Lukas MANDL

Policy topics Lukas MANDL is active on

What Lukas MANDL has said (33)

• 2026-06-17 “Thank you very much, president, commissioner, colleagues. Lithuania is a success story. Lithuania, if you didn't yet know, is due to analysis, the state with the happiest youth on earth. Lithuania is a new member state that was in history part of the so called Soviet Union. And now Lithuania has been attacked as many parts of Europe via hybrid means and measures, and among them is cyber attacks. 600,000, a vast number of data of persons has been stolen by Putin, Russia. And this is a huge number given the size of the country. We must not underestimate what that means in terms of interference, especially in the country that's a success story also in terms of digitalization, of using digital means and measures to preserve not only bureaucracy, but also democracy, confidence, and trust within a society. A text like that must not be remain uncommented by us. This is why it's important that the whole European parliament is standing behind Lithuania. I thank my dear colleague, Rasa Juki Nevizhine, for raising the issue, for putting the issue in the center of the very European parliament, and for giving us the opportunity to ensure the Lithuanians of our full solidarity and of fighting back against these attacks from Putin Russia.”
  Foreign interference in Europe
• 2026-06-17 “Commissioner. Colleagues. Lithuania is a success story. Lithuania, if you didn't yet know is due to Analysis. The state with the happiest youth on earth. Lithuania is an EU member state that was in history, part of the so-called Soviet Union, and now Lithuania has been attacked as many parts of Europe via hybrid means and measures, and among them is cyber attacks. 600 000 A vast number of data of persons has been stolen by Putin. Russia. And this is a huge number given the size of the country. We must not underestimate what that means in terms of interference, especially in the country. That is a success story also in terms of digitalization, of using digital means and measures to preserve not only bureaucracy, but also democracy, confidence and trust within a society. It takes like that must not be remain uncommented by us. This is why it is important that the whole European Parliament is standing behind Lithuania. I thank my dear colleague Rasa Jukneviciene for raising the issue, for putting the issue in the centre of the European Parliament, and for giving us the opportunity to ensure the Lithuanians of our full solidarity and of fighting back against these attacks from Putin's Russia.”
  Foreign interference in Europe
• 2026-06-16 “Thank you very much. We understood your response. Thank you very much, president. Vice President Virkkunen. Europe's digital sovereignty is important for the future. We want Europe to be stronger, to develop to have a more cooperative approach compared to the more adversarial approach that we see from a lot of other countries. You will have heard talk of anthropic this morning, perhaps one of the strongest uses of AI we have, and the US has decided that anthropic cannot be fully used outside of the US. And I think that is a further warning signal for European innovation and for our opportunities for the future. It's important for young people in Europe. It's important for all of our public systems, social security, all of this is linked. We need to develop our own artificial intelligence applications and to be able to train them. It's an issue of subsidiarity. We need companies businesses to have their own AI models that they can train. We need to get young people into sciences women as well. We need to reduce regulation. Of course, we want to have ethical rules still in place, but we want people to want to invest in Europe into the single market to develop artificial intelligence. Thank you. Next is Crystal.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• 2026-06-16 “Thank you very much, president vice president, Veerkonen. Europe's digital sovereignty is important for the future. We want Europe to be stronger to, develop, to have a more cooperative approach compared to the more adversarial approach that we see from a lot of other countries. You will have heard talk of Anthropic, this morning, perhaps 1 of the strongest uses of AI we have. And The US has decided that Anthropic, cannot be fully used outside of The US. And I think that is a further warning signal for European, innovation and, for opportunities for the future. It's important for young people in Europe. It's important for all of our public systems, social security. All of this is linked. We need to develop our own artificial intelligence applications and to be able to train them. It's an issue of, subsidiarity. We need companies, businesses to have their own AI models that they can train. We need to get young people into sciences, women as well. We need to reduce regulation. Of course, we want to have ethical rules still in place, but we want people to want to invest in Europe into the single market to develop artificial intelligence.”
  Artificial Intelligence · EU digital & tech sovereignty
• 2025-09-17 “E-003588/2025 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission Following the State of the Union 2025 1 address and to respond to the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, the Commission presented a package of measures to the Council on 17 September 2025. It includes the proposal to suspend certain trade-related provisions of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the EU and Israel 2 , a reinforced sanction package 3 , including further sanctions against Hamas, as well as against extremist ministers of the Israeli government and violent settlers. In parallel, the Commission has taken the necessary steps to put on hold the bilateral support to Israel, without affecting the work with Israeli civil society or to fight antisemitism and foster Jewish life (through the support to Yad Vashem 4 ). In October 2025, the European Council 5 welcomed the agreement reached on the initial phase of the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza Conflict, as well as the release of all remaining hostages and called on all parties to fully implement the agreement without delay. The EU will support the rapid, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid in coordination with international partners, notably the United Nations and its agencies, and in accordance with international law. The EU stands ready to contribute to Gaza’s stabilisation, recovery, and reconstruction, including the organisation of a Palestine Donor Conference and the full use of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy missions. The EU is firmly committed to a lasting and sustainable peace based on the two-state solution. The EU is ready to contribute to all efforts towards this solution and calls on all parties to refrain from actions that undermine its viability. It will continue to work with regional and international partners to that end, including through the Global Alliance. 1 https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/state-union/state-union-2025_en. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L:2000:147:FULL. 3 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_2112. 4 https://www.yadvashem.org/. 5 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/eu-position-situation-middle-east/.”
  Relations with Israel - Palestine
• 2025-08-11 “E-003223/2025 Answer given by Ms Šuica on behalf of the European Commission The Commission will continue to closely monitor the implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Review Group 1 and the conditions agreed with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) under EU funding 2024 2 . As of June 2025, within a year from the publication of the Colonna report 3 , four out of eight recommendations on the neutrality of education were completed and four are in progress, including recommendation 35. UNRWA’s strict policy includes a thorough yearly review of host countries’ learning material. UNRWA has also developed self-learning material and a course on Human Rights, Conflict Resolution and Tolerance. The Commission attaches great importance to the full and swift implementation of all recommendations, including those on neutrality of education, which remains a key element of the Commission’s monitoring. The Commission’s assessment is that UNRWA remains fully committed to implement the recommendations, as shown during regular meetings with stakeholders, including UNRWA’s Advisory Commission and the working group on Neutrality and Integrity, where the Commission ensures active oversight. The disbursement of the 2024 allocation to UNRWA was conditioned 4 to the fulfilment of agreed milestones. In 2025, the Commission did not establish new conditions to EU funding to UNRWA, which showed continued capability to deliver its services, despite the legal and operational challenges. The decision to continue funding UNRWA was approved by the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) Committee 5 . Part of the 2025 allocation aims at strengthening organisational effectiveness and efficiency of UNRWA, especially related to neutrality. Moreover, the Commission welcomes the United Nations (UN) Secretary General's initiative for a Strategic Assessment of UNRWA and supports the approach to reflect on it as part of the UN80 reform process. 1 https://www.un.org/unispal/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/unrwa_independent_review_on_neutrality.pdf. 2 Letters outlining the way forward with all the measures and procedures for the Commission’s conditional funding for UNRWA were exchanged on 1 and 6 March 2024. 3 https://www.unrwa.org/resources/reports/one-year-implementing-colonna-report-unrwa-annual-report. 4 https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/news/european-commission-statement-unrwa-2024-01-29_en. 5 Member States approved the Commission proposal unanimously at the NDICI committee meeting of May 2025.”
  Support for international humanitarian organisations · Conditions to access EU humanitarian aid · Relations with Israel - Palestine
• 2025-07-31 “E-003165/2025 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission The Commission proposal for a Regulation on End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV Proposal) 1 is intended to address the issue of vehicles with ‘unknown whereabouts’, often traded, dismantled or exported illegally, while minimising the reporting burden in order to improve both traceability and enforcement. The Circularity Vehicle Passport will ensure availability of digital information on the safe removal and replacement of vehicle parts and components. Access to this information will increase availability of second-hand spare parts and more cost-effective vehicle repairs which benefits citizens directly. The Passport is not intended to trace vehicles 2 . The rules envisaged under the ELV Proposal do not restrict private car sales of roadworthy vehicles 3 . While vehicle owners would be required to demonstrate that the vehicle is not an ELV to transfer its ownership, this can be providing a valid roadworthiness certificate - which possession is an existing legal obligation. In its General Approach 4 , the Council proposed more detailed rules for the documentation required to transfer the ownership of used vehicles. The Council exempts 5 sales of roadworthy vehicles by private individuals who are not economic operators 6 . The Impact Assessment 7 estimates that when the automated customs procedures are in place, exports of low-quality second-hand vehicles will be reduced by 65% by 2035. The costs associated with the establishment of these procedures will remain limited, benefiting from digitalisation synergies 8 between the ELV Proposal and the recently adopted Roadworthiness Package 9 . The European Parliament adopted its position on 9 September 2025. Negotiations with colegislations will begin in order to finally shape the legislative text. 1 Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on circularity requirements for vehicle design and on management of end-of-life vehicles, amending Regulations (EU) 2018/858 and 2019/1020 and repealing Directives 2000/53/EC and 2005/64/EC, COM/2023/451 final. 2 Instead, their traceability will be ensured through the certificates of destruction and the digital exchange of vehicle-related information. For the certificate of destruction please refer to Article 25 of the ELV Proposal, for the digital exchange of the vehicle-related information please see in particular Article 38(5), Article 39(1), Article 40(2), Article 44 and Article 45. 3 https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/end-life-vehicles/end-life-vehicles-regulationdetails-proposal_en. 4 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/06/17/circular-economy-council-adoptsposition-on-the-recycling-of-vehicles-at-the-end-of-their-life/. 5 Article 37(1) third subparagraph of the General Approach. 6 Where the sale is not concluded through distance contracts or online platforms. 7 Section 6.4 and Table 8.12 of the Impact Assessment: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/publications/proposalregulation-circularity-requirements-vehicle-design-and-management-end-life-vehicles_en. 8 Section 8.5 including footnote 165 of the Impact Assessment. 9 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_1083.”
  Road transport environmental policy
• 2025-07-23 “E-003064/2025 Answer given by Ms Šuica on behalf of the European Commission As part of the EU Multiannual and Comprehensive Programme for Palestine Recovery and Resilience (2025-2027) the EU has set apart up to EUR 620 million of direct financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority (PA) for the years 2025-2027, partially linked to the PA’s commitment to reforms. EU support contributes to the payments of salaries and pensions of civil servants (including in the education sector), social allowances for vulnerable families and medical referrals to the East Jerusalem hospitals. On education reforms, the Commission has continued its constructive engagement with the Ministry of Education, which committed to achieving key reforms, including adopting its Development Education Strategy 2025-2027 in early July. The Ministry of Education has a continuous process of reviewing and amending textbooks used in Palestinian schools. The latest round started with grade 12 at the end of 2024 and has moved to earlier grades in recent months. Further disbursements scheduled before the end of the year will be partially linked to the PA’s implementation of reforms as agreed between the EU and the PA, including on education. The Commission and other donors remain engaged in a collaborative process aimed at supporting the education reform and the revision of textbooks and education materials, recognising that these efforts require time and sustained commitment, especially at a time of dire political and financial crisis.”
  Relations with Israel - Palestine · EU development aid (migration conditionality)
• 2025-06-06 “P-002301/2025 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission The High Representative/Vice-President has been in regular contact with her Israeli counterpart during the process of the review of Israel’s compliance with Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement 1 . On 12 June 2025, the European External Action Service (EEAS) submitted a series of questions to the Israeli authorities, which were shared via diplomatic channels, to which the Israeli authorities provided answers before the Foreign Affairs Council of 23 June 2025. The Commission and EEAS are in regular contact with the Israeli authorities. Building on the EU Joint Communication for a strategic partnership with the Gulf (18 May 2022) 2 , the EU aims to further strengthen its strategic partnerships with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Bahrain, the two Gulf Cooperation Council countries that have signed the Abraham Accords in 2020. On 10 April 2025, the President of the Commission, in a phone call with the UAE President, agreed to launch negotiations on a free trade agreement, alongside the negotiation of a broader strategic partnership agreement. The EU shares with the UAE and the Kingdom of Bahrain a mutual interest for regional security, stability and prosperity. The Commission has been stepping up the fight against antisemitism and cooperates closely with Member States and Jewish organisations to ensure the protection of Jewish communities, including as part of ProtectEU: a European Internal Security Strategy of April 2025 3 . Strengthening security, fighting antisemitism and fostering Jewish life is mainstreamed in all relevant EU policy, including when related to shielding democracy and supporting civil society. 1 https://eeas.europa.eu/archives/delegations/israel/documents/eu_israel/asso_agree_en.pdf. 2 https://www.eeas.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/Joint%20Communication%20to%20the%20European %20Parliament%20and%20the%20Council%20%20A%20Strategic%20Partnership%20with%20the%20Gulf.pdf. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52025DC0148.”
  Jewish culture and antisemitism · Relations with Israel - Palestine · EU relations with Gulf countries
• 2025-06-06 “E-002302/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Séjourné on behalf of the European Commission On 12 February 2025, the Commission communicated its intention to withdraw the Proposal on Standard Essential Patents (SEP) due to the Council’s protracted inability to reach an agreement. It indicated a precise timetable which allowed for the co-legislators to consult and adopt their positions. However, neither the Parliament nor the Council adopted a clear signal of support for the SEP Proposal. This is why, on 16 July 2025, the College decided to formally withdraw the Proposal. Should these circumstances change, the Commission will revisit its policy stance and consider an adequate policy response. In the meantime, the Commission will continue to monitor market and international developments aimed at overcoming SEP licensing frictions. The Commission remains convinced of the need to address SEP market failures, maximise investment and innovation, as well as foster standards ecosystem fuelling EU competitiveness.”
  EU rules on digital competition
• 2025-04-29 “E-001715/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen on behalf of the European Commission The protection of minors and children’s fundamental rights online is a Commission priority. The Digital Services Act (DSA) 1 sets out an unprecedented standard for providers of online platforms’ accountability in this area. The minimum age requirement of 13 years old for (most) social media platforms is a requirement set by the providers. The providers of online platforms may adjust the minimum age requirement, as long as they comply with relevant EU and national laws. 2 Under the DSA, providers of very large online platforms and search engines need to ensure that minors and their fundamental rights are protected. The Commission has initiated proceedings against TikTok 3 , Instagram, and Facebook 4 based on suspicions that they may have breached the DSA in areas related to addiction and other harmful effects on minors. Currently, the Commission is preparing guidelines on the protection of minors that will assist all providers of online platforms in providing a high level of privacy, safety and security for minors on their service. 5 Other Commission initiatives addressing the points raised by the Honourable Member are the European Strategy for a better Internet for kids (BIK+) 6 which promotes the responsible use of technology, the Guidelines of the Digital Education Action Plan 7 that tackle disinformation and digital literacy and the upcoming Action Plan on Cyberbullying 8 and the Digital Fairness Act. 9 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=LEGISSUM:4625430. 2 For example, under Art.8 of General Data Protection Regulation, Member States can set a minimum user age for platforms to process their data, provided it is over 13. 3 In 2024, following the opening of an investigation by the Commission, the provider of TikTok committed to permanently withdraw the TikTok Lite Rewards programme in the EU due to the potentially addictive feature of the app. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/tiktok-commits-permanently-withdraw-tiktok-lite-rewardsprogramme-eu-comply-digital-services-act. 4 The Commission opens formal proceedings against Facebook and Instagram under the Digital Services Act | Shaping Europe’s digital future https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/commission-opens-formalproceedings-against-facebook-and-instagram-under-digital-servicesact#:~:text=The%20European%20Commission%20has%20opened%20formal%20proceedings%20to,may%20ha ve%20breached%20the%20Digital%20Services%20Act%20%28DSA%29. 5 EU Consultation: Digital Services Act-protection of children https://eu-for-children.europa.eu/activitiesnews/latest/consultation-eu-digital-services-act-protection-ofchildren_en#:~:text=Organisations%20and%20stakeholders%20are%20invited%20to%20share%20their,%28DS A%29.%20The%20consultation%20closes%20on%2010%20June%2C%202025. 6 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52022DC0212. 7 Guidelines published in 2022: https://education.ec.europa.eu/focus-topics/digital-education/action-plan/action7. 8 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0117#:~:text=The%20upcoming%20action%20plan%20against,w orld%2C%20while%20reducing%20negative%20effects. 9 The Commission is expected to propose this in 2026.”
  Safety features & content control for child protection online · Disinformation & online freedoms
• 2025-04-09 “E-001464/2025 Answer given by Ms Šuica on behalf of the European Commission The Commission pursues a comprehensive approach in cooperation on migration with partner countries, based on a whole-of-route approach and includes a broad-spectrum of topics, such as return and readmission, border management and prevention of irregular arrivals, legal migration, fight against migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings, international protection. The Commission supports Lebanon in strengthening border management capacities and enhancing border governance, including with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. This is done in line with EU and international standards and through a human rights-based approach. Support in the broader area of security aims to contribute to long-term capability of Lebanon’s security forces, including the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). In 2025, a measure worth EUR 60 million was adopted through the European Peace Facility to support the LAF 1 . The Commission supports the people in Syria through an inclusive, peaceful, Syrian-owned and Syrian-led transition and is committed to play a proactive role in the stabilisation, socioeconomic recovery and future reconstruction of Syria. A package of EUR 175 million for 2024-2025 will be provided for recovery inside Syria. The EU aims to allow all Syrians, in the country and in the diaspora, to have an opportunity to reunify, stabilise and rebuild their country. 1 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/01/21/european-peace-facility-council-adoptsthe-third-assistance-measure-in-support-of-the-lebanese-armed-forces/.”
  EU-Syria relations · EU-Lebanon relations · Asylum & border control
• 2025-03-13 “E-001091/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The EU delivers a comprehensive response to global food insecurity 1 . Between 2021 and 2024, it provided EUR 4.9 billion in emergency food assistance and supported the restoration of supply chains through the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes 2 , which have enabled the export of approximately 84 million tonnes of grain, reaching global markets – including Africa – and backed the Ukrainian ‘Grain from Ukraine’ humanitarian initiative. Additionally, with EUR 3.4 billion in food autonomy, the EU is advancing a rights-based approach, land rights and agriculture under the Global Gateway 3 framework. Through multilateral efforts, it promotes transparent and fair trade for food and nutrition security – ensuring that its implementing partners safeguard beneficiaries from violence, coercion, deprivation and abuse. The United States (U.S.) has been an ally in the fight against global hunger. In September 2022, similarly to the EU, the U.S. allocated USD 2.9 billion in aid for food insecurity, adding to the USD 6.9 billion it had already committed. In 2024, the U.S. was the largest contributor to World Food Programme operations. There has recently been a shift in the U.S. administration’s approach and the U.S. made no commitments at the recent Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit 4 in March 2025. Given the current U.S. position, it is challenging at the moment to identify opportunities for future joint action. The EU emphasises the selection of reliable, evidence-based food security initiatives, capturing early warnings and market fluctuations. Amid growing resource constraints, the EU enhances coordination with global partners, in a Team Europe approach. Strengthening multilateral partnerships can prevent duplication and ensure targeted interventions. 1 Council conclusions of 16 December 2024: https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-16901-2024INIT/en/pdf; List of Council conclusions – Consilium: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/documents/publicregister/council-concl/?page=2. 2 https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-solidarity-ukraine/eu-assistance-ukraine/eu-ukraine-solidarity-lanes_en. 3 https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/stronger-europe-world/globalgateway_en. 4 EU pledges EUR 3.4 billion to combat global malnutrition at 2025 N4G Paris Summit: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_867 and Team Europe pledges EUR 6.5 billion at N4G Paris Summit to fight global malnutrition: https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/news-andevents/news/team-europe-pledges-eu65-billion-n4g-paris-summit-fight-global-malnutrition-2025-03-28_en.”
  Nutrition
• 2025-01-20 “E-000210/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission The timeline for the entry into operation of the Entry/Exit System (EES) underwent several revisions which were initiated by the Management Board of the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA) and endorsed by the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council. The start of operations was originally foreseen in the first quarter of 2022, rescheduled for mid-May 2023, then for the fourth quarter of 2024. In October 2024, the JHA Council agreed that a progressive launch of the EES would be the best way forward. On 4 December 2024, the Commission adopted a proposal for a Regulation on a temporary derogation from certain provisions of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 and Regulation (EU) 2016/399 as regards a progressive start of operations of the Entry/Exit System 1 , which is currently being negotiated by the co-legislators before the system can go live. The EES is designed to improve the travel experience and gradually reduce waiting times, particularly when Member States use automated border control systems or a pre-registration application. Adequate information of travellers will further support the acceleration of border crossings. The proposed Regulation for a progressive start 2 includes measures enabling Member States to effectively manage technical problems or peak travel periods. eu-LISA is responsible for developing the EES and is aware of the costs incurred by its implementation. The Commission has asked the Agency to provide the information requested by the Honourable Member. The Commission will send the Agency’s reply to the Honourable Member as soon as possible. 1 COM (2024) 567 final. 2 See footnote 1.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2024-10-14 “E-002065/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is bound to ensure that no persons or entities will receive EU funding if they are involved in criminal or unethical practices, terrorist financing, terrorist offences or offences related to terrorist activities, or other activities incompatible with EU values. To safeguard the proper use of EU funds, various mechanisms framed by the EU Financial Regulation 1 and relevant agreements with recipients of EU funds have been put in place 2 . Entities implementing EU funds also need to comply with EU restrictive measures 3 . The recent Financial Regulation recast 4 introduced an explicit ground under the early detection and exclusion system, for excluding entities from receiving EU funds, in cases where they have been found to engage in activities contrary to the values on which the EU is founded 5 , such as incitement to discrimination, hatred and violence 6 . Should the Commission become aware of any evidence in this respect, leading to conclude that the exclusion ground indeed applies, it can exclude these entities from EU funding. Gaziantep Islam Science and Technology University has been a beneficiary of the Erasmus+ programme 7 . All projects led by this university were selected by the national agency responsible for the implementation of Erasmus+, in line with standard procedures (indirect management). A cooperation project led by this university (involving five other universities) was recently selected for funding 8 . The Commission is currently investigating allegations in the press, in close cooperation with the national agency in Türkiye. As a precautionary measure, the Commission asked the national agency to suspend the contracting process for the grant agreement on the recently selected cooperation project mentioned above, until there is more clarity on the matter. 1 Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (recast), OJ L, 2024/2509, 26.9.2024. 2 E.g. suspension of contract or payments and contract termination. 3 Article 215 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. 4 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32024R2509 5 These values are enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. 6 Article 138(1)(c)(vi) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509. 7 https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/ 8 With a grant of EUR 250 000.”
  Jewish culture and antisemitism · Accounting and auditing of EU budget
• “Thank you, Mr. President. Commissioner, colleagues, while here in the European Parliament, we have to discuss and vote on confidence votes against our Commission's presidents from the extreme right and from the extreme left, which is already kind of a shame. The commission's president has just visited India and reached out for a prosperous future cooperation. And there are not many things sustainably so important as this. The reason is India is not only the biggest country on earth, it is also the country where Europe can prove its strength to the outside, in the very fields we Europeans care of. I have already fought my election campaigns with a clear message. I want to thrive for Europe, with more strength to the outside and more freedom to the inside. Of course. And India, in terms of Labor in terms of people, in terms of education, in terms of skills, and in all the many other fields colleagues have already mentioned, from technology to security is and will remain and even become more an important partner for us Europeans. So let us go for it.”
  EU-India relations
• “Thank you very much, Commissioner, for your presence. I want to. Explicitly praise the European Commission for the omnibus package proposal, no matter whether it's called omnibus or octopus, as we have heard today. Ah, it reminds me of James Bond, frankly. But Britain left due to the second Brexit. No, um. Just kidding. Actually, as much as I've criticized the former Commission for overregulation, we have really to appreciate the proposal for omnibus. And we promise, I think we can promise we will make it better in the European Parliament even. Uh, and my question is regarding the omnibus package and to harmonization, uh, of other uh, regulation, uh, which is sometimes stricter than what the omnibus package already presents us with. So will it be possible, for example, in the field of the EU, better regulation, uh, that, uh, the stricter rules that are already there but are not yet withdrawn with the omnibus package that will be in particular met in the omnibus package in the future. Secondly, before your time as a commissioner, the European Parliament has voted on standard essential patents in the last mandate in February 2024 and a year later, the commission has withdrawn the proposal. Maybe that's not the best way of legislation, and I know I will stop now. But the question is how will we achieve what we wanted to achieve with the standard? Standard essential patent regulation when the Commission has withdrawn the proposal so far?”
  Intellectual property rights (IPR)
• “Thank you, Mr. President. Madam Commissioner. Colleagues. It wasn't easy for me to entrust miss von der Leyen for us for a second term. I heard a lot of critical views from citizens about miss von der Leyen. After 100 days of the new commission, I would do so again because it's not like the previous previous term before her election here in the European Parliament, we had very detailed discussions and we said that we need to move away from the previous approach because Monti Montesquieu even said that if it's not necessary, don't create a law with the excellent proposal on migration and the excellent proposal on the omnibus package on deregulation and the global gateway, which will improve our competitiveness and security policy as well. There are many different aspects which will ensure stability in Europe, where we have a very volatile world. Thank you.”
  Von der Leyen
• “Colleagues. When we're talking about access for Europeans in the digital era to social media and artificial intelligence, it's not just a matter of one company. Even if it's a big one, it's not just a matter of a single platform. It's all a matter as to how we deal with risk and how we deal with opportunities. Fear is a poor advisor. That's an important principle. But. Anxiety is different from fear. It is quite clear. A teacher from Tirol in my country, Austria, wrote to me. What about the addiction potential for youth and children? There is in social media because of artificial intelligence. A lot is based on addiction, which develops in people. That is dangerous. Um, and there's also a matter of freedom of innovation in Europe. I don't want to us to be just consumers of what is produced and distributed. I want European companies to act on the basis of European values of freedom, innovation, to make sure this is possible in artificial intelligence. And ultimately I would like freedom. Freedom of opinion, freedom of the press, not just the freedom of the loudest and the most extreme is what dominates her freedom. For those who reflect the soft, the low voices. And this only works if we have a human contribution to the digital era.”
  Artificial Intelligence
• “Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. There is this saying about the so-called elephant in the room. And it might be that in the past it was meant for various different things today. My impression is it is meant for China, because after each and every discussion we have in whatever capital of member states or on European level, in the end somebody would state it was a very interesting discussion. But there is the elephant in the room. We have not talked enough about China, but still we talk about China and it's becoming more and more. But I would advocate for talking with China more. China is called by the strategic compass of the European Union a an economic competitor, a strategic partner, and also a systemic rival. And I know from my encounters with Chinese officials, the systemic rival dimension is not very well received, but it's obvious that we have different values human dignity, individual freedom. The death penalty would be something that is absolutely not compatible with European values. But we have to talk with China to de-risk without, to decouple and to diversify our risk in many different fields of economy and other fields.”
  EU-China relations
• “Thank you very much, president. What a pity. The commission's president left our plenary debate about the commission's work programme. But I'm more than happy that the most experienced commissioner, Vice-President Maros Sefcovic, is with us this afternoon because it's an important matter we have to discuss. And I kindly ask the Vice-President to convey the one or the other message of this plenary debate to the Commission's President. I have to say, I have voted for her in her first election six years ago, in her second election one year ago, even while the member states did not even provide us with one than with more than one candidate for this position. But this is only a future perspective. And I have defended, as the majority of this House, the commission's president, against the confidence vote we had here. Having said that, I really want to ask the commission's president to not allow to get distracted by these confidence votes from the extremists of this House, because when I was thinking in the beginning of this mandate that now the right policies will be taken from the side of the European Commission in terms of deregulation for our economy, and of course, also in terms of security and to tackle the crisis of our times, then I think it was a positive, optimistic approach of the beginning of the mandate. We must not allow to be distracted because the extremists want to destroy our economy. The other extremists want to destroy our security. We have to take care of both in Europe, our economy, our security, because both is existential. We need a Europe with more freedom to the inside and more strength to the outside. And therefore, I kindly ask the Commission's president to remain a friend of freedom in that sense, and a leader in terms of security for Europe.”
  Von der Leyen
• “Thank you very much. Chair. Thanks to all the three speakers. I was really grateful to hear all the observations. Uh, as we heard from Lusambo. Sandrine. Right now, Sandrine Lusambo, I guess, um, women are the architects of peace. And this is a very good, uh, conclusion. Uh, very good conclusive remark of all the three, uh, speeches, I would say I want to be brief, but highlight the time and again. While I generally highly appreciate the work of UN women, the HeForShe, uh, initiative, we have talked about it in New York last year in the premises of the European Parliament there. Uh, and, uh, I still can only advocate for something like a HeForShe desk or something similar in the European Parliament. And if you can, I would kindly ask you to elaborate on specifically Parliamentary cooperation opportunities of HeForShe. This would be worldwide something, and the European Parliament could be a role model for that and be in the forefront. I have also carefully taken note of the four priorities we have just heard about. Uh, from UN women's side, and I thank you for that. And I think also the other, uh, speakers further elaborations in this important, uh, gender equality week.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Mr. president, Commissioner, colleagues, Europe needs this boost. We need it for the, um, for prosperity, for our social security systems and also our autonomy from other parts of the world and to keep our own civilisation on its feet. And we need it. Uh, the possibility of people getting into business. And that's why it's important that we should have a single legal form that applies across the face of the EU for companies, if it makes possible, uh, something um, that, um, because we see that we're going to be facing major problems now with the US going the direction it's going. But, um, obviously, uh, it's all about pursuit of happiness. Now, making this point, because this legal form, uh, should make things more straightforward from a company point of view. But it shouldn't be the gold diggers mentality as well, which would undermine the stability of systems we have. Uh, it's not only about profit, of course. Uh, and, uh, if economies are to work, it means that something has to be put into them. People have to work in order to facilitate the lives of other people, products and services. Well, a lot of people want this in Europe, but they don't have the right legal form. They don't also have the correct capital market here. And that's why the capital market union is so important. We need to mobilise the capital, which is available in Europe.”
  EU Single Market harmonisation
• “And thank you very much, chair. First, I want to commend the person who has made the video, especially for the background music of it. It's amazing. Secondly, I want to thank everybody involved, uh, at home and on site during the mission, especially our secretariat. Uh, and also, uh, the staff of the political groups and of course, all the colleagues involved. Our vice chair, Robert Biedron, and all the others. Uh, I think we really, uh, made a a team Europe approach even possible since we have met with 18, uh, EU ambassadors, which might be the largest number I've ever seen of EU ambassadors in any country on the planet, which is also appropriate, I would say, due to the size of Pakistan and also due to its, uh, I would say geopolitical importance. Uh, as you all know, it's a nuclear power state and it's surrounded by states that are in particular relevant for, uh, our destiny. Uh, so it was important to speak to political officials, uh, but especially for us as a development committee, also to go around the country and to speak to civil society, local communities, uh, and various kinds also of uh, security organizations when it comes to natural disasters and others. Um, I would say my overall impression, uh, language wise, by the political representatives of Pakistan was that they are absolutely keen to cooperate.”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid
• “Mr. president, the high representative. Colleagues, we live in a world with more and more of confrontation. Europe's approach has always been, at least when it was successful, the one of cooperation. Cooperation is the decisive element of the success story of Europe. To the insight and cooperation is the way Europe reaches out to the outside. Of course, especially in recent years with being able to defend Europe, with being more independent in security and defence and enlarging also this capacity. But cooperation is our approach. Maybe that's something we still have to fight for and to argue for. This very week in the European Parliament has shown exactly that, that it's a very tight race, always between the ones who see the value of cooperation against the ones who are reluctant or are driven by anxiety, not even rationale so much. So we have to do a lot here. And this is where India comes in. The largest country on earth, a country we have a lot of prospects with a lot of opportunities in joint endeavours. And India is open for this cooperation with Europe. India is also the largest democracy on earth, while of course different in the one or the other respect in Europe, but still a country. We can work with a country that is open for us. And this is why the Eu-india summit is a shining light in these times of many shadows and a lot of darkness.”
  EU-India relations
• “(21:48:16 – 21:50:25): Thank you, president, commissioner, colleagues. To be very clear first, the strategic compass of the European Union identifies and defines China in 3 dimensions towards, the European Union as a strategic partner, an economic competitor, and also as a systemic rival. And as everybody knows who ever had encounters with Chinese officials, the systemic rivalry is something very much disliked by our Chinese counterparts. But this very debate today and the reason for this debate shows there is a different system. There is systemic rivalry. It's just unacceptable from a European perspective to have minorities persecuted persecuted. Assimilation is unacceptable from a European perspective also due to Europe's history, the values Europe represents. At the same time, we live in a world of more and more of confrontation and Europe's success story is based on cooperation. To the inside, and I think Europe's outreach to the world must also be 1 of cooperation, especially in these times where more and more world powers seek for more of confrontation. We have to be able to defend ourselves. We have to be more resilient. We have to be more independent. We have to increase our, independence and our diversification of risk, especially when it comes to China. But we also have to reach out our hand for cooperation where it is possible, where reciprocity is possible. And, of course, this applies also to China because China will be around. China will be an influential factor for Europe. And if we want the best for Europe and for the world, this cooperation on a positive basis will be important. And, also, if we want to change something about persecution of people, of minorities, of ethnicities, of religions within China, also the cooperation approach will provide the better leverage.”
  EU-China relations
• “It's the least or sometimes the least, but one country in all the global gender balance lists. So, uh, we have several times, as I always do, we always do address, uh, the cooperation with, uh, especially HeForShe, the UN program, but also, of course, any other mean and measure to foster gender balance. We in particular have visited small and middle sized enterprises, which have been started also with our support years ago, run by women, which are, uh, successful today and employ people and serve people. Uh, but this is something we have to foster. And this can't be, uh, let's say, underestimated at all. Um, yeah. And finally, I want to, uh, re confirm that the EU presence as well by the EU representation in Pakistan and by the large number of, uh, really excellent ambassadors of EU countries is, uh, to me at least impressive and is something we should continue to work with. So of course, the European Parliament is always in the lead when it comes to creativity, good ideas, outreach, parliamentary diplomacy. But, uh, the Team Europe approach, especially in countries like this, makes a lot of sense if it works and we should make it work. So thanks again to everybody involved. It was a meaningful, uh, mission and worth the efforts. I would say thank you.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Thank you very much. Allow me to thank the rapporteur for his constructive draft. From EPP side. We strongly support a modernised and more strategic partnership with the overseas countries and territories as part of building a stronger Europe in the world. The overseas countries and territories Octs are important partners. They help strengthen our presence in key regions and contribute to security, stability and connectivity. Our cooperation with Greenland is especially important given the growing strategic relevance of the Arctic. We welcome the increased budget, but we need more clarity on how the money will be spent. Transparency and clear priorities are essential to ensure real results. We also support better links with other EU instruments. At the same time, development funding should remain focused on development goals, while other priorities should be financed through the right tools. A key issue is simplification. Many octs have limited administrative capacity. Access to EU funding must be easier with less bureaucracy and more support for capacity building. We support focusing on areas such as ocean governance, connectivity and sustainable resource management as long as these bring real benefits to local communities. Finally, in today's global context, these partnerships are also about strengthening Europe's presence and credibility in the world. I look forward to working with colleagues on this. For any additional questions, my team and I remain available. Thank you again.”
  Funding for OCTs and outermost regions
• “Thank you. Commissioner. Colleagues. Let me be absolutely honest. It really pains me so extremely hearing all the complaints I get at home in Austria about the bureaucratic maze that they have to deal with every single day. Their jobs are overregulated, their companies are overregulated, jobs are being destroyed. There is no growth because people are not able to accept contracts. They're not taking up contracts. So much regulation means we can't even get that there on the global market with our good quality products and actually compete with others because overregulation is driving up our prices. It is enough to make your heart bleed. And honestly, that is what I feel on a daily basis. Our people need security and certainty. They need the certainty of the internal market, but not the stifling bureaucracy that has been created in recent times, which is very detrimental to the future of our people. It's more than high time the Commission realized that it's got to mend the error of its ways. It embarked on the completely wrong tack. I didn't vote in favour of the supply chain regulations, because I know that this year's triple D and the corporate sustainable responsibility was simply going to lead to industry being hamstrung. I know that we need a future. We need to get rid of this excessive bureaucracy to create a future for our countries and our people. Thank you.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “Thank you very much. This is a very good day for Europe's economy and future prosperity. We lift burden against our companies. We follow the spirit of this mandate, I would say, and we also have to spread the message that Europe will be in a better shape in the future due to simplification and lifting of regulatory burden. This is an important step we will take today. It's a strong parliamentary endeavor for the companies, for the employees, for the prosperity and for the opportunities of Europe in its entirety.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “Thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen, the debate is about recent developments in Palestine and Lebanon. And the developments are very different in Lebanon. Hezbollah is weaker than ever in Palestine. Hamas is still not yet fully defeated in Lebanon. We have a bright future already close in the region with an election next year. After the Pope's visit, there was a lot of confidence in the country in Palestine. Unwra is still around. We need more trustworthy organizations of international funding. We need support for a proper future on the way to a two state solution, which can only be in one generation or more really applicable. It's a huge difference. The future for the region is the Abraham Accords. The Abraham Accords are starting exactly like the European integration has started with cooperation among former enemies in economic dimensions and in other dimensions. And this led to peace, freedom and prosperity. And this is what we all have to wish for. All the countries in the region, no matter whether Palestinians, Lebanese or others would be affected.”
  Relations with Israel - Palestine
• “Thank you very much, chair. Thank you very much for this extremely interesting overview of our EU counter-terrorism coordinator. It's important what you do for all of us. For our security. I want to outline today there has been, uh, uh, a threat against the Austrian parliament in my home country, a bomb threat when I was a few days before. Putin has started the war against Ukraine in Odessa, and there was such a threat against the airport of Odessa, and everything was upside down due to that. So my question is, to what extent are we as Europeans, in the risk of getting more and more into chaos? More and more are going to anxiety becoming fearful due to threats like that. So what comes before terrorism is maybe chaos and then terrorism can even hit harder. And to what extent the means and measures of not only digitalization, but artificial intelligence are used also to to scale these issues. I mean, also the the drones in the European sky are an example for making us, uh, let's say, uh, more divided within our societies due to this anxiety. So what observations do you have on that? And how can each individual and also each political level from local level over regional and national levels and of course, EU level, uh, strengthen our resilience against threats like that. Thank you again.”
  Surveillance equipment & spyware
• “Mr. president, Commissioner, colleagues, Georgia is an enormously important European country, a country we will not lose out of sight. A country that is important for the future of Europe. And the Georgians feel European. They think European. They have European aspirations. My very first visit outside the EU after the election, 2019 led me to Georgia. I was meant to participate in a conference in the Georgian Parliament and to speak at this conference in the premises of the Georgian Parliament. It didn't take place because riots were on the streets and the riots were on the streets, because already at that time, 2019, a Russian representative had set down on the chair's seat of the Georgian parliament. And that's what the people couldn't accept. And this is what I experienced there. They want Europe. They do not want to be a Russian satellite state. And we will help the people of Georgia. We are on the side of the people of Georgia.”
  EU-Georgia relations