Speeches

The first item on the agenda is the joint debate on Ukraine: – the statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on EU action to ensure security guarantees and just peace for Ukraine (2025/2851(RSP)); – the report by Michael Gahler, on behalf of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Ukraine (2025/2026(INI)) (A10-0154/2025).

Dear colleagues, we have now reached the catch-the-eye procedure. I have far too many requests, so I will have to choose. I will favour those of you who have been present during the whole debate.

The President has received from the Council its position at first reading regarding amending Directive 2008/98/EC on waste. The President has also received the reasons which led to its adoption and the position and opinion of the Commission. The full title will be published in the minutes of today's sitting. The three-month period available to Parliament to adopt its position begins tomorrow, 11 July 2025.

Dear colleagues, we have now come to the catch-the-eye procedure. As always, I have many more speakers than I have speaking time left. I've tried to find some criteria, and I have said that if you spoke in the last debate, you will not be given catch-the-eye time. If you have not been here in the room during the whole debate, I will not give you time. It's just because I have to find some criteria, and I try to spread it over the groups. I do apologise to those of you who will not be able to speak. I know this is a very important topic for all of us.

Dear colleagues, we have now come to the catch-the-eye procedure. As always, I have many more speakers than I have speaking time left. I've tried to find some criteria, and I have said that if you spoke in the last debate, you will not be given catch-the-eye time. If you have not been here in the room during the whole debate, I will not give you time. It's just because I have to find some criteria, and I try to spread it over the groups. I do apologise to those of you who will not be able to speak. I know this is a very important topic for all of us.

Dear colleagues, we have a very, very long speakers' list, we have a lot of people in catch-the-eye already now and we have a vote at 12:00 approximately, so I would kindly ask you to stick to your speaking time.

Dear colleagues, we have a very, very long speakers' list, we have a lot of people in catch-the-eye already now and we have a vote at 12:00 approximately, so I would kindly ask you to stick to your speaking time.

The next item is the debate on the Council and Commission statements on the EU’s post-2027 long-term budget: Parliament’s expectations ahead of the Commission’s proposal (2025/2803(RSP)). I would like to remind you that we will continue with the new format for this debate and there will be no speakers' list. After the first round of speakers on behalf of the groups, Members who received speaking time from their political group or the non-attached secretariat will be called to speak and will be reminded of their allotted speaking time. Please keep an eye on the screens in the Chamber, where the current speaker and the next three speakers will be displayed. When your name appears as upcoming speaker, I would ask you to prepare and make your way to the rostrum. The normal rules regarding blue cards and catch-the-eye procedure will apply during this debate.

The next item is the debate on the Council and Commission statements on the EU’s post-2027 long-term budget: Parliament’s expectations ahead of the Commission’s proposal (2025/2803(RSP)). I would like to remind you that we will continue with the new format for this debate and there will be no speakers' list. After the first round of speakers on behalf of the groups, Members who received speaking time from their political group or the non-attached secretariat will be called to speak and will be reminded of their allotted speaking time. Please keep an eye on the screens in the Chamber, where the current speaker and the next three speakers will be displayed. When your name appears as upcoming speaker, I would ask you to prepare and make your way to the rostrum. The normal rules regarding blue cards and catch-the-eye procedure will apply during this debate.

Madam President! Dear Mette. Thank you for your speech. A strong Europe in an uncertain world. That is the motto of the Danish Presidency. That's good, it has to become our reality. I would like to make three comments on this. First of all: Ukrainians are on the front line. They also fight for our freedom, democracy and our values. That is why it is incredibly important, as you also said, that we take up the fight and help the Ukrainians in that fight. Let's be honest. They help defend Europe and we cannot talk about solidarity with the Ukrainian people on Monday and then pay to Putin's war fund on Tuesday. Our support must not falter. Not in the will, not in arms and not in perseverance. Thank you to the Danish Presidency. Secondly: You're talking about competitiveness and green transition. That is absolutely true. Green transition does not stand in the way of competitiveness. They are each other's prerequisites, they are not each other's opposites. Let's fight for the green transition as well. That is one of the ways, but of course we also need to simplify. Thank you for bringing both. And finally: The battle for the future of Europe is not only being waged on the battlefield and in the production halls. It is also in our children's rooms, behind screens and also in ways we adults do not understand. I also hope that the Danish Presidency will help to fight for children not to be left to algorithms, misinformation and abuse online. Thank you for taking it with you, even though it was not mentioned today. We must fight together for the future of Europe, and Denmark is leading by example.

The next sitting is tomorrow, Tuesday, 8 July 2025, at 09:00. The agenda has been published and is available on the European Parliament's website.

The next item is the one-minute speeches on matters of political importance, according to Rule 179. I would like to inform you that for the one-minute speeches, you are invited to take the floor from your seat.

The next item is the debate on the Commission statement on the sentencing of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal and journalist Christophe Gleizes (2025/2784(RSP)). I would like to inform Members that there will be only one round of political group speakers for this debate. Therefore, there will be no catch-the-eye procedure and no blue card will be accepted. I do apologise, but they're the rules.

The next item is the debate on the Commission statement on freedom of assembly in Hungary and the need for the Commission to act (2025/2758(RSP)).