Speeches

Mr President, Madam Minister, Mr Vice-President, Yes, the good news for Ukraine is, of course, €50 billion in support, but let us be frank, military assistance from Member States is insufficient for Ukraine. We are lagging behind, especially on the side of some Member States. We are not dealing with the confiscation of Russian frozen assets. We have not perfected the system that allows sanctions to be circumvented, and also much with unauthorized goods the European Union's business earns, and Russia also earns from these export directions. Why do I say that? Because time matters. We cannot help Ukraine at any time, as much as it will be necessary, because we are threatening the Ukrainian nation, culture, language at this time. Because, let's be frank, the goals of russification are intended for the people of Ukraine, which Russia is also doing. And last week there was a prominent conference in Riga on Russia's war against Ukrainian children. These dozens, hundreds of thousands, perhaps children separated from their families, are actually an example of this russification, because if Russia also carried out a policy of russification in the past during the Soviet Union, it did not pull family children out of their families. In this case, these Ukrainian children on the Russian side may also lose their Ukrainian identity within a few months, perhaps years. And if we really want to help them, then time plays a huge role. And this can only be corrected with full military support for Ukraine. The sooner, the better, the time will be lost and the people of Ukraine will be lost.

The next item is the debate on the Commission statement on the situation in Haiti ahead of the launch of the UN Multinational Security Support Mission (2024/2557(RSP)).

The next item is the debate on the report by Peter Vitanov, on behalf of the Committee on Transport and Tourism, on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Union-wide effect of certain driving disqualifications (COM(2023)0128 – C9-0036/2023 – 2023/0055(COD)) (A9-0410/2023).

The next item is the debate on the report by Ivars Ijaba, on behalf of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down measures for a high level of public sector interoperability across the Union (Interoperable Europe Act) (COM(2022)0720 - C9-0387/2022 - 2022/0379(COD)) (A9-0254/2023).

The next item is the debate on the Commission and Council statements on improving the socio-economic situation of farmers and rural areas and ensuring fair incomes, food security and a just transition (2024/2522(RSP)).

The debate is closed. The vote will take place in the February I part-session. Before I start the next item on the agenda, I would like to just inform you that, due to conflicting obligations, the Council Presidency will also not be present for the next two debates, which were added to the agenda for this part-session on Monday night.

The next item is the debate on the Commission statement on Norway's recent decision to continue deep-sea mining in the Arctic (2024/2520(RSP)).

The next item is the topical debate (Rule 162) on quality jobs in a competitive, future-oriented social market economy. I would like to inform Members that there will be no catch-the-eye procedure and no blue cards will be accepted in this debate.

Colleagues, Let us continue the plenary session! The minutes and the texts adopted of yesterday's sitting are available. Are there any comments on the minutes of yesterday's sitting? If not, the minutes are approved.

The next sitting is tomorrow, Wednesday 17 January 2024 at 12:00. 9.00. The agenda is published and available on the website of the European Parliament.

The next item is a short presentation of the report by Javier Moreno Sánchez on the implementation of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) (2023/2001(INI)) (A9-0400/2023).

The next item is a short presentation of the report by Tom Berendsen on Building a comprehensive European Ports Strategy (2023/2059(INI)) (A9-0443/2023).

Normally we would have a ‘catch-the-eye procedure’, but I do not have anyone who wishes to speak, so I will now ask the Commissioner to take the floor.