Pełne sprawozdanie z obrad

Poniedziałek, 14 lutego 2022 r. - Strasburg

21. Działalność Europejskiego Rzecznika Praw Obywatelskich – sprawozdanie roczne za 2020 r. (debata)

  President. – The next item is the debate on the report by Eleonora Evi, on behalf of the Committee on Petitions, on the annual report on the activities of the European Ombudsman in 2020 (2021/2167(INI)) (A9-0342/2021).

I should like to remind Members that, for all debates of this part—session, there will be no catch—the—eye procedure and no blue cards will be accepted.

Furthermore, as during recent part-sessions, remote interventions from Parliament’s Liaison Offices in the Member States are foreseen.

  Eleonora Evi, relatrice. – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, io desidero innanzitutto complimentarmi con la Mediatrice europea per l'eccellente lavoro svolto anche nell'anno 2020. Il complesso delle sue attività, oggetto di questa relazione, ha confermato che la sua azione si sia rivelata nuovamente cruciale per salvaguardare i diritti fondamentali dei cittadini.

Nel 2020 l'ufficio del Mediatore europeo ha celebrato il venticinquesimo anniversario. L'impatto delle molteplici indagini compiute negli anni conferiscono indubbiamente a questo organo il ruolo di pilastro centrale nel contribuire a migliorare gli standard di buona amministrazione a livello unionale.

Emily O'Reilly, dal momento della sua elezione, ha saputo imprimere un ulteriore incremento qualitativo, che continua ad ottimizzarsi grazie all'implementazione della strategia da lei varata denominata "Verso il 2024", pienamente supportata da questa relazione.

Serve tuttavia una completa assunzione di responsabilità da parte delle istituzioni europee, chiamate a garantire ottemperanza piena e coerente, ancora oggi non sussistente del tutto, alle raccomandazioni a loro rivolte dalla stessa Mediatrice. Anche tale aspetto è esplicitato nel testo.

L'importanza di tale elemento la si coglie pienamente proprio analizzando quanto verificatosi nel 2020, anno tragico segnato dallo scoppio della pandemia di COVID-19. La Mediatrice ha svolto ininterrottamente un'instancabile opera di indagine sulla trasparenza e l'integrità dei processi decisionali correlati alle misure adottate per fronteggiare la pandemia. La sua voce si è levata alta per rammentare alle istituzioni europee il dovere di garantire, a maggior ragione in momenti drammatici e complessi, i più alti standard di buona amministrazione a tutela degli interessi generali.

Questo Parlamento, facendo leva anche su ciò, ha evidenziato inoltre ufficialmente che qualsiasi mancanza di trasparenza nel quadro della più grave crisi sanitaria pubblica dell'epoca moderna costituisce una violazione del diritto dei cittadini ad essere pienamente informati.

Purtroppo, però, la risposta innanzitutto della Commissione europea è stata di una censurabile noncuranza di tali assunti. L'esecutivo comunitario infatti ha continuato a negare, e continua a negare, piena trasparenza sul contenuto complessivo dei contratti siglati con le multinazionali farmaceutiche sui vaccini contro il COVID-19, realizzati anche grazie all'impiego di miliardi di euro di soldi pubblici. Questa relazione evidenzia questa criticità con nettezza e reclama piena trasparenza.

Nel testo sono riportate inoltre le gravi problematiche alla base delle attuali pratiche in seno al Consiglio dell'Unione europea, emerse a seguito dell'ennesimo caso di cattiva amministrazione rilevato dalla Mediatrice nel 2020. Il Consiglio, infatti, continua a impedire ai cittadini di beneficiare di un accesso diretto e tempestivo ai suoi documenti legislativi, in violazione del diritto di partecipazione efficace del pubblico al processo decisionale. La richiesta quindi rivolta al Consiglio – che ovviamente non è presente in Aula – è quella di modificare la propria condotta, conformandola finalmente al rispetto dei diritti democratici dei cittadini.

L'azione della Mediatrice si è rivelata meritoria anche su molti altri fronti. Sul tema dell'accesso pubblico ai documenti delle istituzioni europee, più volte la Mediatrice è stata determinante per permetterne la divulgazione, nonostante la legislazione applicabile dell'Unione sia obsoleta e necessiti una revisione tempestiva, come richiesto testualmente in questa relazione.

In materia di appalti pubblici, la Mediatrice è giunta a riscontrare gravi lacune giuridiche nelle norme vigenti in materia, tali da renderle inadeguate per contrastare i conflitti di interesse, per come è emerso, ad esempio, nell'indagine sulla grave decisione della Commissione europea di aggiudicare un contratto per la realizzazione di uno studio sull'integrazione degli obiettivi ambientali, sociali e di governance delle norme bancarie dell'Unione alla società BlackRock, che gestisce enormi investimenti di grandi compagnie petrolifere e bancarie, sulle quali andranno ad applicarsi quelle stesse norme.

Sul tema dei principi attivi impiegati nei pesticidi, le indagini della Mediatrice hanno confermato che la Commissione europea abbia continuato in maniera deprecabile a procedere alla loro approvazione, nonostante l'ufficiale identificazione di aree critiche o la necessità di dati aggiuntivi per confermarne la sicurezza, finanche in assenza di qualsivoglia uso sicuro.

Inoltre, in riferimento all'accordo commerciale UE-Mercosur, la Mediatrice, al termine delle sue indagini, ha attestato che la conclusione dei relativi negoziati da parte della Commissione europea, prima che venisse finalizzata la valutazione dell'impatto sulla sostenibilità, rappresentasse un altro grave caso di cattiva amministrazione. È emerso chiaramente come la Commissione avesse assunto quella decisione in un contesto privo di appropriate analisi sugli impatti sociali, ambientali ed economici di tale accordo, violando le sue stesse linee guida in materia. Nella relazione questi elementi sono analizzati in maniera circostanziata, insieme a vari altri, e ognuno di essi trova un corredo di richieste precise, che vanno nella direzione di garantire ai cittadini i più alti livelli di tutela dei loro diritti.

Concludo confermando il pieno sostegno all'azione della Mediatrice che, come indicato nella relazione, deve tradursi anche nell'attribuzione di maggiori risorse di bilancio per permetterle di gestire efficacemente il suo carico di lavoro complessivo, viste le ulteriori rilevanti responsabilità che le sono state attribuite di recente con l'approvazione del suo nuovo statuto.

Io concludo ringraziando tutti i relatori ombra per la collaborazione offerta e il lavoro complessivamente svolto su questo testo.

  Emily O'Reilly, Ombudsman. – A Uachtaráin, ar dtús, lig dom cuimhneamh ar an Uachtarán Sassoli, nach maireann, cailliúint mhór é don Eoraip. Ba mhaith liom freisin tréaslú leis an Uachtarán Metsola tar éis a toghcháin.

A Chomhaltaí Uaisle, is mian liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an rapóirtéir, an Uasal Evi, agus leis na scáth-rapóirtéirí, as ucht a gcuid oibre ar an tuarascáil seo. Ós rud é gur teanga iomlán oifigiúil de chuid an Aontais Eorpaigh í an Ghaeilge, ó thús na bliana seo, is breá liom labhairt as Gaeilge anocht.

Ba bhliain dhúshlánach do chách í, céad bhliain na paindéime, leis an neamhchinnteacht a bhí chomh forleathan sin.

Cé go raibh ar an Aontas Eorpach gníomhú go tapaidh, ag an am céanna bhí sé fíor-riachtanach cloí go daingean leis an trédhearcacht agus an chuntasacht ionas go mbeadh tuiscint níos fearr ag saoránaigh ar an mbealach ina ndéantar cinntí.

'Sé chuid deo mo ról mar Ombudsman Eorpach ná cuidiú leis na hinstitúidí sa phróiseas seo.

Ag tús na paindéime, scrúdaigh mé an chaoi inar chomhlíonaigh an Lárionad Eorpach um Ghalair a Chosc agus a Rialú (ECDC) a ról. Ba é toradh m’imscrúdaithe ná go raibh ECDC i bponc, ó thaobh faisnéis ábharthach a bhailiú go tráthúil, mar gheall ar cé chomh leisciúil is a bhíonn na Ballstáit an fhaisnéis a chur ar fáil.

Is iad na Ballstáit amháin a choimeádann an fhaisnéis ábhartha. Agus anailís déanta agam sa chás, chuir mé roinnt moltaí faoi bhráid ECDC faoi conas gur féidir a chuid measúnuithe agus moltaí a chur faoi bhráid an phobail ar bhealach níos réamhghníomhaí. D’aontaigh an Lárionad (ECDC) liom agus as seo amach, beidh ECDC níos réamhghníomhaí sa bhealach ina soláthraíonn sé faisnéis.

Tá áthas orm freisin go bhfuil cinneadh déanta ag na comhreachtóirí sainordú ECDC a athnuachan. Is sampla é seo faoi cé chomh gasta is gur féidir leis na hinstitiúidí gníomhú chun ceachtanna a fhoghlaim, agus feabhsaithe a dhéanamh, agus iad ag tabhairt aghaidh ar dhúshláin.

Ba é ceann d’iarmhairtí tosaigh na paindéime ná an t-aistriú a tharla chun cianoibrithe sna hinstitiúidí go léir. I gcás m’Oifige féin, tharla an t-aistriú seo go réidh agus go gasta. Agus ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le foireann m’Oifige faoin mbealach inar chinntigh siad go rachadh ár seirbhís don phobal ar aghaidh i gcónaí – in ainneoin na ndúshlán proifisiúnta agus pearsanta a bhí os ár gcomhair.

Leis an tuiscint go gcuireann an phaindéim brú níos géire orthu siúd atá leochailleach, i mí an Mheithimh 2020, chuir mé tús le tionscnamh straitéiseach faoin mbealach ina ndéanann an Coimisiún freastal ar riachtanais ball foirne faoi mhíchumas i gcomhthéacs na modhanna oibre nua seo.

In ainneoin na paindéime, d’fhan líon na ngearán chun m’Oifige seasmhach; agus, mar is iondúil, bhí m’obair dírithe ar thrédhearcacht, ar ionracas agus ar chearta bunúsacha.

Bhain imscrúdú tábhachtach le cinneadh an Choimisiúin i gcás an chomhlachta BlackRock. Chinn an Coimisiún conradh a bhronnadh ar BlackRock chun staidéar a dhéanamh ar mhaoiniú inbhuanaithe cé go bhfuil leasanna airgeadais ag an gcomhlacht sin san earnáil i gceist. Fiú amháin má bhíonn ach an fhéidearthacht ann i leith coinbhleacht leasa, d’fhéadfadh sé sin a bheith chun dochair d’inchreidteacht an Aontais Eorpaigh. Is mar gheall air sin gur mhol mé don Choimisiún gur fiú dó a threoirlínte i leith soláthar poiblí a athnuachan. Mhol mé freisin don Choimisiún gur fiú smaoineamh ar na forálacha faoi choinbhleacht leasa, sa Rialachán Airgeadais, a neartú.

Bhí áthas orm a fheiceáil gur chuir an Pharlaimint m’imscrúdú san áireamh agus an Rialachán ábhartha á leasú aici. Is sampla soiléir é seo, nuair a thagann comhfhórsaí le chéile, den tionchar is féidir a bheith acu ó thaobh riarachán an Aontais Eorpaigh a fheabhsú.

Sampla eile den tionchar de chuid m’Oifige ná ceist a bhain le ‘doirse imrothlacha’ [‘revolving doors’] i gcas Stiúrthóir Feidhmiúcháin an Údaráis Baincéireachta Eorpaigh. Ghlac sé post mar phríomhoifigeach feidhmiúcháin le cumann a dhéanann uiríoll ar son banc agus institúidí airgeadais – comhlachtaí a thagann faoi mhaoirseacht an Údaráis. Ag cur san áireamh an chóimheá idir an ceart chun oibre agus damáiste do chlú an Aontais, mhol mé don Údarás rialacháin shoiléire a leagan síos a chuirfeadh cosc, i gcás baill foirne shinsearacha ag teacht chun am scoir, ar ghlacadh le poist shonracha. Mhol mé freisin don Údarás, i gcás baill foirne ar tí bogadh chuig an earnáil phríobháideach, rochtain ar fhaisnéis rúnda a chur ar fionraí. Chuir me fáilte roimh chinneadh an Údaráis glacadh le mo mholtaí, rud a thugann le fios go bhfuil an tÚdarás i ndáiríre faoi chaighdeáin arda eitice a bhaint amach.

I rith na bliana, bhí ceist chosaint na gceart bunúsach idir lámha againn i gcónaí. D’eisigh m’Oifig treoirlínte, dírithe ar na hinstitiúidí, faoi cheist an ilteangachais. Chomh maith leis sin, rinne mé measúnú iar-iniúchta maidir leis an gcóras gearán á oibriú ag Frontex.

Idir an dá linn, tá ceist na hinbhuanaitheachta tar éis eirí níos ábhartha don Aontas Eorpach. Is mar gheall air sin, tar éis gearán faighte ag m’Oifig, gur chinn mé go raibh mí-riarachán i gceist nuair a shocraigh an Coimisiún an chaibidlíocht faoin gComhaontú AE-Mercosur a thabhairt chun críche roimh don mheasúnú inbhuanaitheachta agus tioncair a bheith curtha i gcrích.

Le linn 2020, lean mé ar aghaidh ag obair ar cheist trédhearcachta an phróisis reachtaigh sa Chomhairle. Tá an cheist seo tábhachtach ó thaobh rialtais na mBallstát de sa chaoi ina ndiúltaíonn siad freagracht a ghlacadh as cinntí ag teacht, mar a dhéarfá, ón mBruiséil. I ndáiríre, is iad teachtaí na mBallstát féin a dhéanann na cinntí seo – fíric shimplí nach dtuigtear go minic. Cé gur glacadh céimeanna beaga i leith trédhearcachta, tá a lán fós le déanamh.

Ach cé go raibh deacrachtaí áirithe againn i rith 2020, ba bhliain chomórtha í freisin dúinn leis an gceiliúradh cúig bliana is fiche ar bhunú na hOifige. Bhí mé bródúil as a bheith in ann é seo a cheiliúradh le comhdháil ar líne le Líonra Eorpach na nOmbudsman agus le Leas-Uachtarán an Choimisiúin Šefčovič, a ghlac páirt i gcruinnithe faoi impléachtaí COVID-19 i gcás oifigí Ombudsman i gcoitinne. I mbliana, tionólfar comhdháil bhliantúil an Líonra seo, in áitreabh na Parlaiminte anseo in Strasbourg, ar an seachtú lá is fiche d’Aibreán, i dtaca le hUachtaránacht na Comhairle ag an bhFrainc, agus ag díriú ar shaincheist an digitithe agus riaracháin phoiblí.

Dhá bhliain tar éis thús na paindéime, tuigeann muid go bhfuil cinnteoireacht oscailte agus cuntasach ríthábhachtach ó thaobh thacaíocht agus chosaint an phobail ag am seo an ghátair. Tá mé dóchasach, nuair a bheidh deireadh leis an bpaindéim seo, go mbeidh an tAontas níos láidre ná mar a bhí sé ar dtús. Agus tá súil agam go dtiocfaidh cuid de na feabhsuithe seo ón obair atá á déanamh ag m’Oifig fein – Oifig bheag, mar a deirim go minic, ach le sainordú mór.

Mo bhuíochas arís as ucht bhur dtacaíochta. Táim ag tnúth le dul ar aghaidh lenár gcomhoibriú amach anseo.

  Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the Commission. – Madam President, I think that the initial interventions we have seen and we have heard, on the report and resolution on the annual report of the European Ombudsman on her activities presented to this plenary, recall to us the importance of European citizenship and the specific rights associated with it.

These democratic and civil rights are aimed at encouraging the full participation of European citizens, businesses, associations and NGOs in the everyday life of the European Union. The right to submit a petition to the European Parliament and the right to complain to the European Ombudsman are of particular importance.

And I would like to thank Ms O’Reilly for her excellent and tireless work that she has been doing since she was first elected to this role in 2013, and notably, in 2020, despite the added burden caused by the COVID—19 pandemic.

I’m pleased to report that relations between the Commission, its services and the European Ombudsman continue to be constructive and mutually very helpful. The Commission duly takes into account the suggestions for improvement and recommendations of the European Ombudsman. This is precisely why a final finding of maladministration is very rare.

In 2020 and 2021, the Commission also worked with the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union on the new Statute of the European Ombudsman that entered into force in August last year. This has been an important achievement, granting the European Ombudsman additional rights and emphasising the importance of good administration in sensitive fields like harassment, whistleblowing and conflict of interest.

Let me also congratulate the rapporteur Ms Evi, the coordinators of the Committee on Petitions and all its members that were involved for their very informative and useful report, which provides the views of the European Parliament on the issues that it considers noteworthy in the area of good administration for the citizens. The report and resolution address a variety of important issues, including the transparency of the decision-making process, revolving doors, access to document requests, procurement and contractual issues and staff matters.

The Commission takes the report and resolution seriously, given the importance of the matters addressed and the fact that, being the largest EU institution, we are the main addressee of the inquiries of the European Ombudsman. The Commission will examine your resolution in the next few weeks and we will reply in detail to all the issues that concern the Commission.

To conclude, let me please reassure you that the Commission will continue working with the other institutions, bodies and agencies, including Ms O’Reilly and her team, to provide the best possible services and maintain the highest possible standards for the benefit of all European citizens.

Honourable President, I look forward to hearing the views of the honourable Members and I thank you for your attention.

  Peter Jahr, im Namen der PPE-Fraktion. – Frau Präsidentin, sehr geehrte Ombudsfrau, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Meine Fraktion und auch ich ganz persönlich beglückwünschen die Ombudsfrau zu ihrer Arbeit und bedanken uns für die gute Zusammenarbeit mit dem Petitionsausschuss.

Die Bilanz kann sich sehen lassen. Im Jahr 2020 bearbeitete die Europäische Bürgerbeauftragte 2 200 Beschwerden und leitete 370 Untersuchungen ein. Sie leitete fünf Untersuchungen in Eigeninitiative ein. Aus dieser Sicht sollte der Tätigkeitsbericht der Ombudsfrau 2020 kein Problem sein – Zustimmung sicher.

So ist es aber leider nicht. Ich sage noch einmal leider. Denn unsere Berichterstatterin, Kollegin Eleonora Evi, konnte der Versuchung nicht widerstehen, den Bericht mit Dingen anzureichern, die einfach nicht reingehören. De facto werden hier die Aufgaben verschiedener europäischer Institutionen auf die Ombudsfrau konzentriert: Europäischer Staatsanwalt, die Korruptionsbehörde OLAF, der Haushaltskontrollausschuss des Parlaments, der Europäische Rechnungshof, zum Schluss auch noch der Petitionsausschuss. Und die Verantwortlichkeiten dieser Institutionen wurden quasi in ein großes Paket zusammengeführt und der Ombudsfrau zugeschrieben. Das heißt, wir würden der Ombudsfrau eine Machtfülle, einen Alleinvertretungsanspruch geben, den sie sich selber nicht wünschen kann. Denn Demokratie lebt halt nicht von Machtkonzentration, sondern von Machtbalance.

Frau Kollegin Evi, beim Aufsatz würde man sagen: damit auch teilweise am Thema vorbei.

Und ich bedauere außerordentlich, dass wir es nicht geschafft haben, ein politisches Schattenberichterstatter-Meeting stattfinden zu lassen. Aber es besteht noch Hoffnung. Meine Fraktion hat Änderungsanträge eingebracht, die diese Mängel dieses Berichtes wieder vom Kopf auf die Füße stellen, dass wir dem Bericht zustimmen können und – ich sage es noch einmal ausdrücklich – auch die Arbeit der Ombudsfrau würdigen können. Denn diese Würdigung hat sie sich fraktionsübergreifend in diesem Haus verdient.

  Alex Agius Saliba, f'isem il-grupp S&D. – Sinjura President, l-ewwel u qabel kollox nixtieq nirringrazzja lir-rapporteur Eleonora Evi u anke lill-kollegi fi ħdan gruppi politiċi differenti għax-xogħol illi wettaqna lkoll flimkien b'rabta wkoll ma' dan ir-rapport importanti ħafna dwar l-attivitajiet tal-Ombudsman għas-sena 2020. It-tieni nett nixtieq nikkongratula u nirringrazzja lill-Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, għal xogħol illi wettqet matul is-sena li għaddiet, sena daqstant mimlija b'diffikultajiet b'rabta mal-isfidi illi ħalliet fuqna l-pandemija.

Ħidma illi żgurat illi Istituzzjonijiet Ewropej, l-Uffiċċji u l-Aġenziji jimxu mal-aqwa standards tal-aqwa amministrazzjoni, trasparenza u anke etika sabiex fl-aħħar mill-aħħar nipproteġu d-drittijiet fundamentali u l-interessi vitali taċ-ċittadini tagħna, sabiex insaħħu l-fiduċja taċ-ċittadini fl-Istituzzjonijiet Ewropej. Hu għalhekk importanti, u ħa nkun qiegħed nagħfas fuq dan il-punt, u hawnhekk fejn forsi ma naqblux anke mal-Grupp tal-Popolari. L-importanza li jkun hemm trasparenza totali fil-proċess li bih jittieħdu d-deċiżjonijiet, speċjalment fuq fajls leġiżlattivi, min-naħa tal-Kunsill. Trasparenza totali li hija tant u tant importanti f'dan il-proċess leġiżlattiv illi din in-nuqqas ta' trasparenza qiegħda twassal sabiex iċ-ċittadini tagħna ma jkollhomx fl-aħħar mill-aħħar viżibilità totali għal dak illi għaddej minn din l-istituzzjoni importanti, l-istituzzjoni tal-Kunsill tal-Unjoni Ewropea.

Nixtieq ukoll qabel nagħlaq, nikkongratula wkoll l-Uffiċċju tal-Ombudsman f'dan l-anniversarju ta' 25 sena. Uffiċċju li huwa vitali u importanti għaċ-ċittadini Ewropej. Jiena nħares 'il quddiem, illi bħala Parlament Ewropew, bħala Kumitat tal-Petizzjonijiet, inkomplu nagħmlu d-differenza billi fl-aħħar mill-aħħar ilkoll kemm aħna nwarrbu l-aġenda partiġġjana tagħna u naħdmu lkoll flimkien id f'id mal-Ombudsman sabiex inkomplu nagħtu vuċi aktar b'saħħitha liċ-ċittadini tagħna.

  Ramona Strugariu, on behalf of the Renew Group. – Madam President, the European Ombudsman is and should remain our natural ally in the fight for transparency, for high ethical standards and good administration in the EU.

I would like to congratulate you, Ms O’Reilly and your office, for the work undertaken in 2020. Under particularly difficult circumstances, you managed to continue working to safeguard our citizens’ fundamental rights.

We appreciate in particular, the strategic work undertaken for evaluating the performance of the EU administration in the context of the COVID—19 crisis. As you have rightfully emphasised, in times of crisis, the obligations of transparency are not diminished. Abiding by them is even more crucial now in order to preserve citizens’ trust.

We appreciate also the efforts to better inform the citizens about your mandate and to streamline the treatment of complaints, including in the framework of the strategy towards 2024. When it comes to defending the citizens’ rights, we have a huge task ahead of us.

If we take the example of Next Generation EU, we need to ensure together better oversight on how these funds are used. 85% of citizens demand transparency and effective control on these funds, according to a special Eurobarometer for September 2021. I, myself, included such provisions in the text and I am counting on you and all our colleagues from all the political groups to fully support this approach.

  Virginie Joron, au nom du groupe ID. – Madame la Présidente, Monsieur le Commissaire, chère Madame la Médiatrice européenne, je tiens tout d’abord à vous féliciter et à vous remercier au nom de beaucoup de mes compatriotes qui sont avides d’honnêteté, de transparence, et qui croient encore en la justice.

Pendant que Mme von der Leyen déclarait, il y a encore quelques jours, qu’elle souhaitait que les États membres réfléchissent à une obligation vaccinale pour tout le monde, la Commission continuait de cacher les SMS échangés entre elle et le PDG de Pfizer lors de la négociation du fameux contrat d’achat du vaccin, à 90 % caviardé. En même temps, Pfizer prévoit en 2022 de vendre 54 milliards de dollars de vaccins et de pilules anti-COVID-19.

Pourquoi ce manque de transparence de la part de la Commission? Pourquoi ce mépris? Pourquoi cette déconnexion avec les citoyens? Pourquoi tant de secret à Bruxelles, alors qu’ils n’hésitent pas à s’enlacer à Washington en s’autocongratulant? Continuez, chère Madame. Cette affaire est grave, et nous sommes avec vous.

Certains ne veulent pas voir ce convoi des libertés, cette manifestation pacifique et citoyenne à Bruxelles, Strasbourg et Paris, alors que c’est aussi la conséquence de ce mépris et de cette opacité de nos institutions européennes. Je vous remercie. Vous avez tout notre soutien.

  Ryszard Czarnecki, w imieniu grupy ECR. – Pani Przewodnicząca! Pani Rzecznik! Panie Przewodniczący Komisji! Myślę, że to jest taki czas, kiedy powinniśmy mówić o rzeczach najważniejszych i o problemach, które stoją przed rzecznikiem w jego pracy. Mam wrażenie, że jednym z problemów, nad którymi rzecznik powinien się pochylić, jest kwestia deficytu demokracji, kwestia braku transparentności procesu decyzyjnego w Unii Europejskiej. Ja pamiętam, jak w kadencji 2004–2009 taki był plan D as democracy – D jak demokracja –ponieważ uznano, że w procesie decyzyjnym jest za mało demokracji. Po kilkunastu latach możemy powiedzieć to samo.

Myślę, że trzeba bardzo wyraźnie powiedzieć, że rzecznik praw obywatelskich jest także od tego, aby te procesy były bardziej transparentne, bo inaczej wystąpi deficyt zaufania do Unii Europejskiej wśród naszych wyborców i podatników.

  Anne-Sophie Pelletier, au nom du groupe The Left. – Madame la Présidente, permettez-moi tout d’abord de remercier notre collègue pour son excellent rapport. Madame la Médiatrice, je voudrais aussi vous remercier sincèrement pour votre travail, qui met en exergue les dysfonctionnements administratifs de nos institutions. Le rapport constitue une fenêtre sur votre travail conséquent, qui donne à l’Union européenne les bases pour garantir la transparence, l’accès aux documents, et qui oblige les institutions à rendre des comptes aux citoyens européens.

Vous le savez peut-être, Madame: je ne fais pas partie des politiciens de profession. La politique s’est invitée dans ma vie alors que je luttais, avec d’autres, tous les jours, pour la rendre plus juste. Dès que j’ai intégré les bancs de cet hémicycle, je me suis promis de rendre l’Europe aux citoyens. Pourtant, vous l’avez montré, la route sera bien longue.

Que penser des SMS invisibles entre la présidente de la Commission et le PDG de Pfizer? Étaient-ils engageants, informels ou personnels? Le doute est là. Que penser quand, alors qu’une obligation qui ne dit pas son nom se dessine partout en Europe, l’accès aux contrats de vaccins nous est encore et toujours refusé? Le doute est là. Et que penser du Conseil qui, d’un revers de la main, et toujours sans que nous ayons accès aux négociations en cours, peut remettre en cause nos votes? Le fait que le Parlement est la seule institution démocratique élue de notre Union ne suffit-il pas pour avoir un droit de regard? Le doute est là.

Nos institutions, notre travail et, en soi, tout le projet européen n’existent que par la confiance que les citoyens nous portent. Cette confiance, on ne l’aura qu’en étant complètement transparents, entre nous, mais aussi – et surtout – envers eux. Alors soyons indignés et révoltons-nous contre ces ombres! Prétendons et exigeons de la lumière dans nos administrations, car c’est seulement ainsi que nous pourrons ensemble, Madame et chers collègues, rendre l’Union européenne à ses citoyens.

  Mario Furore (NI). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, ringrazio la relatrice e il Mediatore europeo per il lavoro svolto.

Nel corso degli anni le raccomandazioni e il ruolo del Mediatore hanno avvicinato i cittadini alle istituzioni, ma restano ancora passi importanti da fare. Ancora troppo spesso le istituzioni, gli organi e gli organismi dell'UE non rispettano in modo pieno e uniforme le raccomandazioni della Mediatrice, penso in particolare a quella sulla trasparenza. La piena trasparenza in tutte le fasi del processo legislativo dell'UE è essenziale per promuovere i diritti democratici dei cittadini, così come è necessaria per prevenire conflitti di interesse e casi di corruzione.

In particolare, le istituzioni in prima linea dell'UE durante la pandemia avrebbero dovuto agire in massima trasparenza. È inaccettabile che ancora oggi il prezzo di acquisto dei vaccini e delle pillole anti-COVID sia segreto. I cittadini europei devono sapere quanto l'Unione europea ha pagato e quindi come ha negoziato con Big Pharma. Ne va della nostra credibilità. Per questo vorrei che la Commissione ascolti la Mediatrice e renda pubblici i messaggi tra il suo Presidente, Ursula von der Leyen, e il CEO della Pfizer.

  Loránt Vincze (PPE). – Madam President, I would like to thank Madam Ombudsman for her commitment to achieving the highest standards of good administration within the EU institutions. I am glad to see that the activities of the European Ombudsman gain more and more visibility. You updated and made the communication channels with the public more effective. I also applaud your engagement towards multilingualism, including Irish. It is of utmost importance that we reach citizens so that they know about their rights and about what we can do for them.

As regards some proposals in the reports we are about to vote on, I am worried to see that several paragraphs aim to change the role of the Ombudsman office and maintain recommendations that do not fall under its competences as set out in the statutes. I believe that we must act based on democratic principles and rules and that we should not lay on the Ombudsman roles that are clearly played by other institutions, such as the Commission, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO).

As regards transparency, I believe that improvements in this field are to be welcomed, for example, when minutes of the Council meetings are published. But we also have to acknowledge that we must leave room for an efficient political process, for reasoning, for negotiation, reasoning in our institutions. Dear Ms O’Reilly, please allow me to wish the office of the Ombudsman a further successful 25 years, and you can count on our support also in the future.

  Cristina Maestre Martín De Almagro (S&D). – Señora presidenta, un año más valoramos la labor del Defensor del Pueblo, de esta importantísima institución europea, en este caso el año 2020, un año sumamente complicado para todos, en pleno auge de la pandemia y con las autoridades europeas tomando importantes decisiones: unas medidas que, como todo el mundo sabe, tuvieron que tomarse a contrarreloj para responder al impacto de esta enorme pandemia.

Pero la urgencia de las medidas no puede justificar laxitudes o incumplimientos en los estrictos controles y exigencias que nos hemos dado a nosotros mismos en las administraciones públicas y en las instituciones europeas.

La urgencia no está reñida con el cumplimiento de los procedimientos ni los procedimientos están reñidos con la transparencia, máxime teniendo en cuenta el importante número de acciones que han tenido que tomar la Comisión Europea y los Estados miembros.

Para hacer frente a la COVID-19 era necesario ser rápidos pero mantener el rigor en los procedimientos. Porque hay que tener mucho cuidado con aquellos que caen en la tentación de apelar a la libertad como excusa para entorpecer la labor de transparencia que tienen que tener determinadas instituciones, pero por la que, ante todo, tenemos que velar todos y cada uno de nosotros, y cumplirla.

Por lo tanto, aquí quiero reivindicar el importante papel que ha representado la Oficina del Defensor del Pueblo en este año tan sumamente significativo y, además, coincidiendo con el vigésimo quinto aniversario de la institución. Quiero poner de manifiesto y de relieve el importante papel que ejerce esta gran institución después de veinticinco años y que, ahora más que nunca, tenemos que reivindicar en pro de la garantía de transparencia que, a su vez, es garantía de democracia y garantía de derechos humanos.

Y quiero felicitar a la defensora del pueblo por el trabajo que ha hecho y también a los ponentes por el trabajo que han hecho en este este informe de evaluación anual.

  Marie-Pierre Vedrenne (Renew). – Madame la Présidente, Monsieur le Commissaire, Madame la Médiatrice, plus que jamais le médiateur européen doit poursuivre ses combats. La démocratie européenne ne doit jamais être considérée comme acquise, et le médiateur européen est un de ses garants. Il n'y a pas de démocratie sans transparence. Les citoyens doivent pouvoir participer à la vie démocratique. L’accès à toutes les informations et dans toutes les langues doit être garanti. On ne peut transiger avec le droit à l'information, et les Européens doivent savoir ce qui est fait en leur nom.

Il n'y a pas non plus de démocratie sans état de droit. La surveillance étroite des fonds européens dans chaque État membre et le respect des règles de déontologie sont des piliers de la démocratie européenne. À nous, avec vous, Madame la Médiatrice, de veiller à ce que démocratie rime avec état de droit. Une démocratie courageuse accepte de regarder en face ses faiblesses, et vous nous y obligez. Madame la Médiatrice, vous le savez et vous le voyez encore ce soir, le Parlement européen est de votre côté.

  Sabrina Pignedoli (NI). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, voglio ringraziare la Mediatrice europea per il lavoro svolto, in particolare per il grande impegno che ha dedicato ad approfondire la risposta dell'Unione europea al COVID-19. Quando bisogna agire in emergenza i rischi per la trasparenza aumentano. Per esempio, ancora oggi non possiamo conoscere completamente il contenuto dei contratti per i vaccini anti-COVID. Non possiamo sapere se vi siano conflitti di interesse, né le cifre pagate.

Su conflitto di interessi e porte girevoli, un caso evidente ha riguardato il direttore esecutivo dell'European Banking Authority, divenuto amministratore delegato di una lobby finanziaria. Un caso grave, anche perché per un certo periodo di tempo l'ex funzionario ha avuto ancora accesso a documenti riservati dell'istituzione europea.

Dobbiamo cambiare i contratti. Al momento di accettare un incarico, il dirigente deve sapere che non potrà lavorare in un determinato ruolo nel settore privato per un certo periodo di tempo, e su questo punto, signora O'Reilly, avrà il nostro appoggio. Non devono esserci deroghe o discrezionalità, ne va della credibilità delle nostre istituzioni.

  Marc Angel (S&D). – Madam President, I want to thank our ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly, and her office for her tireless fight for transparency. Transparency and information strengthen the rights of our citizens and let me remind you that without access to documents, there is no information and there is no transparency. And this becomes even more true in COVID times. Giving access to documents increases the accountability of all EU institutions.

And the Council, which is absent today, has the worst record of transparency. We, as the European Parliament, must continue to keep up our pressure together with the European Ombudsman, with national parliaments and with the civil society organisations to change this. Our call for Council transparency is nothing abstract; it is also a demand from citizens. This becomes very clear in the citizens recommendations in the framework of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

EU transparency law is now over 20 years old, dates from a pre-social media and pre-smartphone era, it needs to be modernised, and it needs to be updated. The Commission must adapt this outdated regulation.

Let me finish by thanking Emily O’Reilly once more for being a real influencer of change. And I also want to thank our rapporteur Ms Evi and the shadow rapporteurs for the excellent work they have done in the Committee on Petitions (PETI).

  Gabriele Bischoff (S&D). – Frau Präsidentin, liebe Frau O'Reilly! Ich möchte mich wirklich bei Ihnen für Ihren unermüdlichen Einsatz bedanken, für volle Transparenz.

Sie wollen das Fenster weit aufmachen, damit die Bürgerinnen und Bürger wirklich reingucken können, wie Entscheidungen zustande kommen. Einige möchten es eigentlich nur einen Spalt aufmachen, damit man so ein bisschen einen Blick reinwerfen kann. Aber wir sehen, wie ernst Sie Ihre Arbeit nehmen, und ich glaube, das ist wichtig.

Ich habe Ihnen zugehört bei Ihrer Präsentation. In der Tat: 2020 war ein ganz besonderes Jahr, da musste schnell gehandelt werden. Und trotzdem ist es wichtig, dass Transparenz eingehalten wird und dass man auch eine klare Kommunikation hat, weil ohne das werden wir keine demokratische Resilienz erreichen. Und die Währung dafür ist wirklich Vertrauen.

Deshalb möchte ich mich noch einmal dafür bedanken, dass Sie wirklich den Finger in die Wunde gelegt haben und bei den Verträgen mit den Pharmaunternehmen darauf bestehen, dass hier wirklich Klarheit geschaffen wird, denn sonst werden nur Verschwörungsmythen unterstützt und – denke ich – gerade auch Fake News Vorschub geleistet. Das dürfen wir nicht zulassen.

Deshalb: Zukunft wird aus Mut gemacht. Davon haben Sie genug. Mit einem kleinen Office, aber trotzdem einem großen Auftrag. Und da haben Sie unsere volle Unterstützung als S&D-Fraktion.

  Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the Commission. – Madam President, I really would like to thank the honourable Members of the European Parliament for their important contributions and I would say that Mr Jahr opened with and Ms Bischoff concluded with what I would describe as universal praise and admiration for the work of Ms O’Reilly as the European Ombudsman and her office, as she described it, a small one but with a big mandate, and I totally agree with that description.

I also would like to underline at the conclusion of this debate that the Commission constantly strives to ensure a very high level of good administration, as called for by Mr Saliba and many other speakers. And I also would like to reassure all of you that we are totally committed to the right of good administration as laid down in the Article 41 of the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights.

I agree with all of you who have been highlighting the fact that all members of our society who interact with the Commission, the European Parliament and other institutions, because the Council was referred to on several occasions – it doesn’t matter if they are individual citizens, companies, associations or NGOs – all of them have the right to expect from us transparency – as was underlined by Ms Strugariu and Mr Czarnecki – accessibility and, of course, proper management.

Our close and constructive cooperation with the European Ombudsman helps us to provide citizens with very high administrative standards, which are based, in particular, on the principles of non—discrimination, impartiality, objectivity and also fairness. In this context, the Commission fully respects the rights of citizens to receive a response to their letters in their language, as underscored by Mr Vincze, but also the right to be heard and to submit observations and the right to receive a justified decision within a reasonable timeframe.

The report and the resolution of the European Parliament on the annual report on the activities of the European Ombudsman in 2020 contributes to this by highlighting the areas where our institutions do well and where they can improve. As I already mentioned in my introductory remarks, the Commissioner will assess in detail the issue raised in your resolution during today’s debate and will respond in the next few weeks.

Several of the honourable Members, Madam President, also raised the issue of the text messages. I can confirm that the Ombudsman has sent the recommendation with regard to this matter to the Commission on 26 January of this year. The Commission is currently looking into this recommendation and will reply to the Ombudsman by 26 April of this year, which is the date by which the Ombudsman asked for a reply.

So once again, Ms O’Reilly, thank you very much for excellent work, for your great cooperation with the European Commission and other institutions, and also for the support which obviously will carry??? not only from this House but also from the European citizens. And thanks to your tireless work, I am sure that together we can provide better services to our citizens. Thank you very much, Madam President.

  Emily O'Reilly, Ombudsman. – A Uachtaráin, Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir as bhur gcuid tacaíochta, tuairimí agus ceisteanna. Níl an t-am agam anois freagra a thabhairt do gach duine nó ar gach ceist ach tá m'Oifig i gcónaí oscailte daoibh agus tá fáilte romhaibh go léir teagmháil a dhéanamh linn maidir le ceisteanna nó gearáin nó aon rud eile.

Normally at these hearings, there are a variety of issues that are brought up, but I think there was one dominant theme this evening and that is transparency in the decision making process.

And I think possibly the reason for that is not just the complaints or the investigations that we dealt with, but also because I think over the last two years we have seen the concrete importance of transparency. When so many frightened citizens looked as never before to their administrations, including the EU administration, for reassurance, they needed to know what decisions were being made to keep their families, themselves, their communities safe. But administrations also needed a citizens. They also looked to citizens for support in that work, so that they could be encouraged to take often very difficult measures to keep them safe and later to accept vaccines.

So it wasn’t just the citizens that needed the administration. The administration needed the support and trust of citizens to remain effective. And transparency is obviously one of the major keys in achieving that.

As MEP Angel said, the regulation that governs access to EU documents is now over 20 years old and arguably no longer fit for purpose. The recent issue of the text messages – a case we’re involved in at the moment, as you probably know – I think highlights the fact that we now communicate in a very different way than we did 20 years ago. And I think this should be recognised because I think people possibly arising out of this case or similar cases are realising that this is problematic.

It’s not just problematic for citizens, it is problematic for the administration because there are obviously going to be greater calls for transparency in these areas of new communication. So I think that it is up to you to do what you will, obviously. But I think there is a big argument there for at least bringing the Regulation 1049/2001 up to date.

   Mar fhocal scoir, ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil arís leis an bParlaimint agus an Petitions Committee as a thábhachtaí atá sé do m'Oifig. Is mór agam é agus tá sé ríthábhachtach do mo chuid oibre. Tá súil agam go mbeidh seachtain thairbhiúil agus thaitneamhach agaibh in Strasbourg.

  President. – The debate is closed.

The vote will take place on Tuesday, 15 February 2022.