Speeches

Mr President, dear Commissioners, over the past three decades communication and information technology has rapidly evolved, notably thanks to an increasing digitalisation of European societies, bringing undeniable benefits, but also significant challenges in cybersecurity and disinformation. Disinformation campaigns, often organised by foreign state and non-state actors have been seeking to influence our societal debates, create divisions, and interfere in our democratic decision-making. AI, deepfakes, Internet of Things expansion, and device interconnectivity have only exacerbated this threat with more cyber-attacks and disinformation across our Union. In this context, the Digital Services Act equips us with powerful tools to combat these dangers. Among other tools, it includes provisions on mandatory risk assessments, mitigation measures, independent audits, and transparency of algorithms determining user content. However, let’s recall that the DSA is focused on illegal content. Terrorist propaganda is the illegal content. But I have a feeling that some of the colleagues confuse illegal content with one they don’t agree with. During final negotiations on the DSA, I am proud to say that my group kept at heart the protection of users’ rights, and while we supported combating illegal content, preserving freedom of expression always remained as a number one priority for us. While the DSA provides robust a legal framework to address these challenges, we can consider additional, non-legal efforts to educate all citizens in digital literacy, critical thinking and raise awareness about the omnipresence of disinformation and its harmful repercussions. Disinformation is a constantly evolving threat, especially in times of conflict, requiring continuous, coordinated efforts with our allies, and the DSA is the essential first tool to achieve our objectives.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. The internet is ubiquitous today. According to statistics, the vast majority of young people use it, but also younger and younger children. This has many benefits, mainly educational benefits, but as shown by the various scandals in the various Member States, it also carries many risks. We are discussing a few days after the revelation in Poland, in my country, of a gigantic scandal, when it turned out that for years a group of very influential online influencers used the Internet to tempt and later sexually abuse minors. Around this scandal, around this affair for many years there was a collusion of silence and as I said it was revealed only a few days ago. This scandal shows that very often the law does not keep up with the development of new technologies. The institutions of the state and the EU institutions must also adapt to this. But social change is also needed for this. There can be no tolerance for this kind of behavior on the part of well-known and influential people. This also requires a greater awareness of the parents. I hope that the new EU strategy we are discussing will take into account the need for changes in this area, so that the Internet becomes as safe and child-friendly as possible.

Madam President, dear Commissioner, in the dynamic landscape of today’s global trade, it is imperative for the EU to actively forge new and strategic trade agreements. The push towards future-proofing our economies and detaching them from Russia’s oppressive regime are prime examples of the positive ongoing work. But beyond just economic growth and competitiveness, this is about ensuring our economy remains resilient and unlocks new opportunities. Our mission should be clear: to champion a vibrant market free from undue regulations, to foster innovation, employment, and promote the prosperity of our citizens. In this context, it is essential to accelerate our dialogue, especially with pivotal regions like the Americas, Indo-Pacific and Latin America. Deepening these relations will not only strengthen our ties, but also promote fair and prosperous trade. While negotiating, we should keep in mind that these agreements, notably Mercosur, cannot be signed to the detriment of Member States.

Mr President, Mr Commissioner, the authorities and institutions of Moldova have recently been conducting a highly ambitious reform programme, driving the country towards greater transparency, democracy and political stability. We must applaud the resilience and efforts of the people of Moldova, especially in the shadow of Russia’s war against Ukraine. We also emphasised today the importance of Moldova’s integration within the EU. We must continue supporting its people and grant the country access to vital EU programmes and instruments. In this spirit, and as a member of the Internal Market Committee, I am calling for the abolition of roaming charges, bringing our citizens even closer. The story of Moldova is one of resilience in turbulent times. Let us truly acknowledge this and continue the work to welcome Moldova in the EU, where it belongs.

Madam President, dear Commissioner, the double case of Dr Ibadoghlu, unjustly imprisoned in Azerbaijan, and his wife, injured during the arrest, is a clear example of multiple violations of the Human Rights Charter. The deteriorating health of Dr Ibadoghlu, coupled with the appalling detention conditions he faces, is highly concerning. We call on the Azerbaijani Government to grant Dr Ibadoghlu a fair process and the medical attention he needs. We also remind the Azerbaijani authorities that hampering access to a lawyer to Dr Ibadoghlu amounts to political oppression. More broadly, we believe that EU involvement in the region should account for these events and remain resolutely practical and result-oriented, as this notably differentiates us from authoritarian oppressors, such as Russia, which for decades has fuelled conflicts and used the region for its own political gains.

Mr President, dear Commissioner, SMEs are the backbone of the European economy, yet they suffered the most from the pandemic and the shocks of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. If the Commission is working towards helping SMEs, they remain victims of an excessive bureaucracy and regulation, hindering their growth, preventing them from thriving. Recent burdensome measures under the Cyber Resilience Act, AI Act or eco-design regulations further compound the challenges they face. And now, they require help. Perhaps if we were more judicious in our regulatory approach, we wouldn’t find ourselves in a position to rescue them so often. My group has long called for such an approach, but our calls remain unheard. Nevertheless, I welcome the revision of the Late Payments Directive – a vital tool to tackle payment delays amid high inflation and rising energy costs.

Mr President, dear Commissioner, today companies are struggling globally with supply chain challenges, exorbitant energy costs and skyrocketing expenses linked to transport and raw materials. The impact of distortive non-market policies and practices in the field of critical minerals is evident not only hampering growth, but also weakening our supply chains. It is therefore crucial to ensure now a continued dialogue with our strategic partners. Cooperation with the United States will not only foster supply chain diversification, but significantly reduce dependencies, vulnerabilities and uncertainty for key players in these sectors. I welcome negotiations on the agreement that aims to foster a shared understanding and coordinated action to diversify our supply chains and eliminate these vulnerabilities. Finally, in line with the resolution of the Committee of on Internal Trade, I support efforts to exploit the Trade and Technology Council in this area.

Madam President, Commissioner, the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic are clear: we need robust mechanisms to ensure a consistent supply of essential goods and services, especially in times of crisis. In this context, our group sees merit in creating a cohesive platform for Member States to share information and coordinate actions. But this should not lead to excessive centralisation or introduce legal uncertainties. As currently proposed, the single market emergency instrument, IMERA, tips the scales towards an excessive centralisation of power in the hands of the Commission. Specific provisions like those related to priority orders, sensitive data access and fast lanes raise legitimate concerns. More specifically, it is vital that any mechanism respects the legal boundaries and Member State competences guaranteed by the Treaties. Our group believes as well that the envisioned strategic reserves risk interfering with national solutions on strategic reserves. In parallel, we must ensure that cooperation, which is of course essential, does not come at the cost of exerting undue control over businesses. Forcing economic operators to bear a disproportionate burden or imposing significant financial penalties on them does not align with our vision of effective crisis management. Given our concerns, we won’t be able to support the current proposition during tomorrow’s vote.

Mr President, late last year, generative AI have taken us by surprise. And while the technologies, capabilities and applications will soon become difficult to overestimate, prevention is key to frame the future developments in a way that is both satisfactory in terms of safety and reliability, while allowing the quickening of economic applications for European-based solutions. Generative AI comes in a diverse set of flowers. On the negative side, our biggest worries are disinformation that can be produced and on a bigger scale than ever before, but that also can be countered and filtered against by using AI assistant tools, and the lack of accountability and possible abuses of intellectual property that are omnipresent in the context of AI. On the positive one, generative AI have the potential to bridge gaps between public administrations and the wider public by means of specialised chatbots, as well as all the trade and capability applications that derive from such a technology. As such, we would be in favour of developing and applying shared standards in accord with our global partners at the highest possible level and wherever possible, in order to create a level playing field for businesses and to prevent the establishment of unfair advantages between companies or countries. We are in favour of defining standards along the lines of those established previously within the framework of the OECD for practical applications and to further comparability between regions and business sectors. Finally, I would like to remind that you that shared standards are the best possible guarantee for consumers and producers alike.

Mr President, the situation in Manipur is deeply concerning. Since May, tensions between the mainly Hindu Meitei and mainly Christian Kuki communities have escalated to the most violent clashes in decades. Over 140 people have lost their lives, tens of thousands are displaced and private and public property has been destroyed. Despite the gravity of the situation, authorities are not taking sufficient action and fostering peace dialogues. While the Manipur tribal forums plea for protection of the Kuki tribe, by the Indian army, this has been rejected by the Supreme Court. We therefore urge all parties to cease hostilities and resolve the underlying regional and religious issues. The EU and its Member States should collaborate with like-minded countries and organisations to assess possible further steps and continue to raise human-rights and, especially, religious-freedom concerns with the Indian authorities.

Madam President, dear Commissioner, small- and medium-sized enterprises, the very backbone of our economy, continue to play a vital role in driving robust economic growth and fostering job creation throughout the EU. However, excessive regulation and bureaucracy hinder SMEs’ potential. Recent burdensome specific measures in the Cyber Resilience Act, Product Liability Directive, AI Act and ecodesign regulations further compound the challenges they face. To mitigate this, we must prioritise simplified legislative requirements for SMEs’ compliance. In this regard, we welcome the upcoming SME Relief Package, designed to alleviate their burdens. In this context, a revised Late Payments Directive will be crucial, providing SMEs with a predictable legal framework to tackle payment delays: a significant threat, especially amidst high inflation and rising energy costs. Together, we should ensure SMEs’ continued growth, sustainability and resilience, relying on them to foster growth in the EU.

Mr President, today, we address the alarming situation in Lebanon, where the ongoing conflict has led to an alarming surge in poverty, now affecting approximately 74% of its population. This crisis is not limited to Lebanese citizens alone. Lebanon is currently home to approximately 1.5 million Syrian refugees, with an astounding 90% of them living in extreme poverty. The nation’s political landscape is also a cause for concern, as foreign involvement, especially Iran’s support for Hezbollah, exacerbates the political impasse and deepens the crisis. In light of these circumstances, we must aid Lebanon in seeking durable solutions for refugees and encouraging structural reforms. The EU and Member States, in collaboration with like-minded countries, should assess further steps to support efforts to restore stability and reduce poverty. We remain committed to supporting the people of Lebanon, who desire peace, stability and democratic governance.

Madam President, dear Commissioner, artificial intelligence is transforming our world at an unprecedented pace. As it is increasingly becoming central to our daily lives, our economy and our democracy, it is clear that this technology holds immense potential, but also carries substantial risks. Our first horizontal legislation on AI introduces, among others, robust safeguards against high—risk AI systems and manipulative practices. My group has been vocal on ensuring a comprehensive framework in line with other existing EU laws such as GDPR and DSA, as well as on the regulatory sandboxes, supporting SMEs and start-ups in innovation—testing within every Member State. I welcome the fact that these two major improvements are part of the final compromise, thus showing that we are also committed to fostering innovation. I believe that the AI Act in its current form represents our strong commitment to protect the public interest while encouraging AI progress.

Madam President, dear Commissioner, today we address the alarming situation in Sudan, where the ongoing conflict has resulted in the tragic loss of innumerable innocent civilians’ lives. The violence, which began on April 15th, has escalated rapidly across different parts of the country, leading to additional large-scale displacement and a dire humanitarian crisis. I deplore the fact that the parties involved have failed to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve the crisis, leading to further destabilisation of the region. Today we urge them to implement an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and allow unhindered humanitarian access. To support these efforts, the EU institutions and the Member States should work with like-minded countries and organisations to access possible further steps. We must uphold our support for the aspiration of the Sudanese people who desire peace, stability and democracy.

Madam President, I understand it is the last vote, so I try to be as brief as possible. I stand before you as the rapporteur for the EU standardisation strategy in the IMCO Committee to present my report on standardisation, a critical component in achieving the goals of our internal market. I am pleased to observe that standardisation is increasingly at the core of the EU’s digital and industrial strategy, acknowledging its strategic importance in shaping our future. My report aims to shed light on the strengths and weaknesses of the EU standardisation system and on recommendations to enhance its effectiveness. One of the key issues highlighted in the report is the need to clarify the division of responsibilities between the European Commission and the standardisation organisations. Another critical aspect is the necessity for international cooperation in standardisation. As global trade dynamics shift and become more complex, we must advocate for inclusive, like-minded approaches to standardisation at the international level. Our commitment to a market-driven and voluntary process behind the standards is crucial in promoting a balanced global system. To conclude, I call upon all Members of the European Parliament to join me in promoting a more robust, forward-looking and inclusive standardisation strategy for the EU.

Mr President, dear Commissioner, the Act in Support of Ammunition Production is a timely proposal, especially at a time where our Ukrainian friends and our allies within NATO expect us to deliver the most. This is also a major opportunity for EU ammunition manufacturers, including from Poland, and supply chain partners. I support the regulatory measures designed to temporarily remove barriers for rapid ramp-up, including adjusted public procurement procedures and internal market transfers. Adjusting the priority order is essential to redirect current production to Ukraine’s urgent needs. Furthermore, I welcome the Commission’s suggestion to change the European Investment Bank’s lending policies for core defence products. It would address the European defence industry’s funding challenges and send a strong signal to financial actors. Last, let me remind that peacetime processes are not fit for wartime needs. Considering the pressing need to replenish Ukraine’s ammunition stocks, I support the fast track procedure request.

Madam President, dear Commissioner, I believe that last month's Cooperation Council meeting between the European Union and Iraq was a crucial opportunity to reactivate the highest level of bilateral engagement under the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement after a seven-year pause. It is important to acknowledge Iraq's efforts to foster regional dialogue and promote democracy, fundamental freedoms and human rights. As important trade partners, the EU and Iraq should work together to strengthen bilateral trade relations and investments, including the production of renewable energy, and facilitate Iraq's further integration into regional and global value chains. We should also welcome Iraq's ambition to become a gas exporter and support its efforts to invest in this field. I believe our relations are a powerful driver for Iraq's prosperity and that we share common approaches on many geopolitical issues, such as the fight against terrorism. Looking ahead, I am optimistic about the future of our cooperation. We must remain committed to working closely together to achieve our shared goals and promote a more prosperous and stable future for Iraq and the region.

Madam President, dear Commissioners, tremendous cyber-security challenges have emerged in the last 30 years with the exponential growth of information and communication technologies and increasing digitalisation of European societies. The spread of the Internet of Things and increased interconnections between devices have led to multiplication of cyber-attacks and disinformation campaigns. In this context, I would like to thank Commissioner Breton for presenting the Commission’s strategy to combat cyber-attacks under the Cyber Solidarity Act. This initiative includes key measures that will allow better detection of attacks upstream, enhance information exchange and cooperation between Member States and improve the resilience of critical infrastructures such as hospitals and digital networks. One significant aspect of this initiative is the establishment of the European cyber reserve, inspired by Ukraine’s approach of partnering public institutions and private companies to ensure cyber-security. It will need enable to engage trusted private service providers in advance to support any defence effort in the face of an attack. It is essential that we keep seeing the European Union and its close allies, Ukraine in particular, as fighting similar threats, and that we share best practices. To combat the proliferation of hybrid warfare we must create a cyber-resilient Europe.

Mr President, dear Commissioner, EU-China relations have deteriorated rapidly over the past years, leading to a more realist approach focusing on sharper economic competition and systemic rivalry. In view of the latest developments, including the COVID-19 pandemic, sanctions for human rights violations and China’s actions against selected Member States, the EU should enhance its resilience, diversify markets and secure supply chains. Moving forward, we should work towards a more balanced and sustainable approach to our relations with China based on strategic priorities. In this regard, I believe there is an opportunity to cooperate on a positive agenda, such as on cooperation on biodiversity, sustainable development and climate change. These engagements should be on equal terms and based on the principle of reciprocity. While China remains a competitor, partner and systemic rival, the EU must strive to reduce its dependency on China while simultaneously engaging in constructive dialogue.

Mr President, Commissioner, 15 years after an attempted coup, Georgia still faces serious political security and economic interferences from the Kremlin. I welcome the withdrawal of the recent Kremlin-inspired law on foreign agents and the bravery of the Georgian people protesting against it. In parallel, during the last plenary session, this Parliament adopted with a large majority a resolution calling for the release of former Georgian President Saakashvili and his immediate transport abroad for specialist treatment. I welcome that this resolution, together with the calls from the Polish Government, have borne fruit and that Polish doctors will soon be able to examine the former Georgian president’s health. The EU and its Member States should keep supporting democratic aspirations of the Georgian people and maintain the high dynamic of the EU enlargement process.

– Madam President, dear Commissioner, cloud services have become essential for the use of available data and for strengthening the competitiveness of the European services sector and industry, which relies heavily on accelerated uptake of cloud services. I believe we should always consider the digitisation of our economies as a holistic challenge, meaning that when introducing new legislation, we should always focus on both users’ and providers’ needs and create a predictable environment that allows the planning of long-term business decisions. This is why, as rapporteur for the IMCO opinion, with exclusive competences on the cloud services chapter, I welcome that our committee introduced efficient solutions to unlock the potential for cloud computing providers, data processing and portability services, and delivered strongly agile tools that enable customers to take fully informed business decisions. Lastly, I would like to thank all the shadow rapporteurs in the IMCO committee for their work. I believe the Data Act is a step in the right direction towards unlocking the full potential of data, and I look forward to defending our text during negotiations with the Council.

Madam President, dear colleagues, during today’s debate I’ve heard plenty about transparency and the need to better protect citizens from foreign actors that might interfere in elections. And I of course agree with these points. Citizens have the right to know who the sponsors of political advertising are. But while you portray a success story of the Parliament negotiations, I feel some key points are still missing. Transparency does not mean creating a framework which incentivises big online platforms to remove content out of a fear of liability. It does not mean, either, asking platforms to decide which ads are political or not, while complaining that they have too much power. And finally, protecting citizens is not equal to introducing a general monitoring obligation that introduces constant surveillance of the online content by online actors. I urge all Members to support our amendments that improve the Parliament’s position and defend fundamental freedoms in the EU.

Madam President, dear Commissioner, Russia’s brutal actions since 2014 are an absolute violation of international law. Mr Putin’s inhuman disrespect for human lives requires more than strong declarations condemning his attacks in Ukraine. The EU and its Member States must coordinate faster and better on the objectives that we, as a Union, want to achieve: that is, free Ukraine from the Russian oppressor and support our ally with all the necessary means at our disposal. How many more attacks must Ukraine endure to allow some Member States to update their obsolete defence doctrines? Central and Eastern Europe, together with a few other Member States, the UK and the US, cannot support alone the heroic Ukrainian people and army against the Russian threat on behalf of our common values. We need a coordinated answer to put an end to Russia’s aggression. And this is why I call for the urgent delivery of the promised heavy weaponry, including armoured vehicles to Ukraine.

Mr President, thank you very much. Mr. Commissioner, I'm sorry. I welcome the fact that today we are discussing the online video game industry, as it is growing extremely fast and is of great economic and cultural importance around the world. The gaming industry is also extremely important for my country. Poland, as one of the few countries in the world, in 2020 has already become a net exporter of computer games. The online video game industry in the European market is mostly small and medium-sized enterprises with high growth potential. Therefore, we should be particularly careful not to impose too much burden on these companies so as not to hamper their innovation and creativity. In this context, I believe that the report on which we will be voting tomorrow contains many controversial provisions. Unfortunately, there is a lack of flexibility in this highly innovative sector. For example, I would be extremely cautious about the idea of forced age verification of players. This is because it affects the privacy of users.

Mr President, dear Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, since its creation in 1993, the single market has been instrumental to European growth and prosperity. In the face of the 2008 financial crisis, it helped to ensure the resilience of our economies. Later, during the pandemic, it enabled Member States to respond in a coordinated manner, purchasing vaccines together. Now dealing with the energy crisis caused by dependence on Russian fossil fuel, it is again enabling Europe to stand united. We can proudly say today that the single market is the EU’s biggest achievement, promoting free movement of people, goods and capital. Sadly, the free movement of services has been left behind due to a lack of political will. Therefore, I would like to remind us all on this special day that the potential of the single market has not yet been reached for EU services, failing to deliver up to an additional EUR 450 billion per year to our economy. I believe we can do more and I am looking forward to working with you on this in the coming years.