Speeches

Mr President, Commissioner, 1989: ‘A smart girl is prepared for her future.’ I was 17 years old and this was the government campaign in the Netherlands that called on young women to learn well, because in the future you had to be independent, work and be financially independent. I thought that was a good and fair proposal. 2021: Here I am in the future and the European Institute for Gender Equality publishes the figures. Equality between men and women? That will take another 60 years, also in the Netherlands. This is bizarre and unfair to all the young girls who are growing up now and think that the future offers them the same opportunities and opportunities as it does for boys. So there is still a lot of work to be done. At the same time, we see enormous conservative forces. I just saw them with my male colleague from Poland. Huge conservative forces that are rising up in the EU and are trying with man and power to take back long-fought women's rights such as abortion. We as Social Democrats continue to oppose this and I welcome the laws that the EU will soon make for online violence and for equal pay for equal work. Thank you very much. We need a lot of support.

Mr President, Minister and ladies and gentlemen, 30% of all people in the EU live in a border region. And 30% of all people experience major obstacles to – among other things – employment opportunities, such as public transport that does not connect, but above all to social rights: pensions, benefits, and more recently during the COVID crisis, entrepreneurs who had their business on the other side of the border and therefore did not receive support. There is a solution to these obstacles. It is on the table, summarised under the name ‘Cross-Border Mechanism’. But what do we see? Member States have abandoned this proposal. And I've just heard that it's really been decided that they're not going to continue with it. The Minister says: ‘The lawyers have said it is difficult.’ Yes, it is certainly difficult. No one here has said it's easy. It's only difficult if you live in a border region. And you ask us: "Let's walk together". Yeah, we've been on the road with you for two years. We're looking for a solution. You don't say anything first. Just before the finish you drop the case. I therefore ask you: What do you think is the solution?

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, COVID-19 has struck mercilessly all over the world, and certainly also in the tourism sector. 2020 was a catastrophic year for the travel industry. The tourism sector employs 27 million people directly and indirectly across the EU. Entrepreneurs are often small family businesses. 27 million people saw their income and savings evaporate every month. So we had to act quickly. Purchases were made jointly and vaccination programmes were launched. And just as important, the COVID-19 certificate was developed on time and gave room for the summer season. This is what the EU means in the daily lives of all of us. Borders can be reopened and we have largely regained our right to travel freely within the Union. The EU has also made a lot of money available for tourism economic recovery. Unfortunately, my country, the Netherlands, has still not appealed to this. That is why I now also conclude with an appeal to the outgoing cabinet in the Netherlands: apply, in the interest of a strong and sustainable tourism sector.

Mr President, Commissioner, 60% of all truck drivers are tired while driving. This is dangerous for them and for all of us on the road. Therefore, this proposal for improving road safety on our roads. Targeted action should be taken so that drivers are not tired while driving and have good working conditions. In the Netherlands, we have achieved success by requiring all new trucks to be equipped with parking air conditioning and heating, so that drivers have the right temperature in the cabin when they rest. I am therefore pleased that my proposal to investigate parking air conditioning throughout Europe as part of road safety has been accepted by the European Parliament. And just as important: I often speak to drivers who say that the control of European transport rules is different in each Member State. This is frustrating: EU rules must apply in every country, be checked in every country and be fined in a similar way. That is why I asked the Commission about the implementation of all Member States when it comes to enforcing the rules of the Mobility Package. There is no point in having clear rules when enforcement is chaos. There is a huge shortage of professional drivers. Let's work towards better and healthy working conditions.

Mr President, the devastating power of the water has caused many casualties and enormous destruction. The province of Limburg was severely affected, including Valkenburg. The damage is estimated at 400 million euros. Also in Venlo the water in the Meuse rose quickly and dangerously and family members and friends had to be evacuated. These were exciting days, in which man and power tried to keep the Maas behind the dikes and in which a lot of personal suffering and damage was suffered. The floods of July are just one of the many natural disasters of the past year. The forest fires in Greece and the Balkans are on our minds. In addition to the emotional pain and loss, a lot of material damage has been suffered. Roads, bridges and streets are broken. Residents have lost their homes, businesses and schools. People need support, clarity and European solidarity. Thanks to the Commission, countries can benefit from the Solidarity Fund. To my surprise, however, the Netherlands has still not called on the Solidarity Fund. The Netherlands is a small country, but the region seems to be further and further away from The Hague. I would therefore like to call on the outgoing cabinet in the Netherlands not to abandon the region like Groningen and Zeeland. Fulfill your duties and help Limburg with the reconstruction.