Paulius Saudargas
Member of the European Parliament · PPE · LT
“Madam President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, the European single market still feels like 27 separate islands when our companies try to scale. Europe is not losing competitiveness because we lack innovation, but because our market is too fragmented. Different rules, different forms and procedures, different tax systems.”
“Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, the action plan on cybersecurity and AI is a welcome step in supporting our Member States and companies to navigate the digital transition. But regulation alone will not solve our innovation deficit or mitigate the threats we face.”
“Now, we must ensure these frameworks are enforced effectively, and our own tech gets adequate financing. We should become creators, not only regulators. Cybersecurity and AI are our security issue too. Last year, Europe recorded thousands of major cyber incidents, largely traced back to actors in Russia and China.”
“Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, when hostile actors target a national register, they are not merely stealing data, they are targeting trust in our state institutions. This is why the recent breach of Lithuania's centre of registers is so alarming.”
“The EU has already taken important steps to strengthen our collective cybersecurity. Through NIS2, we are raising security standards for critical sectors and public administration across Europe. Through the Cyber Solidarity Act, we are improving our ability to detect threats early, share intelligence and support Member States.”
“Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the first and perhaps biggest challenge for European cybersecurity is that Europe is falling behind the United States and China in the development of advanced AI technologies.”
The complete record
Every one of 36 lines we hold for Paulius Saudargas, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account.
“Madam President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, the European single market still feels like 27 separate islands when our companies try to scale. Europe is not losing competitiveness because we lack innovation, but because our market is too fragmented. Different rules, different forms and procedures, different tax systems. The 28th regime could be a flexible solution. My home country, Lithuania, has already proven that a flexible regulatory environment creates a massive competitive advantage. Look at our fintech sector: in 2018 it was just starting, and by 2025, over 250 companies were thriving. We had what European companies need. One trusted digital entry point. A single legal company form valid across the entire Union. Clear rules and a unified tax base for cross-border activities. Let's listen to them.”
“Now, we must ensure these frameworks are enforced effectively, and our own tech gets adequate financing. We should become creators, not only regulators. Cybersecurity and AI are our security issue too. Last year, Europe recorded thousands of major cyber incidents, largely traced back to actors in Russia and China. In my home country, Lithuania, we recorded nearly 4 000 incidents, averaging 10 attacks every single day. Advanced AI is now making these threats exponentially more dangerous. So let me stress this: Europe's security and competitiveness are only as strong as the technology we control. 2-0336-0000”
“Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, the action plan on cybersecurity and AI is a welcome step in supporting our Member States and companies to navigate the digital transition. But regulation alone will not solve our innovation deficit or mitigate the threats we face. In 2024, the United States produced 40 notable AI models, China produced 15, while Europe produced only three. We are heavily dependent on foreign cloud and other digital technologies. To bridge this gap, we need aggressive public‑private investment in European computing capacity, critical digital infrastructure, cloud computing, data centres and advanced connectivity. We have built a robust regulatory foundation with the Digital Markets Act, Cyber Resilience Act, etc.”
“The EU has already taken important steps to strengthen our collective cybersecurity. Through NIS2, we are raising security standards for critical sectors and public administration across Europe. Through the Cyber Solidarity Act, we are improving our ability to detect threats early, share intelligence and support Member States. Agencies, such as ENISA, together with national cybersecurity authorities, are helping to build a stronger and more coordinated European response. So, dear colleagues, more single market for cybersecurity as well. 3-0244-0000”
“Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, when hostile actors target a national register, they are not merely stealing data, they are targeting trust in our state institutions. This is why the recent breach of Lithuania's centre of registers is so alarming. More than 600 000 records were unlawfully accessed, including personal identification data, addresses and property information. Among those affected may be public officials or members of the security services, whose data could be exploited by hostile intelligence services. Investigation could lead to foreign state involvement. This would not be a technical incident. It would be another hybrid attack. Cyber threats do not stop at national borders, and neither should our ability to prevent, detect and respond to them. We need coordinated European cyber defence architecture.”
“Now, advanced AI systems are making these threats even more dangerous. At the same time, Europe still depends heavily on non-European AI technologies. We are strong in regulation, but not in capability. Legislation such as the European Chips Act should help Europe strengthen its own AI capacities. We need European innovation, European computing capacity and European expertise in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Our task is not only to regulate existing, but to boost creation of our own technologies, strengthening Europe's security and resilience. 2-0089-0000”
“Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the first and perhaps biggest challenge for European cybersecurity is that Europe is falling behind the United States and China in the development of advanced AI technologies. Last year, 5 000 major cyber-incidents were recorded across Europe, and behind this activity we usually see Russia and China. This is not only a technological challenge, but rather security and defence. Lithuania and other countries on the eastern border have experienced for years cyberattacks, disinformation and hybrid operations against our institutions and critical infrastructure. In Lithuania alone, authorities recorded nearly 4 000 cyber incidents last year – a 63 % increase compared to the previous years, amounting to more than 10 cyber incidents every single day.”
“Prisiminkime Vengrijos, Slovakijos, Sakartvelo ar dar ryškesnį Baltarusijos atvejį. Kelias į autoritarizmą prasideda nuo laisvo žodžio pavergimo. Gėda ir liūdna, kad šiuo keliu eina mano tėvynės – Lietuvos – valdžia. Prašau, atsikvošėkit. Suprantama, kad vargu ar atsikvošės iš antisemitizmo paraščių išplaukusi „Nemuno aušra“ ir senukus stumdantis jos atamanas. Tačiau lyderystės krizės ištikti socialdemokratai bei susipainioję valstiečiai gal dar galėtų. Tiesiog prisipažinkit, kad suklydot, ir baikit. (Kalbėtojas sutiko atsakyti į mėlynosios kortelės klausimą) 3-0413-0000 Petras Gražulis (ESN), pakėlus mėlynąją kortelę pateiktas klausimas. – Ponas kolega. (Kalba pertraukta) Noriu paklausti, ar jūs (kai kurie žodžiai nesigirdėjo) ant Europos? Ar jūs manote, kad yra teisinga skirti direktorių ir atleisti viešu balsavimu dviejų trečdalių?”
“Mr President, dear colleagues, this time I will speak Lithuanian. Nes kreipiuosi labiau į Lietuvos valdžią. Privirėt košės, kurios svilėsio kvapas pasiekė Europą. Tikrai labai gėda, kad šioje salėje turime apie tai kalbėti, bet kalbėti reikia. Tik tiesus ir atviras žodis gali sustabdyti kėsinimąsi į žodžio laisvę. Kaip kitaip galima pavadinti valdžios veiksmus, nukreiptus Lietuvos nacionalinio transliuotojo LRT politizavimo ir užvaldymo kryptimi? Suprantama, ir galima diskusija dėl LRT įstatymo valdymo ir finansavimo, tačiau kai visa tai kompleksiškai skubos tvarka stumiama buldozeriu, ne tik kad nesitariant su visuomene, ekspertais, žurnalistų asociacijomis, bet nepaisant gausių protestų. Kyla negerų paralelių su valstybėmis, kuriose žodžio laisvė yra pavojuje ar jau paminta.”
“Smaller local providers fear this will create an uneven playing field compared to large providers capable of operating across all 27 Member States under a single passport. Although mechanisms are introduced to lower entry barriers and facilitate expansion for smaller firms, the overall direction appears to favour large‑scale infrastructure investment. In conclusion, the regulation that leads to increased market concentration risks undermining smaller and more innovative telecom operators. This could ultimately result in higher costs for end users and reduce innovation – an outcome we must avoid. 3-0278-0000”
“Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, I share much of the vision outlined by the Commission. I strongly support actions to mitigate hybrid threats, strengthening cyber security measures, enhancing resilience and preparedness. Digital networks must be treated as critical infrastructure. I equally share the European Union's ambition to become a more competitive global player through harmonisation, the creation of a genuine single market and the use of economies of scale. However, this is also where I have some concerns. While the act is, in theory, intended to support all market participants, there are growing fears among smaller telecommunication operators regarding competition. The DNA seeks to centralise operations to deploy pan‑European services.”
“Cyber- and hybrid attacks are not occasional incidents. They are persistent and state-linked. In most cases, more obviously or not, we have Russia or China on the opposite side. Cyber risks have grown faster than our rules, while fragmentation and uncertainty still weaken the single market. That is why the revision of the Cybersecurity Act is both timely and necessary. This also means recognising the growing role of ENISA – the revised act must ensure that ENISA has a clear mandate, the right tools and adequate resources. So far, our main expectations appear to be reflected in the Commission's approach. If we certify toys and foods for safety, we must also certify the digital systems that run our hospitals, our energy networks and our public administrations. 2-0288-0000”
“Madam President, dear Commissioner, thank you for your presentation. Dear colleagues, in the digital era and with AI involvement in most aspects of existence, cybersecurity is of utmost importance. Considering the single market of the European Union, we should accept that there will be not separate, individual cybersecurity systems in different Member States, different areas or companies. More and more, we are interlinked in our digital economy, hence cybersecurity incidents in one place can result in an overall security issue. Altogether, as the European Union, we must stop the threats coming from third countries. Every week we face systematic and mostly state-sponsored cyber-attacks targeting our resilience, our economy, our democracy. For countries on the eastern flank, this pressure is even stronger.”
“The European Parliament has rightly called for stronger protection of minors online, including age-appropriate design and restrictions on harmful practices, as well as clear age limits for social media. These priorities must be addressed not only in content regulation but also in commercial practices. 3-0463-0000”
“Madam President, Commissioner, colleagues, our market is flooded with millions of parcels sold online, often from third-country sellers entering the EU with minimal checks. Too many of these products are unsafe, non-compliant and impossible to trace when something goes wrong. Consumer rights are meaningless if enforcement stops at the border. Online marketplaces play a central role in this. Their business model is built on scale, speed, and aggressive marketing, including dark patterns, constant promotions, and influencer driven sales. They cannot continue to profit from exposure while claiming no responsibility for what is sold on their platforms. But we must also talk about who is most exposed - Children. Minors are increasingly targeted by online advertising for cheap, unsafe and inappropriate products.”
“Dear colleagues, if tomorrow you wake up in a world where all your daily equipment – mobile, computer, vehicles, you name it – are made in China, do not expect that your daily decisions will not be made in China. 2-0260-0000”
“Madam President, colleagues, China is playing hard. For example, Lithuania continues to be brutally blackmailed. Politically motivated sanitary and phytosanitary restrictions on Lithuanian exports remain in place, as do sanctions against two Lithuanian banks. Yes, the EU has managed to defuse recent escalations on rare earths, but you never know. We must use more strictly the instruments already at our disposal, including investment, screening and enforcement, also an asymmetrical response, like tariffs on small packages, which are flooding our market with a pace of 12 million per day. Our response must be proactive, diversifying supply chains – including recycling and circularity – activating domestic mining and cooperation with like-minded partners, still including the United States.”
“6.9 TC "6.9 - Изменение на механизма за суспендиране на безвизовия режим (A10-0035/2025 - Matjaž Nemec) (гласуване)" \f 1 TC "6.9 - Revisión del mecanismo de suspensión de visados (A10-0035/2025 - Matjaž Nemec) (votación)" \f 2 TC "6.9 - Revize mechanismu pozastavení vízové povinnosti (A10-0035/2025 - Matjaž Nemec) (hlasování)" \f 3 TC "6.9 - Revision af mekanismen til suspension af visumfritagelsen (A10-0035/2025 - Matjaž Nemec) (afstemning)" \f 4 TC "6.9 - Überarbeitung des Visa-Aussetzungsmechanismus (A10-0035/2025 - Matjaž Nemec) (Abstimmung)" \f 5 TC "6.9 - Viisanõudest vabastamise peatamise korra läbivaatamine (A10-0035/2025 - Matjaž Nemec) (hääletus)" \f 6 TC "6.9 - Αναθεώρηση του μηχανισμού αναστολής θεωρήσεων (A10-0035/2025 - Matjaž Nemec) (ψηφοφορία)" \f 7 TC "6.9 - Revision of the Visa Suspension Mechanism (A10-0035/2025 - Matjaž Nemec) (vote)" \f 8 TC "6.9 - Révision du mécanisme de suspension des visas (A10-0035/2025 - Matjaž Nemec) (vote)" \f 9 TC "6.9 - Athbhreithniú ar an Sásra Fionraíochta Víosaí (A10-0035/2025 - Matjaž Nemec) (vótáil)" \f A TC "6.9 - Revizija mehanizma suspenzije viza (A10-0035/2025 - Matjaž Nemec) (glasovanje)" \f B TC "6.9 - Revisione del meccanismo di sospensione dei visti (A10-0035/2025 - Matjaž Nemec) (votazione)" \f C TC "6.9 - Vīzu režīma apturēšanas mehānisma pārskatīšana (A10-0035/2025 - Matjaž Nemec) (balsošana)" \f D TC "6.9 - Bevizio režimo sustabdymo mechanizmo peržiūra (A10-0035/2025 - Matjaž Nemec) (balsavimas)" \f E TC "6.9 - A vízummentesség-felfüggesztési mechanizmus felülvizsgálata (A10-0035/2025 - Matjaž Nemec) (szavazás)" \f F TC "6.9 - Reviżjoni tal-Mekkaniżmu ta’ Sospensjoni tal-Viża (A10-0035/2025 - Matjaž Nemec) (votazzjoni)" \f G TC "6.9 - Herziening van het opschortingsmechanisme voor de vrijstelling van de visumplicht (A10-0035/2025 - Matjaž Nemec) (stemming)" \f H TC "6.9 - Zmiana rozporządzenia (UE) 2018/1806 w odniesieniu do zmiany mechanizmu zawieszającego (A10-0035/2025 - Matjaž Nemec) (głosowanie)" \f I TC "6.9 - Revisão do mecanismo de suspensão da isenção de visto (A10-0035/2025 - Matjaž Nemec) (votação)" \f J TC "6.9 - Revizuirea mecanismului de suspendare a exceptării de la obligativitatea vizelor (A10-0035/2025 - Matjaž Nemec) (vot)" \f K TC "6.9 - Revízia mechanizmu pozastavenia (A10-0035/2025 - Matjaž Nemec) (hlasovanie)" \f L TC "6.9 - Sprememba mehanizma zadržanja (A10-0035/2025 - Matjaž Nemec) (glasovanje)" \f M TC "6.9 - Viisumivapauden keskeyttämismekanismin tarkistaminen (A10-0035/2025 - Matjaž Nemec) (äänestys)" \f N TC "6.9 - Översyn av upphävandemekanismen (A10-0035/2025 - Matjaž Nemec) (omröstning)" \f ORevision of the Visa Suspension Mechanism (A10-0035/2025 - Matjaž Nemec) (vote) 2-0144-0000”
“This moves us towards a cross-sectoral integrated reporting framework where data is submitted once, then shared and reused as much as possible. This is a crucial step towards smarter supervision, less red tape, and stronger trust in our financial system. It is also about Europe's competitiveness: by simplifying reporting, we give smaller players and innovators more space to grow while laying the foundations for a modern, digital EU financial data space. Let us send a strong signal today: Europe is serious about efficiency, about innovation and about making regulation work better for everyone. I count on your support.”
“Madam President, dear colleagues, I hope that we all do agree that one of the main challenges of the European Union is the administrative burden. So if we want to cut red tape in the financial sector, we have the chance to do it now by adopting this legislation without a delay. The political compromise we reached delivers important progress. The scope has been broadened: not only the three European supervisory authorities, but also the Single Resolution Board and the newly established European Anti-Money Laundering Authority will be covered by the new rules. The European Systemic Risk Board will also be included to some extent. We agreed on the 'report once' principle. The European supervisory authorities will prepare a report on a possible single integrated reporting system.”
“Farmers near the border struggle to cultivate their land due to interference that disrupts connected tools such as drainage systems. Even private devices and civilian applications are being impacted. Most importantly, Russia remains largely unaccountable before the international community. Actors who disregard international rules and pose a direct threat to the safety of international transport must be sanctioned. Our response must be firm and coordinated: strong sanctions and investment in resilient technologies. 3-0458-0000”
“Madam President, dear Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, dear colleagues, countries bordering Russia have been facing hybrid warfare, including GPS disruptions, for years. A major incident such as the spoofing of the plane carrying Madam President Ursula von der Leyen and you, dear Commissioner, was unfortunately only a matter of time. Russia is developing technologies not only to target specific regions of the European Union, but to threaten Europe as a whole. The number of spoofing and jamming sources continues to rise. For example, in 2025, the number of spoofing sources in the Kaliningrad region alone, bordering Lithuania, increased from 5 to 29. This phenomenon increasingly extends beyond the aviation sector. The maritime sector is affected, with ships forced to bypass seaports because their signals are jammed.”
“However, the recent accusations against President Ursula von der Leyen for her necessary actions during the pandemic are nothing more than political theatre and reveal a troubling lack of understanding of how crisis must be managed. In times of emergency we need leadership, strong political will and immediate action. We need courageous and effective decision-making because delays can cost thousands of lives. That is why we must empower our leaders to act with flexibility and speed when crisis strikes. I hope that one day we will find a common legislative recipe for that. With rising geopolitical tensions and hybrid threats, Europe must be ready. 3-0411-0000”
“Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, the recent years have taught us painful but vital lessons. From the war in Ukraine to the COVID‑19 pandemic. We have seen how fragile supply chains can be when crisis strikes. Solidarity must be backed by preparedness. I congratulate the Commission for responding to these lessons. The Union is putting in place a coordinated approach to securing access to essential goods, from fuel and food to medicine. We are establishing a new stockpiling network to share best practices, identify gaps and avoid duplication. But this strategy is not only about storage. It is about speed, coordination and resilience.”
“With the digital euro, we ensure that monetary sovereignty remains in European hands, while enhancing our resilience in the face of international policy uncertainty. 3-0507-0000”
“Mr President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the development of digital markets, the introduction of the digital euro and trusted digital identities are the building blocks of a digitally resilient European Union. These initiatives strengthen the single market, empower our businesses to innovate, and give our citizens greater control and security in the digital age. About 63 % of euro area card-based transactions are processed by non-European countries, and 13 out of 20 Eurozone countries are dependent entirely on international card schemes or mobile solutions. Foreign platforms dominate e-payment solutions and mobile apps. Reliance on intermediary banks costs eurozone firms EUR 20 billion annually in fees.”
“The unprovoked and unjust invasion of Ukraine, war crimes, genocide of the Ukrainian people and mass propaganda mirrors the aggression and the suffering we once said would never be tolerated. I ask everyone here today to keep that promise. Not any peace, but a just peace must be our ultimate goal, and only then, for the final time, can we say 'never again'. 4-0064-0000”
“Mr President, honourable colleagues, eighty years ago Europe rose from the ashes of the most brutal war in human history. However, in some European countries, the suffering was not over. For Lithuanians, Latvians, Estonians, Ukrainians, Poles and many other nations occupied by the Soviet Union, it was the beginning of the new wave of Stalin's repressions. Imprisonment in gulags, mass deportations to extreme exile demolished millions of lives. But we resisted; we fought the enemy. We fought alone. In Lithuania and Ukraine the partisan war lasted for a decade, taking away thousands of the bravest. We must remember this in the context nowadays, because the enemy is the same. The peacemakers of the Second World War declared 'we will never let this happen again'. Well, today these very foundations are under attack once more.”
“Rebuilding them means restoring the dignity and the hope of millions of Ukrainians. As we look towards peace, we must recognise that rebuilding Ukraine is a strategic investment for the future stability and security of our continent. (The President cut off the speaker) 3-0045-0000”
“Madam President, Commissioner, honourable colleagues, as a consequence of Russia's brutal, unprovoked war against Ukraine, damage to Ukraine's infrastructure is estimated to be around EUR 160 billion. Following the full-scale invasion, its GDP contracted by nearly 30 %. We must help Ukraine achieve a lasting and just peace and ensure that it has access to all the available tools for rebuilding. But it is only the economy numbers that can be calculated. But who will evaluate the thousands of lives that were lost in terroristic attacks against civilian infrastructure during this Kremlin's genocide against the Ukrainian nation? They die and suffer, also for us. Our moral debt to Ukraine is uncountable. We should focus more on frontline regions like Kherson and Kharkiv, which are constantly under attack – even now, as we speak.”
“Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia recently disconnected from the BRELL electricity grid. For years, the Baltic states relied on an energy system that could be manipulated externally. For years, we invested in infrastructure to finally break free. This example must serve as a broader lesson for the EU. We must extend this thinking to our communication networks, ensuring that they remain secure, autonomous and resilient against external threats. A Europe that cannot safeguard its own communications infrastructure is a Europe at risk. 4-0154-0000”
“Mr President, dear colleagues, it is a textbook reality that when an unfriendly state prepares for military aggression, it begins with disinformation, cyber‑attacks and disruption of communication infrastructure. This strategy has been evident for decades and we have witnessed it when Russia attacked Ukraine. The same tactics to disrupt communication networks are being observed in various parts of the European Union itself – for example, the recent undersea cable sabotage in the Baltic Sea. Our sovereignty is only as strong as our resilience, including the resilience of our strategic infrastructure. Information is power, and the ability to control and protect our communication networks is a fundamental pillar of security. Yet the EU remains dangerously exposed to external dependencies in this domain.”
“Both Russia and China are major potential threats for regional and global stability as well as peace. Let us unite our efforts. We should target China in alliance with the EU, rather than open several front lines with transatlantic allies. If Washington truly views Europe as a trusted partner, it should work with us to strengthen transatlantic AI cooperation, not create artificial barriers within our own borders, and together confront our common threats. 2-0464-0000”
“Madam President, dear Commissioner, colleagues, by granting some of the EU Member States greater access while restricting others, the US fragments our unified approach to AI development and places certain European countries at a competitive disadvantage, despite all being part of the same economic and regulatory framework. Treating EU Member States differently in AI chip access contradicts the spirit of transatlantic cooperation and weakens Europe's ability to develop a strong, independent AI sector. The EU relies on American‑made AI chips, but we cannot allow this dependency to be used as a tool to divide us. This division is especially sensitive in the current geopolitical context, where unity and resilience are critical. The EU and US have something in common: the same enemies and threats.”
“Tracking and recovering them is an immensely difficult task. The European Union cannot stand by. It is vital to support identification efforts and the creation of a global genetic database, and to impose sanctions on individuals and entities involved in war crimes. Let us provide assistance to the Ukrainian authorities in their search for the missing. Slava Ukraini! 1-0175-0000”
“Mr President, 63 000 Ukrainian people, both military and civilians, are listed as missing. Arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances have become routine Russian tactics. Among those reported missing are Ukrainian prisoners of war, who face brutal treatment and are unlawfully prosecuted under false criminal charges. In its treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war, Russia is violating the Geneva Convention. One of the most distressing aspects of this crisis is the abduction of Ukrainian children. Since the beginning of the invasion, nearly 20 000 children have been forcibly taken to Russia. This is part of a calculated policy of genocide against Ukrainians. The identity of these children is being erased. They are stripped of their Ukrainian heritage, issued new Russian identity papers and placed for adoption.”