Oihane AGIRREGOITIA MARTÍNEZ

Policy topics Oihane AGIRREGOITIA MARTÍNEZ is active on

What Oihane AGIRREGOITIA MARTÍNEZ has said (65)

• 2026-07-09 “Thank you for that question. I think this is something which is quite clear in our position in our regions and nations. We want to ensure that we can defend our fishing sectors. Sustainability of the oceans, as well as sustainability of the economic and social activity. You mentioned the role of women, for example, and we think it's very important to underline the important role they play. Obviously, we have to work hand in hand with them. We know that tariffs in the fisheries sector are an important tool when it comes to enable us to guarantee the health of our oceans. This, we believe, enables us to guarantee a better future. Thank you once again in Basque.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-07-09 “Two very clear messages. So first of all, regarding the multinational the MFF, we absolutely reject centralisation and reduction of funds for national fisheries sector. In the past things were decided in Madrid. We have an important fishery sector in Euskadi in the Basque Country. We need to be able to decide. The policy does need a fundamental review to enable our sector to face up to challenges and to be future proofed. We talk about energy prices, the entry of young people renewing their fleets, reducing fishing capacity, the fight against illegal fisheries and abandoning the rules on landing fish. We also need to tackle the problem of duties. We also have to ensure that environmental, economic and social challenges be addressed. In the report in April, what we saw is that clearly our shortcomings and we have to tackle those as quickly as possible. Commissioner, we know that you do have the political determination to tackle these problems, but the time for thinking has now ended. The time has come for us to act. Thank you.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-07-07 “Context. We're living in a complex context full of uncertainties, and we know that tariffs are being used as threats continuously. So in that context, free trade agreements with allies, which are stable, that we can trust, give us guarantees that certain values that we share will be respected as well as the rules of the game that we have established. Those partners in this context are more important than ever. In 2026, which seems to be a year of new opportunities for new markets and to reduce our dependencies, Mercosur, India, Australia, Mexico, And that's what we're talking about today, Mexico. So I think we can say that Mexico is a strategic international ally for European businesses and for Basque businesses. So there are 3 things that we expect from this agreement. 1st, it will lead to a drop in levels of violence in the country and reports of violence. We also expect that trade is subject to respect full respective rights of local communities, indigenous communities. And, of course, we, expect that we are able to support our businesses as much as possible in a way, that makes this a win win for both countries.”
  Free trade agreements (FTAs)
• 2026-03-01 “E-00842/2026 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission As set out in the Commission’s replies to questions P-004478/2025 1 and P-004688/2025 2 , infection with Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is categorised as a Category A disease under the Animal Health Law (AHL, Regulation (EU) 2016/429 3 ). Therefore, it requires Union-level intervention, and immediate eradication measures must be taken upon its detection due to the seriousness of its impact on animal health, the economy, society, and the environment. The appropriateness of this categorisation has been assessed in light of the disease profile and impact criteria laid down in Articles 5 and 7 of the AHL and supported by scientific evidence from the European Food Safety Authority 4 , the EU Reference laboratory and the World Organisation for Animal Health. Based on this assessment, the Commission has concluded that the current categorisation is appropriate and proportionate to the identified risk. No recategorisation is deemed necessary. The Commission continuously monitors the animal health situation in the Union territory and recognises the economic impact of animal diseases on the livestock sector. Considering the impact and consequences of disease outbreaks, it supports Member States through financial and technical assistance, including under the Single Market Programme and measures within the Common Agricultural Policy 5,6,7 . 1 Action protocols for new outbreaks of lumpy skin disease: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/P10-2025-004478_EN.html. 2 Spread of lumpy skin disease (LSD): https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2025004688_EN.html. 3 OJ L 84, 31.3.2016, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/429/oj. 4 https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2022.7121. 5 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32021R2115&qid=1757948393327. 6 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025PC0236. 7 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A52025PC0560.”
  Animal diseases prevention and management in the EU
• 2026-01-21 “Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission 17.3.2026 Written question The Commission is aware of the situation described by the Honourable Member and of its consequences. Member States may temporarily reintroduce border control at internal borders in the event of a serious threat to public policy or internal security [1] . That decision has to be taken on the basis of a comprehensive assessment of the circumstances and the remedies available, and has to be proportionate to the objective pursued. The Commission is in close contact with all Member States concerned, including as regards mitigating measures and possible alternative measures to internal border control. Regarding professional truck drivers, the Commission immediately called on the responsible authorities in France to ensure that drivers had access to essential services and facilities, including food and hygiene. Furthermore, Member States may grant temporary derogations from driving times, breaks and rest periods in the event of exceptional circumstances [2] . Finally, the Commission had called for a meeting of the National Contact Point’s network for transport in January 2026, in light of disruptions to the EU internal market, notably linked to farmers’ protests and other disruptions affecting normal transport flows. The Commission will continue to monitor the road transport disruptions and will take the appropriate coordination measures through the National Contact Point’s network. [1] Article 25 of Regulation (EU) 2016/399 on a Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code). OJ L 77, 23.3.2016, p. 1. [2] Article 14(2) of Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 on the harmonisation of certain social legislation relating to road transport and amending Council Regulations (EEC) No 3821/85 and (EC) No 2135/98 and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 3820/85 (OJ L 102, 11.4.2006, p. 1).”
  Asylum & border control
• 2026-01-19 “E-000191/2026 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission The Commission political guidelines 2024–2029 1 include a commitment to consider the specific economic and social challenges islands are facing. This commitment is reflected in the mission letter 2 of Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms and was further reinforced in the cohesion policy mid-term review proposal of 1 April 2025, which set out to launch a consultation on the development of an EU strategy for islands and confirmed in the Commission’s Work Programme for 2026 3 . This commitment builds on a wide range of EU policies and initiatives covering islands and aims to ensure a more aligned and coordinated approach to addressing their diverse challenges, both directly and indirectly. The preparation of an EU strategy for islands, including actions at EU and national level, also responds to the European Parliament resolution 4 the Honourable Member refers to and its call for an islands pact and a European action plan for islands. Given the diversity of EU islands and the wide variety of their socio-economic profiles, tailormade approaches are needed. Cohesion policy, which addresses regional, economic, and social disparities and considers specific local needs, gives particular attention to these areas, as set out in Article 174 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. In the 20212027 period, at least EUR 19.3 billion are allocated from cohesion policy 5 to islands, to support investments for competitiveness, green transition, better connectivity, housing, sustainable tourism and inclusive growth. 1 Political Guidelines 2024-2029: https://commission.europa.eu/document/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683f63ffb2cf648_en. 2 The mission letter of Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms: https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/1bf50cbe-45a4-4dc5-992252c6c2d3959f_en?filename=Mission%20letter%20-%20FITTO.pdf. 3 Commission Work Programme 2026: https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/05d3777d-5d73-456dbf56-38caa77d53c8_en?filename=2025-CWP_0.pdf. 4 European Parliament resolution of on EU islands and cohesion policy: current situation and future challenges: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2022-0225_EN.html. 5 The European Regional Development Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Social Fund Plus.”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• 2025-11-25 “E-004688/2025 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission Lumpy skin disease (LSD) control measures are laid down in the Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU) 2016/429 1 ,) and its delegated act 2 , aligned with World Organisation for Animal Health standards and based on scientific assessments by the European Food Safety Authority 3 . Although LSD is non-zoonotic, its classification and control measures reflect its serious animal health and socio-economic impact and remain appropriate. See also Commission’s reply to P-004478/2025 4 . The framework provides for surveillance, containment and vaccination, including emergency protective vaccination in accordance with Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/361 5 . The Commission continuously monitors the animal health situation, acknowledges the economic impacts of animal diseases to the sector and supports Member States through coordination, technical and financial assistance within the Single Market Programme 6 and measures under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 7, 8, 9 . 1 OJ L 84, 31.3.2016, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/429/oj. 2 Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 of 17 December 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and the Council, as regards rules for the prevention and control of certain listed diseases OJ L 174, 3.6.2020, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2020/687/oj. 3 https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2022.7121. 4 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/P-10-2025-004478-ASW_EN.html. 5 Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/361 of 28 November 2022 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and the Council as regards rules for the use of certain veterinary medicinal products for the purpose of prevention and control of certain listed diseases (OJ L 52, 20.2.2023, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2023/361/oj). 6 Single Market Programme https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/summary/single-market-programme.html. 7 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32021R2115&qid=1757948393327. 8 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025PC0236. 9 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A52025PC0560.”
  Animal diseases prevention and management in the EU
• 2025-10-24 “E-004192/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission Both the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) are bound by international commitments, including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which sets a target to protect at least 30 % of coastal and marine areas by 2030. Under the European Ocean Pact 1 , the Commission encourages Member States to implement actions to achieve these targets. While the Commission closely monitors UK measures to ensure compliance with the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) and to assess their potential socio-economic impacts on the EU fishing sector, the TCA does not prevent the UK from implementing conservation measures in its waters provided TCA obligations are respected. The specific situation described does not appear to fall within the scope of support provided under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), therefore no compensation can be provided in this context. The Commission supports Member States in preparing evidence-based responses to consultations launched by the UK, including those concerning the designation and management of Scottish Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the assessment of potential economic impacts on fisheries. It has also convened meetings between Member States and the Scottish Government to specifically discuss the proposed fisheries management measures within Scottish MPAs, both during the consultation phase and prior to their implementation. The Commission maintains a regular dialogue with the UK authorities on measures that may affect EU vessels, in order to ensure transparency, predictability and consistency with the provisions of the TCA. 1 The European Ocean Pact (COM/2025/281 final): https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=comnat:COM_2025_0281_FIN.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture · Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2025-10-24 “E-004193/2025 Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission The Commission has assessed all proposals currently pending with the European Parliament and the Council. Those that are either no longer in general interest in view of their adoption date, lack progress in the legislative process, risk potential burden or do not align with the Union's priorities have been planned to be withdrawn. This list includes the proposal to revise the Combined Transport Directive 1 . In line with the interinstitutional agreement on better law-making, both the European Parliament and the Council can now express their views on the proposals that the Commission intends to withdraw. The Commission will then in spring 2026 carefully take their views into account and will decide if it will or will not withdraw the proposal for a revised Combined Transport Directive. If it withdraws the proposal, it will assess whether it is appropriate to prepare any other proposal and the appropriate timeframe for any such potential proposals. The existing Directive will remain in force and the Commission can, as appropriate, place greater emphasis on ensuring proper implementation of the regulatory support scheme established by that Directive. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A31992L0106.”
  EU support of rail transport · EU transport infrastructure integration
• 2025-10-07 “E-003920/2025 Answer given by Mr Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission As regards the matter raised by the honorable Member of Parliament, the Commission can confirm that the new Agreement fully meets the conditions set out by the Court of Justice in its judgment of 4 October 2024 (Joined Cases C-779/21 P Commission v Front Polisario and C-799/21 P Council v Front Polisario), in particular, in paragraphs 153 et seq. The Commission has transmitted the Commission proposals on the signature and conclusion of the new Agreement to the European Parliament. The European Parliament should also be seized by the Council with a view to obtaining its consent for the conclusion of the new Agreement. On 6 October and 4 November 2025, the Commission appeared before the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee. The Commission stands ready to appear again and when invited by the European Parliament.”
  Trade relations with Morocco
• 2025-07-04 “E-002737/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The European Ocean Pact 1 , adopted in June 2025, announced for 2026 a Commission communication on EU fisheries external action to strengthen international ocean governance. Among its key actions is a new generation of Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs) that aligns with the EU’s regional strategies and priorities. The purpose of this initiative is to rethink the existing framework of SFPAs, including a reassessment of regional approaches and the criteria for the establishment of any new SFPAs. Until 2026, the Commission will focus on developing the new generation of SFPAs and concluding already planned negotiations. The Commission does not plan to engage in negotiations for new SFPAs with new partners for the time being. On 7 July 2025, the Commission published a call for evidence seeking views on how EU external action can strengthen the sustainability of EU external fisheries and promote enhanced governance. It is available on the Commission ‘Have Your Say’ 2 website. The deadline for submissions is 15 September 2025. The feedback received in the call for evidence and through targeted consultations of stakeholders in the Fisheries and Ocean Dialogues will complement the input received in the public consultation on the evaluation of the common fisheries policy (January to April 2025) and will inform the development of the new generation of SFPAs. Since this work is ongoing, the Commission cannot yet offer more information on the exact specifications. The Commission commissioned an evaluation study of the SFPAs covering data from 20152020. This study 3 is available on the Publications Office website of the EU and will inform the development of a new generation of SFPAs. The Commission will not conduct an additional study for this purpose. 1 https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/european-ocean-pact_en. 2 https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14633-EU-strategy-for-fisheriesexternal-action_en. 3 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/21927e4c-2f4d-11ee-9e98-01aa75ed71a1.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries · Fisheries access for developing countries
• 2025-06-02 “E-002188/2025 Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission The Commission has indeed commissioned a study to identify and map EU interoperable technical solutions for demonstrating compliance with access rules, which is the goal of current (physical) eco-stickers when entering low emission zones. The purpose was to inform possible solutions for increasing the efficiency, user-friendliness and non-discriminatory aspects of urban vehicle access regulations (UVARs) across the EU for both vehicle users and city authorities. The study has mapped the following technical solutions: (i) a EU Digital Wallet based solution, (ii) facilitating the use of the European Car and Driving License Information System (EUCARIS) by creating an ‘Opt-in’ for private consent giving for sharing vehicle data crossborder for UVAR purpose, (iii) Cooperative-Intelligent Transport System (C-ITS) solutions, with a more long-term perspective. The Commission is in the process of finalising the analysis of the study results and will consider the best options for moving forward.”
  Road transport environmental policy
• 2025-05-20 “E-002005/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Séjourné on behalf of the European Commission According to the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA) 1 , public procurement procedures, auctions for the deployment of renewable energy and other support schemes must, under certain conditions, include resilience requirements to promote supply diversification and avoid excessive dependency on countries with a high concentration of supply to the EU. These rules are applicable as of end 2025. The EU is committed to international cooperation on policies strengthening supply chain resilience, including developing non-price criteria with the Group of Seven Plus (G7+) partners for critical products and technologies. This is reflected by the Critical Minerals Action Plan 2 at the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Canada, endorsed by G7 members, Australia, South Korea and India. Coordination with such partners ensures alignment of standards and avoids negative externalities. The Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework 3 allows Member States to support additional manufacturing capacities in the EU of all net-zero industry technologies and key components. The Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act as well as the forthcoming revision of the Public Procurement Framework will introduce European preference criteria. The Commission will also explore with Member States conditions that foreign investments in the EU should meet, especially if involving public financing, starting with strategic sectors, to ensure that these investments contribute to the European industrial base, jobs, competitiveness and economic security. 1 The Net Zero Industry Act or NZIA: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202401735. 2 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/rwkj3dls/minerals-en.pdf. 3 The Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework or CISAF: https://competitionpolicy.ec.europa.eu/about/contribution-clean-just-and-competitive-transition/clean-industrial-deal-state-aidframework-cisaf_en.”
  Mandatory EU content requirements for vehicles: binding quotas vs. open global sourcing · "Buy European" provisions · EU policy on screening foreign investment in strategic sectors and critical infrastructure
• 2025-05-20 “E-002014/2025 Answer given by Mr Hoekstra on behalf of the European Commission All sectors, including waterborne activities, need to contribute to the EU climate neutrality goal by 2050. The Commission announced in the European Ocean Pact 1 that it will propose measures to decarbonise and modernise the fisheries fleet, supported by the Energy Transition Partnership for the fisheries and aquaculture sector. In addition, it recalled the importance of the recent extension of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to maritime and the implementation of the FuelEU Maritime Regulation 2 to accelerate the decarbonisation of the EU maritime transport sector. Furthermore, the Commission is launching a study on greenhouse gas emission reduction costs and pathways for EU fisheries to achieve net zero by 2050 3 . The ETS2 – which will be fully operational from 2027 onwards - will cover and address the CO 2 emissions from fuel combustion in buildings, road transport and industry not covered by the existing EU ETS. While emissions from waterborne activities are not included in its scope, Member States can decide, on a voluntary basis, to opt-in additional emissions. Some Member States, including Austria, Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden, have already decided to include, within the scope of ETS2, emissions from some smaller vessels, inland navigation and/or fishing. In addition, the Commission will examine, no later than end of 2026, the feasibility and economic, environmental and social impacts of including ships below 5 000 gross tonnage within the scope of the ETS Directive 4 . The Commission will notably build its analysis on its recent report 5 looking at the potential inclusion of small ships, including fishing vessels, in the scope of the EU regulation for the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) of maritime emissions. 1 COM(2025) 281 final - https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=comnat:COM_2025_0281_FIN. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1805/oj/eng. 3 The study is expected to be published by the end of 2025 and will explore complementary scenarios, including the introduction of fisheries into the MRV and ETS systems. 4 Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC (OJ L 275, 25.10.2003, p. 32). 5 COM(2025) 109 final - https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52025DC0109&qid=1749048682099.”
  Extension of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme · Decarbonisation of maritime transport
• 2025-04-29 “E-001713/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission Spain submitted its National Implementation Plan to the Commission. It is a decision of the Spanish authorities whether to make the plan publicly available. The Commission is working closely with all Member States to implement the Pact on Migration and Asylum 1 and to support Member States in being well prepared by mid-2026 when its provisions will apply in full. In accordance with Article 84 of the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR) 2 , the Commission informed the European Parliament and the Council on the State of play on the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum 3 . The solidarity mechanism established by the AMMR includes safeguards and incentives for compliance. The High-Level Solidarity Forum will accompany the implementation and the TechnicalLevel Solidarity Forum will support the day-to-day operationalisation of solidarity. As guardian of the Treaties, the Commission monitors the correct application, implementation and enforcement of the law and may take appropriate procedures in line with the Treaties to ensure compliance. 1 https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/promoting-our-european-waylife/migration-and-asylum/pact-migration-and-asylum_en. 2 Regulation (EU) 2024/1351 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on asylum and migration management, amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1147 and (EU) 2021/1060 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 604/2013; ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1351/oj. 3 COM(2025)319; https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0319.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2025-03-10 “E-001019/2025 Answer given by Mr McGrath on behalf of the European Commission The Competitiveness Compass 1 announced the initiative on the 28 th regime as one of the key measures to contribute to EU competitiveness and to make business easier and faster in Europe. This initiative will provide a single set of rules for companies. It would include an EU corporate legal framework, based on digital-by-default solutions, and will help companies overcome barriers in setting up, scaling up and operating companies across the Single Market. Such a 28 th regime would offer companies a choice to carry out their activities across the Single Market through an EU-wide legal status. It is to be determined whether the proposal would be adopted as a European legal form or whether a new harmonised national legal form for companies would be more appropriate. However, in both cases, these rules would apply in all Member States and company founders would have a choice whether to adopt a legal form under the 28 th regime or whether to adopt an existing national legal form. This corporate legal framework will be complemented by targeted actions in other policy areas to help innovative companies, start-ups and scale-ups develop in the Single Market. Whether and what tax law elements could be included remains to be determined. This initiative may be complemented with additional features depending on the outcome of upcoming consultations. The public consultation on the 28 th regime will be launched before the summer of 2025 and the proposal is planned to be adopted in the first quarter of 2026. 1 COM(2025) 30 final.”
  EU Single Market harmonisation
• 2025-03-04 “E-000896/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is not in a position to reply on substance, as the matter is not subject to EU legislation: border control comes under national legislation as far as Ireland is concerned, given that Ireland is not bound by the Schengen Borders Code, and under third country legislation as far as the United Kingdom is concerned.”
  Fisheries access for developing countries
• 2025-02-19 “E-000752/2025 Answer given by Mr McGrath on behalf of the European Commission As part of the Defence of Democracy Package 1 , the Commission presented a proposal for a Directive on transparency of third country interest representation 2 , which is being discussed by the co-legislators. The package also includes a Recommendation on promoting civic engagement 3 and a Recommendation on inclusive and resilient elections 4 . The Commission is preparing a report on the elections to the European Parliament assessing, among others, the follow-up to the latter Recommendation. Recent elections in the EU show that the threat landscape is increasingly complex, notably marked by foreign interference, information manipulation and disinformation, covert political campaign financing, and direct attacks on electoral processes and institutions, including cyber-attacks, attempting to lower trust in democratic processes. The Commission is preparing the European Democracy Shield, as announced in the Political Guidelines 5 . It will better protect and promote democracy, addressing the most severe risks to democracy in the EU, building on the Democracy Action Plan 6 and the Defence of Democracy Package. The Shield will take a whole of society approach and address several issues, including foreign information manipulation and interference and disinformation, the fairness and integrity of elections and the strengthening of democratic checks and balances, including the role of civil society and free, independent and pluralistic media, societal resilience and preparedness and citizens’ participation and engagement. Putting citizens at the heart of democracy is outlined in the Political Guidelines. 1 COM(2023) 630 final. 2 COM/2023/637 final. 3 C(2023) 8627 final. 4 C(2023) 8626 final. 5 https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683f63ffb2cf648_en?filename=Political%20Guidelines%202024-2029_EN.pdf 6 COM/2020/790 final.”
  EU engagement with civil society · Transparency requirements for interest groups · Disinformation & online freedoms
• 2025-02-07 “E-000574/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission The European Contact Group on Search and Rescue consists of Member States and Schengen Associated Countries and provides them with a space for dialogue as well as a framework to liaise with relevant stakeholders, including private entities owning or operating vessels for the purpose of search and rescue activities, such as non-governmental organisations 1 . The Commission holds regular meetings with non-governmental organisations on search and rescue related issues, which have also informed the work of the Contact Group. 1 Commission Recommendation (EU) 2020/1365 on cooperation among Member States concerning operations carried out by vessels owned or operated by private entities for the purpose of search and rescue activities, points (16) and (2), OJ L 317, 1.10.2020, p. 23–25.”
  Asylum & border control · Regulation of NGOs in Europe
• 2025-02-07 “E-000575/2025 Answer given by Mr Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission The steel safeguard review investigation has concluded that the EU steel industry is under significant pressure caused by increasing global overcapacity, stalling domestic demand for steel and additional trade measures on steel imports adopted by third countries. To ensure that the safeguard measure remains effective in the present context, and taking into account the overall EU interest, the Commission considers that a number of adjustments to tariff rate quota management are necessary. These adjustments entered into force on 1 April 2025. The Steel and Metals Action Plan 1 foresees that, by the third quarter of 2025 at the latest, the Commission will propose a long-term measure providing a highly effective level of protection to the EU’s steel sector. Resource shuffling refers to the export of less emissions-intensive materials production towards markets with higher carbon costs, while the overall carbon intensity of production remains constant. The Commission is assessing the risk and magnitude of resource shuffling and will, as part of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) Anti-Circumvention strategy, identify policy options to minimise this risk. As announced in the Steel and Metals Action Plan, the strategy will be part of a legislative proposal for a CBAM revision by the fourth quarter of 2025. 1 https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/publications/european-steel-and-metals-action-plan_en”
  Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
• 2025-01-27 “E-000355/2025 Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission In accordance with Directive 2008/50/EC 1 , Member States shall take all necessary measures to ensure that concentrations of air pollutants do not exceed the binding limit values. To protect human health and the environment and to fulfil their obligations, Member States and their local authorities are therefore adopting vehicle access schemes, such as low-emission zones. However, the choice of which measures to take is the prerogative of the Member States in line with the principle of subsidiarity. The Commission supports Member States in finding solutions that consider the needs of both cities and road users when it comes to accessing low-emission zones, while respecting the principles of subsidiarity. The Commission has focused its work on information provision. This was done in support of (i) Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/670 2 to provide EU-wide real-time traffic information which includes Low emission zones data to be made accessible when they exist, at the National Access Point in each Member State and (ii) the Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 3 on the Single Digital Gateway (SDG) that includes amongst others the publication of traffic rules including urban vehicle access regulations and of online procedures for obtaining emission stickers for Low Emission Zones. The Commission also carried out a study to identify and map EU interoperable technical solutions for demonstrating compliance with access rules, which is the goal of current (physical) eco-stickers when entering low emission zones. The results will now further be analysed by the Commission and available in the coming weeks on the website of the Publication Office of the European Union. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2008/50/oj/eng 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2022/670/oj/eng 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32018R1724&qid=1739372541221”
  EU transport infrastructure integration · Road transport environmental policy
• 2025-01-13 “E-000088/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission Senegal is a long-standing partner of the EU in the fisheries sector. A Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) 1 was concluded between Senegal and the EU in 2014. The last protocol (2019-2024) expired in November 2024. In line with the EU’s zero tolerance policy towards illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing 2 , the Commission decided not to renew the Protocol, given its decision of the preidentification of Senegal as a non-cooperating country in the fight against IUU fishing. The formal IUU dialogue has just begun, and so long as the yellow card is in place, the renewal of the protocol cannot be considered. The Commission recognises the challenges faced by the Basque tuna vessels and other European fleets due to the expiration and the non-renewal of the protocol. However, the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 3 for 2021-2027, as agreed and adopted by the co-legislators, does not envisage the possibility to compensate losses in cases of non-renewal of SFPAs or their implementing protocols. The Commission is available to further engage with any stakeholders concerned to discuss possible alternative options for fishing grounds offered by the network of fisheries agreements covering several countries in the region and other regions, the regional fisheries management organisations and EU waters. 1 https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/fisheries/international-agreements/sustainable-fisheries-partnershipagreements-sfpas_en 2 https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/fisheries/rules/illegal-fishing_en 3 https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/funding/emfaf_en”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture · Environmental regulation of fisheries · Fisheries access for developing countries
• 2024-12-19 “E-003048/2024 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission Following the adoption of the EU proposal 1 to reduce the protection status of the wolf under the Bern Convention 2 , after its entry into force, the Commission will present a targeted legislative proposal to implement this change in EU law and to modify accordingly the regime of the wolf, and only the wolf, under the Habitats Directive 3 . Until a corresponding amendment is adopted in the Habitats Directive, the current protection status of the wolf remains applicable in the EU. A change of the protection status of the wolf in the Habitats Directive would not remove the obligation for Member States to reach or maintain good conservation status of wolf populations in line with scientific evidence. It will rather provide additional flexibility to the Member States that need it, without obliging other Member States to change the protection status of the wolf at national level. Member States can always implement stricter species protection rules depending on their specific situation and national nature conservation policy. This also applies to the Bern Convention where Parties can adopt more stringent provisions in their national legislation. Following information submitted by the Spanish authorities 4 , the wolf was reported in unfavourable conservation status in the Atlantic and Mediterranean biogeographical regions where the Basque Country is located. It is for the Spanish authorities to decide on the appropriate measures to be taken to restore the wolf populations to a favourable conservation status. 1 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_6202 2 https://www.coe.int/en/web/bern-convention 3 Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7–50. 4 https://nature-art17.eionet.europa.eu/article17/”
  Large Carnivores
• 2024-12-04 “E-002747/2024 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is aware of the challenges raised by migration in various regions of Spain, including the Basque Country. To address migration management challenges in Spain, the Commission is providing financial support, in particular with the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). EUR 568.2 million have been allocated to Spain under AMIF for the period 2021 to 2027. In addition, the European Union Asylum Agency and Frontex provide operational support to Spain. The Commission is in regular contact with the Spanish national authorities to assess possible further needs and stands ready to provide support. The Commission is also making available additional EU funding to Spain to implement the Pact.”
  Asylum & border control · Legal migration
• 2024-09-04 “E-001622/2024 Answer given by Ms Ferreira on behalf of the European Commission There is still no proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework. The current legislation requires the Commission to make such a proposal only in mid-2025. In her political guidelines, the President of the Commission, put forward ‘a plan for each country linking key reforms with investment, and focusing on our joint priorities, including promoting economic, social and territorial cohesion’ 1 . At the same time the President also stressed in these guidelines that the European Union needs a ‘strengthened cohesion and growth policy with regions at its centre’, and that cohesion policy needs to be designed ‘in partnership with national, regional, and local authorities’. The Commission’s Communication on the ninth Cohesion Report adopted on 27 March 2024 2 already emphasised that any future change to Cohesion Policy or any new delivery model needs to be aligned with the Treaty objective of economic, social and territorial cohesion, including the importance of its place-based dimension, partnership principle, as well as regions as core of its multi-level governance. 1 https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2020-04/political-guidelines-next-commission_en_0.pdf 2 https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/information-sources/cohesion-report_en”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• 2024-07-24 “E-001414/2024 Answer given by Mr Hoekstra on behalf of the European Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/631 1 sets CO 2 emission standards for new passenger cars and vans, thus contributing to achieving the EU economy-wide climate targets. Pursuant to its Article 2(3), the Regulation does not apply to special purpose vehicles, as defined in Part A, point 5, of Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2018/858 2 on the type-approval of vehicles. According to point 5.5 of that definition, special purpose vehicles include wheelchair accessible vehicles. Special purpose vehicles are identified on the basis of the information given by the vehicle manufacturer in the certificate of conformity and in the underlying type-approval documents issued by the type-approval authorities. The country of origin of the vehicles and the location of the manufacturer’s headquarters or production facilities are not relevant in this respect as Regulation (EU) 2019/631 applies to vehicles first registered in the EU, in accordance with Article 2(1) of the Regulation. The exclusion of special purpose vehicles from the scope of Regulation (EU) 2019/631 does not hamper achieving its decarbonisation objectives, as such vehicles represent only a marginal share of all new cars and vans registered in the EU. In line with its Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 3 , the Commission aims to improve the lives of persons with disabilities. It recognises that accessibility is a precondition for participation in society and in the economy on an equal basis with others. The Commission is not in a position to further comment on the specific Court case referred to by the Honourable Member, as the legal proceedings are ongoing. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02019R063120240101&qid=1724684986012 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02018R085820240528&qid=1724748421771 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/summary/strategy-for-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities.html”
  Road transport environmental policy
• 2024-07-24 “E-001415/2024 Answer given by Ms Simson on behalf of the European Commission The Commission monitors general developments in the energy sector of the Member States, in particular their progress to fulfil their 2030 climate and energy targets. This is primarily done through the biannual integrated National Energy and Climate Progress Reports (NECPRs) 1 . In the heating and cooling sector that has close links with the cogeneration sector, Member States have an obligation to notify their Comprehensive Assessments of their heating and cooling sector every five years 2 . These notifications should identify the options to improve efficiency in the heating and cooling supply, including measures to promote cogeneration. The latest Comprehensive Assessment submitted by Spain in 2022 points out that the potential of cogeneration technologies to improve the efficiency and share of renewable energy in heating and cooling sector is moderate. The Commission can take legal action when there is an obligation for the Member States enshrined in EU law. As regards the need to ensure stability of financial support to renewable energy projects, only the Renewable Energy Directive includes in its Article 6 an obligation to this end 3 . This obligation covers only cogeneration projects and installations that use renewable energy sources for their input. 1 https://commission.europa.eu/energy-climate-change-environment/implementation-eu-countries/energy-andclimate-governance-and-reporting/national-energy-and-climate-plans_en 2 https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/energy-efficiency/heating-and-cooling_en#comprehensive-assessments-onefficient-heating-and-cooling 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32018L2001”
  Energy (green transition)
• 2024-07-24 “E-001417/2024 Answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission Biocidal active substances are strictly regulated under the Biocidal Products Regulation 1 (BPR) and this includes adherence to specific timelines for the submission of applications for renewal of approval. The set deadline is meant to allow the completion of the evaluation of the renewal application before the expiry of the approval and to ensure there is no disruption for the making available on the market of authorised products containing that active substance. If no application for renewal is submitted within the set deadline, this cannot be ensured. Companies can however apply for a new approval, which will be obtained in case the evaluation shows that the safety and efficacy requirements are still met. Interested companies should do so as soon as possible to minimise the time during which products will have to be removed from the market. The BPR does not envisage any emergency procedure for the renewal of active substances. Member States can however specifically permit biocidal products that do not fulfil the conditions for authorisation laid down in the BPR to be temporarily made available on the market in case of danger to human health or the environment, provided that no other products or means to control that danger are available. It must be noted that diflubenzuron is an active substance approved as insecticide (producttype 18) and not direct treatment of wood (product-type 8). Products containing diflubenzuron are used, among others, for the control of subterranean termites via bait stations. Several active substances used for direct wood preservation are approved and products containing them have been authorised for wood treatment against termites. 1 Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2012 concerning the making available on the market and use of biocidal products, OJ L 167, 27.6.2012, p. 1–123.”
  Energy (green transition) · GMOs
• 2024-07-24 “E-001416/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission While the Coastal States agree that the total catches of mackerel should be set in line with the best available scientific advice, the lack of a comprehensive sharing agreement means that the sum of all coastal States’ quotas exceeds that level. This puts pressure on a stock that is in declining trend since 2020. Coastal States consultations for a sharing arrangement are ongoing since 2022 with an active involvement from the European Union, represented by the Commission. Despite progress in these negotiations, the United Kingdom (UK), Norway and the Faroe Islands decided to set up a parallel track for the conclusion of a trilateral sharing arrangement, bringing the sum of their total quotas down compared to last year’s, but legitimising the level of overfishing of mackerel in the North-East Atlantic. The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member that the remaining share of the quota (28,27%) neither reflects historical and recent fishing practices nor the genuine interests of the other parties, including the EU, whose traditional share of this fishery was set at 25,9% of the TAC (pre-transfers bilaterally to the UK under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement 1 ). At this stage, and before looking into any other option, the Commission called on the three signatories to resume, in good faith, the consultations at multilateral level in view of reaching a comprehensive sharing arrangement, including all relevant parties, to allow for a sustainable management of this important fishery. 1 OJ L 149, 30.4.2021, p. 10–2539: Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• “(16:08:30 – 16:09:46): commissioner. Well, of course, you know that we want ports to be included in the maritime strategy, not just, because of the trade importance, but also their critical hubs when it comes to security and energy as well. But many ports cannot move on with electrification, not just because, there was a lack of capacity on the networks, but because there were the encounter obstacles when it comes to, using the energy, which has been generated locally. And, we have been told from the sector that it's important for electrification to be seen not as an isolated project, but part of a system where we have renewable energy, storage, and then digital management as well. All of this has to be tackled together, although, of course, they can be developed separately and, they can also be financed in different, ways as well. Now for the decarbonization of our transport and for competitiveness, our ports and industry, we have a question whether oh, these have been included as part of ports as part of the energy community under the European port strategy. Thank you.”
  Decarbonisation of maritime transport
• “Commissioner, as you know from conversations with me, this sector is very important to the Basque Country. 338,000 jobs. And it's a vital to Europe, too. We need stability. We need the necessary investment for innovation, decarbonisation and strengthening value chains and ecosystems surrounding the sector. We need to move, as you have said, towards electrification and decarbonisation objectives. We also need to ensure that we can protect those 38,000 jobs at what is a very difficult time, but we would also like to see some positive progress in certain areas. We should not rule out any options for decarbonisation. That means we should consider any form of sustainable fuel. And we should support industries and consumers that are willing to join us on board.”
  Energy (green transition)
• “Thank you. So all these very high tariffs. And then we've had the 50% on copper, 200% on pharmaceutical products. And the first threat was supposed to have its deadline today. Now it's been postponed till the 1st of August. And we're now waiting for the letters that some countries like Japan and South Korea, have received. Trump has said that if you get a letter, that means the deal. And I would think we should say very clearly that if you get a letter with including a tariff, that is a dictatorial statement, and we should not trump to impose conditions on us and say who we should be doing our trade and having relations with, like the BRICs. And we should not be denying what we want in here. We know, of course, that this is just a further example of his despotism. Obviously, we need to work towards a deal that is beneficial, and then we have to, uh, we have to make sure that we have a plan B, which is activated, a procedure.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “Thank you. Well, all of. Us are thinking about Iran. The humanitarian crisis. And without ignoring what's happening there, I we're talking about housing. The Basque cluster of construction. Talked to me a few days ago, and they want to be a solution to the problems in the area of housing. So apart from large building, there are 122,000 jobs involved. There are small companies, businesses making windows, carpenters or waste disposal. They all want to contribute to the access to an affordable home. And I would like to appeal to all of you so that the drop in red tape, support for youths, for vulnerable groups and an increase in supply should be based on a public private model, putting an end to abusive practices, and to make sure that this can have an effect on the real estate market so that every single person can find a solution freely to buy, to rent, but have an access to a decent home.”
  EU policy on urban development
• “Thank you so much. Thank you very much. Well, I just have a very specific question linked to the upcoming MFF and in particular with the Competitiveness Fund, because we've talked about 450 billion for emerging technologies. Competitiveness in strategic innovative areas for the future of Europe. So how will gender be incorporated into that strategy and in particular this programme, to ensure that these sectors are attractive to women and that they don't experience discriminatory barriers as they try to enter these areas? How are we going to generate working groups, which are made up of women and men, who can tap the full potential of this area?”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “This first accessible housing plan is very welcome. Uh, this is an absolute priority for our citizens, and we will study it with great care. Uh, we just received the press communiqué, um, about this when we were already in the chamber. Uh, we need to see if this is in line with the recent, um, plan for urgent measures related to housing that we recently adopted in the housing. We need public private funding for more quick construction of housing. And we need to mobilize, uh, make use of housing lying empty as well as increasing, uh, low cost housing available. We have to put a stop to speculation. And also we need to relieve the pressure created by a short term rental markets. So we'll look closely at what's on the table. The only thing we can say at this stage is that we will continue to work on this, and we will send out a very clear message. We want to send out a message of hope for young people and families who are struggling in order to gain access to a decent and affordable housing.”
  EU housing policy
• “At a moment when presidents from different countries are invited to the white House in order to be ridiculed at a time when diplomats and civilians are being shot at from both sides in order to put pressure on players because of human rights violations, and at a time when plutocracy and extremism is gaining, are gaining ground, curtailing fundamental freedoms and critical thinking. Let us make the Basque Country in Europe an area of opportunity, an area where those who want to improve their living conditions and respect European values can come. A place where they can develop their careers and help us reduce our dependencies on the basis of research and development. This is what Choose Europe for science is all about. We have a new geopolitical chessboard, and innovative scientific leadership gives us a competitive edge. And in the medium and large term, we're talking about better and more jobs, more strategic autonomy and less inequalities in a Basque Country that has always plumped for research and development, scientific freedom and boosting skills and talent. We hope that all these millions of euro will help us increase this area of opportunity and our country.”
  EU policy on brain drain
• “Mr. president. Vice president, Commissioner, Minister, will this action plan for steel and metals was welcomed by the European steel industry? And I don't think we should be the ones who say the opposite, but we do have three clear requests that we should insist on, I think. Firstly, energy prices we need to improve infrastructure networks. Now, we spoke to Commissioner Jurgenson on energy recently and we asked for the same thing there. You need to work together and you should also echo the conclusions of the European Court of Auditors report on this issue. They suggested several measures, and we need to push member States to make the necessary investments so that industries decarbonise. We also need to protect our products. New tariffs are coming to force today. They're going to affect us once again. You talked about Cbam as well, the border carbon border adjustment mechanism. We need to work on that. And we need to do that as a priority. And the third request would be immediate measures for those businesses that are doing the right thing. We need incentives for them. There are businesses that are investing in producing low emissions steel in the Basque Country. We are pushing these kinds of investments, but we're also seeing how instability is slowing down and putting at risk investments that are necessary to move forward with low carbon production. And what we need is for the commission to provide support immediately. So once again, a reduction of energy prices and infrastructure, protecting our products vis a vis unfair competition, and supporting those businesses that are doing the right thing when it comes to decarbonization. Thank you very much.”
  Carbon leakage support
• “Look, we're not here to try to add pain to those who were a victim of the Adamas or the Tempe accidents for their families and their friends. The responsibility of all of us is to bring justice in the courtroom and to make sure this doesn't happen again. Maintenance of infrastructure must be a priority in the European Union. Problems with infrastructure and monitoring and inspections can be devastating, as we saw in Tempe and Adama's. The EU must guarantee the full implementation of EU regulation on rail safety and to make sure that we modernize our procedures specifically now when we have a rail transport and high speed rail transport as one of our priorities. We can't have that if it's not safe. And for this to be possible, we need cooperation, close cooperation between the member states, those who are running the infrastructure and regulators to make sure that we are building and maintaining rail infrastructure that is strategic with the highest and most uniform standards. Rail and high speed rail are a pillar of sustainable mobility connectivity, and we must have the ambition to make sure that this builds our autonomy. Let us use all of the tools that we have in terms of public procurement and technology. This is an opportunity for the competitiveness and the security of our continent. It is true that we cannot change what has to what happened, but Adama's and tempi should be an inflection point so that the EU gives itself the resources necessary to be able to be up to this challenge. Thank you, Miss Miranda. Paz, please.”
  EU rail safety regulation and enforcement
• “Yes, sir. Thanks, sir. For me, just to say thank you to everybody, everybody that's tabled amendments and, all explanations. There's not a huge differences, in the different transfer we're talking about. So I think in the next few meetings, we will be able to get to some sort of agreement, consensus so that CEF can actually serve the strategies, the aims, that we want for the, rail sector, the ports, etcetera, and just generally, increased connectivity and competitiveness in Europe. Obviously, forward with projects that should have been finished quite a long time ago. Thank you.”
  EU transport infrastructure integration
• “Thank you, Vice president. Tech sovereignty in Europe is as important as energy sovereignty. We depend on technology for pretty much everything we do these days. And we know that in this case, made in Europe shines by its absence. And in the Basque Country, in Europe, we do have capacities in cybersecurity, in AI, in green tech and tech infrastructure. But we have these constant threats from the US still saying to us that we need to relax our rules if we want progress with steel tariffs. We've just been talking about protecting young people online. Now we're talking about competitiveness, digital sovereignty, and ultimately all of these things are connected. We need infrastructure products Projects, and we need to drive forward when it comes to strategic sectors. But we must remember our values. We have to help our businesses to compete on an equal footing with American and Chinese companies. But there are red lines because people must be sovereign over their data.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• “Thank you so much. I will speak in Spanish. First of all, I'd like my colleagues. I'd like to thank the rapporteur for the work that has been carried out on this motion for resolution. And also, I'd just like to flag up a few things. The naming here, the terminology that we're using here, I'd like to flag that up when we talk about how we're classifying. Surveying. And in the resolution when we mention the difficult to mitigate. There are industrial sectors that have e for example the paper industry that are not included here. And then there are E that are currently exposed to international competition that is often unfair and unrelenting. Unrelenting and is also there are risks of outsourcing. So when it comes to the final proposal, I should like us to look at this naming terminology here so we don't leave. Energy intensive industries out of the remit. And that need necessarily to be included here and not left out. Thank you.”
  Carbon leakage support
• “Now with listening to the two panels. I think what was underscored was the importance of increasing supply and facilitating construction, as well as streamlining procedures and standards. Now I have a question related to what sorts of guarantees or regulatory frameworks do you think would be the most effective in incentivizing private developers to participate in public affordable housing construction, without harming the affordability and economic impact for residents? Then, do you think some weight could be given to striking a balance between housing that can be free in the market, as well as public protection, in order to help broaden the current market? Thank you.”
  EU housing policy
• “Thank you so much. Thank you so much. I just wanted to raise my the voice of the automobile cluster that we met with a few weeks ago, and they had very sensible remarks. The first is the requirements of local content in tenders and purchasing. Similarly to what other economies such as China are already doing. The secondly is to reduce the uncertainty among consumers. Therefore, clarity and a clear objective. And the third is to take into account technological progress, which is much, much faster than our legislative actions, and therefore we cannot miss out on being able to use any of these when it comes to decarbonisation and electrification, because so much is at stake, so many jobs in the present and in the future.”
  "Buy European" provisions
• “So several messages being sent out to Mr. von der Leyen. Nobody wants to allow ourselves to be taken over by the law of the jungle, and violence leads to more violence, as we've seen in my own country. And the people went from this is the Iranian regime. They are constantly or repeatedly torturing prisoners. Moreover, Donald Trump has also been opening the way for other authoritarian regimes. The European Union, meanwhile, stands on the sidelines. If we want to bring in influence to bear on around this new table the democratic values, we have to demand more respect. We have to have a more ambitious global approach. And what we can't accept is the same paper always pay the price. International, the international order and rules based on sovereignty. I hope that you'll be doing everything you can with your team to ensure that we do the utmost to ensure that human rights be upheld together with international law, democracy and democratic values. That's what we require as a strategic international power.”
  EU foreign policy approach
• “(10:43:01 – 10:44:31): The commission's proposal to decrease from 100 to 90% the carbon emission targets for 2035 and to cover these 10% gap through compensation mechanisms is something that aims to be pragmatic, ensuring our climate aims are in line with industrial viability. Now this more flexible approach is necessary for the automotive sector to have this technological transformation to support innovation and to ensure people have access to jobs while moving towards decarbonization. 1 thing's missing, technological neutrality and hybrids. We understand that the European automotive industry is currently at a turning point with various regulations that are adopted in the short term that are going to be very significant for the future. So decarbonization is an aim we share, but it will depend on our ability to effectively manage time frames and instruments we use. These flexibility mechanisms should be seen as a tool to help smooth this transition more effectively, not watering down our ambitions. And so striking the balance between climate aims, pragmatism, and competitiveness for our industry is going to be crucial to guarantee the future of this industry. Thank you very much.”
  2035 ICE phase-out: strict zero-emission target vs. flexibility for carmakers · Powertrain choice: EV-only pathway vs. equal support for hybrids, e-fuels, H2 · Road transport environmental policy
• “(11:56:27 – 11:57:39): Thank you very much, madam president. I have a question, and I'm sure you're already aware of this. When are we going to, remove the barriers so that setting up a business is easy to do and so that MEPs can go back home and ask for these barriers to be removed? We need predictability. Our single market is our biggest asset. We need to unify our telecoms and energy and tax markets, and we need to protect our businesses, give hope to our people, and help people with things like an access to housing. We need to, call things by their names. We can't continue to talk in generic terms. We know what the current barriers and obstacles are. We've identified them. And so we have to start giving them ambitious solutions. Internal incoherence makes us weak. So we have to change the way in which we take decisions and the way that we deal with these. Speaker is mister Brown.”
  EU Single Market harmonisation
• “Thank you very much for the presentation of your study and looking at the Our political recommendations, particularly at the end when you're talking about harmonising tax incentives. That could be used to discourage speculation. Um, looking at the regime for second residences, empty houses and also renting uh services or short term rentals or tourist rentals, you talk about, um, creating affordable housing and linking this to construction. Perhaps something I haven't seen. Or perhaps you could tell us more about the need to talk about incentivizing supply, particularly for small, uh, smaller owners, people who have empty houses, for example. And it could be helpful for them if there were certain tax incentives or other economic incentives, um, as well as was a legal incentives to ensure that they would be more interested in making their housing available. Uh, or if there are any other types of incentives that you would refer to.”
  EU regulation of short-term rentals
• “Thank you very much, Mr. Commissioner, for having come here today. We're all waiting with great expectation for this affordable housing plan that everyone back home is asking for. I fully agree with what you've said in terms of short term housing or facilitating construction to increase supply. I think not much is being said about how lifestyles have changed and people's preferences have changed in general. I have heard very little about measures intentions, guidelines to make use of vacant housing because I think these are one of the this is one of the lines we should work on. And perhaps you could say something about that. Using vacant housing and legal support for small landlords.”
  EU housing policy
• “Comissario Commissioner. What are you talking about? The future of wine in Europe means talking about individuals, territory and identity. Navarra and other areas are examples of this. And our producers base what they do On our region and on quality. Now we're seeing pricing problems, we're seeing changes in consumer tastes, etc. modernization is crucial in the sector, but that doesn't mean we should dilute our denominations of origin or undermine those who are going for high value projects. Now we have various projects, for example, that relate to training, and this is a project that we now use in the Basque Country. But we would like to see right across Europe this these are measures that are adapted to our reality. This is why we want a cap that's decentralized, that supports the sector. Now our winegrowers represent identity and quality in Navarra. And these are values that Europe should protect. And we hope that the various measures will work to support these people at the grassroots level, rather than being centralized at the member state level.”
  EU framework for voluntary quality and sustainability terms in food marketing
• “Thank you very much, Madam Vice President. We understand that in this case, the digital simplification package that you've presented needs to be looked at in the global context that we're in. Loss of competitiveness, loss of partners that are no longer reliable, and also lack of European production capacity when it comes to technology. I have a major concern right now, and that's that this parliament is fragmented and we're unable to push forward packages as we are able to do in the past. You were very clear when you asked about the role of the USA in negotiations when it comes to technology. I would ask you to be just as clear when you communicate outwards to the world outside. Because I think that's one of the major risks that we might face. You might need to tell this to other MEPs. We really need this package. And it should be clear that this is to improve European competitiveness and that individual's rights are always going to be protected. We're going to be protected against ill use of technology in the context of the MFF. What we have on the table, looking at it, it's clear that the EU hasn't invested enough compared to the US and China. And that's where we are, where we are. Do you believe that what's in the MFF is enough for the challenges that we have before us in terms of technology? And what do you believe is the timeline in which we will have strategic sovereignty in the areas you mentioned? And it obviously it wasn't a comprehensive list that you gave. I believe it wouldn't have been realistic otherwise. Thank you.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• “Thank you so much. Uh, I'm speaking in Spanish, so maybe you need to put the headphones. Thank you very much to both of you for coming here today, giving us your explanations. We know we've got a lot of work ahead of us so that we can reach an agreement, and so that we can then execute everything that we've agreed on. Now, we've got two concrete, uh, proposals here. So the first is to prioritize all the projects that have been approved and agreed upon and are severely delayed. And so that is preventing us from implementing these cross-border connections. The Commission has lots of different studies showing that these connections have positive impacts on GDP generating jobs and wealth. And so that's what we need to do. We need to put pressure and also help member States where we can to ensure that we have real political and financial commitments. Secondly, it's important to be clear here, um, financing isn't reaching everyone. And so we need to ensure that program funds from programs should be destined to EU countries rather than third countries. This is a critical moment, and we understand that financing needs to be directed at strengthening and enhancing connections in Europe and improving energy prices because our people deserve cheaper energies and better connections. Thank you very much.”
  EU transport infrastructure integration
• “Well, let's be quite clear. We are. Don't agree with giving up on the sustainability and environmental objectives. And we're not going to give in to negationism of climate change. What we're talking about is moving ahead with the sector, protecting jobs, using all the existing technological advances and strengthening the European distribution channels in the circular economy. It's a way of making headway that we already proposed when these objectives were put forward. And Europe needs to move firmly towards climate neutrality, taking account of its strategic industries, including the automobile sector, which is important for us as well. And, uh, we have to ensure that we are able to produce at decent prices. Um, we need to guarantee a fair market for the made in Europe and made in Basque Country. We have the action plan for March, strategic dialogue in the sector for September. And then there's going to be mediation as well. We have a whole range of technological solutions we have to work with to ensure that we can meet the decarbonization electrification targets, with resilience in the supply chains and a clear supported industrial agenda. Thank you.”
  Road transport environmental policy
• “Thank you very much indeed. Vice president, we very much welcome this cybersecurity package. And we do so because for some considerable time now, we have been talking about the importance of security. And cybersecurity obviously has a strategic component, particularly when we are looking at attacks on airports, hospitals or supply chains. This is obviously a strategic challenge for our sovereignty and our independence and a digital future. We obviously have to protect the infrastructure of our citizens based on European values, and that is why it's important that we strengthen the European Cybersecurity Agency and make sure that it can work hand in hand with other existing agencies, such as the cybersecurity agency. Make sure that we boost capacity and have them so that Europe can retain its strategic autonomy in the cybersecurity sphere.”
  Cybersecurity investments for critical infrastructure
• “Microphone, please. Thank you, Vice President. We've been told that today we're sending a very clear message. And the point is that our children are not a matter for business. We are very much in favor of digitalization and taking advantage of the digital transformation. We want to adapt and grow with digital platforms, learning to combine the online and offline world, and we want to exploit the potential of artificial intelligence. But we are concerned about the rise in mental health problems and violent or extremist, fascist or illegal attitudes, which in some cases are being promoted without any filters or controls. And that means that we need to have a little order imposed as regards these algorithms, things that we don't understand or control. I know that work is being done, and clearly it's not easy because this impinges on a lot of strategic areas. But there have been some red lines, and the manipulation of young people is certainly one of them, because they are our future. Thank you.”
  Safety features & content control for child protection online
• “Thank you very much. Mr. president, Commissioner, we were quite optimistic when we read through the Competitiveness Compass and the fact that you are plumping for a European model, but we need more. We need you to be specific, to have specific deadlines for all those sectors and people who are telling us that there isn't a level playing field in the single market, and that's our treasure. We can see jobs in jeopardy here. We also need answers and immediate action that will lead to calmer markets so that we can that can lead to the necessary investment so we can be competitive. We need to deal with the threats of David, excuse me, of Donald Trump and China. You know that I come from the Basque Country. We have a sector in businesses that are willing to give it all. But that isn't enough in this globalized world. We need a Europe that needs to bet on Europe and give it everything it has, and we need to do it in a unified fashion. Thank you.”
  EU Single Market harmonisation
• “Thank you very much, Commissioner, for coming to our committee meeting. Now, we all know that innovation and research is a huge strategic tool as a part of our industrial policy and specifically at this critical time for the EU, when we really have to bolster our own European industrial fabric. Fabric. There are centres. One of them is a top ten in Europe in terms of size. And we have good rankings in terms of indicators. And we'd like to make sure that we maintain this. Yes, but make it even better because it's good for the Basque countries and also for Europe. When it comes to pillar two on the horizon, what is your opinion of this? Much like my colleague Elena just said, with the PP and specific support to technology and innovation that is close to the business for the start ups and scale ups and many unicorns, we hope for energy, glass, petrochemical so that we can make sure that we can assist them to modernize and decarbonise. Harmonize. Thank you.”
  EU research funding
• “Thank you very much, Commissioner. What I want to say today is that I'm very annoyed because this is the second debate today where we receive a press release while we're already here in the plenary. That's a lack of respect. We're talking about the car industry. And in the Basque Country, that's a 300 providers 90% of turnover in international trade. So in the coming weeks, we're going to read your presentation and your full documents with great attention to look at how you're going to stimulate demand and how you're going to protect local production and consumption. And the review of the potential for undesired consequences on sebum when it comes to combustion engines in 2035, it seems like you've listened to the industry. We will go through it with a fine tooth comb to make sure that our demands are being met, and the sectors as well.”
  Road transport environmental policy
• “Thank you. President. I just listened to Trump in Davos. Therefore, it's hard for me to concentrate on this debate. But I think nonetheless I should really welcome the Digital Networks Act and we promise to spearhead this, be leaders, to make sure that there's a real change in terms of how we are addressing our digital environment. And we think that we should strengthen our capacity to have a global sovereignty. Europe needs a high connectivity to make its digital ambitions a possibility. That means we need a simplified framework that will assist the shift from 4G to 5G to six G. That means we'll need all of the infrastructure that is modernised and with much better capacity. And this across the scale for cross-border services. We think that is key for innovation and innovation. And in the single digital market, that means that we should lighten our administrative burden, invest in satellites, and protect our consumers. Now more than ever, is the time to support these types of initiatives that will make us much more independent and free from the United States. Thank you.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• “Thank you. Vice President. We are delighted to see that this initiative is here being debated in the European Parliament today. It has faced a lot of obstacles on the way and the Basque Nationalist Party supported it in 2014. Many of us believe in our own European national regions and I think we will defend them. Defend article three of the treaty Everywhere, which talks about respecting the linguistic cultural diversity, the national, our national identities, our cultures, our minority languages have to be recognised as being part of the strength of Europe. In this new enforced Europe we need. We've got cross-border regions, macro regions, national regions. Reality goes well beyond feelings and the EU must respect them. There's a possibility of taking the lead in this and strengthen the European process from recognition of different national identities and of course, the regional situation.”
  Support for Catalan movement
• “Thank you very much, Madam President. I have a question, and I'm sure you're already aware of this. When. Are we going to remove the barriers so that setting up a business is easy to do, and so that MEPs can go back home and ask for these barriers to be removed? We need predictability. Our single market is our biggest asset. We need to unify our telecoms and energy and tax markets, and we need to protect our businesses, give hope to our people and help people with things like access to housing. We need to call things by their names. We can't continue to talk in generic terms. We know what the current barriers and obstacles are. We've identified them and so we have to start giving them ambitious solutions. Internal incoherence makes us weak, so we have to change the way in which we take decisions and the way that we deal with these.”
  EU Single Market harmonisation
• “Thanks, Sarah. And me too, first of all, I'd like to thank Camilla and her team for the collaborative, spirit in which we are working as well as the Sado reporters and their, teams as the work is progressing at technical level. For my part and during this consideration of the amendments, I'd like to thank all members for the amendments they have dealt and to hear their priorities in order to promote the resilience of the union economy, particular by reducing the strategic dependencies and strengthening the security and robustness of critical infrastructure, the Connecting Europe facility for the period 2028, 2034 should contribute to reinforcing the union's industrial and technological base in the fields of transport energy and digital connectivity. For my part, I'd like to highlight the importance of ports and the need for an integrated approach to onshore power supply, energy, industrial competitiveness and the port transition, focusing on electrification of transport and onshore energy supplies, electrical infrastructure such as substations, renewable generation, energy storage and digital platforms. Furthermore, I'd like to support the amount of union financial support for cross border projects being set up to 70% of the total eligible cost. And this could incentivize the development and complexion of these areas, which are often held up, due to a lack of, funding. Thank you so much.”
  EU funding for transportation
• “Thank you. Well, all of. Us are thinking about Iran. The humanitarian crisis. And without ignoring what's happening there, I we're talking about housing. The Basque cluster of construction. Talked to me a few days ago, and they want to be a solution to the problems in the area of housing. So apart from large building, there are 122,000 jobs involved. There are small companies, businesses making windows, carpenters or waste disposal. They all want to contribute to the access to an affordable home. And I would like to appeal to all of you so that the drop in red tape, support for youths, for vulnerable groups and an increase in supply should be based on a public private model, putting an end to abusive practices, and to make sure that this can have an effect on the real estate market so that every single person can find a solution freely to buy, to rent, but have an access to a decent home.”
  EU housing policy
• “On Wednesday, we will have the debate on taxing digital platforms. Now that we're talking about internet governance in this context, we need to be aware. Of the recent fine imposed on Google, €2,000,000,400 million and Trump's reaction. This is to do with control overview and the respect for the privacy of messages. We received over 1500 emails to the date. We have fake news and disinformation growing in the digital space, and so management and order and guaranteeing rights in the digital world is also the responsibility of this Parliament. And that is why we request that the UN General Assembly renews the mandate of the Ifg and makes it permanent as a collaborative space for human rights, fundamental freedoms to be protected in the online space too, and in order to guarantee accessible connectivity without digital gaps and without leaving anyone behind. We want open, accessible, free global internet that rises to the challenges of the moment. Thank you. **Nicolae ȘTEFĂNUȚĂ @Chair: Thank you very much, Mr. Sergey Lagodinsky on behalf of the Greens.”
  Disinformation & online freedoms
• “Our bet on renewables has always been clear. Not everybody can say the same thing, but the transition requires robust infrastructure and energy. Mix a model mix at the European level. So questions that need to be asked. What are the objectives of interconnection of 10% for 2020, whereas France and Spain are only at 3%? What about the 11 energy corridors approved by this Parliament, which include those of the. Bay of Biscay and together with Germany? Why do so many other problems exist? We ask you and the governments involved that they show political courage when they produce their budgets. They need to invest enough to give a security capacity and low energy prices and move towards a genuine single market in European energy that will need to be based on interconnections between member states and compatible models. So please listen to my colleague Anna Stoica and the proposals that we have as a group to improve and enhance interconnections in the single market.”
  EU energy infrastructure integration
• “Vice president. The Atlantic Corridor is lagging behind. It means that the Basque region and New Aquitaine are cut off from the rest of Europe. But train is so sustainable. I could go from Paris to Brussels in an hour and a half. Luckily, I didn't fall asleep. I could have gone all the way to all the way to Amsterdam. But the Basque capital is not connected with the rest of Europe. What about the entire Dax corridor? We are asking for the commission to use all the tools it has at its available ability to put pressure on the member states. The member states need to make the necessary investments. And we also need to look ahead to the MFF. Connectivity through high speed rail is a key tool in order to generate economic activity and ensure mobility of people. Force Spain and France to honour their promises. We approve this years ago and it's so important that they do this to ensure that we have European competitiveness, something that we're all talking about.”
  EU transport infrastructure integration