Saskia BRICMONT

Policy topics Saskia BRICMONT is active on

What Saskia BRICMONT has said (80)

• 2026-06-15 “Well, let's be honest. Nobody's cock a hoop about this agreement with The USA, but some are still holding their breath. Some hope that this will bring predictability for our businesses and that Trump will stick to the agreement, to the deal. But, you know, how much are these Trump promises worth? Bearing in mind, he's already talked about retaliation against Europe, about tariffs. You know, it's not really serious business. We can't accept this without a guaranteed stability for our companies. We need proportionality. The European parliament proposed proportionality, but the governments and the commission completely dismantled that. Europe shouldn't accept submission, and it shouldn't accept a transactional logic and certainly shouldn't just play along with the bullies. We don't want increased independent dependence, sorry, on unstable partners. You know, quite the opposite. Europe actually has the keys to its own success, and that means economic, industrial, and energy transition. That's what we actually”
  EU-US trade relations
• 2026-02-25 “E-000805/2026 Answer given by Mr McGrath on behalf of the European Commission Without prejudice to the role of the Commission as guardian of the Treaties, it is for the independent data protection authorities in the Member States (DPAs), under the control of national courts, and ultimately the Court of Justice of the European Union where questions of Union law are involved, to determine whether transfers of personal data from national tax authorities to the US carried out under the bilateral agreements to improve international tax compliance and to implement the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) take place in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The Commission closely follows developments in this regard, including in collaboration with the European Data Protection Board. The preliminary ruling in Case C-804/25 on the questions referred by the Cour des Marchés of Brussels is likely to provide important clarifications in this regard. In general, an appropriate balance must be struck between the right to protection of personal data and the legitimate objectives of general interest, such as the fight against tax avoidance and evasion, including by identifying financial assets that taxpayers may hold abroad.”
  Anti-money laundering regulation · EU competences on taxation
• 2026-01-12 “P-000060/2026 Answer given by Mr Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission The Commission took note of the interim order granted by the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) on 24 November 2025 1 with regard to the implementation of the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement 2 (EPA). The Commission also took note of the statement of the Government of Kenya, adopted on 26 November 2025, in which it announced that it will appeal the Court’s ruling and in which it considers the EPA as not suspended. The interim measures request and the related application in the main case were directed against Kenya and the East African Community and concern the application and interpretation of the Treaty for the Establishment of the Eastern African Community. The Commission has been in contact with the Kenyan authorities, who assured that Kenya’s compliance with the EU-Kenya EPA is not put in question by the interim order of the EACJ. The EU-Kenya EPA is still being implemented. The Commission is confident that Kenya will be able to resolve any issues relating to the interim order of the EACJ, in collaboration with its partners. The Commission does not consider that the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change is immediately relevant for the ongoing proceedings before the EACJ, in particular, and trade agreements concluded between the EU and third countries, in general. To date, the Commission has not obtained a legal opinion on this matter as it does not consider that it raises legal questions for the EU that require clarification at this stage. 1 https://www.eacj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/APPLICATION-NO.-7-OF-2024-CLEP-EAST-AFRICAV.-THE-AG-OF-KENYA-THE-SG-EAC.pdf. 2 https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/east-africancommunity-eac/eu-kenya-agreement_en.”
  Free trade agreements (FTAs) · EU policy on social & environmental impact of foreign investments
• 2025-10-20 “E-004128/2025 Answer given by Mr Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission The Paris Agreement is an essential element of the EU-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement 1 (FTA) and the Commission is committed to ensuring that its objective and purpose is respected, including in relations with the EU’s closest partners. On the occasion of the Trade Committee under the FTA, both the EU and New Zealand reconfirmed their commitments to the implementation of the Paris Agreement and to its principles, objectives and its global temperature goal. The Commission is aware of New Zealand’s announced revision of its methane emissions target range. The Commission will analyse the implications of the announced measure in further detail and also in view of the commitments taken by New Zealand under the FTA. The institutional provisions in Chapter 24 of the FTA establish the structure and procedures to analyse, discuss, and address any matters which arise in relation to the FTA, including matters related to the Paris Agreement on climate change. Furthermore, the provisions under Chapter 26 establish the framework for dispute settlement. Depending on the findings of the above-mentioned analysis, the Commission stands ready to raise the matter with New Zealand, including in the relevant committee(s) established under the FTA with a view to ensure proper implementation of the FTA commitments, including on climate related matters. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202400229.”
  Climate efforts · Free trade agreements (FTAs)
• 2025-07-23 “E-003049/2025 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission As stated in its reply to written question E-002217/25, the Commission is aware of the challenges the textile second-hand sector is facing mainly because of the growing volume of used textiles and textile waste resulting from (ultra-) fast fashion practices. The obligation for Member States to set up separate collection for textiles by 1 January 2025 was introduced in the revised Waste Framework Directive (WFD) 1 . The WFD does not include specific requirements and leaves to Member States the flexibility to design textile collection systems responding to their specificities and needs. With the recent targeted revision of the WFD 2 , the Commission proposed to support Member States and the textile second-hand sector by introducing extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes for textiles and by recognising the key role of social economy entities in the collection of second-hand textiles. Once the EPR for textiles is established, the producers will financially contribute to the collection and management of end-of-life textiles. This will benefit reuse operators and social economy entities, which will have the possibility to keep their collection points and even have their textile waste collected for free, provided they choose to have their collection points made part of the producer responsibility organisation’s collection system. The Commission is not planning to set up a dedicated EU-level emergency fund to support social economy entities in the textile sector. In its information note 3 , the Commission highlighted some envisaged measures at EU-level to support the recycling sector, including textiles, and invited Member States to complement these efforts with national measures, also by mobilising Cohesion policy funds 4 . 1 Directive (EU) 2018/851 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 amending Directive 2008/98/EC on waste, OJ L 150, 14.6.2018, p. 109–140. 2 Which was adopted by the European Parliament on 9 September 2025. 3 Presented to the Council (Environment) on 17 June 2025 - https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST9967-2025-INIT/en/pdf. 4 https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/funding/available-budget_en.”
  Circular economy · Sustainable fashion
• 2025-06-18 “E-002445/2025 Answer given by Mr Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission The country-risk classification in the EU Deforestation Regulation 1 (EUDR) is based on an objective and transparent assessment of quantitative criteria, taking into account the latest scientific evidence and data from internationally recognised sources. Article 29 (4)(b) of the EUDR allows for the possibility of taking into account in the EUDR country risk assessment, among other criteria, agreements between the countries concerned and the EU. The Annex 2 to the Trade and Sustainable Development chapter of the EU-Mercosur Agreement reflects that possibility. However, these provisions are not relevant as long as the agreement is not in force. The Commission will review the risk classification for all countries in 2026 to incorporate updated forest data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, expected to be released in October 2025. As the agreement has not entered into application yet, it is premature to speculate on whether Argentina could challenge the country risk assessment through a non-violation complaint (under the so-called rebalancing mechanism) or on the Commission’s potential line of defence. If it were to do so, it would need to convince a panel inter-alia that the EU measure nullifies or substantially impairs a benefit accruing to Argentina under the agreement and that it had a legitimate expectation to be classified in the low-risk category. 1 Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 of 31 May 2023 on the making available on the Union market and the export from the Union of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation, ELI: https://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1115/oj. 2 https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/mercosur/eumercosur-agreement/text-agreement_en.”
  Trade impact on forests · Trade relations with Mercosur
• 2025-03-12 “E-001083/2025 Answer given by Mr McGrath on behalf of the European Commission The new General Product Safety Regulation 1 strengthens the safety framework for consumer products, including menstrual products. It requires manufacturers to perform an internal risk analysis for every product- taking into account consumer categories, including gender differences- and eliminate or mitigate all identified risks, including by adding warnings and instructions for safe use. Also, the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation 2 regulates chemical substances in consumer products and bans the use of certain hazardous substances (e.g. the dioctyltin (DOT) compounds) in menstrual products. Another restriction on skin sensitisers is in preparation too. In the future, the Commission, in cooperation with the Consumer Safety Network and taking into account the number of accidents reported, could explore the development of future standardisation work 3 . In the Coordinated Activities on the Safety of Products 2022, menstrual products were tested against European and international standards, indicating overall compliance. Also, the Product Safety Award 2023 recognised companies innovating in menstrual product safety. Finally, the Commission recognises the importance of research into menstrual product safety. While there are no initiatives under Horizon Europe, or the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme (CERV) programme at this stage, the Commission is open to exploring funding opportunities supporting scientific advancements and consumer safety in this area. 1 Regulation (EU) 2023/988 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 on general product safety, amending Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Directive (EU) 2020/1828 of the European Parliament and the Council, and repealing Directive 2001/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Directive 87/357/EEC. OJ L 135, 23.5.2023, p. 1–51, applicable since 13 th December 2024. 2 Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing a European Chemicals Agency, amending Directive 1999/45/EC and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1488/94 as well as Council Directive 76/769/EEC and Commission Directives 91/155/EEC, 93/67/EEC, 93/105/EC and 2000/21/EC. OJ L 396, 30.12.2006, p. 1–850. 3 Official European standard setting organisations have started to develop certain deliverables on the topic notably with the CEN workshop agreement on absorbent hygiene products. While this standardisation deliverable will not per se deal with the toxic shock syndrome and warnings regarding the duration of use of products, it will provide for test method to assess the potential presence of trace chemicals in absorbent hygiene products useful for manufacturers as well as Market Surveillance authorities to test their safety. More info can be found here: https://www.cencenelec.eu/news-and-events/news/2023/workshop/2023-02-02-ahps/.”
  Pharmaceuticals regulation in EU · Medical devices
• 2025-03-12 “E-001082/2025 Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission More than one fifth of the EU population lives at risk of poverty or social exclusion with women at higher risk. EU initiatives, such as the Council Recommendation on adequate minimum income ensuring active inclusion address the challenge and the upcoming EU AntiPoverty Strategy will aim at facilitating people’s access to the essential protections and services, along with addressing the root causes of poverty. In the Roadmap for Women’s Rights 1 , the Commission lists combating women’s poverty and facilitating access to affordable menstrual hygiene products as key policy objectives to uphold and advance the principle of ‘equal pay and economic empowerment’ and ‘the highest standards of health’, respectively. The inability of women and girls to access menstrual products could make them miss school or work and negatively impact their health. Member States are free to apply a reduced rate or exempt menstrual products of value added tax 2 although this may not necessarily result in a reduction in price. Through the Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality, the Commission will invite Member States to organise an exchange of good practices on women’s poverty, including period poverty. The Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health 3 supports vulnerable groups, including children and women in vulnerable situations, through its 20 flagship initiatives and around EUR 1.2 million in funding opportunities. Initiatives include the identification of best and promising practices to support knowledge sharing, such as the Neunerhaus mental health practice 4 targeting women experiencing poverty. 1 https://commission.europa.eu/news/eu-roadmap-womens-rights-renewed-push-gender-equality-2025-03-07_en. 2 According to Annex III, point (3), of Council Directive 2006/112/EC of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value added tax, OJ L 347, 11.12.2006, p. 1, as amended by Council Directive (EU) 2022/542. 3 https://health.ec.europa.eu/publications/comprehensive-approach-mental-health_en. 4 https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/dyna/bp-portal/submission/search?call=Mental%20Health.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• 2025-02-19 “E-000753/2025 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission 1. The Annex to the Strategic Framework for International Cooperation Engagement 1 presents the general principles of the benchmarking methodology. It relies on quantitative criteria based on scientific evidence and internationally recognised latest available data, primarily from the Global Forest Resources Assessment by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The benchmarking methodology allows to have a specific approach to the countries which are at the lower or higher end of the standard risk category, and that these countries will be a priority for the Commission to engage with. A qualitative methodology will support the dialogues that will be conducted with these countries, based on EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) 2 Article 29 (4) criteria such as existence and implementation of laws protecting human rights, the rights of indigenous peoples, local communities and other customary tenure rights holders. 2. In the framework of this exercise, the EUDR Article 29 (4) also states that information submitted by non-governmental organisations and third parties, including indigenous peoples, local communities and civil society organisations may be take into account and therefore be part of such assessment. 1 https://green-business.ec.europa.eu/document/download/98053bb7-bb73-4157-bf35a9ffa35e2ee2_en?filename=Annex%20to%20Communication%20Strategic%20Framework%20for%20Internati onal%20Cooperation%20EUDR.pdf 2 Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2023 on the making available on the Union market and the export from the Union of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation and repealing Regulation (EU) No 995/2010, OJ L 150, 9.6.2023, p. 206–247.”
  Trade impact on forests
• 2025-01-08 “E-000044/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission The Commission has made combating antisemitism and hate a political priority. There is no place for antisemitism or any form of hatred and violence in the EU 1 . The Commission recommends the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition as a practical guidance and useful tool, in particular for education and training purposes for teachers, Non-Governmental Organisations, state authorities and the media in line with the 2024 Council declaration on fostering Jewish life and combating antisemitism 2 , the 2022 Council Conclusions on combating racism and antisemitism 3 and the 2018 EU Council declaration on combating antisemitism 4 . As also stated in the first progress report of the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life 5 , to date, 25 Member States have adopted or endorsed the IHRA working definition of antisemitism 6 . The IHRA definition states that criticism of Israel similar to that levelled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic. Israel-related antisemitism is the most frequent form experienced online 7 and the EU is working towards an EU free from antisemitism. The non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism by the IHRA serves as a benchmark for the Commission’s work to combat antisemitism. EU funding is used for projects in line and for the implementation of the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life. 1 https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-14245-2024-INIT/en/pdf 2 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/10/15/fostering-jewish-life-and-combatingantisemitism-council-approves-declaration/ 3 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/03/04/council-adopts-conclusions-oncombating-racism-and-antisemitism/ 4 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2018/12/06/fight-against-antisemitism-councildeclaration/ 5 https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/combattingdiscrimination/racism-and-xenophobia/combating-antisemitism/eu-strategy-combating-antisemitism-andfostering-jewish-life-2021-2030/first-progress-report-eu-strategy-combating_en 6 https://holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definition-antisemitism 7 https://fra.europa.eu/en/publication/2018/experiences-and-perceptions-antisemitism-second-surveydiscrimination-and-hate, p. 25.”
  Jewish culture and antisemitism
• 2024-12-11 “P-002866/2024 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission Regulation (EU) No 649/2012 1 implements the United Nations Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure for certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade. The export notification is built on the principle that it is for importing countries to decide whether to consent to the import of certain chemicals (including asbestos) and that exporting countries must respect those decisions. According to the Commission’s information, in the past 5 years Chrysotile was exported in 2021 from France to India in a quantity of 0.001 tonnes in the form of articles containing the fibre (contained in aircrafts). As regards exports of asbestos fibres (Actinolite, Amosite, Anthophyllite, Chrysotile, Crocidolite, Tremolite) in the past 5 years, according to the database on export notifications 2 , exports from EU Member States had only been planned in 2020 (to Australia, Canada, China, Israel, Switzerland, Singapore, Taiwan, United States) and in 2022 (to the United Kingdom). These exports are exempted from the scope of the PIC Regulation as the chemicals are ‘exported for the purpose of research or analysis in quantities that are unlikely to affect human health or the environment and that in any event do not exceed 10 kg from each exporter to each importing country per calendar year’ 3 . But the Commission does not know whether these exports took place and in which quantity below 10 kg. In parallel, the Chemicals strategy for sustainability 4 states that the EU will, in line with international commitments, ensure that hazardous chemicals banned in the EU are not produced for export, including by amending relevant legislation if and as needed. A study on this initiative is ongoing and will inform about the available options. 1 Regulation (EU) No 649/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 concerning the export and import of hazardous chemicals (recast), OJ L 201, 27.7.2012, p. 60–106. 2 https://echa.europa.eu/fr/information-on-chemicals/pic/export-notifications 3 Article 2(3) of the PIC Regulation. 4 https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/chemicals-strategy_en”
  Energy (green transition)
• 2024-12-02 “E-002719/2024 Answer given by Mr Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the European Union and New Zealand establishes the structures and procedures to analyse, discuss and address any matters which arise in relation to the FTA, including issues related to the Paris Agreement 1 on climate change. The Commission services are in contact with their New Zealand counterparts to prepare the first meetings of the committees established under the FTA, which are foreseen to take place in the first half of 2025. In these bilateral exchanges, various matters of interest and concern are being anticipated and discussed, including with regard to greenhouse gases such as methane. Independently from the FTA, the Commission is engaged with New Zealand in high level dialogues on climate change to intensify bilateral and multilateral climate cooperation, including on methane emissions. The first such dialogue took place in 2023, while the second one is expected to be held this year. If a potential matter of concern with regard to the commitments agreed in an FTA is identified, the Commission can formally engage with New Zealand with an aim to resolve the issue. In particular, the matter can be followed-up in the relevant committee of the FTA. If no solution were to be found with respect to a potential breach, the FTA foresees the possibility to resort to dispute settlement proceedings. The Paris Agreement is an essential element of the FTA and the Commission is committed to ensuring that its objective and purpose is respected, including in our relations with our closest partners. 1 Key aspects of the Paris Agreement: https://unfccc.int/most-requested/key-aspects-of-the-paris-agreement”
  Climate efforts
• 2024-12-02 “E-002718/2024 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission In 2018, further to the Commission’s Recommendation 1 , the Council authorised 2 the opening of negotiations with Egypt for an international agreement on the exchange of personal data between Europol and the Egyptian competent authorities for fighting serious crime and terrorism. The European Parliament Resolution 3 referring to an assessment of necessity and proportionality referred to that Commission Recommendation. Law enforcement cooperation with Egypt is needed for the effective fight against terrorism, organised crime and migration-related challenges such as the facilitation of irregular migration and trafficking in human beings 4 . The envisaged international agreement with Egypt on the exchange of personal data with Europol will aim to strike a balance between, on one hand, the need to fight serious crimes and terrorism and, on the other hand, the protection of personal data and other fundamental rights, by spelling out the necessary safeguards. No formal negotiations for such international agreement and the particular safeguards have been held so far between the EU and Egypt. In 2024, Europol finalised negotiations with Egypt for a working arrangement, namely a nonbinding instrument whose conclusion falls under the Agency’s competence. This working arrangement was endorsed in December 2024 by its Management Board 5 and its signature is forthcoming. Such working arrangement only allows the exchange of strategic information and cannot provide the legal basis to exchange personal data. Furthermore, ‘[a]ny information which has clearly been obtained in obvious violation of human rights shall not be processed’ 6 . 1 Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations for an agreement between the EU and the Arab Republic of Egypt on the exchange of personal data between Europol and the Egyptian competent authorities for fighting serious crime and terrorism (COM(2017)809 final), hereinafter referred to as the ‘Commission Recommendation COM(2017)809 final’. 2 Council Decision 9334/18 of 4 June 2018 authorising the opening of negotiations with the Arab Republic of Egypt for an agreement between the EU and the Arab Republic of Egypt on the exchange of personal data between Europol and the Egyptian competent authorities for fighting serious crime and terrorism; on the same day, the Council also authorised the opening of the same negotiations for Algeria, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Israel, Türkiye and Tunisia. 3 European Parliament resolution of 4 July 2018 on the Commission recommendation for a Council decision authorising the opening of negotiations for an agreement between the European Union and the Arab Republic of Egypt on the exchange of personal data between the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and the Egyptian competent authorities for fighting serious crime and terrorism (OJ C 118, 8.4.2020, p. 99). 4 See also Commission Recommendation COM(2017)809 final, and in particular, the explanatory memorandum. 5 In line with Article 10(1) and 15(2) of 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), the Management Board consists of one representative from each Member State and one representative of the Commission, each representative having one vote. 6 Article 23(9) of Regulation (EU) 2016/794 of the European Parliament and of the Council.”
  EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters · EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood
• 2024-11-06 “E-002424/2024 Answer given by Mr Jørgensen on behalf of the European Commission Renovations to improve a building’s energy performance qualify for support under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The total estimated expenditure in energy efficiency in buildings under the RRF is EUR 81.1 billion in the EU, of which EUR 67.5 billion for renovation and EUR 13.5 billion for new construction 1 . Belgium’s Recovery and Resilience plan (BE RRP) includes investments of over EUR 1 billion in the renovation of buildings 2 . The Commission recognises the importance of preserving cultural heritage. According to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 3 and the Energy Efficiency Directive 4 , Member States may exempt buildings officially protected as part of a designated environment or because of their special architectural or historical merit from renovation requirements. A measure in the BE RRP is I-1.09 ‘Renovation of public buildings – schools’ covers light, medium and deep renovations, as well as demolitions and reconstructions. It is mentioned that demolition/reconstruction would apply to buildings that are in most cases prefabricated and where renovation is not possible due to their dilapidation 5 . The BE RRP did not provide any indication regarding protected buildings as part of a designated environment or because of their special architectural or historic merit. The RRF is performance-based. After receiving a payment request, the Commission assesses whether the actions completed comply with the requirements of the Council Implementing Decision 6 before paying out the respective amount to the requesting Member State. The Commission does not give an opinion on individual projects before they start. Investment I1.09 will be assessed under the fifth and sixth payment request by Belgium, expected in 2026. 1 https://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/recovery-and-resiliencescoreboard/assets/thematic_analysis/scoreboard_thematic_analysis_efficiency.pdf 2 Council Implementing Decision on the approval of the assessment of the recovery and resilience plan for Belgium, 10161/21. 3 Directive (EU) 2024/1275, Article 5(2). 4 Directive (EU) 2023/1791, Article 6(2)a. 5 https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/economic-recovery/recovery-and-resiliencefacility/country-pages/belgiums-recovery-and-resilience-plan_en 6 Council implementing Decision amending the Implementing Decision of 13 July 2021 on the approval of the assessment of the recovery and resilience plan for Belgium and Annex, 15570/23.”
  Energy efficiency · EU policy on sustainability criteria in public funding
• 2024-10-30 “E-002345/2024 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission 1. The Commission follows the EU market of tobacco products closely. There are no safe levels of nicotine consumption. In the EU, to advertise and promote nicotine-containing ecigarettes is prohibited in Information Society Services, in the press, other printed publications, the radio and audiovisual media 1 . Member States may prohibit cross-border distance sales of nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes to consumers 2 . While Member States are in principle responsible for regulating age limits and sales arrangements for tobacco and related products within the remit of their own jurisdiction, they are encouraged to prevent sales of such products to children and adolescents 3 . The Tobacco Products Directive allows Member States to prohibit a certain category of tobacco or related products if such prohibition is justified by the need to protect public health and based on grounds relating to the specific situation in the Member State 4 . 2. Consumer protection on online marketplaces is a priority for the enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA) 5 . It provides rules aimed at preventing the dissemination of illegal content as defined by the EU and national legislation and managing systemic risks posed by very large online platforms and search engines (VLOPs and VLOSEs). Providers of online marketplaces must comply with the applicable EU law regarding precontractual information, compliance, and product safety 6 . VLOPs and VLOSEs, in addition, need to comply with the provisions concerning risk assessments of the systemic risks posed by their services and measures to mitigate those risks. 7 3. The Commission is carrying out a comprehensive evaluation of the EU legislative framework on tobacco 8 . Future steps will depend on its findings. 1 Article 20(5) of the Tobacco Products Directive 2014/40/EU and Article 9(1)(d) Audiovisual Media Services Directive 2010/13/EU: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02010L001320181218 2 Article 20(6) of the Tobacco Products Directive 2014/40/EU. 3 Recital 21 of the Tobacco Products Directive 2014/40/EU. 4 Article 24(3) of the Tobacco Products Directive 2014/40/EU. 5 Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market for Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act). 6 In line with Article 31 of the Digital Services Act. 7 In line with Articles 34-35 of the Digital Services Act. 8 https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/13481-Evaluation-of-the-legislativeframework-for-tobacco-control_en”
  Electronic cigarettes · Smoking regulation
• 2024-10-01 “E-001920/2024 Answer given by Mr Reynders on behalf of the European Commission The Commission strongly condemns any illegal access to interpersonal communications. Regarding potential implications to the rule of law, the Commission monitors the situation in all Member States, including Slovakia. The data protection acquis offers comprehensive protection to the confidentiality of communications and users’ personal data. EU data protection law is applicable to the processing of personal data by private entities, even where such processing is required for national security purposes. Under the ePrivacy Directive 1 , the interception or surveillance of communications by public or private bodies is prohibited without the consent of the user. While restrictions to these rights are permitted for important public objectives, they are subject to conditions and safeguards. The Law Enforcement Directive 2 is also applicable when public authorities process personal data for law enforcement purposes. Courts and supervisory authorities have effective powers to examine any allegations of misuse. Member States are competent to safeguard their national security. They must oversee their security services to ensure they respect fundamental rights. The investigation of such issues is the responsibility of each Member State. Member States cannot merely refer to national security to exclude the application of EU law. The Court of Justice of the EU made clear that Member States must be able to demonstrate why national security would be compromised in the case at issue. As the Commission informed the European Parliament in its answers to the dedicated resolutions, it is working on a non-legislative proposal on the use of intrusive surveillance software by national authorities in the EU, in particular from a data protection perspective. 1 Directive 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2002 concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (Directive on privacy and electronic communications), OJ L 201, 31.7.2002, p. 37. 2 Directive (EU) 2016/680 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by competent authorities for the purposes of the prevention, investigation, detection or prosecution of criminal offences or the execution of criminal penalties, and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Council Framework Decision 2008/977/JHA OJ L 119, 4.”
  Surveillance equipment & spyware · EU Supervision of the Rule of Law
• “We can no longer be naive in our policies and in our trade policy. More particularly, we're not surprised seeing the reactions of trade partners. But we can use GATT articles. And within the rules of the WTO, we can apply pressure to protect our own European industry. And we call on the European Commission to do that. It's also a question of maintaining credibility. We also suggest including decarbonisation as an aspect here. This is a transitional sector. Transition is something that makes us vulnerable. Once again, we're seeing very clear signals from the sector, but we know that transition is possible and desirable. But given the situation when it comes to competition, it's not profitable. So we have to protect these decarbonisation approaches, avoid utps. And we need to keep a close watching brief on the safeguard for Ukraine, because we think, on the contrary, that obviously we have to take into consideration the entry risks of joining our market. But let's not forget it's at war. It's protecting us. It's protecting all Europeans. This proposal, I don't think, would be deemed credible if it didn't from the outset, include aspects to allow overcoming this end of the safeguards, because we need to we need to deal with these overcapacities which are structural. We need to defend European industry and send a clear message to the rest of the world.”
  Trade relations with China
• “2022. I've been looking at DSA and the DSA has been in force, and it reminds me of the Dalida song. Words, words, words. That's all it is. We have nothing but words. Sheen. Uh, cells. Uh, childlike sex dolls. Weapons, uh, prescription medicine. A long list. We've heard about wish as well. Two years ago. Were this was mentioned, I would welcome Sarah Laycock from the, uh. I know that two years ago, uh, the DGs was looking at suspending wish in France. That request was put to the commission. We need a change here. There are no borders in the digital world. I welcome the action taken by the Dgccrf. How swiftly the French authorities have moved on this. I would remind you that I to seize the initiative together with Renew Europe, and added this as a debate item in plenary. We adopted a resolution in response to this scandal. We put that to the vote in plenary last week, and we had broad based support. That was a clear indication that the European Parliament agrees. We need action, not words. Zero tolerance for those that breach our rules. This is not just an isolated case. Since 2022, we have had the DSA in place and we have seen systemic breaches of our rules by the online giants. When we're dealing with the US big tech companies. We think that maybe they're afraid to take action because of Trump. Well, what is the problem here? The commission has the tools it needs. It's like having a wonderful recipe.”
  Digital platforms liability for harmful and illegal content
• “(10:39:26 – 10:42:07): Thank you very much. I'll be speaking French in the intergroup. We already asked a number of times for more, for the commission to be more proactive in the EEAS as well to try and get the commission and the council to get at least the minimal voting to suspend this agreement. There are hundreds of questions. We've had letters. We've had support from NGOs, from citizens on a huge scale, but still, the institutions seem to be providing a very lukewarm response when it comes to suspending the association agreement with Israel. It's not even stopping trade with Israel, which is openly violating international law. It's a partial suspension and to reestablish tariffs. That is where we are in our discussions. You say that there will be sanctions against Israel for having bought stolen Ukrainian grain, and that is good. I repeat that. But when are we going to sanction Israel for reestablishing the death penalty? War crimes in Lebanon, a humanitarian catastrophe. You say to us again and again that the EU is the biggest humanitarian donor when it comes to Gaza and the Palestinians. Well, what does that mean if this humanitarian aid never reaches its target? It rots at the borders, and we do not hold the Netanyahu government accountable. They're not reimbursing us for this last state. Where is the EU assuming its responsibilities here? Acting to prevent genocide is an obligation under international law, and one of these ways of acting is suspending this trade part of the association agreement. Nobody contests that Israel is openly violating article 2, a key part of the agreement in Gaza in the occupied territories. So we want a clear response, but not just a clear response. We need the commission to be more proactive and from the EEAS as well. We want your response to be very clear. Ending trade with the economies is necessary to be in conformity with international law. There is no legal way that you can trade with illegal settlements unless the EU decides that it will align itself with Putin and Netanyahu's policy and be a body that no longer respects international law.”
  Relations with Israel - Palestine
• “Thank you. My apologies for coming in late. And thank you to the rapporteurs. Um, yeah. We really, from our side, also acknowledge the growing importance of international police cooperation in a world where transnational crime and criminal networks are expanding, and in this context, enhanced cooperation with South America is of particular significance, including with Ecuador. However, of course, such cooperation must be firmly grounded in the principles of legality with full respect for fundamental rights and also robust data protection standards. And in the case, in the specific case of Ecuador, we have serious concerns, particularly regarding the different incidents and reports of incidents of police brutality and also extrajudicial killings. We take note of the agreement stated intention to contribute to the improvement of law enforcement standards, which we view as a positive ambition, but nevertheless we want to really insist on that and to have a close look and follow up from Parliament side. We strongly expect the European Commission and Europol to fulfil their oversight responsibilities and to ensure that all the safeguards embedded in the agreement are rigorously, rigorously applied and also enforced. So we also take note of the positive assessment from the European Data Protection Supervisor and insist that these recommendations, and especially on the functioning of the Ecuadorian Data Protection Authority, is strictly taken into account. Our group is inclined to support this agreement, but will also closely follow up on its enforcement and implementation. Thank you.”
  EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters
• “I couldn't believe it. This summer when I discovered the deal. This capitulation before Trump 0% tariffs US products, but 15% for European products. We're not going to say that it's easy. Of course not. Uh, there were a lot of meetings here in the European Parliament, but I think we were very clear. We want a united front against Trump. We knew it wasn't going to be easy to negotiate with this person, but the EU has tools that it could use the anti coercion tool exactly for this kind of scenario. But also to look at US services but also to impose our rules on US big tech. But no the European Commission didn't choose this. They chose to give to make sure that Trump won. This was a very asymmetrical deal. What about von der Leyen's promise this morning? She said that the EU will always take its own decisions and have its own environmental and digital standards and rules. What about these promises? Look at the deal. Trump wants criticizes the EU for fining Google. He criticized us for our digital rules. And then there's the whole issue of flexibility. Now, Mrs. von der Leyen also promised that we would become independent from an energy point of view during the deal. And she. But she promised that the US can invest millions in fossil fuels and so on. Well, this money should be invested in Europe. I think that this vision is very worrying. We're not going to accept the deal as it stands. We're not going. We can't really speak about the other aspects of the deal, but yet it is Europe's democratic future that hinges on this. We What the far right is doing and portraying itself as a savior of Europe. But look at the omnibus, look at the surrender to Trump and, um, vis a vis China. And there are a lot of renationalisation projects. So the EPP is unravelling Europe and it is making us extremely vulnerable.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “Thank you very much indeed. Um, and, um, just for everyone to be clear, it's, um, covering Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bhutan and Nepal. The last meeting focused on the textile value chain, and we discussed with five experts on the extraterritorial impact of European legislation and also the difficulty for some economic operators to comply with it. Um, it was really interesting exchange because we had many recommendations also to seek out common understanding on circular textiles at international fora, um, improvement of regulatory cooperation and mutual recognition with the relevant standardization bodies. Uh, also, the focus on the role that the EU should play, like through technical assistance, facilitate investment opportunities also in recycling infrastructure. Update the GSP, uh to accommodate shift to circular textiles, um and also to have specific provisions on circularity in our trade agreements with uh Bangladesh and Pakistan. We also discussed issues related due to due diligence. Um, let's just remember that the collapse of the Rana Plaza back in time was unfortunately a starting point for various initiatives in this area. Um, they stressed the fact that backsliding in Europe on the due diligence legislation may have unwanted and also undesirable consequences for the continuation of, um, for instance, the so-called international accords on health and safety. Both in Bangladesh and Pakistan, um, it was also highlighted that the problems caused by heat stress is not taken into account. Uh, enough companies have to adopt transition plans, but they often fail to involve workers and take into account things like heat stress. Um, also, the matter related to brands, most of them European brands that are not paying high enough per unit for clothes made in factories, which create a lot of pressure on working conditions.”
  Due diligence in supply chains (environmental and human rights)
• “Trump. Trump's arrival has reminded us of a lesson we should have learned from the pandemic. Our ultra dependency on fossil fuels and world supply markets is going to lead to our downfall. Europe needs strategic autonomy. It needs to respond united to any tariffs, needs to not give up on our legislation. And we also need a digital tax to support companies and workers in Europe who've been affected by the tariffs. We need to look at goods aimed at the US that will now be diverted to Europe. Of course, we need to step up our partnerships with other countries affected by trade, Trump wars, but on a fair footing. And that means that we need to be guided by sustainable development. Our social, environmental and human rights are not up for grabs, and it's not a question of rushing into agreements with India, China, Mercosur which could make the EU more dependent, more vulnerable. Let's reinforce our economy. Let's ensure we reduce our energy dependency, that we work on our autonomy, and we need a transition towards genuine European autonomy. Thank you.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “Thank you very much. And I'd also like to echo my colleague's thanks for the organization of this mission. It was truly a success at every level, and I'm quite interested to see that. Yes, the divisions that we see here also exist in Brazil. Of course, the different sectors, the civil society, those who who uh. Um, and of course, people who were not necessarily in a part of the mission. It was interesting to see the main issues that we are facing when we, um, when we negotiate this agreement, we it was very interesting to speak to the representatives, representatives from Mercedes Benz, for instance. We spoke to them for two hours. But of course, we also did speak to 14 representatives from civil society, representatives from different sectors. So we were able to have, uh, some pretty balanced meetings. And of course, this also, uh, really left a mark on me, in particular, the Port of Santos meeting. And of course, there was also a very striking lack of licensing when it comes to sanitary and phytosanitary licensing for exports in particular. For instance, uh, coffee exports to the EU. So we have in um theory, uh, these standards set. But then you just see the sheer scale of the exports that go to, um, just lorries after lorries of lorries, that exports that will go to the EU and there's a significant lack of control and monitoring there. So they don't really have the capacity to sufficiently monitor these exports. So it was an extremely useful, extremely helpful um mission. I think it was very balanced. We do have quite a lot of work ahead of us in the monitoring group so that we can screen the different chapters. Um, uh, and of course, with the ratification process. But this mission convinced me that the different issues in this agreement are actually outweigh the possible benefits.”
  Trade relations with Mercosur
• “And this is unacceptable. We forbid these practices on the national level in most countries. And these definitions, though, are not harmonized, which means that in Europe, protection unfortunately still depends on the border. A European citizen action is based on article two of the treaty, which guarantees the rights from the article 21 of the Fundamental Charter for discrimination, that we we count that they are still gray areas. Lgbt, Q plus 2026 2030 require the need to act in this. The policies are there. I've heard of it today. Often the laws exist ban in the case of violence crime qualify these as discrimination and adopt a specific European instrument today. But this depends only on exclusively on a political choice. Now you've already pointed out three things, but I'd like to hear something more on this. The importance of a harmonised definition. European level. Secondly, this idea of consent, which is used as a justification when family or social pressure is being brought to bear. And thirdly, how can we have a real ban that is really applied and not just symbolic? These initiatives, these colleagues here leave us here in front of a certain responsibility. No one must be corrected for what they are. It must be they must be protected. And this should not just be proclaimed. Thank you.”
  LGBTIQ+
• “I'll speak French, too. First of all, many thanks and bravo for this initiative. These young students who present here for the European Parliament, it's an extremely strong political action to come here and speak at the European level about these conversion treatments. You've had managed to have over a million signatures, and it is great because you are seeing that Europeans refuse to not commit to the respect of human rights. And this is thank you also to these actions and also like to thank the European Commission. We the institutions can't respond only half way. Now, the question here is that of practices who want to suppress repress of identity of gender and its and its expression. And what I'd like to remind our extreme right that 40 years ago remember, Homosexuality is is no longer considered a disease since 1990 and it's and for transgender since 2019. And these actions have been considered as torture. Now the consequences of the documented we've we've heard from a direct survivor are depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. So here we have to consider these actions that do have these negative effects. And then there's this strong mobilization of citizens. These are financed and often transnational who are supporting these practices that are not marginal and are part of an ideological system. And unfortunately, European fragmentation takes advantage of this.”
  LGBTIQ+
• “Yes, thank you very much. As I haven't done it in the first round, I want to pay tribute to Alexis Goode's work and also the work of the agency so far, bringing a holistic and a systemic approach, um, to, uh, drugs, uh, related issues. Um, you already mentioned it several times, but nevertheless, I would like to know if you want to pursue this legacy and how you see your role and the role of the agency in this approach. Um, I would also like to ask you, um, about what you said about engaging further in the member states, working with them, and also to satisfy their needs so that they would, um, reach out to the agency. How would you see your role, especially in the current context of drugs related shootings in our capitals? Do you think the answers are appropriate? What would you what would it take in your view to be efficient tackling violence related to drug trafficking? Thank you very much.”
  EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters
• “You said that Europe cannot impose its social and environmental standards to the rest of the world. And we have had the debates here in this House together. You were a rapporteur of the sustainable development chapters reform under the last mandate. And together we decided that we would go for binding TSD chapters, which are completely absent in the current agreement with the Mercosur countries. So how do you explain that? How can you accept that your own reform is not integrated in this deal?”
  Trade relations with Mercosur
• “I really invite you to have a look at it. How important it is to have the reporting and to have the transition plans in place for risk control frameworks adequately reflecting climate related physical and transition risks. Um, it also illustrates why it is wrong to limit the scope of the due diligence legislation to tier one only. Um, and the fifth element is the role of Stakeholders. We've always pushed that in entire committee or FTAs have the DAGs, and the role of the stakeholders has always been recognized. And changing this in the context of the CS, triple D will go in the other direction as the one that we have always been advocating for years. Um, I also turn to the commission. I do not understand this legislation. This this omnibus legislation is coming without a robust impact assessment. Um, and you are jumping in the opposite direction as the one that was just produced four years ago. So if we share the intention of simplification, um, I do not share what is on the table now, which is obviously deregulation. And the companies are also calling for simplification but not deregulation. Again, for a level playing fields objective. Um, just a question to the rapporteur. I didn't hear from you today. What is the scope you want to take for a work in into for our opinion, which articles? Uh, what what is your aim, uh, of our work in the inter committee. Thank you.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “Warburton's remark. I think it's also the monitoring group's role to pick up on, uh, the ILO recommendations and reports in each monitoring group to have a proper follow up by region or by by, by country. Um, I have another question to you, madam. What are the next steps possible? How can the European Parliament and the European Commission support Ilo's work? Because the aim or aim are the same. And how can we make it possible that the work resumes for Vietnam? Um, and I think this situation you depict not only in Vietnam, really pleads for a due diligence legislation going beyond tier one to support the the working conditions and working norms. Um, I don't know if I can take the opportunity chair to also ask for an update on, uh, the two complaints that were lodged by, um, uh, workers, um, trade unions, uh, at the single entry point, uh, on the situation of the ratification of the conventions in Vietnam, it would be interesting for Assembly to two here, where the Commission is in its investigations. And what are the next steps to be taken? Thank you.”
  EU policy on labour exploitation in global supply chains
• “Thank you very much good morning Commissioner thank you for your presentation on the simplification package. I want to share with you also as a follow-up of my colleague Fabian Keller for my group it's quite striking that in the internal security fields the efforts of simplification only apply to a field where legislation would actually be needed fireworks and explosives. We have had a session recently with our LIBE committee where the need for harmonization is pretty clear law enforcement justice sector are aligned and it seems that only political will is still lagging so I would like to hear you about that what is foreseen exactly since legislation on the fields of internal security are piling up since the last ten years seems that DG HOME is really liking to flood LIBE committee with work but it's yeah I would like to know if there's any plan to assess the whole sets of existing legislation to check their efficiency coherence and also cost effectiveness. I think these principles should not only apply to companies' competitivity and in the simplification efforts what will be made simpler only for law enforcement border authorities or companies but also for ordinary citizens and migrants in need for help thank you very much.”
  EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters
• “Well, in Europe and Mercosur are countries for farmers. And everyone is against this free trade agreement. Uh, we are seeing millions of Millions of people who are highlighting the environmental impacts and the climate and human impacts of this agreement. This is an agreement which dates back to the last century. It's not a new deal. And but these millions of people are not important when it comes to the vested interests of economic agreements. For it is expected an increase of 0.1% of GDP increase or how fantastic that is. But obviously we need to take out the millions for the compensation funds to mitigate the negative impacts on the on for the world, the farmers, but not actually addressing the problems. There's also this, uh, rebalancing, uh, instrument for Mercosur agreements will allow, uh, Brazilian agri business to contest our laws if they undermine their trade and economic interests. For example, there's the carbon border adjustment. Uh, there's cbam there's the reforestation law. There's also, um, due diligence law. So this is just undermining our strategic sovereignty and our economic security. We will not give up our agriculture. We will not accept importing a range of products which aren't allowed in Europe. We will not allow, uh, we will not give people, uh, glyphosate or poultry with, uh, bird flu. We we need to be clear about one thing. This is a tax that is worse than 2019 and 2019. We said we couldn't ratify the Mercosur agreement. Now we have a worse tax. We are defending these values which protect our citizens and protect our economic prosperity. It. We want partnership with Mercosur, but we want a fair partnership. Thank you very much.”
  Trade relations with Mercosur
• “Thank you, thank you. You already touched upon, um, quite a lot of issues, the holistic approach and systematic and systemic approach to risk reduction, environmental costs of drugs, info sharing, scientific based approach, which are all important topics to me. And I also wanted to ask you about them, but I will maybe ask a more political question, um, which is related to the recent events and the drug related shootings in our capitals, how if you had been already at the head of the agency or in a near future. If this unfortunately happens again, what would be your reaction? How would you see your role and the role of the agency? Do you think, uh, the current, uh, reaction, political answers are appropriate? And how would you maybe suggest or, um, member states to act? Uh, do you see good practices that you would like to highlight? Uh, in our member states and even in third countries that could inspire others? Uh, you touched upon more cooperation with the agencies. If you have time in your answer, I'd be interested in deepening a little bit. This, um, your views on cooperation with other EU agencies. Thank you.”
  EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters
• “Thank you very much. Thank you for being here with us and exchange about this very important topic. I wish we had a mixed panel with the previous speakers and have exchanges also amongst you, because we still identify quite a huge gap between the positions that we heard from Europol, from the Commission, and the warnings that you're trying also to send us. And that leads me to my first question to any one of you how do you work inside the task force? Do you work? And in hand with the Commission? Has the Commission shared its own preoccupations with you, or are you working among experts to deliver a report by the end of the year? How concretely does it does it go? And then I have questions related to what you said. Mr.. That law enforcement will have to change, actually, the way it's envisaging, the way to enquire and somehow renounce to collect massively data and to go in the direction to put an end to end, an end to end encryption. You said that you're working on other venues, other possibilities, but this is typically a completely reloading the software of the direction that has been taken those last years in terms of data collection and and also the aim to, to maybe not break encryption because the commission, Europol is not talking anymore about breaking, but doing it through a lawful manner, which is obviously so far, not possible.”
  Privacy & detection of online child abuse
• “Yes, indeed. I'm speaking on behalf of Markéta Gregorova. Um. And the ATMs. Um, now I'm starting again. Even though we understand that this proposal is, uh, rather technical character. Um, we still want to share grave concerns about the prolongation the ATMs are granted based on conditions, including those related to serious and systematic violations of human rights, such as core labour rights, as well as fundamental principles of democracy and rule of law. And the commission mentioned the new proposal adds the possibility to suspending the ATM when the state is not compliant with that condition. So what does it concretely imply for Serbia? We cannot close our eyes to the fact that Serbia is not already compliant with this condition, and therefore should be directly excluded. The ruling party is eroding the rule of law and fundamental principles of democracy, such as free and fair elections. Authorities are using brutal force against unarmed protesters and assaulting those in custody. The accession process has been delayed precisely because of these reasons, including the fact that Serbia is not aligned with our CFSP policy, including the sanctions on Russia and Belarus. Thus, we don't feel we can simply grant an ATM to Serbia just because they are part of the package. They are not compliant with the key conditions in which they are currently in breach, and this is unlikely to change in the near future. Can we seriously think to prolong with Serbia on board? I don't think we can. Thank you.”
  EU enlargement
• “I'll speak French, too. First of all, many thanks and bravo for this initiative. These young students who present here for the European Parliament, it's an extremely strong political action to come here and speak at the European level about these conversion treatments. You've had managed to have over a million signatures, and it is great because you are seeing that Europeans refuse to not commit to the respect of human rights. And this is thank you also to these actions and also like to thank the European Commission. We the institutions can't respond only half way. Now, the question here is that of practices who want to suppress repress of identity of gender and its and its expression. And what I'd like to remind our extreme right that 40 years ago remember, Homosexuality is is no longer considered a disease since 1990 and it's and for transgender since 2019. And these actions have been considered as torture. Now the consequences of the documented we've we've heard from a direct survivor are depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. So here we have to consider these actions that do have these negative effects. And then there's this strong mobilization of citizens. These are financed and often transnational who are supporting these practices that are not marginal and are part of an ideological system. And unfortunately, European fragmentation takes advantage of this.”
  LGBTIQ+
• “Yes, we're doing Q&A. So to in order to answer to Mr. Kassar, article two human rights clause is at smoke and mirrors because when it's when it comes to blatant human rights violations, that clause is not being activating. So clauses that are there that we could use. Now there's a genocide underway in Gaza in July. Hundreds, thousands of Palestinians will die. They may or may not be buried, may or may not have funerals. But in any case, we. This makes us accomplices. Accomplices. Callous, callous, representative of the policy of the institutions. And you are saying that the next meeting will be held on the 15th of July? I Apologize. But many colleagues have said here today and for months now that we need to take action. Your responses are empty. We never really get a very tangible response from the commission. But in the face of this situation, we cannot tolerate such answers. Thousands of people are outside every day asking us to act. What is the EU waiting for? To take action, please respond. You have a responsibility and also towards us to answer us. What are we going to do before the 15th of July to force Netanyahu to stop his action?”
  Relations with Israel - Palestine
• “Do you not think that importing more Argentinean wines is going to bring pressure to bear on the prices for European producers and for the car manufacturing, the tripling of exports that you mentioned? There is a safeguard mechanism on the request of the Mercosur countries for car manufacturing products. Can you explain that? And what is the risk that car manufacturing would develop in Latin America with access to the minerals for batteries, to the detriment of European car manufacturing.”
  Trade relations with Mercosur
• “Mr. Garcia warned us at our last meeting against the lack of credibility because we applied double standards. I would even talk about us looking a bit as useful idiots towards the Vietnamese authorities when we put conditions, the roadmap to be implemented, And that we are not making sure that our commitments are being respected. I was also in Vietnam, uh, a couple of weeks ago with the Imco committee. I also had the opportunity to talk to many people and Vietnamese people, and it was clear from them that when we address human rights, they don't listen anymore. And this is really problematic. And we are witnessing this all over the place. And despite Vietnam did not deliver, the commission is about to reward the country with an updated partnership. Against that backdrop. So are you willing to offer the update without any other condition, be it advantageous also for Europe? Addressing the unbalanced but also that finally Vietnam, not only by good faith, takes the commitment to in a near or further future. Implement, ratify and also implement the core ILO conventions. Um, there is a new task force. What will be the role of the Dag? How will the Commission finally address the Vietnamese component of the Dag? And can a fourth point be added to the list of discussions in the new task force? Like putting on the table the list of the 160 political prisoners that have nothing to do in jail and that have to be released. Thank you.”
  Trade relations with Vietnam
• “Thank you. Uh, yes, indeed. Uh, because, um, five years ago, when the European Parliament gave its consent, um, we shared concerns about human rights, but it was largely argued that the economic benefits from the Efta would permit the Vietnamese society and lead to improvements all across the board. The situation is far less rosy. Uh, Vietnam benefited greatly from the FTA, of course, the EU trade deficit being multiplied by two since the FTA 21 to 42 billion. And at the same time, the number of political prisoners has dramatically risen from 97 before the finalisation of the FTA to more than 160. We have other reasons to worry about this year, the Ministry of Labour was disbanded and moved into the Ministry of Home Affairs. Really appealing when we know that one of the big hurdles lies in the penal code that prevents freedom of expression and association. Yesterday we heard Mr. Denny, the CTO, answering to a question asked by one of our colleagues that there is a limit to what the EU can prescribe in relation to how trade partners organise their tag domestic advisory groups. Indeed, of course, we cannot interfere in internal matters, but the FTA is crystal clear when it states that the Dag shall Comprise independent representative organizations, and in this case they are not independent. And we have reason to be concerned when we are informed that candidates to the Vietnamese DAC are sent to jail on the grounds of tax evasion, or that its secretariat is held by a ministry. That interpretation is suddenly cut off when DAC to DAC meetings address sensitive topics, or that a Dag to DAC meeting cannot take place because visas are not granted to the Vietnamese to come to Brussels.”
  Trade relations with Vietnam
• “In line with European operators. And then I would support what my colleague said on the Chinese problem, as we might call it. So these non-compliant, uh, products, counterfeits coming from China, we need to take a good look at the flows, these considerable trade flows that are coming in from these Chinese platforms, which I don't want to name at this point, the current context. The commission is carrying out an investigation. Given the urgent situation of European operators who are struggling with this unfair trade, this unfair competition is a very serious problem. You pointed out yourself that there's a problem here because we're overwhelmed when it comes to our controls. And I want to commend at this point, our customs authorities are doing an amazing job, but they're lacking the necessary means. So that should be taken into account when we're reviewing the customs code. The priority control areas you mentioned, would that include China? Because I do believe there's an urgent need to act here. And that is also one of the messages from our rapporteur.”
  Trade relations with China
• “Thank you. It is quite astonishing to see the conservative right, supported by the Republicans, being blind to the genuine violations of article two of the agreement association between the EU and Israel. You need to be perfectly blind to not see it or have no moral compass to deny these violations. And the eeaS has recognized the violations of this article. Children that have been maimed, that are being killed, that have lost their families, some that will no doubt die in the upcoming hours and days. That was what we needed to get here now. My question to the commission is simple because Miss Kelly's callous statement was not clear. So what is the European going to do and what it should have done for a while now, in the when the risk of genocide was pointed out, we legally must act. Not doing it amounts to being accomplices of this, uh, of this genocide, this massacre. Miss, IMO, we do not need an impact assessment. We didn't do that when we took sanctions against Russia. To suspend this agreement is needed. We need to put an embargo on weapons to. Need action. And we need action on the part of the European Commission.”
  Relations with Israel - Palestine
• “Thank you very much. I think we've heard here, and we need to say that we really need to clarify what we want to do with, uh, Global Gateway. And we need to define, uh, ad hoc, uh, indicators. This is presented as an EU investment program in the world and for the world. But there's an unbalanced, as Kathleen already said, between what's being reported, uh, to uh, external uh, companies and to EU companies, they want this to also be an instrument that creates jobs and value, uh, here. But this isn't the main objective. And international cooperation needs to serve to reduce poverty, poverty and, uh, to go towards partners that, uh, need it most. And I also support the socialists to, uh, highlight the need to strengthen civil society, to make sure that civil society actors, local authorities have their voice heard and that their representation is balanced with the business world that is represented through a consultative body. Uh, I think that there is an element that needs to, uh, be ensured because it's the part of the principle here. This is the political coherence for development. And this is also the compass that should drive work on global gateway.”
  Global priorities for international development
• “Thank you very much, dear rapporteur. I think and colleagues, there are different ways to look at due diligence legislation. And I would like to to give you my entire reading also that due diligence legislation is a way to level the playing field, because it also forces the big foreign companies to comply with the obligations. And therefore, if we go for a weakening of what the provisions targeted by the omnibus, then we put our own companies and workers at a competitive disadvantage with respect to these foreign companies. The impact assessment of the commission was pointing the level playing field, and also the legal certainty as being the biggest priorities, the most important consideration for business interviewees. Um, and I think we should also not underestimate that China, for instance, but also other emerging countries like Thailand are putting in place their own laws, similar laws to the ones that we are now disbanding. We should not let them, um, to them an enabler for long term competitiveness by jumping off the train. Um, I would like to to point out several issues that I want to bring back to our negotiations. The first one is the high risk sectors. I think it's important to keep those special provisions, um, like textiles, agriculture, forestry, fisheries or mineral resources. The second one is that I think that we need to reinstate civil liability regime for the reason that it is a matter of simplification. Also for third countries, companies that do not have to juggle between and with 27 different regimes. The third one is the transition plans and the ECB, the European Central Bank is saying saying it, it published an opinion on the 8th of May.”
  Due diligence in supply chains (environmental and human rights)
• “Commissioner. I want to underline what Mr. Benifei said. I want to support. I want to support him. We don't need to just have more and more of these small agreements. And you need to respect the Parliament's role. Now, I would go further than my new colleague. Yesterday, no one was listening to each other. When we were talking about the protocol agreement with Rwanda. We adopted a resolution in the parliament asking that the agreement with Rwanda be suspended. Why? It's simple. Because there is a war between Rwanda and Congo to exploit resources. There is complete lack of traceability. And there are measures that need to be taken at European level for Rwanda to stop. Well, we don't want to be complicit anymore. We mustn't be complicit anymore. We must suspend the protocol or memorandum with that country. Now I turn to you, Commissioner, because this is a political issue. We didn't get a response from the Directorate general yesterday. So a political answer from you. Will you suspend that agreement? If not, then why not? How will you explain to the people of Congo Why you're not doing that. The people in Congo are being slaughtered. The women are being raped. Now, a similar question. It's about the association agreement with Israel. Israel continues to violate the ceasefire. It continues with its politics of genocide. And yet and yet the EU continues to provide support to Netanyahu. The association agreement with Israel is being upheld. We are therefore complicit in Netanyahu's politics. We must act. We finally must act.”
  Relations with Israel - Palestine
• “Related to the obligation of states in respect of climate change, and the court identified the relevant, applicable, applicable law. I don't know if you've heard of this, uh, judgment. Yes. So if I'm not mistaken, um, ignoring this opinion may constitute a failure to act with international law. And by consequence, the opinion lays the ground for miracle measures, provided that the duty to cooperation and the common but differentiated principle are there. Um, I'm really happy to get your opinion on this. Um, and my last question is, um, related to, um, the question if the mirror clauses or measures, um, could be seen as a concrete follow up of the commitments taken by the international community. Uh, we often hear also from the Commission, from the EU side that the EU tends to impose its own views, its own regulations, its own standards in a rather colonialist manner. But nevertheless we have international commitments. I think about sustainable development goals, about the ILO conventions, etc.. And so I would also like your opinion on this. If this Mira clause taken from the EU side, but in the context of negotiations, could be seen as, uh, or respecting our international commitments. Thank you.”
  EU policy on social & environmental impact of foreign investments
• “First of all, I express my full support to the victims that our journalists, the citizens of illegal espionage in Italy, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Spain and elsewhere, And they still have not received any redress. Now, being spied on through this little thing here leaves an indelible mark on one's personal and professional life, and all of those who are close to them. It is a violation of fundamental rights to privacy, to information, to assembly, to the freedom of press democracy, the rule of law and the security of citizens in the Union are under attack. It has been four years since Forbidden Stories, Amnesty and Citizen Lab revealed illegal spying involving Pegasus and the cannibalistic surveillance industry based in Israel, with the approval of the Netanyahu government, which is now using it to threaten governments that denounce its genocide in Gaza. Now, two years have passed since the parliament adopted its recommendations from the committee to regulate their use and to put an end to the ongoing abuses. And my committee has once again come up empty handed. So where is the community communication that was promised about a year ago. You don't even speak of it anymore. What are you waiting for? For one to regulate the purchase, sale and use of these technologies. Two, to create a European TechNet lab to support victims and civil society. Three open investigations in member states that in the name of national security, endanger the security of citizens in the European Union. That has not met any of the conditions that you set. We expect action from you, Madam Commissioner.”
  Surveillance equipment & spyware
• “Thank you for your presentation and all of the work you've done. Increasingly important work, uh, done at agency level, especially, uh, including the agency, which is, uh, in charge of implementing the law. I believe that, uh, the law needs to be based on fundamental rights. Especially, we need to be able to avoid loopholes when it comes to protecting privacy data, especially in a transborder context. So I'd like to know your opinion on the recommendations of the high level group when it comes to effective application. I'd like to second the concerns expressed by civil society organisations. Don't you think that the concept of legal access would, uh, maybe go against, uh, protecting privacy and it might attack individual privacy and fundamental rights? I'm also, of course, concerned about the increasing attacks on our legislation when it comes to data protection within and outside of the EU. We know that the far right groups, uh, are concerned about these topics, but we need to be able to ensure data protection. Uh, even though this, uh, might go against some ideas of wanting to look at people's information, I'm not the first to ask for transparency in how these matters are dealt with. And I think currently it's very important to talk about this. We need to be picking the new person who will be responsible for data protection. I looked at the activity reports and the lists of missions, the topics of the conferences. I think it's important, of course, to look at the numbers, to see that everything checks out, but also to see the justifications and they are available. So that's surprising. I think it, um, contributes to my concern when it comes to attacks against the person who is in charge of this data protection. So I think this is my message also to my colleagues. We need to be concerned about how this topic is being used for political purposes of course.”
  Privacy & digital economy
• “Thank you, colleagues, for this information on the AI act. This is a very important. Uh, this is very important for the European mandate. We definitely need to defend it and implement it, because we're feeling these attacks coming from, uh, foreign countries and third parties, which we don't have to name. We all know, um, by advancing in the AI act, uh, to set up these obstacles and these, um, indications for, uh, companies so that they can we need clear investments, that we can develop artificial intelligence at European level so that they can respect our standards and our fundamental rights and our privacy concerns as well. That's fundamental.”
  Artificial Intelligence
• “The protection of children online, as in real life, is a legal but also a moral obligation, and we have to put all resources behind it. But online. The confidentiality of data is key for all victims and for all users. Actually, that gives us even greater encouragement to surveil other messages. But it's a message, a measure that would damage us all. And the European Parliament has just Voted in favor of a more targeted approach that respects rights. So we've just voted on targeted scanning of suspects. Just to remind you, a criminal law directive is under way to respond to child sexual abuse. The European Parliament has once again adopted an ambitious position in favour of victims and the prevention and repression of crimes. But we are lacking political will because they don't want to put resources behind this to effectively fight child sexual abuse, but they are going to sacrifice our personal and private data in their fights. And this is a shame. We need to protect victims with practical measures on the ground, as well as protecting the confidentiality online. Thank you.”
  Privacy & detection of online child abuse
• “Merci, monsieur. Thank you very much, chair, and thank you to the European Commission. I mean, I would agree with your preliminary questions, chair. We need to know what's the degree of transparency vis a vis the parliament and what's the mandate underpinning these negotiations? We're talking about the activation of an FTA. That's fine. But there's also other matters. We've read through the press that the commission has intentions when it comes to bilateral agreement agendas, particularly after the arrival of Trump. That model has reached its limits, I would say. I don't think it's a question of sort of multiplying agreements with new forms of dependency for the EU just for the sake of diversification. I actually think the European Parliament should be involved in the discussions and in the types of partnerships that you would like to roll out with third countries. Regarding the discussion here before us, you mentioned some priority sectors, renewables. You talked about hydrogen, amongst other things. Maybe you could come forward with a bit more details. What kind of cooperation do you envisage here? Are we talking about tariffs, tariff cooperation. Are we talking about regulatory cooperation strategic projects. What about the global gateway. Will that be playing a role in this context. And also what are the different options that you've entertained that you've thought of with this trade and investment partnership. Was it considered an option and what else? And what are the reasons behind your your moves towards such an agreement? Thank you.”
  Free trade agreements (FTAs)
• “Thank you very much. And thank you to the Commissioner for being with us today. We would have liked to have had exchanges with you earlier on, but the first question is, uh, is the Commission, uh, going to take this forward, um, and actually take into account what we think that would help when it comes to European Union unity. In terms of your evaluation of the agreement, I would like to be as positive as you, but I think that this touches on a lot of the work that we've been doing, uh, over the last few years. We've got no rendezvous clause, which we might have, which we have had with Chile and with Kenya. Um, I wonder about that. And then there's the whole issue of balance. The commission has given ground, I think, to Mercosur countries, and that I think, will cause some issues when it comes to our social and environmental legislation and also regulations on foreign subsidies, which are supposed to underpin fair competition. You are giving the right of compensation and right of redress. Uh, that will allow Mercosur countries, uh, to influence the, uh, legislation we adopt in the European Union. In Indonesia, perhaps the same kind of thing could have been asked for. Further point is the Paris Agreement. Yes, this is in the text. But the real issue here is that whether that will be in the trade and policy part as well, if you decide to split this agreement as well. And then other people have mentioned the agricultural aspect, but is this really going to help the EU agricultural sector? Eurostat tells me 0.4% of agricultural companies account for 70% of exports here. Major companies are going to benefit, but not our farmers as a whole. And then the ratification is far from a done deal, and I hope that you have pointed that out to our Mercosur partners. And once again, I suggest that you get started on a genuine win win partnership with them.”
  Trade relations with Mercosur
• “Thank you very much. Thank you for this important discussion that has already mobilized quite a couple of hours of debate and negotiations in this House, but I'm quite happy that this leads to the setting up of a task force with academia and civil society. I'm eager to listen to them, but I think it's also an opportunity to exchange and to hear the preoccupations of the different political groups. And so I take the opportunity of this debate to, once again, apologies for those who already heard many times or concerns and also or important principles that we want to find back in a proposal for lawful access to data when it comes to law enforcement. I think it has been said already, but a strict respect of proportionality and necessity principles, the protection of citizens fundamental rights, including data protection, but not only but also that this whole debate and the resources it would require does not hamper the the conversation about the need for further human qualified resources. We know it's also a budgetary question when it comes to supporting the work of police and law enforcement. And so one of the questions is how to ensure that analysis and management capacity for the data collected without is collected without increasing police and justice resources, at the detriment, for instance, of other means for local police. Also, the safeguarding and improving of cyber security is a major concern, and it has already been said that the use of AI and also end to end encryption when it comes to AI, I think it's of crucial importance to assess the risks of mistakes, discrimination of mass surveillance.”
  Privacy & law enforcement
• “Thank you. Now we're going from one enterprise to another in this file actually, because having tried to get this through by force now, it seems that we're going to actually throw out 258 amendments in one fell swoop, not working on the compromise amendments or anything like that. While this sector, the agricultural sector, has told us that the safeguard clause would not actually be functional, that it could not work, and they're not going to see any effect from this. And that's really where the error is. So we're amending a text which is meant to protect farmers against potential bad effects of a free trade agreement with the Latin American countries. And you're telling us, well, no, we're worried that council might refuse these amendments and therefore we'll end up with nothing. So we're actually at the mercy of the council. And you're telling us that we're politicizing a technical dossier, whereas in fact, the sector itself is telling us that they don't aren't going to try and lobby with amendments as they would have done in the past because they don't want to be part of this whole masquerade. We in the Parliament are saying, well, what's our prerogative here? We haven't actually got any if I can, if I listen to some comments. So we've got to leave it as it is. Let's pass it without any other negotiations on it now, emergency procedures, then blockages, which we've seen when we wanted to put forward a resolution which simply asked a court or interpretation of how compatible this was with our. And then everything's being, being un unravelled all of our forestation rules where this has been seen to be a complementary rules.”
  Trade relations with Mercosur
• “These platforms are not being stopped in their tracks. We need to identify who is responsible legally and financially. We need urgent action. We need swift action here today we could suspend their access to the market. We need to protect consumers. We need to protect the single market. We also need to protect our businesses. If there is a systemic breach, you say that you will launch procedures. That's not enough. You also need to suspend access. Until they ensure compliance. We need to stop beating around the bush and take action. If the commission wants to deregulate, that can happen very quickly. They can deregulate. Legislation that we've spent years crafting. Our consumers are being put at risk here. We need swift action. Really. We should be speaking to the commissioner here. We need a clear commitment. Urgent action must be taken. You talked about the Digital Fairness Act. Yes. We can speed up work on that. We can all agree there. Put an end to addictive algorithms and fair cooperation, competition, Exploitation of vulnerable consumers. Targeted advertising. We need to look at the CPC block platforms and block access to some products. So we need to look at the action of the customs authorities. I agree we need action. We need to take action in particular where there is a risk, a health or safety risk. Thank you, chair, for making this a recurrent item on our agenda, one that we will come back to time and again. Thank you. Thank you. I'll speak French. I'm not sure if you're familiar with Dalida, a French singer, since, um.”
  Digital platforms liability for harmful and illegal content
• “Thank you very much. Thank you also to the rapporteur for the very good work. I'm speaking on behalf of Anna Cavazzini, who is our shadow on the file but couldn't join us this morning. We deeply regret the Commission's decision to terminate the VPA, which had created a functionally functioning traceability system ensuring timber compliance with national laws, while also enabling multi-stakeholder participation among government logging companies, CSOs and forest dependent communities. And this inclusive approach has really strengthened sectoral accountability even as Liberia continues working towards Flegt license issuance. Um, despite the slow progress in some areas, the current government in Liberia does have the political will to address the challenges faced in the area of deforestation and forest governance. So a termination of the VPA in this context could really send a wrong political political signal. Also, similar to the rapporteur, we do not want the progress that was made during the VPA to be lost, but profit from the existing structures and knowhow. Also during the forest partnership. Thus, it is essential that the VPA will turn uninterrupted into the forest partnership and that CSOs are involved in the creation of the New Forest partnerships. That it also continues to be inclusive and accountable with enough resources and capacity. Capacity building for the CSOs. We also take note of the issues that have been raised in the draft opinion and will, of course, take the final opinion into account. And we will table some amendments and our shadow rapporteurs look looks forward to working with the rapporteur and the other groups on this important matter. Thank you very much.”
  EU policy on African region
• “Merci beaucoup. Thank you very much. I completely endorse what colleagues have said about the procedure. I've been here for six years, and I've been waiting for answers about the legality of the agreement and how it fits in with Court of Justice rulings, as well as UN resolutions. It seems that the far right cannot read, because if they could, they would see that there is a huge ongoing problem within the European Commission that is about consulting the Saharawi people. So once again, how can you ensure the legal certainty of the agreement that you're tabling today? If, on the one hand, the Saharawi people are not consulted? Secondly, how can you ensure that EU Investments do not benefit colonizing companies because that might be the case. And three it was already mentioned labeling. How will consumers know what they're buying if it doesn't explicitly say Western Sarawak? We can't mention cities or towns that might be unfamiliar to people or that that are in different countries. The UN recognized the Western Sahara as the last African territory to be decolonized. So I'd like to ask the Commission. Would you once again like to be in breach of international law, yes or no? And final question. Looking ahead to a future de Dag Domestic Advisory group, will there be a seat for the Sahrawi people in that group? Thank you.”
  EU policy on Western Sahara
• “Um, we can have an endless ping pong, but that's also what it is about. And we haven't touched upon the rebalancing mechanism at all. When you mention when you mention, uh, Mr. Commissioner answering on pesticides and animal welfare. I fully agree with this line, but if we do so with our friends from the Mercosur, agree with that. And if they disagree with that, they can activate the rebalancing mechanism to contest the rules that we want to put in place in the EU. Are you going to split the agreement? If so, the Paris Agreement as an essential element will be in the political part. And what is the meaning of it? Under the trade relations we have with the partner countries. If it's not in the trade part of the deal. I have many other questions. But you see, we have no concrete answers to this and actually it will be seen in the future if we were right or wrong. But I think there are many issues at stake that are not solved today and again. You were talking about transparency when we were talking about transparency. It's about hearing all the voices and not being accused of neocolonialism, when we also carry the voices from the people in the Mercosur countries that are not being heard either at the European side. Thank you.”
  Trade relations with Mercosur
• “Very quickly. Chair. Apologies it falls on you, but we've had those kind of answers for the last two years from the commission tomorrow. Tomorrow. And nothing is coming. The MFA is obviously one step, uh, targeted to the journalists. But we have many other victims, many other problems related to the use of illegal spyware. We need a commission that delivers. Now, Commissioner Virkkunen, in a previous setting, said there would be a follow up on the announcement of a communication from the commission more than one year ago. Where is the commission on this? What's the agenda? I need concrete answers or the committee needs concrete answers. Thank you.”
  Surveillance equipment & spyware
• “Rapporteur for having agreed to compromises which are heading in the right direction. They lowered the threshold for activating the safeguard clause. But it's not enough. And I particularly think it's a pity that we haven't had a proper negotiation on an issue which is so important. We had to improvise something. I think we could have made a lot more progress if we had negotiated amendments Means with which, in line with all agreements, we could have looked at the production methods. In South America, we see that there are some major issues with competition. Also, they use pesticides and antibiotics, which are banned in the European Union. And perhaps we could ask the Commission to look at the possibility of triggering a differentiated threshold. As we've done with we looked at the methods we used for Kenya and Chile, and there we had negotiations. We committed to having negotiations with the council, and it's possible in the plenary, but it's also possible to improve the instrument through amendments so that it's really efficient for farmers. Thank you.”
  Import of agri-food products in the EU
• “We want to improve regulatory cooperation. There's a chapter there fighting against forced labor and child labor. Canada has good practices and interesting laws on that, as well as how they are dealing with Chinese platforms online. I think we have shared concerns there that could also be up for discussion. In June, there was a dialogue meeting with civil society civil Society dialogue meeting where they discussed ex post evaluation. I think we also need to beef up the Parliament's role there, not just Informatively. We have an observer role, but we want to understand what the input from civil society was so that in some way we can participate. And I think that's I direct that to the commission. It would be useful to beef up our participation. And then after the revision of the Kusma in 2026, it would be interesting to come back to this. And then finally, I think we need to address the EU's approach with these strong close partners like Canada when it comes to negotiating at the international level. We have a recent example, the negotiation of tariffs, trade tariffs imposed by Trump. I would prefer Europe to work hand in hand with these partners so that we can find common conditions that we can table vis a vis Trump united front, rather than the EU being proud, boasting about the tariffs in the world. Thank you.”
  EU policy on labour exploitation in global supply chains
• “Thank you. Thank you for the presentation. There's a link between surveillance and customs code. The revision is underway. Decortin is in charge of that. Our rapporteur. On the text. The European agricultural sector has voiced concerns on the EU Mercosur agreement. There's been non-compliance with European standards regarding agricultural products. But also there's concerns regarding quotas. And then high value beef cuts are flying under the radar of the Harmonized System. There's no distinction being made for these specific products. Do you have a response to that problem? And then another question on the customs code. The textile sector seeing problems. Code 301 doesn't distinguish between second hand textiles and textile waste. This means that sometimes products get to gander, Ghana, Chile, Pakistan, etc.. So. The EU wants a circular economy. So what about recycling or reuse of textiles and having an authorized economic operator in the textile sector? So that's my second question. My third question About economic operators a request an initiative report which you mentioned on. On trade, whether we could have a response or whether we need to have a responsible party in the EU for non-European importers regarding legal, financial liability and consumer rights being respected.”
  Trade relations with Mercosur
• “Yes. Thank you. It's a rather to to the commission. Um, because you mentioned that one of the complaints is closed, that the Dag has been, uh, informed. We are not members of the Dag. Uh, we have a monitoring group. It has not been convened, so we have not been updated about what's going on in Vietnam, which is unfortunate, since there is apparently an important trade meeting with commissioners that we couldn't talk to ahead of the meeting. Uh, at the end of the week. So in terms of coordination, calendar information, transparency towards the Parliament, once again, I think we're missing things. Um, I would like to invite us as a committee chair, maybe to, um, ask Commissioner Zivkovic to, to address the issue. Um, since the single entry point is the only way, uh, stakeholders can act. If we can't from the European Parliament, which is also problematic, since one of the conditions to the ratification was the ratification of the ratification of the FTA was the ratification of the ILO conventions. So I think both from the Parliament and the Commission, we now have to step up five years later, um, to to have a change or to decide from EU level to do something, because of course, we're not responsible for Vietnam's, uh, um, doings, but nevertheless we have an agreement with them, a roadmap that has to be fulfilled. So we need proper follow up. And maybe we can also ask the chair of the monitoring group to convey rapidly a monitoring group to have the follow up of Mr.. Commissioner meeting and to see what we can do. Thank you.”
  Trade relations with Vietnam
• “Thank you. Yes, ma'am. You have a very difficult task ahead of us to come to us and defend a deal which you yourself are considered to the result of a negotiation. Now, over the discussions here. Now, I thought that I would hear from you what was not in the deal. That would have allowed us to say yes to it and say, oh well, it is a balanced and fair deal. But actually it's hard to believe if you look at the tariff rates, 0% for the US, 15 for the EU. But you're telling us if we'd activated this instrument, which my colleague was just talking about, if we'd done that. Well, we've adopted them. Let's use them. If we'd adopted a tax on American services, on digital services, what would we have gotten then in response from the US? This is what I'm hearing from you, but honestly, I don't hear it. I don't understand what you're presenting to us as a fair and balanced deal, where you've got these asymmetric. Levels applied. But on top of that, you're allowing Trump to question what we consider to be necessary here in the EU. How why did you include that in the deal? You're asking European business to invest €600 billion in the US, while the Draghi report and the European Commission have said that we need to invest hundreds of millions of euros into our EU in order to ensure that the green transition. So where is the balance in this deal? Now you you try and justify this transactional, unilateral approach on the part of Trump. It's not going to stop. He's already come with new demands with our digital, um, landscape already. I mean, where's it all going to end? The negotiations are going to continue. Where will it stop? Where? Just getting more and more demands from Trump. And then you think about the commission's definition of strategic autonomy. But we're actually becoming more and more dependent on gas, oil and nuclear power from the US. Thank you.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “And this is unacceptable. We forbid these practices on the national level in most countries. And these definitions, though, are not harmonized, which means that in Europe, protection unfortunately still depends on the border. A European citizen action is based on article two of the treaty, which guarantees the rights from the article 21 of the Fundamental Charter for discrimination, that we we count that they are still gray areas. Lgbt, Q plus 2026 2030 require the need to act in this. The policies are there. I've heard of it today. Often the laws exist ban in the case of violence crime qualify these as discrimination and adopt a specific European instrument today. But this depends only on exclusively on a political choice. Now you've already pointed out three things, but I'd like to hear something more on this. The importance of a harmonised definition. European level. Secondly, this idea of consent, which is used as a justification when family or social pressure is being brought to bear. And thirdly, how can we have a real ban that is really applied and not just symbolic? These initiatives, these colleagues here leave us here in front of a certain responsibility. No one must be corrected for what they are. It must be they must be protected. And this should not just be proclaimed. Thank you.”
  LGBTIQ+
• “Thank you very much, chair. And thank you, Madam Chair, for this update. Um, I will focus my intervention on Vietnam since I was a shadow on the FTA. Um, adoption. And it entered into force five years ago. And to remind our dear colleagues, um, at the time, in order to secure the support of the MEPs, Vietnam committed to ratify three fundamental conventions. And it's unfortunate to hear that the work on these conventions is stuck with the ILO for the moment. And, uh, it is in line with the warnings that we're trying to send, uh, the last two years and also asking the commission, uh, to address those issues in its contacts with the Vietnamese authorities. Um, do you have some more detailed elements on the the two conventions that were ratified and their implementation, and also in line with what the chair just asked on ILO 87. We know that in Vietnam, trade union is considered as a broad social political organization of the working class and laborers. Um, but it's also under the Communist Party of Vietnam. So how can we get out of this situation if there's any issue possible? Um, I would like to, to also, um, rebounce on on Mr.”
  Trade relations with Vietnam
• “Is this integrated in the work of the commission or will it be done? Also is one of the principles for you Commission Europol and also next the experts the need, absolute need for human based check and decision making at the end of the process. Will it be in place? And my questions related to end in end encryption. Let's imagine that the expert group concludes its work and we'll see in November, of course. But that access to encrypted data cannot be done in a lawful manner while safeguarding cyber security and fundamental rights. Will the Commission commit to to follow these recommendations? How do you envisage the next steps? And finally has the Commission considered codifying in the EU law the jurisprudence of the human? The European Court of Human Rights, stemming from the purchase of versus Russia case, in which the court found that the mandate to decrypt end to end encrypted communications was a disproportionate interference with the right to privacy in order to ensure that no member state resort to this illegal measure. Thank you.”
  Privacy & law enforcement
• “Thank you. And thank you to each one of you for your presentations. Obviously, some particular sectors such as car manufacturing, uh, wine, uh, chemicals are going to benefit globally from this agreement. But there's a whole, uh, part, a whole host of voices that we don't hear and we don't won't hear this afternoon, uh, during this hearing. And this is a shame Because it shows that we have different voices NGO, civil society, people from, uh, farming unions, uh, we may hear from them later who will not be heard. And, uh, it's this cumulative effect that we need to analyze. And that's our job as members of Parliament. We need to adopt legislation which is balanced and won't have a negative impact on farming or human health, uh, either in Europe or Mercosur countries, on indigenous, uh, populations. Mr. Ambassador. It's not a fake news. There's a lot of pro, uh, EU Mercosur lobbying. But what civil society is complaining about is the negative impact for the indigenous populations. We'll be coming back to that obviously in 2025. We need to strengthen partnerships between the EU and other countries, including Latin American and Mercosur countries, but through partnerships that are fair based on fair trade standards and the realization of sustainable development objectives that we've all signed up to. Both continents signed up to that. I have a question on the wine sector, and I'm wondering about the positive prospects on wine from Chile and Argentina and the competition that that's creating for European wines.”
  Trade relations with Mercosur
• “Is this suspension an option for the commission when it comes to Serbia? Because if we decide to prolong its including Serbia, but Serbia is in breach with the conditions under the regulation. So I think in order to make a proper decision on the prolongation, we need a guarantee that the Commission is looking into the situation for Serbia and to suspend, uh, to suspend the ATMs for Serbia Commission.”
  EU enlargement
• “I'll speak French, too. First of all, many thanks and bravo for this initiative. These young students who present here for the European Parliament, it's an extremely strong political action to come here and speak at the European level about these conversion treatments. You've had managed to have over a million signatures, and it is great because you are seeing that Europeans refuse to not commit to the respect of human rights. And this is thank you also to these actions and also like to thank the European Commission. We the institutions can't respond only half way. Now, the question here is that of practices who want to suppress repress of identity of gender and its and its expression. And what I'd like to remind our extreme right that 40 years ago remember, Homosexuality is is no longer considered a disease since 1990 and it's and for transgender since 2019. And these actions have been considered as torture. Now the consequences of the documented we've we've heard from a direct survivor are depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. So here we have to consider these actions that do have these negative effects. And then there's this strong mobilization of citizens. These are financed and often transnational who are supporting these practices that are not marginal and are part of an ideological system. And unfortunately, European fragmentation takes advantage of this.”
  LGBTIQ+
• “And this is unacceptable. We forbid these practices on the national level in most countries. And these definitions, though, are not harmonized, which means that in Europe, protection unfortunately still depends on the border. A European citizen action is based on article two of the treaty, which guarantees the rights from the article 21 of the Fundamental Charter for discrimination, that we we count that they are still gray areas. Lgbt, Q plus 2026 2030 require the need to act in this. The policies are there. I've heard of it today. Often the laws exist ban in the case of violence crime qualify these as discrimination and adopt a specific European instrument today. But this depends only on exclusively on a political choice. Now you've already pointed out three things, but I'd like to hear something more on this. The importance of a harmonised definition. European level. Secondly, this idea of consent, which is used as a justification when family or social pressure is being brought to bear. And thirdly, how can we have a real ban that is really applied and not just symbolic? These initiatives, these colleagues here leave us here in front of a certain responsibility. No one must be corrected for what they are. It must be they must be protected. And this should not just be proclaimed. Thank you.”
  LGBTIQ+
• “The question of uh, uh, prior informed consent of indigenous communities, especially for large infrastructure and mining projects, is also very, very important. And we also need to make sure that the money that goes towards global gateway, uh, benefits companies that respect the OECD guidelines, the Convention against Corruption and Tax Evasion and, um, other legislation. I think at the parliamentary level we have, there are a couple of interesting things we could do in terms of supervision, and I think we could put in place a monitoring group of 80 based on rule 218 of the Rules of Procedure to ensure regular following follow up, because Global gateway, uh, comes, uh, in, um, uh, in the same way we've seen with the group or the deal in Rwanda. Rwanda. Um, so there's a there's millions of billions of euros going through this. So we really need to adopt a legislative act to codify global gateway. It's not just a strategy and a vision. It's a program, uh, financing program of €300 billion. And so we need ad hoc monitoring. And this is our role as the budgetary authority. Thank you.”
  Global priorities for international development
• “Ladies and gentlemen, 1 in 5 children, victims of violence or sexual exploitation during the course of their life. Which means 4 or 5 children in each school class. 1 or 2 children in each football team. It's a silent pandemic that nobody dares talk about, which is happening online, where our children are spending more and more time. The text that we're putting before you today is trying to deal with this historic moment appropriately, because impunity is no longer an option for these crimes. That scar lives for the entirety of those lives. We need to make sure that justice is adapted to the children. Child centred approach along the Barnardo's model way. We need to get rid of impunity for the worst crimes. We need to see harmonisation of sanctions and punishments and crimes with criminal sanctions that more comprehensive, including prevention in any spaces where children are present, but also where there are potential perpetrators. And finally, a ban on these pornographic guides. Guides to abuse children. I'd like to congratulate the rapporteur and his work and the shadow rapporteurs work on this. We adopted this text with unanimity in the Libe Committee, and I hope in the plenary we'll also be able to adopt this unanimously, and that that voice we are sending out will be a clarion call to say, finally, we're taking this serious. We are actually supporting all children who are victims of abuse and sexual exploitation.”
  Privacy & detection of online child abuse
• “And so they also made a huge plea for unfair trading Practices directive in the textile sector. We were also informed of a binding agreement in Cambodia on commercial terms that could really inspire legislation elsewhere. Um, and, uh, push also for stable orders from the companies topping supply chains with the huge US tariffs slapping these countries. Experts also warn against a future race to the bottom, especially when freedom of association is not guaranteed, which is already the case. I also stressed, um, very recent report published by Amnesty International, um, covering these countries and also India, denouncing the threats that are made to workers if they dare to unionize. And. And the complacency of the companies to that place, the orders, many of which are. Again European. And however, it seems to me that compliance is with fundamental labor standards is a crucial parameter of the general system of preferences. So there is a problem somewhere and we will return to this subject, um, also in the GSP, um, considering this in-depth and highly relevant contributions from the guests will certainly reiterate that kind of format in the monitoring group. And I really much hope this serves as a teaser for more attendance, because, um, for the second time, the attendance is really low. And also out of respect of representatives from the commission and guests, it would be great if the members participate in the monitoring groups. Thank you.”
  EU policy on labour exploitation in global supply chains
• “Yes, thank you very much. Thank you for your study and for the presentation. I had two very specific questions related to, um, paragraphs that one could read. The first one is, um, the following Brazil imposed restrictive measures embedded in its defensive trade policy framework through the economic reciprocity law. Um, the law is targeting unilateral environmental measures imposed by trade partners that exceed Brazil's domestic standards. It was somehow reverberated in the rebalancing mechanism that we have in the Eu-mercosur agreement. I would like to ask you, but also the Commission, what are your feelings about this law and if we are going to challenge this at the WTO? This is rather for the Commission. Um, also, you wrote that beyond border controls to prevent goods, uh, that do not meet EU standards from entering the common Market in the first place. Controls in the market itself can be strengthened by appropriate due diligence obligations to be fulfilled by importers and traders. Um, how do you assess now the situation after the omnibus? And what would be the recommendations to the negotiators, um, busy in the current trilogue on this specific issue of due diligence? Uh, my third question is related to, um, uh, ruling of the International Court of Justice.”
  Due diligence in supply chains (environmental and human rights)
• “So I would like to hear from you how from your perspective, we can work hand in hand to push for other manners, to collect data and inquire. And it links to the other question of targeted, targeted data retention. How is this compatible with the aim of Europol to become a big data hub? And also to develop AI tools for data processing? You maybe heard Mr. Hübner saying earlier that yes, a human check is needed, but as you said, rightfully, it's all along the process that biases are a risk and this needs to be taken into account. And we have to have a human check at all stages of the process, actually, to to be able to have transparency and to explain the process leading to the decision making. But we have also, as Parliament, empowered Europol to become a big data hub and to develop AI technologies. In 2022. So but it's today targeted data retention, still compatible with the evolution that we've given to to the agency and law enforcement. Thank you.”
  Privacy & law enforcement
• “70% of us Europeans buy online regularly. So a couple of clicks. You can buy this toy from China, but it is not in compliance with European health rules. And that is the case 80% of the time you can get this kind of a jacket on Shine or Amazon, or you can get makeup stuffed with all kinds of chemicals. You can find that on Amazon. And we ordered 4.5 billion small parcels last year. Now, these purchases present us with all kinds of problems in terms of the health security of consumers. But there's also unfair competition on European companies as well as workers. And I'd like to thank the rapporteur for the very constructive and comprehensive approach you have taken to this. It's time to call on the European Commission to put an end to this scourge, first of all. We need European rules to be respected and that includes online. We have to beef up our customs controls, and we need to have customs charges on packages under €150. So scrap the exemption. We also need to look at monitoring practices online. Ban them. We need to make sure that non-European companies are legally and financially liable in Europe, and we need to make sure that our consumers are compensated. There need to be more obligations on companies, as is the case for the offline companies in the real economy. The EU must also encourage the circular economy. Local producers make sure that we revive our city Centers and find sustainable employment, particularly for ethical clothing, second hand clothing. And a genuine European textile industry. And that way we can offer an alternative to fast fashion.”
  Liability for online marketplaces
• “Thank you very much. Thank you for being here with us and exchange about this very important topic. I wish we had a mixed panel with the previous speakers and have exchanges also amongst you, because we still identify quite a huge gap between the positions that we heard from Europol, from the Commission, and the warnings that you're trying also to send us. And that leads me to my first question to any one of you how do you work inside the task force? Do you work? And in hand with the Commission? Has the Commission shared its own preoccupations with you, or are you working among experts to deliver a report by the end of the year? How concretely does it does it go? And then I have questions related to what you said. Mr.. That law enforcement will have to change, actually, the way it's envisaging, the way to enquire and somehow renounce to collect massively data and to go in the direction to put an end to end, an end to end encryption. You said that you're working on other venues, other possibilities, but this is typically a completely reloading the software of the direction that has been taken those last years in terms of data collection and and also the aim to, to maybe not break encryption because the commission, Europol is not talking anymore about breaking, but doing it through a lawful manner, which is obviously so far, not possible.”
  Privacy & law enforcement
• “Thank you very much. And I would say welcome back to the Parliament, Mr. Scott-railton. Thank you for your introduction. Production. And two years after we first heard you, I have to say that it's still a blatant silence from our side European side. Um, and this leaves all room of manoeuvre to the member states and to the governments and lately Italy to use those kind of illegal spyware. It's a real shame. Mr. chair, that we didn't bring in the victims. If we brought pictures of them today, it's because they are real. They exist, and they also need to specify the consequences on their lives to be to have been spied on. So it's a real disgrace for a house which is supposed to be the house of citizens. But when they're abused by governments, we are nowhere to give them a tribune. And this House is not about national politics. It's about respect of democracy, rule of law, fundamental rights. Also, EU's internal security. And it is all in the remit. So please, colleagues, read the recommendations of our Or a Pegasus report. It's all there, Mr. Scott-railton. I would really hear. Want to hear more from you on what you say on the future and consequences of such technologies, including in the AI sector. Thank you.”
  Surveillance equipment & spyware
• “And this is actually one of our concerns when we signed the agreement with the Mercosur, Mercosur countries and now a number of member states are members are telling us that they don't want to actually table amendments. Surely it's in all of our interests to ensure that we actually make sure that these agricultural safeguard clauses are as effective as possible, and it should be within the the with respect to the WTO agreements and also of the position of the Mercosur countries, my group put forward 25 amendments to on the threshold so that the thresholds for triggering the safeguard clauses under article 20 of the GATT, making sure that these thresholds were serious, and making sure also that we looked at the specificities of different sectors beef, poultry, sugar. These are the sectors which actually don't aren't aren't connected to one another. I wanted also to suggest that we have new accompanying measures. That was also a proposal in the amendments and other actions which should be carried out alongside this. I was elected, we were all elected to carry out a legislative task, and I believe that these amendments, mine and others, should actually be studied seriously, and that compromise amendments should be presented to us by the rapporteur. Otherwise, I think, quite honestly, you're going to end up with 100 amendments being tabled in plenary. It'll be a cacophony and you'll be the one responsible for it a lot.”
  Trade relations with Mercosur