Thomas BAJADA

Policy topics Thomas BAJADA is active on

What Thomas BAJADA has said (54)

• 2026-06-16 “(15:34:54 – 15:36:04): you, president. Thank you, commissioner. The reduction sustainability reduction of the administrative burden is welcomed. I was the shadow reporter for the Fort Omnibus that has been closed. Simplification has to be balanced. I want to see European companies growing and competing in on the global level, But I would like to see young people, young people that we have here in this, parliament, to be able to compete even with their startups, and they would be able to compete with the big companies. My question to you is, how are you going to see that there's monitoring of debt debt of the administrative burden that has been reduced with relation to mid caps? And how will they impact the SMEs, and how are you going to see that our efforts on European champions will not leave an impact on SMEs, especially those in on islands? And we are calling these European champions.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• 2026-03-18 “Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission 18.6.2026 Written question The Commission, in cooperation with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), monitored the situation of tanker Arctic Metagaz and provided satellite imagery to all parties involved from 3 March to 30 April 2026 by the Integrated Maritime Surveillance. The vessel no longer contains flammable content and no related oil spills were detected. The Commission, through its Emergency Response Coordination Centre, facilitated coordination and information exchange among authorities during the incident. This incident demonstrates the seriousness of environmental threats posed, the need for involved States to act when there is a ship in need of assistance and to provide continuous monitoring to mitigate the risks posed, including by the shadow fleet. While the vessel is not in the vicinity of Malta or the Italian Pelagie Islands, such incidents may pose risks to vulnerable coastal and island territories, sensitive marine ecosystems, fisheries and critical infrastructure [1] . The Commission is actively working to further enhance the maritime domain awareness and information sharing among Member States authorities, beyond the well-established and continuously refined EMSA-hosted Union Maritime Information and Exchange System [2] . The Commission will continue to work with Member States, EMSA and international partners to ensure preparedness and effective response. The Commission also supports coastguard cooperation, in particular in the Mediterranean area, through the Mediterranean Coast Guard Function Forum (MEDCGFF). The Commission encourages Member States to step up their efforts in the maritime domain to address the complex maritime challenges faced today. [1] Including desalination-dependent water supply systems. [2] SafeSeaNet legally mandated under Directive 2002/59/EC — Vessel Traffic Monitoring including The Union Maritime Information and Exchange System.”
  EU ocean policy · Water pollution
• 2026-03-12 “P-001037/2026 Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission The European citizens’ initiative ‘Ban on conversion practices in the EU’ 1 was submitted to the Commission on 17 November 2025, triggering the start of its six-month examination phase. By 18 May 2026 the Commission will provide its answer to the proposals included in the citizens’ initiative. The LGBTIQ+ equality strategy 2026-2030 2 announced a study analysing the nature, prevalence and impact of conversion practices on lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) people. The Commission will also engage on this topic with Member States, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, in particular through the expert group on LGBTIQ+ equality. On this basis, the Commission will consider the most appropriate way forward to combat conversion practices, with a particular focus on supporting Member States, who play a crucial role in this area. 1 https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/initiatives/details/2024/000001_en. 2 https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/b4952371-4308-47ad-b99502c539b75dda_en?filename=JUST_template_comingsoon_standard.pdf.”
  Sexuality and reproduction · LGBTIQ+
• 2025-10-27 “E-004214/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The Commission consistently promotes the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing at regional level, as well as the improvement of compliance with the regional fisheries management rules to promote effectively the level playing field amongst all operators. In 2024, Recommendation 46/2023/17 1 of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), establishing an international joint inspection and surveillance (JIS) scheme for common dolphinfish fisheries, entered into force. The European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) is coordinating the participation of the EU in the scheme as regards the deployment of means. As presented during the annual session of the GFCM Compliance Committee (CoC) (3-4 November 2025) 2 , the implementation of the JIS scheme in 2025 delivered 39 inspection reports. Among these, eight inspections involved Tunisian-flagged vessels, six of which revealed infringements such as missing catch records, fishing without a license, or misreporting. Five of these cases led to follow-up measures including sanctions against captains, seizure of non-compliant equipment and fishery products, and vessel detention. The Commission sent a follow-up letter to Tunisia, as flag State, regarding the enforcement actions. At the GFCM annual session (4-9 November 2025), upon a proposal made by the EU, the GFCM listed the vessel ‘Sonia’ of unknown flag, previously flying the flag of Tunisia, on its IUU vessel list. This listing is the result of the consistent efforts for the reinforcement of the CoC and the establishment of the instruments to effectively fight IUU fishing in the Mediterranean, together with the increased presence of the EFCA’s patrol vessel. 1 GFCM Recommendation 46/2023/17 https://www.fao.org/gfcm/decisions/en/. 2 https://www.fao.org/gfcm/statutory-meetings/detail/en/c/1755049/.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2025-10-07 “E-003931/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The permanent compliance assessment mechanism of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is currently in pilot phase. The GFCM Commission will decide on the transition to the permanent phase. Therefore, no contracting parties, including the EU, are enabled to raise non-compliance issues falling under Category A in 2025. The Commission informs the European Parliament in line with the provisions of the Framework Agreement on relations between the European Parliament and the Commission. As per the current practice, the Commission sent the proposed EU position for the 2025 Annual Session of the GFCM on 15 September 2025 to the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries (PECH). It also provided an update on the ongoing preparations during the PECH Committee meeting on 16 October 2025.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2025-10-07 “E-003932/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is a regional fisheries management organisation (RFMO) founded on principles of collaboration and solidarity, aimed to achieve the objectives of sustainable management and exploitation of shared marine living resources. The Commission's approach to ensuring compliance within the framework of the GFCM focuses on the promotion of sustainable practices, aligned with EU standards. This strategy seeks to balance enforcement with capacity-building support to enhance the effectiveness of this RFMO and the ownership and successful implementation of measures. In general, trade restrictive measures should represent a last resort. In 2025, the Commission's primary focus in the GFCM is on strengthening the compliance framework towards fully implementing agreed-upon measures for level playing field for all operators. Following the EU position endorsed by the Council for the upcoming annual session, the Commission will propose measures to consolidate the legal framework on compliance, including a proposal to adopt follow-up actions to deter non-compliance on reporting and control issues. It will, furthermore, bring forward cases of possible non-compliance with the GFCM rules, resulting from GFCM Joint Inspection Schemes.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2025-05-13 “E-001910/2025 Answer given by Ms Šuica on behalf of the European Commission The New Pact for the Mediterranean (‘the Pact’) represents a significant enhancement over existing mechanisms, providing a more comprehensive and dynamic approach to regional collaboration. Building on the foundations of the Barcelona Process, the Pact is designed to adapt to the rapidly changing geopolitical environment, ensuring resilience and growth for the EU and Southern Neighbourhood countries 1 . Its added value lies in its flexibility and responsiveness, allowing quick adaptation to emerging challenges and developments. The Pact also aims to deepen and refocus the partnership around key initiatives that bear the most potential to deliver concrete results, and which can be adapted as the context evolves. The preparation of the Pact is firmly rooted in an extensive process of dialogue and consultation. Southern Neighbourhood partners and Member States have contributed to the shaping of the Pact aiming for a partnership of equals. Additionally, the Pact involves voices from civil society, the private sector, and local communities to ensure diverse priorities are addressed and all implementors are fully engaged. This enriched dialogue strengthens social and cultural bonds across the region. In summary, the New Pact for the Mediterranean provides added value by being adaptive, inclusive, and forward-looking, better equipping the region to handle challenges and leverage opportunities for shared prosperity and stability. 1 The European Neighbourhood Policy encompasses the following countries: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Palestine* (This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a state of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this issue).”
  EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood
• 2025-05-13 “E-001909/2025 Answer given by Ms Šuica on behalf of the European Commission The New Pact for the Mediterranean (the New Pact) 1 is a strategic priority of the Commission, a renewed and ambitious effort to deepen cooperation with the EU’s Southern partners 2 and turn the region into a shared space of stability, prosperity and security. It will be founded on a partnership of equals, with a pragmatic approach focused on concrete initiatives and delivering real tangible benefits for people. This New Pact will endeavour to promote a unified and coherent strategy that reflects and respects the mutual interests of Member States and partners in the region, while meticulously adapting to the distinct regional characteristics and complexities, acknowledging that a onesize-fits-all strategy would not suffice. It will build on the foundations of pre-existing frameworks governing the partnership between the EU and the 10 countries pertaining to the Southern Neighbourhood, in particular the Agenda for the Mediterranean 3 as well as the related economic and investment plan, and target different areas of partnership, while also refocusing them on the most strategic initiatives arising from thorough consultations. This will be done by taking into account both bilateral and regional strands of cooperation and in complementarity with the strategic and comprehensive partnerships in place. These efforts thrive on collaboration and joint ownership, collective and cross-regional action, and the creation of concrete and innovative solutions. In some instances, initiatives which are implemented through bilateral partnerships may well be upscaled regionally, to allow the whole region to benefit from positive bilateral developments. 1 https://north-africa-middle-east-gulf.ec.europa.eu/what-we-do_en#new-pact-for-the-mediterranean. 2 Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine* (this designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this issue), Syria and Tunisia. 3 Joint Communication Renewed partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood – A new agenda for the Mediterranean: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/sites/default/files/joint_communication_renewed_partnership_southern_neighbourh ood.pdf.”
  EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood
• 2025-05-13 “E-001911/2025 Answer given by Ms Šuica on behalf of the European Commission The New Pact for the Mediterranean (‘the Pact’), whose preparation has been entrusted to the Commission, in close cooperation with the European External Action Service, aims to shape a concrete, respectful, and lasting partnership between the EU and the 10 partner countries of the Southern Neighbourhood 1 that reflects shared aspirations and priorities. This means going beyond broad principles to define together initiatives and flagship projects that can deliver tangible results. The Pact aims to pool existing resources and bring together the collective efforts of the EU and its partner countries to create a more stable and prosperous environment, conducive to investments from both the EU and the partner countries themselves. Regarding future funding for initiatives that will be launched in the framework of the Pact, the Commission cannot pre-judge the outcome of the interinstitutional negotiations on the composition of the Multiannual Financial Framework from 2028 to 2034. The Pact will also contain initiatives involving the private sector, international financial institutions and other partners to maximise its impact. Moreover, consultations on the Pact with stakeholders from both sides of the Mediterranean will support the Commission in framing it around priorities that are shared and that are mutually beneficial for the EU and the partner countries. Initiatives which will be undertaken in this framework should contribute to bringing the EU and the Southern Neighbourhood closer by addressing common interests which concretely benefit citizens. 1 The European Neighbourhood Policy includes 10 partner countries: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine*, Syria and Tunisia. *This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this issue.”
  Funding for EU Neighbourhood · EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood
• 2025-02-18 “E-000741/2025 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission 1. Maximum levels (MLs) for lead and cadmium in food were established by Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 1 and for feed by Directive 2002/32/EC 2 . Only food and feed compliant with the MLs can be placed on the market guaranteeing a high level of human and animal health protection. Without information on the levels of thorium in feed and food in the concerned area, no assessment of the possible risk for animal or public health can be done. 2. The Commission is aware of the potential health implications arising from environmental pollution and emphasises the importance of ensuring compliance with EU legislation that aims to protect public health. However, safeguarding public health is primarily the responsibility of Member States including the investigation of potential disease clusters. 3. If the pollution is the result of a serious breach of EU environmental law, then the conduct might be framed as an environmental crime under the Environmental Crime Directive 3 . If the liable operator is identified and the contamination fulfils the criteria of environmental damage under the Environmental Liability Directive 4 , the operator shall be required to remedy the damage to the environment. Salto di Quirra is located in air quality zone IT2010 Zona Rurale according to Ambient Air Quality Directive 2008/50/EC 5 , with the closest sampling point in Nuraminis. The latest data for this zone for 2022 and 2023 does not indicate the exceedance of any air quality standard 6 . Based on the information from the European Industrial Emissions Portal 7 , no industrial installation covered by the industrial emissions directive was identified in the area. 1 Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 of 25 April 2023 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 OJ L 119, 5.5.2023, p. 103–157 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/915/oj. 2 Directive 2002/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 May 2002 on undesirable substances in animal feed OJ L 140, 30.5.2002, p. 10–22 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2002/32/oj. 3 Directive 2008/99/EC on the protection of the environment through criminal law OJ L 328, 6.12.2008, p. 28– 37, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2008/99/oj, replaced by Directive (EU) 2024/1203 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on the protection of the environment through criminal law and replacing Directives 2008/99/EC and 2009/123/EC, OJ L, 2024/1203, 30.4.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1203/oj, in force and to be transposed by Member States by 21 May 2026. 4 Directive 2004/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 on environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage, OJ L 143, 30.4.2004, p. 56–75. ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2004/35/oj. 5 Directive 2008/50/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2008 on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe OJ L 152, 11.6.2008, p. 1–44 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2008/50/oj. 6 The Italian authorities are reporting information of the following pollutants in this zone: arsenic, benzene, benzo(a)pyrene, cadmium, carbon monoxide, lead, nickel, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and sulphur dioxide, https://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/it/eu/aqd/g/. 7 https://industry.eea.europa.eu/.”
  Industrial emissions directive (IED) · Air quality policy · Environmental crimes and justice
• 2024-10-19 “E-002182/2024 Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission As part of its Road Safety Package, the Commission presented a proposal for a Directive on the Union-wide effect of certain driving disqualifications 1 in 2023. The proposal aims to ensure that driving disqualifications imposed for major road-safety-related traffic offences will be effectively enforced across the EU, not only in the Member State of the offence. The adoption of the Directive would be a key milestone for road safety by holding drivers accountable for dangerous driving behaviour across the EU. The scope of the proposal is limited to the most severe traffic offences, i.e. speeding, drinkdriving, driving under the influence of drugs, and conduct infringing road traffic regulations and causing death or serious bodily injury. The Commission decided not to include disqualifications based on the accumulation or loss of penalty points in its proposal due to the negative result of the cost-benefit analysis carried out in the context of the impact assessment 2 . It showed that this option would lead to much higher enforcement costs for Member State authorities without sufficiently reducing the number of fatalities and serious injuries at EU level. Since the negotiations on the Directive are still ongoing, the Commission does not intend to table another proposal. In its position (adopted in first reading in February 2024), the Parliament emphasized the exclusion of disqualifications based on the accumulation or the loss of penalty points from the scope of the Directive 3 . This was confirmed by the newly elected Parliament in its decision of 7 October 2024 to open interinstitutional negotiations. In its General Approach (adopted in December 2024) 4 , the Council did not include such driving disqualifications in the scope of the Directive either. 1 COM(2023) 128 final. 2 SWD(2023) 128 final. 3 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2024-0057_EN.html, see recital 26a. 4 https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-16120-2024-INIT/en/pdf”
  Driving licences
• 2024-09-10 “E-001674/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission 1. The Commission is investing significant resources in support of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) 2030 Strategy. The EU voluntary contribution to GFCM, through the EU Grant, has been and will remain instrumental for the implementation of the GFCM management and control measures, the protection of vulnerable species and habitats and the implementation of the subregional approach of the 2030 Strategy. 2. Under EU leadership, the GFCM has launched a consolidation process of the overall compliance framework, notably the international inspection schemes, under the umbrella of the Compliance Committee, aimed to ensure full implementation of existing management and control measures, transparency and level playing field, based on the examples of good practices from other regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs). All these objectives are supported by concrete actions in the GFCM work programme for the next years, to be adopted at the annual session. 3. The Commission aims at promoting the EU fisheries control standards and best practices at the level of the GFCM, including for the modernisation of control tools and implementation of new technologies by all contracting parties. To this end, in May 2024, the EU presented in the Compliance Committee the new EU requirements for the control of small-scale fisheries. The Commission will continue promoting the future uptake in the GFCM framework of innovative digital solutions, including for reporting catches and geo-localisation of fishing vessels.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries · Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2024-09-06 “E-001647/2024 Answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission The Commission and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) are in contact 24/7 with EU/European Economic Area (EEA) countries’ public health authorities via the EU’s Early Warning and Response System (EWRS). Any confirmed case of MPXV clade I is immediately notified through the EWRS 1 . Currently, there is only 1 confirmed case in EU/EEA countries, without onward transmission. Compared to the 2022 outbreak, Mpox cases in EU/EEA countries remain at a low level 2 . In the Health Security Committee (HSC) 3 chaired by the Commission, Member States coordinate their response to the Mpox outbreak and agreed on a common EU approach regarding vaccination policies 4 . The HSC assessed preparedness measures in Member States for a possible introduction of Mpox virus clade I in August 2024. The ECDC published a Risk Assessment 5 , last updated on 17 September 2024 6 . The ECDC gave rapid scientific advice to Member States’ health authorities on public health measures to take 7 . The ECDC has also deployed a public health expert to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and published a website on Mpox 8 , including an epidemiological bulletin 9 . In 2022 and 2023, the Commission purchased and donated 334 540 10 doses of vaccines to countries participating in the EU4Health programme. The Commission signed a framework contract under the Joint Procurement Agreement with Bavarian Nordic 11 for the supply of up to 2 million doses of the Mpox vaccine for participating countries to purchase over the course of 2023/2024. The Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority is in contact with Member States and there is no indication at this stage that they require more vaccines than available. Mpox vaccines purchased for the stockpiles via rescEU ensure urgent needs are met. 12 1 https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/early-warning-and-response-system-european-union-ewrs 2 https://monkeypoxreport.ecdc.europa.eu/#:~:text=Get%20the%20latest%20bulletin%20on%20monkeypox 3 https://health.ec.europa.eu/health-security-and-infectious-diseases/crisis-management/list-authoritiesrepresented-health-security-committee/health-security-committeereports_en#:~:text=Health%20Security%20Committee%20reports.%20The 4 https://health.ec.europa.eu/publications/hsc-recommendations-common-eu-approach-regarding-vaccinationpolicies-monkeypox-outbreak-response_en 5 https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/risk-assessment-mpox-epidemic-monkeypox-virus-clade-iafrica 6 https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/mpox-monkeypox-epidemiological-update-week-37-2024 7 https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/infectious-disease-topics/mpox/rapid-scientific-advice-public-health-measures2024 8 https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/mpox 9 https://monkeypoxreport.ecdc.europa.eu/#:~:text=Get%20the%20latest%20bulletin%20on%20monkeypox 10 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_5362 11 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_6766 12 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_5482”
  Vaccination · EU competences on health
• 2024-08-16 “P-001516/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission The management plan for the sustainable exploitation of common dolphinfish, adopted by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) in 2023 1 and incorporated into EU law through Regulation EU 2024/259 establishing the fishing opportunities for 2024 for the Mediterranean Sea 2 , covers only the fisheries targeting this species which uses Fish Aggregating Devices (FAD). However, there can be bycatches of this species in other fisheries, which can be marketed. To ensure the control of the common dolphinfish fishery, the GFCM adopted a permanent international inspection scheme 3 in 2023. In 2024, the European Fisheries Control Agency coordinated the deployment of one of its patrol vessels in the Strait of Sicily, for a joint inspection campaign with the relevant contracting parties. The campaign, carried out by the EU-GFCM fisheries inspectors in the South of Sicily, ended on 3 September 2024. So far, no suspected infringements for fishing dolphinfish with FADs during the closure period were detected. Ensuring a level playing field is one of the main objectives the Commission pursues at the level of the GFCM, where it initiated the above-mentioned management and control measures, in close cooperation with the Member States. Finally, as determined by the EU Fisheries Control Regulation 4 , the responsibility for the operational implementation of applicable control measures and the enforcement in case of violation of the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy lies with the Member States. 1 Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/14 establishing a multiannual management plan for the sustainable exploitation of common dolphinfish in the Mediterranean Sea, repealing Recommendations GFCM/30/2006/2, GFCM/43/2019/1 and GFCM/44/2021/11. 2 Council Regulation (EU) 2024/259 of 10 January 2024 fixing for 2024 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in the Mediterranean and Black Seas http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/259/oj 3 Recommendation GFCM/46/2023/17 on an international joint inspection and surveillance scheme for common dolphinfish fisheries outside waters under national jurisdiction in the Mediterranean Sea. 4 Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Union control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2023/2842.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• “President, on behalf of the econ shadow, I would like to thank the Rapporteurs and Shadows for their efforts and cooperation. There is no doubt that in an interdependent economy like that of the Union. It is necessary to have coordination between the Member States, but we must not forget that the well-being of our citizens must come first. Too often these recommendations seem to forget the simple principle the people. Recommendations, such as those to remove energy subsidies for European families or recommendations to increase the retirement age for our workers. Then, at the same time, almost like a general command to increase defense spending by the member States instead of investing in people. And now, as we are planning the next multiannual budget framework, it seems that we are moving towards a system of European funds based on the European semester system that is weak in methodology, poor in transparency, lacking democratic accountability, and focused mainly on increasing GDP, and therefore often forget social investment in people. And therefore, I cannot accept that the European Semester should have a binding nature over the next European budget.”
  EU fiscal rules and oversight of national budgets
• “Thank you. President. Commissioner, when when we talk about the central bank in Europe, we need to look at the numbers and we need to see them from the eyes of the people. For example inflation. Inflation is not a statistic data. It is the bill at the shops, the rent and the interest rates and the anxiety of people and of small businesses who see their expenses increase and their and their purses shrink. We need stability because when when we had problems with rates going, interests going high, the Europeans were left alone. And when the government tried to help them with subsidies, they were criticized. But if we want a, a, a monetary policy to be stable, it needs to be also in tune with the realities of every day, the realities of the families that can't see beyond the present and of small businesses and of young people. Economic success depends, depends also on the trust of people, on the opportunities it creates, and also on the dignity that it.”
  ECB monetary policy
• “In recent months, we have seen a number of reports in the media about canisters of nitrous oxide that were seized at a popular nightlife area, a place where our youngsters meet with friends to have fun. Many parents today ask us simple and legitimate question how is it possible that a substance which is meant for medical and industrial use be available so easily and without any form of control? There is one truth. Nitrous oxide was never meant to be used for fun. When large industrial canisters are sold without any form of control. We are allowing the creation of a dangerous situation, a situation where a substance meant to be used in hospitals and kitchens ends up in the hands of young people. This is becoming a reality in Gozo, in Malta and the rest of Europe. When walking towards the parliament in Brussels, I always notice these canisters lying on the ground. Let me be clear, it is not a question of demonizing a substance. It is not about prohibiting a substance which is of valid and important use. It is a question of a sense of responsibility and also of education. Responsibility where we ensure that these products do not circulate in places, where can they create harm and reach the hands of those who are vulnerable? And therefore, I am working with other parliamentarians to ensure that there is responsibility in selling this substance easily.”
  Regulation of drug precursors in the EU
• “Thank you. And I thank you for the report, which comes at a timely moment while drafting the report for the Econ Committee. I am particularly focused on the governance dimension and the link to the European Semester, which the European Commission wants to use as a main reference framework. Whilst in principle I welcome a tailor made instrument that reflects country specific needs, I remain concerned on several points which I hope that you can share your thoughts on in view that you did not directly address them in your report. That said, let me raise a few points that are particularly crucial. The growing importance and the increasingly binding character of country specific recommendations in the NPS represent a significant expansion of the Commission's discretionary power. First, there is currently no transparent or traceable methodology for the development and the selection of the CSRS. There is no clarity as to why certain recommendations are proposed, while others are not, and hence these raise serious concerns regarding the accountability and the equal treatment of Member States. And therefore, I would like to ask for your view on the expansion of a questionable process of CSRs to the Union's most powerful and most visible instrument, its funding. I believe that this would create a major conditionality under the Nip, and would be an expansion that is not matched by corresponding accountability mechanisms. Ultimately, we must ensure that we restore transparency and accountability, guarantee the equal treatment of all member states, and put citizens well-being back at the centre of this European project. Thank you.”
  European Semester (social dimension)
• “Is it good now? Can you hear me? When I was younger at school. They opened a website. This was the time of WordPress. This was something new. You could just open a website and write whatever you wanted. This was a website that was written about me. About me by myself. A 14 year old child at school. Nowadays with AI, you can do whatever you want. I can amend a photo of you and put you in a bikini. For example, today, according to what you are saying, how can we fight this situation? A situation that is going a lot faster than what things? The way things were in the past, which were much slower and have a psychological impact on children.”
  Safety features & content control for child protection online
• “(17:35:12 – 17:35:40): Thank you. I would like to thank you for the comments, and I have noted all the comments which you have already also sent to me. And we are already having had the first round of discussions with the shadows. We will have another round of discussions tomorrow with the hope that we focus on the most decisive points in order to straighten out the discussion and the way forward in order to be able to close this opinion in time before the deadline for the opinion giving committees. Thank you.”
  EU political integration
• “Thank you. Chair. With this climate change, we've seen countries who were suffering drought and now they are flooding and vice versa. And the best thing we can do now is to face this situation through nature based solutions. This will decrease flooding. It will save water and it will help it to gather in the groundwater, because having too much water or too few water is has no boundaries. And therefore we need to Cooperate. We have to cooperate between countries and regions. Let's move away from addressing this as being a local issue. This is a holistic thing. It is not at the local or regional level. We should not allow such a sensitive topic, such as water resilience, to get stuck at political discussions in order to gain points at local level. We have to face a Europe which is really resilient and therefore the Commission needs to really help out all regions, not to leave anyone behind.”
  Nature protection and restoration in the EU
• “Dear Commissioner. Why is visiting a small village in Malta? A person told me something that stuck with me. We worked our whole lives. We paid taxes, built a family. And now I have no peace of mind. Neither for my myself nor for my children. I don't know where we're heading. And when I listen to us being sad in corridors about the proposal for the European budget, I understand this person even more. Priorities are changing from investment in education and health, in culture and in the environment, to a huge emphasis on the military industry, as if that is the only thing that is necessary for the economy and the quality of life. But economic resilience is not built with murderous weapons. It is built on families who live peacefully with roof over their heads, on young people who can achieve their aspirations, aspirations on the elderly who remain the backbone of society. When we forget, workers and the society will no longer build Europe, but we let it break from within the first investment, the first priority must be people. Thank you.”
  Defence spending
• “Minister, as the European Union moves forward with ambitious and needed climate. Legislation including the fit for 55 package and setting carbon reduction targets for 2040. The stakes have never been higher. We are at a critical juncture where bold. Decisive action is needed by the European Union and the member states to address the escalating climate crisis. As the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, your leadership is pivotal in shaping and driving these efforts, particularly in ensuring that no member state is left behind in this critical transition. However, there are serious concerns regarding the shortcomings and the Hungarian presidency's current program, particularly in terms of how it addresses the challenges posed by these new climate measures. How does your government plan to navigate the economic and social impacts of these policies, while maintaining the balance between competitiveness and sustainability? Will Hungary fully commit to supporting these transformative climate policies, even if it requires substantial adjustments to its own national industries? Or is there a risk that Hungary will resist certain aspects of the new climate legislation? In essence, will the Hungarian presidency lead the European Union forward in bold climate action? Or will its program's shortcomings risk slowing down the European Union's collective efforts in tackling the climate emergency? Let us not forget that all of this is being done to ensure that future generations have a safer and cleaner world.”
  Climate efforts
• “Let's stop beating around the bush. Europe is facing environmental breaking point. Our rivers are dying. Our soils are depleted, our coasts eroding. It is not only me saying this. The European Environment Agency has clearly stated in its recent state of the environment report. And yet we still draft budgets as if the health of our planet and our livelihoods were optional. Weakening climate and nature funding now would not only be backtracking, but also a betrayal for future generations, a betrayal of Europe's competitiveness and growth. From my side, we are very clear this budget must deliver for climate, biodiversity and water resilience. No excuses for missing the 10% biodiversity target. No backsliding on 30% climate commitment and no weakening of the life programme. The economy depends on a stable climate. Our competitiveness depends on innovation and both of them depend on a healthy planet. Climate ambition is not a burden for Europe. It is our greatest advantage. And this budget must finally take that into account and prove it. Thank you.”
  Climate efforts
• “Even online and without any oversight. And the evidence is clear. According to public health data, most reported users consume the substance in large quantities. Many use it repeatedly and often through industrial canisters. This is why Europe must act carefully but decisively, not through panic, but through smart regulation, through better control of how these products are placed on the market. The union already has tools. Under the rich regulation. We can act when a substance creates an unacceptable risk to human health, and laughing gas is creating a risk for young people. For public safety and yes, even for the environment. With thousands of canisters being discarded and appearing in our streets and shores, the substance must be listed under annex seven of the reach regulation and prohibit its placing on the market to the general public, because protecting young people does not mean punishing, it means responsibility on the seller and regulation of the market.”
  Chemicals regulation
• “The logic is simple. If you want to pollute, you pay. That is what you. Dear Commissioner. Together with president von der Leyen wrote on newspapers across the union this morning. One thing to pollute. It should not happen in the first place. That is the message of indifference of the commission that European families woke up to this morning while they are facing pollution, daily health risks and chronic illnesses. The strategy rightly cites the enormous costs of cleanup of pollution, with PFAS and other emerging contaminants, responsible for an estimated 52 to €84 billion in health problems annually. And yet your strategy fails to offer any type of immediate, concrete measures, or even a timeline for phasing them out or addressing them at source. It references the polluter pays principles but includes no proposal to enforce it. So I must ask, how does the Commission intend to ensure clean and affordable water services across the EU when the financial burden of the pollution continues to fall on families and municipalities? What concrete steps will the Commission take to guarantee that it is the polluter that pays? And you said it yourself. Access to safe, clean and affordable water is a human right. Passing on to the 10% efficiency target proposed. I deem it not only vague and voluntary, but it is also a disservice to the scale of the crisis that millions of Europeans are already experiencing. And this is not only me saying it. There's also the mounting criticism of experts, local authorities and civil society.”
  Water pollution
• “(17:19:06 – 17:25:34): Thank you, dear colleagues. We are at an important crossroads that will define the upcoming 7 years of the union about what kind of union we actually want, what our priorities are, and, hence, what should our union invest in. What our committee has in front of it is an opportunity to establish the governance, the economic governance priorities for the upcoming multi annual financial framework, something which I am seeking to focus on in our opinion, especially on aspects related to the economic design of our member states. Although this, dear colleagues, I think we must remain vigilant. While most of us support a higher standard of targeted EU level investment accompanied where relevant by socially justified reforms, caution must be exerted regarding the degree of conditionality we may wish to impose. Firstly, the design of national plans and the relationship to country specific recommendations within the European semester process. And secondly, the disbursement of funding based on compliance with macroeconomic conditionality rules. I recognize that the commission is seeking ways to enforce national reforms it considers necessary and to strengthen the application of EU fiscal rules. However, the commission's proposed link between the design of national plans and CSRs requires clarity and refinement. The commission's proposal is not sufficiently clear on how the acceptance of nationally designed plans would depend on a member state's implementation of CSRs. Additionally, I remain critical on the undemocratic nature of the commission's establishment and monitoring of the semester process and linking this to one of the most important instruments of our union for our people, our communities, and our regions creates several concerns. To that end, in my draft report, I have proposed strengthening the role of local stakeholders and regions at all state stages of the process, including in deciding on which challenges need to be addressed and which CSRs should be taken into account in the NRPPs. Additionally, I also introduced a chapter on the assessment of the plans seeking to provide clearer direction on how the commission should structure its evaluation. From the amendments tabled and the discussions held with shadows, it is clear that this is one of the most politically sensitive parts of our opinion. But I am convinced a compromise is possible. And as rapporteur, I believe that CSRs should only affect NRPPs in those areas where EU funding is directly involved. As I see it, not every euro of funding must be tied to a CSR. Yet, recommendations remain useful when relevant, proportionate, and within scope. That should be, I believe, our point of balance on this item. Let me now turn to another major issue, which is the suspension of payments based on macroeconomic conditionality and excessive deficit procedures, which I believe, as currently proposed, goes too far. I would like to note that EU fiscal rules already contain an appropriate system of fines. The commission proposal goes beyond what exists in current legislation, and the commission proposal lacks needed safeguards and gives itself a high level of discretion regarding the proportionality of measures applied. From amendments and discussions across political groups, I sense that we all agree on one principle, final beneficiaries should not be penalized for matters for which they hold no responsibility or involvement in. Yet, I perceive that the debate on whether to maintain such conditionality or remove it altogether remains a high political debate. Looking at this from a distance and as rapporteur, I believe that we all must bridge differing priorities and concerns and seek a balanced solution. One, where some form of conditionality remains, but where sufficient safeguards ensure that sanctions are appropriate proportionate, do not lead to double punishing, and ultimately do not harm end beneficiaries and EU citizens. And finally, a third political divisive point is the governance of the fund linked to the design, approval, and monitoring of national plans. Some believe that a strong European parliament involvement is the best way to reduce the perceived democratic deficit in the governance of this instrument. Some amendments include a parliament vote on each national plan through a delegated act. Others, me included, are not convinced that parliament has the competence to take such decisions. Through my draft opinion, I suggest giving a decisive role to national and regional actors, including regional and municipal authorities, economic and social partners, and those who directly represent the interests of beneficiaries. I believe these actors should have a direct role in both the design and monitoring of the plans. I will welcome colleagues' suggestions that regional actors should be allowed a direct role in the management of these funds. In conclusion, I am looking forward to hold constructive proposals from my fellow shadows towards building a balanced compromise that can first address the varying concerns, but at the same time, ensure a strong equal opinion that presents our advice on economic governance to be able to assist the main reporters on this new funding structure. Altogether, we are all here to deliver a funding structure that enhances the well-being of our citizens, families, businesses, and ultimately the future of our union. Thank you.”
  EU fiscal rules and oversight of national budgets · Conditions to access EU budget
• “Thank you chair, and thank you for the presentation. It is encouraging to see that EU legislation has strengthened targets and is gradually improving waste management across Europe. But what I found particularly striking is your clear warning that progress towards reuse and recycling remains low, and that many member states still lack the infrastructure funding, but also the economic incentives needed to make circularity viable in practice. And you also underline in that respect the challenges of the recycling market, where recyclers face weak demand for secondary raw materials. The rising costs, including transportation and competition from cheaper version and imported materials, therefore putting the viability of Europe's recycling industry itself at risk. So, with the respect of also the Circular Economy Act that we are expecting over the coming months, my question is what specific and concrete measures would you suggest to the European Commission to prioritise in order to create a true single market for secondary raw materials, thereby ensuring stable demand, fair economic conditions for recyclers and stronger enforcement so that circularity becomes economically viable and not just environmentally desirable. And do we need to move beyond waste targets and start regulating material use itself, for example, through binding recycled content requirements? Fiscal incentives favoring secondary raw material or even reduction targets for virgin material consumption, so that circularity becomes the default economic choice, rather than the more expensive alternative that I will take if I want to be environmentally sustainable. Because if the market continues to reward linear production, we will not be able to close the loop, no matter how ambitious our recycling recycling targets are, or we envisage that it will be in the next Circular Economy Act. Thank you.”
  Ecodesign & durability
• “Thank you chair. And I would like to start by thanking Michal for his work as rapporteur. Welcome the clear paths that you have set to move this agreement forward swiftly, effectively and with a strict transposition, which is my central priority as shadow for us in the S&D Group and for me personally as an ocean governance graduate, the Bbnj agreement is not just another treaty. It is the outcome of two decades of struggle, of persevering diplomacy and of our union's leadership in sustainable policy. It is the next global revolution after Unclose that sets a commitment to protect the global commons, the common heritage of mankind, and ensures that international law delivers for people, for the planet and for generations to come. And therefore, now comes the true test translating global ambition into binding European law. As shadow, I am focusing on the below goals. Firstly, to make sure science guides our decisions. Secondly, to ensure our actions and the impacts of our pollution does not harm biodiversity in the high seas. Thirdly, to require that environmental impact assessments are carried out by independent experts and free from conflicts of interests.”
  Nature protection and restoration in the EU
• “Thank you chair, and thank you for the presentation. It is encouraging to see that EU legislation has strengthened targets and is gradually improving waste management across Europe. But what I found particularly striking is your clear warning that progress towards reuse and recycling remains low, and that many member states still lack the infrastructure funding, but also the economic incentives needed to make circularity viable in practice. And you also underline in that respect the challenges of the recycling market, where recyclers face weak demand for secondary raw materials. The rising costs, including transportation and competition from cheaper version and imported materials, therefore putting the viability of Europe's recycling industry itself at risk. So, with the respect of also the Circular Economy Act that we are expecting over the coming months, my question is what specific and concrete measures would you suggest to the European Commission to prioritise in order to create a true single market for secondary raw materials, thereby ensuring stable demand, fair economic conditions for recyclers and stronger enforcement so that circularity becomes economically viable and not just environmentally desirable. And do we need to move beyond waste targets and start regulating material use itself, for example, through binding recycled content requirements? Fiscal incentives favoring secondary raw material or even reduction targets for virgin material consumption, so that circularity becomes the default economic choice, rather than the more expensive alternative that I will take if I want to be environmentally sustainable. Because if the market continues to reward linear production, we will not be able to close the loop, no matter how ambitious our recycling recycling targets are, or we envisage that it will be in the next Circular Economy Act. Thank you.”
  Circular economy
• “Thank you chair. First I would like to thank both rapporteurs for their work. I believe that we are passing through a delicate moment while dealing with these simplification files. And to that end, I appreciate the availability of both offices to discuss. As we welcome the principle of simplification, but stressed that this should not be transformed into blind deregulation. In the econ part of this file, I note the rationale of the Commission's proposal to relax the entry requirements for small mid-caps seeking admission to SME growth markets. Growing out of the SME definition and entering the world of the big guys, while still being small and fragile to competition around, makes it difficult for them to continue scaling up. This should serve as an additional incentive for the segment of enterprises to access European capital markets. I welcome Parliament's report, which does not change the definition of small mid-caps in the MiFID part of the omnibus, whilst also reflecting the council's position. Nevertheless, I must note that as done in other omnibus files, the Commission has failed to present a proper impact assessment on the proposal. The Commission's reasoning is that this proposal only implies minor amendments. Many of us see it differently. To that end, I will be presenting amendments in that respect to safeguard SMEs in the SME growth market. Thank you.”
  Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID)
• “And in our external action, water resilience must also become a strategic priority as a guiding principle for how we invest, how we cooperate with partners, and how we actually build long lasting partnerships. Because water is not just a resource, it is security. It is health and dignity. So I would like to take the opportunity to opportunity. Also ask the Commission before they come to speak later on on how they will ensure that EU external investments under Global Europe, through the EIB and within the pact of the Mediterranean, are no longer delivered as fragmented and project based interventions, but are instead made effective through real regional coordination, basin level planning, and enforceable requirements on data sharing, risk prevention and infrastructure protection so that no region, including desalination dependent communities, are left exposed to foreseeable and preventable water risks. And to close a question to Miss Bogart, you highlighted the importance of integrated water management across sectors. So how can Efad and the EU better translate this into truly transboundary and basin level cooperation models, bringing, for example, the Mediterranean, especially, where both water stress and migration pressures both interact. So how can we actually devise together a plan which is basal level in order to actually target these issues? Thank you.”
  Funding for EU Neighbourhood
• “It's personal for small countries, coastal nations and island communities. Climate change is not happening tomorrow. It's happening right now. When global ambition is weakened, it's us who feel it first. The cop in Belgium was not what the world needed. Major players were willing to settle for minimal progress, while citizens across the globe carried the weight of inaction. Even worse, while Europe was preaching ambition in Belgium, President Ursula von der Leyen was sending mixed messages at the G20. That is not leadership. That's confusion. What Europe needs is consistency. What our citizens deserve is honesty. And the truth is simple. There is no prosperity without a transition towards a cleaner future. And I want to stress this should not be about ideology. It is about the people, their health, their children and their future. Europe should not jeopardise its standards by bending to the pressure of the big players. Leadership is not measured by caution but by the courage to put our people's future ahead of political agendas. Thank you. **Nicolae ȘTEFĂNUȚĂ @Co-Chair: Maria Luz. Brazil. Clean.”
  Climate efforts
• “Mr. president. Thank you. President. Commissioner, I would like to thank you. Not because you're Maltese, but because you've made great strides for justice for millions of Europeans, including including young Thomas. Look at everyone around you, people who insist on protecting children. But they're not even here during such a significant step. We would we're looking at better in a data centers and platforms that need to assume responsibilities. We're talking about trusted flaggers and the possibility to invest in applications to be made accessible to everyone, including children, to seek help and fight hate. We cannot allow. People to keep spewing hate faster than you can actually fight it. Thank you.”
  Digital platforms liability for harmful and illegal content
• “For us Maltese The sea is not just a backdrop for photos. It is our home. It is our life. It gives us the air we breathe. It feeds us and it shapes our identity. But today, coastal communities are impacted by the fact that they are far and isolated by pollution, by rising sea levels, by more intense storms, and by disappearing fish stocks. And that is why the European Ocean Pact should protect nature as well as its people, coastal communities and the fishermen must be part of the solution, not just the scenery. We are waiting and still waiting for action to tackle pollution from source to sea, to safeguard our ocean and for those who depend on it. Let this pact be a promise of a comprehensive ocean act, not a patchwork of intentions, but a bold and binding blueprint to protect our ocean, to stop overexploitation and to deliver for nature, for fishers, for our islands and coasts, and for generations to come. Thank you.”
  Nature protection and restoration in the EU
• “Thank you. Country specific recommendations are often perceived as reflecting a neoliberal approach to economic governance. Right now, we see a new economic policy that tends to place a strong emphasis on fiscal constraints and austerity. And too often, CSRs are linked to measures that risk weakening public social services, pensions and limiting also public investments in vulnerable populations such as islands. Yet the current realities of war, supply chain disruption and increased impact of climate related events should remind us that it is essential to invest in the well-being of our people and in a truly resilient society. And in that respect, and also in view that the CSRs are expected to have an aspect of conditionality in the upcoming EU budget. Do you believe that the CSR should shift towards a greater focus on investing in people and in building up socioeconomic resilience? And do you think that EU households are losing their individual resilience to cope with crises due to fiscal conservatism promoted through EU policy? And finally, do you think that the widespread resilience and reliance on traditional economic metrics are too narrow, focused on economic output rather than our peoples well-being because of every shock, leaves us saying that there is no room to act. It means that the problem is not the crisis. It is our EU economic policy and our priorities.”
  European Semester (social dimension)
• “President, on behalf of the econ shadow, I would like to thank the Rapporteurs and Shadows for their efforts and cooperation. There is no doubt that in an interdependent economy like that of the Union. It is necessary to have coordination between the Member States, but we must not forget that the well-being of our citizens must come first. Too often these recommendations seem to forget the simple principle the people. Recommendations, such as those to remove energy subsidies for European families or recommendations to increase the retirement age for our workers. Then, at the same time, almost like a general command to increase defense spending by the member States instead of investing in people. And now, as we are planning the next multiannual budget framework, it seems that we are moving towards a system of European funds based on the European semester system that is weak in methodology, poor in transparency, lacking democratic accountability, and focused mainly on increasing GDP, and therefore often forget social investment in people. And therefore, I cannot accept that the European Semester should have a binding nature over the next European budget.”
  European Semester (social dimension)
• “Thank you chair. And we remain committed to the principle of simplification. Yet this should not become blind deregulation. I must note that the draft report is duplicating and replicating the ceilings in the definition Addition of a small mid cap in which European contexts can accompany, that employs 1500 people with an annual turnover of €450 million, be considered small. Our rapporteurs putting into consideration the impact that these huge numbers could have on SMEs. The same SMEs that constitutes 99% of our European businesses. This approach is definitely not a think small first approach. Secondly, in the commission proposal, there are different conditions in different aspects to define a small mid cap across the whole omnibus. Does this make life simpler for our businesses to understand under which category they fall in the EU regulatory world? Would it make more sense to have a unique set of conditions to define an SME and a small mid cap while dealing with financial instruments? And to close, Mr. Chair, when we think about simplifying. Let us also think about making life easier, and make sure that our investors and consumers do not lose trust in the European system. Thank you.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “We need to look at innovative alternatives if we want to ensure food and water security and the cost of inaction is even higher. Less resilience means unsafe and polluted water. It means impact to competitiveness. Less resilience means more expensive and less accessible water for people. Less resilience means less water for our own food. Less resilience means more impact on our own life and that of future generations. So yes, we need data. We need data to monitor and enforce. So yes, we need to ensure access to clean and safe water for everyone. We need to ensure that the resilience of our own water resources and ensure our autonomy as a European Union. We need to enhance water alternatives and innovation for our own food security. We need to ensure strategic security and competitiveness of this resource. We need to innovate, invest and digitalize. We need cross-border cooperation, especially in shared basins and rivers. We need preparedness to crisis, and all of this requires enforcement of what we already have. Requires addressing gaps, requires funding and assistance, requires investment, and requires plans. And my final call is dear colleagues and also a clear call to the Commission if we will wait till 2050 for Europe to be water resilient, the costs will be much higher on our own lives. Thank you.”
  Water pollution
• “Thank you, chair, and thank you for being here. I am glad to have you back with us. In our last exchange in May 2025, we had discussed Commissioner Dombrovskis mission letter that tasks him with the responsibility to better integrate within Eurostat well-being and sustainability concerns in national accounts. There you had informed us that Eurostat, together with national statistical authorities, are working to align European accounts with the global update that should accompany GDP indicators with social and environmental indicators. This should also reflect the UN recommendations, including Secretary General Guterres call to integrate beyond GDP concepts in order to create system of national accounts where both social and environmental aspects are added to the current scenario. That is where only GDP, inflation and employment statistics are used as indicators measuring the state of well-being of our society. As you know, I am a strong believer of this, and it is also a central part of my political work, and therefore, my call is to have a system of national accounts that gives us policymakers a true picture of the level of well-being of our society and our citizens, and therefore making our politics more tangible and felt. I understood, and you have mentioned that since our latest exchange, you are working on including well-being in the expected update of the regulation on national accounts. So my question is, if you can give us more detail in how you envisage to include well-being, social and environmental indicators, and to what extent should we expect ambition in this regard and how you see that this updated system can have an impact on the future of EU decision making, including by ourselves in the Parliament. Thank you.”
  EU fiscal rules and oversight of national budgets
• “For us, this is not about technicalities and numbers. This is our daily lives. The ships that bring us food, the maritime routes that sustain our economy, the businesses that rely on reliable and affordable maritime connectivity, which is also connectivity that keep our country alive. And all of this is at risk. I don't want to see a global system where those who can afford it move ahead, and many others, especially islands, are left behind with rising daily costs and with our small economies paying the heavy price. That is why we need to agree on a global framework in the IMO where everyone shares the same ambition to ensure justice for the islands, for the Mediterranean environment and for the European people. Because at the end of the day, connectivity is not an option. Justice is not negotiable, and we cannot fail when it comes to people's lives. And I look forward to the mission we have in the in the in the few days ahead of us in London, so that we can have one framework, global framework for everyone. Thank you.”
  Decarbonisation of maritime transport
• “Good morning Minister. I will speak in Maltese and I will need will. Minister, as a Maltese person, as as a rapporteur on the report on water resilience. It is with great pleasure for me to see an island member state at the helm of the Council presidency shares with Cyprus the same water stress issues. So I'm really glad that you are considering water resilience as your top priority and the subject of an informal ministerial meeting. However, we're currently living in times where the union's environmental risks being weakened. Hence, Dear Minister, how will you ensure that water resilience truly remains a top priority for the Council, not simply as an environmental target, but also as one that leads to a circular economy act and that it remains important despite the fact that the Commission is preparing to revise the Water Framework Framework Directive, a revision that might weaken it. Uh, let's be honest. Let's all be honest when the negotiations will begin. We're opening the doors to more deregulation. So how will you strike a balance between the first and fourth priority that you mentioned? How will we manage to make Europe truly resilient, truly competitive, and one that truly puts the well-being of European citizens at the forefront? We can do this by making water the center of our lives and giving it the value it truly deserves. Water is our life and hence it is your responsibility since you are leading the the Council presidency. Thank you.”
  Water pollution
• “And what we heard over and over again was that we are trying, but we need help. We need tools, trust and money. And we need it now. That is why we need to act on the promises. Because let's be honest, we cannot afford to deal with floods in one single file. Droughts in another one, and pollution in a third one. We need interconnected governance for interconnected crises to address floods, scarcity, pollution as one. Regions are not the implementers. They are the innovators. You are not just downstream of decisions. You are upstream of solutions. Your role is essential and you must treat you as such. In fact, you are already leading with sponge cities in the Netherlands. Agricultural water reuse in Cyprus. Smart irrigations in Malta and Andalusia. What we need now is EU action to match your ambition. And that means flexible tools so that you can adapt to your geography fair funding so that you are not left to manage the costs of climate alone, and mandatory principles like the polluter pays principle. So families are not footing the bill for water pollution caused by others. The climate crisis is testing the European promise. It's testing whether our union is just an economic market or a true community of solidarity and shared futures.”
  Water pollution
• “This is the beginning of an important process. We will be deciding on how billions of euros of the EU budget will be spent over seven years. We will decide what our future and that of our children will look like. This is a crucial moment to make Europe fairer and closer to everyone, with more social justice, a more sustainable environment and policies that take account of people's realities. Therefore, we should focus on people's daily lives, on clean and affordable energy, on quality education, on health, food security and access and a roof over everyone's head. To do this, we must invest massively in people. That is why I will stand firm in my position. Investment in defense should never be made at the expense of social and environmental needs. When such spending is made, it should be made with full respect to the principle of neutrality that is close to the hearts of a number of people. These people cannot be ignored.”
  Defence spending
• “Thank you. For for the good. Try to speak in my language. I think we need to look at the ocean as one. It is one ocean. What happens from one side of the ocean will affect the other. It will affect communities, it will affect people, it will affect our livelihood. And therefore we need to look at it not only as a European Union. We need to look beyond. We need to work with different countries, with different regions in order to see that we all together protect the ocean that is there for our own livelihood, but that for generations to come, but also to bring communities together and to protect our livelihood. And therefore we need action. Commissioner, I beg you on pollution. And in seeing that we can prevent pollution from its source. Thank you.”
  Water pollution
• “Thank you chair. And thank you, Commissioner. And welcoming the new pact for the Mediterranean is especially important for me, being born and living in a fishing port just overlooking Tunisia from the island of Gozo in Malta. For me this is very important and sadly, we have been accustomed to the Mediterranean as a place of threats and of problems. We must turn it into an area of opportunities, area of prosperity and that is why it's important that we build not only bridges, but we build alliances with our counterparts. We need to strengthen our economies together, and we need to cooperate in innovation and digitalization in the area. And we must also find consensus on our differences because the United Mediterranean is important not only politically but also economically, and we can also become a social force in the region. And we have received feedback from our southern neighbors because we try to, as much as possible, communicate with them in order to find common ground. And they have said that they would have loved to see more from us, more communication. So my question is, what will we do to ensure that our southern neighbors take up this pact, join us and be part of a future together in prosperity? Because if we do this pact and we fail to bring them all together, not a single one by one deals, but a single uniting pact for the whole region. So where do we want to go in the long term, away from bilateral agreements and looking at the region as a whole. Thank you.”
  EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood
• “Thank you. And I thank you for the report, which comes at a timely moment while drafting the report for the Econ Committee. I am particularly focused on the governance dimension and the link to the European Semester, which the European Commission wants to use as a main reference framework. Whilst in principle I welcome a tailor made instrument that reflects country specific needs, I remain concerned on several points which I hope that you can share your thoughts on in view that you did not directly address them in your report. That said, let me raise a few points that are particularly crucial. The growing importance and the increasingly binding character of country specific recommendations in the NPS represent a significant expansion of the Commission's discretionary power. First, there is currently no transparent or traceable methodology for the development and the selection of the CSRS. There is no clarity as to why certain recommendations are proposed, while others are not, and hence these raise serious concerns regarding the accountability and the equal treatment of Member States. And therefore, I would like to ask for your view on the expansion of a questionable process of CSRs to the Union's most powerful and most visible instrument, its funding. I believe that this would create a major conditionality under the Nip, and would be an expansion that is not matched by corresponding accountability mechanisms. Ultimately, we must ensure that we restore transparency and accountability, guarantee the equal treatment of all member states, and put citizens well-being back at the centre of this European project. Thank you.”
  EU fiscal rules and oversight of national budgets
• “When we talk about housing, we are not just talking about prices or statistics. We are talking about people's lives. We are talking about a young person who works, does everything right and still cannot afford to build his own life. About a small family who lives every month with the anxiety of how they will make ends meet. The elderly who after a lifetime of work, are afraid of losing their home. A home is not just a building. It is a stable peace of mind and the place where we build our lives. This is a European crisis. This is why Europe cannot continue to look on and make plans that remain on the shelf. Europe must mobilise its resources and address this crisis. We need tangible actions with European financial support in the next budget, and by facilitating investment so that our citizens have more access to a decent and affordable roof over their heads. This is not just an economic issue, it is an issue of dignity, justice and a guarantee for the future. Thank you very much.”
  EU housing policy
• “Thank you. And thank you, Stefano, for being here with us to speak on something which I deem very important. And I share your view of the importance of looking at three pillars, especially the pillar of youth, which is extremely important if we want to look at the region for the future and the prospects for the future. We also need to look at the prospects of youth. And my question is focusing on how will this pact look at the possibility to have collective ownership of respect from our southern neighbors in order to hopefully have a different result for the approach to this region and serve as a layer of a deeper integration of a region I call home in order to work towards prosperity and progress. And I also want to stress on the importance to focus on common matters that can unite us and can bring everyone on the same table and work together. And therefore, I support your work and look forward also for the pact. But definitely, we definitely need to look at collective ownership of this pact in order to ensure that there is no segregation into different bilateral agreements, but rather something that can unite this region towards progress. Thank you.”
  EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood
• “Thank you. Chair. I think everything is linked together. And of course, I wanted to do also an intervention at the very end with respect to international ocean governance. So maybe this is also where I will put some questions also for the presenters will always remain worried that we still assess everything as if everything is together. Putting small scale fisheries with industrial fishers, putting artisanal fisheries in the same basket as if we are talking about the large scale fisheries assessing all seas and all member States as if they are all the same. And that is why I subscribe to any comments that are being done. With respect to the importance of seeing and the importance of discussing how we can help our small scale fishers to progress. For our small scale fisheries to access funding, because at the end of the day, improvement of working conditions and safety, the green and energy transition, adaptation and finally intergenerational challenges depend on access to funding. Because our small scale fisheries require funding, it is not an issue of marketing, it is not an issue of market. When we are looking at old age vessels of small scale fishermen that depend on massive investment to reach our digital and green energy goals, and that is why the access to funding is right now a discussion that we need to have because of the limited issues that we have, the limited access that we have for onboard investments due to national capacity limits and state aid regulations. And these are two important things that we must see to help our small scale fishers. And secondly, I may be biased because of my academic sector, but international ocean governance for me is key in fisheries, because the EU must use all its leverages to ensure that other third countries progress towards sustainable fisheries. Yet this is not always possible. We must therefore ensure that the EU promotes its ambitious regulations to rfmos In order for their take up internationally, because furthermore, it is essential that compliance by third countries are taken on board by Rfmos so that third countries and us, we ensure that there is a level playing field between our small scale fishers and the small scale fishers of third countries, and that is where the EU must be stronger armed with third countries. And this is where the EU should enshrine social justice and defend our fisheries at the face of third country fishers who do not follow international rules, and at the face of important imported products that do not adhere to our same standards. So my question is, of course, also to the next speakers where they will be talking about international ocean governance. How can we see that we can adapt our own regulations on an international level and see that there is enough capacity of rfmos and enough capacity of third countries in order to ensure that they stay up to our same standards because at the end of the day, it is our small scale fisheries that depend on the sector, and it's our small scale fisheries that we need to invest in, especially in these transitions that we need to do to ensure that the fisheries is sustainable in the future. Thank you.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• “Dear commissioners, dear rapporteurs, as rapporteur for the Econ Committee, I am particularly concerned with your proposal to make the European Semester a major funding conditionality under the NNP. In principle, a tailor made instrument that reflects country specific needs is welcome. However, there currently is no transparent methodology for the development of country specific recommendations or even their selection. Using these recommendations as binding conditionalities represents a significant expansion of the Commission's discretionary power. We must restore transparency and accountability, guarantee the equal treatment of all Member states, and put citizens well-being back at the centre. My report will also address several ambiguities in requirements and assessments, ambiguities that we do not afford. Finally, a very personal plea, but I speak for many. The geographical isolation of islands and mountainous regions is overlooked by funding mechanisms that rely almost exclusively on GDP based criteria. Being physically cut off the continent directly undermines the economic well-being and the security of our communities, and GDP simply cannot measure this. In fact, GDP did not measure the reality of Maltese people facing empty supermarket shelves after just two days of strong winds last week. Whether we are facing right now as I speak, instead of investing in long term economic resilience and local food security of geographical disadvantaged communities, we continue to rely on metrics that ignore lived realities. And in line with article 174 of the treaty, preferential co-financing rates are required. Thank you.”
  European Semester (social dimension)
• “We are entering a decisive moment for the global maritime sector. This is not just an environmental discussion. It is a question of competitiveness, jobs and social justice. Today I agree with you that this is an important political point. Today, European ports are already under pressure. Traffic is shifting to North African ports where standards are lower and costs are cheaper. And this means that Europe is losing jobs And local economies are being impacted. If we move forward without a global framework in the IMO, we risk that the European ambition that I believe in, that of a cleaner world and better wellbeing for all will be penalized, not rewarded at IMO level. The negotiations are extremely difficult with systematic blockage by major global players, and I believe we all agree that having no global outcome is not an option. So my question is simple how does the Commission intend to navigate this global impasse? More specifically, what landing zone do you see between no agreement and a functioning global Net framework, and how will a compromise be achieved that preserves both environmental integrity and ensures global use. And let me speak not just as a European, but as a young person from an island.”
  Decarbonisation of maritime transport
• “Thank you very much. Let us start from the fact that a smartphone has before us. But I'm not eating the smartphone, the glass of wine that we might drink in the evening. Yes, it contains PFAS. The water that we are drinking contains PFAS. So yes, it is urgent. We should not wait. We have 10,000 types of PFAS, but very little action and very little monitoring. And how much time do we have left to take action? Because, as you're saying, the first concrete action is going to happen in 2028. So we are seeing that some countries are already being ambitious, for example, Belgium, France and now also Germany, who took a clear commitment that they are going to be proactive. And with this, this means that we're going to have patchwork. There's going to be a difference between my protection and Sarkozy's protection. Who's next to me? Europe needs action, which is concrete and is the same for everybody to leave nobody behind. And yes, the European water Resilience strategy is an opportunity to take ambitious action. Dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, let us not hold back. Thank you.”
  PFAs
• “When we speak about nitrous oxide. Many people still think of something harmless a chocolate mousse, a painless dentist appointment. A brief moment of fun. But laughing gas is not a laughing matter. Young people across Europe are inhaling the substance in ways never intended to be used, and the consequences can be severe, such as loss of consciousness, damage to the nervous system and even spinal injuries in repeated use. These are not some improbable side effects. This happened to real people in Europe. A 17 year old girl in France found lifeless among dozens of canisters. A young man killed by a driver under the influence of the substance. A 19 year old girl in Malta temporarily paralyzed for hours. This should be a reminder that what may appear harmless can quickly become harmful. And although my country, Malta may be a small island, we are not shielded from this reality.”
  Regulation of drug precursors in the EU