José CEPEDA

Policy topics José CEPEDA is active on

What José CEPEDA has said (44)

• 2026-06-17 “Thank you, to our president, commissioner McGrath. Commissioner Magrath, council. I am speaking here today, 1st and foremost, to express my solidarity with the Lithuanian people in the face of the attack they have suffered. But because I feel also we must speak out in a very important issue. Europe is quite simply out of the game when it comes to cybersecurity at the moment. It does not have a 1 single response center. I think that is something we're sorely lacking, and this is something that Russia does have. Russia has a military system where they are able to attack in a coordinated manner when it comes to hybrid thoughts as well. And there's something else as well that I've been focusing on recently, new AI being used for offensive purposes. I won't get into mythos and anthropic now, but China is working on this as well as is Russia. And what is the EU doing in the face of that? Then you have, in addition, a new quantic computing, and that can mean that Europe will really be out of it in a year's time. And I would like the commission to tackle this immediately.”
  Artificial Intelligence for military purposes
• 2026-06-17 “Commissioner McGrath. Council. I am speaking here today, first and foremost, to express my solidarity with the Lithuanian people in the face of the attack they have suffered. But because I feel also we must speak out in a very important issue. Europe is quite simply out of the game when it comes to cyber security. At the moment, it does not have a one single response centre. I think that is something we're sorely lacking and this is something that Russia does have. Russia has a military system where they are able to attack in a coordinated manner when it comes to hybrid threats as well. And there's something else as well that I've been focusing on recently, new AI being used for offensive purposes. I won't get into mythos and anthropic anthropic now, but China is working on this as well as is Russia. And what is the EU doing in the face of that? Then you have, in addition, a new quantum computing. And that can mean that Europe will really be out of it in a year's time. And I would like the commission to tackle this immediately. Thank you.”
  Artificial Intelligence for military purposes · Scope of EU cybersecurity obligations
• 2025-09-26 “P-003756/2025 Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission The EU welcomes the ceasefire in Gaza as a crucial step for alleviating suffering of civilians. EU humanitarian partners are scaling up their assistance and reopening services but the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains deep concerning. While some aid is entering Gaza, more needs to get in. The registration process for International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) is an obstacle to humanitarian partners scaling up operations. INGOs must be able to operate without interruption, especially at this critical moment. The EU consistently calls on Israel to allow unimpeded access and distribution of humanitarian assistance into Gaza. The EU doesn’t have precise figures on the aid waiting entry in the Strip but remains in constant contact with partners regarding stocks and distribution. EU partners have strong capabilities and if the bureaucratic obstacles are removed, the EU expects aid stockpiles waiting at the border to decrease, as humanitarian partners deliver assistance. The extent of damage to EU-funded infrastructure in Gaza will be assessed through the postconflict Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment 1 , a joint initiative by the EU, the United Nations (UN) and the World Bank. An overview of the delayed or damaged aid will be available as partners conclude operations and submit final reports, which will be analysed by Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East remains crucial for humanitarian support in Gaza and the West Bank and its collapse would have severe repercussions on operations and Palestinian society, as it is one of the largest local employers, particularly important as Gaza may enter the recovery phase under the first stage of the ceasefire agreement. 1 https://palestine.un.org/en/289429-gaza-and-west-bank-interim-rapid-damage-and-needs-assessment-february2025#:~:text=The%20Interim%20Rapid%20Damage%20and%20Needs%20Assessment%20%28IRDNA%29% 2C,the%20West%20Bank%20after%2015%20months%20of%20conflict.”
  Support for international humanitarian organisations · EU Development & Humanitarian Aid · Relations with Israel - Palestine
• 2025-07-30 “E-003147/2025 Answer given by Mr Serafin on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is currently evaluating Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 1 , as required by Article 19(1) of the Regulation to prepare the review process. The Commission cannot commit to any specific contents of the review of the Regulation prior to the finalisation of this evaluation, which is due mid-2026. In parallel, the Commission has launched a structured reflection process for the review of the EU’s anti-fraud architecture, as outlined in the recent White Paper 2 on the subject. Both processes involve stakeholder consultation and provide an opportunity to collect input for a subsequent legislative review. The criteria that the Commission currently applies to draw up the list of successful candidates are clearly set in the vacancy notice which is published in the Official Journal of the European Union and on the external website of the Commission. The European Parliament and the Council were consulted on the draft vacancy notice before its publication. The Commission already takes into account the principle of gender equality in all its selection procedures. Implementing a possible obligation to provide a minimum number of suitable candidates, or a gender-balanced list, to be sent to the Parliament and the Council, may prove difficult in practice, as the number of eligible applications received after a publication is unpredictable. In this context, it should be stressed that merit remains the primary selection criterion. 1 Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 September 2013 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999, OJ L 248, 18.9.2013, p. 1, as amended. 2 White Paper for the Anti-fraud Architecture Review, COM(2025) 546 final.”
  Recruitment policies in the EU · Gender roles, equality and inclusion · Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• 2025-07-16 “E-002938/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Séjourné on behalf of the European Commission The Commission remains convinced that addressing standard essential patents market failures, maximising investment and innovation, as well as fostering the standards ecosystem are crucial to fuel EU competitiveness. The proposal for a Standard Essential Patents (SEP) Regulation aimed at addressing this objective. However, due to insufficient progress in the Council, on 12 February 2025 the Commission communicated its intention to withdraw the SEP proposal. It indicated a precise timetable which allowed for the co-legislators to consult and adopt their positions. Nevertheless, neither the Parliament nor the Council adopted a clear signal of support for the SEP proposal. This is why, on 16 July 2025, the College decided to formally withdraw the proposal. Should these circumstances change, the Commission will revisit its policy stance and consider an adequate policy response. In the meantime, the Commission will continue to monitor market and international developments aimed at overcoming standard essential patents licensing frictions. The Commission remains open to exploring, together with the co-legislators and stakeholders, the most suitable way to ensure that Europe stays at the forefront of technological innovation and industrial competitiveness.”
  Intellectual property rights (IPR)
• 2025-05-27 “E-002116/2025 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission The Commission conducted a timely impact assessment 1 to accompany its 2022 proposal for an Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (recast) 2 . Following in-depth discussions, a revised Directive was adopted with a large majority in both the European Parliament and the Council. It was published on 12 December 2024 and entered into force on 1 January 2025. The Directive requires notably the removal of micropollutants from urban wastewater in order to protect the environment and human health. In this context, an extended producer responsibility (EPR) system was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council, whereby the pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors - the main source of micropollutants in urban wastewater - will finance at least 80 % of the quaternary treatment needed to remove micropollutants. This approach implements the Polluter-Pays Principle 3 enshrined in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the recommendations by the European Court of Auditors. The Commission is fostering exchanges 4 of information and best practices to achieve a wellfunctioning and proportionate EPR system in all Member States. As announced in the European Water Resilience Strategy 5 adopted on 4 June 2025, the Commission will, in the context of the implementation of the EPR, conduct an updated study of its costs and its potential impacts on concerned sectors. This update will focus on the cost of quaternary treatment and does not constitute a new impact assessment. A full evaluation 6 of the Directive is planned by 2033. 1 Impact assessment accompanying the proposal for a Directive concerning urban wastewater treatment (recast), 2022: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/publications/proposal-revised-urban-wastewater-treatment-directive_en. 2 Directive (EU) 2024/3019 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2024 concerning urban wastewater treatment (recast), OJ L, 2024/3019, 12.12.2024. 3 https://environment.ec.europa.eu/economy-and-finance/ensuring-polluters-pay_en. 4 Article 10(6) of Directive (EU) 2024/3019. 5 https://environment.ec.europa.eu/publications/european-water-resilience-strategy_en. 6 Article 30 of Directive (EU) 2024/3019.”
  Water pollution
• 2025-04-29 “E-001708/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Séjourné on behalf of the European Commission The Commission has reviewed all pending proposals with the European Parliament and the Council, particularly those that have been blocked for a long time or that lack realistic prospects for progress and where an agreement is unlikely. Based on this review, it has identified 37 proposals that it intends to withdraw – including the proposal for a Regulation on standard-essential patents 1 . In line with the interinstitutional agreement on better law making, the Commission will take due account of the positions of the Parliament and the Council before deciding on the withdrawal of the proposal. The Commission and its services took good note of discussions at the Competitiveness Council on 22 May 2025 in which the Czech, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Romanian, Slovak and Spanish delegations communicated that they do not agree with the proposed withdrawal of the ‘standard essential patents’ file. The Commission looks forward to receiving the formal position of the Council in due course. The Commission remains open to exploring, together with the co-legislators and stakeholders, the most suitable way to ensure that Europe stays at the forefront of technological innovation and industrial competitiveness. 1 See Annex IV to the Commission work programme 2025 – https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/7617998c-86e6-4a74-b33c249e8a7938cd_en?filename=COM_2025_45_1_annexes_EN.pdf.”
  Intellectual property rights (IPR)
• 2025-02-20 “E-000795/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission The Commission can propose legislation and take measures to enhance judicial cooperation in the fight against cybercrime under Articles 82 and 83 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. There are applicable directives providing for measures to address cybercrime, namely cyberattacks 1 , child sexual abuse 2 or non-cash means of payment fraud 3 . The Commission also proposed legislation to further enhance the fight against child sexual abuse 4 and to facilitate cross-border access to electronic evidence. The e-evidence package 5 , once applicable, will significantly speed up gathering electronic evidence for criminal proceedings among the Member States. The Joint Investigation Teams collaboration platform 6 will enable secure electronic exchange of information and evidence within the members and participants of a Joint Investigation Team. Internationally, the Commission proposed, and the Council adopted decisions authorising the Member States to sign 7 and ratify 8 the second additional protocol to the Budapest Convention which, once applicable, will provide tools for enhanced judicial co-operation and disclosure of electronic evidence. The Commission also intends to propose Council decisions enabling the signing and ratification of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime. 1 Directive 2013/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 August 2013 on attacks against information systems and replacing Council Framework Decision 2005/222/JHA (OJ L 218, 14.8.2013, p. 8–14, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2013/40/oj). 2 Directive 2011/93/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA (OJ L 335, 17.12.2011, p. 1–14, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2011/93/oj). 3 Directive (EU) 2019/713 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on combating fraud and counterfeiting of non-cash means of payment and replacing Council Framework Decision 2001/413/JHA (OJ L 123, 10.5.2019, p. 18–29, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2019/713/oj). 4 See COM/2024/60 final (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52024PC0060) and COM/2022/209 final (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52022PC0209). 5 Directive (EU) 2023/1544 laying down harmonised rules on the designation of designated establishments and the appointment of legal representatives for the purpose of gathering electronic evidence in criminal proceedings (OJ L 191, 28.7.2023, p. 181–190, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2023/1544/oj) and Regulation (EU) 2023/1543 on European Production Orders and European Preservation Orders for electronic evidence in criminal proceedings and for the execution of custodial sentences following criminal proceedings (OJ L 191, 28.7.2023, p. 118–180, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1543/oj). 6 Regulation (EU) 2023/969 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 establishing a collaboration platform to support the functioning of joint investigation teams and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1726 (OJ L 132, 17.5.2023, p. 1–20, ELI: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/969/oj/eng). 7 Council Decision (EU) 2022/722 of 5 April 2022 authorising Member States to sign, in the interest of the European Union, the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime on enhanced co-operation and disclosure of electronic evidence (OJ L 134, 11.5.2022, p. 15–20, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2022/722/oj). 8 Council Decision (EU) 2023/436 of 14 February 2023 authorising Member States to ratify, in the interest of the European Union, the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime on enhanced cooperation and disclosure of electronic evidence (OJ L 63, 28.2.2023, p. 48–53, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/436/oj).”
  Privacy & law enforcement · EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters
• “They accused me of wanting to set up a new European CIA. I mean, I'm not entirely sure that's true. It's going to be very hard indeed to manage. Um, we don't want yet another European agency. What we do is want a body which can coordinate and work together with national bodies without infringing on national sovereignty or national competence. But we do need a service, an intelligence service, not an agency, an intelligence service that is capable of coordinating intelligence at this level. Now, Nacho Sanchez Amor, an MEP of um, of this house, was arguing for this many years ago, and I think it really is time that we thought about what is at stake on a European level. We can't just focus on what is important on a national level. I think an intelligence service would be extremely useful. How can we help? My second question how can we help here in the Parliament to increase this degree of solidarity? Um. I think that given the dates and the risks that we're facing today, we are all aware of the needs to increase security and defence. And I think in a European intelligence service is very crucial.”
  EU competences on defence
• “Well, I would like to to ask in Spanish, please. Thank you very much indeed, chair. Thank you, Madam Carlos. Thank you for joining us here today for this hearing. From my point of view as setting a great example, an example of a holding to account of, uh, and I think we'll be talking, as our president said, about the economic and financial resources for the this is something which I'm particularly interested in. Now, I wanted to put a very specific question to you. You yourself mentioned it. We're living in troubled Times where? Uh, we're faced with ever growing and ever greater threats. But I can't even imagine what a European defense system might look like. We're talking about the plans. Funds for defense. Uh, the commissioner is always talking about how to strengthen our defense, uh, capacity. We have the safer program, other programs. I can't even imagine a European defense system without a European intelligence service. Now, it's true that incense does, uh, fall under the EA. At the moment, it's a coordination attempt to coordinate 27 member states. And it's not an intelligence gathering, uh, body. It has no, uh, uh, analysis capacity. And we've seen this week some steps taken in the right direction when some colleagues hear me talking about this subject.”
  EU competences on defence
• “We are still waiting to see where the problematic programs are. You've given us a political presentation and you've raised the the question about the ability of the commission to evaluate and to see how its own budget control system works. You've talked about how the contracts are set up, but we're not interested in that, really, because we haven't had a proof of any of any program where there's been a problem. As far as the the program itself is concerned, according to article 11 of the of our mandate, we've got to have an open dialogue, transparent dialogue with civil society. So in the decision as to how these subsidies, operative subsidies, are used, there's nothing new here. We've been some 20 years now here in the in the Parliament and Council that this debate has been ongoing. We get the impression that because of the pressure from the extremes, more from the right within the Parliament as well. We've seen the growth in the Parliament thanks to the last elections. But I think that the EPP is allowing itself to actually get into difficulties with the Green Pact as well, which which really worries us. So I think that there we are. We have got to look really at the political, the political debates that are ongoing.”
  Accounting and auditing of EU budget
• “Well, first off, I wanted to thank you for being here, madam. And I also wanted to welcome the summit because it gave us a common target, that of increasing investment in defense with a clear target that sends a clear message to Russia that we're going to be ready. When I was at the parliamentary assembly in Dayton a month or so back. We heard a lot from General Clark talking about the immense vulnerabilities of Europe. Between 3 or 7 years, I think, was the figure, uh, General Clark thought it was more like 3 to 5 years in terms of, uh, Russia's action. That's something we have to be aware of at NATO. I wanted to share with you this view. The important thing is to talk about capabilities more than just a percentage of x. X percentage is just a kind of like a market share that everyone's trying to obsessively achieve, rather than looking at their own capabilities. But what we want to do in Europe is for us to have some kind of independence, to develop our own capabilities given this threat. And I'd like to know what's your viewpoint? What's your viewpoint? Are we going to be on time to deal with this threat, potential threat, as quickly as possible?”
  Defence spending
• “Thank you. Chair. Thank you very much for the presentation. You're also the rapporteur on this matter now. I think this has been a very interesting. No doubt. And I wanted to thank you for the work that you have done. In this draft report. It's true that the year of 2023 could be seen as really a stabilization year, a year where we saw the anti-crisis measures being stabilized. They were on the table for us, but also it was a year when we recuperated our strength a little bit. We saw a moderate recovery there. And I think that we've seen with the. Developed a crucial role in our in the community in the the effort for recovery, for economic recovery. I think it showed a different way of looking at the crisis. It also had a social impact in the geopolitical sense as well and across Europe. The year 2023 was the year where the European Union had to really recognize the political challenges, that it was confronted with important political challenges. So the year 2023, I think, is really the is the middle stage of the MFF between 20 and 27. And it enables us to take stock. It enables us to actually reach a number of conclusions and recommendations for the future. On the execution of the MFF, but also enables us to look again at budgetary control.”
  Accounting and auditing of EU budget
• “Thank you very much. I'll be speaking in Spanish. The first thing I'd like to say is that in the same vein as my colleague who just spoke, having been a member of the EP shouldn't be an obstacle. For the SD or any other political group, because at the end of the day, it doesn't matter about ideology. You need to be able to carry out your work objectively. Now we are here today evaluating the work that you have carried out under your mandate. And in this sense, and I personally have seen with my team that you have carried out very solid technical work, and that's just my opinion. Now you have also specialised in issues regarding the RF. And so I'd like to ask you a question about this. You've spoken about traceability and transparency. And traceability isn't necessarily a requirement or rather it is. But it isn't enough to guarantee transparency. And that is the debate that we're having here. But concretely speaking, when it comes to the Recovery and Resilience facility, I don't know whether you're fed up with this, this topic because I think you've probably you wanted other questions rather than this RF. Now you have admitted that there are some weaknesses, but when it comes to the impact assessment, that's what I care about the most here. How do you think you can strike a balance between fulfilling targets and milestones in a concrete way, together with this impact assessment? Very often this ends up being an intangible thing. It's very difficult to measure. So I would like to know what you are going to do to improve the RF. We think that this facility has been very powerful, particularly when it comes to crises. And for many countries this has been a very powerful economic tool. But I just want to know what your opinion is on that. Thank you.”
  Accounting and auditing of EU budget
• “President. Friend. Commissioner. Piracy of sports events and other events that take place live is not a detail. It's not a bagatelle. It's theft in real time. We know that the current measures are not effective. We have that 2023 recommendations, but it had a very limited impact. The Commission has acknowledged this. And we all this is undermining sports jobs, cultural jobs, sports journalism. And so my question is, given that these events are live or broadcast directly, the current measures work? Not really. Now in Spain we have a pioneering system. It's effective where piracy is online, live is tackled quickly, and the responsibility lies on the shoulders of the intermediaries. Because there is someone who's profiting from this, and we cannot have that without trying to hold someone to account. So we need an effective system.”
  Broadcasting of sports events
• “I have a direct question for you. You're talking about freedom of speech. How can you have freedom of speech if you don't protect your principles and values in a democracy? You're a journalist like myself. So you will be aware that there are certain ethical principles that underpin the use of information, aren't there. If you have mass disinformation being presented, whether it be through high tech or analog means. Is that permissible in a democracy, such as is occurring in some democratic communities in Spain, such as Madrid?”
  Disinformation & online freedoms
• “Thank you very much. Thank you. President. Commissioner, yesterday afternoon we were talking about a shared intelligence system here in Europe. In order to guarantee and to avoid any attacks. You know, we wanted a kind of cyber defense shield to prevent us from having foreign interference in every electoral process in Europe. We see every time these opaque algorithms. My colleague talked about this just a moment ago, and it's true that they do have a direct impact on the opinions of our fellow citizens. This has been researched studied by academics. I think it's something like 40% of the information on the internet is actually being steered by algorithms. So in this day and age, you know, we need human intervention. So obviously we need to pull up our sleeves, get down to this work. If we don't control social networks, if we don't control these algorithms, then I'm afraid we're headed towards the deconstruction of Europe. That is the direction of travel, clearly, and our democracies will really suffer. That is why we count on the commission to help us out. Thank you very much.”
  Disinformation & online freedoms
• “There's one feature that I really did like about the shared projects and this technological development. This is something that we've been talking about in this house. We've been talking about cross border defense and technology is key here. So there are challenges to developing quantum computing. Semiconductors are going to allow us to have greater autonomy, strategic autonomy. But around half of the digital projects experience delays, and some of them didn't have sufficiently ambitious targets. So given that I have the floor, let me just say that I don't want to distract attention from the achievements that have been made. For example, in my country, Pedro Sanchez has been working on this digital transformation. Technical improvements. There is an ad hoc ministry which has been set up to come up with a plan, a national security plan. We've got over half a million SMEs that have benefited from the mechanism. And so we've got absolutely loads of digital projects. So Spain still has a long way to go to get above the European average in this field. But. We want to develop a powerful digital Europe that allows us to reduce inequalities. We want to make sure that everyone has access. And so digital capacity building seems very important to us. And the green transition needs to be linked to the digital transition or vice versa.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• “Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Thank you. Colleagues. We are going to analyze the amendments and the Imco draft opinion of the analysis of subcontracting chains and labour intermediation in order to protect workers rights. We analysed 121 amendments that were tabled, with 32 from my draft opinion. So that leads to a significant number of amendments. So first of all, I would like to thank all shadow rapporteurs for their ideas and proposals. Now we need to recognise that our ideas were quite dispersed and divergent, so it's not going to be easy to reach an agreement. But we don't want to give up already. We worked right up until the last minute because we believe in the importance of this work. So we tried to reach a compromise between the majority of groups. So I'd like to thank the shadow rapporteurs for their generosity and their flexibility so that we could come closer together. So what brings us together? Challenges and opportunities of public procurement in the internal market? We wanted to draft a new text to underscore the importance of competitiveness, but not overlook social aspects. Then we also wanted to look into the fact that current laws shouldn't impede member states for adopting their own legislation to regulate subcontracting in their respective member states.”
  EU policy on labour exploitation in global supply chains
• “Thank you very much indeed. I'm going to be speaking Spanish. Just one question. And very quickly. And following up on what René Renee said about the standards here. I just want to pick on something that Minister Bischoff just said. Talking about a question to the commission asking them about the withdrawal of this proposal, which strikes us as important, the commission said that it was hoping to receive the council's official position in due course. So my question to you is, are you going to resume negotiations on this pending file under the Danish presidency, and are you going to let the Commission then have your position in good time? Otherwise, the commission is using this as an excuse. But I've got another question about the use of I in a judicial context. And this is a question that is more for the Minister of Justice, because I know that there are systems pickups, for example, in Germany and Switzerland and other AI systems being trialled in other countries on predictive justice. And these are AI models for certain profiles or models, algorithms which might be discriminatory and might have quite an impact on digital proceedings. So I want to know if, in your opinion, under your presidency, you are going to encourage these kinds of systems, or are you going to try and standardise their use across member countries, because there seems to be a wide divergences right now and even perhaps divergence in different ministers and also ethical standards. And we've got to have perhaps verified standards to apply across the board to all countries.”
  Artificial Intelligence
• “So it's very important that there is a clear objective, which is the impact. And we want to be efficient and effective and to use our money wisely, given that it's public money. But if I move on to the recommendations from the court again, now, the specific objectives, I think this is something that we need to resolve. Not that I'm trying to question the mechanism. Obviously, we are gradually optimizing the system. And this is something that the court mentioned is that we've got metrics that are gradually being refined so as to be much more useful. So we haven't looked at how many people, for example, All within the EU are using a digital public service. So that's the. Mre but we know how much has been invested. We don't know whether the consumers are actually or the users are actually using it. So that's a metric that would be helpful because you need to measure the real impact. And we're not. Saying that member states should submit the data that they think is most useful, but also so that they can highlight where there are potential obstacles, potential issues that could be improved, where there are problems with developing digital systems because we want to have a good outcome.”
  Digitalization of public governance & administration
• “Now we agree with the work that's been done and the work that's in the proposal that you've tabled, and also the points that you highlighted. But if I may, I would like to go through a number of more detailed. Uh, points on the commitments that we've been discussing. For example, we're not. So we're not in agreement with you fully on some areas. In some areas. There's a number of questions which we feel are very important. The role of the European budget, for example, it's a huge instrument which should spur on economic growth. We've already talked about how it's evolving, but there are a number of questions that have been tabled today, which I think are important and think that we need to quote them. The anti-fraud efforts, the the fiscalization efforts. But I think there are areas that we do not agree with you on, and that's in the financial framework, the Multiannual Financial framework, in the some things that you say in the report, it's important to to give a perspective on also on the gender policies. I think we have got to make sure that that's included in the MFF not to leave one half of the of the population to on the side. And I think that there's also other elements which are more political and ideological than technical in this debate.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Thank you very much. Chairman. Subcontracting is an essential practice in some sectors. It brings specialisation, flexibility and for many companies it's essential. But I would like to thank Mr. Danielson, my colleague, for all of his work trying to bring together a vision of our internal market and but also focusing on social rights of all workers. I have to confess something. I'm a member of the General Union of Workers, the biggest trade union in Spain. And this social vision, respect for workers protection, in my view, is essential. We can combine freedom for businesses and liability with these social rights. And I have tabled an amendment to limit subcontracting to two levels in high risk sectors under the general contractor. That's very important. This is about social justice that the commission is thinking about. So thank you very much for your work. And I call on you all to support the file and the vote tomorrow. Thank you.”
  EU policy on employment subcontracting
• “It is a tool for transformation. That is why we need an ambitious, transparent budget. Some countries even talk about doubling contributions to the EU budget. This might be too ambitious, but it is necessary to provide the EU with greater budgetary power if we are going to compete on a global level. The challenges raised by the new US administration, the geopolitical tensions with Ukraine and Russia, as well as the situation with China, require us to take a serious look at all of this. A new system for execution also requires a new system for budgetary oversight. These are challenges that we all share that the commission, this very own committee, and this is something of particular concern to me. We can't ignore the risk that this parliament, uh, sees its role reduced. We play a key role in the oversight of the budget. And in national based, a approach, uh, cannot lead to less Democratic oversight here. We need to ensure that we account for every euro spent and that we ensure the principles of transparency, efficiency and equality are respected. We are well aware of the complexity of all of the rules. And indeed, one of the main principles of the new mandate of the new Commission is that we are going to simplify. But one thing is to simplify and another is to deregulate, which leads to an absence of control. There need to be rules, but these rules should not lead to an excess of errors. And what we're looking for above all is greater efficiency as well as traceability of funds in order to increase our the oversight capabilities of Parliament. One of the greatest criticisms levied against us has been the lack of traceability and accountability for the euro spent by countries.”
  Accounting and auditing of EU budget
• “Thank you, Madam Chair. I prefer to speak in Spanish, please. Um, thank you very much. And it's a great pleasure to be able to share thoughts with our Canadian colleagues and as a member also of the European Parliament and with the members of Parliament in Canada, that we, uh, as members of this committee, we can observe many of the initiatives which unite us. And I've seen some surveys. Which Is say that 68% of the Canadian population would like or feel much closer to the EU, and only 34% feel closer to the US. And I think that's a sign of how the Canadian population feels, and that they feel very close to an Atlantic project, which deserves to be strengthened. Now, more in terms of military and defence matters. I would like the experts express their view on this golden dome that Trump speaks so much about as a strategic tool in relation to Greenland and the Arctic, because it almost falls within the scope of this anti-missile shield in the case of a Russian attack. So I would like to know a little bit more about your views on that possible cooperation. I know that Atlantic cooperation under NATO, because of their recent fragility, has to be supplemented. And the Safe project, which is very interesting for you in Canada to, uh, participate in, apparently needs some reflection because the security of the Arctic requires greater satellite integration. As our speaker said a few months ago, and the whole system of coastal radars and strategy and so on, and the military aspect. So I would like to see how from a Canadian perspective, we can continue to move forward in cooperation and. As between the Canada. European Union and the U.S.”
  Relations with NATO
• “Most of us could agree on that. The third thing was proposing a framework regulation. We asked for this on the 3rd of March. A majority of MEPs of this chamber was in favour of that. The fourth was to limit various having two different levels of subcontracting. This was something that was very important to us. The fifth proposal was to encourage direct employment in main business activities. We listened to the proposals from other groups, and then we had a sixth proposal on the posting of workers. We wanted the text to be more flexible. The seventh, when it comes to public procurement, we approved a text last December and there was a free vote on the various different amendments. We know that there isn't going to be an agreement, but we're trying. Eighth, the application or enforcement rather of legislation. So. With this spirit of trying to reach an agreement, although we know that we all have various different positions. We are hoping that we will be able to reach an agreement, but we're looking forward to hearing all of your various different opinions. Thank you.”
  EU regulation of cross-border and posted workers
• “Thank you Commissioner. Thank you very much for coming along here and giving us a few extra minutes. I have one very specific question when it comes to the SEPs. It is true that our parliamentary committee sent a letter to you asking about negotiations on this file is a highly sensitive matter, especially for companies and how they register their patents. There are seven member states in the council, maybe a couple more that have sent out a non or circulated a non-paper in order to take a look at this in a little more detail and to express their concern about the withdrawal of the proposal on CEPs. I think it's very important that we do address the problems that are going to arise when it comes to negotiating these CEPs, or those companies that wish to use the technology that is protected by these patents. So I'd like to ask what the real reason is behind the withdrawal of the proposal, and whether you're going to reply to the European Parliament and the member states who sent the Non-paper. Obviously, we know that there is going to be discussion on this at the next Competitiveness Council.”
  Intellectual property rights (IPR)
• “Thank you very much, Madam President. Mr. Kubilius. The first words I want to say today are in solidarity and support, and to infuse Europe with a sense of resilience to the Polish population. They're not going to lack resources or support to defend peace on European territory. And of course, Poland is experiencing. These skirmishes by people who think that they're going to destabilize us. Mr. Kubilius has already set out some measures, but I really think we need to highlight one point. We need two elements. We need our own infrastructure. For example, we don't have a military satellite plan, and it's important to develop one. And secondly, a robust intelligence service for Europe in order to protect our 27 member states. And we're going to continue to work hard on that in coming months. Thank you.”
  EU competences on defence · EU competences on space policy
• “So we feel that all these projects need to meet the needs of both the the regions and the citizens, as well as the member states. So my thanks to the Court of Auditors, the Commission, I wonder whether you could tell me what lessons you have learned from the use of these funds and this digital transition. How are you developing? Measures that will allow us to continue to develop in the longer term. And is there a real risk that digital projects will find themselves either not being finished or not having financing? We're not. Yet at the evaluation phase. That's something which is going to happen in 2026. And then the court's report says that some member states had already achieved impressive results in these key areas. So I'm just wondering, what's your assessment of that? Is there any kind of measure that should be taken in response to that finding? And then there was a comment that there were very few projects which involved multiple member states. I think that as we've seen in the case of defence, we do need to have projects that involve multiple member states in order to provide coverage across Europe. So I'm wondering what the court might suggest in order to improve that. How can we facilitate the creation of projects that are going to involve several member states? Thank you.”
  Digitalization of public governance & administration
• “Nielsen, for the report drawn up. He has my full support. There are some very interesting ideas there, but in my draft opinion, I've put in 32 amendments to try and bring in the point of view of the Imco committee with a particular view to protecting consumers. Part of our committee's remit. It's important to have a framework directive regulating subcontracting and intermediation. We are talking about a regulatory framework of the EU, allowing smooth functioning of the internal market and the needs to be joint and several liability across the chain from A to Z, particularly when we're talking about public procurement, public companies or public administrations. So I am, um, suggesting the recognition of subrogation, transfer of rights, traceability, um, using the European Single procurement document or the S-pass or the Internal Market Information System, All these tools to help us improve traceability are very important, and I suggest beefing up labor inspections. I think checks and controls are vital for improving the functioning of the internal market, and setting up a European register of exclusions of contractors and subcontractors who have not complied with the rules, and laying down sectoral exclusion criteria to tackle risks such as fraud, corruption. Infiltration of crime and infringement of labour rights. And finally, we also need social conditionality in public procurement and European funding to promote collective bargaining and fair competition. So, to conclude, I would say that a competitive internal market is extremely important. It's only sustainable if it's built on solid labour rights with greater transparency and greater social fairness. Thank you.”
  EU Single Market harmonisation
• “Thank you. Two points please. Briefly. I think it's very important that in society as a whole, we have an awareness of the importance of security and defence because it is very important to the population as a whole. We cannot have hospitals and schools in a democratic system if we don't have security, which necessitates a sense. So people need to understand that. But the current financial system, I think, is not adequate to deliver on that. And therefore we're going to have to modify the whole financial scheme of things in order to provide the cover that we need. And right across the board in the EU, we need to do this. I'm not suggesting that everybody should all the countries should go their own way putting out calls for investment of less or more attractive rates. But in terms of defense, it's very important that people realize that we need to have a new satellite system and we need to have a proper uniform intelligence system. Thank you.”
  Defence spending
• “There is a group of pro Europeans who have always remained somewhat united when it comes to taking decisions rationally in the European context and in this forum. But if we raise the tone on this issue, what will happen when the far right of this Parliament does not wish to grant discharge? What are you going to do? Or are you going to join that movement? I don't think so. I don't think so, because that's not the right thing to do. And we are here to keep building Europe. And of course, if there is any scandal that occurs, we are going to denounce it just like you. But if there's not, well, trying to favor an ideological line and on the basis of something that hasn't proven is not positive, it's. That is entering into political games rather than basing our actions on facts. And as you said, is what we should do in Conte. I agree with Mr. Herbst that we would do well to approve the discharge and to lower the tone on this issue. Um, that, uh, might take place elsewhere, but doesn't make much sense here in Conte. Thank you.”
  Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• “Thank you very much. Madam president, as Oscar Lopez, minister for the digital transition in Spain, I would say maybe we could be less optimistic. But we can't lie now. In Europe, we need to continue. We need to continue working on this so that we can try and achieve rights. It's not happening elsewhere in the world. We need to focus on transparency of algorithms. We need to make sure there's accountability of platforms. We need to protect our children. We need to protect against mass disinformation campaigns and protect our societies. I am committed to technology. I'm a technophile, but technology needs to be at the service of people. If we're talking about technology, I also have to say I'm sad and I'm committed. Sad. So this afternoon I want to express my solidarity and say, come on, Alberto, you can do this.”
  Digital platforms liability for harmful and illegal content
• “Now in the last 60 minutes, first of all I'd like to say that the people in Spain are in favour of a European army. But aside from that I'd I'd like that in 60s two questions. One on the European intelligence system. How is management taking into consideration a managed integrated system? Uh, Is there a capacity, but there is no capacity, I would say. So we have a situation which is an ecosystem around ecosystem in Europe, which really doesn't facilitate this type of cooperation. The second question on AI, military, AI, now, we just came from Taiwan where we were looking at Palantir, Warren, and a number of different AI systems, all, of course, US systems and Huawei microchips, Chinese technology. So what is the model for AI military intelligence in Europe? What is it? Right now? How are we going to deal with this entire situation when we really don't have an AI military system in Europe?”
  Artificial Intelligence for military purposes
• “Thank you very much indeed, president. Deregulation. Yes, of course. I think we all agree that deregulation can be helpful because it can make your Europe more competitive and more agile, as Draghi said. But it's not just for its own sake, it's to make it more competitive. And it is something which really should make a positive contribution to improving the economy. And it is something which should enable us to develop our economy more effectively and to be genuinely competitive with China. You need to look into the background of this a bit, though, because it seems to me that the C. S triple D legislation is something which is being created as an end in itself, as a weapon to deal with deregulation, and you can't really operate that. There's no point in putting together deregulation provisions which are not focused on the objective you want to achieve. We should be trying to achieve real leadership, to achieve competitiveness, but not just Deregulating? Yes, remove bureaucracy, but not for its own sake in order to be more competitive. Thank you.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “We need to build the necessary defence pillar, but not at the cost of the other pillars. We think that they can be complementary. Secondly, we need to have a fair market for everyone, not just for a few. If we want to have a defense market, it should guarantee fair competition, which could provide real opportunities for developing our capacities in a comprehensive manner. So we need to take into account the SMEs. And all of that should strengthen our industrial ecosystems and the value chains in all of the European regions, not just in a few. Thirdly, and lastly, the European defence industry gives more than a half a million people jobs. So every public euro invested in defence needs to be subject to social and environmental conditions. So we demand that this industrial transformation, which is obvious today, should also So generate high quality jobs which promote training and professional recycling. And we need to have the highest standards attached that we've achieved historically in the union. It's a good idea to talk about security and defence, but we also have to have a holistic, integrated approach to this. We can't just talk about this individually. We also have to consider the social aspects as well. We need a strong Europe, yes, but above all, we need a fair Europe, above everything. That's my group's opinion. Thank you very much.”
  Defence spending
• “Yes. Thank you chair. As far as I am concerned. I also wanted to congratulate the report, the rapporteur for the work he has carried out. I also wanted to thank him for his sensitivity. He showed us the other evening how far generative AI is going. We also saw the reality of the authors creators. I presented 68 amendments with my group, and I did this to strengthen the rights of European creators. And I also did it so that artificial intelligence can develop, but not against those who are generating content. We need fair remuneration. It has to be transparent. We need WIPO, who also speaks of these needs. They've spoken of it often and we need to strengthen Been the transparency for those providing AI services. I have to confess that there is quite a bit of uncertainty about the future, especially when we look at the existing models. We see that generative AI is moving forward very quickly. But now we're moving towards another system, and they are developing something that is very close to creative to creative capacities. So that's why in this report I wanted to underline these aspects. Europe has to be a leader in managing artificial intelligence. And this is possible only if at the center of all our work we have transparency and correct remuneration. Thank you.”
  Artificial Intelligence
• “Well, thank you very much indeed, chair. And thank you to everyone for your contributions, which I think are extremely valuable. I listened carefully. To the Commission's position, and I'm glad that the Commission is flagging up the various plans for the future, particularly the quality jobs roadmap. I think we all agree on something here. Something we need to work on. We need to make sure that our businesses are really competitive in the internal market. But this means that the services provided are high quality ones, and the workers offering those services should have at least a minimum level of protection so that there can be quality standards complied with. So there are various convergent and divergent ideas here, but I think we all share a common objective and we need to continue work on this. Subcontracting is legitimate. It's necessary. Everyone has made that point, but when you have very long and opaque subcontracting chains, there is a risk of social dumping, fraud and precarious work. There are very advanced countries which have regulatory frameworks stopping these problems, but the key thing is to avoid the abuse, improve transparency and have a joint and several liability, particularly when it comes to public procurement. So I hope that negotiations with all of you will bear fruit. The aim is to get the broadest possible consensus. Obviously, I'm open to any proposals you wish to make because only by bringing together rights and competitiveness. Will we have a stronger internal market which is more efficient and worthy of all amendments?”
  EU policy on labour exploitation in global supply chains · EU competences on social policies
• “Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I'd really like to thank you for your suggestions and your perspectives. We don't really want to put an outright ban here, but rather measures to stop abusive practices. And I think that, as Regina Doherty was saying, it's very important that we protect the work of our companies. But at the same time, we also need to protect workers rights, because at the end of the day, we could fall into the temptation of denaturalizing a large number of services that we want to keep here. So I think that looking at this debate that we're having, we can still go further. I agree with Anna. We need to do a lot more. We need to continue working in this line. And I think that Although we have differing ideas. Svenja Hahn was saying that we should reject any type of legislation and I understand that, but. I do think that we can try and converge on a joint objective, which is that we have a strong single market that can guarantee competitiveness, but also social justice. So that really is our aim in this negotiation. We want to strike a balance. We want legitimate, necessary public procurement, but more opaque longer subcontracting chains. This is where we see fraud, social dumping and also degeneration of services being contracted. So this is why we need far more transparency. We need to limit these abuses and strengthen joint and several liability, Particularly when it comes to public procurement. Now, in any event, I hope that we can continue working, even at a technical level, to have our position and we hope that the negotiations will be fruitful so that we can achieve the greatest consensus possible, because by uniting rights and competitiveness, that way we can make a more effective social justice. I've been working here with my colleague in Empel here beside me, but we're going to do what we can. Thank you.”
  EU policy on labour exploitation in global supply chains
• “Thank you very much, Madam President, Commissioner Kubilius, thank you very much for trying to work hand in glove with us in order to wake up the European giant. But if we are to wake the giant, then we need to have a very clear political commitment. Let me explain. What does it depend on? To go towards a federal and smart system? It depends on a political decision. What about a military satellite network? Because we have Star Wars going on. Uh, that all hinges on a political decision. What about a strong defence shield? Because look at what's happening on the internet. Again, if we're to have this, this depends on political will if we are to join forces. But without this political decision, we won't be able to defend Europe. If tomorrow there were to be a threat, but an actual attack. Attack? An attack on European soil. Who would respond and how? So the European Commission has to come up with a response, has to come up with a reply. That's how we're going to help wake up the giant.”
  EU competences on defence
• “Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. I'll speak Spanish. So this is a very interesting opinion, which has to do with an analysis of subcontracting change and the role of intermediaries, particularly with an eye to protecting workers rights in the single market. Just a week ago, in fact, a delegation of members from this committee had a mission to Denmark and Sweden, and we were able to see at first hand all the problems that arise, all the issues in procurement with different levels of subcontracting. We talked to people from the world of business workers representatives as well, and in some cases, there are 18 levels of subcontracting from the decision being taken to award a tender right to the end of the chain. To the workers actually doing the work. So subcontracting is a business practice which is vital. It provides specialization and flexibility. There are many SMEs who do need this in Europe, but the problem is labor exploitation and abuses in the subcontracting chain. And this undermines fair competition and means there can be a distortion of the single market affecting the trust of consumers. Basically, because in this context, we can see a major reduction in the quality of the service provided. So eight member states of the EU Austria, Germany, Finland, France, Italy and the Netherlands, inter alia, have national rules. But it is important to take a step towards standardisation across the 27 member states of the EU. Subcontracting is legitimate, but when there is a long opaque chain, there is a possibility of fraud and abuses. Social dumping. So we do need to have proper responsibilities established. I'd like to thank my colleague, Mr.”
  EU policy on labour exploitation in global supply chains
• “Well. Thank you. Just one. First of all. Of course. I'd like to thank you for all your work, Commissioner, for you and your team, which have really, uh, bringing to us your new ideas in record time. But I think this whole process of simplification, the omnibus programme is aimed at the market and industry. Of course, you're saying when your intelligence tells you that, uh, that we're running a risk, there's a high risk that within 3 to 5 years, uh. Well, it we've also got to raise awareness of the need of a joint defence system. The problem is we don't have a common intelligence service as well. Each country is analysing each of the 27 member states. Interstate, analyzing the threat at their own rhythm. So it's not just a question of simplification and the point of view of industry and the market. I think we should also take steps to have a collective, a common European strategic and structural system so that it is no longer a question that each 20 of the 27 members do what they want. Or as Mr. Borrell said, that that it would take months. We should have a single European defence system. Thank you.”
  EU competences on defence
• “And so here we often speak about digitalization and its importance. We need to improve, um, capacity for public administration, making use of the tools that we have available. But I have also heard, uh, that the use of AI can be, well, useful to improve the efficiency of many tasks, but in order to do so, we need to invest in the training of our civil servants so that they know how to use these tools properly. And when it comes to digitalisation, the reports of the Olaf and the European auditors tell us about the risk of fraud as cyber crime linked to EU funds. We're talking about sophisticated cybercrime that, um, leads to the theft of identity fraud and which compromise the management of funds. There has been an instance of this kind of attack, so we cannot allow digitisation to be a path full of doubts. We need to strengthen cybersecurity mechanisms and, um, for digital oversight. Site, but to a large extent I agree that we need an mwmf post 2027 that is much more flexible, uh, just and efficient. But above all, it needs to improve the lives of EU citizens, strengthen our union, and now more than ever, we need to think about highlighting the very essence of our democratic systems as a reference, a global level. And so I will conclude by congratulating my colleague on his work. I think that we'll be able to, um, align our positions. Because if we want to build a united Europe, then we will need reports like this more than ever. Thank you very much.”
  Digitalization of public governance & administration
• “I'll try to be brief. Thank you. Chair. The first thing I'd like to do is thank Mr. Adam Bodner for being with us this morning. I know that he's well aware of the. Sorry. I support Real Madrid, but I don't think that that football difference won't divide us too much. I wanted to focus on something that I have to admit. For me, the something in the Polish presidency that I found very important that surprised me in a particular way. Back in January, you referred to the fact that under the Polish presidency, there will be a very important decision in terms of AI as well as the seminar that you have you held regarding the responsibility for war crimes. That's also extremely important. But what wasn't clear to me was your reply regarding the decision that was taken, because back in January we were really surprised. Particularly, I'd say that we were even a bit shocked by it to learn that a resolution was adopted allowing Netanyahu and others to participate in an event commemorating the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. The defense of the Treaty of Rome is very important to the International Criminal Court. We saw Orban's actions. I'd like to know what role you think you can have in defending this and defending the role of the International Criminal Court in the in the presidency. Thank you.”
  Relations with Israel - Palestine