroys peace and security, and without peace and security there can be no rule of law and without the rule of law there can be no democracy. This is precisely what is at stake. On the other hand, stability in Ecuador is essential to ensure stability in the region. Therefore, we must strengthen and deepen our bilateral relations by placing special emphasis on political and economic relations within the framework of the trade agreement with Peru and Colombia, to which Ecuador, as you know, joined in 2017. Security cooperation must remain a priority. Finally, I would like to reiterate our support for the democratic institutions represented in their legitimate constitutional bodies: President Daniel Noboa and the Government of the Nation.

Mr President, Commissioner, digital technologies are, as we know, decisive for the development of innovation and the competitiveness of our industry. And no one could doubt that, in order to fully develop digital and other technologies, we need critical raw materials. Thanks to Parliament, the agreement with the Council provides for faster licensing procedures for extraction, better recycling and waste management policies and, at the same time, a wider list of critical raw materials. Including raw materials such as aluminium and graphite, which play a key role in industrial value chains, is a contribution from Parliament that we should welcome. In addition, reliable international partnerships with third countries are important, as has been pointed out here: These countries have greater stability that makes them, as I said, more reliable. Particular attention must also be paid to those to whom the projects financed by the European Union belong. In short, to strengthen the resources of the competitiveness of European industry in a global context and to consolidate our strategic sovereignty, this legislation is of paramount importance and, in addition, is a tangible example of the added value that the European Union has.

Mr President, Commissioner, today we are discussing the 8th State of the Energy Union report. The report concludes that the European Union reduced its demand for Russian gas by 18% compared to the last five years. However, despite import bans on crude oil and derived products, the European Union remains one of Russia's largest fossil fuel customers. Moreover, some Member States that are in favour of sanctions have increased their consumption in these months to the point that in the first half of 2023 Russian imports of liquefied gas into the European Union have been the highest in recent years. On the other hand, when we talk about the Energy Union, it should be noted that the reform of the electricity market is a step forward. Parliament, Council and Commission are now aligned on the main objectives of the reform. They reject the possibility for individual states to set a maximum income cap on electricity producers and argue that contracts for difference can cover investments in nuclear energy. Significant issues remain to be discussed between the Council and Parliament, such as pushing forward the 15% target for interconnections, a necessary step towards advancing an integrated energy market. We're on the right track. But we need to move up a gear.

Mr President, Commissioner, despite the bans on the import of crude oil and derived products, we know that the European Union remains one of Russia's largest fossil fuel customers. To begin with, some Member States that claim to be in favour of sanctions have increased their imports to the point that in the first half of 2023 Russian imports of LNG to the Union have been the highest in the last three years. The situation calls for an assessment of where leaks are occurring and where gaps are causing the desired effectiveness to be lacking. For example, we should consider banning the transport of Russian oil and LNG through European territorial waters and exclusive economic zones. Ships flying the flag of EU countries cannot be the transporters of the largest share of crude oil in both 2022 and 2023. Similarly, serious consideration should be given to extending the list of products whose importation is prohibited to include aluminium, nitrogen fertilisers and ammonia. Above all, the European Commission should introduce enhanced and centralised surveillance to avoid the ineffectiveness of sanctions.

Madam President, Commissioner, the concept of strategic sovereignty on which we debate so much is determined by our ability to innovate and compete globally. The single market, on the other hand, is our great asset. It allows to develop the economies of scale necessary to compete in a preferential position in the world economy. On the other hand, we have an industry that has a remarkable global competitive position and that also has high market shares in robotics and industrial software. It is now important to drive the latest technological developments and thus strengthen our innovative and competitive capacity. And in this context, it is essential to close the significant semiconductor gaps that Europe currently has. They are essential for everything to work: mobile phones, cars, factories, sanitary appliances. There is no digital development if there are no chips. Right now, despite growing demand, there are production lines that are running at half gas due to semiconductor shortages. From that perspective, the Chips Act is a big step forward. It will help lay the foundations for a state-of-the-art European chip ecosystem that includes its manufacturing and ensures security of supply. In short, a very welcome regulation because it will boost the ability to innovate and compete in the European Union.

Madam President, Madam Vice-President, artificial intelligence is essential for innovation and growth, but for its development there is a fundamental element that has been talked about a lot here today: trust. If people are wary of its use, it will not be able to unfold its full potential. Today we are discussing the first European legislation on artificial intelligence: legislation that should ensure aspects of an ethical nature, legal accountability and transparency, such as the right to be informed when the decision is taken by a high-risk system or the right to seek collective redress. It is also crucial to ensure safety. Therefore, this legislation must have efficient instruments to, for example, prevent a terrorist attack, search for missing persons and, in particular, be able to act on everything that affects the lives of children. In all these cases there must be a judicial authorization and a temporary definition of the application. Europe is characterised by the central value of people's fundamental rights and that is precisely the foundation of this regulation on artificial intelligence.

Mr. President, Vice President, it's a pleasure to have you here. He has said many things - and we have to focus in a very short time, so let's get to it - with which I personally very much agree. It is well known that the European Union has a fundamental relationship with Peru. We are its third trading partner, and last year two agreements were signed with the aim of improving bilateral relations. From Parliament we are following with great concern, as from many other institutions, the serious political and social destabilization that the country has been experiencing for months. The violence in the streets, it is well known, has been extraordinary since in December last year the then president Pedro Castillo was ousted after his self-coup. In these months there have been dozens of dead and many more injured. It is evident, on the other hand, the difficulty that the authorities are finding to manage a very complex political crisis. All this is having a very negative effect, consequently, on the well-being of Peruvians, to begin with, and also on their economy. The rule of law guarantees the expression of all kinds of protests, except violent ones. The Government therefore had an obligation to maintain constitutional order and to combat violence with due proportionality. On March 20, the members of the Andean Delegation had the opportunity to listen to one of the heads of the Peruvian Embassy to the European Union, who deeply regretted all the human losses that have occurred during these months and stressed the commitment of the Government of Dina Boluarte to carry out an investigation that clarifies what happened. In circumstances such as the present, it is undoubtedly desirable that the Peruvian political forces agree to an advance of the elections.

Madam President, Commissioner, I shall be very brief in this speech. I would like to thank all the Members who have spoken for their contributions and assure them that I take good note of everything they have said. I firmly believe that the agreement reached by the vast majority of groups in the House deserves to be signed in a few minutes, when we vote, by all of us. Negotiations with the Council will start soon, and from here I ask all members for a strong negotiating mandate for this Parliament and for this legislative proposal. This is a critical legislative proposal for our future. It is a truly disruptive proposal, a visionary proposal that could put us in a situation of high competitive and innovative capacity in a global context. And all this because the beneficiaries are all users, small and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups, large companies also, in short, our economy and our European society. Finally, once again, I would like to thank all the shadow rapporteurs, including from the committees, from the committees that have intervened, beyond the ITRE Committee, the committees responsible for issuing opinions. And I would also like to express my deep gratitude for the fabulous, extraordinary work that the teams of all the Members who have spoken, shadow rapporteurs and those of other committees have done. It really would have been very difficult without them, without their work, to reach the good port we have reached. Thank you very much, Commissioner. Finally, we still have a long way to go, which I hope we will travel together, hand in hand, and finally obtain that text and those opportunities that we so desire. That's it. Even in a while on the ballot.