Speeches

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has exposed Europe to an economic shock of indefinite duration and scale. Unfortunately, the war continues and is a prerequisite for a severe humanitarian crisis affecting millions of people. The Union is not indifferent to this process. The sanctions packages are a clear sign of the EU's position and it will not stop defending its values. Sanctions packages affect all EU citizens and businesses. Ambitious instruments are needed to support them. Now is the time for the EU to unleash its full potential and show that it has learned the lessons of previous crises. This undoubtedly presents us with difficult decisions. I believe that it is extremely important to have a real view of the facts, to analyse them properly, so that we can ensure the efficient allocation and use of resources. Life in the Union must be protected. A way must be found to reduce the EU's energy dependence on Russian supplies. Bulgaria is also one of the countries where gas supplies from Russia have been cut off. We need to react with social and economic measures as soon as possible in response to the war in Ukraine.

Mr President, today, when Russia's war against Ukraine has deepened existing inequalities, leading to an energy, food, economic and social crisis; today, when wage growth is lagging behind the high inflation rate, with reduced purchasing power hitting low-income earners the most; today, when gender inequalities in the labour market are affecting the gender employment and pay gap; today, when youth unemployment remains almost three times higher than that of people of working age; and today, when we are on the verge of adopting the new economic governance framework of the European Union, the key word that must guide us for a more sustainable and stable future should be balance. The Union's development policies must equally reflect economic, social and environmental objectives, address imbalances and become an instrument promoting the development of the economy as well as the socio-economic cohesion of countries.

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, we are living in difficult times when the fundamental values of the democratic world – peace, rights, freedoms, equality – are being put to the test. We are witnessing two bloody wars with a number of negative consequences. It is clear that the trends of the future in both the world and Europe are yet to be determined. Can we talk about equality while gender inequalities, discrimination, unequal access to healthcare, education, social services, food insecurity still exist? Can we talk about equal opportunities when the phenomenon of the working poor persists? To be equal and to be able to assert its place as a leading power, Europe must act decisively. We will only achieve equality with policies that focus on people and solve their problems.

Member of the Commission. - Madam President, the turbulent protests by farmers across Europe are telling. They want to be heard and need support. Complex administrative requirements, limited funding, high inflation, surging crises and unfair competition pose even greater challenges to farmers on a daily basis. To be clear, the agriculture sector is in crisis, requirements are increasing and funding is decreasing. I have repeatedly called from this rostrum for realistically feasible targets and adequate funding for a successful green transition. It won't be an exception, and I'll repeat it today. Green transition - yes, only with economic sustainability and stability. Reducing bureaucracy from a priority of words must be translated into real action. We need to be close to our farmers and work to solve their problems. Commissioner, I also turn to the Council, the subject of full convergence of payments in the multiannual financial framework has been overlooked for many years. Again, I call for equal treatment of farmers and full equalization of subsidies and Bulgarian farmers.

Mr President, internships focused on specific skills guarantee a successful career start. Initiatives in education and skills development, quality traineeships and lifelong learning programmes are essential to ensure equal opportunities and access to labour markets. They allow young people to start their professional lives with confidence. Quality traineeships are a key tool for integrating young people into the labour market. A strategic system of quality traineeships would certainly foster the link between education and business. I also call on the Commission to reflect on the diversity of traineeships. They must be offered in different sectors and regions to meet the diverse interests and needs of young people. And let us not forget the young people who live in rural areas, who do not have equal access and sufficient opportunities for development.

Madam President, today this is another debate on a social topic, and this is important because guaranteeing a decent life and solving the problems of Europeans goes through solving precisely the social problems. A successful and "green" digital transition requires developed skills, qualifications, retraining. This means providing opportunities for all Europeans to build on and develop their knowledge and skills. We need to invest in education and training that reflect current business needs. Together with the industry, create programs that provide practical skills and knowledge. A special focus is needed for people living in rural areas. Now is the time to harness the potential of the digital age, to focus on adult learning, to help our youth and the most vulnerable. Investing in education and science is a key element in creating an environment where talent thrives.

Madam President, for months, our farmers have been warning that they are in crisis. For months, they have also warned about complicated rules and heavy bureaucracy. If they are not heard, we risk putting Europe and its citizens in food insecurity, even in crisis. The green transition can happen with realistic measures and tolerable demands on European farmers. A new start, a new vision in the Union's agri-policies is needed, based on dialogue with the farming community and on scientific evidence. Commissioner, I again call for equalisation of the subsidies of Bulgarian and other farmers. A Europe of equal opportunities also includes full convergence of direct payments. The good future of the EU that we all aspire to cannot happen without our farmers.

Mr President, in a changing geopolitical world, a more competitive Europe also requires the creation of quality jobs. To do this, we need to join forces between legislators, workers, employers, and the organisations that represent them. Together, we need to focus on more opportunities for labour market development that require investment. Quality jobs are the equivalent of stability and opportunity for development. They not only support society economically, but also provide a decent and high standard of living for every European citizen and are a key factor in overcoming the demographic crisis. I believe that Europe can create jobs that are of high quality and meet the challenges of the future. They must undoubtedly include broad social protection, development opportunities, decent wages, employment security and equal opportunities.

Mr President, 2022 was the European Year of Youth. The European Union has shown that it has a vision and is working for the future that young people want, but that is not enough. Now is the time for concrete action. The housing and cost-of-living crisis faced by young people requires a swift and clear response. Young people need the support of the Union to cope with the financial difficulties they face. Initiatives aimed at more affordable housing are needed. On the other hand, the cost of living also includes other aspects such as education, healthcare and other services. Our aim must be to create equal opportunities for all young people in Europe, regardless of their social status, financial situation or place of residence. The prosperity and development of the EU depends on the adequate opportunities we give young people today.

Mr President, against the backdrop of the Union's high ambitions in the green and digital transitions and three years after the European Parliament's call, the Commission has not yet put forward a proposal on the right to disconnect, because negotiations with the social partners have been fruitless. We live in dynamic times that require new approaches, updating and modernising labour markets. Digital tools give workers and businesses more autonomy and flexibility in the organisation of work, but should not create new ways of extending working hours and blurring the boundaries between working and personal time. It is important to ensure a minimum level of protection for workers in the new digital working environment through common European regulation. Commissioner, we need a European framework that allows for rapid adaptation to changing working conditions.

Madam President, Commissioner, just a week after we celebrated International Mental Health Day, today I would like to reiterate its importance for the overall health, development and well-being of workers. Nearly 40% of Europeans suffer from mental disorders every year. Affected workers are suffering, and mental illness is also an economic burden for employers. We live in times of economic uncertainty, the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence, new approaches such as hybrid and remote working environments. What guidelines is the European Commission developing, Commissioner, to ensure that the mental health of our workers is not endangered in this digital age? Mental health is a fundamental aspect of the overall health of our societies. Decisive action is needed to ensure a supportive working environment. It is time for mental health to emerge from the shadow in which it remains. Mental health is a priority that requires the full commitment of all. Without mental health, there is no health.

Mr President, Vice-President of the Commission, colleagues, this debate for me, as a Bulgarian MEP, has the smell of a Bulgarian rose. Rose oil is an emblem of our country, a livelihood and a life for thousands of hardworking producers. The revised regulation will designate products of plant origin as a mixture and their labelling will depend on a chemical substance included in them, regardless of the impact of the whole product. Supporting changes in legislation to protect health and better inform consumers, questions remain: Is there sufficient undisputed scientific evidence that these substances pose a risk? Will we allow the changes to endanger producers of essential crops and oils? Will emblematic Bulgarian rose oil and other essential oils be labelled as ‘dangerous’? This not only threatens our rich heritage, but also the economic stability of these regions. This regulation can distort our competitive advantage, displace us from important markets, hamper economic growth and limit the prospects for small and medium-sized enterprises. Our producers deserve policies that promote their growth. That is why tomorrow the DPS delegation will support rose producers and other producers. I urge you, colleagues, to do the same!

Madam President, in life we may only have to look for a doctor, a lawyer or a priest once, but three times a day we need a farmer. Sustainable and environmentally friendly food production will be a challenge for farmers in the coming years, and food affordability will be a social challenge for consumers. Ensuring food security in a context of rising production costs, greening the CAP and new requirements today seem more like difficulties than opportunities for farmers. Farmers need support, not just bans and new requirements. The main income support for farmers is under area-based direct payments. It is unfair for Bulgarian and other European farmers to receive lower payments. Colleagues, let the European Parliament finally take this important step towards sustainable agriculture, equal opportunities and equal subsidies!

Madam President, five countries, one of them Bulgaria, have been left alone for months. The situation of Ukrainian grain on the European market shows that more needs to be done. The plight of Eastern European producers requires, I emphasise, common European solutions and urgent solutions, preserving our solidarity with Ukraine. Today we are talking about the grain sector, but the sectors of milk, meat, fruit and vegetables, honey are affected. The Bulgarian producers, who receive the lowest payments in the European Union, insist, Commissioner, to know whether the imposed ban will continue, will it be supplemented with new products? Will enhanced controls for the transit of these products be ensured in the future? Will there be adequate financial support for the affected farmers, because what has already been announced is not enough? Bulgarian and European farmers should receive the support of Europe.

Mr President, farmers have expressed their willingness to be part of the green transition, but the Commission's recent legislative proposals, limited funding, high inflation, superimposed crises are making farmers increasingly pessimistic. The dangerous trend of anti-European sentiment among the agricultural community is growing. The question is existential: ‘To be or not to be’? Will we have a successful green transition with European agriculture, food production, a decent income for farmers and Europe's food security? Or will green ambitions abandon European agriculture and create new dependencies? For clean food, clean air, clean water, realistic and feasible goals and adequate funding are needed. Colleagues, let us work wisely and responsibly. Let us make sure that farmers stay on the side of Europe and the green transition. Agriculture is a calling, agriculture is a way of life, a profession of hope. Let us not destroy the hopes of our farmers.

Madam President, more than three quarters of businesses in the European Union have difficulty finding workers with the necessary skills. Undoubtedly, in order to ensure Europe’s success in achieving the green objectives of the green and digital transitions, account must be taken, on the one hand, of the needs of businesses and, on the other, of the individual’s career preferences. The world is changing. The labour markets and education systems need to be updated and modernised. It is time to prepare for the professions of the future. It is fundamental to empower workers to adapt to an ever-changing environment. And let's not forget about digital skills for older people. The European Year of Skills is just in time. This year is a good start, but the Union's action in this direction must continue, because the European Union needs trained people with knowledge and skills, and investment in knowledge and skills is investment in the future of Europe.

Mr President, European Works Councils are a key element of the European social model and reflect the importance attached to worker representation and social dialogue. They serve as a tool for strengthening workers’ rights, information and consultation on transnational issues. Undoubtedly, these tips are of great importance for companies. Enhancing employee participation represents a step forward towards more sustainable businesses and improving well-being at work. As shadow rapporteur for Renew Europe, my work on this report aimed to make works councils more visible, improve their way of working, create a platform for the exchange of good practices, ensure better and easier access to justice. I am happy to say that all these proposals have found their way into the report and have been widely supported in the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs. At the same time, however, the report unfortunately also contained texts that would pose serious difficulties for businesses. Employee participation must not be detrimental to the ability of management to manage its business in a complex and competitive environment, further aggravated by the economic and financial crisis. I have therefore, from the outset of the negotiations, insisted on balanced texts that take into account the generally recognised principles of proportionality as well as the basic principles of the legal framework. For me, it was extremely important to protect the two inseparable and interrelated and dependent on each other sides of the employment relationship. It is important to have a balanced resolution based, on the one hand, on effective enforcement of workers' rights and, on the other hand, on fair representation of business and employer interests. I thank the rapporteur and the shadow rapporteurs for their constructive work on this report.

Mr President, the sharp rise in energy and food prices is having a particularly severe impact on vulnerable families with children, confronting them with particular deprivations and difficulties in accessing basic services. The European Union must help children who are disadvantaged and in need of support. And the children's guarantee is an extremely useful tool for this. Today, more than ever, we need to invest in children and fight child poverty to ensure that, against the backdrop of the energy and food crises, the opportunities of our greatest wealth, our children and young people, are not limited. Bulgaria with 33% is among the four countries where the share of children at risk of poverty or social exclusion is the highest, with an EU average of 24.4%. Financial difficulties are an essential factor in terms of limited access to education, healthcare, healthy nutrition, housing. This undoubtedly requires a special budget for the Child Guarantee, and I express my strong support for this.

Madam President, Commissioner, Europe undoubtedly needs this vision. Take a look at these pictures from Ireland. The result of long-term investments is visible, as well as the lack of them. I am proud to note that the good examples are from rural municipalities with mayors from the Movement for Rights and Freedoms. Rural areas continue to face many problems and challenges. They must become attractive to young people, they must be successful in the green and digital transition. Adequate European funding is also needed in the future for investment in infrastructure, broadband internet, quality administrative, educational, social and health services. Undoubtedly, the vitality of rural areas is largely due to agriculture. But unfortunately, farmers in some countries receive lower payments, including in Bulgaria. Therefore, while welcoming the vision of rural development by 2040, I hope that inequalities will be eliminated.

Mr President, Commissioner, the G20 summit focuses on food security and its global challenges. The war in Ukraine has clearly shown us that the European Union needs a holistic approach to ensuring food security and, in the long term, food sovereignty. To ensure that food is affordable and available, we need to accelerate the transformation towards sustainable agriculture and production systems that are able to withstand shocks and crises. Continuing anti-crisis support, especially for those most affected – livestock farmers and small farms – and setting new higher ceilings for state aid are now crucial for European farmers. Colleagues, let me conclude with a Bulgarian proverb: "No one is bigger than bread and no one should be deprived of it."

Mr President, Commissioner, European agriculture is facing another crisis. Russia’s attack on Ukraine is now increasingly affecting the daily needs of European citizens. Europe is hardest hit by reduced fertiliser production as a result of rising gas prices and fertiliser prices are at record levels. Reduced use of fertilizers can reduce the yields of some crops by half. Lower yields and higher food prices are weighing on consumers and contributing to faster inflation. This is bad news for food security. We risk facing a food affordability crisis and, in the coming months, an availability crisis. Commissioner, this strategy is necessary. In order to reduce our dependence on fertilisers and achieve the green objectives, the European Union should support the development of safe, effective and affordable alternative plant protection products and biofertilisers and promote their wider use. In order to ensure food security, coordinated action and an integrated approach at European Union level are needed to ensure the production of fertilisers at affordable prices, guaranteeing sufficient quantity and high quality of food to guarantee a fair income for farmers.

Dear Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, modernisation and development are part of our daily lives, and we are talking again today about the detrimental effects of discrimination and the importance of rights and freedoms. Our commitment to social protection and job opportunities for all starts with the most vulnerable groups. The largest ethnic minority in Europe, the Roma, continue to face discrimination and obstacles to their full inclusion in society. The situation and living conditions are particularly difficult as basic services such as access to roads, water, sanitation and electricity are lacking. Limited access to healthcare, childcare, education and employment only exacerbate inequalities. In Bulgaria, Roma neighborhoods do not look European, nor is the life that Roma lead European. I believe that we need to do more to realise European values. Countries need to make further efforts to make effective use of the funds provided by the Union.

Mr President, Commissioner, honourable Members, the report on the EU action plan for the social economy is a roadmap and includes social growth, stimulation, social inclusion, innovation and entrepreneurship for the benefit of all. By supporting the social economy, we support the reduction of inequalities, the strengthening of a sense of community, the reduction of depopulation, and the strengthening and development of rural areas. The social economy model has great potential to achieve quality employment for vulnerable groups. This lays the foundation for a more sustainable economy that leaves no one behind. Action at European Union and national level to promote the development of the social economy is of particular importance in this period of overlapping crises. Countries need to support social economy actors. They should develop horizontal policies and programmes for social innovation, to improve development, to make services more accessible to the most vulnerable, including persons with disabilities and the elderly.

Mr President, Vice-President of the Commission, Minister, today is an important day for the future of the European Union. Fit for 55 is an unprecedented legislative package to protect the environment and promote the green economy. I will support the proposals on green transition and social justice. The Social Climate Fund will provide support to vulnerable households, transport users and micro-enterprises to cope with the effects of rising energy and fuel prices and costs. A key factor in this regard will be the national plans, in which countries should provide for adequate measures and investments. Only in this way will we achieve sustainable economic growth and ensure a just transition that leaves no one behind. Against the backdrop of the crises that are on top of each other today, policies to combat energy poverty and mobile poverty are a decisive step towards a better future.

Madam President, Commissioner, I would like to begin by thanking the rapporteur, Mrs Schmidbauer. Renew Europe welcomes the organic production plan. The benefits of organic farming are numerous and they are both for humans and nature. The fact is that countries have different starting points, as well as different climatic and geographical features. This also implies the need for a targeted approach that takes these specificities into account. I believe that drawing up national organic production plans will be a good tool to incentivise this type of agricultural production, but they must be realistic, financially secure, with clearly defined objectives and time frames. Most importantly, they should be implemented effectively. The Movement for Rights and Freedoms has long developed a concept of clean food and organic production, aware that this will be extremely beneficial for farmers and rural development, given the benefit of environmental protection and higher incomes for farmers. Farmers are also interested, but need support, removing administrative burdens and simplifying certification procedures. Bulgaria has the potential to become one of the leading countries in the production of clean food, which in turn will guarantee a decent income for farmers. It is high time this potential of our country to be developed by preparing a long-term vision and strategy that will give the necessary predictability and support to the sector. It is important to promote short food supply chains and stimulate the consumption of local products that meet high European quality standards.