Debate contributions by Georgios AFTIAS

Madam President, Commissioner, you know this very well from your home country of Ireland. Mr McGrath, Commissioner, there is a huge problem to be solved. They are the different prices from country to country. This is not a single market, nor is it a single market, as my honourable colleague from CONT and the Economic Committee said. Different prices from country to country. The single market is literally flattened. Multinational giants are doing what they want in Europe right now. And you know very well that there is a Greek government document from the Greek prime minister that says to impose measures now. And I haven't seen a fine get into a colossus because it imposes different prices. You know this very well, because you are one of the most important Commissioners. We must therefore intervene immediately, because our peoples want crucial intervention. It is therefore necessary, Commissioner, and I propose this to you as a member of the Economic Commission, to quickly create a body of a European consumer protection authority. You also know from Ireland, the honourable President from Italy, my good colleague from Slovakia and so on, from the Czech Republic. They're asking for what? They're calling for intervention now. And you need to do it right away. Because the peoples cannot stand to see this economic disorder and this economic disorder that is happening in Europe.

Madam President, Commissioner, I want your attention. You know very well that Greece has made a great fight to keep Turkey out of SAFE. For what? He's threatening my country, Greece. He's asking for half the Aegean. It seeks the islands, and occupies the northern part of Cyprus. You would do the same if he threatened your country. Let's move on. We have the rest of the recovery fund, the unspent amounts. What does Turkey do? It is reported that it is acquiring European companies to use as a Trojan horse to enter InvestEU. And I ask you: Will you open the door of Europe and arm the hand of Turkey that threatens a country of the European Union, Greece? Turkey has not lifted the casus belli against Greece and continues to threaten and occupy the northern part of Cyprus, a free country. Commissioner, we must finally close Turkey's door as long as it threatens a country in the European Union. Do it now, because tomorrow another country will emerge and put Russia through the back door. Do it now. If I'm not mistaken, you're French, aren't you? If Turkey did this to France, what would you do? Wouldn't you yell like I did? Thank you very much for listening to me. Ladies and gentlemen, close the door on Turkey before it is too late.

Mr President, Commissioner, Mr Halicki, congratulations to our worthy colleague on this budget. Thank you very much for covering the equal support of the Greek borders. So we're going to a new frontier, and my thanks are double. From now on, we have to set a very big goal: the electricity interconnection of our countries, because half of Europe is green and the other half is red. My colleagues from Bulgaria, Poland, Romania and Italy know this very well. And it's a shame that half of Europe is in red and the other half is in green. This will also reduce the cost of accuracy. You know very well that electricity, that is, the absence of electricity interconnection, creates huge inequalities in prices as well. We need to step in. That is why our people brought us here. I want to tell you that this is one of the first issues that we need to see right now. Of course, I will never forget that Europe supports Greece on the issue of borders.

Mr President, Commissioner, a budget means a better life for our peoples, i.e. a solution to demographics, housing, better wages, better social security and, of course, job security, an increase in wages. Also, Commissioner, you should be aware that thousands of European companies are currently threatened by the Asian offensive, by the platforms. And finally, put an end to Turkey. No funding as long as it threatens Greece and as long as it occupies the northern part of Cyprus. And also, Commissioner, equal support for the south-eastern borders, as well as for the northern borders. Europe's borders are unified.

Mr President, philhellene Commissioner, Mr Halicki, last year in the Committee on Budgets you aptly raised the issue of covering European borders from north to south. You know, Mr Serafin, Commissioner for the Budget, that Greece is directly threatened by Turkey. It's unbelievable. On Monday the Turks ask for Lesvos, on Tuesday they ask for Chios, on Wednesday they ask for Samos, on Thursday they ask for Kos, on Saturday they ask for Rhodes and on weekends they ask for half of the Aegean. Greece put forward the equal financial coverage of the northern and southern borders, and the Greek borders are also European borders. My country, without deficits and at the sacrifice of the Greek people, gives 5 billion every year for defense spending, not to attack, but to maintain its territorial integrity. Europe, Commissioner, Mr Halicki, is not only threatened by Russia, it is also threatened by Turkey. We have this danger in front of us every day.

Madam President, Commissioner, we are witnessing a huge imbalance in electricity prices from country to country. In Greece, Cyprus, Italy and other countries, the megawatt hour costs 230 and 250 euros, while in others 80 and 90. It's unfair, it's very unfair, because there's no wiring. The new budget for 2026 must therefore remove these large disparities. In the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, Commissioner, we have promoted the start of the financing of cabling. Know something, as you are Commissioner for the Single Market: Is there a single market with such inequalities? I don't think so. This is also known by a first-year student of economics. One more thing: cheap electricity is a right and not a luxury, Commissioner.

Madam President, Commissioner, Europe's southern borders, which are also Greek borders, should be treated on an equal footing with Europe's northern borders. You know very well, coming to Greece, that my country is directly threatened by Turkey. You know it very well, the whole planet knows it. He is threatening the islands and at the same time, Commissioner, he has not lifted the casus belli. You realize that the weight that falls on our backs is huge. I therefore call for equal coverage of Europe's southern borders as well. And you also remember, Commissioner, what happened in Evros. So from Evros to Kastelorizo and Crete, where we have large flows, I ask for coverage of my homeland. We did that, we did it in the Economic Committee last year. I am asking for it now and the whole of Greece is asking for it.

Mr President, Commissioner, fires are a real scourge for the countries of the South. We live in incredible situations from Portugal to Greece. That is why we need to be realistic. In the coming days, in the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs of the European Parliament, of which I am a member, I am tabling a proposal for the creation of a central fire-fighting body, because it is currently up to the pity of each prime minister whether to send planes. It is a central body based in the countries of the South. Also, this is not enough, the same body should record the damage, so that within 12 days, it can compensate all those who have been destroyed. Mr President, you have experienced the fires in your country and I know how much struggle you have had, like other colleagues. We must act now, because fire is the worst thing for our states.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, I want to make you partakers of a huge issue. While Turkey was excluded from the financing of European funds in terms of defence, according to an official statement by the Commissioner for Defence, it is attempting, according to journalistic information, to get indirectly into these programs by buying a European company. This country, Turkey, is threatening my country, Greece. It asks for half of the Aegean, it asks for the Aegean islands and across the islands it has the largest landing fleet in the Mediterranean. Ladies and gentlemen, we must now build a mechanism to exclude Turkey for life as long as it threatens my country, Greece, with war. I am telling you this as a member of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and the Committee on Budgets of the European Parliament. It is unfair with Greek and European taxpayers' money to arm Turkey's hand against Greece.

Madam President, Commissioner, dear Mr Mureșan. I have listened to you very carefully about the multiannual financial programme. Yes, to support societies, to support our people, to support health, education and all that helps citizens. But, Commissioner, I want you to look me in the eye and answer me directly. Is the Commission prepared to put Turkey, which directly threatens my country, through the back door through the multi-year period? So he's going to get into defense? If this happens, Commissioner, it will be criminal for Europe itself, because with European taxpayers' money, a third country, which one day wants half of the Aegean, the next hour half of the Aegean islands and on the other hand occupies the northern part of Cyprus, it is unfair, very unfair for this to happen. Watch it, or we'll row in a docked boat.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, according to OLAF's official investigation, millions of products come to Europe dangerously and even with tariffs that do not reach the Member States. According to trade associations across Europe and the Greek Confederation of Commerce, millions of jobs will be lost. Watch out, watch out! Thousands of businesses will also be shut down and billions of revenues will be lost at a time when Europe and its states need revenues. We need to act now. We must act strictly, Commissioner. Let's do it now, because tomorrow will be too late. Do you know what they say in my country, Commissioner? Gordian bonds are not broken, they are cut. Do it now, because tomorrow will be too late for all of us.

Madam President, Commissioner, many countries have benefited from the Recovery Fund. I hold in my hands, Commissioner, the report on Greece. It is in the top five of the European countries in terms of absorption of Community funds and this development is very important. So let us think of something else after the Recovery Fund, namely bringing another programme that will benefit countries, benefit societies, benefit the economy, benefit entrepreneurship, support small and medium-sized enterprises and – above all, Commissioner – our people, who are in great need after the latest events.

Madam President, Commissioner, you are Spanish, I am Greek, we have common ground with competitiveness. You realise, ladies and gentlemen, that the main advantage in competitiveness is man, followed by technology. Without humans, we do nothing. Therefore, incentives must be provided. Practical evidence should be given that Europe can move in this direction, and we have enough evidence for growth, which is what is at stake, and indeed with developments that are shocking as far as the planet is concerned. The small and medium-sized enterprise, the freelancers and the ordinary workers who give their souls are at the heart of the economy. Therefore, in order to have competitive businesses we need to have happy and satisfied employees. We can succeed if in the coming years we have at the forefront the three dominant elements: technology, man and performance.

Mr President, Commissioner and friend of Greece, thank you very much. Mr Mureșan, you have achieved the impossible, that is, over the next seven years to have an economic policy that goes hand in hand with the support of states but also – at the same time – with the support of societies. Mr Mureșan, thank you very much for adopting my proposals. Greek positions on borders, but also the blockade of a third country that threatens a country of the European Union. Excellent positioning for the regions. Europe's troubled regions need to be strengthened. Dear Commissioner, for 35 years in economic reporting my master has been by the side of society. Which means what? Wages, pensions, housing, demographics, punctuality, electricity. We should support these figures for every European citizen – for every Greek citizen if you like – and we are here for the European Parliament to contribute in this direction. Thank you very much for supporting the Greek positions.

Mr President, Commissioner, Mr Serafin, as a Greek Member of the European Parliament, I am very pleased that – in addition to being a friend of Greece – you have included the suggestion of Mr Halicki and Mr Mureșan – excellent colleagues – to shield Europe's borders. And you know very well that the Greek borders are also European, and that Europe lived that difficult night on the Aegean fence unbelievable situations. With absolute clarity, Mr Halicki, Mr Mureșan and Mr Ressler have fought hard for natural disasters so that compensation can come quickly. And the third and best: measures for societies. To support the societies that brought us here with measures for housing, wages, pensions, welfare, as they said. And know something: Our people will never forget this offer.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, competitiveness for an economy is the basis of life for citizens. Their lives are getting better, we have a better quality of life, we have better salaries and we have stronger insurance. This is the fourfold on which we must now build the European economy, because from the Atlantic someone is waiting to devour Europe and its economy. Three hundred billion every year leave and go to the United States and thousands of young people, according to Mr. Draghi, leave Europe. We need to run fast. Cornerstone competitiveness, better life, better wages, better insurance and hurry quickly, because time is running out.

Mr President, we must act decisively, with social measures, because without man, societies cannot move forward. Salaries, pensions, insurance, punctuality, housing. All this, therefore, requires immediate action from us, immediate mobilization. No society can support itself unless it has man in front of all its activities. At the same time, we should support people who are threatened by artificial intelligence. They're the authors, they're the creators, they're the artists. They live a relentless copy in their works. Infinite attention, then, to move in this direction. To support people, to support knowledge, because society cannot wait any longer.

Madam President, the Recovery Fund has proved to be an excellent economic tool that has helped too many countries in the European Union to improve economic indicators and help their citizens. My country, Greece, has absorbed, or rather, is playing a leading role in the absorption of EU funds in terms of the Recovery Fund. Several states fear that in 2026 the allocation of the Development Fund funds will cease. The presence of this Fund must continue. Why is it? Many countries will be helped. Either in this way or within the five-year period it will be beneficial for the countries, beneficial for the societies, beneficial for the peoples.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the Italian Commissioner, the Greek myself, and we have experienced many disasters together. Come, through the Recovery Fund, to fight a great battle. I hear the Recovery Fund ends in 2026. We are going to a new battle to support people who are in great need. You experienced the disasters in Italy, I experienced them in Greece, and my country gave three billion euros to cover these needs. I therefore believe, Commissioner, and I solemnly invite you to Greece, that we should fight together, and with all the other countries, to support all the people who are in great need. If you are a Commissioner now and I am a Member of the European Parliament here, we owe it to those people who need our support. Thank you very much and I hope that my proposal will be heard.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, this is a very serious matter. Commissioner, thank you very much for allowing me to have the report that we are presenting today adopted by a qualified majority by the European Parliament's Committee on Budgets. And that shows responsibility. It gives an efficiency step on the part of everyone, all parties, from all wings of the European Parliament. It is also time for the immediate funding of all countries affected by such disasters. And we must, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, look at it as a whole. The consequences of climate change are unpredictable, incalculable, enormous and know no borders. And it is in this context that we must move. We must use the money from the Solidarity Fund, the Regional Development Fund, and that money must not be offset. I am very pleased that this proposal that we have made has been adopted by all parties. It is the great moment of all parties in Europe to say this: Say no to these disasters. Compensation must also be paid quickly and promptly. It's something we all ask for, because disaster has no color. Disaster, when it knocks on the door of every country, is of particular importance to be embraced by everyone. Ladies and gentlemen, the European Solidarity Fund budget and the reserve should be increased immediately, and very rapidly. Commissioner, I think we are all in agreement on this. The European citizens, and my country, Greece, expect a great deal from us and that is what we will do, because my country has suffered great disasters. We will all work in this direction. That is why the primary objective of all of us is for the affected regions to experience relief and for European citizens to feel that they have real help by their side. Disaster does not raise petty politics, but calls for responsibility. We will all work in this direction. Commissioner, thank you very much for listening to me. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, and I hope that this time together we will move above parties and guided by responsibility.