Speeches

Mr President! Today is a very good day for our fight against money laundering. After three years of tough negotiations, we are now launching European-wide anti-money laundering regulations. This will allow us to prevent organised crime from exploiting and playing off different anti-money laundering laws in the Member States. In doing so, we have found practical regulations that can be implemented in the reality of life on the one hand and, on the other hand, together with our new anti-money laundering authority in Frankfurt, create a solid foundation in the fight against money laundering in Europe. If we work hand in hand in the EU, breathing air for our righteous citizens at all times, we will be able to successfully tackle organised crime. Freedom and security should be on the same level at all times. A cash ceiling of 10 000 euros and the exception of mayors in smaller cities, but the inclusion of family members of the government testify to balance. Let's implement them together.

Mr President! Thank you, Commissioner Hahn, for today's debate. Road transport is still a focus of freight transport, but truck drivers often do not have safe working conditions on European roads and rest areas. According to the Bundesverband Güterkraftverkehr (Federal Road Freight Transport Association), logistics and disposal are currently lacking in Germany alone, which has already been mentioned, about 40,000 truck parking spaces. The truth also includes the fact that, according to current figures, even 100,000 truck drivers are missing in Germany alone. on top Parking would be needed. The parking spaces that are available are often unhygienic and dangerous. I spend a lot of time on the highway. I think, especially as a woman, you don't want to drive on truck parking lots at night, and you don't want to drive on rest areas at the moment, that's also part of the truth. This means that both men and especially women are affected by the area. Pitches are part of the workplace in the transport industry. There is often no other choice at night, on Sundays or on public holidays. Let us finally ensure that dangerous and desperate parking manoeuvres, nocturnal assaults and unhygienic conditions are a thing of the past. Let us ensure that truck drivers can enjoy the same protection in the workplace as other occupational groups and how they are legally entitled to it.

Madam President, Commissioner, rapporteur Tadino! The report on the Action Plan to promote rail passenger transport on long-distance and cross-border routes is a significant step forward for passengers in the EU. Among other things, we want to stipulate that the tickets of all train operators can be sold via all ticket channels, regardless of platform or provider. In addition, we want to establish English as an EU-wide uniform working language for train drivers in long-distance and cross-border passenger transport. Thus, it would no longer be necessary to speak the language of the Member State passing through. We also set an example for a fair and accessible market for all providers of passenger rail transport. Specifically, we have planned a reduction in rail access fees for cross-border services and transparency in their calculation. This allows us to ensure equal treatment between incumbent operators and new entrants. By improving the competitive conditions, we achieve more competition, and passengers in particular benefit from this. So once again, thank you for the plan and thank you to everyone.

Just the demand: We know what trees we can plant in our area. However, we must not plant them because they are not financially supported by the EU, precisely because the old conservation status has to be restored. And that is the problem that needs to be changed. So: We want to. We know what. We must not, however, because it is not financially supported.

Commissioner! Areas that are under nature conservation, especially in the European area, are often fixed on the exact moment when they were placed under nature conservation. Take Natura 2000, for example. However, due to changes in climate conditions, these habitats have changed in part in recent years and decades. However, only measures – conservation measures and development measures – relating to the original state of nature determined at that time will be supported, especially in the financial field. For example, trees and shrubs are planted with subsidies that no longer fit into the area because this area has just changed. Some animals are forcibly resettled, which have already found habitat elsewhere and no longer fit into this area. In the end, all parties involved know – as they have also informed me – that the measures they implement with European funding are neither expedient nor expedient. Why is there no adjustment? So why are we pumping financial support into areas that we could really support and develop through other measures? And why can't we adjust the guidelines in this case?

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! In the meantime, we have more than two years of the coronavirus pandemic behind us. The signs point to easing on the way to normalcy. Such plans are also taking shape in Germany. This normality also includes the free movement of our citizens. It is one of our greatest achievements in Europe. It is crucial that we make safe travel for vaccinated and/or immunised people in Europe as smooth as possible. Especially for the tourism industry, the last two years have been an enormous burden. Here is an example from my constituency in Saxony-Anhalt: In 2020, overnight stays fell by almost half – by almost 40% last year. Safe and easy travel is crucial for the recovery of this sector. However, the European population needs reliable and clear signals here. At the beginning of this month, the harmonised rules for travel within the EU have now entered into force. I welcome the adoption of this Council recommendation. Unfortunately, it was much too late for the 2021/2022 winter season. Unity was the goal. A patchwork between Member States is now emerging again. Most recently, the federal government in Germany has decided to recognize the recovery status only for three months instead of the recommended six months. Today, it is up to you to decide whether to stick to it or to follow the EU proposal. That is why I ask you to: The harmonisation of travel rules needs to be further pursued and monitored in order to make the 2022 summer season a success in Europe.

Mr President! I voted today in favour of the European Parliament's motion for a resolution, which criticises the de facto ban on abortion in Poland with clear words. For me, the ruling of the Polish Constitutional Court, which has for some time lost its political independence under the autocratic rule of the PiS government, represents a blatant interference in the sexual and reproductive health of countless Poles, including Poland. Women and girls who may find themselves in a difficult personal situation are deprived of the right to make self-determined decisions about their bodies. I deeply regret that, despite an international call, the Polish government has still not taken any initiative to provide these people with access to adequate healthcare. This forces thousands of women to travel abroad and seek help there. The Commission is urged to put an end to this discrimination.

Mr President! I voted today in favour of the creation of a European Asylum Agency. Migration and refugee issues are more topical than ever, as the developments on the Polish-Belarusian border show. It is therefore important that the EU transforms the Asylum Support Office into a fully-fledged agency with more rights of access. It is particularly important for me that the Agency coordinates the cross-border cooperation of the Member States on asylum issues and thus supports cohesion among the Member States.