Speeches

Madam President, the so-called ‘European Magnitsky Act’ is a fundamental tool for the swift adoption of sanctions against those responsible for serious human rights violations. However, as important as the adoption of sanctions is that they are enforced and enforced once they are adopted. I therefore welcome the fact that the excellent resolution prepared by David McAllister and Maria Arena emphasises the need for all EU Member States to comply with and implement restrictive measures swiftly and consistently. Full compliance with European sanctions is a key issue because it affects the credibility of the Union. I want to recall the events that occurred in my country, Spain. In January 2020, the Spanish government ignored the ban on entry and transit into European territory that weighs on Delcy Rodríguez, vice president of the Nicolás Maduro regime. As stated in the order of the Spanish Supreme Court of 26 November 2020, the Spanish Government failed to comply with the European sanctions relating to the situation in Venezuela. I welcome the fact that the European Commission has already announced that it will carry out a review of practices that circumvent sanctions, so that dark incidents such as the one at Barajas airport can no longer go unpunished. As I said, the Magnitsky Act is a fundamental instrument in the Union's foreign policy, so it is also necessary for this House to play an active role. I therefore believe that the European Commission and the Council should be accountable to the European Parliament for the adoption of sanctions and also, in particular, for compliance with them.

Madam President, Mr High Representative, in the run-up to the presidential elections in November, the situation in Nicaragua has become untenable. It has already been said: political opponents deprived of their liberty in a totally arbitrary manner, harassment of independent media, adoption of increasingly restrictive and undemocratic laws, torture in prisons. Ortega's regime cruelly clings to power. It's time to be blunt and clear. Ortega and his vice president and wife Murillo have to meet the demands that the opposition and practically the entire international community have been demanding. Resolving the crisis requires dialogue and open negotiation with the opposition. The release of political prisoners is necessary, as well as an end to the repression of the press. The outcome of the November elections cannot be recognised by the European Union unless the rights of the opposition and the transparency of the process are guaranteed through measures such as the independence of the electoral council and the presence of neutral observers. I would like to ask the institutions of the Union, and in particular the European External Action Service, to pay constant attention these months to the events in Nicaragua. It is necessary, in my view, to expand the list of persons to be sanctioned, including policy makers. I also believe that, as this House requested last October, the application of the so-called democratic clause of the Association Agreement must be studied in a way that does not harm the Nicaraguan population. We want for our Nicaraguan brothers the basic rights and principles that Europeans enjoy: freedom, respect for human rights, the rule of law and prosperity. And from here, from this Chamber, we must also contribute to this.

Madam President, the new fund includes many demands from the sea-industry chain in my region – Galicia – to better fish and boost aquaculture and processing. I must congratulate the rapporteur, Gabriel Mato, on this very satisfactory result, and also thank Commissioner Sinkevičius. I particularly welcome the fact that the new EMFAF was born in order to put an end to the bureaucracy, which has traditionally weighed so heavily on its implementation. From now on, all operations that are not expressly prohibited will be allowed and can receive European funds. The EMFAF will contribute to improving living and working conditions on board, a key issue to ensure generational renewal. In addition, for vessels of less than 24 metres in length – most of them in Spain and, of course, in Galicia – the new Fund will be able to finance the purchase of a vessel by young fishermen. It is also great news that, for the first time, shellfishing is included in the definition of artisanal coastal fleet, in order to have a privileged treatment to access European funding. And finally, I welcome the fact that small and medium-sized enterprises in the aquaculture and processing sector can receive direct subsidies.