Speeches

Tax evasion by large enterprises is a major global problem. Not only does this affect domestic public finances, but it also causes social inequality and injustice in the markets. In recent years, it has been revealed that the Silicon Valley giants had taken advantage of tax loopholes and avoided USD 100 billion in taxes. Moreover, the EU loses almost EUR 50-70 billion euros in tax revenues each year for the same reason. I am pleased that we have managed to complete the work we started in 2016 in order to promote country-by-country tax reporting in the European Union. However, this is only the beginning, and leaves room for improvement. For instance, I would have liked to have seen more emphasis put on the reporting requirements of non-EU countries, especially those on black and grey lists. In essence, we aim to create a level playing field for companies, not to complicate the work of companies that already prudently comply with the tax rules set. Nevertheless, I am confident that these specific shortcomings will be corrected in the future. In addition, the European Parliament is firm about the fact that we need a new and revised directive. The most important thing is to take the first step now.

Madam President, fur is out of fashion. There is no demand in European markets, so the majority of production is exported to Russia and China. There's clear people signalling all over the world and in Europe that fur is not acceptable. Fur is not economic. The direct and indirect expenses to society exceed substantially and are unproductive to our societies. We are using, in various forms, direct and indirect subsidies to fur farming, and the fur farmers are not doing that well. Actually, they should be deliberately forced out of their work because there are much better working possibilities and futures they could achieve with some transitional support and maybe education. But the last point, of course, is the ethical aspect. Do we have the right to torture animals ‑ because this is indeed animal torture ‑ without any good reason or purpose, just for the vanity? This is not normal living of these animals, and there is no possibility to create that kind of natural conditions and habitats for them in case of farming. So I'm just asking, to conclude, when does the Commission consider to come with the answer and hopefully the prevention of fur farming?

Mr President, Belém was an underachievement. But now the EU needs to lead bravely among the 100 countries that have committed to act on climate change. Because when science and politics collide, science will always win. When facts and opinions collide, the facts don't change. And if opinions don't, the result is going to be bad. The costs are tenfold more than any investment we should be making at the moment to slow down climate change. We would need to ban, of course, the use of fossil fuels. We would need to speed up the circular economy. We would need to act on supergrids and renewable energies in Europe. We know the problem, we know what to do, and we even have the money because only less than 5 % is in sustainable finance. Now the question is: is the Commission bold enough and brave enough to act against the political populism?

Mr President, this is a good report which focuses on the increased challenges to security policy, competition for raw materials and the need for the EU to have a stronger Arctic policy and presence. However, I would have liked the report to have been three things more vigorous. Environmental issues are mentioned, but the Arctic EIA, which was in the previous report and the basis for importing raw materials from the Arctic into the EU, is lacking. Equally, the rights of indigenous peoples and the principle that land use in their territories is not carried out without their consent, as well as the requirement that the Sámi, the only indigenous people in the EU, have their own representation in the EU, are lacking. And yes, it would also be worthwhile for the EU to say more strongly that we are still behind the policy that the Arctic is a heritage of public good, peace and research, which we will defend beyond local militant crises.