- 2025-01-21 “E-000234/2025 Answer given by Mr Jørgensen on behalf of the European Commission The Commission agrees on the importance of promoting energy efficiency, including energy savings. Energy efficiency is the cheapest, safest and cleanest way to reduce our reliance on fossil fuel imports from Russia, contribute to decarbonisation and increase EU’s competitiveness. However, the Commission is currently not considering making 16 February the ‘European Day for Energy Saving and Sustainable Lifestyles’. The Commission is dedicated to energy efficiency policy, including energy savings. The recently revised Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) 1 made the headline EU target for energy efficiency binding and raised the ambition for energy efficiency across the board. This includes the obligations for Member States to step up information awareness measures, including campaigns, and establish one-stop shops for energy efficiency. Energy efficiency was one of the three main pillars of the REPowerEU Communication of 18 May 2022, which was accompanied by the EU Save Energy Communication. In 2022, the Commission partnered with the International Energy Agency and launched the ‘Playing my part’ campaign 2 , which outlined simple steps that citizens can take to reduce their energy use. In 2024, the Commission organised a Citizens’ Panel on energy efficiency to promote the topic among citizens. The Panel convened 150 randomly selected citizens representing all Member States, who discussed actions which could be taken on energy efficiency and adopted 13 final recommendations for the Commission. The importance of energy efficiency for competitiveness, energy security and decarbonisation was recently confirmed in the Clean Industrial Deal and the Affordable Energy Action Plan. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ%3AJOL_2023_231_R_0001&qid=1695186598766 2 https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/markets-and-consumers/actions-and-measures-energy-prices/playing-mypart_en”
Energy efficiency
- 2024-10-21 “P-002190/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Séjourné on behalf of the European Commission The automotive industry is a cornerstone of growth and prosperity for Europe. In the last five years, the Commission focused on supporting the right conditions for the EU automotive industry to succeed in its transformation while remaining globally competitive. In particular, the Commission has strengthened automotive value chains in Europe, with regard to semiconductors, battery and critical raw materials and has supported the skills transformation with the Automotive Skills Alliance 1 . Action has been taken to prepare the infrastructure for e-mobility. The Commission is committed to ensure a level playing field, with anti-subsidy duties against unfairly subsidised electric vehicles from China. The programmes of Puglia financed under the European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund Plus worth EUR 5.57 billion for the period 2021-2027 2 cover a wide range of investment measures which target businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises as well as workers in the automotive sector, including projects related to skills and vocational training. This is in line with the role of the automotive industry in Puglia’s smart specialisation strategy. In 2024, these programmes were modified with the introduction of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform 3 . Moreover, the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers 4 provides support to workers displaced in the event of a major restructuring and aims to facilitate their return to active employment. The upcoming Clean Industrial Deal will improve the conditions for industry in the green transformation. The Commission will develop an industrial action plan for the automotive sector with a value chain approach and a quality jobs roadmap to ensure a fair transition for all. 1 https://automotive-skills-alliance.eu/ 2 Of which EUR 3.79 billion from EU funds, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02021R1058-20210630 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52023PC0335 4 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/summary/european-globalisation-adjustment-fund-for-displacedworkers-2021-2027.html”
Funding for vocational training · European Globalisation Adjustment Fund · EU policy on forced redundancies
- “Access to justice, extended producer responsibility, groundwater ecosystems and inventories of emissions. They also held a preliminary discussion on timelines, compliance and non deterioration. The next and final trilogue is expected to take place on the 15th of July. Amending regulation 2023 956 as regards simplifying and strengthening the carbon border adjustment mechanism. Cbam. As you know, the first and final trialogue took place on the 18th of June. The co-legislators concluded the interinstitutional negotiations confirming the issues agreed at technical level. Co-legislators supported a new de minimis mass threshold of 50 tonnes per imported per year, replacing the current one. Exempting goods of negligible value, which would mean that 99% of total CO2 emissions from imports of iron, steel, aluminium, aluminium, cement and fertilisers will still be covered by the Cbam. The also, that means that 10% of importers will be using 99% of total CO2 emissions, and there are also safeguards to prevent circumvention of the rules, and changes were agreed to simplify the import procedures as a next step. The vote on the provisional agreement scheduled for July. Let's move on now to item six on the agenda. Un Climate Change Conference 2005, in Belem, Brazil. Cop 30. Draft resolution As you know. This will take place in November and there will be an EP delegation, and then there will be a presentation now. So I'll give two minutes each to the speakers. Lydia Pereira, you have the floor chair.”
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
- “Thank you very much, colleagues. Thanks for the debate today. Looking forward to the vote tomorrow. So Cbam is going to bring about massive simplification for companies while improving efficiency of the procedure. All in all, we're taking an important step in the right direction to protect the environment and stop climate change. But at the same time making European companies more competitiveness. I think ETS cbam is a combination. There is a good idea. It's going to help us vis a vis third countries, and we are looking at trying to push this through in the vote tomorrow so that we can get a clear mandate for the interinstitutional negotiations that we have to have in mind, getting a quick agreement with council if possible.”
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
- “Uh, the challenge here is colossal and the stakes are colossal, with huge bribes being allocated. We have a grey market, we have unfair competition and an attack against our strategic sectors. Our companies see their merchandise being. Lost to the final consumer. If we look at, for example, medicines in Denmark, the parallel imports has gone from 26% to 30% between 2018 and 2021. This deprives the sector of hundreds of millions of Danish kroner. And then we have this lack of strictness which allows us to which allows the entry of terrible invasive species such as, for example, the Asian hornet and the American blue crab, which have been brought in with the ballast water. These indigenous, these species mean are a danger for the indigenous European species. And We can see them for how negligent their for their checks are. At this point, we cannot, uh, drop our guard faced with this ecological scourge. So the objection which I defend caused the commission to propose an ambitious plan to beef up these controls, these checks, and have a systematic control in the borders to integrate detection technologies, advanced ones, and organize a coherent response to these criminal organizations. Indeed, on the contrary of what the Commission is claiming, this regulation weakens, controls and causes a fragile, more fragile situation on our borders, which only encourages illegal crime, illegal immigration and other crime organized crime. I would therefore invite you to support this resolution to protect our citizens. Thank you. Let's give the floor now to the shadows, and we can begin with who?”
EU policy on custom fee on non-EU imports
- “Favor against abstentions. Adopted. No check, no check, no check. Amendment The div seven, in favor against abstentions, adopted. Compromise. Amendment two in favor against. Abstentions. Adopted. Amendment four in favor against. Abstentions. Adopted. Amendment five in favor against. Abstentions. Adopted. Compromise amendment number three in favor against. Abstentions. Adopted. Amendment ten in favor against. Abstentions adopted. Amendment number ten. Check. Open the vote. Close the vote rejected amendment number 11, in favor against abstention. Adopted. Amendment 12 in favor against abstention. Check. Open the vote. Close the vote. Adopted. Compromise amendment number four. In favor against abstentions. Adopted. Compromise amendment number five in favor against. Abstentions. Adopted. Amendment David Haight in favor against. Abstentions. Check David Haight. Close the vote. Rejected. Compromise. Compromise. Amendment number six in favor against abstention. Adopted. Compromise. Amendment seven in favor against abstention. Adopted compromise. Amendment seven in favor against abstention. Adopted compromise. Amendment number eight in favor against abstention. Adopted compromise. Amendment number nine in favor against abstention. Adopted compromise number ten in favor against abstention. Adopted. Compromise 11 in favor against abstention. Adopted. Compromise 12 in favor against abstention. Adopted Amendment three one in favor. Against abstention. Check either one eight. Open the vote. Close the vote. Adopted either one. Be in favor against abstention. Adopted. Final vote with roll call. Vote. Open the vote. Close the vote. Adopted.”
EU Supervision of the Rule of Law
- “Thank you. And now the Secretary of State is invited to respond. Thank you.
**Anikó Raisz (Hungarian Council Presidency): [00:10:49] Thank you very much. Thank you very much for this round of Other questions. Um, when it comes to the first issue, which is related to many others. Um, when we talk about competitiveness, um, that's also a question of, um, competitiveness of the, of the whole region. And that's why we think it's very important to talk about critical raw materials, about the dependence on third countries. And that's why it is essential to have, um, a just transition to a circular economy, because what we do in circular economy is that we regain, for instance, the rare earth materials or metals, sorry, um, which are um, in general mainly available in faraway third countries. So while we talk about the fair transition, and we also talk about the competitive and the competitiveness of the, of the continents, uh, and yes, we believe that, um, that's while we have to, um, we have to enhance the, um, the widest possible, um, framework of technologies as well. We have to, um, invest in innovation. Uh, we are a continent where there are a lot of lot of excellent, excellent brains who can help us with the new technologies. And, yes, we have to recover what is already here, um, within the borders of the European Union.
**Anikó Raisz (Hungarian Council Presidency): [00:12:24] So, um, the answer would be a fair transition to a circular economy to, to the competitiveness issues, because that's how we can, um, keep track with, with the others in the global market. And that's what is going to reduce our dependence. That was raised also later by another question, um, the dependence of the continent on third countries. Um, when it's, um, when it comes to, um, to the issues of, um, issue of, um, of the, the possible conflicts, I can tell you that we had a very, um, successful informal meeting. So we are glad that that many of the member states delegations and the commissioner also paid his tribute. We are ready to cooperate with whoever is ready to cooperate. Um, when it comes to the issue of the chemical strategy and, um, and and the reach, which indeed, um, hasn't come out, um, we are indeed aware that this is a crucial moment for the whole industry. And if we want to create a toxic free environment, we all know that it is a very complex issue. It has to be, uh, it has to be discussed with, with many, many stakeholders. We also regret not not to have seen it so far, but we are going to have it on the agenda of the October council meeting.
**Anikó Raisz (Hungarian Council Presidency): [00:14:03] We are going to have a discussion on that. Um, when it concerns the end of life vehicles. We think it's a very important issue. And we think that we're going to progress as much as possible. Um, we, um, we hope to, to go as far as it is, as it is just as possible for, for the current presidency. And we think that it is very important, especially when it comes to the cross-border, trans border transboundary aspects. We have a lot to discuss. Um, because there again, we have to keep in mind the question of competitiveness. Um, competitiveness in general means balance. So when it comes to competitiveness, we have to find a balanced way. That's how it's going to work. It doesn't work otherwise. And that's why we also would like to discuss during the council meeting that is coming up, coming in October. We are going to discuss the Draghi report with the ministers. Um, and um, I hope that we're going to be able to discuss all the, all the other issues put on the agenda. And in general, we are um, we are open for, for technology neutrality and that's going to continue in the, in the coming weeks as well.
**Anikó Raisz (Hungarian Council Presidency): [00:15:38] And, um, please allow me not to answer questions which concern specifically the inner Hungarian issues and please accept the presidency of a country which has already reached its 2030 targets beforehand. And um, but otherwise during the Council of Energy, it's going to be possible to, um, to discuss all the other issues, for instance, when it comes to the renewables strategy of, of the continent and of the European Union. Um, and, uh, otherwise we are ready to discuss all the proposals which, which concern, which concern the, the pollution. And when it comes to, um, to the question of war, um, I think our position is crystal clear. Um, we think that war is devastating to each and every aspect of, of human life, nature, society, economy, and of course, also the environment. Um, and therefore we are looking for peace in this regard as well. Otherwise, for the question of pollution, um, I think that the most stringent legal framework is going to help to, to reach the, the, the results there also when it comes to pollution. Um, in general. So, um, I think I answered everything and I had just five minutes given by the president.”
Sourcing of critical raw materials
- “Item 5, based on Article 75, Paragraph 3, we will report on the negotiation and inform you of the results of the trialogue, first trialogue on prevention of using plastic pellets to reduce microplanets. On April, we had the second trialogue on this, and there was a temporary agreement on new rules for handling plastics and pellets throughout all the phases of supply, whether it be on land or by sea. And the NV vote on the provisional agreement is for the 7th of May, and the agreement is on the monitoring and resilience of soils. This will be the third trialogue, and this took place on April 9th, and Parliament, Council, and Commission has concluded inter-institutional negotiations confirming what issues will be dealt with at the technical level. They will reach final agreement. This last package of agreements, health support and resilience of soils, and mitigation of soil consumption, and to protect the health of soils, so the NV will vote on the agreement for May. The safety of toys, cancelling of the Directive 2009-48, that will be the final trialogue, and there's been a new agreement on new standards on toy safety to improve the safety and health of children. There's new rules on PFAS and dangers, and to not use allergens and perfumes in the toys for children below three years of age. This will be the update, and this is what happened in the last trialogues. Let's go on to point C, exchange of opinion with the Commission on international negotiations on climate in COP30. We will hear the most recent developments on these international negotiations, and the 30th conference on the UN Climate Conference, which will take place in November in Berlin. There will be, we will send 15 members, so I will give the floor to the General Director of DG Climate, Mr. Vandenberg. Thank you.”
Microplastics
- “Thank you president. Well, at the start of this term, we made a clear commitment to European citizens. We want to do everything that we can possibly do to save our planet. And during this first year, we have worked to protect the environment, to tackle climate change, and to ask our companies to invest in green technology. And we've been giving them instruments that they can then become competitive again. Now we have clearly in mind the challenges that they face, and we know that the consequence of a new crisis would have an impact on the workers. So that's why we got to work very quickly on simplification. And that's a key pillar in this new European policy. But we kept these environmental targets that we had in the Green Deal. And in that context, we were looking at the revision of the Cbam regulation, which will be voting on tomorrow. We want to keep those environmental targets, which are ambitious, and at the same time, we want to reduce bureaucracy for small companies. We want to replace that minimis threshold with a figure of 50 tonnes per year for strategic sectors such as steel and aluminium and fertilisers. This means that then 90% of those importers are responsible for only 1% of those complex emissions, and then we would keep the same level in terms of climate targets as we had, and they would apply to the big polluters. So this proposal is for simplification in legislative procedures and data collection and in final calculations, we want to start see Bam in February 2027. So that would then mean that our companies would have the time that they need to get used to these new standards and colleagues, I don't need to tell you that this proposal aims to protect European companies against the enemy economy policies from polluting companies, and there have been those US tariffs between 35 and 50% on products which are going to be covered by the Cbam.”
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
- “Well, the clean industrial deal is a response from Europe, especially because of the difficulties we're faced with over the last few months. We need to be energetic on this, but we shouldn't really start a battle to make things even more difficult. And we shouldn't pollute more. We need to be leaders in the markets of renewable energy and clean energy. We can do this simplification for businesses and reduction of energy costs, and we need to take commitments for future generations. Simplification is to achieve the objectives for transition. We should derogate this. Europe needs to focus on industries which are carbon free, made in Europe. So the omnibus proposal is a challenge for all of us. The future is already and still antique. Carlo Levi said this, and we need to call this at the very heart of Europe.”
Energy (green transition)
- “Good morning everyone. We can get started with our work this morning. The first point on the agenda is the approval of the agenda. If there are no objections, the draft is approved. No objections. Number two. Interpretation is available in 21 languages. Please speak in your mother tongue. And the interpreting service asks us not to read very quickly, but rather use speaking notes. If it's too fast, interpreters have difficulties, so thank you in advance. Of course it is complicated and we only have a certain amount of time available to us. But that's that point. Uh, as usual, the meeting file is available electronically via the E meeting application. And we also have the mission reports, mission reports of NV from November 2024 and June 2025. Public hearing of the Budget A committee, which is called Management and Preparedness to Extreme Weather Events and Natural Disasters in the EU budget 24th June 2025, from 230 to 430. We also have communications from the chair about the coordinators recommendations. These have been circulated electronically. If there are no objections, they can be deemed approved. Next point of the agenda. Adoption of the minutes. If there are no objections, the minutes can be adopted. So from the 12th and 13th of May, 2025. They are adopted. Moving on. Item five, report back on ongoing interinstitutional negotiations. Article 75 three of the EP Rules of Procedure. I'd like to inform you that we have continued the negotiations on the following files.”
Multilingualism in EU institutions
- “Good morning everyone. We can get started with our work this morning. The first point on the agenda is the approval of the agenda. If there are no objections, the draft is approved. No objections. Number two. Interpretation is available in 21 languages. Please speak in your mother tongue. And the interpreting service asks us not to read very quickly, but rather use speaking notes. If it's too fast, interpreters have difficulties, so thank you in advance. Of course it is complicated and we only have a certain amount of time available to us. But that's that point. Uh, as usual, the meeting file is available electronically via the E meeting application. And we also have the mission reports, mission reports of NV from November 2024 and June 2025. Public hearing of the Budget A committee, which is called Management and Preparedness to Extreme Weather Events and Natural Disasters in the EU budget 24th June 2025, from 230 to 430. We also have communications from the chair about the coordinators recommendations. These have been circulated electronically. If there are no objections, they can be deemed approved. Next point of the agenda. Adoption of the minutes. If there are no objections, the minutes can be adopted. So from the 12th and 13th of May, 2025. They are adopted. Moving on. Item five, report back on ongoing interinstitutional negotiations. Article 75 three of the EP Rules of Procedure. I'd like to inform you that we have continued the negotiations on the following files.”
Multilingualism in EU institutions
- “Let's move on to the next item on our agenda then, which is item seven implementation report on the Recovery and Resilience Facility. I'd like to hand over straight away to the rapporteur, Jonas Sjöstedt. Jonas, go ahead so much.”
Conditions to access EU budget
- “The starting date for the sale of carbon credits is set for 2026. That should give companies enough time to deal with all the uncertainties linked to 2026, which is the first year after the end of the transitional phase. Economic operators have shown that they want to take part in the environmental transition, but they need time to adapt. This is in line with the just transition that so many have called for. The Council, the Commission and the Parliament are all working in this direction. The planet and the struggle against climate change needs measures, not fine words. We're reaching out a hand to all of those who want to help us to make a green, sustainable and competitive future. We have approved this text with 85 votes in favor, just one vote against and one abstention. Because no one questions the importance of the environmental challenge we face. This resolute approach also shows common sense, and it helps to build support for tomorrow's vote, because we're helping our industry without jeopardising the objectives we've set through the Green Deal in the previous parliamentary term. We need to rebuild trust with our citizens and our companies and our workers. The only way we can achieve our objectives is precisely that. In fact, we can even speed up our work and we will certainly get further there. Thank you.”
Extension of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme
- “Thank you. President. Commissioner. We need to help restore seas. We need to bolster the blue economy and competitiveness. We need to help coastal communities and island communities. These are just a few of the priorities set out in the oceans pact for Europe, discussed in nice. Individual member states have to continue to manage their marine protected areas. They have to see it as a virtual approach, a virtuous approach to what's being done. We have to make sure that we work on the environmental agenda for marine areas. I come from a town from the south of Italy, where the sea is alive, and there is all questions of identity and how we deal with this. We have to make sure that we can't leave the fishermen alone to confront what they have to deal with. Looking at protecting ecosystems and pollution. But all through the whole marine economy, the Envy Committee stands ready to provide succour here. And we have to save our seas. And that means protecting the history and indeed future of Europe.”
Nature protection and restoration in the EU
- “Thank you Minister. Thank you for joining us. We will, of course, be inviting you back again. During your presidency. It's important that we have regular contacts. Between the Parliament, the Council and the commission. So we'll be meeting next week on the 27th and 28th of January. And followed by the 7th of February. Those are the next three dates for the committee meetings. Thank you very much. Have a nice day.”
EU political integration
- “Thank you. Thank you to all of the speakers and thank you to the Commission representative. We'll move on to the next point on the agenda. These are points eighteen and nineteen, joint debate on discharge 2024 general budget of the EU Commission and agencies.”
Discharge of EU institutions and agencies
- “Uh, the challenge here is colossal and the stakes are colossal, with huge bribes being allocated. We have a grey market, we have unfair competition and an attack against our strategic sectors. Our companies see their merchandise being. Lost to the final consumer. If we look at, for example, medicines in Denmark, the parallel imports has gone from 26% to 30% between 2018 and 2021. This deprives the sector of hundreds of millions of Danish kroner. And then we have this lack of strictness which allows us to which allows the entry of terrible invasive species such as, for example, the Asian hornet and the American blue crab, which have been brought in with the ballast water. These indigenous, these species mean are a danger for the indigenous European species. And We can see them for how negligent their for their checks are. At this point, we cannot, uh, drop our guard faced with this ecological scourge. So the objection which I defend caused the commission to propose an ambitious plan to beef up these controls, these checks, and have a systematic control in the borders to integrate detection technologies, advanced ones, and organize a coherent response to these criminal organizations. Indeed, on the contrary of what the Commission is claiming, this regulation weakens, controls and causes a fragile, more fragile situation on our borders, which only encourages illegal crime, illegal immigration and other crime organized crime. I would therefore invite you to support this resolution to protect our citizens. Thank you. Let's give the floor now to the shadows, and we can begin with who?”
EU policy on custom fee on non-EU imports
- “So we believe that the cost could run into hundreds of thousands of euro. Huge increase in fertiliser prices has taken place since the Russian aggression in Ukraine and the sanctions on Russia the beginning of January. They said that an affordable price for fertilisers was absolutely vital to farmers income, and that there had been a 60% increase in the price since 2020. In bringing this regulation into effect would lead to a significant increase in wheat and rapeseed prices, as well as fertiliser prices in the international market. The French government has Recognized this too. So even though there's a three year test trial period, the Commission has acted in advance with a significant number of implementing regulations, circumstantial and temporary, not undermining the logic of the mechanism. So article 27 A in the regulation would allow for temporary suspension in the case of unforeseen circumstances. Farmers, just like any other economic sector, needs stability and predictability, not least when 50% of European fertiliser supplies come from third countries and annual stocks only cover about 60% of the coming year. Finally, outermost regions are in a particularly difficult position. This has been recognized and is protected by the treaties. It makes them a lot more vulnerable to any economic shock. So taking account of their structural fragility, particularly in terms of supply of raw materials, is more necessary than ever. So we would call for a far reaching reform, because this WTO and blind to green agenda is tinkering with it with temporary delays. But Cbam basically is, uh, eating, uh, farmers. This is unsustainable in the medium term. We're seeing a defence of national values once again, being at the top of our agenda, and we have to meet expectations. I'll give the floor to shadows now. Catch the eye. Dimitris.”
Use of fertilisers
- “I can't reopen the committee now because we've reached the end of the round of questions. If you're not happy with the answer, please put your question in writing and I'll pass it on to the commissioner.”
Transparency requirements of EU institutions
- “So according to the regulation, I have to give the, the, the the replacement members who will be voting on behalf of the members. Flavio Tosi, Christoph Crawshaw, Claudia del Patriciello is replaced by Emmanuelle Fragos. Will be substituted by Marc Jurgens. Replaced by Jonathan Schubert. I think there's another one as well. Mr. Topol, who will be replaced by Moretti. I think that's correct, isn't it? Any other replacements needed to be mentioned? Cool. What do you call them again? Let's just have a test. Voting test. Let's check it. There are some roll call votes, so let's just check the voting system. Open the vote.”
Recruitment policies in the EU
- “We're going to be beginning with our meeting, this meeting of our committee. We just finished our meeting with the coordinators. Agenda item two is the approval of the agenda itself, and there's no objections. We can consider that adopted without modification. Number three, we would ask the speakers as well to speak in your native language. We'd also ask you, please, to not read quickly. Just use your speaking notes and try to speak as freely as possible, and as a natural pace and the interpreters will thank you very much for your cooperation. The electronic meeting or file is available according to the decision of the 10th of March on the Simplified Procedure in keeping with Article 52 of the Internal Rules of Procedure on the base of an expedited timetable in close coordination with the ECON, the Other Opinion Giving Committee. I propose that a deadline be set for tabling amendments, and I'm referring to the first report, the first omninous report on the Simplification Package. The deadline for tabling amendments is set without a draft report having first been drawn up. This deadline will be Thursday, the 15th of May at 12 o'clock, and so the idea is to propose amendments for the first omnibus Simplification Package for 15th of May at 12 o'clock. Agenda item number four, if there's no objections, then the minutes of the 17th and 18th of March of 2025 shall be considered adopted.”
Multilingualism in EU institutions
- “They have communicated their position to the EP, and the EP president will publish the communication on October 9th at the beginning of the session, in compliance with article 66 of the article, there will be a brief deadline to present amendments, and there will be votes on the amendment to the second reading that the Council hopes to approve. Will be taking place on the 20th of October. Item four working Group of the Committee with respect to implementation. The report the Committee of the 24th of 2025 with respect to, uh, CO2 emission emissions standards, uh, is going to be providing for new editions for heavyweight vehicles. You know, the Envy Committee focused on the emissions regulations for heavyweight vehicles. And the coordinators, uh, had to, uh, shorten the meeting. But commission experts, uh, the Italian, Spanish and Czech experts discussed with MEPs on the 30th and these two legislative, uh, two pieces of legislation, uh, pretty much all the a number of people participating was 17. Now in the meaning of article 75, article three of the regulation, they were to report on the results of the trialogue, modifying the directive 2060, which concerns water policies, uh, on protection of underground waters from producing and the deterioration of directive 22,008 85. Also dealing with water policies. In the fourth trialogue, which took place on the 23rd of September, the people reached a provisional agreement on the committee's proposal to update the list of type of underground type of waters concerning aspects of the EP's mandate with respect to access to justice and joint monitoring mechanisms, and the council's possibility to introduce new sanctions.”
Groundwater Directive
- “Interpretation is available today in 21 languages. Please speak your mother tongue. As an interpretation service is available. Please try to avoid reading out speeches at top speed and speak at a normal, natural pace. Speak freely. The interpreters thank you in advance for your cooperation. Please note that the committee meeting of Thursday, the 5th of February has been cancelled. Let's move on to item four of our agenda. Deadline. Deadline for amendments on the Connecting Europe facility. The MV opinion to the Tran report on the Connecting Europe facility for the period 2028 2034 is in line with the coordinators decision of the 23rd of September 2025 to apply the simplified procedure under rule 52.2 of the Rules of Procedure on the basis of an expedited timetable and close coordination with the Lead Committee. Zittrain. Tran. The deadline for tabling amendments will be set for Tuesday 10th February at 11:00. On to item for objection pursuant to rule one, 152 and 1153 of the Rules of Procedure on Commission Implementing Regulation EU 2025 956 of Parliament and Council as regards the methods for the calculation of emissions embedded in goods. This is a debate on the objection. That's our item for. It relates to methods of calculation of emissions. And I shall give the floor to Miss Bricklin, the objector. You have three minutes, madam, to present your objection, and then we'll hear from the shadows. Thank you. Chair. Colleagues. There is no doubt about the outcome of this objection. It is an objection to the Commission's method for calculation of emissions in the context of cbam. It's too complex. Makes it virtually impossible to use real data. It forces operators to use default values, which is over restrictive. It will lead to an overrepresentation of values and therefore an increase in fertiliser prices. We've seen farmers demonstrations recently, particularly the December generations, were about fertilizers.”
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
- “Thank you very much indeed. I am speaking on this subject. Following on from my maiden speech in this House on drought a year ago, and basically since then, the situation has deteriorated considerably. We have seen soaring temperatures across Europe, in Spain, in Portugal and over 40 degrees in Italy, as well as in France. And we have had 5000m, being the altitude at which, um, we have temperatures over zero degrees in the Alps. And between 2015 and 2024, we had a proliferation of wildfires. We had a 196,000 hectares destroyed, which was 70 more than the previous year. But there's a common denominator here, and that is the word emergency. We're already lagging behind when it comes to our structural programmes, and we have to change our programmes, intervene immediately in order to prepare our territories for this phenomenon, and make sure that we invest resources properly and make sure that we're more efficient in our next budget. There is no alternative for Europe if it wishes to save itself. First of all, let's realise what's going on and then act.”
Climate efforts
- “Okay, let's get started again. Final point on the agenda. Point 14 exchange of views with Stéphane Séjourné, uh, Executive Vice president for um Prosperity and Industrial Strategy as part of structured dialogue. I'd like to welcome the executive Vice president, who we have invited to address the committee as part of the structured dialogue between the Parliament and the Commission. We'll start with Vice president, um, introductory comments, and then we'll hear from colleagues. We'll have two rounds, as we've done this morning as well. We'll start with the coordinators or those substituting them, and then we'll have other members if there's time after the vice president. Uh, the commissioners replies will also have a catch the eye. Period. Please stick to the time you have been allotted. And also, don't speak too quickly, because I'm often seeing on the monitor that the interpreters who the chair kindly thanks for their work that you are reading too quickly. So if you could speak at a more reasonable pace, that will improve interpretation. Thank you very much. I'll now give the floor to Mr. for ten minutes.”
Multilingualism in EU institutions
- “Access to justice, extended producer responsibility, groundwater ecosystems and inventories of emissions. They also held a preliminary discussion on timelines, compliance and non deterioration. The next and final trilogue is expected to take place on the 15th of July. Amending regulation 2023 956 as regards simplifying and strengthening the carbon border adjustment mechanism. Cbam. As you know, the first and final trialogue took place on the 18th of June. The co-legislators concluded the interinstitutional negotiations confirming the issues agreed at technical level. Co-legislators supported a new de minimis mass threshold of 50 tonnes per imported per year, replacing the current one. Exempting goods of negligible value, which would mean that 99% of total CO2 emissions from imports of iron, steel, aluminium, aluminium, cement and fertilisers will still be covered by the Cbam. The also, that means that 10% of importers will be using 99% of total CO2 emissions, and there are also safeguards to prevent circumvention of the rules, and changes were agreed to simplify the import procedures as a next step. The vote on the provisional agreement scheduled for July. Let's move on now to item six on the agenda. Un Climate Change Conference 2005, in Belem, Brazil. Cop 30. Draft resolution As you know. This will take place in November and there will be an EP delegation, and then there will be a presentation now. So I'll give two minutes each to the speakers. Lydia Pereira, you have the floor chair.”
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
- “We don't have a ping pong system for this committee, so I can't reopen the round. I can't give the floor back to members, and I can't give the floor back to the commissioner according to the rules. So you'll have to send in your question in writing, and we'll pass it on for responses. And there'll be another hearing in the coming weeks. It's the rules. It's not because I don't want to. The commissioner might even want to answer, but he just can't, I'm afraid.”
Transparency requirements of EU institutions
- “Now let's move to comments from representatives of the committee. Divided by political groups. Let's start with Mr. Lewandowski. 1.5 minutes. You have the floor.”
EU Supervision of the Rule of Law
- “Thank you. Commission from the Indirect Taxation and Tax Administration Directorate. Director. Marielle.”
Accounting and auditing of EU budget
- “Yes. So let's resume our meeting. Item nine on the agenda. Amendment to the regulation 2023 956 on the simplification and strengthening of the Cbam mechanism. Carbon border adjustment mechanism. We will have a presentation and an The exchange on this draft proposal. It amends the Cbam regulation. And now I would like to give the floor to our representative from the commission, Miss Maria Elena Scoppio. You have the floor for ten minutes.”
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
- “One in favor against abstentions. Adopted 107. In favor. Against. Abstentions. Adopted. No. Check, check. Close the vote. Rejected. 109. In favor against abstention. Rejected. Compromise. Amendment number two in favor against abstention. Adopted. Compromise. Amendment number three in favor against abstention. Adopted compromise number four in favor against abstention. Adopted compromise number five in favor against abstention. Adopted. Compromise six in favor against abstention. Adopted. Compromise seven in favor against abstention. Adopted compromise. No compromise 248 in favor against abstention. Check. Check. Close the vote. Rejected. Compromise amendment Number eight in favor against abstention. Adopted. Compromise nine in favor against abstention. Adopted. Compromise ten in favor oh. Nine compromise. Amendment number nine. Open the vote. Yes. Close the vote. Adopted. Compromise amendment number ten. In favor against abstention adopted. Compromise number 11 in favor against. Abstention adopted. Number is 12. In favor against. Abstentions. Adopted. Compromise. 13 in favor. Against. Abstentions adopted. 14 in favor. Against. Abstentions. Adopted. Compromise. 15 in favor against. Abstentions. Adopted 16 in favor. In favor against. Abstentions. Adopted. Final vote with the roll call vote. Open the vote. Close the vote. Adopted.”
EU Supervision of the Rule of Law
- “Thank you. Thank you to the vice chair. Thank you for being here. Thank you for speaking with us. Of course, we will invite you again because we said this already during the hearing. We believe that the relationship between Parliament and the Commission is important. We need a continuous dialogue, and this is in the interests of the people we represent. Thank you and good luck. Now we'll have one minute and then we'll resume. We have another exchange.”
Transparency requirements of EU institutions
- “The MV Implementation Working Group looked at regulation 2023 956, establishing a C Cbam, a carbon border adjustment mechanism. During this in-camera meeting, chaired by the rapporteur of this file, a discussion took place on the steps the Commission has taken and will take to implement Cbam. Its consultations with national competent authorities and with stakeholders inside and outside the EU. As speakers, we invited a representative from the Commission to update the members on the state of play of the Cbam implementation. A representative from the Irish Environmental Protection Agency, a representative from the Polish National Centre for Emission Management, a representative from the Dutch emission authority. In total, 15 MEPs attended the meeting. We also invited the rapporteurs of the opinion giving committees budge Inter and Iter. We can now move on to the vote. Item nine and item ten will be voting on. So there are two. We'll start off with item nine. I need to tell you that rule 216 seven. I need to give you the names of the deputies that will be stepping in. As I was informed by the political groups, Garcia will be replaced by Vazquez Lozada. Delara Bouchard will be replaced by Lara Walters, Lopez by Cecilia Estrada, Knoteck by Derringer Wiesner by Lucia Jara, Andreas Glück replaced by Maria Pierre Vedrenne, and Tussaud by Anna Cavazzini. I would like to carry out an electronic check. Please put your electronic cards. I'll put in mine. So a little test. An electronic test. I open the vote. Okay.”
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
- “Thank you. President. Well, we've said several times that the Green Deal is a great plan to counter combat change and to protect the environment, but it's also important to protect the competitiveness of our companies in investing in green technology while they become competitive worldwide. In my view, given these changes to the Cbam, we are showing commitment to simplification, to simplification. What we realized is that 90% of imports are responsible for 1% of total emissions. And so together we have worked together to focus on that 10% of importance that are responsible for 99% of total emissions. This is a way of cutting back on red tape. It's about making things easier for businesses as well, but all while keeping in mind our strategic plans to protect the environment and combat climate change as set out within this important plan, the Green Deal. And so this change to the Cbam is a way of avoiding delocalization. It's about stopping unfair competition. And it's also about protecting ourselves from actions coming from third countries, which I mentioned early on in the debates. Tariffs 35 to 40% on Cbam products or products containing Cbam products. Tomorrow we ought to be making a show of solidarity, as we did in the first round in the Parliament and the two adoptions within the N.V. Committee, which I am honoured to represent because, as I said earlier on in my remarks, I'm thinking about what's happening in the rest of the world. All of that is pushing us today to stand united, to defend our businesses and to defend the future of our planet. Thank you.”
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
- “Thank you very much. President. Commissioner. At the beginning of our parliamentary term, we made a commitment to acting to defend the environment and prevent climate change and adopt reforms to increase the competitiveness of our companies. Simplification is one of the pillars of our policies. It is being called for by many different parties, and at the same time, we need a commitment to the environment that will call for sacrifices. Deregulation should not be an attempt to delay the targets we have set for the climate. No, these modifications to Cbam maintain the commitment to the climate, but it reduces paperwork, and it could make this measure an asset to Europe's companies because they need competitiveness. We have changed the de minimis threshold linked to the economic value of goods, by setting a mass threshold of 50 tonnes of imports in four of the cbam sectors. That's to say, uh, steel, cement and fertilizers. 82 sorry, um, 182,000 companies will thus be spared the need to keep up with these rules. 10% of importers cause 90% of emissions. So this is an intermediate stage as we move towards the Green Deal. We will deal properly with major polluters. A number of the other standards of the Cbam have been made simpler, making it easier to provide authorizations by competent authorities, easier to collect data, simplifying the rules to verify emissions, and simplifying the rules on financial liabilities.”
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
- “Thank you. And I will give the floor to the Secretary of State to respond to the various questions and interventions. Thank you very much.
**Péter Takács (Hungarian Council Presidency): [00:37:27] Thank you very much to all of the members for their questions. I will be grouping my answers depending on the topic. Thank you very much for all the questions, as I say, and there's a lot of agreement between us, and I'd like to give a specific response to Doctor Chua and his comments on the Hungarian government's policy. Now of we have some very good results and the survival after one month. That figure is in the same level as the Netherlands. Now. We haven't just made this a priority because of what's happening in Hungary, but the often the problem is that rehabilitation is one of the problematic areas, and this is where we need to see significant progress in Central and Eastern Europe, but also across Europe. Now we should really make sure that it's a patient oriented approach, because in many cases, many patients are unaware that there's a risk that they have running risks right until the end of their lives. We are developing this system, but we want in Hungary. We want to also promote this across the European Union. Another key important goal at national level as well is to promote prevention. Now, in this regard, I'd like to mention one of our biggest achievements, and this is the fact that we now have health education classes in Hungarian schools. And that's since September this year. And this we need to remember that we are all individuals responsible for our own health, and that plays a key role there.
**Péter Takács (Hungarian Council Presidency): [00:39:29] Now we are in constant discussion with the health care professions. We ask have asked experts to help us build this program for the Hungarian presidency, and they did an excellent job. Now another key key important thing is effective screening systems. Perhaps you know, sir, that we will be introducing screening throughout the adult population And there's also long term treatments and implementing priorities on that. And that's also linked to the pharmaceutical package. Mr. Andriukaitis asked a question as well, and I would like to say that you shouldn't generalize. At the Epsco meeting. This is almost you could say, an island of peace. It's no accident that people there take decisions based on on facts and not based on ideology. And in that environment, the Hungarian Hungarian government has a very constructive approach. We had two key events. We had a ministerial informal ministerial meeting at the end of July. This was incredibly constructive event. I therefore believe that Hungary is doing very well and is playing a key role in these joint proposals. Now, when it comes to making progress and the euro and forming the European Health Union, we played an active role and we supported the Belgian presidency as a trio partner. And there were some also some other questions relating to the European Health Union. I suggest you take a look at the document that was adopted under the Belgian presidency.
**Péter Takács (Hungarian Council Presidency): [00:41:55] And if you look at this. Hungary played a very active role in the adoption of that strategy. Now, when it comes to orphan medicines and rare diseases, there are several questions on that. I have to say, around two years ago we had an informal council meeting and it was me actually, that raised this issue of needing a common approach on orphan medicines. Unmet. This is based on unmet medical needs. This is important from a social, economic and financial point of view. And it's also could be used for orphan medicines. The question at the end of the day, what is it worth? A member state buying and what is it not worth them buying? Now the unmet medical need could be an indicator. It could be then used to compare progress, compare advances. And I think that the that this kind of Hungarian compromise proposal has been accepted by colleagues in the working group meetings in the council. Now, when it comes to the cardiovascular strategy, yes, I think that this is an this was an excellent commission proposal. This was, um, carried through the council during the Czech, Sweden and French trio. I and also read the the letter which stated that we need a similar strategy to that of the beating cancer plan. And so my response to that question is yes. Now on transplants, what have we done so far? So far? On the 14th of July we had a high level.
**Péter Takács (Hungarian Council Presidency): [00:43:56] Event where almost all stakeholders were present and who all the stakeholders involved in European transplants. Hungary is one of the key members of this consortium, and we have a great deal of experience on this. Now, I don't want to boast, but Hungary is the fourth country where they have had successful brain transplants. We had the UK, USA, France and then Hungary. So we have something to build on, and I think that the other member states are clearly open to moving on to and developing a new strategy. How is the pharmaceutical market working and if not, why not? Well, we have seen these problems exist in the council in informal and formal meetings and ministerial meetings. We have discussed this issue. And this has been part of the Hungarian approach for a long time. That is, that we need to bolster the manufacturing of active ingredients in Europe. Most of the big pharmaceutical companies manufacture these in India. We need to be unorthodox in our approach. We need to support this at EU level that is active in manufacturing in Europe. We also need to. We need to look at the member state system systems when it comes to critical medicines. We can't depend on China and India. That is clear. And that has become clear in the pandemic as well. Now I received a question on the pandemic and what the lessons we can learn from that.
**Péter Takács (Hungarian Council Presidency): [00:45:59] In 2022, legislation was adopted to deal with pandemics, and we've seen progress in that regard. And one lesson we've learned is that we need to bolster European pharmaceutical manufacturing and also the manufacturing of protective equipment as well. The upcoming commission will have an important task when it comes to reviewing legislation on that matter. I think we need to deal with these two matters at once, and our resilience needs to be stepped up at EU level. Now, several times we've mentioned the several times the commissioner designate has been mentioned for health. I'd like to say that this is a huge opportunity, not just for Hungary. I know the commissioner designate personally. I know that he is a very competent, competent man and I think he can also work hard towards a European Health Union. There are many tasks that need to be carried out. We have implementation and I think that he will do a great job in that regard. I would like to point out one thing. Hungary is the country of Semmelweis, and we have some. And Hungary has provided many medical experts to the world. And I think that this is an important point for the nomination of the commission commissioner, because we can see how much Hungary has contributed to developing health rules and health regulations in the European Union.
**Péter Takács (Hungarian Council Presidency): [00:00:03] Now, whether the person who said that, the member who said that Hungary is not paying attention to the health of its citizens. Well, I have to refute that accusation. We have increased our expenditure on health compared to our predecessors. Many programs have been introduced public health program treatment programs as well, and these will improve the welfare of our citizens. There are numerous innovative pharmaceutical products that have been purchased. Millions of foreigners have been spent on that. And I think that this reflects the fact that citizens health is important for us. Now, abortion is a member state competence. We don't want to set out a position as the presidency on that issue. But I have a small a short answer on whether Hungary is still a democracy. I always say that Hungary Is, um, a democracy. As long as I am nervous about election day and whether we will win. And so that's all I'll say on that matter. Now, on rare diseases and orphan medicines. There was a question about how we can have better cooperation with manufacturers and avoid surpluses. Now, the when we negotiating the pharmaceutical package, we will be dealing with those issues. We need to introduce the issue of risk sharing because these big diseases. Uh, tend to because these because now medicines in Europe tend to treat 5 to 6 diseases at once. We need to cover the costs of all the clinical trials. But now we're not dividing the, the these between millions of people. In the case of rare diseases. But perhaps there are only 20 or 30 patients suffering from those diseases in Europe.
**Péter Takács (Hungarian Council Presidency): [00:02:04] The costs would therefore be high. Therefore, through Horizon Europe or other funds, we need to share the risks. And I'm happy that the Hungarian president there's a comment about the Hungarian presidency taking a patient centered approach. But we need to see that we all depend on each other. This is why the Hungarian presidency will be an honest broker, and we will be seeking the best compromise solutions with other member states. And I believe that we will be able to deal with the most with with part of the pharmaceutical project by the package, by the end of the year. We need to ensure that we have predictable patent system, and we also will be able to have these pharmaceutical products in place. This is if we only do 90% of what we're setting out to do, then I'll be happy. On vaccinations and the points that were raised on that, I don't agree with you. I think that vaccines have shown over the past 100 years that they are one of the best advances globally in terms of people's health. Where we saw reductions in vaccinations, that's where diseases really flourish. So vaccinations are really important. Look at what's happened with whooping cough, for instance. We also always need to look at the risk benefit analysis. And this needs to be done in line with medical authorities to see whether and and this needs to be done in the future as well. Thank you.”
Vaccination
- “Thank you. So that's it. As far as the questions from the members. Now, from Madam Secretary of State, we will have a response now, and we'll move then to a third round of which will be a catch the eye. Thank you.
**Anikó Raisz (Hungarian Council Presidency): [00:19:53] Rich. Um, and just, um, briefly, um, I'm going to answer as the previous round only questions, which are comments, um, which address the the presidency issues. So please forgive me not to address now specifically Hungarian issues. Also, although I would be I would be happily ready to to discuss that with you as well. But So let's focus on the EU presidency issues in this regard. And please allow me to to answer to the first, um, MEP in Hungarian.
**Anikó Raisz (Hungarian Council Presidency): [00:20:33] Thank you very much for your question. If you allow me, I'll only answer the questions which relate to the presidency's priorities. Now, you mentioned battery factories, and we can say this applies to the entire EU. Now, obviously we have voted for technological transition via batteries and batteries and manufacturing batteries. The European Union has the strictest environmental requirements in the world, and this is one of the guarantees for the green transition. That the EU will be able to implement this transition with the right methodology. There are many countries actually where when, where the requirements are actually stricter than EU protection rules. And there are countries where this is ongoing when it comes to desertification. You mentioned that. Ishtvan Naj will also be present. At some point before this committee. Mr. Khanfar also mentioned floods, and I think it's important to think about that for a second. When it comes to protecting against floods, this is a challenge for the entire EU. Obviously in Hungary as well. This flood protection has been successful and it's ongoing. We, the Hungarian government, activated the civil protection mechanism in order to for it to be as successful as possible. We firmly believe that as the Hungarian presidency, we are doing our utmost to ensure that we prepare as much as possible for these kinds of challenges. And we must prepare for all solutions to crises such as floods, droughts, or even the economic and social consequences of these disasters. So I believe in the upcoming years, we're going to see even more challenges for all EU member states. Actually, at the moment it's been Central Europe that's been most affected with the floods, for example. But our success is going to depend on how we are able to adapt to adapt to these new situations, including we need to involve experts and taking into consideration their views. And if we do that, I am convinced that we will be able to achieve that.
**Anikó Raisz (Hungarian Council Presidency): [00:23:35] Um, if you if you allow me, um, the the question you mentioned, Mr. Brady, the question how it, um, it affects the society and the economy. We think that, um, there's when it comes to the issues of climate change, um, it is it is no use, um, daydreaming. We are, um, responsible as EU for 7% of the emissions. Um, and we have made and deliberated. Some ambitious plans for the EU, for the businesses, for for all of us basically in the past few years. So the question is, um, whether it is going to be implemented, um, in a successful way in Europe, but it's not the only question, the only question. The other question is that actually just like, um, our pollution, the climate issues know no borders. So when we are left alone, when we cannot convince the other participants of the global sphere to to act together with us, then, um, it's going to be, um, a little success, let's put it this way. And we mentioned competitiveness so, so often because, um, because if we lose our businesses, if the businesses are not going to participate in this, in this transition, then it cannot be successful. Therefore, we have to find a way, a compromise to to do what has to be done in a way that it is wise to be done, that it has real results.
**Anikó Raisz (Hungarian Council Presidency): [00:25:26] And that's a challenge. I admit that's a challenge. And I hope that in the new institutional cycle, we will continue to work hard on finding these solutions. Um, monsieur, Mr. Schmidt also mentioned the sorry, I don't know it in Dutch. Uh, the the energy costs, uh, the high energy costs, which, um, which have also previously been mentioned because every nation has a has a different solution for these issues. Um, and let me inform you that although I didn't mention that, but one of the seven priorities of the Hungarian presidency is also the farmer focused agriculture. So we do believe That's, uh, that farmers are part of the solution because as you just mentioned, they live there. Their their, their work depends on, on a sane environment. And therefore, um, we do believe that only the right tools have to be found. And that's again comes back to the question. Everybody has to be on board in order in order to be successful. Um, during this transition, um, madam, um Frigo um, also mentioned the unrealistic objectives. Um, we are ready to, to discuss a proposal, which is, um, which is put on the table. Uh, and of course, we have to pay attention to, to the report. The report. Of course we did. Uh, we do pay attention to that. And we think that, um, that uh, in the, um, in the framework of the council negotiations and afterwards, in the next institutional cycle, there are going to be plenty of opportunities to discuss how to find realistic solutions, realistic, achievable and feasible solutions, because that's how it's made.
**Anikó Raisz (Hungarian Council Presidency): [00:27:27] Um, instead of daydreaming, we have to find the solutions which bring us really to the targets that we set for ourselves. Um, whether it's a small corrigendum, it's not going to be me representing the presidency in Baku, but but the Hungarian presidency is going to be there. And, um, and actually we are, um, ready to, to, to discuss all the relevant, relevant issues which come up. Um, on the other hand, you have to you have to see that we would like to find alternative financing for the climate issues. So, um. Um, the EU has so far been the biggest contributor, um, to, to the EU climate, the climate financing. So therefore we think that when it comes to the, to the new, um, um, quantified goals, collective quantified goals, um, then we have to stay on the track. Um, but we have to significantly raise, um, the, the level of uh, of the new goal and the, the framework. How who is the contributor to this to this new goal? Um, and of course, for the for the cop 29 uh, the text is, um, is under discussion.
**Anikó Raisz (Hungarian Council Presidency): [00:28:56] So it's going to be, um, final in the October 14th meeting. We search for a balanced compromise and texts. Um, for um, many of you, or more than one of you mentioned the question of Wolf's, uh, the, uh, the commission presented its proposal. So right now we are in the council working on on finding the council's position on that. Um, you mentioned, um, also the, um, the automotive sector and the the flexibility, uh, in, in this regard, um, we think it's very, very important. Um, what we see is that the industry needs a stable environment. Legal environment, legal certainty is what is needed. Um, and that we we have to be technologically neutral. And as we understand for the from the commission's work programme, there's going to be, uh, proposals, as I mentioned before, to you. This is a sector which is essential for Europe, representing more than 6% of the of the total employment. These 13 points, 8 million people working in this in this industry. So I think this is something that we, we have to focus on in the in the coming years. Um, as well, um, there was a question about, uh, compromises, um, um, comprehensive analysis, sorry, comprehensive analysis of before before making decisions. We we do support that. We, um, we do, um, analyse and assess every situation, um, thoroughly before before entering into, into details of the legislation and the you mentioned the, the soil monitoring issues as well.
**Anikó Raisz (Hungarian Council Presidency): [00:30:53] Um, let me answer really briefly, um, that, um, you have to know that the council's mandate was was adopted with broad support in June. And it actually includes this compromise, comprehensive analysis that you just mentioned, because it includes an organized simulation and modeling modeling from experts of the member states. Therefore, we think that it is feasible for the member States, which makes it ready for success. So we are going to be ready for the for the negotiations. And um, you mentioned the energy prices issue, as I could answer it from a Hungarian perspective, but from the from the council perspective. Let me refer you to the Energy Council, because from our perspective, what is essential is to have, as I mentioned beforehand, competitive and feasible, um, rules set for all of us, for the citizens and for the businesses in order to to achieve our goals, including the fit for 55 goals. And I think we have microplastics. Oh, yeah. Microplastics. Sorry, the microplastics issue. Um, I think that one of the major achievements of the last council meeting in June was the adoption of of the council. Um, adoption of the the Waste Framework Directive, the modification, because it also includes textiles and for textiles.
**Anikó Raisz (Hungarian Council Presidency): [00:32:31] We know that the textiles are responsible for a majority of, of the plastics, um, pollution, um, in our, in our waters. So therefore I think that the, the proposed EPR system, which already exists in some of the member states, uh, which is going to be then extended to to EU level is going to help um, Solving and solving this issue and the, um, and. Yeah, and, uh, the question was how we proceed. And in December, in the council December, we have it put on, put it on the agenda. And we truly hope that while the negotiations are, of course, ongoing within the Council, we truly believe that we are going to be ready to to reach conclusions there. And then the question that you raised, it can go further with the the negotiations with the Parliament. So that is our targets to and objective to to close the negotiations in the framework of the Council. We are ready to do so. Um, so I hope that we are going to succeed. Um, I think that was that was the last one that I had to mention. And thank you very much once again for, uh, for the questions and for the interest. And we do hope that we can work successfully together in the coming months as well. Thank you very much.”
Climate efforts