What Victor spoke about.

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).

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.

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 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)).

Thank you, Commissioner. I can assure you that the debate is important for the Parliament. Many of the colleagues are at the group level right now discussing important issues related also to the Commission. The debate is closed.

Madam President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, the European Union must move from reaction to prevention. Fires and droughts are no longer exceptions, they are the new normal. In Romania, we have seen how extreme temperatures have destroyed crops in Timis, Alba or Olt, how strong winds have ignited the fields of Giurgiu and Teleorman. In Constanta, farmers woke up with dry land, and in many villages firefighters intervened with old or insufficient equipment. As chief negotiator of the EU budget for 2025, we have secured additional funding for emergencies, more resources for equipping local authorities, direct support for vulnerable communities and the creation of a real European anticipatory response capacity. But it has to go on. We cannot leave communities alone in the face of crises. A prepared Union is a Union that prevents, not just intervenes, and prevention must become a central pillar in our European budget and policies.

Madam President, dear colleagues, the text before us may seem technical, but it carries a political message and a strategic concern. Once again – because this is clearly defined in the financial regulation – we are indirectly returning a surplus to the Member States. This time we speak about EUR 1.3 billion at a moment when the Union's financing needs are higher than ever and the budgetary flexibility is already stretched to its limits. To put it into perspective: since 2021, almost EUR 10 billion in surpluses have been used to reduce the contribution of Member States to the EU. That's the equivalent of the entire Digital Europe programme, twice the Health4EU budget or almost one third of the Erasmus+ budget. This situation highlights a paradox: we have urgent priorities, we face new challenges, and yet we give back resources that could be used for the common good. That is why I also want to use this occasion to underline the need to keep in mind our long-term priorities and not forget the key role the EU budget plays in maintaining our cohesion at EU level. The next multiannual financial framework must include the sustainable revenue system, more flexibility and the capacity to respond to crises without undermining existing programmes. Let us not repeat the same mistakes: surplus revenues, particularly from fines and interest, should strengthen the Union's capacity, not weaken it. We have a duty to deliver a Union that is resilient, responsive and forward-looking. This report enables us to flag these concerns and call upon the other EU institutions to find a better way in dealing with the surpluses and the carry-overs. I kindly invite you to support this report. I thank the shadow rapporteurs, and of course I hope that you will vote in favour of the draft amending budget No 1/2025.

Madam President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, every year we talk about strategic autonomy, global competitiveness or European solidarity, but now it is proposed to cut the tools that make them possible, sabotaging our own future. Instead of strengthening the EU’s capacity, we allow it to erode silently. The next long-term European budget must be ambitious and adequately resourced. That is why the priorities, in my opinion, are clear. On the one hand, cohesion policy must remain the foundation of European solidarity, not the preferred target of cuts. At least 20% of the European budget must be earmarked for education and skills training. We need to protect rural development, to increase support for farmers and vulnerable groups, because people do not just survive with declarations, and the Union needs to be able to react quickly to crises, whether floods, fires or geopolitical threats. Fiscal flexibility is a necessity. We are not talking about figures, we are not talking about accounting, we are talking about what kind of Europe we want in the future, and I want a strong Europe, united and ready for the future.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the Republic of Moldova is no longer just a neighbouring country, it is part of our European family. In an extremely difficult regional context, the Republic of Moldova remained firmly committed to reforms and European values, and in this sense the report acknowledges the progress made, which must be continued by a pro-European government. But for citizens, for children, for vulnerable families, for those in villages, Europe must also mean social protection, access to education, basic services. Accession is not just technical chapters, but concrete changes in everyday life. That is why I join the calls from the European Parliament for access to pre-accession funds, but also to the Roaming as Home programme. In order to strengthen all these relations, the European Parliament will soon open, at the initiative also supported by me, but also by other political groups, a liaison office in Chisinau, a symbolic but also practical demarche for a real and constant European presence on the ground. Europe is not a distant dream, Europe is a certainty, and the Republic of Moldova has its place here with us. I congratulate the rapporteur, Mr Sven Mikser, and we thank Commissioner Kos for her efforts.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the Recovery and Resilience Facility has been a huge step for Europe. It meant unprecedented investments, important reforms and a rapid response to a historic crisis. But three years after its launch, all Member States face major implementation challenges. At the European level, the level of execution is far below expectations. Too few milestones and targets have been successfully completed. Hundreds of billions of euros are still to be paid, and the European Court of Auditors warns that there are serious problems with transparency and implementation. Even my country, Romania, is in a similar situation due to a misconceived national plan. There is now a lack of real consultation of local governments, involvement of social partners and unrealistic deadlines. That is why the Social Democrat group in the European Parliament has called for these consultations to be carefully monitored and the plans to be easier to modify, because we must act now so that we do not lose essential projects such as hospitals, schools, infrastructure projects, projects in the energy area or digitalisation. I reiterate our call: extension of mature projects by 18 months, transfer of unfinished projects to other funding sources, simplification of access to finance for authorities, real involvement of social partners. These solutions are in the European Parliament's report and were partly taken up in the European Commission's communication, although they had initially been rejected. But it's not enough, a complete decision is needed. This report is not just a technical document, it is a strong political message and a fight to ensure that our countries do not lose vital investments. It is a guarantee that European money is spent fairly, transparently and where it matters most. Now is the time for Europe to show that it does not leave essential projects behind, that it supports local communities and that it understands the huge stakes of investment. When there is political will, there are always solutions.

Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the Recovery and Resilience Facility is a historic European achievement. Never before has the European Union mobilised more than EUR 700 billion in such a short time. It is a symbol of solidarity, but also a test of our capacity to deliver results where they are needed the most. By the end of 2024, unfortunately, only 28 % of milestones and targets had been fully implemented. Over EUR 300 billion still need to be disbursed. Unless we act, critical investments risk being left incomplete. We need to speed up implementation, reduce bureaucracy and help beneficiaries. That is why, as rapporteur, I am pushing for pragmatic and concrete solutions. Firstly, we call in the report for an 18-month extension for mature projects. Secondly, we demand an easy-to-use transfer mechanism so that unfinished projects can continue under other EU instruments such as the Cohesion Fund, InvestEU or a future Competitiveness Fund. Thirdly, we call for clear, objective and fair evaluation criteria and more flexibility for the revision process of the national plans. Fourth, the report reinforces the role of local and regional authorities who are closest to the citizens and often bear the responsibility for delivering these projects. Fifth, we insisted on the involvement of social partners and civil society who must help shape reforms that affect people's daily lives. Sixth, we reiterate our call for a 10 % allocation for education and a 2 % allocation for the cultural and creative sectors. Finally, we emphasise the need to keep the pillar of social rights and the social criteria a priority. These concerns are backed by the European Court of Auditors, which highlighted in its special report the need for more transparency, better planning and stronger ownership at national and local level. All of those points are referred to with solutions in our report. I am proud that the European Commission had already taken on board several of these ideas in its recent communication: NextGenerationEU – the road to 2026. The funny fact is that, initially, the Commission said no when we underlined those specific calls. But we need, today, to do more than partial progress. We need the full package, because it is not enough to spend – we must ensure that every euro is used correctly, transparently and where it matters most. This is about public trust and it is our responsibility to safeguard it. A hospital cannot function with only the walls built, a digital training cannot happen without connectivity, a reform is useless if no one can implement it. Tomorrow, through our vote, this Parliament will send, I believe, a clear message: that we stand by the citizens, that we fight for the finalisation of essential projects, that we want every cent to count, and that Europe can and will deliver if it dares to adjust when reality demands it. I would like, of course, to thank my co-rapporteur and the shadows for the good work. When Parliament is united, we are stronger. Thank you for your support.