Konstantinos ARVANITIS

Policy topics Konstantinos ARVANITIS is active on

What Konstantinos ARVANITIS has said (69)

• 2026-02-24 “E-000760/2026 Answer given by Mr Hansen on behalf of the European Commission 1. The Commission is actively advancing measures to harmonize honey authentication across the single market. The Honey Platform is explicitly tasked with gathering data to improve authenticity controls and providing formal recommendations on the creation of an EU reference laboratory for honey. First discussions highlighted the importance of avoiding overlaps with existing laboratories, ensuring financial viability, and maintaining coherence with the broader EU authenticity and integrity. The topic will be further discussed before any decision can be taken. 2. The system of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) import controls is robust and capable of ensuring that only goods complying with EU requirements enter the Union. On 9 December 2025, the Commission announced a series of measures 1 aimed at further strengthening import controls through an increased number of audits and closer monitoring of non-compliant commodities and countries (with increased frequency of checks), support and additional training to Member States, and the establishment of a Task Force on Import Controls. 3. The Commission thoroughly evaluates the potential effects of trade agreements on EU agriculture through cumulative economic impact studies 2 . The specific vulnerabilities of the honey market were factored into the Mercosur negotiations leading to not granting unlimited access for honey but establishing a calibrated Tariff Rate Quota accompanied by a legally binding safeguard mechanism. 1 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_2979. 2 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/7c386feb-bbfc-11ee-b164-01aa75ed71a1/language-en.”
  Import of agri-food products in the EU · Trade relations with Mercosur
• 2026-02-18 “E-000686/2026 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) are of increasing concern, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea, a hotspot for invasions. The Commission collaborates with the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) on these challenges. Several pilot projects and research programmes were launched for data collection and mitigation. The EU-funded GFCM pilot on NIS in the Eastern Mediterranean is gathering fisheries-dependent and independent data, for example on species’ abundance, helping close the knowledge gap. Establishing a NIS observatory will enhance data, knowledge and best practices, addressing the spread of these species in the region. The species referenced in the question are not on the list of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) of EU concern under the IAS Regulation 1 and therefore do not fit within its scope. Under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Member States must address NIS to ensure good environmental status of the 11 descriptors. The commercial exploitation of NIS is a solution. If listed under the IAS Regulation, commercialisation could also be authorised, under certain conditions. In the Black Sea, managing Rapa Whelk’s spread and exploitation has controlled the species’ expansion, benefitting the fisheries-based economy. The GFCM adopted measures for sustainable fishing of this species 2 . The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) national programmes may support the monitoring, surveillance and mitigation of NIS. The EU encourages the use of EMFAF, which may be of benefit when species have less commercial value (e.g. Cyprus compensates fishers to target pufferfish intensively, aiming to regulate the population). 1 Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species, OJ L 317, 4.11.2014, p. 35– 55. 2 Recommendation GFCM/47/2024/9 on management measures for the sustainable exploitation of rapa whelk in the Black Sea (geographical subarea 29).”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries · Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-02-16 “E-000658/2026 Answer given by Mr Hansen on behalf of the European Commission The proposed new common agricultural policy (CAP) ensures predictability for European farmers by proposing a minimum ring-fenced amount within the future national and regional partnership (NRP) plans for the period 2028-2034 as well as improving the current CAP toolbox. Fair distribution of support is central to the proposal, by proposing degressivity and capping of the future income support, with a focus towards those farmers most in need. In addition, the Commission would issue CAP national recommendations on all policy objectives with a view to guaranteeing a level-playing field. As regards the environmental ambition, the Commission proposes a minimum spending target of at least 43% at the level of the overall NRP Plans, including the CAP. Furthermore, Member States would be obliged to address soil and water quality via a set of protective practices as basic requirements for farmers to receive income support. Also in this case, the recommendations would guide Member States in the implementation of these basic requirements as well as additional measures like agri-environment climate actions tailored to local circumstances to reach EU objectives. The European Parliament, as co-legislator, will play a fundamental role in shaping the future NRP and CAP regulations. In November 2025, the President of the Commission suggested to the co-legislators to add a new annex on a new budgetary steering mechanism to the future interinstitutional agreement to specify the modalities of this mechanism, including in relation to the Parliament’s role. Transparency in monitoring the implementation of the CAP is strengthened via the proposed performance regulation 1 , including through a publicly accessible centralised website referred to as ‘Single Gateway’. 1 https://commission.europa.eu/publications/budget-expenditure-tracking-and-performance-framework_en.”
  Agricultural funding · Direct payments to farmers (pillar 1)
• 2026-02-11 “E-000602/2026 Answer given by Mr McGrath on behalf of the European Commission The Commission does not comment on individual cases. To protect journalists and human rights defenders from strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), the Commission adopted the Anti-SLAPP initiative on 27 April 2022, consisting of a Directive 1 for which Member States have a transposition deadline of 7 May 2026 and a Recommendation 2 which is implemented since its adoption. As announced by the European Democracy Shield 3 , the Commission will organise, in the coming months, a high-level event on combating SLAPPs to support the review of its antiSLAPP Recommendation. Moreover, adopted in September 2021, the Recommendation on the protection, safety and empowerment of journalists helps strengthen media freedom and media pluralism in the EU 4 . It aims to ensure safer working conditions for all media professionals, free from fear and intimidation, whether online or offline. It sets out concrete actions for Member States to take, including on better protection for journalists through strengthened cooperation with law enforcement authorities, as well as support mechanisms such as legal advice and psychological support. The European Democracy Shield foresees an update of the Recommendation on the safety of journalists. 1 Directive (EU) 2024/1069 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on protecting persons who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded claims or abusive court proceedings (‘Strategic lawsuits against public participation’) OJ L, 2024/1069, 16.4.2024, http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1069/oj. 2 Commission Recommendation (EU) 2022/758 of 27 April 2022 on protecting journalists and human rights defenders who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded or abusive court proceedings (‘Strategic lawsuits against public participation’), OJ L 138, 17.5.2022, pp. 30–44, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reco/2022/758/oj. 3 JOIN(2025) 791 final, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025JC0791. 4 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, OJ L 331, 20.9.2021, pp. 8– 20.”
  Disinformation & online freedoms · EU Supervision of the Rule of Law
• 2026-02-10 “E-000548/2026 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission Saving lives at sea is a moral duty, as well as a legal obligation for Member States under international law, regardless of the circumstances that have led people to be in distress at sea. All actors involved in search and rescue operations should comply with the relevant international legal framework and act in a lawful, swift, and coordinated way to make sure that those in distress at sea are brought to safety as rapidly as possible. The principle of non-refoulement should be respected. According to information available to the Commission, European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) assets were not present during the incident. Every life lost at sea is a tragedy. It is up to Member State authorities to investigate incidents, such as the one referred to by the Honourable Members, in order to establish the facts and act accordingly. The Commission followed the events on Chios closely and remains in contact with the Greek authorities. As per the information received, an investigation has been launched by the Central Port Authority of Chios which will establish the facts and determine the circumstances of this incident.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2026-02-02 “E-000412/2026 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission The Commission considers that exposure to extreme temperatures at work is an important risk factor for workers’ occupational safety and health (OSH). The EU OSH Framework Directive 89/391/EEC 1 sets out the general obligations for employers, who are required to assess all risks at work, including those arising from exposure to high temperatures when workers are or can be exposed to such risks, and to take appropriate preventive and protective measures which shall take into account vulnerable workers. A number of other EU OSH Directives include more detailed provisions with regard to temperature at work, such as the Workplace 2 , Construction Sites 3 , the Fishing Vessels 4 and the two Extractive Industries Directives 56 . For example, the Construction Directive specifies in its Annex IV that ’During working hours, the temperature must be appropriate for human beings, having regard to the working methods used and the physical demands placed on the workers’, and that ‘The temperature in rest areas, rooms for duty staff, sanitary facilities, canteens and first-aid rooms must be appropriate to the particular purpose of such areas’. Similar provisions exist in the other mentioned Directives. In addition, the Commission currently assesses whether the EU OSH legal framework remains fit for purpose, and plans to adopt in 2026 a new European framework to strengthen resilience to, and management of, climate change related risks 7 . Furthermore, EU-OSHA published the guide ‘Heat at Work – Guidance for Workplaces’ 8 as well as the Online Interactive Risk Assessment Tool (OiRA) ‘Heat and cold’ 9 . In addition, the European Climate and Health Observatory provides information on the impacts of heat on the health, wellbeing and productivity of workers. 1 OJ L 183, 29.6.1989, p. 1, Council Directive 89/391/EEC on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work - https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/ALL/?uri=celex%3A31989L0391. 2 OJ L 393, 30.12.1989, pp. 1–12, Council Directive 89/654/EEC concerning the minimum safety and health requirements for the workplace - https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/1989/654/oj/eng. 3 OJ L 245, 26.8.1992, p. 6, Council Directive 92/57/EEC on the implementation of minimum safety and health requirements at temporary or mobile construction sites - https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/1992/57/oj/eng. 4 OJ L 307, 13.12.1993, p. 1, Council Directive 93/103/EC concerning the minimum safety and health requirements for work on board fishing vessels - https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/1993/103/oj/eng. 5 OJ L 404, 31.12.1992, p. 10, Council Directive 92/104/EEC on the minimum requirements for improving the safety and health protection of workers in surface and underground mineral-extracting industries - https://eurlex.europa.eu/eli/dir/1992/104/oj/eng. 6 OJ L 348, 28.11.1992, p. 9, Council Directive 92/91/EEC concerning the minimum requirements for improving the safety and health protection of workers in the mineral- extracting industries through drilling - https://eurlex.europa.eu/eli/dir/1992/91/oj/eng. 7 https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/adaptation-and-resilience-climate-change/european-climate-resilienceand-risk-management-integrated-framework_en. 8 https://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/heat-work-guidance-workplaces. 9 https://osha.europa.eu/en/highlights/beat-heat-work-summer-oira.”
  EU rules on hazardous working conditions · EU competences on social policies
• 2026-01-28 “E-000362/2026 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is aware of the latest developments raised by the Honourable Members concerning the law that was recently adopted in Greece. The Commission shared its preliminary views on the draft legislation with the Greek authorities during the public consultation period 1 . The matter was also discussed during the recent meetings in January with the Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum. In the exchanges with authorities in Greece, including in the context of the Rule of Law report, the Commission regularly recalled the need for establishing a regular and sustained structured dialogues with civil society organisations, as well as for the simplification of registration requirements to ensure an open and enabling framework for their operation. The importance of structured dialogues with civil society organisations has also been emphasised as part of the recently adopted EU Strategy for Civil Society 2 . The Commission will analyse the adopted law carefully and remain in close contact with the Greek authorities to understand how it is intended to be implemented in practice. The Commission will also continue to monitor the developments in the context of the Rule of Law Report process. The 2026 edition of the Report, currently under preparation, will be published in July 2026. 1 30 December 2025 – 14 January 2026. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025DC0790.”
  Regulation of NGOs in Europe · Asylum & border control · EU Supervision of the Rule of Law
• 2026-01-27 “E-000325/2026 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission The EU legislation on occupational safety and health (OSH), aims at preventing all workrelated accidents and diseases. EU OSH Directives lay down minimum requirements and Member States may adopt more stringent measures. Among others, the EU OSH Framework Directive 89/391/EEC 1 sets out the general obligations for employers, who are required to assess all risks at work and to take appropriate preventive and protective measures. While enforcement of national provisions transposing EU Directives in the field of OSH, including labour inspections and control mechanisms, is primarily the responsibility of Member States, the Commission promotes better and equivalent enforcement with an aim of achieving zero deaths at work, through actions taken by the Senior Labour Inspectors’ Committee. The Commission (Eurostat) collects statistics on accidents at work 2 and occupational diseases 3 reported by Member States’ statistical authorities. Data quality, including underreporting, is regularly reviewed by relevant Commission expert groups. This includes refining methodologies, analysing coverage and comparability, and encouraging more consistent reporting practices across Member States. Vision Zero, referred to in the EU Strategic Framework for Health and Safety at Work 2021 – 2027 4 , is the overall aim to achieve zero work-related deaths, calling on all relevant actors to take appropriate measures. However, this approach – while beneficial – is legally not binding. 1 OJ L 183, 29.6.1989, p. 1: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A01989L039120081211. 2 Data collection implemented by the Commission Regulation (EU) No 349/2011 of 11 April 2011 implementing Regulation (EC) No 1338/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on Community statistics on public health and health and safety at work, as regards statistics on accidents at work. 3 European occupational diseases statistics - https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/experimental-statistics/europeanoccupational-diseases-statistics. 4 https://osha.europa.eu/en/safety-and-health-legislation/eu-strategic-framework-health-and-safety-work-20212027.”
  EU competences on social policies · EU rules on hazardous working conditions
• 2025-12-03 “E-004798/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission The Erasmus+ programme is committed to promoting equal opportunities and access, inclusiveness, and fairness across its actions while also adhering strictly to regulations that ensure fair and transparent management. When the Commission becomes aware of any suspected cases of fraud, corruption or other illegal activities affecting the EU budget, it informs the European Anti-Fraud Office and, where applicable, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. In this specific case, the Commission is actively verifying the matter with the Youth and Lifelong Learning Foundation. The Commission has requested comprehensive explanations from the Foundation regarding their management practices, award procedures and oversight activities. This approach aims to ensure compliance with EU obligations and the protection of the reputation of EU-funded initiatives across Member States. Should there be any indications of potential fraud, corruption or other illegal activities affecting the EU budget, the Commission will refer the matter to the competent investigative bodies.”
  Conditions to access EU budget · Accounting and auditing of EU budget
• 2025-11-13 “E-004542/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen on behalf of the European Commission Article 15 of the Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market (DSM) Directive 1 provides press publishers with an exclusive right to authorise or prohibit the reproduction and making available to the public of press publications in respect of online uses of such publications by information society service providers. The objective of this rule is to facilitate the licensing and enforcement of rights in press publications when negotiating for their online use by information society service providers. Article 15 of the DSM Directive does not regulate the remuneration due for the exercise of this right. It only provides that authors of works incorporated in press publications receive an appropriate share of the revenues received by press publishers. The Commission has been carefully monitoring the implementation of the press publishers’ right across EU Member States. Some Member States have introduced specific rules when implementing Article 15 into their national laws, with the aim to facilitate the conclusion of licenses for the online use of press publications and ensure that press publishers are adequately remunerated. Under Article 30(1) of the DSM Directive, the Commission is required to review the DSM Directive and present a report on its main findings no sooner than June 2026. To this effect, the Commission has recently launched a study which will support the assessment of the effectiveness and practical impact of the directive’s provisions, including Article 15. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2019/790/oj.”
  EU rules on digital competition
• 2025-10-06 “E-003912/2025 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission 1. Currently there is no approved sheep and goat pox (SGP) vaccine in the Union. Nonetheless, pursuant to the Veterinary Medicinal Products Regulation 1 , under certain specific circumstances, Member States’ competent authorities may allow the use of a vaccine not authorised within the Union. 2. To date the Commission has only received, from the competent authorities of Greece, a request for scientific support, through the European Food Safety Authority, to help them on their final decision, whether to implement vaccination against SGP or not. 3. If a vaccination plan against SGP is implemented in Greece, dairy products from establishments under that plan would be subject to measures as laid down in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/361 2 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 3 . Where necessary, the Commission may also put in place other proportionate risk-mitigating measures, consistent with the standards of the World Organisation for Animal Health. 1 Regulation (EU) 2019/6 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on veterinary medicinal products and repealing Directive 2001/82/EC (OJ L 4, 7.1.2019, pp. 43–167) http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/6/oj. 2 Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/361 of 28 November 2022 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and the Council as regards rules for the use of certain veterinary medicinal products for the purpose of prevention and control of certain listed diseases (OJ L 52, 20.2.2023, pp. 1–42) http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2023/361/oj. 3 Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 of 17 December 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and the Council, as regards rules for the prevention and control of certain listed diseases (OJ L 174, 3.6.2020, pp. 64–139) http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2020/687/oj.”
  Animal diseases prevention and management in the EU
• 2025-09-26 “E-003744/2025 Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission On 16 December 2024, the Commission opened an infringement procedure 1 against Greece for partial compliance with certain aspects of EU railway safety legislation, namely the Rail Safety Directive 2 . This infringement case also focuses on issues related to the functioning of the Hellenic Air and Rail Safety Investigation Authority (HARSIA, EODASAAM in Greek). Furthermore, the Commission notes that the EODASAAM’s report from the investigation of the Tempi accident 3 contains a recommendation addressed to the responsible Greek Ministry to issue detailed instructions ensuring protection of accident sites 4 . The Commission believes that the implementation of these measures, should ensure the preservation of accident sites and evidence contained therein, as well as effective investigation of accidents and incidents. The Commission remains in contact with the Greek authorities monitoring the situation. 1 Case number INFR(2023)2036, see associated press release: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/inf_24_6006. 2 Directive (EU) 2016/798 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on railway safety, OJ L 138 26.5.2016, p. 102, ELI: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2016/798. 3 https://www.harsia.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/EODASAAM_Accident_Investigation_Tempi-1.pdf. 4 See Recommendation 2025-RL01-015.”
  EU policy on aviation safety · EU support of rail transport
• 2025-09-22 “E-003649/2025 Answer given by Mr McGrath on behalf of the European Commission The Anti-SLAPP (Strategic lawsuit against public participation) Directive 1 and Recommendation 2 provide a solid toolbox of safeguards and measures to fight against SLAPPs in the EU and to protect persons who engage in public participation. In accordance with Article 81 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which is the EU legal basis allowing the EU to take measures in this area, the Directive covers SLAPPs with crossborder implications. With a view to expand protection to other cases of SLAPP, the Commission Recommendation has called on all Member States to ensure that their applicable framework provides for the necessary safeguards also in domestic cases. The implementation of these two instruments is a priority for the Commission. The Directive is currently being transposed by Member States with a transposition deadline on 7 May 2026, after which the Commission will verify and ensure that Member States have complied with their obligations. The Commission closely monitors and assists Member States, including Greece, in the transposition process to guarantee effective implementation. Measures to follow-up on the implementation of the Recommendation started immediately after its adoption and the Commission is working with all Member States, including Greece, to this end 3 . 1 Directive (EU) 2024/1069 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on protecting persons who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded claims or abusive court proceedings (‘Strategic lawsuits against public participation’). 2 C/2022/2428 final. 3 A first overview of the information received by the Commission from Member States has been issued at the end of 2024, see SWD(2024) 292 final.”
  Disinformation & online freedoms · Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• 2025-09-10 “E-003507/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission For the projects funded under 2014-2020 programming period, Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 1 of the European Parliament and of the Council includes provisions for the durability of investments. Specifically, Article 71(1) provides amongst others for the repayment of the contribution from the Cohesion policy funds of operation comprising investment in infrastructure within five years of the final payment to the beneficiary, in case of ‘(c) a substantial change affecting its nature, objectives or implementation conditions which would result in undermining its original objectives’. The assessment of whether a change is substantial should be carried out at national level 2 . This must be checked against the conditions set out in the approval decision setting out the conditions for support to the operation. The responsibility for the correct implementation of the projects lies primarily with the national authorities, based on the shared management principle that applies to the Cohesion policy funds. In the case that a project is not completed under the programming period 20142020 or it is not implemented according to its approving requirements, and the corresponding expenditure is not corrected by national authorities, the Commission may be under the obligation to proceed with a financial correction pursuant to Article 144 of the said Regulation. This will be checked at the latest at closure of the relevant programme in 2026. 1 Article 71 of the Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/1303/oj/eng. 2 Judgement of the Court of 14 November 2013 in case C-388/12.”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• 2025-09-09 “E-003484/2025 Answer given by Mr Dombrovskis on behalf of the European Commission As part of its Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) 1 , Greece committed to boost the supply and quality of irrigation water and to rationalise its consumption through the construction of irrigation networks infrastructure and a reform of the institutional, organisational and operational framework of the collective irrigation networks (measure 16285). The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2 supports irrigation projects, with the Greek CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 providing up to EUR 260 million 3 , while the EU Cohesion Policy does not finance irrigation projects as such. In 2023 and 2025, Greece requested to revise the scope of the RRP measure, in line with the rules of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) 4 , and the number of irrigation networks to be supported was reduced. The reason for this revision was higher than expected costs, delays due to technical or legal impediments, and a lack of market interest. The Commission understands that some of these projects are now pursued outside the scope of the RRP. According to the latest version of the RRP 5 , five irrigation network projects are to be completed through public-private partnership schemes (milestone 316). This is the only milestone related to this RRP measure (16285), and it is part of the final RRP payment request, which is expected by mid-2026. The Commission has thus not yet assessed this milestone, nor disbursed corresponding funds, at this stage. In addition to this measure, the RRF and EU Cohesion Policy also support Greece to improve its water infrastructures to enhance sustainable water management. 1 https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/economic-recovery/recovery-and-resiliencefacility/country-pages/greeces-recovery-and-resilience-plan_en#repowereu-measures-in-greeces-plan. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/2115/oj/eng. 3 EU contribution for interventions P3-73-1.1 and P3-73-1.4 https://www.agrotikianaptixi.gr/category/sskap2023-2027/sskap-egkrisi-tropopoiiseis/. 4 eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32021R0241. 5 https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/372bdb38-3fd1-47f6-80478e21a8a38533_en?filename=COM_2025_367_1_EN_annexe_proposition_cp_part1_v3.pdf.”
  Agricultural funding · EU policy on water management
• 2025-09-04 “E-003414/2025 Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission 1. The Commission confirms that the right to compensated parental leave under Directive 2019/1158 (WLB Directive) 1 fully applies to workers in the public sector, including in the armed forced or the military. According to the information available to the Commission, Greece transposed Article 5 of the WLB Directive 2 on parental leave by Article 28 of the Act 4808/2021 3 . Its personal scope explicitly covers both the private and the public sector 4 , without any exception. Therefore, it seems that Article 28 of the Act 4808/2021 is directly applicable to employees in the armed forces. Furthermore, according to the information available to the Commission, Ministerial Decision Φ.400/34/292616/Σ.4753/2016 5 , setting the framework of the various leaves in the army, should in principle only be applicable to the extent that it is more favourable than the relevant provisions of Act 4808/2021 that transposes the WLB Directive. 2. In the context of the ongoing assessment of the conformity of the national transposition law with the WLB Directive, the Commission will carefully look into the question of application of the rights of the directive to all workers, including in the armed forces. 1 Directive (EU) 2019/1158 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on work-life balance for parents and carers and repealing Council Directive 2010/18/EU, OJ L 188, 12.7.2019, pp. 79–93. 2 Directive (EU) 2019/1158 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on work-life balance for parents and carers and repealing Council Directive 2010/18/EU, OJ L 188, 12.7.2019, pp. 79–93. 3 OJ A 101/19.06.2025. 4 Article 25 Act 4808/2021, transposing Article 2 of the WLB Directive. 5 OJ B 2808/6.9.2016, as amended by Ministerial Decision Φ.400/33/328233/Σ.7547/3-11-2018, OJ B 5455/05.12.2018.”
  EU competences on social policies · Support for families
• 2025-09-03 “E-003393/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) is a performance-based instrument and the Commission verifies fulfillment of milestones and targets only in the context of the assessment of payment requests submitted by Member States. The Early Childhood Intervention is included in the measure 16904 of the Greek Recovery and Resilience Plan. The completion of the project will be assessed by the Commission in the context of milestone 174a, part of the 9 th payment request, due by 31 August 2026. The Commission has frequent exchanges with the Greek authorities aiming at the full and timely delivery of projects. However, the implementation of all the measures and projects in the national plans falls under the responsibility of the Member State. For additional details on the RRF implementation, the Commission invites the Honourable Member to consult the recovery and resilience scoreboard, which gives an overview of how the implementation of the national recovery and resilience plans is progressing in all Member States, including Greece. In addition, the European Social Fund Plus supports the development and provision of early childhood education, care services and after-school services/centres for vulnerable children, including children with disabilities, with an estimated investment of approximately EUR 162 million for the period 2025 – 2029.”
  Support for families · EU policy on disability inclusion & accessibility
• 2025-07-15 “E-002898/2025 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission Article 10(1) of Directive 2009/31/EC 1 requires Member States to make available to the Commission the permit applications and any other material taken into consideration when deciding on the award of a storage permit. The Commission may review these documents, including any environmental impact assessment, in light of the requirements of Directive 2009/31/EC 2 and may issue a non-binding opinion on the draft permit within four months of receipt. The project at stake is a Project of Common Interest and has received Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) 3 co-funding as it can make an important contribution to the decarbonisation of hard to abate economic sectors. The Greek Recovery and Resilience Plan 4 (RRP) includes an investment ‘Produc-E Green’ 5 , one of the sub-investments of which is the development of the first CO2 storage facility in northern Greece 6 , to be selected based on criteria that ensure the respect of the ‘do no significant harm’ principle, and compliance with EU and national environmental legislation. The RRP includes requirements to ensure compliance with the Do No Significant Harm Technical Guidance 7 . Evidence to demonstrate fulfilment of the relevant milestones and targets is to be provided with the payment requests and will be assessed by the Commission. It is primarily the responsibility of national authorities to ensure that obligations arising from applicable EU legislation regarding the project in question have been respected. This includes compliance with Directives 2009/31/EC 8 , 2001/42/EC 9 and 92/43/EEC 10 . National authorities 1 Directive 2009/31/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the geological storage of carbon dioxide and amending Council Directive 85/337/EEC, European Parliament and Council Directives 2000/60/EC, 2001/80/EC, 2004/35/EC, 2006/12/EC, 2008/1/EC and Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006, OJ L 140, 5.6.2009, pp. 114–135. 2 including its Recital 25. 3 https://commission.europa.eu/funding-tenders/find-funding/eu-funding-programmes/connecting-europefacility_en. 4 https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/economic-recovery/recovery-and-resiliencefacility/country-pages/greeces-recovery-and-resilience-plan_en. 5 https://clean-energy-islands.ec.europa.eu/energy-efficiency-measure-produc-e-green. 6 Prinos. 7 Commission Notice Technical guidance on the application of ‘do no significant harm’ under the Recovery and Resilience Facility Regulation 2021/C 58/01, C/2021/1054, OJ C 58, 18.2.2021, pp. 1–30 –Measure Id 16831: E.g., the capacity of the carbon capture and storage facility shall initially have a CO2 injection rate of one million tonnes/year and shall provide capacity for, at least, 20 years. It is expected that this measure does not do significant harm to environmental objectives within the meaning of Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852. In particular, the carbon capture and storage facility shall operate without using any commercial oil extraction or oil recovery activities. Care shall be taken that any possible extraction of oil or gas is limited to the indispensable needs of managing pressure and ensuring safety of the storage sites and that any such extraction shall be done only if indispensable to ensure the safe storage of CO2. 8 Directive 2009/31/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the geological storage of carbon dioxide and amending Council Directive 85/337/EEC, European Parliament and Council Directives 2000/60/EC, 2001/80/EC, 2004/35/EC, 2006/12/EC, 2008/1/EC and Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006, OJ L 140, 5.6.2009, p. 114–135. 9 Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2001 on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment, OJ L 197, 21.7.2001, pp. 30–37.”
  EU policy on sustainability criteria in public funding · Carbon capture storage and utilisation
• 2025-07-09 “E-002804/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission As stated in the President’s letter before the last European Council 1 , the political and security situation in Libya is extremely critical and political engagement by the EU and Member States is crucial considering the geopolitical consequences of developments in the country for the EU. The EU’s cooperation on migration with Libya is part of a broader engagement in line with the Action Plan on the Central Mediterranean 2 . To this end, the Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration was asked to visit Libya and to meet with authorities in the West and East of the country. The mission took place in a Team Europe approach, along with the Ministers responsible for migration of Greece, Italy and Malta. The mission was always expected to be difficult, yet necessary, which is why engagement shall continue. In Tripoli the Commissioner and Ministers held fruitful discussions with the government including the Prime Minister. The meetings in Benghazi could not take place under the circumstances. The EU has an interest to cooperate with all key actors in Libya, in a Team Europe approach, to be able to insist on strengthening border management and the fight against migrant smuggling, managing work visas and onward movements to the EU, as well as ensuring protection and voluntary returns from Libya to countries of origin. The EU is closely working with the Member States most impacted by the increase in irregular departures from Libya, including from eastern Libya towards Crete. The EU also remains committed to a lasting political solution, anchored in the United Nations-led mediation. We call all actors – domestic, regional and beyond – to support the United Nations initiative as the only credible option to chart the way forward towards a stable and secure Libya. 1 https://www.eunews.it/wpcontent/uploads/2025/06/Letter_from_President_UvdL_on_Migration_EUCO_June_2025__1_.pdf. 2 https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/eu-action-plan-central-mediterranean_en.”
  EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood · Asylum & border control
• 2025-07-09 “E-002798/2025 Answer given by Mr Jørgensen on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is in the process of assessing the transposition of Article 22 of the Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2018/2001 1 on renewable energy communities and Article 16 of the Electricity Market Directive (EU) 2019/944 2 on citizen energy communities. The Commission does not comment on ongoing assessments of Member States’ transposition measures. As announced in the Communication on the Affordable Energy Action Plan 3 , the Commission intends to adopt a Citizens Energy Package by the end of 2025 with the aim of enhancing citizens’ participation in the energy transition and strengthening its social dimension. The Citizens Energy Package will include a comprehensive set of measures to help energy communities to achieve their objectives. The Open Public Consultation is currently ongoing to collect input from a wide range of stakeholders, including energy communities 4 . In addition, the Commission plans to adopt the European Grids Package at the end of 2025 designed to accelerate digitalisation and innovation, streamline permitting procedures, improve grid planning and accelerate grid projects’ deployment. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2018/2001/oj/eng. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2019/944/oj/eng. 3 https://energy.ec.europa.eu/publications/action-plan-affordable-energy-unlocking-true-value-our-energy-unionsecure-affordable-efficient-and_en. 4 https://energy.ec.europa.eu/news/citizens-energy-package-commission-starts-consultation-process-2025-0619_en.”
  EU energy infrastructure integration · EU policy on permitting for renewable energy projects
• 2025-07-08 “E-002766/2025 Answer given by Mr Hansen on behalf of the European Commission Certain costs incurred in carrying out veterinary emergency measures taken to address sheep pox and goat pox (SGP), like compensation to owners for the animals culled, may be eligible for EU co-funding, at a maximum rate of 30% (Regulation 2021/690 1 and Implementing Decision C(2023) 8926 2 , Annex 3 3 thereof). EU financial support is provided for SGP surveillance, in risk areas, through the Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs) programmes (Bulgaria and Greece) and the Transboundary High Risk Area Coordinated Epidemio-surveillance (T.H.R.A.C.E.) programme (Bulgaria, Greece, Türkiye). Harmonised EU measures for SGP are set out i.a. in Regulation 2020/687 4 and Implementing Decisions 2024/2207 5 (Greece), 2025/1160 6 (Bulgaria) and 2025/1406 7 (Romania). Imports of animals from third countries into the Union are strictly regulated at EU level. The Commission communicates regularly on SGP with all affected Member States, and offers technical support via the EU reference laboratory for SGP and visits of the EU Veterinary Emergency Team (Greece, May 2025). Member States are updated through meetings of the Standing Committee for Plants, Animals, Food and Feed. The EU SGP vaccine bank can ship up to 500 000 doses of vaccines free of charge (no request received to date). Support might be provided under the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan 2023-2027 (CSP) 8 for investments aiming at the restoration of agricultural potential following catastrophic events. It is up to the Managing Authority to allocate funding to such interventions. Besides basic income support and coupled income support, transhumance livestock farming benefits from a targeted eco-scheme under the Greek CSP called ‘Environmental management of livestock systems’ 9 . 1 http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/690/oj. 2 https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/e6150e32-3fa5-4276-923ba36faf4fec1e_en?filename=C_2023_8926_F1_COMMISSION_IMPLEMENTING_DECISION_EN_V3_P1_31 19489.PDF. 3 https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/c69d5f53-6966-420f-86287ff84bf91646_en?filename=C_2023_8926_F1_ANNEX_EN_V2_P1_3132789.PDF. 4 http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2020/687/oj. 5 http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2024/2207/oj. 6 http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2025/1160/oj. 7 http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2025/1406/oj. 8 https://www.agrotikianaptixi.gr/category/sskap-2023-2027/sskap-egkrisi-tropopoiiseis/. 9 https://search.et.gr/el/fek/?fekId=583031.”
  Agricultural funding · Animal diseases prevention and management in the EU
• 2025-05-28 “E-002154/2025 Answer given by Mr Hansen on behalf of the European Commission 1. Due to deficiencies identified in the compliance of the paying agency OPEKEPE with the accreditation criteria 1 , the competent authority put the paying agency’s accreditation under probation for a period of 12 months starting from 10 September 2024 and prepared an action plan aiming to remedy those deficiencies. The Commission is closely monitoring the implementation of this action plan through the analysis of the periodical reports sent by the Greek authorities, and visits to said authorities, when necessary. According to the timeline, all remedial actions should be completed by the 12 September 2025. The Commission cannot comment further on ongoing audits. 2. The Commission is working closely with the Greek authorities to ensure full and timely implementation of the action plan, also considering the possible impact of the announced modification of OPEKEPE’s competences. The action plan covered the organisational structure of the OPEKEPE and the Commission expected remedial actions in this regard. To date, the Commission has not received official notifications of the decisions regarding the paying agency or the role of the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (IAPR) in this context, as the legal framework for the modification is still in preparation. 1 Listed in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2022/127.”
  Agricultural funding
• 2025-04-11 “E-001507/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission 1. The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) supports the smallscale fleet by offering support at up to 100% of their investment costs. This includes diversifying activities to support income, like fishing tourism, modernising vessels, mitigating impacts from climate change, invasive species and costs due to exceptional events, or enhancing fishers' skills and income possibilities through training. The Commission works with Greece to ensure the Greek EMFAF programme meets sector-specific needs, with the Greek Managing Authority being responsible for allocating funding to projects that align with national priorities, including those in the context of the question. 2. The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) allows measures to be adapted to regional needs with the involvement of stakeholders within Advisory Councils such as the Mediterranean Advisory Council. Multiannual Plans adopted through the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) provide targeted measures to fisheries in the region and the Mediterranean Regulation 1 addresses the unique characteristics and requirements of the small traditional fishing fleets. The Commission works at GFCM level to ensure that the specificities of small-scale fisheries, as outlined in the Regional Plan of Action for SmallScale Fisheries in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, are taken into consideration. The Commission is currently evaluating the CFP Regulation 2 . The results, expected in early 2026, will be instrumental in the future development of the policy and regulatory framework, including of small-scale fisheries. In this context, the Commission plans organising an implementation dialogue on small-scale coastal fisheries in November. 1 Council Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 of 21 December 2006 concerning management measures for the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean Sea, amending Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1626/94. 2 Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1954/2003 and (EC) No 1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 2371/2002 and (EC) No 639/2004 and Council Decision 2004/585/EC.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries · Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2025-03-26 “E-001268/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission The Commission does not comment on statements by members of the government and politicians in the Member States.”
  Asylum & border control · EU policy on integration and ethnic, racial and religious discrimination
• 2025-03-07 “E-001012/2025 Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission The Commission underlines that the responsibility for rail safety lies with the Member States and relevant actors, as set out in Article 4 of Directive 2016/798 1 . Neither the Commission nor the European Union Agency for Railways can replace these actors in their roles. Both before and after the tragic accident at Tempi on 28 February 2023, the Commission has drawn the attention of the Greek authorities to the long-standing systemic safety weaknesses of the Greek rail system. These weaknesses were confirmed in the Tempi accident investigation report prepared by the Hellenic Air and Rail Safety Investigation Authority 2 , with the Agency’s support. On 16 December 2024 the Commission has opened an infringement proceeding INFR(2023)2036 3 against Greece, which developed an action plan to address these shortcomings. As stipulated by Article 17(1) of Directive 2016/798, the responsibility for supervising the compliance of railway undertakings and infrastructure managers with applicable requirements lies with the national safety authority, which in the case of Greece is the Regulatory Authority for Railways (RAS). According to Article 17(5) and (6) of Directive 2016/798, the Agency may revoke or restrict a single safety certificate for an individual railway undertaking only following a prior notification from the national safety authority indicating the existence of a serious safety risk or confirming lack of compliance with the conditions for certification attributable to a specific railway undertaking. To date, the Agency has not received such notification from RAS. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32016L0798. 2 Report is published here: https://www.harsia.gr/index.php/2025/02/25/prosechos-to-porisma-gia-ta-tempi-stis27-2-2025/. 3 Associated press release: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/inf_24_6006.”
  EU policy on aviation safety
• 2025-02-07 “E-000569/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission The Commission fully recognises the crucial role of firefighters in the face of increasing challenges linked to wildfires and other natural disasters. It also underlines that the Framework Agreement on fixed-term work 1 aims to improve the quality of fixed-term work and to prevent misuse of successive fixed-term employment relationships. The Commission does not have any evidence indicating that the provisions of Greek law transposing the Framework Agreement are not applicable to fixed-term firefighters. If misuse of successive fixed-term contracts occurs in violation of the national transposing provisions, it is a matter to be primarily addressed by the national courts and authorities. In its role as guardian of the Treaties, the Commission may decide to take appropriate action in accordance with the prerogatives conferred to it by the Treaty. As the Honourable Member refers to ‘seasonal’ firefighters, the Commission recalls that, according to the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union 2 , the fact that two fixed-term contracts are separated by a significant lapse of time is generally sufficient to interrupt an existing employment relationship. Therefore, in the absence of overriding considerations based on specific circumstances, the Framework Agreement does not require Member States to consider such contracts to be successive. 1 Annexed to Directive 1999/70 Council Directive 1999/70/EC of 28 June 1999 concerning the framework agreement on fixed-term work concluded by ETUC, UNICE and CEEP (OJ L 175, 10.7.1999, p. 43), https://eurlex.europa.eu/eli/dir/1999/70/oj/eng 2 See Case C-362/13, Fiamingo, par. 71.”
  EU policy on permanent and fixed-term employment
• 2025-02-05 “E-000530/2025 Answer given by Mr McGrath on behalf of the European Commission National human rights institutions, ombudspersons, equality bodies and other independent authorities have an important role in national checks and balances. The Commission monitors developments related to the functioning and independence of these authorities in the context of its Annual Rule of Law Cycle 1 . As regards Greece, the 2024 Rule of Law Report 2 took note of investigations by the ombudsperson into alleged misconduct involving law enforcement officers. As further noted in the report, the Commission considers that effective and timely investigations of such incidents are an important demonstration of the ability of competent authorities to deliver an adequate response. The Commission will continue to monitor developments in this area and will provide an up-to-date assessment in its 2025 Rule of Law Report. 1 https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/upholding-rulelaw/rule-law/annual-rule-law-cycle_en. 2 2024 Rule of Law Report, country chapter on the rule of law situation in Greece. Available at: https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/6741f4b2-6a10-44ba-b40c97a5a38e6827_en?filename=21_1_58062_coun_chap_greece_en.pdf.”
  Rule of law and democracy in the EU (political compass) · EU Supervision of the Rule of Law
• 2025-01-28 “E-000372/2025 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission The Commission has been in close contact with the Greek authorities over the last years to assist them to implement the ruling of the Court in case C-849/19 1 . Greece has now adopted conservation objectives for all Special Areas of Conservation. The Commission will take action as appropriate to ensure that Greece also adopts conservation measures to fully comply with the ruling. Concerning the separate file EU Pilot file EUP(2021)9806 and based on the information available, it was not possible to confirm the alleged incorrect transposition of the Habitats Directive 2 and the file was closed. As regards infringement case INFR(2014)4073 3 , the Commission is assessing the replies received by the Greek authorities, following the reasoned opinion. The objective of this type of infringement procedure is to assist the Member State in bringing the situation of nonconformity to an end. This case concerns the absence of a national legal framework that complies with Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive. However, this absence of compliant national framework does not mean that wind farm projects based on this framework are also automatically in breach of the above provision. National administrative and/or judicial bodies are primarily responsible to verify compliance of individual projects with the EU environmental legislation and provide the appropriate means to address the matter. Citizens are thus invited to use existing national means of redress if they want to contest a specific project for possibly breaching relevant EU Law. In its role as guardian of the Treaties, the Commission will continue monitoring the situation and may decide to take appropriate action. 1 https://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=&docid=235718&pageIndex=0&doclang=FR&mode =lst&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=76753 2 Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7–50. 3 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/inf_23_525”
  Nature protection and restoration in the EU · EU policy on permitting for renewable energy projects
• 2025-01-16 “E-000168/2025 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission Food products, imported into the EU from third countries must comply with the EU food safety standards laid down in EU legislation. To that end, Member States carry out official controls and enforcement activities in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 2017/625 1 . Furthermore, according to Article 120 of the same Regulation, the Commission may perform controls in third countries to verify third countries’ compliance with EU’s requirements. Where food of non-animal origin from third countries poses a risk, the Commission adopts measures concerning its entry into the EU through Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 2 , such as increased frequencies of checks (including sampling and laboratory analyses) at the entry of the Union. In addition, it asks the authorities of the third country concerned to strengthen its production and control procedures and to report to the Commission about the results of these efforts. When persistent systemic infringements are identified or there is a lack of satisfactory improvement, further action is taken, which may ultimately result in the suspension of entry of the products concerned into the EU. Several products originating from Türkiye are subject to measures as they are listed in Annexes of Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 and the issue is regularly raised with the country’s authorities under the umbrella of the EU-Türkiye Customs Union. These measures are periodically reviewed and adjusted as necessary, considering new information related to risks and instances of non-compliance based on the evolution of risks, non-compliances and other factors provided by the Member States. 1 Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products, amending Regulations (EC) No 999/2001, (EC) No 396/2005, (EC) No 1069/2009, (EC) No 1107/2009, (EU) No 1151/2012, (EU) No 652/2014, (EU) 2016/429 and (EU) 2016/2031 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Regulations (EC) No 1/2005 and (EC) No 1099/2009 and Council Directives 98/58/EC, 1999/74/EC, 2007/43/EC, 2008/119/EC and 2008/120/EC, and repealing Regulations (EC) No 854/2004 and (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directives 89/608/EEC, 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC, 91/496/EEC, 96/23/EC, 96/93/EC and 97/78/EC and Council Decision 92/438/EEC (Official Controls Regulation) OJ L 95, 07/04/2017, p. 1–142. 2 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 of 22 October 2019 on the temporary increase of official controls and emergency measures governing the entry into the Union of certain goods from certain third countries implementing Regulations (EU) 2017/625 and (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Commission Regulations (EC) No 669/2009, (EU) No 884/2014, (EU) 2015/175, (EU) 2017/186 and (EU) 2018/1660 OJ L 277, 29.10.2019, p. 89 https://eurlex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2019/1793/oj/eng”
  Import of agri-food products in the EU · EU policy on country of origin food labelling
• 2025-01-14 “E-000109/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission The Commission recalls that the Framework Agreement on fixed-term work annexed to Directive 1999/70/EC 1 requires Member States to lay down effective measures to prevent the misuse of successive fixed-term contracts, leaving them the choice how to achieve that objective 2 . In implementing EU law, Member States are to respect the Charter of Fundamental Rights, including the right to freedom of associations which implies the right to form and to join trade unions 3 . The Commission is monitoring the conformity of national legislation with those requirements. To date, there appears to be no evidence that relevant Greek law is incompliant with EU law. Potential breaches of national and/or EU law by companies such as KTEL Thessaloniki are primarily a matter for the competent national authorities, including the national courts. Should there be evidence of a general breach of EU law, the workers concerned, their representatives or any other person can use the possibility to lodge a complaint with the Commission using the online complaint form 4 . 1 Council Directive 1999/70/EC of 28 June 1999 concerning the framework agreement on fixed-term work concluded by ETUC (European Trade Union Confederation), UNICE (Union of Industrial and Employers' Confederations of Europe) and CEEP (European Centre of Enterprises with Public Participation) (OJ L 175, 10.7.1999, p. 43). 2 See, e.g., the judgment of 15 April 2008 in case C-286/06, Impact, ECLI:EU:C:2008:223, paragraph 70. 3 Article 12(1) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, in conjunction with Article 51 of that Charter. 4 https://ec.europa.eu/law/application-eu-law/report-breach/en/check-your-criteria”
  EU policy on permanent and fixed-term employment · EU regulation on worker representation in company decisions
• 2024-11-19 “E-002580/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission On 21 January 2024, the Council adopted the Council Implementation Decision amending the Implementing Decision of 13 July 2021 on the approval of the assessment of the recovery and resilience plan for Greece. A subproject related to afternoon surgeries was introduced under measure 16756 (Organisational Reforms in the Health System) under component 3.3 (Improve resilience, accessibility and sustainability of healthcare). The main objective of the subproject is the reduction of the waiting list for elective surgeries. More specifically, this allocates EUR 51 million of the Recovery and Resilience Facility grants to fund the operational cost of 37,500 afternoon surgeries. Priority would be given to patients that have been waiting the longest. Afternoon surgeries will be performed in public hospitals. The subproject also provides that for cases where it will not be possible to carry out the surgeries in the hospital, the surgery may be carried out in another public hospital in proximity, or in a collaborating private hospital. If the possibility for the surgery to take place in a private hospital is activated, it will be the citizen who will choose the private provider from a list which will include all collaborating hospitals. The Greek National Health Service Organisation (ΕΟPYY) has the main responsibility for the implementation of afternoon surgeries in private hospitals. The Ministry of Health is the supervising authority for the implementation of the entire project. The target associated with this subproject (T164a) is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2025 and submitted as part of Greece’s ninth payment request.”
  Public and private sectors role in healthcare services
• 2024-10-30 “E-002338/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission The Asbestos at Work Directive 1 , lays down the limit values for workers’ protection from exposure to asbestos, as well as other specific requirements, in particular with regard to employers, which represent minimum requirements allowing Member States to adopt stricter and more detailed provisions going beyond the requirements of the directive. In this regard, its recent amendment 2 of Article 3 paragraph 2 specifies that removal of asbestos or materials containing asbestos shall be prioritised over other forms of asbestos handling. 3 It is up to the Member States to take the necessary steps for asbestos removal as regards buildings owned by them, while ensuring that the workers carrying out such works are subject to the national provisions transposing this Directive. Member States have until 21 December 2025 4 to transpose the amending Directive. The Commission is currently working on guidelines facilitating the implementation of the revised Directive to be developed by the end of 2025. 1 Directive 2009/148/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work (Codified version) (Text with EEA relevance) OJ L 330, 16.12.2009, p. 28. 2 Directive (EU) 2023/2668 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 November 2023 amending Directive 2009/148/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work OJ L, 2023/2668, 30.11.2023, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2023/2668/oj 3 ‘2. In the case of any activity likely to involve a risk of exposure to dust arising from asbestos or materials containing asbestos, that risk shall be assessed in such a way as to determine the nature and degree of the workers’ exposure to dust arising from asbestos or materials containing asbestos and to prioritise removal of asbestos or materials containing asbestos over other forms of asbestos handling.’ 4 Until 21 December 2029, with regard to the method for measuring asbestos fibres and the related limit value, see Article 1, point (6)(c) and (d) (as regards Article 7(7) second subparagraph of Directive 2009/148/EC) and point (7) (as regards Article 8(2) and (3) of Directive 2009/148/EC).”
  Air quality policy
• 2024-10-17 “E-002138/2024 Answer given by Mr McGrath on behalf of the European Commission The Anti-SLAPP (Strategic lawsuits against public participation) Directive 1 and Recommendation 2 provide together a solid toolbox of safeguards and measures to fight against SLAPPs in the EU and to protect persons who engage in public participation. The implementation of these two instruments is an important priority for the Commission. The Directive entered into force on 6 May 2024 and Member States are expected to transpose it into their national law by 7 May 2026. In accordance with the EU legal basis allowing the EU to take measures in this area, the Directive covers SLAPPs with cross-border implications. With a view to expand protection to other cases of SLAPP, the Commission has called on all Member States to ensure that their applicable framework provides for the necessary safeguards also in domestic cases. Measures to follow up on the implementation of the Recommendation started immediately after its adoption and the Commission is working with all Member States, including Greece, to this end 3 . The Commission also monitors the situation on the ground in the framework of its annual Rule of Law Reports. In the 2024 Rule of Law Report 4 , the Commission recommended to Greece to further advance with the process of adopting legislative and non-legislative safeguards to improve the protection of journalists, in particular as regards abusive lawsuits against journalists and their safety, in line with the adopted Memorandum of Understanding and taking into account European standards on the protection of journalists. The Commission closely follows developments in this area and will provide an up-to-date assessment in its 2025 Report. 1 Directive (EU) 2024/1069 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on protecting persons who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded claims or abusive court proceedings (Strategic lawsuits against public participation). 2 C/2022/2428. 3 A first overview of the information received by the Commission from Member States has been issued at the end of 2024, see SWD(2024)292. 4 COM(2024) 800 final.”
  Disinformation & online freedoms · EU Supervision of the Rule of Law
• 2024-10-14 “E-002051/2024 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission If a project is likely to have a significant impact on a Natura 2000 site, an appropriate assessment of its impacts should be carried out; it can be approved only when it has been ascertained that it will not adversely affect the integrity of the site 1 . Windfarm projects undergo an environmental impact assessment (EIA), based on the Greek legislation transposing EU law 2 . There are no EU binding standards on the protection of the honeybee species. However, in January 2023, the Commission revised the EU Pollinators Initiative 3 which, in conjunction with pollinator-relevant provisions of the Nature Restoration Regulation 4 , forms ‘A new deal for Pollinators’ 5 . The latter aims to ensure better habitats for all pollinators, which will be beneficial also for cultivated pollinator species such as the honeybee. National administrative or judicial bodies are the ones primarily responsible to verify compliance of individual projects with the EU law. Citizens should use existing national means of redress to oppose the legality of a specific project. In its role as guardian of the Treaties, the Commission may decide to take appropriate action and follow up on systemic issues involving the application of EU law. Ιt has already launched an infringement procedure against Greece due to the non-compliance of the Special Framework for Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development for Renewable Energy Resources with the Habitats Directive 6 . The EU has adopted legislation setting the path for the Union’s energy and climate objectives for 2030, including a revision of the Renewable Energy Directive 7 , with new measures to streamline permitting procedures for renewables, while ensuring environmental protection. The focus now is on implementing these new rules. 1 Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive - Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7–50. 2 Directive 2011/92/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment , OJ L 26, 28.1.2012, p. 1–21, as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment, OJ L 124, 25.4.2014, p. 1–18. 3 https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/nature-and-biodiversity/pollinators_en 4 https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/nature-and-biodiversity/nature-restoration-law_en 5 COM/2023/35 final, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=COM%3A2023%3A35%3AFIN&qid=1674555285177 6 Article 6(3), Infringement case 2014/4073, https://ec.europa.eu/atwork/applying-eu-law/infringementsproceedings/infringement_decisions/?lang_code=EN&typeOfSearch=false&active_only=0&noncom=0&r_dossi er=INFR(2014)4073&decision_date_from=&decision_date_to=&title=&submit=Search&langCode=EN 7 Directive (EU) 2023/2413 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 October 2023 amending Directive (EU) 2018/2001, Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and Directive 98/70/EC as regards the promotion of energy from renewable sources, and repealing Council Directive (EU) 2015/652, OJ L, 2023/2413, 31.10.2023.”
  Climate efforts
• 2024-10-08 “E-001985/2024 Answer given by Mr Brunner On behalf of the European Commission Protecting the fundamental rights of individuals in the EU is key for the Commission. As stressed in previous replies 1 , any use of force by law enforcement authorities should always be exercised in a proportionate manner and inhumane or degrading treatment of any individual is unacceptable. The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights applies to Member States when implementing EU law. National authorities, including the courts, must ensure the respect of fundamental rights provided under their constitutional order and their commitments under international law. Greek authorities have the exclusive competence and obligation to conclude independent and accountable investigations to determine all relevant facts and take legal action when appropriate. The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) promotes common respect for, and understanding of, fundamental rights in law enforcement, such as the rights, support and protection of victims and suspects of crime. CEPOL supports the respect of fundamental rights including police ethics and integrity, having 'Fundamental Rights' as one of its four flagship training programs. Justice and Home Affairs Agencies created a Fundamental Rights toolkit shared with Member States’ national authorities to ensure that fundamental rights approach is applied in national training activities. 1 E-003732/2020, E-005750/2020, E-006692/2020, E-001857/2021 and E-003458/2021, E-000040/2022.”
  EU policy on integration and ethnic, racial and religious discrimination · EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters
• 2024-09-24 “E-001796/2024 Answer given by Ms Johansson on behalf of the European Commission 1. The Schengen Borders Code 1 allows Member States to reintroduce control at the internal borders as a temporary measure of last resort to address serious threats to public policy or national security. However, any Member State reintroducing such control remains bound by the EU asylum and return acquis, which includes rules on the allocation of responsibility under the Dublin Regulation 2 and rules on return to third countries under the Return Directive 3 . 2. The Pact on Migration and Asylum will become applicable in 2026. The cooperation of Member States and the correct implementation of the Pact are key for the realisation of the comprehensive and common approach envisioned within the Pact for the management of migration and asylum, particularly in relation to the introduction of a fair and effective system of solidarity and responsibility under the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation 4 . The monitoring activities foreseen in the Pact will allow for the detection of any incorrect or partial application of the legal and operational framework to ensure the timely implementation of any necessary remedial action 5 . Besides, as guardian of the Treaties, the Commission stands ready to initiate appropriate procedures, where deemed necessary and justified, including infringement procedures. 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; OJ L 77, p. 1-52. 2 Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 establishing the criteria and mechanisms for determining the Member State responsible for examining an application for international protection lodged in one of the Member States by a third-country national or a stateless person (recast); OJ L 180, p. 31-59. 3 Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on common standards and procedures in Member States for returning illegally staying third-country nationals; OJ L 348, p. 98-107. 4 Regulation (EU) 2024/1351 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on asylum and migration management, amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1147 and (EU) 2021/1060 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 604/2013; OJ L, 2024/1351. 5 Currently, only Regulation (EU) 2024/1350 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 establishing a Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Framework, and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1147, OJ L, 2024/1350, is in force.”
  Asylum & border control
• “commissioner, thank you very much for being here. Loss of life isn't something unlucky. It is murder. It is murder because the member states are accomplices in this lack of law. At the Violanta factory, the 3 women who lost their lives weren't the victims of an accident. We had 3298 deaths at the workplace. So men and women who died at the workplace in 2025, have 201 workers who died in Greece. And since the beginning and at the beginning of this year or since the beginning of this year, we've had 65 people lose their lives at the workplace. So this isn't just an accident or lucky. It's because work has become more intense. And in Greece, now we passed a law which says that people can work 13 hours a day instead of 8. So work intensification under staffing and so on, we need proper labor inspections. We have to truly protect workers and employees. There has to be accountability, and we have to have the implementation of our, vision 0 approach. Thank you very much.”
  EU rules on hazardous working conditions
• “We need to race around from meeting room to meeting room to keep up. I was actually in plenary earlier with the Commissioner. Commissioner, we carefully and respectfully read through the communication on the European Democracy Shield. A lot of effort has been deployed here, but we are not necessarily pleased with the outcome. We have our reservations. Firstly, this proposal is not legally binding. We agree with the content. We want to protect the media, journalists. We want to raise citizens' awareness around risks. We agree with all that, but we have a difficulty with what is missing from the communication: Russian interference in democratic processes in the EU. Commissioner, what about other threats? Interference by wealthy Americans in the German elections, what about that? We should not rate any interference as good or bad, but we do need to recognize where interference takes place. In both cases, we have reached a historical turning point. We've seen what's happening in connection with the war in Ukraine. We see that the US is pushing for a solution that has been hammered out between the Russians and Americans. This is something that rewards the aggressor, Russia, but perhaps Russia not only is to blame here. I'll leave it at that. Thank you.”
  Foreign interference in Europe
• “Colleagues, we've heard so many things today from the far right. So these are these things are not history. Uh, anyway, I really wonder why do when we have issues of war? Uh, von der Leyen always asks for urgent procedures, but when we have to deal with discrimination, this very important issue is being frozen. It's been frozen since 2008, 18 years, and this process has never been completed in the European Parliament, despite the fact that the Polish presidency said that this was a priority, it was removed from the work programme in 2025, and now we are faced with the danger of having this project withdrawn forever. Well, why is this so bothering for you in the right? History has shown why, but the fact that we ask for an expansion of protection on the basis of religion, sexual orientation, and other types of protection beyond employment in the EU, is that so bothering? We are talking about European values as if we've never read the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Let's take a look at it once again. In article 21, there is an express ban on discrimination. You don't understand that these decisions lead to polarisation and marginalisation in all countries, in all sectors of life. So for as long as those discriminations is exist, for as long as we have a system where people cannot breathe, we will have the left to defend those fundamental values. Thank you.”
  EU policy on integration and ethnic, racial and religious discrimination
• “Dear sir, dear Commissioner, the protection of European democracy from outside forces is something that is of course necessary and urgent. We have heard in the meetings of the Committee the right wing, and they were trying to turn the discussion to another direction. But there is an issue, but it's not only from one side. There is a problem with Russia, but is it only Russia that creates problems for the EU? I mean, what are we going to do about, uh, a mask or the fact that the US took a position on the German elections? Are we going to say nothing about that? The EU is our home and we need to protect it against everyone. There are no good invaders and bad invaders. All invaders are bad. And the last thing to Commissioner, because we heard from the colleagues about the rule of law, which is within your remit. And this is very important issue for democracy. And the responses we get from your office, I'm afraid, are not good enough. And let me say one more thing. We say that this democracy shield goes only through democracy. Thank you.”
  Foreign interference in Europe
• “I'm not going to disagree with you, sir. But just so you know that let's take tomatoes. The price of tomatoes is $0.10. €10 cents when it leaves the farm or leaves the field. But when it is sold on supermarket shelves, it's ten times more expensive. So we have poor farmers and poor consumers, basically poor citizens. So I think that at this point, we need to make sure that the EU has the right checks and balances. We have to look at how we're producing, how we're distributing food and what these distribution monopolies, retail monopolies are doing because prices vary greatly from Greece to France and other countries. Thank you.”
  EU policy on farmer–buyer relations in the agri-food supply chain
• “My dear colleagues, the annual report on the European Semester reminds us that the union's economic governance should not only be measured with competitive and competitiveness and fiscal discipline indicators, but also with its ability to Strengthened social cohesion and improve the life of European citizens. Of course, we have the recent efforts by Mr. Trump still the. Linking up the European Semester with the European Pillar of Social Rights in this report can only be positive. It is especially important to place the emphasis that is placed in dealing with poverty of working people, access to quality jobs, health and security in and safety at work. The implementation of the directive for adequate minimum wages. Fully implementation of the Council recommendation for adequate minimum income. This also incorporates issues that are primary of primary importance for the left, the dealing with the child and energy and. Thank you very much.”
  European Semester (social dimension)
• “Ladies and gentlemen, we have no reason not to support simplification of Cap. But the problem itself is the philosophy behind the Common Agricultural Policy. It set itself. I mean, it's Mrs. von der Leyen forcing through unilaterally the Eu-mercosur agreement, just ignoring the national parliaments as well as the European Parliament. And there will probably be disastrous, catastrophic consequences for the whole of the primary sector, especially in my country. And that is Greece. We can see the reduction in farmers incomes, and that is of even worsened by the mismanagement of by by national governments, as you saw from the scandal in Greece at the moment with the OPEC EPA agency. So we're talking about people going uh, out to defend. Let's not forget the other reasons for these changes. Climate change causing natural, natural disasters. But what we need is to really stop ignoring the elephant in the room.”
  Trade relations with Mercosur
• “Thank you very much. Well, it was a very UNIDENTIFIED interesting meeting. My first comment is that I I I think it's very positive, but let's look at the employers and their compliance with all this. We heard about the minimum wage in Europe, but the basic problem here is that in some countries, we haven't got collectively bargained agreements in place. And very often, it's the right which is talking here about self regulation, and that's a wrong approach. Now since we're discussing this, I have heard that a 70 year old builder in Chania has just lost his life, worker in the construction industry. He's 70 years of age, and he has been working in black, and now he's dead. He was not insured. So we've got an underreporting of this kind of accident. How are you going to tackle this? Not just by checking the member states, but by imposing these conditions on the member states. Thank you.”
  EU rules on hazardous working conditions
• “Thank you. Good afternoon. And I would like to thank the people who were here with us and share their experiences and gave us the scientific data to see what will happen in my country. We say that we are the borders of Europe. And I'll give you two examples to see what how tragic everything is. The region of Western Macedonia in my area, uh, had the greatest population reduction in Greece. The drop was 10.1% in Kastoria in 2023, there were two 229 births and 677 deaths. According to the BBC, 600,000 young people have left Greece and our population will drop by a quarter until 2050. Our problem is not that we do not have young people anymore. We no longer have older people because they leave the region because, you know, if you look at cost benefit policies, all services now go to big urban certains in Austria. They even took the pensioners home away. There's no banks, there's no post office. People leave. So, you know, our country's dying out. And in the Draghi report it says the population issue is a financial or a competitiveness issue. We are the border of Europe. And instead of investment in the primary sector in care, in common services, we see an insistent investment in the defence industry, which weakens our economy and which gives no incentive to young people to stay in their local area, to live there, to fall in love, to get married, to have children and be happy. In countries such as Greece, we see clearly that financial uncertainty and the restructuring of the welfare state has made has created huge problems. I explained how tragic it all is. And although we have the social pillar, and we have the directive on the balance between life and work, we don't have care. We don't have housing, we don't have family benefits. So how are we going to give to all Europeans the right to dream? And you know, you talk about active ageing. Yes. But we should be clear what is active ageing. Is that just a euphemism for bringing up the pension age? I think you need more commitments to real policies. Thank you.”
  EU policy on brain drain
• “Thank you very much. And good morning to everyone. Now, with regard to skills, the guidelines talk about lifelong learning together with skills. And I want to ask you whether or not you are going to respond to the request from the trade unions to provide all people with, you know, people who are on these schemes or in some kind of training with, with, uh, the required funds and leave. Are you going to also ask member states To abide by the rules governing minimum wages. It's not up to the Prime Minister of any country to say, I'll give you an extra €10. It's about basic regulations and the directive on working conditions. And my country is one of the countries that does not actually abide by the rules. We're talking about a 100% of workers being, uh, applied, uh, being referred to in the directive. But in my country it's about 30% that get benefits. Now we're talking about upward convergence, health and safety at work. But in practice, what we see are policies that are bringing us back to a 13 hour day. We're going back in time. We're talking about 13 hours a day in Greece now. Out. What guidelines are we talking about? We're talking about the European world and then the other world of governments. So how can we be credible? How can the guidelines be credible if they are open to interpretation, which basically, uh, violates working rights or workers rights? So if we don't have any safety nets and proper working hours, we're not talking about convergence. We're talking about deregulation without any protection of the workers rights in Europe. Uh, these guidelines basically are just a complete waste of time.”
  Minimum wages harmonisation at EU level
• “Thank you very much. I'm going to be representing a Per Clausen, and I'm going to be reading out his comments. I'll be reading it out. And let me also point out that I fully agree. The commission proposal for the sixth revision of the carcinogen mutagen and reproductive substance directive reflects a decisive battle in EU policy. Is this going to be an example of silent deregulation which will harm workers health? That is my question. The left would be against something like this. The sixth revision of the directive is a step forward, but we believe that the progress is coming about too slowly. After 20 years, only a few dozen substances have limit values, while hundreds of dangerous new substances are entering the workplace. I hope that this new revision will make headway and that it will include isoprene as a dangerous substances. We want speedier procedures and better opportunities, and more of a role for the European Chemicals Agency, and we hope they can assess new chemicals every year. We have to respect the deadlines. There has to be transparency so that workers understand that even chemicals below the limit value has an impact on their health. My last point is the EU has to defend health and dignity at work, not deregulation disguised as simplification. Thank you.”
  EU rules on hazardous working conditions
• “I was asking about. Something that has that I've actually taken figures from your own tables. It's about the economic, social and territorial cohesion. Housing, fisheries and agriculture. €163 billion for 2028. Expenditure for 2034. 132 billion. So I'm just wondering how you can actually mean that you're going to be investing in people with that figure. I also asked you about support amounting to 389 million over seven years for the Turkish Cypriot community in Cyprus. So can you see any facilitation with regard to the fundamentalist position of Erdogan and that amount of money? Can you see us moving towards a solution?”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• “Ladies and gentlemen, colleagues. Commissioner, you said that we've done good work, and we thank you very much. And and, uh, why did we do all of this? How did we do all of this? Well, we set up all of these committees. There were the results of the work of the committee. And in 2025 we have Paragon in Italy, the court case and the prosecution process which has taken place. The indictment is being followed. Now the prosecutor of the High Court has stopped all information being trickled down on this particular issue. And the same thing has happened in Greece as well, that 27 individuals among the ministers, members of the European Parliament, politicians and journalists are being under are under predator surveillance, are, of course, American-Israeli elements behind that. And these individuals that were in charge of setting all of this up were simply put behind. They were simply indicted for a simple felony and nothing more than that. So actually, there was no proper questioning process. No investigation took place with depth. So indeed we did our work. But unfortunately, when the institutions don't take action and don't implement whatever we provide for or recommend, then it's useless. Thank you.”
  Surveillance equipment & spyware
• “Madam chair, Commissioner is very important for our farmers and all citizens to have a strategic orientation of the Common Agricultural Policy for distribution of the European funds. I wouldn't propose to Mr. Weber and to you, Mr. Commissioner, to request the software of consciousness and sense of duty of Mr. Mitsotakis from Greece. The Common Agricultural Policy is a basic tool for financing the production of food. But for us, the Greeks, men and women and the European citizens of the South is a determining factor in order to face the enormous demographic problem. What common Agricultural policy do we want? We have to maintain a separate line of the budget of the Common Agricultural Policy. So we don't reduce the budget. We need to change the direction of the funds and the policies of the union related to the production, and to encourage production without taking away funds in order to rearm. We have to take care to support a mountainous, um, island areas and to to support the traditional methods of cultivation, friendly for the environment and coastal fishing. We are against the Mercosur agreement and didn't take the approval for that from the European Parliament. We need an adaptation for the climate for the fund. These are the proposals of the left.”
  Agricultural funding
• “Very important point that was just made. Quite right. We just heard from our colleague. It's really quite significant. But let me start from the beginning. In Turkey, there were always issues when it came to human rights. In Turkey, there were always problems when it came to this kind of issue. It's not a new problem. It's become stronger, but it's always existed. Now, to put my position clearly, I am in favour of enlargement in the Western Balkans, and I certainly don't think dialogue with Turkey should stop. That wouldn't help. It wouldn't help Turkish citizens and it wouldn't help the European Union. We mustn't be too emphatic about this though. Turkey does have a value for us, but also we have this situation in Cyprus to consider. We mustn't have two different approaches at the same time which contradict each other. So we should consider what's happening in Cyprus. We should consider the policy of Turkey with regard to Russia, which is quite different to our policy. All of this should be taken into account. So, ah, yes, I must also mention that there is a policy of settlers in the Republic of Cyprus. So we need to say things as they are. I have two specific questions now. The first is I want to understand from one of the speakers. The government through these communities, is it exporting its policy regarding strategic plans it has for Turkey and the broader area of Europe? So is it using these communities as a kind of way through, as has been the case elsewhere? A second question. When we consider these communities in Europe, what direction is it moving or is it are we looking at democratization of Turkey as a European country, an equal country with its own characteristics, that those are the things I'd like to understand. Thank you.”
  EU-Turkey relations
• “Dear sir, Mr. Commissioner, the freedom of the press is first of all endangered by authoritarian governments. The other day we had an arrest and an expulsion, if not a kidnapping of Mr. Nikos Aslanidis from Turkey. And that also journalism is in danger from the business models of the technological technology giants. So the question is who is legislating here? Google thinks that they should be the legislator. Maybe Mr. Trump thinks so as well. That businessman business interests should legislate. No, we have a different kind of democracy here. We have some different ideas. We agree with the fine. And it's actually small. But the point is not the fine should be bigger. But whether we are going to have some rules as to how the press operates and if I may suggest something, those money should not go into the general funds of the EU. We should have a specific fund for the mass media and the journalists. It's something we need.”
  EU support for traditional (non-digital) media
• “Hello. Thank you. Good evening. I heard some colleagues being enraged. I remind you. And there was this a question to the EBU. The control of the public TV lies with the Prime Minister himself in Greece. And I repeat this for you to put your headsets on. The responsibility for the public TV is lies with the Prime Minister's office, and the National Information Service is also down to the Prime Minister's Office and the state news agencies, also in the Prime Minister's Office. So what Europe are we talking about? So one for the EBU, for the members of the EBU, whether the EBU sets such rules or how come the journalists in TV outlets can breathe somehow? This is just the first thing I wanted to say. The second one also to EBU. We had lots of reactions the other day and Eurovision about the voting process. Are you worried or concerned that the committees had a piece? And then there was another song from Israel who was almost number one. Maybe you should look into this and see whether songs are also intermingled with politics. And another thing. In Greece we have a series of issues in the press. For example, the new hot issue is the truth team, the triangular relationship, the company that is paid and also it gets assigned jobs from the public service. So there is an issue here with regard to the freedom of the press. And we have seen cases of journalists such as Karaivaz case, which haven't been investigated yet, and what measures should be taken to protect the vocation, the profession of journalists.”
  EU support for traditional (non-digital) media
• “I would like to say that gender equality is not a personal responsibility, it's a collective obligation. We are legislators and we should bear this in mind seriously. The sixth week of equality of genders, we have to promote talent. Talent does not have a gender and women have many talents but this is not enough. Women do have talents, they need chances. And in the member states women do not have the same chances. In Cyprus we went recently to Cyprus, the employment committee, and we saw that only twenty five percent of women have a post with responsibility. And we saw in Cyprus like in Greece and in Portugal, like the comrade said, that women in no case have the same possibilities. According to the ILO, seven hundred and eight million women in the world do not participate in the workforce because they give care without being paid. We have data but the point is the policies we're going to follow. Do women have equal chances? Let's say that when we know that twenty million women in Europe do not have the choice. My voice, my choice. We had in FARM, we voted this. It's not only a slogan for the right to abortion, it's a precondition for a woman to be able to work, to have a family, to give care, to be able to control her body and the reproductive, to have full reproductive rights, her rights. These are my thoughts in this very interesting discussion and the responsibilities we have in the European Parliament and of course our colleagues in the national parliament.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Commissioner. President. Ladies and gentlemen. Colleagues, it's not very usual here, but I will agree with many positions expressed, especially with my colleague and my colleagues from the socialists and the Greens, and I will move ahead in our discourse. Public debate is on the internet and on the big platforms, and nobody has the luxury to ignore that. Dialogue on big platforms does not place in a neutral environment the algorithmic systems defining. The flow of information on our screens are not transparent, and has been proven that the big platforms prefer to to promote some content in the most innocent form. This phenomenon creates anger, like the colleague said from Renault, and I agree with him and it includes violence. It leads to polarization and it sells more. In other words, we have the same thought. I'm an ex-journalist and that's how I see things. But we don't stop there. We have been witnesses of systems, of information and of intervention in the European policies through the social media. We've seen that happening on behalf of Russia in the Romanian elections. We've seen indirect intervention interventions from people like Mr. Musk in the German elections, when he still belonged in the administration, the Trump administration. So it's proven that algorithms, algorithms don't, um, try to find a vague idea of what the user wants to see, but it promotes the interests of the owners and it creates a very it promotes something very serious. Hate policy of hate and violence. The European Parliament had recognized systemic danger due to the lack of transparency of um, of of the algorithms for various democratic procedures. And we have to be activated not only by preparing texts that do not have a legal, um, influence, but we need a democracy shield. We have the tools. Why don't we interfere in order to be efficient in the protection of the rights of the European citizens on the big platforms? So since we have a legal framework, why don't we use it to the maximum to go against these threats? And of course, mentioned to a non-binding, legally binding text in order to have transparency of the algorithms. That's not enough. Words are not enough.”
  Disinformation & online freedoms
• “Thank you very much. I'll wait for you. Miss Nolan, thank you very much. I listened to what you had to say with great attention, and I was very satisfied with it, because you've really realized that we're not here to be police. We're talking about addiction and use. We're talking about the issue of illegality, but we're also talking about people in pain. And you've also mentioned that this is a multifactorial issue. And I fully agree with you. Ah, one other thing that you, uh. You mentioned was, uh, inspiration. We dealt with a very serious issue in Greece that I want your view on. The police, the courts, people who are involved in law enforcement don't know what drugs are, and they don't know how to deal with a user. You often hear them saying, you know those junkies, people who shoot up. We decided to educate civil servants on drug use, and then they could pass that on to the legislators so they could explain what uses what addiction is. I want to know, what is your view on therapeutic communities who have dry programs and rehabilitation? You talked about. The negative surprises. What future do you think there are for these dry programs within the European Union?”
  Cannabis consumption
• “President. Commissioner. We talked about the lack of the rule of law in Greece. When we talked about predator yesterday, now we're talking about the situation in Tempe and the causes behind it. The Greek state uses a number of different tactics. So as not to discover what actually happened to the victims. It's been three years that we've been waiting to understand this. That must be enough for an investigation of the causes of an accident. The Tempe train accident throws up a lot of questions that need to be answered. Who is responsible? What will the commission do about the failure to implement modernization works as the Commission acted? Why was there no remote sensing or monitoring that should have been in place. That's something that a number of members have asked about in the parliament. What about the €10 billion that were paid by the EU as part of cohesion, cohesion funds for the modernisation of the Greek railways? There are some fundamental errors that have been made here. Commissioner, it's important now that we get answers and whether an action plan will be implemented in Greece. And if not, who is responsible for that? And this has to be made public. Who is to be held accountable? We need to investigate and explain the accident, because European monies went to Greece for modernisation of the railway system. Three years after this terrible accident, we still don't have answers and this outdated system continues to run. Who is going to make sure that workers and citizens working on and using the Greek railway system are safe?”
  EU Supervision of the Rule of Law
• “And the Parliament should listen to the professionals. The professionals in this field, myself and my colleague from Reno are both journalists, so we fully understand the need and this problem. Secondly. I want to hear your view about fake news. It's not the only thing we have. We have invisible news as well, not just fake news at the time when at the Eurovision, we had a celebration at the same time in Gaza, there were 100 Hundred dead. But this news were not going through the systemic media channels. So how will this news breathe and what mechanisms are suffocating the news? Another thing is that we live dramatic times. We have the majority of dead journalists, even after the Second World War in Europe, but also in other parts of our planet. There is no protection whatsoever for the professionals, professional journalists, and if a journalist is dead, there is no news, there is no fact, there is not the historian of our times. And the last thing I want you to comment upon is for us being in the US. In the EU, we look at candidate countries, at countries outside the EU. But in the EU we have systemic, very serious systemic problems. We have murdered journalists. We have the public networks, the Greek air to the National Broadcasting Corporation that belongs to the Prime Minister's office or the news agency is under the Prime Minister's office. We have issues with the funding of the press, but also triangular transactions between the government and companies. And last point that I want to make is the surveillance, the wiretapping. It's not just Pegasus that we dealt with. We had the predator gate. And in Italy now there is another issue. We see that foreign centers are trying to blackmail us. Will the union be able to protect the reporter? This is my question to you.”
  EU support for traditional (non-digital) media
• “Commissioner president. If we try to evaluate the current cap, we will conclude that it is has failed because it's too bureaucratic, not linked to productivity of farms, and not linked to the farmers needs. Its structure brings about a lack of transparency, lost resources, not to mention the scandals in Greece and elsewhere, and some subsidies have ended up in a few billion, the hands of a few billionaires. Yes, we need the change, but we need to focus on the survival of the farmers and the survival of the environment. So the left, we are asking to stop the further reduction of the draft budget 2834. And we need the cap to be a common policy and not turn it into national policy.”
  Direct payments to farmers (pillar 1)
• “Thank you very much. Chairman. I am going to be very concise. Thank you very much for being here today. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Alexis Dell, who has done excellent work in this field and deserves our congratulations for the vision that they've displayed. So thank you very much for your vision. I want to be clear, we agree with how you've set out the problem and how Mrpl described it. The question is, if we had a magic wand and we could get rid of these substances from the Third World, would people be okay? Do you think the problem is the substance or the human need to use those substances? If they didn't have cocaine, then maybe they would, uh, drink or something else. I was a head of an addiction center in Greece for 25 years. So I understand what drugs mean. I know what pain means. I know what broken families means. So the second question I have for you is whether you think that we need a single framework without ruling out that member states can have their own approach to prevention and to therapy. More specifically, do you believe in. Dry programmes or should we go to risk reduction? If people want to drink, then we should help them to drink, for example. Thank you.”
  Cannabis consumption
• “Thank you very much. I know already the answer. Thank you much for your question. And I know that you will say thank you very much for the question, and you will reply something else. We don't want to visit your facilities, but we invite you to study the European legal framework. First do that and then we will come and see your facilities. Because this is what is happening here is irrational. You insult an institution here, you insult Europe. This is not the United States of America. We have working people with rights. We have collective bargaining agreements and collective negotiations, the colleagues said. It clearly. We ask a specific answer for you and you say something irrelevant again. We are reading articles in the press about layoffs, 44 14,000 layoffs. But the substance of the matter is, do you have any respect for Europe, for European institutions, for the dignity of workers? If not, you have no place here and we are wasting our time. All of us who have the who patiently listen to you and wait for you to commit to collective bargaining agreements and to collective negotiations.”
  EU regulation on worker representation in company decisions
• “Thank you very much. Okay. I'd like to hear your view on one point. And it's, uh, not about ideology. It's about substance. Is the problem really the substance or the need that people feel to take these substances and then get ill and die. Obviously, there's the issue of illegality and the problem that we're experiencing in Belgium. If these substances were legal. Wouldn't people drink and die of that? So yes, we have to look at the illegality, but we also have to look at the other part, which is the need that people feel when they're in pain. So let me ask you that question from a personal perspective. I know that therapy programs help a lot, and addiction programs. Those therapists need new policies for therapy. They are doing amazing work and we need to support them. If a child is age 17 from a good family whose parents communicate. Why do you think that in this day and age, a kid like that would leave lose their life to drugs? What's what's happening? Is it because we allow people to trade at ports? I mean, what's the solution? You've got an excellent CV. You've worked for lots of interesting organisations when it comes to dealing with users and their pain and their families. Do you have any experience? Can you be effective in that field, users and their families? Thank you.”
  Cannabis consumption
• “I would like to turn to the firemen in Greece. You, your colleagues are have a special quality. There are temporary or part time firemen. And we see that when they Finish there against the fire with water. They are have experienced a horrendous exposure to. Things, uh, there aren't any responsible, uh, authority. We need to talk about responsible authorities as well. Not just employers, because those. It's the government that sets the rules for inspections to try and avoid deaths, because, I mean, we experience a death almost every day in Athens. Uh, not too long ago, we saw a case. There was a study done that showed some horrendous data. To finish, there's no rule of law on this. These people who die, die, die, and their families never get justice. They're victims twice over. On the one hand, they die. And then on the other hand, And justice is never delivered for this death. I think what we need to do is from Europe. We need to go against states when there are Odessa at work.”
  EU rules on hazardous working conditions
• “Chairman. Commissioner. Like I mentioned during the presentation of your proposal, were not absolutely satisfied by the proposal. I would say that it's a half effort. There are some positive elements, and I have to be sincere. The creation of a centre, European Centre for Democratic Resilience is something positive. The protection of the journalists and the media. The training of the citizens in order to be able to see if there is intervention in information. Very positive, but no mention is made in the attempts of intervention in the European political world from other elements beyond Russia. The American element, for example. Influence. We had an issue during the German elections and the scandals of interception of politicians and other persons. We do not forget, and I don't forget that Pegasus, predator and Paragon later, all this, uh, software malware that was intercepting the public sphere in the European Union has the same origin outside the European Union. And you have a convention of where the source of the crime is, and we pretend we don't see it. And finally, in our opinion, they are not sympathetic and not sympathetic and non-positive invaders. We have invaders. Thank you very much.”
  Foreign interference in Europe
• “Thank you very much. I agree with the comments that Mr. Tolbert said. So I want to raise those issues again. But I also support the comments made by the socialists and the Greens. Part of the parliament Is quite aggressive towards any NGOs. They consider them enemies. We don't. Of course we have to look at where the money goes. We have to look at the processes. And of course. We have to watch, uh, it's an excellent film on the platforms about Brexit, which is about how, uh, there was a financial interference to change the course of Britain's position in Europe. And we all know the results of that. Now, regarding the comments about, uh, orthodoxy, that's a very difficult path, a very dangerous path about the Russian Orthodox Church. I'm from a member state that is Orthodox Christian. So we tend to be more cautious about addressing those issues. Perhaps we could look at that if Putin and his regime are interfering. Civil society could and can be represented. I'd like to ask our guests, how do you think you can? Distinguish between the false NGOs and the respectable NGOs that work in a transparent way and represent, truly represent civil society. We have some tracing efforts, such as the process called follow the money within the EU. Do we have any? Well, are there any examples of this kind of thing within the EU and what were the results of that? Thank you.”
  Regulation of NGOs in Europe
• “Thank you very much. Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I think that this was a successful trip, a good mission. I think that the fact that you tried to bring everyone together helped chair and the different political groups also contributed to this. The EPP was very constructive. I wanted to emphasize that, but also it was about our relations with the Cypriot authorities. Uh, there were open doors. There were channels of dialogue. Uh, I agree with Mrs. Anderson, but let me add two points to what she said. I think it would be worthwhile to bear all of this in mind in the Employment Committee. My first point is that. The member states interpret the minimum wage directive the way they want. I think that any slight increases are allowed according to the directive, but they are forgetting or overlooking the main point in our directive, which is, uh, collective agreements. And I think it's important to emphasize that. And we did highlight this when we were in Cyprus. The last point I wanted to make was about young workers and employees, those who are doing traineeships. There is no framework to protect them. They have no insurance. And that was something that we talked about with the in the inter-parliamentary group. And we also raised the issue when we met the two ministers. That's all I wanted to say. Thank you, Madam Chair.”
  Minimum wages harmonisation at EU level
• “(15:37:19 – 15:40:00): Thank you very much. I'll be speaking Greek. You were talking about this pact, and you said it is a pact of unity. I don't see it in the same light because there are different types of immigration. There are recipient countries, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, and our countries are ending up under huge pressure because all of those who want to get to the north start in our countries, and that's important. I come from a group where there are a lot of topics we talk about, but we're not talking about border guards. We're the ones who meant to guarantee rights. And that's why there's this rather strange game afoot. But maybe I can move to a specific question. Today, we see a lot of arrivals on Crete. People are basically in detention in Greece. They can't enter. There are no possibilities. And if there's no integration policies in place, then these people, obviously, in future will try and leave, try and go somewhere else. And secondly, minister, you spoke about trying to deter people from arriving. How are we meant to deter them? Once they've they've arrived, they've arrived in Crete, in Lesbos, and elsewhere. These are people. We're being told that these are illegal immigrants. Well, how is this established? So what what are the reasons for that? Because we're talking about some people are fleeing war who come to Crete and Cyprus. Then on returns, minister, are you counting on returns from Greece to Albania? Is that included? How many will be returned via that route? For example, there are some people being returned to Afghanistan or in the middle of a war in Iran. Is that the right approach? Because we have all sorts of questions hanging over this. Now, obviously, we don't agree with this pact. We voted against it. I think you're well aware of this. We think it's a bad pact. But what about the distribution and resettlement? How is that meant to work? Who's gonna be checking that? Who's gonna guarantee that it does work? I don't understand.”
  Asylum & border control
• “My dear colleagues, the annual report on the European Semester reminds us that the union's economic governance should not only be measured with competitive and competitiveness and fiscal discipline indicators, but also with its ability to Strengthened social cohesion and improve the life of European citizens. Of course, we have the recent efforts by Mr. Trump still the. Linking up the European Semester with the European Pillar of Social Rights in this report can only be positive. It is especially important to place the emphasis that is placed in dealing with poverty of working people, access to quality jobs, health and security in and safety at work. The implementation of the directive for adequate minimum wages. Fully implementation of the Council recommendation for adequate minimum income. This also incorporates issues that are primary of primary importance for the left, the dealing with the child and energy and. Thank you very much.”
  European Semester (social dimension)
• “Thank you. First of all, I have to agree that behind the algorithms there are there is a human factor. So the problem is not the algorithm, it's not the machine, it's the human being. That's one thing. Secondly, we've I've heard very carefully the analysis on telegram. It was indeed very interesting. But is that all what it's about? Don't we have the same tactics coming from meta or from X? Didn't we have an intervention in the UK by Mr. Musk and in Germany in the German elections? Isn't it an issue? First of all, let me tell you that I am against anonymous accounts. As an ex-journalist. Whatever you write, you have to sign for it, because behind anonymous accounts there is a lot of violence and a lot of hatred hiding. I'll show you my Facebook account. I have tens of anonymous accounts that accuse me as a traitor against the Greeks. They threaten my life, they threaten my family. And there is no context. In Greece. We have another issue now. The truth. The group of truth. A company that was funding, another company that was attacking personalities, journalists, etc. we have an issue within the EU. So there is a first of all, we have to follow the flow of the money behind this information. But I have a question here. Isn't it now necessary to create our own European Observatory of the European Parliament on a permanent basis, protecting our democracy protecting all our democracies in this House, which is called the European Union, which has to be protected from any foreign intervention from Russia, from USA or anybody else.”
  Disinformation & online freedoms