Mariateresa VIVALDINI

Policy topics Mariateresa VIVALDINI is active on

What Mariateresa VIVALDINI has said (35)

• 2026-07-07 “Thank you. President. Commissioner. Europe's strength isn't measured in the number of agreements it signs, but in building partnerships that reflect its interests and promote common values, amongst which rule of law and fundamental rules. As chair of the delegation for relations with Mexico, I'm proud of the signing of the modernised agreement. It's a strategic and trade choice. It means diversifying our economic relationships, strengthening value chains, protecting our GIS, and reducing tariffs for our companies in an international context that's increasingly competitive. But no partnership will be stable unless it's based on one principle, which is mutual respect. Respect Respectful rules for the commitments entered into for our companies, and ensuring a genuine level playing field on these bases. Cooperation becomes a factor and driver for growth, safety, security and shared prosperity and for Europe to be a genuine player. It's not that it signs agreements that's important, it's that they are respected and partnerships become something that benefit their companies and their citizens in Europe. Thank you.”
  Free trade agreements (FTAs)
• 2025-11-05 “E-004377/2025 Answer given by Mr Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission 1. The implementation of the EU-US Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) 1 is closely and jointly monitored by the EU and the United States (US) through regular coordination and review. Both sides monitor the implementation of validation and audit processes to ensure that operators benefit from comparable treatment. The Commission will continue to focus on proper implementation, ensured through regular coordination, review and monitoring by the Joint Customs Cooperation Committee to address any arising issues. 2. The two programmes and their mutual recognition are based on the international framework of the World Customs Organisation and aim to enhance the security and safety of the supply chains. Authorised Economic Operators (AEOs) are favourably considered in the risk assessment for controls related to security and safety, to the extent possible. The Commission’s priority is to ensure a consistent application and monitoring of the MRA. As customs simplifications, which are not related to security and safety, fall outside its scope, expanding the MRA in this direction is not currently envisaged. 3. The EU AEO programme 2 offers benefits, including reduced controls, to all AEOs regardless of size or sector, including engineering companies; however, for MRA purposes, benefits are related only to safety and security controls. Outside the AEO context, the Commission is engaging actively with the US regarding the administrative burdens on EU companies caused by the inclusion process for steel and aluminium derivative products under the US measures on steel and aluminium under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. 1 Decision of the US-EU Joint Customs Cooperation Committee of 4 May 2012 regarding mutual recognition of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism programme in the United States and the Authorised Economic Operators programme of the European Union (2012/290/EU), Official Journal of the European Union L 144, 5 June 2012: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:22012D0290. 2 https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs/authorised-economic-operator_en.”
  EU-US trade relations · EU policy on custom fee on non-EU imports
• 2025-10-20 “E-004126/2025 Answer given by Mr Jørgensen on behalf of the European Commission The Commission recognises the need to mitigate the impact of gas prices on electricity bills. The Parliament and Council agreed in 2024 on the European electricity market design reform to address this issue. The reform strengthens in particular the role of power purchase agreements (PPAs) and two-way contracts for difference (CfDs) make electricity prices less dependent on volatile fossil fuel prices. The Commissions supports Member States in their implementation. In its Action Plan for Affordable Energy 1 published in 2025, the Commission has set out measure to support the development of long-term pricing instruments. The Commission has launched, with the European Investment Bank, a pilot program for an indicative amount of EUR 500 million to provide guarantees for counter-party risk in PPAs undertaken by companies for the long-term purchase of electricity. The Commission will also assess barriers to PPAs, issue guidance on their removal and assess the potential role of market platforms. In December 2025, the Commission adopted a guidance to Member States on the design of effective contracts for difference, including their combination with PPAs. As energy bills are also heavily influenced by other cost components, such as levies, network charges and energy taxation, these aspects need to be addressed. The Commission issued guidance in June 2025 on efficient network charges and will issue in the coming months guidance on energy taxation. These efforts will help to make the energy system function better and to bring down the cost for European consumers. 1 https://energy.ec.europa.eu/publications/action-plan-affordable-energy-unlocking-true-value-our-energy-unionsecure-affordable-efficient-and_en.”
  EU approach to electricity market and prices
• 2025-10-10 “E-003987/2025 Answer given by Mr Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission The anti-dumping investigation concerning imports of yarns of polyamide originating in the People’s Republic of China was initiated on 29 July 2025. Imports have been made subject to registration on 7 October 2025. The Commission has so far not imposed provisional antidumping measures. The deadline for imposing provisional measures, if any, is 28 March 2026. The product scope of the investigation mirrors the product scope as defined in the complaint brought by the European industry. The Commission cannot extend the product scope in the course of an investigation. An EU industry using yarns of polyamide as an input for finished products may of course also request the initiation of an anti-dumping investigation concerning such a finished product. According to Article 5 of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 1 , to be admissible and to result in the initiation of an investigation, such a complaint must include prima facie evidence of dumping, injury and a causal link between the allegedly dumped imports and the alleged injury. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/1036/oj/eng.”
  EU policy on custom fee on non-EU imports · Trade relations with China
• 2025-07-03 “E-002719/2025 Answer given by Mr Jørgensen on behalf of the European Commission The Commission takes addressing the implementation challenges of Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 1 very seriously. The Commission has analysed the issues raised by Member States at the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy (TTE) Council of 16 June 2025 and has concluded that the most efficient way to tackle them is to focus on advancing the implementation with a pragmatic approach. The main focus of the Commission is to facilitate the implementation of the Regulation. This involves developing an EU reporting framework based on existing industry best practices for the quantification, reporting, monitoring and abatement of methane emissions. The Commission is also working on an implementing act on leak detection and repair measures and the formulation of technical standards together with the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) while facilitating coordination among Competent Authorities through a dedicated expert group. Furthermore, dialogue with industry and informal stakeholder consultations on the upcoming non-legislative acts provide crucial feedback to examine challenges and to address them. The Commission has organised multiple workshops in that respect and is working on several elements of guidance such as recommendations on model clauses for supply contracts. Finally, the regulation itself provides flexibility for industry to develop compliance solutions that fit specific supply chain needs, and ongoing discussions demonstrate that practical options exist. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1787/oj/eng.”
  Natural gas · EU approach to energy security (home-made vs import sources)
• 2025-06-10 “E-002312/2025 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission 1. The EU can provide financial support under the Common Market Organisation upon evidence that the market is affected by trade restrictions resulting from applying measures for combating the spread of a disease. Support is also provided under Rural development risk management interventions, provided that Member States established such interventions in their programmes. 2. The Commission constantly monitors the African swine fever (ASF) situation in the affected Member States and actively supports them to control and eradicate the disease. The establishment and the duration of the restricted zones according to EU legislation 1 2 3 are scientifically determined to avoid the further spread of highly dangerous diseases, such as ASF, and at the same time minimise the economic impact on the sector. The duration of restrictions in those zones for ASF is also in line with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) international standards 4 and the Commission ASF guidelines 5 , which foresee a modulation of the duration depending on specific conditions. The Commission continues to assess the situation in the Member States with a view to adapting regionalisation, including lifting or reverting the restricted zones, based on the information available as regards the epidemiological situation, in accordance with above EU rules. 1 OJ L 84, 31.3.2016, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/429/oj. 2 Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 of 17 December 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and the Council, as regards rules for the prevention and control of certain listed diseases (OJ L 174, 3.6.2020, p. 64, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2020/687/oj). 3 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594 of 16 March 2023 laying down special disease control measures for African swine fever and repealing Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/605 (OJ L 79, 17.3.2023. ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2023/594/oj). 4 WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/standards/codes-andmanuals/terrestrial-code-online-access/. 5 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/C/2023/1504/oj.”
  Animal diseases prevention and management in the EU · Agricultural funding
• 2024-09-06 “E-001646/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Vestager on behalf of the European Commission The Commission follows a risk-based approach to regulate digital platforms, and market surveillance activities, targeting the intermediary platforms, products and economic operators considered most likely to circumvent the enacted rules. Products sold in the EU must be safe and comply with EU/national legislation. Online marketplaces and consumer protection online are important priority areas for the enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA) 1 . In this regard, the DSA has the principle of consumer protection as one of its main objectives 2 . After being designated as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) on 31 May 2024, Temu must comply with DSA provisions as of the end of September 2024, including addressing systemic risks, like selling illegal goods, and protecting consumer rights. In May 2024, the European Consumer Organisation members filed a complaint against Temu with the Digital Services Coordinators and the Commission. In June 3 and October 4 2024, the Commission sent two Requests for Information to Temu about the risk mitigation measures it has put in place to comply with the DSA. Following preliminary analyses of the risk assessment report and the replies to the Commission’s formal Requests for Information provided by Temu, on 31 October 5 2024 the Commission opened formal proceedings against Temu to assess whether they may have breached the DSA linked to the sale of illegal products, the potentially addictive design of service, the systems used to recommend purchases to users, as well as data access for researcher. The EU has also delivered other initiatives, besides the DSA, such as the revision of its General Products Safety Directive 6 to strengthen online platform obligations and ensure nonfood product safety. 1 Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act), OJ L 277, 27.10.2022, p. 1-102. 2 Regulation 2022/2065, Article 1. 3 https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/commission-requests-information-online-marketplaces-temu-andshein-compliance-digital-services-act 4 https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/commission-requests-information-under-digital-services-act-temutraders-selling-illegal-products 5 https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/commission-opens-formal-proceedings-against-temu-underdigital-services-act 6 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32023R0988”
  EU rules on digital competition · Liability for online marketplaces
• “Thank you very much, president. Today we're talking about European competitiveness in a moment that is not just a transition, but an absolute transformation. Europe cannot sit back and be a spectator. It has to be a protagonist economically, socially and geopolitically. Our main asset is the single market, which is underused. It's weighed down by regulatory differences, and competition in the single market is not always fair, particularly for small and medium sized companies, including micro companies, which are the backbone of Europe's industry. Relaunching European industry means relaunching a single market that is genuinely a space of economic freedom and fair competition of trust and opportunity. The key words are simplification, equality, equitability and sustainability. But the ecological transition should not be punitive, but it has to be a competitive lever. The deforestation rules cbam and ETS risk causing distortion if they are not accompanied by a realistic time frame and flanking measures. The speaker is interrupted over.”
  EU Single Market harmonisation
• “Thank you, Chair. Thank you, speakers. I have two questions. First for Euroclear: do you think that centering the debate on limiting the volume of transactions for DLTs would be useful? And what do you think about limiting it to one hundred billion yen?”
  Regulation of crypto
• “Grazie. President. Thank you. Chair. I welcome the proposal from the commission because it is another positive signal to the European nuclear sector. Finally, it's being tackled without ideological prejudice. A significant increase in the resources available and clear opening towards innovative technology, such as small modular reactors and new generation reactors, are key to help us build a more solid and diversified European energy policy. Nonetheless, there are some issues which I think refer require further reflection. There is a clear imbalance between, um, uh, financing for fusion and fission. 5.33 billion for fusion. But only 500 million for research on fission. This difference means that the potential of fission might not be properly developed. It's already having problems because of the, um, climate goals that have been set in the short, medium and longer term. We need to look at this structurally. Um, may have double financing through both Horizon Europe and Euratom. Um, developing the reactors in the fission sector is only done under is only financed under Euratom. I like the proposal as a whole, but I think we need a better balance between different types of nuclear technology and the financing mechanisms used for them. This can help to strengthen a European nuclear strategy that would be a technologically complete and credible. Now I'll move on to the other file, where I am a shadow, and I would like to say that I welcome the draft regulation that has been put forward today. It's not just a financial commitment, but this is also a key issue for Europe, the nuclear safety of our continent.”
  Nuclear energy
• “Thank you. President. Commissioner. This chamber has to look at reality. Our businesses are moving away. We're seeing millions of layoffs with all the social consequences that entails. The commission uses environmentalism for as an ideological weapon. If we try to decarbonize and this will be the end of the sector, these measures are not going to help anything in the immediate. Um, often, a proper suggestions are ignored, for example ETFs and phaseout. Technological neutrality and energy independence. Perhaps some of you haven't really understood how serious things are right now. So I'd like to applaud those colleagues who have tabled amendments in line with what we proposed, regardless of which group they come from. I would ask you to vote on their amendments, just as you will on ours. Today, everyone has to take responsibility themselves. We need to show which side we stand on. I will choose industry and its workers. Thank you.”
  Powertrain choice: EV-only pathway vs. equal support for hybrids, e-fuels, H2
• “I will speak in Italian. Thank you, chair, commissioner, colleagues. For years, we have imposed higher energy costs on our businesses, increasingly complex legislation and ideological criteria. The result is that investments are leaving Europe, production is moving off of Europe, moving away from Europe, and we have strategic dependency. Well, our industry is losing weight and millions of jobs are at risk. Today, we are talking about accelerating European industry, but too many choices over recent years have held it back. We welcome the objective of enhancing European industrial resilience and accelerating authorization procedures. However, this regulation should not compromise a single market. That's why we are carefully looking at the measures on made in Europe. We want to support European production. That's a legitimate goal. But if requirements are too rigid for public tender, the risk is that we will reduce competition, increase costs, and create new administrative burdens. We have to pay particular attention to SMEs. These are the backbone of European industry. If we really want to relaunch European competitiveness, and we want to ensure that we can invest, innovate, and grow, we can't make businesses spend more and more on proving that they're complying with legislation. We need to be able to simplify. We have to be able to provide clearer rules, rapid authorization, and fewer impediments to investment to meet our goals. If we add increasing levels of legislative regulatory complexity, then all we're doing is changing the name of the problem. It's clear for the ECR that we want to see more private investment, more single market, and less red tape. Without industry, there's no prosperity. And without competitiveness, there's no future for Europe. Thank you.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “Thank you very much, Madam President. Ladies and gentlemen, for years we've been talking about the potential of the single market. But the truth is that we haven't been able to tap into this potential. Our arrivals, our innovating, attract investment. But too many European businesses are grappling with regulatory fragmentation and rules. This has meant less investment, less growth and higher costs. We have to complete the integration of the digital market and services market, among others. We have to reduce the red tape on startups and SMEs. We have to introduce operational tools that simplify the situation, and to have a one stop shop that is effective for businesses. We have to move forward with the capital union, because European businesses mustn't have to look for funding outside Europe. Let us invest in schools to flank the technological and digital transition with quality jobs. Single market that works isn't a technical goal, it's a policy choice. European competitiveness cannot be defended by setting up new hurdles. We have to make sure that we allow those to innovate to do so. Thank you.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “I didn't say that nuclear power is at a disadvantage. I said that we don't talk about it enough. I said that nuclear power isn't one of the options, one of the types of energy that we could harness. Now, I say to Europe, we have the tools to start harnessing nuclear power. I think that we can harness it and this will bring costs down. But I'm not just talking about nuclear power only. I think everything I'm talking about technological neutrality. I'm not just talking about one specific technology. We cannot reduce costs by tapping into renewable energy sources. That would be impossible. Not only. **Nicolae ȘTEFĂNUȚĂ @Chair: Dear colleagues, I will now only take one blue card per person because we are behind on time and I will also close the catch the eye session. I think everyone in the room should be advantaged. Emma Wissner.”
  Nuclear energy
• “Thank you. Chair. I will speak in Italian. Thank you very much. Chairman. Colleagues. The commission's proposal arrives at a very crucial moment for the energy future of the European Union. Supply competitiveness, industrial competitiveness and so on are objectives which have to be dealt with together. Therefore, that being the context, nuclear has come back to the centre of things, but with a more pragmatic approach, a free of ideology. We have to have a basis, a solid basis for nuclear. Uh, other important sectors are affected, such as the health sector, obviously. And therefore, we do have to highlight that nuclear as being part of the climate strategy of the EU, as well as respecting technical neutrality that should guide our choices. Therefore, we do have to avoid any kind of marginalization of the nuclear field and guarantee some financing for it to reinforce the competitiveness at European level, which means that we are independent and self-sufficient and that we have industrial capacity. We also have to commit ourselves, therefore, to research, which is very important for the proper management of fuels. And we have to look at recycling as well. We have to therefore arrive at dealing with nuclear fusion. Euratom is not simply a research instrument, but is a strategic instrument for the future of Europe. We have to make it more ambitious and more balanced and more efficient. Thank you.”
  Nuclear energy
• “Well. Thank you. President. Commissioner. Electricity networks need to be the tools of energy sovereignty. But we need to be aware of the challenges that we face, delays when it comes to interventions, and difficulties. When it comes to allowing, issuing permits require an integrated effort. We need networks that are more flexible and digital because that would help us with the costs of energy generation. But we face geopolitical challenges and tensions, so we have to look wider than that. We have to include all available energy sources, including nuclear energy. We shouldn't just be focusing on renewables here. The text that we crafted, nitrate respond in the committee responds to this vision, but clearly the commission needs to improve things further. Then there's the issue of resources. We called for an increase in our text, in the funding available for this kind of thing, and that sends out a clear message. Italy is investing over 4 billion to improve our network so that it becomes more interconnected, more flexible and can consume more energy. But what we actually need is €23 billion if we extend that to the EU 27. Well, that means €600 billion. And with the current rules in place, member states won't be able to invest enough. So we need to have a longer vision. We need to look at other forms of energy as well as green energy, so that we don't constantly race to catch up when it comes to technological change.”
  EU energy infrastructure integration
• “Yes. I'll be replacing him. Thank you. Chair. Colleagues, we recognise the effort to update the legislative framework to Support the digital and sustainable transition. But we must be frank. We feel that the current proposal might transform a shared goal into something that intrudes on European competitiveness, particularly for SMEs, which are the beating heart of our economy. To guarantee the success of this file, we need to make sure that we behave in a targeted way so that the new instruments will be truly proportionate and will be easily accessible to SMEs as well. This mandatory DPP, even for products that are second hand, is a point on which we are hesitant. Now, this kind of passport might make it easier for consumers have information on products, but broadening the scope to this extent without a transition period and without an impact assessment on costs may way too heavily on smaller operators. We need to make sure, therefore, that we have a phase in approach clear guidelines, targeted support and possible exemptions granted with thresholds taking into account the risk and the organizational capacity of businesses depending on their side. Then there's the issue of the future of the key market. And we do understand here that there is an aim to simplify. But fully substituting the CE marking with the DPP might make things more difficult for over 30 years now. The CE marking is something that has been recognised on the international stage.”
  Product passport
• “Thank you very much, president. Protecting miners online is a responsibility that we all need to shoulder, but we need to be realistic in how we deal with this. The report has some constructive elements, but generally speaking, we in the digital age and the European verification systems, essentially there is a risk that this becomes a tracing system and it will track, um miners and it also undermines national sovereignty. And then you also have um product design, video games and uh, functions of um, of platforms. It's disproportionate. That's what it is. Protecting miners should not mean substituting families or getting round national competencies. It means adopting efficient solutions to grow a digital culture amongst parents and enable them to use pre-existing instruments to protect their children. To ensure a secure digital environment, we need a Europe which guides without imposing, which protects without controlling. Only in this way will we be able to shoulder this responsibility. Thank you.”
  Safety features & content control for child protection online
• “Sticking to that marking would preserve continuity for operators and non EU surveillance authorities, avoiding any legal issues that might arise. Furthermore, the proposal introduces new obligations as well legally responsible representatives for non-EU producers. New obligations for producers. Bans on advertising for a fast fashion. Mandatory certifications and new, um, VAT rules. And without thresholds and without targeted derogations. This could penalise matters for smaller businesses which do not have a legal department, or the sufficient resources to manage this kind of complexity. In the technical meetings, our group put forward clearer language with targeted applications for the DPP, in particular for used goods. We are convinced that an open dialogue on these points may lead to a broader consensus and to measures that will be really effective. So to conclude, we share the aims of bolstering the sustainability of products and protecting consumers. But in our view, effective and efficient legislation must be founded on proportionality, predictability and concrete support. Only in this way can we avoid this becoming an obstacle for those who, with limited means, manage the vast majority of production and indeed that create the most jobs in Europe? So, in a constructive spirit, we will continue to work with the rapporteur and all colleagues. We are looking for a balanced reform that will strengthen, rather than hindering, the EU's ability to be a leader in these transitions on the global market. Thank you.”
  Product passport
• “Thank you very much for your question. I have a two part answer. First of all, our utility bill decree meant that Mrs. Meloni has tackled the crisis. And my second answer is with my mayor hat on. Now, when it comes to energy prices, I could have 2000 employees finding themselves at home because the factories have to close down. We have to look at the whole issue of raw materials and making sure that we have low energy prices. So yes, we have environmental sustainability. But before we think about that, we have to think about economic sustainability because the consequences are of a social nature. Mrs. Vivaldi's.”
  Energy (green transition)
• “Thanks, chair. We agree that this further rolled out of scientific and industrial cooperation with Switzerland, could well redound to the benefit of us in having a more structured relationship with a strategic partner, without doubt offering funds and networks without getting equivalent guarantees. Guarantees in terms of obligations, checks and legislative convergence may throw things out of kilter. There will be an imbalance. We must really keep a keen eye on this. What measures will the Commission enact to offset or limit any imbalance between funds among European bodies and Swiss bodies? Secondly, what tools will the Commission use to prevent the competitiveness of European bodies being watered down by competition from Switzerland, which has very structured institutions. Thirdly, does the Commission expect there to be sectoral or geographical corrections in tenders? In tenders to ensure there is no imbalance between states?”
  EU-Switzerland relations
• “I didn't say that nuclear power is at a disadvantage. I said that we don't talk about it enough. I said that nuclear power isn't one of the options, one of the types of energy that we could harness. Now, I say to Europe, we have the tools to start harnessing nuclear power. I think that we can harness it and this will bring costs down. But I'm not just talking about nuclear power only. I think everything I'm talking about technological neutrality. I'm not just talking about one specific technology. We cannot reduce costs by tapping into renewable energy sources. That would be impossible. Not only.”
  Energy transition (state support)
• “We want to avoid that scenario. To that end, I've presented amendments for exemption exemptions to be circumscribed to those measures which are specified within the omnibus and do not have any impact on budget allocations from elsewhere in the Multiannual Financial Framework. In terms of the MiFID Proposal. There, we believe that the necessary prerequisites for an MTF to be determined as a growth market for small and medium sized enterprises will allow for companies to have incentives and gain access to greater financing. All of this will lead to a situation in which we have more listed companies than the current SMEs, which are active and growing. We want to combat delisting as a phenomenon across the EU. We've seen 12 to 15% at 12 to 15% drop in the number of listed companies over the last ten years. So to summarize, we believe that these proposed measures are a good initiative to simplify the administrative framework for the EU and to allow for more dynamic growth of companies. Nonetheless, it is important that any report should be proper. Any reform should be properly calibrated to avoid too much of a negative impact on SMEs, because they are a vital pillar of the European economy. So we want to create a favorable environment for small, medium and large companies. We want to encourage innovation and competitiveness without creating disparities. We need to work together in order to fine tune the proposal and find solutions that will meet everyone's needs. The approach we take should put sustainability and equity at its heart. Thank you very much for your attention. I'd be delighted to take any questions. Thank you chair.”
  Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID)
• “President. Commissioner. In Italy, over 1.8 women in fertile age so under 50 have a confirmed endometriosis endometriosis diagnosis, 14 million women in Europe, 200 million around the world. And so this is why we have to start treat this as a public health problem. Uh, it's an illness that affects between 10 and 20% of women of fertile age. Uh, diagnosis can take 8 to 10 years, during which time the physical, uh, psychological, social and professional consequences are felt. Women with um, uh, endometriosis have an increased risk of a number of types of cancer. It can also impact fertility. Treatments, uh, to deal with it are long and costly. Today, there is a not sufficient knowledge about the illness and the pain felt by women is underestimated. This has led to delays in diagnosis, research and insufficient healthcare. Access to care is unequal within member states, particularly those in economically disadvantaged or weaker healthcare systems. Europe therefore, has to do more to ensure that there is more equal access to care and treatments in the EU to ensure uniform, high quality assessments. Implementing dedicated targeted financing such as Horizon Europe. What we're doing today is not enough. We have to do more with adequate measures, not just to deal with the impact of the illness on individuals, but also to fight demographic change and the other negative consequences that it can have. Thank you.”
  Sexuality and reproduction
• “Thank you Chair, colleagues. Mister Vanover Overveld couldn't be here today so he asked me to speak for him. Thank you to the speakers and the colleagues and thank you for the excellent coordination of today's hearings. It said that any technology if it's sufficiently advanced it's indistinguishable from magic. The difference between today's magic is that it's at our fingertips behind a screen but now it's at the very heart of traditional finances. So in this sense it's encouraging to know that ten European banks have come together to make Europe a main player in this sector. We often hear of digital assets when it comes to risks, volatility and financial stability. This is a legitimate concern. Our main duty is to protect our savings in a turbulent world. The large promise of moving part of our economic and financial assets including debt, financial assets and even cash in on infrastructures based on public blockchains and distributed registries come lead to ethical and moral dilemmas. First of all current sign of sovereignty as a reserve currency as in a way of exchange and this parliament has made it very clear what the interests here in play are. The value of digital assets are currently only a fraction of the current of the global financial network. It's a drop in the ocean but can the drop make a hole in the rock? Will this be compliance by design? We don't know what will happen but we are setting the rules of the game. We are looking after the free market, after savings and we're looking after state sovereignty. Thank you everyone and good work to you.”
  Regulation of crypto
• “Thank you. Chairman. Dear colleagues. Hello, everyone. I'd like to thank the speakers and the Co-rapporteurs for their cooperation. Or the shadow rapporteur for the discussion will be dealing with. I'd like to, uh, thank you again. Some of you I met on Tuesday the submission of the draft on the directives, the amendments for the fourth omnibus package. Look at the introduction of the small mid-caps introduction, the possibility to allow many companies that in the past have been classified as large companies to benefit from the same advantages reserved to SMEs as these at the moment, given the regulations are divided by responsibilities. The main political discussion will be based on the definition of the new category of companies, which is transversal for the. With the files included in the omnibus with, we agreed to have the limit raised to 1500 employees, 750 million a budget, and uh, the uh, turnover, the annual turnover. We want our companies to be able to grow, develop, expand and compete with more dynamic economies. We're living in a geopolitical and historic, uh, context that requires courageous Reynders decisions. European industry is going very slowly and finds it very difficult to create big companies capable of competing with Western and Asian groups. In the last 50 years, we haven't seen any companies in the EU which are over 100 billion capital.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “Thank you. Commissioner. President, I read your texts. And to tell you the truth, I haven't really seen the will of facing the challenges that our industry is facing with the lack of pragmatism which we've seen over the last five years, what we need a different level of effort because we find ourselves in this situation, especially because of the very bad choices that we made in the past. So we need a conceptual change, not just a semantic change. Theology. Less bureaucracy. Research, innovation, reciprocity, and energy security are absolutely indispensable to keep our industry from collapsing. And we need to make sure that this clean industrial deal is not just another Green Deal. We want to look at the new political context, geopolitical context. We want to support you to the extent that we can, but at the same time that we need to understand and we need to see that you admit the mistakes that have been made. It is crucial to make sure to look at the social dimension, because I decarbonised does not possibly mean that that we're delocalized or de-industrialized. Thank you. Thank you so much, honourable member. **Antonella SBERNA @Co-Chair The next speaker is Mr.. Mr. Verhofstadt.”
  Energy (green transition)
• “(10:54:27 – 10:56:13): Vivaldini. Thank you very much, madam president. Ladies and gentlemen, for years, we've been talking about the potential of the single market, but the truth is that, we haven't been able to tap into this potential. Our rivals are innovating, attract investment, but too many European businesses are grappling with regulatory fragmentation and, rules. This has meant less investment, less growth, and higher, costs. We have to complete the integration of the digital market and services market among others. Others. We have to reduce the red tape on startups and SMEs. We have to introduce operational tools that simplify the situation and to have a 1 stop shop that is effective for businesses. We have to move forward with the Capital Union because European businesses mustn't have to look for funding outside Europe. Let us invest in schools to flank the technological and digital transition with quality jobs. A single market that works isn't a technical goal. It's a policy choice. European competitiveness cannot be defended by setting up new hurdles. We have to make sure that we allow those to innovate to do so. Thank you. Madam president, there are a lot of sectors here in the single market where to this very day sorry.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “Thank you very much, chair. E energy intensive industries in Europe are facing challenges which affect their sustainability and competitiveness. And let's remember that these industries constitute more than half of the industrial consumption of energy in Europe. Overall, we can say we're happy with the state of negotiations. We'd like to thank colleagues for the spirit of collaboration on this file. The challenge of competitiveness means that we have to take bold decisions, and we have to look at social sustainability. And I'm pleased that we've taken on board technological neutrality and other similar terms, whereas previously they were too taboo. As the ECR, we're less happy with the ETS. We think there are problems there and they outweigh the benefits. And I think we can need to look at this in the round and see how that works. We need to provide industries with the possibility to have direct investment for decarbonisation to be part of ETS. We think there needs to be a possibility to have phasing out of free quotas and looking at the impact of Cbam. We do share the concerns that exist. Another critical issue, in my opinion, is the market correction mechanism, because its impact can be marginalized and push suppliers to more profitable markets on scrap metal. There are issues here that I think need to be taken into consideration as strategic issues and may affect the export. Because otherwise there will be issues that are no longer sustainable. Thank you.”
  Energy (green transition)
• “Thank you. President, Commissioner. Ladies and gentlemen, when we talk about energy, we're not talking about a simple technical file. We're talking about European families, bills, utility bills and the future of European competitiveness in the world. I think that this has steps in the right direction. The commission wants to bolster interconnection and to have energy interdependence here in Europe. But we have to make sure that we're careful with transition. Uh, technological neutrality is a principle, but often that doesn't lead to specific choices when everything is just concentrated on a handful of technologies. While other low emissions, such as new generation nuclear power, are sidelined, then technological neutrality becomes more theoretical than a reality. All technologies have to be harnessed technologies that give us energy security of supply and sustainable prices. Because we don't just need clean energy in Europe, we need secure supply, and we need plenty of energy because without it, the transition won't work. Thank you. Mrs.. Mrs.. I would like to ask you a question.”
  Energy (green transition)
• “Thank you chair. Dear colleagues. Good morning everyone. I'd like to start by thanking co rapporteur Mr. Vigenin and all the shadow rapporteurs present. Thank you in advance for the discussion in the fourth omnibus package. What the commission is trying to do is foster economic development and the competitiveness of European businesses without hindering their growth in any way. So this category of small mid-cap enterprises is one which would allow companies that had previously been classified as large businesses to enjoy the same advantages which SMEs enjoy. To wit, simplified regulatory regime and a reduction of administrative burdens, doing away with superfluous red tape and improving their operational capacity. This is with two aims. Removing obstacles and freeing up resources that can then be used to encourage business growth and attract investors. It is the Commission's view that the omnibus package measures, and all accompanying simplification measures as a whole, could lead to savings of 8.6 billion per year for companies with €400 million. In omnibus for only with the simplification of administrative provisions and moving to digital. There we need to look at the backdrop, which is a need for change, a need for simplification, a need to cut red tape, and all of this in the interests of businesses so that we remove any obstacles to their growth. We also need to take account of the fact that this historic juncture, this geopolitical backdrop, requires courage. It's hard to move quickly and help big and indeed mid-sized companies to compete with the Chinese and US giants.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “Thank you. President, Commissioner. Ladies and gentlemen, when we talk about energy, we're not talking about a simple technical file. We're talking about European families, bills, utility bills and the future of European competitiveness in the world. I think that this has steps in the right direction. The commission wants to bolster interconnection and to have energy interdependence here in Europe. But we have to make sure that we're careful with transition. Uh, technological neutrality is a principle, but often that doesn't lead to specific choices when everything is just concentrated on a handful of technologies. While other low emissions, such as new generation nuclear power, are sidelined, then technological neutrality becomes more theoretical than a reality. All technologies have to be harnessed technologies that give us energy security of supply and sustainable prices. Because we don't just need clean energy in Europe, we need secure supply, and we need plenty of energy because without it, the transition won't work. Thank you. Mrs.. Mrs.. I would like to ask you a question.”
  Nuclear energy
• “The United States is the opposite. Many companies are beyond that level and they were started in the same companies, including the six that today are worth more than $10,000,000,000,000 trillion. Now this is is causing problems for the EU companies that find it difficult to develop and compete. Our draft was based on the basis of defending small and medium sized companies. We submitted amendments to ensure that the measures for small, big caps are circumscribed by regulations within the omnibus thinking that the principle of think small first and avoiding any comparison between them and SMEs when funds are set up. As far as the regulation on the prospective prospectus, we have agreed with the possibility of extending the use of a simplified growth prospectus for the small SME caps, reducing costs and bureaucracy, and and making it easier to be listed. Uh, in the last 15 years, the EU sees that the that the drop in listed companies goes from 12. It's gone from 12 to 15%. The objective is that of setting up a favourable environment for small and for large companies, favouring innovation and competitiveness without causing any discrepancies. I thank you and I'll be. I'm happy to listen to your proposals.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “If you look at the last 50 years, for instance, the EU has not set up a single business with over 100 billion market capitalisation. All companies of that size have been set up in the last 50 years. All of this means there's a structural problem of stagnation, insufficient growth capacity, and insufficient capacity to generate our own champion enterprises within the European system. Eu data also indicates that bigger companies tend to be more productive than smaller companies. So given all this, the EU should have a clear aim. We must create the right conditions for our companies to grow and expand. Bridge the gap and reap all the benefits of a more dynamic economy. In order to foster such growth, we need to remove obstacles to entrepreneurs. If the will is there, we should put the means in people's hands to act. So we need to take decisive progress in terms of strengthening our global competitiveness. Effectiveness having a financial and industrial regulatory framework which can favour the creation of an expansion of companies. So we support the Commission's aim of providing help and support to small and medium sized enterprises with their growth, so that we avoid the cliff effect, stagnation and paralysis. As rapporteur, one of my concerns has been avoiding a situation in which we have measures for small mid-caps which have a negative impact on SMEs.”
  EU Competition policy
• “Female participation in the decision making progress and in industrial leadership is not only a matter of equality, it also represents a crucial factor in the competitiveness, innovation and resilience of Europe. Europe cannot allow itself to ignore the industrial energy and green transition while leaving behind half of its human talent. We need to be practical and and steadfast in order to do away with the obstacles that women face in the labor market. And I say this as an entrepreneur. We need to support training, entrepreneurship, access to different roles. Europe, that is, that is more innovative and advanced, cannot ignore the potential contribution and talent of women, the equality among the genders and giving the opportunity to sustainable growth for Europe, for industry, for women's work in in Europe and for the European strategy. Leadership and female competencies are a factor of growth and development. A European replied to the technological challenges therefore mean having structural policies and choices in favour of women. Thank you.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion