Speeches

The next sitting will begin tomorrow, Wednesday 22 January 2025 at 3 p.m. 9.00. The agenda is published and available on the website of the European Parliament.

Mr President, Minister, Ms Executive Vice-President, Let me start with the good one, with the meeting of the Helsinki Heads of State within NATO. The overall situation improved after this meeting, at least through the control of this threatened area of the Baltic Sea. But in the current situation, there is no more important and stronger instrument in Europe's hands to sanction the operation of this shadow fleet, just like the US did very recently. Russia benefits from this shadow fleet in several ways: makes it possible to generate revenue by circumventing existing price sanctions on oil, is a tool for damaging infrastructure, as we are talking here today, spying on us and posing environmental risks from old oil ships, usually the use of single-hull vessels, and it divides the geographical interests of the European Union. We are also seeing here today the membership is very geographical, so these tough sanctions must be yesterday, because all these hybrid elements are directed, first and foremost, against the interests of European countries. And if the EU (European Union) does not do so, the new US administration might be wondering: Why do we, the US, protect Europe if Europe does not protect itself?

The next item is the debate on the Commission communication on the challenges faced by EU farmers and agricultural workers: improving working conditions, including their psycho-emotional well-being (2024/2964(RSP)).

The next item is the debate on the Commission statement on addressing the problem of subcontracting in bad faith and labour market intermediaries (2024/2984(RSP)).

Next sitting is tomorrow, Wednesday 18 December 2024 at 3 p.m. 8.30. The agenda is published and available on the European Parliament’s website.

The next item should be the explanations of vote, but colleagues, the good thing is that it looks like all the votes are explained this year, and nobody wanted to say anything on this item on the agenda.

The next item is the debate on the Commission communication on striving for a common vision for European tourism, its sustainable growth and the Europe brand (2024/2990(RSP)).

The next item is the debate on the Commission statement on the situation and persecution of and cyber violence against women politicians in EU candidate and neighbouring countries (2024/2989(RSP)).

Rule 20 says something different, but you touch the political issues, right or left or things like that, about which is nothing said in Rule 20. The debate is closed.

Just to remind you, you cannot show anything from this place. I didn't notice when I was looking at my paper; otherwise, I would be very strict.

I will not give a blue-card question to Mr Sieper, because I'm informed you already two times asked a question. I have to keep a rule. We will give a priority for those who did not ask a blue-card question until now.

Colleagues, because I have all the time again the blue cards, I will use a system where I will give priority for those who didn't ask for a blue card during this debate. I will try to squeeze to one, otherwise it will be too much. First come, first served. So please be very quick if you would like to take a blue card. So now you have a question from Thomas Bajada. Would you agree to take it? Yes.