Speeches

Please respect the timing. The procedures are well known by everyone, including the timing. The next point of order is from Nathalie Loiseau.

We start with a few points. The Patriots for Europe Group has notified the President of decisions relating to changes to appointments within committees. These decisions will be set out in the minutes of today's sitting and take effect on the date of this announcement. I would like to inform the House that I have received several requests for points of order, and we'll start with Sabine Verheyen.

The next item is the debate on the report by David Cormand, on behalf of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, on a new legislative framework for products that is fit for the digital and sustainable transition (2024/2119(INI)) (A10-0189/2025).

I was informed by colleagues that referring to another colleague corresponds to certain rules here in this House. So be careful about those rules as well.

Madam President, dear Commissioner, digital sovereignty is not a slogan; it's a necessity. Global actors are setting the rules of the digital world, and Europe must shape its path, protect its people and support its innovators. We already have strong tools, but rules are not enough, and sometimes they need to adapt. We need real investment in European data infrastructure, in digital skills and in cybersecurity. That is why I believe we need a strong focus on education, innovation and secure connectivity across all regions. We need to use the tools that we have better. The European Cybersecurity Competence Centre in Bucharest is an example that can become a true hub for research, innovation and digital protection. AI factories and gigafactories have to be financed across Europe. Supporting Europe's digital sector means creating jobs, helping startups grow and strengthening our competitiveness. It means making sure that digital transformation benefits every citizen, from Alba Iulia, my hometown, to Brussels, from rural areas to major cities. Europe must lead, protect and invest to stay free, safe and strong in the digital age.

Madam President, dear colleagues, this amending budget is not just about numbers. It's about supporting our farmers, protecting Europe's financial integrity and the credibility of the Union's finances. We are about to vote on amending budget No 2 for 2025 – a technical but essential update that keeps the European Union's budget balanced and credible. Unlike in our national systems, where an amending budget often means fixing imbalances, in the EU it means ensuring that both revenues and expenditures remain aligned. This adjustment reflects the realities of our economy and the progress of our programmes. On the revenue side, the figures are slightly lower than forecast, especially for customs duties, VAT-based resources and the plastic waste levy. But, of course, this is actually good news, because it means Europeans are recycling more, proving that our sustainability efforts are working. On the expenditure side, the most important change is the additional EUR 3.5 billion for the rural development programmes. These are not just figures. They are direct investment in our farmers, in local communities and in the people who sustain Europe's food security. These funds, long overdue, are finally reaching the ground where they are needed the most. We will also strengthen new areas of European governance, notably the establishment of the Anti-Money Laundering Authority, which will protect the integrity of our financial system and guarantee that EU money is clean, traceable and used for its true purpose. To maintain a balanced budget, the GNI call rate will also be adjusted. It's a modest step, but one that keeps our finances sound and predictable. At the same time, we urge the Commission to improve forecasting accuracy, accelerate the introduction of new own resources and ensure more flexibility in future budgets. I therefore invite you to vote in favour of this report.

Madam President, Commissioner, today the European Parliament is sending a clear message: Europe will not remain silent when Russian drones violate our airspace and endanger our critical infrastructure. We proposed this resolution because it is our duty to protect people and to act firmly when we are attacked. Romania, my country, has been repeatedly targeted by Russian drones, which have thus violated the airspace of the European Union and NATO. Fragments have fallen on our territory. There are no isolated incidents. These challenges affect the entire Black Sea region, including Denmark, Poland and Estonia. They represent a destabilisation strategy encompassing physical threats, cyber-attacks and disinformation campaigns aimed at spreading fear and weakening European solidarity. We call for a common, coordinated and transparent response by the EU and NATO, without escalating the conflict, but enough to dissuade Russia. Affected states need to be supported by investments in defence, counter-drone capabilities, critical Black Sea infrastructure and cybersecurity. I demand that Putin pay for the effects of these actions, including by using frozen Russian assets to cover the costs of neutralization and protection operations. Europe must be united, strong and determined to reject any form of aggression.

Just one piece of information: they are fixing the screen so that the names are shown. But I will use the list that I think most of you are aware of.

The next item is Council and Commission statements on 'Situation in Afghanistan: supporting women and communities affected by the recent earthquakes' (2025/2872(RSP)).

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Romania needs your support. Recently, the Romanian energy minister signaled that our country risks reaching a critical situation by the end of the year, if the European executive will not accept the postponement of the closure of coal-fired energy production units. We are already paying huge prices for energy, and interconnections with the common market at work in central Europe are slow to emerge. We are talking about tens of thousands of people who could become unemployed, hundreds of companies that could shut down their activity and an entire country, exposed to a very high risk. Transition and decarbonisation must be just, fair at European level, without jeopardising energy security. Those responsible in Romania, obviously, for both delays and poor negotiations, will be held accountable. But until then, I call on the plenary of the European Parliament for understanding and solidarity. I assure those affected that we will fight for them, for a just transition, for their jobs and for the energy security of Romania and Europe.

Mr President, dear Commissioner, the EU needs the friendship and democratic influence of the US as much as the United States needs a powerful and united Europe. The recent summit of authoritarian leaders has shown us that we have countries seeking to change the current global status quo, to threaten our way of life and to challenge our democratic model. Divided, we are clearly weaker. But united we can protect our citizens. And in order to do so, we need to be fair partners and respect our democratic rules. I support the need for a deal and the work done by the EU Commissioner. I can even accept the request for Europe to invest more in defence, but I have difficulties in accepting some of the imbalances in the agreement, in particular related to agriculture and our industry, but also the lack of consultation of Parliament and of the business sector. This is Europe. We are not perfect, but we love our democratic imperfections and stand strong for our values. It is normal for the Parliament to scrutinise the agreement, but we stand strong and firm in supporting anything that can help us improve the text without jeopardising the deal.

Mr President, Commissioner, the Council must immediately approve the start by the Republic of Moldova of accession negotiations on chapters to the European Union. The first cluster must be opened immediately. This is the strong message of support that we are sending today to the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, from the tribune of the European Parliament. In the resolution we are debating today, of which I am one of the initiators, we clearly explain that European support means security, European funds and energy independence for the Republic of Moldova. Actually, a better life. This autumn's parliamentary elections are crucial to make the European path irreversible. In our resolution, we strongly condemn the interference of the Russian Federation and express our full support for the holding of free elections. Moreover, at my initiative and the initiative of the President of the European Parliament, in partnership with the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, I have operationalized an office of the European legislature in Chisinau, meant to directly support the accession efforts and also to actively combat disinformation. Only pro-European political forces can negotiate and implement European legislation and thus achieve the objective of joining the European Union, hopefully by completing negotiations in 2028.

Madam President, Commissioner, cohesion policy is irreplaceable. It cannot be merged, diluted or conditioned by non-transparent or antisocial reforms or criteria. Cohesion policy must remain as stipulated in the Treaties. Our localities, our regions, have developed thanks to these funds. I say a clear stop to the NRRPs of structural funds. I sought to show through my efforts that, through simplification and direct consultation of local authorities and direct beneficiaries, we can save both existing European money and design a more efficient future programming. We need more flexibility and the possibility to transfer some of the funds, even unspent, to new financing needs, especially to infrastructure, disaster-stricken areas or innovative projects. We must protect this European policy in this sense. I would like to congratulate the rapporteurs for accepting my amendments and coming with a strong message of support for cohesion policy.

The next item is the debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 150). The debate on five motions for resolutions on the case of Ryan Cornelius in Dubai (2025/2796(RSP)) followed. The next item is the debate on five motions for resolutions on the case of Ryan Cornelius in Dubai (2025/2796(RSP)).

The next item is the debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 150). The debate on five motions for resolutions on the case of Ryan Cornelius in Dubai (2025/2796(RSP)) followed. The next item is the debate on five motions for resolutions on the case of Ryan Cornelius in Dubai (2025/2796(RSP)).

The next item is the debate on the Commission's Declaration on 51 years since Turkey's invasion of the Republic of Cyprus: condemn the continuation of the Turkish occupation and support the resumption of negotiations for a comprehensive solution in accordance with international law, UNSC resolutions and EU principles and acquis (2025/2794(RSP)).

The next item is the debate on the Commission's Declaration on 51 years since Turkey's invasion of the Republic of Cyprus: condemn the continuation of the Turkish occupation and support the resumption of negotiations for a comprehensive solution in accordance with international law, UNSC resolutions and EU principles and acquis (2025/2794(RSP)).