Nicolás PASCUAL DE LA PARTE

Policy topics Nicolás PASCUAL DE LA PARTE is active on

What Nicolás PASCUAL DE LA PARTE has said (29)

• “Thank you. Thank you, dear colleagues, for your intervention. It's totally unbalanced and true. Spain again never set up concentration camps in the modern time in Cuba. I mean, the real oppressors of Cuba has been the communist regime under Fidel Castro and his successors. And you know that millions of Cubans has left their country because they cannot live in Cuba. These are the oppressors of Cuba and the communist regime that you represent. The second point. I have not said anything about Israel. I have said that Iran is the head, The head of the monster. We destabilize the entire region. And without this regime, probably we will leave the region and ourselves. And you as well. Thank you.”
  EU-Cuba relations
• “Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Thank you very much, Deputy Prime Minister, for your quick readout of your Danish priorities for your presidency on security and defence related matters. You have said we are going not through normal times. They are very challenging times and we have very high expectations from the Danish presidency, and we are sure that you will deliver. But let me make 3 or 4 concrete comments concerning Ukraine. I think that so far we have been able to help and assist Ukraine to defend itself. I think that we should go a step forward and to help Ukraine to win the war, not only to defend itself, but to win the war. That means another mindset, and I am sure that you you share this, this approach. I would like you to elaborate a little bit more on that. And for that, we have to to start using perhaps the deposits, the financial deposits of the Russian state and European banks. So far, we have used only the interest, the fall of this of these financial deposits in European banks. Do you think it's not high time to go for the principle and to use this money in order to help to assist the Ukrainian friends and to reconstruct the country.”
  Russia-Ukraine conflict (10th term)
• “The four the four flagships we are agreed upon here. The four projects for the European Union, four, you know, them? It's going to be under the control of NATO. Yes or no?”
  Relations with NATO
• “Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Thank you very much, Commissioner, for your insights into the implementation. The first weeks of the implementation of the White Paper. The first point you touched upon was the financial issue. And here you have said that the European Investment Bank has modified partially the statute so that they can already invest more in defence and security related matters, but they have promised only to spend as much as €2,000 million this year. 24 was €1,000 million. 25 €2,000 million not enough. Obviously, we have to convince you, the Commission and the European Parliament to the EIB to mobilise much more resources because we need them. And probably the most efficient effect of the EIB is the tractor effect that it will have on the private banking, so that the private banking in the future can invest also in defence and security, and much more than they have done so far. The second one is the EDP. Obviously, the EDP is granted only with €1,500 million. Until 2027 is not enough. We are considering the possibility of transferring for the safe part of the program as many as €20,000 million, but we have to think how to how, how is possible to do that? Because EDP are grants and the Safe program are loans.”
  Defence spending
• “(15:49:07 – 15:51:21): First of all, thank you very much to the European Commission for the work being done to give impulse to the EU drone industry, not only with the initiatives, but the we also have the action plan, for the drone and counter drone. But also thanks for giving priority to funding, so that member states can encourage, drone, industries in their defense sectors. These are, efforts, which will certainly, lead to a solid, effective, and a dissuasive drone sector in the EU. These are objectives already achieved by our neighbor, Ukraine, from whom we have so much to learn. Undoubtedly, we're talking about different realities, with their living unarmed conflict, but the need remains urgent on both sides, the defense of all. If we take note from the Ukrainian industry, the European Commission and member states can learn a lot. Specifically, it would be counterproductive to inundate companies that are in charge of drone technology with environmental unnecessary red tape with permit requirements that are a loss of time. It also does not make sense for most of the money to be given to the hands of the government rather than the companies, particularly the smaller companies that are developing drone technologies that are adapted to the needs of the battlefield. If we want to stop the Russian threat, we need to advance at the same speed of those who are trying to attack the EU. That's why we need the accelerator. In this SADA committee, you will always find our assistance to help in your work as is being requested by the sector.”
  Defence spending
• “Thank you very much, Madam President. Thank you very much, Commissioner, for your readout. I think that you have said Europe found itself in a real crossroad concerning security and defence out of different reasons, but mainly because we have to set up a credible deterrence against Russia for future possible military adventurism. And because we have to reset the European link on new bases on inequality basis. So far, the European link with the US has been a relationship of dependency, and it is not possible anymore. It's unsustainable. The new transatlantic link has to be based on reciprocity and equality. And that's why we need a European Union of Defence, a European Union that is capable of taking the future in its own range. And that means a single market for defence. That means a European industrial and technological base that you have said, Commissioner. And above all, we have to reform also our architecture and our decision making processes so that we can have, at the end of the day, a European headquarters, a European command and control change and military integrated change. And we are able to take our own decisions. This will be taken along the year to 20 2026 and 2027. We have already agreed upon the political and strategic framework, and now we have to deliver on concrete and possible work strands with the military mobility, with whether it is the drone wall, space defence and missile defence. We have the need of speed, of decision, of strategic capacity and democratic accountability. Thank you very much.”
  EU competences on defence
• “Thank you very much. And my congratulations to the Co-rapporteurs, the shadow rapporteurs, for the good cooperation between CD and Tran committees in drafting the joint paper. I think the main issues are identified. Wanted only to to raise a couple of questions. First one is that apart from the infrastructure, the infrastructure, everybody agrees that the border control, red tape and bureaucracy has to be reduced to the minimum for that is not necessary. Too much money. It's only necessary good coordination and political will. And for that also, we have to, uh, to provide common protocols of behaviour by the customs officers, training for the customs officers so that everybody knows what to do and standard procedures. It is something that perhaps the Commission could help to coordinate that. The other point is the necessary coordination, close coordination, collaboration with NATO. We cannot afford ourselves to have a dovetail, to have duplications and to have a double efforts. I think that here we cannot afford that. And that's why it's very important to keep in the working group of NATO, European Union, which is working on military mobility. This particular point. As for the money, I think that, well, I hope that the €7.5 billion will be retained as earmarked for the next MFF, and I think that it should be a flexible amount of money so that it could be increased if necessary. Thank you very much.”
  Relations with NATO
• “49:07 – 16:52:12): Thank you very much for the honor. The tough opinion, according to our good friend Mister Teras, is in line with what has been agreed in the EDF and EIDIP, and it continues our efforts in strengthening common defense, increasing defense readiness, and the European added value in the areas of defense. In his rough opinion, Mister Teras introduced the idea of a so-called war reserve, which is essentially an emergency scenario flexibility mechanism to redirect money from other policy areas into defense in case a member state is attacked and the mutual defense clause of Article 42.7 of the Treaty of the European Union is triggered. This is a very important priority because the European Union needs to be able to react as quickly and effectively as possible in case one of our member states is attacked. Another big priority for Mister Teras was the protection of critical infrastructure. Much of the critical infrastructure in the European Union is currently too vulnerable, and an attack or sabotage action can have devastating consequences both economically and in terms of affecting the safety and daily lives of our citizens. The unfortunate reality is that it is much more expensive and difficult to protect critical infrastructure than it is to attack it. For example, if a cheap drone takes down an electricity substation or part of the power grid, then the amount of damage caused is incomparable to the cost of the drone. Furthermore, Mister Teras made amendments to make sure that the perspective of the military end user is also taken into account. This is to make sure that what is done in the defense section of the ECFE actually matches what is needed in reality. The draft opinion also strengthens support for small and medium enterprises. A lot of innovative work is done by them, and they also form the backbone of our economies, but due to their small size, they lack the administrative capacity of larger companies, which is why they need more support. Many different topics have aspects that are related to defense, but we have to respect the practical reality of the division of competencies between the different committees of the European Parliament. In this SEDE opinion, Interterra has made sure to stay within the SEDE competencies according to Annex VI of the Rules of Procedure. I look forward to hearing comments from the shadow rapporteurs and SEDE colleagues. Thank you very much.”
  Defence spending
• “The time is now. We need to close down Russia's Measures income, resources and therefore we fully support the Commission proposals to stop importing any Russian gas into Europe. We are also in favour of banning the import of other items. Any type of energy, such as nuclear or nuclear components or hydrocarbons of any sort. This will have an impact on the Russian war chest. It will reduce our dependence on third countries, especially non-democratic ones, and it will help us to tackle the indirect ways in which Russian gas is seeping into Europe. We need to have better traceability so that we know which routes Russian gas is coming through to enter our union. It is high time we address the whole issue of Russia's war chest. We need economic, commercial and diplomatic sanctions on each and every third country, which is still buying Russian gas and Russian oil. This is the absolute minimum that we need to do to help support Ukraine. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”
  EU-Russia relations (from March 2022)
• “I think that if we are able to give this signal to the industry that they will have, they could benefit from some exemptions from the from the government of the national government. You have told us that it is a it is a capacity for the national government to to decide what kind of exemptions and regulations to these regulations. I think that we are delivering the right message. Finally, financing. I think that here as well, we have also to to convey the right message, financing has to flow in without any kind of earmarking for security and defence related products that so far were totally earmarked as very unhealthy or sour products, together with other like, like pornography and drugs. I mean, it was at the same level. I think that these provisions that you are putting forward are more than necessary. We have to implement them in order to shortcut to streamline the cycle of production. Thank you very much. Thank you, Madam President, for your patience.”
  Defence spending
• “Thank you very much for your readout of the summit. It was an unusual summit for an unusual time. I mean, the summit took place was shortened to one day only, actually 2.5 hours. They were discussing. And only five minutes for every chief of the state and government. But despite this shortened format, and despite all the threats preceding the summit concerning the collective security clause and so on, I think that the result, the outcome has been positive, more positive than scheduled, because this collective security of the article five of the Washington Treaty has been reaffirmed. This is clear. Second, assistance to Ukraine has also been strengthened, though there is no timetable for the membership of Ukraine into NATO. The transfer of money to Ukraine could be considered to be part of the 3.5% GDP and investment in defense, which is a good positive incentive for the states to continue assisting Ukraine. Russia was supposed to be the main threat. And this is also a strong message to to Russia. We are going to spend as much money to get all the resources we need to create to set up a credible deterrent against, you know, China. This time not China. Reference 1 in 5 parts is difficult to to cover everything. The new defense spending pledges will not go into it because you have explained quite quickly and quite well. All other priority was to keep the Americans anchored in Europe, because we need the Americans and the American transatlantic link in order to set our strategic autonomy in Europe as a strong pillar of NATO. And I think that is also an objective. Another objective was obviously was to convince Trump to be good in the negotiations, on the ongoing negotiations on the traffic of Europe, which by by so far has not been successful. And finally, last but not least, our commitment to the capability targets agreed upon by the Ministry of Defense of the 5th of June. Then all these outcomes are Positive. I congratulate myself and yourself and everybody. But now in the implementation of. This is the proof of the cake. Thank you very much.”
  Relations with NATO
• “(09:26:30 – 09:27:14): Thank you very much, sir. It's only to to take the floor only to to share that the commission intention to go forward with the the rapid technology's development and the inclusion of the e s e s SMS into the supply chain. It's it is already in the text of the Agile text, and I congratulate everybody for that. But I think that there is a missing link here because, it is important to make sure that the first constructors, the first tire subcontractors are included also in the program. Otherwise, we lose the the the logical the logical link with the SMS. SMS, okay, but also included in the first constructor and the first tire subcontractors. Thank you.”
  Due diligence in supply chains (environmental and human rights)
• “Thank you very much. I'll be speaking Spanish. As my colleague, Mr. Millman was saying, we don't have the text. And therefore it is very difficult to say anything about it. But there are some things I would like to say. First of all, this is a colony. It's the last colony in Europe. And this is an anomaly in Europe, and that's not included in the agreement. And let's not forget something the the fence was not removed by, by by was not put in place by Spain. It was put in place by the UK in 1910. And there are several things that worry me about this agreement. One is the economy of Gibraltar. Now, this has been, uh. We we. This has been a crime ridden country. We've seen uh, uh, gambling as well. And it's been a tax haven as well. It's a tax haven that has been living off online gambling. And now the commission has reached an agreement in principle with indirect tariffs, which would mean there would be some realignment of VAT. Is this how many years we're talking about here? 20, 500 years. Who's who'll be checking this? And. This is some kind of joke. Secondly, services aren't included in this indirect, uh, in indirect taxes. And then there's also no talk of what is called shared prosperity. And this is what is being offered to the residents of the Campo de Gibraltar. How will this be translated? It's an undefined context. There are so many questions. There's a lack of clarity here. And I think that really we can only comment properly on the text when we have it in front of us here.”
  EU-UK relations
• “Thank you very much, Madam Chair, and thank you to you for the readout of the program, which is quite interesting as we have to recognize that we are now going down the right direction because all the programs so far, I mean, whether it is a sap or a drip or ADP or even or even safe, are are going in the right direction because we are agreed upon two main criteria. First, that they have to finance collective across the border projects, joint procurement, encompassing various countries and various enterprises. This is very important because outside the European Union is the European institutions in Brussels is not well understood. This has to be a great priority. And the second one is the preference European the European preference. And these two factors and these two criteria have not been easy to agree upon, had to be transmitted to the next MFF. And together with these two criteria, A third one, which is the fencing of the of the of the competitive funds for security and defense related matters and not others matters not to dilute the defense and security realm in other. These are the three criteria which we have to maintain across the border for joint projects. Preference European and or fencing. I think that that you are on the same page, I think. Another question I have here is concerning a new program called agile. I mean, you said that it was a bridge towards the next MFF. And you you were right. Then why do we need the second bridge agile if we have already one bridge? I mean, what has happened between the last editorial and the presentation by the Commission of the agile that has a has well has forced you to present a new bridge towards the MFF. Thank you very much.”
  "Buy European" provisions
• “Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Thank you very much to Cherba and to the panelists for the insights into this very important issue that is in front of us. I think that my first reflection is to coincide with Ms. Yassine Bever when she says that all these security and defense partnerships are useful provided that they're inserted in a comprehensive strategy. Here, we have to make clear what is the purpose of all these networks of strategic defense and security partnerships. The objective obviously has to be to use them as a multiplier of our influence, of our cloud, of our leverage worldwide. Otherwise, it will be only a piece of paper, and I think we have to keep this idea always when dealing with these instruments. Obviously, the most important partnership we have is with NATO. I think that here we have a consolidated relationship already on the political level and strategic level. Probably, we have to insist on the operationalization of our relationship with NATO, especially now in two particular realms that Mr. Buscinski has pointed out: intelligence sharing and military mobility. They are the most pressing needs in front of us vis-à-vis the conflict in Ukraine. I go directly to Ukraine. Obviously, this is the most important partner we have. We have not a formal partnership with Ukraine, but it's the most important relationship by far that we should deal with. I think that here we have to increase our integration of the Ukrainian armed forces in our integrated military structure, the European Union. We have to accelerate the accession process of the Ukrainian to European Union as the best leverage to assure them that they will belong to our family and to dissuade Russia from future military adventures, let's put it that way. I think we have to increase and strengthen our good relationship with Ukraine as much as possible. With the Brexit with the UK, as Mr. Marrone has said, I agree with him. The problem with the UK is that they prioritize their relation with NATO and with the US on a bilateral basis with Germany, with France. They have an agreement. We have also the partnerships. I hope I do hope that we can develop and unfold all the potentiality but keeping in mind that they prefer the bilateral relationships. Thank you very much.”
  EU-Ukraine relations
• “Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Thank you very much, Commissioner Andreas, for showing up here again. I think that you had said, Commissioner, we have done a pretty good job in the last year in security and defence related matters. We have we approved the White Paper exactly one year before. Later on we. We approved the roadmap that decline the content of this of this white paper. Now we're in front of us. The the the signing of the new European strategy of of, of, of security. And here I think here that I said that before, but I think that this is now the time to repeat it. We need the level of ambition in this strategy of security that that encompasses all the problems we have confronting and not to renounce to create a real Europe of defense. That I say that because outside this House and outside these institutions, in many countries, they think that it is still not time for creating this European technological and industrial base that they want to come to Brussels as a kind of cashier to get money in order to create their own national capabilities. National capabilities, not European wide projects, common procurement, European wide components and services. I think that this is something we have to prevent from happening. The money that we are going to give our member states is for joint projects, for common projects, for European projects, not for national champions. That's why we need to go ahead with this. This technological industrial base, a European Union of integrated industries, not collaboration, not cooperation integrated and with the EU preference, European preference. We have agreed upon about 65% in Egypt. Probably we have to to reach later on 80% or whatever. But again, we have to convince everybody that we have a small time in front of us in order to create common capabilities. Joint procurement and chain of command. Thank you very much.”
  EU competences on defence
• “Thank you very much. Now to war, of course. But we must be resounding when we say to no, no to religious dictatorships or medieval eras which clamp down on the Iranian people, no to executions of dissidents and political opponents, more than 1000 in 2025. We mustn't massacre peaceful protesters who have been struck down by the Revolutionary Guard, many in January and February. You cannot torture young people until they die just because they won't wear the veil. We cannot export terrorism throughout the Middle East to America and the Middle East. No, to this terrible regime having nuclear weapons. No, no, no, we must say hi loud and clear. That no to the war. But we must not have empty words either. We must have protection of human rights of the Iranian people, particularly women and children. We must have security and safety for the Iranian people. The speaker is interrupted.”
  EU-Iran relations
• “Thank you very much, sir. It's only to to take the floor only to to share that the commission intention to go forward with the the rapid technology's development and the inclusion of the e s e s SMS into the supply chain. It's it is already in the text of the Agile text, and I congratulate everybody for that. But I think that there is a missing link here because, it is important to make sure that the first constructors, the first tire subcontractors are included also in the program. Otherwise, we lose the the the logical the logical link with the SMS. SMS, okay, but also included in the first constructor and the first tire subcontractors. Thank you.”
  Due diligence in supply chains (environmental and human rights)
• “Thank you, Madam Speaker. I, chairman, I think that the recent Chinese introduction of export restrictions on raw materials and rare earths as a response to our policy concerning electric vehicles and semiconductors, is an escalation of the weaponization of the trade policies by China. We have to had to confront this in a smart way. That means we cannot decouple from China, but we have to do risk in order to reduce our dependencies from China. That means to apply the initiative, called the Economic Security Doctrine, which incorporates many of the instruments we have. We don't need to create new instruments. We have to coordinate the instruments already existing in the European Union, including, for instance, the European program, the resource European program that deals with this particular problem. In addition to this, we have obviously to diversify the supplies with our long standing and trusted allies the US, Canada, Australia and Japan. But even the Philippines and and South Vietnam. And finally, we have to engage with China in a critical dialogue that allow us to keep our interests and at the same time, to pass over the real messages. Thank you.”
  EU-China relations
• “59:00 – 17:01:40): Thank you very much. I think that, well, I have been taking good note of all the comments from my colleagues and I will transfer them immediately to Mister Teras. They are very useful and I think that they will enrich the debate in order to get an outcome which is better than the current text. I want to underscore the importance of the war reserve, which was an initiative put forward by Teras because unfortunately, given the uncertainty of the international arena, we will be very likely needed to have this flexibility mechanism to transfer funds from one chapter to the other. That's why I think that this war reserve is very well devised and we will preserve it. Critical infrastructure indeed is the other main pillar of this paper. It's not the only one which is dealing with critical infrastructure, but I think that this dimension has to be maintained in order to keep cohesion to all other papers. SMEs for me is very important and for all of us to help our small and medium enterprises to join this effort, not only to this effort but across the board. They need our administrative support, not only financial, because the financial support will most likely be given by the member states, but our administrative support. I mean, they don't have the capabilities to follow our enormous production of legislation. They ask continuously for help in order to have access to a kind of well-executive summaries, how to engage in the decision-making process more effectively. Indeed, I have taken good note of the need to incorporate as well artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. I would enlarge this to all the disruptive technologies, also quantum computing, robotics, the data in the cloud, biotechnology, and so on and so forth. I think it's of the utmost importance in this. I think that the European preference is included in the text. Perhaps we could reinforce it, why not, but it is quite clear that European money is for European products and for European services. Sixty-five percent is still only the starting point. We know that and I hope, like you, that they will reach eighty percent sooner rather than later. That will be a good sign. That will mean that we Europeans are able to produce what we need and not to buy somewhere else. And concerning the European Parliament overview, it is of the utmost importance indeed, and I will make sure that Teras is included in the text. Thank you very much.”
  "Buy European" provisions
• “Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you. Commissioner. We have in front of us two reports that I think are indicating the right direction. We have to create a European single market on defense, which is better said than done. We have a lot of hesitations within Europe and a lot of enemies outside Europe against this European single market and defense that demands a European industrial and technological base with European preference in order to have the possibility to avoid duplications, to increase our efficiency, to transfer technology, and to have standards that are common across the European Union. We also need, of course, the political will to go ahead, and for that purpose, we have to support the small and medium sized enterprises. They don't have the financial muscle. They don't have the capabilities to integrate themselves into the chains of production. We have to help them. We have to also to create perhaps an acceleration of innovation for defense in Europe. I think it's a good idea and to incorporate and integrate as soon as possible. Ukraine in in our European security and defence structures. It is in our benefit more than in theirs. Courage. We will support you. Commissioner.”
  EU-Ukraine relations · EU competences on defence
• “Thank you. Thank you very much. And thank you very much for all the speakers. And instead, I mean, we are going to provide Ukraine with €90 million. But you said it would be two thirds of the needs. That means that they will need in the next two years, 26 and 27. Around 135,000 millions. The other one third will be provided by other Western like minded countries, or will come from where? From Canada? From there is a compromise already or not yet. And concerning the message is that that this fund has to be associated also with the necessary reforms, not only because of the security of our investment, because as the International Monetary Fund is the best way for them to develop their own country in order to make the accession to the European Union a huge and easy avenue. Thank you.”
  Russia-Ukraine conflict (10th term)
• “14:49 – 16:15:42): Thank you very much. I have no questions at all but only to congratulate ourselves, Benedicte, for the good, the quick pace and the good signature of this bilateral India-EU security and defense partnership. I think that here a lot remains to be done. I think that the proof of the cake is in the eating. We'll see how it implements. We know that India so far has been a good client from Russia. I mean traditionally, a lot of their momentum, great amount of their momentum, came from Russia. Now they have diversified, they've diversified to the United States. We know also that India intends to diversify the source of supply and procurement for weapons, and we will see now how it will translate into concrete contracts and concrete collaborations in different realms. Again, congratulations and we will wait for the best application of it.”
  Arms export from the EU
• “Thank you very much, Madam President. Commissioner. Russia is stepping up its attacks on civilians, hospitals, schools, homes, critical infrastructure in Ukraine because Russia is losing the war. This is a sign of weakness, not of strength. That's why it's attacking civilians In Europe. We need to stand up for our own convictions, that Russia needs to be taken to the International Criminal Court and to the ad hoc special tribunal to bring war criminals to account, starting with Putin. We should have an international arrest warrant for him, for him to answer for his crimes once and for all. We need to ensure that their financial assets in European banks can go into reparations and reconstruction of Ukraine. Abducted children should be returned from Russia, and Russian troops should abandon Ukrainian territory. We should ensure documentation of crimes committed with bilateral investigations, joint investigations and joining the International Commission on Reparations for Ukraine. Slava Ukraini.”
  Russia-Ukraine conflict (10th term)
• “Thank you. Thank you very much to all the speakers for this very interesting insight. I think that we are approaching the issues surrounding the issues, but we are not entering into the issues. Let's enter into the issues because we don't move forward if we don't tackle this. The great issue is if we want to make a European a European Union of defence, we need a European integrated military structure with headquarters, with command and control and so on. Otherwise, for instance, the four flagship projects that have been identified the Eastern Watch, the anti anti-war wall, the anti the the shield, anti aerial and anti space. Who is going to control this if we don't have the European integrated military structure that we don't have now. Then we say okay let's go for a European pillar of NATO. What does it mean. What does it mean. The European pillar. We use every day this concept without knowing exactly what does it mean? I don't know what does mean. What does European pillar of NATO. Because if we are going to set up our own structures in European Union, it is the duplication of efforts that we want all of us to avoid. We don't need two different structures doing the same things, but if we recognize that we need our own European military, integrated structure has to be outside NATO, not within NATO, then forget about the European pillar of NATO. Forget it. I mean, we are confusing continuous. Everybody outside this House, I mean, Europe, an autonomous European military power means an autonomous European political power, not within NATO but outside NATO. How do we do that without, at the same time respecting NATO structures? Do we have different alternative and parallel structures or not? If we don't answer this question, we cannot advance. Sorry. Thank you.”
  Relations with NATO
• “Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Thank you very much. President of the Commission. Reciprocity, transparency and respect of a level playing ground. These are truly the three principles upon which our relationship with China has to build up. First, on the security front, we cannot accept that China continue supporting and assisting Putin's Russia war of aggression against Ukraine. If China wants to be recognized as a big power, he has to assume also big responsibilities. It is a member of the Security Council. That means that he is supposed to be a guarantor of the peace and stability in the world. And you cannot guarantee the peace and stability in the world if you assist that war of aggression by putting our relationship with China cannot be normalized as long as it continues supporting Putin's first, second human rights. We cannot ignore that China disregard massively and grossly the human rights of racial minorities and religious minorities. We have to remind that third trade and services China has to abide by all by all the dispositions of the world trade organizations and not to select those it likes and disregard those it doesn't like. We know the pattern of behavior of China. They subsidize the industries in order to eliminate the competition. They get the monopoly and they impose the conditions afterwards. Fourth, rare earths and raw materials. Critical raw materials. We cannot accept the threat and dominance of control of exports of the raw materials. It goes against the rules of the World Trade Organization. By the way, at this particular point is not the responsibility of the Chinese only. We have renounced to exploit our own raw materials and rare earths because our dispositions onto our green agenda. That has to be reconsidered. If we want not to depend entirely on China, then reality, reciprocity, transparency and level playing ground. Thank you very much.”
  EU-China relations
• “Thank you very much, Madam Chair. And thank you very much, Sylvia, for the comprehensive readout of the European Defence Fund. I think that it is a story of success. And if I must, I must admit, I remember when some years ago, we launched this project with a lot of illusion but very few money. And now I think that we can prove that it was a right decision, taken at the right time and with the right people, then congratulations, because this fund is one of the examples to be followed by all the member States and the enterprises in order to develop our Europe of defence. A first point you haven't seen, and it's good so that you are spending as much as 48% of your funding on SMEs. Um, this is true. And in my country, in Spain is especially so, but I am not sure that all of them have access to the information and to the good outcome of the EDF. Perhaps we could do all together especially you special campaign of for focus to the SMEs how they can have access to the funding, how they can present their projects and how they can benefit.”
  Defence spending
• “Which are the difficulties ahead of us? That's concerning Ukraine. Congratulations for the model that you are introducing of assisting the Ukrainian military industry. And you are investing in their industry, because obviously, the return for the direct investment in the Ukrainian industry is higher than if we export them. Our our equipment. Concerning financing, I think that here today the Commission presents at this time, at this point in time, is present in the blueprint of the next mutual multiannual Financial framework. I think that there is not something that we want with a dedicated European Defense Fund dedicated for the European Defense Fund, not merge up with other funds. And if we don't get that, we will not be credible because we will not put our money where we're put our mouth. And it's very devastating. I think that you, as presidency, could push forward in order to get this dedicated European defense fund. Thank you.”
  Defence spending
• “Thank you very much, Madam Chair. The Middle East is enduring a change of geopolitics Politics and of the geopolitical map are one of the main elements for this change is to hold Iran accountable for its sponsorship of terrorism and destabilization across the region. We know that appeasement doesn't work with this regime, and we know as well that direct military intervention is not advisable either. What will work will be international isolation based upon hardening of the sanctions against this criminal regime, as well as political and diplomatic pressure. At the same time, we have to recognize and support the democratic opposition of Iran, which will be the only one. We will put an end to this regime. As far as Gaza is concerned. We reiterate our call for an unhindered access of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, as well as a kind of future for them, which has to be without Hamas. Hamas cannot be in the future political and framework of of the Palestinians. And to bet on the cease fire immediately. Concerning my my colleague from left, I must say that Spain never set up a concentration camps in Cuba. He has to review his history books, because the communist regime of Fidel Castro and his followers, who has forced millions of Cubans out of his country and oppressed them and bring them misery and repression.”
  EU-Iran relations