Debate contributions by Francisco José MILLÁN MON

Madam President, High Representative Kallas, after the fall of dictator Maduro, Venezuela is now experiencing a moment as hopeful as it is crucial. From the European Union we must support those who seek to restore democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights in this country. The necessary democratic transition must be promoted. Venezuelans need to be able to decide their future, as they did in the July 2024 elections. The release of some political prisoners, which has to continue, is certainly a positive step, but very insufficient. Venezuela needs an inclusive dialogue involving the democratic opposition represented by Edmundo González Urrutia and María Corina Machado, clear winners of the 2024 elections with almost 70% of the vote. It is essential for the European Union to maintain regular contact with them and we must also try to coordinate with Washington on the situation in Venezuela. The United States is the indispensable power and we must act proactively to try to influence, even if it is difficult, with our approaches in their positions. From the European Union we have to accompany the Venezuelan people with determination on their path to democracy and freedom.

Mr President, tomorrow's European Council will be very important. I would like to touch on some important issues: First, the next multiannual financial framework seems to me inadequate, both in terms of architecture and size; on fisheries, we would like a specific and well-endowed fund: the cut of 67%, Commissioner, is totally unacceptable. Second, the national security strategy contains mistakes and provocations, but we should not give up effective dialogue with the United States for the benefit of our interests and principles. We have to try to influence Washington's proposals. For example, with regard to peace for Ukraine, it is a question of not being reactive, but proactive, of anticipating ourselves. Moreover, it must be a just, lasting and guaranteed peace. And we must continue to support Ukraine by finding ways to finance it. And thirdly, the European Union needs to make further progress towards strategic autonomy. We've already taken steps. It is also about diversifying our relations and strengthening ties with countries that also share our vision of the world. There is a role for the agreement between the European Union and Mercosur. I hope it can be signed as soon as possible.

Mr President, Commissioner, drug trafficking has become a serious threat to the health and safety of our citizens. Europe is today the world's first cocaine market, which essentially comes from Latin America. The drug largely enters through European ports, especially the Atlantic. Drug trafficking does not understand borders. International cooperation is essential to address this. The recent EU Drugs Strategy is a step in the right direction. Its action plan envisages collaboration with third countries to strengthen port security. We need to increase scanners in ports in Europe and Latin America. I also consider it necessary to carry out a physical inspection of the suspected containers. The recent EU-CELAC Summit adopted the Alliance for Citizen Security, which also underlines the need for cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking, with particular emphasis on port controls. I hope that the Alliance will be a useful tool. Termination: the EU-Mercosur agreement also provides for specific cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking and this fight has to be a priority objective, not only of the security forces, but also of our customs agents.

Madam President, the BBNJ Agreement is an important milestone for the conservation and management of marine diversity on the high seas. I welcome the fact that, beyond the threshold of 60 ratifications, the Agreement will enter into force next January. Tomorrow we will vote on Parliament's position on the directive transposing this agreement and I would like to highlight two points. It is essential to protect the role of regional fisheries management organisations: RFMOs. These have demonstrated their great value in the sustainable management of fisheries. The BBNJ Agreement should not undermine the role of RFMOs, as stated in Parliament’s text in Recital 7 d. This is an important point. On the other hand, I regret that there was no explicit mention of the so-called MECOs – the other effective conservation measures – which was included in the opinion of the Committee on Fisheries. Indeed, conservation does not have to be done exclusively through marine protected areas. MECOs are a useful alternative mechanism that is included in other international instruments. I would like to stress the need to maintain a constant dialogue with the fisheries sector in the implementation of this Agreement.

Mr President, since the last EU-Africa summit – held shortly before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – we have seen an increase in geopolitical tensions and global uncertainty. In this highly polarized context, we must promote a closer partnership with this neighbouring continent, in which, in addition, the presence and influence of other actors, such as China and Russia, is growing. There are several areas where we can strengthen our cooperation: health, education, infrastructure development, digital connectivity or institutional improvement. Likewise, our investments and trade must contribute to economic development and employment on the African continent: This will improve the necessary management of migration flows, a priority objective as well. But all this would be unattainable without security: stability, conflict resolution and the fight against terrorism and organised crime, which are very much present, for example, in the Sahel, are needed. This is a region in a very worrying situation that requires the attention of the summit. The European External Action Service should present its revised strategy for the Sahel as soon as possible. Africa is a neighbouring continent, increasingly populated. Its stability and prosperity have a direct impact on Europe. I hope that the next summit will be fruitful.

Madam President, first of all, I congratulate the rapporteur, my colleague and friend Davor Ivo Stier, on his very balanced report. Like the rapporteur, I believe that, in an international context of great political and economic uncertainty, we need to strengthen our ties with key allies, and Latin America is our natural ally, with which we share deep, numerous and varied ties. This relationship can also now make an important qualitative leap through the agreements with Mercosur and Mexico. In addition, we will advance our strategic autonomy with these agreements. I would like to touch on two more points that are also covered by the report. On the one hand, the denunciation of the dictatorships of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, which must continue to be the object of our condemnation. On the other hand, the necessary cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking, a central concern for many Latin American and European countries. We must intensify our efforts against this scourge and strengthen cooperation between ports through more controls, more inspections, more joint operations, more scanners and more radars, including in Latin American ports. The time for adoption of this report is timely, one month before the next EU-CELAC Summit in Santa Marta. I would like this summit, as has already been said, not to be useless, but to be profitable.

Mr President, the recent trade agreement reached between the European Union and the United States – albeit imperfect – represents a step forward and is preferable to the absence of a common framework or a trade war. Think of the tariffs of 50% of India or 39% of Switzerland. It is not easy to negotiate with the Trump Administration, but we must also bear in mind the security and defense dimension that unites us, in an essential way, with the United States in these difficult times. It is undeniable that the agreed agreement is far from our expectations. It is also very limited, but I think it can bring some certainty to our companies in the face of volatility. The Commission should continue to negotiate for more favourable tariff treatment for other heavily affected sectors such as wine and olive oil. In these pending negotiations, what deadlines are we talking about, Commissioner? Let us not forget, moreover, that our exports now also suffer greatly from the current devaluation of the dollar. Unfortunately, we have very high tariffs on our steel and aluminium: twice as many, for example, as in the United Kingdom. What's going on? To what do you obey this? What about products that have these components? In parallel, we need to diversify our economic and trade relations – I am thinking of Mercosur and Mexico – and also strengthen the internal market.

Mr. President, the deterioration of security in Colombia continues, with a worrying increase in armed violence in recent months. Senator Uribe recently died after the attack on June 7, and in August there were very serious attacks in Cali and Antioquia. Illegal armed groups that increase their power in the country have links to drug trafficking and transnational criminal networks. They are a serious threat to the security and stability of Colombia and other countries in the region. After the peace process, Colombia must not go back to a stage marked by fear and extreme violence. The authorities have a responsibility to prevent this alarming escalation of violence, to ensure the safety of all citizens and electoral candidates and to ensure the effective presence of the State throughout the territory. From the European Union we must continue to help Colombia, a key country in Latin America. In addition, as called for in the resolution that we will vote on Thursday, consideration should be given to the possible inclusion of armed groups in the European list of terrorist organisations. In Colombia it is necessary to reduce polarization and seek consensus. I fear that in this country – as in others in Latin America – there are plenty of visionaries and analysts, when what it needs are leaders and managers. This is a very present idea in the books of a very brilliant Colombian writer, Carlos Granés, which I find very successful. Unfortunately, these types of problems in Latin America also, lately, extend to Europe.

Madam President, cohesion policy is a fundamental pillar of the Union to reduce differences between countries and between regions. For example, in my country, in Galicia, cohesion funds have been essential for economic modernisation and infrastructure development, and Galicia and its government are a model in the implementation of European funds. I would like to mention a couple of points about the European Commission's proposal for the next multiannual financial framework. Firstly, I regret the Commission's centralising proposal, as regional governments know first-hand the needs of subregions, and this knowledge must be harnessed: the Next Generation EU model has not been good. Secondly, I regret the budget cut to cohesion. Cohesion funds are reduced by about 15% compared to the current financial framework. Of course, boosting innovation and competitiveness policies is important, but not in view of reducing support for cohesion policy. And speaking of cuts, I also have to mention the reduction in funding for agriculture and fisheries. Fishing worries me a lot. The Commission proposal only envisages a specific allocation of 2 billion for fisheries compared to 6 billion, a cut of more than 60%. We will work to reverse it, and I hope that the Spanish Government will also work along the same lines.

Your Honor, you had the whole month of August. I don't know if you were there, if you were in Brussels or if you were in other countries: in Chile, Guatemala or Gaza. Where were you? I was there, in the province of Pontevedra, and I was in Santiago in August. Don't worry so much about where I am; I'm always working, and taking care of Galicia. Extinction is a priority for President Rueda, who is spending more than €50 million this year, including also – because it is the day-to-day management of funds – European funds for that purpose. And if you have listened to the debate this morning, you will know the significant number of initiatives by Mr Rueda to continue fighting the fires. More than 3,000 professionals were putting out the fires. There was no lack of means, no lack of prevention, no lack of funds. They are fires that are called sixth generation, extraordinary, which have had to face.

Mr President, I would like to begin by expressing my support for all those affected by the fires in Europe and, especially, in my own country, in Galicia. Southern Europe has suffered unprecedented fires, of great intensity and unpredictable speed and, according to experts, practically out of human extinction capacity. Faced with the false story that some intend to give, the truth is that the media in the Xunta de Galicia - with its president, Alfonso Rueda, at the helm - worked tirelessly and effectively in the fight against fire. But the situation, also climatological, was so extraordinary that even one of the best firefighting services in Europe had many difficulties in containing the advance of the flames. The new climate context requires us to continue learning and adapting for the future. Of course, prevention needs to be improved - indeed, the Xunta de Galicia is spending more than €50 million this year on prevention alone - but we must also be able to react quickly and effectively. Some conclusions, Commissioner, if I may: European funds must ensure a rural future and prevent depopulation, the Union Civil Protection Mechanism must be more agile in its operation, we must strengthen the rescEU instrument and we must strengthen criminal codes against arsonists. Thank you to those who helped the extinction, including the European media, and my deepest rejection of those who want to take advantage of a catastrophe like this to make a political profit and make a noise.

Madam President, Commissioner, it is necessary that in the next multiannual financial framework we have a strong CAP, with direct support, especially for small farmers, family farms and those in mountainous areas. It is also important to maintain the pillar of rural development, which is essential for regions such as my own, Galicia. On the other hand, I welcome the fact, Commissioner, that you are talking about a simpler and less bureaucratic CAP; We in the European People's Party have asked for this on multiple occasions. In addition, the CAP must be adapted to the reality of agriculture in each territory. For example, satellite monitoring – which avoids controls on-site — It can end up being counterproductive. For example, in my land, in Galicia, the small estate and the numerous cloudy days cause numerous monitoring errors. This ends up forcing many farmers to submit claims of remediation, that is, more bureaucracy. And finally, I insist on a flexible CAP. For example, the islands of biodiversity combine very badly with the smallholdings and the climate of my land, Galicia.

Madam President, forest fires require a coordinated response at European level. The so-called Preparation Union seems to me to be an important goal. Of course, we must anticipate, but prevention is not enough: We must also be able to react effectively in extinction. In Spain, the Autonomous Communities responsible for firefighting bear the costs alone. ERDF funds should also be used for extinction, not just for prevention. In this regard, I welcome the boost to the rescEU instrument, which the Commissioner has explained to us, which will provide the European Union with an increasingly large permanent fleet of firefighting, aircraft and helicopters. I'm going to talk about Galicia, which is my land. I can not stop at the falsehoods just spread by a Galician deputy who wants to make forget the failure of the bipartisan government about twenty years ago in the firefighting and that contrasts with the good work of the Xunta de Galicia of the PP. What I want to highlight is that we have in Galicia the Integral Center of Fight against Fire, located in Ourense, exactly in Toén, which is consolidating itself as a true international campus of reference for joint training. This year we will welcome forest firefighters from Estonia and also from the Netherlands.

Mr President, Commissioner, I thank you for the information provided. We are in times of great uncertainty and concern, but fortunately, from what you have told us, it seems that we are already approaching a principle of agreement with the United States. The economic relationship with this country is very intense: trade in goods and also services, large reciprocal investments, energy purchases, important political and defence relations ... I have always thought that it was important to negotiate a comprehensive agreement covering different areas of the economy so that the two parties could make a profit, and not focus exclusively on too specific points. If the UK has reached an agreement and China has a principle of agreement, so can we, as you announce today. An escalation does not interest either party. We need this principle of agreement to be balanced and not to adversely affect sensitive sectors of the European economy or discriminate between countries. In this regard, as a Spanish MEP, I too want to raise my voice in defence of the agri-food sector, which has already been harmed in the past by unfair tariffs. Finally, we need to deepen the diversification of our trade, for example with the Mercosur agreement.

Madam President, the upcoming Summit with China is a good occasion to address bilateral and global issues at the highest level. The bilateral relationship is not going through a good time: We have a huge and growing trade deficit, in large part due to the difficulties of our companies to access the market of China, a China that, in addition, blocks our access to critical minerals while its companies benefit widely from our market. At the Summit we must demand a balanced playing field and advance diversification to other markets while continuing to reduce risk. The Summit will also be a great opportunity to address global challenges: climate change, pandemics, organized crime and drug trafficking, illegal fishing and, of course, peace. China's boundless cooperation with Russia is disappointing. China must actively contribute to peace, not help the aggressor. We must also ensure that our exports of dual-use materiel to China do not end up being converted into Russian weapons. Finally, we live in a very complex world. China, as a great power, must assume its global responsibilities. At the Summit we must insist on this point and also move forward to correct imbalances.

Mr President, Madam High Representative, I join in condemning the assassination attempt on Colombian Senator and pre-candidate Miguel Uribe. A thorough investigation is essential and all those responsible must be brought to justice. Colombia is going through a delicate moment. This terrible attack should be a turning point for all political actors and especially for the authorities. First, the Government must ensure the safety of candidates ahead of next year's presidential elections. Moreover, it is imperative that the existing great political polarization does not increase. I think it is necessary to avoid hate speech, confrontational language and divisive proposals. In this regard, I welcome the initiative of the Archbishop of Bogotá, who gathered yesterday at a table President Petro, the presidents of the legislative chambers, the attorney general and other authorities. It seems to me that at the moment it is a priority for Colombian politicians to focus on the search for broad consensus and also on strengthening and strengthening institutional stability and legality. The European Union must continue to help Colombia, a relevant country which is now also chairing CELAC. We cannot allow the nightmare of the past, extreme violence, to return after the peace process.

Madam President, Commissioner Kadis, I very much welcome the fact that fisheries are at the heart of the European Ocean Pact, which is part of the blue economy, and I also welcome the fact that one of your priorities is to boost the competitiveness of that blue economy. Fisheries and aquaculture are strategic sectors for our food security and we therefore need them to be competitive. It must also be the processing and canning industry, as important in many regions as mine, Galicia, and in many coastal communities. I will focus on a few specific points. First, I welcome the fact that a chapter is devoted to international diplomacy. We need active diplomacy in international fora and regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) in order to achieve the level playing field so desired by European fisheries. Secondly, European funding is essential for fisheries and aquaculture, and I confess that I would have liked a specific mention of the post-2027 EMFAF in the Pact. Thirdly, we need a balance between the protection of the oceans and the competitiveness of fishermen. I therefore welcome the fact that no fishing gear is demonised and that management in marine protected areas is decided on a case-by-case basis. In this regard, I believe, Commissioner, that we should explore the so-called 'other effective area-based conservation measures'.

Madam President, the events of the last few weeks show that Russia, at heart, does not want peace with Ukraine. On the contrary, it puts obstacles, delaying excuses and continues the war with the utmost cruelty. We must stand firm in our commitment to a peace that is just for the Ukrainian people, who are the attacked party. I am talking about a peace that is lasting and complete, that prevents a new Russian invasion in a few years' time. A peace that includes Ukraine – and not one that is imposed on Ukraine – needs to be heard at the negotiating table. In the meantime, we need to further strengthen Ukraine's position. That implies our military, financial, diplomatic and humanitarian support. At the same time, it is necessary to continue to weaken Russia's economic and military capacity. In this regard, I welcome the fact that the European Commission has told us that it has adopted a roadmap to end Russian energy imports. And I think it is good that a new package of sanctions is being prepared. This is essentially about reducing Russia's ability to wage war and putting pressure on Russia to actually make peace. In this war we cannot forget who is the aggressor and who is the aggressor. International leaders traveling to Moscow to commemorate May 9 should keep this in mind. It is about being in Ukraine – and helping Ukraine – not Moscow.

Madam President, the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement with Cuba is eight years old. Unfortunately, the balance sheet is not positive: the political and economic changes that many of us hoped for on the island have unfortunately not taken place; On the contrary, repression against anyone opposed to the regime has intensified, and the economic and social situation has worsened dramatically. Today we have to condemn the arrest again of the opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer, imprisoned again a few days ago. This Parliament had already adopted several resolutions on the Ferrer case, the last one last September. In addition, nearly 800 political prisoners remain in Cuban prisons in inhumane conditions. On the other hand - you said it, Mrs Kallas - at the international level, Cuba remains a main ally of Russia in Latin America and also essential support of the dictatorships of the region. I am afraid, Madam High Representative, that I do not agree with what you have said about the Agreement and its validity. I believe that you should give serious consideration to the pros and cons of suspending the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement with Cuba, as this Parliament called for several times - the last one, by the way, a few months ago, in September 2024.

Mr President, economic relations between the European Union and the United States are the most important in the world. We compute not only trade in goods, but also trade in services and investments. The figures show the great interconnectedness of the two economies for mutual benefit. A tariff war is not good for consumers, nor for workers, nor for companies, nor for the economy in general. It only encourages inflation. An economy as buoyant until months ago as that of the United States registered negative growth of 0.3% last quarter, and it is possible that it will enter into recession this quarter. We must continue the ongoing negotiation with Washington. The European Union must put forward a positive and ambitious agenda for the United States. The agenda should include trade and energy, technology issues, and also address the challenges of trade with China. It is possible to add – why not – public procurement. Too bad we did not conclude the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership ten years ago, Commissioner. Too bad. In parallel, we need to continue diversifying our economic and trade relations through agreements such as Mercosur and Mexico, and negotiations with Asian countries such as India. Let us not forget, Commissioner, to deepen our single market as called for in the Letta report last year.