Siegfried Mureşan
Member of the European Parliament · PPE · RO
“Doamnă președintă, stimați colegi, doamnă comisar, în ultimul an, Republica Moldova este statul candidat pentru aderarea la Uniunea Europeană, care a înregistrat cele mai semnificative progrese pe calea integrării europene. Cetățenii Republicii Moldova încep să simtă beneficiile concrete ale integrării în Uniunea Europeană.”
“Madam President, Prime Minister, Taoiseach, colleagues, welcome to the European Parliament. Look, a very vast majority of the Members of the European Parliament agree that the priorities of the Union for the upcoming months are, firstly, defending European values, protecting our democracy, our freedoms.”
“We as a Parliament, at the end of April, have adopted our common position on the EU budget for the next seven years, identifying security and competitiveness as the new priorities of the budget, but not neglecting what has proven its viability in time: protecting fisheries, protecting farmers, protecting our regions.”
“Prin raportul Parlamentului European, pe care îl vom adopta mâine. Solicităm trei lucruri. În primul rând, deschiderea negocierilor pe toate clasele de negociere la nivel politic, cât mai curând posibil, nu mai târziu de finalul acestui an. Unu la mână.”
“Supporting and strengthening our neighbouring countries, which are also EU candidate countries is good for the candidate countries, but it is good for the Union as well. The stronger, the more stable the candidate countries are, the better also for the security of the 27 Member States.”
“Noi trebuie să fim mai puternici, să fim solidari cu oamenii din Republica Moldova, astfel încât Republica Moldova să continue să avanseze rapid pe calea integrării europene. O Republică Moldovă puternică, stabilă, reformată este bună pentru cetățenii Republicii Moldova, dar este o veste bună și pentru Uniunea Europeană în ansamblu.”
The complete record
Every one of 66 lines we hold for Siegfried Mureşan, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 1 of 2.
“Noi trebuie să fim mai puternici, să fim solidari cu oamenii din Republica Moldova, astfel încât Republica Moldova să continue să avanseze rapid pe calea integrării europene. O Republică Moldovă puternică, stabilă, reformată este bună pentru cetățenii Republicii Moldova, dar este o veste bună și pentru Uniunea Europeană în ansamblu. 2-0478-0000”
“Prin raportul Parlamentului European, pe care îl vom adopta mâine. Solicităm trei lucruri. În primul rând, deschiderea negocierilor pe toate clasele de negociere la nivel politic, cât mai curând posibil, nu mai târziu de finalul acestui an. Unu la mână. Doi la mână: continuarea reformelor pe calea integrării europene și, trei la mână, creșterea sprijinului financiar și tehnic din partea Uniunii Europene pentru Republica Moldova, fiindcă Federația Rusă a încercat în ultimii ani să țină Republica Moldova pe loc și a eșuat. Dar Federația Rusă va continua să încerce să răspândească știri false, propagandă, dezinformare în Republica Moldova, încercând să țină Republica Moldova pe loc.”
“Doamnă președintă, stimați colegi, doamnă comisar, în ultimul an, Republica Moldova este statul candidat pentru aderarea la Uniunea Europeană, care a înregistrat cele mai semnificative progrese pe calea integrării europene. Cetățenii Republicii Moldova încep să simtă beneficiile concrete ale integrării în Uniunea Europeană. Deja împreună, prin efortul autorităților din Republica Moldova și prin efortul instituțiilor europene, reușim să integrăm Republica Moldova în tot mai multe programe europene, astfel încât cetățenii să simtă deja, înainte de data aderării, avantajele integrării europene. În urmă cu puține săptămâni am reușit să deschidem, și la nivel politic, la cel mai înalt nivel politic, negocierile pe primul cluster al negocierilor de aderare, ca urmare a progreselor bune înregistrate la nivel tehnic.”
“We as a Parliament, at the end of April, have adopted our common position on the EU budget for the next seven years, identifying security and competitiveness as the new priorities of the budget, but not neglecting what has proven its viability in time: protecting fisheries, protecting farmers, protecting our regions. We want a future‑oriented, modern cohesion policy. It is clear that when it comes to the budget, we can't do more with less. This is why we stand for an ambitious budget. Please make sure that, as we have a Parliament's position, there will be a Council position by the end of the year, based also on the transparent introduction of our own sources of revenue of the European Union. 2-0116-0000”
“Supporting and strengthening our neighbouring countries, which are also EU candidate countries is good for the candidate countries, but it is good for the Union as well. The stronger, the more stable the candidate countries are, the better also for the security of the 27 Member States. So, full support also for your ambitious merit‑based enlargement agenda. If we want Europe to do more to protect its citizens, to become more competitive, we have to equip it with the right tools. One of the tools is the budget of the European Union.”
“Madam President, Prime Minister, Taoiseach, colleagues, welcome to the European Parliament. Look, a very vast majority of the Members of the European Parliament agree that the priorities of the Union for the upcoming months are, firstly, defending European values, protecting our democracy, our freedoms. Secondly, investing more in our security, in our defence, protecting citizens. And thirdly, strengthening the economy, making it more competitive, ready for the digital age and for artificial intelligence. Prime Minister, the programme of the Irish Presidency that you are putting forward today identifies these priorities also as the priorities of the Irish Presidency. This is correct. We thank you for this. In addition to this, we also very much welcome your focus on enlargement.”
“The Council correctly identifies Europe's challenges, but unfortunately it fails to provide the resources needed to address them. We cannot do more with less. A bigger budget should not be a scope in itself … (The President cut off the speaker) 3-0022-0000”
“It is very good that we now have a negotiating box in the Council, so that the Council can also start to make progress in view of reaching a Council's position, as the Parliament already has a position for the upcoming negotiations. The situation is the following: we know the challenges Europe is facing: competitiveness, defence, security, Ukraine, enlargement. The question is whether we are ready to finance these challenges properly. And unfortunately, the message that we are receiving from the Council so far is worrying. We say competitiveness is a priority; the Council proposes to cut funding for competitiveness, research, innovation, strategic investments. We say security and defence are important, and then the Council is proposing to cut funding there.”
“Mr President, firstly I'd like to congratulate the Commission and the Council for the remarkable progress on enlargement made over the course of recent weeks. This is also the result of the fact that the European Commission has strategically prioritised enlargement since the beginning of its term in office, understanding that the safer, the more stable, the more secure our neighbours (the EU candidate countries) are, the better for the people in these countries and the better also for the European Union. Let us continue to help candidate countries to reform, modernise, become stronger, fulfil accession criteria and join us as soon as possible. Secondly, thank you very much to the Cypriot Presidency of the Council for the progress made on the multiannual financial framework.”
“Prin aceste acțiuni, să înțelegem bine, Federația Rusă testează vigilența noastră și capacitatea de reacție. Răspunsul nostru trebuie să fie clar: Uniunea Europeană își protejează cetățenii. Trebuie să ne consolidăm capacitățile de apărare, în special împotriva dronelor, și să accelerăm cooperarea cu NATO, inclusiv prin mecanismul de supraveghere al flancului estic. Statele de pe flancul estic sunt în prima linie, ca atare au nevoie de instrumente adecvate pentru a răspunde acestor amenințări tot mai frecvente. Uniunea Europeană trebuie să transmită un mesaj fără echivoc: aceste atacuri și incursiuni nu sunt tolerate. Vom fi din ce în ce mai bine pregătiți, vom proteja cetățenii. 2-0229-0000”
“Domnule președinte, dragi colegi, în noaptea zilei de 29 mai, o dronă rusească s-a prăbușit într-o clădire rezidențială din România. Două persoane au fost rănite, iar sute de oameni au fost evacuați. Este primul atac cu o dronă rusească cu victime civile pe teritoriul unui stat membru al Uniunii Europene. Ceea ce s-a întâmplat în România nu este un caz izolat, este un semnal direct că securitatea Uniunii Europene este contestată chiar pe teritoriul nostru, iar o amenințare la adresa unui stat membru este o amenințare la adresa noastră, a tuturor. Agresiunea Federației Ruse nu mai este o amenințare abstractă. Ea se manifestă aici, în țările noastre, în Uniunea Europeană, printr-un tipar constant de război hibrid: incursiuni ale dronelor, atacuri cibernetice, sabotaj, bruiaj și dezinformare.”
“This needs to be said. So standing in solidarity with them is not only a moral obligation, but it is a strategic necessity for us. This is why we, as the European Parliament, were correct to decide in January to adopt additional support to Ukraine fast, in an emergency procedure. In February we gave our positive vote to EUR 90 billion for Ukraine. We also need to say that the European Union is the largest donor for Ukraine. We are doing more for Ukraine than anyone else. We matter and we understand that we have to do more for our own security. We will invest more from the budget of the European Union in our defence. We will help Member States to invest in their defence because we know that keeps Ukraine safe, it keeps Europe safe and it keeps the aggressor away. 1-0038-0000”
“Madam President, to Ms Firmenich and everyone repeating Russia's narrative in this House: the one who started the illegal, illegitimate and unprovoked war in Ukraine is the Russian Federation. It is Vladimir Putin. This needs to be said: Russia started the war and Russia is the only one who can stop the war right now, if they so wish. To the people of Ukraine, we have to say today and every day, thank you for fighting for freedom, for democracy, for your security, but also for our security. The fight of the people of Ukraine is keeping Europe safe as well. Every night, while we sleep in peace and in our homes, millions of people in Ukraine are freezing, they are having their houses bombed, they are staying in shelters. Their daily reality is survival. And they fight not only for Ukraine, but they fight also for us. They keep Europe safe.”
“We should not believe what the Eurosceptics are telling us. No, we are not weak, we are not divided. We are strong, and now is the time to be united, clear and fast. 3-0033-0000”
“We have to act fast. We have to prioritise security. Security has to become the top priority of the European Union: food security, energy security, defence, cybersecurity, protecting our coastal areas, our border regions – that is essential. Security is also an essential component for our prosperity. We should also open up to the world. We should do more with countries that are ready to cooperate with us – the United Kingdom, Canada and other countries around the world. We should cooperate more with them in terms of defence, in terms of research, in terms of innovation and in terms of trade, because a European Union that has many allies around the world is a European Union that is strong. We have a big market on offer, we are rules‑based, we are predictable and we stand by our goal.”
“Mr President, High Representative, dear colleagues, when the President of the United States of America says that he no longer feels an obligation to think purely of peace, and that his own morality is the only thing that can stop him, then the world has changed. And this is the new reality. We should not be naive. We should not hope that things will stay as they used to be. We have to tell the truth to the people of Europe, and the only thing that matters right now is how we will act and what we will do. We need to be strong and we need to be fast, and we need to be united. We should not be weak and hesitant and slow and divided. We should tell people very clearly that things will not stay as they were. Hoping that things will stay as they were would be wrong, and hope is no strategy. We have to prioritise. We have to act.”
“The budget of the Union for the next seven years has to become a budget for the security of all citizens of Europe – a budget for food security, for energy security, for cybersecurity, for defence and for protecting our borders. Mr President, the vast majority in the European Parliament stands ready to work with you on advancing the security of Europe, on keeping Europe united and safe. 2-0113-0000”
“Hoping that the world is not changing would be wrong; hope is no strategy. The only thing that matters is what we are doing right now. We have to prioritise security. We have to change our mindset. We will have to do more to keep Europe safe. We will have to do it faster and for a longer period of time. We have to invest more. We have to cooperate with the United Kingdom and with like-minded partners. We have to prioritise our border regions, and Cyprus has a lot of experience to share with us given its strategic geographic position. We have to support our outermost regions. And if we say that security is a top priority for the European Union, it also has to be reflected in the way in which we spend.”
“Madam President, President Christodoulides, welcome back to the European Parliament, colleagues, the world is changing. The rules-based international order is being called into question, and we all have a choice to make: do we give it up or do we defend it? And I believe – and this is the clear opinion of the majority of the Members of this House – that it is in our fundamental interest to continue to defend the rules-based international order, because rules bring security, rules are good for citizens, rules are good for companies, for investments, they bring jobs, growth, prosperity. No rules means anarchy, means isolation, means poverty and means insecurity. And this is why, Mr President, the priority of the Cypriot Presidency on 'an autonomous Union' is very important and is correct right now.”
“We have said very clearly for the European Parliament, and the EPP Group is committed on this as well – the Chair, Manfred Weber, has said it, I said it and you will hear it from all of our colleagues – that the budget needs to be designed as closely as possible to the citizens. A strong goal of the regions means that we fund what is relevant to people on the ground. If we implement the budget with the regions, the absorption is faster rather than if we try to design it above their heads. This is why also ourselves, as co-rapporteurs of the Parliament, will, throughout these negotiations, stand up for a mandatory, clear role of the regions at every stage of the budget. 1-0132-0000”
“I listened very attentively to your speech. I am very happy that you highlight the need to work together also with our regions. And at the same time, I have to say that I'm a bit disappointed because when I look around in this room and when I look at the speakers' list from the EPP today, I was hoping to see a very strong voice from the Regional Committee, where we have been working very closely together with the colleagues from the EPP, but I don't see them, I don't know if they are coming, but I would like to hear their voice, because I would like to hear their voice, and from you, if you're still willing to commit to one of our main common demands, which is that regional chapters become a mandatory element of cohesion policy and the NRPPs. 1-0131-0000 Siegfried Mureşan (PPE), blue-card answer. – Thank you for the question.”
“Of course, it doesn't clarify everything, but this is why we have negotiations ahead of us: to still agree on everything. With this new proposal, we see guaranteed funding for rural areas, we see a guaranteed role for the regions and we see safeguards that all regions will receive funds. We see this is an improved proposal; we are ready to start legislative work. But of course, the European Parliament will fight for a budget which is relevant, which is modern, which is European, transparent, and which corresponds to the expectations of the citizens. (The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question) 1-0130-0000 Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle (Renew), blue-card question. – Thank you, colleague, especially for your first reaction to the colleague from ESN and for presenting such a strong pro-European voice.”
“We have also heard that the traditional priorities of the Union, which have proven their viability in time – agriculture, which guarantees food security, rural development, millions of jobs in the agriculture sector, and also cohesion policy – continue to remain relevant. We think that in these two areas, some essential improvements were needed and are still needed, and this is why we as a Parliament spoke up. We were united as pro-European groups and we said we need a common agricultural policy, which is European, which is future-oriented, which is modern. And we also need a cohesion policy in which the regions are involved. Now, the European Commission has put forward a proposal which we believe is a very important step forward. We welcome it. We see this as an improved basis for negotiations.”
“Now, adopting the budget is a core competence of every Parliament, and designing, agreeing and implementing the budget of the European Union is one of our main responsibilities as the European institutions, and the European Parliament has a major role in this. Following the presentation of the budget by the European Commission in July, we have listened to the people. We have listened to beneficiaries of EU funds, to farmers, to researchers, to small and medium-sized enterprises, and we have heard that security and defence on the one side and competitiveness on the other side should be the new priorities of the budget for the next years. This is what the European Commission is putting forward. This is also what we as a Parliament have asked, and these two priorities are clearly supported.”
“Madam President, dear Mr Jungbluth, providing support to farmers, to researchers, to students; protecting our borders; making our economies greener and more digital, more innovative; making money available for artificial intelligence – this is what Europe is doing through the budget of the European Union. What you're proposing is a weaker Europe, is weaker Member States, is bad for the citizens of Europe and bad for the enterprises of Europe. The European Parliament will be united in making sure that the budget that we are going to adopt, together with the European institutions, is relevant, future-oriented and corresponding to the expectations of the citizens.”
“They should become EU Members only once they fulfil the criteria, but we should do more in helping them to fulfil the criteria. Once they fulfil the criteria, the message needs to be sure: the door is open for them to join the European Union. 2-0089-0000”
“On this note, I would like to thank you, Prime Minister, for the contribution which the people of Luxembourg are making to the security of all of us. Luxembourg is deploying European soldiers in my home country, Romania, less than 200 km away from the border to Ukraine. We have there Luxembourgish soldiers with soldiers from other EU Member States training soldiers together and making sure that our national armed forces from all over Europe are becoming stronger and can protect us. That effort of Luxembourgish soldiers keeps Luxembourg safe, makes Luxembourg safer, and makes all of us safer. Just a word on enlargement. You're absolutely right in your appeal that we take leadership when it comes to enlargement. The more candidate countries reform, the more they modernise, the better for our security and stability.”
“Madam President, Prime Minister Frieden, welcome to the European Parliament. Luxembourg has been at the heart of European integration for more than 70 years – a founding home of European institutions and a symbol of unity, stability and confidence in the European project. You have recently stated that Europe is a necessity. This is now more true than ever. We are seeing autocrats cooperating closer around us. It is clear that we – those who believe in a strong, united European Union, those who believe in the ideals of the European project – have to cooperate even closer, and have to deliver on what the people of Europe expect. That is of course, firstly, safety, stability, security. And, secondly, a prosperous, modern, future-oriented, innovative economy. We can only be safe if we all contribute to this.”
“– We thank Mr Lazarus for mixing up everything with everything in trying to gain some of our attention, but not much of what he said is true. The European Union is a very democratic entity. This very Parliament that we are all together in is directly elected by the citizens of Europe. We have elected together the European Commission and the European Commission is making decisions, checked, controlled by the European Parliament. We have clear procedures here at European level. This is all very democratic. 3-0055-0000”
“– Profit de ocazie că a fost vorba despre autocrație și aș vrea să-l întreb pe domnul Siegfried Mureșan dacă nu cumva face o paralelă între autocrații din Est și felul în care doamna Ursula, aici de față, guvernează Europa prin Comisie. Pentru că am înțeles din Politico și celelalte ziare europene că dumneavoastră, doamna Metsola, ați dat în judecată Comisia pentru că s-a prevalat de articolul 122, ca să treacă pachetul SAFE și să-l treacă prin afara Parlamentului și nu știu în ce stadiu este acest proces. Sau e un simulacru între dumneavoastră că vă văd prietenii așa și nu mi-e clar. E un proces, nu e un proces? Vom vota aici, în Parlament, pachetul... (Președinta a retras cuvântul vorbitorului) 3-0054-0000 Siegfried Mureşan (PPE), blue-card answer.”
“These shall be the priorities of the Union for the next years, and these should also be reflected in the way in which we spend. This is what the majority of colleagues in this House stand for. And this is why we believe that as we are embarking now on the work for the budget of the Union for the next seven years, we should defend this together in the work that we are going to do. Security, competitiveness, food security and good infrastructure are strongly anchored at a local level. (The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question) 3-0053-0000 Luis-Vicențiu Lazarus (NI), întrebare adresată conform procedurii „cartonașului albastru”.”
“This is why setting security and defence, on the one side, and competitiveness, on the other side, is our top priorities for the next years, the right decision, and these two, security and competitiveness, are interlinked. We will only be able to invest more in our security if our economies are strong, and the private sector will only invest more in our economies if they feel safe and to be protected we need even more. Food security is of essence. There can be no national security without food security. And we need strong and modern infrastructures, energy infrastructure, digital infrastructure, which is innovative, modern and transport infrastructure, large cross-border projects which protect our single market, and smaller infrastructure projects which are deeply rooted at local and regional level.”
“Madam President, President von der Leyen, dear colleagues, we are surrounded by autocrats. Autocrats who want to weaken us, who cooperate ‑ look at their picture in Beijing ‑, who attack our neighbours, our values, our cyberspace and our democracies. Disinformation, cyber attacks, provocations and electoral interference are their weapons, and they are looking for servants within the 27 Member States of the Union. They challenge us from outside and they challenge us from inside. And looking away will not protect us. Nobody else will protect us unless we protect ourselves. And it is clear that to live in peace, we need to be strong.”
“O Republică Moldovă puternică și sigură înseamnă și o Uniune Europeană mai sigură și vreau să spun foarte clar: în timp ce Rusia dorește să slăbească Republica Moldova, noi dorim să întărim Republica Moldova, o republică Moldovă cât mai puternică, condusă de un guvern pro-european, fiindcă doar un guvern pro-european poate duce Republica Moldova în Uniunea Europeană. 2-0455-0000”
“A răspuns, cu sprijinul nostru, la două șantaje energetice din partea Federației Ruse, iar Republica Moldova a oferit ajutor oamenilor din Ucraina care căutau securitate. În același timp, noi, Uniunea Europeană, am sprijinit un pachet de sprijin economic de 1,9 miliarde pentru următorii trei ani, prin care vom ajuta ca în Republica Moldova școlile să devină mai moderne, spitalele să devină mai moderne, drumurile să devină mai bune și Republica Moldova să fie legată, inclusiv energetic, de țări libere, democratice din Uniunea Europeană, pentru ca niciodată, în viitor, Federația Rusă să nu mai poată șantaja și amenința Republica Moldova, cum a făcut-o în trecut. Spunem foarte clar: Republica Moldova nu este singură. O vom ajuta pe drumul integrării europene, fiindcă știm că a ajuta Republica Moldova este și sprijin pentru Uniunea Europeană.”
“Domnule președinte, doamnă comisară, stimați colegi, în ultimii patru ani, Republica Moldova a depus cerere de aderare la Uniunea Europeană. A primit statutul de stat candidat. Statele membre ale Uniunii Europene, la solicitarea Parlamentului European, ca urmare a recomandării Comisiei Europene, au decis în mod unanim că Republica Moldova devine stat candidat pentru aderarea la Uniunea Europeană și a decis, de asemenea, că Republica Moldova poate începe negocierile de aderare. Aceste negocieri sunt pregătite și ele trebuie să înceapă foarte curând. Acest lucru îl cerem și prin rezoluția Parlamentului European. Republica Moldova a început reforme esențiale, inclusiv în domeniul justiției. Republica Moldova a depășit două crize energetice.”
“People in Europe – farmers, specifically – should know exactly that support will be coming in the next seven years as well so that they can plan their investment. So our demands are clear: the common agricultural policy should remain as a distinct policy with a separate budget, which is easily identifiable with the two pillars. We want a separate legal base, and in financial terms, the support for farmers should be at least the same as it was now, adjusted to inflation. The Parliament is united behind this position. 4-0030-0000”
“They faced more pressure. They are doing more to protect the environment. They are the first victims, very often, of extreme weather conditions. They are facing price volatility. They are facing high inflation and they are also facing a shortage of labour force. We are asking more from them, so we have a duty to do more for them as well. It is in our fundamental interest. It is in the fundamental interest of the people, no matter what sector they are involved in. This is why this European Parliament has a clear position, Commissioner, particularly now with the beginning of the negotiations on the next seven‑year budget. We want to preserve the identity of the common agricultural policy.”
“Madam President, dear colleagues, the common agricultural policy is one of the core competences, the core responsibilities of the European Union. Through our implication in that area, through our support of farmers, we are guaranteeing millions of jobs in Europe in the agriculture sector. We are guaranteeing rural development, which goes way beyond agriculture, and we are guaranteeing food security and high consumer protection. Our food standards, our quality standards here in the European Union are better than anywhere else in the world. Let me say very clearly, in times of multiple security risks that we are facing from autocrats around the world, there cannot be national security without food security. Food security is now more important than ever. Farmers have faced difficult recent years. They made more efforts.”
“They should be priorities of the Danish Presidency and they are our priorities for the next years. We should also put our money where our mouth is. As the Prime Minister has said, as the Vice-President of the Commission has said, the European Commission will make their proposal on the multiannual financial framework of the Union on 16 July. We should work closely together to make sure that that will be a budget that will be adopted in time, that will give certainty to beneficiaries of EU funds, to researchers, to farmers, to the regions, to students. It should be a budget that makes Europe safer and more competitive. It should be a budget that prioritises and doesn't neglect traditional priorities. Farmers are important, regions are important and it should be a European budget, not a sum of 27 different national interests.”
“Madam President, Prime Minister, welcome back to the European Parliament. Denmark is taking over the Council Presidency at a very important moment. Setting the right priorities for the Union for the next six months is essential because, Prime Minister, your success will be our success. Truth be told, we are seeing autocrats inside the European Union and outside the European Union cooperating closely, clearly wanting to weaken our democracy, weaken our security, weaken our prosperity. Let me say clearly: we will only be able to defend our democracy and our prosperity if we fight for it. This is why setting security and defence on the one side, and competitiveness, prosperity, defending our way of life, our high social standards in Europe, are essential priorities for the next six months.”
“– În primul rând, domnul Sánchez și partidul său au pierdut alegerile în Spania, ei nu au câștigat alegerile. Au reușit să formeze o majoritate parlamentară, obținând sprijinul separatiștilor catalani, care de altfel încălcaseră Constituția Spaniei prin referendumul de independență al Cataloniei. Au reușit să obțină sprijinul lor politic, oferind o lege amplă de amnistiere a multor fapte care au constat în încălcări ale legislației spaniole în cadrul acelui referendum, dar și multe alte fapte, inclusiv de corupție. 3-0291-0000”
“(The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question) 3-0289-0000 Maria Grapini (S&D), întrebare adresată conform procedurii „cartonașului albastru”. – Stimate coleg, nu am înțeles, ați spus că domnul Sánchez a ajuns la putere ilegal. Eu știam că a fost ales prin legea amnistiei. Puteți să-mi explicați cum poate să ajungă ilegal pentru faptul că a dat o lege a amnistiei? Asta este 1 și 2, legat de fondurile europene, știți mai bine că sunteți în comisia de buget, fondurile europene sunt controlate, există control. Eu sunt la Comisia pentru control bugetar, cum poate să fie vinovat, de exemplu, un prim-ministru, un președinte, dacă cumva cineva utilizează incorect fondurile europene? 3-0290-0000 Siegfried Mureşan (PPE), răspuns la o întrebare adresată în conformitate cu procedura „cartonașului albastru”.”
“Whoever receives European funds should defend European values and we as a European Parliament want the people of Spain to receive as many funds as possible. Spain is one of the main beneficiaries of European funds. But unfortunately, the Prime Minister of Spain, through his deliberate actions against the rule of law, poses a risk to the people of Spain continuing to receive European funds. If Spain and the Spanish Government continues on this track, I am afraid that sooner or later the European funds for the people of Spain will be put into question. We do not want this to happen. We want the people of Spain to benefit from all that Europe has to offer. But clearly, the actions of the Prime Minister are a risk in that sense. Spain deserves better. The people of Spain deserve better.”
“Mr President, colleagues, Commissioners, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez came to power by breaching the rule of law through his amnesty law. Now we are all witnessing that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wants to stay in power even more by further weakening the rule of law and by encouraging and tolerating the people around him, who are breaking the rule of law. The rule of law, dear colleagues, means that the government does not control the judiciary. And if people close to the Prime Minister break the law, the obligation of the Prime Minister is to defend the law, not to defend his friends. Close friends, companions of the Prime Minister of Spain are involved in corruption cases. They are misusing European funds and this is a matter which Commissioner colleagues should concern all European institutions.”
“It's the beginning. Our clear position is that on security and defence, we will have to do more. We will have to do it faster, and we will have to do it for a longer period of time. We have to create mechanisms right now, but we also have to make sure that we provide sufficient funding for security and defence in the long term. Security and defence should become a priority for the budget of the European Union in the long term, and we should invest in those projects which firstly bring European added value ‑ people should see the European signature ‑ and, secondly, they meet the needs of the people on the ground. People should see that Europe is there to help. It spends where it is needed on the ground. 2-0028-0000”
“Unfortunately, the United States of America are turning their backs on key allies, on their neighbours, on their closest partners, and also on international institutions which they helped create, which they often led and which brought prosperity and peace for over 80 years. What should we do in this case? In this case, we should make more friends and more partners around the world, and we should strengthen the international partnerships that the European Union has. In these times, the European Union is becoming more important and more relevant to the Member States, to the citizens of Europe and also to our neighbouring countries. We're going to provide for prosperity, and we are going to do more on security and on defence. And as Manfred Weber has said in the beginning, the first step, the EUR 800 billion, is just a first package.”
“Madam President, colleagues, to everyone here in the House who wants to weaken Europe we say very clearly, the pro-European parties here in the European Parliament are united in strengthening Europe, in defending the European Union. What the Eurosceptics advocate for ‑ a weak Europe ‑ only serves the Russian Federation and autocratic regimes around the world. We want a strong European Union capable of defending its citizens. A weak European Union is a vulnerable European Union. Being stronger means that we can defend the citizens, and this is what pro-European party stand for, because this is what the people of Europe expect. Whoever believes that the world is changing is late. The world has already changed.”
“We are starting with the budget of 2026, and we believe that these will be our priorities for the foreseeable future. Congratulations to the rapporteur. 1-0063-0000”
“We want to make our economy stronger, more competitive, more resilient so that we can together invest more in the security of our citizens, in defending our countries, in protecting our external borders, in overcoming the multiple risks that we are facing. Autocrats around the world are cooperating more and more. Russia is not the only country that is trying to weaken our cyber security. That is challenging the security at our external borders. And we need to provide a clear answer. And what Andrzej Halicki is putting forward is an approach based on the priorities of all pro-European groups. We believe this has to be supported, and we believe that particularly in the area of security, defence, protecting the citizens, we will have to do more, faster and for a longer period of time.”