Roberta METSOLA

Policy topics Roberta METSOLA is active on

What Roberta METSOLA has said (30)

• 2026-06-17 “While we celebrate this moment, it also reminds us of the many political prisoners around the world who remain unfairly imprisoned. And this Parliament will continue to speak out for them and for all those who stand up for freedom in the face of oppression.”
  EU competences on human rights
• 2026-06-17 “Andrei became a symbol of resistance and personal enemy of the dictator. Awarding the Sakharov Prize to Andrei and Fearless Media from Georgia sent a strong message to all political prisoners you are not alone and journalism is not a crime.”
  EU-Georgia relations
• 2026-06-17 “Dear Andre, Here you are at long last. We have waited years for this moment. Hoping, praying and working for your release. It is so good to see you here, in this house, amongst your friends. On Tuesday the 28th of April, the world breathed a sigh of relief as the first images reached us after 101,860 stolen days. More than five years of your life, for you and for other political prisoners crossed onto Polish soil. Safe. Free after all this time? You said that you felt three emotions that day joy, joy and joy. Andre. So did we. You were arrested for telling the truth, for defending your community, for refusing to back down month after month, year after year. Lukashenko's regime tried everything to break you, and it failed. And through all those years, you never stop standing for the freedoms that this House defends. That is why this Parliament awarded you the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, which you share with the Georgian journalist who is still behind bars and who remains in our thoughts behind your story, Mr. Potter. But we can say that it is not the whole story. As we speak, many more journalists and political prisoners remain locked away. Last year, members of this House sent 9100 postcards to political prisoners in Belarus, 900 reminders that they are not alone. So today, from this chamber, we send a message loud enough to be heard through the walls of every prison cell in Belarus, in Georgia, in every country where the truth is stifled, you are not forgotten. Europe stands with you, and we will not stop until every last one of you is free. Andrei, it is now my great honor to give you the floor.”
  EU-Belarus relations
• 2026-06-17 “The 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought has been awarded to Andrzej Poczobut from Belarus and Zia from Georgia. Both are journalists currently in prison on trumped up charges simply for doing their work and for speaking out against injustice.”
  EU-Belarus relations · EU-Georgia relations
• “@CHAIR (17:26:48 – 17:33:17): I with the with the debate, commissioner Cadiz. wrote a letter of condolence, in fact, to his family and to his wife. Honorable members, Europe is the world's third largest producer of steel with the sector accounting for 300,000 jobs in the EU. This is a crew a critical part of our economy, and it is essential that we preserve a strong and sustainable EU steel industry. However, in recent times, this industry has suffered from unsustainable levels of global overcapacity. To illustrate this problem, by next year, this overcapacity is expected to reach 721,000,000 tons, more than 5 times the EU's annual steel consumption. This has already resulted in the EU steel industry shedding 65,000,000 tons in production, as many as 100,000 jobs over the past 2 decades. Unfortunately, our efforts to address the problem of overcapacity with like minded countries in the context of the Global Forum on Still Excess Capacity have not delivered satisfactory results. Therefore, we have had to resort to an autonomous measure to provide effective protection to our steel industry after the expire of the current safeguard measure on the 06/30/2026. I welcome the cooperative approach which resulted in political agreement on this steel measure, A timely adoption and entry into force on the 07/01/2026 is now essential to ensure that there is no gap in protection for our industry. Such a gap would inevitably result in a massive surge of imports of steel into the European Union, leading to stagnating prices and huge stockpiling and ultimately to mass closures on steel producing sites. This would have serious detrimental effects on the EU's steel industry and more generally on our overall industrial policy. Therefore, I trust the European Parliament will strongly support the text. Let me stress that we are adopting this measure in a way which is consistent with our international trade obligations. Given that some 80% of our steel imports come from partners with whom we have concluded free trade agreements, they must be covered by the scope of the measure to ensure its effectiveness. This is not a decision that was taken lightly. However, from the beginning of the process, the EU has been very transparent about what we want to achieve with the measure and how we intend to do it in full respect of w 2 rules. For this reason, the commission is using the pathway provided by GAT article 28. This allows the EU to exercise its right to increase its pound tariffs, in this case, from 0% to 50%, while opening a system of a tariff rate quotas. Intense discussions are currently are currently ongoing in Geneva with more than 20 training partners. This engagement shows that the EU, unlike other players in the steel sector, is decisively protecting its industry in a fair and transparent manner. In particular, we are engaging closely with our FTA partners. Here, the objective is to make it clear that we seek to minimize the impact of the measure on them within the limits provided in the regulation. In parallel, we will continue the international cooperation to address global steel overcapacities under the global forum for steel excess capacity. Honorable members, let me take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to for all those involved, including the chair, the rapporteur, and the honorable members of the INTA committee as well as the presidency of the council for the exemplary work and cooperation in finding a rapid agreement and a workable solution for our steel industry. This agreement required pragmatism on all sides, and I think the call legislators for and I thank the call legislators for their flexibility on key issues. The text is very ambitious, matching the level of the challenge, our industry is facing, and it illustrates that the EU is able to deliver on fast and ambitious protection for a strategic industry. Thank you for your attention.”
  EU policy on custom fee on non-EU imports
• “Good morning to you all. So the first item on the agenda today is the European Council and Commission statements. Conclusions of the European Council of 20th March 2025. I will start by immediately giving the floor to the president of the European Council, Antonio Costa.”
  EU political integration
• “Ladies and gentlemen, this House has disability rights week is a moment in our calendars we have all come to look forward to as an opportunity to reflect on our progress, assess the challenges ahead, and most importantly, recommit to making Europe work for everyone. We all know the statistics. Over 100 million people in our union live with a disability, whether visible or invisible. Each person is somebody's child, colleague, neighbour, friend, someone who has to fight every day against barriers that should no longer exist to education, employment, mobility and public space. As their elected representatives entrusted with improving their lives, it is our duty as Legislators to demolish these barriers and help every European to achieve their full potential. Human, social and economic. As president, I am proud of how this Parliament is stepping up to the challenge. Our Disability Intergroup is spearheading efforts to make our union more accessible, and I'm grateful to my colleagues here for organising such a fantastic week. As you always do. Now it is up to all of us to maintain this momentum, not just when the attention is on us, but every week, every day. This House also looks forward to the Commission's update to the European Disability Rights Strategy. And on our side. We have upgraded our infrastructure across all our buildings, from adapted conference rooms to more inclusive interpretation. This is all progress. We still have a lot to do and we must never stop striving to be even better. So my request to you all today is keep up the good work because Europe will only change if we change it ourselves, and we can only move forward towards a better, more equal future if we work together. Thank you.”
  EU policy on disability inclusion & accessibility
• “We'll go next to the debate on the motion of censure. I would like to inform members that there will be only one round of political group speakers for this debate. Therefore, there is no catch the eye procedure and no blue cards will be accepted. As I said earlier, the rules have been very strictly and carefully applied, but I understand Miss Anderson still would like to make a point of order on the motion. Okay, quickly.”
  EU political integration
• “The next item on the agenda is. Let's see. There is an interpretation issue. Let's check it. Okay. Does it work now? Okay, let's start over. I give the floor to the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. We What? Yeah.”
  Von der Leyen
• “For resolution B10 420 25 and B10 402 2025 to wind up this debate, and the vote will be held on Thursday. Now, we still have to do the point of order.”
  EU political integration
• “You understand first hand many of the challenges that we face today. And you know how to bring people together to build the solutions that Europe needs. Over the coming months, we will continue to work closely together. We will take the next steps to reinforce our pact on migration and asylum. We will simplify our processes, even internally, to make Europe work better for people as we shape our next long term budget, and we will strengthen our security on all fronts, from defence readiness to energy independence, from supporting Ukraine to help finding ways forward in the Middle East and reinforcing the transatlantic relationship. And dear president, allow me also to say that Cyprus can continue to count on the backing of this Parliament. In this chamber we do not talk about a Cyprus problem, but a shared European issue. The European Parliament will always be on your side towards a single sovereign European state, a bicommunal bizonal federation in line with the UN resolutions and rooted in our shared values and EU law. Finally, president, let me say how pleased we are to see the excellent cooperation between your presidency and the European Parliament already over these first 20 days. It augurs well for the future and for swift and effective Progress to be made. So without further ado. The floor is yours.”
  EU competences on foreign affairs
• “Today is European Council and Commission statements. Conclusions of the European Council meeting of the 26th of June, 2025. I would like to remind you that we will continue with the test of the new format for this debate, and there will be no fixed speakers list. So after the first round of speakers, members who received speaking time from their political groups or non attached secretariat will be called to speak and will be reminded of how long they have been allotted to intervene. So please keep an eye on the screens in the chamber where the current speaker and the next two speakers will be displayed. And when your name appears, I would ask you to prepare and make your way to the lectern. The normal rules regarding the blue cards and catch the eye will apply, so I give the floor first. The president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, thank you for being here. Go ahead.”
  EU political integration
• “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the European Parliament and a special welcome to our distinguished guests, Nobel Prize winners Professor Philippe Aguillon and Professor Joseph Stiglitz. This hemicycle has always been an open forum for debate. For the free exchange of ideas and for charting the path ahead for our continent. This is how, together, we move our union forward and strengthen the systems that people rely on. And we are delighted to be hosting today's discussions on the future of taxation as a pillar of our work and a driver of progress. Thank you, dear Pascual, for guiding this conversation and for all your hard work in this Parliament as chair of our Subcommittee on Tax Matters. Tax systems fund the building blocks of our society from schools and hospitals to defence and welfare. So we want to make changes that reinforce our communities, drive societal progress and tackle the big challenges that people face, like energy bills that are rising and housing shortages. We need to look at every aspect together. We need to make sure policy is not just fit for today, but ready for the challenges and opportunities for tomorrow. Working together to crack down on tax evasion and nurture a healthy economy that promotes fairness and growth. Together, we need to plan ahead. And that's what today is all about. So without further ado, I will finish by thanking you all for being here today and wishing you a fruitful and illuminating conversation. Thank you.”
  Priorities of taxation policy in the EU
• “Thank you very much. President of the Commission. And now the first round of political group speakers, starting with the president of the EPP Group, Manfred Weber.”
  Von der Leyen
• “(09:25:08 – 09:27:45): I want to start by thanking chair Irene Nattinali and the entire housing committee for all the work that you have done and are still doing to make sure that this issue gets the attention it deserves. And I'd like to thank rapporteur Borja Jimenez Laraes for his excellent report. A home is not just four walls. It is where our lives are built, where our children grow up, where people find stability and dignity. And when that becomes out of reach, everything else becomes so much harder. When one in ten Europeans spends almost half their income just to keep a roof over their heads, something has gone seriously wrong. And right now, rising energy costs are squeezing those same families even further. I know young couples who want nothing more than a place to call their own. I have spoken with teachers and nurses who love their city but simply cannot afford to stay. This is the daily reality for millions of Europeans, and frankly, it is unacceptable. I am proud that the European Parliament is leading on this. When we saw this crisis looming, we created the special committee on the housing crisis. We pushed hard to keep housing at the top of Europe's agenda, engaging with mayors and cities on the frontline of this crisis and turning that into concrete proposals and recommendations, and that work continues. Because none of this can solve this alone, and this is exactly why this joint parliament commission effort is so important. We're looking forward to the commission's proposals, and I know our committee will be ready, engaged, and pushing hard to make sure Europe delivers. Of course, member states and local authorities are central to the solution by investing in social housing, reforming planning rules, and supporting families on the ground. Ultimately, affordable housing needs all of us at European, national, and local levels moving together towards the same goal. And the next long term budget is a real opportunity to make sure that the EU funds are targeted, strategic, and focused on what people actually need, starting with a roof over their head. A young couple who can finally afford a home, a nurse who can live in the city where she works, a family that no longer has to choose between heating and eating. That is what we are fighting for, and that is what together we will deliver. Thank you. Thank you very much. And now we have also received a video message by EVP, Teresa Ribeira.”
  EU policy on urban development
• “Ladies and gentlemen, this house's Disability Rights Week is a moment in our calendars we have all come to look forward to as an opportunity to reflect on our progress, assess the challenges ahead and most importantly recommit to making Europe work for everyone.”
  EU policy on disability inclusion & accessibility
• “Yeah. Colleagues, dear friends, every day in my role as president, I am lucky to meet incredible women from across our continent. There are roughly 229 million talented women across our continent who drive Europe forward. Our union is built by Europeans, for Europeans, every woman, every man. And they are right to expect certain things from our shared home, including an environment where every person has equality of opportunity. This House is making this ambition a reality we are pushing to make life easier for people and businesses. Last month, we confirmed the next steps towards a European roadmap for women's rights and we recently adopted our new Gender Action Plan. But to continue smashing glass ceilings and empowering women, we need to go further and we need to go faster. We need more women building careers in Stem with more traineeships and paths to employment. We need more women founding businesses with better access to support for our innovators and our inventors. And we need more women entering positions of power, feeling emboldened to run for office and change our society. Our drive for equality makes sense at every level because when women rise, communities rise with them. Equality boosts our economies. It transforms our societies. It deepens our democracies. Getting there will take vigilance, drive and most of all, action. That is why I'm so glad that this event is taking place here in the European Parliament. And my thanks is to fellow members, Vice President Anthony Lisbona and Lina Galvez Munoz for making this week happen. And to every one of you for being here. The challenge ahead is great, but together I know we can build a better, fairer, more equal Europe. So let's get to work.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Ladies and gentlemen, this house has disability Rights week is a moment in our calendars we have all come to look forward to is an opportunity to reflect on our progress, assess the challenges ahead, and most importantly, recommit to making Europe work for everyone. We all know the statistics. Over 100 million people in our union live with a disability, whether visible or invisible. Each person is somebody's child, colleague, neighbor, friend, someone who has to fight every day against barriers that should no longer exist to education, employment, mobility and public space. As their elected representatives entrusted with improving their lives, it is our duty as legislators to demolish these barriers and help every European to achieve their full potential. Human, social and economic. As president, I am proud of how this Parliament is stepping up to the challenge. Our Disability Intergroup is spearheading efforts to make our union more accessible, and I'm grateful to my colleagues here for organizing such a fantastic week. As you always do. Now it is up to all of us to maintain this momentum, not just when the attention is on us, but every week, every day. This House also looks forward to the Commission's update to the European Disability Rights Strategy. And on our side. We have upgraded our infrastructure across all our buildings, from adapted conference rooms to more inclusive interpretation. This is all progress. We still have a lot to do and we must never stop striving to be even better. So my request to you all today is keep up the good work, because Europe will only change if we change it ourselves, and we can only move forward towards a better, more equal future if we work together. Thank you.”
  EU policy on disability inclusion & accessibility
• “Dear colleagues dear friends every day in my role as President I am lucky to meet incredible women from across our continent. There are roughly two hundred and twenty nine million talented women across our continent who drive you forward. Our Union is built by Europeans for Europeans every woman every man and there are rights to expect certain things from our shared home including an environment where every person has equality of opportunity. This house is making this ambition a reality. We are pushing to make life easier for people and businesses. Last month we confirmed the next steps towards a European road map for women's rights and we recently adopted our new gender action plan. But to continue smashing glass ceilings and empowering women we need to go further and we need to go faster. We need more women building careers in STEM with more training ships and paths to employment. We need more women founding businesses with better access to support for our innovators and our inventors and we need more women entering positions of power feeling emboldened to run for office and change our society. Our drive for equality makes sense at every level because when women rise communities rise with them. Equality boosts our economies it transforms our societies it deepens our democracies. Getting there will take vigilance drive and most of all action. That is why I'm so glad that this event is taking place here in the European Parliament and my thanks is to fellow members Vice President Antonella Sberna and Lina Galves Munoz for making this week happen and to every one of you for being here. The challenge ahead is great but together I know we can fairer more so let's get to work.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “This house's disability rights week is a moment in our calendars we have all come to look forward to as an opportunity to reflect on our progress assess the challenges ahead and most importantly recommit to making Europe work for everyone. We all know the statistics over one hundred million people in our union live with a disability whether visible or invisible each person is somebody's child colleague neighbor friend someone who has to fight every day against barriers that should no longer exist to education employment mobility and public space. As their elected representatives entrusted with improving their lives it is our duty as legislators to demolish these barriers and help every European to achieve their full potential human social and economic. As president I am proud of how this parliament is stepping up to the challenge our disability intergroup is spearheading efforts to make our union more accessible and I'm grateful to my colleagues here for organizing such a fantastic week as you always do. Now it is up to all of us to maintain this momentum not just when the attention is on us but every week every day. This house also looks forward to the commission's update to the European disability rights strategy and on our side we have upgraded our infrastructure across all our buildings from adapted conference rooms to more inclusive interpretation. This is all progress we still have a lot to do and we must never stop striving to be even better. So my request to you all today is keep up the good work because Europe will only change if we change it ourselves and we can only move forward towards a better more equal future if we work together. Thank you.”
  EU policy on disability inclusion & accessibility
• “Thank you so much. You can clap for him. Thank you very much. Dear, dear Sven. I'm very happy to be here. Dear colleagues, welcome to our guests. It's truly great to be here to open these AI parliamentary days. Let me also welcome all of you who are joining us from national parliaments across Europe. There is an old line that everyone in this room has probably heard more times than I care to remember, and this is that the US innovates, China replicates and Europe regulates. Now, it was a good soundbite, but it hasn't aged well, for one thing. China is now competing at the very frontier of AI, but the picture in Europe has fundamentally changed as well. And I want to use these few minutes, if you allow me, Mr. Chair, to perhaps push back on a few things that we still hear being said about Europe and AI that I think are simply not true anymore. First of all, you mentioned this in passing, Sven, is that I would like to push back on the idea that this Parliament loves regulation for regulations sake. We wrote the AI act not out of habit. And not to make life harder for anyone, but because we are clear eyed about what can go wrong. Disinformation that distorts elections, deep fakes of leaders. Almost impossible to tell from the real thing. Authoritarian governments using AI to monitor and control their own people so people have a right to privacy. A right to know when a decision about their life has been made by an algorithm. And these are real risks, and they deserve real answers. And I wanted to start with this because when we ran for elections in 2024 and I'm sitting between Gabby and Sven, we would go and wherever we would, we would have to almost justify why we had to pass this act.”
  Artificial Intelligence
• “Thank you very much. President von der Leyen. And now we go to the political group speakers, starting with the EPP Dolors Montserrat.”
  Von der Leyen
• “So, dear colleagues, dear friends, every day in my role as president, I am lucky to meet incredible women from across our continent. There are roughly 229 million talented women across our continent who drive you forward. Our union is built by Europeans for Europeans. Every woman, every man. And they are right to expect certain things from our shared home, including an environment where every person has equality of opportunity. This House is making this ambition a reality. We are pushing to make life easier for people and businesses. Last month, we confirmed the next steps towards a European roadmap for women's rights and we recently adopted our new Gender Action Plan. But to continue smashing glass ceilings and empowering women, we need to go further and we need to go faster. We need more women building careers in Stem with more traineeships and paths to employment. We need more women founding businesses with better access to support for our innovators and our inventors. And we need more women entering positions of power, feeling emboldened to run for office and change our society. Our drive for equality makes sense at every level because when women rise, communities rise with them. Equality boosts our economies. It transforms our societies. It deepens our democracies. Getting there will take vigilance, drive and most of all, action. That is why I'm so glad that this event is taking place here in the European Parliament. And my thanks is to fellow members, Vice-President Antonella Taverna and Lina Galvez Munoz, for making this week happen. And to every one of you for being here. The challenge ahead is great, but together I know we can build a better, fairer, more equal Europe. So let's get to work.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “To the next speaker, I would like to say that it has been brought to my attention that following the intervention of Mr. Neumann, Mr. De Rossa addressed to her a number of offensive words and gestures, which is absolutely unacceptable. You keep doing this. So I will look into this and launch a sanction procedure if appropriate. Next, Javier Moreno Sanchez. One minute.”
  Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• “Thank you very much. I give the floor. Now hold on. Mr. Muresan, there is a blue card from Mr. Lazarus. Will you take it? Yes. **Luis-Vicențiu LAZARUS: Thank you. We're talking about autocrats. A question for Mr. Muresan. Can he see a parallel between autocrats in the East and the methods used by Mrs. von der Leyen? In Europe, via the European Commission. We have understood that Mrs. Metzler had filed a complaint under article one, two, two against the commission about the safe package, thereby circumventing Parliament. What is the current state of play there? So can you see similarities here? Is that process underway? Will there be a vote on the safe package in Parliament?”
  Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• “Next item on the agenda is Council and Commission statements. Eu strategy in response to the ongoing Middle East crisis and its implications on energy prices and the availability of fertilisers. We will start with the Council Deputy Minister for European Affairs representing the Cypriot Presidency, Marilena Rauna.”
  EU approach to energy security (home-made vs import sources)
• “Dear colleagues. Today it is a pleasure to welcome the President of Cyprus, Nicos Christodoulides, once again to this plenary, but this time to present the Cyprus Presidency's programme of activities towards members of the European Parliament. Dear President Nicos. Welcome. Thank you for being here. Thank you for your friendship, for your leadership, and for your straightforwardness. Cyprus assumes the presidency of the Council of the European Union at a pivotal time for Europe and for the world, and the one thing that we know for sure is that the next six months will not be easy, but we will be grateful to have you at the helm. As Europe navigates what may come, Europe will remain focused on securing its competitiveness, on making life easier for families and businesses, and on making sure our systems can adapt to today's realities. We will keep investing in and ramping up Europe's commitment to our security and our defence, ensuring our voice remains strong on the world stage. Now our way will always continue to be tested. And I know that with your experience under pressure, Europe will continue to show unity, resolve and clarity and remain the compass we know it to be. And on this I must say, from one proud child of the Mediterranean to another, I. I know that Cyprus is well placed to lead us forward. You help connect Europe to the world.”
  EU competences on foreign affairs
• “President von der Leyen. And now we will have the first round of political group speakers, starting with the president of the EPP Group, Manfred Weber.”
  Von der Leyen
• “Dear colleagues, dear friends. Every day in my role as president, I am lucky to meet incredible women from across our continent. There are roughly 229 million talented women across our continent who drive Europe forward. Our union is built by Europeans for Europeans. Every woman, every man. And they are right to expect certain things from our shared home, including an environment where every person has equality of opportunity. This House is making this ambition a reality. We are pushing to make life easier for people and businesses. Last month, we confirmed the next steps towards a European roadmap for women's rights and we recently adopted our new Gender Action Plan. But to continue smashing glass ceilings and empowering women, we need to go further and we need to go faster. We need more women building careers in Stem with more traineeships and paths to employment. We need more women founding businesses with better access to support for our innovators and our inventors. And we need more women entering positions of power, feeling emboldened to run for office and change our society. Our drive for equality makes sense at every level because when women rise, communities rise with them. Equality boosts our economies. It transforms our societies. It deepens our democracies. Getting there will take vigilance, drive and most of all, action. That is why I'm so glad that this event is taking place here in the European Parliament. And my thanks is to fellow members, Vice President Antonella Sberna and Lina Galvez Munoz for making this week happen. And to every one of you for being here. The challenge ahead is great, but together I know we can build a better, fairer, more equal Europe. So let's get to work.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “And I think when we look now around the European Union, but also also around the world, with so many pieces of legislation that actually stemmed from our AI act, I think would be good to take pause and say that this is when we really courageously made the decision, and I think it was the right one. Just to give you an example, in the past year alone, individual United States states have passed 18 new AI laws. And I'm saying this because everyone is grappling with the same questions that I just laid out right now. Now, as an aside, and to go back on what I just said, for rules to actually work in the real world, they have to be first of all, smart and they have to be proportionate. And at the same time, they cannot be so rigid that they slow down the very innovation that we are trying to foster in our continent. And the members of this Parliament understand this. Which is why just a few weeks ago, we voted to simplify AI rules. And that shows that we listen, we adapt, and we are not afraid to change course when it makes sense to. The second thing I would like to push back on is the idea that Europe is just a spectator in this AI revolution, and that in a way, we are sitting on the sidelines while others are building the future.”
  Artificial Intelligence