What Raffaele spoke about.

19 Oct

2026

EN Speech

Cohesion policy – the driving force in implementing the EU agenda for cities (short presentation)

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Madam President, honourable Members, I would like to thank the European Parliament, in particular the REGI rapporteur, Nesci, and also the shadow rapporteurs, for this valuable report on cohesion policy – the driving force in implementing the EU agenda for cities. I also welcome the support it expresses for the implementation of this agenda. Three out of four Europeans live in cities and other urb…

8 Oct

2026

EN Speech

UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons (debate)

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Mr President, colleagues, let me thank all of you for your interventions today. The debate on how we can better support our civil generation is crucial, following the conventions and legislation that already bind us, continuing the EU policies that support intergenerational fairness, housing or combating poverty, in full respect of the principle of subsidiarity, and in full support of the many eff…

8 Oct

2026

EN Speech

UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons (debate)

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Mr President, honourable Members, it is an honour to participate in this debate on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Persons. Even though the European Commission only has an observer role in the working group dealing with this important issue at the UN, we are deeply committed to the rights of older people. I very much welcome the interest of the European Parliament in this cruc…

8 Oct

2026

EN Speech

EU strategies for islands, coastal communities and outermost regions (debate)

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Madam President, honourable Members, I would like to thank you for this debate and for sharing your thoughts today. A large metropolitan area, a small island, a coastal community, a border region or an outermost region can face completely different challenges. This is why place-based policy matters. Territories facing very different geographical, economic and social conditions may need different s…

8 Oct

2026

EN Speech

EU strategies for islands, coastal communities and outermost regions (debate)

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Mr President, honourable Members, Europe is diverse. Its regions face different realities, different challenges. If we want European policies to work, we need to understand those challenges and understand the territories we are working for. This is why I am very pleased that over the last months, we have responded to a long‑standing call from this Parliament by adopting three new territorial strat…

8 Oct

2026

EN Speech

Escalations in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean following persistent Turkish provocations (debate)

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Mr President, honourable Members, thank you for this important, timely debate. Current developments are indeed of concern, particularly also against the background of the complex mix of geopolitical challenges we face. Greece and Cyprus have our full solidarity in this regard, but we also need to work together with Türkiye to advance the EU's and our Member States' goal in the region and beyond. L…

8 Oct

2026

EN Speech

Escalations in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean following persistent Turkish provocations (debate)

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Mr President, honourable Members, the Eastern Mediterranean is a region of geostrategic importance for the stability and security of the EU. It is a region where the EU has a strong footprint through its Member States Greece and Cyprus. It harbours major challenges that receive regular attention from the European Council and, in some cases, from the UN Security Council. The Eastern Mediterranean i…

12 Nov

2025

EN Speech

Condemning the illegal unilateral declaration of the secessionist entity created by Türkiye in Cyprus and the continued Turkish military occupation (debate)

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Mr President, I would like to thank you for your contributions to this important discussion. The Cyprus issue and its settlement remains a key priority for the EU. Our position is clear and consistent: we support all efforts towards reunification in line with the United Nations Security Council resolutions and our common European values, and reject any unilateral action that undermines internation…

12 Nov

2025

EN Speech

Condemning the illegal unilateral declaration of the secessionist entity created by Türkiye in Cyprus and the continued Turkish military occupation (debate)

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Mr President, honourable Minister, honourable Members, the de facto division of Cyprus remains a profound concern for the EU. It is regrettable, and has many negative consequences, not only for all Cypriots, but for Europe as a whole. For far too many years, this division has been an obstacle to peace, stability and reconciliation. The EU has always been clear: we recognise only the Republic of Cy…

9 Sep

2025

EN Speech

Cohesion policy (joint debate)

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Mr President, many thanks for this rich and useful discussion, and to the rapporteurs and the shadow rapporteurs for their work. I have taken good note of your views. You raised many valid and useful points, for example, on simplification. The new MFF proposal introduced a single set of rules for more funds. Concerning flexibility, dedicated financial reserves will allow Member States and regions …

9 Sep

2025

EN Speech

Cohesion policy (joint debate)

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Mr President, honourable Members, let me start by thanking the REGI Committee for the great work, especially the rapporteurs and the shadow rapporteurs. The three reports we discuss today show your strong commitment to cohesion policy. In the coming months, we will work together to shape the future EU budget and the modernisation of cohesion policy. Today's reports show the way. First, honourable …

9 Sep

2025

EN Speech

Amending ERDF, Cohesion Fund and Just Transition Fund as regards specific measures to address strategic challenges in the context of the mid-term review (debate)

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Mr President, many thanks for this rich and interesting discussion, it will frame my thinking as we continue our work together in the coming months and years. With this package, we are creating a unique opportunity. Now it is up to the Member States and regions to answer the call to make the necessary programme amendments. The European Commission is ready to support, because we must all continue o…

9 Sep

2025

EN Speech

Amending ERDF, Cohesion Fund and Just Transition Fund as regards specific measures to address strategic challenges in the context of the mid-term review (debate)

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Mr President, honourable Members, thank you for the opportunity to address today's debate. Let me first thank the rapporteur, Mr Benea, the shadow rapporteurs and the Council for your work, for your spirit of cooperation and for reaching this important agreement. The EU has faced significant challenges in recent years. Some are being addressed. Many are still ongoing, while new ones continue to em…

17 Jun

2025

EN Speech

Implementation report on the Recovery and Resilience Facility (debate)

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Madam President, first of all, I would like to thank the two rapporteurs, Negrescu and Mureşan, for their work. Thank you for all interventions, of which I have taken good note. I appreciate your acknowledgement that the RRF played a vital role in stabilising our economies. With just over one year of implementation remaining, it is clear that certain aspects require improvement. I also hear your c…

17 Jun

2025

EN Speech

Implementation report on the Recovery and Resilience Facility (debate)

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Madam President, honourable Chairs, honourable Members, I would like to start by thanking this House for our ongoing collaboration and support. The Facility has been a game changer in Europe's response to the impacts of the pandemic. The RRF has had a great stabilising effect on European economies. It also helped drive the implementation of important reforms. That being said, implementation is del…

16 Jun

2025

EN Speech

Strengthening rural areas in the EU through cohesion policy (debate)

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Mr President, thank you for your contribution, of which I have taken good note. I appreciate your insights on the challenges the rural areas face and the significant role that cohesion policy plays in shaping the future of the EU's rural areas. You rightly point out the development of infrastructure, particularly in the fields of transport, energy and digital connectivity, alongside essential serv…

16 Jun

2025

EN Speech

Strengthening rural areas in the EU through cohesion policy (debate)

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Madam President, honourable Members, first, I would like to thank rapporteur Nesci and all the shadow rapporteurs for this important and timely report. I fully agree with your analysis. Rural areas are central to our European way of life, and they are essential for Europe's competitiveness and resilience. I welcome the report's recognition that cohesion policy plays a crucial role in strengthening…

5 May

2025

EN Speech

Ninth report on economic and social cohesion (debate)

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Madam President, Members, thank you for this debate. Let me begin by thanking you all for your valuable contributions. I have listened closely to your comments and concerns. Your insights this evening confirm a strong, shared commitment to the future of cohesion policy, one that is modern, responsive and grounded in the real needs of our regions. The status quo is not an option. You spoke about th…

5 May

2025

EN Speech

Ninth report on economic and social cohesion (debate)

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Mr President, honourable Members, thank you for the opportunity to address you today. First, let me thank the rapporteur, Mr Protas, for preparing this important report. This is particularly timely. I very much welcome the strong alignment with the Commission's perspective. This shared perspective reinforces the fundamental message of the 9th Cohesion Report. Cohesion policy has a positive and sig…

5 May

2025

EN Speech

Control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank – annual report 2023 (debate)

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Mr President, thank you for this very engaging and substantive discussion. It is clear that we all are determined to act together to push the European agenda of competitiveness and security, and deliver on our main priorities. The EIB Group will remain an important player in this. I want to say this now, because we are working, for example, for the mid-term review of the cohesion policy, with the …

5 May

2025

EN Speech

Control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank – annual report 2023 (debate)

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Mr President, Vice-President of the EIB, dear rapporteur, honourable Members, I would like to thank the European Parliament for the opportunity to present the Commission's views in this regard. This was another year of positive cooperation with our long-standing partner, the European Investment Bank group, which we value very much. It is essential that our institutions keep working together as str…

1 Apr

2025

EN Speech

Improving the implementation of cohesion policy through the mid-term review to achieve a robust cohesion policy post 2027 (debate)

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Mr President, Members, I thank you for your valuable contribution to this important discussion. I listened closely to your proposal and I think that it's important to clarify some points. First of all, I am here to defend the relaunch to work in favour for cohesion policy. I was president of one region that used the resources of cohesion, I was Minister of Cohesion and I was a member of the REGI C…

1 Apr

2025

EN Speech

Improving the implementation of cohesion policy through the mid-term review to achieve a robust cohesion policy post 2027 (debate)

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Madam President, Minister, honourable Members, thank you for the opportunity to address you today. This debate is very timely. As you know, the college approved today the Commission's new initiative to modernise the cohesion policy. This modernisation is crucial. The current programmes were discussed in 2019 to 2021, and the partnership agreement was signed in 2022 – and they are only starting now…

12 Feb

2025

EN Speech

Need for targeted support to EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine (debate)

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Madam President, honourable Members, I fully share your calls for action and your commitment to support the EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Thank you for sharing your insights on the situation in these regions, and for your reflections on how we can further support them. For years, cohesion policy has been a cornerstone of the European project, driving economic development, reduc…

12 Feb

2025

EN Speech

Need for targeted support to EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine (debate)

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Madam President, Mr Szłapka, honourable Members, on behalf of the Commission, I would like to thank the European Parliament for proposing this essential debate on the need for targeted support to EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. It is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to those regions most affected by Russia's unjustified war against Ukraine. But this discussion goes beyon…