Debate contributions by Francisco José MILLÁN MON

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.

Mr President, investment in transport infrastructure is essential in order to promote Europe's territorial, economic and social cohesion and also security issues in this very difficult context. I, who am from a peripheral region like Galicia, know that investments in infrastructure are essential. We must make the most of the opportunities of the trans-European network. We need to increase the basic networks, for example in the Atlantic Corridor. It is regrettable that such a strategic infrastructure as the Vigo-Porto connection is postponed until 2040. Despite the momentum from the European Parliament, the lack of ambition of the Spanish Presidency in trilogues in 2023 unfortunately prevented this rail section in Galicia from being included in the core network. I also ask Member States for ambition. The Spanish Government must inform the regions concerned of the specific details of the so-called Atlantic Corridor Master Plan in a transparent manner and in good faith. And I also ask the French Government for ambition. Although the connection between Bordeaux and the Spanish Basque Country is part of the core network, it appears that the French government is postponing its completion until 2042. Without this Spanish-French connection, the Atlantic Corridor will not be able to reach its full potential.

Mr President, Commissioner, fisheries must be at the heart of the oceans pact. The pact is an opportunity to coherently integrate all areas of the blue economy, including fisheries and aquaculture. They are strategic sectors for our food security. The sea-industry chain in Europe employs many thousands of workers and is part of the identity and prosperity of many coastal communities. It is therefore essential to ensure the prosperity and competitiveness of European fishermen. The pact must ensure a balance between the three dimensions of sustainability: environmental, economic and social. We all want healthy oceans in partnership with fisheries, not against them. I remember that European fishing is the most regulated in the world. Europe's sea-industry chain wants there to be a level playing field and control of the many imports from third countries, which often do not meet European standards. The protection and governance of the oceans, the defence of our fishermen, the fight against illegal fishing and against plastics and other causes of marine pollution: All that requires is active diplomacy on the part of the European Union at the forthcoming Nice Conference, in all the international fora concerned and also in the so-called RFMOs, Commissioner.

Mr President, cohesion policy is a fundamental pillar of the European Union. It is essential to reduce divergences between countries and regions. In Galicia, my region, for example, cohesion funds have allowed us to modernise our economy and greatly improve our infrastructure. And Galicia and its government are a model in the execution of European funds. With a view to cohesion policy after 2027, I would like to share two ideas. Firstly, we need to keep the budget allocation for cohesion policy at a similar level to the current one. It is true that other EU priorities are currently grabbing the headlines, but these priorities should not be detrimental to cohesion policy. Otherwise, we could hinder the balanced and harmonious development of the Union and its states and regions. And secondly, we need to preserve the role of regions in the design and implementation of cohesion. In the same vein, the Council said last week that centralisation would be a mistake. Unfortunately, we have seen it in Spain with the failure in the implementation of Next Generation EU funds. Regional governments know first-hand the needs of their regions. This knowledge must be harnessed.

Madam President, first of all, I congratulate the rapporteurs on their comprehensive reports, which provide a diagnosis of our foreign and security policy and also outline a roadmap to follow. We live in a new global scenario marked by profound uncertainty. I want to dwell on three brief ideas. First, we must continue our strong support for Ukraine. We need peace, but it has to be a just and lasting peace. Russia is the aggressor, and now it puts all the obstacles to peace. It does not negotiate in good faith, as the High Representative has just warned. Secondly, in the current global context, it is essential to strengthen European defence, as our citizens demand according to the latest Eurobarometer. This requires increasing defence spending and increasing our capabilities, improving standardisation and coordination, strengthening our industrial base and reducing dependencies. Thirdly, in such a turbulent world, we must try to preserve the transatlantic link based on a very deep integration of our economies and on common values. But we also have to diversify our relations, as for example now by deepening them with Mercosur. This is the time to make decisions on foreign policy and, in particular, on defence.

Madam President, Europe is a continent of culture, especially of cultural heritage, a true hallmark. The EU countries host the largest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites. I hope that the cultural compass, Commissioner, will devote an important place to the preservation of Europe's cultural heritage, which must be a priority for all the administrations concerned, including the European one. With regard to European funding for the preservation of this heritage, I believe that, in the face of the fragmentation of this funding today, it would be useful for us to study the desirability of creating a specific European fund that contributes to the protection of our cultural heritage. I would also like to stress the need for the Union to increase its cooperation with the so-called European cultural routes, a very successful programme of the Council of Europe since 1987, when the Caminos de Santiago were declared the first European cultural route. Since then and until today, there are already forty-seven recognized cultural itineraries. These itineraries contribute to the preservation of heritage and are testimony to a grassroots cultural community, which is at the foundation of the integration process.

Mr President, farmers and fishermen play a crucial role in our food security. However, we are all aware of the unrest in the agricultural sector, also in the fisheries sector, which complains of excessive bureaucracy, of many restrictions, of the difficulty of getting the so-called level playing field. This malaise has recently been externalised with regard to the Mercosur Agreement, but it basically reflects the discontent with the unbalanced agricultural policy that the Commission carried out especially in the last legislature. I believe that you, Commissioner, certainly represent a very positive change. And the first thing we need to do is to make European rules more flexible and also reduce red tape and remove certain restrictions. But I want to insist on another point. Food security is not just an agricultural issue. You mentioned the fishermen, and I celebrate you. Fishing and aquaculture are vital: provide a very nutritious protein source with a low carbon footprint. I regret that this sector has taken a somewhat marginal place in the so-called 'vision for agriculture and food' and I would like it to be fully represented...

Mr Pennelle, if you have listened well to me – perhaps you have had translation problems – I have insisted that we must talk to our farmers and many farmers and explain to them the reality of the Agreement, the existing quotas, the safeguard clauses, the compensation measures to be taken, and also that we must carry out reforms – as I have asked the Commissioner – in our internal legislation because I know very well that the agricultural and livestock sector has suffered from overregulation, the product of a few years where competitiveness has not been taken into account. And that is why I hope – and I have told the Commissioner and I hope you have heard – that the Compass for Competitiveness will also target and benefit farmers. They're fed up with gold-plating. It's the only point where I agree with you.

Madam President, the international community is in a situation of fragmentation, increasing polarisation, an abundance of conflicts and the rise of protectionism. In this context, it is opportune for the European Union to strengthen political and economic relations with the Mercosur countries, with which we share so many ties. They are our natural allies. We do not yet have the final version of the political dialogue and cooperation part of the agreement, Commissioner, but I understand that it establishes institutional mechanisms that will strengthen our political relations and address common challenges and global challenges, from the fight against drug trafficking to climate change, in a more coordinated way. The agreement with Mercosur will also help us to contain China's significant presence in the region. The economic and trade dimension of the Agreement offers many opportunities for European businesses. Indeed, the Agreement marks the end of the traditional protectionist policy of economies as large as Brazil's and Argentina's and will thus facilitate the access of European products and our companies to Mercosur. We need a permanent dialogue with the sectors that fear being harmed, particularly livestock farmers and many farmers. It is necessary to explain the real scope of the agreement, quotas, safeguard clauses, possible compensatory measures, and also to advance, internally in the Union, in reforms that reduce bureaucracy and simplify legislation, and thus facilitate the work and ensure the competitiveness of sectors that have been victims of genuine gold-plating in these years. I hope that the Compass for Competitiveness, Commissioner, will also contribute to this. There's still work to be done.

Mr. President, for years in Nicaragua the Ortega y Murillo dictatorship has been cruelly persecuting opponents, independent media, civil society and also the Catholic Church, even stripping those who dissent of their nationality. The recent constitutional reform, as has already been said, further consolidates its absolute power: We cannot look the other way, we have to help the Nicaraguan people, who want to regain their freedom in a context of enormous difficulties. There are steps that the European Union can and must take that this House has been demanding for a long time and tomorrow it will reclaim almost unanimously. First, more sanctions that include Daniel Ortega and his inner circle: We must not penalize the Nicaraguan people, but we must penalize the oppressive oligarchy. Secondly, to promote an investigation by the International Criminal Court into Nicaragua and Ortega for crimes against humanity. And thirdly, the activation, as has been said, of the so-called "democratic clause" of the Association Agreement. I understand that, with the full entry into force of the agreement, the formal difficulties that hindered this step, the application of the democratic clause, have already disappeared. The European External Action Service and the Council should take this step seriously. And I finish: I want to recall once again the Ortega regime's close ties with Russia, Venezuela, Cuba and Iran. What fellows!

Madam President, Commissioner, thank you for the information you have given us. I regret that the Busan negotiations have failed. I would like to see a text finally reached this year 2025. Plastic pollution is one of the main problems of the environment and, in particular, of the marine environment. As I said in this House last November, it is essential that we are ambitious, particularly with regard to microplastics. The maritime transport of plastics must be regulated in a stricter way to avoid losses and discharges from plastic farms or pellets. In this area, as you said, Commissioner, we are making progress at European level: Both Parliament in its position of April last year and the Council last December go beyond the Commission proposal and include maritime transport in the regulation on pellets. I hope that this progress will also be consolidated in the forthcoming trilogues. But we know that European regulation is not enough: We must involve the entire international community. To this end, we must work firmly both within the framework of the United Nations Agreement and within the International Maritime Organization. And I would like you, Commissioner, to tell us how the work on pellets is doing within the IMO.

Mr. President, the elections in Venezuela had a clear result: the victory of President Edmundo González Urrutia and the democratic forces led by María Corina Machado. But power remains in the hands of Maduro's illegitimate regime and his clique, including the military leadership and the repressive apparatus, favored by corruption and drug trafficking. They are also supported by the most authoritarian regimes: Cuba, Nicaragua, Russia, Iran. We need to continue to support the winners of the elections. I think it is essential for the Union to coordinate with the countries of Latin America, since the vast majority today know the clearly repressive nature of the Maduro regime, and we must work together with the new US administration, especially with the new Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. I hope that the European External Action Service and the Council will react strongly. European sanctions against the Venezuelan regime must be strengthened, taking into account the much broader list of people sanctioned by the United States. We must also support the International Criminal Court in its proceedings against Maduro. The Venezuelan people deserve our attention and our help more than ever. The European Union must be a clear ally of the Democrats, not the tyrants. Nor should it hide in neutrality or indifference.

Mr President, the United States occupies a central place in the global international order and is the European Union's most important partner. Our economic and trade relationship is very strong, and so is our security and defence relationship. This is an essential aspect that we must preserve in today's world, where conflicts are growing and the use of force is increasing, as shown by the Russian aggression against Ukraine. With Trump, a new stage opens. The European Union must strive for a good relationship with the US administration, whatever its political colour. Let us try to agree on a positive agenda in the economic and trade field, and also in the energy field, in order to further strengthen the transatlantic economy. A trade war benefits no one and, in the end, would penalize citizens on both sides of the Atlantic. It is much more what unites us than what separates us from the United States. The moment requires a constructive attitude, but it also demands the unity of Europeans. We must not divide in search of individual arrangements with Washington. The European Union must be united and also know how to defend its interests and principles at this new stage.