Łukasz KOHUT

Policy topics Łukasz KOHUT is active on

What Łukasz KOHUT has said (10)

• 2026-01-26 “E-000295/2026 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission The core mission of the Just Transition Fund to address the social, employment, economic, and environmental impacts of the transition towards a climate-neutral economy has been fully integrated into the scope of the future National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRP Plans) for 2028-2034 through various specific objectives, including the specific objective to support a just transition towards the Union’s 2030, 2040 and 2050 targets for energy and climate 1 . The Commission proposal 2 for the NRP Plans also provides for a possibility to support territorial just transition strategies. This new framework gives more flexibility to Member States to tailor the Plans to the specific challenges and needs of the different regions and territories. While there is no dedicated funding nor earmarking for coal-mining regions in the next Multiannual Financial Framework, Member States are required to explain how their Plan will effectively contribute to territorial tools, including territorial just transition strategies where relevant. Member States are also required to contribute to all specific objectives identified in the proposal, including the one to support a just transition. 1 Article 3 (1)(a) ((iii) of the Commission proposal COM(2025) 565. 2 COM(2025) 565.”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• 2024-10-15 “E-002081/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen on behalf of the European Commission A free and pluralistic media environment is essential for the rule of law, with free and independent media playing an important role as watchdogs of democracy and holding power to account. The EU has put in place rules and standards in areas to uphold media freedom and media pluralism in the EU, starting with the safety and protection of journalists 1 and measures to address the phenomenon of strategic litigation against public participation 2 . The European Media Freedom Act 3 (EMFA) introduces, among others, specific provisions on media ownership transparency, the transparent and fair allocation of state advertising, and the independent functioning of public service media and availability of financial resources for the fulfilment of their public service remit. The Commission monitors developments in the area of media freedom and pluralism for all Member States in the framework of its annual Rule of Law Report and makes recommendations. As regards Poland more specifically, the Commission recommended, amongst other, that Poland ensures that fair, transparent and non-discriminatory procedures are adhered to for the granting of operating licences to media outlets, reporting also on the situation of channels belonging to the TVN group. In its 2024 Rule of Law Report 4 , the Commission noted some progress in this regard given that the Ministry of Culture started work on a new regulatory framework on media pluralism and independence, which is expected to modernise the system of granting licences. The Commission will continue to regularly monitor media freedom and pluralism in Poland, as in all Member States, in the context of its Rule of Law Report. The Commission will also monitor the implementation of the EMFA including in relation to the independence of media service providers across Europe. 1 Commission Recommendation (EU) 2021/1534 of 16 September 2021 on ensuring the protection, safety and empowerment of journalists and other media professionals in the European Union, https://eurlex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32021H1534 2 Directive (EU) 2024/1069, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1069/oj 3 Regulation (EU) 2024/1083, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32024R1083 4 https://commission.europa.eu/publications/2024-rule-law-report-communication-and-country-chapters_en”
  EU support for traditional (non-digital) media · Rule of law in Hungary
• 2024-09-15 “P-001717/2024 Answer given by Mr Lenarčič on behalf of the European Commission When a disaster occurs, the affected country can request assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) 1 . On 13 September 2024, Poland pro-actively activated the Rapid Mapping of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service 2 for floods. On 18 September 2024, Poland activated the UCPM and requested support to strengthen its response to the floods. Austria, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Lithuania, Sweden and Slovenia have immediately offered parts of the requested items. Austria, Denmark, Germany, Lithuania and Sweden, have already delivered them to Poland. The transport arrangements for the remaining items are ongoing. In addition, the EU’s strategic reserve, rescEU 3 , has been mobilised to complete the offers. 1 https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/eu-civil-protection-mechanism_en 2 https://emergency.copernicus.eu/mapping/ems/rapid-mapping-portfolio 3 https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/resceu_en”
  EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters
• 2024-08-02 “E-001472/2024 Answer given by Ms Johansson on behalf of the European Commission As explained in the Commission’s answer to the written question E-0001438/2024 on the same issue, on 1 August 2024, a letter has been sent to the Hungarian Minister of the Interior in which the Commission’s concerns about the extension of the ‘National Card’ scheme to citizens of Russia and Belarus were expressed. Hungary was reminded of the importance of upholding enhanced standards of scrutiny and vigilance with regards to the entry of Russian nationals into the Schengen area. The dialogue with the Hungarian authorities is ongoing to assess the implications of the ‘National Card’ extension for the security of the Schengen area. Hungary remains bound by the obligation to thoroughly check whether all entry conditions of Article 6 of the Schengen Borders Code 1 (SBC) applicable to third-country nationals have been met. This includes, amongst others, the absence of alerts issued in the Schengen Information System or other indications that an individual poses a threat to public policy, internal security, public health or the international relations of any of the Member States. A third country national who does not fulfil the entry conditions must be refused entry (Article 14 SBC). On 30 September 2022, the Commission issued updated guidelines on controls of Russian citizens at the external borders in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine 2 . According to these guidelines, border guards should exercise intensive individual scrutiny in assessing the potential heightened security risk posed by Russian nationals. 1 Regulation (EU) 2016/399 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on a Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code), OJ L 77, 23.3.2016. 2 https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/system/files/202209/Communication%20from%20the%20Commission%20on%20updating%20guidelines%20on%20general%20 visa%20issuance%20in%20relation%20to%20Russian%20applicants%20and%20on%20providing%20guideline s%20on%20controls%20of%20Russian%20citizens%20at%20the%20external%20borders_en.pdf”
  Asylum & border control
• “Mr.. Commissioner. It's hard to hide statistics in the EU. Uh, 450 million population. Uh, India 1.5 billion. So we can't be selfish. And digital lockdown. The Russian war of aggression. The world is changing under our eyes. And therefore, we need stable democracies. Strong democracies that can stand up to authoritarian regimes. We need India by our side. It is a country that experienced colonialism that forced them to change their way of life. Therefore, it is surprising to see them buying Russian oil. Russia being a colonial power, as it were. We hope that India will realise this.”
  EU-India relations
• “Thank you, Mr. EPP chairman. Diversity is the strength of Europe, the linguistic, cultural, ethnic diversity. And today I'm turning to you not only as an MEP, but first of all, as the member of the Silesian community. According to the last census, around half a million of people identify themselves as the Silesian minority. And yet our language is not officially recognized by the state, not even as a regional language. The Salesians are not recognized as an ethnic minority. In all over Europe, there are regions whose voices have been ignored for too long, and those regions are part of the dynamic European mosaic, and we have to reinforce them. So my question is what other instruments, apart from financing, can be used in order to encourage member States to recognize diversity of culture and languages? Because after all, community is not only infrastructure, but also dignity and community. Now the Cult commission, and as the previous speakers, you will have two minutes at your disposal. Please respect the time the EP representative comes as first Pan lava.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• “Russia. Russia. Propaganda platform of the propaganda. Bezposrednio e Attacchi. Unii. Europejskiej. Europejskiej. I Europejskiej. Algorithm. Platform. Oligarchs. Za Dodatkowo europejskiej I. Europejska nie jest na kreml. Ani. Muzeum. Budapest. Europe. Bu mam ogromny potenziale spoleczne. I gospodarcze a Europa. Jest na zdrowie. Planet. Normalization. Normalization. I. Ogromny. Wybor. Tylko europejska. Moze. Rossiiskii. Imperialism.”
  EU-Russia relations (from March 2022)
• “Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Dear colleagues, the Rights and Values Programme is a European success story. It connects citizens with the EU and builds democratic defence against populists. But success brings its own challenges. There are far more applications than the programme can found. Many high quality projects, projects that could strengthen democracy and fight disinformation are left unfounded not because they lack merit, but because there is simply no money left. This tells us something very simple Cerf has proven its value. When something works, we should invest more in it. The report also stresses that Cerf fills gaps that no other EU programme addresses, it reaches areas where other instruments cannot deliver. Grassroots organisations, small communities and minority groups that are vital for citizen participation but often overlooked. For them, surf is not just a founding. It is a recognition, dignity and a chance to be a part of Europe's story. Colleagues, if we are serious about strengthening democracy, we must give surf the means to grow. If we want citizens to trust Europe, we must fund the program that brings Europe directly to them. The interim report is not just an evaluation. It is a reminder, a reminder that democracy cannot be taken for granted. It must be supported. And yes, it must be properly funded. Service a success. Let us not limit success. Let us invest in it. Thank you very much.”
  EU engagement with civil society
• “Geopolitics is back in the form of pressure and the power politics in the US. The cradle of democracy. Trump is treating geopolitics like a business transaction in this context. Old alliances are no longer of any import. Our cooperation with Canada must be deeper. Democracies must stand together. The alternative is a simple I. There we co-create the new rules or we get new rules written by somebody else. Sovereignty in the 21st century is not about standing alone. It's about being part of a strong alliance. Future is in the hands of those who are able to build such alliances Trump, Putin, Orban or Navrotsky in Poland. They fail to understand isolationism. Today is a death sentence alone. We are in danger with Canada will get stronger.”
  EU-US relations
• “Dear Madam Vice President, to survive Europe must become stronger and more integrated. Although Iceland and Norway are not EU members they remain our close economic partners and good friends. We are all Europeans. We share the same values and face the same threat from the East. In times of geopolitical crisis Europe stands united. This is why I deeply appreciate the fact that Iceland will soon hold a referendum on reopening negotiations with the EU. In time of crisis we need each other particularly with regard to security. I would like to ask about this aspect. One week ago you said that the defense and security partnership with Iceland would be signed in the next coming days. When exactly will be will the agreement be finalized by the EU and what steps are you taking to improve the process? Thank you very much.”
  EU-Norway relations