8η κοινοβουλευτική περίοδος Lieve WIERINCK

. – I voted in favour, considering the interests of both parties to establish close and dynamic cooperation to meet the present and future challenges posed by serious crime, particularly organised crime and terrorism, and to facilitate the coordination of investigations and prosecutions covering the territory of Denmark and one or more of the other Member States of the European Union.

. – I voted in favour. The European Defence Fund has the potential to enhance EU integration in this field, while helping EU Member States spend taxpayers’ money more efficiently by reducing duplication. We need a European Union that protects and defends its citizens. Enhanced collaboration on research in defence and the joint development of capabilities will help to secure the EU’s strategic autonomy and the competitiveness of our industries.

. – I voted in favour. The InvestEU Programme will bring together under one roof the multitude of EU financial instruments currently available to support investment in the EU. This will make funding for investment projects in Europe simpler, more efficient and more flexible. The InvestEU Fund will be market-based and demand-driven. By crowding-in private investors, it will help achieve the EU’s ambitious goals in sustainability, scientific excellence and economic growth.

. – I voted in favour. EDCs are a class of chemicals commonly found throughout our environment in children’s products, food containers, personal care products, pesticides and furniture. These hazardous substances alter the functioning of the hormonal system, having a negative effect on the health of humans and animals. A robust Union framework on will lay the foundations for a non-toxic circular economy, encouraging industrial innovation through safer substitution.

. – I voted in favour. This protocol will enable Denmark to participate in the law enforcement access components of Eurodac in order to support and strengthen police cooperation between the competent authorities of the Member States and those of Denmark for the prevention, detection and investigation of terrorist offences and other serious criminal offences. That way, the protocol will establish legally binding rights and obligations to ensure the effective participation of Denmark in the law enforcement elements of Regulation (EU) No 603/2013.

. – I voted in favour. This proposal lays down the rules for participation and dissemination of results applicable to indirect actions carried out under the programme and establishes the framework for EU support for research and innovation activities. The programme will deliver scientific, technological, economic and societal impact from the European Union’s investments in research and innovation and will strengthen the scientific and technological bases of the European Union as a whole. Research and industry are to deliver on the European Union strategic priorities and policies and contribute to addressing global challenges, including the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.

. – I voted in favour. Research and innovation (R&I) delivers on citizens’ priorities, boosts the European Union’s productivity and competitiveness, and is crucial for sustaining our socio-economic model and values, and enabling solutions that address challenges in a more systematic way. Horizon Europe will deliver scientific, technological, economic and societal impact from the European Union’s investments in research and innovation and will strengthen the scientific and technological bases of the European Union as a whole. Research and industry will deliver on the European Union’s strategic priorities and policies and contribute to addressing global challenges, including the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.

. – I voted in favour. Space-based services and applications are shaping the current and future well-being and security of European citizens, as well as the competitiveness of its industrial base. It is therefore crucial to foster the Space economy so that all Member States, their citizens and their industries, can fully reap the benefits of this Space Programme. In an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment, investing in space must remain an institutional priority to preserve Europe’s leadership, competitiveness, sustainability and autonomy in this strategic domain in the future.

. – I voted in favour. This proposal is the first pan-European digital programme and should be seen as a major step for strengthening and improving Europe leading position. The programme supports the digital transformation of the European economy, industry and society. It shall reinforce Europe’s capacities in key digital technology areas through large-scale deployment and widen their diffusion and uptake in both areas of public interest and private sector.

. – I voted in favour. There is a need to provide quick and joint responses to emerging problems such as tax fraud, tax evasion and tax avoidance, digitalisation and new business models, while at the same time preventing unnecessary administrative burden for citizens and businesses in cross-border transactions. The programme will support tax authorities and taxation in order to improve the functioning of the single market, foster fair competition within the Union, and protect the financial and economic interests of the Union and its Member States, including against tax fraud, tax evasion and aggressive tax planning.

. – I voted in favour. The EU should be the global frontrunner for sustainable economic growth and employment. Proper implementation of EU environmental and climate legislation and policy, combined with the requisite funding, is necessary to meet the overarching environment and climate objectives and international commitments of the EU and the Member States. LIFE remains a crucial, effective and efficient financial instrument in order to achieve EU’s environmental objectives.

. – I voted in favour. The programme will contribute to the further development of a European area of freedom, security and justice based on the rule of law, including the independence of judges and impartiality of justice, on mutual recognition, mutual trust and cross border cooperation. Thereby, the programme will also contribute to the development of democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights.

. – I voted in favour. The programme’s aim is to provide sufficient funding to address new challenges to fundamental European values as laid down in Article 2 of the TEU. The proposed financial allocations between 2021 and 2027 would ensure civil society with the necessary support to fight for the promotion of these rights and values. After all, respect for democracy, Rule of Law and fundamental rights is at the core of the European project.

. – I voted in favour. In the new agreement, the institutions acknowledge the need for the alignment of all existing legislation to the legal framework introduced by the Lisbon Treaty, and in particular the need to give high priority to the prompt alignment of all basic acts that still refer to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny.

. – I voted in favour. In a withdrawal scenario, the EU will be in a position to honour its commitments and to continue making payments in 2019 to UK beneficiaries for contracts signed and decisions made before 30 March 2019. This will apply if the UK meets the condition that it will honour its obligations under the 2019 budget and that it accepts the necessary audit checks and controls.

. – I voted in favour. Scientific relations with Russia are based on a long tradition of excellence, a large network between scientists and scientific institutions, and they are underlined by important and well-known achievements in diverse areas of science and their applications. Supporting these relations remains a priority, which is especially relevant under the current political situation. Political sanctions on Russia do not target S&T cooperation, except for certain technological fields related to offshore oil and gas exploration, and military applications.

. – I voted in favour. The aim of the targeted amendment proposed by the EIB is to adapt the Statute of the Bank to reflect an increase in the EIB’s subscribed capital by Poland and Romania. This capital increase compensates only marginally the reduction in the capital of the EIB due to the departure of the United Kingdom. To preserve the EIB’s ability to achieve its policy objectives, the capital shortfall needs to be compensated.

. – I voted in favour. The EU is stepping up its capacity to protect Europe against ever-increasing cyber threats by creating a new structure to pool and network its expertise in cybersecurity research, technology and its industrial development. It is in the EU’s strategic interest to ensure the necessary capacities and capabilities in order to protect the European networks and digital services. Structured pooling and sharing of research capacities will give a real push to the competitiveness of the EU’s cybersecurity industry in relation to global players.

. – I voted in favour. The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is a key EU instrument to promote growth, jobs and competitiveness through targeted infrastructure investment at European level. It will support the development of high performing, sustainable and efficiently interconnected trans-European networks in the fields of transport, energy and digital services.

. – I voted in favour. The new rules will oblige internet companies to swiftly delete terrorist content or disable access after receiving a removal order. In the future all Member States will be required to designate a single judicial or administrative authority to issue such removal orders. Terrorist content online must be tackled but we also must remain practical and create a balance between freedoms and security.