Diana RIBA I GINER

Policy topics Diana RIBA I GINER is active on

What Diana RIBA I GINER has said (45)

• 2026-03-11 “Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission 4.5.2026 Written question 1. In the framework of INFR(2014)4334, the Commission is pursuing the absence of measures to prevent and penalise the abusive use of some types of fixed-term contracts in Spain’s public administration, in breach of Directive 1999/70/EC [1] . The precise steps to be taken to resolve the breaches of EU law are to be decided by the Member State. 2. In October 2024, the Commission sent to Spain an additional letter of formal notice and is currently assessing the reply and subsequent information provided by Spain. If the Commission considers that the identified grievances are not solved, it could adopt a reasoned opinion and, if Spain continues to not address those issues, the Commission may decide to refer it to the Court of Justice of the European Union. 3. The principles and method used by the Commission to calculate the financial sanctions proposed to the Court can be consulted in its communication ‘Financial sanctions in infringement proceedings’ [2] and subsequent revisions [3] . Nevertheless, it is for the Court, in the exercise of its discretion, to determine the amounts that it considers appropriate to the circumstances and proportionate both to the breach that has been established and to the capacity to pay of the Member State concerned. The penalty to be paid by the Member State is applicable from the date when the Court delivers its judgment. [1] Council Directive 1999/70/EC of 28 June 1999 concerning the framework agreement on fixed-term work concluded by ETUC, UNICE and CEEP, http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/1999/70/oj. [2] Communication from the Commission Financial sanctions in infringement proceedings 2023/C 2/01, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=oj:JOC_2023_002_R_0001. [3] See Communication from the Commission — Modification of the calculation method for financial sanctions proposed by the Commission in infringement proceedings before the Court of Justice of the European Union , http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2025/1481/oj, and Communication from the Commission — Annual update of data used for calculation of financial sanctions proposed by the Commission to the Court of Justice of the European Union in infringement proceedings, http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2026/1653/oj.”
  Rule of law in Spain · EU Supervision of the Rule of Law
• 2026-02-23 “Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission 6.5.2026 Written question The Commission is not informed about any situation in relation to the San Gregorio military training ground that could jeopardise other activities taking place near the city of Zaragoza. The San Gregorio military training ground indeed overlaps with two sites in the Natura 2000 network, namely the special area of conservation ‘El Castellar’ (ES2430080), designated under the provisions of the Habitats Directive [1] , and the special protection area ‘Montes de Zuera, Castejón de Valdejasa y El Castellar’ (ES0000293), designated under the provisions of the Birds Directive [2] . The overlap of military grounds and Natura 2000 sites is not prohibited by EU law. There are numerous examples across Europe of Natura 2000 sites in military areas that sustain valuable biodiversity and several LIFE projects under the EU programme for the environment and climate action [3] have supported this over the years [4] . In the case of the San Gregorio training ground, it is the responsibility of the competent national or, if applicable, regional authorities, to determine the compatibility between the military activities and the conservation objectives of these sites. [1] Council 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 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds, OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p. 7-25. [3] LIFE : https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/life_en. [4] For instance LIFE NATURARMY (FR) https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE18-GIE-FR-001029/to-promote-and-strengthen-the-army-as-a-natura-2000-site-manager-in-france-and-in-europe; LIFE21-GIE-PL-INF-ARMY (PL) https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE21-GIE-PL-INF-ARMY-101074108/supporting-users-of-military-areas-in-the-management-of-natura-2000-sites; MILITAIRE GEBIEDEN (BE) https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE03-NAT-B-000024/integrated-restoration-of-natural-habitats-on-military-areas-in-natura-2000; VATTAJAN DYYNI LIFE (FI) https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE05-NAT-FIN-000104/restoration-of-dune-and-coastal-habitats-in-the-vattaja-military-area; ZAHORIE SANDS (SK) https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE06-NAT-SK-000115/restoration-and-management-of-sand-dunes-habitats-in-zahorie-military-training-area; HUNGARIAN LITTLE PLAIN (HU) https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE08-NAT-H-000289/restoration-and-conservation-of-priority-listed-pannonic-sand-land-habitats-in-military-owned-area-of-the-hungarian-little-plain.”
  Nature protection and restoration in the EU · EU policy on permitting for renewable energy projects
• 2026-02-17 “E-000670/2026 Answer given by Mr Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission The EU has condemned in the strongest terms the military coup carried out in Myanmar on 1 February 2021. The EU calls upon the military to respect human rights, freedom of expression, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. Following the military coup, the EU has adopted several rounds of sanctions targeting individuals and entities related to the military leadership and their economic interests. The participation of Myanmar in the Everything But Arms (EBA) 1 arrangement of the EU’s Generalised System of Preferences continues to meet one of its key objectives, i.e. to contribute to the eradication of poverty in beneficiary countries. In the case of Myanmar, the Commission aims to ensure that the pursuit of that goal continues at a time of a dire humanitarian crisis in the country. Any adverse impact on the livelihood of Myanmar’s population, in particular vulnerable groups, as a consequence of a potential withdrawal of EBA preferences needs to be avoided. The benefits of EBA preferences to the military junta are deemed to be minimal (in terms of ownership, fiscal revenue, revenues from other sources (such as fees, rent) and port activity). In the meantime, the EBA enhanced engagement process with Myanmar continues, albeit without any contact with the government. The engagement takes place through contacts with business, non-governmental organisations, and democratic forces. The Commission and the European External Action Service are actively engaged with other stakeholders in Myanmar’s society, so that the channels of communication are kept open. The Commission re-assesses on a regular basis its policy on the EBA engagement with Myanmar and follows closely the developments on the ground to adapt accordingly. 1 Regulation (EU) No 978/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 applying a scheme of generalised tariff preferences and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 732/2008, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/978/oj.”
  Due diligence in supply chains (environmental and human rights)
• 2026-02-13 “P-000639/2026 Answer given by Mr Hansen on behalf of the European Commission 1. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) control framework under Regulation (EU) 2021/2116 1 ensures proper financial management and compliance with EU rules and relies on strong governance. The Commission acknowledges the complex issues faced by farms in cross-border or enclave areas. Under shared management, EU countries play a key role in implementing measures for territorial challenges, including the needs of cross-border or enclave areas when designing or amending their CAP Strategic Plans The Commission works closely with EU countries to address weaknesses in the governance systems. Under the Cohesion Policy, Interreg programmes support improved governance in cross-border areas. In particular, the Spain–France–Andorra programme (POCTEFA) finances the development of integrated territorial strategies in the area of Llivia and Cerdanya, which reinforce local institutional capacity to address cross-border administrative and legal obstacles. With the Commission proposal for the next financial framework, Member States will work on the basis of joint programming across policy areas falling under National and Regional Partnership Plans which will allow for greater synergies. 2. Under shared management, the implementation of the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) is the responsibility of the Member States. Therefore, based on Regulation (EU) No 2021/2116, Member States have the flexibility to implement the different elements of IACS to best fit their needs. In line with the principle of sincere cooperation 2 , Member States shall take the measures required for the proper establishment and operation of IACS, and, when requested by another Member State, shall give the mutual assistance needed. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/2116/oj/eng. 2 Art. 4(3) of the Treaty on European Union.”
  Direct payments to farmers (pillar 1)
• 2025-11-13 “P-004548/2025 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission Control measures for lumpy skin disease (LSD), including vaccination, are laid down in Regulation (EU) 2016/429 1 (‘Animal Health Law’), Delegated Regulations (EU) 2020/687 2 and (EU) 2023/361 3 , and are aligned with the World Organisation for Animal Health standards and based on the latest science assessed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 4 . The Union antigen, vaccine and diagnostic reagent banks support Member States during the early stages of vaccination campaigns against certain Category A diseases, including LSD. The rules for accessing the resources of these banks are laid down in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/140 5 . Following the first notifications of the LSD in the three currently affected Member States, a total of 775000 vaccine doses were delivered from the LSD Union vaccine bank to Spain France and Italy, enabling the prompt initiation of the vaccination campaigns in the designated restricted zones. The Commission has planned procurement actions to replenish the LSD Union vaccine bank. While preventive vaccination against LSD is not permitted, emergency protective vaccination is authorised where the epidemiological situation so requires, under the conditions set out in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/361. 1 OJ L 84, 31.3.2016, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/429/oj. 2 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 http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2020/687/oj. 3 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, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2023/361/oj). 4 https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2022.7121. 5 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/140 of 16 November 2021 laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the Union antigen, vaccine and diagnostic reagent banks, OJ L 23, 2.2.2022, pp. 11–21 http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2022/140/oj.”
  Animal diseases prevention and management in the EU
• 2025-11-11 “E-004453/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen on behalf of the European Commission The Commission attaches the utmost importance to media freedom as guaranteed in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights 1 . The Commission’s daily midday press briefings provide accredited journalists with an open platform to ask any and all questions. Guaranteeing the freedom of inquiry is a core value of the Commission, fostering an environment where journalists can operate without restrictions. The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), which came into application in August 2025, provides unprecedented safeguards for media and journalists against political interference and surveillance, ensuring editorial independence and protection of journalistic sources. The Commission’s priority is now to ensure its correct implementation. The Commission cannot comment on individual cases. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/treaty/char_2012/oj/eng.”
  EU support for traditional (non-digital) media · Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• 2025-10-08 “P-003939/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Séjourné on behalf of the European Commission According to a Eurobarometer survey carried out in the first half of 2025, late payments represent the second main barrier to growth for scale-ups and start-ups 1 . According to a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) panel survey 2 carried out in 2025, late payments are still a systemic problem for 73% of SMEs, hampering their growth and investment potential, and threatening their competitiveness. According to the EU Payment Observatory 3 , payment performance in the EU has continued to deteriorate in the last 5 years. In light of the above, combating late payments and fostering a culture of prompt and fair payments in the EU remains a priority, including by advancing with the negotiations on the Proposal on combating late payment in commercial transactions. On the basis of the referenced survey, the impact assessment of the proposal as well as further available data, the Commission will aim to map again the most pressing issues, in order to have a profound basis to pursue extensive dialogues with the co-legislators and stakeholders to identify potential overlaps and possible solutions. With the support of the EU Payment Observatory, the Commission continues monitoring payment performance in the EU, including through analysis and dissemination of available information. 1 https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/3359. 2 https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/document/download/06c1431c-76e1-46e8-baa9abde0e519434_en?filename=Presentation%20EU%20Survey_final_rev%20OS%20rev%20BS.pdf. 3 https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/smes/challenges-and-resilience/late-payment/eu-paymentobservatory_en.”
  EU rules on late commercial payments
• 2025-06-24 “E-002541/2025 Answer given by Commissioner Micallef on behalf of the European Commission Article 167 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) 1 stipulates that EU action is limited to encouraging cooperation between Member States and supporting and supplementing their actions, with a view to conserving and safeguarding cultural heritage of European significance. The European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage 2 was developed as a legacy to the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018. It aims to keep cultural heritage on the EU agenda and promotes an integrated and participatory approach to cultural heritage. The Framework for Action sets a common direction for heritage-related activities at European level, primarily in EU policies and programmes. It also serves as an inspiration for regions and cities across Europe, as well as for cultural heritage organisations and networks when developing their own actions on cultural heritage. At national level, the Commission invites Member States to draw up similar frameworks for heritage on a voluntary basis, to complement the EU Framework for Action. The Commission therefore focuses on supporting European cultural diversity and heritage through dedicated actions, funded by the Creative Europe programme 3 , such as the European Heritage Awards 4 , the 7 Most Endangered 5 Programme, and dedicated strands supporting cooperation projects, networks, and platforms in the field of cultural heritage. 1 OJ C 202/1, 7.6.2016; https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:12016E/TXT. 2 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/5a9c3144-80f1-11e9-9f05-01aa75ed71a1. 3 https://culture.ec.europa.eu/creative-europe. 4 https://culture.ec.europa.eu/cultural-heritage/initiatives-and-success-stories/european-heritage-awards. 5 https://7mostendangered.eu/.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• 2025-06-23 “E-002519/2025 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission At the request of the Spanish authorities, the services of the Commission met the representatives of Aena (Spanish Airport Operator) and the Regional Government of Catalonia on 2 April 2025 to discuss the new plans to further develop Barcelona’s Airport 1 . Pursuant to the Habitats Directive 2 , any plan or project likely to have a significant effect on a Natura 2000 site must be subject to appropriate assessment of its implications for the site in view of the site's conservation objectives. In the light of the conclusions of the assessment of the implications for the site, the competent national authorities can agree to the plan or project only after having ascertained that it will not adversely affect the integrity of the site concerned. If, in spite of a negative assessment of the implications for the site and in the absence of alternative solutions, a plan or project must nevertheless be carried out for imperative reasons of overriding public interest, including those of a social or economic nature, all the necessary compensatory measures must be taken to ensure that the overall coherence of Natura 2000 is protected. The appropriate assessment referred to above has not yet been conducted and, consequently, it is not possible to pre-empt its results. In order to clarify the baseline for the assessment of any new project, the competent authorities need to complete the implementation of the measures necessary to put an end to an ongoing infringement case 3 regarding the inadequate protection of the Natura 2000 site Delta del Llobregat 4 . 1 Commission’s Transparency Register: https://ec.europa.eu/transparencyinitiative/meetings/meeting.do?host=ca175ad3-c2c5-457e-8f6df17956bdcc4e&page=8. 2 Council 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 Ref. INFR(2020)4133: https://ec.europa.eu/implementing-eu-law/search-infringementdecisions/?langCode=EN&version=v1&typeOfSearch=byDecision&refId=INFR(2020)4133&page=1&size=10 &order=desc&sortColumns=decisionDate. 4 Code ES0000146.”
  Nature protection and restoration in the EU · EU policy on permitting for renewable energy projects
• 2025-03-26 “E-001276/2025 Reply The Council regularly monitors the situation in Hungary. At the General Affairs Council meeting of 28 January 2025, Hungary took part in a country-specific discussion, in the framework of the Council’s rule of law dialogue. The developments mentioned by the Honourable Member fall also within the scope of the ongoing Article 7(1) TEU procedure. In the framework of the said procedure, a hearing of Hungary was held at the General Affairs Council meeting on 27 May. In July 2021, the Commission, which is responsible for overseeing Member States' application of Union law, launched an infringement procedure concerning the Hungarian law of 15 June 2021 adopting stricter measures against persons convicted of paedophilia and amending certain laws for the protection of children. A case is now before the Court of Justice of the European Union (Case C-769/22) about the matter.”
  EU competences on human rights · LGBTIQ+
• 2025-03-26 “E-001277/2025 Answer given by Mr McGrath on behalf of the European Commission Equality and the respect for human dignity and human rights are core values of the EU, enshrined in the Treaty of the European Union and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights 1 . These also include the right to freedom of expression and to peaceful assembly and association. The Commission is committed to promoting and safeguarding these rights. In December 2022, the Commission referred Hungary to the Court of Justice of the EU over national rules that discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation and gender identity 2 . The Commission considered that they violate several EU laws, both single market rules and the fundamental rights of individuals, in particular of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people, as well as the common values at the core of the EU. The case is pending before the Court of Justice. A hearing on this case took place on 19 November 2024 and the Advocate General issued her Opinion on 5 June 2025. The Commission is assessing the recent legislative amendments and closely monitoring the situation in Hungary. The Commission remains fully committed to addressing inequality and discrimination affecting LGBTIQ persons as outlined in the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 3 . 1 2012/C 326/02, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:C2012/326/02. 2 C-769/22 Commission v Hungary (Valeurs de l’Union). 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52020DC0698.”
  LGBTIQ+ · EU competences on human rights
• 2025-02-20 “E-000780/2025 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission There is no EU legislation on the conservation of traditional landscapes or requiring climate resilience in vulnerable areas. However, the ‘Horta de Valencia’ is partially included in the Natura 2000 network 1 , protected under the Habitats 2 and the Birds 3 Directives. Natura 2000 sites or parts of them can only be de-designated under very strict conditions 4 , and are protected under the regime set out in Article 6 of the Habitats Directive. The Commission has issued guidance documents to support Member States in the management of Natura 2000 sites 5 . Furthermore, the Nature Restoration Regulation 6 sets out a number of country-wide binding restoration targets for specific habitats and species including in urban and agricultural ecosystems. Member States must submit National Restoration Plans to the Commission by mid-2026, showing how they deliver on the targets. In addition to the above-mentioned provisions of EU law on nature protection and restoration, any project, plan or programme likely to have significant effects on the environment will have to comply with the relevant requirements of the Environmental Impact Assessment 7 or the Strategic Environmental Assessment 8 Directives. In any case, it should be borne in mind that Member States are primarily responsible for ensuring compliance with EU law. In line with its strategic approach on enforcement action 9 , which focuses on cases of systemic non-compliance, the Commission considers that the means of redress available under national legislation would be the most appropriate mechanism to address individual cases of possible non-compliance. However, in its role as guardian of the Treaties, the Commission will continue monitoring the situation and may decide to take appropriate action. 1 L'Albufera (SiteCode: ES0000023), l'Albufera (ZEPA) (SiteCode: ES0000471). 2 Council 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 Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds (Codified version), OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p. 7–25. 4 https://circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/fcb355ee-7434-4448-a53d-5dc5d1dac678/library/8555aa28-9fb6-411f-8228f8c99b296564/details 5 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/9a406f60-be3c-11e9-9d01-01aa75ed71a1 6 Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2024 on nature restoration and amending Regulation (EU) 2022/869 (Text with EEA relevance) - OJ L, 2024/1991, 29.7.2024. 7 Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 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 of 16 April 2014 - OJ L 124, 25.4.2014, p. 1–18. 8 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, p. 30–37. 9 As set out in the Communication of 19 January 2017 (EU law: Better results through better application C/2016/8600, OJ C 18, 19.1.2017, p. 10–20) and in the Communication of 13 October 2022 COM(2022) 518 final - Enforcing EU law for a Europe that delivers.”
  EU policy on urban development
• 2024-12-04 “P-002759/2024 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The Commission proposal for the 2025 fishing opportunities under the Western Mediterranean management plan 1 (MAP) was based on the best available scientific advice provided by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries 2 . This advice also contains socio-economic analyses and concludes that ambitious management measures will rapidly pay off with more healthy stocks and increased sector profitability. These analyses also show that the improvement of the state of the stocks will benefit the economic activities of local communities, including auctions which are an important part of the local economy. The Commission has worked with all stakeholders to implement gradually the MAP since its adoption by the co-legislators in 2019. In 2024, the Commission had extensive discussions with stakeholders, including notably Member States and the Mediterranean Advisory Council. The MAP’s aim is to secure a sustainable and profitable future for the sector relying on healthy and thriving fish stocks. While the fishing opportunities regulations have gradually reduced the trawling effort since 2020, numerous flexibilities alleviated the total reduction. For 2025, the Commission proposed a fishing effort reduction for trawlers in line with the scientific advice and designed a compensation mechanism to support vessels committing to more sustainable practices. The Council decided to keep the reduction proposed by the Commission, while expanding the compensation mechanism that, if applied, will provide considerable extra fishing days. The Commission will continue working with the Member States concerned and the sector for the implementation of the MAP and of the compensation mechanism, for which European funding is available. 1 Regulation (EU) 2019/1022 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 establishing a multiannual plan for the fisheries exploiting demersal stocks in the western Mediterranean Sea and amending Regulation (EU) No 508/2014. OJ L 172, 26.6.2019, p. 1–17. 2 STECF Expert Working Group EWG 24-10 (https://stecf.jrc.ec.europa.eu/documents/d/stecf/tors_ewg_24-10) and STECF Expert Working Group EWG 24-12 (https://stecf.jrc.ec.europa.eu/documents/d/stecf/ewg_2412_tor_westmed_fisheries-management).”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture · Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2024-12-04 “E-002760/2024 Reply It is not for the Council to answer questions concerning another institution.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture · Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2024-11-19 “E-002573/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is committed to ensuring that persons and entities considered unreliable because of involvement in criminal, unethical practices, or activities incompatible with European values as stipulated in Article 138(1)(c)(vi) of the Financial Regulation 1 and enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on EU 2 do not receive EU financial support. Beneficiaries of Erasmus+ must uphold legal provisions protecting EU values. Mechanisms framed by the Financial Regulation and relevant agreements concluded with recipients of EU funds have been put in place to safeguard and monitor the proper use of these funds. If there is evidence that a beneficiary receiving EU funds is in breach of the applicable rules, the Commission will take appropriate measures, including reinforced monitoring, audits, termination of the grant agreement and recovery of funds, to protect the integrity and proper use of the funds. Following allegations of disinformation by the World Youth Alliance Europe on sexual and reproductive health and rights, the Commission is looking into the matter together with the European Education and Culture Executive Agency, and assessing whether there has been a breach of the grant agreement provisions for non-compliance with European values or grave professional misconduct. Moreover, the Commission has deployed a set of monitoring and supervision activities to ensure efficient and effective programme implementation. This includes regular audits, feedback from participants, and close collaboration with all the bodies responsible for the implementation of actions under the Erasmus+ programme. 1 Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (recast), OJ L, 2024/2509, 26.9.2024. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:2bf140bf-a3f8-4ab2-b506fd71826e6da6.0023.02/DOC_1&format=PDF”
  EU engagement with civil society · Gender roles, equality and inclusion · Disinformation & online freedoms
• 2024-10-29 “E-002304/2024 Answer given by Mr Hoekstra on behalf of the European Commission The Commission thanks the Honourable Member for addressing this issue of apparent double taxation of workers by Spain and France. Such interventions are a valuable source of information to detect potential breaches of EU law by Member States but also practical problems cross-border workers face from a taxation perspective in the Internal Market. Commission is aware of the challenges posed by the Cerdanya Hospital as a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC). It is the first example of a cross-border hospital supported by the cooperation programme Spain – France-Andorra POCTEFA, serving a French-Spanish mountain area with medical staff from both countries - and beyond. The Commission Regional Representation in Barcelona is following this flagship cross-border project closely. Double taxation issues are addressed by bilateral double taxation conventions concluded between the Member States. These legal instruments are the standard way to address double taxation of individuals in most instances. The affected workers have the possibility to launch appeals before the competent Spanish authorities and courts. Furthermore, they could submit the issue to the French and Spanish tax authorities under the mutual agreement procedure (Article 26 of the Double Taxation Convention between France and Spain of 1995), which however does not oblige those to solve the issue. Alternatively, the affected cross-border workers could also submit a complaint to each of the Member States concerned under the national provisions transposing Directive (EU) 2017/1852 on tax dispute resolution mechanisms in the EU 1 . This important EU instrument is intended to resolve disputes regarding double taxation and requires the competent tax authorities to come to a result. 1 Council Directive (EU) 2017/1852 of 10 October 2017 on tax dispute resolution mechanisms in the European Union, OJ L 265, 14.10.2017, page 1.”
  EU Single Market harmonisation · EU competences on taxation
• 2024-10-29 “E-002303/2024 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission The EU continues to follow closely the situation in Belarus and strongly condemns actions taken by the regime against Belarusians in exile. The EU remains committed to ensuring that Belarusian residents in the EU have access to identity and travel documents and, where necessary, have avenues of regularising their stay despite not having access to consular services. The Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) continue promoting exchanges with Member States on best practices at national level in order to find solutions for Belarusian citizens in the EU. Third country nationals staying in the EU, who cannot get a passport from their country of origin, should primarily seek to get a travel document from the Member State they are resident in 1 . Similarly, it is for each Member State, having due regard to international law, to lay down the conditions for acquisition and loss of nationality and that in situations covered by EU law, the national rules concerned must have due regard to the latter 2 . The EU remains committed to continue supporting people-to-people contacts, notably by supporting mobility of Belarusian youth and professionals, in line with the principles included in the Council Conclusions of 2020 3 and 2024 4 . The EEAS and the Commission, together with the European Parliament, hosted Belarus Days from 9 to 13 December 2024 in Brussels to highlight the EU’s continued support for the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people. Over 100 representatives of the Belarusian diaspora attended. 1 Member States issue passports and other identity documents to third country nationals that cannot acquire those from their own government according to national law. 2 See judgments of the Court of Justice of the European Union in Cases Micheletti and Others v Delegación del Gobierno en Cantabria, C-369/90, ECLI:EU:C:1992:295; Kaur, C-192/99, ECLI:EU:C:2001:106, para. 19; Rottmann, C-135/08, ECLI:EU:C:2010:104, para. 39; Tjebbes and Others, C-221/17, ECLI:EU:C:2019:189, para. 30; V.М.А., C-490/20, ECLI:EU:C:2021:1008, para. 38; Wiener Landesregierung, C-118/20, ECLI:EU:C:2022:34, para. 37. 3 Council conclusions on Belarus as adopted by the Council (Foreign Affairs) on 12 October 2020, https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/46076/council-conclusions-on-belarus.pdf 4 Council conclusions on Belarus as approved by the Council (Foreign Affairs) on 19 February 2024, https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-6737-2024-INIT/en/pdf”
  EU-Belarus relations
• 2024-10-29 “E-002305/2024 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission The Commission acknowledges the importance of protecting the freedom of arts and sciences in Europe from foreign interference (that goes against the fundamental values and principles of the EU). In this regard, in line with the Staff Working Document ‘Tackling R&I foreign interference’ 1 , the Commission is committed to supporting Member States and relevant institutions in safeguarding these freedoms. In particular, the Commission will support Member States by providing guidance, facilitating information exchange, and promoting best practices among national authorities and cultural institutions. The topic of artistic freedom is included in the current EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026 2 . Moreover, the Open Method of Coordination Group of Member States experts published a report 3 in 2023, including specific recommendations to the Member States on how to protect the freedom of artistic expression. However, the Commission recalls that by virtue of Article 167 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), culture remains a competence of Member States. While the Commission recognises the concerns regarding cases of foreign interference, it is primarily the responsibility of Member States to address specific instances of such interference. The EU has repeatedly expressed concerns for the human rights situation in Tibet and called upon China to preserve the fundamental freedoms, cultural heritage and identity of Tibetans, in public statements 4 as well as in bilateral meetings with Chinese interlocutors 5 . 1 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/3faf52e8-79a2-11ec-9136-01aa75ed71a1 2 Council Resolution on the EU Work Plan for Culture, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022G1207%2801%29&qid=1671635488811 3 The Status and Working conditions of artists and culture and creative professionals, https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/01fafa79-1a13-11ee-806b-01aa75ed71a1/language-en 4 HRC57 - Item 4 : General debate on human rights situations that require the Council’s attention (24 September 2024), https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/un-geneva/hrc57-item-4-general-debate-human-rights-situationsrequire-council%E2%80%99s-attention_en?s=62 5 Press release of the 39 th EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, 17 June 2024, https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/china-39th-human-rights-dialogue-european-union-took-place-chongqing_en”
  EU-China relations · Foreign interference in Europe
• “I'd like to know a little more whether you have got a clear vision of what you're doing with the budget. And what do you intend to do in the cinema and or to visual sector? There's the media programme and we would like to see more sectoral programmes. But we do understand that having too much ring fencing detracts from flexibility. So how do you see this issue? I also would like to raise the question of music because music is so important socially. It's so important economically. It has to be said throughout Europe and there isn't enough being done, I think, to support music and to finance it throughout the whole of the European Union. Therefore, this is an area where we need a big focus. I would like there to be that in the new programme. Then the question of involvement of third countries. We need to be a bit clearer about participation of third countries in some of these initiatives. We have some concerns that some outside extra EU involvement might undermine our diversity. Some is okay, but we don't want to undermine our cultural sovereignty, nor our cultural diversity. Thank you.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• “Thank you. President. Commissioner. Threats to democracy are no longer hypothetical threat. It is sufficient to hear some of the discourse in this hemicycle and see our social networks full of Francoist nostalgia, or reading that fourth of young people in the state of Spain would prefer an authoritarian regime in certain circumstances. That's why we have been hopeful about this European democracy shield, and we welcome it. But a shield is no use, whether it's solely when it's solely symbolic and voluntary. Yes, we should protect the press and free journalism, but this will be insufficient as long as tech bros decide with their algorithms what topics should be up for political debate. Yes, we should protect ourselves from foreign interference. But we cannot forget about the domestic threats, hate speech and disinformation that promote the European far right today. Europe cannot settle for a shield that consists of measures that already exist and good intentions. Europe needs a tangible shield and above all, one that is complied with. Thank you.”
  Disinformation & online freedoms
• “While we are talking here, my country is burning. People are dealing with the devastating effects of flames and fires. Some 59 million hectares destroyed through three fires in recent months. Almost impossible to get a grip on lives lost. We have seen more and more drought, record highs and duration. June was the hottest ever this year in the Mediterranean. We've seen tropical temperatures. Do you know what the greatest risk is, though? The climate denialism on the right of this House. If we allow the far right to draft climate laws, as the EPP seems likely to do, we will not see progress. We can not allow the far right to win through with climate denialism. We need a Europe of science. We need to fight against climate change.”
  Climate efforts
• “Thank you, Mr. President. Support for Ukraine is an issue of European security and defence of international law. There should be no doubt about that. But this war has revealed an uncomfortable reality. The United States are no longer a reliable, predictable partner, and that's confirmed by its new national security strategy, where the EU looks more like a threat than an ally. And in the same strategy, the European extreme right is seen, uh, the so-called patriotic parties is seen as a Trojan horse, which could weaken the European project from inside. So let me say that the response from the Commission is not correct. It mixes up strategic sovereignty with massive rearmament. Coming back to a vision of security that belongs to the 20th century. Yes, Europe needs its own defence and security policy based on our own interests. And that's why we need to reconsider structures such as NATO. But sovereignty is sovereignty is not only military. It's also to do with food. It's digital and it's industrial. Thank you.”
  EU-US relations · Relations with NATO
• “Thank you very much, president. Commission. Council. The attack against Iran may ensnare Europe into an illegal war. It is against international law. It is a war we do not want or need. Neither does Iran or the Middle East. The war makes us poorer. There's higher prices, more instability. And this war militarily makes us more vulnerable. It opens up a new front on an existing war against Russia. And in humanitarian terms, leads to more suffering. And the Iranian people are forced into being adversaries or exiles. Uh, this is repeating the destiny of Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria. Mrs. von der Leyen being brave means, uh, not going to war. Standing up to Trump, saying that Europe defends itself from Brussels and not Washington. Thank you.”
  EU-Iran relations
• “Thank you. President. Commissioner. Commissioner, we need to reformulate our alliances based with the current situation and find new partners. And I think we all agree on that. But what we can't do is kid ourselves. We can't speak about strategic sovereignty of the European Union and union, and at the same time, ratify trade agreements that are the nail in the coffin of our main industries, particularly key areas such as food production. Yes, we're facing a new era. So the European Union should have fairer, more sustainable agreements that allow us to expand our rights instead of reducing our rights. Multilateral agreements, which benefit the majority and not the privileged minority, is what we need to do. We need agreements that don't attack our primary sector and don't use the food we eat, uh, as, uh, as something to be played with. The current global situation does not mean that we should rubber stamp agreements with Mercosur, or any other agreements that call into question our food production system, our climate, and our labor laws. Thank you.”
  Trade relations with Mercosur
• “I'd like to know about its timetable, its schedule and any work that's come out of that. We can't just talk about arbitrary ages and so on. We need to talk about pedagogical knowledge, but we need a coordinated European vision and approach. So we'd be very grateful that to the Commission for being a leader here, if we don't have strong leadership from the Commission, then we'll see fragmentation of all the different laws, and we won't have a coherent picture in this borderless area. The second question is about news and media services specifically. Agora EU there are initiatives. There are resources for this kind of fight against disinformation and fake news. Our question is, how are we going to ensure that that funding reaches journalists? And above all, how can we ensure that this system of journalists and the media has access to the funding because we want them to collaborate with the new vote. We want there to be a healthy economic system. We don't know how to strengthen the resources, and we want to ensure that journalists can play that important role. So in summary, I'd like to ask how can we ensure that we use these resources to ensure that we have a healthy ecosystem, and so that those who need the funding actually have access to it. Thank you.”
  EU support for traditional (non-digital) media
• “Thank you very much. I think, as was clearly said in the speech, Europe has to be stronger. It has to strengthen international law. This war we have seen from the very first moment is an illegal war. Europe needs to decide where it stands. We need a Europe that defends international law that decides on its place in the world. And, uh, once again, not stand, uh, on the side of the interests of Washington, but the interests of European citizens. Thank you.”
  EU foreign policy approach
• “Thank you very much. Thank you very much for that presentation. I think we can all agree that this is a successful program, not just because of the figures of the assessment you've just given us, but also because of Because the sector considers it to be very important in these times, times of change that we've seen after Covid, which. Changed the whole sector, sector of culture and pointed out the sector, the problems that the sector was dealing with, which a sector which needs and needed EU funding to face these problems. I was struck by the figures you mentioned concerning the difference that you see in the audiovisual field when there's funding and when there isn't. Obviously, in the future we would like it not to be necessary so much. But ultimately those figures show that this has been a success. Just a comment on the objectives that have been achieved in terms of cultural diversity, if I remember correctly. In the objectives of Creative Europe. Inclusion. Gender. Sustainability. Were mentioned as targets in cultural diversity. And I don't know if you have data that shows success in those terms. And there was a question about how. Funding has reached the whole of the union and how the Creative Europe desk has worked. Has this information, these information campaigns been successful, or do we have some geographical areas where the funding hasn't arrived or the information hasn't arrived? Could. You tell us about more specific sectors sectoral budgets for authors, non-fiction for online content for music. Could you give us more information about those more specific and small sectors? Thank you.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• “Well, we're very thankful for what you explained concerning artistic freedom and cultural diversity. There's a huge amount of pressure there, and it's only going up. For six years. I've been paying close attention to this topic, and we think that we've reached a crucial point. And to have a clear strategy to protect artistic creativity and diversity from the commission based on such a program is crucial, we believe, and we're happy for that. As we know, changes are opportunities, but they give rise to many uncertainties. I don't want to repeat all the questions that have already been raised by my colleagues because yes, many concerns have been raised. But if I may simply point a few things out, things that have come from the sector itself, They are quite concerned. One is how these funds are going to be divided up, because if you want to have a mechanism that's as flexible as the one you've put on the table, well, we understand that it's necessary to have flexibility, but the program hasn't started yet, and we're a bit concerned or worried about how this distribution is going to take place. Secondly, we were quite surprised if I've understood correctly and worried by the fact that there's nothing in here on independent producers, which was something that was quite significant in the past.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• “Gracias, president. Thank you. President. Commissioner. To approve the European Media Freedom Act was a victory a democratic A victory because for the very first time, Europe has a guaranteed the right for citizens to receive free and diversified information. But there is a risk that this historic law may not be implemented. Some countries have clearly said that they're not intending to implement it, because in the European Union, there are governments that have turned their media into propaganda tools and they use spyware against journalists. And this is cynical because they are the same ones who speak about censorship. Look, if the extreme rightists are discomforted by this law, well, then I think something good is being done. But the anti-democratic fear is broadening because the EPP has been approving laws in Galicia for the public television. And in Valencia, Lancia together with Vox. The same is happening. They're violating a European law. That they approved here in this very parliament. How can you sign this law with one hand and then tear it up with another hand? So what we're saying is we need proper surveillance by the commission so that free and plural media exists and can stand alone. We need the support, the democratic of democratic forces, as we saw in Budapest, to defend freedom and freedom of the press and defend democracy. Thank you. **Nicolae ȘTEFĂNUȚĂ @Chair: Nikos.Next is Mr. Nikos Pappas, on behalf of the left.”
  EU support for traditional (non-digital) media
• “Thank you very much indeed for me to chairman. Thank you for being here. I really would like to welcome you, and I'd like to show my appreciation for what you and your colleagues in the Commission have been doing. But of course, it's particular you who's guiding the work here in trying to strengthen both the media and the cultural sector. This is really, really important. And so we would like to pay tribute to what you have achieved in a short period, because you've really set the ball rolling and a lot has been done. And the cultural sector in Agora EU is a shining example of that. However, there's always a but and the but is that we do have some concerns about the funding in the longer term budget. First of all, it's the structure of Agora EU. You were talking in your opening remarks about this and you were saying, as far as I understood it anyway, that there needed to be a level of flexibility, there needed to be a positive approach for this sector, but it was also important for us to keep our eye on the longer term objectives and to make sure that the budget and the funding is commensurate with our ambitions.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• “I'd like to know about its timetable, its schedule and any work that's come out of that. We can't just talk about arbitrary ages and so on. We need to talk about pedagogical knowledge, but we need a coordinated European vision and approach. So we'd be very grateful that to the Commission for being a leader here, if we don't have strong leadership from the Commission, then we'll see fragmentation of all the different laws, and we won't have a coherent picture in this borderless area. The second question is about news and media services specifically. Agora EU there are initiatives. There are resources for this kind of fight against disinformation and fake news. Our question is, how are we going to ensure that that funding reaches journalists? And above all, how can we ensure that this system of journalists and the media has access to the funding because we want them to collaborate with the new vote. We want there to be a healthy economic system. We don't know how to strengthen the resources, and we want to ensure that journalists can play that important role. So in summary, I'd like to ask how can we ensure that we use these resources to ensure that we have a healthy ecosystem, and so that those who need the funding actually have access to it. Thank you.”
  EU support for traditional (non-digital) media
• “Thank you very much, president. The big blackout. We can take three lessons from it. The first, our daily life is electric. Without energy, We can't talk to each other. Our trains, our traffic lights don't work. Elevators don't work. We can't pay with our credit cards in shops. This creates a vulnerability. It means that we must be more resilient in our system with smart, intelligent, intelligent systems and infrastructure. And we have to meet key provisions that we approved here in the EPP and in Spain. The second lesson electric systems must be public. This will be key to guarantee access to energy that it is a right and not a business with profits. We have to invest in storage, in smart grids and in interconnections. We're talking about key investments for safe, secure and sustainable services. The private companies have left that decide for the short term gains. And the last lesson. There have been attacks on renewable energies. Those who would like to go back to the nuclear past. I'd like to make a clear statement to you. Renewable energies are the only way to the future. It is the only true life for energy sovereignty that we talk about time and time again. In this House. We don't have gas, we don't have uranium. Here we have sun, water, biomass and wind. In Europe, renewable energies will free us from external dependencies and will uphold the safety of this planet. Those who for policy issues look to the past. We will continue to look to the future. Thank you.”
  EU approach to energy security (home-made vs import sources)
• “Thank you. And particularly thank you to the authors of the study that's been presented here today. I think we all agree on the geopolitical analysis of the current situation, and also on the needs that Europe faces right now, and the fact that the agreement can strengthen the standards that we hold dear. But it's also true that this agreement has another angle, and this is that the experts have said as well, that there will also be losers, not just winners. I don't really know how to put this, but it's almost shocking that we're coming up with an agreement where we know that small and medium sized farms are going to be harmed by this agreement, and yet we simply just go along with saying it. Now, I recall when we started with the whole Mercosur negotiations, both of Parliament and the Council proposed that we have a more sovereign Europe, and this meant more food sovereignty as well. And yet, what we find in this agreement is that the small and medium sized farmers are not going to survive from their own work, and they simply just be given compensation so that they can no longer continue with the work that they do. And this will harm the food sovereignty that we need so much. So my question really would be this have we already identify who's going to be the losers? We say they exist. We say there's going to be an economic package. Can we actually identify who these people are? Because maybe we should be warning all of these small and medium sized businesses here in Europe that they're not going to be able to continue to work as a result of the Mercosur agreement. Thank you.”
  Trade relations with Mercosur
• “Thank you. President. In this proposal that we've heard, it seems to be on the right track, but it's still insufficient. Now all we've got is a draft, not a formal proposal. And basically it doesn't change anything. There are certain aspects that remain intact. First of all, the commission is still not doing away with the centralisation with the 27 national plans. It keeps the conditionalities for the budget, and it is not questioning this Frankenstein structure that mixes up the funds, creating a system which doesn't fit together and is difficult to govern. Allocations to regions in transition is still insufficient, and there's nothing on the clear and transparent methodology that we need to allocate the funds. So we in our alliance cannot agree to this proposal. Europe needs more and better a draft which recognises its great strengths, which is the regions and the citizens.”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• “And this is really very important because we need to ensure that we have a proper European market and that is on an equitable basis. Technical innovation and creativity can co-exist in a positive way, but we also know that the sector is experiencing frustration because of the artificial intelligence package, which was adopted before the summer. So I would like to ask you what the commission's thinking is on this. Is it intending to put forward some measures or some legislation on artificial intelligence in the context of the cultural sector, and protection of copyright and fair remuneration for creators of content? I then finally like to ask you about the evaluation framework for Avms, and I'd like to ask you how we can promote cultural and linguistic diversity. This is also very important. And then a final question. How can we increase the amount of European content and European creativity and creation? How can we do this in the market that we have, and how can we do so whilst respecting and enhancing linguistic and cultural diversity? This is so important to our citizens. Thank you very much. Thank you. And now the Greens.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• “Perhaps I've misunderstood, but we're not sure how these independent producers are going to be supported, whereas they were quite prominent in the past Program. Another topic I want to talk about is governance. One of the colleagues already mentioned it, and I think that for us, it would be important to know how the European Parliament is going to be able to work on this, uh, make sure we are transparent in our action. Uh, the same question goes for governments. It's not too clear how governance is going to be handled. And finally, could you tell us more about the music sector? It seems to us that it's being set aside in the Agora program. There's not much space for it. So how could we strengthen that? And finally, we're very happy to see that within the program there are clear action lines and mechanisms. To implement the Media Freedom Act, I think this is one of the pieces of legislation, legislation we've been working on a lot, and we're looking forward to seeing it in action because it protects, um, local journalism, investigative journalism, digital communication, as you said, is very important. And we want to see how we can help preserve the information system. And to quote you, how we can detect and combat disinformation. Thank you very much.”
  EU support for traditional (non-digital) media
• “Thank you. President. Commissioner. Imagine a young person searching for political information on TikTok. 1 in 4 videos suggested by the platform leads them to a far right party. Now imagine a teenager on another app in just five days. The recommendations quadruple the misogynistic content they receive. These are not one off cases. Many studies confirm this pattern. Algorithms amplify polarizing and hateful content. This is neither neutral nor accidental. By rewarding disinformation and extremism, platforms distort the digital public space. This distortion threatens democracy and reinforces the anti-democratic and anti-European agenda of an authoritarian right aligned with those who want to weaken Europe. It is time to act. European democracy cannot be in the hands of three tech bros or people taking decisions in Silicon Valley. Europe should be decided upon in Europe.”
  Disinformation & online freedoms
• “Thank you. I'll be speaking Spanish. Well, first of all, I'd like to thank you for putting this item on today's agenda and to present and for presenting this study. I have a similar view to our colleague from the socialists. The idea here is to see, when it comes to the free movement of professionals in the EU, how the European institutions can improve the recognition of qualifications beyond universities that exist, things like doctors, for example. But how we can also recognise professional qualifications to be able to ensure that there is the free movement of people and to ensure that this recognition is just is not just something that's exercised under a contract, but that there is a proper recognition at all levels of the European Union. And this is where we need to make an effort. We need to move away out of the university environment and whether it's already recognition, and look at the professional arena where we need to see recognition, obviously we're talking about hundreds of thousands of people who need to see progress from the European institutions in this regard. Therefore, these studies are very welcome and especially the recommendations which focus on what we need to push the Commission on to ensure that Member States recognise all the qualifications, whether they are from universities or whether they relate to vocational and professional training. Thank you.”
  EU regulation of cross-border and posted workers · EU policy on brain drain
• “Two other thoughts. What can we do in a continent like Europe, where linguistic and cultural diversity continues within artificial intelligence? That's one of the key challenges we face. We have this cultural richness and we need to provide for that in artificial intelligence. Otherwise, we will have very biased version of AI, because if it's just for commercial purposes or if the product is very English focused. So multilingualism and culture, these need to be fostered within I. And to conclude, how can we empower new creators? I think we have a new creator here today with us, and I think that this question is also for her. There are creatives who've been working for many years in the sector. They know what copyright is, they know what their rights are. And but we are very concerned about the new contracts that. Are being signed which sideline all of their rights. So how can we empower our creators so that they know what their rights are and so that the large companies don't eat them up? Thank you.”
  Artificial Intelligence
• “Thank you, president. Today, it has become clear that the globalization that the European Union has submitted to has amounted to outsourcing the pillars of our sovereignty. We have outsourced our defence to the US. Our electricity supply to Russia and industrial production to China. This strategy has come at a very high cost. It has made us extremely vulnerable and dependent. Will we make the same mistake in outsourcing our food sovereignty to Mercosur? Europe does not need to add to these dependencies. It needs autonomy. And on the international level, this means understanding that alliances are built on trust and not on threats or blackmail. Let's start by acknowledging that transatlanticism is broken and that Europe is and should continue to be a sovereign project. If the Commission's only plan is to wait three years for Trump to vanish from the scene and for better times. Perhaps we will have no Europe left to defend. Thank you.”
  EU-US relations
• “Thank you very much. First of all, there are a few thoughts I wanted to share, or rather wanted to recognize all the efforts that the Commission has done in these times of change with this new program that we have before us, and that we are starting to talk about, and we're starting to see which way it's heading, I think a lot of efforts have been put into it to strengthen the media ecosystem, to promote pluralism, freedom of the press, the fight against disinformation. And we believe that this is crucial in times such as ours. Now, if we all remember where we stood six months ago, where we didn't know where any of the cultural or Creative Europe funds would be going, we were a lot more nervous. Back then and were a lot less so now with this proposal on the floor, on the table. I'd like to thank the commission. We see that a lot has been done to preserve this necessary cultural environment. Now 21% of Agra. Should correspond to what was Creative Europe. We think that's good news, but we hope it will be just a starting point and not a ceiling. In order to cover all the needs that currently exist under Creative Europe. And finally to talk about something that we've always worked on a lot.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• “Yes. Thank you. Thank you very much for giving me the floor. Because in hearings, usually there is a round of political groups. And then, if necessary, there is a second round. Now, there is one word that you all mentioned that was transparency. Another one data. Now, as legislators, we always try to ask for maximum transparency in order to legislate and the maximum number of amount of data to legislate. Well, because it can be very difficult if we're not aware of that data. And to legislate, we also need three things. We need to have politicians who are on that. And we also need to have society. And artists are also to ensure that they're working on it now, on the AI legislation in Europe, we need to stress that culture cannot be left behind. We. I think one of the objectives of all of us here is in future legislation from the Commission and the European Parliament. The the idea that culture should not be sidelined or be treated as a second class issue. No, we need to have legislation which pushes for a strong cultural sector and not something which represents a threat for the sector. You mentioned how A.I. is being fed, and perhaps in a few years I will remain obsolete because, if, um, if creatives don't feed it, maybe I'm a bit of a boomer, but perhaps this will remain sidelined in the future.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• “President. We saw the EPP, um, ended the Democratic commitment we had in this House and decided to work with the far right to bring down environmental, social and human rights laws laws which would have made big companies ensure accountability over their supply chains. And we won't be complicit. There are laws on banning child labour and on protecting the planet's health. We can't allow these laws to fall. And they talk about simplification. But behind that is a far right agenda. And it's all about deregulation. Regulation. All of this creates legal uncertainty, particularly for SMEs. They have invested and put a lot of effort in in order to ensure that they comply with European standards. Europe is based on principles, principles which we must fight tooth and nail to defend today. And ideologically, we, uh, have a part of this house which I no longer recognize anymore.”
  Due diligence in supply chains (environmental and human rights)
• “Thank you very much. As I said, we started this term talking about sovereignty. All of us here in this chamber, food sovereignty, industrial sovereignty, all of this. And a year and a half later, we once again finding us signing a contract such as the Mercosur agreement, where we are selling off our sovereignty. Covid taught us an important lesson we need to enhance our sovereignty significantly as European peoples, as Europe as a whole. And as I said, globalisation has made us too dependent on external forces. We've seen that with Russia and Electricity, China and industrialization and our member States. It is time for more Europe and more sovereignty.”
  Trade relations with Mercosur
• “Thank you. President. Well, a political project without culture is a political project without soul. And that's why the avms is not a technical issue. It's one of the pillars of our cultural model. Can you imagine a Europe in which anatomy of a fall had never been made, or where we couldn't find the Zone of Interest or Alcaraz in any catalogue. Thanks to this directive, platforms that operate in Europe have to offer at least 30% European content, and they have to contribute to funding new productions. Because our films and series are not only entertainment, they are the way that we understand the world. And that's what Europe is. Different ways of looking at things, telling stories and creating our message is a simple one. We want to protect the Catalan, French or Polish audiovisual industries and guarantee that we can watch content in our language, right? Languages right across Europe. That's the first line when it comes to defending our cultural sovereignty. This is not just a business, and those who want to operate in Europe have to respect our rules. Some people say that they want to make Hollywood great again. We say Europe is already great. Thank you.”
  EU and national cultural identities