Speeches

The next vote is on the continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu (see minutes, item 6.3).

The next vote is on the repression by the Ortega‑Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular (see minutes, item 6.2).

Is there any opposition to the oral amendment? Yes. So the oral amendment cannot be taken, based on the opposition of the Members. The resolution is adopted (see minutes, item 6.1).

Colleagues, I think we have to resume the discussion on this topic. There was another request for a point of order but, of course, being on the same topic, I think we have to not transform this into a new debate. The last intervention on a point of order is on another topic.

We will continue, dear colleagues. I would like to inform the House that I have received requests for points of order. Let us respect the timing.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the security of Europe's digital infrastructure is a national security priority. The European Union cannot afford to be vulnerable or dependent. Today, we must ask ourselves whether we are truly prepared to protect our digital sovereignty. Almost 70% of equipment essential for European telecommunications networks comes from outside the Union, and many Member States continue to use technologies developed by companies considered a security risk. We're exposed to major threats. Romania was one of the states that decided to limit access to their telecommunications infrastructure. Member States can and must act to protect themselves, but it is not enough for only a few countries to take action. I call on the European Commission to propose a European fund for the security of digital infrastructure, a common regulatory framework for access to networks, massive investments in European alternatives. If we do not act now, we will pay a much higher price in the future.

The next meeting will take place tomorrow, Thursday 13 February 2025, at 9 a.m. The agenda has been published and is available on the European Parliament's website.

Madam Vice-President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, Europe can no longer afford to stand still. The European Competitiveness Compass must not be just a beautifully drafted document. We need a real action plan that brings investment, support for education and skills training, support for SMEs and concrete solutions for innovation and reducing economic disparities. All Member States must have equal access to resources. According to the European Court of Auditors, Eastern European countries received only 7.2 % of the total funding allocated under the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. For example, Romania, which is one of the fastest growing economies in the EU, attracted only 0.46% of the total funds available under this programme. We need to correct this imbalance. If we want a strong Europe, we must invest smartly and make sure that no country is left behind. Europe's competitiveness is built together through courageous decisions and concrete actions.

Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, the shortage of medical staff is a critical issue. There are currently 1.2 million doctors and nurses missing across Europe. The situation has worsened due to the pandemic and the ageing of the population. Romania is one of the most affected states, although we train an important number of professionals in the field. More than 15,000 doctors and more than 50,000 nurses have left the country in recent years. The exodus has affected the quality of health services, increased waiting times and led to a shortage of services essential for the health of the population. We need a programme for returning home and one that facilitates mobility to disadvantaged areas. In rural areas, about 400 localities in Romania do not have access to a family doctor, and hospitals face a major shortage of specialists in critical areas such as anesthesia and intensive care. I am not currently satisfied with the reaction that the European Commission has had so far, but I am convinced that together with the new European Commissioner we will find the best solutions, because we must act at European level to create decent working conditions for medical staff and ensure that we cope with this shortage of medical resources.

Mr President, let us buy locally, let us support producers and farmers - that is what I was saying a few years ago, also here in the European Parliament. Meanwhile, we promoted a petition approved by the European Parliament, questioned the committee, amended the legislation, obtained additional European funds for Romanian farmers and producers, and improved the rights of supermarket workers and those working for online platforms. The extremists in Romania were silent then and were shopping in luxury stores. They still don't come up with any viable solution, copying and climbing on a European trend that they don't even understand. Beyond the noise of sovereign Eurosugatives, we have a responsibility to focus on solutions: fewer intermediaries, access for small producers to supermarkets, no shelf fees, support for local brands, less bureaucracy and higher subsidies for farmers. Only through common measures at European level can we support small farmers. Let us not approach this subject with populism! Let's focus on real solutions for people!

The next item is the Commission statement, "The failure of the Busan negotiations on a UN Plastics Treaty and the urgent need to tackle plastic pollution at international and Union level" (2025/2508(RSP)). So, as I said, we move to the next debate, and I announced the name of the debate, at the same time politely asking Commissioner Brunner to take the floor on behalf of the Commission, if you are ready, Commissioner? He's always ready!

The Rules are clear. Of course, where colleagues appeal to those respective Rules, as I said earlier, we take note of the considerations and the requests made. We will address the issue to the Bureau, and the Bureau will make a decision on this request. If there are similar requests on other speeches, anyone can do it. But, of course, please refer to the Rules. And in this case, the Rules are clear. Let's try, of course, to respect the Rules of this House, all of us.

Thank you for raising the issue. According to the Rules, I will inform the Bureau about your request. A decision will be made according to the Rules of Procedure and we will inform you of the decision that was made by the Bureau.

The services also instructed me to come back to the point of order. I just want to mention that we are not allowed to have questions addressed to the first round of political group speakers, but to come to the point of order, Ms García Hermida-Van Der Walle, please, you have to mention, according to the Rules, of course, the Rule that you refer to.

The next item is the Commission statement "Tackling the demographic challenges facing the EU: steps towards the implementation of the Demography Toolbox 2023" (2024/3016(RSP)), and we start with an initial intervention by the European Commission, Commissioner Šuica.