Government of Germany

Policy topics Government of Germany is active on

What Government of Germany has said (80)

• 2026-07-14 “1st of all thank you very much and congratulations to the Irish presidency, but I will continue in my mother tongue in German so that you have the opportunity to use the headsets. So 1st off, congratulations, Ireland, on taking over the council presidency. Thomas, we'd like to wish you and your whole team all the best and all possible success, which we will certainly need given all the challenges that we will face in terms of external relations and others. I think that it was a very good start to the day that we were able to launch the open new clusters for accession with Ukraine. And this is a path that we will continue on, particularly when it comes to Moldova and the closing of chapters with Albania and Montenegro, as you have mentioned. All of that's happening today. And as you rightly said, we need to use that, dynamic in these difficult times to send a signal to the outside world that Europe stands united and that we are working to towards enlargement. And, of course, we wish you all the very best on the MFF reaching an agreement on that. I think we all share the aim of successfully concluding negotiations on that by the end of the year. That's essential in order for Europe to be able to act because we know that once we have reached agreement, negotiations will continue at the level of the European Parliament, which is something we need to take account of in terms of time line and planning. And it's important that the next MFF set the right priorities. This is also true when looking to the future. It needs to be a future oriented MFF and needs to provide answers to current challenges, but also looking to the future, thus focusing more on external security, defense security, and everything to do with innovation, future technologies, artificial intelligence, everything that, will contribute to our prosperity and the prosperity of future generations. And looking to the commission here, I very much appreciate that commissioner Domoroskis is joining us today, but the current level of the current volume of the MFF is too high. Germany won't be able to support that. It's about setting the right priorities. Yes. But it also has to be the right amount, an amount that can be borne by our national budgets, which is not the case in the current proposal. So the Irish presidency will have a lot of work on its plate to strike the right balance.”
  Size of EU budget
• 2026-07-13 “Thank you very much, Martin. Now, Germany has been rather critical of the EU promotion program because it's complex and it's not very effective. We don't really like it. I'm sorry to say that German demand for the program has been very limited in recent years. Fundamentally, we support any measures which can boost a crisis, proofness and competitiveness of our sector while also boosting diversification. Thank you.”
  Agriculture (green)
• 2026-06-29 “Thank you chair. We are grateful to the Commission for giving us the first EU poverty strategy. We hope that this will allow Member States to take a higher priority to this item, and we hope also that it will be joined up with existing EU initiatives on the same area. Poverty is a social phenomenon, and this makes it even more important to tackle the specific challenges that particular population groups face. But of course, the labour market is just one building block. Health and education are equally important to give people a fair chance. In 2001, the German federal government started a new initiative and has been monitoring the situation ever since. In the economic and socio political dimension, we are particularly focusing on these disadvantaged groups. Participation in the labour market, basic health, social participation are the focus of this monitoring. German society faces real challenges. Changes over the decades have meant that many German citizens do not really know which authorities to turn to for which kind of aid. So we've begun to tackle this with fundamental reform of our system, and to unify the means of assistance by merging some of the types of aid, particularly child benefits. The point of the social system is to simplify matters, and we'll be proposing something on that in autumn in question two. May I point out that Germany already has a comprehensive. Network of individual federal states and authorities which are looking at how people can claim the services to which they're entitled. In particular, older people are not able always to apply for their entitlements online. This is a pressing issue. We are trying to enable parallel analog and digital means of application.”
  Child poverty policy
• 2026-06-29 “Thank you. And we appreciate this point being put on the agenda today. We welcome the overall holistic approach taken by the Commission for Affordable Housing. It's important to support the neediest people, young people, as we've often heard today, and students now. For many young people going for study and training. A key issue is the availability of affordable housing, which is really crucial when they're looking for their employment or training. This is reflected by the Commission in its aim to have the most needy people educated. Now, people in their family planning are actually saying they cannot have any more children because of the lack of suitable housing. And what kind of effects this will have on the pension system is also not to be foreseen. At the same time, we see inequalities in capital means playing here for older people in particular. Having freedom to live when you're older is an important consideration. And this is something that the commission has also reflected. In Germany, we have a number of targeted programmes to help young people and families, and you can call this a kind of best practice to obtain social housing or there's also such a thing as young people buying later. Thank you.”
  EU housing policy
• 2026-06-29 “Thank you from me as well. First of all, we are very grateful to the Cyprus presidency and we are appreciative of the current revision of the mobility package. I have been following the trilogue process here closely and you have managed to balance the compromise. And of course, I congratulate you on that good result. If a revision takes decades, the question is what the first priorities are in coordinating the revision. It's obvious. That digitisation has to be the focus in coordination for the announced fair labour mobility package. The key thing, of course, is that we are very positively disposed towards this. We're looking forward to it. And also, the electronic exchange of Social Security information requires a boost to its modernization. Of course, this is not largely about large legal, but more about technological revisions. This is particularly the case for the coordination of unemployment. Unemployed persons lists. Because that has to be. Updated using business use cases that need to be properly programmed. Human resources and personnel from the Member States need to be available. Now, in the current planned mass data exchange, the tackling of fraud and error is a key step. The Ela and the Social Security Coordination Committee needs to ensure that data exchange in practice is sufficiently concrete in this plan as well. The Commission should come up with proposals to move the package forward for the longer term. The coordination should particularly look at harmonizing law, and a key challenge here is the lacking of coherence in people among people who are employed. There needs to be more opportunities to tackle cross border issues. Thank you.”
  EU regulation of cross-border and posted workers
• 2026-06-26 “48:55 - 11:49:50): Oops. Thank you. The methane regulation is an important climate protection instrument in the energy sector. However, there are significant implementation problems with this regulation. If companies violate methane regulation, they act unlawfully according to industry associations despite any suspension of sanctions and do not conclude any contracts. For us, NSX security and security of supply is of utmost important. This, regulation can only be addressed on EU level. We need to secure our energy supply, and we feel that with the methane regulation, our energy security is in danger. And for that reason, Germany fully supports the AOB from Czech Republic. Thank you. Thank you. So, we have Poland followed by Italy followed by Lithuania.”
  EU approach to energy security (home-made vs import sources)
• 2026-06-26 “12:46 - 11:15:13): Thank you so much, presidency, and, dear colleagues. As mentioned at our 1st round table, we, support both parts of the EU grid package. The 10 e framework will play a crucial role in enabling a faster and more cost efficient expansion of cross border energy infrastructure across the European Union. For us, 4 aspects remain key to the dialogue. We need to maintain the cross sector planning based on the joint EU scenarios and the focus on reducing overall system, cost. A strong involvement of member states and TSO in this process remains important. This approach can reduce total infrastructure investment needs in Europe by around €169,000,000,000 under 2050 due to a coordinated European cross sector perspective. 2nd aspect, is the project implementation. Project implementation needs to remain reliable. According to a recent ASA monitoring, 1 3rd of the electricity projects have been delayed or rescheduled. Strengthening 10E directly addresses this challenge. 3rd, the strengthening funding for cross border grid expansion remains key. The Draghi report underscores the scale of infrastructure investment required for Europe to remain competitive in the long term, 750 until €800,000,000,000 per year. The updated 10 e helps to better direct and mobilize available funding streams such as concession revenues towards infrastructure build out. And 4th, we need to create reliable financing conditions for hydrogen networks. We need the grassroots and infrastructure. Thank you to my Alethuanian colleagues to express this. In addition to this, we need the hydrogen networks. We support the measures to improve the bankability of cross border hydrogen projects, through an intertemporal allocation of costs. Therefore, it is a good step forward that the commission will assess the derisking mechanism, for example, at EU level. To conclude, the council has found a well balanced approach that is an important step towards a future proof and cost efficient system. So we're looking, forward to the upcoming trial.”
  EU energy infrastructure integration
• 2026-06-25 “In this context, I also wish to highlight the question of financing because proper implementation implementation of the European strategy will only be possible through a combination of public and private financial resources, as well as innovative mechanisms for financing in this context. The negotiation of the upcoming MMF must recognise the key role that water plays as a strategic pillar of the resilience and competitiveness of Europe. We have to valorize process is already underway in member states such as Portugal, which has become a reference and is a laboratory of best practice for Europe, thus contributing to the wider European project. We are currently preparing the UN Conference on Water, which is to take place in Abu Dhabi at the end of the year. Therefore, I'd also like to add a few points on the external dimension of the water strategy. We have to make this work inclusive in identifying the priorities of the European Union for the international water agenda. Portugal is committed to this process and is happy to work with the Commission and other Member States in an implementation conference so that we can present our results and mobilise the international community towards keeping water on the international agenda. Thank you.”
  EU policy on water management
• 2026-06-25 “Thank you very much. I'll also keep this very brief. We take a similar position. The authorities and economic actors are preparing for the introduction of the new measures. We have to ensure there's a good transition. And to that end, the open questions need to be clarified. We therefore would. We therefore thank the Commission for the document, the guidelines it's presented, and for the Q a. We'd like further clarification in the frequently asked questions, because there are a couple of contradictions. We think the secondary legal acts foreseen in the packaging regulations also need to be brought forward in a timely manner. Thank you.”
  Sustainable packaging
• 2026-06-25 “President, thank you for giving me the floor. Commissioner. Dear colleagues, last year when we had the water resilience strategy. We were able to say that water management was getting greater visibility in the European in the European level from many different perspectives. Greater visibility than before the strategy had been launched. However, the success of the strategy will be measured by our ability, all of us, to move forward with its implementation in concrete ways in the field, transforming its objectives into actions with direct benefits for the public and companies. We wish to share again with the council the work that we've done in Portugal to implement our National Water Strategy, whose direct whose goals are fully aligned with the European strategy. Our national experience has shown that it's important to take an integral, multi-sectoral approach to water. Water is a strategic resource which is unique and cannot continue to be managed in a fragmented way. We have to take a holistic, integrated approach which takes account of the needs for different uses of water, taking account of environmental sustainability, development and territorial cohesion, while adapting to climate change in terms of best practice. We wish to share a number of things, in particular regarding digitalisation, allow me to highlight one of the key measures that our national strategy includes, which is the digitalisation of the urban water cycle. This is an area where we'd like to see progress at the European level, in particular about identifying interoperability, shared resources and cyber security steps.”
  EU policy on water management
• 2026-06-25 “Thanks a lot, Maria. Thanks a lot, Spain. To bring this point to your to our attention, and also to bringing the voice from the regions here to our attention. Uh, I am sure the sound of a German representative from the regions would be very similar from what we heard, uh, from your colleagues. So Germany made a lot of, uh, very positive experiences with the life program. And I would say in many areas, it was a kind of peacemaker, uh, between the interests of land users, local communities, and the obligations under the nature directives. Uh, and therefore, uh, as you know, we are as Germany, we are looking at the MFR discussions holistically. But what I definitely can say this instrument was very valuable over the last decades.”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• 2026-06-25 “Thank you very much, Maria. Commissioner Jessica Germany welcomes the discussion today on the European Water Resilience Strategy. I'm also very pleased to have heard so many positive voices around the table. I think that there's growing recognition in recent years that water resilience is not just a national and regional issue, but one that has a European dimension also. Water resilience is part of the EU's more broad resilience. It's part of our critical infrastructure. As others have already said, a scarcity of water issues with water in one country have impacts on other member states. We have cross-border water resources and reservoirs. But it's also additionally true that energy and other areas of policy can have impacts. For example, when water is too scarce for the cooling of energy power plants, that has an impact on neighboring countries, for example. Sara, we look forward to the non-paper. We weren't in the know until now, but I expect that it's something that we're going to welcome when we see it, I thank you.”
  EU policy on water management
• 2026-06-25 “Thank you very much. And in particular, a big thank you to Belgium for this initiative. By including the key point on today's agenda, we welcome the approaches laid down in the paper. We are in favor of a level playing field with online trade, which means the effective application of the extended producer responsibility for all market participants. We are in favour of harmonization where necessary with transitional measures, but that has to be in line with EPR. Germany thinks that an EU wide harmonisation of the criteria for the for the circular economy waste aspect as necessary in favour of a ban on the on the landfill for certain products. Thank you very much.”
  Circular economy
• 2026-06-25 “We welcome the fact that the Commission has announced that it won't be moving forward with a reach revision. At this point in time, a revision would lead to uncertainty and not produce any benefits for the chemical industries or environmental protection and reach. The focus should be simplification and improvement of application. That's achievable without any change to the legislation. There has been consultation, there has been a discussion process begun with various stakeholders, and that should make it possible to ensure that we can review the standards and reach where possible. We should make. We should move forward with simplification, improve efficiency through digitalisation. For Germany, it's important, as France has already set out, that products sold online be better monitored. The responsibility of e-commerce platforms also has to be taken into consideration and better defined. But that's an issue which extends well beyond reach and covers other categories of products as well. Therefore, we have to consider whether additional specific, reach specific supervisory powers are necessary or not, and the European Product Act will be pushing for further development of the general product oversight framework. Thank you very much.”
  Chemicals regulation
• 2026-06-25 “Thank you very much. Germany supports the fact that we have a good plastics agreement, just like France and other member states. We also think that it's important to take account of the entire life cycle. But additionally, it's also important to show continued flexibility, or at least the willingness towards flexibility. Sometimes it's not just a question of having flexibility, but about expressing its existence in informal ways. Remembering back to this forum last year, I remember having the impression that far too often we say that we don't just want to have a simple waste management regulation, and that's not what I want either, but it sounds awfully negative. We want more than just a simple waste management act, but we have to be a little more enthusiastic about it. We could make some headway that way. Moreover, the idea that some countries can be isolated, like Saudi Arabia, I think will fail again. China won't permit it. We have to find a way to steer onto a path which is perhaps not perfect, but which we can at least make headway on. Thank you.”
  EU policy towards plastics
• 2026-06-25 “Thanks a lot. I'd like to start by thanking France and the Netherlands. They have pushed this initiative forward along with us. Other member states have also participated and we hope for additional support. Of course, ultra fast fashion is hardly a marginal phenomenon anymore. It's a business model which has ongoing negative impact on the textile sector, the economy and on people. And it's making things worse. That's why we're calling for a coordinated European approach. And we call on the commission to to structure the proposed and existing regulations for the textiles industry to be able to fight ultra fast fashion. Firstly, the future delegated act on textiles under the Ecodesign regulation should not stop at recycled content. It should include requirements for durability of repairability and recyclability so that inferior products cannot be sold. Secondly, we need a European definition of what ultra fast fashion is. The Waste Framework Directive already includes a number of approaches in this regard. Thirdly, extended producer responsibility schemes should be strengthened. He who causes higher waste disposal costs should cover them. Fourthly, we need better enforcement of our standard vis a vis online platforms and direct sales from third countries. The aim is not to create disproportionate new bureaucracy, but rather to address ultra fast fashion companies in a targeted manner. Thank you.”
  Sustainable fashion
• 2026-06-25 “Thank you very much. I wish to underscore that for economic resilience. Securing biodiversity is essential. According to the Economic Forum, the loss of biodiversity and the collapse of ecosystems is one of the greatest economic risks for the coming ten years. We are reaching and have indeed exceeded the planetary limits when it comes to biodiversity in Europe. According to Eurostat's most recent report on the implementation of the SDGs. We are going backwards, particularly on 15. That means that we urgently need action. Clear political targets to protect and restore nature are the essential basis for sustainable economic development. Alongside defense, alongside regulations that are dependable, we also have to have implementation. The financial sector and the economy. Entrepreneurs also have to play their part. We have to reduce our impact on nature. That means that we have to identify and minimize risks to production and and supply chains due to a loss of biodiversity and ecosystems. Firstly, that means we need more information, then we need incentives. And thirdly, we need an effective legal requirement. Watchdogs and banks have to have to monitor these these aspects. The central banks have also issued reports. Finally, we need sector specific information supplies in Germany. We provide this, for example, within the framework of our Biodiversity and Business Framework project. An essential part of it is an exchange of information at the European level around business and biodiversity as a topic. Thank you.”
  Nature protection and restoration in the EU
• 2026-06-25 “Thank you very much. We also wish to thank the Cyprus presidency in particular, for all of your commitment in advancing the negotiations on this complex dossier. We welcome also the EU Commission's comprehensive car package, including the revision of the CO2 fleet targets, which take account of Germany's major concerns. However, further adjustments are needed in the proposal on CO2 fleet regulation. These include the following points. The tightening of the utility factor from 2027 has to be suspended. Number two, excess emissions above the target of 90% should not be fully compensated. The EU Commission proposal for a quota on green steel has to be achieved. Number three. We propose that vehicles using only renewable fuels should be viewed as zero emissions vehicle immediately. Five. Super credits for small electric vehicles. Germany rejects this one sided advantages, such as those based on the 4.2m length criterion, is something that we also reject. We need flexibility tools such as banking and borrowing in the 2025, 2029 and 2030 34 periods, as well as averaging of the 2013 2035 targets. In order to structure the achievement of the goals in a flexible way and avoid penalties on the German automotive industry. We. In principle in favour favor of electrification of the vehicle fleets, but we reject the commission's proposal for a company fleet regulation. We share the view expressed by the presidency in its progress report, that a comprehensive and balanced overall compromise has to be drawn up, taking account of the interests of all Member states. Thank you very much.”
  Road transport environmental policy
• 2026-06-22 “Yes, Madam Chair and Doctor. And dear Commissioner. Thank you very much. We are grateful to the presidency for its great engagement and its efforts to draft a regulation that can enjoy consensus. The current presidency compromise, which is the sixth, is heading in the right direction, and the progress report shows that some things have now been achieved. Given this basis, we can now proceed to work on further improvements. What's important here are the rules establishing which interventions can be funded under which conditions. This particularly concerns the criteria for fleet renewal and the energy transition. We have repeatedly and clearly expressed our position. Funding requirements that are centrally important must be set out in the regulations themselves. Commission guidelines are not sufficient for that, nor are implementation acts. The current crisis shows us once again that in this process, we have to support fisheries in becoming more resilient, and part of that is the funding of fleet modernisation and fleet renewal. Coastal fisheries in particular, cannot shape and implement the required transformation acting in their own capacity. It must be made possible here for us to reduce overcapacities and at the same time to support the remaining fisheries in becoming more future proof. What's key here is that support should not place any extra pressure on fish stocks. Germany will be all too glad to help draft the regulations accordingly. And once again, presidency. Thank you very much for your gifts. Thank you.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-06-22 “(15:07:37 – 15:08:30): Look. Once the 1st cluster is open, every candidate country is responsible for itself because they have to deliver reforms, and they have to deliver different reforms depending on what candidate country we're talking about. So here, I'm only speaking about Moldova. And I think the merit-based process is much more for Moldova than the term as soon as possible, because as soon as possible does not say anything. It's in relation to what. But a merit-based process tells you very clearly on the ground of our methodology that has been agreed by all 27 member states. So it's an exercise that is put down very clearly between us as the benchmark. If the merit-based process is the foundation, it's much better for Moldova because then they can deliver, and we can follow our promise.”
  EU enlargement
• 2026-06-22 “(15:05:22 – 15:06:49): So we have seen the enormous progress that Moldova made in very short time despite all the pressure that is on Moldova, to earn the merits to open the 1st cluster. And now, indeed, I mean, we keep repeating it. It depends on Moldova and the willingness and the capability to do the necessary reforms. I have not the slightest doubt that they are absolutely able to do this because we've seen the enormous progress beforehand. And as soon as possible, we will then open all the other clusters. I think we should not have a too shortsighted approach. It is the dynamics that is now new in the process that will move Moldova also rapidly forward because the dynamics are very clear that the leaders, the member states, the parliament, we are all clear that it is important for us on geostrategic reasons to have enlargement. And when a candidate country performs the way Moldova does, it merits to move forward. Merit-based process does not mean slow. It means fair. And the fairness is if you deliver, we have to deliver. And so far, I'm not worried about the process. On the contrary, I'm confident that we will be successful together. Okay. Next question goes to Moldova on TV.”
  EU enlargement
• 2026-06-22 “(15:01:27 – 15:01:49): Yeah. As the president rightly so said, it is a merit-based process. So, Moldova has to deliver. But there's also a 2nd component in this way forward. The commission has to give the recommendation to the council 1st. And as president of the commission, I can say, indeed, the commission has recommended to the council to open all clusters.”
  EU-Moldova relations
• 2026-06-22 “(14:45:43 – 14:52:13): Madam President. Yes. Thank you very much. Dear Maya, Madam President, dear Antonio, indeed, only last week, you opened the 1st negotiation cluster with us. It is a historic milestone. It is opening the door to the accession process to the European Union, and it is a recognition of Moldova's determination, its courage, and its hard work because that's what is behind it. You have pursued reforms in very difficult circumstances. You have kept your course despite constant pressure and hybrid attacks from Russia. This 1st cluster is about strong institutions. It's about trusted justice and the rule of law. It is the backbone of the whole accession process. And with today's summit, the European Union and Moldova are taking another step forward together. 1 year ago, we met in Sisinau, and since then, a lot has happened. Moldova joined the single euro payment area, the so-called SEPA. This makes your transactions between us much faster and much cheaper. It's good for the businesses. It's good for the citizens. Your country also became part of your Rome like at home. This is very important for the citizens because it's eliminating roaming costs for Moldovans and businesses. And Moldova joined the European Environment Agency. These are concrete examples of what gradual integration means. Moldova is moving closer to the European Union and Moldovan citizens and businesses are already feeling the difference and the benefits. And then indeed, we have the growth plan. The growth plan is at the heart of your gradual integration into the single market. The principle is very simple. Reforms are bringing Moldova closer to our single market. The reforms are creating a level playing field. And with these reforms comes substantial European investment. And I think 1 figure says it all. Moldova has completed 93% of the reforms due so far under the growth plan. That's extraordinary. And this has already unlocked €504,000,000 in European funds for your country. Of course, today's summit is also about next steps. If Moldova implements all reforms due by the end of this year, an additional €523,000,000 can be unlocked. This means better roads and bridges, improved health care facilities, better access to financing for the companies, and more opportunities for citizens. So a true win-win situation between Moldova and the European Union. Energy is another key topic. Moldova has made remarkable and hard-won progress in reducing its dependence on Russian gas and electricity. The Volcanesti Chisinau high voltage power line, supported by EU grants and loans, will support your energy's resilience, and it will accelerate your integration into the European electricity grid. Now we will continue working together to deliver more interconnectors so that the energy can flow to where it is needed and boost energy efficiency of buildings. Because every building we renovate saves energy, and that means less energy import is needed, and that helps us to decouple from volatile global gas markets. Europe's future is also about the next generation, and we want young Moldovans to experience Europe directly. This is why we want to extend Discover EU to Moldova in 2027 so that young Moldovans can travel across Europe, meet other Europeans, and feel part of our shared future. And we're working towards more of a full participation in Erasmus Plus as early as 2028. Finally, my last point is on security. Hybrid attacks and the spillover effects of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine continue to impact Moldova, disinformation, energy blackmail, cyber attacks, airspace violations. This is the challenge you're facing, we're all facing. And a challenge, we will meet together because most of our security is Europe's security. And this is why we're stepping up our support. Under the European peace facility, Moldova is already the 2nd largest bilateral recipient after Ukraine with nearly €200,000,000, and we are preparing a further €120,000,000 support package for 2026 focused exactly on your security needs. We will also make available €11,000,000 to strengthen Moldova's resilience against hybrid attacks. And we will continue our work through the EU partnership mission on cyber, countering disinformation, and strategic communication. Finally, we are also investing €17,000,000 in border infrastructure. You explained to us very plausibly how important that is. This will mean stronger surveillance, better detection, greater security for Moldova. And finally, we want Moldova to be more closely involved in the European cooperation network on elections. That's a long term, but it's important that we share experiences and we learn from each other. Dear Maya, Moldova has shown exceptional resilience. It has shown resolve, and it has shown that it belongs to our European family. So thank you very much for this excellent summit, and I'm looking forward to working with you in future.”
  EU-Moldova relations
• 2026-06-22 “(15:13:05 – 15:13:26): Yeah. Keir Starmer always worked hard for a strong and stable relationship to the European Union. He prioritized this as a and he did a true reset, built on trust without any question. What I'm looking forward to is resuming a strong and stable relationship with the people of The United Kingdom.”
  EU-UK relations
• 2026-06-22 “Thank you a lot. For me to repeat, says the speaker. We can broadly support Latvia's concerns. Fishing opportunities in Western Africa are also important to German deep sea fisheries. So we welcome the ongoing negotiations with Mauritania, and we consider it important to extend this protocol. At the same time, any future protocol should remain sufficiently attractive and economically viable. Any reduction in fishing opportunities could jeopardize that objective. We support close coordination between the Commission and Member states. Sustainability considerations and scientific evidence should remain an important basis for these negotiations. Thank you.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-06-22 “Yes. Leah. Maria. Dear, dear colleagues, just as every year this year to the Commission's report affords us a good opportunity to reflect on the state of play with the CFP, particularly as regards forthcoming autumn negotiations on catch quotas for 2027. I endorse the principles that have been enunciated for setting catch opportunities, particularly the application of an ecosystem based approach to stock management. Our priorities for negotiations on the 2027 catch opportunities are as follows. The Baltic, with particular focus on stock recovery, the trilateral negotiations on the North Sea, the coastal states negotiations and bilateral cooperation with Norway. We continue to be gravely concerned at the situation in the Baltic, where stocks such as western Baltic herring continue to show no significant recovery. This is largely due to climatic factors such as climate change and eutrophication. The same applies to Norwegian catches in the North Sea. This has to be taken into account more strongly in future determinations of catch quotas, and also in the recently announced changes to the MMF. The MMF has to be made practicable as regards the trilateral negotiations on the North Sea. Our key priority is Northern Shelf cod. Here, a balanced solution has to be struck that affords adequate protection without setting excessive limitations on mixed fisheries. We support the European Commission's efforts to reach sustainable, balanced, comprehensive distribution agreements as part of the coastal states negotiations. Achieving an agreement is a pressing matter, particularly for mackerel, which is not within safe biological mass. As regards the bilateral negotiations with Norway. We continue to call upon the commission to find an appropriate solution for Norway's outstanding debt of 5000 tonnes of cod. Proposals made heretofore have been inadequate against the background of tough negotiations on fisheries in recent years, with our north east Atlantic partners. The strategic shaping of fisheries policy relations with third countries should be overhauled and without jeopardizing common European interests, it should be rewritten to safeguard EU economic interests. I shall refrain from any further fundamental comments. I'll reserve those for the forthcoming agenda item on evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy. Thank you.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-06-22 “Thank you very much. And above all, we are grateful to the presidency for intensive and constructive work on both files and on the trilogue negotiations for the EU rules on PRM. We think that the current state of negotiation on both files is a balanced compromise. Just briefly, on transport rules, these are intended to ensure animal welfare without preventing necessary transport or interfering with international trade. In addition, they're not supposed to impose disproportionate burdens on companies or public bodies. In Germany's view, however, there is an urgent need for enhanced animal welfare, especially with regard to live animal exports to third countries. If the part of the journey cannot be controlled and enforced in third countries, we need to increase the use of promotion and development of alternatives to the export of live animals, and the rules on penalties are too far reaching, and especially minimum fines. Member states must have far more flexibility in implementing them. Thank you.”
  EU requirements on animal welfare for farmers
• 2026-06-22 “Thank you, dear chair. Dear Commissioner. Fisheries control and the fight against IUU are important and necessary. There are discussions to be had ahead of three Commission acts on digital traceability, on remote electronic monitoring, and on continuous monitoring of engine power. Our sustainable and strictly monitored EU fisheries sector must remain competitive. Future EU legislation must avoid and cut back on unnecessary red tape. Eu law must be workable, particularly for SMEs. An example of where it goes wrong is applying overly strict rules on margins of tolerance. We should avoid duplication of data processing, and the once only principle should be applied wherever it can be. Applications in it must be user friendly and up to date. For example, catch software needs a readout function or data extraction function to avoid any need for manual input. Clearly, any simplifications must not lead to any lowering of meaningful control standards, because those are important for monitoring ecologically sensitive stocks and protected areas. Thank you.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-06-22 “Thank you. And Germany does support Romania's concern in that we think it's vital to have exchanges on large carnivores at EU level, particularly on bear populations, to address the technical, the social and the economic aspects and other measures in a focused manner. In particular, we consider it useful to invoke article 16, clause one C, and I quote, in the interest of public safety, to justify the culling of bears. A Commission guidance document on the application of this derogation would be a useful step to make Romania's case. Thank you.”
  Large Carnivores
• 2026-06-22 “Dear chair and dear Commissioner, the comprehensive evaluation of the CFP is an important step towards the future proofing of EU fisheries. Recent years developments show that there is room for improvement. However, besides more consistent and more effective implementation by the Member States, the rules themselves need to be called into question. Here we should be looking beyond the CFP, and we should include accompanying legal acts such as the control regulation. The assessment that we've been given provides a good basis for that. We support the need that the evaluation identified to to strengthen the implementation of the CFP. In Germany's view, the particular focus here is the ecosystem based approach to the management of fisheries. However, there's also too little consideration of certain aspects and their effects, such as changes in marine ecosystems, but also external shocks like Brexit. I'm also keenly following simplification. Red tape needs to be cut. Eu rules must be designed to work in practice, but without undermining the protection and the environmental objectives. And in Germany's view, the following points need specific adaptation. One is the landing obligation. The current design of the landing obligation is not manageable either for fisheries or for governments. Workable solutions need to be found, and incentives need to be created to avoid unwanted bycatch, such as by the use of more selective fishing gear. Secondly, improving the framework conditions for aquaculture, we must prioritise aquaculture as an important part of food production, and part of this is facilitating and simplifying the permit granting process, such as by introducing a one stop shop procedure with a single coordinating entity. And thirdly, thirdly, improving the framework conditions for the energy transformation in the interests of the necessary transformation of the fisheries sector. We need to consider adjusting the concept of capacity. That is an important prerequisite to supporting the energy transition and improving working conditions and safety on board vessels. To this end, the fisheries state aid framework should be adapted in a focused manner. We also see a need to make the multiannual plans and regionalisation procedures more workable, more practicable, and to update the strategy on the external dimension of the Common Fisheries Policy. Thank you.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries · Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-06-19 “(16:37:45 – 16:40:53): Good afternoon. Thank you very much. We had a very productive UCO. So let me jump right in. 1st, on Ukraine. We start with good news. The tide is turning. Antonio and I congratulated President Zelensky on the opening of the 1st cluster. This is a major milestone. Now our goal is to open more clusters before the summer. And we also agreed on the rollover of the Russian sanctions and, importantly, this time for 12 months, no more for 6 months. And this too sends a very strong message. And we continue our work to finalize the 21st package of sanctions. These are heartbiting sanctions that will keep the pressure on Russia. And at the same time, we have to prepare when negotiations start. 2nd, on the Middle East, the interim agreement between The United States and Iran is a breakthrough and an important opportunity to ensure freedom of navigation toll free in the Strait Of Hormuz, to ensure that Iran never has nuclear weapons, to address concerns related to the ballistic programs and regional activities, and ultimately, to advance peace and security across the region. This crisis has underscored an important lesson. We must not allow the global economy to be held hostage. We need to develop other routes and corridors, for example, in that region, the IMEC. And for that, we will deepen our engagement with our partners in The Gulf and beyond, and this will be a topic that will be discussed the next time we meet the Gulf countries. Finally, what is happening in Lebanon is deeply concerning. A stable and peaceful Middle East also requires a stable and sovereign Lebanon. We support the Lebanese leadership's effort to achieve the disarmament of Hezbollah. At the same time, it is important that Israel respects both the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Lebanon. Now to my 3rd point. We had very good discussions at G7 earlier this week. And now also last night, we had a very productive discussion on the structural overcapacities and the impact on global imbalances. And let me bring it back to Europe with some figures concerning main economic partners. Over the last 5 years, imports, for example, from China into the European Union have increased by 45%. Last year, the European Union recorded its largest ever trade deficit with China, €360,000,000,000. That is a deficit of €1,000,000,000 per day. And for the 1st time, all member states had a trade deficit.”
  EU-Russia relations (from March 2022)
• 2026-06-19 “(16:59:50 – 17:01:05): Yes. Ukraine wants peace, and Europe wants peace. The only 1 consistently choosing violence is Russia. Our entire continent is at risk, and this is why Europe must be 1 of the architects of a just and lasting peace. Ukraine is in the driver's seat. We, as European Union, stand by Ukraine. And sooner or later, Russia will have to come to the negotiation table, notably through the pressure of our sanctions. And when that moment comes, we need a united European message to president Putin. President Costa and I will continue working closely with president Zelensky to achieve this urgent goal. President Costa represents the 27 member states. The instruments for, for example, energy, immobilized assets, sanctions, defense industry, and others are with the commission. And I can only confirm that from day 1 on, we have been excellently working together, and this will continue. Thank you. Evie?”
  Russia-Ukraine conflict (10th term)
• 2026-06-19 “(17:05:34 – 17:07:27): to to enlargement and to the budget. Okay. Yes. So, this was a very successful presidency. And also in view of enlargement, this was a very successful presidency. You just heard the president describe the progress. I think what, made it so successful was, the excellent negotiations, the encouragement for the candidate countries to do the necessary reforms, but then the reward also of opening clusters or chapters or even closing chapters again. So there is a clear message out there. The finish line is in sight for some of them. And this is, of course, enormously motivating for, all the all the candidate countries, and that the merits get rewarded. And what the budget is concerned, I'm very grateful that we made a huge step forward with the partial general agreement. That means the architecture is now agreed by all 27. That's very important because you recall, we had discussions about the modernizing of the architecture, the national and regional partnership plans, the competitiveness fund, the Global Europe Fund. It's a completely new and modern architecture, and this has now been agreed by all 27. So this is very important and a big step forward, and that gave us the possibility that the presidency presented the figures. And indeed, I think the debate went much better than I had expected. Very concrete, very clear, the comments of the different leaders so that for us and the next presidency, there's a good food for thought on, how to try to put the puzzle together so that it fits for everybody.”
  EU enlargement
• 2026-06-19 “(16:40:54 – 16:46:03): This is not just about cheap imports. We see overcapacities that erode our own manufacturing base, and this is simply not sustainable. We know very well that we must do our homework 1st to boost our own competitiveness, but we also have to address the global imbalances. Our discussions showed clear support for continuing the path of diversification and derisking our relationship. On 1 hand, we must avoid dependencies that can be weaponized. This means that we are accelerating the derisking process, derisking not decoupling. On the other hand, we will keep protecting our market from unfair practices. Europe has already built an extensive toolbox in the recent years. Now we must use it more proactively and more strategically to defend our European interests. And indeed, as president Costa said, the commission will work on new tools such as a diversification instrument. I'm pleased that we saw clear support for European response based on unity among the member states and dialogue with China, which remains crucial. The commission will take this forward and the topic will remain high on our common agenda. Now turning to internal matters. Today, of course, we also discussed the next European budget. The council has now reached an agreement on the new MFF architecture. That is an important step forward. It shows that member states share the commission's ambition for a simpler and future proof budget, a budget that equips Europe to compete, strengthens its security and defense, and its capacity to act in a more challenging world, a budget that will support our farmers, our regions, and our communities across the union. And for the 1st time, we have a negotiating box with figures, thanks to the Cypriot presidency. This is another major step forward. Of course, no 1 sees the ideal budget immediately in this box, but it is a solid basis for negotiation, just as you said, for the next presidency then to take forward. Now we must maintain the level of ambition, and this must be matched by the means to deliver. This is also why we need a robust and stable system of new own resources and why by our next meeting, we should have a shared understanding of how we want to finance the next MFF. Dear Nikos, last but certainly not least, this agreement in the council was a real breakthrough. And so I want to thank you and specifically also your whole team over there for the extremely hard work, the skillful steer, the overview, the delivery. This was really fantastic. So many, many thanks for that. With the Irish presidency, with this foundation, the Irish presidency has a very good basis to start and to build on, but this is only 1 of your achievements. Your presidency came as a at a very demanding time. Cyprus has been vital as a bridge with the Middle East. It really paid off that since many, many years, you have excellent relationship to the region, friendship partnership built on trust. This really paid off. And your work has helped keep us closely engaged with the region when the dialogue mattered most. Your presidency also delivered on Europe's most important priorities from support to Ukraine to progress on enlargement, the likes of which we haven't seen in years, I must say, from competitiveness and simplification with agreements on a number of omnibuses to a common European system of returns, and I could go on and on and on. The list is long. I also want to congratulate you on the agreement reached on the air passenger rights. It was the 1st major overhaul of these rules in 2 decades, and they matter so much in the daily lives of European citizens. Passengers enjoy clearer compensation rules now. Airlines have greater legal certainty, and everyone benefits. So you and your team can be very, very proud of what you have achieved. Thank you very much. Effa Christo, my friend. Thanks. President Cristo Luedes, please.”
  EU-China relations
• 2026-06-16 “We would begin with external security, defense security, AI competitiveness with space, European cloud. These are issues which where we find ourselves in. And as observers with respect to other world powers such as China and the US. And we can only sit by and watch what's happening because we don't have enough money five, 10 or 20 years from now, we will need to generate our own economic future. These are the issues we should have very much at heart. It's not that agricultural policy is not important. Of course it is and will remain important, but we have to learn to look to the future and to prioritize accordingly and to invest money accordingly. This budget must be an investment budget, and we say that it's. The simple fact is that spending has to lead to results. That must be our guiding principle. We attach particular importance. If I can be concise when Pyotr. When it comes to own resources, we are prepared to have a constructive discussion. But as a corporate tax is something we are against, it would be contrary to the competitiveness of our businesses, and I don't see any any legal basis or competence of the European Union in that respect. Aside from that, we are open. We remain open to dialogue. But what we don't want to see is unfair contribution, uh, grids and, uh, scales. That's something we have to say clearly. So, please, no new debt. A clear striking, a right balance between the different, uh, spending items and prioritize in the right way. These are the key issues from our standpoint at this point in time. Thank you.”
  Defence spending
• 2026-06-16 “And then I will concentrate also on the box. Now it's switched on. I will concentrate now on the first on the first. But I will also switch in my mother tongue in German language. To start with, I would like to thank the Cyprus presidency in particular for presenting this proposal. Pyotr, it's not a question now of criticising or not criticising anyone. It's a question of what we have on the table in front of us, which we need to discuss, and for us for the Federal Republic of Germany. That is not acceptable. I have to be clear about that. Uh, Xavier has already touched on one point, which is the issue of timing. And I have the impression that some feel that we we have time until the 30th of December 2027, because the whole new MFF would enter into force as of the following 1st of January. Well, the simple fact is, if, uh, if we look at the situation in France, Bardella gave an interview to Politico magazine where he said clearly that he wants to have France's contributions to the European Union. So we see what these right wing populists want to achieve. They want to destroy the European Union. But one thing is clear we don't know who is going to be the next French president president. But it is clear that it will this will play a big role in the election campaign, and we will feel that. And that means that we are under time pressure. I fully agree with Mr. Costa when he says that we need to find a compromise by the end of this year. Whatever form that takes, we have to find a compromise. Perhaps we could wait until we can see what's going to happen in 2026, but we don't have any clear vision of what's going to happen in 2027.”
  EU political integration
• 2026-06-16 “Rule of law is indeed a point that in the future, particularly when it comes to disbursement of funds, we do need to pay close attention to because we cannot justify that at home, with our taxpayers, with our electorate. Money is being paid to countries and programs where the rule of law, in terms of anti-corruption measures, for instance, is not guaranteed. We cannot do that, which is why it was important that we did pull the brakes in the case of Hungary in the past. And it is equally important that now that Hungary is having a bit of a European spring moment, the money can be unblocked and can be used for that, that it was originally intended to be used for, which is to support the citizens, to support the municipalities, to support local communities. That is where the money is needed. That's where it has to have an effect, particularly in cohesion, where the money is so desperately needed. So some summing up. Thank you very much for all your excellent work and we're on the right track. We need to continue moving in this direction. And I think that this is a very successful compromise, and that is why we can support all three regulations.”
  Rule of law in Hungary
• 2026-06-16 “Well. Coming back to a positive point, we support the fact that we have this momentum for modernisation. And in the different sectors we have a clear modernisation approach which has been agreed. But the current proposals and quantitative proposals are not acceptable. We are calling for horizontal reduction and this has to be expressed in the figures. National budgets are under huge pressure and where. That is not the. If that is not the case, please raise your hands. In any case, in Germany it is very much the case and that is why we can't go along with this. And we have to say that very clearly. If we have to tighten our belts at national level, we expect the same to at EU level. That is not something that Piotr would necessarily agree with, but I can see the background. But if we hear the European Commission saying that we want to see an extra 2500 officials, that's completely unrealistic, and that's something I simply couldn't vote for. But another important point we can't finance this through debt. We are reducing the debt for future generations in the EU. That's essential. That has been decided in the own resources decision. But it would be absurd if we were simply to replace old debt by new debt. What would we gain by that? So clearly nothing. So at the end of the day, we have to prioritise. We have to prioritise the key issues. And I must say, if we were to reinvent the European Union. We. If we had a reset button here that we could press, we would not begin with agriculture policy.”
  Size of EU budget
• 2026-06-16 “We have more flexibility now for individual member states. So we're giving trust back to the member states. We know that it is member states themselves who can best decide how they want to weight cohesion and agriculture. That also is a step in the right direction. And that's exactly the path we need to continue going down on global Europe. Yes, we perhaps could have gone further from our point of view, but Ukraine has already been mentioned this morning. And if I look to Ukraine. I think there's still a lot to come there, including financially. It has to be mentioned. But to this date, Germany has supported Ukraine to the tune of €80 billion, half of that for military equipment and the other half for civil civilian projects, €80 billion. That is a significant amount of money, even for Germany. And overall, everything that has to do with global Europe. I think it's good if the member states are also active bilaterally looking at development aid. For instance, we've seen the withdrawal of US aid, so now it's up to Europe to provide strong support in that area. So as far as I see it, everything is moving in absolutely the right direction. And perhaps one word in closing.”
  EU-Ukraine relations
• 2026-06-16 “Marielena. Thank you very much. And especially thank you to you, to your team and also to Commissioner Piotr Serafin and also to your team, because it's like squaring the circle, the quadrature of this crisis. Then squaring the circle, if you will, because at the end of the day, we have a lot of wishes that haven't been fulfilled as Germany. However, in the interest of the overall global approach. We think that all three regulations are a good compromise. It's important that we not only achieve a modernization modernization of the MFF. That's often an overused term, but we also need to aim for simplification. That's something that Commissioner Serafin pointed to earlier this morning. Simplification. This is something that we want to achieve in many areas. When we talk about reducing bureaucracy, when we look at the omnibuses that are currently being negotiated. All of that serves the purpose of simplification, making the EU easier to understand, simplifying the structures, because at the end of the day, that will increase the EU's acceptance with our citizens. And over time. Pyotr, of course, there's been a lot of complexities and transparencies that have emerged. And what we're trying to do is go back to a more transparent and more acceptable European Union. That really is a big achievement, that 14 different programs and regulations could be brought together under the European competitors in the fund. That is a step in the absolutely right direction that we achieved looking at the NRP.”
  EU industrial funding (mechanism level: EU-pooled vs nationally-financed)
• “Thank you very much, Lars and dear colleagues, thank you very much for having given us this presentation on the law and the amendments to the climate law. Today is a day where we have to reach a decision. So the environment ministers will decide on the law by 2040. But it is our responsibility to reach a decision. Of course, we have to consider the national interests, but we have to find a common will to reach a decision for Europe's future. This is really the decisive moment when it comes to implementing environmental climate legislation and how we deal with nature. We shouldn't forget our competitiveness because this is a big challenge for us. The United States, for example. They are going back to fossil fuels. And when it comes to China, they are working a lot when it comes to new technological advances, and they are taking a considerable part of the market away from us. So we have to find a common voice and adopt a common path. And Germany therefore approves and supports the proposal of the commission. So to have a 90% reduction by 2040. And this indeed is the responsibility we should have, because over the past decades, we as developed countries have actually had a bigger level of emissions compared to other countries. In a couple of weeks, we have the Cop 30 in Belgium, which I'm sure will be a success, but this will be a way where we can achieve a common path.”
  Energy (green transition)
• “Okay. Chair. And then, um, thank you for giving me the floor here. And thank you for the clear message. Um, let me say one sentence at least to the current geopolitical situation and escalation in Middle East. Um, I wished we could have time, maybe in the beginning to at least have a roundtable on this, but we decided not to do this. So first, we don't see a physical security. Um, supply constraint, but of course the price spikes and that causes, of course, discussions on, uh, the energy policy, um, we focus on and possible changes. Um, that's not the day to discuss this here, but just to point this out, um, first of all, the, um, thanks to the periodic presidency for the intensive work on the EU package and as then asked to say what we like, I'm glad to comply with your request. So what do we like? First of all, to plan cross-border infrastructure. It's cost efficient and it is necessary. I also think that you consider to take in the hydrogen Interconnectors and hydrogen a backbone. I also like a better coordinated scenarios. So in addition to the central scenario and maybe more additional scenarios on the basis of the member states. Sometimes it's nitty gritty and you have to coordinate also with the regional need, cost sharing is of utmost importance. As Eva said, it is a very sensitive issue and I welcome that we discuss of financing cross-border infrastructure and the congestion revenues which drives from this.”
  EU energy infrastructure integration
• “As the Covid pandemic has shown all too clearly, we remain in essence critical of calls for insisting on imports from third countries being under similar production conditions to ours. So-called mirror clauses. The scope for this in trade policy and legislation is very limited. No, on the contrary, the EU should be promoting more coherence in production standards in multilateral terms, seeking consensual solutions, for example, in the context of new WTO negotiations. This takes me to question two. Given the tense geopolitics, it's more important than ever for Germany that Europe cannot be in a blackmailable position. This includes food supply. So the focus here should be to continue to be on making European agrifood as a whole system resilient and give it long term sustainability. That's how we can help to strengthen competitiveness, boost food security and achieve environmental goals. It's essential, as part of this, to afford farmers good economic prospects for the future. That calls for long term planning, certainty and reliable framework conditions. With regards to France's AOB point, we are concerned about developments in the prices of energy and fertiliser. We do think this is a major challenge for our farmers. It's important for us to keep short term burdens on businesses in mind, but at the same time, we need to reconcile that with the long term objectives of security, of supply, competitiveness and climate protection. Cbam is an important climate instrument. It protects the level playing field in the single market. We continue to see the December agreement as a good compromise. Thank you.”
  Import of agri-food products in the EU
• “Thank you chair. We stand in solidarity with our Czech and Slovak colleagues emphasising the importance of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. This ambitious goal will have far reaching effects or regions that rely on coal pet and oil shell, as well as those dependent on liquid fossil fuels like heavy fuel, oil and diesel. It is crucial to ensure ongoing funding for the transition towards a carbon neutral economy beyond 2027. This is because the process of transitioning is a long-term in the war and cannot be confirmed to a single programming period. It is crucial to recognise the significance of this transition as it encompasses more than just the switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy. It also entails the necessary investments for electrification, including the substantial capital needed to upgrade and digitalize our networks. Thank you very much.”
  Energy (green transition)
• “Thank you very much. First of all, Cheslav, I would like to wish you and the Polish presidency every success in the tasks ahead. And we welcome the new members from Ireland and Lithuania. Thank you very much as well, for your participation in the Green Week and the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture. I think together we contributed to it being a success. Unfortunately, today I have bad news to share with you. Unfortunately, in Brandenburg on the 10th of January 2025, an outbreak of foot and mouth disease was established. This is the first FMD case in Germany since 1988. We don't know exactly how the pathogen was introduced. What we do know, however, is what serotype it is. And the good news is that despite intensive measures that have been taken in response to this occurrence, no further cases have been established. We have carried out all the necessary response measures, the safe disposal of all affected animals and also all animals, and within all cloven hoofed animals, within a one kilometre radius of the affected farm, including the contact farm involved. And also we've taken measures with regard to zoos, but unfortunately, of course, the markets are closed to exports in the area of the European Union. We have the principle of regionalised regulation. That means movements of animals outside the restricted zone are still possible, and I'm extremely grateful, of course, for this measure. The recognition of EU regionalisation and also the regulations the Woaa are of central importance in dealing with this. Only if we work together in a spirit of solidarity, can we address current and future crises in the internal market. I therefore very much hope that we will work closely together and avoid any unilateral measures in this case. Thank you very much.”
  Animal diseases prevention and management in the EU
• “Thank you very much. Allow me to express my gratitude to the Spanish Council [00:11:30] Presidency for the conclusions on this very important topic, the role of research and innovation for society. There are two points I would just wish to stress. The first of these is science policy, and we're talking about evidence based knowledge. And this must be consistently more consistently involved in political decision making processes. This is something which made us strong in Europe in the past [00:12:00] and should continue to do so in the future. And this should enhance trust and confidence in science as well. So that's a very, very important point which figures in this set of recommendations. Second point from these conclusions that I would like to highlight is the view. Of the European innovation ecosystem. Innovative power is key to competitiveness in Europe. Innovation and the transfer of science into [00:12:30] practice is not something which should stop at borders. Innovation of regions must bring the best brains together across borders. Now, there are quite a number of national initiatives to enhance innovative power, which are to be found in the federal Government's future strategy for Research and Innovation. In addition to this, on the 15th of November, we agreed on a national action plan for the European Research Area. So the idea is to pool the German commitment for [00:13:00] the idea of an area of free exchange of knowledge and among researchers in Europe, whereby we would focus on the topic of innovation. So here we want to take an important cornerstone for an all encompassing national innovation strategies. And I'd like to thank the Council presidency for having pushed this issue so consistently. Together, we can increase Europe's innovative power. Thank you.”
  EU-level coordination of research agendas
• “Dear colleagues, I too would like to start by expressing my sincere condolences to France, Belgium and Sweden for the victims of the horrendous attacks that took place. And I would also like to thank the Spanish presidency, who has done a great deal of work on this particular legal instrument [00:17:30] and is very keen to reach a compromise. And I'd like to thank Commissioner Johansson as well for the efforts made. Protection of children is extraordinarily important for us, too, and it's really important that we have additional regulations which go beyond April. And I would agree with what my French colleague said. That is, we need to ensure quickly that the voluntary obligations continue to apply for providers in order to avoid legal loopholes. But I do think that there are few things which need to be changed. In [00:18:00] particular when it comes to the methodology on the internet, when it comes to encrypted communication being tracked down. And it's important that we are able to reach agreement, which will benefit children. I'm sure we'll be able to do that. And we think it's key, that key to have a centre that children can contact, because the victims perspective is often given short shrift. We fail to focus adequately on that. And so that needs to be remedied. And a big thank you to you, Fernando, for all your efforts. You're doing a great deal in this area. And [00:18:30] thank you very much for your strong commitment.”
  Privacy & detection of online child abuse
• “Thank you very much. And I'm sorry for taking the floor too quickly. The German government has taken note of the agreement on green Denmark with great interest. I'm sure it was a great challenge to bring together all the various stakeholders. Leading industry, agriculture, environmental organizations. And it's remarkable that the support was found in Danish society. So congratulations on that. We're looking forward to the next steps, particularly as concerns the CO2 tax.”
  Extension of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme
• “Thank you very much. Of course, all of these files are very important for Germany, but I would like to focus on 1 today, firstly, because we don't have a lot of time here, and it's also very time sensitive. The European Council gave us a very clear mandate by the end of June. The edeclaration has to be agreed with parliament, and Germany fully stands behind that objective. And we thank the presidency for the proposal to continue working on it, and we will contribute constructively. But all involved now need to show willingness to compromise in order to reach a solution that can have majority support, and I can only wish the presidency all the best of luck in upcoming dialogues.”
  EU political integration
• “Yes, thank you very much indeed. First of all, I would also like to thank the presidency for putting this important topic on the Council agenda. The importance of vaccination as a tool when it comes to preventing animal diseases has been made clear again, for example, at the vaccination Congress, with experts on the subject. On top of what we have heard from the Italian minister, I would like to just make a couple of points as well. When it comes to ASF, the current restriction period in the case of a single outbreak of ASF in a previously disease free area leads, in our view, to you to unjustified limitations. Holdings in restricted zones are faced with harsh measures in a situation which is not of their making. Pig holdings don't just face extra costs for the extra measures, but they also don't get market prices for their healthy pigs. Generally, the animals are heavier and that means that they are sold below value. All the measures involve loss of income for producers, so in our view we urgently need proportionate measures. So I call on you to introduce risk appropriate restriction periods. Now turning to bluetongue I would like to highlight that preventive vaccinations with specific vaccines are an important tool when it comes to control of the disease. This is the only way of combating this disease effectively. So we would like to plead in favour of making sure that the process for regular authorised vaccinations should be speeded up. Thank you.”
  Animal diseases prevention and management in the EU
• “For all of this, we need to all focus on common priorities and implemented this together. We need clear rules for the policy windows governance, a closer coordination with member states, and research and innovation experts need to be involved in the governance system. Other central subjects are how to deal with dual use projects. So this is an opportunity for science and progress. This can boost our resilience. But of course this is a challenge from a security point of view. Also associations. And this is a major part of the current success of the research programme. Third point supporting cutting edge technology under pillar three of Fp10 and supporting a risky innovation, high risk innovation. I think that, um, many other countries have, um, focused on this and this needs to link in with national innovation ecosystems and with the high tech agenda. Um, in Germany, we've already moved forward on this nationally. So ultimately, with Fp10, we can boost our competitiveness overall. Thank you very much.”
  EU research funding
• “Thank you very much. Let me also emphasize that the industrial bioeconomy is important for the green transition and also for maintaining, uh, Competitiveness is essential in 2023. Investments on research and development in this area were €23 billion, which was, uh, a large proportion of R&D. And every job in the bioeconomy creates 2.9 further indirect jobs. And those are figures, I think, which prove that we should work on a new bioeconomy strategy. So we're very happy that the commission has gone down that road. We need to simplify the legal framework, have a quicker, um, legal processes, uh, and approval processes for bioeconomy products. Uh, and uh, we also need relevant standards which need to be maintained as well. Thank you.”
  EU support for bioeconomic applications
• “Thank you very much indeed, chair. I'm also very glad to see that Belgium has made this proposal. We very much welcome and would support this initiative. We have a climate adaptation legislation at national level, and we would be very much like to welcome the fact that we now have an EU level proposal on climate resilience, but we have to ensure that it is effective, but at the same time does not create added bureaucracy. And I would therefore like to ask that member States be more closely involved in the process, and particularly when it comes from legislative initiatives, that we should take reciprocity and proportionality into account.”
  Climate efforts
• “Thank you very much. I'd like to thank everyone for the information provided. And of course, a net zero emissions by 2050 is our common goal, and we must apply measures [00:05:30] to the air traffic sector as a whole. And here we have to determine which flights have to be taken into account when it comes to the plans for EU emissions trading. I think this would be more productive than focusing exclusively on private jet travel. Thank you.”
  Decarbonisation of aviation sector
• “Dear Chair, VEP and esteemed ministers, when it comes to the demands of the job market, well this is one of the strengths of the dual system. What is decisive here is that the social partners are part of the development prices when it comes to the educational systems and institutions when it comes to the vocational parts. We believe that trainees need to be or with all of the work towards companies especially when it comes to the dual system. It's important to reduce gender, the gender gap. The yearly report looks at the jobs which are taken on board and are loved by young men and women. The Ministry for Education does promote a cliche free job. We do promote the cliche free project. This is an initiative which really ensures that people can ensure professions without thinking of cliches. Society has to look at this across different parts of society, universities, schools and ensure that even employers can do that to ensure that young people can really choose a job which meets their demands which goes beyond the gender gaps. I will now give the floor to the Minister for Education Faurel and thank you very much. I would like to complement three items when it comes to things that matter to us. First, vocational training is important. We need of course educational offers which meet the demands of the job market and which do justice to the young people. Educational training and vocational training means that regardless of the language and origin and the potential disability have the same opportunities to training and vocational training and this is only possible if we have strong vocational institutions and where we really involve companies and on top of that if we also have a syllabus which really focuses on vocational skills. A second item that I would like to focus on when it comes to vocational training we have to ensure that it becomes more attractive and more important in Europe. We believe that we should have an integrated practice for the educators which ensures that we can have an option for those people who want to train but can't afford to do so. We want to promote more tools. We believe that European press practices are also important and we believe that we have been working with the Academie Norsimet from France, have been working with them since twenty twenty three and we have been leveraging this thanks to the Erasmus Plus program. This cooperation with a partner region is very important because our people can also have shadowing at the job and many people have already mentioned this but I want to echo this when it comes to the gender diversity we have to ensure that it's important for STEM vocations. We would like to look at two decisive factors. We have to promote STEM modules and gender equality. Children are very interested in research and discovery when we look at role models which are women which can really be important for young people. Young people will be able to see STEM as an important matter. Our goal is very clear. We want to increase Europe's resilience. Thank you very much.”
  Focus of EU policy on education (shaping workers vs citizens)
• “Thank you very much. The audiovisual sector is very important, particularly when it comes to putting forward our historic and cultural diversity. We think that working together at the European and international level, in order to support the sector is something that we need to do, and it's been very successful. I mean, the very many nominated European films we have just go to show how successful we've been. If you take a look at European production in cinemas, on platforms and providers, it shows that there's definitely still room for improvement. In this day and age where European is, you know, looking at a strategic autonomy. We would agree with France that we need to have more in-depth discussions as to how we can support diverse forms of European production and content in a way that we can support our democracies, of course, as well. Now, with this European approach, we need to have a democratic, open digital space in Europe which will allow for these diverse, uh, content to be produced. And I'd like to give the floor now to my colleague. Thank you very much. We are presenting the lender when it comes to media, and we think we need this consistent framework to continue to be developed. And of course, the member states are responsible for this too. But when it comes to the tech giants, we need the EU to step up and take action too. So we really welcome the fact that France has pointed to the very important EU agenda for the media sector, particularly when it comes also to the evaluation of the Avms directive. Media policy is always democracy as well, so we would stand for democratic communication as much as possible and to have equal opportunities for all in this sector. Thank you.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• “President, Commissioner. Dear colleagues. As a major transit country, Germany has a major interest in an effective prosecution of offenders, and we are very much in favor of this. A lot of Germany's concerns have been taken into account in the general approach on driving disqualifications. We're grateful to the presidency for this. We're grateful that points based, uh systems are excluded. There are two heterogeneous and. And then there's the question of not acknowledging the, uh, driving license that during the particular period concerned. And we do see that there is a burden coming the way of the administrations. But we do see the advantages and non-resident offenders need to expect a disqualification across the union if they commit serious offences, such as serious speeding or driving under the influence. This will make Europe's roads not just safer, but it is a considerable contribution towards Vision Zero. Thank you very much.”
  Road transport environmental policy
• “Thank you very much indeed, chair. I'm very happy to be taking the floor after my esteemed French colleague. My thanks also go to the commission for having presented us with this very comprehensive automotive package, and we'd like to thank you also for revising the targets. And this has to be seen in complementarity to heavy goods vehicles. We have to put special efforts into promoting decarbonisation, and we should do everything in our power to ensure that we can make a Success of this. And this is a point which I believe the Commission has already taken into account in its proposed legislation. The automotive and its supplying industry are key to the wellbeing, innovation and employment here in Europe. What we wish to do is to ensure that we can maintain and guarantee the competitiveness of this industry in the future, and this has to be done according to an overarching approach, as the commission has said. Electrical energy is a technology of the future to achieve climate neutrality. But we also do have to be open to tech, to new types of technology. We have to be technology European. We have to take into account the differences in Europe after 2035, alongside battery electric vehicles, we should also have vehicles which would be permitted with other drivetrains, and this will then ensure. We hope that it will be possible to compensate for the emissions from these vehicles, but this has to be done in the whole value chain. As the commissioner said, by the use of sustainable materials, the European Green Deal, for example, or via the production of batteries within our European value chain to take into account the overall fleet objectives for vehicles within the proposed text by the Commission. We have some reservations about the Made in Europe proposal. The Commission has also suggested a. Made with Europe, which is currently under discussion. In conclusion, we think that the introduction as proposed for small electric vehicles is one which we would not be prepared to accept. At first glance, we are critical.”
  Road transport environmental policy · 2035 ICE phase-out: strict zero-emission target vs. flexibility for carmakers
• “Thank you very much. I'd like to thank Croatia and the presidency for their commitment and their work on this file. I'd like to point out, though, that various practical questions have been raised from [00:17:30] the sector, from producer associations, and from the scientific as well as consumer groups. Therefore, I would stress that we need to take the necessary time to discuss these important points so that the various stakeholders and their comments can be taken into account. So quality before speed as Austria. Thank you.”
  New Genomic Techniques
• “Thank [00:15:30] you very much. We would like to thank Finland, uh, and the other countries for their declaration and favour of the bioeconomy. The basic approach is very encouraging. We too would like to see bioeconomy playing a stronger role in the new work policy. The use of sustainably produced biomass has many advantages as compared to the use of fossil fuels. At the same time, the various aspects in terms of sustainability have to be weighed [00:16:00] up carefully. In Germany's view, a balanced, uh approach to biomass production and use are essential. Sustainably produced biomass is only available to a limited extent, and therefore the economic aspects, the economic and environmental aspects, the contribution to climate protection all have to be borne in mind. Furthermore, the cascading effect is of importance. Biomass should [00:16:30] be used uh in a the appropriate way. It should come at the end of the cascade use process, and this includes measures to ensure that this can be done as part of a circular approach, and taking account of the availability of biomass resources and reducing the pressure. Thank you.”
  Biofuels (RED II)
• “Deutschland said Germany is going to make efforts for Ukrainian economic stability. The challenge here is that Ukraine needs to be able to continue exporting its agricultural production. That will not only bolster Ukraine economically, but it will be an active contribution to preventing global and regional supply crises. We are very delighted that the EU has reached agreement in principle with Ukraine. It's one of the key trade partners for Ukraine recently, and we also welcome that Ukraine has undertaken to speed up the alignment with the ag communautaire in the German view. This has created the conditions for economic relations between the EU and Ukraine. However, at the same time, it is regrettable that we were not able to reach this agreement in principle at the same time as the expiry of the ATM. We would love more details.”
  Agricultural trade: Ukraine imports
• “Thank you very much to the Polish presidency for launching this debate. Europe is facing major challenges due to geopolitical changes, defence issues, competitiveness, but also in terms of what's happening at home. We can see populism, extremism and nationalism on the rise. And I think Creative Europe has an important role to play here. Like almost no other program, it creates ties and brings people together. The Creative Europe programme is an idea of a peaceful continent at its heart, and so I'm very pleased that the new federal government has explicitly stated that they need a strong Creative Europe programme in the future as well, to also be able to promote a joint cultural identity. Now, at the same time, it's important that we take into account the core of what Creative Europe is to preserve that and to make sure we have more added value. Where else can we see the European project and the European diversity that we have in such a cross-border way? Culture, media create ties and foster a sense of belonging. They are very important for a democratic and prosperous society and one that's resilient as well. Now, culture can only play its full role if its value is recognised, and it's not just used as a means to an end. Culture and media need free spaces in order that they can really live up to their full potential now. So for all these reasons, we need to make sure that the recognizability and identity of Creative Europe is maintained. I think it's equally important to have culture and media in one program, because of course, there are many synergies between the two areas. And also, we can reach a critical mass, which we wouldn't be able to if we had two separate programs.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• “Thank you chair. It is not the first discussion we have also in the Council today about the new MFF Five. And let me point out a few things which are really essential from the point of view of Germany, and I will do it in German.”
  Size of EU budget
• “Thank you very much. I'd like to mention that ETS one is a market based core instrument of Europe's climate policy. And as previous speakers have already said, we have sent a joint paper recently. We need a reliable regulatory framework which ensures that investments in transformation are supported and that energy intensive industries can be more competitive. In order to be taking the lead, we need those industries that have already invested in transformation to not be penalized by weakening the ETS system, the ETS review. That is up and coming, needs to be used in order to ensure that the system can be fit for the future and focus on the decarbonisation of industry, focusing our competitiveness and strengthening the European industrial base. What's important is that we have long term viable solutions to avoid carbon leakage, particularly also for the non cbam sectors. In the short term, we need an adaptation of the legal basis for several benchmarks for heat and fuel. We need to ensure that they better reflect the different options deployed by industries. And when it comes to the reform, we believe we need to focus on reducing the linear reduction factor from 2036 and bring it in line with the 2040 aim, ensuring that the cap on free allocations is gradually reduced, and that flexibility and market basis of the system is strengthened. In order to ensure the predictability and planning security of the system.”
  Extension of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme
• “These could be useful tools. Both of them could provide useful incentives for climate, environmental and nature protection, as well as more income for agriculture. These need to be really practical solutions that clearly demonstrate the value added of environmental and climate measures. And the upcoming planned sustainability benchmarking could be a further contribution to establishing a level playing field and promoting green action as a means for assessing, in order to make our agricultural food sector fit for the future. Interdisciplinary research is particularly important. It can provide us with innovative solutions and will foster debate between policy and practitioners. Many member states, alongside the Cap have programs that specifically support innovation and new technologies in the field of agriculture. And this needs to be supported through better networking and improved transfer of best practice. In order to do this, specifically tailored digital infrastructure in rural areas is needed to ensure interoperability and standardization of digital systems would also be needed. We could take up ideas from universities and research institutions in the field of agriculture and food, in order to speed up the application of new technologies. What's fundamental here is that only the matters that are addressed at EU level. Should be removed there. So for example removing red tape. Thank you.”
  Digital and precision farming
• “Thank you. Germany would like to thank the Commission for the significant efforts which have been made in order to launch this awareness campaign with the Member States. We are particularly pleased that a German trout farm operator has been nominated as one of the nine EU Aquaculture Ambassadors. Awareness raising information and transmitting a positive image of EU aquaculture are very important when it comes to developing the EU aquaculture sector. If you compare us to the rest of the world, we can see that EU aquaculture has really been left behind. And given the fact that aquaculture has great potential, we need to do everything we can in the future in order to promote the development of the sector. Thank you, Mr. Barroso.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• “Thank you to the Belgium presidency for the intense, intensive work done on this directive and for the understanding that you've shown us so far. I'm doing everything [00:24:00] to ensure that Germany's position will be finalized under the Belgian presidency, and discussions are taking place on a possible new position on the draft directive. The new German position is a precondition for overcoming the misgivings that we have about the directive. We still have our reservations. We are looking at all the financial [00:24:30] implications, and the federal states have to be involved in these discussions. Uh, the, uh, examinations of the texts are taking place. Given the current situation in Germany, which I would like to say the following on, the Constitution already states that equality is an important principle. It's there is a ban, uh, against a discrimination. And, uh, there is a. [00:25:00] There is an equality law with the objective of overcoming disadvantage because of race or ethnic origin, uh, gender or, uh, disability, sexual identity, and so on. Uh, the anti-discrimination body was set up. It's called ads. And, uh, it's, uh, management is independent and their, uh, main [00:25:30] role is support and advice and, uh. And their role goes beyond what the current directive states. And since this, uh, uh, the, their role has developed even further. And, uh, a broad majority of our population continues to, uh, say that anti-discrimination is important. And I hope we'll be able to make a positive contribution [00:26:00] soon very much.”
  EU policy on integration and ethnic, racial and religious discrimination
• “Thank you very much. And I would also I don't want to use too much time, but I would nevertheless like to say on behalf of Germany that we think this, that biotech is a very central key technology with a great deal of significance for the EU and for Germany. And if we want to have a successful EU biotech sector, it's very important that we take horizontal, uh, cross-sectoral measures in the biotech to act. And so we welcome this information point and the Non-paper, and we would like to see regulation simplified, which would lead to a lot less red tape, quicker Approval processes are key here, and we need a dynamic science based coordinated regulation system regulatory system. Thank you.”
  New Genomic Techniques
• “Yes. Thank you very much, dear Nadja. We'd also like to thank the Council presidency for the negotiations you've conducted on the single currency package. There's still a lot of work to be done, but we have made some important progress. Germany. Will continue to contribute [00:13:00] constructively to this process. And as others have said, a digital euro can only complement cash, not replace it. And general availability of cash. This is something we need to set great store by. So we welcome the important commission a proposal. So the status of cash and strengthening that saying that it's a legal tender. We support that. It's [00:13:30] become clear from discussions and negotiations how complex this project is. So I think that we have to be realistic. We still have a lot of negotiations ahead of us. So for the overall legislative framework to clarify that, and there are three things that are particularly important for us. First of all, we need to strike the balance between the parties concerned, the stakeholders. And I'm not just talking about the EU institutions, but [00:14:00] I'm talking about the relationship between the public and private sector. Secondly, on issues of, um, how to organize the technical details, we need to intensify those discussions. And thirdly, I think that everyone participating in this project and, uh, please focus on the innovation potential attached to a digital euro. So payments in the digitalized industry, for example. So [00:14:30] the Euro group back in January, um, already highlighted the possible introduction of a digital euro. And, uh. This all requires political decisions to be taken. The European co-legislators need to base themselves on a broad societal debate to avoid a disinformation campaigns. And to make this project [00:15:00] a success on the cash proposal. We've made a lot of progress thanks to the presidency, and we would like to congratulate the president specifically for all the progress that's been made based on the current state of play and negotiations. There are just a few core aspects that that need to be thought through in a bit more depth. So it's important for us to find a solutions which are accepted by society and something that's workable in practice. [00:15:30] That's very important. That's the only way of making sure that a digital euro, the digital euro, complements our cash. And this needs to be coordinated. The two sides need to be well coordinated for this to be successful. Thank you.”
  Digital euro
• “Chair. Commissioner Kristof, thank you very much for having organized the meeting on the 7th of January. Member States need more room for manoeuvre after the post 2027 cap, with clear and simple guidelines to find appropriate solutions. Further fundamental simplifications are necessary for both farmers and administrations. Germany will play a proactive role to avoid unnecessary bureaucratic efforts at an early stage, without lowering the relevant standards, and to systematically work towards dismantling dismantling unnecessary red tape in all EU files. These simplifications will also strengthen the competitiveness of EU agriculture. The cap is an essential part of the national and regional partnership plans, and these specific schemes for income support in the Cap for which a specific minimum budget is planned, could also be transferred to the Cap regulation. Thank you.”
  Agriculture (green)
• “Thank you very much. So moving to Germany, followed by Slovakia, followed by Spain. **Germany Thank you very much, president. Also for all the work already done by the Council presidency. And thank you, Executive Vice President for the proposal. Germany supports it. What we need in Europe is strong industry. In order to ensure that we can respond strongly and self-confidently to global competition. So we need highly innovative industry. We need industry that is resilient, that is competitiveness at international level, but also that is well connected to global markets. So Germany explicitly welcomes the union origin approach that is contained within the proposal, the Made in Europe approach. And we think that the very interesting picture shown by my French colleague shows that our free trade partners are kept on board for large markets, and also when it comes to provision of raw materials, when it comes to implementing the union origin approach, however, it's essential that we have a harmonised definition that we use across Europe so that there is a level playing field. We need The implementation that does not come at additional burden for the IAEA. We would like EU preference to implement the following principles. Firstly, being able to exclude bidders that are controlled by third countries. Secondly, no delays caused by projects because of uncertainty about bidders. European preference in the IAEA should be transferred into the EU Public Procurement Direct Regulation Directive through a sunset clause.”
  "Buy European" provisions
• “Thank you very much. We've to believe that the evaluation, uh, that this, uh, plays a key role in terms of ensuring fair worker mobility in the European. It has developed very well to date, and we want to further strengthen it. As regards the adjustment proposed under the evaluation report. We believe this is appropriate and we support strengthening Isla's mandate in this respect. We also welcome the Commission's Missions announcement in favor of a fair mobility labor package in the coming year. The package, in addition to the airlines pass, should cover other important issues, such as the second or third country workers, sub chains of subcontractors, and covering the situation of workers in precarious areas. Thank you.”
  EU regulation of cross-border and posted workers
• “Thank you. Germany would like to thank Hungary and Slovakia for updating the Agriculture Council on these cases of FMD in January. A first case of FMD was detected in January and unfortunately recently in Hungary two weeks later in Slovakia. So we know all too well what you are going through, and we would like to assure you of our full solidarity and support. We have made available 10,000 vaccine doses for Hungary from our FMD vaccine reserves, and we will offer to do the same for Slovakia. We would also like to support the request for a containment zone with the 0HH.”
  Animal diseases prevention and management in the EU
• “Thank you very much, president. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to have this very important debate today. About a year ago, we did touch on this topic in the council before, and [00:20:30] at that time I did talk about copyright and how important that is, because without the work that creatives do, I would not be possible when it comes to training AI. We need to make sure that the millions of works that are affected by this are properly copyrighted, because otherwise the people who actually produce them would not be paid, uh, or recognized for their work. And that would be simply unacceptable. Now, with the AI act, we have made [00:21:00] an important first step when it comes to transparency. Transparency obligations are an. Example of how we can promote innovation, but also protect the people who create this work. I think that we need to be the lobbyists, the proponents, for the creatives, for their creations, because without them, I simply wouldn't be possible in the first place. [00:21:30] We can do this in a responsible way. Use AI in a responsible way. Yes, it is a challenge for us, but there are also opportunities, and I'd like to touch on those possibilities when it comes to improving data collection and management. When it comes to the collections of theaters, museums, etc. trying to reach out to new target audiences. There are opportunities when it comes to AI when it comes to [00:22:00] sustainable transformation, and also in times of crisis in terms of energy consumption, for example, there's potential there, and we're also developing an AI based app when it comes to the illegally transported cultural goods and identifying those. [00:22:18] So there are opportunities, that's for sure. But there are risks as well when it comes to the financial aspect, the loss of creation, the sovereignty of data, the [00:22:30] reliability, transparency of the content, the ownership of the content as well. These are all the central issues that we're dealing with. So how can we make sure that artists and creatives retain ownership of their creations? How can we make sure that they're adequately financed even where there is no copyright protection? How do we protect the rights of people? How do we deal with data [00:23:00] and collections when we're talking about decades or centuries of collections? These are all issues that we need to focus on, but at the fundamental level, we need to promote democracy, rule of law and freedom. Ai, fake news and disinformation campaigns must be combated because they're already creating a lot of problems. Vladimir Carmena, a friend and author, talked about the fact that disinformation campaigns today [00:23:30] are dangerous weapons and can be used against our democracies, so I really hope that we will be able to tackle this problem in the next, uh, council work program on cultural priorities, and I hope we'll continue our discussion there. Thank you.”
  Artificial Intelligence
• “Thank you very much, Ernest. Well, you've just said Slovenia [00:07:00] is a small country, but it's a small country with great literature. And above all, it has marvellous poetry. And I think in these times the world and we and our hearts really need poetry. And you illustrated that. When Slovenia made quite a marked appearance at the Frankfurt Book Fair. I think this was particularly [00:07:30] meaningful for young people. We're looking forward to next year because Italy is going to be taking centre stage, and I think you can take many of the examples followed by Slovenia. Thank you for drawing up this reading manifesto and presenting it here. We've had a very exciting discussion on that. We had a panel on that at the book fair. And I can only encourage my colleagues [00:08:00] and exhort them to sign this manifesto, because I think all of us share the underlying concern. We've heard a lot of talk about democracy today, and I think reading skills are actually a key competence for education and forming opinions. Forming opinions. Thanks to reading offers, new prospects, [00:08:30] new ideas and familiarize people with worlds that they are not aware of. And it also makes it possible for people to participate in democracy. And that only becomes clear when you realize the significance of reading in a democracy. That's why libraries are so important. Libraries in Europe are fueling stations from an intellectual and cultural point of view. And [00:09:00] with our Dutch colleagues, it was so important for us to strengthen these institutions. At the last council, we had a discussion on the particular relevance of that, and we're very much looking forward to the working party that was set up to look at that issue, the importance of reading, reading the importance of libraries as social and cultural places is something we've seen in recent weeks in Germany because, as you know, in Germany too, there is an increasing number [00:09:30] of anti-Semitic cases. This is dreadful. And particularly in German libraries, there was a rapid reaction to that with projects, events and readings. If we say never again, then we have to say never again now. And that's something that we very much advocate in Germany alongside the libraries.”
  Jewish culture and antisemitism
• “Thank you. I endorse my Spanish colleague's remarks. For the next few years, we are not really facing a normal culture cycle, and so we need to bear in mind we're in a war situation. We're at war with Russia, and this war has cultural knock on effects. Everything that we can do in cultural policy has to be seen in a broader context. What Russia is aiming at is not just attacking Ukraine. No. Russia is also attacking European values. So in a global context, what we see is that totalitarianism is encroaching in many more countries. And the European idea, the values of the enlightenment are under pressure internationally. So this war, this war which is being waged has more than just a military aspect to it. It's also a totalitarianism versus liberty struggle. It has a cultural dimension. And, accordingly, we need to take our positions. Everything that we plan should be seen in this global context. So the visibility of European values is crucial. The creativity of our cultural economy is not just an economic initiative. This is part of the competition of values, the struggle for freedom. We must be clear about this. Europe was born of the enlightenment. And if we base ourselves upon the enlightenment, then we have to be enlightened in our policy. This basis is rather different from what it was in previous decades perhaps. We had a laissez faire attitude perhaps. And things that we were not so well aware of need now to come to the fore. So cultural politics need to be pursued actively. Disinformation must be tackled head on because the challenge of facing totalitarianism requires concentration in the economy. We are going head on against the global trends towards totalitarian mindsets. This is what we in the EU should be doing in cultural political terms. This being so, and when I look to the year 2029, then we'll be marking the fortieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, 40 years of the liberation of Europe. Let's hang upon that date and attach to it the idea of liberty as the central node. So next year, we're going to be marking the Beethoven anniversary, and Beethoven is a symbol of the European musical tradition and the genius of Europe. So that needs to be stressed. So I remember that Robert Schumann said that Europe could be built starting with culture, but in the following steps, this is going to be truer than ever what Schumann said. So I look towards the presidency making the most of this theme, and I am certain that in years to come, when we know what cultural politics are in a greater context, then we can look at towards these initiatives. Thank you.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• “Yeah, thank you. Good morning to everybody in the room. I would like to begin by thanking the Belgian presidency for putting this point on today's agenda. And also as a speaking point, speakers lost a microphone, I'm afraid. Theresa, I would like to thank you for your speech. I can wholeheartedly support it. I think that we have a dual responsibility to decide we are responsible for the European procedures. We are the first council convened after the European elections where it has become clear that the confidence in Europe has been affected. And as the Council of Ministers as part of these European procedures, our decisions, our procedures must be part of the restoration of trust. We must regain it where it has weakened. And as there pointed out, we have a clear decision that has been taken in the council on the one hand. And secondly, there've been long and intensive negotiations in order to allow the various interests to be included in this legislation. We have a very careful balance, which takes on board the interests of agriculture. Germany has made a statement to the minutes on this subject and referred to this. And so we have to guarantee trust that is a responsibility, and we must ensure we have agreement on this legislation. Germany will vote in favour. And the second point of responsibility related to this decision is the creation of protection for our natural environment. No government on this planet, no party in this planet can avoid trying to preserve our environment. There are threats to our environment in many places, in many parts of Europe, in any city in Europe. Over last months and years, we have had various damages, economic losses, people have lost their lives, and we do have the responsibility to stabilise nature, to restore ecosystems. And because of this second reason, I will plead in favour of approving this piece of legislation today. Thank you.”
  Nature protection and restoration in the EU
• “If we were to adapt the MFF regulation, this would allow existing funds to be used for that purpose. At the same time, we should also weigh up support for the energy transition in fisheries and agriculture. When we design future support schemes, The financial capacity and the innovative ability of the sector is very limited, and the fisheries sector will not be able to cope with the transition on its own. Finally, investment in R and D plays a key role. For example, Germany supports the development of fishing vessels with alternative means of propulsion in both the North Sea and the Baltic. We're aware of similar initiatives taking place in other member states. Here we could, for example, imagine an even more fortified role for the Commission in taking stock of the relevant projects to allow us to leverage, uh, benefits, have synergies, and make efficient use of the scarce resources that we have. In closing, Germany is keen to keep playing an active role in developing the energy transition roadmap. Thank you.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• “Many thanks, dear president, dear Commissioner, internet and above all, social media for young people and children are an important social development, communication and information tool. They spend a lot of time there. They that's where they get information about what's going on in society and that is where they are more and more confronted, confronted with disinformation. This harms democratic discourse and does create a discrimination against certain groups of society. From the German point of view, we need several different approaches. First of all, we need to implement the legislation in terms of protecting children in media and digital age. And we also need to do something about online platforms. Secondly. Secondly, we need to take measures in education to support digital literacy, and in particular, children and young people must develop skills in in order not just to develop critical thinking, but also recognize one warning signs, check facts and also bring into play their own countermeasures. This includes, uh, warning, excuse me, notification and reporting mechanisms. On the national level, the German government is carrying out several projects to support this. And I'd just like to present them to you. We have an initiative growing up well with media. The Ministry for youth is supporting young people's, uh, skills, but also the skills of, uh, parents and educators. We have a common goal to protect young people, to ensure they participate fully.”
  Safety features & content control for child protection online
• “Thank you very much Chairman, and my thanks again to Sir Christopher for the very interesting presentation, and I'd also like to thank the Cyprus Presidency for raising this very important topic today. Now we can get secure jobs with proper conditions and achieving real productivity. Now we've got a structural change to a computerized society, but that also leads to an imbalance on the labor market. In some sectors and some regions, there are not enough skilled people, and in others there's not enough jobs. So you've got regional imbalances across the labor market, and that's one reason why matching is so important. Now AI is getting more and more important at the workplace, and it's fundamentally changing what work is. It can lead to huge opportunities, competitiveness, and efficiencies. On the other hand, however, it raises a number of new questions regarding its impact on the workforce. The AI regulation laid a good foundation for a human-based approach of AI, of implementing AI at work. In addition, it has a clause open for the employment side of things, which makes it possible for the EU and member states to respond to individual challenges raised by AI at the workplace. Particularly dynamic are the changes of AI in the workplace, for example recruiting, personnel management, and performance management. Now if we want to make the best use of opportunities and avoid risks, we've got to keep a constant eye on how these things are moving and have an analysis-based response so that we can see where adjustment is required. Now when it comes to the AI Action Summit in Paris, we had a new network of AI observatories, which means we can look at cross-border issues, for example France and Italy sharing those knowledge on the impact of AI on the world of work, and we would like to deepen that cooperation in future. Now for the workforce, it's increasingly important to be able to work with AI, and we need to have more skills and more participants. It's very important to get AI skills invested in them. The European Semester means we have national-based recommendations and multilateral observations, so we can have satisfactory impulses, and in addition organizations for mutual learning and best practice exchanges. This could also be a very promising approach to job matching. We can see that the European network of public sector employment services being very important. Thank you.”
  Artificial Intelligence