Speeches

Mr President, Commissioner, there is no doubt that we all recognise the importance of education for the future and for the cohesion of societies. However, there are serious shortcomings across Europe. Ο μέσος όρος ηλικίας των εκπαιδευτικών είναι συνεχώς αυξανόμενος και η εμφάνιση της τεχνητής νοημοσύνης έχει αλλάξει και θα αλλάξει πολύ περισσότερο τα δεδομένα της εκπαίδευσης. Also, in my own country, which is not the only one in Europe, the phenomenon of teacher shortages has taken on dangerous social dimensions. Every year, gaps in the fixed educational needs of schools are filled by substitute teachers who are forced to operate under labour and financial hostage. Today, however, we are called upon to formulate a new European strategic plan that will upgrade the teaching profession socially, professionally, as well as on pay, restore its prestige and invest in the support and continuous training of teachers, in order to make the teaching profession attractive again to new prospective teachers.

Mr President, the debate on an independent ethics body in the Union has been going on since the previous term of office and, unfortunately, we have been caught up in the facts as to the necessity of this body. The body should have not only possibilities for investigation but also possibilities to impose sanctions. Information from third parties such as journalists, NGOs and whistleblowers should also be protected. It must also include the European Parliament and the Commission, but also all the institutions of the European institutions, including the Council, if we are to speak of a genuine Union. And, of course, we insist on the highest possible level of transparency. Full transparency and accountability at the heart of Europe, so that it is not eroded by any internal or external actor or interest, in order to have the unshakable trust of our citizens.

Mr President, Commissioner, this resolution is important because we support and underline the catalytic potential of culture horizontally in Europe's policies and priorities, such as the green and digital transitions. Of course, this means a single European framework that will ensure working conditions, a minimum standard income, social security and rights for all artists and all workers in culture. In our cultural heritage, this resolution restructures the foundations for a fair and democratic framework, because the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage consists both of the tangible objects that are preserved and rightly must be in the place where they were created and shone, as well as of the messages and memories they retain over time. So both cultural heritage and contemporary cultural creation are an inalienable part of European society. Finally, I would like to thank my colleague and rapporteur, Salima Yenbou, for our excellent cooperation.

Mr President, Commissioners, ladies and gentlemen, it is very important that the European Bauhaus demonstrates that the creative and cultural sectors are essential to achieving the European Green Deal. However, there are some points that we should pay attention to. Firstly, the financing of the New European Bauhaus should not drain funds earmarked for culture, especially at a time when the Commission is aiming to reduce them. Secondly, we must always bear in mind that Europe is a mosaic of cultures. This diversity, then, should be the basis on which the European Bauhaus will build. But not only to rely on it, but also to highlight it. It's a great opportunity to do that. Only united in our diversity can we achieve our goals for our common European future and, of course, for the green transition and any other transition. (Applause)

Mr President, Commissioner, I would like to thank the rapporteur Yana Toom for today's resolution, which I think is particularly important for the European citizen. We are at a time when issues of restrictions on individual freedoms were raised due to the pandemic. In any case, we must be careful that these exceptional measures do not become permanent. We have an obligation to protect all the rights deriving from citizenship of the European Union, such as freedom of movement, freedom of expression, access and exchange of information, as well as media pluralism, which are crucial elements of the rule of law for every European citizen. We should also encourage the greatest possible participation of European citizens through the use of participatory tools, such as petitions, in the democratic process of the European Union. This is the only way to ensure that every European citizen does not feel alone. We're not leaving anyone behind.

Mr President, Commissioner, we should be particularly impressed that our basic plan and funding programme for recovery and the pandemic, despite being called 'Next Generation EU', has no strategic position for youth. Also, 57% of the Recovery Facility corresponds to the green and digital transitions. Every transition, however, is primarily about the future, which is synonymous with youth. Therefore, if we really want a literal recovery, we need tangible policies and funding that focus substantially and in the long term on young people. Of course, it is a very positive step that 2022 has been declared the European Year of Youth, but if we are really interested in not sticking to words, it should be a year of youth every year from now on.

Madam President, I too would like to thank the rapporteur for this report, Véronique Trillet-Lenoir, for her difficult work. In this latest debate on the European Union Cancer Strategy, I would like to underline how important this resolution is, as it covers major issues for all stages of cancer, such as prevention, screening and detection of the disease, inclusiveness, equal access to cancer care, strong support for cancer patients, survivors and their caregivers, but also challenges in cancer affecting children, adolescents and young adults. In conclusion, however, I would like to stress that there is still a long way to go to cover the necessary 100% of the issues we have raised. It is a demand – first of all of the citizens we represent – that in this battle for cancer we stand united without differences. Let's not leave anyone behind.

Mr President, today we are voting on the European Year of Youth 2022. The aim is to empower all young people without discrimination and improve their quality of life, ensuring equal access and opportunities in terms of employment, education and social protection, based on the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. However, for this to succeed, we must ensure effective cooperation between all the Member States of Europe, since participation in the European Year of Youth is the responsibility of the Member States. Above all, beyond the plans for 2022, Europe should truly commit to youth in the long term. Our children should always be in our eyes and in our horizons, because these are our future. Good start, then!

Mr President, today's resolution is particularly important for a number of reasons, and let me mention a few. Firstly, because we finally have a resolution that essentially focuses on artists; secondly, because it includes not only people who are on stage but also those who work behind the stage, behind the lights – all, that is, without exception, cultural workers; thirdly, why do we raise the issue of equal access to social security, social protection; Fourthly, because we are actually discussing a single European framework for working conditions in the cultural and creative sectors. Finally, this resolution is extremely important because we are clearly calling for measures to combat any kind of harassment, violence or any form of abuse within culture.