Member of the European Parliament · Spain · S&D · Partido Socialista Obrero Español
- 2026-06-17 “The vote is closed. The resolution is adopted. Now we move to the report by gates. Mr. gates on the 2025 Commission report on North Macedonia. Paragraph one. Original text and two parts. First part in favor against abstentions. Adopted. Second part in favor against abstentions. Adopted amendment seven by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Paragraph two. Original text in two parts. First part by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted. Second part in favor against abstentions. Adopted. Amendment eight. By roll call, the vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Paragraph seven. Original text in two parts. First part in favor against abstentions. Adopted. Second part by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted. Paragraph eight. Original text in two parts by roll call. The first part. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted. Second part by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted. Paragraph nine. Original text in two parts. First part in favor against abstentions. Adopted. Second part by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted amendment four in favor against abstentions. Rejected. Check. We are going to check amendment four. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted. Paragraph 27. Original text in two parts. First part by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted. Second part by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted amendment 9 in 2 parts. First part by roll call.”
EU enlargement
- 2026-06-17 “The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 93 by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 15 in favor against abstentions. Adopted. We are going to check amendment 15. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted. Vote of the Commission has a proposal by roll call. Vote. The vote is open. Final vote. The vote is closed. Adopted. No. Rejected. Rejected. We are going to move to the report of Mr. Quinn on the general arrangements for excise duty applied to tobacco and tobacco related products. Amendment by the committee responsible on block vote in favor against abstentions. We are going to check. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted amendment four by roll call. Vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment three in favor. Against abstentions. We have to check. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected the vote of the commissioners as a proposal by roll call. The vote is open. The final vote. The vote is closed. Adopted. We're going to move to the next item on the agenda. The report by Mr. Mandela on the European Public Prosecutor's Office and European Anti-Fraud office. Access to that information at union level. I give the floor to the rapporteur for two minutes, Mr. Mandela.”
Smoking regulation
- 2026-06-17 “Vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 37 by roll call. Vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 18 and 26 by roll call. Vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 27 by roll call. Vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 19 by roll call. Vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 20 and 28 by roll call. Vote the amendment. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment one by roll call. Vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 29 in favor against abstentions. Rejected. Amendment two in favor against abstentions. Rejected. Amendment three in favor. I against abstention rejected amendment four in favor against abstentions. Rejected amendment 30 by roll call. Vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Then no amendments are adopted. The European Parliament has concluded its second reading and the Legislative Act has been adopted. We move to the second item, the report by Mr. Osmani, on a common system for the return of third country nationals staying illegal in the Union. The return regulation proposal to reject the Commission proposal. Amendment two and three by roll call. Vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. We vote the proposal to vote on amendments to draft legislative acts. Procedural motion by roll call. Vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Now we are going to vote the provisional agreement amendment for by roll call. Vote.”
Asylum & border control
- 2026-06-17 “No, no. We are going to end the vote. This is not a point of order. We are going to vote amendment four by roll call. Vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted. The first reading of Parliament is closed. Okay, we move to the next item. On the agenda, the report by Mrs. Brigman on the EU Pakistan agreement. Modification of concessions on tariff rate quotas. Both on consent by roll call vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Shall we move to the. It's adopted. Please, we are going to continue the votes. We have to vote. We had another point to debate about these items. We had the debate about this yesterday here. Now we have to move to the next item. The report by Mr. Chesbro on the termination of the EU Liberia Voluntary Partnership Agreement on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade in Timber products. The vote on consent by roll call. Vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. It's adopted. We move to the next item. Report by Mr. Mrs. Goldsborough on the termination of the EU Liberia Voluntary Partnership Agreement on Forest Law Enforcement, governance and Trade in Timber products. The resolution. The single vote by roll call vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. It's adopted. We move to the report by Mr.”
Trade impact on forests
- 2026-06-17 “Thank you very much. Then we are going to vote the single vote by roll call. Vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted. We move to the next item on the agenda. The report by Mr. Kucuk on The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Accession of Cabo Verde. The single vote by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. It's adopted. Now we are going to move to the reports that we have on accession talks. The first one is the report by Nacho Sanchez Amor More on the 2025 Commission Report on Turkey Amendment 23 by Roll Call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected without amendment eight. Now by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 34 by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment one by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected amendment 41 in favor against abstentions. Rejected amendment 21 in favor against abstentions. Adopted amendment two by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted amendment 22 in favor against abstentions. Adopted amendment 23 in favor against abstentions. Adopted amendment three by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted amendment 24 in favor. Against Abstentions adopted amendment nine in favor. Against abstentions. Rejected. Amendment ten in favor against abstentions. Rejected amendment four by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed.”
EU-Turkey relations
- 2026-06-17 “Plants obtained by a certain new genomic techniques and their food and feed. We are going to vote. I would like to remind that the majority of Parliament's component members is required to reject or amend the Council composition. It's 360 and then by roll call, vote amendment 17 and 25, the vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected amendment five in favour. Against rejected amendment 21 and 31 by roll call. Vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 38 in favor against abstentions. Rejected. Amendment six by roll call. Vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment seven by roll call. Vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment eight. By roll call. Vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 39. In favor against abstentions. Rejected. Amendment 32. By roll call. Vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 22 and 33 by roll call. Vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 40. In favor against abstentions. Rejected. Amendment 41 in favor against abstentions. Rejected. Amendment 42 in favor. Against abstentions. Rejected. Amendment 43 in favor against abstentions. Rejected amendment 34 by roll call. Vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 23 and 35 by roll call. Vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment nine by roll call. Vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment ten in favor against abstentions. Rejected. Amendment 11 in favor against abstentions. Rejected. Amendment 12 in favor. Against abstentions, rejected the amendment 13 in favor against abstentions, rejected amendment 14 in favor against abstentions, rejected amendment 15, 16, 24 and 36 by roll call.”
New Genomic Techniques
- 2026-06-17 “Thank you very much. We take note of your comment, we move to the amendment one by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment seven in favor against abstentions. Rejected. Amendment eight in favor against abstentions. Rejected. Amendment nine in favor against abstentions. Rejected. Amendment ten in favor against abstentions. Rejected. Amendment two by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected amendment 11 in favor. Amendment 11 in favor against abstentions. Rejected. Amendment 14 in favor against. Abstentions. Adopted. Amendment 12 in favor against abstentions. Rejected. Amendment 13 in favor against abstentions. Rejected. Amendment three in favor against abstentions. Rejected amendment four in favor against abstentions. Rejected. Amendment five against in favor. Sorry. Amendment five in favor against abstentions. Rejected. Amendment six in favor against abstentions. Rejected. Now we vote the resolution as a whole by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted. I would like to remind the members that you are in the speaker list for the first debate in the afternoon to remain in the chamber, because as the debate will start immediately after the votes and now we have to vote an objection catch of purpose in the Baltic Sea. I would like to remind you that the majority of Parliament's component members is required to adopt the resolution. We vote the resolution as a whole in favor. Against abstentions. Rejected. Okay, we are going to check. The vote is open.”
EU political integration
- 2026-06-17 “Corbyn on the structure and rates of excise duty applied to tobacco and tobacco related products. Amendments by the Committee on Responsible Block. Vote in favor. Against abstentions. We are going to check. The roll. We are. The vote is open. We are going to do roll call vote. Yeah, we are going to check. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 94 by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 95 by roll call. Vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 96 by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Then we are going to vote amendment 55 in favor against abstentions. We are going to check. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted amendment 60 and 61 by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted. Then the next it falls. We move to amendment 67 and 70 by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. We move to article 20. Original text in favor. Against abstentions. Rejected. Amendment 89 by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 90. By roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 91 by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted amendment 92 by roll call.”
Smoking regulation
- 2026-06-17 “The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted. Second part by roll call. The vote is open. Amendment nine. Second part. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment one in favor against abstentions. Adopted. Amendment two in favor against abstentions. Adopted. Paragraph 71. Original text in two parts by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted. Second part. Paragraph 71. Original text by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted. Amendment three by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Paragraph 76. Original text in two parts. First part in favor against abstentions. Adopted. Second part in favor against abstentions. Adopted amendment ten by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment five. By roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Recital. See original text in two parts. First in two parts. First part by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted. Second part by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted. Recital G. Original text by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted the original text by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted. Amendment six by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted and now we vote the resolution as a whole by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. The resolution is adopted. We move to the next item in the agenda. The report by Mr. Collard on the 2025 Commission report on Bosnia and Herzegovina Amendment one in favor against abstentions adopted.”
EU relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina
- 2026-06-17 “And take effect on the date of this announcement. And now we come to the votes. First of all, before we vote on the report by Mrs. Jessica Pollard on plans obtained by certain new genomic techniques and their food and feed, we are going to have one round of group speakers. First of all, it will be the rapporteur, Jessica Pollard, representing the PPE group for one minute.”
New Genomic Techniques
- 2026-06-17 “Amendment two. Okay. Amendment one, we are going to check. The vote is open. Oh, no. It's rejected. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment two. In favor. Against abstentions. Rejected. Amendment five in favor. Against abstentions. Rejected. Amendment six by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment three in favor. Against abstentions. Rejected. Paragraph 58. Original text in two parts. First part in favor against abstentions. Adopted. Second part in favor against abstentions. Adopted amendment four in favor against abstentions, rejected the board. The resolution as a whole by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. The resolution is adopted. We move to the next item on the agenda. The report by Mr. Terrace on the 2025 Commission report on Kosovo Amendment three by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment four by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment one in favor against abstentions. We are going to check amendment one. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment two. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Now we vote the resolution as a whole. By roll call, the vote is open. The vote is closed. The resolution is adopted. Now we move to the next item. The report by Mr. Orlando on the recommendation on promoting transnational governance on water. In the interest of conflict prevention and peace. I give the floor to the rapporteur for two minutes. Mr. Orlando.”
EU-Kosovo relations
- 2026-06-17 “Mr.. Use a point of order. To use a point of order to lecture your colleagues when you are not doing a point of order is not the best way to send a message.
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EU public communication strategy
- 2026-06-17 “Adopted. Amendment 18 by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected amendment seven in favor against abstentions. Rejected amendment 19 in favor abstentions against abstentions. Adopted amendment 20 in favor against abstentions. Adopted amendment 51 in favor against abstentions. Rejected. And now we vote the resolution as a whole. By roll call, the vote is open. The vote is closed. The resolution is adopted. We move to the next item on the agenda. That is the report by Mr. Saadiq on the 2025 Commission report on Montenegro. Amendment three by roll call. Vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted. Amendment five. By roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted. Amendment one by roll call. Vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Paragraph 30. Original text in favor against abstentions. Adopted. Paragraph 31. Original text by roll call. Vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted. Amendment four by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted amendment two in favor against abstentions. Rejected. And then we vote the resolution as a whole by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. The resolution is adopted. We move to the next item on the agenda. The report by Mr. Snyder on the 2025 Commission report on Albania Amendment eight by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment nine by roll call. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment ten. The vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 11. Roll call. The vote is open.”
EU relations with Western Balkans
- 2025-04-03 “E-001379/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission In accordance with Article 23(4) of Regulation (EU) 2016/794 1 , Europol may conclude working arrangements enabling cooperation with third countries. Europol negotiates working arrangements with priority partners, which are included in a list endorsed by the Agency’s Management Board. The Dominican Republic does not feature on Europol’s list of priority partners, and, due to both policy considerations pertaining mainly to operational needs as expressed by Member States and resource constraints, in line with the Agency’s new External Relations Strategy 2025+ 2 , no addition to that list is envisaged for the time being. In accordance with Article 25(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2016/794, Europol may transfer personal data to a third country on the basis of an international agreement concluded between the EU and that third country pursuant to Article 218 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Further to a Commission Recommendation, the Council of the EU can authorise the Commission to negotiate with a third country, on behalf of the EU, an international agreement enabling the exchange of personal data with Europol. At the moment, no Council authorisation for the opening of such negotiations with the Dominican Republic exists, nor is a relevant Commission Recommendation planned. The Commission is in a constant dialogue with Europol, to closely coordinate on external relations, so that Europol’s cooperation with external partners, from the point of view of both working arrangements and international agreements, is complementary in achieving the EU objectives in the fight against organised crime and terrorism. 1 Regulation (EU) 2016/794 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and replacing and repealing Council Decisions 2009/371/JHA, 2009/934/JHA, 2009/935/JHA, 2009/936/JHA and 2009/968/JHA (OJ L 135, 24.5.2016, p. 53– 114), hereinafter referred to as ‘Regulation (EU) 2016/794’. 2 Europol Programming Document 2025-2027, Annex XI: External Relations Strategy 2025+, adopted on 10 December 2024, available at https://www.europol.europa.eu/cms/sites/default/files/documents/Europol_Programming_Document_20252027.pdf.”
EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters
- “Thank you very much. I will I will do 3 or 4 comments about your questions, and I'm sure I will share also the the the detail of of the answers made by the Secretary General. First Europe experience that you mentioned, like, okay, with the new model of the Europe experience, you want to decrease the cost. No, this is basically the question. Our idea with the new model of the of the Europe experience is try to have more efficient Europe experience. And this is what it means. Well, it means less cost, more visitors. This is what. And then try to do things on both sides. Um, with the new model like what we made as analysis with the help of the of the staff, is to know what is working and what is not working and where, especially, um, and try to replicate, uh, the model and the exercise, the content that is working in a lot of Europe experience that our success and now, and at the same time, well decrease the, the, the resources that we spend, especially taking into account that we learned that, uh, pay more for renting doesn't mean to have more visitors. This is something that we learn during these years. No. Um, and something that we saw also as a model of success is where we have partnerships, agreements with local, regional or national administrations that they are renting their space. Usually this means less resources because it's cheaper than the private market, and also automatically more partnership with the local authorities than more content, more visitors. And then for this reason, it's related to the new model of it's not directly related.”
Discharge of EU institutions and agencies
- “Thank you very much. Now it's the dawn of the political groups. And first of all, we will have the floor for Mrs. Quella for two minutes in behalf of the EPP Group.”
EU political integration
- “Thank you very much, dear chair. Dear Vice president Brian. Dear Their secretary general. Their colleagues. It's a pleasure to be in this committee with all of you. Following our election as vice presidents and the allocation of the budgetary responsibilities in our portfolios with Mrs. O'Brien and myself made by the president Metsola both of us are new in this area, but rest assured that we take on this responsibility with a strong commitment and with the utmost commitment that the work that you do is essential for the good functioning and management of this House. And we are sure that our cooperation between us and with your committee is completely guaranteed for the next years. Budgetary control is fundamental to ensure that the resources of the House are managed well and used with efficiency in a results oriented manner. It is also key to protect the prestige and reputation of this Parliament assume one thing must always be present when we think about how we spend our money, that is, taxpayers money. I want to welcome the good work done by all the Parliament staff and the Secretary general, especially by the previous vice presidents responsible for budget by the rapporteur of 2023 discharge, Mrs. Reimer, and by all the members of this Committee and the Committee in the previous mandate, who I am sure worked with very best interest of this House and European citizens at heart.”
Discharge of EU institutions and agencies
- “Okay. We want less money for Europe experience. No, but we want more efficient Europe experience. And how to have per person less resources spent. How to have more better content and more visitors and how to be more efficient in terms of renting. No. And especially for the new ones. What it means for the new ones. This for the newest ones. Uh, well, what we are looking for especially is this model of partnership with opportunities. Bring by administrations. Uh, that this could be cheaper. And at the same time, like with potential more content and more integrated in the civil life of the city and the country. This on your experience. Also, it was a long discussion in the working group on, on, on buildings. Well, it has been made a question that now it's not the person who made it. About the budget, to be honest. Well, the the committee was really general about the budget in the EU and so on. Well, we are discussing the budget of the Parliament on 2027, not other things. And what we are discussing today now is a prudent budget, a balanced budget. If you take into account like the level of inflation and the last years, these institutions, like first of all, we don't have new posts, new people contracted in general, number of people. Second, if you compare the increase of the budget of the Parliament the last four years and the level of inflation that we had in Brussels and in Europe the last four years.”
Budget for EU politicians
- “Thank you very much. President, China is a sixth of humanity. Now it's in the UN Security Council has 30% of industrial production of our planet. It was the main trading partner of ten countries in 2000, and now it's the main trading partner of 120 countries. This is a huge, complex reality and one of the main geopolitical and economic challenges that we have in Europe now is how to deal with it. So what will we do in the summit? We need to rebalance our trading relationship. Talk about rare earths. Breathe new life into multilateralism with new blocks around the world. Look at the green agenda international relations, which are based on rules and standards. And we need to mention Ukraine. That's at the heart of our strategic interests, and China needs to get that message. We need to deal with a mature, demanding and constructive manner with China. We should not be naive. We should be firm in strategic terms and have a dialogue which is principles based.”
EU-China relations
- “Thank you very much. Now it's the term of Mr. Shahim representing S&D Group for two minutes, who was also the rapporteur in the last mandate of Saivam.”
EU Supervision of the Rule of Law
- “Muchas gracias Sandra. Now it's the turn of the political groups. And the first one it will be Mr. Yorubas, in the name of the EPP Group, for two minutes.”
EU public communication strategy
- “The Commission's own impact assessment also confirms that the 90% target offers the best alignment with climate neutrality. The draft proposal also shows a complete disregard for the EU's historical responsibility. Postponing action only increased costs, prolongs dependency on fossil fossil infrastructure and weakens our economy. Resilience, and to be honest, is incomprehensible that Patriots is leading and will want to lead a legislation that you don't believe in, like you can reject decarbonization when we voted, but it's not comprehensible that you want to lead this piece of legislation. That's right. I would like to reaffirm the commitment on domestic emissions reduction target at least 90% by 2040. We really appreciate the efforts and the message done by the rest of the groups on to be constructive on the negotiation. We don't want to be fetish with the numbers, but we want to be respectful with the goal and the goal and the objective is decarbonize our economy. Also, international credits has to be, uh, taken into account, but we have concerns with the flexibilities. The ETS could weaken efforts to reduce carbon emission. And this is not acceptable for us. Turn our our climate ambition into a strategic advantage. This is what we want to do, and we want to explain it in the next cop in the Cop 30. And.”
Climate efforts
- “In 2022, 96% of the urban population in the EU was exposed to PM 2.5 levels, which were higher than those recommended by the World Health Organization in 2002. It was stated that 240,000 people could actually die early because of exposure to that pollutant. Obviously, in 2004, the Ambient Air Quality Directive entered into force, and this was as a result of two years of negotiations. Furthermore, it's very important that we adapt our strategies for 2030. There's a huge amount of work to do by that amount. By that time. We need to have regional, local and national governments involved in that. There's the fit for 55 package, which has had a very positive impact on air pollution. And then there's also the revision on industrial emissions and repower EU at the same time. Now obviously we are worried about ammonia and we've seen all this positive data. But the most worrying piece of data in the study relates to ammonia rather than reducing. We've seen increases in certain member states. 21 member states may not comply with the obligations for 2030, and their obligations and the objectives in the Net Directive are extremely ambitious for them to.”
Air quality policy
- “Thank you very much. Now it will be the turn of the council, in this case, the minister, the Ministry of European Affairs, Adam Szlapka, is your turn.”
EU political integration
- “The agreement on the renovation project for the Spac building, and the renovation and opening of all the multifunctional restaurants and the Spinelli Building five. The deployment of several Europe experience throughout our union six. And the implementation of of our EMAs sustainability goals, ultimately allowing us to achieve them nine out of 11 by the following year. It is fundamental that we put the knowledge and experience from this budgetary and discharge process at the service of addressing the goals of the next years. Um, both Vice-President Bergé and I and myself will be at our entire disposal to tackle all of them. You know that the renovation of the Spac building, it will be one of the main challenges for us, ensuring the good working conditions of the Parliament, redeploying resources to focus Parliament, core business. That is a strategy that we share. And I convinced that working together with excellent staff, management of this house and the work done by our Secretary General Secretary general, this House represents and serves the interests of the European citizens.”
Discharge of EU institutions and agencies
- “Thank you very much, chair. Vice president of the Commission, very grateful to have you here today. My question is about climate and environmental international cooperation, particularly because of the crisis of multilateralism in Cop 30 in Berlin. We saw how it was hard to get an explicit reference to a leaving fossil fuels behind, which is absolutely essential. And we went for other instruments, including the efforts of the EU and the Brazilian president. We saw how a binding international treaty on ending plastic pollution has gone through several failed rounds, thanks to the bloc of some major powers, and were not able to proceed in it. And thirdly, we see how the US is drilling holes or drilling in the seabed and breaching international marine biodiversity laws. We've also seen a huge fragmentation on the international scene, which is having an impact on our environment and climate policies. What can we, we as the EU, do to fight the situation?”
Climate efforts
- “Thank you very much, chair. I will try to do my best. The rapporteur proposal, uh, and especially the explanatory statement, in our view, is completely irresponsible and deeply misinformed. But not only that, the problem is, is extremely dangerous, extremely dangerous for our economy because we could lose the train of the economy of the 21st century. Extremely dangerous for our kids, for our children's grandchildren's because they can be in the situations to live in a planet that is impossible to live in, in. And it's dangerous for our policies because could affect Negatively the policies that the EU, our administrations, our member States should do during the next 15 years to the EU's commitment to climate action with ideological dogma, because what it has been explained, its ideological dogma rather than the scientific need. It's extremely dangerous. Claiming that the science is uncertain and advocating that adaptation should override mitigation ignores an overwhelming body of evidence about human causes of climate change and the existential threat that humanity is facing. Adopting a clear and ambitious 2040 target is not only a moral duty, it's a strategic need for our economy and our business. Also, it's in place. It's in place our credibility and clarity as a policy Policymakers. We need a stable horizon to plan investments. Strengthening Europe's energy security and safeguard our competitiveness. This is the real debate on the target of 2040. The European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change is clear about the need of a domestic net emissions reduction of 9,095% by 2040 relative to 1990 levels.”
Climate efforts
- “Thank you very much. President. Commissioner Cop 30 reflects the world we live in competitive, uncertain, frustrating with the usual leaders. But they did get around the table to talk about climate in order to build a common horizon. We had new protagonists in Belgium the indigenous peoples, women, civil society, and we must celebrate this local communities as well. And of course, there were also new topics, especially adaptation. I think that this is very good news, but there is bad news, and the bad news is that we don't want to talk about the elephant in the room. Fossil fuels. It is so frustrating to see how addicted our economy is and how the how there are interests at stake and lobbies are digging in their heels. There's also a big opportunity here. We did play a leading role, and I'd like to thank Commissioner. We played a very important role together with Latin America and 80 countries that were ambitious enough to think about a future without fossil fuels. But we shouldn't talk about being leaders. We should be and become leaders and make sure that we put all of this into practice.
**Nicolae ȘTEFĂNUȚĂ @Co-Chair: Haider has the floor.”
Fossil fuels
- “And I think it's in general terms, it's because the feelings of a lot of Europeans is that the EU was useful for the major challenge that we had during the last six, seven years energy crisis, the war pandemic, in general terms, a lot of things can be improved there. Sure. And we will discuss about this. But the EU is useless on itself for that. And then my point here is when we are talking about trust, uh, probably like the most important thing that we can do, and we have a lot of things to improve in terms of communication, but the base of our legitimacy is to be efficient, like delivering and solving citizens problems. And then for this, like I will say like improve things on communication that Mrs. Brian mentioned, it's good for the legitimacy and like, um, and the trustful of, of our citizens in the parliament. Sure. But at the same time, like, uh, have more, um, tools and instruments to be better in our legislation. Also, it's a path to reinforce the legitimacy of this institution in front of our citizens. And then you can do it for both sides. And I think this Parliament is working on both sides.”
EU public communication strategy
- “I will remind the speaker that he has to respect the European values here, and we will discuss another day about what is to be a man here in the European Parliament. Uh, we can continue with Mrs. Hahn for one minute.”
Gender roles, equality and inclusion
- “Thank you very much. Now, I don't see Mr. Turek, who is in charge of the committee on Iter. Then we will pass the floor to Mrs. Gomes. Sandra Gomes, in charge of the Committee on Budget.”
Discharge of EU institutions and agencies
- “Thank you very much, chairman. I'd like to start by thanking the minister for her presentation today and her commitment to the green agenda. You mentioned in your first speech that one of the key parts of this semester and one of the key the key policies for the EU is going to be water resilience. Now you know well that the chemical quality of water needs to be part of that idea of water resilience, especially when it comes to tackling contamination, not just to protect aquatic biodiversity, but also when it comes to public health and environmental sustainability. You also know that on the 28th of January, we will be starting our trilogues, and the aim is to review the list of water contaminants. And we've already heard with interest what your presidency has to say about this issue. We will also be looking at updating key issues such as the Water Framework Directive, the directive on groundwater and the environmental quality standards. So I hope that we'll have a fruitful and constructive experience. But there are things that concern us about the council's position. For example, the possibility of extending a deadline up to 2051 to comply with this or weakening standards for key pollutants. Now, there is a clear, very broad mandate in the Parliament. We want to be as constructive as possible in reaching agreements. But over the next six months, we do need to reach an agreement, and the negotiations should not be understood as sending an ambiguous message when it comes to the need to protect water. And finally, I'd like to put a question to you about. What do you think the Berne Convention will mean for the Habitats Directive? Is there a proposal along those lines?”
Water pollution
- “Thank you very much, president. Today we're speaking about the impact that these types of collaboration between the Conservatives and Right have in Europe. It's not something that we're inventing. It's something which is taking place in many capitals and agreements, which unfortunately in this plenary as well. And unfortunately, we can't be certain that in the future that we might also see it in Berlin. Uh, alliances that undermine Europe undermine the our principles. And of course, it is a major risk for our economies as well in risking our investments as well for innovation in Europe as well, risking the major employment that we have, which is the single market. Also the major transformation, the major transitions, the green transition. Fossil fuels. What is at risk here are is the industrial hegemony in Europe. The forces of today will undermine competitiveness in the future as well. And these types of alliances will lead to losses in the future as well, and undermine welfare. You have to in the summit that we saw in Madrid last week and the summit in Paris as well, just look at what happened there. The future is in your hands. We ought to take.”
EU political integration
- “Questions to conclude. First of all, the revision of the Gothenburg protocol that's ongoing. This regulation regulates international commitments for methane and ammonia, for example, and this is linked to the NEC directive. Obviously, with the new Trump administration, how are we going to move forward on that? What is the commission's perspective on that? And secondly, I was lucky to attend an international W.H.O. conference in Colombia last year, and that was about air pollution and public health. It was the second conference with more than 700 participants. Everybody came from the world of public health and pollution regulators, civil society, and they all highlighted our ambient air quality directive. It was very encouraging to see how the W.H.O. was using our new rules as a good example. And I say that because there's a huge amount of responsibility linked to that. It gives us a lot of prestige as well, but we have a huge amount of responsibility to develop this for this term. Thank you.”
Air quality policy
- “I'm ready. Um, first of all, sorry that I'm late because I was in the plenary during the the plenary. But thank you very much. Commissioner to to to being here. I will move to Spanish. First of all, I'm very pleased that we're here this evening discussing the water resilience strategy of the EU presented by the European Commission. I think that this shows that the European Commission is placing water at the centre of the political agenda, and we agree with this need. Water is key for the green transition. Food security, energy security and social aspects because it depends on sustainable and fair management of water. Or rather, this will have a huge impact on whether we succeed. We have to take a systemic approach. Water affects the climate. It affects biodiversity, farming, health, reuse and recycling, including the strategy. And Spain is a leader in this field. And I wanted to mention this. And of course, the fact that water is recognised as a human right. However, there is room for improvement. There's a lack of regulatory ambition because non-binding goals aren't enough to achieve the targets we have. We have to have regulatory ambition to make sure that water is affordable, accessible and clean. We have to fight against pollutants and of course we need sufficient funding. There was a comment here on the budget and the MFF. And I think also you don't talk about territorial justice or social justice enough in this strategy. I think that for territorial cohesion, it would be key to make sure that water infrastructure is overhauled, that we help those areas and regions grappling with water scarcity, and that water is seen as a common good because we face so many challenges more demand, more drought, more unequal access, problems with water aquifers and water tables. We want a fairer Europe and a more resilient Europe because our vision for the climate, territorial solidarity and social justice hinge on all of this. Thank you.”
Water pollution
- “We close this debate and we move to the next item in the agenda. That is the council and commission statements. Russian energy phase out Nord Stream and the EU's energy sovereignty. First of all, we will have the floor. Mr. Szlapka representing the Council, the Minister of the for the European Union of Poland.”
EU approach to energy security (home-made vs import sources)
- “Thank you very much. President. Commissioner, once again, we have a meeting with our future. Future of the world. The Cop 30, in Berlin. We multilateralism is limping, but we now have the leadership of Brazil. In this, our key aim is to assess the updated commitments and see if these updated commitments will allow us to keep to 1.5 degrees. We we know what has been done so far has been little and late, and we also know what we need to do. We need to decarbonize. We need to drastically reduce our emissions, including CO2 and methane. We need to commit to renewables. We need to double energy efficiency. We need to leave fossil fuels behind. This will also allow us the opportunity to talk about Funding and adaptation to classic topics for climate negotiations and adaptation is particularly important for Europe because will be the second most affected area after the Arctic. We also need to have the Baku Baku to Berlin roadmap for the 1.3 trillion required annually. We Europe need to get there with our homework done so that we have credibility. We need to have a commitment for 20, 35 and above all, we need to agree a 2040 figure. As well, we need a target which is needs to be 90% of domestic reductions. Uh, now international community will see what's happening here. Businesses will see as well. We need to send a clear message on our climate ambition so that, uh, investments can be made in the Green Deal for the next 20 years.”
Climate efforts
- “X item on the agenda is a report, a joint report by Mr. and Mrs. Saleh. Mrs.. Increasing the efficiency of the EU guarantee under the EU regulation and simplifying reporting requirements. And the first speakers will be the Co-rapporteurs. And first of all Mrs. Salah for four minutes.”
Accounting and auditing of EU budget
- “Well, thank you very much. I completely agree with the comments, and I will only add something about the reflection that it has been made about the turnout of the elections. No. And then the communication that we do with, with, with European citizens. Well, the turnout of the elections, it was more than 51%. Well, it's like politics. And in the life you can see always the glass full, empty or full? Full or half empty or half full. The reality it was that it was the best participation since 94. If you compare it, obviously we have a lot of room to to improve. This is the reality. But if we compare like since ten years ago, it was more than six points. And not only that, like if I think it's interesting to see the last numbers that we saw in the Eurobarometer that it was at the end of November and, and the numbers is we are now in the best level of trust in the European institutions since 2007. It's more than the 50% of the Europeans trust the EU. Like it's I don't know if it's a lot or not, but if you compare it with the trust in the national governments, it's 33%. Okay. Uh, and my point here is why we improved the last years, the trust in the EU, unlike also the turnout of the elections.”
EU public communication strategy
- “Thank you very much. Madam president, Commissioner, today access to housing is a genuine social emergency. Perhaps the worse over the last ten years. Buying a house has become 55% more expensive. While salaries haven't gone up at that pace, European families that rent spend 40% of their household income on housing. This is a European problem that needs European solutions. And of course we need a European policy that is a proper policy. First of all, we need to regulate. We need to step into the market that is failing. We need to regulate situations such as flats for tourists and of course, speculation. Secondly, we need funding to build. Public housing is expensive and we need the authorities to be able to harness funding. So the EIB should help. And then we need subsidies. We need the cohesion policy to help with housing. We need to work hand in hand with the mayors of big towns and cities. Barcelona mayor, for example, wants European leadership in this area. Why? Because a home isn't just a roof, it is about decent living and life.”
EU housing policy
- “Okay. We want less money for Europe experience. No, but we want more efficient Europe experience. And how to have per person less resources spent. How to have more better content and more visitors and how to be more efficient in terms of renting. No. And especially for the new ones. What it means for the new ones. This for the newest ones. Uh, well, what we are looking for especially is this model of partnership with opportunities. Bring by administrations. Uh, that this could be cheaper. And at the same time, like with potential more content and more integrated in the civil life of the city and the country. This on your experience. Also, it was a long discussion in the working group on, on, on buildings. Well, it has been made a question that now it's not the person who made it. About the budget, to be honest. Well, the the committee was really general about the budget in the EU and so on. Well, we are discussing the budget of the Parliament on 2027, not other things. And what we are discussing today now is a prudent budget, a balanced budget. If you take into account like the level of inflation and the last years, these institutions, like first of all, we don't have new posts, new people contracted in general, number of people. Second, if you compare the increase of the budget of the Parliament the last four years and the level of inflation that we had in Brussels and in Europe the last four years.”
Budget for EU politicians
- “Thank you very much, Madam Chair. First of all, I'd like to start by thanking the European Commission for publishing this fourth outlook on clean air. And thank you very much, Francois, for your presentation here in the committee today. Now, it's encouraging to see that this report confirms positive trends when it comes to the work of the EU institutions to reduce air pollution and some good results. We've seen significant reduction in the main pollutants Mutants, thanks to key policies such as the Ambient Air Quality Directive, but also with the commitments to reduce emissions at national level through the NEC directive, as well as other rules that regulate energy emissions, industry emissions and transport emissions. However, we've seen that there is still a great deal to do. Air pollution is still the main threat to public health in Europe, and this is what the European Environmental Agency says, and this same agency said in.”
Air quality policy
- “Well, thank you very much. Um, first of all, I would want to thank Commissioner Hoekstra and the European Commission for this proposal, this extremely important proposal and long awaited, uh, proposal for 2040 climate, uh, target. We understand that this proposal is the anchor of certainty for all our climate action during this mandate. We see this target as a cornerstone, cornerstone of all our climate action and climate legislation. As you know, there is in the group who has consistently called for the 90% domestic reduction, uh, compared with 1990. Um, and that follows the scientific recommendations and the European um Scientific Advisory Board on Climate change. Uh, we then underline that the proposal of the European Commission includes this target. We think that it's extremely positive because we are sending the message that we are on track. We stay on track, uh, with our international, um, commitments. And not only this. Um, also, we think this, this goal is not only environmentally and necessary, but also it's crucial for our EU competitiveness, energy sovereignty and technological leadership. All these arguments that are were made by the European Commission at the same time. At the same time, we have concerns and cautious about the flexibilities that uh, has, uh, at the European Commission, not because we are finished with the path or the instrument. Like the important thing here is the goal, not the instrument, but the risks that we see with some of the flexibilities that are presented by the European Commission. First of all, about the optional up to the 3% of 1990 level emissions, and especially this could be a loophole. Uh, during this, uh, process, we understand that we need clarity and vision and certainty, especially for our investors and economic actors during this process. And I have some and a few, um, questions to the, uh, European Commission. Also, my cautious is not only with the flexibility of the 3% of the credits. Also with the flexibility across sectors. Like I understand that all the sectors are not the same, but we have to avoid free riders. Sectors that are acting as a free rider during this process, especially if we are asking to enforce to everybody. My questions are first, um, how do you plan to translate the elements listed under the article for the future legislative process. Legislative proposal second. Safeguards. Will you put in place to ensure that any potential use of article six? International Carbon credits avoids loopholes and guarantees environmental integrity. And third, if do you have an estimate of how much the 3% of 9090 level emissions means in absolute terms and how many millions of tons of CO2 equivalent are we talking about? Well, and what I would want to say, okay, if this is the cornerstone of our climate action, the political path, the majorities, the kind of cooperation the Democratic forces will decide to act on this legislative piece, it will be decisive for all our European legislation during this mandate.”
Climate efforts
- “Thank you. First of all, I'd like to particularly thank our panelists. I completely agree with a lot of the things that were said here today, but I did want to highlight a few points. First of all, the EU Mercosur agreement, which we hope to be able to vote during this mandate. It's not so much an important decision, but possibly the most important decision during this parliamentary term because there'll be other decisions, but we won't be involved. So for this House in these five years, this will be the single most important thing we will vote on because it'll be the greatest, the largest, the the agreement with the most implications that we will ever have signed in this House. So, so here we we need to see how we can exploit our complementarity to avoid extractive ism, to avoid, uh, continuing with the existing imbalances. This will be possible, I think, economically geopolitically of the for Mercosur countries too, are also in the G20. They're very big they way. And so Brazil talks as a peer to the EU. And and it can be a bridge with the global South as well as with the Caribbean. Um, somebody talked about, uh, that the geopolitical situation is pushing towards this agreement. Trump and his tariffs and, uh, the uncertainty. We've been saying over the last few years that geopolitically we need to be adults, especially after the Ukrainian invasion. What does it mean? It means it means that if you make a certain geostrategic decision, you have to bear responsibility for it. And I think this is what we need to do in this mandate for the EU Mercosur agreement.”
Trade relations with Mercosur
- “Thank you very much. I will I will do 3 or 4 comments about your questions, and I'm sure I will share also the the the detail of of the answers made by the Secretary General. First Europe experience that you mentioned, like, okay, with the new model of the Europe experience, you want to decrease the cost. No, this is basically the question. Our idea with the new model of the of the Europe experience is try to have more efficient Europe experience. And this is what it means. Well, it means less cost, more visitors. This is what. And then try to do things on both sides. Um, with the new model like what we made as analysis with the help of the of the staff, is to know what is working and what is not working and where, especially, um, and try to replicate, uh, the model and the exercise, the content that is working in a lot of Europe experience that our success and now, and at the same time, well decrease the, the, the resources that we spend, especially taking into account that we learned that, uh, pay more for renting doesn't mean to have more visitors. This is something that we learn during these years. No. Um, and something that we saw also as a model of success is where we have partnerships, agreements with local, regional or national administrations that they are renting their space. Usually this means less resources because it's cheaper than the private market, and also automatically more partnership with the local authorities than more content, more visitors. And then for this reason, it's related to the new model of it's not directly related.”
Budget for EU politicians
- “Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mrs. Wexler for one minute and a half.
*Andrea WECHSLER: Mr. president. Commissioner. Colleagues. The European grids package is a promise to people and to businesses in Europe that they will have a stable, affordable and secure source of energy because this decides whether families can reliably heat their homes, if businesses can make business plans, and also whether industry remains in Europe. Many citizens today are battling with huge energy bills and also long waiting times for connection and congested grids. And that is why this package is so important. Will be able to speed up permitting, have clearer priority criteria for connections, and also the possibility for clean sources of energy to get to where they are needed to people, to cities, to local communities, and to our SMEs and our industry. We are strengthening cooperation between member states because energy knows no borders, and we are going to ensure that projects that can really supply the energy we need can get connected more quickly. The grids package is a package in favour of industry in Europe. It is a package in favour of households. It is a package for prosperity and it's an important step in the direction of European energy internal market. And that is a good thing.”
EU energy infrastructure integration