Özlem DEMIREL

Policy topics Özlem DEMIREL is active on

What Özlem DEMIREL has said (70)

• 2026-06-16 “(11:32:18 – 11:33:31): Thank you very much. Madam president, the history of The Middle East is full of imperialistic interventions and power games and leaving to the suffering of the people and mass murder. The Iran is bombed and that is a deal. The the region is brought to the brink of the mass disaster, and the the the region is left in ruins. The price is paid by young people, women's, all those who fought for freedom and social rights. The EU, once again, is on the wrong side of history. They are silent when international war is broken. They deliver weapons and refuse responsibility. And now the Strait Of Hormuz is being reopened. We we don't need any geopolitical games. People need peace, social security, and the right to self determination of their future and free of external innovations. Thank you.”
  EU-Iran relations
• 2026-03-17 “E-001082/2026 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission The Commission has asked the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) to provide a reply to the question put forward by the Honourable Member. The reply of the agency will be transmitted by the Commission to the Honourable Member as soon as possible.”
  Privacy & law enforcement · EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters
• 2026-03-17 “E-001081/2026 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission The Commission has asked the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) to provide a reply to the question put forward by the Honourable Member. The reply of the agency will be transmitted by the Commission to the Honourable Member as soon as possible.”
  EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters · Privacy & law enforcement
• 2026-02-11 “E-000578/2026 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission As the question falls under the responsibility of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the Commission has asked the Agency to provide a response to the question raised by the Honourable Member. The Commission will send the Agency’s reply to the Honourable Member as soon as possible.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2026-02-11 “E-000593/2026 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission At the end of December 2025, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) reported 1 365 deployable category 1 (statutory staff employed by Frontex) 1 , 870 selected category 2 (staff seconded from Member States for a long term) and 4 951 nominated category 3 (staff from Member States provided to Frontex for short-term deployment). Only category 1 is statutory staff of the Agency and therefore recruited and employed by Frontex. The financial arrangements for the staff from Member States seconded to the Agency (category 2) and on financing deployments of category 3 are established respectively in Management Board Decisions 7/2023 2 and 4/2023 3 . As sub-questions two and three fall under the responsibility of Frontex, the Commission has asked the Agency to provide an answer to the question raised by the Honourable Member. The Commission will send the Agency’s reply to the Honourable Member as soon as possible. 1 Statutory staff deployable as members of teams in operational areas in accordance with Article 55 of the Regulation (EU) 2019/1896. This figure does not include European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) staff and staff for supportive or monitoring functions for the establishment of the standing corps, counted as category 1 staff for the purposes of Annex I. 2 Management Board Decisions 7/2023 of 20 February 2023 adopting the rules on the secondment of category 2 of the European Border and Coast Guard standing corps. 3 Management Board Decision 4/2023 on financing deployments of operational staff, category 3 and category 4 of the European Border and Coast Guard standing corps.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2026-02-03 “E-000425/2026 Reply The information requested by the Honourable Member is not available to the Council.”
  Privacy & law enforcement · EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters
• 2026-01-28 “E-00334/2026 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission 1. The 15 trainees from Benghazi who attended the course in Taranto last September were officers and petty officers from the Libyan Coast Guard part of the Libyan Navy, which is the sole Libyan military institution operating as a unified entity at operational level, under the umbrella of the Joint Military Committee. 2. The EU engages with authorities throughout the country in line with its ‘one Libya’ policy and in accordance with the UN Security Council, which ‘noted the importance of progress towards the unification of all institutions, including military and security institutions’ 1 . 3. All reasonable measures to mitigate such risks have been taken. Every candidate is subject to a vetting process which involves an initial screening by Libyan authorities, followed by further checks by Member States, International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) and EU Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) prior to the start of the training. EU Naval Force Mediterranean Operation Irini (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) does not train personnel belonging to militias, nor individuals with a proven criminal record or a record of human rights violations. 1 Press statement on Libya, 3 March 2026 https://press.un.org/en/2026/sc16309.doc.htm.”
  EU policy on Sahel and Sudan · EU foreign policy approach
• 2026-01-28 “P-000337/2026 Reply In its conclusions of 9 February 2023, the European Council called on the Commission and the Council to take forward the work on relevant tools, including possible measures against transport operators that engage in or facilitate trafficking in persons or smuggling of migrants. It is not for the Council to answer questions concerning ongoing consultations in other institutions or services. Moreover, the Council is not in a position to comment on a potential new EU sanctions regime addressing migrant smuggling, human trafficking or other forms of organised crime prior to the submission of a formal proposal by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the European Commission. Once the legal acts have been received by the Council, negotiations will commence in the relevant Council preparatory bodies and at this stage, the Council can foresee neither the outcome nor the duration of these discussions.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2026-01-28 “E-000333/2026 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission The European External Action Service and the Commission are currently discussing with the Council a new sanctions regime addressing migrant smuggling and trafficking of human beings, and, if suitable, other forms of organised crime. The exact scope of the new regime proposed will depend on such discussions. The regime should target natural persons and entities, including relevant organised crime groups, whose actions pose a security threat to the EU, within the scope of the new regime. Once the sanctions regime is established, it will allow the High Representative/ Vice-President or Member States to table specific listing proposals that will have to be assessed by the Council based on political feasibility, taking into account their legal solidity. Where possible and appropriate, the proposal for the new sanctions’ regime will draw on elements from other horizontal and recent sanctions regimes. The proposal for a new regime is expected to be finalised in the first quarter of 2026.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2026-01-28 “E-000335/2026 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission As the question falls under the responsibility of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the Commission has asked the Agency to provide a response to the question raised by the Honourable Member. The Commission will send the Agency’s reply to the Honourable Member as soon as possible.”
  Asylum & border control · Surveillance equipment & spyware
• 2026-01-28 “E-000336/2026 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission As the questions fall under the responsibility of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the Commission has asked the Agency to provide a response to the questions raised by the Honourable Member. The Commission will send the Agency’s reply to the Honourable Member as soon as possible.”
  Asylum & border control · EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood
• 2026-01-21 “Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission 17.3.2026 Written question The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) is a decentralised EU agency and procurement decisions are taken by Frontex under its applicable rules and under its responsibility. The Commission does not directly manage, nor award the Agency’s contracts and does not exercise any supervision role over Frontex’ procurement activities. Accordingly, the Commission is not mandated to receive any information about the reasons leading to unsuccessful tendering procedures due to unsuitable tenders and consequently cannot comment on any deadlines or changes to be introduced where those procedures are to be republished. These elements fall entirely under Frontex’s responsibility as contracting authority. As sub-questions one and three fall under the responsibility of Frontex, the Commission has asked the Agency to provide a response to the questions raised by the Honourable Member. The Commission will send the Agency’s reply to the Honourable Member as soon as possible. See annexes : Annex 1 , Annex 2”
  Asylum & border control
• 2026-01-20 “Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission 10.4.2026 Written question The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) has concluded status agreements with a number of EU candidate countries. In this context, in 2023, Commission services held an information session for various Ukrainian authorities on the nature and purpose of status agreements, outlining the procedural requirements under Article 218 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union . Negotiations are only possible with Council authorisation. A status agreement would provide a legal framework for Frontex to directly support Ukraine’s border management authorities, including with tasks requiring executive powers, once the security situation permits. This would enhance the current cooperation, under the working arrangement between Frontex and the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service. As an EU candidate country, Ukraine will need to bring its border-management framework in line with the EU acquis. As a neighbouring country sharing some 1 300 km of land border with the EU, it is in the EU’s interest that those borders are managed to the highest possible standard. Discussions are ongoing with Member States on how the EU can best support Ukraine in the management of its borders, in particular those it shares with the EU.”
  Asylum & border control · EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters
• 2026-01-14 “Answer given by Ms Šuica on behalf of the European Commission 22.5.2026 Written question According to the information available to the Commission, the reported incident involved members of the Libyan Coast Guard, which operates under the authority of the Libyan Navy. As a military structure, the investigation falls within the competence of the Military Prosecutor and the Ministry of Defence. These institutions operate under the authority of the internationally recognised Government of National Unity based in Tripoli. The EU Delegation to Libya maintains regular contacts with Libyan counterparts, primarily through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and has also engaged with the Ministry of Defence regarding the incident. The Libyan authorities have confirmed that an investigation is ongoing in accordance with Libyan law. During the 8th meeting of the EU-Libya Technical Mission on Migration on 3 February 2026, both sides agreed to continue exchanges on strengthening mechanisms for monitoring, investigating and reporting search and rescue (SAR) incidents. The EU also expects Libyan authorities to adopt standard operating procedures for SAR operations developed with EU support. Monitoring and dialogue mechanisms have been further strengthened for EU-funded projects in Libya through more frequent Technical Missions, reinforced on-the-ground verification and independent evaluations, on top of the already existing monitoring tools. Dialogue with the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defence, and the Attorney General’s Office has been intensified and made more systematic.”
  EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood · Asylum & border control
• 2025-11-20 “E-004645/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission As the question falls under the responsibility of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the Commission has asked the Agency to provide a response to the question raised by the Honourable Member. The Commission will send the Agency’s reply to the Honourable Member as soon as possible.”
  Asylum & border control · Surveillance equipment & spyware
• 2025-11-17 “E-004572/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission As the question falls under the responsibility of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the Commission has asked the Agency to provide a response to the question raised by the Honourable Member. The Commission will send the Agency’s reply to the Honourable Member as soon as possible.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2025-11-04 “E-004331/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission At the end of September 2025, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) reported 1 239 deployable category 1 (statutory staff employed by Frontex), 880 selected category 2 (staff seconded from Member States for a long term) and 4 946 nominated category 3 (staff from Member States provided to Frontex for short-term deployment). The Commission plans to adopt a proposal amending the European Border and Coast Guard Regulation (EBCG Regulation) 1 in 2026. It will be accompanied by an impact assessment. A call for evidence and a public consultation were carried out, with the public consultation being concluded on 27 November 2025. The allocation between different categories of the standing corps for the year 2025, as established in Annex I of the EBCG Regulation, consists of 2 000 category 1, 1 000 category 2 and 5 000 category 3. As sub-question three falls under the responsibility of Frontex, the Commission has asked the Agency to provide an answer to the question raised by the Honourable Member. The Commission will send the Agency’s reply to the Honourable Member as soon as possible. 1 Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 November 2019 on the European Border and Coast Guard and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1052/2013 and (EU) 2016/1624, OJ L 295, 14.11.2019, p. 1–131.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2025-11-04 “E-004332/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission As the question falls under the responsibility of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the Commission has asked the Agency to provide a response to the question raised by the Honourable Member. The Commission will send the Agency’s reply to the Honourable Member as soon as possible.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2025-11-04 “E-004333/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission As the question falls under the responsibility of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the Commission has asked the Agency to provide a response to the question raised by the Honourable Member. The Commission will send the Agency’s reply to the Honourable Member as soon as possible.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2025-10-17 “E-004104/2025 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission In response to the incident involving the Ocean Viking, the EU called for investigations by competent national authorities. Any country remains sovereign and responsible for its law enforcement bodies. The EU does not have investigative powers itself and does not comment on pending investigations. In this case, the Libyan authorities confirmed that an investigation was ongoing. The EU will assess the outcome of this investigation thoroughly to determine any further measures. The EU considers that it is necessary to continue engaging with the Libyan authorities to improve the humanitarian conditions of migrants and to avoid deaths at sea and in the desert. Therefore, a technical dialogue with competent authorities for migration, border management, anti-smuggling and anti-trafficking in Libya has been established since 2024. This is in line with the European Council 1 call to step up the EU action to prevent irregular departures and loss of life, and the EU Action Plan for the Central Mediterranean 2 . The technical dialogue follows a comprehensive approach aiming at establishing an effective and humane migration governance framework, to combat migrant smuggling and ensure respect of human rights. During the last meeting of the technical dialogue on 15 October 2025, the EU reiterated its concerns about the reported incident involving the Ocean Viking vessel and urged the Libyan authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure Libya’s full compliance with national and international obligations in similar situations. At the same time, the Commission is reinforcing its monitoring and dialogue mechanisms to ensure that human rights standards are upheld in all EU supported activities. 1 https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-1-2023-INIT/en/pdf. 2 https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/document/download/407045d2-beff-40fd-a403eddbeb343fb0_en?filename=EU%20Action%20Plan%20for%20the%20Central%20Mediterranean_en.pdf.”
  Asylum & border control · EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood
• 2025-10-16 “E-004077/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission A joint Commission/European External Action Service technical dialogue with authorities responsible for migration, border management, anti-smuggling and anti-trafficking in Libya was established in 2024. This is in line with the European Council 1 call to step up the EU action to prevent irregular departures and loss of life and the EU Action Plan for the Central Mediterranean 2 . This technical dialogue follows a comprehensive approach aiming to support Libya in establishing an effective and humane migration governance framework, to combat migrant smuggling and ensure respect of human rights. The last iteration of the technical dialogue was a Libyan technical mission to Brussels, on 15 October 2025, and a familiarisation visit to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) in Warsaw, on 14 October 2025. In accordance with existing rules and practice, the Commission does not disclose personal data of EU or foreign officials at technical level. 1 https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-1-2023-INIT/en/pdf. 2 https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/document/download/407045d2-beff-40fd-a403eddbeb343fb0_en?filename=EU%20Action%20Plan%20for%20the%20Central%20Mediterranean_en.pdf.”
  EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood · Asylum & border control
• 2025-10-14 “E-004024/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission The legal basis for the involvement of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in counter-drone measures is Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 1 . The Agency can provide technical and operational assistance to Member States, in particular in the field of European integrated border management, which includes border control and border surveillance as components. The Commission is expanding the support to counter the risk posed by non-cooperative drones. The Commission plans inter alia to provide financial support to the Member States participating in the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (BMVI) 2 via the BMVI Specific Action ‘Support for border management capabilities including drones (unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)) and counter-drone measures (counterunmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS))’. The supported measures aim to bolster the EU preparedness to counter the risk posed by non-cooperative drones in particular by focusing on the purchase of UAS and C-UAS in view of border surveillance. The Commission has been providing financial support to the Member States for purchasing drones to be used in the field of border management 3 , internal security 4 and research and innovation 5 . The funding provided to the Member States’ programmes for border management and internal security focused on reinforcing Member States’ border surveillance capabilities, including drones. Under the European Defence Fund 6 , the Commission cofinanced research and development projects in the area of UAS and unmanned aerial vehicles operations and detection for a total of EUR 350 million. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32019R1896; in particular Article 3(1)(a) covering also border control. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32021R1148; All Member States except Ireland. Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, associated with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis, may also apply. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32021R1148. 4 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32021R1149. 5 All data on research projects, funding, beneficiaries and results can be found on Horizon dashboard: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/horizon-dashboard and on https://cordis.europa.eu/. 6 https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-defence-industry/european-defence-fund-edf-official-webpageeuropean-commission_en;Together with its predecessor programmes European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) and Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR), including projects in progress or completed.”
  Surveillance equipment & spyware · Asylum & border control
• 2025-09-22 “E-003659/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission In May 2024, the Commission created a Law Enforcement Networks Working Group (LENWG) to bolster the preparedness of law enforcement networks, including the European Surveillance Group (ESG), to combat evolving threats. The Commission has also provided financial support 1 to the ESG, under the Internal Security Fund, through funding to Member States in implementing the Council Recommendation (EU) 2022/915 on operational law enforcement cooperation adopted on 9 June 2022 2 . Upon invitation, the Commission participates in meetings, but the Commission is not involved in the operational activities of the ESG and the ARGOS (Assembly of Regional Groups on Surveillance), as these are an informal network and an informal initiative primarily managed by Member States' law enforcement authorities. Europol, the EU Agency for law enforcement cooperation, supports, as member of the ESG, Member States participating in the ESG by providing a secure platform for information exchange, technical expertise, and administrative support, in line with its mandate. The ESG network and the ARGOS initiative aim to facilitate cross-border operational police cooperation by promoting the exchange of expertise and best practices in police surveillance operations, thereby supporting Member States in effectively addressing cross-border criminal activities. 2025 ESG and ARGOS meetings are arranged and hosted by the participating Member States of these networks. In 2025, the Commission, upon invitation, participated in the steering committee of the ESG held in Lisbon on 1-2 April 2025. 1 Launch of the call for expression of interest for the ‘Specific Action Council Recommendation on operational law enforcement cooperation – Turning recommendations into joint actions (ROLEC)’ under the Internal Security Fund (ISF) – Reference ISF/2023/SA/2.1.1. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reco/2022/915/oj/eng.”
  Surveillance equipment & spyware · EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters
• 2025-09-11 “E-003519/2025 Answer given by Ms Šuica on behalf of the European Commission The Commission takes note of the European Parliament’s request for more detailed information on the monitoring of EU-funded activities in Libya. Due to the sensitive nature of the operations concerned and the volatile security context on the ground, certain operational details cannot be disclosed publicly. The Commission remains available to provide further information to the European Parliament in a confidential setting, where appropriate. Monitoring of the Support to Integrated Border and Migration Management programme in Libya (SIBMMIL) is carried out through several complementary mechanisms, including regular reporting from implementing partners, on-site verification missions, results-oriented monitoring and independent evaluations. Since 2019, a third-party monitoring framework has been in place in Libya, covering all EU-funded projects. This framework provides EU staff and relevant implementing partners with regular assessments of the operating environment, identifying risks, opportunities and potential human-rights implications. This contributes to applying the do-no-harm principle and supports a rights-based approach in programming and dialogue with Libyan authorities. Given the sensitive nature of the monitoring framework, public disclosure of the reports is covered by Article 4 (a) of the Regulation 1049/2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents 1 , which is applicable mutatis mutandis also to requests for information. However, the Commission remains open to confidential exchanges with the European Parliament where appropriate. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2001/1049/oj/eng.”
  EU competences on human rights · EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood
• 2025-09-11 “E-003521/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission As the question falls under the responsibility of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the Commission has asked the Agency to provide a response to the question raised by the Honourable Member. The Commission will send the Agency’s reply to the Honourable Member as soon as possible.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2025-09-03 “E-003371/2025 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission The EU Naval Force Mediterranean Operation Irini (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) operates in the central Mediterranean, a vast area, and had no assets near the incident that could have been informed. All vessels, including those under EUNAVFOR MED IRINI, are legally obliged to assist persons in distress at sea and to follow the instructions of the competent rescue coordination authorities. Such assistance is only possible if a vessel is informed and able to reach the location within a reasonable timeframe, which was not the case for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI’s assets. Coordination of Common Security and Defence Policy operations and missions 1 falls under the political authority of the Council. A structured North Atlantic Treaty Organization-EU political dialogue exists to enhance coordination between operations active in the same area. While the Commission has no operational competence in this regard, it continues to underline to the Libyan authorities responsible for maritime law enforcement the importance of strengthening mechanisms to monitor respect for human rights, to investigate incidents, and to ensure accountability and transparent reporting. The Commission, alongside international partners, will continue to work with Libyan authorities with the aim of improving conditions for migrants and asylum seekers. At the same time, the Commission continues to reinforce monitoring and dialogue mechanisms to ensure that human rights standards are upheld. As this written question falls as well under the responsibility of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, the Commission has asked the Agency to provide a response to the question raised by the Honourable Member. The Commission will send the Agency’s reply to the Honourable Member as soon as possible. 1 https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/missions-and-operations_en.”
  EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood · Asylum & border control
• 2025-08-26 “E-003295/2025 Answer given by Ms Šuica on behalf of the European Commission The P664 Houn Corrubia-class vessel has been refurbished under the EU-funded Support to Integrated Border and Migration Management in Libya (SIBMMIL) programme and donated to the Libyan Coast Guard in June 2023, which is still operating it. Since 2017, the programme aims to strengthen the Libyan authorities’ capacity to conduct search and rescue (SAR) operations in full respect of international standards and human rights, through the provision of equipment, training, and expertise for the development of standard operating procedures in close cooperation with Member States. The SIBMMIL programme provides support for vessel repair and maintenance activities, including the training of maintenance personnel from both the General Administration of Coastal Surveillance, under the Ministry of Interior, and the Libyan Coast Guard. Since 2023 approximately EUR 5.4 million were allocated to these activities. These funds were used by the project’s implementing partner, the Italian Ministry of Interior, to deliver maintenance services and training for the overall SAR fleet, to the benefit of the aforementioned Libyan institutions. Following similar incidents in the past, the EU had called for investigations by competent national authorities. Countries remain sovereign and responsible for their law enforcement bodies. The EU does not have investigative powers itself and does not comment on such investigations, though the EU finds the incident deeply concerning and have urged responsible authorities to investigate the event thoroughly. In this case, the Libyan authorities have confirmed that an investigation is ongoing. The Commission will assess the outcome of this investigation thoroughly in order to determine any further measures. The Commission considers that, to improve the situation on the ground, it is necessary to continue engaging with the Libyan authorities to improve the humanitarian conditions of migrants and to avoid deaths at sea and in the desert. The Commission is reinforcing its monitoring and dialogue mechanisms to ensure that human rights standards are upheld in all EU-supported activities. The EU remains fully committed to saving lives at sea in line with international maritime law and no rescuer should be put in danger while carrying out lifesaving work.”
  Asylum & border control · EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood
• 2025-08-26 “E-003296/2025 Reply The information requested by the Honourable Member is not available to the Council. The Honourable Member is invited to put this question to the Commission.”
  Asylum & border control · EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood
• 2025-08-26 “E-003300/2025 Reply It is not for the Council to answer questions concerning an EU agency.”
  EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters · Privacy & law enforcement
• 2025-07-30 “E-003138/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission As the question falls under the responsibility of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the Commission has asked the Agency to provide a response to the question raised by the Honourable Member. The Commission will send the Agency’s reply to the Honourable Member as soon as possible.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2025-07-30 “E-003137/2025 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission The European Union Integrated Border Management Assistance Mission in Libya (EUBAM Libya) is active in the context of border surveillance between Tunisia and Libya in Ras Ajdir border crossing Al Assah operations centre and Abu Sharaf guard tower. EUBAM Libya has supplied and installed a high frequency radio base station, data network cables, desktop computers, printers, closed-circuit television, access control devices, photo-voltaic panels, inverters and batteries to Al Assah operations room. EUBAM has provided an office container, a high frequency radio base station, closed-circuit television, photo-voltaic panels, inverters and batteries to Abu Sharaf watchtower. The Mission has provided and installed photo-voltaic panels at Ras Ajdir border crossing point, ensuring business continuity and reducing the long waits of customers in transit. EUBAM is supporting the Libyan intra and inter agency cooperation in order to increase effectiveness of the border management. Consequently, the Mission has no engagement with the Tunisian authorities. The cooperation should be strengthened with the Border Guard Agency, General Administration of Anti-Narcotics, the Criminal Investigation Directorate, the Tourism Police, the General Administration for Security Operations, the Office for Arab and International Criminal Police of the Ministry of Interior, the Libyan Coast Guard and Port Security, the Libyan Border Guards of the Ministry of Defence, the Libyan Customs Authority (LCA) and the European Union Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as intermediary. EUBAM Libya is providing customs management software to the LCA, essential to launch the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA).”
  Asylum & border control · EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood
• 2025-07-02 “E-002689/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission 1. At the end of March 2025, the Agency reported 6 757 standing corps, including category 1 (deployable staff), category 2 and nominated category 3. The standing corps category 4 (‘reserve for rapid reaction’) has been phased out as of 2025. In accordance with Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 1 , the Agency is expected to reach overall 10 000 standing corps by 2027, of which 3 000 category 1. 2. As sub-question two falls under the responsibility of Frontex, the Commission has asked the Agency to provide an answer to the question raised by the Honourable Member. The Agency’s reply will be sent to the Honourable Member by the Commission as soon as possible. 3. At present, the Commission is carrying our the preparatory work on an impact assessment supporting a future proposal amending the European Border and Coast Guard Regulation, in response to the political call of the Commission’s President. Accordingly, no decision has been taken yet as regards the details of the proposal. 1 Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 November 2019 on the European Border and Coast Guard and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1052/2013 and (EU) 2016/1624, OJ L 295, 14.11.2019, p. 1–131.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2025-06-16 “E-002416/2025 Reply The United States continues to consider participation in the enhanced border security partnership (EBSP) an important criterion for participation in its Visa Waiver Program, as confirmed at the EU-US Justice and Home Affairs ministerial meeting in early June 2025. Given the intrinsic link to EU competence on visa policy, in 2024 the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) asked the Commission to submit a recommendation for a Council Decision to negotiate, on behalf of the Union, an agreement which would address these issues. On 23 July 2025, the Commission submitted a recommendation to open negotiations on a framework agreement between the European Union and the US on the exchange of information for security screenings and identity verifications relating to border procedures and applications for visa. The Council is currently discussing it.”
  Privacy & law enforcement · Asylum & border control
• 2025-06-16 “P-002408/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission As the question falls under the responsibility of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the Commission has asked the Agency to provide a response to the question raised by the Honourable Member. The Commission will send the Agency’s reply to the Honourable Member as soon as possible.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2025-06-16 “E-002410/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission As the question falls under the responsibility of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the Commission has asked the Agency to provide a response to the question raised by the Honourable Member. The Commission will send the Agency’s reply to the Honourable Member as soon as possible.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2025-06-16 “E-002409/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission As the question falls under the responsibility of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the Commission has asked the Agency to provide a response to the question raised by the Honourable Member. The Commission will send the Agency’s reply to the Honourable Member as soon as possible.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2025-05-26 “E-002099/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission As the question falls under the responsibility of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the Commission has asked the Agency to provide a response to the question raised by the Honourable Member. The Commission will send the Agency’s reply to the Honourable Member as soon as possible.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2025-05-26 “E-002103/2025 Reply As the questions posed by the Honourable Member concern the conduct and planning of the Mission, they are invited to address these directly to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.”
  Asylum & border control · EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood · Surveillance equipment & spyware
• 2025-05-26 “E-002104/2025 Reply The information requested by the Honourable Member is not available to the Council.”
  Asylum & border control · EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters
• 2025-05-12 “P-001889/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is aware that Cyprus has in place a bilateral Search and Rescue Agreement with Syria since 2009. Cyprus, like all Member States, is bound by the principle of nonrefoulement and must ensure that in implementing the said agreement, nobody is sent back to a situation where they may face persecution, in accordance with its international obligations. The Search and Rescue Agreement referred to was not concluded by the EU pursuant to Article 216 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Following the fall of the Assad regime, the Commission is stepping up its engagement to support an inclusive, peaceful, Syrian-owned and Syrian-led transition and to contribute to the country’s socio-economic recovery and future reconstruction. An enhanced package of EUR 175 million (EUR 139 million to be adopted for 2025 and EUR 36 million already adopted in 2024) is under finalisation, including a priority area that aims to support the rebuilding of the Syrian state by enhancing its institutions, systems, capacities, and governance.”
  EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood · Asylum & border control
• 2025-04-09 “E-001477/2025 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission Page Group Ltd is a United Kingdom based private security company (PSC) providing security services to the European Union Mission for the Support of Palestinian Police and Rule of Law 1 (EUPOL COPPS). The company delivers security services such as 24/7 on-site guarding of the premises and monitors all moves of the Mission and the security situation in the area of operations. The strike of the PSC personnel started on 8 January 2025 and ended on 22 January 2025. Page Group Ltd informed EUPOL COPPS that the interruption of the service was due to internal issues between Page Group Ltd and its local employees falling outside the remits of EUPOL COPPS. The Mission immediately requested the management of Page Group Ltd to resolve the issue as soon as possible. In parallel, a business continuity plan was implemented by EUPOL COPPS for the duration of the strike, focusing on a seamless continuation of the provision of the security services such as Warden and Duty Security Officer duties using Mission staff. 1 https://eupolcopps.eu/.”
  EU humanitarian missions · Relations with Israel - Palestine
• 2025-03-26 “E-001248/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission According to Eurostat data for 2023, the number of incoming 'Dublin' take back requests 1 was around 125 000 2 . This corresponds to around 12% of the number of first-time asylum applications in 2023 3 . The above-mentioned share is calculated by dividing the number of incoming 'Dublin' take back requests by the total number of first-time asylum applications in 2023 4 . With the entering into application of the new Eurodac Regulation 5 , the collection and calculation of data regarding unauthorised secondary movements in the EU will be significantly improved. Questions regarding the methodology used by the European Union Agency for Asylum would be best addressed directly by the Agency. 1 Statistics on Dublin requests are collected under Article 4.4 of the Regulation 862/2007. ‘Take back requests’ are those requests which concern persons who already applied for asylum in another EU country. 2 https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/bookmark/f4bf4bd6-919e-4fd7-bb19-3ccb5e99cc5f?lang=en. 3 https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/migr_asyappctza/default/table?lang=en&category=migr.migr_a sy.migr_asyapp. 4 More information can be also found in the Statistics Explained articles: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statisticsexplained/index.php?title=Asylum_statistics_introduced and https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statisticsexplained/index.php?title=Statistics_on_countries_responsible_for_asylum_applications_(Dublin_Regulation). 5 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1358/oj/eng.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2025-03-26 “E-001249/2025 E-001250/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission For the calculation of the return rate, the Commission relies on the European Statistical Office (Eurostat) statistics relating to third-country nationals ordered to leave the EU and thirdcountry nationals returned following an order to leave. These statistics are collected by the Member States and reported to Eurostat in accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 on community statistics on migration and international protection 1 . The Regulation does not specify whether the data concerns the initial or final notice of the obligation to leave; however, each person is counted only once within the reference period. The Regulation does not require Member States to report on orders to leave the enforcement of which has been suspended on humanitarian, family-related or any other grounds. The Commission is in continuous dialogue with Eurostat, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency and the Member States to improve data collection on return. Furthermore, the Commission proposal for a new common system on return 2 is expected to contribute to improved data collection and comparability of data. 1 OJ L 199, 31.7.2007, p. 23–29. 2 COM (2025) 101 final.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2025-03-06 “E-000975/2025 Reply On 11 March 2025, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2025/488 amending Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 on the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI). This Decision followed the strategic review of the operation, which was conducted before the scheduled expiry of the operation’s mandate on 31 March 2025. Under its new mandate and secondary to its other tasks, EUNAVFOR MED IRINI will now, within its means and capabilities, conduct monitoring and surveillance activities and gather information on illicit activities other than the trafficking of arms and related material and illicit exports of petroleum from Libya, as well as information useful for the protection of critical maritime infrastructure and for contingency planning. Any further changes to the operation’s mandate require unanimity among the Council members. It is not for the Council to speculate on potential future changes to the mandate. Regarding the Honourable Member’s second and third questions, the Council does not comment on the operational details of military operations.”
  EU competences on defence · Asylum & border control
• 2025-03-04 “E-000910/2025 Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission Passports issued by EU Member States adhere to globally interoperable standards adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization 1 , including rules on specifying the sex of the holder. Nevertheless, States remain free to impose rules on entry, immigration and documents that are accepted for those purposes. The Commission remains committed to achieving a Union of Equality, promoting equality, diversity and inclusion for all, notably through the LGBTIQ 2 Equality Strategy 2020-2025 3 , which pays particular attention to trans, non-binary and intersex persons. As announced in the Commission President’s Political Guidelines 4 and in the 2025 Commission Work Programme 5 , the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy will be renewed beyond 2025. 1 International Civil Aviation Organization, Doc 9303, Machine Readable Travel Documents. 2 Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, intersex and queer. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52020DC0698 4 https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683f63ffb2cf648_en?filename=Political%20Guidelines%202024-2029_EN.pdf. 5 https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/7617998c-86e6-4a74-b33c249e8a7938cd_en?filename=COM_2025_45_1_annexes_EN.pdf.”
  LGBTIQ+ · EU-US relations
• 2025-03-04 “E-000909/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission On 5 March 2025, the Justice and Home Affairs Council endorsed the revised Interoperability Roadmap that foresees the implementation in 2025 and 2026 of the Entry/Exit System (EES), centralised system for the identification of Member States holding conviction information on third-country nationals and stateless persons (ECRIS-TCN), Eurodac 1 , European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and interoperability components referred to by the Honourable Member. Regarding specifically the Eurodac, the Roadmap reflects the timeline for its launch, as set out in Regulation (EU) 2024/1358. Visa Information System for the EES (VIS4EES) and shared biometric matching service (sBMS) 2 have started operations on 20 May 2025. The EES will start operating on 12 October 2025 3 and the ETIAS entry into operation is planned for the last quarter of 2026. ECRISTCN, the European search portal and the common identity repository technical readiness are foreseen for the last quarter of 2025. The Commission is not part of the contract regarding the development of the EES. The EU Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA) is responsible for the implementation of the contract, including any decisions related to the activation of contractual remedies. The Commission is not investigating the former Executive Director of eu-LISA and there are no indications that the initiation of an investigation would be necessary. 1 Regulation (EU) 2024/1358 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on the establishment of ‘Eurodac’ for the comparison of biometric data in order to effectively apply Regulations (EU) 2024/1351 and (EU) 2024/1350 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Directive 2001/55/EC and to identify illegally staying third-country nationals and stateless persons and on requests for the comparison with Eurodac data by Member States’ law enforcement authorities and Europol for law enforcement purposes, amending Regulations (EU) 2018/1240 and (EU) 2019/818 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Regulation (EU) No 603/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council. 2 Commission Implementing Decision (EU) of 13.5.2025 determining the date on which operations of the shared Biometric Matching Service start pursuant to Regulations (EU) 2019/817 and (EU) 2019/818 of the European Parliament and of the Council – C(2025) 2785. 3 Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1544 of 30.7.2025 determining the date from which the Entry/Exit System is to start operations pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 of the European Parliament and of the Council, C/2025/5031, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202501544.”
  Asylum & border control · Privacy & law enforcement
• 2025-03-04 “E-000908/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission As the questions fall under the responsibility of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the Commission has asked the Agency to provide a response to the questions raised by the Honourable Member. The Commission will send the Agency’s reply to the Honourable Member as soon as possible. With respect to the revision of the Agency’s mandate, the Commission is currently analysing options for strengthening of Frontex, in line with the Political Guidelines 2024-2029 1 . 1 https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683f63ffb2cf648_en?filename=Political%20Guidelines%202024-2029_EN.pdf”
  Surveillance equipment & spyware · Asylum & border control
• 2025-01-30 “E-000420/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission As the question falls entirely under the responsibility of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the Commission has asked the Agency to provide a response to the question raised by the Honourable Member. The Commission will send the Agency’s reply to the Honourable Member as soon as possible.”
  Asylum & border control · Arms export from the EU
• 2025-01-22 “E-000270/2025 Reply The Council is not involved in the negotiation of, or comments on, contracts concluded between civilian CSDP Missions, or on their behalf, and private security companies.”
  EU competences on foreign affairs · EU humanitarian missions
• 2024-12-19 “E-003049/2024 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission As the question regarding ‘Aerial surveillance by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) with drones and aircraft (2024)’ falls entirely under the responsibility of Frontex, the Commission has asked the Agency to provide an answer to the questions raised by the Honourable Member. The Agency’s reply will be sent to the Honourable Member by the Commission as soon as possible.”
  Surveillance equipment & spyware · Asylum & border control
• 2024-12-18 “E-003042/2024 Answer given by Ms Šuica on behalf of the European Commission The EU and Algeria regularly engage in migration dialogue in the framework of the Association Agreement 1 (2005). Algeria is also involved in the Rabat Process 2 , a regional platform for migration governance. The EU does not provide any financial support to the Algerian government, including for the building of ‘fortifications’ along Algeria’s borders. Algeria benefits from two EU-funded migration programmes under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument - Global Europe 3 : Between 2023-2024, the Migration, Protection, Return and Reintegration Program 4 (EUR 85.6 million) implemented by the International Organisation for migration (IOM) supported 8 540 assisted voluntary returns of migrants from Algeria to their countries of origin, provided protection and direct assistance to 784 beneficiaries, and supported the reintegration of around 90 returnees from Algeria. The Regional Police Cooperation programme 5 (EUR 5 million, run by the International Criminal Police Organization), focuses on building the technical capacity of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute criminal networks engaging in migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings. Both programmes operate across North Africa. The Regional Development Protection Programme supports the United Nations High Commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) to provide protection and assistance to asylum seekers and refugees in Algeria. EU humanitarian aid provided to UNHCR focuses on providing potable water to refugees near Tindouf. IOM and UNHCR cooperate with the Algerian Red Crescent, which, does not receive EU funding. 1 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/documents/treaties-agreements/agreement/?id=2002036 2 https://www.rabat-process.org/en/ 3 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/funding-and-technical-assistance/funding-instruments/globaleurope-neighbourhood-development-and-international-cooperation-instrument_en 4 Adopted in 2021 https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/document/download/a60afbe4-31cd-4ded-bdb80a92b552fb4b_en?filename=C_2021_9615_F1_ANNEX_EN_V2_P1_1639232.PDF, and topped up in 2023 https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/document/download/ff5ece36-1ef3-4cfe-a40b1648431c90a6_en?filename=C%282023%294402_AD%202023.PDF, with an additional top-up foreseen under the 2024 budget https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/document/download/ab2f12b1-06cf-40a3-bc5673c76a54bf1c_en?filename=C_2024_7998_F1_ANNEX_EN_V2_P1_3737157.PDF 5 Adopted in 2022 https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/document/download/08f7ebe5-4466-479a-9cbffbf5292cfa7f_en?filename=C_2022_6933_F1_ANNEX_EN_V1_P1_2132129.PDF”
  EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood · Asylum & border control
• 2024-12-18 “E-003041/2024 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission As the question regarding the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) and its cooperation with Algeria falls entirely under the responsibility of CEPOL, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, the Commission has asked these Agencies to provide an answer to the question raised by the Honourable Member. The Commission will send the Agencies’ reply to the Honourable Member as soon as possible.”
  EU-Algeria relations
• 2024-12-16 “E-002956/2024 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission 1. The Commission considers ‘priority third parties’ as the parties for which the Council has authorised the Commission, as Union negotiator, to open negotiations and adopted negotiating directives for international agreements to be concluded between the Union and third parties on exchange of personal data with Europol 1 . 2. In accordance with Article 23(5) of Regulation (EU) 2016/794 2 , regardless of an international agreement enabling the exchange of personal data being in place, and while upholding all provisions on ownership and data protection as well as necessity and proportionality, Europol may receive personal data from third countries. According to Regulation (EU) 2018/1862 3 , only the competent authorities of Member States can enter, modify or delete alerts in Schengen Information System (SIS), in line with the requirements and conditions set out in that Regulation, including when the underlying case for the alert is partially or fully based on information received from third parties. There is no obligation or procedure for the alert issuing Member State to inform other Member States or Europol on the source of information. 3. The Commission has no access to data in the SIS and no access to information on specific cases of bilateral information exchange between Europol and third countries on hit information. Pursuant to Article 48(4) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1862, Europol shall only communicate such information to third countries with the consent of the alert issuing Member State and in full compliance with EU law on data protection. 1 The countries for which the Council has authorised the Commission to open negotiations for an agreement on the exchange of personal data are: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, and Türkiye (all in 2018), New Zealand (the only one -that so far entered into application on 15 August 2024), and Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru (negotiations with Brazil were concluded and on 18 December 2024 the Commission adopted the proposals to sign and conclude the Agreement). 2 Regulation (EU) 2016/794 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and replacing and repealing Council Decisions 2009/371/JHA, 2009/934/JHA, 2009/935/JHA, 2009/936/JHA and 2009/968/JHA, OJ L 135, 24.5.2016, p. 53. 3 Regulation (EU) 2018/1862 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 November 2018 on the establishment, operation and use of the Schengen Information System (SIS) in the field of police cooperation and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, amending and repealing Council Decision 2007/533/JHA, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1986/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Decision 2010/261/EU, OJ L 312, 7.12.2018, p. 56.”
  EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters · Privacy & law enforcement
• 2024-12-02 “E-002716/2024 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission As the question regarding ‘Frontex contracts with HawkEye 360’ falls entirely under the responsibility of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the Commission has asked the Agency to provide an answer to the questions raised by the Honourable Member. The Agency’s reply will be sent to the Honourable Member by the Commission as soon as possible.”
  Asylum & border control · Surveillance equipment & spyware
• 2024-10-29 “E-002301/2024 Answer given by Ms Suiča on behalf of the European Commission The EU-funded Support to Integrated Border and Migration Management in Libya (SIBMMIL) programme aims at improving Libyan authorities’ capacity to save lives at sea and in the desert and fight migrants smuggling and trafficking in human beings, while increasing the Libyan authorities’ knowledge of international standards and human rights. The programme covers equipment and training, including on human rights standards, and expertise on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The SIBMMIL budget contributed to the setup of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Libya with approximately EUR 2.2 million. Notable progress has been made with the MRCC being now partially operational with equipment installed, including a completed communication tower, and a team from the Libyan Coast Guard permanently onsite. Ten modules for a mobile MRCC were provided by SIBMMIL over the years, including one classroom container, one MRCC container, two office containers, one kitchen, one cold room and four accommodation containers. Italy donated an extra classroom container. The EU continues providing trainings for the Libyan MRCC operators. In 2024, three EU technical missions to Tripoli focusing on migration have taken place. They addressed the topics of rights-based migration governance, protection, voluntary humanitarian returns and border management with Libyan and international partners in the country. This also included on site visits with the assessment of progress on the operationalisation of the MRCC.”
  Asylum & border control · EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood
• 2024-10-29 “P-002299/2024 Reply The European Gendarmerie Force (EUROGENDFOR) has been a contributor to both civilian and military CSDP missions and operations, in line with Article 42(3) TEU. The Civilian CSDP Compact calls, inter alia, for the continued use of multinational formations such as EUROGENDFOR, with a view to increasing our missions’ ability to respond and adapt to evolving challenges. The Council has not discussed the role a liaison officer could play. EUROGENDFOR assets have been deployed in EUAM Ukraine, EUPM Moldova, EUPOL COPPS and EUBAM Rafah. France, Spain, and Italy have contributed personnel to the EUBAM at the Rafah Crossing Point between Gaza and Egypt. The Republic of Moldova (Moldovan General Inspectorate of Carabinieri) and Ukraine (National Guard) hold observer status in EUROGENDFOR. One of the conditions to apply for an observer status in EUROGENDFOR is to be officially recognized as candidate for membership of the European Union.”
  EU-Ukraine relations · EU competences on defence · Relations with Israel - Palestine
• 2024-09-04 “P-001621/2024 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell i Fontelles on behalf of the European Commission The general framework for the partnership between the EU and Algeria is set out in the Association Agreement 1 signed in 2002, which covers a large number of cooperation sectors. The EU has not concluded any agreement with Algeria on the readmission of Algerian nationals in irregular situation in the EU territory nor on the management of irregular migration from third countries. The EU and Algeria have agreed to cooperate to support the assisted voluntary return and reintegration in their countries of origin of migrants stranded in Algeria through a programme implemented by the International Organization for Migration. Algeria has not sent a request to the Commission to support/finance projects aimed at securing the border with Tunisia and there are no ongoing discussions/reflection on this subject. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A22005A1010%2801%29”
  EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood · Asylum & border control
• “Thank you very much. President, the gender pay gap is not just abstract numbers. We see it very tangibly in people's salaries and wondering if they can make ends meet at the end of the month. And it's particularly women dominated professions such as care or education. There's also the invisible work that's being paid very badly at the end of their jobs, at the end of their working day, women are doing a lot of the caring responsibilities. The work is not evenly divided. So that's why more women end up in part time work. And that's where better infrastructure would help. But the conservatives, the German Chancellor, doesn't agree and is now, uh, talking about, uh, longer working hours about lifestyle, um, workers. Have to tighten their belt while the super rich live their excessive lifestyles. What we need is an economic order that profit is not made off the back of workers, but people can live in freedom. When, uh, women, uh, are, uh, have that emancipation from capitalism, uh, things will improve. And we need the commission to finally put in place the Pay Transparency Act.”
  Gender pay transparency
• “Thank you very much, a colleague, for accepting the question. Have I understood you correctly? You say that pay transparency wouldn't change the structural inequalities, but I'm not sure what you want to do concretely to, uh, to do this. So you say you're in favor. Uh, but it seems you're just representing the employer, uh, lobbyists, uh, and business Europe.”
  Gender pay transparency
• “Thank you very much. President. Competitiveness and rearming these fake debates about migrants. Well, this seems to be what the commission and this House wants to pursue. If we look at what has happened over the past 100 years, over 100 days, unfortunately, it's completely it's very far removed from the daily needs of people. Thousands of people have difficulty making ends meet. And what does the commission do? It looks at the concerns of multinational companies, austerity and cuts for people, and €800 billion for rearming the European Union. Poor people are afraid that they might lose their jobs. But the Commission hasn't said one word about the needs of workers. But then, in the future. You could. Perhaps they could perhaps work in the arms industry. Colleagues, commission. We don't need these cuts. We don't need jobs in the arms industry. No, we need sustainable jobs for people and Social Security. This is how we can ensure we have security for everybody. Thank you.”
  Defence spending
• “Thank you very much. Thank you. Madam president, ladies and gentlemen, quite often workers and European works councils find out about mass layoffs and closing of plants through the press. That has to be stopped. There is a legal right for consultation and co-determination. And if companies abuse that, they have to be sanctioned in a consequential way, because this consultation is not a nice thing to have, it's an obligation. Attacks on workers rights and social constructions are things that are on the Up across Europe. The conversion of industry. History. The demands of the modern society are claiming victims. Of course, there have been a lot of hard fights that have been fought to get where we are, but we've seen how there can be resistance. For example, in Greece, the general strike against increase of working hours, or in Italy against what happened with the Gaza genocide protests. This is something that can be averted, this massive social dumping.”
  EU regulation on worker representation in company decisions
• “Thank you very much. President, the gender pay gap is not just abstract numbers. We see it very tangibly in people's salaries and wondering if they can make ends meet at the end of the month. And it's particularly women dominated professions such as care or education. There's also the invisible work that's being paid very badly at the end of their jobs, at the end of their working day, women are doing a lot of the caring responsibilities. The work is not evenly divided. So that's why more women end up in part time work. And that's where better infrastructure would help. But the conservatives, the German Chancellor, doesn't agree and is now, uh, talking about, uh, longer working hours about lifestyle, um, workers. Have to tighten their belt while the super rich live their excessive lifestyles. What we need is an economic order that profit is not made off the back of workers, but people can live in freedom. When, uh, women, uh, are, uh, have that emancipation from capitalism, uh, things will improve. And we need the commission to finally put in place the Pay Transparency Act.”
  Gender pay transparency
• “I mean, okay, coming back to what we heard from Torsten Schulz and his. Results, you set out how much progress we've made. And I saw that Germany has no action plan for the time being, and perhaps that isn't great when such an economically strong country such as Germany hasn't actually taken any steps in that direction, because that really sets a bad example and is a bad sign when other countries which are not doing so well, how are they going to follow? Um, now I think it is a question of political will more than anything. And as I come from Germany, you can, you can perhaps you could go a little bit more into how this the situation in Germany is viewed at the moment with the increase of collective bargaining and the potential action plan. My last comment is it's clear that in Europe we have governments that say this is a directive, that it. All they have to do under this directive is set up an action plan, but they don't have to actually implement any of it now. It's true that here in the European Parliament, we do have a monitoring group, and the commission has to monitor very clearly what's happening with these action plans. I think. We're talking about paper tigers here. Really. We find ourselves in a situation in where a number of member states have appalling collective bargaining coverage low wages, low working conditions, low appalling working times as well. Thank you.”
  EU regulation on worker representation in company decisions
• “Thank you chair. Thank you. I'll be speaking German. I'm going to talk a little bit about Germany, but I wanted to make a more general comment to start with. Now, I personally hope that this directive, whether we're talking about minimum wages or increasing collective bargaining, I hope that in this time of crisis, in this time where across Europe, we are facing new attacks on our social rights, on the trade union movement, I hope that this will serve as a sort of break, and perhaps Greece is a great example. As Thorsten Schulten said, we've seen the troika measures have been withdrawn, and I really much hope that there won't be any new troika measures in the future. But at the same time, I have to say, we've heard from business, Europe and the Commission, they've both underscored the fact that we have to focus on Competitiveness and productivity increasing productivity. You could argue that good wages and good collective bargaining is also an advantage for competitiveness. But I've been a left wing politician for a while, and when I wasn't here in the Parliament, I was worked with trade unions. And I perhaps wouldn't put it so diplomatically, if you want to be competitiveness or if you present competitiveness in this way, then you see wages are so low across member states, then you can see what this competitiveness is actually based on. And I don't think businesses across Europe. I don't think we can't we can't say that our businesses aren't innovative enough. And so they're not competitive.”
  Minimum wages harmonisation at EU level
• “Thank you very much, a colleague, for accepting the question. Have I understood you correctly? You say that pay transparency wouldn't change the structural inequalities, but I'm not sure what you want to do concretely to, uh, to do this. So you say you're in favor. Uh, but it seems you're just representing the employer, uh, lobbyists, uh, and business Europe.”
  Gender pay transparency
• “Thank you very much indeed, president. I myself, five years ago, as the daughter of a political refugee, came to Europe, and my grandfather was one of the migrant workers. He was illiterate. He didn't understand the language at the time, but what he did understand was that he needed to work. Shift after shift in the factory. And he then brought my grandmother and his daughters to Germany. My grandmother was a cleaner, and she insisted on her grandchildren to study so that they in turn did not have to clean. And she was ridiculed even though she did great work and she could tell you tales about discrimination, but she would probably be called Aisha in these cliched, uh, books. But my grandfather and his wife represent a whole generation of migrant workers who constructed the Europe, the Germany of today together with others. And they did this without any recognition, without any voice. And today, people still encounter discrimination in looking for housing, education on the employment market. And those to the right here want to talk about a cultural fight and say that this is work? Well, I'm not going to go into a discussion on that. I'm talking about justice and Social Security, and that's why I'm in favor of an anti-discrimination directive, and I call on our government to implement it.”
  EU policy on integration and ethnic, racial and religious discrimination
• “Thank you very much. President, the gender pay gap is not just abstract numbers. We see it very tangibly in people's salaries and wondering if they can make ends meet at the end of the month. And it's particularly women dominated professions such as care or education. There's also the invisible work that's being paid very badly at the end of their jobs, at the end of their working day, women are doing a lot of the caring responsibilities. The work is not evenly divided. So that's why more women end up in part time work. And that's where better infrastructure would help. But the conservatives, the German Chancellor, doesn't agree and is now, uh, talking about, uh, longer working hours about lifestyle, um, workers. Have to tighten their belt while the super rich live their excessive lifestyles. What we need is an economic order that profit is not made off the back of workers, but people can live in freedom. When, uh, women, uh, are, uh, have that emancipation from capitalism, uh, things will improve. And we need the commission to finally put in place the Pay Transparency Act.”
  Gender pay transparency
• “(10:31:16 – 10:32:44): very much, madam president. Every year, the commission comes up with new names for old proposals. This time, the 20 eighth regime, a new EU wide parallel legal, form for companies to make it life easy for them and making it worse for workers. Companies throughout the EU want us can stick to national law or a simplified EU law. That is the downward spiral. It's about setting up making setting up companies easier. In reality, it's about administration and taxation of an attack on workers' rights and co decisioning companies. The unions are speaking up against this proposal rightly. And we rather than having a new parallel system for companies being set up, there should be measures being taken by the commission to for real progress to make sure that we have good investments, research, training, make sure that we can have strong public investments for secure jobs, for good wages, for strength strong self determination. That's the way to take things forward, but not by setting up a parallel system for companies. Thank you, mister Tonin.”
  EU regulation on worker representation in company decisions
• “Thank you, Madam President. 21 months of ethnic cleansing. While in Gaza, you're seeing the rubble still smoking. It's not just bombs that are killing people. It's actually systematic famine. Those trying to get aid are being shot. They're being targeted. This is a policy of destruction. Completely inhumane. This camp is meant to be humanitarian, but actually, it's just a place to transport people. The idea is to wipe Palestine off the map. They want a Greater Israel and are worsening the situation in the whole Middle East. In Germany, they're crocodile tears, but they're providing weapons. They're talking about using narratives that legitimize this. And Israel is actually doing our dirty work. The idea is that the whole objective of the new order in the Middle East is what they're talking about. But this order is being built on sand. Get your hands off the Middle East.”
  Relations with Israel - Palestine
• “Thank you very much, a colleague, for accepting the question. Have I understood you correctly? You say that pay transparency wouldn't change the structural inequalities, but I'm not sure what you want to do concretely to, uh, to do this. So you say you're in favor. Uh, but it seems you're just representing the employer, uh, lobbyists, uh, and business Europe.”
  Gender pay transparency