Diego SOLIER

Policy topics Diego SOLIER is active on

What Diego SOLIER has said (35)

• 2026-06-16 “Thank you, president. When we speak about digital sovereignty, we want to, lead these technologies of the future. We want to reduce our strategic dependencies and also look at, supply chains that we have outside of Europe. Some people seem to think that, it means isolating ourselves from those who are leading technological innovation. I think that would be a mistake. We need to develop our own capacities, but we need to continue working together with our allies. Technological sovereignty shouldn't be technological isolation. If we want to lead in terms of artificial intelligence, we need data centers, we need semiconductors, we need engineers, and we need accessible and affordable energy. We can't have digital sovereignty without energy sovereignty. We cannot have, this Internet and technological security, without this critical infrastructure, a lot of which is, operated by private companies. So we have to put the right conditions in place for companies to innovate and grow in Europe. It's not so much about regulating the technology, but in 10 years time, will we still be depending on others' technology, or will we have been able to develop our own technology? And that is the challenge we have to start, tackling from today. Thank you.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• 2026-06-16 “Thank you. President, when we speak about digital sovereignty. We want to lead these technologies of the future. We want to reduce our strategic dependencies and also look at our supply chains that we have outside of Europe. Some people seem to think that it means isolating ourselves from those who are leading technological innovation. I think that would be a mistake. We need to develop our own capacities, but we need to continue working together with our allies. Technological sovereignty shouldn't be technological isolation. If we want to lead in terms of artificial intelligence, we need data centers, we need semiconductors, we need engineers, and we need accessible and affordable energy. We can't have digital sovereignty without energy sovereignty. We cannot have this internet and technological security without this critical infrastructure. A lot of which is operated by private companies. So we have to put the right conditions in place for companies to innovate and grow. In Europe, it's not so much about regulating the technology, but in ten years time, will we still be depending on others technology? Or will we have been able to develop our own technology? And that is the challenge we have to start tackling from today. Thank you.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• 2025-03-14 “E-001101/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Ribera on behalf of the European Commission The choice of energy sources in the energy mix, including the decision to use or not use nuclear energy, remains within the remit of each Member State in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). 1 The Commission does not intervene in such decisions while it recognises that securing supplies of clean and affordable energy is critical for European competitiveness, security, and reaching the EU’s climate objectives. At the EU level, measures to support investments in energy projects have to comply with the State aid rules under Article 107 (3)(c) of the TFEU 2 , the Electricity Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2019/943 on the internal market for electricity 3 ), and the Euratom Treaty 4 in case of nuclear energy. All energy projects, including nuclear based, are assessed on the basis of the same principles. For the purpose of compliance with State aid law, the Commission assesses the necessity, appropriateness, and proportionality of the energy projects and checks whether they do not cause undue distortion of competition and do not affect trade to an extent contrary to the internal market, as pointed out by the European Court of Justice. For example, in 2020, the Court confirmed the Commission decision approving aid from the United Kingdom for the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station 5 . In 2024 and 2025, the Commission approved aid schemes from Czechia for the Dukovany new-build reactors 6 and from Belgium for Doel 4 and Tihange 3 reactors lifetime extensions 7 . Regarding distortions in the electricity market in particular, the Commission also verifies compliance with the Electricity Regulation. 1 Article 194, TFEU; https://eurlex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX%3A12008E194%3AEN%3AHTML. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:12008E107. 3 Regulation (EU) 2019/943 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the internal market for electricity; https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/943/oj/eng. 4 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=legissum:4301853. 5 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/?uri=CELEX:62018CJ0594. 6 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=oj:JOC_2022_299_R_0002. 7 Decision to be published in 2025; https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_565.”
  EU approach to electricity market and prices · Energy transition (state support) · Nuclear energy
• 2025-03-05 “E-000932/2025 Answer given by Mr Hoekstra on behalf of the European Commission Delivering on the EU’s climate targets 1 requires a swift decrease in greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors, including transport. It is also urgent to reduce Europe’s reliance on imported fossil fuels, which makes the EU more vulnerable to external pressure and global market uncertainty – in 2022, the EU’s fossil-fuel energy import bill reached EUR 604 billion. The CO 2 standards Regulation 2 sets targets for new cars and vans, which get more stringent over time, up to a 100% emission reduction as of 2035. This creates long-term predictability for manufacturers and investors, while giving industry the necessary lead-time to adapt. This also supports competitiveness – EU manufacturers are strongly investing in zero-emission technologies and a strong home market is a crucial enabler for them to regain leadership in this area. The 2025 CO 2 targets, which require a 15% reduction of emissions from baseline, can be met through a mix of technological options, including electric and hybrid vehicles. For manufacturers that may not be able to comply on their own, the Regulation, as strongly requested by the industry, provides the option to pool with other manufacturers. Pooling is not required under the Regulation – it is one option in manufacturers’ compliance strategy. As announced in the Industrial Action Plan for the European automotive sector 3 , on 1 April 2025 the Commission proposed a targeted amendment of the CO₂ standards, whereby compliance would be assessed over the years 2025, 2026 and 2027 combined instead of annually 4 . This will contribute to safeguarding the EU industry’s capacity to invest, keeping the overall ambition of the 2025 targets. The Commission will also accelerate work on the preparation of the review of the Regulation. 1 Enshrined in the European Climate Law – http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1119/oj 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/851/oj/eng 3 COM(2025) 95 final, 5.3.2025. 4 COM(2025) 136 final, 1.04.2025.”
  Road transport environmental policy · Climate efforts
• 2025-03-05 “E-000931/2025 Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission In the area of civil protection, Member States have the primary role in coordinating disaster response in their country, including search and rescue operations. In the event of a disaster that overwhelms national response capacities, countries can request assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) 1 . In case of such request, the Emergency Response Cooperation Centre (ERCC) coordinates the support from other Member States and UCPM participating states, such as specialised equipment and response teams. Under the guidelines of the United Nations advisory body International Search and Rescue Advisory Group, various technologies are utilised to identify the exact location of victims in search and rescue operations. Urban Search and Rescue teams rely on information provided by national authorities managing the overall response efforts. So far, Member States have not expressed the need for an EU-wide web platform for missing persons as an area where EU support is sought. Relevant national authorities may however use the Cohesion Policy instruments 2 or various financing tools made available under UCPM, such as the Knowledge for Action in Prevention and Preparedness 3 call for proposals, or the Technical Assistance for Disaster Risk Management 4 call for proposals to test new ideas for disaster risk management applications or to carry out feasibility studies and draw technical specifications for tools, including Information technology (IT) platforms. 1 https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/eu-civil-protection-mechanism_en 2 https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/policy/what/investment-policy_en 3 https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/UCPM-2025KAPPPVPP?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502,31094503&frameworkProgramme=43298203&order=D ESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate 4 https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/UCPM-2025TRACK1?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502,31094503&frameworkProgramme=43298203&order =DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate”
  Privacy & law enforcement
• 2025-01-21 “E-000247/2025 Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission The Ambient Air Quality Directive 1 obliges Member States to take measures to ensure that limits are not exceeded. The choice of the specific type of measure, e.g. low emission zones (LEZ), is the prerogative of the Member States under the subsidiarity principle. The Commission supports Member States with good practices such as the Civitas ReVeAL project 2 to prepare e.g. LEZs, including a toolkit for evaluating economic impacts. The transition to clean road mobility is supported by the CO2 emission standards 3 for new cars, vans and heavy-duty vehicles which sets progressively higher emission reduction targets. These standards provide long-term certainty and predictability for investors, while allowing sufficient lead time for a fair transition. As announced in the Industrial Action Plan for the automotive sector 4 adopted on 5 March 2025, the Commission will accelerate work on the foreseen review of the Regulation. The review will be based on a fact-based analysis, taking relevant technological developments and the importance of an economically viable and socially fair transition towards zero-emission mobility into account. Whereas the Commission oversees the allocation and management of funds to comply with EU Regulations and goals, it is for Member States to implement funds. They are responsible for management/control system for the use of funds which is based on a combination of detailed monitoring systems, control mechanisms, and stringent independent auditing processes. In addition, the Commission, along with the European Court of Auditors, regularly audits the management of EU funds in Member States. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2008/50/oj/eng 2 https://civitas-reveal.eu/ 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32023R0851 4 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_25_636”
  Road transport environmental policy · EU funding for transportation
• 2025-01-21 “P-000249/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission 1. The EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) can only be activated at the request of eligible Member States and accession countries hit by natural disasters within 12 weeks as from when the first damage occurred, demonstrating that the total direct damage exceeds the thresholds specified in Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 1 . The EUSF is not a rapid response instrument but a post-disaster relief instrument. Its activation can take several months to complete. To shorten delays, the Commission provides significant upstream support to affected countries and there is a possibility to award advance payments to applicant Member States. The EUSF may cover part of the costs for emergency and recovery operations incurred by public authorities. This includes, for example, the recovery of essential infrastructure, provision of temporary accommodation to the population, cleaning-up operations and protection of cultural heritage. 2. On 20 January 2025, the Spanish authorities submitted an application for financial assistance from the EUSF following the floods in the Autonomous Community of Valencia in October 2024. The application was submitted within the 12-week regulatory deadline. The Commission is carefully assessing the submitted documents. If it is assessed that the conditions for mobilising the EUSF are met, the Commission will determine the amount of financial assistance, within the limits of the available financial resources, and will submit its proposal to the European Parliament and the Council for approval. 1 Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund (OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3) as amended by Regulation (EU) No 661/2014 of the European Parliament and the Council of 15 May 2014 (OJ L 189, 27.6.2014, p. 143) and by Regulation (EU) 2020/461 of the European Parliament and the Council of 30 March 2020 (OJ L 99, 31.3.2020, p. 9). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:32002R2012”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• 2024-11-19 “E-002576/2024 Answer given by Mr Hoekstra on behalf of the European Commission The CO 2 emission standards for new cars and vans 1 provide a framework for the transition to zero-emission vehicles, which is essential to achieve our objective of becoming climate neutral by 2050. The impacts for consumers have been analysed in the Commission’s impact assessment 2 , which showed that both first- and second-hand car users would benefit from a lower total cost of ownership over the vehicles' lifetime. This will be increasingly the case as more affordable zero-emission vehicles become available. In 2025, the Commission will prepare a progress report 3 , which will look into the affordability of zero- and low-emission vehicles and the impacts on consumers of the transition to zeroemission mobility. In 2026, the Commission will review the Regulation 4 , which will be an opportunity to assess how to best ensure a fair transition. The EU Social Climate Fund is established to address the social impacts of the new carbon pricing for the fuels used in buildings, road transport and small industry (ETS2) 5 on the most vulnerable groups. The Fund will mobilise at least EUR 86.7 billion between 2026 and 2032. It will support citizens in transport poverty by improving access to zero- and low-emission mobility, incentivising the use of public transport, shared mobility services and active mobility. Each Member State will have the option to spend up to 37.5% of their allocation to support the incomes of their most vulnerable citizens under certain conditions. Spain is set to be one of the largest beneficiaries of the Fund; and will be able to mobilise around EUR 9 billion for measures and investments. Furthermore, Spain can use its ETS2revenues for measures to accelerate the uptake of zero-emission vehicles or recharging infrastructure. 1 http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/851/oj 2 Impact assessment accompanying Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2019/631 as regards strengthening the CO 2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles in line with the Union’s increased climate ambition. 3 Article 14a of Regulation (EU) 2019/631. 4 Article 15 of Regulation (EU) 2019/631. 5 http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2023/959/oj.”
  Support for different mobility technologies Other Than Electric Vehicles
• “President. Commissioner. Today we're talking about the European democracy field. That sounds very good. As if democracy were a castle that needed to be protected. And yes, of course there is interference and there's disinformation, and the algorithms of the big platforms can amplify this kind of rubbish. But are we going to protect Europeans, or are we protecting governments against Europeans? Because when you have a shield, you really get invite a debate around what is true, what is false, and what's disinformation. Now we are calling for clear and serious rules to stop interference from outside and have rules and evidence based evidence measures. So no attacks on freedom of information. Tocqueville said that, uh, it's not we shouldn't be tyrannizing or infantilizing the people. So we're not really sure what's behind this proposal from the commission. Without freedom, we will lose. Thank you.”
  Disinformation & online freedoms
• “President. Commissioner. There are big differences between researchers coming here and people coming on small boats. Europe ought to attract people to come to live here, create and invest and innovate, but not people who bring with them risks and threats. We are a continent of mobility, investment, invention and innovation. But it is impossible for young researchers to find an affordable place to stay with the funding that they receive here in Europe. Then they've also got to overcome a huge bureaucratic burden in order to get here. There has been more time on their visa applications, etc. and bureaucracy than on their research. Surely we ought to be able to give them decent funding. We need to make their research feasible, viable, and we need to provide decent employment opportunities for them. Europe could be an excellent example. Rather than an example of instability and difficulties in pursuing your scientific dreams. Thank you.”
  Research priorities within the EU
• “Thank you very much, president. Commissioner, Europe is not a is now penalizing the producer. We're seeing, uh, companies, our industry, uh, closing down people, losing their jobs. And in the meantime, uh, the EU continues to import countries just based on their own interests. Ask the primary sector, the logistics sector, the workers from, uh. Who are seeing the ports empty of containers. We are obliging our companies, uh, to close down factories and then just import the same products from outside of Europe. This is not a green transition. It's deindustrialization. The ECR wants to see a comprehensive revision of the ETS system. We cannot keep putting in place. Technically impossible systems which are destructive because if we continue on this path, Europe will stop producing. And when Europe stops producing, it will stop deciding its own future. Thank you.”
  Extension of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme
• “Thank you very much indeed, Madam President. Commissioner. These wildfires don't start with the flames, but rather when the land is emptied and when people forget about cultivating the land, farmers throw in the towel. Basically, we have expelled those who looked after the land. All kinds of ridiculous norms. Because if you have herds, then then there is life. And our farmers basically are firefighters without uniforms, doing a job of work for us all free of charge. But they are not compensated by the cap. They are punished more than supported. We have got people working with their hands, they care for the land and if we don't care for the land then we are doomed.”
  Agriculture (green)
• “Thank you. Chair. And thank you to the speaker. There's many good questions that have been brought up by my colleagues, but I think there's a couple more that I'd like to ask. We've reduced our dependence on Russian gas, but we still have dependence on other states. So what measures is the Commission planning to, uh, create a true energy independence, not just changing providers? Um, since we began this mandate, we've been speaking about all of the mysteries or the issues with the industry. And, uh. Uh, the fact that the European energy prices are much higher than in the US. So what measures is the Commission planning to reduce energy prices for industry because we can't wait any longer. Many industries are going under and going to nuclear. My colleague Raul spoke about this. In Spain, we're suffering. Uh, the imposition of the of plans to close nuclear power plants that is going to affect both industry and families. And. Um, although this is a national decision, we need to find a way to stop this, because I think this is a major mistake. Uh. And we need to make these national governments see that this is not a good decision to make. So. What, uh, sort of financing would be available from nuclear power plants in other countries? And how can we help to make sure that these nuclear power plants aren't closed in Spain, for example? Thank you.”
  Nuclear energy
• “Thank you, Mr. President. Commissioner. So what is in this Mercosur agreement is killing our agriculture, selling our industrial products in exchange for um, um, produce, which has been pumped full of drugs. So this is the same as allowing products in from Morocco without any checks. So we're selling the health of our citizens for our industry, or are we going to protect our farmers so they comply with the same rules and maintain their production? Do we want to, uh, hand over to others that what the power of what our children are going to eat? Thank you very much.”
  Trade relations with Mercosur
• “Thank you very much, Madam Minister, for your comments and for sharing the Danish Presidency's priorities. You've stated that we need to be leaders. And I think we agree on the problems that we have. And mainly that's the technological gap we have with our competitors. China and the US. But we haven't really seen a real action plan for investment and how to get this as a strategic autonomy. I think we all agree that we are leaders in regulation. For example, in Spain. We had a regulation about regulating AI before we had any kind of industry in it. So yes, we're fans of trying to simplify things and to try and limit the barriers we have for all of the companies, be they small or large. We also agree with what the SPD said about the dependency we have on multinationals that are actually located outside of our market. A very unique example we have of that is China, where Spain at the moment is going to put the entire security of our networks in the hands of a Chinese company. So we need to have links to real action that can be implemented as soon as possible, so that we can start to close this gap. A little by little. I know it's not going to be a fast task, but we do need real plans.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• “Thank you. President, ladies and gentlemen. We are being sold at Euro digital Euro as progress. However, behind this there's something much darker. It's total control over citizens. It's not just a question of technology. It's about power. It's deciding how we spend, where we are, what we consume. It's the door to mass surveillance where our freedom is tied to a screen. And who controls that screen? The worst thing is that there's no real guarantees. We're not talking about banning links to fundamental rights and also banning, um, uh, uh, cash. This is a tool. It's not a service. At the same time, we can see how digital markets are, um, censoring, uh, information and penalizing SMEs. What kind of Europe are you taking us to? Europe was born to protect us, not to put a barcode on us. If we don't act now, tomorrow will be too long. It will be too late to liberty. And freedom is something we need to defend.”
  Digital euro
• “President. Commissioner. On the 28th of April, the Iberian Peninsula went through an alarming experience a blackout which affected Spain, Portugal, the south of France, millions of citizens, hospitals, transport, communications. Well, they just didn't work. We had a very fragile system built up on green ideology that failed. 80% of energy at that particular moment was green. But there was the grid. The network destabilised, but other energies were not able to compensate for this green energy because it doesn't provide electricity. It can't stabilize when this is needed. Your grid needs the combined cycles nuclear energy, for example, fossil fuels. But these this more solid basis has disappeared. And the whole electricity grid is, um, run by ministers that have been appointed by the Prime Minister. So the whole of the country ended up in the dark. And what would have happened had the blackout lasted even more hours, or in summer, for example, when the hospitals were full. And this isn't an isolated case. At 27th October in Valencia, um, there was a mass flood, and this was because there hadn't been proper maintenance of sewage systems, drainage systems, and this was all because of ideology and climate fanaticism. The energy transition cannot be a religion. It can't be based on, um, prohibitions and ideological persecutions. Europe needs clean energy, yes, but accessible, realistic and stable.”
  Energy (green transition)
• “Thank you. President. I'm going to speak in Spanish. But the recent approval of its plan. The commission has launched a strategy to promote our innovative companies. But I'm concerned by some of the measures put forward, because these will only kick in as of 2027. But startups are already grappling with difficulties in accessing capital and scaling up. So that action is needed now. Real, tangible solutions are needed, not just text. Action needs to be taken now. We need to streamline the procedures. Cut red tape. We don't just want sandboxes or recommendations or initiatives. Now. Will reducing red tape have a tangible effect? Can you not implement mechanisms we can actually keep an eye on? My question is this. What appraisal measures will gauge how the measures are being rolled out? Because many of the recommendations are voluntary and it's contingent on member states to act. What measures have been set in place for member States to speed up implementation of these policies?”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “Thank you. President. Commissioner. Well. What happened with the Kodak films when digital cameras came out, did we lose them? Were the bands in them? Why do we have to ban combustion engines to force people to buy electric cars? It's not a transition. It's an imposition. Europe has for years been talking about the ecological transition, but it's been doing it from offices far removed from families, the industry, the factories. Do you know what citizens are saying? That they wake up, they go to work, they think about their old cars. It still works. They think if they could buy a new one and they think, why am I being forced to change? And we're leaving behind jobs. We're destroying an industry and we are distancing ourselves from people we shouldn't be imposing. Europe should be protecting listening. And Europe is not built on the basis of prohibitions, but through freedom, common sense and hard work. Thank you.”
  Road transport environmental policy
• “Thank you Chair. I very much agree with what Mister Heller said on the topic of connecting Europe and the current situation we're seeing in some countries in terms of a network saturation, grid saturation. In Spain, we're making considerable investments but they've been paused because the grid is saturated, about eighty to eighty-five percent. I think before we start connecting countries or interconnecting geographic areas, we should have the domestic issues structured properly so that the cost of interconnection between countries will really be beneficial. So like Mister Heller said, these national questions, how can we ensure that these investments are reaching national territories to improve the current networks which, as in Spain's case, often are oversaturated? Thank you. **Giorgio GORI @Chair (Italy, S&D): Thank you and now dear guests, you have three minutes each for your final remarks, starting from Mister Balkan.”
  EU transport infrastructure integration
• “Thank you, Madam President. Madam Commissioner, Europe is not going to win the digital race with more paper. It can do it with fiber, with 5G, six G purity and investment. The problem is simple. Today, as you said, Europe is fragmented, slow and expensive. And while we're talking about formula, other are building networks and are investing in AI, the digital networks, that could be an opportunity or it could be another mistake. We will support it only if you do three things. Firstly, sovereignty Europe needs critical safe networks, but which doesn't need to be centralised in Brussels. States should keep operational control because the situation is not the same in Valencia, Helsinki and Warsaw. Secondly, real simplification. No duplication, less red tape, less delay. Every month that Europe delays the rollout, it loses competitiveness. Thirdly, freedom to invest. If this file turns into more burdens and higher costs, there will be no more investment. Without investment, there is no coverage. There is no digital industry. There's no work. And a key point strategic independence in a submarine or underwater cables. Europe needs to be able to protect itself with real capacities, not with faith. In summary, less bureaucracy, more networks. Europe doesn't need another layer of bureaucracy. It needs more infrastructure. The recipe is functional networks and as citizens that trust. Thank you.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• “Well, following on this debate, a few weeks ago, we attended an event in Parliament involving several medium sized enterprises from the space sector. And the complaint was about bureaucracy, about red tape, about all the struggles they had to go through to get access to various programmes and to cooperate amongst themselves. So they complained that they didn't have any sort of marketplace, um, where all of these, uh, SMEs could offer their services to other SMEs at European level in order to network. Amongst themselves and and also the you know, they talked about the need for simplification of procedures. So I do think that would be a good initiative as well as. Making life easier if they have to apply for different certifications, different certificates, um, within this ecosystem so that, uh, these companies within the same ecosystem can contact one another network with one another. I think they need to be connected together in this area, because I think this could give rise to all sorts of synergies, which would give greater, um, success for these companies and make it easier to attain the objectives of these programmes. So I think we have to try and find synergies between all of these SMEs at European level and make life easier for them. So I think what you said about simplification of procedures was very important. Thank you.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “Thank you. Chair. I also will be speaking Spanish. Thank you to the presenters for sharing their knowledge with us and sharing their know how when it comes to this kind of technology. From what I see is we have the tail wagging the dog. We have problems with the electrical grid, we have problems with energy generation, and we need a stable grid in order to have all of these data centers at the same time. I share the opinion, uh, regarding the fact that without artificial intelligence will be very difficult to catch up on the countries that are ahead of us, such as the US and China. My question, to be brief, is from that point of view and in your opinion, If you had a Christmas list to write up for the Commission and the Parliament, what should we focus on in the coming years? Thank you.”
  EU energy infrastructure integration
• “Thank you president. Commissioner. Well, we said this back in June that wildfires are extinguished in winter with preparation, helping farmers, livestock holders, those who know about the mountains. But we didn't know we couldn't prevent, uh, well, there's the, uh, rain in spring. We've seen huge fires now, huge amounts of hectares lost, uh, a historic record, um, according to the European Information System on wildfires. And, uh, really, we're not coming up with appropriate solutions. We're blaming each other and civil society is being taken hostage once again. We need to invest. If we invest in prevention over the year, you're doing less crisis management. We have adequate information to actually avoid human losses, losses of land affects to the on the environment and our culture. We need to act now because otherwise next year we're going to be in exactly the same situation again.”
  EU policy on infrastructure for preventing climate-related disasters (floods, droughts, extreme weather etc.)
• “As far as this Euro fund goes, I've noted that, uh, we are increasing the implementation here, and I think there has to be a manager created for this fund. It's important to know whether we're going to have one, uh, manager or more. So we're going to have a general one. And are we going to have system of evaluation so that we can see the real impact of the fund, and if the results are not what we hope for? How are we going to manage this to make sure that it dovetails properly with other funds?”
  Accounting and auditing of EU budget
• “Thank you. President. Commissioner. We agree in the diagnosis. Cybersecurity is not just about technology. It is vital for hospitals, energy, transport in our children's mobile phones. The public administration and cyber attack campaigns are a problem. But we have a couple of conditions. We need sovereignty and subsidiarity. Subsidiarity, enisa should coordinate, but the responsibility must lie with member states. Second point we need genuine security. We need more flexible certification. But that must cut down on red tape. Otherwise, our SMEs will struggle to cope. A third point we need strategic autonomy. We need to look at risking, but we also need European capabilities to ensure security. Success will be measured if we allow our companies to prosper and prevent attacks. That is the only benchmark. Thank you.”
  Scope of EU cybersecurity obligations
• “Thank you. Thank you Commissioner. Well, I think our group was right because this energy package really takes on board what we suggested a drop in price, a strengthen of energy security, investment in nuclear energy and investment in interconnecting, um, grids. What about Spain? Well, Spain is blocking nuclear and it wants to close Almaraz one in, uh, 27 and in from October 26th. If this plan has not been stopped by then, the closing of that nuclear plant, Almaraz, will be irreversible. This will have an impact both in Portugal and southern France. We saw this on the 28th of April to 2025. During the blackout, we sent a letter to Mrs. Rivera to to Mrs. von der Leyen and to yourself. We want to call for transparency and technical criteria. And please forget about your ideological calendars and diaries. Don't call for more industry, for more energy. And then look the other way if nuclear plants are being closed in certain member states. Thank you.”
  Nuclear energy
• “Thank you, Madam President. Commissioner. Europe. Bureaucracy cannot destroy our industry. Energy policies in the EU today are leaving our industry to the edge of crisis. We are talking about EU which support 20% of manufacturing in Europe and strategic sectors such as automation, defence and housing. But in Europe we are seeing zero energy factories crossing because they are closing because of the costs. Brussels sets more and more ambitious targets, but no means of achieving them. We are seeing the relocation of production, we're seeing jobs destroyed, and we're moving from being an industrial power to depending on third countries. We're seeing that industries being exported and dependency is being imported. Accelerated decarbonisation without the necessary social and economic measures will be a huge mistake. What's at stake isn't just our competitiveness, it's our sovereignty and our social model. We need a rational and plan for energy, which will protect our industry and jobs, because otherwise Europe won't be strong.”
  Energy (green transition)
• “Fine. Well, we don't have a single sector then in our industry that has been improving naturally in the last five years. Now, if we look at energy, you talk in Brussels about a nuclear plant in Belgium. Could you explain why this technology is fine for Belgium but not for Spain? And why do we have to close nuclear plants on other plants? That is fixating our industry. And if we look at the Critical Medicines Act. Do you believe that? There will be a simple a single producer that will be able to remain in Europe to produce medicinal products? If you don't have legal certainty.”
  Nuclear energy
• “Thank you. President. Commissioner. This is a decisive moment for Europe. Us and Asia are extending their technological lead. And we can't get bogged down in bureaucracy here. We need to be agile and courageous. European startups, especially in countries like Spain, where the business sector for entrepreneurs has grown 30% in five years, is a good example, but they need a harmonised framework with less administrative burden. Talent will not wait, nor will investment. We need to open up access to financing with greater involvement of the European Investment Bank and tax incentives for high impact technological innovations. Let's not burden this path with more administration, but open it up and listen to those sectors, such as the private sector whose interests are involved. We need scientists, entrepreneurs, investors. No more obstacles, but incentives to compete.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “Good afternoon. I'll speak in Spanish. Well, it's hard to do this in a minute. And it's. I think we can agree. I won't be too technical when we take decisions. We should bear in mind companies and consumers. I think this afternoon we've already said it's important to improve the electricity grid. It's important to improve into linkages between countries, to create an inter-country energy market, to combat the challenges of the different countries coming and benefit from the various technologies. And I think there's still a lot of energy fanaticism. I've heard the commission. People talking about nuclear energy, etc., that concern. And we always are going to have more renewables and perhaps penalise our society using up more land. In Spain, someone has already said this. It is not because of the renewables, it's because of the fanaticism that we see in Spain currently. It's because we said there was something that happened on the grid, because the energy sources were totally disconnected and could not stabilize what happened at that time. And that was the problem. Thank you.”
  EU energy infrastructure integration
• “I'm going to speak in Spanish. Thank you chair. We're discussing electricity affordability once again within the continent under the framework of the energy community. But what I'm going to say today is nothing new. I think European policies need to guarantee affordable energy supply. Abundant supply that is also sustainable. We need to at the same time be realistic and coherent. We are trying to develop an interconnected electricity system that involves new grids. It improves supply, and it advocates for new innovations in the electricity market in this wider market. The trading of electricity and breaking this away from wholesale networks means that consumers can have the electricity supply that they need. But if we look at this smaller scale market, we see that there are artificially high costs caused by CO2 rates. If we base our energy on clean sources like nuclear, and if we move towards a approach where. We introduce new renewables. Will see that some energy supplies will be prioritized over others. We advocate for a pan-European network where we are not the ones self-imposing tariffs on our energy. We want to respect the energy sovereignty of every single country based on their specific characteristics. Cross-border cooperation depends on external parties. We need to look at the natural evolution of the market and technologies on the market. We need to be rational over other approaches. Sorry.”
  EU approach to electricity market and prices
• “President. Commissioner. If we continue going in this direction by 2030, our industries could have completely disappeared and our sovereignty will be in the hands of foreign powers. We are seeing daylight localization of our industry. Companies are shutting down. Industry is disappearing. The only thing we're bringing from the side of Europe is bureaucracy and red tape. We don't set the pace anymore. We are hitting the brakes for our industry. While we're here discussing regulations and rules, we're losing our leading role. The clean industrial deal is an opportunity, but only if we act intelligently. Less bureaucracy, more investment. Accessible, affordable energy. We cannot allow decarbonization to be a brake on our impetus. It is time for Europe to regain its leadership role and build a prosperous Europe. Thank you.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “Mr. president Commissioner ladies and gentlemen. Well we can have the best car in the world, but you can't go anywhere if the roads no good. And that's the situation of energy in Europe. We are trying to create the champions of the future, but our networks don't work. We can't continue to waste time in this way in Europe. Currently in Spain, we have. We know exactly what it looks like when things go wrong. The blackout showed what happens. Dogmatic politics are damaging industry and that's unacceptable. We can't criminalize some energy sources because of ideology. While the network collapses, energy is wasted and our businesses lose competitiveness. We need to stop ensuring that inexperienced politicians are put in charge of networks. We need engineers, people who know what they're doing. We doing. We don't need magic or ideological solutions that have nothing to do with science or technology. Europe needs a modern, robust and connected network. Otherwise, we have no future. Are we going to keep switching the lights off right across Europe, or are we going to act because the next failure will be systemic? We have a responsibility here. Thank you.”
  EU energy infrastructure integration
• “Good morning. The functions performed by the UHC for the space programme. They're vital for Europe, particularly in the current context, not just when it comes to developing and operating space in space apparatus, but also when it comes to the research sphere, particularly looking at technological transference and this direct impact on services available to citizens. However, it is worrying to see that many of the projects developed under this framework haven't actually yet made it onto the market. How do you think you can improve this transition between research and marketing of projects? We think that this is a lost opportunity, and we want you to play a more central role in supporting startups and private sector projects. We're not just asking for more funding, but rather what we're asking for is having a single system for collaboration between agencies and institutions and private companies. You're talking about increasing these private investment involving start ups in space programs. If we go further than that, we see this growing militarisation between member states, and that is giving a boost to the space industry in Europe, leading to more investment in the sector and technologies. Space and defence technologies are interlinked. What initiatives or project is, are, is used for carrying out in collaboration with European industry? How are you optimising efforts to pull efforts between civil and military projects to to make progress in this area?”
  EU competences on space policy