Olivier CHASTEL

Policy topics Olivier CHASTEL is active on

What Olivier CHASTEL has said (34)

• 2026-01-28 “E-000363/2026 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission Health workforce shortages are an important challenge. In accordance with Article 168(7) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU 1 , EU action shall respect Member States’ responsibilities for the management of health services, including staffing levels, and the allocation of the resources assigned to such services. The Commission provides funding to support Member States in addressing health workforce challenges. The EU4Health Programme supports initiatives such as the Joint Action Heroes on health workforce planning 2 , digital skills projects 3 , the Nursing Action 4 , and the mental health survey 5 . Erasmus+ supports the BeWell action 6 . Horizon Europe funds relevant research initiatives 7 . The European Social Fund+ supports the training and reskilling of the healthcare workforce. Member States have allocated EUR 42.7 billion to healthcare in their national recovery and resilience plans, which also support the healthcare workforce. The European Semester highlights health workforce challenges in country reports for all Member States and, in several cases, through country-specific recommendations. The Commission’s proposal for the next multiannual financial framework provides for funding opportunities on health, including for strengthening the health workforce (for example, the specific activities listed in Article 37(1), point (b), of the proposal for the European Competitiveness Fund) 8 . In addition, the Commission’s proposal on national and regional partnership plans (NRPPs) envisions that Member States could use their NRPPs to support health investments addressing challenges identified in the European Semester and in line with the objectives identified in Article 3.1(c)(iv) of the proposal for NRPPs. 1 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:12012E/TXT&from=en. 2 https://www.agenas.gov.it/ricerca-e-sviluppo/ricerca-internazionale/personale-sanitario-ri/heroes-healthworkforce-to-meet-health-challenges. 3 EU4Health programme: https://health.ec.europa.eu/publications/2022-eu4health-work-programme_en; AMR EDUCare https://www.amreducare.eu/; e-Hospital4Future: https://eh4future.eu/; GESEA Educational Programme; DigiCanTrain: https://digicantrain.turkuamk.fi/contact-us/; DDS-MAP https://ddsmap.easpd.eu/; TRANSiTION: https://ehma.org/projects/transition/; EHMA: https://hpass.healthworkforce.eu/. 4 EU4Health programme, 2024: https://health.ec.europa.eu/publications/2024-eu4health-work-programme_en. 5 https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/WHO-EURO-2025-12709-52483-81031. 6 BeWell: https://bewell-project.eu/. 7 Under Cluster Health, Destination 4, ‘Ensuring equal access to innovative, sustainable, and high-quality healthcare’ and also via the European Partnership for Transforming Health and Care Systems which runs between 2023-2029. 8 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025PC0555.”
  Public and private sectors role in healthcare services · EU competences on health
• 2025-11-05 “E-004349/2025 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is aware of the scientific study mentioned by the Honourable Member 1 . The Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Innovation 2 and Horizon 2020 3 supported research on mRNA vaccines as part of a EUR 254 million research and innovation portfolio on cancer immunotherapy 4 . Horizon Europe 5 provides funding opportunities for research and innovation combining cancer immunotherapy and COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, e.g., under the EU Cancer Mission 6 , ‘Health’ Cluster 1 7 , and Innovative Health Initiative 8 . The authorisation of clinical trials is a Member State competence. The Clinical Trials Regulation (CTR) 9 provides maximum timelines for the authorisation procedure of clinical trials. Member States can shorten the assessment period should they consider the need. The Commission has proposed amendments to the CTR in the context of its proposal for an EU Biotech Act 10 to accelerate authorisation of clinical trials and improve patients’ access to medicines. A company can apply for a marketing authorisation to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) with evidence to comply with the requirements of the EU legislation. This can include a justified request for accelerated assessment if the product is of significant public health interest 11 . After assessment, where duly justified under an accelerated assessment, the EMA Committee for Medicinal Product for Human Use adopts a scientific opinion on whether the 1 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09655-y. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/summary/seventh-framework-programme-2007-to-2013.html. 3 https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-opencalls/horizon-2020_en. 4 IACT: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/602262/reporting; MERIT: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/601939/reporting. 5 https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-andopen-calls/horizon-europe_en. 6 For example, see Mission Work Programmes 2023, 2024 and 2025: https://ec.europa.eu/info/fundingtenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/horizon-miss-2023-cancer-01-01. 7 https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-opencalls/horizon-europe/cluster-1-health_en; For example: https://ec.europa.eu/info/fundingtenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-MISS-2025-02-CANCER. 8 https://www.ihi.europa.eu/. For example topic HORIZON-JU-IHI-2022-01-03: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/horizon-ju-ihi2022-01-03. 9 Regulation (EU) No 536/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on clinical trials on medicinal products for human use, and repealing Directive 2001/20/EC. OJ L 158, 27.5.2014, pp. 1–76; ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/536/oj. 10 Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council on establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Union’s biotechnology and biomanufacturing sectors particularly in the area of health and amending Regulations (EC) No 178/2002, (EC) No 1394/2007, (EU) No 536/2014, (EU) 2019/6, (EU) 2024/795, and (EU) 2024/1938 (European Biotech Act) COM (2025) 1022, 16.12.2025. 11 Accelerated assessment: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/marketingauthorisation/accelerated-assessment.”
  Pharmaceuticals regulation in EU · Vaccination
• 2025-10-14 “E-004022/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen on behalf of the European Commission The European network of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered advanced screening centres is a flagship initiative under the Apply AI Strategy 1 . It will be an open network of medical centres that are deploying AI solutions for prevention, early detection and diagnosis of cancer and/or cardiovascular diseases. It will be supported by several actions under Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) and EU4Health. For example, DIGITAL will fund pilot projects in which medical centres will use AI systems for screening, evaluate performance and monitor solutions after deployment. Under EU4Health, the Cardio-AI 2 flagship will support the deployment of AI models for cardiovascular disease prevention and care. The network will collaborate closely with the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) and the European Network of Expertise on AI Deployment in Healthcare 3 . The EDIHs will be crucial in bridging supply and demand and in promoting European AI models and systems. They will act as privileged access point to the European AI innovation ecosystem, including AI Factories. The AI Act lays down the rules for AI systems commensurate to their risk level and ensures that only compliant systems are used on the EU market. The sharing of data in the network will be carried out in compliance with applicable laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation, monitored and enforced by the competent national data protection authorities and courts. The European Health Data Space 4 will provide the secure data infrastructure and governance framework enabling AI applications. Until the HealthData@EU infrastructure is operational, the network will rely on existing secure health data infrastructures, such as Cancer Image Europe 5 . 1 Apply AI Strategy | Shaping Europe’s digital future https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/apply-ai. 2 Cardio-AI flagship call, EU Funding & Tenders Portal: https://ec.europa.eu/info/fundingtenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/EU4H-2026-SANTE-PJ-04?keywords=EU4H2026-SANTEPJ&isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502,31094503&order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50& sortBy=startDate. 3 Commission launches flagship initiative to increase use of AI in healthcare | Shaping Europe’s digital future https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/commission-launches-flagship-initiative-increase-use-aihealthcare?pk_source=ec_newsroom&pk_medium=email&pk_campaign=Shaping%20Europe%27s%20Digital %20Future%20website%20updates/en. 4 Regulation - EU - 2025/327 - EN - EUR-Lex https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202500327. 5 Cancer Image Europe https://www.cancerimage.eu.”
  Medical devices · Processing of health data
• 2025-04-09 “E-001470/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission Since its launch, the European Platform on Combatting Homelessness has evolved into an impactful initiative. It supports, among other things, Member States in designing or reviewing national homelessness strategies based on a person-centred, housing-led and integrated approach. The first work programme of the Platform for the period 2022-2024 1 had three work strands: data and analysis, mutual learning and access to finance. The activities supported by the Commission include 2 : a pilot project on a European Homelessness Count; two projects with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on a policy toolkit and on monitoring and evaluation; a number of mutual learning events; the European Platform on Combatting Homelessness Practice project to promote knowledge and capacity building; and four social innovation projects on different aspects of homelessness. Finally, a working group co-chaired with the Council of Europe Development Bank aims at mapping funding options and at developing projects to combat homelessness. A new work programme, building on the on-going activities, is currently being drafted with the input of Platform members. The Platform’s work is also expected to feed into the preparation of the forthcoming EU flagship social initiatives, namely the new Action Plan of the European Pillar of Social Rights, the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy and the European Affordable Housing Plan. 1 https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/document/download/4c863f95-cf93-4581-8b3633259f9e8663_en?filename=UDW%20TRW1_ex_summary.pdf. 2 For a full overview of the activities and of the national strategies, see the website of the Platform: https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/social-protection-socialinclusion/addressing-poverty-and-supporting-social-inclusion/homelessness_en.”
  EU housing policy · EU expenditure on social policy
• 2025-04-07 “E-001398/2025 Answer given by Ms Zaharieva on behalf of the European Commission The Commission does not yet have evidence that Horizon Europe 1 projects have been impacted negatively by measures adopted by the new United States (US) Administration in the field of health research, including those involving the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH are involved in five ongoing projects under Horizon Europe and two ongoing projects under Horizon 2020 (see Annex). The Commission is monitoring the evolving situation and will be attentive to further developments. There are currently no plans of the Commission to step in to compensate for a possible future cut or cancellation of health research funding by U.S. authorities. While the EU cannot compensate any possible cut from NIH, US-based entities continue to be eligible for funding in the calls of part 4 on Cluster 1 ‘Health’ of the 2025 Horizon Europe Work Programme 2 . In Cluster 1 of Horizon Europe, US organisations scored 109 participations and received over EUR 27 million of EU funding so far. Finally, the Commission intends to keep its good relations with NIH. Independently from the financial loss, the cooperation with NIH is key at strategic level, since both the Commission and NIH are part of international multi-lateral initiatives in the field of health research. 1 https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-opencalls/horizon-europe_en. 2 https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-opencalls/horizon-europe/cluster-1-health_en.”
  EU competences on health
• 2024-12-11 “E-002853/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Séjourné on behalf of the European Commission The European Battery Alliance (EBA) has significantly contributed to the development of Europe's battery ecosystem. Since its launch in 2017, manufacturing capacity has expanded from 1 Gigawatt hours (GWh) to 202 GWh today. Despite this growth, the industry is currently facing numerous challenges, including high energy and material prices, fierce international competition, and difficulties in scaling up production. The Commission is committed to supporting the industry in overcoming these challenges. The European Investment Bank (EIB) collaboration consists in the allocation of extra resources from the Innovation Fund 1 towards InvestEU 2 to support battery manufacturing (top-up of EUR 200 million). Given the limited remaining resources under InvestEU, this topup allows the Commission to continue extending financial guarantees to the EIB to take up venture debt/quasi-equity investments. This operationalises the recommendation from the eighth High-Level Meeting of the EBA of 2024, calling for the use of ‘the necessary instruments, both on the offer and demand sides, to support the scale-up of the battery industry in Europe’. Research and innovation to increase the efficiency of battery recycling efficiency and decreasing its costs and environmental impact will continue to be covered by the European partnership under Horizon Europe BATT4EU 3 , running until 2027. Innovative battery recycling projects remain eligible for the Innovation Fund. In addition, in November 2024, the Joint European Forum for Important Project of Common European Interest (JEF- IPCEI) 4 , endorsed a proposed IPCEI candidate on circular advanced materials for clean technologies. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02019R0856-20231121 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02021R0523-20240301 3 https://bepassociation.eu/ 4 The JEF IPCEI is partnership between the Commission and the Member States, one of whose objectives is to identify areas of strategic EU interest for potential future IPCEIs. https://competition-policy.ec.europa.eu/stateaid/ipcei_en”
  Energy (green transition)
• “Mr. President. Thank you. Chair. As we just heard, the committee has received two requests from the commission regarding three buildings. We're talking of about 135m² for 2728, and an extension of the user rights for 4 to 19 months. As of July, I could only support what the chair said on this regarding the deadlines for the files for the buildings, and this extension must happen in the context of the sales of the three old buildings in 2026 by the Commission and its current search for new, newer and more modern buildings, which proved tricky due to the geographical restrictions and the energy and environmental requirements. The budgetary impact of this extension is marginal regarding extension for the six buildings. The cost of the lease is quite similar to the current one for the same buildings, and the extension for the six buildings. Would imply about €30 million. So I believe we can accept the extension and we would have to speak about the three buildings. Will require more information on that. Thank you very much.”
  Discharge of EU institutions and agencies
• “Thank you very much chairman. Yes. We have been asked to approve a request for the construction of an integrated entrance to the entrance for the J c. This is the building 315, in pattern. This will include a security control building, a guards house. We'll also have some other equipment. And this item has been all subject to information already for 120. 23. And this corresponds to all of the energy criteria. It's an amount of, uh, over €4 million. The total estimated cost of the GRC is €7.4 million. Includes the design, preparation, construction of the building, and all of these security equipment. The construction of this new building is funded by reallocated resources, and all of the answers to our questions have been deemed satisfactory. So those are my commentaries for that first file. Thank you. Thank you very much.”
  Discharge of EU institutions and agencies
• “Thank you very much, chairman. First of all, I'd like to thank the ETF representative for the presentation and also for sending answers to the written questions we sent last week. This file has a huge budget impact. We've just heard that because for 30 years, the ETF has benefited from a building that it didn't have to pay for. They got for free. So any replacement will come at a considerable cost. So I have two points to make if I've understood correctly. There is there are fitting out costs that will be borne by the ETF. Even though this is a lease even though they're only renting. So I'd like to know why the owners of the building will not be responsible for renovating their own building. So that's my first question. Why aren't they shouldering that cost Now in Turin, there has been some research into the property market, but again, it seems that you're looking at old buildings. Wouldn't it be a good idea to take a look at more modern buildings that will have a better energy performance, be more energy efficient in line with what the commission usually looks for? Because also the installation and renovation costs would be lower. So these are the two additional questions that I'd like to put to the ETF director. In addition to the written questions sent last week.”
  Energy efficiency
• “And I understand that you want to make savings by being owner of a whole series of buildings in the next ten years. How will the server. How does the service plan to make these savings? And what the trend will be. Now you talked about the collaborative workspace. Of course this applied to the previous debate with the commission. Collaborative workspaces have been created based on the will of staff to extend what happened during Covid, and to be able to work from home for part of their working time, and often quite a significant part of their working time. Now, it's clear that the way in which we host officials in workplaces need to change. And and I think that the collaborative workspace is a smart response to that question. You also mentioned your Will to increase co-location. And I think that the image of the EU abroad depends significantly on how these services from different EU institutions cooperate, and that cooperation is particularly important. My final question is about the environmental management system EMS. The financial. How do you measure the financial yield of the sustainable investments, and how does the EMS project influence the obligation to have financial reports in all delegations from 2026? Thank you.”
  Accounting and auditing of EU budget
• “Thank you. Chair. I'd also like to thank our rapporteur for his work. The bankruptcy of Casa. Hit the local economy hard. The company went into receivership after years of uncertainty. As a result of the rise of e-commerce and recurrent financial difficulties. And this tangible European solidarity seeks to retrain some 416 workers who've been laid off by the Casa group in March 2025. This reconversion will entail training in situ technical digital reskilling. Personal coaching for new Europe supports the request made by Belgium to the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund to support the 416 workers laid off. The total amount is some 2,250,000 and, as we said, 1.916 thousand taken on board by the EU, the rest being put up by the Flemish region.”
  European Globalisation Adjustment Fund
• “I'd also like to thank the rapporteur for the work that's already been done, but also for the upcoming work. I won't speak for very long because I'm going to speak when it gets to the next point as well, but there's much overlap there. We will, of course, be submitting some amendments so that we can focus on what's important to us, particularly transparency, the role of Parliament in governance, effectiveness and governance, simplification, Geographical balance and accessibility, particularly for smaller structures. That's all I had to say at this point.”
  Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• “Thank you. Chair. I'll be speaking French. Dear colleagues, this report bears witness to an awareness that I think all of our colleagues share when it comes to the tremendous potential of biotechnologies when it comes to transforming our health care systems, improving diagnosis, offering new treatments for patients, and strengthening our strategic independence. But nothing can be done without talent. And this is something that's missing from this report. Biotechnology rests on the men and women who innovate, who provide care and research. Europe must therefore invest in a consistent strategy that will develop the entire sector. It is therefore essential to ensure consistency between the Commission's work so that we can avoid any fragmentation of approaches, and we need to send a clear message by Parliament before the Biotech Tech act arrives. And finally, let us not fear the European Union has a role to play in the international arena. It needs to clearly impose itself as a biotechnology powerhouse which can stand up to other global powers. And this is why we need to ensure a regulatory framework which is clear, consistent and competitive so that our startups don't need to leave Europe to grow. I would also like to say that I share the sentiment of the colleague who just took the floor on all of the ethical considerations and the reticence that I feel when I read the report, and especially between the lines of the report. I think that only science should guide us, and scientific work must guide us when it comes to our thoughts on ethics. And I therefore share these concerns about medically assisted procreation. So in this spirit, I spirit, I will propose amendments to strengthen these priorities and ensure that the European Union remains the driving force when it comes to research and innovation. Thank you.”
  Sexuality and reproduction
• “Merci. Monsieur. President. The. Framework program implementing framework programme for horizon 2028 2034 is essential because it is one of the main levers to boost innovation, competitiveness and growth in Europe. Despite the success of the program, there is not enough funding to support all of these proposals. Thus, we need to significantly increase the budget so that the union can become more strategically autonomous, and so that we reach our goal of spending 3% of GDP on research and development. Let me also stress various important priorities in our eyes, at least simplifying administrative procedures, guaranteeing human resources, ensuring and improving budgetary transparency, and having better financial oversight. Finally, let me stress the key role of instruments such as the European Research Council and the European Innovation Council. Both of these councils must have ring fenced financing so that we can support scientific excellence and disruptive innovation. By way of conclusion, Horizon Europe constitutes a major opportunity for Europe's future. As long as we equip Horizon Europe with the funds it needs to meet those ambitions.”
  EU research funding
• “So there would be Ebi would also join as well from 2026. There's also The energy performance has also been mentioned. Do you have any details on that and also and about how the the layout of the buildings could be changed now for Brasilia? Um, this is this building has been renovated and it is in the area where the embassies are located. The total purchase is around €25 million. And this is, uh, with a loan over 20 years. So I have a question beyond the beyond supporting this plan. 60 people work there currently. There's co-location with the EIB. Can the building host other European organizations and services? Is that the aim here? Thank you.”
  Discharge of EU institutions and agencies
• “I'd like to know, too, if the committee is envisaging extending the building and urgent savings together. Objectives beyond the traditional closures during holidays or weekends when there's not a lot of staff present. Also note that you say to us that some parking spaces have been eliminated for over 4000. If I read correctly now, are there still enough? And I'd like to know what is the breakdown of these eliminated parking spaces and whether the breakdown of remaining parking spaces available to officials? I also have a question on the new conference centre. Can you tell us something about what the state of play is? What are they? What's their timetable? And what was the return on investment expected? Uh, whether financial or functional? Also, for several years, there's been talk of these dynamic collaborative spaces. I think on the whole, the idea is good. After Covid, it's after Covid coming out of Covid that measures were taken to set up these spaces. And I'd like to know now, obviously it's a bit subjective, but I'd like to know how officials are experiencing this, how do they find it, and are they happy on the whole with this change. So those chair are my residual questions in relation to the building policy here in Brussels.”
  Discharge of EU institutions and agencies
• “Mr. President. Thank you Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very much, Mr. Feeney, for the replies to my written questions. Last week, the Budgets Committee is responsible for giving the green light to the E. S a project to get the authorisation to sign a ten year lease for new office premises of the delegation of the European Union to Ghana in Accra. So it seems that it is justified to look for new premises because the current offices are old, they don't meet safety standards and there's a lack of space. The new building. Covers a net surface of 1700m² and is in line with the current standards. Of course, there is a cost. We're talking about 13 point 2,000,000/10 years, 6.7 million in rent. So your request shows that other offers were rejected for safety reasons. And so therefore we have this rental cost. And also this contrast is down to the fact that your current rent is abnormally low. So for the new building, we're talking about more than 740 zero zero €0. So I have a few questions for you. We're going from a building of 1372 to 1700m². Will the E s team increase or will you be sharing or are you thinking of sharing the space, the premises with other institutions? Why this increase in surface area given, um the rental costs? Can you tell us what the situation is in Accra, whether there are other options, other available buildings that you didn't consider. And also another question, can you remind us of the overall time frame of the operation? When do you have to move from your current premises, and what is the deadline for taking a decision?”
  Discharge of EU institutions and agencies
• “Thank you. Chair. So two files, first of all. Uh pre-information. And the eeaS has set out all of the issues relating to this. Questions were asked, answers were given. And so for the moment, we will wait for the final dossier for the decision. And then the second, uh, is, uh, um, asking for approval. Uh, it'll be voted on today. Pre-information took place on the 16th of January. And as we've just heard, the goal of this is quite clear. So I don't really have very much to add. The purchase price has been explained. Uh, with maintenance costs, we bring it up to 4.78 million, which is in line with, um, local markets and the significant price increase in recent years. So as rapporteur, I would be in favor of this request.”
  Discharge of EU institutions and agencies
• “Thank you very much, chairman. Once again, thank you very much to Mr. Feeny and the IAS for all of the documents that were given to us and for this presentation. It's true. It includes all of the key objectives for the service, and also highlight some of the challenges that are at the heart of the debate, and deals with the whole series of additional questions that I could have beyond the responses that we received to our written questions. The first topic I'd like to mention, Mr. Feeny, is, uh, securing the buildings. Now, I do understand that you won't publish the list of buildings that do not respond to all security standards 100%, but I would appreciate it if you could tell us the criteria that are used. When delegations receive part of the €10 million that are there for security. How is the distribution of the funding decided upon, and what is your analysis? Given the deterioration of the situation in some parts of the world security wise, what is your view of the manner in which we will need to react to ensure that buildings are secure in the years to come? Secondly. Just like with the Commission, you spoke about the fact that there is a division between the fully owned buildings and rented buildings.”
  Accounting and auditing of EU budget
• “As we've just heard, we have a request put to us to approve a long term lease for Acer in Ljubljana in Slovenia. It's not a new dossier. We looked at this in 2022 and in June 2025. The aim is to respond to the changing needs of this agency. Office space, uh, working conditions and energy performance. This is good. You know, there will be more resources available to this agency, going from 212 to 280 staff members. The initial lease would be for ten years and it can be renewed twice for five years. So it's a modern building which is in line with our energy ambitions, our security needs, and all of the staff can be brought together. In terms of expenditure. The annual payment would be €1.215 million against 765,000 at the moment, and that is an increase, but it would be an improvement in energy performance. I think this is justified because there are more staff at this agency, and it's because there are structural issues with the current building that they occupy. Thank you.”
  Discharge of EU institutions and agencies
• “Mr. chairman, I can be quite brief on this subject. I could mention the technical and financial aspects of the project, but as the financial regulation allows us to, I suggest that we postpone the vote on this by two weeks, which will give the committee the time to look at the answers to the questions which have been raised, which we only got in this morning. Thank you.”
  Accounting and auditing of EU budget
• “Chair colleagues the OIB has asked us to approve a use of route contract for twenty three years. It concerns the building Arlon fifty three which is seventeen thousand seven hundred and fourteen square meters in terms of surface area. In terms of cost we're talking about seven point two million per year and that covers twenty three years so twenty three times by seven million is one hundred and sixty five million. This is part of the approach to green the buildings and the building strategy and we in the committee have been talking about that for several years. So this renovation and refurbishment work is pretty serious stuff and it's underway and the building should be available by the end of December twenty twenty seven. It can then be used by DG Home from twenty twenty eight onwards. There are many areas and spaces for those working there some five hundred and thirty three staff members working there. I have no further questions as regard this matter.”
  Energy efficiency
• “So we have two requests from the EEAS. For two buildings, one in Brasilia and one in Ankara. A number of shadows have asked for a postponement on this. We are allowed to do that under the regulation. I suggest we postpone by two weeks, which will allow the committee to look at the answers supplied to our questions, since we only got those yesterday at close of business.”
  Discharge of EU institutions and agencies
• “Thank you again. Commissioner has once again been approached with a request for approval for the move of the Fundamental Rights Agency to a new building in Vienna, which already hosts the European Patent Office, which is the owner of the building. So this move is intended to modernize the installations and reduce long term costs and respect the environmental and energy requirements. Given that the building has been was was completely renovated in 2020 for the agency and the 138 officials will occupy 46% of the building, the rest being occupied by the European Patent Office. And the move is planned for April May next year, and the overall average. The rent every year will be a little bit more than a million. And if we add charges a little bit more, 1.6 million, which is an annual saving of €250,000, according to the Drastic because of the drastic drop in energy costs. And we also have 500,000, um, for work done on the building and uh, much of which will be charged to the fundamental rights agency. So that's the situation today. Thank you.”
  Discharge of EU institutions and agencies
• “Mr. chairman, I will speak in French. Colleagues. Firstly, I would also like to thank the rapporteur, Mrs. Konecna, for her work as rapporteur on this first version of the opinion of our Committee on the Discharge Procedure. I'm pleased that the text reflects in a balanced manner the conclusions of the European Court of Auditors for the 2024 financial year, and as that it comes out of its special report published in the same year, of the EU's response to the Covid 19 pandemic. The court underscores the fact that EU agencies, within the scope of their mandate and capacities, have well managed the situation under unprecedented situations, and they tried to improve preparedness for future health crises. And it is in this spirit that I would suggest some additions so that we could better underscore the work carried out by our agencies in Thousand and 24, based on the annual activity reports and the special report of the court. I think it's very important that our opinion also reflects concrete contributions provided by these agencies, and the importance of supporting their capacity to be able to respond to future health crises. Thank you.”
  Discharge of EU institutions and agencies
• “Thank you very much. Chair. Dear colleagues, let me thank Mr. Feeney for his presentation and particularly for the responses to the questions that were sent to his service. And I believe we received all the necessary responses. Now, I don't have any additional questions at this stage. I suggest we come back to this when we have more detailed information on these particular files.”
  Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• “Thank you. Chairman. I'd like to begin by thanking Mrs. Cazenave for her presentation. It was a very full presentation on the aims of this pre-information procedure concerning the renegotiation. Renegotiation of the rental contract. She responded to a number of written questions as well. And these negotiations, I think, could be useful from a budgetary point of view. At this moment, I do not have any additional questions, so we will wait for the outcome then of the negotiations, depending obviously on the different options which will be discussed. Thank you.”
  Accounting and auditing of EU budget
• “Thank you chair. First I would obviously like to thank the different speakers for the documentation they gave us before the meeting. Very comprehensive documentation and all of those three presentations we've just had. It's always useful to get an update on the building policy. Exchanges of views are always very general, but are also very useful and allow us to get up to speed with all the figures and data and to see how the European Commission is evolving in terms of strategy and implementation. In Mulhouse, and also in energy terms. And how our institutions are doing that. I'd also like to thank the speakers for their very precise answers to all the questions that I and other colleagues have asked of them. Now, there remain for me some fairly specific questions on the Brussels building policy, and I addressed myself to Mr. Vielen, who was said today. He said today that the percentage of a lease back is increasing. And I would like to know if this, uh, this, um, outlook reflects the needs of the building buildings in the long term will this a proportion of these buildings will increase or how will it be with a fully owned property? And how will that look like after 2030? And with the perspective of 540,000m² here in Brussels, we have attained the rationalisation goals. Or are we already envisaging a post 2030 strategy? And if yes, which? Now it's true that the Commission has climate ambitions which are very ambitious for these buildings, and the fact that the Commission has given up, it's giving up certain buildings for fully renovated buildings, uh, in terms of climate ambitions, has the commission specific goals in terms of solar Production.”
  Energy efficiency
• “Thank you. Chair. Colleagues, I'd like to welcome the presence of the new head of the OMB, Milton Fillon. It's the first meeting for him as director, and I'm sure we'll have an excellent relation as good as with his predecessor. The OE. Asks us for a contract for 18 years for the loom building. With 22,000m², three buildings will be brought together. And the. The commission occupied by the Commission responds to the environmental and energy requirements and the mobility strategy of the Commission, which foresees replacing old buildings with new ones which are more appropriate. We have an 18 year lease. With a total cost of 157 million. And, uh, the, uh, I'd like to thank, uh, the for all the responses given to our written questions. This last clarification when it comes to the parking spaces, because one of the answers, the Obi says when it comes to these parking spaces, the building was designed for the maximum number of parking spaces authorized by the Brussels Agreement on the air quality and the climate. If this if you see that these numbers of spaces is enough, is insufficient for the proper management of the building, um, is there a plan B to for on the part of the EIB to find more parking spaces.”
  Discharge of EU institutions and agencies
• “Thank you chairman. Well you said everything. You summarize the situation very well. It's a problematic file. And the commission has not respected the rules of the financial regulation by not providing an early warning to the budgetary authority. So I suggest we postpone this file.”
  Accounting and auditing of EU budget
• “Yes, thank you very much. Very quickly, I would like to thank Mr. Michaud, firstly for his presentation, then also to for the very clear replies that he has given to us, to the written questions that we put to him during the whole prior information process given the request from the IBA. At this juncture, I have no further questions, and obviously I'm going to be following the evolution of negotiations on this file. And obviously look forward to listening to the IBA when they come before the committee.”
  Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• “Thank you, Madam Chair. This file links to a request from Germany on the 10th of March, 2025, to draw down funding from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund. This request was made following the closing down and restructuring of the Goodyear manufacturing site in Germany. 1171 job losses in the rubber and plastics manufacturing Ufacturing sector, in particular in the regions of Kassel and Darmstadt. This report specifies that 915 workers will benefit from financial support measures under the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund. A total amount of 3.0 8,000,060% of costs incurred. The measures will cover training, retraining, tailored support, enterprise support schemes, job search support and efforts to improve digital skills. The overall goal is to reintegrate workers into long term employment. Bearing in mind the challenges linked to the green and digital transitions, as rapporteur, I support this request. I just have some practical housekeeping points. Amendments can be tabled through to the 8th of September at 5 p.m., and the vote will take place on the 23rd of September next in the Committee on Budgets. There you have it, Madam Chair.”
  European Globalisation Adjustment Fund
• “Yes, thank you very much. Very quickly, I would like to thank Mr. Michaud, firstly for his presentation, then also to for the very clear replies that he has given to us, to the written questions that we put to him during the whole prior information process given the request from the IBA. At this juncture, I have no further questions, and obviously I'm going to be following the evolution of negotiations on this file. And obviously look forward to listening to the IBA when they come before the committee.”
  Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• “Thank you. Chair. I'd also like to thank our rapporteur for his work. The bankruptcy of Casa. Hit the local economy hard. The company went into receivership after years of uncertainty. As a result of the rise of e-commerce and recurrent financial difficulties. And this tangible European solidarity seeks to retrain some 416 workers who've been laid off by the Casa group in March 2025. This reconversion will entail training in situ technical digital reskilling. Personal coaching for new Europe supports the request made by Belgium to the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund to support the 416 workers laid off. The total amount is some 2,250,000 and, as we said, 1.916 thousand taken on board by the EU, the rest being put up by the Flemish region.”
  European Globalisation Adjustment Fund