Speeches

Choosing Europe for science means choosing a future built on knowledge, innovation and resilience. As Vice-President of the European Parliament responsible for the European Parliamentary Research Service, the European Strategy and Policy Assessment System and the Committee for the Future of Science and Technology, I believe that science must be a central pillar of the European project. Europe has the necessary talent, infrastructure and ambition, but in order to become a genuine global leader, we need to demonstrate our commitment through concrete investments. That is why, as the European Parliament's chief negotiator for this year's EU budget, we secured additional funding for research and innovation, reflecting our joint effort to support a science-driven Europe by supporting people, ideas and solutions for the future. We must continue to support programmes such as Horizon Europe, reduce administrative barriers for researchers and ensure fair access for all Member States. It is essential to bring science closer to citizens through transparency, education and open access to knowledge. Let us build together a Europe that believes in knowledge, respects science and supports those who create the future.

The European Union must react to the energy price crisis with a set of measures at EU level that Member States can implement to face the increases. Although the overall gas consumption in Europe has decreased from the peak of over 500 million cubic meters in 2010 to less than 380 million cubic meters in 2020, household owners, that account for almost 30% of EU’s energy consumption, are still finding it difficult to switch to new renewable energy sources and over 35% of them still rely on natural gas. Ambitious measures must be undertaken swiftly to tackle energy poverty and protect the most vulnerable citizens and businesses. A plan must be set up to better coordinate Member States when negotiating gas imports and to provide adequate fast implementable measures such as the ones of the Spanish social democratic government. This energy crisis is not a national issue, and should be a reminder that renewable energy is part of our future, thus the solutions must be at EU level.