Debate contributions by Vytenis Povilas ANDRIUKAITIS

President, Commissioner. Once again, I must congratulate you on the final, final budget for 2026, which is not, as you say, the last multiannual perspective that you have shaped, while next year you will have to present all aspects of the multiannual financial perspective. I am certainly speaking as a former Commissioner and representing food safety and public health. In fact, public health and this year 2026 will not be fertile. Unfortunately, this is the case. And EU4Health the programme, and Europe's Beating Cancer the programme, and Horizon programmes that would require much more integrated and increased efforts, which, unfortunately, do not reach the financial level required by the needs, as the needs are much higher. Especially knowing that health is a huge investment that can contribute to economic growth.

Mr President, honourable Commissioner. Indeed, it has been observed here that time for European independence is confronting the fact that Trump meets Putin in Budapest – without the European Union and without Ukraine. It's really a moment. Perhaps it is good that we now understand how to consolidate all the European Unions quickly and effectively: energy union, digital union, banking union and others. But the European Health Union, Commissioner Maroš, is very much needed and, unfortunately, very little has been proposed here to further stimulate and strengthen the European Health Union. Here is an offer directed at Update of the governance of the Energy Union. It would be great if you came with The Governance of the European Health Union. Congratulations with all my heart.

Mr President, honourable Commissioner, honourable rapporteur. Thank you, great report. Timely: We are late - we had to start a debate last year on how we need to prepare the European institutions and the Member States for enlargement and, at the same time, improve... (The Chair interrupted the speaker) I wanted once again to thank the rapporteur and the Commission, to call on the Commission to start a broad debate as soon as possible on the need to change the treaties, on the need to move from unanimity in many areas to qualified majority voting. There are exceptions that can certainly remain, but otherwise the main rule would be to move to qualified majority voting, there may also be to super Qualified – this is a matter of debate. Restoring observer status for candidate countries, in particular Ukraine, is crucial. Ukraine can already help us in both defence, transport and energy and be an observer, an observer. It is necessary to review that one-percentage-of-GDP ceiling principle. He's outdated, he can't resist criticism. It is necessary to have our own European Union resources and an autonomous European Union budget. Enlargement is our main concern for peace, security and economic and civil rights.

Mr President, honourable Commissioner. Indeed, we are fully aware that this is a ceasefire, that the prospect of peace is fragile, difficult and that it is therefore necessary for the European Commission and the European Member States to engage today in a broad diplomatic, humanitarian mission, both in the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and in the control of processes on both sides, in order to prevent new conflicts. We really must make every effort to have the European Union, the Member States, recognise the State of Palestine as soon as possible, and it is clear that we must seek to bring to justice all the perpetrators, war criminals. This is our obligation, because we are committed to a European criminal court and we cannot close our eyes to what has been done.

Madam President, the embarrassing Budapest meeting, where Putin and Trump conspire to divide Ukraine, is a devastating moral blow to the European Union. It contradicts the EU's commitment to international law and holding the aggressor accountable through the International Criminal Court. Despite the European Union's previous stance that peace talks must include both Ukraine and the EU, it now shamefully submits to two autocrats who threaten to dismantle the EU and redraw borders by force. The 1994 Budapest first agreement has turned into a 2025 Budapest second – or Munich second – agreement, as parts of Ukraine's territory are surrendered within the EU's own space. This is a betrayal of the EU's Treaty obligations, replaced by cynical pragmatism. It shows a dangerous EU moral failure. Where is the voice of the coalition of the willing? The only answer is a firm 'No!' to Putin and Trump. EU leaders, wake up before it is too late.

Madam President, dear Commissioner, colleagues, Europe is the continent experiencing the fastest rate of heating. Its rate of heating is twice the global average. It is very important to say this message to those who deny climate change. It's a very good example. Therefore, we are at the forefront of this new dangerous trend. Because of that, Europe is experiencing longer and more intense transmission seasons for mosquito- and tick-borne diseases, and it should be kept in mind. Of course, despite a record number of deaths from heat and climate change-related concerns, we have big problems ahead of us. Over the past years, the number of countries affected by, for example, Asian tiger mosquitoes presenting the chikungunya virus has doubled. The number of regions with the presence of those mosquitoes increased by 223 % in the last decade. It's once again a message to those who do not understand what it means. Surveillance, protection, prevention, preparedness, control actions and possibilities to protect and also to understand that we need to have vaccination in our hands. Tick-borne encephalitis, which is spread by encephalitis ticks, is once again on the rise. And I welcome Baltic countries where vaccination against tick-spread encephalitis shows very good results. I welcome Commission intentions, I urge Member States to do more and include the European Commission proposal into their national action plans curbing mosquito-borne diseases.

Mr President, dear Commissioner, the European Union lacks a coherent and unified mental health strategy that will be implemented on a cross-sectoral basis. There should be better coordination, regulation of harmful practices and better monitoring across Member States. Mental health should not be silent as a health sector issue only, but integrated into jobs, education, digital policy, social inclusion and addiction strategies. And it must pay special attention to gender issues – women's, men's and gender diverse people's mental health. Such strategies should establish binding minimum standards for workplace psychological protection, regulate digital technologies through the lens of cognitive integrity, and use well-being together with integrating policies on addiction in broader public health strategy. Excessive screen time, especially on social media, correlates with risk of anxiety, depression and lower self-esteem. We need to pay very big attention to children's and youngsters' issues because it is a very big challenge and we need to establish digital regulation, especially for minors, as a key in preventing the mental health problems among them.

First of all, I want to thank Commissioner Lahbib, and, as you can see, this debate proves once again how necessary this declaration is. Even in this hall, the rights of the family's people are attacked in the name of defending the family's rights. Kinder, Kleider, Kirche, Küche has long been regarded as a doctrine contrary to human rights. And it is clear that the issue of women's rights is an indicator of the level of democracy in society. Where they are all respected and implemented, only that society is democratic and knows what family policy is. Therefore, it is now absolutely clear that we need to protect all women's rights perfectly: both abortion rights and the right to motherhood, but to be guaranteed in all its forms, both in terms of length of service and professional prospects, and to be credited with work of immense value. Thank you for the declaration.

Madam President, dear Commissioner, we condemned – in the strongest terms – Putin's aggression against Ukraine and military and hybrid provocations against the EU and its Member States. The European Commission proposed: first, the protection of sovereignty and critical infrastructure of the European Union and its Member States; second, the creation of multi-layered anti-drone and air defence system; third, coordination with NATO; and fourth, to boost investment in the Security and Defence Union in a coordinated manner. I welcome those proposals – it is really a very strong statement. But the report based on the research carried out for the European Parliamentary Research Services shows that the cost of non-EU in defence spending is estimated to range from EUR 18-57 billion per year. I ask you, Mr Commissioner, to encourage Member States to understand that we need to spend every euro and to act in a coordinated manner. Do not allow Member States to act separately; the cost will be very high, much higher. We need the strongest united response.

Madam President, Commissioner, of course, I am fully in line with you, and it is a very big achievement to see simplification – of course, not deregulation. And, of course, the whole package is very important to our farmers. But let me remind you that the common agricultural policy should be also kept in the hands of the European Commission, not at the level of national governments. There is a need to guarantee pan-European mechanisms, especially. And, of course, the budget is very important. And ceterum censeo – as you know, in old style, ceterum censeo: direct payments to farmers must be unified. It is an old promise of the European Commission, a very old one. Equal pay for equal jobs requires unification of direct payments to all farmers in every Member State. It is our solidarity.

President, colleagues, Commissioner. Let me say that today we are celebrating 7 October, two years, but we can also remember today the 30-year event that shocked the world when Icchak Rabin was shot dead by a Jewish extremist for laying the foundations for the emergence of the two states, the Oslo Accord. This is what he said loudly: “We who have faced against you, the Palestinians. We say to you today in a loud and a clear voice, enough of blood and tears, enough.” He was shot and then rejoiced by Netanyahu. I don't believe in Netanyahu's change. He is opposed to the existence of two states, as is Trump. Therefore, to support this plan, one should be very active and immediately demand the recognition of two states. This would be a guarantee to move forward.

Dear Prime Minister, indeed, you have rightly mentioned that you represent a small country in the European Union, but we are all well aware that there are only two types of countries in the European Union: small and those who do not understand that they are small! France and Germany are nationalists and patriots. They do not understand that they are small, and no one gets caught talking about the greatness of their past, that they are pushing themselves into a pit. We need much more integration today than ever before and, Prime Minister, a convention is necessary, treaty change is necessary, the strengthening of the European Union is necessary! This must be the response of all of us. I wish you the real courage to raise this issue in the Council about the need to call... for urgent reforms, because without them, Europe is late, we are all small!

Madam President, dear Commissioner, President Donald Trump's newly announced tariffs on pharmaceuticals are a direct threat to the European Union's pharmaceutical industry. These tariffs will inevitably push up drug prices and disrupt the supply chain, harming patients on both sides of the Atlantic. Ironically, it will be American citizens who will pay the price first and understand what 'America First' means. European pharmaceutical companies will face mounting pressure to move production to the United States to escape these tariffs, meaning fewer jobs and less investment here in Europe. And yes, given President Trump's well-known habit of retreating the moment reality catches up with his rhetoric, there is always a chance he will change his mind. But that's no excuse for complacency. We must respond quickly, firmly and decisively to this reckless and counterproductive Trump policy, Commissioner.

President, Commissioner. Visa-free travel is based on the principle of mutual trust between the Member States of the European Union and third countries. And the visa suspension mechanism is an integral part of building trust in the visa-free regime, as the abuse of the visa-free regime is a challenge that destroys trust. If there is a threat, a review of this mechanism is necessary. There can be no other way. Illegal migration is a challenge and the threats are increasing. The review will go in the right direction if it is based on threat analysis, continuous research and increased protection of human rights, and in the wrong direction if it is used for politicised purposes. The right to a golden visa granted to oligarchs is a parody. It cannot be because no one measures human rights with money, and freedom, responsibility, rights and duties go hand in hand, Commissioner. Yes, congratulations.

Mr President, Commissioner. I belong to the older generation. That is why I can safely say on behalf of that older generation, the sizes of pensioners, men and women, are too big, the differences are big, the differences between pensioners in Eastern Europe and those in Western Europe are too big. Poverty among pensioners is evident, loneliness problems among pensioners are high, access to health care problems is also high, especially in areas suffering from medical shortages. In medical deserts, pensioners are most vulnerable. It is clear that pensioners are discriminated against in the labour market. The silver economy is not working. Commissioner, I wish you a very active and energetic approach and a roadmap on what to do to tackle these problems first and foremost within 3-4 years.

Mr President, dear colleagues. Here a large part, a large part of our Parliament, spoke unanimously and expressed solidarity with Poland. Indeed, the activation of Article 4 of the NATO Treaty and the way in which consultations are now conducted are exactly what is needed most today. But this event reveals very well the farce that happened in Alaska when U.S. President Donald Trump took pictures with Putin. I think that this event completely disarmed that Alaska farce and we have to be very clear, very precise and send a signal to everyone: The era of double standards is over, and unified, solidarity-based action is needed. Long live the solidarity!

Absolutely, for sure. I think we all are like-minded here – the need to have EU4Health separate programmes from the Commission. Absolutely – because you have no chance to solve problems without very effective financial means.

Mr President, Commissioner, of course, summer heatwaves in Europe have become an urgent crisis, claiming over 175 000 lives per year annually, it's a very big challenge for all of us. Of course, it's not only an environmental or social issue, it is a public health issue and, of course, it costs a lot. It also creates a lot of economic challenges. The European Union must address the causes and consequences of climate change as it is affecting the basic rights to the health, security and lives of citizens. And of course, we need comprehensive housing policies, as speakers have done in mentioning cooling systems and so on. Of course, healthcare systems must be equipped and must be prepared because it's a crisis issue, like the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive, like cross-border healthcare threats. Climate change also belongs to them, and what we need, of course, are financial means. And it means that the European health union should be expanded and should be equipped by all programmes. And of course, healthcare policies are one clear example.

Mr President, we need a clear legal status for alliances, which would make it easier for universities to initiate and lead European projects, pool resources, enhance their autonomy, reduce administrative burdens, attract funding and broaden their governance structure. We ask the European Commission to take further steps towards a European degree that is based on European criteria, as a step towards the recognition of degrees and diplomas at EU level. And, of course, we ask that existing initiatives like the European Student Card be strengthened, while also considering new ones such as enhancing interoperability of digital tools through the creation of virtual European inter-campuses. We welcome the report and I think it is a good step forward and we will need to do more strengthening of our university alliances because freedom of investment, research and innovation is impossible without alliances with European universities.

Mr President, I will speak Lithuanian. This is all the more so since, in relations between China and the European Union, tariff and tariff problems have always been on the table. It is worth remembering when the problem of African swine fever was complicated, and in this case, when that plague then moved to China, China also initially defended itself, defended itself against unjustified tariffs, but after the catastrophe of its farm, it opened up pork markets to us very much. I certainly congratulate the Commission and the Commission on now calling for measures to be taken as soon as possible, clarifying fully and raising the issue of unfair duties imposed by China, to transfer it to World Trade Organisation disputes, as this would make it possible to get China back to the negotiating table more quickly, perhaps, and the opening up of other markets is also number one.

Mr President, honourable Commissioner, honourable colleagues. Today, President Maia Sandu's speech here in the European Parliament was based on facts, figures and irresistible arguments. Putin’s regime’s efforts to influence the outcome of Moldova’s parliamentary elections on 28 September and to seize Moldova through ballot boxes, in the most gross violation of international law, which is absolutely clear to us today, who stand up for Moldova’s path to the European Union, for the rule of law in a state governed by the rule of law. We are all allies here. As a representative of Lithuania in the European Parliament, it is very important for me to say that Moldova was the first republic in the former Soviet Union to recognize the independence of the Republic of Lithuania in 1990. That is why it is my duty today, and that of all of us, to do everything in our power to ensure that Moldova's path to the European Union runs smoothly and delivers the best results on 28 September.

President of the meeting, honourable Commissioners, colleagues. When I listen in this room to the statements of those representatives who call themselves patriots, I reluctantly remember the sentiment: Patriotism is often the last refuge of the bastards. Do patriots who call themselves that sometimes fail to grasp the meaning of this sentiment? And especially French patriots could turn to history and ask themselves, what peace with Hitler? Interesting historical lesson for French patriots? That is why the answer is very obvious. Today, among other things, we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, which said very clearly: inviolability of borders, territorial integrity and non-use of force. Putin must be defeated! That's the only way.

Mr President, dear colleagues, the EU faces a critical juncture marked by war in Ukraine, geopolitical shifts, transnational crises, EU internal difficulties and new political goals. A few months ago, the Commission presented us with a project for a new budget of almost EUR 1.8 trillion. The amount sounds impressive, but in reality it is not. If we take away the interest of Next Generation EU loans, the budget becomes the same as the current financial framework, while the challenges the EU faces have multiplied. It means that EU is not ready for new challenges, neither institutionally nor policy-wise. Once Ukraine is ready to become a member of the EU, we will need significant resources to support it. We will need to provide adequate protection to all our Member States and support our regional cohesion and agriculture. A budget that barely differs from the current one will not be enough. We need a deep and meaningful discussion about expanding our own resources and create a much larger budget, much more fitting for the current times.

Mr President, Commissioner, public procurement must drive social progress and sustainability. We need to include in public procurement mandatory social criteria, mandatory environmental criteria and also workers' rights. Of course, we need to promote European preference, to limit the number of subcontractors and to include the 'buy local' approach and, of course, fight against corruption, favouritism and conflicts of interest. It can help us to guarantee transparency and promote social fairness and inclusion.

Mr President, honourable Commissioner, Mr Aurore, congratulations, excellent report! And now we need to convince all of us that without a capital markets union, without a banking union, without own resources, without attracting risk capital – let us stop talking about the investment climate. Investment is needed for everything, and for those who talk about agriculture, about social issues, about everything - investment is needed! It is a capital union, a banking union, the raising of venture capital, the exploitation of people's savings, the creation and issuance of European bonds. We need our own resources – more than ever! Since 2014, as Commissioner, we have been talking about this proposal. Congratulations! Let's go! And let us use our strength to persuade national parliaments and governments, because national governments do not have the resolve to do so.