Debate contributions by Borja GIMÉNEZ LARRAZ

Mr President, in 2018 a reform of the European electoral law was approved, a reform that had broad support in Parliament and the unanimity of the Council. Eight years later, it has not yet entered into force due to the lack of ratification by a Member State. Let me tell you one thing: I am one of those who believe that the European Union is the best tool to face the challenges of the present and the future, even more so in the increasingly complex geopolitical context. If we want a strong European Union, we need a strong institutional architecture that is endowed with democratic legitimacy and that allows us to respond with agility and determination. If we want to be credible and trustworthy, if we want to be respected out there, let's start by respecting ourselves. Let us respect the will emanating from these institutions. With this report that we are voting on today, we are asserting the will of this House and allowing us to open up to the future to push for more ambitious reforms that will help us strengthen the European project.

Mr President, the sustainable transport investment plan sends a clear signal to investors, a signal of support for the industry, a positive signal. But let me point out to you, Commissioner, some issues which I think should be taken into account. First, the energy transition of the maritime and aviation sectors can only be driven by comprehensive and coordinated rules. Commitments are needed at the multilateral level, otherwise it will be of little use. Secondly, European decarbonisation rules cannot undermine our competitiveness vis-à-vis third parties. They know that carbon leakage is no longer a threat, it is a reality. Thirdly, all legislation must be enlightened under the principle of technological neutrality. Fourthly, in the plan presented we lacked an inclusion of road transport, in particular heavy transport. An unfragmented global approach is needed. Fifthly, we call for every euro collected through the ETS and the Maritime and Aviation FuelEU initiative to be fully reinvested in these sectors to accelerate decarbonisation in the form of innovation, technological support and cost reduction. That said, the plan is a positive sign, but let us make sure that climate ambition is matched by ambitious support from the European Union for industry. Let's not forget: that industry is made up of people, of European citizens, and we don't want to see how their lives are affected by a poorly measured energy transition.

Mr President, Europe's strength in the face of this challenge lies in trade union, and today it is called upon to make decisions. The pact with the United States has prevented a trade war that would not benefit anyone, but we cannot be complacent: the agreement raises doubts, and we cannot ignore this. The United States is a prime ally, but now it is unpredictable, which puts us at risk. We need to open new markets: It is no longer an option, it is an obligation, a strategic necessity. And today, among all the regions, there is one that challenges us in a unique way: Ibero-America, for history, for cultural and linguistic ties, for the convergence of interests that projects us towards the future... The Mexico-Mercosur agreements must become a reality as soon as possible. Faced with national withdrawal and protectionism, the European Union must champion the defence of free trade; for our principles, yes, but fundamentally for the prosperity of our companies and of all Europeans.

Madam President, Commissioner, the European Union is at the forefront of protecting air passenger rights. European regulations have been giving certainty and protecting the thousands of citizens who fly every day for years. We can be proud, but in recent years we have been onlookers of a deterioration in the conditions that passengers face, and this we cannot allow. We have two proposals on the table, two proposals that represent an opportunity to reverse this dynamic. The Council has already spoken, and we did not like its position and forms. Passenger rights must be strengthened, not weakened. We can't go back. Parliament must be firm. We want the passenger to be able to carry a carry-on suitcase at no extra cost. The Court of Justice of the European Union has made this clear: hand luggage is an indispensable element of the passenger. The current rules guarantee reimbursement for delays of more than three hours. We strongly oppose any attempt to weaken them. We want sitting next to a family member not to be a privilege. Our seniors must be able to have a printed version of boarding passes and physical counters. We need clear rules. We need an ambitious position. Citizens must feel close to the European Union, they must feel that we are on their side, and this proposal is an opportunity to strengthen that trust and protect the common interests of Europeans.

Mr President, Europe's strength in the face of this challenge lies in its trade union. We are a decisive global market: 450 million people with high purchasing power. We have the power to talk about you to anyone - to America, too. This trade war benefits no one; Whoever started it, either. We must assert our unity. Member States cannot fall into the trap of waging war on their own. Our business rivals want us divided. For something it will be. Let's negotiate until exhaustion with who is our main commercial partner and political ally, but be aware that in the face of a commercial attack we have tools and capacity to respond. And let's get ready. If the United States retreats, let's look for new markets: there are Mexico and Mercosur. We must close more and better deals. Free trade is a fundamental principle of the European project: Let's influence globally. In the face of national withdrawal, in the face of protectionism and tariffs, more rules-based free trade and more Europe.

Mr President, the current context requires us to strengthen our defensive capabilities. We need infrastructure prepared for the rapid and safe movement of troops and equipment to deal with any threats that may arise on the continent. Progress needs to be made in the implementation of a fully interoperable, border-free trans-European network. Important shortcomings persist today: outdated infrastructure, bottleneck corridors and a lack of coordination between Member States. Funding and action are needed to boost the development of dual-use infrastructure: civil and military. Let me refer in particular to the connections between the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Europe. Progress must be made in the implementation of the Atlantic and Mediterranean rail corridors and a reality must not be lost sight of: the lack of connections with France through the Pyrenees mountain range may be our Achilles heel, also from a military point of view. We can't afford it.

Mr President, I will speak on behalf of Mr Falcă, draftsman of the opinion of the Committee on Transport and Tourism. By 2026, we need a stronger European Union budget for transport. We need to significantly increase the Connecting Europe Facility budget to finance key infrastructure projects, in particular cross-border transport. It is essential to invest in high-speed trains, night trains and freight corridors. Expanding rail capacity will shift more goods off the roads, reducing emissions and congestion. Digitalisation of transport, smart solutions and simplification of regulations will facilitate cross-border travel and improve access to EU funding. Given the current geopolitical context, it is urgent to restore funding for military mobility. We need to modernise transport connections between the European Union, Moldova and Ukraine, especially rail networks. Finally, tourism needs modernisation and support, including reducing administrative burdens for SMEs and digital innovation to boost local economies.

Mr. President, water is life and water is development. Today we see desertification moving forward. The lack of water has become a threat, especially to countries and regions in southern Europe. Although some of us are more vulnerable, this challenge affects us all. We are talking about access to a basic good. We are talking about a fundamental resource for agriculture and livestock, for industry, to create jobs and fix the population. The European Union must be fully involved in promoting a European Water Pact that sets out comprehensive measures to ensure sustainable and efficient management of water resources. And that pact must be provided with funds: We need funds to build and modernise water infrastructure such as reservoirs and dams to regulate watercourses and manage periods of drought more effectively. We need funds to improve and modernise irrigation systems. All this accompanied by efficient water management policies. And we must act urgently. In Spain, in my region, Aragon, which has deeply arid and desert areas, the Autonomous Parliament unanimously approved in 1992 the so-called Water Pact, an agreement that vindicates the hydraulic works necessary to guarantee the present and future needs of the community. Well, in these thirty years we have made very little progress: we have more than 30 works pending. We have known for decades what we want, what we need, but the lack of will and funds has left it forgotten. Faced with the inaction of the Spanish Government, the European Union must take an active role. It should contribute to the financing of these works. Today it is no longer an option: It's an obligation.

Mr President, Commissioner, tourism is a powerful tool for the economic and social development of the Union. It directly employs more than 12 million people and accounts for more than 10% of gross domestic product. It is worth remembering this today that there are voices that demonize tourism, encouraged by ideological motivations that translate into throwing stones at our own roof. Yes, we want sustainable tourism, not only from an environmental point of view, but also from an economic and social point of view. The European Union has an important role to play. We must work to build a common brand and promote a sustainable tourism strategy. This is the competitiveness legislature. Let me tell you what is happening in Spain, one of the main tourist destinations in the European Union: Since 2 December, tourists have to provide up to 42 personal details – up from 13 – some of which are very intimate. This measure is an invasion of people's privacy and may violate European data protection regulations, an imposition more specific to a police state than a democracy. In addition, it imposes an incomprehensible, unacceptable and impossible administrative burden on many small businesses, causing a loss of competitiveness for a strategic sector. This is an issue that is not only of concern in Spain. Europe-wide tourism associations have raised their voices. The European tourism industry is mobilised. I think it is important for the European institutions to be involved.

Madam President, disinformation strategies play a key role in Moscow's hybrid war. Here in the European Union, we have known for a long time: there were during the referendum of the Brexit or during support for the attempted secessionists in Catalonia. Russia is immersed in its particular war against liberal democracies. Their systematic propaganda campaigns aim to encourage social division, confrontation and the weakening of our democratic institutions. And, in this permanent strategy of destabilization, Ukraine is the greatest exponent. Ukraine is the victim of an illegal and unjustified war of aggression. Ukraine is a victim of the manipulation and disinformation promoted by the Putin regime to misrepresent reality and try to justify the unjustifiable. The European Union must be effective and active in attributing these hybrid attacks and unmasking their perpetrators. We will support the Council and the European institutions in this task: Ukraine is not alone. History cannot be written by those who build their actions on lies, by those who want to destroy our liberal democracy.

Mr President, on 7 September, torrential rains caused the road of the main route of communication between France and Spain through the Pyrenees to collapse: the passage of the Somport. France has announced that the repair works can be extended for more than six months. The closure of this road has very negative economic and social consequences. Thousands of people cross this step every day for work, tourism, studies or business reasons. The Commission must be involved to find a solution to this situation. This point of union between Europeans cannot be abandoned. With minimal effort, it is possible to speed up the works and restore the passage as soon as possible. But, in addition, this painful situation should make European transport managers reflect. We need structural investments and a real commitment to trans-Pyrenean connections. The Pyrenees must stop being a wall in the middle of Europe and, therefore, the Commission must commit itself to give impetus, from now on, to two key works: in the short term, the reopening of the Canfranc railway line and, in the medium term, the central crossing of the Pyrenees.