Sebastião BUGALHO

Policy topics Sebastião BUGALHO is active on

What Sebastião BUGALHO has said (14)

• 2026-02-04 “E-000450/2026 Answer given by Mr Jørgensen on behalf of the European Commission The Child and Youth Guarantees are overarching and comprehensive policy initiatives to ensure respect of basic rights and access to services, related notably to education, training, employment or healthcare. The European Affordable Housing Plan 1 includes a targeted action to assess the feasibility of a guarantee scheme to help students, trainees and apprentices to find housing on the private rental market by reducing or eliminating the need for a security deposit. The European Affordable Housing Plan includes additional actions to support young people, such as mobilising investments for student housing, including through the Pan-European Investment Platform for sustainable and affordable housing 2 ; identifying and disseminating innovative accommodation models for students and young people; and launching a pilot scheme under Erasmus+ to increase availability of affordable and innovative housing solutions for mobile students from disadvantaged backgrounds. As regards the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034, the Commission proposed to prioritise support to social and affordable housing under the National and Regional Partnership Plans and other EU funding instruments. This would leave flexibility to Member States to design the investments and measures more adapted to their national and regional specificities. 1 https://housing.ec.europa.eu/european-affordable-housing-plan_en. 2 https://housing.ec.europa.eu/pan-european-housing-investment-platform_en.”
  EU housing policy · Youth employment & training
• 2025-11-05 “P-004367/2025 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission The EU condemns in the strongest terms the atrocities perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan, including following the seizure of the city of El Fasher. More than a month after their large-scale attack on El Fasher, no humanitarian access has yet been authorised by the RSF. The closest humanitarian responders to El Fasher are concentrated in the locality of Tawila in North Darfur (60 kilometres away) and a number of them are financially supported by the EU. The EU is fully engaged in advocacy efforts aimed at ensuring humanitarian access to El Fasher (and beyond), as illustrated by the joint statement issued by the High Representative/VicePresident and the Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management on 28 October 2025 1 . In 2025, the EU allocated EUR 273 million to the humanitarian response related to the Sudan crisis – including EUR 160 million for Sudan only. This is currently the highest envelope of EU humanitarian funding in Africa. Recalling the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) conclusions on Sudan from 20 October 2025 2 , the EU urges all parties to the conflict to resume negotiations to achieve an immediate and lasting ceasefire. The EU will continue using its diplomatic tools and instruments, including restrictive measures, to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict. On 20 November 2025, the FAC adopted sanctions against the second in command of RSF. The primary responsibility for ending the conflict rests with the leadership of both the RSF, the SAF (Sudanese Armed Forces) and their allied militias, as well as those providing them with direct or indirect support. The EU will continue and step up its support to the dialogue among the Sudanese civilian political groups, in close collaboration with the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the United Nations and the League of Arab States. 1 https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/sudan-joint-statement-high-representative-kallas-and-commissioner-lahbibseizure-el-fasher_en. 2 https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-14231-2025-INIT/en/pdf.”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid · EU policy on Sahel and Sudan · Support for International Criminal Court
• 2025-05-07 “E-001842/2025 Answer given by Ms Kos on behalf of the European Commission The United States (US)-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund will be operated solely by Ukraine and the US. Nonetheless, in the preambles of the agreement between the governments of Ukraine and US on the establishment of the fund, the two parties would welcome further investments by EU investors in mining, energy, and related technology in Ukraine. Based on the provisions put forward in the agreement between the governments of Ukraine and US on the establishment of the fund, the Commission is conducting a preliminary assessment of any implications on the operations of the Ukraine Facility. Specifically, it is noted that the agreement acknowledges Ukraine’s current legal obligations towards the EU, including those taken under the Ukraine Facility. Once more details are provided by Ukraine on the development of the fund, the Commission will undertake a more in-depth legal analysis on the subject.”
  EU-US relations · EU-Ukraine relations
• 2025-03-27 “E-001298/2025 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission The Commission and the High Representative/Vice-President are well aware of the announcement made by Secretary Rubio that 83% of all United States Agency for International Development (USAID) programs funded by USAID will be terminated. It is clear that the impact of the termination of United States (US) foreign aid programmes by the US are important and are being felt globally – with wide ranging consequences on the lives of people and on global stability and security. Pending the availability of reliable and confirmed information, the Commission together with the European External Action Service, with the input of EU Delegations, have made preliminary assessments and continue to monitor the impact of the termination of USAID’s programmes as well as the US wider international support. There is a particular focus on identifying the most acute risks and key priorities where action and mitigating measures may be required across partner regions, including in the areas of security, health, migration and democracy (especially countering disinformation). The EU will continue to be a reliable, predictable and responsible partner. As the main provider of development cooperation and humanitarian assistance, the EU has long been at the forefront of supporting global efforts to promote sustainable development and tackle crises worldwide. Clearly, the EU cannot fill the gap left by the US, given the amounts at stake. The EU is committed to living up to its responsibilities, working together with its Member States in a Team Europe approach 1 , within the limits of its means, to the most pressing situations, based on the EU values and interests, together with its partners. The scale and complexity of the current global crises requires a collective response, including with non-EU countries where dialogue is already engaged. This was also on the agenda of the recent Foreign Affairs Council gathering EU Development Ministers on 26 May 2025 2 . 1 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/team-europe-initiatives_en#a-groundbreaking-approach. 2 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/fac/2025/05/26/.”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid · Global priorities for international development
• 2024-12-18 “P-003021/2024 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission The evaluation of the impact of developments in the Middle East on the European, regional and global security is central to the work of the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Commission. It is in the EU’s interest as well as the interest of the whole region and all Syrian citizens, that the transition in Syria be peaceful and inclusive. In all contacts, the EU urges all stakeholders to engage in a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned transitional process, guided by the respect for international law, human rights, fundamental freedoms, pluralism and tolerance among all components of society. External actors should also respect Syria’s unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty. Regarding the risks associated with terrorism, including Da’esh, the EU relies notably on the work of the EU Intelligence Analysis Centre and of the EEAS’ counterterrorism and security experts’ network deployed in EU delegations in the region. The EU Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) is critical in supporting Member States by addressing threats arising from the situation in the Middle East through enhanced information sharing, operational coordination and targeted analytical efforts. The EU also works jointly with its partners within the Global Coalition against Da’esh 1 to share information, assess and address the threat posed by Da’esh and its affiliates. The EU is addressing the identified risks through counterterrorism cooperation with regional partners; through its multilateral engagement with the United Nations and as co-chair of the Global Counterterrorism Forum 2 ; through security measures; support for repatriation, rehabilitation and reintegration; as well as through funding programmes to prevent and counter violent extremism, radicalisation and propaganda. The EU is a major provider of humanitarian aid inside Syria, which is based on needs and vulnerability only. 1 https://theglobalcoalition.org/en/ 2 https://www.thegctf.org/”
  EU foreign policy approach · EU-Syria relations
• “President. there are those who see the world as their playground. Now, Europe Does not have a capital market, a banking union. So really it's not a matter of opposing our allies, but looking to see what action we can take. What does it mean to be European? Well. Is to come from the smallest member state and to represent all the Parliament, like our president does, is to be a German and held that Netanyahu government accountable, like the president of the Commission did. To be a European, is to do the opposite of what everyone is expecting. But what everyone knows must be done is to be a cohesion country, and to have competitivity as a priority, to be an European, to defend a border, even when we're not sharing it, is to defend free elections, even when we're not voting is to defend a just peace, even when we're not in the fighting to to be a European is to do the right thing when no one else will. In 2026, may we be more European? Thank you very much.”
  EU political integration
• “Thank you, Madam Commissioner. In December, we invited the commission in December, the peace envoy said, don't be surprised if we see an increase in tourism over the next few years. The Europol report said that there will be a security impact on the on the EU because of what's happening in Gaza. Europe is not looking to the Middle East, but the Middle East is looking to Europe. The tragedy in Gaza is a tragedy for those who are present in Gaza, and it is a tragedy for anyone who turns a blind eye to this. Respect for human rights is an essential element in the EU Israel Agreement. Firing on people seeking humanitarian assistance undermines indeed violates that agreement blatantly, and those deaths may well end up being considered war crimes. Any assessment of any agreement will be incomplete if it does not take account of that fact, we should rectify that.”
  Relations with Israel - Palestine
• “Madam President. Mr. Commissioner. The affordable housing plan presented today is not a plan because it is something which helps European people. It affects those who are most vulnerable. It helps member states to help others, and it does help us find answers to. Over the next few years, we've got €43 billion in existing funds. The next MFF can and should increase the sums allocated to housing. Housing. If we can achieve the 10 million figure for 2027, then we'll be able to help solve this problem for the next generations. We need the social fund. We need students to be helped to. We need to ensure there's a European guarantee for young people's first home. We need to ensure that this is done by 2027. This will be the end of your mandate and at the end of mine, this should have been done yesterday. We need new mechanisms with new funding, 70% price increase over a decade is a kind of situation that we have to tackle and invest in. You can help, miss von der Leyen said Europeans are concerned about issues. That means the EU must follow those concerns and deal with them. And so we recognize that housing was a social need eight years ago. We can't wait until 2029 before we actually make some of these plans a reality.”
  EU housing policy
• “24:24 – 15:25:41): Thank you very much, Chair, Madam Commissioner. First of all, as a member of this house, I would like to say very clearly that few people in this town would have represented, regardless of who you were representing in that meeting, in a balanced, European and moderate way as you did and I would like to make that very clear. Second of all, it sounds a little bipolar from some members that we are always complaining European Union doesn't exist, we have no role, we don't do anything and now we are asking Commissioner why did you go there. It's an incredible thing, I have to say.”
  EU competences on foreign affairs
• “11:55 – 16:12:35): Madam Vice President, first condolences to all the French colleagues in the room who lost a national citizen four days ago to Iran and the two questions. The latest Europol report mentions Gaza as a source of radicalization and security risk to our continent. To your knowledge how higher is Europe's vulnerability to terrorism in the last two weeks since Iran was attacked? And the second question in your first ten minutes you didn't say three words win the war. You said Europe's security depends on a diplomatic solution end quote. I have to ask you is the Commission moving on the peace for strength doctrine or are you just less hawkish today than you were one year ago? Thank you.”
  EU-Iran relations
• “From our perspective, let me also stress that the distinct and irreplaceable role of the European territorial cooperation. Interreg plays for both EU cohesion and our foreign policy objectives. Interest must remain a clearly identifiable, ring fenced program in the next MFF, with a dedicated budget and clear objective. It should not be diluted or absorbed into national and regional partnerships. We insist that the governance of Interreg must remain at European level. An excessive reinitialization or purely performance based risk, undermining the added value and cross-border nature of Interreg programmes. We would like that not to happen. Thank you chair. We were also surprised by proposals to cover the interest costs of EU loans to Ukraine from the Global Europe programme under the next MFF. We cannot accept and will not accept potential detrimental arrangements that would burden or pre-empt the work on the next MFF, which is only beginning. We must fully respect Parliament's role as budgetary authority, as already mentioned by Mrs. Cosse. Finally, Global Europe and the next MFF more broadly must be ambitious, flexible and strategic, but also transparent, accountable and democratically ensured that balance will determine their success. We certainly all hope for it. Thank you very much.”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• “Thank you very much, chair. Um, first, of course, we'd like to thank the rapporteur, Mr. Bilan, for good cooperation, work and sincerely constructive approach on this file, which we think is very timely. Um, we welcome his strong focus on the cooperation with like minded partners like Japan, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan, which is, of course, very important to us as we know, as we move to the amendments phase, we believe constructively that we can strengthen the language on Taiwan, on the Taiwan Strait, also possibly on China. We also believe that maybe due to the current to the current circumstances, that we could address China's growing role in the Arctic because its only reasons of concern with our transatlantic partners as well. We would also like some clear reference to human rights violations, notably against the Uighurs in China, if possible. But we believe that this draft provides a strong and balanced approach for our future work in the amendment space, and we look forward to develop, uh, such cooperation. We thank you very much.”
  EU-China relations
• “Madam president. Commissioner, the title of this debate asks you cooperation or tariffs? Well, when the largest economy on the planet is facing us with tariffs, we should not give in to intimidation. There is nothing worse for a company than a tariff or the threat of tariffs. It's unpredictable in economic terms, but it also affects diplomacy in the labour market, purchasing power and geopolitics. Announcing tariffs one day and suspending the next is difficult. It's very difficult for people who want to invest and people who want to pay workers. A tariff is a tax, and for those who are on the other side of the Atlantic, the tariffs are a punishment for allies. But after four years. I think our partners will know who to count upon. Europe that negotiates but is not blackmailed. It's a partner and it supports an international order with rules and responsibilities. Thank you very much.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Michael Geller descending. Rapporteur on Ukraine could not be here today, so I'll read on his behalf. Dear commissioners, while we would have wished to hand out a new loan to Ukraine with a frozen Russian assets as collateral, we welcome the European Commission. New proposals in support of Ukraine as Plan B. The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine places exceptional financial burden on the country, and additional financing is needed from the first quarter of 2026. It would be important for, from our perspective, for the Parliament to be able to vote this under the urgent procedure rule 170.6. Ukrainians are facing one of the coldest winters in the last years and Russia strikes directly their power infrastructures. We understand that the modalities proposed are not ideal for Ukraine, and we will therefore look into the Ukraine facility leg of the proposal. Finally, we are surprised that proposals to pay the interest for the EU loan to Ukraine from the Global Europe program under the next MFF. It must be clear that this Parliament cannot accept any early arrangements that could be detrimental and could burden the work on the next MFF while it is only beginning. Thank you.”
  Russia-Ukraine conflict (10th term)