Speeches

Madam President, Commissioner, let me quote a country in the world that depends on third countries to feed its people and that is stable and secure. There is no such thing. The main challenge is also to support the agricultural world so that tomorrow there are still buyers, young people who want to get involved. However, stress and all-round regulations effectively lead to a defection in the profession, jeopardise agriculture and, moreover, concentrate agriculture even more in the hands of a few. Yes, we must be able to evolve, but we must also recognise that European agriculture is the most sustainable in the world, and we must be very proud of the quality produced by our farmers. Of course, we must not forget that the issue of food security is an issue of today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. Of course, agriculture needs to evolve, but not at any pace. There have also been laboratories in this area. Check out what happened in Sri Lanka, with a frantic pace to completely change agriculture. This has been an economic, ecological and environmental disaster. Development requires time and consultation with the agricultural community.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, first of all, thank you and congratulations to the rapporteur for the quality of the work. You now have a comprehensive enough action plan at Commission level to effectively protect our democracy. In any case, I would like the Commission to come forward quickly with proposals to implement the proposals made by Parliament. More broadly, if there are forms of interference in Europe, it is also because there are Europeans who welcome with open arms a whole range of countries such as China, Russia yesterday or Qatar today, and perhaps even tomorrow, in a whole range of areas. Let us also protect our ports, our airports, so that they do not pass into Chinese hands, with all the consequences that this can have for our democracies, the reality of our agricultural and forestry land. Let us also protect sport – when I see that, in some countries, there is indeed a very favourable reception for investments from third countries that do not have quite the same democratic values as ours and that actually use these means in strategic sectors as important as energy, as digital, as food. In these strategic sectors, Europe’s autonomy will be the closed door, as closed as possible to any form of interference.

Madam President, Prime Minister – gudde moien, dear Xavier –, first of all congratulations, of course, on following the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg’s tradition of defending European values and the European spirit, and defending minorities in particular. However, Prime Minister, I think it is really essential that you also sign up to a strategic autonomy that is not open but firm, solid, in different sectors for Europe: food, energy, defence – three sectors that are essential for the development of the whole of Europe. I have not heard you, Prime Minister – and I am disappointed with that – I have not heard you talk about the essential agricultural policy. How can we succeed in climate change policy, not to mention the farmers, men and women who fight every day to feed us? I think it is really important that, beyond the values we defend, we defend every European, that, wherever they are geographically, every European sees Europe as an opportunity, and that we give them our full support wherever they are. This is how we will defend the European Union.

Madam President, Commissioner, as we know from our history, the far right represents millions of deaths in our European territory, but so does communism. Let’s face it, both the far left and the far right have wreaked havoc. It is the bankruptcy of our societies and the ruin of individual liberties. There is a distinction between the extreme right and the extreme left, to help the debate a little bit: it’s racism – and it’s not nothing. Both are supported, and largely supported, by interference from China or Russia, for example. The Committee against Interference will make a whole series of proposals to protect us, protect our democracy, fight against fake news, cybercrime and of course other European coordination actions in particular on education for the youngest. In a recent report on state security in Belgium, we see that the rise in extremes among young people aged 14-15 is extremely worrying. Every time, it is the same thing, it is the attack on our democracy, the values that we have been defending for more than 70 years now, all together at European level. So yes, we have to ask ourselves questions, beyond of course the police aspect, justice, the absolute fight against all forms of extremes – and I have distinguished the extreme right from the extreme left. Beyond that, we need to find the sources that allow some to grow their electoral space. We see this through various votes: the less a citizen feels considered by Europe, by his country, the farther he is from a hospital, far from the reality of a parliamentarian, far from an administration, the less opportunities he has to flourish, and the more he will actually tend to vote for extreme parties. Social distress is the breeding ground for extremes, ladies and gentlemen. It is up to us at European level to provide economic and social energy solutions for every European citizen and to ensure that Europe is an opportunity for everyone in all our territories, everywhere in Europe.

Madam President, Prime Minister, you have made supporting Ukraine economically, militarily and politically a top priority for your presidency. Of course, I can only be happy about that. Ladies and gentlemen, you have seen in recent days the cacophony of procrastination that can still exist between the various European countries in terms of military support, particularly. I hope, Prime Minister, that you will use your presidency to strengthen what I think is essential: European defence. This construction of European defence is essential for our sovereignty and independence and will also show the strength of Europe. This sovereignty must obviously be found in sectors as strategic as energy, digital, food or health, beyond the defence I have mentioned. These different sovereignties and independences are the guarantee for us of a form of independence, of strength vis-à-vis European citizens, of course, but also vis-à-vis the rest of the world. I dare to hope, Prime Minister, that you will use your presidency to move in the direction of this stronger autonomy, which is also a guarantee of defending our democratic values, which are essential for the rest of the world and for Europeans.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, first of all a correction to what I have heard: To say that the European forest is in decline and that hectares are being lost every year is totally wrong. You can see big. The European forest has grown by the equivalent of Portugal in 25 years, which is not nothing. This does not mean that there is no biodiversity problem, of course. So we have to hear the call of men, women, shepherds, shepherds, herders, who are indeed perhaps even closer to nature than anyone in this assembly and who actually need our support. That this growth in the number of wolves can be effectively addressed at European level by taking appropriate measures in different areas. These adapted measures are also compensation. In some Member States, including my own, compensation takes an incredible amount of time. Farmers must fight for recognition of these wolf attacks. The compensation must be total, at the level of the total cost coverage, for all farmers and the measures must be adapted at the level of each Member State so that this regulation can be found as quickly as possible.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, in view of the atrocities committed – such as rapes, displacements of populations, massacres of different families – all foreign forces present in the Congo in various forms that illegally occupy the territory, in particular the M23 and the ADF, must leave the Congo immediately and unconditionally. All these acts – and this has been said by some perpetrators with great force and I agree with them – which clearly amount to human rights violations, serious international crimes, must be severely prosecuted. The European Union, it is true, has a major role to play in the face of these crucial demands to enable Congo to regain its calm – at the dawn of elections scheduled for the coming months. There can be no democracy without ending this cyclical conflict and without judgment. I express with all my heart that all democratic forces quickly gather around the table and agree to determine the electoral process. Various works have already been carried out. We must now go further, there is urgency in this matter. A dialogue must take place on a lasting basis. This will only be possible by finding a solution to the current conflict. I hope, of course, that the United Nations will hear our message and take over by adopting a resolution to bring appeasement and peace to Congo.

Mr President, Commissioner, congratulations. Your text is a step in the right direction: more protection compared to all critical infrastructure for Europe, especially in the health and food sectors. The pandemic has shown us how urgent it is to protect these important sectors, which are so vital for Europe – health, food, energy – and to protect them, in particular, from cyber-attacks. I call on the Commission to go further. I think that when it comes to our independence – a form of sovereignty that can be found at European level in sectors as important as energy, digital, food, health and I would even add defence – we need to go further to avoid dependence in the future. It is sometimes created, especially if we take the example of the decision taken here and elsewhere to have 100% electric vehicles by 2035, which creates a form of dependence on China. This can also be seen when the same China takes over ports and airports in Europe. Compared to all these strategic sectors, all these strategic places, the Commission must go further to protect Europeans, to protect as much as possible our independence, our autonomy.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, this regulation provides answers, guidelines and objectives for the aviation sector, for the maritime sector and for the road sector, in particular for the transport of heavy goods vehicles and light vehicles. But let us recognise that for motorists and in relation to their concerns – in particular that of not having sufficient limits – this text does not go far enough: it concerns only the trans-European network. There will be an urgent need for a rapid response for all areas, for all networks, so that obligations can also alleviate people’s fears. There are many fears. Can I afford an electric vehicle? Will I be able to pay for its operation? Will I be able to have enough charging stations near my home? This is, of course, an issue for citizens, for their jobs and for their work. It is an economic and tourist issue. And so quickly, I think we will have to add a whole series of obligations, in particular to ensure that the network is sufficient everywhere on all European roads. In conclusion, I would like to say that everything to electric as decided – I did not vote for everything to electric – is a folly for me, in particular dependence on China. The European strategy and innovation in particular have had a lot to lose with this target set at 2035 of 100%. A target of 90% would have allowed this flexibility for the market, also for new technologies.

So indeed, I would like to see more important details on this decoupling. It is good to decouple and ensure that electricity that is not produced from gas is no longer impacted and does not impact our businesses and families as strongly. It seems to me that this is a good decision for the future. What we are trying to avoid, to correct through this taxation of overprofits, is simply because companies, in the field of renewable energy or nuclear energy, have made colossal profits without any justification linked to cost. We must therefore consider this decoupling. You are indeed right to expect the Commission and the Council tomorrow to go further into the details of the proposals. The principles and objectives that have been set by the President of the Commission go in the right direction, in the simple sense of supporting our businesses, households and all associations.

Madam President of Parliament, Madam President of the Commission, thank you for your inspiring speech, which must inspire us all. Thank you for recalling that the strength of the EU is to be able to act together, by being united. Thank you also for once again expressing your solidarity with the people of Ukraine. What is at stake in Ukraine is also our future and the future of our children. Thank you for saying so forcefully. You have also proposed very concrete and short-term measures in the field of energy. You know how, in our countries, many families are in a form of despair, companies also have great difficulties. Yes, you have dared to propose, and it was quite normal, to involve large energy companies that have benefited from colossal elements and budgets spontaneously, without there being the real costs associated with these companies. Yes, this contribution, this taxation will make it possible to free up resources, and you are right to ask that these resources be allocated to the most vulnerable households and to our businesses, which are in difficulty. It is also essential to try in the future to be able to decouple the gas and electricity markets to avoid these additional costs, tomorrow, for our businesses and for our households. Last but not least, it is essential to have laid the foundations for a European strategy to achieve greater sovereignty and energy autonomy. Madam President, I obviously want the European Council and all those who have spoken recently to show the same diligence, the same speed of implementation, because urgency is on our doorstep. The urgency to support Ukraine, but also the urgency, of course, to support all our citizens to believe in a stronger, more cohesive Europe. (The speaker agreed to reply to a blue card intervention)

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, I would first like to thank and salute the commitment and courage of firefighters across Europe and the European solidarity that has intervened. We can only rejoice in these particularly dramatic moments. So yes, it has been more than 500 years, according to the figures, since we have experienced such an episode of drought. I fear that the same thing will be repeated in the coming years. All the evidence leads us to believe that, unfortunately, this episode is only one that will perhaps be repeated with even more seriousness in the future. We must mobilize with a strategy, especially to support the agricultural world. Food sovereignty in Europe is a key issue for all Europeans. Support farmers by compensating them, of course, but above all by accompanying them to have a global strategy in terms of food, in terms of agriculture, with a positive focus on the environment and agriculture. Finally, of course, the EU can also take action to prevent 40% or 50% of water losses in some countries along the entire water supply chain in Europe, plus all the water routes that need to be created in a spirit of European solidarity. This is how we will succeed, especially with a stronger strategy, in achieving this victory in the face of this change.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner, climate change is also a social and democratic issue. Democratic because, if we leave behind a whole range of people, be they the weakest in our society, those who cannot afford somewhere to commit to climate action through a range of measures and investments, we will miss this goal, both in climate and in democracy. The Social Climate Fund must therefore be greatly increased to meet these needs, and for every European citizen to be able to play their part in this climate issue. No one can be left by the side of the road. The same applies to the LULUCF sector in particular, and, in relation to this sector – which is obviously essential to ensure that CO2 absorption, soils, forestry and agriculture as a whole can participate – private owners must also be supported and encouraged to return to this dynamic in order to achieve the objectives set, which are extremely ambitious. I would add that public authorities – particularly in the forestry sector, where public European forest accounts for about 41%, or 20 million hectares, at European level – must lead by example. Lead by example in terms of investment, planting, the fight against global warming and also support the various private owners.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, two weeks ago I was in Ukraine. Do I have to admit that I am sometimes embarrassed to hear certain positions here, embarrassed by the procrastination of some when it should be time to mobilise to produce? We know that Ukraine’s production, storage and export capacity is either damaged or destroyed today. We also know that the risks of war and its continuity may bring even greater disasters tomorrow. Meanwhile, some are procrastinating. Yes, we need to produce and use every square inch this year to ensure that production is sufficient. We owe it to Ukrainians, our farmers and our consumers, so that they can still feed themselves tomorrow at a decent price. We also owe it to the Somalis, the Egyptians and all those who will indeed need our food tomorrow in order to simply feed themselves and meet their needs. So yes, it is not time for procrastination, it is time for production and general mobilisation. I think we would do well to draw inspiration from this strength and will that exists in Ukraine.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, this text unfortunately contains certain flaws. Some Member States today – notably Belgium – have the unfortunate idea – fortunately not yet implemented – of introducing a per-kilometre tax on private vehicles, which would obviously have important consequences for the employment of people living in rural areas. The text will not prevent such bad ideas. Second element: the revenue assigned through this additional burden is not automatically and necessarily directed towards investment in new infrastructure, multimodality and relief for certain regions. There is no obligation to do so in what is presented and proposed in this text. Various amendments are trying to improve the situation. I hope, of course, that these amendments will be supported, in particular in order to provide these solutions in terms of the allocation of revenue and to give this impetus to multimodal transport, particularly rail transport, and also to relieve certain regions, quite simply, through the reality they are experiencing today. These are the reasons why, at this stage – we will obviously see in the light of the progress of the debates – it is not possible to support, in any case for me, this text as it exists. I hope that various amendments will pass to improve it in the sense I have just indicated.

Madam President, Mr President, do you sincerely believe that your three promises of democracy, progress and peace can be fulfilled if Europe does not become an opportunity for all? 137 million Europeans live in rural areas. Believe me, it is not enough for them to cross the street to find a job or to access a hospital. They have to travel long distances every day, tirelessly, and at a price, moreover, that never stops exploding. A significant proportion of these Europeans have turned away from democracy by abstaining or, worse, by supporting extremes. These citizens from forgotten territories do not see Europe as an opportunity to improve their lives and the lives of their families. They often see Europe as an opportunity for others, those who do business, are hyper-connected or have done Erasmus. Not a line, Mr President, not a word to tell them that your presidency's top priority will be to offer them 5G, new technologies, or to invest heavily in public transport tomorrow. Not a word for farmers either. Every European citizen must be respected, regardless of their skin colour, beliefs, origins or geographical location. The real economic, social and democratic promise is that Europe is an opportunity for all and for them too.

Madam President, one of the objectives of the European summit will be to have a strategic debate on the common commercial policy. I hope that this will also be an opportunity to have a democratic dimension. How do you want our farmers, for example, to continue to accept that products imported into Europe do not meet the same health, environmental or social standards on our territory? This is a democratic issue. The same applies to climate policy: How can we achieve climate objectives without having the same requirements in relation to these imported products? Our trade treaties, therefore, need to be reviewed in the light of these different elements. As far as trade policy is concerned, I also hope that energy policy will be included. Some colleagues have intervened to emphasise this point, and I agree with them in particular on this energy independence, which must be as strong as possible at European level. We must, of course, develop renewable energies, but also have a strong nuclear policy and autonomy at European level in order to avoid structurally what we know at the moment and also to avoid being in the hands, in particular, of Russia.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, who can believe that we could succeed in the climate challenge without a strong agreement with the United States? Who can believe that we could face an invasive China without a powerful connection to the Americans? Who can believe – as I heard this morning – that China or Russia would have values closer to ours than our American friends – values of democracy and freedom? However, who can believe that we will be respected by the United States until we have a strong defence and security strategy and have our own destiny and future in our hands? Yes, the US has flaws – sometimes an ally can take a step; as we have seen in the submarines file – but we also have a few: sometimes a lack of solidarity, a lack of unity. It is up to us to address this through this European strategy, including defence and security.

Mr President, Commissioner, Rapporteur, first of all thank you for your open-mindedness during the discussions and debate; we used to work together, in particular on the roadworthiness report and the whole package that accompanied it. 20 000 people, 20 000 families that are affected in Europe every year, this is a little more than a city like mine, it obviously affects us all deeply. There is a great disparity in road safety at European level. If we take a closer look at the figures, we can see that there has certainly been a drop in recent years, but that it is not the same everywhere, on the one hand, and above all that there is a ratio of one to four times as many accidents between the best country, Sweden, and those that are less good in terms of road safety. Four times as many accidents, four times as many victims. That is why, beyond the obvious – reducing speed, reducing the use of drugs and alcohol while driving, being extremely strict and repressive in this area, but also educational, of course, and this is largely reflected in the report – I think that we need to move forward in sharing best practices and putting in place in all Member States – that is the ambition that the Commission must have – the best practices that have been proven in different Member States. It is in this spirit of collaboration that the EU, together with the Commission, can effectively provide solutions in terms of road safety. This will be done with the various elements that I have indicated, but also with new elements, I am thinking in particular of the power of vehicles – and we will find an alliance between safety and the environment – because it also represents a danger for all users, particularly pedestrians and cyclists. We must therefore act upstream on the production of vehicles that prevent this type of accident. Finally, and this will be my conclusion, we must all together have the capacity to strengthen, everywhere in Europe, in all our territories and particularly in rural territories, road safety for young people and for all our inhabitants.

Madam President, without you, without the Commission, no Member State could have vaccinated so many of its citizens. Without you, without the Commission, no Member State could have supported its workers, but also its businesses, with such intensity, such strength and urgency. Without you, today there would be no substantial recovery plan in the different Member States. Without you, climate ambition would not have been raised – and it was more than necessary. So, through our joint action – and you indicated this morning – we must make every young European a top priority in the coming weeks and months. Finally, give a future to every young person, wherever they are, in the most remote village, in the most economically and socially deserted neighbourhood. This is our ambition. It is also here, and through it, that we will together sow the seeds of the European values that unite us. This makes our European dignity and also makes sense in relation to the policy we are conducting, which you are conducting. I am sure that in the coming weeks and months, these concrete actions will make it possible to give each young person a training, a job; and also, of course, a future for every family. Then let us leave the ministry of the word to the grumpy spirits. Continue to act with responsibility, solidarity, courage and, perhaps most importantly, enthusiasm.

Mr President, Commissioner, first of all I would like to thank our Italian, Austrian and French friends who have intervened urgently in our region, in Wallonia and also in Germany, to come and help the victims. I hear this morning all the debates we can have on global warming. I have no doubt that there can indeed be a link between what we have experienced in Wallonia or Germany and global warming. However, today the tens of thousands of families affected are waiting for a strong and united response from Europe, in order to rebuild their region in the future, simply build their houses, provide transport solutions, especially in terms of rivers and rivers, but first of all, simply to meet basic needs. We can also start yet another debate on global warming, but the urgency is elsewhere. From the moment when the President of the Commission, Commissioner, undertook on the spot to intervene, to release funds and budgetary means so that European solidarity would be at the rendezvous, we must, you must release the means as soon as possible to give not only hope, but, very concretely, assistance to the victims, whether in Wallonia or in Germany. It would be quite devastating democratically if such a commitment were not followed by concrete facts from the Commission to support these victims and to show that Europe is at the rendezvous of solidarity. It is in times of emergency. It must also be the case in these crucial moments of reconstruction for each and every one of us.

Mr President, Madam President, European values are not negotiable. All those, governments or citizens, who push them must have an answer other than just a reproaching finger. Anyone who, in a way, puts a finger on these values must be punished. This is the case today. In any case, you use all the mechanisms at your disposal to sanction these behaviours and all those who shake up what is the foundation of the European Union as such. The real question is: Are these mechanisms sufficient? Are they fast and effective enough to be truly effective and binding on the ground? Let me turn to another subject that you raised at the Council, which I think is urgent at European level. It also affects the freedoms, the various personal freedoms. This is the debate on compulsory vaccination that has taken place in Italy, which is now taking place in France and is now popping up all over Europe. I wanted to know, firstly, whether you addressed this issue at the European Council and, secondly, whether you intend to take it seriously to prevent us from being in cacophony again, with decisions that would be taken by different Member States on the vaccination obligation for carers or for others, and to have a common position on this matter. I think that, among the freedoms and values we defend, everyone’s freedom stops somewhere or the freedom of the other starts. We must all be aware that it is collectively that we will be able to fight and fight effectively against COVID and that life is made, it is true, of freedom and rights, but also of duties.