Barry ANDREWS

Policy topics Barry ANDREWS is active on

What Barry ANDREWS has said (65)

• 2026-06-17 “(10:46:45 – 10:47:56): Thank you, madam president and commissioner and colleagues. I just wanna talk about the debate we've been having about China. I was on the trade committee in the last mandate, and we put an awful lot of effort into developing a whole raft of trade defense instruments around antidumping, FDI screening, the procurement instrument, and anti coercion among a range of other things. And we appointed a chief trade enforcement officer, and yet here we are today. And it strikes me that all of these measures that we put so much effort into are not being effective. We introduced tariffs on EV subsidies from China. And in q 1 20 26, we saw an 82% increase in imports of EVs, from China over q 1 of 20 25. So I think what we need to do is, yes, we're doing great on trade agreements. It's brilliant to have an agreement with India, with Mexico, with Australia. But on our trade defense instruments, we need to resurface the assumptions around these instruments. We need possibly to have an omnibus on this to make sure that they are actually effective because they haven't been effective in the last few years. Thank You. Very much.”
  Trade relations with China
• 2025-10-29 “E-004258/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen on behalf of the European Commission Under EU copyright law, the Rental and Lending Directive (2006/115/EC) 1 grants rightsholders an exclusive right to authorise or prohibit the lending of their works. Member States may derogate from this right in respect of public lending, provided that at least authors obtain a remuneration for such lending. The European Court of Justice (CJEU) in the case C-174/15 Vereniging Openbare Bibliotheken v. Stichting Leenrecht essentially stated that the concept of ‘lending’ in Directive 2006/115/EC covers the lending of a digital copy of a book, if specific conditions are met. The Commission is assessing the role of copyright in facilitating access to libraries’ digital collections, by means of a comprehensive study 2 . The study includes an analysis of the elending practices across the EU and of the issues faced by libraries and rightholders. The results of this study will be carefully analysed and taken into consideration when discussing the need for further measures. Additionally, the study results are further disseminated through the on-going awarenessraising campaign 3 on copyright rules among public interest institutions, covering also the rules applicable to e-lending. 1 OJ L 376, 27.12.2006, pp. 28–35. 2 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/c689fa8b-cf2b-11f0-8da2-01aa75ed71a1/language-en. 3 https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/copyright-awareness-campaign.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• 2025-08-05 “P-003180/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), as per eligibility requirements for working at the Commission, formally records the knowledge of at least two EU official languages. DG INTPA staff have the opportunity to learn several non-EU languages. According to DG INTPA’s learning and development statistics, 20 staff members followed language courses in Mandarin, Arabic, Russian, and Turkish in 2024, and in the first semester of 2025, 21 staff members followed training in those languages. The Commission currently does not provide language training in Urdu, Farsi, Hindi, Swahili, and Hausa as part of EU’s standard language training offer. However, Commission staff members may ask for training in these languages if they will be posted in a Delegation in a country where these languages are spoken. In addition, middle and senior management may also request private language classes in these languages. Finally, as a general rule, EU staff in Delegation have access to training in the official language of the country of assignment.”
  Global priorities for international development
• 2025-07-09 “P-002779/2025 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission The European External Action Service (EEAS) doesn’t collect data about the level of knowledge of non-EU languages by its staff. However, the EEAS does offer the opportunity to its staff to learn such languages. The recent statistics of the EEAS Learning and Development sector indicate that in EU Delegations, 110 expatriate staff members received in 2023 language training in Arabic, Chinese-Mandarin, Indonesian-Bahasa, Russian, Swahili and Turkish. In 2024, that number was 94 and so far in 2025, 202 staff members have benefitted of training in those six languages. At the headquarters in 2023, 64 staff members benefitted of language training in Arabic, Chinese-Mandarin, Russian and Turkish. In 2024, that number was 62, and so far in 2025, 45 staff members have followed courses in those four languages. Typically, when and where relevant for selection and recruitment processes, specific non-EU language skills are taken into account and valued as assets.”
  EU foreign policy approach · EU diplomatic representation
• “Merci. And I have a few questions of my own. If I can, uh, add to your long list that you have already. Um, so, um, I think it's, I don't know if it's worthy of comment that the main one of the big issues that we're all concerned about now is in the Middle East, in Gaza and Israel and, uh, in my estimation, the almost invisibility of women in the developments over the last month. Um, you know, I know that civil society is working very hard in the background, but if you wish to comment on that, it would be interesting to get your views. Um, a question for Chiara and really just about the overall funding position. Obviously the European Union is now a much more, um, prominent funder globally of development assistance, um, because of the US withdrawal and in particular in this specific area. So if the European Union is now, you know, representing 8% of the population of the world, and yet funding 50% or more of interventions in this area, should we be more assertive in our discussions with partner countries? Um, and I might relate that a little bit to Global Gateway, where we're seeking in that initiative to align EU interests with partner country interests.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Thank you. And so a couple of questions from my own side, um, as well. So I don't think the report touches on the important role of journalism. And I have come across so many really, really important, uh, journalistic reports that really shine a light into the darker areas of supply chains, particularly ASM, uh, the corners that are harder to reach, the places of the maximum vulnerability and long form investigations, sometimes 3 or 4 years, disclose details that then become part of the way we try to understand this better. So journalism, I think, is I think we underestimate the important role that journalists play in this area. You've already noted in your report, um, how we rely on individuals, essentially, and therefore you rely on levels of governance and corruption and regulation and compliance. And clearly, in the more vulnerable areas, these are in short supply. And that's why I think journalism needs to be really highlighted. Um, could you also just touch on the question of responsible disengagement? So when you find that there is this, um, uh, deficits, um, you therefore, you know, and when I explain this to children, they say, well, hang on a second. People make a living out of this. So how do we address this? It's part of the way we deal with due diligence, obviously, in the directive.”
  Due diligence in supply chains (environmental and human rights)
• “Mr. president and colleagues, here are ten ways in which the United States is undermined. International law in the last 12 months. One rolling out the red carpet for war criminal Putin in Alaska. Two, endless support for Netanyahu's war crimes. Three withdrawal from the Paris climate Agreement for withdrawal from the W.H.O. and UNHRC. Five the closure of USAID. Six the illegal global tariffs. Seven sanctions on the International Criminal Court. Eight illegal attacks on Venezuela, Nigeria, Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Somalia. Nine threatened the sovereignty of Greenland and ten this illegal attack on Iran. So we have three more years of this. And what are we going to do? If we try to beat this by being this, they win and we lose. So I call on president von der Leyen to choose the EU, to choose the rule of law, to choose the EU with all of its weaknesses. The United States is taking a break from political seriousness. We have to have the confidence and our values reflect international law.”
  EU-US relations
• “(11:19:57 – 11:21:05): Thanks, chair. First of can I say I was very glad when the commission responded positively, to my own calls in this committee's report on the future of agriculture to increase the funding, to this massively important program? In Brussels, we often talk about the high standards to which our farmers produce food, which is all well and good, but that is merely preaching to the converted. What we need to do is focus on making the case beyond our borders that EU food is not only more nutritious, but produced with smaller environmental footprint and to far higher standards on animal welfare and pesticides and antibiotics. This is the real success story of EU agriculture. We need to ensure that the production models we hold so dairy, whether in dairy, beef, tillage, or any other sector, are properly understood across the world and that they get the recognition that they deserve. And our agri food promotion policy should have this at its heart. And undoubtedly, as I said earlier, the funding now being provided presents the opportunity to ensure that that is the case.”
  Export of EU agri-food products
• “Of my own. A few comments. Um, so, uh, first of all, for, uh, for Laura, uh, you mentioned the innovative financing investments and that you had managed to leverage €1 billion, um, to generate €5 billion of investment. So if you could tell us a bit more about that, we'd really appreciate it. Are these private sector investors? Uh, what are you talking. What parts of is it Africa, or is it particularly concentrated in one region? Um, and as they are private sector actors, they will seek a return on their investment. Um, and so we're dealing with who's paying for the education. I mean, essentially it's not free education then. And it's a different, uh, so maybe just talk us through that because it's important to that. We understand this education is not part of global gateway. Um, certainly not a priority of global gateway. Um, and yet the same modality is being talked about here, namely that we are leveraging private sector investment with with public financing. So, um, then a question for the Secretary of State. Um, and also I suppose for Lara, is, is the question of the withdrawal of USAID funding and what impact that has had on the education budget of Chad and indeed of the GPE. Um, you talked in Secretary, about the inclusivity being a priority for your education policy.”
  Global priorities for international development
• “(10:38:28 – 10:39:43): Thank you, chair, and thanks very much to our repertoire, Maria Walsh. I think it's a very balanced report, and I agree with, much of what is included. However, as is the case when addressing a lot of issues in this committee, the report will not count for much unless we front up the money to support our younger generation, provide the right economic incentives for change. 20% cut at the budget makes supporting any farmer difficult, let alone younger farmers. As the Renew Europe lead negotiator on the cap file, 1 of the most important points for me is ensuring that the transition from older generations can occur in a managed, transition from older generations in a respectful way. It cannot be a blunt object used to displace farmers. I was happy to see that the repertoire acknowledges this point in her report. And personally, I see huge potential in succession schemes to bring farmers into the future. Our young our young people are the best placed, of course, to improve economic output, environmental sustainability, and digitize our systems. So supporting them and achieving this is not just a policy option. In my eyes, it's a policy imperative. Thank you.”
  Agricultural funding
• “Thank you. Chair. Um. I am here because, uh, we requested, uh, to have an opinion, on the interim report. So we're very grateful that we have that opportunity, which we will furnish in due course. Um, and thanks for inviting the development committee to be here. Um, policy coherence for development is a treaty obligation. We have to be able to show and take an account of the objectives of development policy in our external relations. The main priority, the main purpose of development policy is poverty eradication. Some of the speakers referred to Global Gateway. And global Gateway is an instrument. It's a strategy essentially that is based on the Ndic Global Europe instrument, which itself is dedicated to poverty eradication. And some of the cushion of ndic was used earlier this year in the sum of €350 million. Now, I think we really don't understand Global Gateway very well across the Parliament. It is an ever evolving instrument. And uh, it was compared to China's Belt and Road Initiative. We all know we cannot compete with China on cost. We cannot compete with China on scale. We cannot compete with China on conditionality. And so we really have to rethink the purpose of global gateway. Um, as it emerges, I have no arguments with Mercosur agreement whatsoever. On a personal level, I very much favor of it. I completely understand the arguments for us. There are concerns that have been expressed, but I think the question remains as to whether this is an appropriate use of the cushion within Ndic. And I would also invite the speakers, if they have an opportunity to comment on the method of ratification and whether the ratification process will be split so that. Member states won't have an opportunity to vote on the trade aspects of it. Thank you.”
  Global priorities for international development
• “Thank you Hermas. Delighted to join you here on the podium this morning for the beginning of this hearing and also to Vice President Omar Ji who represents the Parliament in relations with Africa. You're also very very welcome Vice President. Obviously I'd like to welcome everybody to the room for this joint public hearing. It's a very opportune moment. We will all recall that in twenty nineteen Ursula von der Leyen identified EU Africa relations as a key priority. Obviously that was somewhat changed as a result of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine but Africa remains a crucial partner for the European Union in the years to come and that relationship is evolving. The summit that's taking place in Angola will have an opportunity to discuss all of the issues between our two continents, between the African Union and the European Union. I suspect that there will be some debate about critical raw materials, there will be debate about Global Gateway, there will be debate about the gaps left by development by USAID and I suspect there will be a lot of debate about debt. As we all know African countries are very exercised about the level of debt that is growing across Africa especially as we move away from grants to loans in our relations with African countries. That creates further indebtedness and further debt burdens and in circumstances where government debt in Africa averages around nine percent or ten percent compared to three percent here in the European Union. So while we move to this new relationship it carries with it risks and I imagine during the summit we will hear a lot about that and maybe as well during the course of this hearing. So against this background we are rethinking and resetting our policies. So I'll hand back to you Hermas and thank you again for joining us this morning.”
  Debt relief for developing countries
• “Excellency thank you Ambassador for very very comprehensive answers so that brings us to the end of the first panel this morning. The next panel on strengthening the role of parliamentarians and parliaments in the AU-BU cooperation will be moderated by Udo Bulman. He is chair of the standing delegation for relation with South Africa and also inter standing rapporteur for the East African Community as well as S and D coordinator in DEVE so very busy. We have the great pleasure to welcome honorable members who we have acknowledged already and I would like to personally welcome them all. Eight members are chairs of committees of the national assembly and are in Brussels for their interparliamentary meeting so you are very welcome and with that I will hand over the chair to Udo. **Udo Bullmann (Germany, S&D) @Co-Chair: Thank you Very much. Dear friends, dear colleagues, the issue is Africa. Yeah, hello everybody. The issue of today is Africa and I will not give you the introductory remarks of forty minutes which we are prepared. No, I will not do that. I will only raise two questions. We are talking about the relationship of parliamentarians, European Union, Africa.”
  EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood
• “Um, we have a financial envelope in Ndic of €29 billion for the seven years. However, it seems we are not on track, uh, as the financial envelope has been reduced. Uh, in February 2024, the committee also this committee pointed out that the ECAs 2024 annual report notes that only 27% of private finance leverage claimed under Efsd plus actually materialized. The key conceptual, uh, idea of global gateway is leveraging private sector investment. But the Court of Auditors concludes that only 27% is materialized. And I know it's early in global gateway, but it's not early in Efsd or Efsd plus. We are a long way down the road with both of those on aid for trade. Our own strategy was conceived in 2017, and there is a target of 25% for least developed countries. According to the Court of Auditors report, only 12% has been delivered. And clearly this creates vulnerabilities in LDCs, in the Sahel, in the Horn of Africa, many of which are in our very approximate neighbourhood. So I would hope that the commissioners can address some of those points. And thank you again for the invitation.”
  Global priorities for international development
• “Merci, monsieur. So, by way of conclusion of the meeting, and for your information, the vote on shortlisting the 7 to 3 will take place on Thursday the 17th of October in the morning, which will be a joint effort and dev meeting the following Thursday, the 24th of October. The Conference of Presidents will vote on the laureate or laureates. Then the laureates will be invited to an exchange of views at a joint meeting of Affettiva and Droit, to be held in Strasbourg on Monday the 16th of December in the evening, with the award ceremony scheduled for Wednesday the 13th of December in plenary. So I want to thank the members for their presence today. This meeting is closed. The meeting will resume here in a few minutes time. And thank you for your participation.”
  EP seat in Strasbourg
• “Thank you for your cooperation. That's. People who need to move can go. Okay, let's move to, uh. Wait a minute. Let's move to item six, then. Uh, the debriefing by the committee from its visit to Katanga on the 27th to 29th of October, uh. So, uh, we, uh, we consisted of six members and two members from the Dewar Committee. Obviously our main focus was on sustainable development, and I want to particularly thank the Secretariat for being able to put this programme together with the European delegation in, uh, in DRC at very short notice. And it was a very comprehensive, very full, uh, program which gave us an opportunity to get an idea of the various EU programs taking place across DRC during the, uh, during the course of our short visit. Uh, we met with stakeholders from a very high level, including speakers of the, uh, of the assembly of the Regional Assembly. Um, we managed to visit the railway at Lobito, which was not a great visit, to be honest. But that's not the fault of the Secretariat or the delegation. Uh, but we got some idea of the massive challenges facing. The people of DRC and also the global gateway project when it meets the reality of very limited development. But we were able to understand the value added of the European Union, particularly in the context of the global gateway.”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid
• “360 I'm sure it's clear to everybody at this stage that what distinguishes the European offer from the offer of other partners to our developing partner countries is our development approach, our human development centered approach. We have a lot of work to do to make sure that that's communicated properly. And we've learned that very, very, very clearly. So we also had very interesting discussions with civil society actors on, uh, some of the challenges that they face. But it is clear that the support that we give to civil society is absolutely crucial in Katanga. Uh, we also heard from women who are impacted by, uh, some of the human rights shortcomings in the mining industry. And it is a warning for all of us that, uh, the mining industry continues to be problematic and requires our utmost vigilance to carefully monitor our own relations with, uh, with the mining industry, particularly in DRC and other fragile contexts. So that is just a quick summary from my side. It was my huge pleasure to, uh, to lead the delegation to chair the delegation. Um, it was a great opportunity to practice my French, um, speak in French to all of our colleagues. Um, and that was very enjoyable. But we had a fantastic delegation. So if any of the members of the MEPs would like to take the floor to make any comments about it. Um, Hilda's not here. Uh, Niels. Niels, please. Niels, you have the floor for two minutes.”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid
• “And it's a very good figure. And I absolutely understand the, uh, why you're enthusiastic about the fact that within the current budget means that you that there can be flows to humanitarian aid and that that will really help you in the future. But there's obviously the danger that flows can go the other way. Um, notwithstanding the regulation from 1996, and we're dealing with a period up to 2034, so a lot can change with a regulation that goes back so far. And, uh, I want maybe just to talk to us a little bit about how you're confident you are that this is not something that's going to arise. Um, final question just about the what happens after the communication. So we get the communication. You mentioned that there will be three staff working documents. Um, I presume these documents will be public. Um, but just talk to us a little bit about the afterlife of this communication. What happens next? What role do the council have? Uh, how what status does this communication have? What do we expect the next steps to be after the publication? So those are my comments and questions. Um, I think if you're ready, we can let you jump in now. Okay. You're very welcome.”
  Conditions to access EU humanitarian aid
• “Thank you Eric, and we have nobody from the Left or from ESN, so we will go to the chairs of the delegations. And the first is the delegation for relations with the Pan African Parliament, Maria Kelonin of the Left, and Maria you have the floor for two minutes please.”
  EU competences on foreign affairs
• “Thank you, chair, and thank you for your draft. And just on that last point, uh, to learn English, you can come to Ireland, which is an EU member state. You're very welcome. All UK citizens are. Well, sorry, all EU citizens to come to Ireland. I think there's a very broad consensus here in the room on, uh, I think the level of ambition that we need to send a very strong political signal, especially ahead of the summit that is meeting next week, um, that we really want to see the UK that has evolved over the last few years from potentially a rival, uh, under a conservative government to an ally. And now I think we really have to see the UK as a strategic partner because the geopolitical situation has absolutely transformed since Brexit, and the UK is one of our most important trading partners. So in this opinion on the implementation of the TCA as the trade committee, we have a duty, I think, to send that strong message, that strong political message that we want a very high level of ambition. And I would agree with previous speakers that one of the crucial parts of this opinion will have to be on ETS. The emissions trading scheme has to be agreed as a matter of urgency, because otherwise Cbam will apply to the UK from the 1st of January 2026. So the easiest way to deal with that issue is to have the Uk-eu agreement on ETS. Alternatively, we could have a delay in the application of Cbam, but the best way to do that is simply to have that agreement on ETS. I agree with the other speakers on youth mobility and SPS and all of those and defence of course, but it's crucial, I should say as well, for Ireland, that we have. That we avoid cbam being applied because it will impact the all island economy and trade north south, and the protection of the Windsor framework, which is something that the. The EU has consistently prioritized over the last couple of years. So thank you again to the rapporteur and I look forward to cooperation on preparation of the final text. Thank you.”
  Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
• “So instead of rewarding those who listened and took seriously the regulatory signals that we sent between 2019 and 2024 were punishing them. And we're rewarding the laggards who stayed behind and did nothing. And for those who made investments based on that, especially in electrification and energy and heat pumps. They are now being punished by the lack of regulatory certainty because of their investment horizons. They are now being punished from that point of view. I want to also mention our external policies as well. In Paris the previous I'm from the development committee, I chair the development committee. So the Ndic Global Europe instrument is the something that we deal with on a, on a legislative basis all the time. And it's been replaced in the new MMF by the Global Europe instrument. And what it lacks compared to the last one is climate targets. It would be lifted out of it at the altar of flexibility. So I don't have a problem with flexibility, but when you have that kind of change that's taking place in global Europe, I think we face a real, real serious problem. Also our global gateway project. Not many people really understand it here in Brussels, but it is a massive investment project. That is our offer compared to Belt and Road Initiative and now the national security strategy of the United States. And what makes it difference, what makes it different to those other offers is that we offer a strategic partnerships. We offer a 360 degree approach. So we bring in critical raw materials. We bring in fisheries, we bring. We also bring in sustainability. And that's what makes it different. And I believe that many of our development developing partners see that as, as a much more attractive offer.”
  Global priorities for international development
• “Morning, Mr. Sannino. Um, I was going to ask the identical question that Mr. Jalil just asked. So I hope you will come to that in your in your replies. May I also ask two further questions? I'm chair of the Development Committee and we are mandated to focus on policy coherence for development. So let me just highlight two initiatives we expect in the autumn that are relevant to the pact that it will be published in October. First of all, the Commissioner Shakeela, is going to launch what he calls the Global Gateway Investment Hub, which touches on the same economic areas you have outlined in energy, digital transport, particularly renewable energy. So can you reassure us that you are engaging with that? Dg and secondly, Commissioner Lahbib will be preparing a fragility strategy for states that are fragile states, including those in the Mena region, and that will also be published in the autumn. So can you again assure us that you have you are engaging with DG echo on those issues as well. Thank you.”
  Global priorities for international development
• “Okay, good. Uh, well, good morning, everybody. And, uh, we will now move to An addendum to agenda point two. Uh, before we move to that. There is an additional announcement to make. Among our committee members, I believe that only Mr. Goerens was here 31 years ago, in 1994, in the European Union of only 12 member states. At that time, a young and ambitious woman, Caroline Costello, was recruited to the European Parliament. She is British, from London, but I am happy to say that she is also leavened by Irish nationality as well. She has held a number of different posts since then, but she has been with this committee since 2011. Her colleagues would describe Caroline as a very dedicated, always cheerful and positive and true team player. As a committee assistant, it is thanks to her that our meetings can take place. She makes sure that we have a meeting room, interpreters and meeting agenda and that our meetings run as smoothly as the politicians will allow. Sadly for us, this is Caroline's last committee meeting before retirement or taxes will be taken over by Janetta. Also present as a token of our appreciation, I would like to present her on your behalf, on all our behalf, with a small bouquet of flowers. And then I propose a round of applause to say thank you to.”
  Multilingualism in EU institutions
• “President, Commissioner and colleagues. Chancellor Merkel and Prime Minister Meloni were happy to point out the recent IMF report conclusion that we, in fact, impose a 110% tariff equivalent on ourselves by not completing the single market for services. We are, in effect, sanctioning ourselves. But what Mertz and Maloney failed to quote was the IMF report, which concludes that the particular problem is the substantial domestic barriers to entry in services in several countries. So this is substantially a member state issue. Italy has one of the most highly protected services sectors in Europe. Germany is also a fortress of services, as the Financial Times recently pointed out, in over 30 years of the single market, only one French baker has ever had his credentials recognised in Germany. So the foot dragging by member states has to stop. We have to lift the sanctions that we impose on ourselves. Thank you, Madam President.”
  EU Single Market harmonisation
• “Thank you Robert. And once again, apologies. Anyway, let me just add my question, which is, um, yeah, just just to clarify your work method exactly. Just I assume that, um, Gavi relies on primary health centers for the delivery of the vaccines in the final mile, if you like, and in circumstances where primary health care relies on Oda, to a great extent, does this not the overall reduction in Oda not impair Gav's capacity to deliver the final mile in particular geographies? I'm thinking of, um, less developed countries, and does the massive decrease in funding of the World Health Organization not also impact overall global surveillance of disease outbreak And information and data that informs your strategy and your operations so that while you've. I'm delighted that Gabby, given all its successes, is well funded as it is. But does the overall ecosystem that you operate in not present serious problems now? Um, given all the changes we've seen? So a lot of questions, Bjorn. But you have you have 15 minutes to try and deal with all of them. Oh, I beg your pardon. So you have, uh, I'd say about six minutes, because we have DG here.”
  Support for international humanitarian organisations
• “Commissioner and colleagues. Every day we see headlines referring to the AI race. And one thing is clear to me, European AI companies are not the front runners. Us companies have developed 40 advanced AI systems. China comes in second with 15. In Europe, we have only developed three. This is despite a combined EU GDP of 18 trillion. Euro alongside brilliant universities and research institutions. We need to look at our strengths to realise our ambitions. Ai ambitions. The EU is a trading powerhouse, standing at as the top trading partner for 80 countries. To put this into perspective, the United States is the top trading partner for just over 20 countries. We have an immense footprint in global trade, but we are not using it strategically. This is why I welcome Parliament's report on an AI trade strategy. If we are to compete in the AI race, we need to start with the foundations. Currently, those foundations are at risk. Europe has the trading power partners and the rules. And now we need the will. Thank you.”
  Artificial Intelligence
• “If. Do not be surprised when we begin to see the consequences of this in our own lives here in Europe. Because of this short sighted and short term approach to the crises that we're facing now. Second point I want to make is on Global Gateway. Um, and this is for Oscar, if you might, mind, if you might just listen to this point, is that, um, the global gateway is about aligning European interests with our partner country interests. That's I mean, that's the reality of it. It's tied aid. It's not something I'm enormously proud of, but it's the reality of what it is. And so when you're enthusiastic about the global gateway, how do you reconcile that with the fact that the European companies want to win procurement contracts? European companies want to, uh, invest and they want to have advantages that they're not gaining at the moment. As a UN agency. I think that's a I'd like to hear your view on that. And I agree with Mr. Lopatka point on fragility. It's really important. Thank you.”
  Global priorities for international development
• “Merci Muriel and just a quick couple of quick questions. I mentioned in my opening remarks about debt and I want to know if the Professor Brown in assets if you could give us your reflections on that as we change from a paradigm of grant based stage to loans guarantees and equity whether you think this should be on the agenda in Luanda or not. Secondly for the two ambassadors Doctor Brown, Professor Brown mentioned the tensions between Africa AU and EU namely well two of them being migration that Eric mentioned but also the use of gas as a transitional fuel and the operation of CBAM. Are these issues in discussion in advance of the summit? Could you give us your reflections on these issues that were raised by Professor Bran on Global Gateway as Muriel just explained? My question really is for Professor Brown how is it perceived and is it perceived as a different offer qualitatively in terms of reliability sustainability? Is the three sixty approach which includes very significant development assistance programs perceived as a different offer and more attractive or does it need to be clarified as to what its overall purpose is? And finally Global Gateway is very very appropriate for middle income countries, lower middle income countries but for fragile states it's a difficult sell. Would any of the speakers care to comment on Global Gateway in fragile states? So with those questions we have now reached the end of the questions so we will go back to the panel of speakers and the next the first speaker is Doctor Brown. Yeah Doctor Brown, Doctor Brown you are with us online. Hope you Can hear us and see us you've got plenty of questions. Four five minutes five minutes please Doctor Bram yeah.”
  Debt relief for developing countries
• “Commissioner, when you presented this package already, the situation was urgent. The events of the last ten days supercharged the urgency of what we are debating here in this chamber today. We need to really face up to the unavoidable nature of that urgency. Right now, in my own country, in Ireland, we have extraordinary vulnerabilities. We rely for 80% on fossil fuels for our energy consumption. 80% of our gas comes through just two pipelines from the United Kingdom. So we have extraordinary vulnerability. And yet just this morning, we received a report which shows that we're falling very, very far behind in our residential heat figures, both in terms of heat pumps and in terms of, um, um, retrofitting, of course, and district heating. All of these figures are falling dramatically behind where they should be. So shockingly, we also have B or A and B or D ratings, which are almost exactly the same in terms of consumption. So there's lots of behavioural issues. I'll conclude by saying that we need the incentives, the investment, to achieve much greater electrification. And these costs, of course, are much greater and much less than the uncertainty and price risks inherent in a fossil fuel system. Thank you.”
  Energy (green transition)
• “Thank you, chair, and thank you for the invitation. Um, before October the 7th, uh, we were talking about school textbooks. Um, now we have hundreds of thousands of injured children, uh, with psychological damage. No schools. And we're still talking about textbooks. I just cannot get my head around that. I just want to make that comment. Um, Commissioner Sakala is well aware of my view on, um, on aid. Um, he makes the comment that the donor recipient model is, uh, is redundant. I don't agree with that. He knows that. I'm just going to repeat my view here, that there is a growing body of evidence that there is a positive economic impact of Oda on donor economies and our economies, so that you can do good and do well at the same time. Increasing Oda benefits our own economic interests. There's evidence produced by the ODI in May and by the Kiel Institute in June. So this is this year. The Kiel Institute finds that foreign aid delivers mutual benefits. It counts aid cuts, means losing out on returns for our economies and creating opportunities for our global rivals. I have specific questions I want to ask about the Court of Auditors work.”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid
• “Thank you, Mr. President, Commissioner and colleagues. It is striking to me that nobody so far in this debate has mentioned global Europe. I am chair of the Development committee. Naturally, it's a serious concern to me. It's a €200 billion budget. So my main message to you, Commissioner, is to defend this budget. It's really important that we do this. I very much support our decision to invest heavily in hard power for our security and defence. But we also have to recognise that there is a collapse in soft power in the exercise of soft power by by the European Union. This is creating risks for us. It's creating risks in health insecurity, in in extremism, in irregular population movement. So what we have to recognise is yes, it is right to invest in hard power, but we have to reconcile that with soft power. Hard power is stored in a warehouse and hopefully never used soft power. Never stops working. Defend the budget. Thank you. Commissioner.”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid
• “Uh, for handing me the opportunity to make a few comments before we start. And, um, I don't think anybody in the room needs to be reminded of the, um, the threats that are posed now to the multilateral system across the world, embodied by the United Nations and all of its incredible agencies Seas and the incredible work that they've done for the last 80 years. But now many, many of them face a very profound funding crisis. And we can talk in terms of money and hundreds of millions, but in fact, it affects the lives of so many people, whether it's through the World Health Organization, through Unicef, through Unwra, through the many other United Nations agencies whose work we value tremendously and work with and for Europeans. It's in our DNA that the sum is greater than the parts. The very idea that we work together and in our diversity, we're strong. And equally, this is the central idea of the United Nations. Having said all of that, the UN is embarked on a process of reform and rejuvenation on its 80th birthday. So it's appropriate that we would use the European Parliament and its convening power to bring together speakers of an incredibly high quality Ability to present those ideas about the future of the United Nations, its current enormous challenges politically, financially across the globe. So I'm delighted that I can be part of this process. Delighted to co-host this with our colleagues from Afet and Doit. And with that, I'll hand over to Munir for opening comments.”
  Debt relief for developing countries
• “Commissioner and colleagues. Wind now supplies a third of Ireland's electricity, and by 2030, we might be able to exceed domestic demand and be able to provide up to 2.5% of Europe's electricity needs by 2050. But all of this depends on significant investment in our grids and robust adherence to planning timeframes, according to the Draghi report. It can take three years for the most efficient member states to deliver grid permitting, and nine years in the least efficient ones. And of course, sadly, Ireland ranks in the latter category. For Ireland, it is like being having a huge free supply of water, but only a few small buckets in which to carry it away. An abundant renewable resource held back by a grid that cannot handle it. I would like to commend the book by Super Grid Super Solution by the late Eddie O'Connor and Kevin O'Sullivan, which sets out plans for efficiently transmitting vast amounts of cost competitive, regionally produced energy to where it is most urgently needed. And I am delighted to see many of those ideas contained in the excellent report by my colleague Anna Sterk. Thank you.”
  EU policy on permitting for renewable energy projects
• “So yes, thank you David. And the next step is to receive the verified letter from corporate. And we would have a joint committee vote on this expected on the 24th of February. So let's move then quickly to item 12 on our agenda, on the agenda. And this of course also jointly with Afet. And it is an exchange with the European Investment Bank on their global strategic orientation, which was published um, in October. So apologies for starting a little bit late. Um, but we are hoping to hear from you how this new orientation reflects Europe's geopolitical priorities as an integral part of our own external toolbox. It sets out the ways we hope to hear about how EU EIB will step up its support for partnerships that align with our own economic interests and those of our development partner, our development partners. The goal of the orientation is to grow the bank's annual signature capacity to up to €10 billion per year, mobilising up to 105 billion of total new investment in high impact projects to the end of 2027. So I'd like to welcome the Director General of EIB global, Mr. Andrew McDougall, to our joint exchange of views. And with this, I hand over to you, uh, to David, just to make a few opening comments.”
  Global priorities for international development
• “Thank you, chair. Good morning. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share the opinions of the Development Committee this morning on this what has become obviously a much more significant file. Given the geostrategic strains that have been mentioned by my colleagues previously, and I have to say I agree fully with their assessment that we need more transparency. We need more autonomy for the budgetary authorities. And the same could be said, by the way, for global Europe. I think we heard that in the previous exchange. So we will have an exchange of views in the development committee on the 5th of May, and then we will have a deadline for the 11th of May, and already had a lot of exchanges with other MEPs, particularly from Denmark, from France and the Netherlands, and of course, with representatives of, for example, the Greenlandic parliament, but also from Aruba and other places. So our areas of focus will be on critical raw materials, as Monsieur just pointed out, but also on sustainable tourism and other education in particular. We will try to reflect the priorities as expressed by the Octs in the exchanges we've had in the last while. And it's notable to say that there will be a forum with the Octs taking place next week in Aruba, and the development committee will be represented at that forum next week. Um, we also have to recognize the limited capacity that some of these territories have in terms of technical capacity, administrative capacity. And this is relevant to the role that the global gateway plays because it's a complex.”
  EU strategy for tourism development
• “Commissioner, when you presented this package already, the situation was urgent. The events of the last ten days supercharged the urgency of what we are debating here in this chamber today. We need to really face up to the unavoidable nature of that urgency. Right now, in my own country, in Ireland, we have extraordinary vulnerabilities. We rely for 80% on fossil fuels for our energy consumption. 80% of our gas comes through just two pipelines from the United Kingdom. So we have extraordinary vulnerability. And yet just this morning, we received a report which shows that we're falling very, very far behind in our residential heat figures, both in terms of heat pumps and in terms of, um, um, retrofitting, of course, and district heating. All of these figures are falling dramatically behind where they should be. So shockingly, we also have B or A and B or D ratings, which are almost exactly the same in terms of consumption. So there's lots of behavioural issues. I'll conclude by saying that we need the incentives, the investment, to achieve much greater electrification. And these costs, of course, are much greater and much less than the uncertainty and price risks inherent in a fossil fuel system. Thank you.”
  Energy performance of buildings
• “It's not debt laden. It's not it's not the horrific commercial shakedown that the US offer actually constitutes. And I think it's a it's an offer that can work, that can be sustainable and that can deliver long term development. And I think we need to have much more awareness of that external element of what we're doing. I have a few questions for the panel, if I may, before I finish. As we know, the core element of the Paris Agreement is the five year review cycle. And at the recent Cop 30, there was a proposal to introduce the annual cycle updates so that the panellists see other ways forward. Apart from this, to strengthen the way Paris is implemented. The second point is on the 1.5 degrees. It should be mentioned here a couple of times this afternoon. The claim is made that it is no longer valid and that we should give up on it, but it is a legal commitment. So how do you see the role of the 1.5 degree target in a, in a world that is approaching one and a half degrees, and how can we strengthen that commitment? And finally, for the business representatives on the panel you know, I described the regulatory uncertainty that when you compare the first mandate to this mandate, I hope you might be able to comment on that and really to comment on the lack of regulatory certainty coming from the European Union. And what is that? What impact that is having on investment cycles? And if you could elaborate a little bit on that issue. Thank you chair.”
  Climate efforts
• “Um, and that that will be adopted by the council in due course. And it's important that we have continuity with whatever is communicated to us. We're also regularly in touch with you about the undermining of international humanitarian law. And of course, Europe has much more of an important role here than ever. And I know that you've recently come back from the border with at Rafah between Egypt and Gaza, and you will hopefully be able to brief us on that. And we're also engaged here in the Committee on the question of the Global Europe instrument. We've had a lot of discussions with you. And we this morning are our rapporteur for humanitarian aid, Lara Perrin, uh, succeeded with her report. It was adopted here in the committee. And you will be aware from your own engagement, the issues that the committee are regularly bringing up in relation to global Europe, um, and our concerns about the inclusion of the humanitarian budget within the within this global Europe, there's no separate budget was something we discussed extensively earlier, but hopefully you'll get an opportunity to talk to us a little bit about that as well. So that's it, Commissioner. We're looking forward to this engagement. I'll give you the floor the third time today. Thank you for ten minutes, please.”
  EU development aid (migration conditionality)
• “Thank you very much. And our final presentation is Maria Groeneveld, who is the director of Voice, which is the umbrella organization for European humanitarian NGOs. And Maria, you will have three minutes. Thank you.”
  Support for international humanitarian organisations
• “We've heard, uh, lots and lots of reports which show that, um, all of these cuts come with a cost. Uh, they don't come with a political cost, which is a bit of a curiosity, but they definitely come with costs in terms of human development and costs in lives. And somehow or another, in this committee, we have to work with our partners to try and make sure that people are aware of that, that we constantly have to change, that we are obviously dealing with the global Europe regulation. We'd like to hear your views on the MFF and what you think we could be doing better with the proposals that are now on the table. We will be spending the next two years dealing with the MFF. The €200 billion Global Europe instrument is it's now a much bigger deal now that so many other governments have reduced their aid as significantly as they have. So, Tanya, you're very welcome. Um, I will give you the floor for a total of 12 minutes for you and Ruth to share the time. So I hope you get on okay. And don't fight with each other. And I'll start with you, Tanya, if you wish.”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid
• “But you might like to comment on it. Third question is on China. You mentioned in your report that China has frameworks in place, and the vast majority of lithium is ending up being processed in China. So, you know, it's all very well talking about all of this in a European context. And that's why we're here. But the vast majority of rare earths and critical raw materials are being processed. If I can say that in China. So what is the framework that you mentioned that there are frameworks in China that are applying. Could you elaborate on that a little bit? Um, and finally, I think you make a really valid point, Christopher, at the end of your presentation around the role of parliamentary scrutiny. So we have all these new MoUs and partnership agreements that are done at executive level with zero parliamentary scrutiny, zero parliamentary oversight. And don't be surprised, then, when the things that concern us are ignored in these agreements and we end up with the difficulties we're currently having with Rwanda. So that's really just to make a point at the end. So let me hand back then to Christopher to lead off with the responses. And then we'll have time to hear from the commission at the end.”
  Due diligence in supply chains (environmental and human rights)
• “Thank you very much, Dominique. And, uh, final contributor today is Mr. Eve Tielemans, who is deputy head of unit for Planning and budget and reporting at DG Eve, you have the floor for four minutes.”
  Accounting and auditing of EU budget
• “Thank you, Madam President. I think what we're trying to do is to address energy costs for European consumers and European businesses. And I think that this would contribute, of course, to our overall competitiveness agenda. And I think this report matches that ambition together with the Action Plan and Affordable Energy and the Action Plan on grids from 2023. I want to raise three points, two that I've covered in amendments. First of all, on the grossly underfunded Connecting Europe facility for energy, which is, the report says has proven to be the crucial instrument for co-financing cross-border energy infrastructure and insists on its continuation. I think we should go further and make sure that we have strong and clear language surrounding the Connecting Europe facility in this report, and I have tabled amendments accordingly. Secondly, I have also tabled amendments in relation to cooperation with third countries and in particular the United Kingdom, where there is enormous potential for improving our relations and making sure that we have close cooperation and opportunities to avail of the the North Sea interconnectors into the European grid. I think there's huge win win as well as ameliorating EU, UK relations. And finally I will support. I'd like to see supported amendments relating to the importance of the overriding public interest and supporting that principle, and encouraging Member States to incorporate that into their decision making process. This has been a particularly major problem of permitting in Ireland, and I know elsewhere in the European Union. So I would encourage Anna to absorb this and her fellow shadows and congratulate her on her excellent report. Thank you.”
  EU energy infrastructure integration
• “Second round of coordinators. And I will take a question on behalf of the Renew Europe Group, if I may. So your focus on the root causes of migration attracted my attention. Would you accept that the main root cause of migration is the enormous demand for labour and skills in the European Union, which is fuelled somewhat by our demographic crisis and the need to bring people to work in the European Union. I think you're talking about irregular population movement, which is a very, very different thing. So do you support international law in the protection of the human dignity of applicants for protection under the Geneva Convention? And do you respect our treaty obligations and what we've already agreed at European level in relation to the protection of individuals who are victims of human trafficking, but also those who are the victims of being forced out from as a result of climate and conflict? Perhaps you could answer that question, and I will go to Mr. Vice Chair for the Greens.”
  Asylum & border control
• “Thank you, Madam President, Commissioner and colleagues, I was at the PPA last week, about ten days ago, and it was probably the best one so far. Reflecting the overall good relations. However, I was quite critical of progress on a number of EU UK files. I described them as glacial, and I said that we have to stop treating the UK as a third country. And last Friday, a few days after the PPA, two stories appeared in the media, which in my view vindicated my position as regards safe. We have not made progress in bringing the UK into safe, which is absolutely appalling, considering it was announced in May and the summit made its conclusions in May, and the report in Politico said that these talks are now going to move to a higher political level. That should have happened a long time ago. Secondly, in the Financial Times, it is reported that some carve out might be done for cbam, but it will apply to the export of electricity from the UK to the EU from the 1st of January. And this is also now, we're told, in the Financial Times that this is the first time that the talks have begun in earnest. Bearing in mind that Cbam is starting in January, that simply isn't good enough. We have to move beyond treating the UK as a third country, and we have to increase the political priority. Thank you.”
  Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
• “Thank you very much. And I think the debate is very respectful. And I want to really thank the panelists. I think it is a real challenge for us here, particularly around global gateway to, from our point of view as a committee to be very strategic and forensic in the way that we approach the hearings, but also the next meeting of the committee on the 14th of October, when we will have an opportunity to really get into the detail about Global Gateway. We've heard today that it is not aligned. We've heard today that there is a lack of information. We've heard today that it is drifting away from the fundamental values and treaty obligations of this Parliament and the and our and our duty. So I think on the 14th, when we sit down as coordinators, we should really be careful how we approach this issue. So with that, I want to really thank our witnesses today and thank all of the staff and the members and the interpreters for their for their work. And we will see you at the next meeting. Thank you very much. Thank you very much.”
  EU foreign policy approach
• “Okay. Good morning everybody. Could you please take your seats and we'll start the meeting, please. We only have one hour. You take your seats, please, everybody. Thank you very much. So good morning, everybody, and welcome to our session to, together with the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Subcommittee on Human Rights for the presentation of nominees for the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. I'm pleased to be joined by Urmas Paet MEP and Mounir Sartori, representing the Afet and Draw committees respectively. So this begins the. This marks the beginning of the procedure and as all of you know, it is a reaffirmation of the Parliament's commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights. By awarding this prize, Parliament is honouring extraordinary individuals who, through their work and fight for human rights across the globe. All nominees should be commended and encouraged, as their bravery and dedication are a source of inspiration. We are seeing across the world an increase in attacks on the universality of human rights and democracy, in particular from totalitarian and authoritarian regimes, and this Parliament is determined to stand up for those that actively promote the values of our union, often at great danger to their own lives, including the winner of the 2021 Sakharov Prize, Alexei Navalny, who was murdered in February this year and who sacrificed his life to defend democracy and oppose oppression and corruption in Russia. Colleagues, we have seven admissible nominations have been received for the Sakharov Prize, and you have received short biographies of all of them. So, without further ado, I pass the floor to my colleague Urmas Paet, vice chair of the committee to lead the presentation of the nominees. Thank you.”
  EU competences on human rights
• “And a very important question on humanitarian principles in Russia and Ukraine, ICRC, presumably, Mr. Zangl, you'd like to address that or you want to start?”
  Support for international humanitarian organisations
• “Very good thank you Marit as there is no coordinators from PFE and no coordinators from ECR I'll move to the ASSET coordinator for Renew which is Hilde Woutmans Hilde you have the floor for two minutes.”
  Multilingualism in EU institutions
• “Okay. Um, interesting engagement there. Excellent. Um, just one other point is on the reallocation. That money doesn't have to go back to original lines of budget. And that's very problematic for for agility, because if you are a budget holder, you're much less likely to take the risk that something can be reallocated and you lose it from your budget altogether. And I think we need to just distinguish between, um, allocations to fragile settings where there's a higher risk of losing that from the original line of budget. I think that we just need to be careful about that. And it's something we can discuss, obviously. But look, let's just go back for one minute each, if you don't mind, uh, to Tanya and Ruth, uh, before we conclude this item.”
  Conditions to access EU budget
• “Which do you contribute? ****Alex KOPP: Yeah. Thank you. Um, yeah, I think from several people I've heard, uh, the question about balancing, uh, questions of access and not contributing to human rights and environmental abuse. Um, and I think, yeah, but there is a major problem at the moment with, um, that we're contributing to, to a negative impact. And I agree, Rwanda, DRC is a complex case, but at the same time, there is a huge potential to do better than we do right now. Um, like there are traceability tools which have been developed which could work, but which are not governed the right way, which are not independent. That could be a quick fix. It's I think it's also more about making information available than gathering new information. And it's also not so much about coming up with new regulations, but we need to close the gaps in existing ones and strengthen them and enforce them. So I think there's there's a big potential to do better.”
  Due diligence in supply chains (environmental and human rights)
• “Okay. Good morning everybody. We'll just proceed with our, uh, agenda now this morning. So we're going to start with, uh, our next item, item four, which is an exchange of views. Okay. Let's do the gavel. Um, it's an exchange of views. Uh, in the framework of European Gender Week, gender equality week, we will now proceed with an exchange of views, uh, in this context, to promote debate on the advancement of girls and women's rights. October last month marked the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, a landmark commitment that recognize the adverse impact of conflict on women and girls, and underscored the importance of their participation in peace processes. Over these 25 years, a strong normative framework has been established, with ten UN Security Council resolutions adopted. Nevertheless, the effective implementation of women, peace and security agenda remains challenging. One of the challenges lies in ensuring a gender responsive humanitarian development peace nexus approach, uh, by promoting and ensuring the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and girls in all phases of humanitarian development, cooperation and peace building. The EU is the world's largest development humanitarian donor has a crucial role to play in reinforcing the implementation of this agenda. Women's organizations operating in fragile and conflict affected countries also play a crucial role in advancing this agenda, as they have deep local knowledge, directly represent women's needs and priorities, and drive advocacy, accountability, and grassroots action.”
  EU development policy (gender conditionality)
• “I just want to add in that that what Niels and Muriel are saying. We have an opportunity now with the Global Gateway report to frame our thoughts on the assumptions that we are presented with that underpin global gateway to really challenge them. And I saw this in Tanzania. I saw it in Namibia. We have to really carefully X-ray the the theories behind global gateway. And so we have an opportunity in this report to do that. And I've seen the early draft and tabled amendments myself on the issue of China that you both mentioned that we really have to be less naive about this, and we have to be much more robust in our approach to. But but as Virginie has said, you know, our partner countries want to diversify. They don't want to be, uh, only have China as a as an investor that comes with massive debt. It comes without the 360 approach. Uh, it comes with various other, um, attractive elements, but also negative elements. So I think we take the opportunity. I will also just let you know that, um, the mission report itself will be published very shortly on our website, and we will be able to share that with you in due course. So thank you all for your contributions and, uh, for your, uh, uh, for coming on this trip is very important trip and to the Secretariat and the EU delegation. ***Committee on Development mission to Pakistan”
  Global priorities for international development
• “And I would like to ask you, Sophie, to comment on, you know, you've worked in this sector for quite a while. Uh, is is what do you think of the lack of public support and the lack of public upset and disquiet. Associated with all of these cuts in funding? Why does nobody care? You know, 20 years ago we would have been inundated with emails and protests in this area if this was happening. And now there's silence virtually. And finally, for Sandrine, you mentioned Sandrine, the collapse of essentially essential services, which is a very dramatic statement. But if you look at the development assistance going to Congo, uh, obviously USAID played a very, very important role. Maybe you could elaborate a little bit on what you mean by that. And secondly, on natural resources governance, um, you know, this is an issue we looked at very closely while we were there in Congo last week. Um, and again, if you could elaborate a little bit on what we could be doing better to make sure that the that women are not sidelined and marginalized in the future. Thank you. So we'll start with Sophie, please.”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid
• “Okay, Patrice, thank you again for for that. Um. Is there. Yeah. So external action services here, represented by Arya Kaikkonen, who is the acting deputy head of division for Afghanistan and Pakistan. So, Arya, you have the floor for two minutes. Sorry I didn't.”
  EU-Myanmar relations
• “The term global commitments into real change on the ground. So this exchange of views is an opportunity to discuss all these aspects with our three guests who are with us today, Miss Sophia Calthorpe, who is the UN Women director of the Geneva Office and head of Humanitarian Action. Miss Chiara Adamo, who is head of unit for governance, democracy, Gender Equality, Human Rights at DG, the European Commission and Online. Miss Sandrine Lusamba, who is the national coordinator at Female Solidarity for Integrated Peace and Development. And she is joining us from Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where myself and other members of the committee visited last week. And indeed, we had a very, I have to say, an emotional exchange with women who have been impacted by gender based violence on the last day of our visit there. So now let me hand the floor to our guest speakers for six minutes each. Or we're quite flexible. So first of all, to Sophia Calthorpe, who is the UN Women director at Geneva office. You have the floor. Thank you.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “What does that actually mean in terms of the interventions in this space? Does it mean that we have to have a different approach to our relations with partner countries? I have a question for both of you on localization. Only a very tiny percentage of funding actually goes to the types of organizations that Sandrine represents here this morning, and a lot of it is absorbed by international agencies and international organizations. How can we push that forward? Very soon. Question for for you, Sophie, is in relation to the potential of a merger between UN women and UNFPA. If you could comment on how do you see that proceeding or if at all? Um, the question on our budget. So we have a new proposed budget called the Global Europe Instrument. And one of the big differences with the previous. The current NDC is the absence of a thematic pillar, and it's in the thematic pillar that you will find funding for gender equality. So it's gone and there's no obligation then for the MFF period to have any interventions under this. We've also lost the gender equality target, the gender marker. I can't remember what it's called, but that's also gone. So are we facing not just a crisis of US withdrawal, but also potentially European Union demonstrating less intent in this space.”
  EU development policy (gender conditionality)
• “You, madam president and Mr.. Commissioner and colleagues, yesterday, we bore witness to the very grotesque image of Benjamin Netanyahu presenting Donald Trump with his nomination papers for the Nobel Peace Prize. The words that come to mind are, uh, beyond parody, beyond ridicule, uh, perversity. Uh, incomprehensible. Because on the same day, Israel Katz, the Minister for defence, proposes that to move Gazans to an enclosed area in Rafah, perhaps Satirically referred to as Humanitarian City. George Orwell could not have invented this kind of language, described as well by Israeli academics and lawyers, as I quote, a blueprint for crimes against humanity. Close quote. Eventually, all Gazans will have to go there. Even the professor of Jewish history at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Amos Goldberg, said the plan was for, and I quote, the creation of a concentration camp or a transit camp for Palestinians before they expelled them. I think the one thing that we can agree on in this divided House is that the Nobel committee in Oslo will not dwell too long in those nomination papers. Thank you.”
  Relations with Israel - Palestine
• “Okay, folks, we're on to the final item on our agenda. So let's get going. Um, so this is an opportunity for an exchange of views with Concord, Oxfam, EU and International Planned Parenthood Federation. So we will begin with we have probably a little bit more time for this. So we've sort of indicated four minutes each, but I won't be too tough on the time. So do be we can be quite flexible. Um, but we engage with Concord this afternoon and a very, very important time. Not only are we preparing for our commission hearings, commissioner hearings over the next few weeks, and so we very much welcome your input into the kind of commitments that we are going to hopefully extract from the commissioner designate in this respect. But we're also meeting with you today at a very difficult time, from the point of view of funding for the International Development Organization. So we're very much interested in your your points in that regard, but also on how you perceive Global Gateway, and particularly over the last few years, and what next steps are important in order to make sure that Global Gateway aligns properly with our development policy and the work that this development Committee can do to make sure that that alignment happens. So with that, I will ask the Director of Concord, Tanya Cox, to my immediate left to take the floor for five minutes or so.”
  Global priorities for international development
• “Thank you very much, David. So my question, Commissioner, um, is relating to sources of funding, especially for leveraging private sector investment, for example, through EIB guarantees for the flagship programmes that you've mentioned. So we all know that private sector creates wealth for shareholders. Some of these the most the wealthiest people in the world. So we also know that 90% of the new Global Europe instrument must be applied to overseas development assistance, development assistance for some of the poorest people in the world. Would you agree that it is not appropriate to use Oda money to backstop private sector investment, and at other sources of funding in the EU budget should be found to backstop that investment. Thank you.”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid
• “Thank you. Um, I just want to make a point about our own budget. Um, our own current MFF has a thematic pillar which includes peacebuilding and human rights. Things we've been talking about for the last hour. The new proposal gets rid of the thematic pillars. It's gone in the current proposal for 2027 to 2028. And so when you put that beside what's happening in the UN in terms of funding, and we're the main funder, and you put it beside the collapse in EU member states, funding for multilateral organisations, what we're facing into, uh, for the next few years is absolutely catastrophic. And we have to wake up to this situation. This is exactly what is happening. We are losing all of these soft power instruments. I don't have any objection to the reaching for hard power. Absolutely. The case for that is made, and we're doing it. But should we at the same time, simultaneously also abandon soft power because that's what we're doing? It's gone from our budget. It's going from our member states Oda budgets. The United States has hollowed out the United Nations and across the world.”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid
• “And next we have we're joined by the rapporteur from the budget Committee, Mr. Andre Halik. Mr.. Andre, you're very welcome. You have the floor for three minutes.”
  Discharge of EU institutions and agencies
• “Thank you. Madam president, Commissioner and colleagues. I very much welcome the plan arrived at at the North Sea summit to dramatically ramp up renewable energy in the North Sea with joint European projects and the plans around increased generation in the time frame. I think this can provide a pathway to cost sharing for the rest of Europe, and indeed for the highlighted energy pathways. And I think the political point I would make is that it gives us an opportunity to remind the EIB that we need to put pressure on them to provide more risk around frontier technologies, to provide more balance sheet innovation in order to to fund these developments. We obviously need more, cheaper and more reliable energy. And I think we are able to give more certainty for turbine makers, for example. And we should remind Wind Europe that they have committed to deliver a 30% decrease in production costs on the basis of the political commitments made at the summit. So let's keep the pressure on. Let's make sure that we can deliver renewable, cheap energy and make sure that we can inoculate this continent from future fossil fuel price shocks. Thank you.”
  Off-shore renewables
• “Mr. president, Commissioner and colleagues, I speak on behalf of the Development Committee and share my view that a balanced foreign policy requires investment not just in defence, but also in diplomacy and in development. Because without human development and sustainable development, we risk instability in our neighbourhood, we risk risk extremism, we risk insecurity, and of course, we risk irregular population movement. So even if our warehouses are full with tanks and aircraft and ammunition and every type of military hardware, how does that stop the next pandemic when we have a disastrous collapse in global health funding? Commissioner, I support your wish for simplicity and simplification, I should say, and flexibility on external action. The Ndic instrument is already an exercise in simplification and it has had a very positive evaluation. And I leave you with one final request. Humanitarian funding instrument must be kept separate. It is the way in which humanitarian workers are protected that we can rely on its impartiality, independence and neutrality. Thank you.”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid
• “So a lot of questions there. And just to add one question of my own son, the whole idea of mutual interests, um, we heard it in our feedback from our Pakistan trip. You heard it in our feedback on DRC, um, that we haven't really found a way to define mutual interests, nor have we found a way to communicate what that means to our partner countries. You, Tanya, mentioned that partner countries might consider it, that they've been abandoned somehow, or that they're being sorry. You said that they'd be exploited. So we've got to reconcile this. We have to figure out a way where, like, this is where the game is now. It has to be about mutual interests. And if partner countries see that as a form of exploitation, then inevitably it's doomed to failure. So, uh, you know, the whole theory is all very well in Brussels, but when it hits the ground in almost any geography, it seems to find, um, more difficult, uh, audience. So, look, that's just my view. I'm just wondering if you would like to elaborate a bit more on your point that the partner countries are feeling exploited when we approach this from a mutual interest point of view. So over to you, please.”
  EU development aid (migration conditionality)