Speeches

The next item is the debate on the report by David Cormand, on behalf of the Committee on Budgets, on the financial activities of the European Investment Bank – annual report 2023 (2023/2229(INI)) (A9-0031/2024).

The debate is closed. During the next debate I would ask colleagues to stick to their speaking time, as we have another voting session, as you know, at 17.00. Written statements (Rule 171)

The next item is the topical debate (Rule 162) on regaining our competitive advantage: a thriving EU in a fragmented global economy. I would like to inform Members that there will be no catch-the-eye procedure and blue card questions will not be accepted in this debate.

I have received six motions for resolutions to wind up this debate. The debate is closed. The vote will take place tomorrow. Written statements (Rule 171)

Mr Mandl, could you take a blue-card question from Ms Ruohonen-Lerner? Oh, I am sorry, it seems Ms Ruohonen-Lerner did not want to put a blue-card question after all.

The next sitting is tomorrow Wednesday 28 February 2024 at 12:00. 9.00. The agenda is published and available on the website of the European Parliament.

Before I give the floor to the Commissioner I would like to inform you that the Council was invited but preferred not to participate in this debate.

The next item is the debate on the statements by the Council and the Commission on the recent revelations of spying on Members of the European Parliament and the lack of follow-up to the PEGA Committee recommendations (2024/2600(RSP)). I would like to inform Members that there is only one round of interventions by representatives of the political groups. Therefore, there will be no catch-the-eye procedure and no blue card issues will be accepted.

The next item is the debate on the Commission communication on the state of play and governance of implementation two years after its launch (2024/2553(RSP)).

The next item is the debate on the statements by the Council and the Commission on the continuation of the repression against democratic forces in Venezuela: attacks on the presidential candidate (2024/2549(RSP)).

Colleagues, also concerning blue cards, if you would like to ask a question, please do not do it at the last second, otherwise it’s difficult. It is not for you, it was for the previous speaker.

Mr President, Minister, Commissioner. After Insider News from journalists Many foreign journalists ask me if it was a surprise for you as a Latvian? Of course not. Why? Because Tatjana Ždanoka worked from the late 1980s until the ninetieth, ninety-first year, when we regained our independence. She has never been allowed by Latvian law to participate in national elections. Unfortunately, there were elections to the European Parliament. And now she will also no longer have the opportunity to participate in the elections to the European Parliament, because the legislator in Latvia changed the law after the start of the Russian war in Ukraine. So this question is not really about Mrs Ždanoka's fate or further investigation. This is a question of what we, as an institution of the European Parliament, can do from this to improve in this institution. Just like after Qatargate what to do with this Russiagatehow we can raise this image so that, firstly, such cases are investigated – or not yet similar cases – and, secondly, they never happen again – when European taxpayers’ money is actually used to achieve the objectives of the Russian special services. So I would call, and I have already called, for a real rethink, too. Code of conduct — I use this English word during the investigation. So see if there is a need to change procedures, as we did after Qatargate in the European Parliament. That's one. It is also of the utmost importance to improve communication with the services in the Member States, which could conclude on such similar activities in a timely manner. And perhaps we have to deal with a much faster procedure and a lot, I might say, more secret procedures for investigating and giving back to the law enforcement authorities in the Member States the right to investigate this particular politician if he has been potentially suspected of espionage. This is what we did in Latvia with a Member who was extradited to the national parliament within 24 hours and has now been convicted of espionage for Russia. So let's put our house in order!