10 Written explanations of Juozas OLEKAS

I voted in favour of the Motion since it is important to address the delays in implementation in programmes in the current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the consequent reduction in payment appropriations. It calls Member States to press ahead with implementation, with the Commission’s support, to ensure the full absorption of available appropriations. Proposal also stresses the need to avoid a payments crisis at the end of the current MFF. Point related to cut in payment appropriations to the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) proposed by the Commission on account of the fact that a number of high-value invoices are still under analysis and some payment conditionality requirements are not yet met for certain projects is also a point of concern. Delays might be highly problematic since AMIF must be flexible and responsive in the event of migratory flows. Therefore, we call on the Commission to expedite the process in order to be able to fully support Member States when they face high migration flows.

I voted in favour of the provisional agreement because to achieve a fully functional area of freedom, security and justice, it is important that all Member States seek to reduce existing disparities regarding digitalisation, address the fragmentation of national justice systems and take advantage of the opportunities offered by the relevant Union funding mechanisms. Digitalisation of proceedings should ensure access to justice for all, including people in situation of vulnerability. Member States should ensure that accessible and free of charge technical assistance services are provided to natural or legal persons and their legal or authorised representatives who may require them in order to use the national IT portals, where available.

I voted in favour due to the reason that the INI report on the Strategic Compass and EU space-based defence capabilities constitutes an EP response to the EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence. It focuses on five priority areas: (i) protection and resilience of systems; (ii) response to threats; (iii) competitiveness and investment; (iv) governance; (v) cooperation.In the current geopolitical context of increasing strategic competition and multiplication of threats, the EU adopted, on 10 March 2023, its first ever EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence. The Strategy, which is part of the implementation of the EU Strategic Compass that identifies space as a strategic domain, offers an ambitious framework to protect EU space assets, defend its interests, deter hostile activities in space, and strengthen its strategic posture and autonomy.

I voted in favor of the proposal since it aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the work carried out by the committee in 2022 and includes a statistical analysis of the petitions received and processed as well as a stocktaking of other parliamentary activities such as the adoption of reports and opinions, the organisation of hearings and the committee’s relations with other EU institutions. It is worth recalling that the core work of the Committee on Petitions generates from the right to petition the European Parliament exercised by EU citizens and residents.

I supported this proposal since the TCA between the UK and the EU is unique among other TCAs between the EU and third countries, as this agreement deals with trade and cooperation with a former EU Member State. In this way, the TCA replaced the existing trade and cooperation which had been in place while the UK was still a Member State and benefited from the EU customs union and the single market.Despite Brexit, the UK and the EU remain neighbours and continue to share common interests and values on the global stage. Therefore, the slow progress in the negotiations under the previous UK Governments was particularly regrettable. The relationship between the UK and EU has seemingly improved since the end of 2022, culminating in the political agreement on the Windsor Framework.

I voted in favour because the EU needs more and better preventive action and increased capacity to respond to emergencies. Those challenges cannot be met by minor adjustments to governance or communication. Innovation and inclusion are needed, and the focus must be on people, especially preventing and mitigating their suffering.The aim of this resolution is to provide a solid contribution towards building an innovative humanitarian aid strategy and to ensure crises are addressed because they are serious and not just for their political or media visibility. It is important not to let crises go forgotten or leave vulnerable people deprived of the support they need.As a European Parliament report, it was drawn up after hearing actors on the ground, funders and policymakers. It draws on their experience, knowledge, practices and reflections on the transformation and implementation challenges that we need to tackle and overcome.

I voted in favour of the proposal since the green transition should be an opportunity for working people to create more and better jobs with stable employment, fair pay and decent working conditions, with workers and trade unions being involved at every stage of the process.In the transition to net zero, a pure focus on skills and the quantity of job creation would not bring justice if in-work poverty and inequality, economic insecurity and precarious work continue to grow. Necessary change should enable upward convergence and not jeopardise quality employment.At the same time, public support to companies should always be conditional on respect for workers’ rights. The EU and Member States can have a powerful steering effect, making sure that companies benefiting from EU support upgrade their working conditions and invest in jobs that are sustainable.

I supported the proposal due to the fact that the harnessing of talents in EU regions must have the European Pillar of Social Rights at the core of its action. Talent drain is closely linked to the need for improving working and living conditions in low-income regions with social and economic disparities, aligning the social pillar with the commitment to reducing such disparities.In this regard, policymakers need to increase their efforts to create learning and working opportunities, adapting education and training programmes to the skills required by a job market in constant transformation. To that end, social partners, universities, research institutes and the private sector need to be fully involved in the conversation, creating synergies and putting forward projects that better reflect each territory’s socio-economic reality.

I voted in favour of the proposal since it strongly regrets the Commission’s lack of enforcement measures and legislative follow-up to Parliament’s recommendation.We call on the Commission to respect the principle of sincere cooperation between Union institutions, and to comply with the obligations set out in the Framework Agreement and the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making.Therefore, it is important immediately to present a plan of measures to prevent the abuse of spyware in the EU without undue delay, making full use of all available legislative and non-legislative means provided by the European Treaties.

I voted in favour of the resolution since every year, the Commission publishes a report on monitoring the application of EU law during the preceding year. The report reviews key aspects of the application of EU law by Member States and the Commission’s actions to enforce it in the next year. The report sets out the Commission’s most important investigations and infringement procedures under the Commission’s political priorities and presents infringement cases, EU Pilot processes and complaints by policy area and Member State.