Volledig verslag van de vergaderingen

Dinsdag 20 oktober 2020 - Brussel

12. Werkprogramma van de Commissie voor 2021 (debat)

  Die Präsidentin. – Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über die Erklärung der Kommission zum Arbeitsprogramm der Kommission für 2021 (2020/2772(RSP)).

Ich möchte Sie davon in Kenntnis setzen, dass für diese Aussprache eine Rednerrunde der Fraktionen vorgesehen ist. Außerdem werden bei sämtlichen Aussprachen dieser Tagung weder spontane Wortmeldungen noch blaue Karten oder Wortmeldungen zur Geschäftsordnung akzeptiert.

Zusätzlich sind etwaige Online-Wortmeldungen aus den Verbindungsbüros des Parlaments in den Mitgliedstaaten vorgesehen.

  Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the Commission. – Madam President, it is indeed my pleasure to present to you today the Commission’s 2021 work programme. This is the third such programme in the past nine months, as we have had to react to the outbreak of the pandemic, but I hope that it will represent a return to our normal cycle of work.

As you know, in the first 100 days of this Commission’s mandate, we set out our vision for the future and our proposed actions, notably to prepare our societies and economies for socially fair, green and digital transitions. Not long after, Europe and the world were blindsided by the COVID-19 pandemic and, together with this House and the Member States in the Council, we have taken forceful action to limit the health-related, social and economic effects of the crisis. Now, with our continent tormented by a second wave of infections, we can see more clearly than ever the magnitude of the challenge we are facing.

The pandemic has sharpened the need to strengthen Europe’s long-term resilience, while we remain fully committed to our overarching ambition to lead twin green and digital transitions. It is in this context that we have drawn up the 2021 work programme. It shows how we plan to move beyond the fragility caused by the crisis, to seize the opportunity in front of us and to revitalise the European Union.

This year’s action, as well as the preparation of this work, was a joint exercise. A key institutional step in the process was the meeting between the Conference of Committee Chairs of this House and the Vice-Presidents of the Commission. This exchange offered an excellent opportunity for an in-depth discussion of our priorities and expectations. Before that, the discussions of the Conference of Presidents with President von der Leyen contributed to defining the priority initiatives for 2021, which have already been announced in the letter of intent. Let me assure you that our priority is to maintain the special partnership throughout the entire policy cycle.

The 2021 work programme marks a clear shift from strategy to delivery, with an emphasis on new legislative initiatives in Annex 1 and revisions to existing legislation in Annex 2, which stem from commitments made in the strategies adopted in the first year of the mandate. The Commission aims to deliver not only on the recovery, but also on strengthening our long-term resilience. For this reason, the narrative refers to the first strategic foresight report, which focused on resilience, and underlines that the initiatives we will put on the table will be guided by strategic foresight. This means that we consider not only what is needed to recover today, but also what is required to build a better tomorrow.

Let me give you a few examples of the key initiatives planned for 2021.

Thanks to Next Generation EU, the historic recovery plan we presented, together with the revamped long-term budget, Europe has a ready-made tool to seize this opportunity. To repay the funds raised under the Next Generation EU, the Commission will put forward proposals for new own resources, starting with a revised emissions trading system, a carbon border adjustment mechanism and the digital levy.

To achieve a climate neutral Europe by 2050, we have set out many of the measures that we will table as a part of the ‘fit for 55’ package. You will see the different proposals, ranging from renewables to energy efficiency. We will follow this up with a host of initiatives to implement the EU circular economy action plan, the EU biodiversity strategy and the farm to fork strategy.

To make this Europe’s digital decade, we will come forward with a roadmap of clearly defined 2030 digital goals, related to connectivity, skills and digital public services. We will also ensure the follow-up to the white paper on artificial intelligence, and we will draw lessons from the pandemic with a new industrial strategy for Europe and a legislative proposal to improve the working conditions of platform workers.

In order to mitigate the social crisis, we will put forward an ambitious action plan to fully implement the European Pillar of Social Rights, making sure that no one is left behind in Europe’s recovery. Another important initiative will be the new European child guarantee scheme, notably ensuring access to basic services like health and education for all children.

To support our economies and strengthen the economic and monetary union, we will revise the framework for handling EU bank failures, take measures to boost cross-border investment in the EU and step up the fight against money laundering. Throughout next year, our geopolitical Commission will ensure that Europe continues to play a vital role in our fragile world, including by leading the global efforts to secure a safe and accessible vaccine for all. In addition, we will propose, not only the trade policy review, but also a joint communication on strengthening the EU’s contribution to rules-based multilateralism, among other key initiatives designed to create a stronger Europe in the world.

In the face of COVID-19, the Commission proposes building a stronger European health union, including through the creation of a new agency for biomedical advanced research and development.

To preserve and improve its functioning, a new strategy for the future of Schengen will be tabled, together with a number of measures on legal migration. We will continue the implementation of the security union and will set out a comprehensive strategy on combating anti-Semitism.

Finally, many initiatives will fall under the push for European democracy, including new strategies on the rights of the child and for persons with disabilities, as well as a proposal to combat gender-based violence. The Commission will, among other things, propose clearer rules on the financing of European political parties and take action to protect journalists and civil society against abusive litigation. A long-term vision for rural areas will propose actions to harness the full potential of these regions. To make sure everyone can have their say, we also stress that it is now more important than ever that we launch the Conference on the Future of Europe.

It is clear that the coming year will be a busy one for policymaking in very difficult circumstances. Given that this work programme is focused on delivery, we must therefore be fully committed to our better regulation, better law-making agenda. In the coming weeks, we will put forward a new better regulation communication to offer a renewed focus on consultation, impact assessment, simplification and border reduction.

In total, we are announcing 86 flagship initiatives this year, grouped under 44 policy objectives or packages. Under the regulatory fitness and performance programme (REFIT), we have proposed 43 significant pieces of legislation for evaluation or revision.

To close, let me underline that bringing all our ambitions to life will require a team effort among all institutions. In this respect, let me highlight the importance of the joint declaration on legislative priorities to be endorsed by the presidents of the three institutions. It will serve as a concrete roadmap for our joint work and, in parallel, we will engage in the first ever multiannual programming to capture our common strategic priorities for Europe.

Thank you very much for your attention and for your great cooperation in preparing the Commission’s work programme. I am really looking forward to your questions and comments.

  Andrey Kovatchev, on behalf of the PPE Group. – Madam President, the European Union needs to show leadership in these extremely challenging and uncertain times. Our clear strategies also need to be clearly communicated. The EPP Group welcomes the Commission’s work programme and we are ready to work together on the implementation of our priorities.

Now I would like to briefly walk you through the EPP’s priorities, aside from the multiannual financial framework (MFF) and the recovery package.

First, the digital strategy. During this plenary, the European Parliament is to adopt six reports on the Digital Services Act and artificial intelligence. These files matter a lot and we are now opening up discussions on how we, as regulators, can strike the right balance between digital progress and the respect of fundamental rights and freedoms. It is up to us, as policymakers, to build a regulatory framework for where voluntary commitments from the private sector are not enough. We have to create an artificial intelligence ecosystem that serves the people first. Looking to the future, we have to make education and training systems fit for the digital age. The digital revolution also requires enhanced cross-border judiciary cooperation.

Second, the functions of the Schengen area. With the second wave of the pandemic sweeping through Europe, better coordination is necessary to avoid disruption of the internal market and preserve jobs. We welcome the intention of the Commission to present a new strategy for the future of Schengen. However, unfortunately, we see that Member States have once again adopted various national restrictions which undermine not only the right of EU citizens to free movement, but also the recovery of the EU economy. Our Group supports a healthy Union that enables innovation, invests in the health and well-being of its citizens, and increases our resilience and preparedness to tackle cross-border health threats. An aging population, the need to ensure better access to treatment for all, the high prevalence of chronic diseases or diseases with a high social burden, such as cancer, require a more coordinated response at European level.

We also believe that the EU must shape globalisation and use its trade policy to set standards internationally. Our ability to conclude win-win agreements is fundamental to economic growth and recovery. However, we must not be naive. We strongly support the Commission in ensuring that the interests of the EU are fully protected and that our companies do not suffer from unfair competition. This brings me to the industrial strategy, which has to remain competitive while taking into account the digital and environmental challenges of tomorrow.

Last but not least, the Green Deal. Our environmental ambitions cannot be only about defending targets. The EPP will focus on concrete means that will bring about a significant reduction in emissions. Innovation and research will be key in this field. We ask the Commission to keep this in mind when negotiating the MFF and specific programmes with the Council. Fighting against climate change and fighting for employment in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic are the top priorities of our citizens.

  Pedro Marques, on behalf of the S&D Group. – Madam President, I would like to say to Vice-President Šefčovič that 2020 has been marked by the crisis of the century, but also by the construction of an ambitious European response: 2021 must be the time for delivery! That’s why we commend the Commission Work Programme and your work, Mr Vice-President, in its preparation. But let me be clear on our priorities.

The Recovery Plan and the MFF cannot be stalled. They are crucial for the economic rebound. Also, the Health Union has to be delivered properly. And we must speed up on the digital and green transitions. But we will deceive ourselves if we think that they have no consequences for the people. They should not go forward without a red heart in them.

In that regard, we salute the Commission’s compromise to present an action plan to ensure the full implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, but we need more. We need to fight poverty and protect European workers. Many will be vulnerable to the digital transformation. Energy poverty must be addressed or it will be just worsened by the green transition.

The European Union has to do whatever it takes to assure that the recovery and the twin transitions are fair, effective and long lasting. That implies tax fairness across Europe, flexibility on the fiscal rules to be kept for several years, and also that previous rules must change, avoiding pressure over Member States to introduce austerity measures, as it happened 10 years ago with all the consequences we know. By opposite, measures providing a stabilisation function, such as the Unemployment Reinsurance Scheme, must be really implemented.

It is through solidarity that Europe will prevail. Solidarity amongst people, regions and Member States. Solidarity with migrants that need safe and legal paths. Solidarity and values. Fighting for real gender equality. Promoting the rule of law, our values, the SDGs in Europe and all over the world. This is a lot, we know, Mr Vice-President, but this is nothing less than our political family expects from the Commission to deliver next year.

  Malik Azmani, on behalf of the Renew Group. – Madam President, I would like to start by saying to the Commissioner that we live in troubling times, and as we face the second corona wave we all hoped we could avoid, people’s concerns about their health, employment and welfare are deepening. The truth is, we don’t know how long we have to live with this virus. We face the unknown, and as creatures of habit we don’t like uncertainty.

As once more, we ask people in Europe to work from home, to limit social contacts, to close businesses, it is our job as policymakers not just to ensure we ride out this storm together, we also need to give people perspective. We need to provide people with the certainty that we will pull Europe out of this health and economic crisis.

How do we do this, Commissioner? By focusing on what we can do and on what we know, and by focusing on the silver linings. So what can we do? When a teacher is brutally murdered, we can stand up for free speech and fight against external illiberal threats! When journalists are threatened, we can defend the free press and bring the perpetrators to justice. When we see the rule of law undermined, we cannot stay quiet. Actions that undermine the rule of law need to have consequences.

Our values are the foundation on which we have built our European house and we cannot paint over the cracks. This is something we can do. This is something we should do. And what do we know? We know that we are facing bad economic weather. But we also know that we hold the keys to new economic growth – by finishing the single market, by eliminating barriers to trade for our SMEs, by investing in green innovation and technologies. But the biggest unlocked potential to new growth has come to light as a result of corona.

The silver lining of all of our many online meetings. We can all see that the future is digital. We see it in this House this week with the first online plenary session. To tap into this potential, we need to think globally. Because the internet has no borders and if we don’t make the rules, others will. We need a geopolitical digital strategy. The Commission is announcing its proposals for Europe’s digital decade in January, and Renew Europe wants to see a solid strategy to build that digital economy.

Commissioner, we live in troubling times, but we have faced troubling times before. Let us focus on what we do know, on what we can do, and find the silver linings together that might lead us to renewed perspectives.

  Harald Vilimsky, im Namen der ID-Fraktion. – Frau Präsidentin! Herzlichen Dank für das Wort. Lassen Sie mich nur kurz eingangs erwähnen, dass ich diese Vielzahl von Shutdown- und Lockdown-Maßnahmen quer durch Europa für völlig überzogen erachte. Auch hier mehr oder minder vor einem leeren Haus, einem Geisterhaus zu sprechen, ist das falsche Signal, wenn wir den Menschen in Europa und in unseren Mitgliedstaaten hier auch entsprechend Hoffnung machen wollen.

Der Vorwurf, den ich an die Europäische Union hier mache, ist, dass man diese Krise dafür missbraucht, mehr und mehr an Zentralisierung zu implementieren. Das betrifft den Mehrjährigen Finanzrahmen, das betrifft die Sozialunion, das betrifft Corona—Bonds – eine Vielzahl von Maßnahmen, die im Huckepackverfahren dieser Welle ohne demokratische Miteinbindung der Mitgliedstaaten hier plötzlich über die Bühne geht.

Ein anderer Bereich ist die Green-Deal-Vereinbarung, wo mit überzogenen Maßnahmen, mit bis zu 55 % an Einsparungen hier ein Todesstoß für die Wirtschaft und Industrie erfolgt. Gerade in einer Zeit wie jetzt muss man den Menschen Zuversicht geben und hier auch mit Augenmaß reagieren, was aus meiner Sicht nicht der Fall ist. Wenn man Naturschutz und Umweltschutz macht – wofür ich ja bin –, ja bitte setzen Sie an bei der Vielzahl von LKW-Fahrten, völlig überflüssig quer durch Europa. Lebendtiertransporte – hier ist das Wichtige.

Letzter Satz: Weg von der Zentralisierung, hin zu den Mitgliedstaaten, dort ist man viel findiger, besser und effektiver in der Lösung von Problemen.

  Philippe Lamberts, au nom du groupe Verts/ALE. – Madame la Présidente, je dirais pour commencer à M. Vilimsky que je suis assez content que ce ne soient pas lui et ses amis qui gèrent la crise sanitaire. Quand on voit comment M. Trump le fait et qu’ils voudraient visiblement faire le même genre de choses ici… eh bien, je me sens plus en sécurité lorsque les partis démocratiques gèrent la crise!

This being said, Mr Vice-President, humanity faces a huge challenge beyond the pandemic. It is making sure that this planet still remains inhabitable for human beings. And let me say I am happy to see that for the first time ever I think, this Commission, the one you belong to under the leadership of Ursula von der Leyen, is starting to take the full measure of what that means. And the fact that you have decided to make the European Green Deal the core strategy for the European Union bodes well. I will just say that those who say that this is all window dressing, that this is all greenwashing, do not realise what you are trying to make happen.

So you’re right. We have to move from ambition to action and I’m very happy to hear that. I would say that there’s two aspects that you need to avoid. The first one is, well, to keep open these blind angles of the Green Deal so far, and by that I mean trade policy — you announced a review of trade policy and that’s a very good thing — but also agricultural policy. We are going to vote, and it’s already too late. I think you let this one go. The future CAP will not be aligned with the Green Deal. I deeply regret that, and I think that the Commission could have avoided that. The other thing I want to say is that there will be many attempts to gut your plans of the European Green Deal. Resist them. We will be with you to do that.

  Δημήτριος Παπαδημούλης, εξ ονόματος της ομάδας GUE/NGL. – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, κύριε Šefčovič, η Επιτροπή στα λόγια είναι συνήθως καλή. Το θέμα είναι τι γίνεται στην πράξη. Και στην πράξη ισχύει αυτό που συνήθως λέγεται για τη δράση της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης: «too little, too late». Το δεύτερο κύμα της πανδημίας χτυπά με ιδιαίτερη σφοδρότητα και δείχνει ότι πρέπει να κάνουμε σε ευρωπαϊκό επίπεδο περισσότερα για την προστασία της δημόσιας υγείας. Η μεγάλη αύξηση της ύφεσης και της ανεργίας δείχνει ότι το θετικό βήμα του Ταμείου Ανάκαμψης δεν είναι αρκετό. Χρειαζόμαστε και έναν ισχυρότερο πολυετή κοινοτικό προϋπολογισμό.

Αυτά που είπατε για τον κοινωνικό πυλώνα τα λέτε εδώ και τρία χρόνια, αλλά ελάχιστα έχουν γίνει. Αυτά που είπατε για περισσότερη αλληλεγγύη τα λέτε χρόνια, αλλά εξακολουθεί να εφαρμόζεται μια άδικη πολιτική με ελλιπή αλληλεγγύη στο προσφυγικό/μεταναστευτικό που πλήττει και τη χώρα μου, την Ελλάδα, και αδικεί και την Ευρώπη διότι δημιουργεί Μόριες. Αυτά που είπατε για την κλιματική αλλαγή και την ψηφιακή μετάβαση πρέπει επίσης να τα δούμε να μεταφράζονται και σε γραμμές προϋπολογισμού.

Επίσης, στο θέμα των διαπραγματεύσεων για τον νέο πολυετή προϋπολογισμό —αν θέλετε να είστε honest broker, κύριε Šefčovič— εσείς της Επιτροπής δεν πρέπει να ευθυγραμμίζεστε με το Συμβούλιο αλλά να διαδραματίσετε έναν ρόλο διαμεσολαβητή ανάμεσα στο Κοινοβούλιο και το Συμβούλιο, διότι χρειαζόμαστε περισσότερη και καλύτερη Ευρώπη και αυτή απαιτεί ισχυρότερους πόρους, ίδιους και ουσιαστικούς.

  Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the Commission. – Madam President, I think that the honourable Members touched on the most important elements in the work plan of the Commission for the next year and I fully understand, totally sympathise and support the focus that all the interventions put on the current pandemic, on tackling the virus, and I agree with all of you that in these particular situations we never can say that we did enough, because every day is bringing new challenges, every day brings more suffering, and therefore I totally agree with you that we should really focus our minds on how to tackle the crisis in more efficient way.

I was part of a very vigorous discussion in the General Affairs Council as you know, this was also debated on the level of the European Council, and I know that you devote a lot of time to looking for the best ways on how to tackle the pandemic and I think that the answers you provided are the correct ones.

We need more coordination. We need to inform each other better. We need to listen more to the science and we need the stronger health union – where we will find the better ways for how to inform each other about border closures, where we would align the methodologies for testing for scientific data and where we, as we are doing right now, would be focusing for making sure that we will play this good role of Europe, for making sure that we will guarantee the high quality, tested, proven vaccines for all, not only in Europe but on the entire planet.

That’s, I think, one of the key missions: to show that Europe is doing its utmost to make sure that our world is a better place, and I’m sure that with your support we will build the stronger health union in the European Union and also we will equip Europe with the instruments we need, and thank you very much for that support.

The green and digital. There was a lot of discussion and I remember that we have been debating also together whether COVID-19 would in any way slow down our efforts in making sure that this twin transition will bring the transformative effects we expect from it to the benefit of the European economy.

I think we have seen the opposite. We have seen that the COVID—19 crisis has served as an accelerator of our efforts and that more and more people in Europe realised during this first lockdown how nature is important, how protection of the environment is crucial for the survival of the human species, and how important it is not to waiver in protecting our environment, and therefore we need to find the ways for how this twin transition could be mutually reinforced.

It will be part one of our foresight studies for the next year: what are the links and how can we reinforce these green and digital processes together? I would really like to thank you for the very good discussion and your legislative reports on artificial intelligence, on the digital services act and on digital policies. They will, for sure, help us dramatically in launching what is already happening, that this decade should be the decade of digital policies for Europe.

Mr Marques and also Mr Papadimoulis but also Mr Azmani have rightly highlighted the importance of social policies. I think that if you look at our programme you will see that we are presenting a very ambitious action plan. It’s not a plan, it’s an action plan. Concretely, what we are going to do in making sure that nobody is left behind and that we are going to deliver on the very concrete elements, how to build the European pillar of social rights, and I think that we will be debating every single measure and I’m sure that together we will create a much stronger social network, much stronger social policies, which I hope would mitigate the dire consequences of not only the health but also the economic crisis through which we are going together.

I would like to thank Mr Kovatchev, Mr Marques, and also Mr Lamberts, for on one side the strong calls for being more ambitious and also for reminding us that to achieve all these ambitious policies we need sources, we need instruments, and in our case this is the multiannual financial perspective, this is the Next Generation EU.

I can assure all of you that we will do our utmost to be an honest broker. You know where we stand in this very important institutional debate and discussions, I heard that the negotiators are working very hard, that they are optimistic, despite the very difficult discussions, that we will have this very important financial instrument at our disposal as of 1 January 2021.

I think the citizens would have a hard time forgiving us if we wouldn’t manage to get that, so I think we have to put all our minds, all our creativity, all our good political will, to making sure that we will have the budget and the Next Generation EU in place as of 1 January 2021 so we can implement all of the proposals which we discussed today ,because as you all underlined, this should be really the year where we will move from strategy to delivery. That’s our intention and I’m sure that thanks to your close cooperation and your support, we will achieve that.

  Die Präsidentin. – Die Aussprache ist geschlossen.

Schriftliche Erklärungen (Artikel 171)

  Caterina Chinnici (S&D), per iscritto. – Il 2020 ha rappresentato il momento più difficile per l'Europa unita in tutta la sua storia. Ora che gli Stati membri si trovano a dover fronteggiare la temuta seconda ondata della pandemia di Covid-19, il programma di lavoro della Commissione per il 2021 deve dimostrarsi all'altezza delle difficili sfide che ci attendono. Le priorità individuate – il Green Deal europeo, la trasformazione digitale, un'economia che metta al centro le persone, il rafforzamento dell'UE nel contesto globale, la promozione dei valori e della democrazia europei – si pongono certamente in questa direzione. Particolarmente significativi sono la Child Guarantee europea, per assicurare ad ogni bambino l'accesso ai servizi essenziali quali educazione e salute; il rafforzamento dell'Unione della sicurezza, soprattutto con riguardo al contrasto alla criminalità organizzata; le nuove strategie sui diritti delle persone disabili e sui diritti dei bambini, in particolare quanto alla lotta ad ogni forma di violenza anche online e alla creazione di una giustizia a misura di minore; l'impegno nel contrasto alla violenza di genere. Deve inoltre assicurarsi una forte dimensione sociale nell'approccio alle politiche economiche ed ambientali. Tali iniziative devono tradursi in proposte legislative entro il prossimo anno, per consentire ai colegislatori di adottarle prima della fine della legislatura.

  Isabel García Muñoz (S&D), por escrito. – El programa de trabajo 2021 está estrechamente relacionado con el plan de recuperación para Europa, con el instrumento de recuperación Next Generation EU y un presupuesto de la UE reforzado para 2021-2027.

Como socialistas, incidimos en la necesidad que el plan de recuperación y el MFP no pueden paralizarse porque son cruciales para la recuperación económica. Además, la Unión Europea de la Salud es una urgencia que debe cumplirse correctamente. Debemos acelerar las transiciones digital y verde garantizando que sean justas, eficaces y duraderas. Saludamos el compromiso de la Comisión de presentar un plan de acción para garantizar la plena aplicación del pilar europeo de derechos sociales, pero necesitamos luchar contra la pobreza y proteger a los trabajadores europeos vulnerables a la transformación digital.

La Unión Europea necesita una equidad fiscal en toda Europa y una flexibilidad en las reglas fiscales durante varios años; las medidas como el Régimen Europeo de Reaseguro de Desempleo, deben realmente implementarse.

Saldremos de esta crisis a través de la solidaridad: solidaridad entre personas, regiones y Estados miembros, con los migrantes que necesitan caminos seguros y legales. Luchando por nuestros valores: por una verdadera igualdad de género y Estado de Derecho.

  Nicolás González Casares (S&D), por escrito. – El programa de trabajo 2021 está estrechamente relacionado con el plan de recuperación para Europa, con el instrumento de recuperación Next Generation EU y un presupuesto de la UE reforzado para 2021-2027.

Como socialistas, incidimos en la necesidad que el plan de recuperación y el MFP no pueden paralizarse porque son cruciales para la recuperación económica. Además, la Unión Europea de la Salud es una urgencia que debe cumplirse correctamente. Debemos acelerar las transiciones digital y verde garantizando que sean justas, eficaces y duraderas. Saludamos el compromiso de la Comisión de presentar un plan de acción para garantizar la plena aplicación del pilar europeo de derechos sociales, pero necesitamos luchar contra la pobreza y proteger a los trabajadores europeos vulnerables a la transformación digital.

La Unión Europea necesita una equidad fiscal en toda Europa y una flexibilidad en las reglas fiscales durante varios años; las medidas como el Régimen Europeo de Reaseguro de Desempleo, deben realmente implementarse.

Saldremos de esta crisis a través de la solidaridad: solidaridad entre personas, regiones y Estados miembros, con los migrantes que necesitan caminos seguros y legales. Luchando por nuestros valores: por una verdadera igualdad de género y Estado de Derecho.

  Alicia Homs Ginel (S&D), por escrito. – El programa de trabajo 2021 está estrechamente relacionado con el plan de recuperación para Europa, con el instrumento de recuperación Next Generation EU y un presupuesto de la UE reforzado para 2021-2027.

Como socialistas, incidimos en la necesidad que el plan de recuperación y el MFP no pueden paralizarse porque son cruciales para la recuperación económica. Además, la Unión Europea de la Salud es una urgencia que debe cumplirse correctamente. Debemos acelerar las transiciones digital y verde garantizando que sean justas, eficaces y duraderas. Saludamos el compromiso de la Comisión de presentar un plan de acción para garantizar la plena aplicación del pilar europeo de derechos sociales, pero necesitamos luchar contra la pobreza y proteger a los trabajadores europeos vulnerables a la transformación digital.

La Unión Europea necesita una equidad fiscal en toda Europa y una flexibilidad en las reglas fiscales durante varios años; las medidas como el Régimen Europeo de Reaseguro de Desempleo, deben realmente implementarse.

Saldremos de esta crisis a través de la solidaridad: solidaridad entre personas, regiones y Estados miembros, con los migrantes que necesitan caminos seguros y legales. Luchando por nuestros valores: por una verdadera igualdad de género y Estado de Derecho.

  Lívia Járóka (PPE), in writing. – Never before in modern history has Europe had to face such an overwhelming social, economic, political and health challenge. Europe needs a systemic change for its foundations where the principles of solidarity, union and fellowship are at the core of our enduring priorities.

2020 is not yet over but we need to be decisive in looking towards 2021, and the European Commission’s Working Programme is a unique opportunity for achieving great acceleration of change and prosperity. Yes, we need to push towards a comprehensive green and digital transition that makes our societies and economies more resilient. Also, we must ensure that the pandemic will not deepen the inequalities and leave the most vulnerable aside.

I welcome the adoption of the 10-year EU Roma Strategic Framework. 2021 will see the efforts directed to put forward new targets and recommendations for Member States and ensure that the EU does more in providing the vital support that so many Roma living in the EU need. Marginalisation persists, and many Roma continue to face a combination of disproportionate discrimination, anti-gypsyism and socio-economic exclusion in their daily lives that is worsened each day because of the overwhelming global health crisis we are living.

  Adriana Maldonado López (S&D), por escrito. – El programa de trabajo 2021 está estrechamente relacionado con el plan de recuperación para Europa, con el instrumento de recuperación Next Generation EU y un presupuesto de la UE reforzado para 2021-2027.

Como socialistas, incidimos en la necesidad que el plan de recuperación y el MFP no pueden paralizarse porque son cruciales para la recuperación económica. Además, la Unión Europea de la Salud es una urgencia que debe cumplirse correctamente. Debemos acelerar las transiciones digital y verde garantizando que sean justas, eficaces y duraderas. Saludamos el compromiso de la Comisión de presentar un plan de acción para garantizar la plena aplicación del pilar europeo de derechos sociales, pero necesitamos luchar contra la pobreza y proteger a los trabajadores europeos vulnerables a la transformación digital.

La Unión Europea necesita una equidad fiscal en toda Europa y una flexibilidad en las reglas fiscales durante varios años; las medidas como el Régimen Europeo de Reaseguro de Desempleo, deben realmente implementarse.

Saldremos de esta crisis a través de la solidaridad: solidaridad entre personas, regiones y Estados miembros, con los migrantes que necesitan caminos seguros y legales. Luchando por nuestros valores: por una verdadera igualdad de género y Estado de Derecho.

  Domènec Ruiz Devesa (S&D), por escrito. – El programa de trabajo 2021 está estrechamente relacionado con el plan de recuperación para Europa, con el instrumento de recuperación Next Generation EU y un presupuesto de la UE reforzado para 2021-2027.

Como socialistas, incidimos en la necesidad que el plan de recuperación y el MFP no pueden paralizarse porque son cruciales para la recuperación económica. Además, la Unión Europea de la Salud es una urgencia que debe cumplirse correctamente. Debemos acelerar las transiciones digital y verde garantizando que sean justas, eficaces y duraderas. Saludamos el compromiso de la Comisión de presentar un plan de acción para garantizar la plena aplicación del pilar europeo de derechos sociales, pero necesitamos luchar contra la pobreza y proteger a los trabajadores europeos vulnerables a la transformación digital.

La Unión Europea necesita una equidad fiscal en toda Europa y una flexibilidad en las reglas fiscales durante varios años; las medidas como el Régimen Europeo de Reaseguro de Desempleo, deben realmente implementarse.

Saldremos de esta crisis a través de la solidaridad: solidaridad entre personas, regiones y Estados miembros, con los migrantes que necesitan caminos seguros y legales. Luchando por nuestros valores: por una verdadera igualdad de género y Estado de Derecho.

  Nacho Sánchez Amor (S&D), por escrito. – El programa de trabajo 2021 está estrechamente relacionado con el plan de recuperación para Europa, con el instrumento de recuperación Next Generation EU y un presupuesto de la UE reforzado para 2021-2027.

Como socialistas, incidimos en la necesidad que el plan de recuperación y el MFP no pueden paralizarse porque son cruciales para la recuperación económica. Además, la Unión Europea de la Salud es una urgencia que debe cumplirse correctamente. Debemos acelerar las transiciones digital y verde garantizando que sean justas, eficaces y duraderas. Saludamos el compromiso de la Comisión de presentar un plan de acción para garantizar la plena aplicación del pilar europeo de derechos sociales, pero necesitamos luchar contra la pobreza y proteger a los trabajadores europeos vulnerables a la transformación digital.

La Unión Europea necesita una equidad fiscal en toda Europa y una flexibilidad en las reglas fiscales durante varios años; las medidas como el Régimen Europeo de Reaseguro de Desempleo, deben realmente implementarse.

Saldremos de esta crisis a través de la solidaridad: solidaridad entre personas, regiones y Estados miembros, con los migrantes que necesitan caminos seguros y legales. Luchando por nuestros valores: por una verdadera igualdad de género y Estado de Derecho.

  Isabel Santos (S&D), por escrito. – O Programa de Trabalho da Comissão para 2021 contém muitas das propostas que o meu grupo político reclamava e, por isso, é com redobrada expectativa que aguardamos para estas propostas serem postas em prática. Este não é um momento em que possamos ficar apenas por boas intenções, é necessário concretizar estas ideias para ajudar a resolver todos os desafios que se nos colocam.

Saúdo especialmente o anúncio da apresentação de uma comunicação sobre a renovação da Parceria com a Vizinhança Meridional. Este documento é aguardado com grande expectativa, especialmente devido aos inúmeros problemas e situação dramática pela qual estão a passar alguns dos países desta região. Como Presidente da Delegação UE—Maxereque tenho acompanhado de perto os desenvolvimentos nestes países. Desde guerras, crises políticas, situações humanitárias gravíssimas, acidentes trágicos, entre outros, estas nações têm estado expostas a mais do que conseguem suportar. É por isso fundamental que esta comunicação possa ser um sinal da vontade e disponibilidade da União Europeia em reforçar a sua cooperação com a região e contribuir de forma concreta para a Paz, Democracia e respeito pelos Direitos Humanos destas populações, que estão tão próximas da Europa, mas que, quase sempre, parecem estar tão longe de nós.

  Ivan Štefanec (PPE), písomne. – Belgickí policajti na zadržanom slovenskom občanovi šestnásť minút kľačali a robili si z neho posmešky, naznačujúce extrémistické správanie. Zásah vyústil až v smrť tohto človeka. Takéto konanie je pre mňa nie len neakceptovateľné, ale aj nepochopiteľné. Nepochopiteľné podobne ako stav, že sme sa o tomto škandále dozvedeli až po dvoch rokoch. Som rád, že belgická polícia na môj podnet začala konať a zriadila vyšetrovaciu komisiu. No veci sa rozhýbali, až keď prišiel tlak z najvyšších miest. Potrebujeme zabezpečiť, aby bolo samozrejmosťou, že sa nič podobné už nezopakuje.