Speeches

Madam President, children are spending more and more time in front of a screen, since digital media is an important form of communication for them. However, they are exposed to inappropriate content with irreparable effects on their development and mental health. Parents don't feel in control of what children do in the digital world. We don't have time to waste. The time has come for more drastic measures at European level. Measures such as the introduction of a digital age. Under the age of 13 no minor should have access to social media, and for those aged between 13 and 16 only with parental approval. A reliable age verification system and more initiatives to empower parents and teachers are needed. But it must be made clear that much of the responsibility lies with the companies. The tools and management of online activities should not be used as a pretext for companies to transfer responsibility exclusively to parents and teachers.

Madam President, as a citizen of a country surrounded by the sea, Greece, I fully understand the enormous importance of the issue we are discussing. The agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond national jurisdiction is a historic step towards protecting our oceans. Greece is the third member state of the European Union to ratify the agreement, showing in practice its commitment to the sustainable management of the seas, and proceeded for the first time in the context of maritime spatial planning and the creation of two large marine parks in the Aegean and the Ionian Sea, linking environmental protection with blue growth. But how can you achieve these objectives when other states do not comply with the strict standards we have established in the European Union and their citizens engage in fishing activities prohibited for European fishermen, as is the case in the Aegean with fishermen from Turkey or from third countries in other regions of the Mediterranean? In order to be able to protect biodiversity, it is clear that neither national nor European legislation is sufficient. International cooperation is needed and the European Union can play an even more active role in this direction.

Mr President, the Middle East has been and remains one of the most troubled regions on the planet and is in our neighbourhood. However, we do not see the European Union playing a leading role in any attempts to settle there. The protagonists are the United States. We've seen it recently. In the European Union, each Member State has its own policy. Unfortunately, we do not speak with a single voice. The ceasefire is an important first step. But there is still a long way to go before a comprehensive settlement is reached in the Middle East that will allow Israel to exist safely and create a Palestinian state. I hope that on this path the European Union can intervene more decisively, have a single policy, speak with one voice, form a common framework and finally have a policy whereby the Member States feel that their borders are European borders. If we do not join forces, unfortunately, we will be watching the developments that others are shaping and we will not be the protagonists. I hope that this will not be the case, that we will be able to have a unified policy and join forces.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, consumers in their daily lives are confronted with products that do not meet European standards. Most of them are imported and many have been purchased from various platforms. The damage is twofold: risks to the health of citizens are created, while European traders and producers face unequal competition. A modernised set of rules is therefore needed to ensure that products placed on the market in the European Union meet high safety and quality standards and that sufficient information on their origin and ingredients is provided. But the institutional framework is not enough. To be effective, we need strict enforcement of the rules, strengthened mechanisms to control what is imported and what is on the market, better supervision to make the market work on a competitive basis and to tackle unfair practices. At a time when rising costs of living are the number one problem for citizens in all European countries and the market is changing rapidly, the new legislative framework must ensure that high European standards are respected and those who violate them suffer the consequences.

Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, as we close this debate, I would like to sincerely thank all my colleagues for their remarks: especially the shadow rapporteurs for their contribution, and the Commission and the Council for the constructive cooperation that made the adoption of the 'one substance, one assessment' package possible. With this package, I am sure we are delivering a stronger, faster and more transparent chemicals framework, one that safeguards health and the environment, ensures legal certainty and supports Europe's industry, SMEs and innovators. But as you know, this is not the end – it is the beginning of a new phase. Ahead of us lies the 'Omnibus VI' package, a key step to simplify and harmonise chemical rules. And then the REACH revision – the cornerstone of the EU's chemical policy. These upcoming files will be even more complex. To succeed, we must build on the same spirit of balance, dialogue and consensus that guided us here, ensuring that Europe remains both a leader in protection of human health and the environment, and the champion of competitiveness and innovation.

Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, the 'one substance, one assessment' package comprising three legislative reports is not just a technical update. It is a transformational reform in the way Europe assesses the safety of chemicals. These three laws together form the backbone of a simpler, faster and more coherent regulatory system, providing stronger protection for citizens and the environment, predictability for businesses, and legal certainty for regulators. A reform that accelerates action, enhances transparency, reinforces scientific excellence and strengthens Europe's competitiveness and innovation. We, in this House, worked in a constructive spirit to strike the right balance, simplifying procedures and reducing the administrative burden without compromising on scientific rigour or the high level of health and environmental protection that defines our Union. A cornerstone of this achievement is the creation of the common data platform. For the first time, data from EU and national sources will be integrated into a single system, improving transparency, accessibility and efficiency. This platform will eliminate duplication, accelerate assessments and enable better, faster decisions. It will also promote the use of existing data, reducing costs and the administrative burden while helping to phase out animal testing – a long-standing ethical and scientific goal that we all share. At the same time, we have ensured the protection of intellectual property and commercial sensitive data. Transparency must follow the principle of being as open as possible, as closed as necessary. Businesses – especially SMEs – need the confidence that their investments in research and development are secure and that fair competition is preserved. This balanced approach makes the common data platform not just a technical tool, but a strategic instrument. Equally important, the OSOA package strengthens inter-agency cooperation between the European Chemicals Agency, the European Food Safety Authority, the European Medicines Agency and the European Environmental Agency. It clarifies roles, avoids overlaps and streamlines scientific assessments. Each agency will work within its core mandate in a spirit of complementarity and transparency. The third equally vital pillar of this package – the directive on the European Chemicals Agency – consolidates this vision. It strengthens ECHA's role as the cornerstone of Europe's chemicals management system. We all recognise that ECHA must operate within a robust, fit-for-purpose legal framework. During the negotiations, we also took into account the operational realities of such a reform. We are extending the transitional period from 12 to 20 months to ensure ECHA can adapt, reorganise its scientific committees and maintain the quality of its assessment. In addition, we introduced a safeguard that the Commission will monitor ECHA's workload governance and resources and, if necessary, propose legislative adjustments. Dear colleagues, the OSOA package strengthens protections for citizens and the environment and enhances the transparency and coherence of scientific assessments. It provides the legal certainty that industry needs to invest and innovate in Europe. It is proof that environmental ambition and competitiveness can go hand in hand. On behalf of the European Parliament, I am proud of what we have achieved together through constructive dialogue and compromise. So I strongly encourage you to endorse this package. Thank you.

Mr President, Commissioner, in a rapidly changing world, the European Union must redefine its position. Europe-United States cooperation, although no longer in the form we knew, cannot and must not, despite the difficulties, be broken. At the same time, we must look to other regions of the world, where forces are emerging with which mutually beneficial cooperation can take place. I participated at the beginning of the year in the delegation of the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection which visited India, where I had the opportunity to see economic progress in various areas, the importance European companies attach to the Indian market, but also the Indian side's desire for closer cooperation with Europe. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and the signing of a trade agreement will benefit European businesses and citizens, but this cooperation must be done with respect for European quality and safety standards and with real access to markets.

Madam President, Commissioner, the single market is a great European achievement. It is the power that can give us growth, innovation and jobs. It is one of the foundations of European integration. Do we take full advantage of its advantages? The answer is no. In fact, we are not talking about a single market but 27 separate markets. This means that our citizens are paying for more electricity, more expensive products, more expensive services. It means that our businesses are not making full use of Europe’s potential – even as they face unequal competition from Chinese platforms. In a world full of uncertainties, completing the single market is not just an economic option; It is a strategic necessity. It is the key to ensuring cheaper energy, more investment, better prices for households and new opportunities for our small and medium-sized enterprises. We need to take the step we're holding back. The single market is not a technical issue, it is a vehicle leading to the unification of Europe.

Mr President, Commissioner, unfortunately, fires, floods and drought are our new reality. They are no longer the threats of the future. The climate crisis is here. My homeland Greece and the Mediterranean countries are experiencing these phenomena with increasing intensity and cost. This is why we need to put even more emphasis on prevention and early warning. We need a genuine Union of preparedness, coordinated at European and national level, reinforced funding under the next seven-year budget of the European Union and reinforced RescEu, faster access to the European Union Solidarity Fund after fires and floods, the creation of a European early warning platform using artificial intelligence, coordinated actions to improve the resilience of cities and strengthen the affected areas. Prevention, preparation and solidarity are necessary conditions to address the consequences of the climate crisis.

Madam President, Commissioner, 2024 was the warmest year in history. Fires and drought are not future threats. It's the new reality. The numbers speak for themselves. 380,000 hectares were burned in Europe last year. Drought affects 44% of agricultural land and climate damage exceeds €50 billion per year. My country, Greece, but also the Mediterranean in general are experiencing this situation with increasing intensity. We are not talking about natural phenomena, but about climate-accelerated crises that know no borders. We need to invest in prevention. We need a true Union of Preparedness, not in words but in practice. Coordination and actions at European, national level, but also better cooperation at the level of local authorities with an active role of civil society. Reinforce rescEU with more and modern means. Revision and reinforcement of the European Solidarity Fund. European Early Warning Platform with Copernicus and Artificial Intelligence tools. Full implementation of the water resilience strategy, with measures for efficient water management, reuse and protection of aquatic ecosystems. Europe cannot be a champion in proclamations and a lag in practice. The climate crisis requires coordinated, ambitious action now.

Madam President, Commissioner, energy prices in Europe remain particularly high compared to our global competitors, but there are also significant differences between the Member States themselves. Particularly in Greece and south-eastern Europe, energy costs remain even higher, disproportionately affecting citizens and businesses. This social and economic divide cannot continue. We need targeted measures to reduce prices and restore balance and cohesion between Member States. In January 2025, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis proposed the creation of a task force to better coordinate energy policy and accelerate the energy union. We welcome its recommendation on 16 June. The modernisation and interconnectivity of networks is key to this effort. The Network Action Plan is moving in the right direction, but the challenge now is its swift and coherent implementation. As early as the March 2023 summit, Greece tabled concrete proposals to interconnect, speed up licensing and create a single European Network Fund. The Commission estimates that EUR 584 billion will be needed by 2030 for transmission and distribution networks. Today's funds are not enough. They need to be strengthened and private investment leveraged. The network strategy is not technical, it is energy, industrial, social and geopolitical and must become a frontline political priority.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the simplification of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is an important step for our small and medium-sized enterprises, which find it difficult to carry out this administrative burden, and we should extend these simplification efforts to even more areas. However, we should ensure the effective implementation of the mechanism and avoid possible damage to the competitiveness of European industries that may be caused by non-compliance. We need effective oversight and strengthening of rules, as well as robust risk assessment mechanisms, in order to detect and prevent fragmentation of missions or the use of multiple companies to avoid these obligations. Better cooperation between competent authorities is also necessary to avoid such circumvention. Colleagues, this is not a simplification of a technical nature. It is another essential step in tackling red tape and reducing by 35% the administrative burden faced by small and medium-sized enterprises. Today, the Commission announced another package of measures to simplify and streamline the regulatory framework, exempting a wider range of businesses from several legal obligations. This is an important step, but it remains to be seen in practice.

Mr President, Mr Vice-President of the Commission, barriers within the European Union's single market are equivalent to tariffs of 45% for manufacturing and 110% for services. The numbers are revealing and remind us in which direction we need to move. That is why I am pleased that the resolution we have in our hands makes specific reference to geographical and territorial constraints, which reduce the purchasing power of European citizens and affect small and medium-sized enterprises. It is an issue that many colleagues have pointed out, calling for measures. It is unacceptable that, in a single market, some multinational companies take advantage of their position in order to charge extremely different prices for the same products, depending on the size of the market and to the detriment of consumers. In view of the Single Market Strategy, we are waiting for the legislative proposal to put an end to these practices. Secondly, even more ambitious measures are needed to simplify the rules and reduce the administrative burden faced by small and medium-sized enterprises. Cutting red tape by 35% is an absolute necessity. Thirdly, despite the fact that the Union has the most robust consumer protection framework, only 28% are well aware of their rights. And finally, we need to strengthen the implementation of the digital legislative framework with coordinated controls by the relevant services and better cooperation between them, to ensure that the legislation is implemented in practice.

Madam President, Commissioner, the scarcity and poor quality of water resources affects 20% of European territory and 30% of the population, while only 37% of surface water on our continent is in good or very good condition. The water problem is even bigger for Mediterranean countries, such as Greece. Water resilience requires a holistic approach and concrete solutions. Europe-wide water networks need modernisation to ensure water supply for citizens, agricultural production, industry. Unfortunately, there is very little available €13 billion from cohesion funds for water management in 2021-2027. The next multiannual budget needs to include sufficient resources to modernise these infrastructures. Secondly, we need to make better use of innovation and technology to prevent and address leaks. Thirdly, we need concrete actions to assess the severity of pollution risks, droughts, measure impacts and prevent future risks. Finally, we need to give more support to farmers, in recognition of their significant efforts to improve water quality, alongside their daily efforts to provide us with quality agricultural products. Water is not just a natural resource. It is a foundation for public health, agricultural production and life itself. It is imperative, therefore, to formulate a strategy that does not stay in words, but invests in prevention, innovation, resilience.

Mr President, first of all, I would like to thank my colleagues for their vote. According to Rule 60(4), I request the referral back for interinstitutional negotiations.

Madam President, with the third legislative text of the 'one substance, one assessment' package, we are taking an essential complementary regulatory step towards improving the safety of chemicals, protecting the environment and strengthening the competitiveness of European industry. This proposal is a milestone to ensure harmonised and science-based assessments, as well as effective cooperation between European agencies dealing with chemicals. One of the key points of this regulation is harmonisation in the management and evaluation of chemicals between different European organisations. By simplifying procedures and eliminating unnecessary duplication, we can increase efficiency, enhance predictability and reduce administrative burden. This will not only benefit the citizens of the European Union by ensuring higher security standards, but will also help businesses by providing greater clarity and stability in administrative procedures. However, in the process of redefining responsibilities, we must ensure that no single organisation, such as ECHA, is burdened with additional excessive responsibilities. The redistribution of responsibilities between the different agencies should be balanced, taking into account the specificity and individual tasks assigned to them. This will maintain scientific excellence while preventing delays in evaluations and decision-making. Under this proposal, we agreed that in case of significant scientific divergences in opinions, especially when a national authority is involved, there must be a structured cooperation mechanism. European agencies and national authorities should be obliged to cooperate either by resolving their disputes or by publishing a joint document clarifying scientific uncertainties. Transparency must be at the heart of this process, ensuring that all relevant scientific discussions are public and accessible. In cases where discrepancies are identified and additional information is required, it is crucial to define a clear procedure and realistic time frames for providing the necessary data. Ladies and gentlemen, this regulation is an important step towards a more coherent, effective, predictable and science-based chemicals policy in the European Union. It enhances cooperation between relevant organisations, ensures a fair distribution of their competences, and promotes transparency and public trust in the decision-making process. I urge you to support this regulation, too, to further strengthen our regulatory framework for the safety of chemicals, to protect public health and the environment, and to provide businesses with a clearer and more predictable regulatory environment.

Madam President, tomorrow we are voting, ladies and gentlemen, for a crucial directive that will significantly strengthen the role of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in ensuring the safe management of chemicals in the European Union. The redefinition of scientific and technical responsibilities is a step towards greater efficiency, transparency and scientific validity in chemical assessments and management to match our ambition for a safer and more competitive Europe. I believe that you share my view that ECHA needs a basic operating regulation to ensure its suitability and ability to deliver on the European Union’s objectives of safe management of chemicals, public health and environmental protection, while supporting the competitiveness of industry. A clear legal framework will allow the Agency to smoothly and effectively integrate its new and expanded competences. However, we must recognise the significant impact that this reform will have on the functioning of ECHA. Its responsibilities will need to be restructured so that it can manage the increased workload without compromising the quality, accuracy and timely completion of the evaluations of the Scientific Committees it supervises. The success of this initiative depends on careful planning and adequate resources. That is why, in the compromise proposal we have agreed, we are extending the transitional adjustment period to 18 months instead of the 12 months originally envisaged in the Commission's proposal. This adaptation is particularly important as no financial and human resources are yet available for ECHA’s additional responsibilities, until the adoption and entry into force of the legal text. A longer transition period will allow the Agency to gradually adapt, avoid turbulence and maintain high-quality assessments. In addition, the Commission should regularly monitor ECHA’s workload and resources. Given the additional responsibilities conferred on it through this proposal, it is necessary for the Commission to assess the needs of the Agency and, where necessary, propose legislative measures to adapt its resources and improve the governance of its scientific committees, ensuring its effective functioning. Dear colleagues, this proposal, after very intensive consultation, has received broad support from the political groups, represents a well-balanced and sustainable solution for the future, and provides a clear framework for ECHA's expanded role in the regulatory framework for chemicals in the EU. By improving the decision-making process, strengthening the regulatory framework and implementing adequate transitional measures, we safeguard public health, protect citizens and the environment, and at the same time support the competitiveness of European industry. I therefore call on you to support this proposal as part of the 'one substance, one assessment' package.