- “Yes. Thank you very much, chair. Um, so we share the first name, and you share the pain of of pronouncing the Polish, Polish names. But thank you very much for for organizing that exchange. It's very timely because of the current risk landscape surrounding us. We see hybrid and cyber attacks, sabotage, targeting critical infrastructure, pandemics and other health threats. And of course, the huge impact of extreme weather events in various countries. There's also a real threat of armed aggression against the EU or individual member states has not materialized, but it cannot be excluded, unfortunately. And crisis and disasters are increasingly cross-sectoral and cross-border in nature. So it's basically impossible for a single member state to deal with them in isolation. That's a collective responsibility to ensure our readiness and resilience and preparedness. Union strategy, adopted in in March, represents a key element of of this commitment. The strategy is comprehensive and ambitious, but remains realistic. It's the first EU overarching preparedness framework encompassing all policy areas or governance levels, all stakeholders. And IT. It's building on the initial report, um, that Madam Chair has mentioned in her introduction. So the strategy builds on three principles. All hazard. Whole of government and whole of society approach. It's in a way reflected in the in the format of these hearings. We have three important committees getting together because it's impossible to to sort of assign the responsibility for this matter to, to a single body.”
EU policy on screening foreign investment in strategic sectors and critical infrastructure · EU policy on infrastructure for preventing climate-related disasters (floods, droughts, extreme weather etc.)
- “This is a key delivery mechanism for all technical and in-kind assistance for. For Ukraine, we are not going to reopen the discussion on competences. We will stick to the competences assigned to us under the treaties. We will respect national responsibility in that matter. We just want to produce European added value. And we are already rolling out the strategy with Member States and stakeholders. One of the first deliverables, one of the deliverables of the strategy will be the stockpiling strategy, which we want to put forward in July to ensure that critical goods like food, medicine, energy supply are available during all crisis scenarios. Um, we also want to, um, improve our crisis response tools to be more proactive, more systematic to to get better at detecting threats earlier and acting early. And that's exactly what this EU crisis coordination hub kicks in. It's already there. It needs to be upgraded. Expanded. We need to build on the expertise without, however, jeopardising any key functions of the European Civil Union Civil Protection Mechanism, of which the ERC is the beating heart, so to speak. And that's very important that we'll still be able to deal with natural disasters whenever they occur.”
Russia-Ukraine conflict (10th term) · EU Development & Humanitarian Aid · EU policy on infrastructure for preventing climate-related disasters (floods, droughts, extreme weather etc.)
- “Thank you very much. On the cooperation with the NGOs. This is very important. It's already happening actually in the country I know best in Poland, the biggest NGO that we have is the voluntary firefighters. It's 230,000 people. And we have good examples in other countries in, in, in Europe as well. We already work with them and they also benefit from EU funding. I had an opportunity of visiting two stations on Europe Day in the region I come from, and the equipment is state of the art and they are doing a great job at exactly at the community community level. They should be able, and I'm sure they will be able to benefit from EU funding in the future. Um, the, the extreme weather events are clearly in our focus, so we are not going to neglect the impact on the contrary. Um, so it has been taken into consideration. Um. The specific, um, situation of question about agriculture. I mean, the idea or the logic of preparedness by design should apply to agricultural policy as well. So the necessary adaptation measures should be mainstreamed and funded. Um, of course, that is subject to a discussion between the governments and and the European Commission. Um, but again, there's a lot of areas like water management or forestry, for instance, where you can make a difference. Um, and we already see it happening in countries that are affected by wildfires every every year, like Portugal or um, or, um, Greece. Um, and on on budget, I already commented, of course, we really hope, uh, that the next, uh, the next financial perspective will cater for, um, the specific needs when it comes to resilience and preparedness at the EU level. Thank you.”
EU policy on water management · EU policy on infrastructure for preventing climate-related disasters (floods, droughts, extreme weather etc.)
- “So in 2017, there were 108 casualties because of the wildfires. There was another wave of wildfires in Portugal in 2023, more or less the same size, more or less the same scale of destruction and very high cost. But only one person died because the measures were in place and the and the services were much better equipped to deal with the with the extreme situation. People with disabilities absolutely will keep an eye on that. I cannot give you a figure we don't know, but I agree. I mean, we cannot make savings on that, so we'll find a way. It is an expenditure that has to materialise at the regional and national level. But we will encourage the Member States, in the spirit of preparedness by design, to do the necessary. Finally, on Gaza, I mean, it goes beyond civil protection, but I am also in charge of humanitarian aid and our aid to Gaza. This new mechanism that was proposed by the Israeli government, um, we disagree with. There was a statement by the commission on that by three commissioners, including High Representative. We would like to continue providing humanitarian aid to Gaza through the partners we know and we trust, like the World Food Program or Unicef. So there is no change in in our position. And of course, we observe the situation, we also observe violations of international humanitarian law worldwide. We launched a specific project on that called IHL in Focus. That is, um, that is exactly that to, uh, to, to to document all violations of international humanitarian law worldwide. Thank you.”
Relations with Israel - Palestine · EU Development & Humanitarian Aid · EU policy on infrastructure for preventing climate-related disasters (floods, droughts, extreme weather etc.)
- “Thank you very much. Um, I'll start with the the question about our emergency response and coordination centre. So it it exists. It's been there for 20 years. The idea is that we would preserve its core functions as defined under the existing Listing ucpmb legislation. Core functions is basically anything related to civil protection. So that will continue. And so the center will provide timely response to any request for assistance. It happens on a daily basis. Latest example Last Sunday, Romania asked for specific expertise of mining and civil engineers. Um following collapse of a salt mine in one Romanian city. And the whole city is in danger. And so they needed expertise and we mobilized it. Um, and it's being being provided. But we will create additional layer of expertise. So whatever we do more when it comes to hybrid threats, um, cybersecurity or sabotage will not jeopardize those key functions of the civil protection mechanism. And that's a very that's a very important message to member states that were a little bit worried about this overall balance, but this will not change. Um, public private partnership is key, for instance, when it comes to stockpiling, if you want to buy material stock or generators. Well, we have to talk to, to the private sector. We also receive a lot of donations that we handle. Ukraine crisis or the war in Ukraine has created a lot of goodwill. So many, many private companies come to us and ask us to receive their donations and to handle them. So we've been shipping, for instance, generators to to Ukraine. But more broadly, we need private sector for stockpiling and procurement of all the necessary stockpiles, necessary reserves, including under the rescue strategic reserve that was raised as well.”
EU policy on screening foreign investment in strategic sectors and critical infrastructure · EU Development & Humanitarian Aid · EU policy on infrastructure for preventing climate-related disasters (floods, droughts, extreme weather etc.)
- “Thank you, Madam Chair. First, if I may just just to to refer to one question from the previous round that I forgot to to react to. On the information exchange, this is this is key. And we have to improve the way we handle classified information. This was actually the key lessons learned from the last EU NATO exercise Pace 2024. We are not there yet, but we are ready to to upgrade the the way we handle, um, information, um, on the health preparedness. It is key. And of course, um, most of the measures that we have in mind are dual use. You're absolutely right. We have to equip the civilian sector for any kind of emergency. And that's why, for example, we example, we invested a lot um, in the Cbrn stocks. So, so um, everything that we need to counter radiological, biological, chemical attacks, by the way, an important part of these talks is hosted in Lithuania. Um, and um, and so we are we are going to expand those because they may be needed. We need to be, uh, we need to be prepared. Um, the of course, environment remains key. And of course, the civil protection mechanism has proven its worth.”
Relations with NATO · EU Development & Humanitarian Aid · EU policy on infrastructure for preventing climate-related disasters (floods, droughts, extreme weather etc.)
- “We just create an additional layer of crisis response based on the ERC of, uh, of of today. Um, Ucpmb is a success story of the European Union. The number of activations keeps growing. Um, we had a peak of more than 200, uh, in the first year of the war. Now we are at some 100 maybe, uh, per year. Um, and every summer we see wildfires and floods and other other disasters that we manage to handle. Thanks to the coordinating role of the Emergency Response and Coordination Center. Of course, I don't want to preempt the discussion on the next budget, the next Multiannual Financial framework, but preparedness doesn't come for free. We know that. And a crucial element of success will be to see a comprehensive preparedness reflected in the future funding. And this House will will play a key role in the discussion on, on on the next multiannual budget. But investing in preparedness certainly outweighs, uh, by long term gains, the necessary cost. Um, and we see it also with some good practices in member states when it comes to preparedness for wildfires or, or Or flats. So making budget available for preparedness and resilience will help us not only save lives, but in the long run. Help save money. And I count on Parliament's support in this important endeavour. Thank you.”
Size of EU budget · EU Development & Humanitarian Aid · EU policy on infrastructure for preventing climate-related disasters (floods, droughts, extreme weather etc.)
- “We also establish a crisis dashboard. Um, on the the specific question on health. Um, we will work on that with our, um, colleagues from from DG Hera. So the health emergency authority, um, I mentioned the stockpiling strategy that we put forward in July, and it will come in parallel with the strategy on critical countermeasures. And that will deal, of course, with communicable diseases or vector based illnesses. The link to climate change is inevitable, and one of the follow up actions of the strategy is the climate adaptation Plan that we will put forward in 2026. Equally, in 2026, we plan to hold a Social Partners Preparedness Summit to speak exactly about the societal dimension of social dimension of of preparedness that cannot be ignored. Finally, on on funding, I'm not in a position to to talk about numbers. So the Commission will come with its proposal for the next seven years budget in in mid mid-July. And then we'll see the bigger picture. But as I mentioned in my introduction, because it's not a zero sum game. We need to seriously invest our own in our own resilience, in preparedness. And but I think, uh, it's very clear now that security and defence, uh, will stand out as, as a big priority for the next budget.”
Defence spending · EU policy on infrastructure for preventing climate-related disasters (floods, droughts, extreme weather etc.)
- “One is an important principle that we borrowed from the report, which is preparedness by design, meaning that preparedness must be taken into consideration in all EU internal and external policies and actions from the very beginning of the policy making process. So you can very well fund, um, support necessary investment in resilience and preparedness using cohesion funding or energy um funding. Um, and it's already happening, but it has to become a rule, um, in the, in the future. We need a comprehensive risk and threat assessment and a crisis dashboard to inform our decisions. We will also define a set of vital societal functions we need to be, We need to be maintained under all circumstances. And these include continuity of government and decision making, democratic process, social cohesion, external and internal security and safety, and of citizens and economic operators. In the area of population preparedness, the aim is to reach population self-sufficiency of minimum 72 hours across the EU. The idea is not new, it's it exists in many member states, but we can build on, on, on best practices. And in the area of crisis response, we want to create an EU crisis coordination hub, building on the structures and expertise of the Emergency Response and Coordination Centre that is based within DG echo um, and has proven its value in our response to Covid, for instance, and later on, uh, to the war, to the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine.”
Cohesion and rural funding · EU policy on infrastructure for preventing climate-related disasters (floods, droughts, extreme weather etc.)
- “Thank you very much. Thank you for your comments. Impossible to disagree with them. Um, and so I'll run through as fast as I as I can. Um, first of all, of course we need to roll it out and start implementing. Um, we will assess progress through different means. We want to follow a little bit the model of the European Semester, for instance, to look at specific, uh, investment that is relevant for, uh, resilience, uh, building and preparedness. Um, and, and we want to ensure that this principle of, of preparedness by design, in the future budget in particular, uh, is followed through. We also stress test our resilience. We will do regular exercises. Um, we already now working on the next edition of this parallel coordinated big exercise with NATO pace. Uh, that is planned for 2026. And indeed, we need a buy in from from political level. It is improving. The last exercise was quite successful. The EU ambassadors played an active role. We had good buy in from member states, so I hope it will be the case. But it also applies to us, the Commission and as um, as you may know, president von der Leyen decided to create a specific setup for college to discuss security and defence matters, uh, called Security College. And she already held two meetings to discuss, in particular, hybrid threats and sabotage.”
Relations with NATO · Defence spending · EU competences on defence
- “Uh, we are not only getting better at handling wildfires and floods, but also preventing and investing in necessary infrastructure. We have good stories from Austria when it comes to floods, or from Portugal when it comes to wildfires. I mean, I don't have time to expand on that, but of course we can come back to to it. Any any time. I think the, the division of of responsibilities. We don't want to touch that. So this is we are talking about matters of national competence, internal security, civil protection. The member States decide for themselves. We will use the competences that we have. Um, we don't need to, to, to change, change that. But we need to invest of course, in, in, in better coordination and on the rule of law, rule of law conditionality. I don't want to comment, but the legislation is in place. Um, that was that has adopted some, some, some time ago. But the issue of foreign interference or misinformation will be also addressed in the commission proposal for the Democracy Shield. That is that is going to come, I think, in the second half of the year.”
EU Supervision of the Rule of Law · Foreign interference in Europe · EU policy on infrastructure for preventing climate-related disasters (floods, droughts, extreme weather etc.)
- “So we need everyone on board and we have to involve citizens, businesses and civil society. The idea spelled out in the strategy is to work on seven areas first, foresight and anticipation so that we are more proactive in our approach to crisis management. Second, we have to ensure resilience of vital societal functions for which continuity needs to be ensured in all circumstances. Third, we have to prepare the population as the backbone of their own security. We need to work on public private cooperation, which is absolutely crucial for supply chains, critical infrastructure, but also innovation and support to response operations. We need more civil military cooperation, and we must prepare for mass incidents and crises, including armed aggression. And we have to ensure those critical societal functions in case of an armed conflict. And that civil military cooperation includes, of course, EU, NATO cooperation. Six elements. Sixth area is crisis response, efficient coordination, full situational awareness, fast decision making and comprehensive response. And then we need to engage with others, with our external partners, with our neighbors and other like minded countries in the world. The strategy sets out 63 actions. I'm not going to name them all. It's a comprehensive program. Um, I will just flag a few of them.”
Relations with NATO · EU competences on defence · EU policy on screening foreign investment in strategic sectors and critical infrastructure
- “Um, it's a long story. So I will not give you a lot of examples, but for instance, we invested €600 million into 12 firefighting planes. Canada's, uh. So they will be financed by the European Commission but owned by member states. They will be pre-positioned in six member states, but they will put will be put at the disposal of the EU to be part of the rescue system. So whenever we need them, they will come. Um, and that comes on top of the existing fleet of, of 24 planes and helicopters. Um, that, that we already, um, that we already, uh, use. Um, I agree that communication with the citizens is key. We need to share best practices from different countries. Um, there is no uniform system. The civic education when it comes to security, is very well developed in some countries and much less developed in others. So we have to learn from from each other what we want to promote. And commissioner is very much attached to this idea is to launch sort of a Erasmus programme for young volunteers, young firefighters. Young rescue workers would go out to another country to learn. Um, and and and and acquire necessary skills. Um, and I think it's quite promising because there is a lot of, uh, a lot of interest, um, prevention and adaptation is key. Already mentioned that before. I can illustrate it with one example, devastating wildfires in Portugal in 2017. Uh, the authorities drew lessons and acted on them.”
EU Development & Humanitarian Aid · EU volunteering programs · EU policy on infrastructure for preventing climate-related disasters (floods, droughts, extreme weather etc.)