Az ülések szó szerinti jegyzőkönyve

2019. július 17., Szerda - Strasbourg

1. Az ülés megnyitása

PRESIDENZA DELL’ON. DAVID MARIA SASSOLI
Presidente

(La seduta è aperta alle 10.04)

2. Viták az emberi jogok, a demokrácia és a jogállamiság megsértésének eseteiről (benyújtott állásfoglalásra irányuló indítványok bejelentése): lásd a jegyzőkönyvet

3. Dokumentumok benyújtása: lásd a jegyzőkönyvet

4. Előirányzatok átcsoportosítása és költségvetési határozatok: lásd a jegyzokönyvet

5. Felhatalmazáson alapuló jogi aktusok (az eljárási szabályzat 111. cikke): lásd a jegyzokönyvet

6. Végrehajtási intézkedések (az eljárási szabályzat 112. cikke): lásd a jegyzokönyvet

7. A Tanács finn elnöksége tevékenységi programjának bemutatása (vita)

  Presidente. – L’ordine del giorno reca le dichiarazioni del Consiglio e della Commissione sulla presentazione del programma di attività della Presidenza finlandese del Consiglio (2019/2687(RSP)).

Saluto la Presidenza finlandese del Consiglio e do subito la parola al presidente Rinne Antti per la sua presentazione.

Un benvenuto naturalmente a tutti i ministri del governo finlandese, siamo contenti che siano oggi con noi in Aula.

  Antti Rinne, President-in-Office of the Council. – Mr President, President of the Commission, honourable Members, I am very pleased to be here among you today. First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the honourable Members on your success in the recent European elections. I am also very pleased that, as a result of yesterday’s vote in Parliament, we now have a new President of the Commission and we can start working together to build a better future for Europe. It is important that the gender balance is now good as we think about the Commission situation.

As the representative of the Finnish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, I would like to stress my full commitment to constructive cooperation with the European Parliament. For this purpose, our Minister for European Affairs, Tytti Tuppurainen, will represent the Council in the plenaries.

The foundations of the European Union were laid in a divided continent ravaged by war. The founders of our Union shared a common vision and belief in the future. The people dreamed of, and had expectations for, peace and stability for the whole continent. In other words, they wanted the unity of Europe.

For many decades now, the EU has fulfilled these expectations. EU cooperation has deepened as the Member States have come to realise that together we are stronger. Nowhere else in the world is there anything to compare with this unique form of cooperation between nations. ‘Unique’ is indeed the right word to describe the story of the European Union. Only 30 years ago, our continent was still divided by barbed wire and walls. Since then, a whole generation has been born and raised who have never known anything other than free movement across borders.

Our continent, which suffered the horrors of war and dictatorship and witnessed a genocide 75 years ago, is now the strongest defender of democracy, human rights and peace in the world. The EU is a living example of how we can learn from the past: that peace overcomes war; that hope is stronger than despair.

In recognition of this unique story, the European Union received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012. Maybe, the peace prize was also meant to be a reminder to us: while keeping the peace, it is now our responsibility to meet new expectations.

For the EU, this unique story is a source of pride. But, as I said, that pride also means we bear great responsibility, as the EU is now the object of these new expectations.

While maintaining stability and peace is still one of the EU’s core tasks, many other big questions remain unanswered. We have all seen that the EU’s values – the rule of law, human rights, equality and democracy – are being challenged. Europe’s economic growth has slowed. This has not only led to growing unemployment and inequality but is also paving the way for the rise of populism and extremism. In this regard, we need to find long-term, comprehensive solutions to migration.

The EU’s unity has also been tested, and will be tested, by the prospect of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal. We believe that it is better to seek answers to complex questions together rather than alone.

For Finland, this is our third presidency of the Council of the European Union. Many things have changed since the previous presidencies in 1999 and 2006. Some things, however, remain the same. One of them is the pragmatic way Finland will run its Council presidency. Another is the close relationship between the presidency and the European Parliament.

In Finland, our Parliament plays a strong role in EU decision-making. The Finnish Parliament has the right – and obligation – to express its views on EU matters that fall within its decision-making powers. We have found this active parliamentary engagement to be very useful, as is the continuous dialogue between government and parliament.

Within the EU, we again have an opportunity to build a close and pragmatic, forward-looking relationship between the EU institutions. I believe we can achieve this and meet the expectations of our citizens by taking the lead in addressing the major challenges ahead.

Finland has just launched its presidency of the Council, and in this role we can make an impact on the future of the EU. That future should be socially, economically and ecologically sustainable. In fact, the slogan for our presidency neatly states this goal: Sustainable Europe – Sustainable Future. To this end, the priorities for the Finnish Presidency are: first, to strengthen the EU’s position as a global leader in climate action; second, to strengthen common values and the rule of law; third, to make the EU more competitive and socially inclusive; and fourth, comprehensively to protect the security of citizens.

A key priority of the Finnish Presidency is the EU’s global leadership on climate action. We already have in place the most ambitious targets among the industrialised economies and we have a binding legal framework that will deliver our current commitments – but we must not stop there. For the European Union, leadership means committing to climate neutrality by 2050.

Our aim is to reach agreement on the main elements of this plan by the end of 2019. As the necessary measures will have an impact on all sectors of society, these measures to tackle climate change must be carried out in a socially sustainable way. We need to boost employment with the help of the bioeconomy and circular economy, for example. This is how we can make the EU the world’s most competitive and socially inclusive low-carbon economy.

The European Union is, first and foremost, a community of values. It is not a store where we can choose a little bit of freedom of speech and human rights, but then decide not to pick up freedom of the press or independent courts. It doesn’t work like that in Western democracies. Human rights, freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law are all values that EU countries commit to as part of their membership. These values belong together. They are the cornerstones of all EU action. But they are not just values, they are a European reality. Because of these values, European societies are safer and more secure, more stable and more prosperous than anywhere else in the world. We Europeans know better than anybody what happens if we lose sight of these values.

For Finland, it is only natural that common values and the rule of law are high priorities on our presidency agenda. We look forward to working together with the European Parliament on these issues. In fact, we have close ties to the European Parliament in another way as well. As some of you may know, the first European Ombudsman, Jacob Söderman, came from Finland. During our first presidency in 1999, leaders agreed on the common priorities for justice and home affairs. We also worked closely together with the European Parliament on the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Respect for the rule of law is not only a matter of protecting the rights of our citizens. It is also a matter of the proper functioning and credibility of the European Union. Our approach is positive and constructive. Finland wishes to improve and strengthen the EU’s rule-of-law toolbox and build cooperation between different entities and parties. The aim is to find better and more efficient ways to ensure respect for the EU’s common values in the Member States and to forestall potential problems. The rule-of-law dialogue in the Council will be evaluated, with the aim of taking it in a more structured and results-oriented direction.

We also need to continue negotiations on how to link the receipt of EU funds more closely with respect for the rule of law. We are aiming at setting up a well-balanced and effective mechanism that will tie EU funding to compliance with the rule of law.

The single market cannot function without its central principles, which are the free movement of persons, goods, services and capital. The single market, rules-based free trade and up-to-date regulations of a high standard, combined with a modern approach to industrial policy, are elements that make the EU collectively competitive. The EU now needs a positive and comprehensive long-term strategy for sustainable growth.

Our two institutions and the Commission can build on the success achieved on the digital economy during the last term. Additionally, our emphasis must be on taking full advantage of research, development, innovation, services and digitalisation. An active industrial policy and development of the service sector and the digital economy will help lay the foundation for a new economy fit for the modern age.

It is clear that well-being and economic policies go hand in hand. The EU works best when we increase people’s well-being and security and reduce inequality. By fostering skills, education and training, and promoting regional and social fairness, as well as gender equality, the EU will create sustainable growth.

The single market, which is at the core of the European Union, should treat all workers fairly. That is why the Finnish Presidency will promote the EU’s social dimension and investments in education, training and skills. We know that new needs arise from new forms of employment and global competition. Our aim should be to make European education, training and research the best in the world.

To do so we need to increase our exchanges of students and other forms of cooperation between educational institutions. We should also explore the possibility of establishing a networked European super-university, based on the existing European Universities Initiative, and substantially strengthening the Erasmus programme. Only by acting together can we defend European values and interests. The EU should aim to be a values-based global leader and defend a rules-based approach in trade.

We also believe that, to be able to tackle the challenges of climate change, population growth and migration management, it is essential for us to support stability and development in Africa. I would like to thank Mr Juncker and the Commission for the excellent work done on the EU-Africa Partnership. The Finnish Presidency will work towards taking the EU-Africa partnership in the direction of greater equality, in a way that benefits both partners. At the same time, EU citizens expect us to protect their security and this should be done comprehensively.

That means making progress on defence cooperation. Digital security and countering hybrid threats, such as disinformation, are also increasingly important. The Finnish Presidency aims to step up the fight against hybrid threats and build the resilience of our societies. We will organise the work of the Council in such a way that we can boost awareness and understanding of what can and must be done, in good cooperation.

The next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is one of the most important issues for the Finnish Presidency. I want to thank the Commission for its balanced proposal to modernising the MFF. Indeed, we must find a balanced solution, which reflects both new priorities and traditional policies that contribute to the common European objectives. That will enable us to meet expectations vis-à-vis the EU and to tackle the challenges I have mentioned here today.

We will facilitate the final stages for reaching the Council MFF deal by the end of the year. In this work, good cooperation with the European Parliament is very important.

In times of difficulty, people are heard to say that the EU should act quickly. We think that what is needed is a stronger EU position as a global leader on climate action, a strengthening of our common values and the rule of law, a more competitive and socially inclusive EU, and comprehensive protection of our citizens’ security. I believe we can meet these expectations through good cooperation with the European Parliament.

(Applause)

  Jyrki Katainen, Vice-President of the Commission. – Mr President, it is a pleasure to be here today on behalf of President Juncker and to participate in this debate on the Finnish Presidency.

But let me first congratulate Ursula von der Leyen on her election by this House as President of the European Commission. I also want to congratulate Members of the European Parliament. In voting yesterday, you instilled the democratic legitimacy in the Presidency of the European Commission that our citizens expect.

Prime Minister, it is a pleasure to see you here today soon after you hosted the College of Commissioners meeting in Helsinki just two weeks ago. As President Juncker said in Helsinki, ‘Europe needs Finland because Finland is pragmatic, down to earth and cool-headed’. That is exactly what we need in the coming months.

Prime Minister, when it comes to the environment you are already leading by example. The European Union is the first major economy to have put in place a legally binding framework to deliver on what we committed to do under the Paris Agreement. We have set ambitious targets for 2030 for greenhouse gas emissions reduction, renewable energy and energy efficiency. Translating the 2030 targets into reality has to be our top priority.

The Commission has also laid out its vision for the EU to become climate-neutral by 2050. Reaching climate neutrality with zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 is not only possible but also economically beneficial. The energy transition will not hurt our economy but, on the contrary, will result in the creation of new jobs, new business opportunities and hundreds of billions of euros per year in reduced air-pollution damages. Finland is showing us the way ahead with the unprecedented ambition of becoming climate-neutral by 2035. I therefore have no doubt that Finland is the right country at the right time to take the European Union forward.

Every part of our economy must pull its weight, and this starts with the financial sector. It is why a key pillar of complementing the capital markets union is the action plan for financing sustainable growth presented by the Commission in 2018. The idea behind the action plan is to help us make a systemic change in investment culture. Sustainability should not be seen as a niche within the financial system. It must define our financial system. I hope that our proposal will be adopted under the Finnish Presidency. It is also why the Commission has proposed that a quarter of the next long—term EU budget should be spent on climate objectives, this more than ever before.

With regard to what I call the ‘industrial leg’ of our climate policy, the circular economy, our work to close the loop is now showing real results, while creating jobs for our citizens. In 2016, sectors relevant to the circular economy employed more than four million workers, 6% more than in 2012. That is the reason why the circular economy must be a solid part of our industrial policy in the future.

We agreed in Sibiu last May that we would provide the Union with the means necessary to attain our objectives. To respect our commitment, we need a swift agreement on the next long—term EU budget. You can count on the support of the Commission to facilitate this process in any way we can. A swift agreement would produce numerous benefits. It would allow us to create tens of thousands of research jobs by 2021, and 100 000 projects funded under cohesion policy would start on time. It would also ensure that in 2021 a million young people can benefit from an Erasmus exchange. So let us send an unambiguous signal of our determination to conclude in the autumn with a modern balanced and unifying package that we can all support.

Prime Minister, we have also injected sustainability into our trade agreements. Today, Europeans benefit from open trade with 72 countries around the world. During this mandate alone, we finalised trade agreements with 15 countries, including Japan, Canada, Singapore and Vietnam, and we have recently concluded an agreement with Mercosur. These deals send a clear message in support of open and fair, sustainable and rules-based trade. First, our agreement with Mercosur, is the biggest agreement we have ever negotiated, creating a rules-based trade area covering 780 million people, with the benefits this will bring to both sides.

But, moreover, it is also an agreement in which each and every country has committed itself to the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement and, in this case, of Brazil. This includes the very significant commitment to stop deforestation in the Amazon. When we talk about rules and values-based trade today, this is what we mean and – yes – we aim to open markets and we are always ready to open our own, but in doing so we set the rules in which trade takes place. Trade for the EU means promoting a rule-based system and playing our part in shaping globalisation according to our values and principles.

Industrial policy should be a key priority for our future. Industrial policy should be based on competitiveness, because competitiveness is the best friend of a generous welfare society. An industrial policy based on deepening the single market, fair trade, investment in innovation and research and development are forward-looking measures to shape our industrial policy and competitiveness. We need to maintain fair competition in the social market economy instead of pursuing protectionism.

Prime Minister, I can say to you in full confidence that the Commission is in total harmony with the priorities of the next Presidency. Sustainability for Finns is part of who you are, and it must be the same for the European Union if we are to have any kind of future at all. I know that, with you, we are in the safest pair of hands in this respect.

This also applies to Finland’s unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law in the Union. By the way, this is the first time that a Member State –any Member State – takes a leading role in this file. At a time when the rule of law is under pressure, I’m pleased to see this issue remains high on the Presidency’s agenda, not only concerning the ongoing procedure under Article 7, but also concerning the strengthening of the overall rule of law framework.

The rule of law is the cornerstone on which all our values rest. It makes us who we are as Europeans. But it is not a given and it can never be taken for granted. Such is the case of course when it comes to the security of the European Union. We must take responsibility for ourselves.

This has been a priority of this Commission since day-one, and today the cooperation we have at the European level is unprecedented. We have witnessed terrorist attacks and cyber attacks, and we have seen interference in our elections and democratic processes.

This Commission has done a lot to protect our citizens offline and online. Europe is by far the safest place to live in the world. But the nature of security issues is changing by the day. We must constantly adapt. So I very much welcome the initiative of the Finnish Presidency in this regard, particularly regarding hybrid threats.

Prime Minister, I really want to wish lots of energy and strength to your work of having the rotating Presidency. I must admit that there are high expectations for the work that you are doing.

  Siegfried Mureşan, on behalf of the PPE Group. – Mr President, Prime Minister, welcome to the European Parliament, welcome on behalf of the EPP Group and best of luck to you in fulfilling your duties over the next six months and bringing the European Union forward.

We are now starting the third Finnish EU Presidency and as we are starting the third Finnish EU Presidency, I still have a vivid memory of the first Finnish EU Presidency in the year 1999. It was the European Council in Helsinki in December 1999 which decided to start EU accession negotiations with six European countries: Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Malta and my country, Romania, were then invited to start EU accession negotiations that paved the way for the unification of Europe and for our way into the European Union and for this I would like to thank you today.

Today, we are also starting the Finnish EU Presidency at a very important moment in time. Just yesterday we voted in favour of the first female President of the European Commission, and it’s a pleasure to debate today with Finland because Finland was the first country in the world to grant full political rights to women. You are an example in gender equality and you are also a leader in Europe when it comes to education, research, innovation, digitalisation, and these are all topics which my group is supporting.

We are also ready to work with you and we are supporting you when it comes to strengthening the single market, to making the European economy more competitive, to safeguarding the external borders of the European Union, and to defending the rule of law. The rule of law is a European value and the citizens of Europe expect the European Union to play an active role in defending this value.

Now I would like to focus on two topics which are both urgent and important.

Firstly, the budget of the European Union for the next seven years. The budget is a primary tool which we, the European Union, have at our disposal to transform our policy priorities into reality. This is why it is important. It is also urgent because the farmers of Europe who receive subsidies from us, the students who receive Erasmus scholarships, the villages, the cities, the regions which receive money for infrastructure and many other things need an answer from us on how much money they will receive, under what circumstances and for which projects. This is why I would kindly ask you to prioritise this dossier, to work with us, with Parliament. We have a position, we are ready to negotiate. We should agree on this file as soon as possible.

On the budget, I would also like to tell you that we do not share one of the approaches of the Finnish Presidency. You are saying funding for cohesion policy should be diminished and this House has said the following: ‘The European Union should do more, so we need a robust budget’. Cohesion is now needed more than ever in Europe. It helps the poorer countries, but it also helps the richer countries; it helps us unleash the potential of our single market; it helps consumers and enterprises in all corners of the European Union. That’s why I say don’t cut funding to cohesion. You will not find a partner in Parliament on this.

My second point, which is also urgent and important, Prime Minister, is the appointment of the first chief European Public Prosecutor of the European Union. We the European Parliament have held a hearing with three candidates. We have held two rounds of votes; in the Budgetary Control (CONT) Committee and in the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) Committee and we have decided that the Prosecutor from Romania, Ms Laura Codruța Kövesi, is the best equipped prosecutor to hold this job. This was also confirmed by a panel of 12 experts, and this is why, Prime Minister, I call upon you, so that the Council gives confirmation of the appointment of Ms Laura Codruța Kövesi as the first European Public Prosecutor. This is urgent and important. This is urgent and important because the citizens of Europe expect us to decisively move forward with EU funds in Europe.

On this note, I would like to wish you all the best for the Finnish Presidency and we’re looking forward to cooperating with you.

  Iratxe García Pérez, en nombre del Grupo S&D. – Señor presidente, en nombre del Grupo de Socialistas y Demócratas quería dar una calurosa bienvenida a Antti Rinne, primer ministro de Finlandia. También deseo trasladarle nuestro sincero agradecimiento por haber presentado una agenda tan ambiciosa para los próximos seis meses. Estamos muy satisfechos con su programa de trabajo. No dude de que trabajaremos con ustedes, codo con codo, por una Europa sostenible.

La primera frase del programa de la Presidencia finlandesa dice mucho sobre su ambición: el fortalecimiento de los valores comunes y el Estado de Derecho, la construcción de una Unión Europea más incluyente y una Europa líder en la lucha contra el cambio climático. Seguro, cuente con nuestra familia política para cumplir esos objetivos fundamentales.

Tiene razón: el denominador común de toda la acción de la Unión Europea debe ser la sostenibilidad. Necesitamos demostrar con hechos que somos capaces de prestar la misma atención al cumplimiento del déficit y al futuro de nuestro planeta. Es hora de actuar. La inacción frente a esos problemas socavará nuestro modo de vida.

Tenemos que responder a las reivindicaciones y a los miedos de millones de adolescentes que han tomado las calles en favor de la lucha contra el cambio climático. Por esa razón, reclamamos una estrategia ambiciosa que nos permita implementar los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de las Naciones Unidas en 2030. Esta propuesta debe incluir una revisión del Semestre Europeo y la adopción de un nuevo pacto sobre desarrollo sostenible que incorpore un conjunto de objetivos e indicadores vinculantes. Este nuevo pacto debe ser jurídicamente vinculante, para asegurarnos de que los objetivos económicos, sociales y ecológicos tienen la misma importancia en el proceso de la toma de decisiones. No se trata de una reivindicación nueva, estas prioridades ya han sido reclamadas por este Parlamento Europeo. Por lo tanto, es hora de actuar.

Los próximos meses serán cruciales para nuestro futuro común, como consecuencia de los cambios institucionales y del Brexit. Esta Presidencia coincide además con la fase final de las negociaciones sobre el marco financiero plurianual. Y en este campo también tenemos que ser ambiciosos, porque uno puede tener una agenda adecuada a sus prioridades, pero si no tiene el presupuesto suficiente para ponerla en marcha, no se podrá hacer realidad. Y por eso necesitamos un presupuesto sólido para el periodo 2021-2027, que satisfaga las necesidades y las expectativas de la ciudadanía, que pueda incorporar los instrumentos de solidaridad necesarios para hacer frente a los desafíos actuales, y por ello no podemos aceptar recortes en la política de cohesión, ni en la política agrícola común.

Además, tenemos que asegurarnos de que nadie se quede atrás, razón última por la que debemos incorporar la dimensión social al proceso de integración europea. Es una cuestión fundamental, la dimensión social. Para el cumplimiento de esta meta debemos poner en marcha un fondo de transición justa y una estrategia global para la lucha contra la pobreza, que saque de la miseria a diez millones de personas en 2024 y a otros quince millones para 2030. Debemos plantearnos objetivos ambiciosos en materia de lucha contra la pobreza. Estos instrumentos supondrán avances fundamentales en la implementación del pilar europeo de derechos sociales, que necesitamos fortalecer.

En esta Europa social, económica y ecológica, sostenible, a la que aspiramos el progreso no puede beneficiar exclusivamente a unos pocos. La economía debe de estar al servicio de la gente. Como consecuencia, también necesitamos una política económica diferente. Esperamos que esta Presidencia ponga en marcha un seguro europeo de desempleo.

La Unión Europea es una comunidad de valores compartidos. Por esa razón apreciamos su compromiso en la defensa del Estado de Derecho y su objetivo de establecer un mecanismo que vincule los fondos de la Unión Europea al cumplimiento de nuestro ordenamiento jurídico. Es una cuestión fundamental sobre la que este Parlamento también se ha pronunciado.

No querría concluir mi intervención sin hacer referencia a un asunto crucial: la igualdad. Acogemos con satisfacción su compromiso en la lucha contra la brecha salarial entre hombres y mujeres, y asimismo esperamos que su Presidencia se comprometa a evaluar el cumplimiento del Convenio de Estambul para prevenir y combatir la lucha contra la violencia de género. Cuente con los socialdemócratas para traer el cambio que nuestros ciudadanos y ciudadanas esperan de Europa.

  Pascal Canfin, au nom du groupe Renew. – Monsieur le Président, Monsieur le Premier ministre, au nom du groupe Renew, je voulais saluer les trois priorités qui sont les vôtres, et qui sont également celles du groupe, et je pense largement partagées par une majorité de ce Parlement européen. Je voulais insister dans le temps qui m'est imparti sur deux dossiers particulièrement importants de votre Présidence.

Le premier dossier, c'est celui de la neutralité carbone. Vous avez une responsabilité historique qui est de convaincre, d'ici la fin de l'année, les pays qui résistent encore sur la neutralité carbone. Vous pouvez compter sur ce Parlement pour vous y aider, à condition évidemment que ce soit de manière juste, car tous les pays n'ont pas le même point de départ et nous voulons une transition écologique qui soit juste. C'est même la condition de son succès.

Par conséquent, vous pouvez compter sur ce Parlement et vous avez cette responsabilité. Nous comptons sur vous et sur votre énergie. Car, sur le climat, nous sommes dans une nouvelle phase. Certes, les objectifs antérieurs de la Commission ont été rappelés par M. Katainen, mais il y a de nouveaux objectifs qui ont été annoncés hier par la nouvelle présidente de la Commission: passer de moins 40 % à moins 55 % d'émissions de gaz à effet de serre, un Green deal dans les cent premiers jours, une loi sur le climat, une banque du climat. Aujourd'hui, les circonstances politiques sont réunies et il se trouve que vous êtes au cœur de ce rendez-vous politique. Vous avez la présidence tournante de l'Union européenne et le groupe Renew compte sur vous, sur votre énergie et sur vos convictions pour faire avancer ce dossier comme jamais.

En ce qui concerne le dossier du budget, qui y est aussi lié, je citerai quelques priorités de notre groupe qui, je pense, sont largement partagées par les autres groupes de la majorité de ce Parlement européen: le maintien du budget de la politique agricole commune, qui va de pair avec la transition écologique de cette politique agricole commune. C'est le grand deal que l'on doit passer à la fois avec les agriculteurs, les territoires et les consommateurs.

Ensuite, la question de la part verte de ce budget. Le Parlement européen veut que nous soyons le plus rapidement possible à 30 % et je pense qu'avec la nouvelle énergie montrée hier par la présidente de la Commission, avec le nouvel objectif de neutralité carbone, nous devons, dès ce MFF [cadre financier pluriannuel], avoir 30 % de dépenses favorables au climat et aller au-delà des objectifs déjà proposés par la Commission, à savoir 25 %.

Le dernier point, c'est les ressources propres. Pour des tas de raisons, nous devons avancer en Europe sur les ressources propres. Il y a un dossier qui peut aboutir, c'est celui de la taxe sur les plastiques comme ressource propre de l'Union européenne. Je sais que les États membres sont proches d'un accord. C'est une position défendue depuis longtemps par le Parlement européen, vous avez la responsabilité de le faire aboutir.

  Ska Keller, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. – Mr President, I welcome the Prime Minister to the European Parliament and to the European scene. Good luck with the Presidency. We’re also happy to hear your priorities, especially the one on the climate because it is very urgent. This is the one and only planet that we have, that we all live on and where we need to make sure that it is also possible to live on it in the future.

While we absolutely share the ambition on the goals – and I think the rest of Europe could learn a lot from Finland in setting very ambitious targets – we all know, of course, that setting ambitious targets is only half – if that – of the job. The real job is in putting very concrete measures into place right now because in order to end up with good and ambitious targets you need to add ‘now’. It’s not enough to just put some numbers for later on into the paper. That’s why I would like to also ask you to push ahead on the reform of the agricultural policy. What we have right now on the table is far from enough to secure biodiversity and climate protection. We need a fresh start here, including with the multiannual financial framework (MFF), where a lot of money is still being put into climate—harmful subsidies. We need a reversion here, we need to make sure that the money that we spend in the European Union is put into places which will help the ecological and social transition, and there we need much more action.

You’ve also mentioned the rule of law and we very much agree with that priority because it’s really urgent. Therefore, I would also urge you to take up the issue of the parliamentary report on Hungary, to discuss it in the Council and to also make sure that Parliament, our rapporteurs, are being invited and are being heard by the Council, by the Member States, and that it doesn’t fall under the carpet.

Refugees are another big issue. Rescue at sea is right now not happening in the Mediterranean and we cannot allow that people are drowning in the Mediterranean and no one is there to help. I think you can lead by example, making sure that even if there is not an agreement of all Member States – which is a pity, it’s a disgrace – still some Member States can go ahead in order to stop this disgraceful and inhumane situation we have right now at our borders.

Lastly, I also want to congratulate Finland for setting a precedent on the issue of transparency as Council. I think in the past we had less interesting precedents being set there, with lobbyism, with sponsorship and I don’t know what. So it’s very good that you are taking a first step and are putting more transparency into lobby meetings. We hope that all the other Member States and the future presidencies can learn from that and that maybe you will also find some space for even more transparency. We would have some ideas if you were interested. Thank you very much and good luck and we’re ready to support you on those issues.

  Laura Huhtasaari, ID-ryhmän puolesta. – Arvoisa puhemies, massiivisen ja laittoman maahanmuuttovyöryn edessä EU on ollut täysin kyvytön toteuttamaan edes perustehtäväänsä eli suojelemaan naisiaan ja lapsiaan. Oulussa tapahtuneet lastenraiskaukset ovat tästä vain yksi järkyttävä esimerkki.

Suomen EU-puheenjohtajakaudella ei vastata eurooppalaisten huoliin hallitsemattoman maahanmuuton suhteen, vaan pahennetaan tilannetta pysyvällä haittasiirtolaisuudella – tätähän Suomen sisäministeri Ohisalo ajaa. Rinteen hallitus ei elä todellisuudessa, vaan monikulturalismin utopiassa. On naiivia ajatella, että jatkuva kehitysavun määrän nostaminen vähentäisi muuttoliikettä Afrikasta Eurooppaan. Suomen tulisi keskittyä Itämeren suojeluun eikä tukea ihmissalakuljetusta Välimerellä.

Ilmastokysymys on tärkeä, ja tähän haasteeseen tulee kyllä vastata järkevällä tavalla puolustaen Suomen ja Euroopan teollisuutta. Suomen tulisi vaatia myös EU:lta esimerkin voimaa ilmastokysymyksessä ja ehdottaa, että lopettaisimme tämän ravaamisen Brysselin ja Strasbourgin välillä. Jos ranskalaiset eivät tähän suostu, niin pysytään sitten täällä Strasbourgissa. Pääasia on, että olisi vain yksi paikka.

Euroopan parlamentissa EU-kriittiset ryhmät on poliittisella eristämisellä ja demonisoimalla suljettu pois d’Hondtin menetelmällä niille kuuluvilta varapuhemiesten ja valiokuntien puheenjohtajien ja varapuheenjohtajien paikoilta. EU-parlamentin on näin toimiessaan turha valittaa oikeusvaltion tilasta eräissä EU-jäsenvaltioissa. EU-parlamentin pitäisi ensin itse noudattaa demokratian henkeä ennen kuin se lähtee neuvomaan muita. On irvokasta puhua samaan aikaan demokratiasta ja sananvapaudesta, kun EU-parlamentti on nimenomaan tuhoamassa niitä molempia heiltä, jotka ovat eri mieltä. Me emme edusta täällä itseämme, me edustamme kansaa. Mikään tekosyy ei oikeuta tällaisiin toimiin, ainakaan totalitarismia ei torjuta totalitarismilla. EU:n tulisi johtaa omalla esimerkillään, ei herroina halliten.

Aikooko Suomi vaatia, että EU: budjetti pienenee ja Suomen nettojäsenmaksuosuus pienenee? Aikooko Suomi vaatia, että EU puolustaisi vapautta, sananvapautta, demokratiaa ja eurooppalaisten ihmisoikeuksia? Olisiko nyt Suomen aika ensimmäistä kertaa ajaa Suomen etua EU:ssa ja nostaa puheenaiheeksi Suomi eikä Afrikka? Täällä on muuten yllättävän vähän europarlamentaarikkoja paikalla. Näin vähän Suomi muuten kiinnostaa EU:ssa.

(Suosionosoituksia)

  Johan Van Overtveldt, namens de ECR-Fractie. – Voorzitter, bedankt premier Rinne voor uw toelichting. En uiteraard ook van mijnentwege alle succes toegewenst met het Finse voorzitterschap. Als voorzitter van de Begrotingscommissie van het Europees Parlement zal ik uiteraard met heel veel aandacht en belangstelling de discussies in de Raad volgen over het meerjarig financieel kader. Het is duidelijk dat iedereen hier snel en degelijk werk zal moeten leveren om tot goede resultaten te komen.

Verder wens ik ook uw aandacht te vragen voor enkele specifieke dossiers. In een vorig leven waren we beiden lid van de Eurogroep, en ik ben het dan ook volledig eens met uw sense of urgency rond de verdere afwerking van de bankenunie en de hele verdere institutionele infrastructuur die nog afgemaakt moet worden rond de monetaire unie.

Uw steun voor een begrotingsinstrument voor de eurozone kan ik echter minder waarderen. Als iedereen het stabiliteitspact naleeft, is er mijns inziens geen behoefte aan een specifieke eurobegroting. Wel noodzakelijk voor de structurele gezondheid van de euro is de snelle realisatie van de kapitaalmarktenunie waar u – als ik het goed begrepen heb – ook werk van wil maken.

Verder zet u stevig in – zo is duidelijk gebleken – op een klimaatneutraal Europa. De omschakeling naar een kringloopeconomie speelt daarbij uiteraard een cruciale rol. Wij pleiten voor een realistisch, haalbaar, betaalbaar en sociaaleconomisch verantwoord klimaatbeleid dat alle technologieën kansen biedt en, sterker nog, technologie en onderzoek centraal stelt. Een gratuit opbod van doelstellingen kan echt niets bijdragen aan het eerbare doel van een klimaatneutraal Europa.

Een ander dossier waar ik speciale aandacht van het Finse voorzitterschap voor vraag, betreft de ontwikkelingen rond de grote technologiebedrijven. De discussie hieromtrent spitst zich zeer sterk toe op de vraag of zij nu voldoende belastingen betalen of niet. Het antwoord daarop is uiteraard nee. Maar dat is een te beperkte discussie. Ik denk dat we die discussie absoluut moeten opentrekken omdat er sprake is van een situatie van monopolie, quasimonopolie, die naar mijn smaak bedreigend is voor de verdere sociaaleconomische ontwikkelingen in onze regio en zelfs wereldwijd.

Tot slot, premier Rinne, vraag ik ook uw aandacht voor de drie verkozen Catalaanse collega’s die tot op vandaag hun zetel in de vergaderzaal niet kunnen opnemen. Ik vind dit bijzonder problematisch en roep u dan ook op om hier actief in te bemiddelen.

  Silvia Modig, GUE/NGL-ryhmän puolesta. – Arvoisa puhemies, Suomen puheenjohtajuusohjelma on mielestäni hyvä ja suomalaisena olen iloinen sen täällä saamasta positiivisesta vastaanotosta. Olen hyvin iloinen siitä, että kaikkien niiden suurten haasteiden keskellä, missä me nyt olemme, Suomi on uskaltanut nostaa ilmastonmuutoksen ja sen ratkaisemisen keskiöön.

Suomen puheenjohtajuus tulee erityisen haasteelliseen aikaan. Meillä on valtavia haasteita – yhteinen pakolaispolitiikka, brexit, äärioikeiston nousu, Euroopan henkinen jakautuminen, oikeusvaltioperiaatteen puolustaminen – samaan aikaan kun meillä aloittaa uusi parlamentti ja uusi komissio.

Mutta tämän kaiken keskellä ilmasto ei saa jäädä jalkoihin. Me puhumme siitä paljon, mutta edelleen me teemme liian vähän. Me puhumme enimmäkseen vuosiluvuista ja me puhumme prosenteista. Aivan liian vähän me puhumme siitä, että ilmastonmuutos on ratkaistava sosiaalisesti oikeudenmukaisesti. Meidän on pystyttävä toteuttamaan yhteiskuntiemme ekologinen jälleenrakennus, uusi ilmastokestävä yhteiskunta. Ja sen muutoksen pitää tapahtua siten, että kaikki pysyvät mukana.

Kansalaisten on koettava ilmastoratkaisut oikeudenmukaisiksi, jotta niitä tuetaan ja jotta niistä ei tule asiaa, joka taas jakaa meitä entisestään. Se tarkoittaa, että eri alueiden erilaisuus on otettava huomioon ja ihmisten tulotasot on otettava huomioon. Niille alueille, joissa ilmastoratkaisut tarkoittavat isoja rakenteellisia muutoksia, on annettava erityistä tukea. Ja jos ja kun tuet ja investoinnit ohjataan oikein, voimme samalla, kun ratkaisemme ilmastonmuutosta, luoda kestävää talouskasvua ja uusia ilmastotyöpaikkoja. Muun muassa kiertotalous on tästä loistava esimerkki, jonka komission varapuheenjohtaja Katainen hyvin nosti esiin. Tässä muun muassa Suomella on paljon annettavaa.

Hiilineutraali EU aivan viimeistään 2050 on myös mahdollisuus, jos me teemme sen oikein. Ja jotta investoinnit ja tuet suuntautuvat oikein, on tärkeää, että me teemme ripeästi ne tarvittavat päätökset, jotta raha suuntautuu oikein. Päästövähennyksiä on kiristettävä, päästökaupan ohjaavuutta on parannettava ja voimistettava ja on mahdollistettava veroratkaisut, jotka ohjaavat niin kulutusta kuin tuotantoa kestävään suuntaan. On perustettava oikeudenmukaisen siirtymän rahasto. Toivottavasti Suomi puheenjohtajakaudellaan tukee tätä vahvasti.

Toisena asiana haluaa nostaa esiin läpinäkyvyyden ja avoimuuden. Eilen me valitsimme komissiolle uuden puheenjohtajan, ja se oli jälleen kerran päätös, joka tehtiin suljettujen ovien takana kabinettipäätöksenä. Euroopan kansalaiset eivät päässeet vaalien kautta siihen vaikuttamaan. Toivottavasti Suomi puheenjohtajana tulee lisäämään neuvoston työskentelyn näkyvyyttä, tuomaan esiin päätösten taustoja, keskusteluja, tuomaan pöytäkirjat avoimeksi ja tekemään kaikesta lobbauksesta ja vaikuttamisesta mahdollisimman avointa. Nämä suljettujen ovien takana tehdyt päätökset ovat osa sitä, minkä takia niin moni kokee EU:n epädemokraattiseksi ja itselleen vieraaksi ja kaukaiseksi eikä omaksensa. Avoimuus ja läpinäkyvyys on aivan keskeistä, jotta tämä yhteinen eurooppalainen projektimme voi jatkua kestävästi.

  Tiziana Beghin (NI). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signor Primo ministro, La ringrazio di essere qui oggi e di confrontarsi con noi sul programma dei prossimi mesi.

Le nostre richieste sono molto semplici. Prima di tutto è necessario risolvere, una volta per tutte, il problema dell'immigrazione e trovare subito un sistema per ripartire i migranti soccorsi in mare e redistribuire i richiedenti asilo. L'Italia non può e non deve farsi carico da sola della frontiera europea.

Allo stesso tempo, le altre grandi priorità: povertà, disoccupazione, corruzione, cambiamento climatico. Il governo italiano ha indicato la via con i suoi provvedimenti per il reddito di cittadinanza, per contratti di lavoro più stabili, lotta alla corruzione e presto per il salario minimo. Ora, però, servono provvedimenti simili a livello europeo.

Ho letto il vostro programma di lavoro, ho ascoltato le sue parole. Vedo che molti punti coincidono con i nostri. Su questi punti, se manterrete gli impegni presi troverete il nostro sostegno, qui in Parlamento.

  Henna Virkkunen (PPE). – Arvoisa puhemies, pääministeri Rinne, kiitos kattavasta puheenvuorosta ja onnea ja menestystä tälle tärkeälle puheenjohtajakaudelle. Erityisen iloinen olen siitä, että Suomi puheenjohtajamaana on vahvasti sitoutunut oikeusvaltioperiaatteeseen. Euroopan unioni ei ole pelkästään talousalue tai sisämarkkina, vaan se on myös arvoyhteisö ja näitä arvoja on puolustettava. On tärkeää, että Euroopan parlamentti ja Euroopan komissio saavat tähän jäsenvaltioiden vahvan tuen, ja on erinomaista, että Suomi on tähän periaatteeseen nyt vahvasti sitoutunut.

Jotta Eurooppa menestyisi myös tulevaisuudessa, Euroopan on uudistuttava. Kuten komission varapuheenjohtaja Katainen painotti, meidän teollisuutemme on uudistuttava. Meidän on investoitava lisää innovaatioihin, digitalisaatioon ja koulutukseen. Vain tätä kautta pystymme vahvistamaan ja varmistamaan kestävän hyvinvoinnin tulevaisuudessa. Mitä konkreettisia aloitteita Suomi aikoo edistää nyt syksyn aikana Euroopan kilpailukyvyn vahvistamiseksi?

VORSITZ: RAINER WIELAND
Vizepräsident

  Eero Heinäluoma (S&D). – Mr President, Mr Prime Minister I congratulate you on the excellent work you have been doing to prepare the programme of the Finnish Presidency. It’s clearly future oriented and, you could say, pro-European. Perhaps it is also a somewhat progressive one. So I’m happy to see you here.

I am especially delighted that you have put two very important issues so high on your agenda: the struggle against climate change and the need to respect the rule of law, also in our own Member States. Here you can count on and trust our support when you are implementing this programme.

However, this programme is not so ambitious when it comes to taxation policy. Today we know that the big multinationals/technology giants are not paying their fair share of the cost of the welfare societies. At the same time, they need all the services, higher education and all the infrastructure to make a profit here in Europe.

The French Government has made some very bold decisions recently and yesterday we saw that the President of the Commission shares the same opinion.

  Elsi Katainen (Renew). – Arvoisa puhemies, arvoisa pääministeri Antti Rinne on todella hienoa nähdä teidät täällä. Onnea ja menestystä teille puheenjohtajuuden haasteisiin! On selvää, että Suomea velvoittaa puheenjohtajana tänä syksynä ennen kaikkea useiden käytännön asioiden hoito, kuten esimerkiksi monivuotiset rahoituskehykset tai maatalouspolitiikan uudistamiseen liittyvät asiat.

Puheenjohtajuuden hankalasta ajankohdasta huolimatta olisin kaivannut aika yleisluonteisiin teemoihin nostoja niihin kysymyksiin, jotka koskettavat yhteistä suurinta haastettamme: ilmastonmuutoksen torjunta ja myös siihen sopeutuminen. Suomella on puheenjohtajamaana aivan poikkeukselliset näytöt siitä, miten metsistä ja pelloilta löytyy ratkaisuja ilmastonmuutoksen torjuntaan, ilman että luonnonvaroja tarvitsisi museoida. Meillä on kokemusta siitä, miten harjoitetaan kestävää metsätaloutta ja kuinka lähes arktisissa oloissa tuotetaan tutkitusti maailman puhtainta ruokaa vähäisellä hiilijalanjäljellä.

Pyytäisin vielä Teitä, pääministeri Rinne, pohtimaan, mitä tältä kaudelta voisi jäädä elämään. Voisiko se olla käytännön läheinen suomalainen tapa harjoittaa maa- ja met... (Puhemies keskeytti puhujan.)

  Ville Niinistö (Verts/ALE). – Mr President, thank you Prime Minister for your rather bold speech on the rule of law and human rights. It’s very timely today, as I would also like to congratulate Finland for the hundred-year anniversary of the form of government in Finland – the Finnish constitution, that gave the Finnish people the right to freedom of expression and political rights. These rights need to be protected today everywhere in Europe. So I wish you success with that and I hope that you raise the current ongoing processes on Article 7 in the Council during your Presidency.

But my main question and my main point is on climate change. The Finnish Government itself wants to take up the discussion on the 55% target to 2030 in emission reductions in Europe and it should be taken up this autumn. It is not enough to discuss the 2050 carbon neutrality target if we want to achieve what we have promised in the Paris Agreement, that is that we are actually limiting global warming to 1.5°. Even the European Union is not doing enough as it is and we should be honest about it: even my home country of Finland is not doing enough. So we need to raise the discussion on the 55% target that von der Leyen yesterday also promised to do in the Commission. This should be taken up this autumn in order for the European Union to be strong in the UN discussions when the Secretary-General is organising a meeting on climate. I hope you raise this issue this autumn in the Council too and ensure that it moves forward.

  Teuvo Hakkarainen (ID). – Arvoisa puhemies, Suomen pääministeri, Suomi puheenjohtajamaana on ohjelmassaan kokonaan unohtanut Euroopan ulkorajojen valvonnan välttämättömyyden. Viimeiset hetket estää Euroopan muuttuminen Afrikaksi ja Lähi-idäksi ovat käsillä. Vihamieliset kulttuurit tulevat väistämättä tuhoamaan nykyisen Euroopan. Eikä tähän välttämättä mene kuin muutama vuosikymmen.

Avatkaa jo silmänne! Rajat on suljettava vaaralliselta maahantunkeutumiselta. Euroopan ja kansallisvaltioiden tehtävänä on huolehtia omistaan eikä ryhtyä kulkuriukkolaumojen elättäjäksi. Suvereenilla valtiolla on oltava oikeus omiin rajatarkastuksiin aina kun se on tarpeen ja niin pitkäksi aikaa kuin se on tarpeen.

(Suosionosoituksia)

  Anna Fotyga (ECR). – Mr President, on the rule of law, diplomacy is still a useful and relevant tool in a mutual relationship between EU Member States. Under your Presidency, which is known for its pragmatism, we have to avoid a hasty, selective and in particular politically biased approach to the issue. I hope that – although invisible – the security and sustainable exploitation of the Baltic Sea is still high on your agenda.

  Martina Anderson (GUE/NGL). – Mr President, Prime Minister Rinne, Britain could crash out of the EU under the Finnish Presidency. Both Hunt and Johnson are saying that the backstop in the Withdrawal Agreement must be removed. Not modified! Not adjusted! But removed! They are heading towards the cliff with both feet firmly on the accelerator.

Many in the North of Ireland look on in horror. We do not want to crash out, or to be dragged out, of the EU. We voted to remain.

Prime Minister Rinne, there is a solution. The EU is committed to upholding the Good Friday Agreement in all of its parts, and that includes the democratic right provided for in the Good Friday Agreement to a referendum on Irish unity. In 2017, the European Council stated that if a democratic process leads to the reunification of Ireland, the North of Ireland will remain, of course, in the EU. Therefore, this Presidency of the Council needs to acknowledge this legitimate pathway for all of Ireland to stay in the EU.

  John David Edward Tennant (NI). – Mr President, I would like to welcome the Prime Minister. Finland’s Presidency of the Council will mark 25 years since the Finnish people voted to join the EU in 1994. But as you celebrate your silver anniversary, the silver is being tarnished. The democratic values that you supported are being eroded as the Commission undermines democracy by, in effect, seeking to annex Northern Ireland against the wishes of the UK. The Commission needs reminding that they are not mentioned in Article 50. It is the Council who are the decision-makers and you hold the symbolic presidency of that Council. The priority of your Presidency is common values and the rule of law. I urge you – be strong, be brave. Stand up for democracy – for our decision to leave. And dare to treat us as friends and neighbours. That is, and always was, the desire of British Eurosceptics. The attitude of the Commission risks the good relations between us. Step up to the plate. Uphold democracy.

(The President cut off the speaker)

  Dolors Montserrat (PPE). – Señor presidente, primer ministro, ayer abrimos una nueva etapa con la primera mujer presidenta de la Comisión. Con su liderazgo femenino continuaremos trabajando por la igualdad real y efectiva de los hombres y de las mujeres en Europa.

El inicio de la Presidencia finlandesa coincide con el inicio de la legislatura, pero también con un momento crucial en la construcción europea. Su objetivo es compartido por nosotros: fortalecer el proyecto europeo. Necesitamos una Europa más fuerte, más unida y más segura.

Por ello, la defensa del Estado de Derecho es fundamental para fortalecer el proyecto europeo. No se puede construir ningún proyecto democrático, ni de libertad ni de igualdad, sin respetar las leyes, las normas que entre todos nos hemos dado. La mejor respuesta, el mejor antídoto para el nacionalismo y el populismo es la defensa del Estado de Derecho de la Unión y de los Estados miembros. Sus aciertos serán nuestros éxitos.

  Birgit Sippel (S&D). – Herr Präsident! Ihre Ratspräsidentschaft ist nicht lang, meine Redezeit noch viel kürzer, und deshalb kurz und knapp: Grundrechteschutz darf kein Lippenbekenntnis sein. Gut, wenn es das Leitmotiv der finnischen Präsidentschaft ist.

Konkret können, ja, müssen Sie nach zwei Jahren endlich die Blockade der E-Privacy-Verordnung aufbrechen. Es ist inakzeptabel, dass Nutzer online ausgespäht und zum Spielball von Facebook und Ad-Trackern werden. E-Privacy, das ist Schutz von Privatleben, Meinungsfreiheit und anderen wichtigen Grundrechten. Und beenden Sie bitte die Blockade der Dublin-Reform. Denn das wäre, ergänzt um reguläre Migrationswege und eine echte Zusammenarbeit mit den Herkunftsstaaten, ein Meilenstein, um unserer Verantwortung gerecht zu werden. Sie haben viel zu tun. Verlieren Sie also keine Zeit. Ich wünsche Ihnen viel Erfolg und freue mich auf die Zusammenarbeit.

  Nils Torvalds (Renew). – Herr talman! Bästa statsminister Rinne! I sitt tal i går använde den nyvalda ordföranden för kommissionen uttrycket ”hundra dagar”. Alla som har sysslat lite med politisk historia vet att uttrycket ”hundra dagar” härstammar från Franklin Delano Roosevelts första tid som Förenta staternas president. Han höll ett tal den 4 mars 1933 inför jättestora utmaningar, och då sa han att han snabbt ska skrida till åtgärder.

Av dina 100 dagar som statsminister har 40 dagar redan gått, vilket betyder att klockan tickar och att vi har ganska bråttom. Därför hoppas vi att ni har så mycket tid som möjligt att ge all energi för att åstadkomma de beslut som vi behöver för att förhindra att klimatkrisen blir allt värre. Avslutningsvis även några ord på finska.

Toivotaan, että teidän aikanne täällä on myötärinnettä eikä vastamäkeä.

  Aileen McLeod (Verts/ALE). – Mr President, as a new Member for Scotland, I congratulate Prime Minister Rinne on putting climate change at the core of Finland’s Presidency programme. Given the scale of the climate emergency we face, I hope Finland will push for more ambitious EU climate change measures and targets, and you have Scotland’s support in doing so. Despite Brexit, Scotland will continue to play its part in safeguarding our planet for future generations. Scotland is a world leader in tackling climate change and we are presently legislating for zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 at the latest, and for our economy to be carbon neutral by 2040. As Scotland’s former climate change minister, who also represented Scotland at the Paris talks, I know that we are stronger and more effective by working together for a more sustainable Europe. Mr President, Prime Minister, colleagues, Scotland is committed to remaining inside the European Union, working with you in tackling the pressing challenges that we face. With that, I wish Finland all the very best for a very successful Presidency.

  Jérôme Rivière (ID). – Monsieur le Président, Monsieur le Premier ministre, le choix de la Présidence finlandaise d'être sponsorisée par une marque de constructeur automobile est tout simplement révoltant. C'est bien cette Union européenne, désormais plus préoccupée par des intérêts financiers et non au service des peuples que nous dénonçons. Alors que l'immigration est la première préoccupation des peuples d'Europe, ce sujet ne figure pas dans vos priorités. Les citoyens des nations européennes doivent savoir que les sous de BMW comptent plus pour cette Présidence que la lutte contre la submersion migratoire.

Quant à la priorité affichée de renforcement des valeurs communes et de l'état de droit, comment la prendre au sérieux? En démocratie, le droit a comme seule source la volonté exprimée par les peuples souverains. En tentant, hier, de mettre au ban les peuples hongrois et polonais, aujourd'hui italien, pour les punir des choix politiques exprimés, vous tentez, trente ans après la chute du mur de Berlin, de mettre en place la théorie de Léonid Brejnev de souveraineté limitée.

Mais, comme l'a démontré hier la majorité étriquée réunie par Mme von der Leyen, votre hypocrisie ne dupe plus grand monde, les jours de cette Union européenne qui voulait s'affranchir des peuples sont désormais comptés.

  Charlie Weimers (ECR). – Herr talman! Ärade statsminister Rinne! Det finska ordförandeskapet understryker i sitt program vikten av att effektivisera återsändandet av personer som vistas olagligt i våra länder. Vänligen informera er partibroder, statsminister Löfven, om detta.

Samtidigt måste vi stoppa den dödliga och lukrativa verksamhet som människosmugglarna bedriver på Medelhavet. Ni har uttalat att signaleffekten, det vill säga möjligheten att med båt komma in i Europa, kan påverka beslutet att lämna hemlandet. Vänligen informera er partibroder, statsminister Löfven, om detta.

Om kvinnorna i al-Hol-lägret som anslutit sig till IS återvänder kommer de enligt er skyddspolis sannolikt att öka terrorhotet i Finland. Är detta orsaken till att ni hittills vägrat konsulär hjälp för deras återvändande? För nog är det så att statlig hjälp med dessa individers hemresa strider mot det nordiska rättsmedvetandet? Herr statsminister, vänligen informera er partibroder, statsminister Löfven, om detta.

  Isabella Adinolfi (NI). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, "Uniti nella diversità" è il motto dell'Unione europea, ma sembriamo averlo dimenticato, pensando invece che sia la normalità che alcuni Stati membri vogliano imporsi su altri.

Adesso più che mai dobbiamo guardare non solo alla crescita economica, ma anche alla crescita culturale, umana e sostenibile dell'Europa.

Sono campana e la mia terra, come il resto del Sud, è stata dimenticata da tutti, ma sono anni che aspettiamo la bonifica di aree contaminate con i rifiuti tossici di tutta Europa, anni che aspettiamo che vengano salvaguardate le nostre eccellenze, anni che aspettiamo tutela per i nostri agricoltori e pescatori.

Occorrono investimenti e programmi che, guardando alle problematiche e alle peculiarità di ogni territorio, vadano a creare quelle opportunità lavorative e di vita, in particolare per i giovani, che possano fermare lo spopolamento e far ripartire l'economia.

Mi auguro che nei prossimi 5 anni, siano questi i punti cardine dell'azione di quest'Aula. Le politiche basate sull'austerità sono state un fallimento pagato a caro prezzo dai cittadini europei.

Adesso cambiare non è più una scelta, ma una necessità.

  Ioan-Rareş Bogdan (PPE). – Excelențele voastre, noi, românii, am dovedit pe 26 mai că suntem hotărâți să apărăm valorile statului de drept, dar așteptăm o dovadă clară a Parlamentului că nu am fost mințiți. Am făcut investiții costisitoare, am securizat frontiera de est a Europei, suntem santinelă a civilizației europene și ni s-a promis clar aderarea la spațiul Schengen. Dar am fost amăgiți. România îndeplinește din 2011 condițiile de aderare și cere ferm ceea ce i se cuvine. Eurosistemul nu-și permite creșterea sentimentelor eurosceptice în România. Țineți cont de asta!

Populiștii români, care mimează valorile statului de drept, se folosesc de respingerea aderării la Schengen pentru a ataca Uniunea Europeană. Una spun aici, alta spun la București. Din fericire, intervențiile Președintelui României și protestele societății civile au blocat atacul împotriva justiției. Cer președinției finlandeze, dar și doamnei Ursula von der Leyen, să se implice în rezolvarea acestei probleme. Nu perpetuați nedreptatea făcută poporului român. Românii au avut a treia prezență la vot la euroalegeri, România merită să fie în Schengen. Este în interesul securității tuturor.

  Miapetra Kumpula-Natri (S&D). – Mr President, dear Prime Minister Rinne, as a Finn I’m happy to see you amongst the European leaders who wants to protect Europeans and European values. I’m delighted to see the Finnish Presidency is prepared to take Europe on the sustainable path forward and not give up, but strengthen and not weaken Europe.

The topics chosen by the Presidency are climate change, putting citizens in focus and promoting a more social Europe, and tightly protecting the rule of law and human rights. These are all timely now.

It is crucial to act now on climate. We can: we are a region of 500 million citizens. The European Parliament wants to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030 and yesterday we heard the same figure from Ursula von der Leyen in this very same Hemicycle.

If the European Union wants to be the global leader in climate action and the global leader in technological solutions to boost jobs, I think that the EU should have a clear and solid message to take and present in September when the United Nations have an extraordinary summit on climate. Would you agree, Prime Minister?

  Luisa Porritt (Renew). – Mr President, Prime Minister, in the past few days, unity has been the consistent message I hear from European representatives, from new Commission President von der Leyen yesterday to yourself today.

Millions of British people agree with the words that you just uttered, but together we are stronger. The priorities you’ve set out in your programme, such as tackling the climate emergency, protecting the rule of law and supporting refugees from around the world, are global challenges that require strong cooperation at the multilateral level.

My country and yours cannot address these issues alone. Your programme says Brexit should not dominate the EU agenda at the expense of other items. I agree and no one is more fatigued by Brexit than us Brits. But we do need time. The ticking clock which is Article 50 has done none of our countries any favours. That is why I appeal to you personally and other European leaders to give us an extension for as long as possible to sort out our own mess. European values are British values ...

(The President cut off the speaker)

  Robert Roos (ECR). – Voorzitter, in het Finse voorzitterschapsprogramma wordt migratie onder het kopje “Andere kwesties” genoemd, maar migratie is momenteel een van de grootste problemen van de EU. In 2018 is twee derde van de asielaanvragen binnen de EU niet gehonoreerd. Geen vluchtelingen dus, maar economische migranten. En mensen verdrinken en dat is verschrikkelijk.

Maar dit komt omdat de EU het verkeerde signaal afgeeft, waardoor de mensen uit Afrika ondanks de grote risico’s de overtocht naar Europa wagen. Het migratieprobleem zorgt voor grote onrust. De verdeling van migranten binnen de EU is mislukt. Het probleem moet bij de wortel worden aangepakt. Het bedrijfsmodel van mensensmokkel moet per direct worden afgebroken. Migranten moeten voordat zij de oversteek kunnen maken, worden teruggestuurd naar het land van herkomst of het veilige land van doorreis.

Is Finland bereid dit probleem aan te pakken, een duidelijk signaal af te geven en de buitengrenzen hermetisch af te sluiten?

  Diane Dodds (NI). – Mr President, I would like to give a warm welcome to the Finnish Presidency team to the House today. As the deadline of 31 October looms, the Finnish Presidency will be dominated, whether you like it or not, by the EU’s response to Brexit. Both candidates in the race to become the new British Prime Minister have rejected the backstop. The backstop, as I have said many times in this House, threatens the constitutional and economic integrity of the United Kingdom. The EU can continue to go down the path of intransigence, promoting a deal that will never make it through the UK Parliament, thereby ensuring no deal. This will of course present serious challenges to the MFF, which is one of your priorities, and ultimately the pockets of European taxpayers. Or it can act in the interests of its own businesses, farmers and citizens by pursuing a more sensible and pragmatic outcome to show that the EU can listen. A solution on the Irish border is possible with political will. But a proposal which imposes trade barriers in the United Kingdom...

(The President cut off the speaker)

  Tomas Tobé (PPE). – Herr talman! Ärade statsminister! Vi ser mycket fram emot det finska ordförandeskapet med en tydlig agenda om att värna rättsstatens principer, öka konkurrenskraften och också med höjda klimatambitioner.

Jag vill även särskilt nämna att vi välkomnar att ni prioriterar Europas säkerhet, vilket är viktigt inte enbart för att kunna bekämpa den gränsöverskridande brottsligheten och terrorhotet utan också för att kunna möta ett alltmer aggressivt agerande från Ryssland. Inför dessa hot är ensam inte stark, och det är viktigt att Europa håller ihop.

Som svensk ledamot är jag så klart också extra glad över att ett grannland nu tar över ordförandeskapet. Vi har mycket gemensamt, och vi önskar er lika stor framgång nu som i årets ishockey-VM. Onnea matkaan!

  Pedro Marques (S&D). – Mr President, Mr Prime Minister, yesterday’s voting at this Parliament resulted in a great push for a swift advance to the European project. Let me point out some of the most urgent dossiers that should be on the table within your presidency.

The MFF – one of the most urgent dossiers. The trilogues are far from the end. The Council has the prerogative to decide, but the European Parliament also has to approve.

There was a resolution from this Parliament with much higher ambition than the Commission proposal. We need to develop our positions rapidly in order to reach an agreement.

The euro. The euro was tested over the last 10 years and the eurozone reform is incomplete. We need to create a real fiscal capacity. We need the stabilisation mechanisms that this group has pushed for in the past and are now part of the programme of the newly elected President of the Commission. We also need the Early Detection and Exclusion System (EDES), to complete the banking union.

Finally, the European Pillar of Social Rights – make it legally binding. That is a clear priority for this group. It is now a priority for the Commission. I wish you all the best, Mr Prime Minister.

  Nicolae Ştefănuță (Renew). – Domnule președinte, domnule prim-ministru Rinne, cetățenii orașului meu, Sibiu, protestează de 583 de zile pe stradă. Mișcarea „Vă vedem” spune guvernanților: „vrem justiție, nu vrem corupție”. Acești oameni, precum și alții ca ei din toată Europa, ne-au trimis pe noi aici. Pentru ei trebuie să apărăm statul de drept. Tot la Sibiu, în 9 mai, liderii acestei Uniuni Europene au spus foarte clar că trebuie să apărăm cu toate mijloacele statul de drept și democrația în Europa. De aceea, aștept de la președinția finlandeză să ducă mai departe dosarul bugetar în privința statului de drept și să inițieze mecanismul MCV-ului european. În același timp, acest proces nu trebuie să se întâmple într-un vid democratic. Nu uitați de rolul Parlamentului European aici și de rolul Curții de Justiție. Domnilor, fără stat de drept nu există justiție, fără justiție nu există mediu curat, fără justiție nu există sănătate publică, fără justiție nu exista Europa unită. Vreau să vă mulțumesc și pentru compensarea dioxidului de carbon pe care v-ați angajat să o faceți, ca președinte.

  Dubravka Šuica (PPE). – Poštovani predsjedavajući, gospodine premijeru, drago mi je da ste danas iznijeli Vaše prioritete finskog predsjedavanja. Evidentno je da imate veliko iskustvo iz ’99. i 2006. i sada posebno me veseli što smo zajedno u triju jer ja dolazim iz Hrvatske i što će Hrvatska preuzeti predsjedavanje 1.1.2020. od Finske. Dakle, slažemo se u prioritetima.

Posebno pozdravljam, naravno, borbu protiv klimatskih promjena koja je kompatibilna s jučerašnjim programom naše nove predsjednice Komisije. Također, naravno, konkurentnost, socijalnu uključivost, sigurnost građana Europske unije, ali ono na što vam želim posebno skrenuti pažnju i što nas posebno interesira, posebno nas nove članice, jest kohezijska politika, što znači da nas jako zanima Višegodišnji financijski okvir. Na tome ćete raditi vi, sigurno ćemo i mi nastaviti. Nama nikako nije u interesu, niti ovaj Parlament to želi, da se kohezijska politika smanjuje.

Dakle, vrlo je važno da koristimo do maksimuma tu politiku, da koristimo sredstva jer naše politike se zapravo gledaju kroz Višegodišnji financijski okvir, kroz proračun. Jedino na taj način možemo odgovoriti na potrebe naših građana. Nadam se da ćete to uvažiti.

  Udo Bullmann (S&D). – Mr President, I would like to thank Prime Minister Rinne for coming here and to congratulate him on his Presidency and on the motto he picked, sustainability.

Prime Minister, sustainability is the key issue that is going to shape our future and you rightly say that is the case within the European Union as well as beyond. This is exactly the same as what we think in the Socialists and Democrats Group, exactly what we have been working for, during the last two years, to focus on as our central element of our political programme.

Let me underline one element. Please help us to make clear that sustainability also has to be the guiding principle of our external policies: trade, development, foreign affairs and especially the international fight, against inequality. That is crucial and you have our full support.

  Λευτέρης Χριστοφόρου (PPE). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, οφείλω να χαιρετίσω τη φινλανδική προεδρία και να τονίσω ότι είναι ιδιαίτερα σημαντική, γιατί θέτει ως ύψιστη προτεραιότητα τη διασφάλιση του κράτους δικαίου, των ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων, του ευρωπαϊκού και διεθνούς δικαίου αλλά και των ευρωπαϊκών αρχών και αξιών. Όμως από τούτο εδώ το βήμα του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου οφείλω να τονίσω με όλη τη δύναμη της ψυχής μου και να υπενθυμίσω ότι εδώ και 45 χρόνια – ολοκληρώνονται αυτές τις μέρες 45 χρόνια– η Τουρκία κατέχει ευρωπαϊκό έδαφος, κατέχει την Κύπρο.

Πέραν τούτου η Τουρκία αυτές τις μέρες, αυτή την ώρα που μιλάμε, εισέβαλε στη θαλάσσια περιοχή της Κύπρου, στην Αποκλειστική Οικονομική Ζώνη, παραβιάζοντας κάθε αρχή, κάθε δίκαιο. Χαιρετίζουμε ως θετική ενέργεια την απόφαση του Ευρωπαϊκού Συμβουλίου να λάβει μέτρα. Αυτά τα μέτρα όμως δεν βρήκαν απήχηση στην Τουρκία και οφείλουμε –μιας και είναι εδώ και οι τρεις θεσμοί– να αποδείξουμε ότι αυτές τις αρχές και τις αξίες τις σεβόμαστε και τις εφαρμόζουμε με όλες μας τις δυνάμεις και είμαι βέβαιος, φίλε Φινλανδέ πρωθυπουργέ, ότι, αν στη Φινλανδία συνέβαινε κάτι ανάλογο, θα παίρνατε κάθε δυνατό μέτρο για να αναχαιτίσετε την τουρκική προκλητικότητα και επεκτατικότητα, που είναι προσβολή και πρόκληση αλλά και ντροπή για την ίδια την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση, γιατί εισβάλλει σε ευρωπαϊκό χώρο και ευρωπαϊκό έδαφος.

  Der Präsident. – Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Wir kommen nun zum Verfahren der spontanen Wortmeldungen. Ich muss Ihnen sagen, dass wir fünfmal so viele Wortmeldungen haben, wie wir im vorgegebenen Zeitrahmen bewältigen können. Wir haben zeitlich etwas Luft. Deshalb werde ich einige mehr zulassen als die ursprünglich vorgesehenen. Sie haben bitte Verständnis dafür, dass ich mich bei den Fraktionen zunächst auf die Kolleginnen und Kollegen konzentriere, die entweder aus dem Land der Präsidentschaft kommen oder aus einem Land kommen, wo sich Kollegen an der Debatte bisher nicht beteiligen konnten.

Spontane Wortmeldungen

  Michaela Šojdrová (PPE). – Pane předsedající, pane premiére, máte velmi ambiciózní a také entuziastické cíle. Hovořil jste o tom, že chcete, aby evropské školství bylo nejlepší na světě. To by bylo jistě krásné, ale my víme, že jsou to členské státy, které odpovídají za kvalitu svých vzdělávacích systémů. Nicméně, znamená to tedy, že podpoříte navýšení programu ERASMUS, dokonce na trojnásobek tak, jak to navrhuje EP a včera podpořila kandidátka na předsedkyni Evropské komise?

Pak mám ještě jednu prosbu: v trialogu bude probíhat jednání o programu evropského sboru solidarity a já bych chtěla, aby se podařilo dohodnout, aby prostředky pro cestování, dobrovolnou práci, stáže pro mladé lidi do 35 let byly zajištěny. Chci Vás tedy vyzvat k tomu, aby Vaše předsednictví pomohlo dokončit jednání o tomto programu.

  Κώστας Μαυρίδης (S&D). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, εκφράζω τα συγχαρητήριά μου στη φινλανδική Προεδρία, ξεκινώντας με μια υπόδειξη: Είμαστε μια κοινότητα κανόνων και αξιών που αντανακλώνται στον πολιτισμό μας. Ανάμεσα σ’ αυτές τις αξίες μας η αλληλεγγύη και ο σεβασμός του κράτους δικαίου. Αλληλεγγύη: Θα έχουμε ολοκλήρωση της τραπεζικής Ένωσης με πανευρωπαϊκή εγγύηση των καταθέσεων; Περνάμε τώρα στο κράτος δικαίου: Στην Ανατολική Μεσόγειο, κράτη εντός της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης και κράτη εκτός επιχειρούμε τα τελευταία χρόνια να χτίσουμε μια συνεργασία ευημερίας και ειρήνης με επίκεντρο την αξιοποίηση της ενέργειας και τον ρόλο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης μέσω της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας. Η ενέργεια έχει ζωτική σημασία για την ίδια την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση. Στο τελευταίο Ευρωπαϊκό Συμβούλιο λήφθηκε απόφαση για την επιβολή μέτρων εναντίον της Τουρκίας, που παραμένει ο διεθνής παραβάτης στην περιοχή. Πέρα από τα λόγια και τις λεκτικές δεσμεύσεις, εκεί, στην Κύπρο, κρίνεται ο πολιτισμός μας.

  Mauri Pekkarinen (Renew). – Arvoisa puhemies, arvoisa pääministeri, kohta kaksi vuosikymmentä sitten Eurooppa päätti, että 20-luvulle tultaessa Euroopan unioni on maailman kilpailukykyisin talousalue. Niin ikään päätettiin, että kolme prosenttia bruttokansantuotteesta pitää sijoittaa tutkimukseen ja kehittämiseen. Me tiedämme, että molemmissa tavoitteissa Eurooppana olemme epäonnistuneet aika pahoin. Mitä Suomi aikoo tehdä, jotta tuo tavoite voisi joskus toteutua? Pidättekö realistisena sitä, että jossakin vaiheessa todellakin olisimme maailman kilpailukykyisin talousalue?

Täällä uusi komission puheenjohtaja piti eilen hyvän puheenvuoron, mutta hän ei juurikaan maininnut maataloutta, joka on tärkeä toimiala koko Euroopan turvallisuuden yhden osan kannalta. Miten Suomi aikoo edistää ruokaturvallisuutta, ruoan tuotantoa Euroopassa ja viljelijöiden toimeentuloa, joka monella tavalla on tällä hetkellä haasteellisessa tilassa?

  Heidi Hautala (Verts/ALE). – Arvoisa puhemies, Suomeen kohdistuu odotuksia neuvoston päätöksenteon avoimuudesta, ja haluaisinkin todeta, että kun puheenjohtajani Ska Keller sanoi, että meillä on paljon ideoita, miten tätä voitaisiin tehdä, niin mainitsen niistä pari. Ensinnäkin neuvoston työryhmien pöytäkirjat pitäisi saada julki ja hallitusten kantojen pitäisi ilmetä niistä. Tämä olisi päätöksenteon ja lainsäädännön avoimuutta, joka perustuisi puhtaasti lakiin ja oikeuskäytäntöön.

Toiseksi myös trilogiasiakirjat pitäisi saada julki, koska nekin ovat lainsäädäntöasiakirjoja. Toivon, että Suomi edistää tällaista laillisuutta, koska neuvostossa on käytäntöjä, jotka ovat selvästi lainvastaisia. Kun Te puhuitte kansallisten parlamenttien asemasta Suomen hyvän käytännön mukaisesti, niin haluan todeta, että tämä neuvoston rajoitettu tiedonsaanti vaikeuttaa myös kansallisten parlamenttien mahdollisuuksia olla mukana päätöksenteossa.

  Ruža Tomašić (ECR). – Poštovani predsjedavajući, gospodine premijeru, vladavina prava temelj je ove zajednice. Trodioba vlasti, neovisnost pravosuđa i poštivanje ustavnih vrijednosti i europskih ugovora osnovne su pretpostavke za članstvo i sudjelovanje u europskim politikama.

EU mora ostati demokratska zajednica demokratskih država i svako daljnje produbljivanje njezinog demokratskog deficita ili erozija principa zapadne demokracije na nacionalnoj razini nisu koraci u pravom smjeru. Jedan od tih pogrešnih koraka bilo bi i uvođenje glasovanja kvalificiranom većinom u području vanjske i sigurnosne politike, čime bi se omogućilo preglasavanje manjih članica.

Također, vidljiva je i opasna tendencija širenja definicije vladavine prava tako da ona obuhvaća isključivo liberalne društvene vrijednosti. Tradicionalne vrijednosti i konzervativni svjetonazor želi se ne samo ograničiti u javnom prostoru već iz njega potpuno izbaciti. Uvođenje novih mehanizama služi nametanju liberalnog svjetonazora suverenim državama, što je protivno duhu Unije i predstavlja opasnost za njezin dugoročni opstanak.

  Petros Kokkalis (GUE/NGL). – Mr President, Mr President of the Council, your country has adopted the most inspiring climate goal in the world – of achieving carbon neutrality by 2035. However, as we stand, we risk missing the targets set by the Paris Accord, especially in view of the latest climate events and our increasing comprehension of their nature. Finland, with its bold climate action, shows the way of the future and we really need your progressive leadership. I therefore ask you fully to integrate the 17 Sustainable Development Goals globally agreed by the United Nations, as measured by Eurostat, into the new multiannual financial framework. Let’s invest in a world for all people. Thank you, and I wish Finland the best for a successful presidency.

  Edina Tóth (PPE). – Elnök Úr, örömmel tölt el, hogy a finn elnökség által bemutatott prioritások közül az egyik a klímavédelem. Úgy gondolom, rendkívül fontos, hogy az EU klímavállalásait úgy határozzuk meg és úgy érjük el, hogy ez az Unió globális versenyképességét ne korlátozza, és ne járuljon hozzá a kibocsátások növekedéséhez a harmadik országokban sem. Az EU hosszú távú dekarbonizációs stratégiája kapcsán fontos a széles körű vita. Ezzel kapcsolatban szeretném hangsúlyozni, hogy ideológiai vita helyett alapos elemzésre és tervezésre van szükség, valamint megértőnek kell lennünk azon tagállamok felé, akiknek a legnagyobb nehézséget okozza a kitűzött célok elérése. Ugyanakkor fontos az is, hogy a klímacélok elérését technológiasemleges módon kell végrehajtani úgy, hogy a célok mögött legyenek megfelelő uniós források. Kiemelném annak a fontosságát, hogy a Párizsi Megállapodás céljainak végrehajtásához valamennyi részes fél hozzájáruljon. Az EU jó példával jár elöl, de elengedhetetlen, hogy a világ országai is hasonlóan ambiciózus célokat tűzzenek ki.

  Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D). – Mr President, Prime Minister Rinne, we warmly welcome your aggressive commitments and your agenda for the first rotating presidency of this mandate of the European Parliament. I have the honour to chair the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and to attend the relevant JHA Council of Ministers over the next couple of days in Helsinki, particularly on the 20th anniversary of the Tampere Council, which launched the areas of liberty, justice and security. In this regard, I would like to stress two points. First, the sooner the Finnish Presidency gets a mandate from the Council to unblock the asylum package under the Dublin regulation the better. Second, as regards the rule of law, you must take seriously the resolution adopted in January this year to link budgetary benefits to Member States in full compliance with the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights. This is the most relevant point on your agenda. We wish you well. We wish you the best.

  Anna Julia Donáth (Renew). – Elnök Úr! Először is gratulálni szeretnék az EU soros finn elnökségének, hogy a jogállamiság fenntartását és védelmét tűzte ki az egyik fő prioritásának a következő hathónapos ciklusra. Ezt egy nagyon fontos üzenetnek tartom, már csak azért is, mert ez alól az EU korábbi két soros elnöksége sajnos kibújt. Az Európai Unió nemcsak gazdasági, hanem értékközösség is, ezért az EU-nak nem csak túlzott deficit esetén kell következetesen fellépnie, hanem az uniós alapértékek megsértése esetében is. Enélkül a demokratikus értékek nemcsak az Unióban értékelődnek le, hanem a tagállamokban is. A finn elnökség számára azonban lenne egy fontos üzenetem is: noha a jogállamiság szerves része a bíróságok autonómiájának és függetlenségének fenntartása, és ennek mindenképpen prioritásnak kell maradnia, de az EU nem korlátozhatja kizárólag ezekre a jogállamiság védelmét. Ennél sokkal szélesebb körben kéne fellépnie. Elengedhetetlen például a sajtószabadsággal és a médiapluralizmussal kapcsolatos problémák kezelése is, ugyanis egy propagandamédiával uralt országban nem beszélhetünk igazi demokráciáról. Köszönöm szépen, sok sikert és jó munkát kívánok!

  Ellie Chowns (Verts/ALE). – Mr President, I welcome Prime Minister Rinne’s words on unity and sustainability.

But, Prime Minister, you’ll know as I do that words are not enough. We’ve not yet seen evidence that EU leaders have truly heard the voices of those calling for change: the school climate strikers, the extinction rebellion protesters, the millions who voted Green in May. European leaders have been too slow to respond, too keen to conserve the status quo, rather than conserving the planet. We don’t have time to waste, and we can’t go at the pace of the slowest. So I urge you, please, as a first step, deliver on your promise – zero carbon by 2050. Get the Council to put its money where its mouth is and then to increase its level of climate ambition further.

Another big issue facing your Presidency is Brexit. This is not a little local difficulty on the margins. The Brexiteers threaten our common European values. They’re funded by dodgy sources. They don’t care about those left behind. They’ve poisoned our political debate with lies and pandered to extremists. Those of us who are both British and European, who defend fairness, openness and truth, ask you to stand with us together, zusammen, ensemble.

(Applause)

  Mick Wallace (GUE/NGL). – Mr President, it’s good to hear that the Finnish Presidency will prioritise the challenges of climate.

But I think it’s important that we take on board that one of our best options in the fight against climate system breakdown is a dramatic global tree-planting programme that would sequester greenhouse gases. Yet, the Mercosur trade deal will ensure that we speed up the deforestation of the Amazon. Trade deals that facilitate a race to the bottom, in terms of environmental protections and quality standards, are incompatible with meaningful climate action.

The smaller farmers of Ireland and Europe are already finding life difficult. Bringing in cheap food, cheap meat, cheap grain from the Mercosur countries is not the way forward. The farmers that can have the potential to sustainably work farming are being pushed out of existence by trade deals like this.

  Seán Kelly (PPE). – Mr President, Finland is a great country and I think they will have a great Presidency. There are many great colleagues and also a wonderful Commissioner.

I have just two questions, one in relation to Brexit. I was very pleased when President von der Leyen, said she was going to honour the Withdrawal Agreement and the backstop, and also be flexible on an extension, if required. Will the Finnish Presidency ensure that the Council are equally flexible, if appropriate? Second question: I’ve been involved in trying to end the biannual clock change for a number of years. We passed a resolution in Parliament and the Commission did a public consultation where over 80% of respondents said they wanted to end it. The next six months are going to be crucial for the Council to make decisions in that regard. Will the Finnish Presidency ensure that the decision of Parliament and the voice of citizens will be respected in that regard?

  Margarida Marques (S&D). – Senhor Presidente, a União Europeia é uma comunidade de valores. Apoiamos, por isso, a proposta da Presidência de reforçar e usar as ferramentas de controlo do Estado de Direito da União Europeia. Segunda prioridade, a Europa tem de enfrentar, e deve fazê-lo agora, importantes desafios. Uma forma ao nosso alcance de reduzir a incerteza é trabalharmos para que esta Presidência encerre as negociações no Conselho sobre o próximo quadro financeiro plurianual já no Outono de 2019. Os Estados-Membros precisam desta certeza para que, em janeiro de 2021, possam ter o próximo ciclo financeiro ao serviço dos cidadãos, das empresas europeias e da União Europeia.

Apoiamos um quadro financeiro ambicioso e equilibrado com a flexibilidade necessária e suficiente para que o futuro quadro financeiro plurianual possa, eficazmente, responder às prioridades políticas da União e também aos imprevistos.

(O Presidente retira a palavra à oradora)

  Λουκάς Φουρλας (PPE). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, καλωσορίσατε, κύριε πρόεδρε, καλή επιτυχία στην φινλανδική Προεδρία. Μιλήσατε για ισχυρή Ευρώπη, για Ευρώπη της ασφάλειας, για ανθρώπινα δικαιώματα. Προέρχομαι από τη μοναδική ευρωπαϊκή χώρα που είναι κατεχόμενη εδώ και 45 χρόνια και η οποία δέχεται αυτή τη στιγμή δεύτερη εισβολή, και μιλάμε για ευρωπαϊκό έδαφος και μιλάμε για την Τουρκία, η οποία θέλει να γίνει μέλος της ευρωπαϊκής οικογένειας. Αυτό θέλω να το έχετε πάντα κατά νου.

  Maria Grapini (S&D). – Domnule președinte, domnule Comisar, vreau să vă doresc succes. Dumneavoastră preluați președinția după președinția țării mele, o președinție de succes. Vă doresc succes!

Îmi place ce am auzit aici. Doriți să țineți cont de problemele cetățenilor, piața unică, foarte importantă, eu sunt vicepreședinta Comisiei pentru piața internă. Doriți, de asemenea, securitate, educație, cercetare. Sunt lucrurile de care avem nevoie. Dar avem nevoie de o singură Europă. Vă rog foarte mult, pe președinția dumneavoastră, încercați să nu mai separăm est-vest. Încercați ca cele două state, România și Bulgaria, să facă parte din Schengen, pentru că întrunesc aceste condiții.

Și vreau să vă mai rog ceva. Ați spus că trebuie să ținem cont de cetățeni. Am sesizat fostul prim-ministru din Finlanda, de un caz foarte grav din Finlanda, cazul doctoriței Smicală, cu cei doi copii luați și separați minorii de mamă. Încercați să rezolvați și să dați exemplu că se pot respecta drepturile omului.

Și nu în ultimul rând, vă rog foarte mult să țineți cont în negociere la pachetul pe mobilitate și la fondul de coeziune: trebuie să le negociem în așa fel încât să nu separăm Europa în două.

PRESIDENZA DELL’ON. DAVID MARIA SASSOLI
Presidente

(Fine della procedura catch the eye)

  Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (Renew). – Señor presidente, un minuto simplemente para denunciar la arbitrariedad con la que el presidente anterior ha gestionado las intervenciones del «catch-the-eye». Ha marcado dos criterios al final: prioridad a los finlandeses y que no intervendrían los diputados de Estados miembros que ya hubiesen intervenido.

He estado desde el primer momento y me he asegurado de que estaba inscrita. No ha cumplido los criterios y, desde luego, quiero recalcar que he estado escuchando desde el primer momento, y denunciar que no comparto los criterios y no comparto la arbitrariedad.

  Presidente. – Però onorevole, scusi, lo strumento del “catch-the-eye” è uno strumento, come Lei sa, che non può consentire a tutti di intervenire, per cui la scelta del presidente Wieland sarà stata quella, diciamo, idonea a consentire a tutti di parlare nei tempi previsti.

  Jyrki Katainen, Vice-President of the Commission. – Mr President, as the Prime Minister heard he has strong support for his Presidency agenda from the Members of this House. In particular, two topics were raised in most speeches, namely rule of law and climate policy.

Rule of law, or lack of it, is like oxygen: you realise the value of it when it’s running out. As I said in my introductory speech, the Finnish Presidency is the first to prioritise the rule of law, and for good reason. Independent judiciary, free and pluralistic media, human rights and human dignity, democracy – these are the basic values upon which European integration, but also our Member States, have been built. So, even if one wins the majority in the national elections, it does not mean that these fundamental values can be violated. The fact that this is one of the priorities of the Presidency allows this House – the European Parliament – but also the Member States, to take a position on this very fundamental issue. On behalf of the Commission, I want to thank you once again for what you have chosen to prioritise.

On climate policy, some Members said – quite well – that, just as important as talking about dates or years or percentages, is to devise ways of how we can achieve our ambitious targets. Here the circular economy comes into the picture. Yesterday I was very pleased personally when the newly elected Commission President von der Leyen said that she will propose a new circular economy action plan that will concentrate mostly on the construction sector and the textile sector, which are resource-consuming sectors where we need to improve our actions.

Finally, from the Commission’s perspective, it’s very positive that the Finnish Presidency makes a new experiment, improving the transparency of the work of the Council. From my own personal viewpoint I’ve been wondering what on earth needs to happen for the other European institutions to follow the example of the European Commission, which is by far the most transparent institution in the EU. I must say that I only have very good experiences of this transparency in the European Commission, so I encourage the other European institutions to follow their example.

  Antti Rinne, President-in-Office of the Council. – Mr President, thank you for this very important opportunity for me to address Parliament on our priorities in the programme. I would say that the big issue for me is climate change. I will now say a few words in Finnish.

Hyvät ystävät, minulla on neljä tytärtä ja kolme lastenlasta. Suomessa olen käyttänyt useamman puheenvuoron, joissa olen todennut, että haluan heidän kysymykseensä siitä, mitä teitte ilmastonmuutokselle, vastata sen, että kaikki mitä osattiin ja pystyttiin tekemään. Ja että saatiin pysäytettyä ilmastonmuutos. Toinen vaihtoehto on se, että emme tehneet mitään, koska emme uskaltaneet tehdä yhdessä yhtään mitään.

Nyt on tärkeää, että eurooppalainen yhteistyö keskittyy ottamaan ilmastopolitiikassa johtajuuden tavalla, joka saa maapallolla ilmaston globaalin lämpenemisen pysäytettyä siihen 1,5 asteeseen, joka on koko ihmiskunnan näkökulmasta ja tulevien sukupolvien näkökulmasta äärimmäisen tärkeä tavoite, ja se pitää viedä läpi.

I believe, also, that the big question of the rule of law is very important for the whole European future. I think that the big issue is that we, together, can make stronger and stronger these rule of law principles when we are developing our cooperation here at European level. Thank you very much and I hope we can work together in future as closely as possible.

(Applause)

  Presidente. – Grazie signor Primo ministro, buon lavoro. Inizia un semestre molto importante che accompagna l’inizio della legislatura.

La discussione è chiusa.

Invito tutti i colleghi a prendere posto.

  Alessandra Moretti (S&D). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, prendo la parola per un fatto molto grave che è successo oggi.

Gentile colleghe e colleghi, oggi è venuto a mancare un grande italiano, un grande cittadino europeo, Andrea Camilleri, uno dei più autorevoli intellettuali contemporanei, tenace difensore dei valori di libertà, democrazia e giustizia, implacabile antifascista, convinto europeista, un maestro umile che ha saputo raccontare, attraverso gli episodi di Montalbano, la Sicilia, terra meravigliosa e generosa, madre di uomini straordinari come lui.

Penso a Giovanni Falcone e a Paolo Borsellino. Grazie Maestro Camilleri per ciò che ci hai regalato e per aver rappresentato l'Italia nel mondo con la tua scrittura indimenticabile.

  Presidente. – Grazie on. Moretti.

Dichiarazioni scritte (articolo 171)

  Monika Beňová (S&D), písomne. – Európska únia ako spoločný európsky projekt nespochybniteľne zaručuje mier a prosperitu pre obyvateľov jednotlivých členských štátov. Nedávno sa uskutočnili voľby do Európskeho parlamentu a občania jasne ukázali, že stoja za spoločným európskym projektom. Vyžadujú však od nás, ako svojich zástupcov, aby sme vyvinuli najväčšie možné úsilie na minimalizáciu vplyvu klimatických zmien a aby sme vytvorili podmienky pre čisté, energeticky efektívne a moderné hospodárstvo, ktoré zabezpečí tvorbu nových pracovných miest aj v budúcnosti. Fínske predsedníctvo má skvelú príležitosť, aby sa spolupodieľalo na vytvorení lepšej budúcnosti, ktorá bude sociálne, ekonomicky, ale najmä ekologicky udržateľná. Počas nasledujúcich mesiacov bude kľúčové, aby sme spoločnými silami zachovali jednotu Európskej únie, ktorá je destabilizovaná tzv. brexitom a aby sme ukončili tento bolestivý proces pre všetky zúčastnené strany. Nemenej dôležitou výzvou pre fínske predsedníctvo bude aj otázka doriešenia odňatia prídavkov pre zamestnancov z iných členských štátov Európskej únie v Rakúsku, pretože ide o nebezpečný predsedens vytvárania dvojitej kategórie občanov, čo je v modernej a konkurencieschopnej Európe neprípustné. Pevne verím, že fínskemu predsedníctvu sa bude dariť aj v oblasti hladkého prechodu na ďalší legislatívny cyklus a pri budovaní konštruktívnych vzťahov, pretože iba spoluprácou môžeme spoločne Európsku úniu posúvať ďalej.

  Andor Deli (PPE), írásban. – Köszönöm, Csalódással kellett olvasnom, hogy a finn soros elnökség programjában az EU nyugat-balkáni bővítése nem kapott megfelelő helyet. Gyakorlatilag egyetlen egy bekezdésben szerepel ez a téma. Ezzel ellentétben az elmúlt időszak bolgár, osztrák és a román elnökségei is kiemelten kezelték ezt a kérdést. Európa stabilitása és egysége kulcsfontosságú és ebben mindenki egyetért.

Ehhez azonban szükség van a nyugat-balkáni tagjelölt országok mielőbbi csatlakozására. A bővítés sajnos több „régi” tagállamban nem közkedvelt téma, de ez nem lehet indok arra, hogy azt az uniós politikát, amely 2004-ben sikeresen megteremtette Európa nyugati és keleti felének egységét, a kellemetlen, nyomasztó kérdéskörök kategóriájában végezze. Arra kérem a finn elnökséget, hogy operatív szinten hozzák helyre ezt a hiányosságot, hiszen nem szabad törést okozni abban a folytonosságban, amely az elmúlt két évet jellemezte, és amelynek az Európai Parlament az egyik legnagyobb támogatója.

  Ádám Kósa (PPE), írásban. – Üdvözöljük a Finn elnökség törekvéseit. Örvendetes, hogy a munka jövője kapcsán részletesen vizsgálni kívánják a platform munkavállalók helyzetét, előtérbe helyezik a folyamatos, élethosszig tartó tanulást és elemezni kívánják a részlegesen foglalkoztatható személyek helyzetét. Itt szeretném felhívni a figyelmet arra, hogy a fogyatékossággal élő és megváltozott munkaképességű személyek munkaerőpiaci integrációja napjaink kiemelt kérdése, ezért csalódottan látom, hogy ez nem szerepel az elnökség programjában, pedig bevonásuk a munkaerőpiacra hatalmas potenciált rejt és a segítő technológiáknak hála egyre kevesebb akadály áll foglalkoztatásuk előtt.

A munkaerőhiányra korunkban modern válaszokat illene adni, de ez a finn elnökségi programban sajnos nem sikerült: közismert tény, hogy az automatizáció és a robotika korában egyre képzettebb munkaerőre van szükség és nem az alacsonyan képzett személyek bevándorlásának segítésére.

Meglepő, hogy a finn elnökség mégis a bevándorlást támogatná, hiszen statisztikák mutatják, hogy a képzetlen bevándorlóknak csak néhány százaléka képes munkát vállalni a befogadó országban. Ugyanakkor a munkaerő szabad áramlása kulcskérdés, egyben pedig az EU négy szabadságnak egyike, ezért szükséges, hogy az Európai Unió állampolgárai megkülönböztetés nélkül vállalhassanak munkát más EU tagállamokban. A Kelet-Európai munkavállalók mobilitása nem szenvedhet csorbát a Nyugat-Európai tagállamok protekcionizmusa miatt: azonos bánásmód illeti meg őket és nem hozhatók hátrányba a munkaerőpiacon sem adminisztratív, sem más intézkedések által.

  Leszek Miller (S&D), na piśmie. – Dziękując za ambitny program prezydencji fińskiej, zwracam się jednocześnie o podjęcie trzech kwestii, które są kluczowe dla zapewnienia sprawiedliwości, równości społecznej i poszanowania europejskich wartości.

Po pierwsze, kluczowe jest uzgodnienie ram finansowanych. Potrzebujemy ambitnego budżetu, uwzględniającego znaczące wsparcie dla polityki spójności i polityki rolnej. W tym kontekście apeluję do prezydencji fińskiej o aktywne wspieranie stanowiska Parlamentu Europejskiego w sprawie budżetu UE po roku 2020, przewidującego większe środki na rolnictwo i rozwój regionalny.

Po drugie, istotne są działania mające na celu wprowadzenie europejskiej płacy minimalnej na poziomie zapewniającym godne życie dla wszystkich Europejczyków. Obecne różnice w tym zakresie między krajami członkowskimi są nie do zaakceptowania. Europejska płaca minimalna jest kluczowa dla zmniejszenia nierówności między obywatelami UE, likwidacji ubóstwa i zapewnienia równych szans.

Po trzecie, cieszę się, że praworządność jest ważnym elementem programu prezydencji. Dlatego wspieram planowane działania w tym zakresie. Zwracam jednak uwagę na rozważne podejście do powiązania przestrzegania praworządności z wydatkami z budżetu unijnego. Nie możemy dopuścić do sytuacji, w której za nieprzestrzeganie prawa przez rządy państw członkowskich będą płacili młodzi ludzi, naukowcy, rolnicy czy inne grupy beneficjentów środków unijnych, którzy wyznają nasze europejskie wartości i którzy pokładają w Unii nadzieję na lepsze jutro.

  Valdemar Tomaševski (ECR), raštu. – Liepos 1 d. Suomija perėmė pirmininkavimą ES Tarybai iš Rumunijos. Pradinis svarbiausių veiklos krypčių nustatymas buvo suderintas su Rumunijos programa, o tai suteikia vilties dėl Bendrijos politikos tęstinumo šiuo sunkiu Europai laikotarpiu. Galbūt Suomijai pavyks įgyvendinti šią užduotį, ko jai ir linkiu. Iš savo pirmtakų Suomija paveldėjo keletą neišspręstų dabartinių klausimų, tokių kaip brexitas ar būtinybė tęsti pastangas, kad ES taptų konkurencingesnė tarptautiniu mastu ir dar labiau skatintų socialinę padėtį. Bet, mano manymu, kai ko trūksta – tai vertybių, kurios buvo besivienijančios Europos pagrindu, paminėjimas. Turiu omenyje krikščioniškąsias vertybes, apie kurias kalbėjo steigėjai, ir apie kurias šiandienos Sąjunga pamiršta, kenkdama pati sau. Todėl norint siekti teisingesnės ES, kurioje visi piliečiai galėtų naudotis ekonominio ir socialinio vystymosi teikiamais privalumais, svarbu gerbti tinkamą pasaulį ir grįžti prie Europos, paremtos Roberto Schumano arba Alcide de Gasperi vizija, šaknų. Taigi reikia grįžti prie principų, įsišaknijusių Europos tapatybėje. Taip pat būtina užtikrinti ES piliečių saugumą, siekiant gerinti migracijos politiką, įskaitant ES išorės sienų kontrolę. Tačiau taip pat svarbu stengtis sumažinti nelygybę ES šalyse. To ypač laukia naujųjų valstybių narių, tokių kaip Lietuva, gyventojai.

  Monika Vana (Verts/ALE), schriftlich. – Wir begrüßen das Programm der finnischen Ratspräsidentschaft mit seinem Fokus auf den wichtigen Themen Klimawandel, Menschenrechte und einer Stärkung des Rechtsstaatlichkeitsprinzips. Der Anspruch der kommenden Ratspräsidentschaft, Europa sozialer und nachhaltiger zu gestalten, ist seit langem eine Kernforderung der Europäischen Grünen.

8. A bizottságok és a küldöttségek tagjai: lásd a jegyzokönyvet

9. Szavazások órája

  Presidente. – L’ordine del giorno reca il turno di votazioni.

(Per i risultati delle votazioni e altri dettagli che le riguardano: vedasi processo verbale)

9.1. A parlamentközi küldöttségek összetétele (B9-0005/2019) (szavazás)

  Presidente. – Con questo si conclude il turno di votazioni.

10. A szavazáshoz fűzött indokolások: lásd a jegyzokönyvet

(La seduta è sospesa alle 12.04)

VORSITZ: RAINER WIELAND
Vizepräsident

11. Az ülés folytatása

(Die Sitzung wird um 15.00 Uhr wieder aufgenommen.)

12. Az előző ülés jegyzőkönyvének elfogadása: lásd a jegyzokönyvet

13. Humanitárius támogatás a mediterrán országok számára (vita)

  Der Präsident. – Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über die Erklärungen des Rates und der Kommission zum Thema Humanitäre Hilfe im Mittelmeer (2019/2718(RSP)).

  Tytti Tuppurainen, President-in-Office of the Council. – Mr President, I will continue on from what the Prime Minister mentioned in his speech this morning. We need a long-term, comprehensive and humane solution to manage migration.

Even though the generally known problems remain, as the debate today will certainly show, we should also note that, in broad terms, the situation of migration flows in the Mediterranean Sea has improved in recent years. According to Frontex data for 2018, approximately 137 000 irregular migrants were registered, having crossed the Mediterranean via one of the three main routes. This year, so far, we are at 36 000 arrivals. Should this trend continue, we would see the number of detected arrivals reduced by approximately 50% in 2019.

Equally important, while of course it is still too high, the number of deaths at sea has decreased. On the central Mediterranean route alone, the decrease is by more than 50%. In 2019, 343 persons are known to have lost their lives while attempting to cross the sea via this route. Any death at sea is one too many, but there is progress. UNHCR estimates that in 2018, the Libyan coast guard rescued or intercepted nearly 15 000 migrants at sea. Even with the deteriorating security situation in Libya this year, the coast guard has continued functioning, rescuing nearly 3 000 persons. These numbers also reflect the important contribution of the EU’s action to reduce fatalities at sea. In particular, in Libya, assistance has been of paramount importance. EUR 91.3 million were granted to support both the Libyan coast guard and the development of Libya’s own maritime rescue coordination centre. Further, Operation Sophia has provided training for a total of 355 coast guard personnel so far and the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) has provided training on access to the asylum procedure. These are very concrete steps forward.

There is no denying that the humanitarian situation surrounding the search—and—rescue events on the central Mediterranean route is still not satisfactory. Also, stand-offs between Member States continue as a result of NGO vessels picking up migrants at sea. Let me point out that against the overall background, the number of migrants involved in these incidents is quite modest. In 2019, less than 10% of migrants who arrived in Italy had been rescued by NGOs active on the central Mediterranean route. The vast majority of migrants arrived directly in Lampedusa and Sicily or they were rescued by vessels of the Italian authorities. However, in recent weeks, there have been more incidents due to the peak in departures at this time of the year. One example is the Sea-Watch 3. In its case, solutions have been found after one or two weeks or on an ad hoc basis.

The Romanian Presidency has worked on temporary arrangements which would make it possible to manage this type of situation in a more structured manner. In 2019, it presented a report with a series of non-binding elements on temporary arrangements for this embarkation. Our Presidency will continue work on temporary arrangements. An informal meeting of ministers of the interior will take place on Thursday and the situation in the Mediterranean will be highlighted there. Our Minister of the Interior has also invited all her ministerial colleagues to an informal dinner ahead of this meeting to discuss this immediate situation in the Mediterranean. They are temporary in nature until a permanent agreement is found as part of a comprehensive and humane asylum—policy reform. They are open to participation by all Member States on a voluntary basis and provide for a coordination role for the Commission, with support from relevant agencies. This moves towards more balanced responsibility. Solidarity between the Member States is key. The Finnish Presidency will follow up on this work.

The Finnish Presidency will work towards crisis—resilient arrangements. While these arrangements provide some guidance on how to deal with migrants rescued at sea, they do not pronounce on the location where there is embarkment.

Human rights—based asylum and migration policies are rooted in international treaties and conventions, cooperation between public authorities and effective control of the EU’s external borders, as well as appropriate and swift asylum procedures that are of a high standard in terms of legal protection. This is by and large a decision for national authorities in application of the relevant provisions under international law. International law obliges all coastal states – in our case, all coastal states around the Mediterranean Sea – to establish search—and—rescue services around their coast. The EU provides support to Member States in the management of their external borders, notably through Frontex operations. Search—and—rescue is not as such the core mandate of these operations, but it is the task they perform in accordance with international law.

The Finnish Presidency will certainly look into ways to unlock the situation. Nobody benefits from this prolonged uncertainty. We need a balanced, comprehensive and humane approach here. Firstly, we need to help the front-liners but, at the same time, we need to understand the challenge as a whole in the secondary movement and integration of migrants, as well as in return policy.

The European Union, with its wide range of tools and strong international role, is clearly better equipped to address migration than a single Member State.

  Christos Stylianides, Member of the Commission. – Mr President, honourable Members, I am here on behalf of Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos. There is no doubt that what is happening in the Mediterranean is a cause for high concern. But at the same time, official figures show that flows to the EU have further diminished compared to last year. My dear colleague, the Finnish Minister, has already shown some of these figures. But there is no doubt that we still face a critical situation where too many people embark on dangerous journeys across the sea, risking their lives, in the hope of reaching the EU for protection or better life prospects.

This is why the Commission has repeatedly recalled that the EU and its Member States are bound by the duty to render assistance to persons or vessels in distress at sea, which is an obligation under international law – and, may I also add, our moral duty.

For their part, NGOs active in the Mediterranean have played an important role in saving lives at sea. In serving this common objective of saving lives, all players should follow the instructions received from the national authority coordinating search and rescue operations.

Allow me to say that our four EU operations at sea have helped save nearly 730 000 people at sea since 2015, though we regret that the agreement found by Member States for the continuation of Operation Sophia is far from optimal. When it comes to the question of criminalisation of migrant smuggling, we need to be able to distinguish. Because one thing is actual migrant smuggling, a deliberate profit-making criminal act, and another is providing assistance to people in need. The bottom line here – and I want to underline this – is that no form of genuine assistance to migrants should be criminalised under EU law. However, the essence is that a system whereby people must resort to smugglers cannot be part of a sustainable approach to migration or asylum. The European Union and its Member States must remain resolute to keep on fighting against migrant smugglers and traffickers and not to play into their deadly business model.

The most recent atrocious killing of migrants at the Tajoura Detention Centre is a strong reminder of the need to continue to pursue the EU’s efforts to protect the most vulnerable and to put an end to the Libyan arbitrary detention system.

The European Union stands ready to support the Libyan authorities to find safe and dignified alternatives for all refugees and other migrants in detention centres close to the conflict area. And let us not forget our overall assistance to Libya, which goes beyond EUR 365 million this year. Thanks to our funding and partnership with IOM and UNHCR, since 2017 more than 40 000 migrants stranded in Libya have been assisted to voluntarily return to their countries of origin while 4 000 refugees have been already evacuated from Libya to Niger or directly to Europe in view of their resettlement.

In early July, a further EUR 13 million was granted to UNHCR to reinforce evacuation operations. For these evacuations towards Niger to continue, Member States must speed up resettlements and pledge more resettlement places for persons in Libya or for evacuees in Niger. Despite all these efforts to intervene upstream on the migratory route, we cannot avoid that under certain circumstances, disembarkations take place in Europe. We must be ready to address this situations and, as my dear colleague the Finnish Minister already said, the most fundamental thing is solidarity.

While search and rescue remains a national competence, exercised on the basis of international law, the Commission has played a coordinating role to ensure that, when disembarkation takes place in Europe, solidarity is implemented. However, ad hoc solutions cannot be sustainable. We need to put in place predictable temporary arrangements following disembarkation based on a practical and voluntary approach, supported by the EU operationally and financially.

They will serve as a bridge until the swift completion of the legislative reform of the Common European Asylum System, which remains a priority for all of us. I welcome the fact that on Monday, Ministers of Foreign Affairs discussed the situation in the Mediterranean. This discussion will be taken forward by the Ministers of External Affairs later today, as my dear colleague Finnish Minister already emphasised. Commissioner Avramopoulos is on his way to Helsinki to discuss with them the way forward to put in place temporary arrangements following disembarkation, built on shared responsibility as part of a broader discussion on the future of the EU asylum and migration policy.

The Commission stands ready to continue to provide all the political, technical and financial support that Member States need to address the situation in the Mediterranean. And let us not forget the overarching need to deal with the root causes of migration in parallel with our efforts to help save lives. Africa is a huge challenge – not only for Europe, but also the world.

The Juncker Commission has done a lot in this direction. First, through the EU Trust Fund. Second, with the External Investment Plan that has leveraged EUR 37 billion of investments. And third, with the EU-Africa Alliance, through which we aim to create 10 million jobs in Africa in the next five years. Of course, we have to continue. This is the only way to deal with the root causes. We have to create new jobs in Africa, but at the same time, we have to continue our moral duty to save lives.

  Jeroen Lenaers, on behalf of the PPE Group. – Mr President, this feels a little bit like Groundhog Day. We’re debating the same issue, in the same way, just on a different day. We discussed it in June last year after the Aquarius, we discussed it in January of this year after Sea—Watch and Sea—Eye, and today we are discussing it again. On both previous occasions we were told, as we are today, no more ad hoc solutions. And cynically, in the case of Sea—Watch, the Member States kept their word. There was no ad hoc solution – there was no solution at all. And that is a sad reality for an EU that is based on fundamental values and the principle of solidarity.

I agree with the Commissioner: saving lives is not only a legal obligation but a moral one, too. But at the same time we have to realise that the current way in which we are working in the Mediterranean, despite all good intentions, is not only helping to save lives but, at the same time, it unfortunately helps the smugglers who put those lives at risk in the first place. This is something we can no longer allow. There is no silver bullet or single solution to all this. We need a holistic approach – an approach that focuses on better protecting our external borders, that focuses on returning migrants who came illegally to Europe and have no right to stay and an approach that focuses on making agreements with third countries of transit and of origin to help us fight those smuggling networks and to help us prevent migrants from entering in overstuffed and unseaworthy vehicles. Such an approach is the only approach in the long term that can actually save lives.

  Miriam Dalli, f’isem il-grupp S&D. – Sur President, fil-fatt ilna nitkellmu dwar din l-istess sfida għal snin twal mingħajr mal-Unjoni Ewropea kollha flimkien irnexxielha ssib it-triq 'il quddiem u dak li qegħdin niddiskutu llum huwa r-riżultat ta' nuqqas ta' pożizzjoni komuni. Is-soluzzjonijiet li ġew ippreżentati s'issa mhumiex jaħdmu, u llum m'għadniex nitkellmu dwar sfida għaliex din hija emerġenza: emerġenza umanitarja.

Illum aktar minn qatt qabel, dan huwa ż-żmien li fih iridu jittieħdu deċiżjonijiet politiċi li jindirizzaw din l-emerġenza li qed twassal biex jintilfu aktar ħajjiet fil-Mediterran, u li qed tkompli titfa' aktar piż fuq il-pajjiżi l-aktar esposti. U nitlob hawnhekk lill-Presidenza Finlandiża, imma anki lill-Kummissjoni Ewropea, biex tagħtu prijorità lil din is-sitwazzjoni. Prijorità assoluta bbażata fuq erba' prijoritajiet ewlenin: l-ewwel, li ma nħallux aktar ħajjiet jintilfu u naraw li jkunu sostnuti, iva, operazzjonijiet ta' salvataġġ; it-tieni, iżda, li verament ikun miġġieled it-traffikar tal-persuni; it-tielet, li tingħata soluzzjoni konkreta għall-pressjoni żejda li qed tintefa' fuq dawk il-pajjiżi l-aktar esposti, partikolarment fil-Mediterran; u r-raba', li jkollna rotot siguri u legali għal min għandu bżonn protezzjoni internazzjonali.

Issa kemm-il darba smajna li l-Istati Membri jgħidu li jaqblu li s-sistema ta' asil komuni għandha tkun riformata, imma, fir-realtà, dan id-diskors qatt ma rajnieh jiġi konkretizzat. U minflok rajna li l-pajjiżi li mhumiex esposti għal dawn il-pressjonijiet jostakolaw kwalunkwe progress. Aħna mhux ser naċċettaw li din l-isfida ma tiġix indirizzata mill-Unjoni Ewropea kollha kemm hi. Irridu riforma vera, inkluż riflessjoni dwar tibdil f'sistemi fejn il-pajjiż li jidħlu immigranti għall-ewwel darba fih, mhux biss qed ikollhom jidħlu r-responsabbiltà li jirċievu lil min għandu dritt għall-asil, imma huma responsabbli wkoll li jirritornaw lil dawk li m'għandhomx dritt għall-protezzjoni internazzjonali. Wara kollox, fejnha s-solidarjetà li l-Unjoni Ewropea tant titkellem fuqha?

Mis-sajf tas-sena li għaddiet, rajna sistema ta' rilokazzjoni ad hoc, li intom irriferejtu għaliha, ta' grupp żgħir ta' Stati Membri li waslu fi ftehim dwar soluzzjonijiet prattiċi. L-ironija hi li l-maġġoranza tal-pajjiżi li pparteċipaw huma l-pajjiżi li jħossu l-akbar pressjoni, u dan mhuwiex biżżejjed. Bħala negozjatur tal-liġi li se tirregola fond ta' aktar minn EUR 10 biljun fil-qasam tal-immigrazzjoni, ser inkompli ninsisti dwar is-solidarjetà, sistemi ta' rilokazzjoni u ridistribuzzjoni, għaliex din hija...(Il-President irtira l-kelma lill-kelliema)

  Sophia in 't Veld, on behalf of the Renew Group. – Mr President, I would like to thank the Council and the Commission for their very clear commitment to finding sustainable solutions because sometimes I feel a little bit like I am in the twilight zone. There used to be a time where it was considered the morally right thing to do to save people from drowning and to provide shelter to the vulnerable and to refugees. That’s even a Christian duty. I’m not Christian, but I was taught that this is the right thing to do.

But now we are actually talking about criminalising saving people. I actually think it’s a criminal act to let somebody drown. Those who are in favour of criminalising it say, ‘these NGOs who are saving people in the Mediterranean are creating a pull factor’. Well, sorry, what they want is a deterrent. They think that if those boats cannot come here, that’s a deterrent. Well, if 35 000 dead bodies on the bottom of the Mediterranean is not a deterrent, then what is? We are talking about small vessels bringing in 40-50 people. I think the Union can handle that.

I think that this is not a responsibility that we should put on the shoulders of NGOs or commercial vessels, which are also burdened with this. This is a public responsibility. It is also a collective responsibility for all the EU Member States. It is unacceptable that our Member States still to this day refuse to take their share of the responsibility. We need a sustainable arrangement, not a temporary arrangement.

We also call on the Council to finally adopt the asylum package and then, finally, we also need to get real and stop fighting symptoms. We need migration. Migration exists, it has existed since the beginning of time, we should manage it, we should control it, and we should create legal and safe pathways for legal labour migration to Europe.

(Applause)

  Erik Marquardt, im Namen der Verts/ALE-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident! Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Es ist Glück, das darüber entscheidet, wo man auf diesem Planeten geboren wird, und es ist Glück, das darüber entscheidet, ob man in Frieden und Wohlstand aufwachsen darf, oder ob man in Elend aufwachsen muss.

Ich war selbst als Seenotretter auf dem Mittelmeer, und ich habe das Leid dort gesehen. Und ich kann mir aber trotzdem nicht vorstellen, wie es sich anfühlt, auf einem kleinen Schlauchboot zu sitzen und nicht zu wissen, ob man den nächsten Tag überlebt. Ich kann mir nicht vorstellen, wie es sich anfühlt, wenn man nicht schwimmen kann. Und alles was man will ist Luft, und man findet sie nicht, weil überall Wasser ist. Und man sucht irgendwas, um sich daran festzuhalten und findet es nicht, weil dort nur Wasser ist. Und dann ertrinkt man – leise, qualvoll – im Mittelmeer.

Ich möchte stolz sein auf unser Handeln als Europäer, aber ich kann mich nur dafür schämen, wenn im Mittelmeer nicht nur Tausende Menschen ertrinken, die wir retten könnten, sondern wenn mit ihnen auch die europäischen Werte im Mittelmeer ertrinken. Dabei kann das Sterben so einfach verhindert werden. Es gibt allein in Deutschland über 70 Kommunen, die sich bereit erklärt haben, Menschen aufzunehmen. Lasst es uns ihnen erlauben! Und wenn es Gesetze gibt, die das Lebenretten stärker bestrafen als das Sterbenlassen, dann lasst uns diese Gesetze ändern. Und wenn es Boote gibt, die retten können, dann lasst uns doch diese Boote verdammt nochmal schicken. Es wäre ein Zeichen der Stärke zu sagen: Die Würde des Menschen ist unantastbar, auch auf dem Mittelmeer.

(Beifall)

  Harald Vilimsky, im Namen der ID-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident, meine sehr geehrten Damen und Herren! Ich bin nunmehr das zweite Mal Mitglied dieses Hauses und erlebe, wie seit dem Jahr 2015, als die Migrationswelle ihren Beginn genommen hat, hier weder eine Lösung präsentiert werden kann, dieses Problem zu bewältigen, noch wir uns irgendwie einem besseren Zustand nähern. Im Gegenteil, Sie setzen in Permanenz die falschen Signale und erfüllen damit auch das Geschäft der Schlepper. Und bitte reden Sie nicht von Seenotrettung. Wenn eine Person wie Frau Carola Rackete – wie immer ihr Name genau ausgesprochen sein mag – 20 Kilometer von der libyschen Küste entfernt Menschen aufnimmt, Hunderte Kilometer weit nach Italien bringt, dort ein Gesetz nach dem anderen verletzt, rechtswidrig in italienische Hoheitsgewässer eindringt, das Leben von italienischen Beamten gefährdet, indem sie deren Schiff abdrängt, dann ist das keine Seenotrettung, sondern eine politische Aktion mit einer Reihe von Rechtsvergehen, die entsprechend hier auch so bewertet werden müssen. Das ist keine Ikone, das ist keine Heilige, das ist eine Rechtsbrecherin. Das muss hier einmal in aller Deutlichkeit gesagt werden.

(Beifall)

  Nicola Procaccini, a nome del gruppo ECR. – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, io vi pongo subito una domanda: qual è il confine tra il salvataggio in mare di vite umane che sono davvero a rischio ed il comportamento di chi invece trasporta persone da una sponda all'altra del Mediterraneo, facendosi beffe del diritto?

Ve lo dico io. Il primo è un atto lecito, generoso, ovviamente estemporaneo e inoffensivo. Il secondo è invece un atto pianificato politicamente, volutamente reiterato, che mette a rischio la sicurezza dei migranti e quindi è anche un atto illecito penalmente. Non lo sostengo io, non lo sostiene l’ECR o Fratelli d'Italia, lo sostiene il diritto, il diritto internazionale, quello a cui spesso vi appellate in modo spesso opportunistico.

Ora stiamo lasciando che capitani di ventura senza alcun mandato popolare si arroghino il diritto di speronare sia fisicamente che metaforicamente la dignità delle nostre nazioni, la pace delle nostre nazioni. Stiamo abbandonando in mare lo Stato di diritto, proprio quello di cui si parlava qui ieri. Quindi armiamoci di coraggio, ma anche di mezzi per fermare le partenze clandestine, smantelliamo le navi che fanno da taxi e salveremo più vite nel Mar Mediterraneo.

  Miguel Urbán Crespo, en nombre del Grupo GUE/NGL. – Señor presidente, lo decimos una vez más: la Unión Europea y los Estados miembros tienen que elegir entre proteger la vida o seguir siendo cómplices de la muerte; seguir siendo cómplices de convertir el Mediterráneo en una gran fosa común.

Romper con esta política migratoria europea de muerte significa dejar de criminalizar a todas aquellas personas y organizaciones que salvan vidas. Salvar vidas nunca puede ser un delito. Romper con el juego macabro de Salvini, que utiliza la muerte para ganar votos, significa también poner en marcha de forma urgente —de forma urgente— un salvamento marítimo público de la Unión Europea para que no haya ni una sola muerte más en el Mediterráneo. Significa apoyar todas las iniciativas de la sociedad civil que luchan para cambiar la política migratoria y que lo están haciendo ahora mismo con la iniciativa Caravana Abriendo...

(El presidente retira la palabra al orador)

(Silbidos del Grupo ID)

  Laura Ferrara (NI). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, i flussi migratori nel Mediterraneo sono diminuiti, ma di fatto si continua a partire e a morire.

Nel fronteggiare il fenomeno migratorio, abbiamo atteso a lungo una forte e coesa risposta europea e internazionale. Una risposta che ancora non è arrivata. Sono prevalse purtroppo egoistiche politiche nazionali, che hanno lasciato soli alcuni degli Stati membri a gestire i flussi migratori, con una soluzione di emergenza, caso per caso e con un mercato di propaganda che divide persone e paesi e che crea mostri ed eroi.

È recente la presentazione di un piano del ministro Moavero per una soluzione europea. Si tratta di salvare vite e di individuare i luoghi di sbarco, di stabilire ricollocamenti automatici e obbligatori per i migranti, di contrastare il business del traffico di esseri umani nel Mediterraneo, di prevedere vie legali per chi ha diritto alla protezione internazionale, di cooperare nelle aree di origine dei flussi interessati da conflitti, da miseria, da sfruttamento di risorse, di stipulare accordi di riammissione per i rimpatri.

Ecco, sono questioni di cui non possono farsi carico solo i paesi di primo approdo come l'Italia, Malta, Spagna o Grecia, ma deve farsene carico l'intera Unione europea. La mancanza di una posizione comune tra tutti gli Stati membri sull'equa ripartizione delle responsabilità nelle politiche europee di asilo e di immigrazione, oltre a mortificare i principi contenuti nei trattati, fa perdere credibilità al progetto europeo ed è per questo che mi auguro che, con la ripartenza di questa legislatura, si riprenda il lavoro fatto da questo Parlamento per la riforma del sistema comune europeo di asilo.

  Λευτέρης Χριστοφόρου (PPE). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, εδώ στο Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο, είθισται ο λόγος μας να είναι καταγγελτικός και επικριτικός προς τους πάντες. Εγώ θα αξιοποιήσω αυτόν τον χρόνο μου για να απονείμω τα εύσημα στον Επίτροπο ανθρωπιστικής βοήθειας και διαχείρισης κρίσεων που βρίσκεται ενώπιόν μας και ο οποίος πραγματικά βρέθηκε ως εκπρόσωπος της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης σε κάθε γωνιά του πλανήτη, εκεί όπου υπήρχε ανθρώπινος πόνος, παρέχοντας ανθρωπιστική βοήθεια και στήριξη. Έδινε με αυτόν τον τρόπο υπόσταση και αναβάθμιση στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση κάνοντας μας εμάς όλους πολλές φορές περήφανους, γιατί η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση μέσω του ιδίου δεν ήταν ποτέ απούσα από οποιεσδήποτε ανθρωπιστικές κρίσεις. Βρισκόταν πάντα παρών και έδινε πραγματικά χείρα βοηθείας, αναδεικνύοντας τον ανθρωπιστικό και κοινωνικό ρόλο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης.

Θα ήθελα μάλιστα να ρωτήσω: Οι άλλες μεγάλες δυνάμεις –γιατί συνήθως στρέφουμε τα πυρά στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση– τι έκαναν για τη Μεσόγειο, τι έκαναν για την ανθρωπιστική κρίση, πόσα χρήματα έδωσαν ή τι ενέργειες και πρωτοβουλίες ανέλαβαν; Σίγουρα στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση απαιτείται και επιβάλλεται η ενότητα και η αλληλεγγύη, και, όταν λέμε ενότητα και αλληλεγγύη, δεν πρέπει να αφήνουμε αυτά τα ζητήματα να τα αντιμετωπίζει κάθε χώρα μόνη της, αλλά να τα αντιμετωπίζουμε όλοι μαζί.

(Ο Πρόεδρος διακόπτει τον ομιλητή).

  Claude Moraes (S&D). – Mr President, someone mentioned international law just now. It is not against international law to seek asylum or indeed to seek a better life. What is happening in the Mediterranean, despite what we have heard from the Council about the numbers who are dying reducing, is an assault against human dignity in the Mediterranean and a challenge to our European values. I think we can all agree with this, so let’s not discuss exactly how international law applies. What is applying now is a real confusion and an ammunition given to some on the question of the criminalisation of humanitarian assistance. And let’s be clear: the human instinct, the European instinct, the global instinct to aid people who may be dying, as we have just heard, is one that we need to clarify and we need to accept as one of our values. One year ago exactly I drafted a resolution, as the Commissioner will know, asking exactly what guidelines we would have to prevent humanitarian assistance from being criminalised. Of course, we were told then that there were not many cases. Now we see the cases. With regard to Sea—Watch 3, we see many cases now of criminalisation of humanitarian assistance. So exactly when are these guidelines going to be issued? When are we going to see them?

Over the last year we have seen the odyssey, not just of Sea—Watch, but just ordinary individuals, these are not criminals these are just the people we know – doctors, lifeguards, firefighters – all the people who are European citizens trying to save lives.

And finally, colleagues, for the Council. What I would say to the Council is this: of course we need to have the guidelines, of course we need to deal with the humanitarian situation in the Mediterranean, so we can look in the eyes people in the coming years and say we did something about this disgrace that is going on in the Mediterranean and the fuel that we are giving to some politicians to use this issue. Also for the Council, how on earth are we going to get the Dublin process and solidarity sorted out if we don’t have majority voting and qualified majority voting (QMV) and the things that I have to ask the Finnish Presidency to make some progress on? We need Dublin. We need the common asylum policy. We need ...

(The President cut off the speaker)

  Dragoş Tudorache (Renew). – Mr President, as another colleague said earlier, we’ve been in this debate for four years. I know that as a union we’ve done a lot under challenging circumstances. The Commission has made great efforts and put forward bold solutions, and on this side, this House has played its part in a spirit of institutional loyalty and competence. But all this said, here we are four years later still holding our breath every time there is a boat in the Mediterranean waters, and then the game of ad hoc, half-baked measures is starting. Will they go to Italy? Will they go to Malta? Will they go to Spain? And whose responsibility is it?

We simply cannot afford politically to continue this way. We simply cannot afford to let our European citizens be haunted by a moral dilemma between protecting lives and good management of migration flows. The two are possible together, the two can go hand in hand. Solidarity and responsibility can and must co-exist.

We need structured solutions – and I took good note of the promise of the commitment made yesterday by the new Commission President to a migration pact. That is good, but until that pact is going to happen, we need the Council to support the scale—up of Frontex without delay because Frontex has to be back in the Mediterranean waters as quickly as possible and at full strength.

(Applause)

  Tineke Strik (Verts/ALE). – Mr President, at sea every minute counts and that is why the Law of the Sea obliges every actor to immediately assist people in distress and to disembark them at the first safe haven. However, our Member States ignore these obligations and on top of that, they also work against NGOs which do save lives. And instead of ensuring safety and protection they organise unlawful pull-backs to Libya, where migrants are exposed to violence, inhuman treatment in detention centres and to the risk of refoulement.

We need to stop these shameful violations of international law close to our borders. We need to act united and in solidarity and that means more capacity for search-and-rescue actions at EU level and equally shared responsibility for rescued persons who ask for asylum, not ad hoc but on a sustainable basis.

It also means that we need to ensure that refugees have access to safe routes and durable protection and we welcome the announcement from Ms von der Leyen on human corridors.

But finally, acknowledging our responsibility for the drownings in the Mediterranean also requires that we ensure that the human rights of migrants and refugees are not affected as a consequence of our cooperation with Libya. So it means that we need to scrutinise the EU budget that we invest in cooperation with Libya to check it does not affect their human rights. After all, out of sight does not mean out of rights.

  Annalisa Tardino (ID). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, ieri in quest'Aula alla dichiarazione che “in mare c'è l'obbligo di salvare le vite”, oggi ribadita, è seguito un enorme applauso dalla quasi totalità del Parlamento. Quell'applauso – ribadisco – va solo all'Italia, che ha salvato migliaia di vite nel Mediterraneo. L'Italia che ha accolto, l'Italia che, di contro, è stata lasciata sola dall'Europa e da chi oggi, con grande ipocrisia, si permette di criticare la politica del governo di lotta all'immigrazione clandestina.

Ci chiediamo cosa avete fatto in questi anni, cosa ha fatto la Francia, ad esempio? Oggi ha annunciato di voler premiare Carola Rackete, ma si è ben guardata dal rispondere al suo SOS in mare. Quindi i porti francesi chiusi, ma medaglie aperte… ancora una volta una grande ipocrisia che trovo imbarazzante! La verità è che solo il nostro governo e solo il ministro Salvini con grande coraggio e contro ogni tipo di insulto, sta cercando di fermare il business degli schiavisti e dell'immigrazione clandestina, salvando vite.

La politica dei porti chiusi ha consentito meno sbarchi, quelli che voi citavate, meno morti nel Mediterraneo, e non lo dice la Lega, ma lo dicono i dati dell'ONU. E ancora, piuttosto di giudicare da tuttologi estranei, venite in Italia, venite in Sicilia, a Lampedusa, vedrete in quali disperate condizioni si cerca di arginare un fenomeno epocale che convoglia in sé numerosi e diversi problemi.

È responsabilità di questo Parlamento e del Consiglio aiutare chi ne ha diritto, ma in via legale e sicura, al di là dei proclami, quelli che abbiamo ascoltato e continuiamo ascoltare. Ci aspettiamo interventi reali e immediati. I nostri cittadini sono stanchi di...

(Il Presidente ritira la parola all'oratrice)

  Jorge Buxadé Villalba (ECR). – Señor presidente, como diputado español, le puedo asegurar que la manera más eficaz de poner freno a la posible muerte de personas en el Mediterráneo es la lucha implacable contra la inmigración ilegal y contra todos aquellos que colaboran y cooperan en ese tráfico de seres humanos. Solo la posibilidad de crear un marco europeo de prevención y lucha contra el tráfico ilegal de seres humanos puede realmente salvar vidas.

El efecto llamada es una realidad y es una inaceptable irresponsabilidad de aquellos Gobiernos y grupos políticos que siguen animando a miles de personas que están en África a lanzarse a un viaje mortal en el Mediterráneo, con la colaboración de esas mafias de tráfico ilegal de seres humanos y de sus cooperadores necesarios.

Las fronteras de la Unión deben ser una puerta infranqueable para todos aquellos que quieran entrar en el territorio de la Unión incumpliendo las leyes comunitarias o las leyes nacionales. Y, por eso, nosotros no podemos admitir que, desde las instituciones comunitarias, se anime la actuación de aquellos capitanes que quieren seguir trayendo de forma ilegal seres humanos con incumplimiento de nuestra normativa nacional y comunitaria.

  Sira Rego (GUE/NGL). – Señor presidente, en el año 2018 murieron más de 2 200 personas en el mar Mediterráneo. No son accidentes: son consecuencia directa de las políticas de la Europa fortaleza. Hace unos días, nos acompañaban aquí los abogados que han llevado a la Unión Europea ante la Fiscalía de la Corte Penal Internacional, precisamente por estas políticas migratorias responsables de más de 14 000 muertes.

Esto no puede quedar impune. Hay una cadena de responsabilidad política, administrativa y de aplicación. En ese sentido, desde la Izquierda Unitaria Europea proponemos soluciones concretas. Ante la dejación de funciones de los Gobiernos, este Parlamento debe comprometerse a crear una misión civil de salvamento y rescate en el mar. Y, por supuesto, debe romper con la criminalización de las labores de defensa de la vida que están llevando a cabo las ONG, en muchos casos frente a Gobiernos reaccionarios y neofascistas.

Salvar vidas no es un delito. Hagamos que cerrar puertos y multar a quienes las salvan sí que lo sea.

  Κωνσταντίνος Παπαδάκης (NI). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση και οι κυβερνήσεις της, οι σύμμαχοί τους και η πολιτική τους ευθύνονται για τους ιμπεριαλιστικούς πολέμους και τα κύματα προσφύγων και μεταναστών. Η άθλια σημερινή κατάσταση σε βάρος τους είναι αποφασισμένη ομόφωνα απ’ όλες τις κυβερνήσεις στα Ευρωπαϊκά Συμβούλια. Οι δε εξαγγελίες της Προέδρου von der Leyen για αύξηση της ευρωσυνοριοφυλακής σε 10.000 σηματοδοτεί ένταση της καταστολής ενάντια στους πρόσφυγες και περισσότερους θανάτους προσφύγων στη Μεσόγειο.

Στην Ελλάδα, η κυβέρνηση της Νέας Δημοκρατίας συνεχίζει την προώθηση της απάνθρωπης πολιτικής της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης ενάντια σε πρόσφυγες και μετανάστες, που συνδιαμορφώθηκε και προωθήθηκε από την κυβέρνηση του ΣΥΡΙΖΑ απαρέγκλιτα με συμφωνίες τύπου Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης-Τουρκίας, ενίσχυση της καταστολής στα σύνορα, με απελάσεις και εγκληματικές αρνήσεις διάσωσης προσφύγων στη θάλασσα, από κυβερνήσεις κρατών μελών. Ο εγκλωβισμός σε κολαστήρια τύπου Μόριας, με σφραγίδα του ΣΥΡΙΖΑ, επαινείται τώρα από την κυβέρνηση της Νέας Δημοκρατίας, η οποία και πλειοδοτεί σε νέα αντιδραστικά μέτρα, όπως η μεταφορά αρμοδιοτήτων στο Υπουργείο Προστασίας του Πολίτη και η ανάλγητη ανάκληση και αυτής της ήδη περιορισμένης πρόσβασης προσφύγων και αιτούντων άσυλο στην ιατροφαρμακευτική περίθαλψη.

Παλεύουμε ενάντια στη συμφωνία Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης-Τουρκίας, για να κλείσουν άμεσα όλα τα άθλια hot spot, για τη μεταφορά προσφύγων και μεταναστών στις χώρες τελικού προορισμού τους, ενάντια σε Σένγκεν και Δουβλίνο, ενάντια σε όλους αυτούς τους αντιλαϊκούς νόμους, ενάντια στο σύστημα της εκμετάλλευσης και των ιμπεριαλιστικών πολέμων.

  Karoline Edtstadler (PPE). – Herr Präsident! Die aktuellen Vorfälle zeigen, dass diese Debatte notwendig ist, aber wir müssen sie endlich ehrlich führen. Als ehemalige Strafrichterin und Menschenrechtlerin sage ich Ihnen: Natürlich müssen wir die Menschen vor dem sicheren Tod im Mittelmeer retten, aber wir müssen noch viel mehr als das tun, wir müssen die Fluchtanreize endlich beseitigen.

Wir müssen verhindern, dass die Menschen auf die Boote steigen. Durch Aktionen, die medial große Aufmerksamkeit bekommen, passiert im Moment das Gegenteil. Hoffnungen werden geschürt, die Menschen werden dazu verleitet, auf die Boote zu steigen. Nur um dann kurz nach der Ankunft zu erfahren, dass kein Asylgrund besteht. Die Rettung, oft nur wenige Kilometer vor der afrikanischen Küste, kann nicht das Ticket nach Europa bedeuten. Wir müssen diese Sache als Europäer endlich selbst in die Hand nehmen und hier wirklich schonungslos darüber diskutieren, Lösungen suchen und hier eine nachhaltige Reform des Asylverfahrens einleiten.

Wenn uns die Stabilität und der Fortbestand Europas am Herzen liegen, dann ist es unsere Pflicht, nun Lösungen auf den Weg zu bringen.

  Birgit Sippel (S&D). – Herr Präsident! Humanität im Mittelmeer. Schon viel zu lange blockiert der Rat eine Reform des gemeinsamen Asylsystems einschließlich der Dublin-Verordnung. Die Seenotrettung im Mittelmeer wurde eingestellt und damit ein verächtliches Spiel mit Schutzsuchenden betrieben, Politikunfähigkeit auf dem Rücken von Menschen ausgetragen. Geflüchtete werden nach Libyen zurückgedrängt, zu Menschenhandel, Folter und Zwangsarbeit. Und um dieses perfide Spiel durchzusetzen, kriminalisieren Mitgliedstaaten diejenigen, die Menschenleben retten und das tun, was eigentlich Aufgabe der Mitgliedstaaten ist – aller Mitgliedstaaten. Die Europäische Union – eine Wertegemeinschaft?

Auch die Kommission bleibt Klarstellungen schuldig, etwa eine Überarbeitung der Richtlinie zur Beihilfe, um Helfern rechtliche Sicherheit zu geben. Menschenleben retten ist kein Verbrechen, Seenotrettung ist kein Menschenhandel! Auch die Kommission muss handeln.

Frau von der Leyen hat gestern mit blumigen Worten von einem Neustart des Asylsystems gesprochen. Neustart? Wir brauchen jetzt schnellstmöglich einen Gesetzesvorschlag zu humanitären Visa und Beiträge zu verbindlichen Vorgaben für das resettlement. Auch das wären Beiträge zu einer geordneten Migrations- und Flüchtlingspolitik.

Und zudem hat dieses Haus bereits eine breite Mehrheit für gemeinsame Verantwortung einschließlich der Verteilung von Flüchtlingen gefunden. Das Europäische Parlament hat seine Arbeit gemacht, wir haben mehrheitliche Beschlüsse für Antworten auf die Herausforderungen gefasst. Das muss jetzt endlich umgesetzt werden!

  Fabienne Keller (Renew). – Monsieur le Président, Madame la Ministre, Madame Tytti Tuppurainen, merci pour votre engagement, merci à vous aussi, Monsieur le Commissaire, Monsieur Christos Stylianides.

Mme Ursula von der Leyen l’a affirmé, hier matin: aucune personne ne doit mourir en mer Méditerranée. Vous, comme moi, nous partageons cet objectif. Les ONG sont actuellement les principaux acteurs de cette aide humanitaire et ce sont naturellement des partenaires. Mais, comme mon collègue Dragoş Tudorache l’a dit tout à l’heure, nous devons, l’Europe doit prendre également les choses en main.

Nous le savons bien, cela a déjà été dit, la question qui se pose est celle de la nécessaire solidarité entre les pays de l’Union pour assurer le sauvetage en mer des personnes qui s’engagent sur les routes migratoires, parfois au péril de leur vie. Nous le savons, ce sont actuellement quelques États qui reçoivent la majorité des migrants et qui doivent, de fait, assurer leur prise en charge.

Nous devons réformer notre politique d’asile. L’urgence est aujourd’hui de prévoir un mécanisme temporaire pour assurer cette aide humanitaire.

Alors, voici mes questions, Madame la Ministre, Monsieur le Commissaire: premièrement, comment l’Union européenne peut-elle agir pour atteindre cet objectif humanitaire rapidement?

Deuxième question: l’agence Frontex assure le sauvetage en mer de plusieurs dizaines de milliers de personnes par an, vous l’avez rappelé. Comment envisagez-vous de renforcer son rôle, avec quels moyens?

  Magid Magid (Verts/ALE). – Mr President, the future of Europe will be defined by courage or cowardice, by compassion or callousness, by hope or fear. Carola Rackete, Captain of the Sea-Watch 3, courageously sailed into the depths of the Mediterranean cemetery to snatch her fellow humans from the jaws of death. In this, she is a living embodiment of a fairer, kinder Europe, and our fellow brothers and sisters crossing the Mediterranean deserve more than just a statement. They deserve the openness of our arms, the safety of our welcomes, and the warmth of our European embraces.

In contrast, Matteo Salvini is a coward. A coward because what kind of grown man watches a child drowning, gasping for breath and turns his back?

(Jeers from the ID Group)

A coward who boasts about detaining and arresting a lifesaver. A coward who decides to make an enemy of the victims of war and those who have been dispossessed. To Salvini and all his supporters who I can see here: you are all going to lose, I promise you that, because at the end of the day those who have courage in their hearts and want to succeed – we are going to win.

(Applause)

  Der Präsident. – Vielen Dank, Herr Kollege Magid! Abgesehen davon, dass es bei uns üblich ist, dass man aufsteht, wenn man spricht, was Sie getan haben – vielleicht bin ich etwas altmodisch –, wäre ich Ihnen sehr verbunden, wenn Sie es in Erwägung ziehen würden, die Kopfbedeckung abzunehmen, wenn Sie sprechen.

(Unruhe im Saal und Beifall)

  Marco Campomenosi (ID). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, io non ero un parlamentare europeo, lavoravo già qui per la Lega e noto che di dibattiti di questo tipo se ne sono fatti tanti e non credo che stasera avremo risolto il problema.

Noto però che i deputati della Lega erano 6, adesso sono 28, il nostro gruppo era di 37 deputati, ora siamo 73. Forse qualcuno di voi non ha capito qual è la soluzione, ma io non mi rivolgo alla sinistra, mi rivolgo agli amici del PPE che credo siano molto confusi, che credo che vogliano governare questa Europa insieme a gente che dice queste cose, insieme a gente che continua a portare avanti un discorso che non è giusto o sbagliato, è totalmente irrealistico e irreale.

Se oggi non ci sono morti, o meglio, ci sono meno morti rispetto a quelli di qualche anno fa, lo dobbiamo all'attività di Matteo Salvini, all'attività della Guardia Costiera, della Marina militare e della Guardia di Finanza. Assistiamo, invece, all'ipocrisia, all'ipocrisia di chi, come il governo francese attuale – noi abbiamo tanti amici in Francia che la pensano come noi – ma il governo francese impedisce alla signora Rackete di approdare a Marsiglia, arresta chi porta immigrati dall'Italia alla Francia, però poi a Parigi premia la signora Rackete o cerca di destabilizzare l'Italia storicamente da quando hanno deciso e insistito, ancora ai tempi di Sarkozy, per l'intervento militare in Libia.

E allora di cosa stiamo parlando? Stiamo parlando di migranti economici, l'unica soluzione è quella dei rimpatri. Il commissario Avramopoulos aveva provato e voi avete affossato quella direttiva, bisogna lavorare su questo, altrimenti avremo ...

(Il Presidente ritira la parola all'oratore)

  Ruža Tomašić (ECR). – Poštovani predsjedavajući, nezakonite migracije u Sredozemlju izazov su s kojim se pojedine članice svakodnevno nose, često i bez naročite pomoći Unije koja ostaje paralizirana partikularnim interesima, svjetonazorskim prepirkama i birokratskim zavrzlamama.

Spašavanje migranata na moru naša je moralna obveza, oko toga ne smije biti spora, ali činjenica jest da ono u određenoj mjeri ohrabruje migrante na pokušaj nezakonitog ulaska u Europu i potiče neodgovorno ponašanje koje ugrožava živote.

Rješenje te situacije nije odustajanje od spašavanja migranata jer bi takvo što bilo nečovječno i protivno svemu što Unija predstavlja, nego bolja suradnja s vlastima afričkih zemalja.

Moramo osigurati da se spašene migrante vrati na afričko tlo, ali tu ne prestaje naša briga. Moraju biti vraćeni u sigurno okruženje u kojemu će se poštovati njihova ljudska prava. Tako ćemo obeshrabriti ilegalne migracije, osigurati poštovanje međunarodnog prava i poretka, ali ujedno i zaštititi život, zdravlje i dostojanstvo ljudi.

  Cornelia Ernst (GUE/NGL). – Herr Präsident, meine Damen und Herren! Ich stehe hier, um mich vor den toten Migrantinnen und Migranten im Mittelmeer und an den EU-Außengrenzen zu verneigen. Vor ihren Familien, vor ihren Freunden, vor ihren Eltern, vor Kindern, vor Alten, vor Jungen.

Wir reden über 40 000 Menschen, die – erfasst von NGOs – vermutlich umgekommen sind. 40 000 Menschen. Es gibt noch nicht mal eine offizielle Statistik der EU über die Toten, die wir im Mittelmeer oder sonstwo an den EU-Außengrenzen haben. Die gibt es nicht, und ich sage Ihnen, ich finde, zur Menschenwürde gehört doch als Mindestes, als Wenigstes, dass man als Toter erfasst wird. Das sind wir doch diesen Menschen schuldig, meine Damen und Herren.

Und ich bin hier, um denen zu danken, die trotz Salvini, trotz Seehofer und Konsorten und wie sie alle heißen, Menschenleben retten. Wie der Mannschaft von Sea-Watch, Mission Lifeline, Jugend Rettet, Sea-Eye, das sind für mich Helden, das will ich sagen. Und warum? Weil sie das Recht auf Leben verteidigen, und ich sage Ihnen auch, kein Mensch ... (Der Präsident entzieht der Rednerin das Wort)

  Αθανάσιος Κωνσταντίνου (NI). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, κυρίες και κύριοι, εκτιμάμε ότι το πρόβλημα της άρτιας παροχής ανθρωπιστικής βοήθειας θα πρέπει να αντιμετωπιστεί με έναν ενιαίο συγκεκριμένο πάγιο μηχανισμό, αποδεκτό καθολικά απ’ όλες τις χώρες μέλη της Ένωσης. Η Μεσόγειος είναι ένα πεδίο δραστηριότητας για τους ανθρώπους που ζητούν να καταφύγουν στην Ευρώπη, στην Ευρώπη νοητή ως σύνολο και όχι ειδικά σε κάποια χώρα της. Συνεπώς, η λύση στο ανθρωπιστικό ζήτημα του μεταναστευτικού πρέπει να σχηματοποιηθεί σε ευρωπαϊκό πλαίσιο.

Η επανάληψη των ευρωπαϊκών ναυτικών επιχειρήσεων στη Μεσόγειο Θάλασσα, κατά την πρόταση του ΟΗΕ, από το 2014 και ένθεν, η κατανομή των προσφύγων στις χώρες μέλη με σαφή αντικειμενικά κριτήρια, η δραστική χρησιμοποίηση ευρωπαϊκών γραφείων εκτός της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, όπου θα υποβάλλονται τα αιτήματα παροχής ασύλου από τις χώρες μέλη και η αεροπορική μεταφορά των δικαιούχων ασύλου στην Ευρώπη αποτελούν δυνητικούς ουσιώδεις πυλώνες πραγματικής ανθρωπιστικής υποστήριξης. Με ένα ενεργό σύστημα αυτού του τύπου, όπου θα συμμετέχουν επαρκώς οι ευρωπαϊκές χώρες, οι δυστυχείς ανθρώπινες υπάρξεις θα διασώζονται από τους εγκληματίες διακινητές καθώς και από τους θαλάσσιους κινδύνους.

  Paulo Rangel (PPE). – Senhor Presidente, Senhora Ministra, Senhor Comissário, quero que seja muito claro e inequívoco que o direito à vida está sempre à frente de qualquer uma das nossas conceções sobre asilo, refugiados, fluxos migratórios ou controlo de fronteiras. A vida está à frente dessas conceções e eu compreendo Estados como Chipre, Malta, a Grécia, a Itália, a Espanha, que têm de enfrentar estas vagas e que precisam da nossa ajuda e da nossa solidariedade.

Foi por nós não sermos solidários com estes Estados, por não resolvermos o problema da distribuição a nível europeu, que surgiram fenómenos como Salvini, de hostilidade e discriminação e, já que falo em Salvini, queria dizer aqui que é absolutamente absurdo que haja um jovem português, o seu nome é Miguel Duarte, que está a ser julgado em Itália por ter salvado vidas no Mediterrâneo. Quem salva vidas no mediterrâneo não deve ser julgado, não está a cometer um crime, está a prevenir crimes.

  Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D). – Señor presidente, comisario Stylianides, debatimos de nuevo la ayuda humanitaria en el Mediterráneo. ¿No es tremendo que lo hayamos debatido cien veces en la pasada legislatura y que en el último pleno de la pasada legislatura lo debatiéramos, y que volvamos a debatirlo en este primer pleno del nuevo mandato del Parlamento Europeo?

La razón es simple, y es que hay, sin duda, en la tragedia en el Mediterráneo, aspectos que escapan incluso al enorme trabajo que usted ha desarrollado en su comisaría, como es el caso de la explosión demográfica en África y de la vecindad torturada en la orilla sur del Mediterráneo.

Pero este Parlamento sí le ha exigido a la Comisión y al Consejo lo que depende de Europa. Para empezar, cambiar la mirada, porque es la ausencia de vías legales de acceso a la Unión Europea lo que hace que quien quiera intentarlo, huyendo de la persecución o del hambre, tenga que arriesgar la vida poniéndose en manos de organizaciones criminales de explotación de personas, y particularmente de las más vulnerables: mujeres y niñas indefensas.

Pero, además, exigimos que esa respuesta sea europea, respetuosa del Derecho internacional humanitario, del propio Derecho europeo —artículo 80 del Tratado de Funcionamiento de la Unión Europea, que exige solidaridad—. Porque la respuesta no puede ser Malta, no puede ser Italia, no puede ser Grecia, ni tampoco España, sino que tiene que ser una respuesta común europea.

Por eso le exigimos al Consejo que, cuanto antes, desbloquee el Tratado, el Reglamento de Dublín y el paquete de asilo, que atienda el mandato del Parlamento Europeo de establecer vías legales de acceso a la Unión Europea, incluyendo visados humanitarios. Y le exigimos a la Comisión que ponga en marcha cuanto antes la reforma de la escandalosa Directiva de ayuda, que es la que permite la criminalización de la ayuda humanitaria. Porque hemos dicho muchas veces que la ayuda humanitaria que prestan en el mar embarcaciones como Sea-Watch o como Open Arms, en ningún caso puede ser criminalizada ni pueden esas personas ser perseguidas ni encausadas ni sentadas en el banquillo de un juzgado o de un tribunal penal.

Porque salvar vidas en la mar no es delito; porque el trabajo que desarrollan los cooperantes, los médicos o los capitanes o las capitanas de esas embarcaciones, como Carola Rackete, en ningún caso puede llevarles ante un juicio criminal. Por tanto, cambiar la mirada humanitaria, establecer vías legales de acceso a la Unión Europea, reformar la Directiva de ayuda para que no sea más posible criminalizar y convertir en un delito el salvamento de vidas en la mar es la tarea urgente.

¡No tengamos de nuevo que debatirla cien veces en esta legislatura! ¡Pongámonos al trabajo cuanto antes! La Presidencia finlandesa ha afirmado su compromiso y le tomamos la palabra para que, cuanto antes, se desbloquee el Reglamento de Dublín, se complete el Sistema Europeo Común de Asilo, se reforme la Directiva de ayuda, y no tengamos que permanecer en esta salmodia, que lamenta de manera ritual las muertes en la mar en cada pleno del Parlamento Europeo.

Puhetta johti HEIDI HAUTALA
varapuhemies

  Jan-Christoph Oetjen (Renew). – Frau Präsidentin, verehrte Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Unsere europäischen Werte gebieten es, dass wir Menschen, die in Seenot geraten, helfen. Es ist unsere humanitäre Pflicht, an dieser Stelle zu helfen. Ich finde es geradezu beschämend, dass wir als Europäische Union auf private Organisationen angewiesen sind, dass die das tun. Ich finde, es ist unsere Verantwortung als Europäische Union, dass wir dort tätig werden. Deswegen finde ich, dass wir ganz dringend eine neue Seenotrettungsmission im Mittelmeer brauchen, um Menschen, die in Seenot geraten, zu helfen. Diese Menschen, die wir dann auflesen, müssen wir in einen sicheren Hafen bringen. Und ich will hier klar sagen an dieser Stelle: Libyen ist heute kein solcher sicherer Hafen. Und neben einem sicheren Hafen müssen wir dann gemeinsam mit dem UNHCR Lösungen suchen für mehr resettlement, für klare Regeln zur Migration, für ein besseres einheitliches Asylsystem in Europa mit hohen rechtsstaatlichen und humanitären Standards. Das ist der Weg, wie wir überhaupt verhindern, dass diese Menschen sich auf den Weg machen in das Boot, auf das Mittelmeer. Das ist doch das, was wir erreichen müssen, dass diese Verzweiflung, die diese Menschen haben, verschwindet.

  Magid Magid (Verts/ALE). – Madam President, on a point of order I just want to point out my frustration, in all honesty, with the previous President for telling me to take my hat off when there’s clearly no procedural rules meaning I have to take my hat off, while at the same time not calling on certain Members to be quiet when they were shouting.

So can you please pass on the message to the previous President to concentrate on chairing the meeting and not so much what people are wearing?

(Applause)

  Puhemies. – Tutkimme tämän pukeutumisasian yhdessä puhemiehen kanssa. Mutta on aivan totta, että täällä ei pitäisi esittää mitään välihuutoja. Teillä on kaikilla pyydetyt puheajat, ja pyydän, että pitäydytte niissä.

  Damien Carême (Verts/ALE). – Madame la Présidente, Monsieur le Commissaire, chers collègues, à Lampedusa, avec le docteur Pietro Bartolo, qui est à côté de moi, j’ai vu la mort dans le regard tétanisé des exilés tout juste sauvés.

À Grande-Synthe, dans ma ville, parmi les milliers de Kurdes que j'ai accueillis, j'ai entendu la détresse de Mustapha, syrien, me racontant comment les passeurs jetaient par-dessus bord des passagers pétris de peur.

À Tarifa, j’ai ressenti la terreur lorsque nous avons voulu traversé le détroit de Gibraltar à la nage et que les secouristes nous l’ont formellement interdit car trop dangereux. Pourtant, chaque jour, ils sont nombreux à tenter ce pari impossible.

À Strasbourg, aujourd’hui, je me demande où est passée notre humanité?

Je suis atterré par cette Europe qui refuse d’assumer sa responsabilité devant l'Histoire. Je suis furieux contre les prétendus «responsables» politiques qui préfèrent laisser la Méditerranée devenir un cimetière à ciel ouvert plutôt que d’agir en lançant dès maintenant une mission européenne de sauvetage en mer! C’est pourtant une priorité absolue!

La seule chose que nous promet Ursula von der Leyen, c’est une «approche plus soutenable en matière de recherche et de sauvetage». Ce jargon est indigne car la réalité, c’est que des êtres humains se noient chaque jour et que l’Europe ne fait rien! Il est temps que cela change!

  Laura Huhtasaari (ID). – Arvoisa puhemies, Välimerellä Libyan aluevesiltä laittomia maahanmuuttajia aluksiinsa noukkivat kansalaisjärjestöt eivät tee humanitaarista toimintaa, vaan ovat ihmissalakuljettajien aktiivisia yhteistyökumppaneita. Italian sisäministerin Matteo Salvinin johdonmukaisen politiikan myötä laiton maahanmuutto Libyasta EU:hun on pienentynyt murto-osaan entisestä ja hukkumiskuolemat ovat samalla vähentyneet. Kuulitteko? Hukkumiskuolemat ovat vähentyneet.

Mutta mitä tekee Saksan hallitus ja Euroopan poliittinen vasemmisto? Te haluatte kiihdyttää laitonta maahanmuuttovyöryä. Me emme voi ratkaista Afrikan ongelmia tuomalla Afrikan ongelmia Eurooppaan. Lopettakaa poliittinen hyväntahtoinen hölmöys, se upottaa Euroopan.

(Suosionosoituksia)

  Carlo Fidanza (ECR). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, quello che sta avvenendo nel Mediterraneo centrale è vergognoso.

Il traffico di esseri umani trova un costante sostegno nell'azione di ONG senza scrupoli che, pur di realizzare il loro disegno politico, sono pronte a violare le leggi e le acque territoriali di uno Stato sovrano, che coincidono anche con i confini esterni dell'Unione europea, nonché le stesse leggi del mare e che, invece, usano la propria difesa ipocritamente, come è avvenuto nel caso della fuorilegge Carola Rackete, che ha concluso la sua lunga serie di violazioni speronando una vedetta della Guardia di Finanza italiana, rischiando di causare una tragedia. A questa fuorilegge qualcuno vorrebbe addirittura concedere una passerella in questo Parlamento.

Il tutto nel silenzio complice delle autorità europee e con dichiarazioni ipocrite da parte di alcuni governi, a partire da quelli di Francia e Germania. Allora noi in mare vogliamo meno ONG e più navi militari, perché l'unico modo per fermare il traffico di esseri umani e le morti in mare è impedire ai barconi della morte di partire dall'Africa e aprire lì i centri di identificazione in cui distinguere chi è profugo veramente da chi è un brigante economico e deve essere rimpatriato, e per questo vogliamo un dispositivo europeo di rimpatrio dei migranti, perché soltanto così si potrà fermare questo traffico irregolare e immorale.

  Κωνσταντίνος Αρβανιτης (GUE/NGL). – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, εμείς ως Αριστερά –επειδή άκουσα ανθρωπιστικές και χριστιανικές προσεγγίσεις στο θέμα– δεν θέλουμε πρόσφυγες. Αυτό που θέλουμε είναι να απαλειφθούν οι αιτίες που δημιουργούν την προσφυγική κρίση και γι’ αυτό δεν μιλάτε. Αυτό που ζητάω σήμερα είναι να αναγνωρίσετε αυτές τις αιτίες. Η κυρία Επίτροπος χθες μίλησε για μεγαλύτερη στρατιωτική εμπλοκή με το ΝΑΤΟ, μας είπε δηλαδή με αυθάδεια ότι θέλει να ενισχύσουμε τις αιτίες των προσφυγικών ροών. Γιατί; Για να αποκαταστήσει το ευρωπαϊκό imperium; Για πιο κερδοφόρες διεθνείς μπίζνες;

Η Μεσόγειος έχει γίνει νεκροταφείο ψυχών. Στην Ελλάδα, με αριστερή κυβέρνηση, μεσούσης της κρίσης, δώσαμε μάχη. Πρέπει η Ευρώπη να κάνει το ίδιο, μέχρι την ειρηνική ανοικοδόμηση. Αυτό ζητάμε· την άμεση απεμπλοκή της Ευρώπης από τις εστίες σύρραξης, στρατιωτική και οικονομική· απόλυτη στήριξη στις οργανώσεις αλληλεγγύης. Δεν είναι εχθρός η οργάνωση αλληλεγγύης, εχθρός είναι ο πόλεμος και οι πολιτικές σας. Η Μεσόγειος θα γίνει πραγματικά ασφαλής, μόνο όταν θα είναι ειρηνική και από τις δύο πλευρές.

Κυρίες και κύριοι της ευρωπαϊκής Δεξιάς, ανοίξατε πληγές, κλείσατε σύνορα. Αυτή είναι η πολιτική σας!

  Milan Uhrík (NI). – Vážená pani predsedajúca, ja som novozvolený poslanec zo Slovenskej republiky, ale musím skutočne povedať, že som zdesený z toho, ako to tu vlastne funguje. Európska únia v tomto volebnom období ešte ani nezačala poriadne pracovať, európske inštitúcie ešte nie sú ani naštartované, a hneď prvá vec, čo sa tu rieši, je ako pomôcť ešte viac imigrantom dostávať sa do Európy.

Medzi europoslancami kolujú výzvy na – aspoň čo som postrehol – na zlepšenie ochrany zvierat pri transporte, na ochranu slonov v Afrike, ale na ochranu pôvodných Európanov nič, ani slovo. Tí nech to všetko len vytrpia, tí nech to všetko len zaplatia. Tvrdíte, že treba pomáhať imigrantom v Stredozemnom mori, lebo nejakí ľudia sa tam utopili. Humanitárna pomoc v tomto prípade ale vôbec nie je riešením, práve naopak, je zhoršením situácie, pretože keď tí imigranti budú vidieť, že sa o nich Únia postará ako v bavlnke, tak budú ešte viac prichádzať do Európy.

Práve naopak, ak chceme zabrániť topeniu sa, zomieraniu ľudí v Stredozemnom mori, jediné riešenie je umožniť, prípadne pomôcť členským štátom na hraniciach Európy, aby mohli efektívne brániť svoje územie, aby mohli tvrdo zasiahnuť proti pašerákom a prevádzačom imigrantov, aby mohli prerušiť imigračné trasy, a potom, keď nebudú prijímať nijakých nelegálnych imigrantov, tak sa žiadni nelegálni imigranti nebudú ani do Európy plaviť a logicky žiadni ani nebudú v Stredozemnom mori hynúť. Toto je jediné riešenie, ako túto nešťastnú nelegálnu imigračnú krízu skončiť.

(Rečník súhlasil s tým, že odpovie na otázku položenú zdvihnutím modrej karty (článok 171 ods. 8 rokovacieho poriadku))

  Magdalena Adamowicz (PPE), pytanie zadane przez podniesienie niebieskiej kartki. – Ja jestem też nowym posłem z Polski, jestem adwokatem, prawnikiem, zajmuję się prawem morskim. To, co przed chwilą powiedział mój kolega, to jest straszne i nieludzkie. Czy Pan uważa, że my, Europejczycy, jesteśmy innymi, lepszymi ludźmi niż uchodźcy z Afryki? Czy nas można byłoby ratować na Morzu Śródziemnym, a uchodźców z potrzebujących krajów – nie? Gdzie są nasze europejskie, podstawowe, chrześcijańskie wartości?

  Milan Uhrík (NI), odpoveď na otázku položenú zdvihnutím modrej karty. – Vážená pani kolegyňa, ja som nepovedal ani slovo o nejakých lepších alebo horších ľuďoch, to v žiadnom prípade. Ja len hovorím, že súčasné riešenia Európskej únie na riešenie tej nelegálnej imigrácie jednoducho zlyhávajú. Vidieť je to aj na nás, na poslancoch, ktorí sú odporcami imigrácie, že majú oveľa väčšie zastúpenie v Európskom parlamente ako doposiaľ, čiže tie staré riešenia jednoducho nefungujú a ak chceme pomôcť ľuďom v Afrike, tak im pomáhajme v Afrike, nechajme ich na pokoji, prípadne tam dávajme nejakú rozvojovú pomoc ako Únia, ale rozhodne imigrácia nie je riešením, pretože celá Afrika sa do Európy nezmestí.

  Tomas Tobé (PPE). – Fru talman! Sommarens händelser med räddningsfartyget i Italien visar att Europa fortfarande saknar en långsiktig och hållbar migrationspolitik. Låt oss dock vara väldigt glasklara med att svaren varken kommer från den yttersta vänstern eller från högerpopulisterna.

Det finns emellertid lärdomar att dra av dessa händelser. För det första: Lagar och regler måste gälla. Operationerna på Medelhavet räddar liv, men de måste ske inom lagens ramar och i samarbete med medlemsstaterna.

För det andra: Den italienska regeringens agerande löser inte grundproblemet. I stället skjuter man snarare över ansvaret på andra länder.

För det tredje: Se nu snarare till att vi går mot en politik med snabba asylsökningar, så att vi också kan få fram en hållbar migrationspolitik framöver.

  Pietro Bartolo (S&D). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, con emozione e rispetto mi rivolgo per la prima volta a quest’Aula.

Io sono lampedusano – forse qualcuno non lo sa – e per trent’anni a Lampedusa, la porta dell’Europa, ho soccorso personalmente, accolto personalmente, e curato personalmente coloro che arrivano dopo un lungo viaggio in mare. Ho visto l'orrore puro, ho fatto migliaia di ispezioni di cadaveri, ho visto torture ormonali, ho visto la malattia del gommone – qualcuno qua non sa di che cosa sta parlando – ho visto tanti orrori, che non voglio descrivere in questa sede.

L’Europa non può abbandonare in mare uomini, donne e bambini e rimandarli nell’inferno della Libia. Abbiamo una responsabilità nei confronti di queste persone. Per questo chiedo urgentemente un nuovo piano europeo per la ricerca e il soccorso nel Mediterraneo.

In questi ultimi anni, le ONG attive nel Mediterraneo hanno salvato migliaia di vite umane, sopperendo alle mancanze dei governi, chiusi nei loro egoismi nazionali e incapaci di trovare soluzioni all’insegna della solidarietà. Eppure in tanti hanno puntato il dito contro queste organizzazioni, criminalizzandole per aver offerto aiuto umanitario e per aver rispettato il diritto del mare. Questo non deve più accadere.

Chiedo che sia modificata la direttiva sul favoreggiamento: chi offre aiuto umanitario non può e non deve essere criminalizzato. E se vogliamo davvero evitare che migliaia di persone ogni giorno intraprendano viaggi pericolosi verso l’Europa, abbiamo bisogno di canali legali non solo per i richiedenti asilo, ma anche per chi scappa da povertà, fame e condizioni climatiche avverse.

Lo scorso marzo questo Parlamento ha votato un’ambiziosa risoluzione sui visti umanitari, chiedendo alla Commissione di presentare una proposta legislativa. Bene, la nuova Commissione se ne faccia promotrice e dimostri un impegno politico forte anche per portare a termine la riforma di Dublino che questo Parlamento ha già votato a larga maggioranza.

Gli Stati membri si assumano la loro responsabilità ad Helsinki, discutano, non di misure ad hoc, ma di politiche a lungo termine.

  Charles Goerens (Renew). – Madame la Présidente, si j'étais une personne menacée de noyade en Méditerranée, les propos de certains de nos collègues qui se fichent du malheur de ces personnes, je cracherais dessus.

L'action humanitaire ne doit pas être neutre mais impartiale. Elle ne doit pas être neutre, au sens d'une équidistance entre les victimes et leurs bourreaux, parce qu'elle doit toujours se ranger du côté des faibles et des personnes en danger. Elle doit être impartiale parce que l'action humanitaire ne fait pas de distinction entre les victimes, quelle que soit leur origine, leur nationalité ou leur opinion.

L’exposition au danger, à la poursuite ou à la guerre, suffit à elle seule pour la déployer. Les principes ainsi définis, notamment par Henry Dunant, ont été codifiés entre-temps. Ils constituent aujourd'hui les normes du droit humanitaire international et, par voie de conséquence, du droit maritime.

M. Salvini est-il le seul responsable de la situation exécrable en Méditerranée? Non. Ceux qui refusent d'accueillir des personnes sauvées en Méditerranée sont responsables au même titre que lui. Il n'existe donc aucune circonstance atténuante pour justifier le refus de venir en aide aux personnes en danger. L'indifférence, en cette circonstance, n'est pas une opinion, c'est un délit. Aussi me semble-t-il judicieux de demander à certains de nos États membres, qui n'ont que faire du droit humanitaire et des principes qui le sous-tendent, de revenir au respect des normes.

Finalement, j'invite la future Commission à continuer à attribuer ce portefeuille à un commissaire qui n'aura d'autre fonction que celle de commissaire à l'action humanitaire.

(L’orateur accepte de répondre à une question «carton bleu» (article 171, paragraphe 8, du règlement))

  Claire Fox (NI), blue-card question. – I want to ask you whether you think that, by saying that anybody who has qualms about an open humanitarian process is guilty of a crime, is not letting the EU off the hook.

The EU created Fortress Europe. The EU is ultimately responsible for those drowning in the Mediterranean. It is an absolute nerve to have a go at nation-states who dare do what? Assert their national sovereignty to make decisions about who they welcome. It’s the EU with blood on its hands or rather those drowned people.

Don’t try and play the humanitarian card in order to guilt-trip people in this room for simply saying that nation-states should be able to decide who they have live in their countries, and don’t say that you are more humanitarian than others because you hang your heart on your sleeve in this House.

(Applause)

  Charles Goerens (Renew), Réponse "carton bleu". – Madame la Présidente, j'aimerais dire à la personne qui vient de m'interpeller que si j'ai le choix entre une souveraineté mal comprise d'un État membre et le devoir de protéger les personnes humaines, le choix n'est pas difficile à faire.

Ce que j'aimerais ajouter à mon propos, c'est qu'il y a des États dans notre Union européenne qui se comportent comme s'ils n'avaient jamais entendu parler de droit, de communauté de valeurs et de respect du droit humanitaire. C'est un impératif, et je répète mes propos introductifs, ceux qui ne respectent pas ces principes, je cracherai dessus.

  Alice Kuhnke (Verts/ALE). – Fru talman! Vi gröna kan inte tysta se på när tusentals människors liv går förlorade. Vi, EU, räddar inte liv genom fina uttalanden om att stoppa människosmuggling eller genom avtal med skurkstater som Libyen. Människor dör i detta nu. Därför vill jag uppmana nyvalda ordförande Ursula von der Leyen och rådet att omedelbart ta två avgörande beslut.

För det första: Stoppa medlemsländer som kriminaliserar civila hjälpinsatser på Medelhavet. Att rädda liv kan aldrig vara ett brott! Kräv i stället att dessa medlemsstater gör allt för att rädda liv med hjälp av oss alla. För det andra: Ta ett gemensamt beslut om en långsiktig lösning som bygger på solidaritet både med de människor som flyr och de medlemsstater som drar det tyngsta lasset.

  Gilles Lebreton (ID). – Madame la Présidente, cette année, 682 personnes sont mortes en essayant d'entrer en Europe par la Méditerranée. C'est un bilan tragique qui doit nous inciter à réfléchir au meilleur moyen d'empêcher que de tels drames se reproduisent.

Selon moi, la solution ne consiste pas à ouvrir nos ports aux bateaux de migrants affrétés par des passeurs, elle ne consiste pas non plus à créer des voies légales d'immigration car, dans les deux cas, cela produirait un appel d'air qui inciterait toujours plus de migrants à tenter la traversée de la Méditerranée, au péril de leur vie.

La vraie solution est celle qui est indiquée par l'Italie, elle consiste à refouler systématiquement les bateaux de migrants et à punir leurs capitaines lorsqu'ils se comportent comme des passeurs. Elle consiste aussi à échanger notre aide aux pays d'Afrique contre leur engagement de lutter réellement contre l'immigration de leurs ressortissants.

Ce n'est qu'en adoptant cette politique de fermeté que l'Europe parviendra à la fois à se protéger et à sauver des vies.

  Beata Kempa (ECR). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Panie Komisarzu! Unia Europejska musi być o krok przed przemytnikami. Ten rodzaj polityki migracyjnej nie może być uprawiany pod wpływem emocji i musi mieć charakter długofalowy, spójny i zgodny, a fundamentem tej polityki powinna być roztropność. Postawmy zatem na działania u źródła. Z rozmów, które prowadziłam jako polski minister ds. pomocy humanitarnej bezpośrednio z uchodźcami, wynikało, że zorganizowane grupy przestępcze za opłatą od tysiąca dwustu do tysiąca pięciuset euro (lub dolarów) oferują transport do Europy i informują o dalszych procedurach ściągania rodzin. Na to jest jedno lekarstwo: bezwzględnie zwiększyć pomoc rozwojową w państwach Afryki i wdrożyć szeroką akcję informacyjną dotyczącą naszej polityki odsyłania i azylu. I trzeba dokładnie zbadać, jakie są rzeczywiste intencje kapitanów statków przyjmujących z morza i pomagających w transferze imigrantów z Afryki do Europy. Czy wciąż możemy mówić o akcji SAR, czy o kryminalizacji pomocy niesionej nielegalnym imigrantom? To wielkie zadanie dla organów zajmujących się zwalczaniem międzynarodowej przestępczości. Ten problem nie może nas różnić, a musi stać się podstawą do wypracowania wspólnej długofalowej strategii wobec nielegalnej imigracji. Ludzi trzeba ratować, to prawda, ale ktoś ich wysyła na pewną śmierć. Nie bądźmy naiwni.

  Clare Daly (GUE/NGL). – Madam President, strip away the nice words and the reality is that Europe’s asylum and migration system is built around the desires of the arms industry, who profit twice. Firstly, from the wars that make people refugees in the first place and then reaping the rewards of multi-billion euro border-security contracts to keep the victims away from us.

Now what sort of a choice is it? That you’re so desperate that you leave your family, your friends, everything you know and you’ve either got to gamble with your life on the Mediterranean – depending on the valiant efforts of NGOs – or you find yourself in a detention camp in Libya to be raped, starved, exploited and tortured.

And do you know what? There seems to be no end to Europe’s attitude to keep Fortress Europe alive. The Commission’s contemptuous dismissal of the call by the UN to end the migrant returns to Italy after the air strike really tells us all we need to know. The utter failure to overturn and reform the Dublin Regulation also tells it. It’s a blight on all of our consciences.

  Louis Stedman-Bryce (NI). – Madam President, I have to say it’s been a long time since I’ve had so much rubbish and hypocrisy as I’ve heard in here this afternoon. Yesterday we heard the new Commission President talk about gender diversity; not once did she mention about ethnic diversity, which I think is quite a hypocrisy there. If we want to see diversity in the European institutions then the best way to do that is to wait for the cleaning staff that leave here in the mornings and watch the faces of the white MEPs that come in as they are leaving.

We’ve got scaremongers who would have us believe that the UK would turn into a racist society when we leave this institution and believe me, we will be leaving, but we will continue to lead this fight and be one of the most ethnically diverse countries represented in this Parliament. So basically that’s all I have to say on this. Hypocrisy all the way. Disgusting.

  President. – Mr Stedman-Bryce, I feel obliged to make a remark about your choice of words. Members are not supposed to use offensive language, so when you talk about ‘rubbish’, please be careful.

  Balázs Hidvéghi (PPE). – Elnök Asszony! Nem kérdés, hogy a bajbajutottakon segíteni kell. A kérdés az, hogy hogyan és hol. A problémát a gyökerénél kell kezelni. Az idő bizonyította, hogy radikálisan kevesebb bevándorló vész oda a Földközi-tengeren, amióta szigorúbb ott a határvédelem. A tömeges haláleseteket az okozza, ha Európa hagyja, hogy az embercsempészek és tisztázatlan hátterű NGO-hajók zavartalanul működjenek a tengeren. Az a helyes, humanitárius támogatás, ha világossá tesszük, hogy az illegális határátlépés nem járható út. Ha Európa nem védi meg magát, akkor nagyon rövid időn belül olyan népesedési, biztonsági és kulturális változások következnek be, amelyek az európai civilizáció és az Európai Unió végét jelenthetik, mert senki nem fogja tudni kontrollálni. Az új Európai Parlament felelőssége is óriási ebben.

Az Európai Parlament és az uniós vezetés számára is tegyük világossá: az Európai Unió külső, szárazföldi és tengeri határait meg kell védeni. Az embercsempészethez asszisztáló NGO-hajók működését meg kell akadályozni. Meg kell különböztetni a gazdasági bevándorlókat a valódi menekültektől, és a segítséget kell odavinni, ahol a baj van, nem pedig a bajt idehozni. A határvédelem nemcsak Európát védi, hanem emberéleteket is ment. Ha végre világossá tesszük, hogy nincs értelme elindulni lélekvesztő csónakokkal Afrikából, akkor senki nem fog a tengerbe veszni. A mostani új vezetés lehetőséget kapott, hogy végre cselekedjen, józanul, valóban emberbaráti módon, életeket mentsen, és egyúttal megvédje az európai emberek életét is.

  Javier Moreno Sánchez (S&D). – Señora presidenta, ayer, la futura presidenta de la Comisión se comprometió a abrir una nueva fase en la política migratoria común. No podemos esperar. Pasemos de las palabras a los actos. El Mediterráneo se ha convertido en un cementerio. Tenemos que cerrarlo. 18 000 muertes entre 2014 y 2018. ¡Ni una muerte más!

Para nosotros, los inmigrantes no son cifras: son personas que huyen de los conflictos bélicos, persecución o pobreza y cada muerte es una tragedia. No podemos quedarnos en las palabras de repulsa cada vez que un barco se hunde frente a nuestras costas, ni en las soluciones puntuales solidarias ofrecidas por algunos gobiernos progresistas —léase el Gobierno de Pedro Sánchez— cuando las mafias dejan a la deriva a miles de migrantes.

No podemos dejar que los inmigrantes sean las víctimas de los conflictos entre los traficantes, las ONG que se dedican a rescatar a inmigrantes y los gobiernos irresponsables —léase el Gobierno de Italia—, que castigan el deber de salvar las vidas en el mar y eluden el respeto de los valores de la Unión.

No podemos esperar en cada caso a saber cómo termina el culebrón: si los puertos y las fronteras seguirán cerrados; si los capitanes serán encarcelados; si los barcos de emergencia llegarán a tiempo para salvar las vidas.

Por eso, pido que el nuevo Ejecutivo comunitario y los Estados miembros se comprometan a presentar urgentemente, ya, un plan de emergencia de la Unión Europea, con un marco jurídico y unos instrumentos y recursos financieros adecuados, para el desembarco y la reubicación de los migrantes rescatados en el Mediterráneo.

Debemos pasar a la acción con voluntad, responsabilidad política, determinación, priorizando el enfoque humanitario, la solidaridad entre los Estados miembros.

  Hilde Vautmans (Renew). – Madam President, according to the International Organization for Migration, this year alone 682 people have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean. Another shocking figure is that, over the last five years, 250 people were prosecuted because they tried to help refugees. The figure I have not found is how many human smugglers we have put on trial.

So I think we have the wrong focus. We should not put volunteers on trial. We have to put the focus on the smugglers. So I was very glad when Ms Ursula von der Leyen said that we have a moral duty to save lives at sea. That’s the Europe I want to stand for. So let us not accept a Europe where women, children and men drown at sea. Let us work together to make a real migration policy in Europe and save the people at sea.

  Mara Bizzotto (ID). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, appena eletto il Presidente Sassoli ha dichiarato che le porte del Parlamento sono aperte alle ONG che trasportano immigrati clandestini in Italia.

Nel Mediterraneo le ONG non salvano vite, ma sono complici dei trafficanti di essere umani. Carola Rackete non è un eroe, ma è una cittadina tedesca che ha violato le leggi italiane e che ha speronato una nave della Guardia di finanza. In qualunque altro paese al mondo sarebbe in galera. Gli italiani sono stanchi di questa Europa, amica degli immigrati clandestini. Il 26 maggio, 9 milioni di italiani hanno votato per il cambiamento, portato avanti dalla Lega di Matteo Salvini.

Hanno votato per dire no all'invasione di clandestini, hanno votato per dire sì alla difesa delle frontiere. Noi andremo avanti con la politica della tolleranza zero e delle espulsioni, che piaccia o meno alla nuova Commissione europea. Sassoli e suoi amici cattocomunisti si portino a casa i clandestini nelle loro case e nelle loro ville e la smettano di fare la morale ai cittadini italiani che chiedono solo giustizia, sicurezza e rispetto delle leggi.

  Raffaele Stancanelli (ECR). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, avendo a disposizione un solo minuto per potermi esprimere in merito ad un argomento di estrema complessità, mi permetto di citare un grande patriota europeo, Papa Giovanni Paolo II.

Nella sua esortazione apostolica "Ecclesia in Europa" pubblicata nel 2003, il Papa polacco scriveva: "è responsabilità delle autorità pubbliche esercitare il controllo dei flussi migratori in considerazione delle esigenze del bene comune. L'accoglienza deve sempre realizzarsi nel rispetto delle leggi e quindi coniugarsi, quando necessario, con la ferma repressione degli abusi."

Vorrei ricordare ai componenti di questo Parlamento che, invece di sostenere le azioni di chi non rispetta le leggi di uno Stato membro, dovremmo tutti impegnarci ancora di più per creare le condizioni economiche e sociali affinché chiunque possa rimanere nel proprio paese, invece di cercare fortuna altrove.

Infine, permettetemi di sottolineare la generosità dei siciliani e degli italiani, che in questi anni hanno continuato a salvare vite in mare e ad accogliere i bisognosi, ma che ci hanno anche chiesto a gran voce, attraverso il voto di maggio, di assumerci le nostre responsabilità.

  Sylvie Guillaume (S&D). – Madame la Présidente, combien de milliers de morts et combien de décisions de justice faudra-t-il pour que les États membres et la Commission européenne mettent en place une véritable opération européenne de recherche et de sauvetage en Méditerranée? Et pas comme Sofia, dont je redis qu'elle est une opération navale mais qui est maintenue pour quelques mois sans bateaux, ce qui doit probablement, je le redis, être de l'humour européen.

Prenons ainsi les choses à l'envers. L'argument principal qu' on a encore entendu aujourd'hui contre ce type d'opération est qu'il favoriserait l'appel d'air. Ce qu'il faut comprendre par là c'est que sauver les personnes prêtes à mourir pour arriver en Europe et les accueillir dignement fera venir encore plus de personnes. Mais, sincèrement, est-ce qu'il n'y a plus personne pour risquer sa vie en Méditerranée depuis que les sauvetages en Méditerranée sont criminalisés ou absents? La réponse est non, et il y a juste - si on peut dire - plus de morts en 2018, 2 275 soit une personne pour 51 traversées.

Seule une mission européenne puissante dédiée à la recherche et au sauvetage en mer permettra de sauver des vies, mais aussi de sauver l'honneur de l'Union européenne. Et tant que j'en suis à parler d'honneur, c'est aussi la dignité de l'Union de faire respecter la loi en matière de débarquement et d'accueil décents. Finissons-en avec le cas par cas et les solutions de court terme.

  María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos (Renew). – Señora presidenta, hablamos de asistencia humanitaria y hablamos de Derecho humanitario. Por eso, cuando hace hoy más o menos un año que puertos italianos cerraron el acceso a las ONG que salvan inmigrantes, estaban vulnerando el Derecho internacional humanitario y el Derecho internacional marítimo.

Durante este año, más de 1 100 personas han muerto en el Mediterráneo y otras 10 000 han sido interceptadas y obligadas a volver a Libia. A Libia, a campos de refugiados que no tienen las mínimas condiciones y que, como pasó el pasado 14 de julio, son bombardeados, como el campo de Tayura, donde murieron más de sesenta inmigrantes.

Las Naciones Unidas han pedido a la Unión Europea que evacuemos esos campos de inmigrantes. Y no solamente no lo hemos hecho, sino que seguimos obligando a que inmigrantes interceptados vuelvan a Libia.

Señorías, no nos engañemos: la desaparición o la eliminación de barcos en el Mediterráneo, la detención de sus capitanas, no reducen el número de inmigrantes; solo reducen las posibilidades que tienen de salvar sus vidas. No nos engañemos: para luchar contra las mafias hay que legislar; hay que desbloquear el paquete migratorio que tiene el Consejo; hay que establecer rutas seguras; hay que establecer visados humanitarios, y los Estados miembros tienen que cumplir de forma solidaria las obligaciones de acogida, de reparto y de reasentamiento.

Mientras la parálisis jurídica, la capacidad que tiene el Consejo para paralizar el paquete de asilo y refugio continúe, seguiremos apilando, desgraciadamente, cadáveres en el Mediterráneo.

  President. – Colleague, I must remind you that if you have one minute you can’t speak for one minute 45 seconds, because someone else will lose the speaking time.

  Angelo Ciocca (ID). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, come Lega, come popolo italiano non smetteremo mai, non ci stancheremo mai di dire stop all'immigrazione clandestina, di dire no al business del traffico di esseri umani, e una sana istituzione europea dovrebbe ascoltare le critiche costruttive che arrivano dall'Italia, uno dei sei paesi fondatori di questa Europa.

E invece questa Europa, un'Europa malata della speculazione economica, continua a compiere scelte sbagliate e alimenta lo scontro, alimenta i morti. Pretendiamo un'Europa che sappia curare, che sappia guarire i problemi di questa Europa e non che alimenti invece l'epidemia di questi problemi con politiche folli di accoglienza all'immigrazione e di reclutamento islamico.

Continueremo a dare battaglia, non saremo mai vostri complici nel progetto criminale di impoverimento dei popoli.

  Ангел Джамбазки (ECR). – Г-жо Председател, г-н Комисар, 5 години в тази зала водим с вас този разговор, точно в тази зала 5 години слушаме едно и също празнословие, общи приказки, преливане от пусто в празно, изобщо политиката в тази област е пълен провал, уважаеми г-н Комисар.

А сега се обръщам към Вас, уважаеми колеги комунисти, социалисти, зелени, розови, колегата с жълтата шапка, който май напусна залата и т.н. – до вчера искахте върховенство на закона, искахте да наказвате Полша, Унгария, защото били против върховенството на закона. Днес искате да нарушавате закона. Къде е истината тук, уважаеми? Кога сте честни към вашите избиратели? Или искате да се спазва международното право и закона или не искате.

Когато подкрепяте трафиканти, вие нарушавате международното право и закона. Няма разлика между трафикантите, които вие подкрепяте, и сомалийските пирати, например, помислете върху това. Няма да има жертви в Средиземноморието, ако не подкрепяте трафикантите на хора. Няма да има жертви, ако вашите депутати не се качват по нелегалните кораби и не нарушават суверенните граници на държави като Италия, Испания, България и Гърция. Държавите имат граници, които трябва да се спазват, миграцията трябва да бъде нула.

И понеже чух една провокация преди малко, ще ви кажа колеги, полезно е да се чете „История на Европа“. Европа е християнска цивилизация, има своите християнски корени и християнски ценности, а когато си на гости е възпитано да правиш като домакина.

  Dietmar Köster (S&D). – Herr Präsident, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Der Bürgerkrieg in Libyen hat der verheerenden Lage der Flüchtlinge in den dortigen Folterlagern noch neuen zusätzlichen Schrecken hinzugefügt. So zwangen in einem aktuellen Fall Wärter mit Waffengewalt Menschen, die vor dem nächsten Raketeneinschlag flüchten wollten, in dem Lager zu bleiben. Kurz danach schlug dort eine Rakete ein und tötete 53 Flüchtlinge.

Was muss angesichts dieser Vorfälle eigentlich noch passieren, damit die Europäische Kommission die Kooperation mit der libyschen Küstenwache grundlegend überprüft und auch in Erwägung zieht, sie aufzukündigen, und endlich die Flüchtlinge in den libyschen Lagern evakuiert? Letzteres fordern die IOM und auch die Vereinten Nationen. Wie deutlich soll eigentlich noch werden, dass aus Seenot Gerettete nicht nach Libyen zurückgebracht werden dürfen? Anstatt weiterhin Milizen mit EU-Geld zu versorgen, fordere ich ein sofortiges europäisches ziviles Seenotrettungsprogramm. Dafür muss sichergestellt werden, dass europäische Häfen endlich wieder geöffnet werden. So sieht es nämlich das internationale Recht vor.

Seit Wochen führt der rechtsextreme Innenminister Italiens eine Diffamierungskampagne gegen die Rettungsorganisation Sea-Watch durch. Seine Absicht ist es, geltendes Recht als Unrecht darzustellen. Aber unsere Solidarität gebührt Carola Rackete und allen anderen Seenotrettungsorganisationen. Jetzt muss endlich gehandelt werden! Menschen, die vor Kriegen und politischer Verfolgung, vor Not und Elend fliehen, müssen fair und auf der Grundlage der Menschenrechte behandelt werden.

(Laute Proteste von der rechten Seite des Hauses)

  Antony Hook (Renew). – Madam President, anyone with compassion would be deeply moved by the situation in the Mediterranean. People are in danger and we have the power in our hands to save lives. But also our English Channel is becoming a dangerous crossing point for refugees. Last month 43 people in small boats landed on South—East England’s coasts. Traffickers are locked up every week in our courts. I prosecuted many of them, and Brexit will make things much worse. It will kill the cooperation we need to save refugees’ lives, to arrest human traffickers and to repair the failed states that create refugees. Europe must use its power to rebuild good government in failed states. Europe can rise to this challenge. People want to stop Brexit so Britain can be part of this important work.

  Gianna Gancia (ID). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, è ovvio, lo dimostrano anche questi dibattiti, l'Unione europea si è dimostrata incapace di adottare un approccio coerente e condiviso di fronte alla crisi migratoria, fenomeno strutturale che è figlio dei contesti economici e sociali dell'Africa subsahariana.

C'è un paradosso. Il paradosso è che, di fronte a un problema strutturale – lo ribadisco – che rischia di diventare una catastrofe umanitaria mondiale, l'Unione europea continua ad operare in uno stato di emergenza. Ricordiamoci l'avanzamento del riscaldamento globale e la crescita demografica del continente africano, che tra pochi anni esploderà.

Anziché fare come si è fatto finora, l'Unione europea deve adottare una visione politica lungimirante che si muova in due direzioni. Primo, le istituzioni europee devono attivare con ogni strumento legislativo e di pressione politica nel minor tempo possibile una riforma organica del regolamento Dublino III nel rispetto dei principi di solidarietà e condivisione equa di responsabilità.

Secondo, l'Unione europea si deve ergere garante della stabilità geopolitica del Nordafrica e parallelamente contribuire al perseguimento di uno sviluppo sostenibile e giusto nei paesi di provenienza.

PRESIDÊNCIA: PEDRO SILVA PEREIRA
Vice-presidente

  Presidente. – Caros colegas, boa tarde a todos. Sendo a primeira vez que presido ao plenário do Parlamento Europeu, queria dizer que é uma honra ter sido eleito vosso segundo Vice-Presidente e que agradeço a vossa confiança. Trabalharei com todos para o reforço do Parlamento Europeu e da democracia europeia.

  Caterina Chinnici (S&D). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, salvare vite umane è un imperativo morale, non solo un obbligo giuridico.

Secondo i dati Unicef, già nei primi tre mesi del 2019 erano stati circa 16 000 i migranti e i rifugiati che hanno raggiunto l'Europa attraverso le rotte migratorie del Mediterraneo, e anche se questa cifra presenta una diminuzione rispetto allo stesso periodo del 2018, la percentuale di bambini ed adolescenti sul totale degli arrivi è cresciuta dal 20 al 25 %.

Per questo, discostandomi dagli interventi che mi hanno preceduto, voglio porre l'attenzione sulla necessità di garantire la massima tutela ai migranti più vulnerabili: i bambini e gli adolescenti; in particolare, i bambini e gli adolescenti non accompagnati, che sono maggiormente esposti al rischio di abusi, violenze e sfruttamento da parte di trafficanti senza scrupoli.

Con l'intergruppo sui diritti dei minori, che nella scorsa legislatura ho avuto l'onore di presiedere, abbiamo ripetutamente sottolineato che tutti i bambini devono ricevere protezione e assistenza e in particolare coloro che hanno vissuto situazioni drammatiche, come i piccoli migranti che arrivano sulle nostre coste. E i paesi di primo arrivo, come l'Italia, il mio paese, non possono essere lasciati soli. La crisi migratoria deve essere gestita a livello europeo.

La modifica del regolamento di Dublino, l'istituzione di canali di immigrazione legali e sicuri, la lotta ai trafficanti di esseri umani sono solo alcune delle misure indispensabili per coniugare legalità e solidarietà, e assicurare la tutela dei diritti dei bambini, stabiliti dalla Convenzione ONU, di cui il prossimo 20 novembre ricorrerà il 30° anniversario, è responsabilità di tutti i paesi dell'Unione. Perché i diritti dei bambini non hanno e non devono avere confini.

  Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (Renew). – Señor presidente, la defensa del Estado de Derecho es una prioridad de la Presidencia finlandesa. Un buen tema para demostrarlo es poner en su sitio a los muchos Estados y Gobiernos que están incumpliendo la legislación internacional de asilo y la marítima ante la tragedia del Mediterráneo.

Dificultan rescates, bloquean iniciativas como la del Aita Mari, un atunero reconvertido en barco de rescate; una iniciativa que ha unido a ciudadanos vascos y andaluces; que demuestra que la ciudadanía europea es solidaria; que aconseja que las instituciones locales y regionales, las que realmente acogen y atienden, puedan aportar esa experiencia a quienes convierten a las personas en números, a quienes tratan a los rescatadores como delincuentes.

Espero que ese soplo de aire fresco, que propuestas como la vasca Share lleguen a las mesas del Consejo. Es esperanzador que Ursula von der Leyen, que asiló en su casa a un refugiado sirio, dé testimonio, como presidenta de la Comisión, de valores que deberían unirnos a todos.

  Simona Baldassarre (ID). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, ho ascoltato con attenzione gli interventi del Consiglio e della Commissione e di tanti colleghi e non Le nascondo la mia profonda perplessità nell'osservare tanta ipocrisia nel corretto inquadramento del problema.

Le nostre comuni radici cristiane impongono una profonda attenzione ai diritti umani, ma non possiamo tollerare che il sentimento di solidarietà diventi un alibi, un alibi per ingrossare traffici illeciti e criminali che sfruttano i flussi migratori.

Se aprire i porti significa alimentare le deportazioni e illudere migliaia di migranti che in Europa li aspetta il paradiso, mentre invece andranno ad arricchire le mafie, allora noi non possiamo essere complici. Europol ha evidenziato che questa nuova tratta di schiavi vale sei miliardi l'anno ed è una delle industrie criminali più redditizie. Ogni nuovo schiavo paga quattro, cinquemila euro per conquistarsi un posto sotto i ponti o forse uno sfruttamento di due euro l'ora.

L'Europa tutta dovrebbe essere al fianco del nostro governo per il rispetto delle leggi nazionali e non fare il solito tifo buonista e dare medaglia alla Carola Rackete di turno che, con arroganza, sperona una vedetta della nostra Guardia di Finanza. Bisognerebbe capire che la pressione a sud del continente in breve coinvolgerà tutti i confini. È una questione di buon senso, Presidente, semplice buon senso.

  Bettina Vollath (S&D). – Herr Präsident! Ich möchte zum Kern der Debatte zurück und frage daher Sie alle: Würden Sie von zu Hause flüchten, nur weil Sie vielleicht gerettet werden, wenn Sie in Seenot geraten? Ganz sicher nicht! Diesen weitreichenden Entschluss fasst man dann, wenn man daheim unter politischem oder persönlichem Druck steht, weil Sie nämlich alles verlieren, was Sie lieben – Ihre Familie, Ihre Freunde, Vertrautheit, Sprache, Kultur. Das Pull-Argument zieht daher nicht, und eigentlich ist es ganz einfach: Kann es kriminell sein, Menschenleben zu retten? Nein. Tausende Menschen im Mittelmeer sterben zu lassen, hat nichts mit Vernunft oder Realität zu tun. Allein die Debatte darüber zeigt, welch verheerendes Menschenbild in Europa mittlerweile Fuß fassen konnte. Es ist zum Genieren.

Und wem das alles nicht reicht; natürlich ist Seenotrettung auch eine mannigfaltige, vielfache rechtliche Verpflichtung. Dieses Parlament fordert seit Jahren eine Reform von Dublin in Richtung eines gemeinsamen, solidarischen und menschlichen Asylsystems. Doch die Blockade einzelner Mitgliedstaaten im Rat verhindert seit Jahren genau eine solche Lösung. Stattdessen schlägt man politisch Kapital daraus, und genau das ist brandgefährlich. Es spaltet Europa, und es fördert die Ablehnung der EU, weil sie nicht fähig ist, Lösungen anzubieten.

Dieses Haus hat eine klare Beschlusslage. Erhöhen wir mit gemeinsamer Kraft den Druck auf den Rat! Wirksame Vorschläge liegen auf dem Tisch, setzen wir sie in Realität um!

  Valter Flego (Renew). – Poštovani predsjedavajući, gospodine povjereniče, poštovani kolege i kolegice, Sredozemno more proteklih godina postalo je jedno od mjesta najveće pogiblje ljudi, ma ne samo u Europi, nažalost i šire.

U 2017. i 2018. godini oko 8 000 ljudi izgubilo je na tom moru, moru koje je trebalo biti more nade, a postalo je more smrti, svoj život. To znači da smo zakazali. Svi skupa smo zakazali. Države članice Europe, Komisija, društvo, mi smo zakazali i zato nam je potrebna puno veća koordinacija, odlučnost, puno veća suradnja države članice i Komisije i jasna strategija i akcija i zajednička odgovornost.

Ne može biti za migrante odgovorna samo država kamo oni žele doći i zato pozivam Europsku komisiju da brzo i zajednički djeluje na pronalasku pravednog i humanog rješenja, vodeći računa o sigurnosti svojih građana, ali rješenja koja ne opravdavaju „upotrebu malo sile”, kako se izrazila predsjednica Republike Hrvatske. Takvu izjavu osuđujem jer Hrvatska koju ja zastupam zalaže se za humanost i za zaštitu dostojanstva svakog ljudskog bića.

  Isabel Santos (S&D). – Senhor Presidente, Senhor Comissário, Caros Colegas, salvar vidas não é, não pode ser um crime. Não podemos criminalizar aqueles que apenas cumprem os princípios básicos dos direitos humanos e a Convenção das Nações Unidas sobre o Direito do Mar.

É míope imaginar que os refugiados e imigrantes deixarão de procurar uma oportunidade de vida em segurança e com dignidade se não houver ninguém para os ajudar. Por isso, importa rever a diretiva de facilitação da imigração, rever as regras de Dublin, desenvolver uma política comum de asilo, assente na partilha solidária da responsabilidade da proteção internacional, e importa ainda desenvolver uma política integrada de imigração, assente em canais legais e seguros e numa política de cooperação para o desenvolvimento capaz de responder às causas da emigração.

Negar a ajuda humanitária, negar o tratamento digno a qualquer ser humano, negar o direito inalienável à vida é negar a identidade humanista da Europa e é cometer um crime contra a Humanidade.

  Billy Kelleher (Renew). – Mr President, at the outset I just want to say that the European Union has an obligation to do an awful lot more than it is presently doing. We cannot have a situation where the burden falls on a few states to deal with the particular humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in the Mediterranean. So there’s a moral imperative on us to ensure that we have sensible immigration policies but, in the meantime, the people who are clinging to boats in the Mediterranean cannot be allowed to wait. We have to ensure that we have a new search and rescue mission immediately in the Mediterranean.

The Irish navy was previously involved in Operation Sophia, where it rescued thousands of people. I now call on the Commission, along with the Member States which have naval support, to ensure that we have a proper search and rescue mission put in place immediately to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis.

The long-term issue of immigration can be addressed as well but we have this moral imperative immediately. I have been disappointed that the Irish Government has not funded the Irish navy to the point where we now have two naval ships tied up in dry dock because of a lack of personnel. They should be in the Mediterranean Sea, along with other naval boats from other countries, addressing this humanitarian crisis. Urgently act.

  Presidente. – Caros colegas, vamos agora iniciar o período do chamado “catch the eye”, tenho o gosto de informar que espero ter a possibilidade de dar a palavra a todos os que se inscreveram desde que cumpram rigorosamente o tempo de 1 minuto.

Intervenções “catch the eye”

  Javier Zarzalejos (PPE). – Señor presidente, la Unión Europea es una comunidad de valores, pero también es una comunidad de Derecho. Por eso resulta difícil de aceptar un debate en el que parece que se plantea un dilema: o se salvan vidas o se aplica la ley. Es un falso dilema que no podemos aceptar.

Hay un principio anglosajón que dice que «Hard cases make bad law». Yo creo que, en este debate, queremos hacer buen Derecho o establecer buenas políticas a través de casos singulares. El tráfico de personas es una realidad cruel y brutal en Europa: tráfico por vía marítima y tráfico por vía terrestre. Pero es evidente que no se pueden confundir a las víctimas con sus responsables.

Al comienzo de la Presidencia finlandesa, cuando hay una nueva presidencia en la Comisión, yo invitaría de nuevo a ir al sur de España, a Tarifa, para darse cuenta de que a pocas millas está África y saber que tendrá que haber una política mucho más ambiciosa y estructurada de cooperación para trabajar en y con los países origen de la inmigración. Y esto solo lo puede hacer la Unión Europea.

  Julie Ward (S&D). – Mr President, we are once again discussing the lives of thousands of men, women and children who every day attempt the perilous journey across the Mediterranean, fleeing conflict and unsustainable lives. Many have died, but many have also been saved increasingly by humanitarian NGOs such as Open Arms, a Spanish initiative which is now working across the wider Mediterranean.

I’d like to speak about Carola Rackete, the Captain of Sea-Watch 3, arrested last month for docking the search and rescue vessel in Italy without permission, but trying to save hundreds of lives. This woman is not a criminal, as Salvini would have you believe. She is a heroine, and I salute her. I also salute the Spanish fireman Miguel Roldán who took leave from his job to join the Iuventa German rescue boat and helped to save 5 000 people. He faces a possible jail sentence of 20 years for being braver, compassionate and far more principled than most people in this House. And I’m proud that my Group, the Socialists and Democrats, nominated humanitarian NGOs for the Sakharov Prize. They would have been worthy winners.

  Nicolaus Fest (ID). – Herr Präsident! Sehr geehrter Herr Kommissionsvertreter Stylianides. Sie tun so, als sei die Seenot vom Himmel gefallen. Das ist sie nicht. In den 60-er, 70-er, 80-er und 90-er Jahren gab es die massenhafte Seenot im Mittelmeer nicht. Diese Seenot ist nicht vom Himmel gefallen, sie ist bewusst von Schleppern herbeigeführt worden. Und wie sind Ihre Antworten darauf? Es sind immer die gleichen nicht funktionierenden Antworten.

Die erste Antwort ist, noch mehr Geld korrupten Regimen in Afrika zuzuwerfen und zu geben. Das funktioniert nicht. Die zweite Antwort ist, Arbeitsplätze in Afrika zu schaffen. Herr Stylianides, das schaffen Sie noch nicht mal in Zypern. Die Jugendarbeitslosigkeit in Zypern liegt jetzt wo, bei 16, bei 17 %? Sie ist ein Skandal. Und die dritte Antwort ist natürlich Kontingente – Flüchtlinge mit Kontingenten zu verteilen.

All diese Vorschläge funktionieren nicht, und sie funktionieren seit Jahren nicht. Die Völker Europas wollen sie nicht. Sie wollen hier Arbeitsplätze, und sie wollen auch nicht immer mehr Menschen, die hier reinkommen, auf ihre Kosten leben und eben die Werte, die wir angeblich im Mittelmeer verteidigen wollen, genau diese Werte mit Füßen treten. Das wollen die europäischen Völker nicht.

  Hermann Tertsch (ECR). – Señor presidente, escuchando a la bancada de la izquierda, yo quería saber si realmente lo que queremos es poner una especie de línea directa para traer a todo aquel que quiera, de alguna forma, venir, y que se otorgue automáticamente el derecho a venir a Europa a los 1 300 millones de africanos, que van a ser 2 500 millones de africanos dentro de veinticinco años.

Realmente de lo que estamos hablando es de un disparate. Estamos intentando solucionar una crisis de un continente simplemente primando a una serie de traficantes y primando a unos grupos que, por motivos ideológicos, están trabajando con estos traficantes, en una actuación que es la que ha disparado el riesgo allí, porque trae a muchos de los jóvenes; a muchos de los jóvenes mejores, más dinámicos, más imaginativos dentro de esos países, los saca de allí, los anima a esa emigración —a gastarse dinero, a lanzarse a una aventura suicida—, precisamente por ese llamamiento que alimentan las ONG, generando el negocio de los traficantes. A ver si nos vamos enterando.

  Matthew Patten (NI). – Mr President, thank you for allowing me to catch your eye. It seems to me that this is one of the most complex and challenging issues that the EU faces currently, and there is no right answer for it. At the moment it seems that there is a clash between what Europe wants and what individual nations need. Only by the new policy addressing all of these things will we be able to resolve it.

We absolutely have to do more in Africa, but we have to make sure we reward the right people, not the wrong people. The second thing is we must absolutely have strong borders but, when people arrive in Europe, what we see is chaos. And so we must make sure that our own systems of processing migrants, returning those who need to go back, go back, but those who are allowed to stay can stay. In doing that, we must absolutely support the national countries who are having to face that – and I think of places like Italy and Greece and the local communities who are really struggling to deal with it on behalf of the rich countries.

The third thing, or the final thing that we must do is we must make ‘if you want to do it, all the nations will have to pay’. It won’t be the UK, because we’re leaving, but it is going to be very, very expensive and you will all have to pay.

  Magdalena Adamowicz (PPE). – Panie Przewodniczący! Wierzę, że Ursula von der Leyen zrealizuje obietnice, o których mówiła: obietnice ratowania życia na morzu. I apeluję, abyśmy dążyli do tego, aby nie zamykać europejskiego systemu ratownictwa morskiego na kogokolwiek. Każde życie warte jest tyle samo.

Czym innym jest ratowanie życia, a czym innym jest polityka azylowa i relokacja, a także dalsza sytuacja osób uratowanych. Nie wolno mylić tych dwóch porządków, bo to jest niemoralne. Bardzo bym chciała, abyśmy wszyscy, aby wszystkie kraje okazały solidarność w tej europejskiej dziedzinie. Nie możemy zostawiać tylko niektórych krajów z tym ciężarem. Przykro mi, bo Polska, mój kraj, niestety nie angażuje się w te sprawy.

Nie możemy także oskarżać tych, którzy ratują życie. Nie możemy kryminalizować ratujących i musimy ustanowić system pomocy dla osób, które uciekają, a uciekają dlatego, że ta ucieczka przez morze jest jedynym ratunkiem.

  Κώστας Μαυρίδης (S&D). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, θέλω να συγχαρώ τον Επίτροπο για τις προσπάθειές του να κατανεμηθεί η ανθρωπιστική βοήθεια όντως αποτελεσματικά, με πρώτιστη έγνοια να διασωθούν και να προστατευτούν ζωές. Ωστόσο, δεν μπορώ να κρύψω την απογοήτευσή μου γιατί ως Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση συνολικά έχουμε αποτύχει να αντιμετωπίσουμε τα αίτια. Ενόσω όμως η ροή των προσφύγων φτάνει στις ευρωπαϊκές ακτές της Μεσογείου, ο πολιτισμός μας υπαγορεύει ότι η διάσωση ανθρώπινων ζωών δεν είναι έγκλημα, είναι ηθική υποχρέωσή μας. Όταν όμως η Τουρκία διοχετεύει σκόπιμα αεροπορικώς εκατοντάδες πρόσφυγες στο κατεχόμενο βόρειο μέρος της Κύπρου, το οποίο κατέχεται από τον τουρκικό στρατό, για να περνούν ακολούθως στις ελεύθερες περιοχές και να φτάσουν στην Ευρώπη, αυτό είναι όντως έγκλημα, το οποίο καταγγέλλει συνεχώς και η κυπριακή κυβέρνηση.

  Thierry Mariani (ID). – Monsieur le Président, il y a 6 ans, l'Australie s'est trouvée confrontée à la même situation que l'Europe, avec une arrivée massive de clandestins. La réponse choisie par le premier ministre australien à l'époque, Tony Abbott, a été très claire: tolérance zéro, no way. Les résultats ont été aussi rapides, les morts en mer ont cessé et, rapidement, le message a été compris. L'immigration clandestine a cessé en Australie.

Aujourd'hui, je pense que c'est la même politique qu'il nous faut adopter en Europe et je considère pour ma part qu'avec les lois et le message politique envoyé par Matteo Salvini, c'est un moyen bien plus efficace de sauver des vies, qu'au contraire entraîner un certain nombre de personnes à prendre la mer, quitte même à les sauver.

Et ce que j'attends aujourd'hui des institutions européennes, c'est surtout qu'elles aient une vraie politique européenne qui consiste premièrement à, non pas répartir les clandestins, mais à faire en sorte qu'ils n'arrivent pas sur le territoire européen, en faisant en sorte que, comme l'Australie, les demandes de réfugiés soient traitées par exemple dans d'autres pays en bordure de l'Union européenne.

On sait très bien qu'en Europe on rentre illégalement et qu'ainsi on s'y maintient. Donc empêchons les entrées clandestines et là on aura vraiment une solution.

  Domènec Ruiz Devesa (S&D). – Señor presidente, me complace dirigirme a esta cámara por primera vez sobre un tema tan importante y tan sensible. A veces, cuando oigo hablar a algunos colegas de esta cámara sobre este asunto humanitario, me pregunto si nuestra diferencia es solamente política o si es también una diferencia de sensibilidad, es una diferencia de grado de empatía hacia este tipo de personas que ponen su vida en riesgo huyendo de la persecución, de las guerras y de la miseria.

Dicho esto, es verdad que podemos hacer más. El Parlamento aprobó su posición respecto de la reforma del Reglamento de Dublín, y también esperamos y seguimos esperando, en cambio, que el Consejo haga su trabajo.

La Comisión también podría haber hecho más. Comisario Stylianides, le hemos pedido muchas veces que cambie la Directiva de ayuda que, como usted sabe, es utilizada por algunos Estados miembros para criminalizar a las organizaciones no gubernamentales. Por favor, todavía hay tiempo de corregir esta situación.

  Alessandro Panza (ID). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, le ONG si criminalizzano da sole. È notizia di qualche minuto fa che il pm Patronaggio di Agrigento ha chiesto la carcerazione di Carola Rackete per un atto di forza ingiustificato. Lo dice un giudice, non lo dice un politico, che piaccia o meno, è un giudice di uno Stato sovrano, che ha delle leggi e queste leggi devono essere rispettate da chiunque.

Nessuno vuole morti in mare, ma non possiamo lasciare la gestione di un fenomeno così importante a organizzazioni private, di cui magari sappiamo poco. Bisogna dire basta con l'ipocrisia di questo Stato, di questa Unione europea e concentrarsi su stabilizzare i luoghi dal quale queste persone provengono – penso alla Libia – e non lo si fa magari vendendo armi sottobanco a questo o a quell'altro dittatore, ma lo si fa stabilizzando questi territori e consolidando i corridoi umanitari solo per coloro che realmente hanno bisogno di assistenza, e solo quelli che sono realmente rifugiati politici.

  Ibán Garcia Del Blanco (S&D). – Señor presidente, estoy ciertamente perplejo —y por eso he pedido la palabra— con algunas de las cosas que he estado escuchando durante este debate. He escuchado aquí hasta que la capitana Carola había atentado contra un buque de la Marina italiana, a la que suponía más poderosa que una capitana de un barco humanitario, pero bueno, en fin.

Sé que este es un problema difícil; yo creo que de esto somos todos conscientes, que no se arregla solo con buena voluntad, evidentemente. Pero de lo que estoy seguro es de que no se arregla con mala voluntad. No se arregla con la falta de entrañas. No se arregla con la falta de empatía.

Aquí se ha planteado, y se plantea también en mi país por la ultraderecha —hemos visto aquí a uno de sus representantes—, un silogismo terrible para afrontar esta situación, que es que, si dejamos de permitir que haya ayuda humanitaria en el Mediterráneo, el ejemplo hará que dejen de venir inmigrantes vía Mediterráneo, lo cual nos plantea una conclusión terrible, es decir, lo ejemplarizante son los muertos. Si dejamos de atender a los que se pueden ahogar en el Mediterráneo, cuando haya no sé cuántos muertos, señores diputados y diputadas, dejarán de venir. Y eso es absolutamente inaceptable de acuerdo a nuestros propios principios.

¿No quieren a los barcos de las ONG ayudando a los inmigrantes? Pues, señores y señoras, política comunitaria, política común de la Unión Europea, medios públicos, reforma del Reglamento de Dublín. Esa es la única manera. Nos llaman hipócritas, pero los hipócritas son ustedes, porque no les importan nada los que pierden la vida en el Mediterráneo.

(Fim das intervenções “catch the eye”)

  Christos Stylianides, Member of the Commission. – Mr President, thank you, dear colleagues, for this very important debate. The Commission considers that humanitarian imperatives have been, and shall continue to be, at the forefront of European Union action. As I said in my opening remarks, the Commission has repeatedly recalled that the EU and its Member States are bound by the duty to render assistance to persons or vessels in distress at sea, and it is an obligation under international law. It is a moral duty. International law is binding on states which are obliged to subject the captains of private, commercial or military vessels to the corresponding duty to render assistance.

Saving lives at sea must therefore go hand in hand with addressing the main causes of irregular migration and improving the situation of migrants in Libya and other countries in offering safe alternatives such as resettlement for those entitled to international protection or legal labour migration schemes for those who qualify. I wish also to renew once again my appeal to all Member States to make their contribution to speeding up evacuation of vulnerable migrants and refugees from Libya and Niger.

I thank you for your support in building a comprehensive EU response – a holistic EU response – and as I said, the Commission stands ready to continue to provide all the political, technical and financial support that Member States need to address the situation in the Mediterranean, and in particular to reach an agreement on temporary arrangements.

The four years since the adoption of the European Agenda on Migration have shown that the situation requires continuous determined action across the full range of the comprehensive approach. The lesson is that united action and joint efforts from Member States and the EU, in close cooperation with partners beyond the EU, has delivered results and is the only way to achieve better management of migration and to ensure that the European Union’s values remain the cornerstone of our migration policy. This is what EU citizens expect from the European Union, from the European institutions. Again, I will quote the President-elect from yesterday: we need solidarity. We all need to help each other and contribute. We need a new way of burden-sharing. And we must make fair cooperation offers to countries of origin and transit which are in the interest of both sides. These are our priorities and we have to start immediately.

  Tytti Tuppurainen, President-in-Office of the Council. – Mr President, the Presidency is fully aware of the critical importance of providing humanitarian assistance in the Mediterranean Sea and we are committed to working on a solution in collaboration with all stakeholders.

I am grateful for your comments made during this discussion. I listened to them very carefully and I wish to react to them accordingly. As I said previously, we are working to find an arrangement, humane in nature, that brings predictability in accordance with the International Law of the Sea, concerning disembarkation and enables efficient asylum and return policies.

Our Presidency will continue active work on temporary arrangements. Actually the informal meeting of Ministers of the Interior will take place tomorrow in Helsinki and the situation in the Mediterranean will be discussed there. Furthermore, our Minister of the Interior has also invited all her Member State colleagues to an informal dinner no later than today to discuss the immediate situation in the Mediterranean.

It is clear that we need European solutions here. Close and intensive cooperation between institutions and common understanding among the Member States are key for the future migration policy. It is also very important that the new Commission also aims high here. As the new Commission President said yesterday in this very Chamber, we have a common responsibility to save lives at sea. Every life matters. Every life is equally important. It is of the utmost importance that we succeed quickly even if only with a temporary solution. However, we need one that covers all aspects. The EU as a whole, not to mention the migrants themselves, do not deserve that this situation stays unresolved.

At the same time, we will continue working on the reform of the Common European Asylum System to provide a permanent and humane solution to situations, such as the ones mentioned, in the future. I remain confident that, thanks to all our efforts, we can take an important step forward towards this goal. Thank you very much again for your contributions and for your attention.

  Presidente. – Com esta intervenção está encerrado o nosso debate. Antes de entrarmos no próximo ponto da agenda, faremos uma breve pausa de cinco minutos por consideração para com o Sr. Comissário e a Sra. Representante do Conselho que nos acompanham já há bastante tempo.

Declarações escritas (artigo 171.º)

  Janina Ochojska (PPE), na piśmie. – Cieszy mnie fakt, że pracę nowego PE rozpoczynamy od debaty na temat sytuacji humanitarnej na Morzu Śródziemnym. Kryzys migracyjny w ostatnich latach pokazał, że musimy wypracować taki system, aby migranci, którzy docierają do wybrzeży UE, znaleźli pomoc i schronienie, zamiast tonąć na naszych oczach. Naszym obowiązkiem jest ratowanie ludzkiego życia. Czy nie dlatego w naszych traktatach i konwencjach Wspólnoty Europejskiej zapisaliśmy konieczność ochrony ludzkiego życia?!

Podczas debaty wiele zostało powiedziane na temat penalizacji organizacji pozarządowych ratujących ludzi z tonących łodzi. Wysiłki rządu włoskiego, straży przybrzeżnej, Fronteksu oraz NATO nie wystarczą, aby zmierzyć się z ogromną liczbą osób starających się dotrzeć do Europy. Liczę na to, że na przestrzeni kolejnych miesięcy uda się wypracować długofalową, spójną politykę zarządzania migracją, która oparta będzie na humanitarnym podejściu do człowieka, a nie na partykularnych interesach krajów członkowskich. Musimy stworzyć godne warunki tym migrantom, którzy już przyjechali.

Żeby Morze Śródziemne nie było cmentarzyskiem, stwórzmy humanitarne warunki (dostęp do wody, żywności, leków) i możliwości rozwoju w krajach, z których ci ludzie uciekają. Zamiast stawiania murów zastanówmy się, co zrobić, żeby migranci chcieli i mogli pozostać w swoich miejscach pochodzenia. To jedyna droga do zmniejszenia liczby imigrantów, których w przyszłości może być więcej. To najważniejsza kwestia w obecnej kadencji PE.

  Alfred Sant (S&D), in writing. – The critique of so-called humanitarian assistance in the flows of illegal immigration across the Mediterranean has been made suspect because it is being used by populist governments and movements to justify their hard, anti-immigration stance. But the critique remains valid and needs a response. Sea projects originating and financed from outside the Mediterranean are serving to encourage people traffickers and migrants who would not otherwise attempt very dangerous crossings to multiply their activities. These ‘humanitarian’ entrepreneurs are subject to no proper regulation and basically engage in a catch-as-catch-can game with approaching migrant boats. The situation is not sustainable for political, security, economic and social reasons. Yet Europe still does not have a functioning policy to process legal migration, Dublin II arrangements remain unfair and outdated, Schengen procedures could soon be placed under new pressure and the feeding of false hopes to arriving migrants is serving to strengthen the reach of people traffickers. So, in my view, uncritical support of projects of humanitarian assistance in the Mediterranean will, while the other chapters of European immigration are still pending, serve to provoke further political and moral crises in the medium term. This needs to be reconsidered.

(A sessão é suspensa às 17h28)

14. Az ülés folytatása

(A sessão é reiniciada às 17h34)

15. Tiszta levegőjű zónák az uniós városokban (vita)

  Presidente. – O ponto seguinte da nossa agenda é: Declarações do Conselho e da Comissão sobre Zona de ar puro nas cidades da União Europeia (2019/2738(RSP)).

  Tytti Tuppurainen, President-in-Office of the Council. – Mr President, air pollution directly causes both chronic and serious diseases such as asthma, cardiovascular problems and lung cancer. Ill health caused by air pollution costs the economy billions of euros in lost working days and causes 400 000 premature deaths per year in Europe alone.

That is why air quality has been, and is, an extremely important issue for the Council. The EU has for some time already had a solid legal framework in place that includes the Ambient Air Quality Directives and is the basis for measures taken at national, regional and local levels. Low emission zones and incentives for cleaner transportation modes have been successfully implemented in different cities and regions in Europe with encouraging results. The data show that air quality has improved across Europe over the past decades, in particular in urban areas, as emissions of many pollutants have been successfully reduced.

In this context, let me highlight the decisive actions taken by the co—legislators over the last few months to strengthen the array of EU legislative instruments in this area even more. I think we can look with satisfaction at the results achieved with the outgoing Parliament on a number of new legislative measures that provide, directly and indirectly, important contributions to cleaner air. The Clean Vehicles Directive promotes the market uptake of zero and low-emission vehicles by introducing binding minimum targets for their use in public procurement in each Member State. These measures will play a key role in cutting greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions and will also contribute – to an important extent – to achieving the EU’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.

The directive overhauling electronic tolling systems in the EU updates the technical interoperability requirements for such systems. It will create a system of exchange of information to reach foreign drivers who have not paid their road charges and fees with a view to enforcing the respect of road tolls more efficiently. At this stage it also covers charges for access to urban areas, but not complete bans or limitations to certain types of vehicles. However, the review clause of the directive requests that, by 2023, the Commission evaluates the extension of the directive to cover low emission zones, restricted access zones and other urban vehicle access regulation schemes.

Finally, let me also mention the recently adapted climate legislation to reduce CO2 emissions from cars, vans and heavy—duty vehicles that will accelerate the uptake of cleaner technologies such as zero and low-emission vehicles, thereby also helping to reduce air pollution in our cities.

The Finnish Presidency attaches great importance to the protection of air quality and to improving the environmental performance of vehicles. In this context, the Presidency considers that it’s crucial to continue the mandatory application of real driving emissions test procedures on the road and not to rely solely on test procedures in laboratory conditions. To reach that goal, the Parliament and the Council need to come to an agreement on conformity factors. As you know, the devices we use to measure real driving emissions have technical uncertainties. Conformity factors take account of these uncertainties.

We hope to reach a swift agreement with Parliament on the new Real Driving Emissions (RDE) proposal in order to ensure legal certainty for all parties involved. It is of the utmost importance to ensure the implementation of EU air quality standards by all stakeholders, an issue that is closely followed by the Commission. We know that there are still compliance gaps for some key pollutants. The Council is therefore looking forward to the completion of the Commission’s fitness check of the Ambient Air Quality Directives, which it will examine with great interest as soon as available.

Good air quality, especially in cities, has a positive impact on the quality of life for each of us. A number of cities in the EU still exceeded the limit values of the National Emission Ceilings Directive. Thus we all have to work nationally to secure better health for our citizens. The strong link between air quality and climate change means that similar measures can help to tackle both. For example, the transport sector is the biggest source of emissions of black carbon that accelerates the warming of the Arctic region. This is important to keep in mind in the EU discussions as well. Thank you very much for your attention.

  Christos Stylianides, Member of the Commission. – Mr President, clean air, and protecting the health of our citizens, is a key priority for the Commission. The fact that air pollution causes over 400 000 premature deaths every year is unacceptable. We have to act, to the benefit of our citizens. And that is precisely what this Commission has been doing this mandate – and we have done so resolutely.

Our actions have been based on three main pillars. First: supporting our Member States in reaching EU air quality standards. We have made EU funding available under various financial streams and the Member States have successfully used that funding to address the air quality challenge. To cite just one figure: in the current programming period 2014-2020, almost EUR two billion have been directly allocated to air quality measures under the European Structural and Investment Funds.

Second point: improving how we regulate emissions at their source. Prominent examples for this are the Directive regulating medium combustion plants and the package of Real Driving Emissions rules.

Third and final: taking decisive enforcement action when and where exceedances of air quality limit values persist. The Commission is currently pursuing 30 infringement procedures against 20 Member States for exceedances of particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide or sulphur dioxide limit values. For two cases already, the Court of Justice has confirmed that Member States need to accelerate their efforts to improve air quality further.

The Commission is doing its part, and will continue to do so as the measures taken so far have resulted in some improvements. But we also need to remember what that part is. Our legislation on ambient air sets limit values on air pollution, and an obligation to keep exceedance periods as short as possible, and the Commission steps in when and where this is not the case. But the choice of measures lies with Member States. It is up to their authorities, across levels of governance, being national or local, to define which coordinated measures they take to meet the agreed limit values.

When the Commission takes infringement action against Member States, the goal is not to ensure that one measure or the other is implemented – be it a specific clean air zone, support for renewing the fleet, replacing old boilers in households, or any other measure. The goal is, first and foremost, to speed up efforts in those Member States to reach compliance with EU legislation, and to keep any period of exceedance as short as possible.

Beyond legislation and infringements, we support cities in a number of ways to make their air cleaner. When it comes to urban mobility, for example, we are working with national and local authorities to identify best practices on urban vehicle access regulation schemes such as low-emission zones and traffic restriction measures, but also to foster consistency in line with single market principles and ensure information on such access regulations.

  Peter Liese, im Namen der PPE-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Gesundheit ist unser höchstes Gut, und deswegen ist es sicher unser gemeinsames Ziel, Luftschadstoffe zu reduzieren. Wir haben dabei schon viel erreicht, das sollte man bei allen Diskussionen nicht vergessen. Beispielsweise beim Thema NOx ist es so, dass wir seit den 90er-Jahren durch Maßnahmen der Europäischen Union und nationale Maßnahmen den Schadstoffausstoß halbiert haben, das heißt, auch die Gesundheitsbelastung der Bürgerinnen und Bürger halbiert haben. In den 90er-Jahren gab es in Mitteleuropa sehr häufig Ozonalarm. Ozon entsteht durch Sonneneinstrahlung und Stickoxide. Sonneneinstrahlung hat eher zugenommen, aber Stickoxide haben abgenommen. Deswegen haben wir weniger Ozonalarm. Deswegen ist es kein Anlass zur Panik, aber es ist Anlass zu handeln und weiter auf diesem Weg fortzuschreiten.

Wir als EVP glauben, dass Fahrverbote für Dieselfahrzeuge keine gute Lösung sind, denn erstens ist es eine Belastung für viele Bürger, die auf das Auto angewiesen sind und sich nicht so schnell ein komplett abgasarmes Auto kaufen können. Ich glaube auch, dass es schwierig ist. In meinem Land wird beispielsweise angedroht, eine Autobahn zu sperren, die mitten durch das Ruhrgebiet – ein sehr großes Gebiet mit fünf Millionen Einwohnern – geht. Wenn die Menschen durch die Wohngebiete fahren, ist der Gesundheit sicher nicht gedient.

Deswegen müssen wir das Problem an der Quelle anfassen. Genau das hat der Kommissar gesagt, und das möchte ich unterstützen. Da ist einiges gemacht worden, aber wir müssen auch die Autoindustrie stärker in die Pflicht nehmen. Wir müssen den Dieselfahrern eine Nachrüstung anbieten, wenn sie von den Abgasmanipulationen betroffen sind. Persönlich bin ich auch für eine neue Stufe Euro 7.

Aber wir müssen auch andere Quellen in den Blick nehmen, zum Beispiel den Schiffsverkehr. Die Präsidentin Ursula von der Leyen hat im Zusammenhang mit CO2 davon gesprochen, aber auch bei anderen Schadstoffen müssen wir den Schiffsverkehr stärker in die Verantwortung nehmen. Auf Deutsch gesagt, Schiffe verbrennen oft den letzten Dreck und haben praktisch keine Abgasreinigung. Das muss sich ändern, damit wir weitere Fortschritte bei der Luftreinhaltung erzielen.

  Christel Schaldemose, for S&D-Gruppen. – Hr. formand! Tak for introduktionerne til dette emne. For os i den socialdemokratiske gruppe er ren luft i Europa en kæmpe topprioritet. Det er vigtigt for borgernes sundhed, at man kan indånde en ren luft.

Jeg er helt enig med både Kommissionen og Rådet i, at der er gjort meget i de senere år. Men det til trods står vi med en masse problemer rundt omkring i Europa. For eksempel i Madrid og Madrid Central, som har haft en udfordring med deres luftkvalitet og de miljøzoner, der er oprettet der. Luften i Madrid er ikke ren, og det vil de gerne kunne gøre noget ved. Vi ser det altså rigtig mange steder i Europa, at borgerne ikke kan indånde en ordentlig luft. Vi bliver nødt til at gøre noget mere. Vi bliver nødt til at gøre noget mere!

Medlemslandene har et kæmpe ansvar, fordi det er jer, der skal sørge for at efterleve de regler, vi har. EU-Kommissionen har også et kæmpe ansvar.

I sidste mandatperiode havde vi hele ”Dieselgate”-skandalen, som vi arbejdede med, og vi har fået god lovgivning på plads, men den er ikke trådt i kraft endnu. Det gør den først næste år! Og det er kun en fjerdedel, mener jeg, af de biler, der kører ulovligt som følge af ”Dieselgate”- skandalen, som er blevet trukket tilbage fra markedet, så tre fjerdedele kører stadigvæk derude og forurener. Det er simpelthen ikke godt nok!

Vores luft skal være renere. Og hvorfor skal den det? Jo, som Peter Liese også sagde, det skal den, fordi det drejer sig om vores sundhed. Folk dør af det her. Og de folk, der ikke dør, får en dårligere livskvalitet. Så der skal meget mere til. Jeg vil gerne have, at den gamle EU-Kommissionen sørger for, at den nye EU-Kommission får at vide, at det er en prioritet for os i Europa-Parlamentet, at der skal ske noget mere.

Vi skal have set vores værktøjskasse efter. Kan vi for eksempel gøre det muligt for medlemslandene at indføre forbud mod dieselbiler og benzinbiler, hvis de har behov for det, for at skabe en renere luft og sundhed? Formålet er at skabe muligheder for at gøre noget mere på det her område. Dette kunne være en af mulighederne. Jeg synes, at vi skal hjælpe borgerne i Madrid og alle mulige andre steder til at sørge for, at de kan få en ren luft. Det har de ikke i dag. Det er på tide, at vi agerer.

  Caroline Voaden, on behalf of the Renew Group. – Mr President, our cities are dying. Almost every European living in a city is now exposed to air pollution at a level that is damaging to human health. 400 000 Europeans are killed by air pollution every year, 40 000 in the UK alone. Countless more are becoming sick, and the cost to our health services and businesses runs into billions. There are some in this Chamber who deny that this is a European issue and say that the EU should not tell Member States what to do, but air pollution does not respect national borders. One country’s pollution affects another country’s people.

We in the European institutions are the last line of defence for our citizens, and we must act now, decisively and quickly. Yesterday I told Ms von der Leyen that my support for her election would depend on immediate action on the climate emergency. One day later, I am calling for that radical action. Friends, Parliament established its position on clean air earlier this year. It’s time now to deliver what we have been asking for: clean air, better health, fewer deaths.

  Karima Delli, au nom du groupe Verts/ALE. – Monsieur le Président, chers collègues, respirer tue!

Monsieur le Commissaire, ce ne sont pas 400 000 morts prématurées chaque année, ce sont 600 000 morts prématurées chaque année, en Europe. C'est un véritable scandale sanitaire. Il faut agir vite, fort et maintenant.

Actuellement, il y a vingt-neuf procédures d'infraction en cours contre vingt États membres pour non-respect des normes de qualité de l'air. Ces mêmes États qui ne tirent aucune conclusion de ce scandale, de cette affaire qu'on appelle le Dieselgate. Depuis quatre ans, je tire la sonnette d'alarme. 40 millions de véhicules-poubelles restent sur nos routes. Qu'avez-vous fait? Qu'attendez-vous pour rappeler ces véhicules? Qu'attendez-vous pour rappeler le droit des consommateurs? La pollution de l'air existe partout.

La Commission entend-elle prendre ses responsabilités, rappeler ces véhicules, respecter les droits des consommateurs? La réalité est là: vous avez le devoir de garantir aux citoyens et aux citoyennes un véritable respect de la qualité de leur air, mais surtout la protection de leur santé.

Je vais vous donner juste une idée. Qu'attendez-vous pour mettre en place un plan de sortie des véhicules diesel et essence d'ici 2030? Vous gagnerez sur le climat, vous gagnerez sur les politiques industrielles, mais vous gagnerez surtout en cohérence entre vos discours et vos actes.

  Sylvia Limmer, im Namen der ID-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident! Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren! Für mich als neu gewählte Abgeordnete hat sich nach all den politischen Stellungnahmen, auch von Kommission und Rat, der Eindruck endgültig bestätigt: Nicht nur in den Medien, sondern auch bei den EU-Institutionen herrscht beim Thema Umwelt und Energie Panikmache statt Kompetenz. CO2 ist übrigens kein Luftschadstoff, und wie Sie die angeblichen Zahlen zu verfrühten Todesfällen messen wollen, das bleibt für mich auch ein wissenschaftliches Mysterium.

Wie auf einem Basar der grünlackierten Idiotien wird gefeilscht. Hier ein bisschen weniger Grenzwert, dort eine neue Klimasteuer. Statt die Bürger zu informieren, wird Politpropaganda mit Klima- und Luftverschmutzungshorrorszenarien betrieben, die bei vielen leider verfängt. Mit der Richtlinie über Luftqualität und saubere Luft vom Mai 2008 wurde die Voraussetzung für Umweltzonen mit Fahrverboten geschaffen. In Deutschland gibt es derzeit allein 58 dieser Umweltzonen. Gutgläubige Bürger, die auf die Politik und auf die rechtsstaatlichen Verfahren vertraut hatten, wurden hinters Licht geführt. Denn wer sich vor nicht allzu langer Zeit ein den Normen entsprechendes Dieselauto gekauft hatte, muss nun feststellen, dass er quasi von Staats wegen enteignet wurde. Denn er besitzt nun ein wertloses Auto, das in vielen Städten nicht mehr fahren darf. Dabei wird die Luft in Europa dank innovativer Dieseltechnik, moderner Filter und anderen Schutzvorrichtungen immer besser. Die Menschen leben entsprechend immer länger. Seit 20 Jahren hat sich die Feinstaubbelastung und die Stickstoffdioxidbelastung kontinuierlich reduziert. Die neuesten Daten des deutschen Umweltbundesamtes zeigen, dass 2018 an keiner einzigen der insgesamt 536 Messstellen in Deutschland der Jahresmittelwert für Feinstaub von 40 Mikrogramm pro Kubikmeter überschritten wurde. In der Erfurter Umweltzone beispielsweise wird der Grenzwert für Feinstaub gar seit 2012 in Folge nicht mehr überschritten.

Muss jetzt das Ende der Menschheit verschoben werden? Fällt die Rettung der Welt ins Wasser? Nein! Wenn, wie angedacht, die Feinstaubgrenzwerte halbiert werden, voilà, dann verwandelt sich quasi über Nacht Deutschland und vermutlich ebenso weite Teile Europas in eine Fahrverbotszone, und wir kommen damit der grünen Wunschvorstellung, unser Land in eine Nation der Eselkarren und Fahrradfahrer zu verwandeln, ziemlich nahe. Noch eine Bemerkung zum Schluss: Ich bin sehr gespannt, wie viele der geschätzten Kollegen und besorgten Umweltschützer im Dezember nicht mit dem Ruderboot zur UN-Klimakonferenz in Chile anreisen werden.

  Jorge Buxadé Villalba, en nombre del Grupo ECR. – Señor presidente, lamentamos enormemente que la izquierda haya traído a esta cámara el asunto relativo a Madrid Central con la única finalidad de dañar la imagen y los intereses de España, algo que por otra parte es bastante habitual entre los socialistas y comunistas españoles.

El 26 de mayo no solo se celebraron en España elecciones europeas, sino que se celebraron también elecciones municipales. Y los madrileños decidieron votar a aquellos partidos que mayoritariamente tenían como propuesta la supresión del sistema de restricción de la circulación en Madrid Central.

Pero hay una realidad indiscutible, que no se puede negar, y es que Madrid Central ha sido un fracaso: un fracaso para los comerciantes, que han visto reducidas sus ventas en más de un 15 %; un fracaso para las familias, que tardan más de dos horas en llegar a su puesto de trabajo o llevar a los niños al colegio, y un fracaso para la calidad del aire y la mejora de la contaminación atmosférica, porque en realidad —como se ha dicho aquí— el aire no tiene fronteras y los niveles de contaminación del aire en Madrid Central no se han mejorado y, sin embargo, sí se han trasladado a zonas periféricas de esa misma ciudad.

No vamos a aceptar que la izquierda nos dé ni una sola lección en relación con la conservación del medio ambiente o la defensa de la salud de los españoles. Pero lo que también vamos a decir es que la solución no pasa ni por prohibir ni por restringir. Habrá que mejorar el transporte público; habrá que suprimir las calderas de carbón —más de quinientas siguen en Madrid—; sustituir las calderas de petróleo por las de gas o incentivar los planes de renovación para impedir que solo los ricos puedan ir en vehículos eléctricos por la ciudad.

Y, finalmente, lo que sí que tengo que decir es que la solución no puede pasar porque, en los despachos de Bruselas, un equipo de técnicos les diga a los madrileños cómo deben gestionar su ciudad.

  Younous Omarjee, au nom du groupe GUE/NGL. – Monsieur le Président, Monsieur le Commissaire, la pollution de l’air tue. Elle tue chaque année dans le monde 900 000 personnes. En Europe, je pense que le chiffre de Karima Delli – 600 000 personnes – est bon. En France, c’est 67 000 personnes qui, chaque année, meurent de l’air qu’elles respirent, soit à peu près 9 % de la mortalité du pays.

Les causes de ce phénomène sont connues: pollution industrielle, trafic routier ou extrême densité de la population. En tant que président de la commission du développement régional, j’ajoute que nous devons continuer à orienter des fonds structurels vers cet objectif, mais nous devons aussi repenser toute l’organisation urbaine. Nous devons aussi avoir le courage de lutter contre le lobby du «tout automobile», car nous n’avons pas oublié, nous, le scandale du «dieselgate».

Enfin, je veux dire que nous devons encore renforcer nos actions contre les États réfractaires qui ne respectent pas la directive sur la qualité de l’air, et je pense en particulier à la France qui fait preuve de très mauvaise volonté.

  Eleonora Evi (NI). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, io sono felice che in questa seconda tornata di Strasburgo si parli di un tema così importante, perché l'emergenza dell'inquinamento atmosferico è stata oggetto di quest'Aula, più e più volte, anche nello scorso mandato. Abbiamo lavorato su un'importante risoluzione che detta un po' la linea da seguire.

Io mi auguro che la Commissione europea faccia sue le indicazioni di questo Parlamento nella scorsa legislatura, ed è vero, molti dei regolamenti sono stati adottati, penso appunto a quello sulla promozione dei veicoli puliti, già citato, penso alla riduzione di CO2 per le auto ed i furgoni e anche per i veicoli pesanti.

Ma c'è da fare molto, molto di più, perché nel mio paese, in Italia, sono 219 le morti premature, ogni giorno, a causa dell'inquinamento atmosferico, novantamila all'anno, e gli studi scientifici che oggi ci dicono come l'inquinamento atmosferico influisce negativamente sullo sviluppo cognitivo dei bambini è qualcosa di gravissimo, che dovrebbe allarmare tutti quanti noi, e quindi maggiore ambizione e maggiore determinazione nell'introdurre misure serie per il contrasto all'inquinamento atmosferico.

Io sono invece d'accordo che i divieti di alcuni mezzi inquinanti, più inquinanti come quelli citati, i veicoli diesel – e oggi sono oltre 40 milioni quelli che ancora circolano nelle nostre strade che non rispettano le regole – sono da bandire e mi aspetto maggiore ambizione da parte della Commissione europea per un richiamo coordinato in tutti i paesi che ancora stentano a fare questo. Quindi, maggiore ambizione da parte della Commissione europea.

ΠΡΟΕΔΡΙΑ: ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΣ ΠΑΠΑΔΗΜΟΥΛΗΣ
Αντιπρόεδρος

  Dolors Montserrat (PPE). – Señor presidente, la lucha contra la contaminación no admite ni divisiones ni demoras. Nuestra prioridad es la salud de todos los europeos. Cada año pierden la vida de forma prematura 400 000 europeos por la contaminación.

Se equivocan quienes pretendan politizar este debate. La lucha contra la contaminación no es patrimonio ni de la izquierda ni de ninguna ideología política. En España estamos demasiado cansados de que la izquierda se apropie siempre de méritos ajenos y de méritos compartidos. Ayer el feminismo y hoy el medio ambiente. ¿Por qué no hablan de París? ¿Por qué hablan de Madrid y no hablan de París? Les pongo un ejemplo: Madrid y Barcelona en los últimos cuatro años han sido gobernadas por la izquierda, esa izquierda incapaz de poner medidas eficaces contra la contaminación, haciéndolo contra la población de Madrid. Y ahora nos vienen a dar lecciones. Si vienen, vengan a reconocer su incapacidad para luchar contra la contaminación.

Señores diputados, solo hay un camino: concienciar, involucrar a toda la ciudadanía, políticas globales con medidas eficaces y, sobre todo, consenso político y social. No seamos hipócritas, no basta con restricciones parciales de tráfico si sigue habiendo calderas de calefacción contaminantes. Es necesario un mayor uso de combustibles alternativos, mejorar el transporte público y renovar el parque de automóviles.

Para el Partido Popular la defensa del medio ambiente y la salud es un objetivo central, en Madrid y en cualquier ciudad de Europa.

  César Luena (S&D). – Señor presidente, señores de la derecha y de la ultraderecha en España, han salido ustedes a la defensiva en este debate.

Lo que ocurre, señorías, señor comisario, señora ministra, es que Madrid Central funciona y Madrid Central es un éxito para luchar contra la contaminación y para defender la calidad de la salud pública de los madrileños. Y en España no hay cordones sanitarios; por eso gobierna la derecha y la ultraderecha en Madrid y han querido eliminar Madrid Central, haciendo que haya más contaminación y una peor salud de los madrileños.

Pero un juez —un juez—, señorías, les ha parado los pies. Y les voy a leer una parte de la sentencia, que dice: «Ante una medida dirigida a la protección del medio ambiente, como es Madrid Central, el acuerdo municipal [que la suspendía] no ofrece ninguna alternativa para suplir la supresión de la zona de bajas emisiones, ni justifica tampoco que la misma haya sido ineficaz o haya producido un daño mayor del que trataba de evitar en el plano medioambiental». Y sigue el juez: «La protección a la salud y al medio ambiente son principios que deben regir la actuación de los poderes públicos».

Por eso, señor comisario, señora ministra, ya que usted ha hablado aquí de la revisión de la Directiva del aire, lo que le pido es que, cuando haya Gobiernos locales, de grandes ciudades, que aplican medidas en el centro de sus ciudades, tan importantes como Madrid Central en el caso de Madrid, se proteja y se defienda. Y si vienen Gobiernos reaccionarios, negacionistas desde el punto de vista climático, se les impida que reviertan esas medidas.

Madrid Central es un buen ejemplo para Europa y para el mundo. Hay que protegerlo y defenderlo. A ver si ustedes lo comprenden, señores de la derecha y de la ultraderecha en España.

  Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (Renew). – Señor presidente, los objetivos contra el cambio climático son globales, pero las medidas claves para alcanzarlos son locales. La movilidad urbana es una gran herramienta para convertir la inquietud ciudadana respecto a la emergencia climática en una reducción de emisiones efectiva, en acciones concretas, equilibradas, sostenibles y realistas.

Cambiar hábitos de movilidad empieza por uno mismo, pero requiere condiciones. Ciudades y regiones deben contar con todo el apoyo comunitario, económico y técnico, para poder planificar una movilidad urbana sostenible, como la excelente guía de la Comisión para planificar una movilidad sostenible. Ese es el camino para abordar políticas a largo plazo, integradas, evaluables y participativas.

Necesitamos laboratorios como el que se arranca estos meses en la capital del País Vasco y redes de intercambio de experiencias, y celebramos las claras señales que envía Europa, responsable de la fijación de máximos admisibles de emisiones, a quienes, como acaba de ocurrir con Madrid Central, hacen electoralismo con un asunto tan serio.

Debemos colaborar entre todos para tener soluciones globales desde el nivel local.

  Ernest Urtasun (Verts/ALE). – Señor presidente, como se ha dicho, estamos ante un problema de salud pública gravísimo, con alrededor de medio millón de muertes en la Unión Europea. Y la lucha por la calidad del aire, no es que sea patrimonio de alguien; es patrimonio, en cualquier caso, de las leyes europeas que hay que cumplir. Y, señor comisario, tenemos un problema con el cumplimiento de esas leyes que viene de los años ochenta: trece procesos de infracción por exceso de emisiones de dióxido de nitrógeno en algunos Estados miembros; dieciséis, por la emisión de partículas finas.

Tenemos un auténtico problema y las ciudades han estado solas combatiendo este problema. Se han desarrollado hasta 231 zonas de bajas emisiones en la Unión Europea, mientras en muchos Estados miembros —como, por ejemplo, en España, donde Madrid y Barcelona han estado a la vanguardia de esa lucha—teníamos una mala fiscalidad del diésel, el Estado no invertía en transporte público, no teníamos un etiquetaje adecuado de las autoridades de tráfico... Las ciudades han estado solas haciendo eso.

¿Yo, qué le pido a la Comisión Europea? Le pido básicamente que apoye a las autoridades locales cuando son valientes en esta lucha. No pueden ustedes quedarse ciegos cuando algunos intentan cerrar Madrid Central, cuando ha sido un éxito, al reducir un 17 % las emisiones de dióxido de nitrógeno en la ciudad. Sean valientes y defiendan Madrid Central ante los atropellos de la derecha.

  Joëlle Mélin (ID). – Monsieur le Président, la mondialisation a, parmi ses effets pervers, entraîné une métropolisation effrénée et une pollution préoccupante. Aujourd’hui, le formidable défi des villes vertes se heurte à un constat sans appel, celui d’une pollution toujours plus intense et d’une multiplication des flux et des interactions humaines et économiques.

L’arrêt de ce processus est vital. Il faudrait désengorger les villes, accentuer les efforts d’innovation et de capture des polluants, générer des circuits vertueux, en un mot, réenraciner les villes européennes pour enfin respirer. Mais ces mesures d’urgence doivent impérativement être complétées par l’inversion totale de la spirale vicieuse en stoppant la métropolisation et en réinvestissant les terres moins urbanisées pour les rendre vivables.

La lutte contre la désertification, aussi bien humaine que végétale, doit être prioritaire. Bossuet disait: «Dieu se rit des hommes qui déplorent les effets dont ils chérissent les causes». Je formule ici le vœu d’une prise de conscience radicale afin que nous endiguions le phénomène de métropolisation à la source des pollutions de nos villes et de l’atteinte grave à notre santé.

  Anna Zalewska (ECR). – Panie Przewodniczący! Drodzy Koleżanki i Koledzy! Zdrowie, czyste powietrze to oczywistości, do których nie musimy się przekonywać. Wszystkie państwa powinny się wspierać i przeprowadzać zorganizowane i systemowe działania. Kiedy w 2015 r. ukonstytuował się rząd, padały deklaracje (a później konkretne czyny): poprawiamy klimat, poprawiamy powietrze, poprawiamy efektywność energetyczną, jak również dbamy o likwidację ubóstwa energetycznego.

W Polsce opieramy się na trzech filarach. Po pierwsze, po raz pierwszy ustalono normy dla kotłów spalających paliwa stałe. I są to takie normy, które będą obowiązywać w Unii Europejskiej od 2020 r. Oprócz tego po raz pierwszy określono jakość paliw stałych, a oprócz tego przeprowadzono różnego rodzaju zapisy, ustawy, które wprowadzają ulgi podatkowe, programy edukacyjne, łącznie z pomysłem, aby powstawały sieci edukacyjne szkół nazywane „antysmogowymi”. Już mamy w nich 350 szkół.

  Idoia Villanueva Ruiz (GUE/NGL). – Señor presidente, cada vez somos más conscientes del alcance de la crisis ecológica a la que nos enfrentamos, y no es por las políticas o por los líderes —como estamos viendo— europeos, sino por la sociedad civil organizada, especialmente por los jóvenes.

400 000 personas en Europa, 10 000 en España y, solo en Madrid, catorce, mueren diariamente prematuramente debido a la contaminación del aire. En Madrid Central se ha conseguido reducir drásticamente esta contaminación. Y es una vergüenza —es una vergüenza— que Gobiernos conservadores, que sistemáticamente han incumplido la legislación medioambiental, quieran ahora revertirlo.

La Unión Europea debe evitarlo. Debemos ser valientes. Debemos estar a la altura de las peticiones de los millones de ciudadanos que nos piden cambios en políticas medioambientales. No podemos permitir que, por razones puramente sectarias, esto se revierta.

Podemos pensar distinto, pero respiramos igual.

  Bartosz Arłukowicz (PPE). – Panie Przewodniczący! Przede wszystkim trzeba zacząć od sprostowania słów, które padły na tej sali. Nie mogą padać takie słowa, że tak naprawdę nie wiadomo, ile zgonów nastąpiło w Europie z powodu zanieczyszczenia powietrza. To pani poseł Limmer przed chwilą tak mówiła, więc takie rzeczy trzeba prostować od razu. Pani poseł, twarde dane mówią, że z powodu zanieczyszczenia powietrza umiera 400 tys., blisko 500 tys. ludzi. I nie chodzi o to, żebyśmy jeździli po naszych miastach drewnianymi bryczkami, jak pani poseł powiedziała, tylko żebyśmy budowali nowoczesne, dobrze skomunikowane, dobrze infrastrukturalnie zbudowane miasta. I trzeba wspierać samorządy, trzeba wspierać regiony, organizacje społeczne, które wiedzą najlepiej, jak przebudować miasta tak, żeby ludziom się żyło maksymalnie komfortowo.

I takie przykłady w Europie mamy. Takim przykładem jest choćby Sztokholm – pierwsze miasto, gdzie wprowadzono strefy czystości. Mamy takie miasta jak Berlin, Hanower, gdzie to wszystko funkcjonuje i ludziom żyje się po prostu zdrowo i bezpiecznie. I w końcu jest takie miasto w Hiszpanii – Pontevedra, w którym ograniczono ruch samochodowy w centrum o 53%, a w ścisłym centrum o 97%. I jeszcze jedna ciekawostka związana z tym miastem: od 2011 roku nie było tam żadnego śmiertelnego wypadku samochodowego, więc mamy działanie wieloaspektowe: nowoczesne, dobrze skomunikowane miasta, które są budowane przez ich regiony, samorządy i organizacje społeczne.

  Rory Palmer (S&D). – Mr President, 400 000 people a year die prematurely in Europe because of air pollution, 40 000 in the UK. So let’s be clear at the start of this mandate that protecting public health and removing environmental risks to health should be one of our first and foremost priorities and it’s why we must demand more ambition on climate change and sustainability from Ms von der Leyen. And it is why I speak today to remind us that Brexit won’t just be an economic disaster for my country, it will be an environmental disaster as well. It is also why I stand today to support my Spanish colleagues on this side of the House in their concern and anger about what is happening in Madrid. ‘Madrid Central’ is Europe’s most successful clean air zone. We should be building on that progress and learning from that progress.

I also applaud the work happening in cities like Leicester and Nottingham in my constituency: big efforts to reduce vehicle emissions and promote sustainable transport. Finally, when positive environmental progress is attacked and undermined we must defend that progress together. The new right-wing populism we see today is a real and present danger to progressive environmentalism, so if we are serious about that better carbon neutral future with clean air for our kids to breathe, then we must speak out when that progress is threatened. We must defend that progress we are making, and we must win the argument against those who want to trash the future and who want to turn back the clock on the progress we are making.

  Claudia Gamon (Renew). – Herr Präsident! Es ist gut, dass wir Umweltpolitik für die Mehrheit in diesem Haus zu einem ganz relevanten Thema gemacht haben. Wir müssen aber ganz unbedingt auch über die Luftqualität sprechen, denn eine wiederkehrende dauerhafte Überschreitung der Grenzwerte überall in der Union ist wirklich eine Gefahr für die Gesundheit der Bevölkerung überhaupt. Wir haben aber auch eine Verantwortung, das zu tun, was nachhaltig wirkt, was vielleicht auch etwas komplexer in der Umsetzung ist, aber vor allem auch wirksam ist.

Ich habe schon gemerkt, dass in der Debatte hier vor allem vereinfacht wird. Ich glaube, man sollte das, was von ganz rechts kommt, eigentlich gar nicht thematisieren, von wegen „nein, nein, nein, und im Übrigen ist die Globalisierung schuld“, sondern es wäre wichtig, darüber zu sprechen, was wirksam und wichtig und langfristig nützlich für die Bevölkerung in ganz Europa ist. Und das ist nun einmal, dass wir überall den öffentlichen Verkehr ausbauen, denn wenn er verfügbar ist, werden die Menschen auch umsteigen. Es wäre noch wichtiger, dass wir in der ganzen Union eine flächendeckende Ladeinfrastruktur auch für alternative Antriebe haben. Das ist auch etwas, das grenzüberschreitend wirklich einen Unterschied machen würde, und dass wir das Holztabu endlich ansprechen, denn oft kommen Feinstaub und Stickoxide auch vor dem gemütlichen Kaminfeuer daher. Und es wäre auch wichtig, dass wir über die Grenzwerte reden, denn dass man Verbotszonen für legale Kfz einführen muss, sagt uns eigentlich, dass wir an den Standards etwas ändern müssen.

  Michèle Rivasi (Verts/ALE). – Monsieur le Président, Monsieur le Commissaire, il est vrai que la pollution de l’air est un tueur invisible qui reste la première cause environnementale de mortalité précoce de l’Union européenne. L’Agence européenne pour l’environnement fait état, comme cela a été dit ici, de plus de 422 000 morts prématurées chaque année dues à ces particules fines. Et l’ANSES, l’agence de sécurité sanitaire en France, appelle à une grande vigilance à l’égard des particules ultrafines – je parle des PM2,5.

Alors, Monsieur le Commissaire, une des premières choses serait déjà de réviser nos deux directives sur la qualité de l’air, puisqu’elles ne tiennent pas compte des recommandations de l’OMS. C’est une première chose. Puis, bien sûr, disposer des outils d’analyse pour pouvoir les mesurer.

Je partage l’avis de la Commission sur la nécessité de renforcer la coopération avec les États membres et les collectivités territoriales en réorientant les fonds européens comme leviers pour améliorer la qualité de l’air. Cela implique des mesures radicales, notamment la fin du cofinancement européen sur les projets d’infrastructures routières polluantes et climaticides, le financement de projets de transport collectif structurant, le financement d’un plan de reconversion écologique de l’industrie polluante, l’aide et l’accompagnement pour réduire la place de la voiture en ville.

Voilà des mesures sur ces fonds structurels qu’il faut absolument encourager.

  Joanna Kopcińska (ECR). – Panie Przewodniczący! Szanowni Państwo! Jako polityk, ale i przede wszystkim lekarz, zdaję sobie sprawę, jak istotnym czynnikiem dla jakości naszego życia jest powietrze, którym oddychamy. Omawiane zagadnienie jest jednak złożone, bo kompetencje Unii Europejskiej w tym temacie są ograniczone. W szczególności prawo Unii nie nakazuje wprowadzania stref wyłączonych z ruchu drogowego lub ograniczających ten ruch, a takie decyzje pozostawione są społecznościom lokalnym. Państwa członkowskie i samorządy mają wiele innych narzędzi służących do poprawy jakości powietrza. Poza tym dziś ponad 20 państw członkowskich ma problem ze spełnieniem norm jakości powietrza, więc problem nie ogranicza się do jednego miejsca. Myślę, że potrzebujemy więcej innowacyjnego podejścia do energetyki, transportu i planowania przestrzennego. Jako lekarz jestem również wierna zasadzie primum non nocere. Powinniśmy uwzględniać uwarunkowania i życzenia społeczności lokalnych, gdyż odgórnie narzucane rozwiązania, które im nie odpowiadają, mogą w dłuższym czasie przynieść negatywne skutki.

  João Ferreira (GUE/NGL). – Senhor Presidente, Senhor Comissário, como aqui foi dito já, o impacto da poluição do ar na saúde é de uma enorme magnitude.

Em Portugal, os dados disponíveis apontam para uma continuada e preocupante degradação da qualidade do ar. Lisboa é a sexta cidade europeia mais poluída pelos navios de cruzeiro. As emissões de óxidos de enxofre na costa portuguesa foram 88 vezes superiores às emissões dos automóveis que circulam em Portugal, por si só já muito preocupantes. Lisboa é também a única capital europeia com um aeroporto dentro da cidade, expondo a população às emissões que lhes estão associadas.

Precisamos de legislação ambiciosa no domínio da qualidade do ar. Precisamos de maior rigor na fiscalização, no controlo, na monitorização. Precisamos também de investimento, aspeto que deve ser tido em conta na regulamentação e programação dos Fundos Estruturais.

A experiência de várias cidades europeias que implementaram a gratuitidade dos transportes públicos deve ser avaliada e replicada. Precisamos, por fim, também, de planos de contingência e de emergência para as situações já verificáveis de elevadas concentrações de poluentes que põem em causa a saúde pública.

  Nathalie Colin-Oesterlé (PPE). – Monsieur le Président, les élections européennes l’ont montré, le climat, l’environnement, la santé, sont des préoccupations majeures pour nos concitoyens.

Nous constatons tous les jours les méfaits de la pollution atmosphérique sur la santé, avec une augmentation des allergies, des pathologies respiratoires, notamment chez les enfants, ou encore des risques cardiovasculaires.

Vous l’avez rappelé, l’Union européenne a déjà agi en légiférant, notamment et récemment, sur les émissions de véhicules ou encore sur la performance énergétique des bâtiments. Pour autant, cela n’est pas suffisant. Les taux de pollution de l’air sont toujours trop élevés, les législations sont encore imparfaitement appliquées par les États membres, l’encouragement au changement de comportement des personnes, insuffisamment accompagné.

Nous devons poursuivre l’action engagée sur cette question de la qualité de l’air extérieur, mais également sur la qualité de l’air intérieur. La précarité énergétique, notamment en matière de chauffage, ou encore la problématique de la climatisation sont des sujets essentiels à cet égard. Les approches sont certes différentes d’un État membre à l’autre, mais cela ne doit pas pour autant nous empêcher d’y travailler.

Nous devons être ambitieux, pragmatiques et je pense que cette question majeure de la qualité de l’air intérieur manquait dans la présentation qui nous a été faite.

Les citoyens attendent de nous des actions concrètes, réalistes, applicables à court, moyen et long terme, bien plus que de grandes déclarations.

Régulièrement, nous regrettons que les citoyens se détournent de l’Europe. À nous de leur prouver la valeur ajoutée de cette Union au regard des problématiques mondiales, à nous d’apporter des réponses européennes et d’agir collectivement et de façon harmonisée.

  Javi López (S&D). – Señor presidente, ahora que hablamos sobre la contaminación en las grandes ciudades, aquí en el Parlamento Europeo, es el buen momento para recordar la gravísima amenaza que significa para la salud pública.

Una amenaza que acaba convirtiéndose en la multiplicación de enfermedades, que afecta al crecimiento de nuestros niños y que significa 400 000 muertes prematuras en Europa al año. Y eso requiere de respuestas también drásticas, en forma de cambios en nuestra energía, en cómo organizamos nuestro transporte y en las infraestructuras que tenemos en las grandes ciudades.

Y por eso requerimos de todas las Administraciones —Unión Europea, Administraciones locales y Estados implicados— en esta respuesta. Por eso es el mejor momento para denunciar la vergüenza que significa que una gran ciudad como Madrid, con más de tres millones de habitantes, haya decidido revertir una decisión que va destinada a combatir la contaminación en el centro de la ciudad con la creación de una zona de bajas emisiones.

Una decisión inmoral, porque hay quince muertos al día prematuros por la contaminación en Madrid; una decisión irresponsable, porque todos los indicadores, todos los indicadores de la ciudad estaban diciendo que era una medida recién instaurada que estaba funcionando; y una medida que va contra el sentido de la historia, porque las Administraciones, aunque gobierne la derecha con la extrema derecha, no pueden caminar hacia el pasado.

Y por eso pedimos a la Comisión Europea y al Consejo que tomen cartas en el asunto y avergüencen al Ayuntamiento de Madrid por esta decisión, que va en contra de los criterios de la Unión Europea de lucha contra el cambio climático y por unas ciudades sin contaminación.

(El orador acepta responder a una pregunta formulada con arreglo al procedimiento de la «tarjeta azul» (artículo 171, apartado 8, del Reglamento interno)).

  Pablo Arias Echeverría (PPE), pregunta de «tarjeta azul». – Vamos a ver, aquí parece que el debate que hay es sobre Madrid Central. Aquí estamos hablando de polución. En Madrid lleva cuatro años gobernando la izquierda y en Madrid no se han hecho los deberes, puesto que no hay resultados óptimos contra la polución.

La pregunta que yo le quiero lanzar, señor López, es: uno, ¿vive usted en Madrid?, porque da la impresión de que no viva en Madrid; dos, habla usted de nuestros hijos, ¿tiene usted hijos? Yo tengo cinco, yo vivo en Madrid; no tengo los problemas que usted denuncia. Dígame cuáles son los problemas de la derogación de Madrid Central y, sobre todo, dígame si no es posible hacer algo alternativo a lo que ha sido el fracaso de Madrid Central.

  Javi López (S&D), respuesta de «tarjeta azul». – Vivo en la ciudad de Barcelona, pero resulta que nací en la ciudad de Madrid. De hecho, buena parte de mi familia vive allí y me preocupa lo que pasa con los madrileños, lo que pasa en Barcelona... Pero no se preocupe: aquí venimos a hablar de lo que pasa en Ámsterdam, en Berlín y en París, y nos preocupamos de todo.

Y lo que pasa en la ciudad de Madrid y en la ciudad de Barcelona es que la Comisión Europea ya ha dicho —ya ha dicho— que la situación que se vive es grave y que hay que tomar medidas. Y lo que no se puede hacer es revertir justo las medidas que se acaban de tomar en la buena dirección.

Tenemos que pensar todos en cómo lo hacemos. Pero caminando como los cangrejos, hacia atrás, seguro, seguro que no vamos a solucionar el problema de la contaminación en las grandes ciudades. ¡Por favor, hombre, por favor!

  Clotilde Armand (Renew). – Doamnelor și domnilor, situația calității aerului în unele orașe mari din Europa este gravă. Am stabilit la nivel european standarde pentru concentrațiile de particule nocive, ceea ce reprezintă un pas important.

Aplicarea acestor standarde rămâne însă o dificultate. Ce am constatat dintr-un caz concret: România a fost trimisă de Comisie în fața Curții de Justiție pentru nerespectarea acestor standarde. Sancțiunile, chiar foarte mari, nu pot debloca problema de fond. Avem o lipsă acută de expertiză.

Pentru a ameliora calitatea aerului, e nevoie, de exemplu, de investiții mari în infrastructura de transport din oraș. De ani de zile, proiectele stagnează. Propunerea mea este să angajăm echipe de experți din partea Comisiei pentru a acorda asistență tehnică. Trebuie să luăm autoritățile locale și naționale de mână pentru a progresa. Vă propun să schimbăm abordarea și să gândim un dispozitiv în acest sens. Trebuie să recunoaștem deficiențele și să acționăm în mod diferit de cum am făcut timp de 12 ani.

  Gina Dowding (Verts/ALE). – Mr President, air pollution is causing nothing less than a public health crisis. New research shows that worldwide, air pollution is now killing more people than smoking, and while poor air quality affects everyone, the burden of disease is highest among the poorest. In the towns and cities of the north-west of England – my region – more than 2 000 deaths per year can be attributed to air pollution. So we must radically transform and implement technologies and clean energy in transport, industry and heating systems. The Green New Deal makes all this easily possible. Let’s shift to a green travel system, investment in cycling infrastructure, walking-friendly streets, public transport and getting the polluting vehicles off our streets.

With an active, sustainable travel system we can improve air quality, increase the quality of life, and save lives of citizens across all of Europe.

  Jadwiga Wiśniewska (ECR). – Panie Przewodniczący! Walka o czyste powietrze jest sprawą absolutnie bardzo ważną i z tym nikt tutaj w naszej izbie nie dyskutuje, i nikt z nas tego nie kwestionuje. Oczywiście powietrze w miastach jest szczególnie zanieczyszczone. W jaki konkretnie sposób możemy poprawić jakość powietrza? Stawiajmy na zrównoważony transport, na elektromobilność, na poprawę efektywności energetycznej budynków czy też na rozwój ciepłownictwa systemowego w krajach członkowskich z niskimi temperaturami zimą.

Ale, proszę państwa, żeby o coś walczyć, trzeba zacząć od siebie. Popatrzmy na funkcjonowanie Parlamentu Europejskiego. Czy to w trosce o ochronę środowiska Parlament przenosi się z Brukseli do Strasburga na trzy dni? Jak bardzo zanieczyszczamy tym naszym przemieszczaniem się powietrze! Czy te sznury samochodów w budynku parlamentarnym czekające na europosłów zanieczyszczają powietrze, czy też są bez znaczenia? Może najpierw, żeby wymagać od innych, należy zacząć wymagać od siebie? My posługujemy się hasłami, programami, restrykcyjnymi celami, a tymczasem sami przyczyniamy się do zanieczyszczenia powietrza, tym razem w Strasburgu.

  Alexander Bernhuber (PPE). – Sehr geehrter Herr Präsident, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Es freut mich sehr, hier im Europaparlament meine erste Rede über solch ein wichtiges Thema für meine Generation zu halten.

Wir, die Jungen, sind die Leidtragenden der Versäumnisse der letzten Jahre, und dazu ist auch zu sagen, dass aber viele Klimaromantiker hier leider das Problem mit Verboten von Dieselfahrzeugen oder mit Schaffung von autofreien Zonen in Städten lösen wollen. Solche Maßnahmen sind aber nicht immer gutzuheißen, besonders für die ländliche Bevölkerung ist das oft ein großes Problem, da ein Auto das einzige Mittel ist, um in Städte zu gelangen. Anstatt einer EU-Verbotskultur oder scheinheiligem Kontrollwahn brauchen wir hier wirklich Anreize für klimafreundliche Technologien. Die Förderung von alternativen Energieträgern, wie zum Beispiel auch gestern von Ursula von der Leyen angesprochen, muss europaweite Priorität haben.

Elektromobilität oder auch das enorme Potenzial von Wasserstoff muss besser beworben werden und muss auch für alle leistbar gemacht werden. Auch Erfolgsmodelle wie E-Roller, die sich schon in sehr vielen großen Städten großer Beliebtheit erfreuen, müssen weiter ausgebaut werden, und dazu braucht es auch die nötige Rechtssicherheit. Natürlich darf man auch nicht den öffentlichen Verkehr vergessen, der die Grundlage für weitere gute Maßnahmen bietet. Hören wir auf, von ständigen Verboten und Sanktionen zu reden, sondern richten wir einen Blick in die Zukunft, wie wir mit Zukunftstechnologien gemeinsam einen maßgeblichen Teil zu besserer Luft in Städten beitragen können.

  Monika Beňová (S&D). – Vážený pán predsedajúci, Ursula von der Leyen sa včera zaviazala vo včerajšom vystúpení dosiahnuť klimaticky neutrálnu Európu do roku 2050. To znamená aj to, že nízkoemisné zóny sa budú musieť rozširovať do európskych miest rýchlejším tempom. Nízkoemisné zóny sa osvedčili a preukázateľne prinášajú pre obyvateľov miest viaceré prínosy týkajúce sa ich zdravia, napríklad aj v podobe nižšieho výskytu respiračných ochorení či znižovania úmrtnosti. Ide teda o účinné opatrenia.

Žiaľ, problém s vysoko znečisťujúcimi autami riešia len čiastočne, a to tým, že ich de facto vytláčajú do iných mestských oblastí. Zároveň znamenajú pre konkrétne mestá vyššie náklady v podobe výraznejšej podpory verejnej, pešej a cyklistickej dopravy či budovania záchytných parkovísk a celkovej regulácie parkovacej politiky.

Na tieto náklady nemajú však mestá vo všetkých členských štátoch Európskej únie dostatočné zdroje vo svojich rozpočtoch, a preto by som chcela požiadať do budúcnosti, aby sme hľadali možnosť, ako nájsť zdroje, ktorými by sme podporovali povedzme rýchlejšie budovanie či už záchytných parkovísk alebo aj alternatívnych možností dopravy.

  Karen Melchior (Renew). – Hr. formand! En af de mest traumatiske oplevelser for en forælder er, når ens børn er syge eller skal på hospitalet. Så forestil dig at skulle på hospitalet med din datter flere gange om året, fordi Europas politikere ikke har handlet.

Ni-årige Ella Kissi-Debrah boede med sin mor og sine søskende 20 meter fra South Circular, en travl vej i London. På blot tre år blev hun indlagt på hospitalet 27 gange. I 2013 døde hun. Retsmedicineren konkluderede, at hendes død var et resultat af den voldsomme luftforurening i London.

I Malta bor Camilla Appelgren, miljøforkæmper, mor og tidligere kandidat til Europa-Parlamentet. Hun blev i år nødt til at sende sine børn væk fra Malta, så de kunne indånde ren luft, så de ikke skulle indlægges igen og igen, så de ikke skulle lide samme skæbne som Ella fra London.

Det kan simpelthen ikke være rigtigt, at vores børns liv ødelægges af sygdomme forårsaget af luftforurening. I værste fald dør vores børn, fordi vi ikke handler. I min by, København, kæmper lokale politikere for at få redskaberne til at sikre børnene dér ren luft. Mellem 20 og 30 sager mod 20 medlemslande viser, at det nuværende system ikke fungerer. Kære Kommission, kære Råd, hjælp dette parlament til at være det Europa-Parlament, som handler, det Europa-Parlament, som hjælper vores borgere og lokale politikere med at få standset denne usynlige dræber af børn og voksne.

  Michael Bloss (Verts/ALE). – Mr President, I am honoured to give my first speech in this house of European democracy. I come from Stuttgart, a beautiful city in the heart of Europe, but we struggle with air pollution. Stuttgart has the highest pollution of NOx in Germany. This leads to premature death and especially elderly people, pregnant women and children are at risk.

Some Conservatives in this Parliament want to lower the standards for air quality. In Stuttgart, some want to change the location of the measurement stations. This is not how it works. If you want clean air, you need to start designing cities for people and not for cars. Our local communities need support for their sustainable urban mobility plans. This should be a priority when deciding on the next Union budget. In Europe, you have the right to a healthy environment and we need to deliver on that promise.

  Stanislav Polčák (PPE). – Pane předsedající, zóny čistého ovzduší ve městech přinášejí určitá zlepšení kvality ovzduší a vědecké studie potvrzují, že skutečně přináší zdravotní přínosy. Starostové a radní ale vytvářením těchto zón zápasí s problémem, který je mnohem větší než kterékoli město a přesahuje hranice každého z nich. Pouští se do boje proto, že národní vlády, včetně té české, v řešení problému kvality ovzduší selhávají. Zároveň tyto zóny čelí různým obtížím, které jejich další existenci ohrožují.

Jednou z nich je, že se stávají předmětem politického boje. Stává se, že nově zvolený primátor přestane vybírat pokuty za porušování pravidel čistých zón a jeho rozhodnutí je následně napadeno u soudu, který toto jeho rozhodnutí zruší a nařídí opětovné vybírání těchto pokut. Pro kvalitu ovzduší je takový výsledek nepochybně výhrou, ale pokud by se tyto právní bitvy měly opakovat, může být další osud těchto zón značně nejistý.

Jistou slabinou zón je, že jsou mnohdy politicky sporné, a proto zranitelné. Systémové řešení by mělo spočívat jednak ve zpřísnění unijní legislativy na ochranu ovzduší a jednak v zajištění toho, že automobilky uvedou svá vozidla do souladu se stávajícími emisními předpisy.

Je zjevné, že nebudeme mít ve městech opravdu zdravý vzduch nebo alespoň naději na stabilizaci klimatu, pokud budou po silnicích měst jezdit ve velkém počtu auta poháněná fosilními palivy. Musíme se proto postupně přeorientovat na elektrická vozidla a držet auta dál od městských center.

  Francisco Guerreiro (Verts/ALE). – Senhor Presidente, Caro Comissário, a diretiva sobre a qualidade do ar é fundamental para a vida dos cidadãos e para a preservação da biodiversidade.

Porém, em Portugal, o país onde fui eleito, existem vários procedimentos de infração por incumprimento desta diretiva e o que vemos é que o Governo português e os sucessivos governos não têm cumprido porque têm metas que não são as mais fiáveis para a garantia da prossecução desses objetivos.

E o que nós queremos é que realmente se repense não só a questão da mobilidade automóvel, mas sobretudo a mobilidade relacionada com a aviação. Em Portugal, em Lisboa, temos o aeroporto no centro da cidade e vai construir-se, ou espera-se, um aeroporto a poucos quilómetros da zona metropolitana de Lisboa.

É fundamental que a Comissão Europeia olhe com olhos de ver para esta problemática e reforme esta diretiva para que seja mais exigente e para que os Estados—Membros a possam cumprir e, se não a cumprirem, sejam pressionados a que o façam.

  Ljudmila Novak (PPE). – Spoštovani predsedujoči! Brez zraka ni življenja, slab zrak poslabša kakovost življenja, škoduje zdravju in celo skrajša življenje.

V sprejetih resolucijah in direktivah na to temo je navedenih veliko vzrokov za nečist zrak. Navedenih je tudi veliko možnih rešitev in ukrepov, vprašanje pa je, v kakšnem obsegu in času smo jih sposobni izvesti.

Program novoizvoljene predsednice Evropske komisije Ursule von der Leyen je ambiciozen, kar je prav in dobro.

Danes so bile predstavljene prioritete finskega predsedovanja. Poudarjeno je bilo, da mora Evropska unija postati vodilna sila na tem področju in doseči tudi širši dogovor na področju podnebnih sprememb in okolja.

Vprašanje je kompleksno in ga je treba reševati na več nivojih in več sektorjih, v okviru držav članic in tudi v okviru Evropske unije.

Nekatera velemesta imajo dobro urejeno mrežo javnega prevoza in mrežo kolesarskih poti, zato je treba k temu še naprej spodbujati države članice in tudi mestne oblasti, za uresničitev projektov pa je pomemben tudi finančni vidik. Vlaganje v nove tehnologije je obetavno in vodi k napredku.

Izzivov je veliko, čist zrak pa je ena od osnovnih človekovih pravic. Čaka nas veliko dela za boljši zrak v naših mestih.

Upam, da bo dovolj sredstev in tudi razumnih ukrepov.

  Pär Holmgren (Verts/ALE). – Herr talman! Luftkvaliteten i våra städer är en mycket viktig faktor för vår hälsa, särskilt nu när allt fler människor flyttar till våra städer. Ökade utsläpp från industri och fossil fordonsflotta gör emellertid att det under de senaste åren i storleksordningen 400 000 människor har dött i Europa i förtid varje år. Det är alltså två gånger så många som befolkningen här i Strasbourg. Det är helt oacceptabelt.

Kommissionen har hittills misslyckats med att leverera en trovärdig lagstiftning för att verkligen förbättra luftkvaliteten i våra städer. Ursula von der Leyen lovade visserligen i går att leverera en mer ambitiös övergripande strategi för att skydda medborgarnas hälsa. Men min fråga är vad som i så fall verkligen skiljer det nya från det gamla och vad som gör kommissionen mer hoppfull för framtiden jämfört med vad som har levererats fram till dagens datum.

  Adam Jarubas (PPE). – Panie Przewodniczący! Rozmawiamy dzisiaj o problemie dotyczącym milionów Europejczyków: jak skutecznie walczyć ze śmiertelnym zagrożeniem, jakim jest smog, jak zapewnić czyste powietrze w miastach. Przez 12 lat pełniłem funkcję marszałka województwa świętokrzyskiego – jednego z regionów w Polsce – i wiem, jakim obciążeniem dla ludzi jest smog, który corocznie zabija ponad 40 tys. ludzi w Polsce. Dlatego też w naszym regionie wdrożyliśmy program „Zielone świętokrzyskie”, aby zadbać o czyste powietrze w ramach ekologicznego, zrównoważonego rozwoju, który dotyczy jednego z regionów o najwyższym odsetku terenów chronionych przyrodniczo.

Dzisiaj razem z polskimi samorządowcami chcę zaapelować o to, aby wypracować rozwiązanie, które pozwoli przywrócić zawieszone unijne finansowanie dla programu krajowego „Czyste powietrze”, który ma też ten sam cel. Ale obok niskiej emisji do powstawania smogu przyczyniają się również emisje z transportu. Ograniczenie wjazdu niektórych pojazdów do miast może skutecznie zahamować smog, ale równocześnie może przyczynić się do wykluczenia komunikacyjnego, a tym samym ograniczenia możliwości pracy dla naszych obywateli. Dotyczy to szczególnie tych krajów, w których dochód jest niższy i zakup samochodu spełniającego wysokie standardy emisyjne jest dużym wyzwaniem. Nie możemy na to pozwolić, dlatego wprowadzaniu tych stref musi towarzyszyć rozwój sprawnej komunikacji miejskiej, aglomeracyjnej i tworzenie parkingów na obrzeżach tych stref. Musimy również zadbać o rozwój infrastruktury paliw alternatywnych, tak aby upowszechniać technologie niskoemisyjne.

  Μαρία Σπυράκη (PPE). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, δικαιούμαστε καθαρό αέρα, αλλά να ξεκινήσουμε από την κατάσταση στο σπίτι μας, στην Ελλάδα, στην πρωτεύουσα της Ελλάδας, στην Αθήνα. Σύμφωνα με τα στοιχεία που στέλνει η ίδια η Αθήνα στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση, στην έκθεση του 2018, η συγκέντρωση σε διοξείδιο του αζώτου φτάνει τα 70 μικρογραμμάρια ανά κυβικό μέτρο, ξεπερνάει δηλαδή κατά πολύ το όριο συναγερμού. Σύμφωνα με τον Ευρωπαϊκό Οργανισμό Περιβάλλοντος, η Αθήνα ξεπερνά τα όρια και στο όζον, με περισσότερα από 140 μικρογραμμάρια ανά κυβικό μέτρο, ενώ το ευρωπαϊκό όριο για το όζον είναι 119 μικρογραμμάρια ανά κυβικό μέτρο.

Τι χρειάζεται να κάνουμε λοιπόν; Να αρχίσουμε να ενεργούμε και να εφαρμόζουμε τις ευρωπαϊκές οδηγίες, δίνοντας καλύτερη ποιότητα ζωής σε όλους, αποφεύγοντας την καταστροφή. Καλύτερη ποιότητα ζωής σημαίνει καλύτερα καύσιμα και όχι απαγόρευση κυκλοφορίας στα πετρελαιοκίνητα αυτοκίνητα, που στην πραγματικότητα χτυπά τη μεσαία τάξη· σημαίνει αξιόπιστα μέσα μαζικής μεταφοράς και συγχρόνως πρόνοια για εναλλακτικά μέσα μεταφοράς, όπως είναι για παράδειγμα τα ποδήλατα ή τα ηλεκτρικά πατίνια, που χρειάζονται ρυθμίσεις και ειδικά μέτρα προστασίας. Καλύτερη ποιότητα ζωής σημαίνει ηλεκτροκίνηση, ηλεκτροκίνηση με κίνητρα, ηλεκτροκίνηση με σημαντική πυκνότητα φορτιστών σε μικρές αποστάσεις και φοροαπαλλαγές, ώστε να προχωρήσουμε στην υιοθέτηση της ηλεκτροκίνησης με βιώσιμο κόστος. Καλύτερη ποιότητα ζωής σημαίνει εφαρμογή της υπάρχουσας ευρωπαϊκής νομοθεσίας πρώτα και μια γενναία πολιτική για την αντικατάσταση των παλαιών οχημάτων μετά.

  Радан Кънев (PPE). – Г-н Председател, аз съм избран от България – страна с огромни проблеми с чистотата на въздуха и свързани с това заболявания. Чистотата на въздуха беше основен елемент в моята кампания и е основна болка на хората, които гласуваха за нас – особено чувствителна тема за нашите избиратели.

Затова изразявам подкрепата си за твърди мерки и на национално, и на общинско, и на европейско ниво за осигуряване на чистотата на въздуха. Не мога, обаче, да изразя толкова категорична подкрепа за прибързани и особено едностранчиви ограничения на движението на дизелови автомобили, най-малкото по две причини.

Първата от тях е, че само част от замърсяването в нашите градове се дължи на автомобилния транспорт. Може би по-важна причина е продължаващото отопление на твърдо гориво, както и работата на електрически централи с въглища, както и с биомаса в близост до населените места.

На второ място, не можем да си позволим да наказваме гражданите затова, че са бедни. Никой не кара сравнително стар дизелов автомобил, тъй като иска това, а тъй като само това може да си позволи. И освен това, темата с чистотата на въздуха е тема, пряко свързана със съдбата на въглищните и индустриалните райони, тема пряко свързана с бедността. Нашите мерки трябва да бъдат ориентирани към сериозно финансиране на чиста градска среда, чист градски транспорт и благосъстояние, особено във въглищните индустриални райони.

  Lídia Pereira (PPE). – Senhor Presidente, Senhoras e Senhores Deputados, 9 em cada 10 pessoas vivem em ambientes com ar poluído e 4 milhões morrem todos os anos em resultado da poluição do ar. É o equivalente ao desaparecimento de toda a população da Irlanda a cada ano que passa.

Quem pensa que isto é um problema de países em vias de desenvolvimento ou que não afeta a Europa, desengane-se. Todos os anos na Europa, morrem de forma prematura por problemas relacionados com a qualidade do ar tantos quantos os habitantes do Luxemburgo. Meio milhão de pessoas todos os anos.

E a população europeia vive cada vez mais em cidades, onde a poluição é superior. A poluição está a deixar-nos doentes: cancro, problemas cognitivos, demência e diabetes são apenas parte do problema. E os dados mostram que até em áreas rurais os limites de poluição são ultrapassados.

Precisamos de maior controlo sobre a qualidade do ar porque o que não conseguimos medir não conseguimos melhorar.

Precisamos de trabalhar em equipa porque este é um esforço de todos. Aqui, no Parlamento, é urgente decidir e criar soluções obrigatórias para as cidades sobre o controlo, o planeamento e a melhoria da qualidade do ar.

Precisamos de criar zonas limpas de emissões nos centros das cidades e precisamos de tornar o ar das nossas vilas e das nossas vidas mais limpo e mais saudável.

Este Parlamento tomou posse há algumas semanas, mas há urgência em decidir nesta matéria. Mede-se pelas vidas que podemos salvar.

  Christophe Hansen (PPE). – Herr Präsident! Jährlich sind über 400 000 Todesfälle auf zu hohe Luftverschmutzung zurückzuführen. Neben der menschlichen Tragödie verursachen Staus und die damit verbundene Verschmutzung aber auch wirtschaftliche Kosten in Höhe von 100 Milliarden Euro pro Jahr. Viele Länder haben deshalb bereits Umweltzonen eingeführt, um die Schadstoffbelastung in Städten zu verringern, wo die meisten Menschen der Verschmutzung ausgesetzt sind. Wenn wir allerdings Klimagesetze durchpeitschen, die große Bevölkerungsgruppen mit älteren Dieselfahrzeugen, wie zum Beispiel Handwerksbetriebe, vor existenzgefährdende Herausforderungen stellen, droht die positive Dynamik bei der Klima- und Umweltpolitik ganz schnell ins Gegenteil umzuschwappen.

Wir brauchen einen ganzheitlichen Ansatz zur Bekämpfung der Luftverschmutzung in europäischen Städten, bei dem die verschiedenen Ursachen der Luftverschmutzung berücksichtigt werden – Stichwort smart cities. Der Ausbau eines klugen und nachhaltigen öffentlichen Transportsektors in Verbindung mit dem Ausbau von Fahrradwegen sollte deshalb auch eine Priorität von EU-Fördermitteln sein.

In Zeiten der Digitalisierung stellt sich auch die Frage, ob es wirklich nötig ist, dass die Arbeitnehmer an allen Wochentagen zum Arbeitsplatz pendeln müssen. In Luxemburg pendeln zusätzlich täglich bis zu 200 000 Menschen aus Frankreich, Deutschland und Belgien zu ihrem Arbeitsplatz. Home office ist aus steuerlichen Gründen aber oft nicht möglich. Hier brauchen wir pragmatische europäische Lösungen in Steuerfragen. Aber auch Coworking-Außenstellen an den nationalen und Stadtgrenzen können eine Lösung darstellen – Lösungen, die den Menschen das Leben vereinfachen und gleichzeitig der Umwelt dienen. Hier sind besonders die Mitgliedstaaten gefragt.

  Gheorghe Falcă (PPE). – Domnule președinte, dragi colegi, vreau să felicit Comisia pentru că eu sunt un om care vin din administrația locală. 19 ani am activat acolo, din care 15 în calitate de primar. Știu ce au însemnat fondurile de preaderare, știu ce au însemnat fondurile de coeziune, și aceste fonduri au făcut lucruri bune în comunitățile noastre, plus că au redus emisiile. Dar la fel putem spune că, odată cu creșterea economică, a crescut și poluarea datorită traficului, pentru că, în comunitatea mea, de trei ori a crescut numărul de mașini.

Plecând de la faptul că știm că, în 2050, 75 % din populația Europei va trăi în mediul urban, în comunitățile urbane, dacă nu chiar cele mari, știm că vom trăi acolo. De aceea, este nevoie de soluții. Este nevoie să avem instrumente legislative pentru o relație corectă între dezvoltarea economică, care nu se va opri, și calitatea aerului, instrumente noi pentru ceea ce înseamnă organizarea urbanistică, pentru ceea ce vom vedea în comunitățile noastre în 2050. La fel, trebuie să gândim o nouă etapă a dezvoltării infrastructurii legate cu calitatea aerului.

Tot în această idee a soluțiilor, trebuie să mergem mai departe în a sprijini navigabilitatea pe râuri și pe canale, iar Dunărea poate să fie o autostradă importantă în Europa. Și, pentru că provin din administrația locală și știu ce înseamnă raportul între un guvern central și o administrație locală, trebuie să sprijinim o descentralizare financiară pentru autoritățile locale, ca să reușească să facă implementate aceste soluții care pleacă de la nivelul nostru. O ultimă recomandare: relații mai bune cu Comitetul regiunilor de la …

(Președintele a retras cuvântul vorbitorului).

  Barbara Thaler (PPE). – Sehr geehrter Herr Präsident, geschätzte Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Das hat man die letzten Stunden hier gehört, wir sind uns alle einig: Wir wollen keine schmutzige Luft, und dieser Ansatz ist auch gut und recht.

Ernsthafte europäische Maßnahmen können aber nicht micromanagement oder Bevormundung sein. Wir müssen uns um die großen Fragen kümmern. Wie können wir Emissionen flächendeckend verringern? Welche alternativen Treibstoffe können wir nutzen? Und vor allem, wie können wir gemeinsame Forschung, zum Beispiel im Wasserstoffsektor, vorantreiben? Für mich ist es zu einfach, das klassische Auto nur als Feindbild zu betrachten. Meine Mutter hätte nicht auf ihr Auto verzichten können. Zwei Kinder, einen Job, wenig Möglichkeiten für öffentlichen Verkehr. Daher ja, öffentlichen Verkehr weiter ausbauen, aber auf die Lebenssituationen der Menschen achten. Und liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen, bitte bevormunden wir nicht die Menschen. Schreiben wir ihnen nicht vor, wie sie leben sollen, sondern nutzen wir die neuen Technologien, investieren wir in Forschung und Entwicklung! Wir müssen die Menschen auf diesem Weg mitnehmen, und wir müssen ihnen praktische und intelligente Lösungen bieten.

Mein Heimatland Tirol gehört zu jenen Regionen, die besonders mit dem Thema Verkehr zu kämpfen haben. Hier brauchen wir gemeinsame Lösungen, und Tirol braucht hier auch seine europäischen Nachbarn. Mit dem Brenner-Basistunnel bauen wir momentan das größte Infrastrukturprojekt Europas. Ein Tunnel allein ist aber zu wenig. Machen wir unsere Hausaufgaben auf europäischer Ebene, setzen wir die Zulaufstrecken um und attraktivieren wir die Schiene! Das wäre ein richtiger Schritt in die richtige Richtung, hin zu einer höheren Luftqualität.

  Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska (PPE). – Panie Przewodniczący! Smog to jeden z problemów, z którymi borykają się mieszkańcy dużych europejskich miast, ale ten problem nie omija absolutnie małych miasteczek czy wsi, zwłaszcza w sezonie zimowym, kiedy jest sezon grzewczy. Ich mieszkańcy, co muszę niestety powiedzieć z ubolewaniem, często palą różnymi odpadami, plastikiem czy innymi śmieciami, które mają niesamowicie negatywny wpływ na nasze zdrowie. Tak jak tu wiele z państwa powiedziało, zanieczyszczenie środowiska to 400 tys. zgonów w całej Unii Europejskiej, a 40 tys. zgonów rocznie w moim kraju, w Polsce. I wśród miast figurujących na czarnej liście, o największym zanieczyszczeniu, 50 znajduje się w moim kraju.

Proszę państwa! Wszyscy tutaj mówią, jak walczyć ze smogiem. Ja myślę, że nie jest to takie proste – tworzenie stref wolnych od pojazdów, zwłaszcza starych z napędem Diesla, jest jakimś krokiem w dobrym kierunku, ale niestety bez edukacji, bez zmiany świadomości społecznej, bez zmiany nawyków, a wreszcie bez środków finansowych nie da się w łatwy sposób zmienić tego trendu i tego niebezpieczeństwa dla nas wszystkich.

Niewątpliwie powinniśmy zrobić wszystko – naciskać na rządy, na samorządy, żeby ta walka była jak najbardziej efektywna, efektowna, i myślę, proszę państwa, że najlepszym sposobem jest również to, aby pieniądze Unii Europejskiej trafiały do samorządów, bo one najszybciej poradzą sobie z tym problemem, gdyż często środki zarządzane przez państwa są...

(Przewodniczący odebrał mówczyni głos)

  Andrey Novakov (PPE). – Mr President, I would like to start with the following. Of course I support all measures that will allow us to leave our kids cleaner air than what we have at the moment. That is for sure. I don’t think anyone in their right mind would support polluting the air for no reason, but I have some doubts that clean air zones are the answer. It’s probably very easy to find enemies, such as the family car, to blame but, let’s face it, probably for some families that’s the only way that the family could travel from here to there. We cannot blame them and punish them for the problems that we have for other reasons.

By the way, we’re having this debate in the same Chamber that voted for Mobility Package 1 at first reading a few months ago, which includes measures like the return of the truck, which means an empty truck will travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Black Sea for no reason. That was supported by the Greens, who are missing this debate now.

I think we should set more goals which are reachable and which do not only sound good on paper and remain on paper, but could be achieved. Probably asking for 100% less CO2 from cars means that in 10 years we will have either no cars or cars that cost 10 times more than they cost at the moment, and probably we would use horses instead of cars. I don’t think this is the way we should proceed and we should be reasonable and honest with the people and with the voters.

Διαδικασία «Catch-the-Eye»

  Magdalena Adamowicz (PPE). – Panie Przewodniczący! Od naszych dzieci słyszymy, że żyjemy w czasie kryzysu klimatycznego, bo to już nie jest kwestia zmian klimatycznych, tylko prawdziwego kryzysu. Kilka tygodni temu protestowałam z moimi córkami w centrum Gdańska w ramach „wakacyjnego protestu klimatycznego”. Wyobraźmy sobie, że w Europie są ciągle miasta, w których dzieci w drodze do szkoły wdychają tyle zanieczyszczeń, które równe są wypaleniu paczki papierosów. Dlatego gdy słyszę polityków, którzy lekceważą kwestię kryzysu klimatycznego i próbują wmówić nam, że jest to ekofanaberia, to tak naprawdę ci politycy zabijają nasze dzieci. Czyste powietrze jest dobrem wspólnym. Jest naszym wspólnym dziedzictwem. I nie możemy pozwolić, by stało się przedmiotem wojen politycznych. Musimy stawiać na edukację. Sami dawać dobry przykład i zmieniać nasze nawyki.

  Eric Andrieu (S&D). – Monsieur le Président, si seulement les villes étaient à la campagne! C’est en tout cas ce que pensent de nombreuses personnes.

Un récent sondage auprès des citoyens européens révèle que les habitants des grandes villes désireraient trois choses: une diminution du trafic routier, plus d’espaces verts et un air plus pur. Ils sont aussi une majorité à estimer que c’est aux politiques de prendre des mesures pour s’attaquer à la pollution de l’air dans les grandes villes.

Chaque citadin perdrait un an de vie en bonne santé à cause de la pollution de l’air. Un an de vie! Eh bien, oui, c’est de notre responsabilité, chers collègues, de prendre en compte ce constat et de lutter contre toutes les pollutions et notamment la pollution de l’air.

Nous devons mettre en place des mesures efficaces, rendre plus sévères, tout d’abord, les normes à l’égard des particules fines, soutenir ensuite les initiatives de zones d’air pur préservées d’un trafic routier intense et polluant, promouvoir l’installation de bâtiments bien isolés et équipés de technologies de chauffage performantes et, enfin, aider les personnes les moins favorisées à mieux se chauffer.

  Judith Bunting (Renew). – Mr President, as a British Liberal Democrat, I was elected to keep Britain in the European Union, and one of my main reasons for wanting to be here is to help protect our shared environment. Dirty air knows no borders. Poor air quality has more than ten times the health impact than road traffic accidents, and it is the number one cause of premature death in the EU.

In this age of innovation and advanced technology, this is not acceptable. We can do better; we must do better. But to do that, we need more ambition and more scientific research. We need to work with Member States to enforce targeted ultra-low emission zones in our small towns as well as in our cities. Every market town, every small town has a junction or a road where the locals know that air pollution is out of control. There is a clear case to charge dirty drivers on health grounds and, as they say, we have the technology to help them stop doing that, and now we need to use it.

  Ангел Джамбазки (ECR). – Г-н Председател, г-н Комисар, безспорно има проблем със замърсяването на въздуха в големите градове. Това се дължи, разбира се на пренаселване, на много автомобилен транспорт, на немиене на улиците, до голяма степен и на кварталите, които се отопляват с твърдо гориво или горят дрехи втора употреба.

В моят град, в София, това е сериозен проблем в циганските махали, но тези проблеми не могат да бъдат причина за „талибанския“ подход по тази тема. Повтарям колегата Новаков от преди малко, само преди няколко месеца тази зала гласува „Пакета Мобилност“, в който се съгласи, включително тези, които определят себе си като зелени от тази част на залата, и те се съгласиха да връщат камионите празни, да разхождат камионите празни из Европа нагоре-надолу.

За пореден път съм принуден да кажа, втори път днес в тази зала, че това е лицемерие. Не може да твърдиш, че си зелен, че си еколог и да настояваш един камион да изминава празен стотици хиляди километри, горейки по 20 литра на сто нафта, за да удовлетвориш интересите, лобистките интереси на френските фирми или на германските фирми. Това е двоен стандарт, няма как да се получи по този начин.

Същият въпрос стои и с възможността за работа в централите, които горят въглища. Това засяга хиляди работни места в България, Маришкия басейн, в Полша. Не може заради, пак ще повторя, „талибанския“ подход на шепа фанатици да оставяме хора без работа. Давам Ви следващ пример – в България индустрията, която произвежда изкуствени химически торове се задъхва, защото съседна Турция произвежда много по-евтино, тъй като не спазва никакви стандарти. Но не може да се сложи преграда между България и Турция, въздухът минава и замърсява.

Така че уважаеми г-н Председател, не може да има „талибански“ подход, трябва да се отчитат и работните места на гражданите.

  Κωνσταντίνος Παπαδάκης (NI). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, ομολογήσατε εδώ ότι ασχολείστε με την ποιότητα του αέρα στις πόλεις, γιατί τα προβλήματα υγείας κοστίζουν δισ. ευρώ σε χαμένες εργατοώρες. Έτσι κυνικά, ταξικά ασχολείστε με τους εργάτες, την υγεία τους και με το περιβάλλον, γιατί η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση και οι κυβερνήσεις της είναι που βομβαρδίζουν λαούς καταστρέφοντας χώρες, όπως στη Γιουγκοσλαβία, στη Συρία και αλλού, που καίνε σκουπίδια και έχουν στήσει μπίζνες με το εμπόριο ρύπων και την αντιδραστική αντίληψη ότι ο ρυπαίνων πληρώνει για να συνεχίζει να ρυπαίνει, που ενοχοποιούν για τη ρύπανση των θαλασσών τον απλό χρήστη πλαστικών φορολογώντας τον, ενώ ο νούμερο ένα παράγοντας θαλάσσιας μόλυνσης, οι εφοπλιστές, φοροαπαλλάσσονται και επιδοτούνται.

Με τις πλάτες άλλωστε της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης και τη στήριξη της Νέας Δημοκρατίας και του ΣΥΡΙΖΑ στην Ελλάδα, στον Βόλο, το μονοπώλιο ΑΓΕΤ Lafarge καίει σκουπίδια και πετ-κοκ, μετατρέποντας την πόλη σε θάλαμο αερίων, ενάντια στη θέληση των κατοίκων, που με τις μαζικές διαδηλώσεις τους εναντιώνονται στα σχέδιά τους. Μόνο η κοινωνικοποίηση του πλούτου και των μέσων παραγωγής, μια οικονομία και κοινωνία που δεν θα στηρίζεται στο καπιταλιστικό κέρδος, μπορεί να εξασφαλίσει προγραμματισμένη, συμβατή και ισόρροπη αλληλεπίδραση του εργαζόμενου ανθρώπου στη φύση και το περιβάλλον.

(End of catch-the-eye procedure)

  Christos Stylianides, Member of the Commission. – Mr President, thank you so much for this really very important debate. It was really very helpful for putting the issue of clean air on the agenda. No doubt we all recognise that it is one of the most important environment and health challenges of our time, and our discussion today has shown that there are multiple challenges ahead of us, no doubt also measures need to be adopted at regional and local level to deal with air quality issues. But also you know well that the European Commission cannot force any specific measures, but at the same time, our contribution to the Sibiu Summit focuses on this. We have stressed the urgency of continuing our efforts in the years ahead, and our citizens expect that the air we breathe every day is of good quality and does not leave us at the risk of harm, and all of us also recognise that they expect from us as institutions – the European Parliament, the European Commission, Member States and also local authorities – to solve this problem, to find innovative ways to reduce the problem. And I strongly believe that only together we can find ways to reduce the consequences of these problems, because it’s one of the major challenges of our time.

  Tytti Tuppurainen, President-in-Office of the Council. – Mr President, thank you so much for your contributions during these discussions: they are all highly valuable. Let me conclude by recalling that improving air quality means to address a number of factors that are relevant in this respect, and it requires common efforts to strive for this objective by putting in place a variety of measures at European, national, regional and local level. The infringement procedures recently opened by the Commission against several Member States for breach of EU air quality legislation are a testimony of the importance of monitoring whether EU law in the area is being properly enforced.

Indeed, we need to act on three levels: proper implementation of EU legislation; national rules and regulations; and, last but not least, provisions by cities and local communities, which makes this all very concrete to our citizens in Madrid, in Helsinki, in Strasbourg, and in all of our cities in Europe.

In this way we will be able to ensure a better protection of the health of European citizens and the environment.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Presidency is putting its best efforts to achieve progress in these areas, and together with Member States and the EU institutions, we need to decisively pursue EU-wide efforts to foster low-emission mobility.

I would like to conclude by underlining the importance that we attach to sustainability, the implementation of the UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development, in line with the motto of our Presidency, which is: ‘sustainable Europe, sustainable future’.

So thank you all again very much for this opportunity to speak and for your attention.

  Πρόεδρος. – Η συζήτηση περατώνεται.

16. A bizottságok és a küldöttségek tagjai: lásd a jegyzokönyvet

17. A parlamentközi küldöttségek név szerinti összetétele: lásd a jegyzokönyvet

18. A következő ülésnap napirendje: lásd a jegyzokönyvet

19. Az ülés berekesztése

  Πρόεδρος . – Κηρύσσω τη διακοπή της συνόδου του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου.

(Η συνεδρίαση λήγει στις 19.17)