[ParlTrack]

I support this deal.The decision is based on the expectation that, in the interest of maintaining close relations, the United Kingdom will grant full visa reciprocity to the nationals of all Member States.This should be reciprocal and based on the mutual interest of both sides of the Channel.

2016/11/22

I support this report that underlines that in order to support the transition towards a more circular economy, public financing of waste management should be consistent with the goal of shifting upwards in the implementation of the waste hierarchy; therefore believes that funds should be directed towards prevention, reuse, separate collection and recycling plans and projects.

2016/11/22

I support the difficult compromise reached. I am aware the Eastern and Central European countries are not happy about the outcome, but this is a difficult balance found between freedoms under the single market and fair competition across Europe.Given the high mobility of workforce in the road transport sector, sector—specific rules are needed to ensure the balance between the freedom to provide cross—border services for operators, the free movement of goods and the social protection of drivers. Therefore, the aim of this directive is to provide legal certainty and clarity, to contribute to the harmonisation and fostering of enforcement and to the fight against illegal practices and a lower administrative burden.

2016/11/22

I support the difficult compromise reached. I am aware the Eastern and Central European countries are not happy about the outcome but this is a difficult balance found between freedoms under the single market and fair competition across Europe.Good working conditions for drivers and fair business conditions for road transport undertakings are of paramount importance to creating a safe, efficient and socially accountable and non-discriminatory road transport sector, which is able to attract qualified workers. To facilitate that process it is essential that the Union social rules in road transport are clear, proportionate, fit for purpose, easy to apply and to enforce and implemented in an effective and consistent manner throughout the Union.

2016/11/22

I support the delicate compromise found. In order to combat the phenomenon of so-called ‘letterbox companies’ and guarantee fair competition and a level playing field in the internal market, clearer establishment criteria, more intensive monitoring and enforcement, and improved cooperation between Member States is necessary. Road transport operators established in a Member State should have a real and continuous presence in that Member State and actually conduct their transport business and perform substantial activities from there. Therefore, and in light of experience, it is necessary to clarify and strengthen the provisions regarding the existence of an effective and stable establishment, while avoiding a disproportionate administrative burden.

2016/11/22

I support this resolution but have always kept the interest of the Barcelona and Mediterranean fleet and specificities in mind. It is first and foremost in fishermen’s interest that fishing remains a sustainable business. I voted in favour of helping them renew their fleet so that it is more modern and more efficient and sustainable.

2016/11/22

I support this report, it sets common security standards for ID cards and residence documents issued to EU nationals.At present there are more than 250 different versions of identity cards and residence permits in circulation in the EU with various security features, which increases the risk of documents being falsified or used fraudulently.Liberal and Democrat MEPs regard the new regulation as an important step forward to minimise document fraud, identity theft and in the fight against terrorism. The new cards will have a standardised format with two biometric identifiers (the facial image and two fingerprints) and the EU flag as a new feature. All these elements combined will facilitate the free movement of EU citizens, reduce administrative hassle and strengthen the internal security of the Union.

2016/11/22

I agree with this initiative because it sets an individual pension product which is deemed to be truly European. It is meant to be voluntary, complementary, flexible and it won’t presuppose the creation of a parallel European-wide pension system. This is a competence that stays in the hands of the Member States. The Union had to give an incentive for those workers that work throughout its territory, making the freedom of movement tangible.

2016/11/22

I agree with this directive because it is one of the first deliverables of the European Pillar for Social Rights. The EU needs to give answers to labour issues and address the work-life balance challenges faced by working parents and carers. This directive focuses on targeting measures to address the under-representation of women in employment by improving the conditions of reconciling working and private duties, but also their unequal treatment and opportunities in the labour market. It seeks to introduce a number of new or higher minimum standards for parental, paternity and carers’ leave, which are geared at helping to address the anomalies that exist in achieving a work life balance for both parents and carers. The Rapporteur believes that these measures are both timely and necessary in order to improve access to work-life balance arrangements and to better reflect the changing working patterns in our society.

2016/11/22

I support this useful fund. For 60 years now, the European Social Fund (ESF) has been promoting employment, improving skills and fostering social inclusion. The ESF has a legal basis in the Treaty as one of the EU structural funds aiming to strengthen the EU’s economic, social and territorial cohesion and reduce disparities between regions.

2016/11/22

I agree to extend the Excise Movement and Control System to intra EU movements of excise goods that are released for consumption, in order to simplify the procedure and allow for proper monitoring of such movements, and to provide a base for the governance of further automations of processes defined by Union excise legislation, where such automation is considered beneficial.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because I believe the EU is setting worldwide standards with it, being a pioneer in the setting—up of a sustainable finance package that will revolutionise Europe’s economy. We need to be courageous and open ourselves for a new type of finance, a greener and more social one, where investments have a clear sustainable meaning. I want to take also the occasion to thank Mrs Lieve Wierinck, ALDE’s shadow rapporteur for the ECON Committee, who has done a great job.

2016/11/22

I support this report. The primary objective of Union’s development cooperation policy, as laid down in Article 208 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU’) is the reduction and, in the long term, the eradication of poverty.The Union’s development cooperation policy also contributes to the objectives of the Union’s external action, in particular to foster the sustainable economic, social and environmental development of developing countries, with the primary aim of eradicating poverty, as set out in Article 21(2)(d) TEU, and to preserve lasting peace, prevent conflicts and strengthen international security.This instrument is a guarantee for the EU’s future, security and prosperity as well.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because I also think it is important to ensure the necessary protection for consumers in businesses, and the ability of businesses to operate in the single market. To prevent the misuse of representative actions, elements such as punitive damages and the absence of limitations should be avoided. Also, clear rules on various procedural aspects, such as the designation of qualified entities, the origin of their funds and nature of the information required to support the representative action, should be put forward. Consumers have to be duly protected, as much as businesses.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this vote and I am in favour of good cooperation in as many fields as possible with a friend and ally such as Israel in the Mediterranean area. I want to recall that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East despite all the problems and imperfections one wants to underline. Many of our European Union Member States are far from perfect democracies; let’s not forget that when we give lessons to others.

2016/11/22

I support a new comprehensive agreement between the EU and Uzbekistan because it recommends to renew Uzbek commitment to the advancement of democratic standards, the principles of good governance and the rule of law, always with the EU’s help, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of religion or belief.

2016/11/22

I did not support this change because in Catalonia we do not see the need to change the current state of affairs when it comes to the seasonal changes of time. Time changing is a very sensitive topic and I think it has not been duly assessed. Also, the Iberian peninsula has currently 2 time zones: Portugal has the UK time, while Spain has the continent’s, when it should have Portugal’s. In Catalonia we see that more consensus is needed in order to make such a great change.

2016/11/22

I will vote against this directive unless Articles 11 and 13 (now Article 17) are deleted. I don’t think the balance between right holders and people’s freedom of expression is achieved in a balanced way in these articles as they stand.I respect serious journalists’ and creators’ work. As these two articles stand, I need to choose priorities in rights. That’s the sad reality today.As a Catalan I am very sensitive to freedom of expression. I am aware of the Spanish attempts to shut down people’s voice on online platforms and social media because of critical dissident voices expressed. To me the full freedom of expression of people on the internet should not be limited. I cannot take the risk to play with this fundamental right.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this initiative because I also think that the EU should lead the sustainability transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient, more resource-efficient and circular economy. Benchmarks are therefore necessary, as they are key in ensuring the long-term competitiveness of the Union economy. Sustainability has long been at the heart of the EU project, and the Treaties give recognition to its social and environmental dimensions. Voting in favour of climate protection means following the fundamental values with which this Union started more than 60 years ago.

2016/11/22

I support this resolution that calls on the Member States and the EU institutions to recognise that people of African descent are subjected to racism, discrimination and xenophobia in particular, and to the unequal enjoyment of human and fundamental rights in general, amounting to structural racism, and that they are entitled to protection from these inequities both as individuals and as a group, including positive measures for the promotion and the full and equal enjoyment of their rights.Some Member States should take responsibility and apologise for the negative aspects and consequences of past colonisation. Stolen objects in art for example should be given back to the African countries.

2016/11/22

The Special Committee on financial crimes, tax evasion and tax avoidance by Kofod (S&D) is very thorough and precise; it is a great work of assessment, proposals and study of the current tax situation in the Union. I am especially interested in the points where the report mentions the need to reform the market of the audit companies, as they are commonly hired to manage tax reporting by large corporates. This long report is a very good parliamentary work.

2016/11/22

. ‒ Knowing that cross-border regions make up approximately 40% of the Union’s territory, I am in favour of this report because it wants to deepen such a mechanism. In Catalonia we can count on the Hospital de Cerdanya, for example. It is a cross-border hospital between Spain and France, in a large Catalan-speaking area on both sides of the border, and it has simplified the bureaucracy of both sides as regards health issues. Since the proposal aims to add a voluntary tool to the toolbox that Member States have at their disposal to boost cross-border cooperation, I believe the report is fairly based. Nevertheless I am not in favour of the fact that Member States should always have the final say on whether or not to use the mechanism.

2016/11/22

I agree with this draft Agreement on Cooperation between Eurojust and Georgia. In order to get Georgia closer to the EU, we need to provide for incentives and solutions, and this is one of them. This way both EU and Georgian officials will be able to cooperate in the areas of justice and interior affairs.

2016/11/22

The right to health is a fundamental right. I agree with this report because I also believe that it is important to the integrity of the individual and to personal development, but also as a key factor in social cohesion and productivity. The welfare system, which is one of the defining features of the EU, where healthcare systems play a crucial role in society, makes it possible to achieve high standards of health in the EU.

2016/11/22

I agree with this framework because it also provides that the European Parliament must have the right to comment on the annual reports by the Member States on the use of their FDI national mechanism. This will both assist Member States wishing to establish a mechanism and help when it comes to reviewing the European mechanism. MEPs could contribute to safeguarding the interests of the Union.

2016/11/22

I support this proposal which aim to simplify and establish a better working control system applicable to the common fisheries policy.

2016/11/22

I support this proposal.The aim and objective is the automation of the procedure for the movement of excise goods which have been released for consumption in the territory of one Member State and moved to the territory of another Member State in order to be delivered for commercial purposes in that other Member State.This is part of the effort to improve the Single Market functioning and remove bottlenecks and barriers to a smooth frictionless movement of goods.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour and strongly support this fair deal. It is a win-win situation for both consumers and companies.Singapore is by far the EU’s largest partner in the region, accounting for almost a third of EU-ASEAN trade in goods and services, and roughly two-thirds of investment between the two regions. Over 10,000 European companies have their regional offices in Singapore and operate in a very reliable business and regulatory environment.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour and strongly support this fair deal. It is a win-win situation for both consumers and companies.Singapore is by far the EU’s largest partner in the region, accounting for almost a third of EU-ASEAN trade in goods and services, and roughly two-thirds of investment between the two regions. Over 10,000 European companies have their regional offices in Singapore and operate in a very reliable business and regulatory environment.I think that more multilateralism today is welcome and we should keep going into this direction. This agreement will be a model for the other ASEAN countries as it is the first in this region.

2016/11/22

. – I strongly support this agreement.The investment protection agreement incorporates the EU’s reformed approach, and will replace the existing deals between Singapore and 13 Member States that include the toxic investor-state dispute settlement.This is a better, more transparent and accountable dispute mechanism. It will serve as a model for other future possible trade agreements in the ASEAN region.

2016/11/22

I strongly support this agreement.The investment protection agreement incorporates the EU’s reformed approach, and will replace the existing deals between Singapore and 13 Member States that include the toxic investor-state dispute settlement.This is a better, more transparent and accountable dispute mechanism. It will serve as a model for other future possible trade agreements in the ASEAN region.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour and I support the medical use of cannabis. In general, I am in favour of legalisation of the use of Cannabis and I don’t think that prohibition policies have been effective in combatting abuses or combatting criminal gangs that profit from such policies.This report calls on the Commission and national authorities to work together to provide a legal definition of medical cannabis, and to draw a clear distinction between cannabis-based medicines approved by the EMA or other regulatory agencies, medical cannabis not supported by clinical trials, and other applications of cannabis (e.g. recreational or industrial).This report considers that research on the potential benefits of medicines derived from cannabis and on cannabis in general has been underfunded and should be properly addressed under the forthcoming Ninth Framework Programme and under national research programmes, with a view to exploring, inter alia, the possible uses of THC, CBD and other cannabinoids for medical treatment, as well as their effects on the human body, including lessons drawn from the experience of off-label prescribing of cannabis.

2016/11/22

I abstained because, while I support the work of the petitions committee, I believe it has been politicised when it comes to many petitions coming from Catalan and European citizens from Catalonia in the last months.The report stresses the substantial role of the Committee on Petitions in defending and promoting the rights of EU citizens and residents, ensuring that petitioners’ concerns are recognised and their legitimate grievances resolved through the petitions process; however this has not been the case for many Catalan citizens’ petitions. I think the system and mechanism could be improved and become more impartial in the selection of petitions.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour. The Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) fails to meet the requirements of international law, and in particular of international humanitarian law, and it is therefore proposed to seek an opinion from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on the compatibility with the Treaties, and specifically with international humanitarian law governing occupied territories, of the proposed SFPA and of the EU-Morocco Agreement on the amendment of Protocols 1 and 4, pursuant to Article 218.11 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.The EU’s trade agreements with Morocco, in the way that they relate to Western Sahara, may violate international humanitarian law and thus run counter to Article 21(1) of the Treaty on European Union, which states: ‘The Union's action on the international scene shall be guided by […] respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.’The ECJ has held that trade agreements between the EU and Morocco have no legal basis to include the Western Sahara, a non-self-governing territory over which Morocco has no recognised sovereignty.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted against because of the issue of Western Sahara. The EU’s trade agreements with Morocco, in the way that they relate to Western Sahara, may violate international humanitarian law and thus run counter to Article 21(1) of the Treaty on European Union, which states: ‘The Union's action on the international scene shall be guided by […] respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.’The European Court of Justice has held that trade agreements between the EU and Morocco have no legal basis to include the Western Sahara, a non-self-governing territory over which Morocco has no recognised sovereignty.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I supported this resolution because the water resources of the Union are increasingly coming under pressure, leading to water scarcity and quality deterioration. In particular, climate change, unpredictable weather patterns and drought are contributing significantly to the strain on the availability of fresh water that arises from urban development and agriculture.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I supported and voted in favour of this report identifying ways to improve the integration of Roma citizens.The report calls on Member States to prepare their National Roma Inclusion Strategies for the post-2020 period – with a wide set of priority areas, clear and binding targets, and timelines and indicators for monitoring and addressing the specific challenges and reflecting the diversity of their Roma communities – and to allocate substantial public funds to that end. They are also asked to follow a bottom-up approach, involving Roma representatives, communities, NGOs and equality bodies in the design of their National Roma Inclusion Strategies and enabling their meaningful participation in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the strategies.

2016/11/22

. ‒ The ‘national dimension’ of the Charter of Fundamental Rights complements the EU one. Inadequate implementation of the Charter at national level undermines its overall consistency and effectiveness.In Spain, the Charter of Fundamental Rights has not been respected with regard to the legitimate rights of Catalan citizens, who are also European citizens. There are double standards when it comes to the rule of law and the application of the Charter in Europe.

2016/11/22

I voted for full transparency and against the use of secret ballot.People should see how their elected members vote.I am also in favour of the idea that Members may not be elected as office holders (...) if they have not signed the declaration and have not registered for the specialised training on the prevention of harassment.I voted against AM 86, 87 and 88 in favour of forbidding the formation of political groups. Every political group is complex and has different political affinities. Members should be kept free to sit and form groups with whom they want. Who are we to decide on political affinities?You might like or dislike a political position or ideology but people voted for those Members of Parliament too. We should respect that. It is a bad precedent if these amendments pass.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I supported this report on combating corruption. I welcome the Commission’s proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of the Union’s budget in cases of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States.I would stress that, in order to provide an objective and systematic assessment, the Commission should regularly publish an assessment of threats to the rule of law, including risks of systemic corruption, in each Member State, on the basis of a set of indicators and independent reports.

2016/11/22

The .eu TLD, as a specific domain name for the Union under a clear and easily recognisable label, should provide a clearly identified link with the Union, and the European market place, and a Union online identity, creating a strong identity for the digital single market, subject to Union law and trading standards.

2016/11/22

As a matter of principle, I vote against the objections to authorisations of new plant strains which have received a favourable opinion from the EU scientific authority (EFSA).

2016/11/22

As a matter of principle, I vote against the objections to authorisations of new plant strains which have received a favourable opinion from the EU scientific authority (EFSA).

2016/11/22

As a matter of principle, I vote against the objections to authorisations of new plant strains which have received a favourable opinion from the EU scientific authority (EFSA).

2016/11/22

As a matter of principle, I vote against the objections to authorisations of new plant strains which have received favourable opinion from the EU scientific authority (EFSA).

2016/11/22

I supported this resolution.I want to express my full support for the President of the National Assembly, Juan Guaidó, who, on 23 January 2019, assumed the role of interim President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in view of the illegitimacy of the regime of Nicolás Maduro and in accordance with Article 233 of the Venezuelan Constitution.This resolution calls on the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR), together with the Member States, to adopt a strong, unified stance and to recognise Juan Guaidó as the only legitimate interim president of the country until new elections can be called, within the shortest possible time; welcomes the fact that many other democratic states have already recognised the new interim presidency.The resolution also reiterates its full support to the National Assembly, which is the democratically elected and legitimate body of Venezuela, and whose powers need to be restored and respected, including the prerogatives and safety of its members.

2016/11/22

Let me start by saying that I welcome Commissioner Vestager’s work and concerns raised regarding the Siemens-Alstom merger. She has and is facing very strong political pressure but as always confirms she stands firm.As I raised in the past, I do feel that potential negative consequences on the high-speed rolling stock and signalling systems could arise if this merger was to be authorised.Regarding data utilisation and, let me say, misuse by big tech firms, I am very proud that many of my amendments are included in the final compromises.Concretely the text says that: ‘users are often not aware of the extent to which their data is being used and passed on to third parties for marketing or commercial purposes; calls on the Commission, in line with Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive to make sure that digital companies exploit personal data only after that users gave their explicit consent’.This report calls on the Commission to organise a hearing with tech companies, inviting the CEOs of Google, Facebook to discuss how consumers’ personal data is harvested.Let me conclude with the Google antitrust cases. This report invites the Commission to consider the possibility of setting deadlines for antitrust cases, as it does in merger cases.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I am among those Members who urged Parliament to vote against the controversial EU-Morocco trade deal that includes Western Sahara. Like other Members, I am deeply concerned over the controversial proposal to extend the EU-Morocco trade agreement to Western Sahara. The European Court of Justice clearly established, in its 21 December 2016 judgment, that the consent of the people of Western Sahara is required for any deal to be valid. The proposed agreement does not, in any way, demonstrate that the consent of the Sahrawi people was either sought or obtained.Failure to comply fully with international and EU law through the proposed agreement would raise serious concerns over the counter-productive role of the EU in the UN-led political process, by pre-determining outcomes of the political process.

2016/11/22

I am among those members that urged the European Parliament to vote against the controversial EU-Morocco trade deal that includes Western SaharaI have like other Members of the European Parliament deeply concerned over the controversial proposal to extend the EU-Morocco trade agreement to Western Sahara.The European Court of Justice has clearly established in its 21 December 2016 judgement that consent of the people of Western Sahara is required for any deal to be valid. The proposed agreement does not in any form demonstrate that the consent of the Saharawi people has either been sought or obtained.A failure to fully comply with international and EU law through the proposed agreement would raise serious concerns over the counter-productive role of the EU in the UN-led political process, by pre-determining outcomes of the political process.

2016/11/22

I am among those members that urged the European Parliament to vote against the controversial EU-Morocco trade deal that includes Western SaharaI have like other Members of the European Parliament deeply concerned over the controversial proposal to extend the EU-Morocco trade agreement to Western Sahara.The European Court of Justice has clearly established in its 21 December 2016 judgement that consent of the people of Western Sahara is required for any deal to be valid. The proposed agreement does not in any form demonstrate that the consent of the Saharawi people has either been sought or obtained.A failure to fully comply with international and EU law through the proposed agreement would raise serious concerns over the counter-productive role of the EU in the UN-led political process, by pre-determining outcomes of the political process.

2016/11/22

I support this file because I also believe that, despite late, the EU is finally coming up with a tangible proposal to counterbalance globalisation. There are surely a combination of trade-related globalisation and technological changes that are the major drivers of an increased demand for skilled labour, and at the same time a demand for a reduced number of under-qualified jobs. This happens despite the overall big advantages of more open trade and further integration of world economies, whose negative side effects need to be tackled.

2016/11/22

I support the proposal for the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) for the period 2021-2027. I will keep promoting employment and social inclusion, and it also aims for clear progress in strengthening the European social dimension by directly linking its eleven specific objectives with the country specific recommendations adopted in the context of the European Semester and the European Pillar of Social Rights.

2016/11/22

I support the establishment of a dedicated financial programme for decommissioning of nuclear facilities and management of radioactive waste. This programme may bring additional EU added value through becoming a benchmark within the Union for safely managing technological issues in nuclear decommissioning and disseminating knowledge.

2016/11/22

I agree with this report because it possesses a thorough assessment and interesting recommendations. This Agreement wants to strengthen the process of regional integration between the Central American countries by supporting intra-regional institutions, cooperation and dialogues. The EU could help them out in this. Also, this Agreement is about to start to contribute to the modernisation and diversification of exports from Central America.

2016/11/22

I have been shadow rapporteur for this file in the committee of Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) and I am in favour of it. The InvestEU Programme will bring together under one umbrella all the different financial instruments currently available. Its objective is to trigger an estimated EUR 650 billion. InvestEU is meant to tackle the investment gap in Europe as well as being a more proactive instrument. I appreciate the simplification brought by uniting the multiple financial instruments under one Programme with one single rulebook. I welcome the change in the implementation compared to EFSI, providing direct access to other implementing partners than just the EIB.

2016/11/22

I agree with this proposal because it presents a more secure format for an EU emergency travel document (EU ETD) for unrepresented EU citizens outside the EU, whose passport has been stolen, lost, destroyed or is temporarily unavailable, in order to guarantee that they can return home safely.

2016/11/22

I agree with this proposal for a decision on the EURATOM research and training programme for the years 2021–2025. The proposal continues along the established path of previous programmes but addresses some of the key concerns expressed by the EP in the past, namely the simplification of the programme and better alignment with the wider Horizon Europe research programme. I agree that continued development of safety in nuclear operations is key to securing the benefits of the technology as well as minimising the risks associated.

2016/11/22

I agree with this proposal for a decision on the EURATOM research and training programme for the years 2021–2025. The proposal continues along the established path of previous programmes but addresses some of the key concerns expressed by the EP in the past, namely the simplification of the programme and better alignment with the wider Horizon Europe research programme. I agree that continued development of safety in nuclear operations is key to securing the benefits of the technology as well as minimising the risks associated.

2016/11/22

Together with the ECB Annual Report 2017, this is a good report and I support it. I believe that the implementation of the Banking Union is what saved the euro in the difficult years of 2012 to 2014. It is not completed, yet. We need EDIS, as well as a sound and ambitious legal framework on non-performing loans (NPLs). Risk reduction goes hand in hand with risk sharing, we need both. The completion of the Banking Union, including a European Deposit Insurance Scheme and a fiscal backstop for the Single Resolution Fund.

2016/11/22

I support this report as well as to congratulate the rapporteur, Mr Terricabras, for his very good job on this report. The report has different important points as regards to many issues related to fundamental rights. Migration is the most relevant, for sure, with 650 000 first-time asylum seekers applying for protection in the EU in 2017. More than 1000 refugees have already drowned in the Mediterranean Sea. As regards to the rule of law, the concerns raised in many Member States on the issue of separation of powers, corruption and the triggering of Article 7 TEU has brought one more year the Rule of Law as a major concern. The report points out the very current matter of women’s rights, which are astonishingly at odds now by some far-rights political parties. The EU must ensure women’s rights. I would like to point out that in Spain there are nine political prisoners and six people had to go to exile due to the lack of defence of their fundamental rights in Spanish territory. This poses a grave precedent for the EU, which needs to help find a solution as soon as possible.

2016/11/22

I support the establishment of the instrument for financial support for customs control equipment as part of the Integrated Border Management Fund. This fund needs a bureaucratic tool to function and this instrument will provide for it. This instrument should also help lower the imbalance in the performance of customs control undertaken by Member States.

2016/11/22

I support this report because it aims at approving the Status Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Albania on actions carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in the Republic of Albania. Team members within the Agency will have executive powers to be deployed to the territory of this third country.

2016/11/22

I have been voting in favour of the accession of Croatia to all partnerships signed by the EU, and here I will not make an exception. I support Croatia’s accession to the Protocol to the EU-Kyrgyzstan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.

2016/11/22

I support this report. I welcome the push for automated mobility and to make the EU the world leader in the deployment of safe systems for automated mobility, increasing road safety and efficiency, combating congestion, reducing energy consumption and emissions from transport, and gradually phasing out fossil fuels.I only have one concern it is data of data collection and privacy. Who and how we will store the data of users in this automated systems? Who can access this data? In any case I expect that users will have to give explicit consent for the utilisation of their data.

2016/11/22

I support this report. I support efforts to increase safety and security where computers can help humans but not replace them!I welcome EC efforts to guarantee the level playing field and fair competition for rental and leasing companies in the EU while lessening unnecessary administrative burdens and boosting enforcement.Member States should not restrict the use on their territories of a vehicle hired by an undertaking duly established on the territory of another Member State provided the vehicle complies with current operating standards and safety requirements.

2016/11/22

It is important to have in mind that the majority of the EU’s trade agreements contain bilateral safeguard mechanisms allowing the parties to respond to significant increases in imports resulting from the liberalisation of tariffs under FTAs, leading to serious injury to domestic industries. I support this measure because I also believe that a safeguard instrument is designed to provide a safety net, by suspending further tariff liberalisation or increasing the customs duty rate up to the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) rate, usually as a result of commitments in an FTA and unforeseen developments, imports take place in such increased quantities.

2016/11/22

I support this issue because the Customs Programme is meant to establish the framework for cooperation in the field of customs for the period 2021–2027. The programme continues to facilitate coordination between Member States’ authorities and capacity building, including training and exchange of best practices, in order to ensure a uniform application of EU customs legislation.

2016/11/22

I support this report. I welcome greater gender equality and balance in all Institutions like in the private sector.This report confirms this house strong commitment to gender equality both in the content of EU policies, initiatives and programmes and across the Union’s political, budgetary, administrative and executive levels.

2016/11/22

I support this assessment because it is a thorough and comprehensive evaluation of the way EU budges is used for public sector reform. While the EU budget has had a positive impact on public administration reforms in various Member States, there is much potential for better use of EU budget. The study shows that the potential of eGovernment solutions could be a key focus of public administration reforms promoted by the EU as they give citizens easier access to public services. It is relevant to highlight that this report has nothing to do with privatisation of public services, but with enhancing efficiency in the public administration of the Member States, and using the EU budget for that purpose.

2016/11/22

I agree with this report, for which I have been shadow in ALDE ECON, together with Mrs Mlinar, ALDE FEMM’s shadow. I support this report, as it expresses the EP’s concern over the implicit bias in some taxation for women, particularly when it comes to the value added tax. Even if the scope has been broaden by the Greens and the GUE, including other financial features of the economy that are not particularly linked to taxation, this report is necessary and it would be irresponsible not to vote in favour of it.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because credit institutions need to build up prudential backstops in the form of minimum loss coverage, with Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 hybrid built-up, in order to be eligible enough to enter the secondary markets for non-performing loans (NPLs). This is the first of two related European laws, the NPL legislative package, and we expect the second file, on the development of secondary markets for NPLs in the EU, will be presented as soon as possible.

2016/11/22

I support the settlement of commercial disputes to be faster in the EU, as now it is too slow. The World Bank estimates that, in some Member States, it may take up to four years to enforce a commercial contract. Civil procedures are in general not harmonised on a European level, though have been successfully harmonised through some measures adopted within the framework of civil justice cooperation.

2016/11/22

I support the establishment of the European space programme and its Agency. Europe has to be ambitious and look up to the skies and have its own policies in place. Space-based services and applications are shaping the current and future well-being and security of European citizens, as well as the competitiveness of its industrial base. It is therefore crucial to foster the space economy so that all Member States, their citizens and their industries, can fully reap the benefits of this Space Programme, whose final beneficiaries are the users.

2016/11/22

I support the establishment of the Digital Europe Programme for the period 2021-2027. This programme seeks to support the digital transformation of the European economy, industry and society. The programme should bring benefits to European businesses and citizens by reinforcing Europe’s capacities in key digital technology areas through large-scale deployment and widen their diffusion and uptake in both areas of public interest and the private sector.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because I also think that the cooperation envisaged between the EU and the US will cover properly: personnel licensing and training; operation of aircraft; aerodromes; and air traffic services and air traffic management. The possibility to cooperate in these areas will be subject to the adoption of corresponding annexes by the Bilateral Oversight Board.

2016/11/22

I support this resolution because I also think the blockchain technology could be envisaged as a key use in future free trade agreements. Trade policy needs to also have a say in the use of this technology and if the EU really wants to be a beacon of free trade, it needs to use all innovative technologies at its disposal in order to achieve that objective.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I am very much in favour of this partnership agreement. The EU will have in Japan a trustworthy ally in terms of trade. For example, the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement will eliminate tariffs on more than 90% of the EU’s exports to Japan. Also, non-tariff measures mean that Japan has agreed to align its automotive standards with international standards. In terms of agriculture and geographical indications, the agreement safeguards the most sensitive products from the EU. This agreement, despite its negative list approach, maintains the right of Member State authorities to define, provide and regulate public services at national, regional or local level. This is the first time that a dedicated chapter for SMEs has been included in an EU trade agreement. For all these reasons, I believe this EPA will be highly beneficial for both sides.

2016/11/22

As stated in the previous explanation of vote, I believe this Economic Partnership Agreement is an incredible opportunity we have built up together with Japan to get our territories even closer. This resolution further explains why we need this EPA. As a Catalan, we have a strong relationship in terms of trade and culture with Japan, whose tourists are among the most active in Catalonia, and whose popular culture has also become part of ours.

2016/11/22

The EPA is one of the legs of the new EU–Japan agreement. The strategic leg is also relevant. The links between the SPA and the EPA establish the world’s largest bilateral free trade agreement. The conclusion of the two agreements is an upgrade in the partnership, with the objective of providing concrete benefits for the people of the EU and Japan, and supports further cooperation in multilateral fora. I support this report.

2016/11/22

As stated in the previous explanations, I support the new partnership between the EU and Japan in terms of an economic and strategic agreement. I also like the shared commitment to respect for human rights, democracy, fundamental freedoms, good governance and the rule of law, and common values enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to work together for the global promotion and protection of these values and the rules-based international order.

2016/11/22

The Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement between the European Union and Jordan was negotiated between 2007 and 2010 and opens the respective markets and integrates Jordan into a Common Aviation Area with the EU, enabling all EU airlines to operate direct flights to Jordan from anywhere in the EU and vice versa for Jordanian carriers. I am of course supporting the accession of Croatia to this single sky agreement between the EU and Jordan.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because the Programme’s actions would be used to reinforce, widen and extend the excellence of the Union’s scientific and technological base, tackle major global challenges, increase the EU’s industrial leadership, improve quality of life in the Union as well as boost investment, and address market failures or sub-optimal investment situations.

2016/11/22

I support this motion because it welcomes the objectives of the Commission communication on the Single Market in this changing world, just months before the 2019 European elections and on the 25th anniversary of the Single Market. A well-functioning Single Market is one of the essential foundations of the European Union, and the deepening of the Single Market should therefore be brought back to the top of the political agenda, for the sake of our SMEs, our industry, our citizens, freedoms and values.

2016/11/22

I support this report because it is a common vision from the Parliament on terrorism. We voted for this just the day after a terror attack in Strasbourg, where people perished and others were severely wounded. The report highlights that terrorism is one of the main threats of our time, and we have to face and manage it rationally, with a focus on radicalisation and extremism, which lead to violence.

2016/11/22

I support the establishment of the European Defence Fund, although I believe that regions and local areas such as metropolitan areas should also have their say in the establishment of programmes for the defence of our European shared territory. This Fund is a first step towards a more harmonised common defence policy within the Union, and it will put the focus on research and innovation.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because it seeks to achieve smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and to stimulate job creation. It also wants to respect the long-term decarbonisation commitments. I also think that the trans-European networks should facilitate cross-border connections, foster greater economic, social and territorial cohesion and contribute to a more competitive and sustainable social market economy and combat climate change.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I supported this report. Online and digital skills are fundamental for the future of our children. They should be fully equipped and educated in these technologies.The EU institutions and Member States should also pay great attention to safety online and should address the issues of cyberbullying, exposure to harmful and disturbing content and other cybersecurity threats, by developing and implementing prevention programmes and awareness-raising campaigns. The report also encourages the Member States further to promote the #SafeInternet4EU campaign.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this report. I am in favour of an asylum and migration fund. It’s a question of humanism and solidarity.Priority should be given to the relocation of unaccompanied minors, other vulnerable applicants and family members of beneficiaries of international protection.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this report and this instrument in favour of the environment and the climate. It aims to promote sustainable development, with environmental and climate-protection requirements integrated into the definition and implementation of all Union policies and activities.Synergies and complementarity with other Union funding programmes should therefore be promoted, including by facilitating the funding of activities that complement strategic integrated projects and strategic nature projects and support the uptake and replication of solutions developed under the programme. Coordination is required to prevent double funding.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I am in favour of more transparency.This report calls for a transparent, independent, continuous and inclusive risk-communication process to be ensured throughout risk analysis involving Union and national risk assessors and risk managers. The aim is to regain citizens’ trust that the whole process is underpinned by the objective of this Regulation, which is to ensure a high level of human health and the protection of consumers’ interests.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this report. The Agency should also address working environments, including technological developments, particularly in the digital area, which add to the challenge of promoting high occupational safety and health standards.

2016/11/22

I am in favour of humanitarian visas. This report underlines that European humanitarian visas should be complementary to, and not substitute, the existing national entry procedures for humanitarian protection, resettlement procedures and spontaneous applications under international refugee law.

2016/11/22

I fully support this. As a Catalan, I am very sensitive to cultural diversity. This report recognises the intrinsic value of free cultural, artistic and creative expression and of the broadest possible public access to culture, including through dedicated measures.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this report because we cannot allow to make trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. If the EU is really a lighthouse in human rights and other fundamental rights, we need to stop trading, or preventing any type of trade, that involves goods that might eventually be used for such purposes.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support Samoa being included in the EU-Pacific States Interim Partnership Agreement, which already includes the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, the Federal State of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. With this accession, Samoa will maintain its current duty-free and quota-free access to the EU on all products with the exception of arms and ammunition.

2016/11/22

I support and voted in favour both the Kosovo and the Serbia resolution text.I welcome their efforts and improvement in moving closer to European standards.The resolution ‘Notes that five EU Member States have not yet recognised Kosovo and invites them to do so; stresses that recognition would be beneficial to the normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia’.

2016/11/22

I support and voted in favour. I call on Spain to recognise Kosovo independence as well and normalise relations.The resolution ‘Notes that five EU Member States have not yet recognised Kosovo and invites them to do so; stresses that recognition would be beneficial to the normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia’.

2016/11/22

The European Pillar of Social Rights provides that regardless of the type and duration of the employment relationship, workers have the right to fair and equal treatment regarding working conditions, access to social protection and training, and that employment relationships that lead to precarious working conditions are to be prevented. I share these concerns.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour because:We managed to take this ‘recast’ as an opportunity to push for tangible rights for rail passengers and not just for providing a bit more information as the Commission proposed;We have secured a regulation that is passenger oriented, and want to obtain:a real compulsory through ticketto ask for the Commission to develop a EU complaint formto ensure that in case of missed connection due to delay or cancellation during a journey, a passenger will be allowed to take the next service availableAnd other relevant issues:to encourage railway undertakings and ticket vendors to develop an automatic compensation systemto push for an exchange of information between the ticket vendors and the railway undertakingsto give sense to the compensation ratesensure space for bicycles

2016/11/22

The recast of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are a problem for the environment. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) now will support the work of the Commission in the preparation of dossiers on polluting substances. The EU, through its REACH regulation, is a world leader when it comes to chemicals regulation, and it still needs to be so. For all this, I also support this initiative.

2016/11/22

I support this report.It calls on the Member States, including with a view to tackling existing investment deficits, to increase public investment in care services and infrastructure for children, especially in early childhood, and for care for other dependants, to ensure the universal access to such services, to improve the quality of care, and to increase investment in special measures that enable carers to maintain an active professional life;It notes the disproportionate impact that insufficient investment in public care structures and services has on single parents, the vast majority of whom are women, and on families living in poverty and at risk of social exclusion.

2016/11/22

I supported the MFF report.I want to draw the attention and the link between the Multiannual Financial Framework and the future own resources system. It is important for the EU to have its own resources if it wants to remain credible in achieving its own goals.

2016/11/22

I agree with the Commission’s proposal to include two new categories in the Enabling Regulation. They are national funds combined with EU centrally managed funds. I also agree on the inclusion of projects by EU European Territorial Cooperation programmes. All of this with a view to amend the GBER will contribute to bureaucratic simplification. It is actually positive not to subject projects and funding approved by the EC based on other rules. These also aim to avoid distortions of competition in the Single market, to additional checks under State aid rules.

2016/11/22

I strongly this report. I believe that strong independence competition authorities are essential in enforcing competition rules in all Member States. They should be sufficiently staffed and have sufficient financial resources.The national competition authorities should be completely independent and their president and management should not be politically appointed.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because the EU needs to guarantee democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights properly, and a mechanism under the Commission’s watch could be a first initiative. As a Catalan, I am very concerned about the slow diminishing of these three concepts not only in Poland and Hungary, but also in Spain. If the EU wants to truly be a beacon of freedom and equal opportunities, it needs to defend democracy, the rule of law and human rights duly.

2016/11/22

After the signing by the EU of three Association Agreements (AA) including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, done four years ago, we need now to start implementing the former. As far as we MEPs know, frequent meetings with Georgian authorities, opposition leaders and civil society representatives, and with European Commission and EEAS representatives, AFET commissioned some expert studies on electoral reform, on the level of implementation of the AA and on the institutional framework for this implementation. The EP work on this issue has therefore been very deep, and for this I also support this initiative. Even if Georgia needs to still improve in some aspects (e.g. labour standards, environmental protection, discrimination against vulnerable groups and women), it has done much progress so far.

2016/11/22

Unlike Georgia, Moldova has not made much progress in some areas. AFET has informed the MEPs that in areas such as elections, rule of law and media freedom, Moldova still needs to make relevant reforms in order to guarantee them properly. Nevertheless, a positive vote towards this AA should be made. Moldova, also Romanian-speaking, needs to be closer to its European brothers, and an association agreement may be a further step towards its reforms. The Parliament, though, should keep watching this nation closely.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report.Member States should be able to issue a European humanitarian visa to persons seeking international protection, to allow those persons to enter the territory of the Member State issuing the visa for the sole purpose of making an application for international protection in that Member State. It is a question of humanity.

2016/11/22

I support the proposal by the Commission to mobilise the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to grant financial assistance relating to flooding in Latvia. The natural disaster that occurred in 2017 caused destruction in some Latvian regions which qualify as ‘less developed’. The mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund is a sign of solidarity in the Union to Latvia and its people.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because I believe education is a fundamental human right we need to always defend. Education prevents the transmission of poverty between generations; it plays a pivotal role in achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment, and it helps fulfil higher degrees of happiness, as it develops humanity’s capacity to feel richer in intangible terms. The rights that should be respected in education go beyond arithmetical equality and include promotion of genuine gender equality in and through education, equal opportunities for all genres, sexual orientations, creeds and skin colour.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because investments to improve final energy efficiency need to be realised whenever it is more cost-effective than equivalent supply-side solutions. This should help to exploit the multiple benefits of increasing in energy efficiency at all stages of the energy chain. It improves the welfare of Europe’s society. To unlock the full potential of these benefits, and allow for the implementation of these measures, Member States should work together with both local and regional authorities, cities, businesses and citizens all over the Union to ensure that the increase in energy efficiency as a result of technological, behavioural and economic changes go hand in hand with increased economic growth

2016/11/22

The Energy Union needs to acknowledge the challenge of global warming and establish a strong governance system to deliver its commitment under the Paris Agreement. I also support this issue. The Energy Union’s governance should foresee a proper carbon budget for the EU, calculating the maximum quantity of greenhouse gases that the EU can still emit. The Commission should address the poor relation of climate policy.

2016/11/22

The substantial expansion now occurring in the global renewable energy market offers a big opportunity for our industry and for creating high-quality jobs within the EU. I support this issue because I would like that our technological knowledge base, industrial structure, and skilled professionals could enable us to become a light-house in the worldwide development of renewable energy technologies.

2016/11/22

I have abstained on the final vote because I am not partisan of double standards when applying the rule of law. Certain facts are questioned by certain actors and the political motivation behind this resolution is questionable.The EU tends to focus on Hungary, Poland now Romania.What about Spain behaviour and brutal violence last year on the 1 October vote against peaceful Catalan voters?

2016/11/22

I support this report and I truly hope it is a report seeking to improve the lives of those who belong to minorities in the EU. The Union has the obligation to guarantee minorities the full enjoyment of their human rights, whether as individuals or as a community. As a Catalan MEP, belonging to a big minority of more than 10 million Catalan speakers in 3 different EU Member States (Spain, France, and Italy), I demand, once again Catalan to be an official language of the EU, duly interpreted and used in this European Parliament. I am in favour of the report because it also says that the Commission should make a common framework of EU minimum standards for the protection of minorities, and that the framework should contain measurable milestones with regular reporting. This framework should comprise drafting of guidelines reflecting good practices within the Member States, in cooperation with different stakeholders involved in minority rights protection, a recommendation, taking into consideration existing national measures; and a legislative proposal for a directive.

2016/11/22

As someone who is tech savvy, I am in favour of this report because I also believe that digitalisation is global and it affects all aspects of our lives. Sadly, some people are still left behind, although new technologies create opportunities. Internet is not only the place for goods and services, but it also helps us to exercise our economic, civic and political rights. In developing countries, modern communication technology is a necessity and can allow people to participate successfully in the changing world. New technologies should not be a cause for poverty. On the contrary, they should empower individuals to be able to move away from it.

2016/11/22

The EU is conducting a value-based trade policy in line with the founding Treaties and the Trade for All Strategy. One of the objectives of the EU is to ensure that economic growth and competitiveness goes together with social justice and respect for human rights. I support this matter. The Commission is proposing a system of import licences for products deemed high risk in their links to organised crime and terrorist groups, such as archaeological discoveries either on land or underwater, elements of monuments and rare manuscripts and incunabula that are at least 250 years old. For other cultural goods, a system of importer statement has been provided for.

2016/11/22

I support this file because it stresses the need, for the purposes of prevention, to avoid transfers of funds through financial intermediaries operating in non-transparent and uncooperative jurisdictions. It also highlights that funds from third countries may also be fraudulently transferred to the EU and that the outcome of the EU-funded Preparatory Action for Supporting Arab Spring countries to implement asset recovery carried out by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) should lead to a permanent and broader EU programme to implement asset recovery.

2016/11/22

Morality demands responsibility. It is our moral and ethical duty to condemn all signs of violence and aggression, politically driven by intolerant thoughts embedded in fascist ideologies. A fascism-motivated attack on an MEP is an attack on the whole European Parliament and we, as its Members, need to say it loud and strong. It is also my duty as a Catalan to condemn, and therefore vote in favour of this resolution, all types of fascism in Europe. I cannot accept, and I will not agree with, any kind of defence or advocacy, or even any type of silence, about these extreme ideas. The Franco Foundation in Spain, as well as all nostalgic Francoist thinking, need to be denounced and neutralised. Franco’s shadow is a terrible burden for all Spaniards and Catalans, and we need to get rid of its influence everywhere at once.

2016/11/22

In 2014, both Parliament and the Council concluded the revision of the EU’s public procurement legislative framework. This necessary reform meant to serve directly the European 2020 Strategy and to contribute to the Union’s growth and competitiveness. Any strategy to open up public procurement markets in third countries must concretely address the obstacles to and specific needs of SMEs to facilitate their access to markets. Even if I support this proposal, I would like to raise the issue that SMEs are particularly disadvantaged when it comes to penetrating third-country public procurement markets, while the effects on SMEs of exposure to new competitors from third countries must also be given due consideration.

2016/11/22

Eurojust (European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation) was set up to reinforce the fight against serious organised crime in the European Union. Since then, Eurojust has facilitated coordination and cooperation between national investigative and prosecutorial authorities in dealing with cases affecting a number of Member States. It has helped to build mutual trust and to bridge the EU’s wide variety of legal systems and traditions. By rapidly solving legal problems and identifying competent authorities in other countries, Eurojust has facilitated the execution of requests for cooperation and the application of mutual recognition instruments, thereby improving cross-border prosecution.

2016/11/22

I support the three legislative proposals contained in this legislative package, because it will enable the EU’s legal framework in the areas of money laundering. It also sets up freezing and confiscation of the proceeds of crime, which are among the most effective means of combating organised crime. Having a mutual recognition instrument is of fundamental importance in order to prevent money going from and to organised crime.

2016/11/22

I support this position because the Digital Single Market (DSM) is a cornerstone of the European economy with a big potential to create growth and jobs. This Regulation on the free flow of non-personal data establishes data as the fifth freedom in the Single Market de facto. With the emergence of new technologies (i.e. cloud computing, big data, and artificial intelligence), the possibility to move data freely has become a key issue for European companies.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because, among other relevant matters, it stresses that the treaty should build on the UNGP’s framework and encompass the recognition of the extraterritorial human rights obligations of States; the recognition of corporate criminal liability; mechanisms for coordination and cooperation among states on investigation, prosecution and enforcement of cross-border cases; and the setting-up of international judicial and non-judicial mechanisms for supervision and enforcement.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative as it aims to denounce the current war situation in Yemen. The Saudi-led campaign and the intense aerial bombardments, including indiscriminate attacks in densely populated areas, have exacerbated the humanitarian impact of such war. The laws of war prohibit deliberate and indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian targets. Since 2015, more than 2 500 children have been killed, more than 3 500 children have been maimed or injured and a growing number of children have been recruited by armed forces on the ground. This is criminal, heart-breaking and inhuman. And I am ashamed that Spain has repeatedly sold weapons to Saudi Arabia.

2016/11/22

I support this proposal because it introduces a series of fundamental principles for the future definitive VAT system, and four ‘quick fixes’ to improve the day-to-day functioning of the current VAT system, tackling the VAT identification number, chain transactions, call-off stock situations and proof of intra-Community supply.

2016/11/22

I support this proposal because its purpose is to prolong: the possibility for Member States to apply the reverse charge mechanism to combat existing fraud in supplies of goods and services; and the possibility to use the Quick Reaction Mechanism (QRM) to combat fraud.

2016/11/22

I support this proposal because it represents a high degree of added value for the EU in terms of health policy. It constitutes a further step towards closer EU integration in health. Its fundamental purpose is to introduce joint clinical assessment of health technologies at EU level. Improvements to citizens’ health must be a political priority for the EU in all its actions, but particularly in areas which have a specific bearing on health. The right to health is a fundamental right. It is important to the integrity of the individual and to personal development, but also as a key factor in social cohesion and productivity.

2016/11/22

I am aware that transport is a sector in the Union where greenhouse gas emissions are still rising. In order to meet the Union’s commitments made at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), held in Paris in 2015, the decarbonisation of the entire transport sector needs to be accelerated and greenhouse gas emissions from that sector should be firmly on the path towards zero-emission by mid-century.However, let me only stress that the transport and car sector is making consistent investments towards greener engines, in particular electric engines. We need to recognise this and find the right balance and flexibility to avoid social negative impact in the automobile sector.I am in touch with car industry present in my constituency and they are willing to invest. Let’s fight for the right equilibrium in the final targets and deadlines.

2016/11/22

I support this motion because, among other issues, it states that the Commission, together with the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs), the ECB, the ESRB and the EFRAG, should monitor the implementation of IFRS 17. The Commission will have also to prepare an ex-post impact assessment no later than June 2024, and to present this assessment to the Parliament and act in line with Parliament’s views at that moment.

2016/11/22

I support this motion as I also believe that this Parliament needs to focus on ongoing innovations such as blockchain. The distributed ledger technology (DLT), also known in many cases as blockchain, poses a great opportunity for EU’s SMEs and R&D. It is therefore imperative that the EP also has something to say about it. DLT reduces intermediation costs in a trusted environment between the transacting parties and allows peer-to-peer exchange of value that can empower citizens, disrupt legacy models, improve services and reduce costs throughout value chains, in a wide range of key sectors.

2016/11/22

I strongly support this text.I come from a Mountain area in the Catalan Pyrenees’, my village Areny is in a remote area and I am very much aware of the specific needs it has.It is important to remember that rural, mountainous and remote areas in the EU constitute 80% of its territory, are home to 57% of its population, and account for 46% of gross value added.The text stresses the importance of rural, mountainous and remote areas for balanced territorial development in Europe and the need to strengthen them by addressing their specific needs through EU policies.It emphasises the need to support the further development of rural tourism and mountain agritourism while preserving the specificities of these areas, for example traditions and traditional local products, since tourism has a major social, economic and cultural impact on such areas.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because it decides to waive the immunity to Georgios Kyrtsos, who has been acting as legal representative of the company Free Sunday Publishing House Ltd since 2009. In his capacity as legal representative of such company, he was accused of failing to pay more than EUR 627 000 owed to the Greek State. The alleged offence has no direct link with the office of Mr Kyrtsos as a MEP, but instead relates to his former position as manager of his newspaper company.

2016/11/22

I always support the right for self-determination and the right to decide of the people of Western Sahara. Their rights are not foreseen as much as they should be in this Partnership. I acknowledge, though, that it is a necessary partnership for the development of relations between the Union and the kingdom of Morocco, as much as I acknowledge the Moroccan society and political structure have changed significantly in the last decade. Therefore, I abstain.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because it sets an air transport agreement between the Union and Canada. The negotiating mandate set the objective of establishing an Open Aviation Area between the EU and Canada, to create a single market for air transport in which investment could flow freely and where European and Canadian airlines would be able to provide air services without any restriction, including in the domestic markets of both parties.

2016/11/22

I support this proposal because it only requires a formal change in the VAT Directive. It is about moving these two territories (Campione d’Italia and the Italian waters of the Lago di Lugano) from Article 6(2) (territories not forming part of the EU customs territory excluded from the territorial application of the VAT Directive) to Article 6(1) (territories forming part of the EU customs territory excluded from the territorial application of the VAT Directive).

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because it makes a revision of the provisions of audiovisual media services. The EP has called for this revision in the light of rapid technological and market developments, the emergence of new service providers, and changes in consumer behaviour, which have blurred the lines between traditional and on-demand services.

2016/11/22

The Eurojust-Albania Cooperation Agreement follows the model of the ones with other European non-EU states, such as Northern Macedonia, Norway and Switzerland. Its goal is to foster cooperation as regards combating serious crime, especially organised crime and terrorism. Such an agreement can foster the fight against such crime and is in the interest of Albania and EU Member States as organised crime is a transnational problem. For all these reasons, I am in favour of this report.

2016/11/22

. ‒ The right to the protection of personal data also applies to the processing of personal data by EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies. I support this initiative because it is in the interest of a coherent approach to personal data protection throughout the EU, and of the free movement of personal data within the EU, to align as far as possible the data protection rules for Union institutions, bodies and offices.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this initiative because it seeks to help citizens and businesses to take full advantage of the benefits offered by new digital tools and e-government strategies when they travel, work, study or do business in any EU Member State. The initiative aims to address Europe’s growing need for open, efficient and inclusive public administration oriented towards ambitious e-government approaches.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this initiative because it looks for a long-term solution to plastic recycling in a more circular economy.Plastic is an important and valuable material which has a useful place in our society and economy, but we have to focus on the way in which plastics are produced and used today, which is both unaffordable and unsustainable. Plastic lasts in perpetuity, and it is often designed to be disposed of after use. Therefore, among other things, this report stresses that Member States and the regions must do more to formulate strategies to reduce the loss of plastic in protected natural areas, as well as investing in new methods to prevent high volumes of plastic garbage.

2016/11/22

. ‒ Antibiotics have become one of the cornerstones of modern medicine and they form the basis of treating bacterial infections in humans and animals. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to treat bacterial infections successfully, because of resistance. I support this initiative because, among other things, it emphasises the need to increase the funding for research and innovation, with a cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary approach in epidemiology and immunology, and seeks to establish a European-scale ‘One Health’ action plan.

2016/11/22

. ‒ The mobility sector plays a key role in the European economy and society. I support this report because the European Parliament is shaping the outcome of the process of the Mobility package released by the Commission. With the development of automated cars, digitalisation and the necessity of developing cleaner transport, the sector is undergoing profound changes which affect all aspects of our societies.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this report because it takes the view that the EU is the appropriate level at which regulatory action in the field of pesticides should continue, and because it points out that environmental measures aimed at preventing, limiting and containing the spread of pathogens and pests have to remain the focus of all current and further actions. Also, I agree that special attention should be paid to the role of SMEs in the development of new products, as they often lack the substantial resources needed for the process of development and approval of new substances.

2016/11/22

. ‒ This report encourages the Commission to set up a specialised directorate under the existing competent EU agency to carry out checks in manufacturers’ factories and conduct audits of the production flow in order to verify, in cases where a suspicion of dual quality arises, whether the composition of products corresponds to what has been indicated by the manufacturer. I therefore support this initiative.

2016/11/22

. ‒ The EU has agreed to conclude a free trade agreement with Japan and now it is time to assess the products from Japan entering EU’s territory. The ambitious and comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) creates new opportunities and legal certainty for trade and investment between both partners. Now this report focuses on a derogation from Union rules concerning bottle sizes, for single distilled shochu, a spirit drink produced by pot still and bottled in Japan. Since I was in favour of the agreement, I am also in favour of this very specific measure.

2016/11/22

. ‒ The EU and the USA signed the Memorandum of Cooperation in civil aviation research and development (MoC) in 2011, stepping up cooperation between the two parties. The cooperative activities carried out under MoC address air traffic management systems, in particular in the field of research and development between the Single European Sky ATM Research project, the technological component of the Single European Sky (SES) initiative, and NextGen, the programme managed by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). For these reasons, I support this report.

2016/11/22

The EU–Canada Air Transport Agreement started in 2008 and is a comprehensive air transport agreement that includes a gradual phasing-in of traffic rights and investment opportunities, as well as far-reaching cooperation on a number of issues, including safety, security, social matters, consumer interests, environment, air traffic management, state aids and competition. I support this report because it sets provisions for the accession of the Republic of Croatia to it, as has been happening in the last reports where Croatia had to be included in procedures, memoranda and agreements where the EU is one of the signatories.

2016/11/22

This is a complicated and important vote at the same time. It was and is highly decisive in all political groups of this house.I will support Article 11 and the right of creators and authors to be fairly reattributed for their work.I have more problems with Article 13 and the fundamental rights of each citizens to free and non filtered internet. I am worried about the interpretations and concrete application of such an Article by some Member States.Social media use by private citizens acting on their personal capacity and non for commercial purposes cannot be limited.

2016/11/22

I support this report because in the context of the fight against terrorism and organised crime, measures must be taken at the European level in order to stop the financing of these criminal activities, and therefore put an end to the exploitation by criminals of different national rules related to cash controls.

2016/11/22

As I stated in the previous explanation, I support this initiative because in the context of the fight against terrorism and organised crime, measures must be taken at the European level in order to stop the financing of these criminal activities, and therefore to put an end to the exploitation by criminals of different national rules related to cash controls. This Directive is aiming to tackle money laundering by means of criminal law, allowing for more efficient cross-border cooperation between the competent Member States’ and Union authorities and with the EU agencies responsible, which may eventually improve the exchange of information and allow the identification of the instigators of terrorism.

2016/11/22

. ‒ This is not a vote against Hungary or the Hungarian citizens! This is a vote against the recent and continued illiberal actions and decisions by Prime Minister Orbán’s Government. His recent policies are clearly violating fundamental values of the EU and specifically the core values and rights enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty.There is no place for walls, or for treating poor people fleeing from wars like criminals. Europe should continue to be a land of hope and solidarity. The judiciary system should remain independent and not politically appointed – and that applies in all Member States including Spain.Activating Article 7 is a first, and an unprecedented, step. It may not be the last one.

2016/11/22

Some countries and industries are developing weapon systems with various autonomous functions and lethal autonomous weapon systems have the potential to change warfare fundamentally, speed up the timescale of hostile military interaction, and trigger unprecedented arms races. I support this measure because stresses the need to act to prevent the proliferation of lethal autonomous weapon systems and underlines that common action at Union level strengthens the EU as an international actor by having an impact on a key military security challenge.

2016/11/22

I support this report because it sets the position of the European Parliament as regards to the current state of EU–US relations. Since the election of the current Administration in late 2016, the US has been undermining its decade-long alliance with its closest ally, the EU, whereas has undermined, in parallel, its commitments towards free trade and fundamental human rights. Having stated this, and bearing in mind that EU–US relations have to still work for the next years in order to defend freedom and justice, this report does not aim at putting an end to such relations. On the contrary, it maintains the Parliament’s commitment for the EU to possess positive relations with the US.

2016/11/22

I support this report because stresses that EU–China cooperation needs to be more people-oriented and deliver more real benefits to citizens in order to build mutual trust and understanding. Both the EU and China have to promote more interactions among people, for instance by intensifying cultural cooperation in the field of education, training, youth and gender equality and joint initiatives in the field of people-to-people exchange. Also, I would like to recall that the People’s Republic of China is implementing a strong re-education policy in Xinjiang, where more than 1 million people are interned in camps in order to be fully assimilated, against their will, under the ruling regime’s culture.China continues not to respect the Rights and fundamental Values for its minorities from Tibetans, to Uyghur’s. I will never stop fighting for all of its citizens equal Rights.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because it sets a sufficient equivalence level of field inspections carried out in Brazil on fodder plant seed—producing crops and cereal seed—producing crops. It also sets a sufficient equivalence level of fodder plant seed and cereal seed produced in Brazil. Finally, this report also focuses on the equivalence of field inspections carried out in Moldova on cereal seed—producing crops, vegetable seed—producing crops and oil and fibre plant seed—producing crops and on the equivalence of cereal seed, vegetable seed, and oil and fibre plant seed.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because this proposal aims to expand the VAT exemption for SMEs from a solely national regime to a more EU—wide regime. As a Catalan liberal, coming from a constituency which is very SME—dense, I also believe that this regime should be harmonised in order not to distort the functioning of the internal market. It is also important to establish real administrative simplifications for SMEs. Finally, filing VAT returns from different Member States through a one—stop shop may eventually mean a significant simplification for small enterprises.

2016/11/22

I support the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to grant financial assistance relating to flooding in Bulgaria and Lithuania, earthquakes in Greece and storms in Poland, happened during 2017. The natural disasters that occurred during 2017 in different territories of the EU caused the loss of human lives and a great deal of destruction in those regions, most of them qualified as ‘less developed’. The mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund is a sign of solidarity in the Union to the countries and people that suffered throughout the tragic events. I would like to recall that this year, 2018, there has been a terrible fire in Greece, as well as in Portugal.

2016/11/22

Northern Ireland has been ranking as one of the poorest regions in North Western Europe for the last 20 years and more, by the decline in certain traditional industries and because of inter-community violence that went on for decades. The Good Friday Agreement of 1998 set a path towards peace, where the British and Irish governments and society north and south overwhelmingly agreed upon a power-sharing arrangement. Following this Agreement, the EU played a role in supporting the peace process through, among other things, the cohesion policy. I agree upon this initiative and therefore I also believe that EU funds in Northern Ireland should continue.

2016/11/22

As a result of the exceptional measures taken by Greece during the last five years, this Member State has received EUR 2 billion in EU funds in 2015 and 2016, in addition to what was already planned during the sovereign debt crisis. By raising the co-financing rate and deploying EU investment in a flexible way, the amending Regulation allowed the EU regional policy to contribute to mitigate the impact of the economic and financial crisis in Greece. Flexibility is still needed, and so is Greece’s attempts to make reforms in a duly manner. Therefore, I support this initiative.

2016/11/22

Life expectancy in the EU is changing the age pyramid, and it has already changed it in some Member States. Life is healthier and longer. I support this report as it looks for the policy options needed to shape our labour markets in order to become more inclusive and responsive to the necessities of ageing and ailing societies, and to become less prone to the loss of skills a result of inactivity in the labour market.

2016/11/22

I support this report because it makes explicit that many EU legislative acts contain specific provisions for regulatory cooperation with third countries, related to supervisory cooperation and prudential measures. Granting of equivalence is a unilateral decision taken by the EU, on the basis of EU standards and in some specific cases international cooperation may be advanced also by cooperation arrangements between the EU and third countries.

2016/11/22

EU’s border regions cover 40% of its territory and are inhabited by 150 million people, as well as they generate a quarter of Europe’s GDP. Border regions are although facing persistent obstacles. I support this initiative because it aims at pointing to the ten the most frequent challenges for the development of the border regions and proposes solutions to solve these problems. I also come from a border region, as Catalonia is geographically at the border of the Western European core, which is the strongest in terms of income and social development. And even if Catalonia is one of the most energetic Iberian regions, it is still falling behind. This report may be a chance to focus on the possible solutions of European border regions like Catalonia and many others.

2016/11/22

The European Solidarity Corps is a very good initiative that aims at boosting solidarity across the EU. I support this report because I also believe that an initiative such as the Corps may help to counterbalance ongoing challenges such as youth unemployment, currency crises and increasing Euroscepticism. Also, and in order to address these challenges in a long-term way, the ESC is focusing mainly on young people, which is one of the most valuable resources we can always count on.

2016/11/22

Increasing the financial envelope of the Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP) and adapting its general objective is an objective that I also support, yet structural reforms are indeed necessary. The overall financial envelope for the SRSP is increased to €222.8 million, through the use of the Flexibility Instrument in the Multiannual Financial Framework. Member States will be able to choose to further complement the SRSP by transferring appropriations from the technical assistance budget.

2016/11/22

I also believe that the Euratom Research and Training Programme may help to improve nuclear safety, security and radiation protection. As the nuclear reactor fleet of the Union is ageing, the need to ensure expertise for decommissioning activities and to improve safety for the decommissioning process is evident. Research, training and expertise on radioactive waste management and disposal are indispensable for decades to come. It is therefore necessary that we assure a good policy that focuses on these matters properly.

2016/11/22

I have always voted in favour of any measure that seeks to prevent, counter and solve any type of harassment, whether in people’s private lives or in a more professional environment. I therefore support this report as it seeks to establish measures to prevent and combat mobbing and sexual harassment at the workplace, in public spaces and in political life. Sadly, sexual harassment and mobbing are phenomena that involve victims and perpetrators of all ages, educational backgrounds, and socio-economic statuses. The roots of these phenomena may be based on gender stereotyping and sexism, including sexist hate speech, which may give rise to further forms of demoralising violence affecting not only the victim themselves but also their family. The European Parliament has therefore an obligation to raise the matter of sexual harassment and to help in its prevention and solution.

2016/11/22

When we compare Catalan, my mother tongue, to other European languages such as Spanish, French, German or Italian, it can be labelled as a smaller language. Yet, with its almost 11 million speakers scattered across three different European Member States (Spain, France, and Italy), it is a living and energetic language that, sadly, still needs the institutional back-up of the Catalan autonomous government in Catalonia. The EU counts more than 500 million citizens sharing about 80 different languages, yet only 24 are ‘official’ (some of them less spoken than Catalan). While multilingualism is one of the biggest assets of Europe, it also poses one of the most substantial challenges for the creation of a culturally and socially integrated EU as well as an obstacle for the fulfilment of the goals of the Digital Single Market. The development of language technologies contribute to the equality of all European citizens in their everyday experiences, regardless of the languages they speak, and therefore I support this initiative.

2016/11/22

Biologically diverse forests contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation and to conserving biodiversity. More than 300 million people live in forests all over the world and 1.6 billion people rely directly on forests for their livelihood. Forests play a key role in the development of local economies and, according to the FAO, around 13 million hectares of forest are lost each year. Forest products account for 1% of the world’s GDP. I support this report because it focuses on this very relevant matter, and it tries to propose solutions.

2016/11/22

The current version of the text was voted for in the JURI Committee two weeks ago by only 25 MEPs out of 750. By accepting the text to be sent to Council for final negotiation, all MEPs lose the possibility to amend, improve and vote separately every amendment.With good reason, many Catalan SMEs and some citizens tell me to vote against, and publishers and some authors tell me to vote in favour of the JURI deal. I am in favour of fair remuneration for artists and the protection of creators’ work; however, fundamental rights are at question in this text, which it has not been possible to amend for the vote today in plenary.I have serious concerns on the vague drafting of Article 13 (possibility to create content filters for social media platforms), and on how Member States will end up interpreting and – most importantly – applying it.The European Data Protection Supervisory said: ‘recommends the co-legislator continue to reflect carefully on likely practical consequences of the obligations created in Article 13(1), on the risk of interference with fundamental rights and of circumvention of safeguards, and on the potential for distorting competition in ways which will harm fundamental rights’.

2016/11/22

I have voted against the mandate because I think that the Parliament should make a resolution about each European citizen’s initiative in order to evaluate its merits.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support consent by Parliament for this Council decision. It is about the launch of automated data exchange with regard to DNA data in Croatia. As a full-fledged EU Member State, the Republic of Croatia needs to have the same rights, duties and obligations as any of its fellow Member States, and this matter complements its EU membership.

2016/11/22

I support this report because the Financial Regulation sets out the principles and procedures governing the establishment and spending of the European Union’s budget and the control of the EU funds. The current legislative proposal forms an integral part of the mid-term review of the MFF 2014—2020. The two main objectives are simplification and flexibility, another key element I agree with.

2016/11/22

I support the establishment of a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), whose legislative proposal goes back to late 2016. There is a need for the EU to strengthen and improve its IT systems, data architecture and information exchange in the area of border management, law enforcement and counter—terrorism. The system will have to be fully implemented, though, and the Commission needs to make sure that it can apply such legislation.

2016/11/22

I support this report as it calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal about the establishment of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). The Europol’s Management Board, after consulting the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), will adopt guidelines further specifying the procedures for the processing of information for the purpose of the ETIAS watch list.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support the establishment of an EU Agency for the operational management of large—scale IT systems (eu-LISA). With the establishment of eu-LISA, the operational management of the large-scale IT systems (in the area of freedom, security and justice) will be responsible for the operational management at central level of the second generation Schengen Information System, the Visa Information System, and Eurodac. eu-LISA may also be entrusted with the development and operational management of other large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice if so provided by relevant legislative instruments.

2016/11/22

The UN needs some deep key reforms, such as a structural reform of its Security Council. The UN needs to be more adamant when it comes to conflict prevention and mediation, non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament, human rights, democracy and the rule of law. It is making a big effort in terms of global compacts for migration and on refugees, as well as for development, climate change and climate diplomacy. I support this report.

2016/11/22

While the eyes of the world have been on the Syrian refugee crisis and the exodus of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar, Venezuela’s humanitarian disaster has gone relatively unnoticed. I support this report because it poses a focus on such matter, which affects both Venezuela and Colombia, the country that has seen a new coming of Venezuelan refugees, who escape food shortages, hyperinflation, a collapsing economy, disease and violence.

2016/11/22

I support this report because in the Action Plan against migrant smuggling, the Commission emphasised the need to guarantee that appropriate criminal sanctions are in place while avoiding the risks of criminalisation of those who provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in distress, and to improve the existing EU Facilitators Package, comprising the Facilitation Directive and the accompanying Framework Decision.

2016/11/22

I support this report because the Commission is obliged to assess the content of the rules applicable in a third country deriving from its domestic law or its international commitments. This assessment must not only refer to legislation and practices relating to the protection of personal data for commercial and private purposes, but must also cover all aspects of the framework applicable to that country or sector.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this motion because it makes it explicit that the new US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act billed by the US executive is adverse to European citizens. Tariffs raised by the current US Administration are an attempt on the historical good relationship between the US and the EU, but the European Union cannot stay silent in the face of such bullying.

2016/11/22

I support this recommendation to the Commission because it recalls that the terms ‘social enterprise’ and ‘solidarity-based enterprise’ are often used as synonyms, although the enterprises they denote are not invariably the same and can differ greatly from one Member State to another. The concept of social enterprise links to traditional social economy organisations.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because this proposal aims at increasing the financial envelope of the Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP) and adapting its general objective. In particular, the main amendment is for Article 4, on the objective of the SRSP by adding support for preparations for euro area membership to the goals of the programme. It is important that all Member States make the necessary structural reforms and that the Commission knows how to make them happen properly. It is worth mentioning that I tabled an amendment indicating that the proper and correct application of European Union law shall be regarded as a structural reform.

2016/11/22

I do not support this report because it sets an obligatory threshold, ranging between 3% and 5%, for the allocation of seats in single-constituency Member States such as Spain, and constituencies in which the list system is used and which comprise more than 26 seats. This new system would close the doors of the European Parliament to regional and sub-national parties, such as the one I represent. Catalonia needs its own electoral constituency, and Spain should change the constituency system in regard to the European elections.

2016/11/22

The EU is the biggest export market in Armenia, accounting for around 27% of Armenia’s total exports, and Armenia’s main exports are metals and precious stones followed by energy, beverages, vegetables and fruit. Armenia benefits also from the EU general system of preferences. The Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC) and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part was signed by the parties in the margins of the Eastern Partnership Summit in late 2017. I support this CEPA because it would enhance the EU’s footprint in a key Caucasus nation.

2016/11/22

. ‒ As stated in the previous explanation, I support this Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) because it would enhance the EU’s footprint in a key Caucasus nation. The EU is the biggest export market in Armenia, accounting for around 27% of Armenia’s total exports. Armenia’s main exports are metals and precious stones followed by energy, beverages, vegetables and fruit. Armenia benefits from the EU general system of preferences.The CEPA, between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC) and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part, was signed by the parties in the margins of the Eastern Partnership Summit in late 2017.

2016/11/22

Iraq has, since 2003, been a country that was torn apart by war and it is now seeing a tiny light at the end of its tunnel for the first time in two decades. The EU aims to build a partnership and cooperation agreement based on political dialogue and sectoral cooperation. It also aims to enhance humanitarian assistance, urgent financial assistance and help in stabilisation reforms. I support this initiative as it shows the commitment of the EU to the stabilisation of the Middle East.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this report because it will allow Croatia, a fully fledged EU Member State, to have access to the free trade agreement being negotiated with New Zealand. The agreement between the European Union and New Zealand was negotiated following the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the EU. With the accession of Croatia, the EU also enlarged its Customs Union, and under WTO rules the EU has to enter into negotiations with WTO members having negotiating rights related to the tariff schedule of Croatia in order eventually to agree on a compensatory adjustment. This is due if the adoption of the EU’s external tariff regime results in an increase in tariff beyond the level for which the acceding country had bound itself at the WTO.

2016/11/22

I support the amendment to Article 22 of the European Central Bank’s Statute because it will modify it in order to bring ‘clearing systems for financial instruments’ (CCPs) within the scope of the regulatory powers conferred by Article 22 of the Statute on the ECB. This would allow the Eurosystem to take up the powers that will be granted to it as central bank of issue of the euro under the Commission proposal amending the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR) as regards supervision of central counterparties (CCPs).

2016/11/22

I support this proposal because, while recognising the importance of road transport to the internal market, the Commission wants to address some of the challenges posed by road transport, i.e. socioeconomic and environmental issues such as air pollution, noise and congestion. The introduction of distance-based road charging might help incentivise cleaner, more efficient transport operations while also offering a fair deal for road users and in financing the required infrastructure.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this draft amending budget because it amends the budget line regarding the surplus of the financial year 2017, aiming to enter in the 2018 budget the surplus from the 2017 financial year, amounting to EUR 555.5 million.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this draft amending budget because it aims at amending the budget line on the extension of the facility for refugees in Turkey with EUR 500 million. Even if the policy on migration is not harmonised, and there remain many differences among Member States (who still maintain such competence), the EU needs to do more, and this may be a good sign.

2016/11/22

I support this report because it objects to the Commission delegated decision. This delegated decision of June 2018, granting the European Investment Bank an EU guarantee against losses under financing operations supporting investment projects outside the European Union, as regards Iran, would put the EU at significant financial risk in a country, Iran, that remains a significant state sponsor of terrorism.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because I also think that forced marriage is an attempt on the free will of human beings. No one must be forced to marry and commit her life to someone she does not hold dear. Early and child marriages remain a taboo subject which needs to be addressed publicly so as to put an end to the daily suffering of the young and adolescent girls involved and the continuous violation of their human rights. One way of doing so would be to support and disseminate the work of journalists, artists, photographers and activists addressing the issue of early marriages.

2016/11/22

I support this motion because it evaluates the Commission’s last impact assessment regarding the need to broaden the scope of the definition of what constitutes a small or medium enterprise (SME). I represent a country, Catalonia, whose industrial backbone is its dense network of SMEs, many of whom export all over the EU. New technological, computer-based blockchain start-ups should also be regarded as SMEs, and therefore be able to enjoy the same prerogatives as their competitors.

2016/11/22

I support this recommendation from Parliament to the Commission as regards the negotiations on the EU–Azerbaijan Comprehensive Agreement. The recommendation is about honest and open political dialogue, and respect for democratic principles, the rule of law and the commitment to conflict resolution. It also puts the focus on human rights and fundamental freedoms for Azeris and Europeans alike on Azerbaijan’s soil. What is more, it opens the door to a forthcoming trade agreement.

2016/11/22

I support this report because it makes existing road transport legislation fairer and more efficient and helps to increase social responsibility in the field, and it aims to lighten excessive regulatory burden for operators and to prevent distortions of competition. The EU’s road transport sector provides jobs for over five million people, while its annual greenhouse gas emissions account for around one—fifth of emissions from the transport sector as a whole. The first mobility package aimed to modernise the European transport—mobility sector and make it more socially equitable and more competitive in a transition towards cleaner transport.

2016/11/22

I support this report as it sets out daily and weekly driving times, minimum breaks and rest periods, and positioning by means of tachographs. The EU has developed a range of market and social rules aiming at ensuring a fair, well-functioning, safe and socially sustainable road transport sector. Evaluations show that shortcomings in the current rules, as well as insufficient enforcement, have led to the stated goals not being fully achieved. Unclear or unsuitable rules on weekly rest periods, resting facilities, breaks in multi-manning and the absence of rules on drivers returning to their homes, have allowed different Member States to use different interpretations and enforcement practices, and Parliament is now addressing this matter.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this initiative as it gives Parliament’s permission to the Commission to open negotiations for an agreement between the European Union and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on the exchange of personal data between the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and the Jordanian authorities responsible for fighting serious crime and terrorism. Parliament is also having its – positive – say on this matter in respect of Turkey, Israel, Tunisia, Morocco, Lebanon, Egypt and Algeria.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative as it gives Parliament’s permission to the Commission to open negotiations for an agreement between the European Union and Turkey on the exchange of personal data between the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and the Turkish authorities responsible for fighting serious crime and terrorism. Parliament is also having its – positive – say on this matter in respect of Jordan, Israel, Tunisia, Morocco, Lebanon, Egypt and Algeria. Even if Turkey has been going towards a hybrid system where authoritarianism and democracy intertwine, the EU has in this country a partner in the fight against terror. Parliament is making clear that human rights and basic fundamental freedoms, as well as the rule of law, shall be taken into account the Commission. However, it is important to mention that Turkish bombardments of the Syrian town of Afrin have breached basic human rights, and Parliament should not remain silent about this.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this initiative as it gives Parliament’s permission to the Commission to open negotiations for an agreement between the European Union and the State of Israel on the exchange of personal data between the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and the Israeli authorities responsible for fighting serious crime and terrorism. Parliament is also having its – positive – say on this matter in respect of Turkey, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Lebanon, Egypt and Algeria. Cooperation with Israel, the sole fully fledged democracy in the Middle East, is of paramount importance for EU interests, particularly when it comes to security and combating terrorism.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this initiative as it gives Parliament’s permission to the Commission to open negotiations for an agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Tunisia on the exchange of personal data between the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and the Tunisian authorities responsible for fighting serious crime and terrorism. Parliament is also having its – positive – say on this matter for Turkey, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Lebanon, Egypt and Algeria. Tunisia is today the only success story of the Arab Spring and, even though it has been consolidating its democracy since 2011, the Tunisian state has made sufficient efforts to be seen as a reliable partner for the EU in terms of security and combating terror.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this initiative as it gives Parliament’s permission to the Commission to open negotiations for an agreement between the European Union and the Allawi Kingdom of Morocco on the exchange of personal data between the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and the Moroccan authorities responsible for fighting serious crime and terrorism. Parliament is also having its – positive – say on this matter in respect of Turkey, Israel, Tunisia, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Algeria. Like Tunisia, Morocco has also made important efforts to be regarded as a state that is implementing, steadily and slowly, a certain number of democratic criteria, institutions and procedures. Morocco is also the current main partner for security and defence matters with Spain in Northern Africa.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative as it gives Parliament permission to ask the Commission to open negotiations for an agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Lebanon on the exchange of personal data between the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and the Lebanese authorities responsible for fighting serious crime and terrorism. Parliament is also giving its positive say on this matter for Turkey, Israel, Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, Egypt and Algeria. Even if it is a country that needs some structural reforms and to end the proto-state posed by Hezbollah, Lebanon is one of the most tolerant and open-minded countries of the Middle East. Cooperation in terms of security and the fight against terrorism is therefore good for the EU.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this initiative as it gives Parliament’s permission to the Commission to open negotiations for an agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Egypt on the exchange of personal data between the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and the Egyptian authorities responsible for fighting serious crime and terrorism. Parliament is also having its – positive – say on this matter in respect of Turkey, Israel, Tunisia, Morocco, Lebanon, Jordan and Algeria. Parliament is, however, insistent on the inclusion of a clear provision setting out the data retention period for personal data that have been transferred, and requiring the erasure of the personal data transferred at the end of the data retention period.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this initiative as it gives Parliament’s permission to the Commission to open negotiations for an agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Algeria on the exchange of personal data between the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and the Algerian authorities responsible for fighting serious crime and terrorism. Parliament is also having its – positive – say on this matter in respect of Turkey, Israel, Tunisia, Morocco, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt. Algeria, as the biggest state of the Maghreb, is important to the EU in terms of combating terror and of security, even if its future is still unknown due to the current state of affairs.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative, as it is a step forward towards sound cooperation between the European Union and the Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar. This is an air traffic control agency based in Dakar (Senegal) which manages more than 16 million km2 of airspace all over Africa. As a result of opening up European cooperation with this Agency, planes operating and flying from Europe through and towards Africa will have a stronger guarantee of security.

2016/11/22

All cooperation between the EU and the United States of America in terms of scientific and technological research and cooperation is good for the EU and its citizens, and I thus support this initiative. The EU’s relationship with the US in science, technology and innovation (STI) is stronger than with any other country outside Europe. The US is also the most active country in Horizon 2020 as measured by the amounts of flows of scientists, mutual research and development investment, the volumes of cooperative activities and the number of co-authored publications and patents. Increased cooperation between the two parties can lead to significant economic growth, job creation and improvement in the quality of life for citizens on both sides of the Atlantic.

2016/11/22

The European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) is to pool European resources to develop top-of-the-range supercomputers for processing big data, based on competitive European technology. I support this initiative, as the computing and data needs of European scientists and industry do not match the computation time available in the EU: they do not have the most powerful machines that some of their applications require. We need to build them, and this report gives the necessary EP support.

2016/11/22

The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund was created to provide additional assistance to workers suffering the consequences of major structural changes in world trade patterns. In April 2018 the Commission used the EGF in favour of France to support the reintegration into the labour market of nearly 1 900 workers: resources are mainly located in the NUTS level 2 regions of Île-de-France and Provence-Alpes-Côte dʼAzur. The actions range from advisory services to business recovery through vocational guidance and training. EUR 9.8 billion is to be transferred from the EGF reserve to its budget line. I support this initiative.

2016/11/22

Today, the majority of the EU population (more than 70%) live in urban areas and the process of de-linking power from territory, which is inherent in globalisation, does not dispense with the need for networks of European cities in which the interests of the citizens of the Union are created and pursued. I support this initiative because the EU is incrementally strengthening the urban dimension of a number of its policies, and the report points out that cities play an important role in the implementation of certain policies and instruments of the EU, as well as stressing the key role of cities, and of all local authorities, in preparing, designing, financing and implementing key Union policies.

2016/11/22

. ‒ The European Defence Industrial Development Programme is part of the second window of the European Defence Fund, and it is designed for the cooperative acquisition of defence capabilities (the first window is intended to fund collaborative research in innovative defence technologies). This Programme seeks to meet the challenges facing the European defence industry: I support this initiative, as I also believe that the EU should move towards a common defence policy, now more than ever.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this initiative because farm statistics are very important tools to understand the state of EU agriculture, the effects of agricultural policies, the state of our rural areas and how they are affected by climate and social changes. Agriculture uses almost half of the land area of the EU and is at the heart of the European rural model.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this initiative because it aims to strengthen administrative cooperation in the field of value added tax (VAT), which is an important source of tax revenue for the Member States. In the context of VAT, cross-border tax fraud is one of the major problems and the current system of the taxation of trade between the Member States is unable keep up with the increasing speed of the economy. This initiative would increase the cooperation in order to avoid such fraud.

2016/11/22

. ‒ Indigenous peoples in the world have the same rights as any human being, and the EU has to raise awareness every time such rights are violated. Parliament is the main institution to do so, even if it can be labelled as hypocritical. I support this initiative because, as a Catalan, basic human rights are paramount when we have to defend them. The EU should also make sure that its Member States do not violate such rights within the EU, and should therefore apply its law also within its own territory.

2016/11/22

. ‒ Parliament is a diplomatic climate advocate within a climate-change fighter, the EU. I support this initiative because it aims at opening up the fight against climate change to other partners, especially in Asia, Africa and South America. The EU is a unique foreign policy actor due to its multi-level structure and institutions and is predestined to address different actors on different levels. Ongoing and solidifying existing partnerships should go hand in hand with new partnerships and alliances across the globe. Whilst increasing ambitions where possible, the approach should be tailored according to the capacities of the partners.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this report as access to culture is the underlying issue for cultural policy from both a national and an EU perspective. An active and accessible cultural sector for the development of an inclusive democratic society is paramount. We need to foster and improve the right of entry to culture as one of the main priorities of our political debates. Access to culture is one of the fundamental rights guaranteed in numerous legal documents, including the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The EU should lead and show the example on this.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative as I also believe that it is important to test the proportionality principle before a new regulation is posed under the EP scrutiny. The proportionality principle has been recognised as a fundamental principle of EU law by the Treaties as well as the ECJ, who defined the concrete criteria for its application. There is therefore no doubt that any professional regulation should be proportionate and fit for purpose. AS liberals we always say not more but better regulation. Avoiding overregulation and removing red tapes for businesses.

2016/11/22

I support the mandate to negotiate with Council and try find a compromise at EU level.Road transport is the dominant transport mode for goods and passengers in the European Union, employing around 1.6 million people. The EU has been developing a range of rules to ensure a fair, safe and sustainable road transport sector. EU legislation on the use of hired vehicles without drivers for the carriage of goods by road has been in operation for 25 years.

2016/11/22

Member States are required to achieve good environmental status for marine waters by 2020, establishing a framework for EU action in the field of marine environmental policy, something that I support. There are some concerns from the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) as regards the effectiveness of the proposed measures for protected species and habitats and seafloor integrity that need to be taken care of.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative as I think that no country should involve itself in any other’s country sovereignty. Only citizens from Abkhazia and South Ossetia have the right to decide about their future and, together with all citizens of Georgia, about the integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders. It is important that the EU remains committed to the peaceful resolution of the Russia–Georgia conflict, with complete respect for the fundamental norms and principles of international law, which started ten years ago, in August 2008, when Russia illegally occupied two Georgian territories. Ten years after the Russo-Georgian war, Russia continues to be in breach of its international obligations and refuses to implement the EU-mediated ceasefire agreement of 12 August 2008.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative as I also believe that the EU and the Africa Caribbean Pacific Group of Countries (ACP) should update and upgrade their partnership agreement. For the ACP, the Cotonou Agreement is based on a number of unique characteristics (i.e. its legally binding nature, its comprehensiveness, its large budget). Moreover, the ACP-EU partnership has played an important role in progress towards achieving the UN’s Millennium Development Goals and has made a significant contribution to the eradication of poverty, to the integration of ACP States into the global economy, and as a more effective global player in multilateral trade and climate negotiations.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative even though I am sceptical about the sound and effective application of EU law by both the European Commission and the Member States. Year after year, the same European Commission releases a report in which it assesses the implementation of EU law by Member States, such as the structural reforms meant at improving the general government deficit and the public debt ratio.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative even if I am very concerned about the fact that an increased minimum percentage to enter the European Parliament (ranging from 2% to 5%) will be very harmful for specific interests, such as Catalan interests, which will not be represented if such reform is undertaken. Brexit has prompted this EP composition reform, and Spain takes five more seats, eventually being 59 seats. It is also paramount to change Spain’s constituency, as it is now a unique constituency when it comes to European elections. Catalonia should have its own constituency, for example.

2016/11/22

I support the annexes of Regulation 2015/848, which lists the insolvency proceedings referred to in this same regulation. In the beginning of 2017, Croatia informed that it made a change on its domestic insolvency law introducing new types of insolvency proceedings (i.e. pre-insolvency proceedings and a consumer’s insolvency proceeding) and requested a modification of the list set out in Annex A to the Regulation, which is now being voted.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative as it updates the EU-Iceland agreement on supplementary rules for external borders and visas for the 2014-2020 period. Introduced in 2014 as part of the Internal Security Fund, the financial support tool for external borders and visa (ISF Borders and Visa) for the period 2014 to 2020 has the goal to ensure a high level of security in the EU while facilitating legitimate travel and tackling illegal immigration through a uniform and high level of control of the external border and the effective processing of Schengen visas.

2016/11/22

If I support the EU-Iceland agreement on supplementary rules for external borders and visas for the 2014-2020 period, previously explained, I have to also support the same framework for Switzerland. Introduced in 2014 as part of the Internal Security Fund, the financial sustenance tool for external borders and visa (ISF Borders and Visa) for the period 2014 to 2020 has the goal to ensure a high level of security in the EU while facilitating valid travel and tackling illegal settlement through a uniform and high level of control of the external border and the effective processing of Schengen visas.

2016/11/22

In 2011, the Council concluded that the conditions in all the areas of the Schengen acquis relating to air borders, land borders, police cooperation, data protection, the SIS, sea borders and visas had been fulfilled by Bulgaria and Romania, which joined the EU in 2007 and are not still part of Schengen. An EU citizen can have free roaming in these two countries but not enter them as easily as anywhere else in the EU. Despite repeated calls from the European Parliament for these countries to join the Schengen area, the Council has yet to take the final decision, which is dependent of a unanimous vote by all Schengen Member States. I hope this unanimity will eventually come, and therefore I also support this initiative.

2016/11/22

I support this report as I also believe that cohesion policy and the circular economy should be linked. Indeed, I believe the cohesion policy should foresee the circular economy. Cohesion policy and circular economy are about infrastructure policies and social cohesion and solidarity: these two concepts provide answers to the challenges faced by local and regional communities on how to tackle most important climate-related issues. I would like to see Catalonia being in the forefront of these. The EU needs to complete the employment of a relevant tracking methodology for an accurate monitoring of the cohesion policy involvement in achieving circular economy, and it should increase its commitments to circular economy and climate-related spending in post-2020 cohesion policy.

2016/11/22

The EU’s macro-financial assistance (MFA) is an exceptional emergency instrument aimed at addressing severe balance-of-payment difficulties in third countries, and it is the fourth time that the European Commission has proposed an MFA operation. The assistance is intended also to provide incentives to step up Ukraine's reform efforts which is done by agreeing with the Ukrainian authorities a Memorandum of Understanding setting out the supporting policy measures. These measures are conditional for the disbursement of the funds. Due to all this explanation, I support the initiative.

2016/11/22

Chile is the most successful country in South America, and it would be incomprehensible that the EU would not update its association agreement with such a nation. The EU and Chile share values and even culture, in many characteristics. Both the EU and Chile are close partners in climate change, international security, global governance and sustainable development. Besides all this, Chile is a leading nation in the Unasur framework, a well-established democracy, and a vigorous economy. Therefore, I support this initiative.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative as I also believe the EU and NATO should be closer than ever. Even if not all EU Member States are NATO members (i.e. Austria), I believe the EU should have sound relations with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, now that the main sponsor of NATO, the US, seems to be critic towards such a framework. This way, the EU will also be able to stand up properly in front of today’s challenges. EU-NATO cooperation should not be considered a goal in itself but a way to achieve shared security priorities and goals through complementarity of missions and available means.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative as cyber and hybrid challenges, threats and attacks constitute a major threat to the security, defence, stability and competitiveness of the EU, its Member States and its citizens. The EU has always been lacking behind these matters and this would be a good chance to make a step forward. Cyber defence incorporates both military and civilian dimensions, now that Member States face an unprecedented threat in the form of politically motivated, state-sponsored cyber-attacks as well as cyber-crime and terrorism. We either unite in front of a common challenge, or we perish.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because the financial and regulatory support for touristic recreational fishery is going to help fisher communities in diversifying their income and their economies. There is, at the EU level, an estimation of nearly 9 million recreational fisherman (1.6% of the EU population), who bring €10.5 billion to the economy. Even if we talk about a mere 1.6% of the EU population, it is worth supporting, as fishing is also a major activity in Catalan economy.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative as it establishes a more efficient and resilient post-trading systems and collateral markets for central counterparties (CCPs), which are indispensable elements for a well-functioning Capital Markets Union (CMU) and they expand the energies to support investments, growth and jobs in line with the political priorities of the EU. OTCs and CCPs need to disclose their performance. Post-trade risk reduction services, such as portfolio compression, can lead to a reduction of systemic risk. And in order to reduce the administrative weight and to increase the matching of trades, ESMA will have to introduce a common reporting standard to trade repositories. As CCPs and other financial counterparties are taking on delegated reporting duties, a single format will increase efficiency for all participants.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because I am interested in harmonising common rules in the field of civil aviation. This proposal’s main goal is to uphold overall aviation safety. The proposal introduces a risk and performance-based approach to safety regulation, the interdependencies between aviation safety and other technical domains of the regulation (i.e. aviation security or environmental protection). Creating a regulatory framework for the integration of new business models and emerging technologies (unmanned aircraft like drones) is necessary.

2016/11/22

The transport sector will be one of those called upon to make a significant contribution to the achievement of the objective to reduce fuel consumption of new heavy-duty vehicles, therefore I support this initiative. In 2014, heavy-duty vehicles accounted for 25% of CO2 emissions from the road transport sector, amounting to 5% of total CO2 emissions in the EU. Since nothing is being done to certify or record CO2 emissions and fuel consumption, the EP has to make sure that this matter is being tackled properly.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative as I also believe education is the foundation of an integrated, skilled and developed society. The EP needs to tackle this issue, and needs to focus on education as much as it does so with the single market or defence. An education which is inclusive, which teaches and fosters good practices and ethical standards, gender equality as well as non-discriminatory procedures, is necessary for the whole of the EU. Finally, all languages of the EU should be respected and guaranteed in a sound education system.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because the EU’s aquaculture sector needs to be sustainable and competitive. Aquaculture accounts for circa 20% of fish production and directly employs some 85.000 people across the EU. The sector is principally composed of SMEs or micro-enterprises in coastal and rural areas. Catalonia has also a rich aquaculture sector. In a background of the economic recession and growing competition from third countries, during the last 10 years the volume of aquaculture production in the EU suffered a deep recession too, which also led to structural changes within this sector. Now it is time for the law-makers to help push EU aquaculture forward.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this initiative because we have to put an end to odometer manipulation in motor vehicles. This type of manipulation is a phenomenon posing a serious threat to road safety, distorting the proper functioning of the internal market and imposing an unfair additional cost to consumers, insurers, second-hand car dealers, leasing companies and also manufacturers. So-called odometer adjusting or odometer correction tools are easily available and start at very low prices. In a higher price range more sophisticated tools with software update subscriptions are available, which amortise quickly, when the service is offered on a commercial basis.

2016/11/22

. ‒ This is a proposal for a decision on a European Union civil protection mechanism and I support it. Such mechanism is meant to support and complete action by the Member States in terms of civil protection in order to prevent natural or man-made disasters, to get ready to fight them and to know how to manage them efficiently as soon as they unleash. The EU should give more efficient aid for those structures aimed at preventing urgent crises, both in Europe and beyond.

2016/11/22

I support this report because it is a form to support the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF): a common, centrally managed funding programme designed to promote the development of a high-performing, sustainable and interconnected trans-European network (TEN) in the fields of transport, energy and digital services infrastructure. An arm of this European policy is the Mediterranean Corridor, a major project in Catalonia and Valencia’s region that will connect the Iberian Peninsula with the core of the EU. This way, Catalonia will become a regional hub for trade and connectivity for the Mediterranean basin and southern Europe.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this motion because it denounces the current unstable situation in the Republic of Nicaragua. Daniel Ortega, its President since 2007, has deployed the security forces of the State against its own people, killing some, injuring many, and disenchanting large numbers of young citizens as regards the aims and means of the Nicaraguan State. It is time for Ortega to finish his term as President and to help Nicaragua face a brighter future in concomitance with the other political parties of the country.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this report because women are an extremely relevant feature of our society and our economy, and their rights have to be tackled properly, through the EU’s external relations. Empowerment, equal living and working conditions, social justice, inner and outer development are at the core of this ambition, as the whole purpose of external policy is to promote beneficial economic growth, human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Women’s rights are human rights.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this report because it aims at implementing a new EU Youth Strategy, which comes at a crucial moment for Europe: Brexit negotiations, discussions on the next MFF, and the future generation of key programmes meaning Erasmus+, Creative Europe, Europe for Citizens and the Youth Employment Initiative and the European Solidarity Corps. Economic recovery is ongoing, the European economy is becoming more robust, with decreasing unemployment, but our young people are still upset after 10 years of great recession. Youth is a priority and the EU has to take initiatives in order to tackle youth unemployment, to increase youth participation, to foster inclusion and to promote volunteering that have been launched. The results are positive but the objectives are far from being achieved and therefore EU Youth Strategy should be improved and strengthened.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this report on the implementation of the Ecodesign Directive (Directive 2009/125/EC) because greater economies of scale may be generated, and the management of energy and raw materials improved if the EU exploits the full potential of ecodesign: the integration of environmental aspects into product design with the aim of improving the environmental performance of the product throughout its whole life cycle. The EU has embarked on the transition to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy, and a number of policies and measures bear out this statement: the EU played a leading role in the conclusion of the Paris climate agreement.

2016/11/22

. ‒ Precarious contracts have increased in the EU in last 15 years. In particular, these affect young people, who are living through a worrisome generational gap between an asset-rich generation and a precarious generation. Our youth has to face this ‘normal’ precariousness that our fathers have not experienced. The European economy requires flexibility, which I understand, yet we need to avoid the abuse of such flexibility.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative as it proposes to mobilise the European Union Solidarity Fund to grant financial assistance relating to forest fires in Portugal and Spain, hurricanes in France and earthquakes in Greece. These natural disasters occurred during 2017 and caused the loss of human lives and a great deal of destruction in the regions affected – most of them qualified as less developed regions. The deployment of the EU Solidarity Fund is a mark of solidarity in the EU to the countries and the European citizens that suffered throughout the tragic events.

2016/11/22

As stated in the explanation of votes about the mobilisation of the EUSF for Spain, Portugal and Greece, I support this initiative as it proposes to mobilise the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to grant financial assistance relating to forest fires in Portugal and Spain, hurricanes in France and earthquakes in Greece. These natural disasters occurred during 2017 and caused the loss of human lives and a great deal of destruction in the regions affected, most of them qualified as less developed regions. The deployment of the EU Solidarity Fund is a mark of solidarity in the EU to the countries and the European citizens that suffered throughout the tragic events.

2016/11/22

One of the main problems that affects the European economy today is the disloyal competition of some subsidised companies and activities from third countries to the European single market. The European Parliament must make sure that MEPs are aware of this challenge, which is also one of the main economic attempts to our economic structure. Fair play is necessary and Europe may find a solution to the strong waves of globalisation by preventing bad habits and behaviour by some third countries.

2016/11/22

The market for fish in the European Union is the largest in the world, absorbing a quarter of all imports. I support this initiative because it seeks to align EU fisheries products with access criteria to the EU market. The EU imported almost 9 million tonnes of fisheries and aquaculture products in 2016, compared to EU production of 6 million tonnes. EU’s dependence on imports for almost 60% of the total supply has a clear impact on fisheries and trade policy in the EU. The EU market is discriminatory with respect to fish and the conditions that must be met in order to place fish on the market. The discrimination does not work in favour of the EU fishing sector.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because I believe that the goal of the EU of a multifunctional and diversified agriculture and forestry sector that creates jobs is fair and is driven by sustainable agricultural practices and enables the preservation of viable small and family farms, which could be acquired and handed down from generation to generation. Besides this, the common agricultural policy is one of the oldest and most integrated European policies and of global strategic status, and should be designed to enable the EU farming and forestry sector to respond to justified citizens’ issues, regarding not only food security, safety, quality and sustainability, but also environmental care, biodiversity and natural resources protection, climate change action, rural expansion, health and high animal welfare standards, and engagement.

2016/11/22

I support the new IIA because it sets out common pledges and purposes, contains requirements on interinstitutional cooperation as regards multiannual and annual interinstitutional programming, tools for better law—making, legislative tools, delegated and implementing acts, transparency and coordination of legislative development, implementation and application of EU legislation and simplification. It also provides for the formation of a dedicated joint database on the state of play of law—making files and of a register on delegated acts.

2016/11/22

The upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the seven-year period from 2021 and 2027 will be the first after Brexit and needs an overall amendment, based on the inclusion of more budget lines from the Member States that keep their allegiance to the European project. I support this initiative even if I would like to see a bigger percentage of the overall EU GDP dedicated to the EU budget, and not only the current 1.3%, as publicised by the Commission.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative as it seeks to ensure the EU support for the UN Action Plan for Libya aimed at the stabilisation of the country. It also seeks to ensure a political and inclusive reconciliation process with all Libyan actors, including all tribal entities. It also looks to intensify the EU’s diplomatic efforts to support the UN plan and help consolidate a Libyan Government which could guarantee security and extend its authority to the whole territory of Libya. Now that the US has withdrawn from its interest in Northern Africa and large parts of the Middle East, it is time for the EU to step forward and secure its southern border.

2016/11/22

I support this report as the Schengen area is one of the greatest achievements of the European Union and it is a vital part of the European project and the most appreciated and documented by European citizens. In the last reform of the Schengen Governance, and after severe negotiations, the European Parliament saw its scrutiny powers enhanced and more in line with the European framework. Although it remains founded in the sovereign competence of Member States to control their borders, in 2013 Schengen became more European.

2016/11/22

I support this report because it aims to assess the implementation of Directive 2012/29/EU establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and defence of victims of crime in EU Member States. In particular, it focuses on its unity, relevance, success and efficiency. In doing so, it covers various aspects of the solicitation of the Directive: the legal transposition measures at the Member States level, the practical enactment of the Directive on the ground, the benefits it has provided to victims as well as the challenges encountered. The Report finally provides a number of recommendations to the Commission and the Member States for further promoting the implementation of the Directive in the future.

2016/11/22

I support this report because it explains in a complete manner the steps made by the Common Commercial Policy in the last year. Since the publication in 2015 of the Trade for All strategy, the context of the Union’s trade policy has changed profoundly and new trade challenges now need to be addressed. The past two years have seen the USA engaged in a gradual withdrawal from international trade and the multilateral system, while the trading might of Asia continues to grow. Within Europe, the UK gave notice on 29 March 2017 of its decision to leave the European Union following the referendum result. At the same time, the economic context has been coloured by the accelerated development of services and of e-commerce.

2016/11/22

A special committee on terrorism is necessary, as ‘terrorism’ is one of the most serious fears of the European citizens today, together with the economy and unemployment. We, as Members of the European Parliament, cannot be blind to the fears of our constituents and must ensure that these challenges are thoroughly debated and eventually solved, or tried to be solved, within the European Parliament.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative as it looks to prevent the growing mortality of some herring stocks in the Baltic Sea. In fact, the sustainable exploitation of marine biological resources may be better attained through a multiannual approach to fisheries management. That could be done, for instance, by adopting the multiannual fisheries management plans, which, under the current Common Fisheries Policy, could reflect the specificities of the different fisheries and its stocks. A strong and reliable CFP is necessary for the maintenance of Europe’s fish stocks.

2016/11/22

Today the European Commission gives quite stark importance to simplifying and clarifying the law of the Union in order to make it clearer and more accessible to citizens, therefore giving them new opportunities to make use of the specific rights it gives them. This aim cannot be achieved so long as numerous provisions that have been amended several times, often quite substantially, remain scattered. I support this initiative because considerable research work in order to simplify this has been done, comparing many different instruments. In this case we are voting for the codification of the statistics of goods transport by inland waterways.

2016/11/22

The system of cumulation was initially put in place under the agreement in the form of exchange of letters between the Union and Switzerland of 14 December 2000. I support this initiative because it establishes a new system of proofs, among other features, as well as it opens itself to Norway and Turkey. The new system of cumulation entails that the EU, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey will allow the beneficiary countries of the General System of Preferences (GSP) to incorporate materials from any of the countries in the system. The GSP reform established that former Certificates of origin of Form A had to be replaced by 1 January 2017. A new REX system started to apply on 1 January 2017 in some GSP beneficiary countries, and others will adopt it during 2018 and 2019. This Agreement is also necessary to make sure that there is a smooth running of trade between the EU and Switzerland: it will enable the EU and Switzerland to use the new replacement proofs of origin provided for by the new REX system.

2016/11/22

‒ As stated previously, the system of cumulation was initially put in place under the agreement in the form of exchange of letters between the Union and Switzerland of 14 December 2000. I support this initiative because it establishes a new system of proofs, among other features, as well as it opens itself to Norway and Turkey. The new system of cumulation entails that the EU, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey will allow the beneficiary countries of the General System of Preferences (GSP) to incorporate materials from any of the countries in the system. The GSP reform established that former Certificates of origin of Form A had to be replaced by 1 January 2017. A new REX system started to apply on 1 January 2017 in some GSP beneficiary countries, and others will adopt it during 2018 and 2019.

2016/11/22

Cooperation with third countries is essential to fight VAT fraud. The vote focuses now on Norway, a Member of the European Economic Area (EEA) with a VAT system similar to that applied in the EU, and that enjoys a good tradition of cooperation in the field of VAT with the EU. I therefore support this initiative. The links of amiability between the EU and Norway touch also the VAT system. For instance, in 2009 Norway informed Member States about VAT missing traders' fraud in the field of carbon credits; and between 2009 and 2012, the Norwegian tax authorities communicated to European authorities information on fraudulent transactions. Furthermore, Norwegian officials also participated in multilateral controls with some Member States in the energy sector. There are thus many advantages for Member States to cooperate with Norway.

2016/11/22

The EU fishing sector is facing more difficult and complex challenges: the status of resources and the increase in outgoings, or fluctuant variations in the price of fuel, can end up having a decisive impact on the incomes of fishermen. Downward variations in, and unfair allocation of, fishing quotas mean that local communities face complicated situations owing to the reduction in extractive activities and to the fact that the rules of fair competition are being infringed. I support this initiative because the fishing sector plays a key role in supplying fish to the public and keeping the Member States’ food balances in equilibrium, as well as making a major contribution to the socio-economic well-being of coastal communities, local development, employment, the maintenance and creation of upstream and downstream economic activities, and the preservation of local cultural traditions. It is necessary to allow for marked differences as regards to fleet segments, fleets, fishing gear, productivity, target species, consumer preferences, or per capita fish consumption in EU Member States, in addition to the specific topographies of the fishing industry resulting from its social construction, the forms of marketing, and the structural and natural disparities among fishing regions.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because it seeks to create opportunities for young farmers and new entrants to the land labour. Overall, the current supports are widely perceived as enabling a new generation of farmers to enter the sector. In the context of the new Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) after 2020, the proposal as it has been amended commends that the support to CAP young farmers’ tools should carry on, and the maximum level of funding be increased beyond 2%. The proposal encourages land mobility and access to land, as it is the largest barrier to new entrants to farming in Europe: access to land is limited by the low supply of land for sale or rent in many regions, as well as competition from other farmers, investors and residential users, and it is aggravated by the present Direct Payment structure, which dis-incentivises land sales and rental, and supports land speculation.

2016/11/22

The proposal focuses on mixed fisheries for North Sea demersal stocks, but it does not refer to the biological interactions between stocks, since science is not yet able to model them sufficiently. The phenomenon of choke species may occur in mixed fisheries. The Commission has thus incorporated the concept of ‘ranges’ in its proposal, and these should allow for a degree of flexibility for the issue of choke species. I therefore support this initiative. Scientific advice and calculations of stock generally relate to so-called ‘ICES areas’, which are based on findings and may be adapted over time to the stock situation, and this results in a discrepancy between stock units and management units.

2016/11/22

On 8 March 2016, the European Commission proposed a revision of the rules on posting of workers within the EU to ensure they remain fit for purpose. Until Member States and the European Parliament have agreed on the revision and the new rules have entered into force, the current rules remain in place (made in 2015). It is an incomplete and inconsistent proposal in many of its aspects (it hampers labour competition in some of its features, for instance, or that the proposal puts limitations on the cross-border movement of services and therefore limits one of the fundamental freedoms of the EU), therefore I cannot support the initiative as it is, knowing and aiming for an upgrade and an update as soon as possible. Freedom of movement is one of the basic and foundational rights that sustain the EU structure. It is a controversial issue and it will remain so, yet I am sure we, as Members of the European Parliament, are entitled to push it towards its rightful direction.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO), a recent organisation established to complement the WCPFC and I-ATTC, is responsible for the management of fisheries for non-highly migratory species. The proposal from the Commission aims to transpose the various Conservation and Management Measures (CMM) that have been adopted so far. The SPRFMO entered into force in August 2012 and at present there are 15 Contracting Parties and two Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties (Liberia, Panama). Belize was a CPC for a few years but withdrew in May 2016. It is necessary that the EU makes accords with third countries, establishing ad hoc international organisations that function mostly as a secretariat in order to fulfil the priorities stated in such IO.

2016/11/22

Even if I am highly in favour of sustainable finance as a concept, as a means, and as an overall objective, I have abstained because there was not a real interest from some political groups to reach consistent compromises, and the file went in one direction from the beginning. The current file remains narrow, focusing more on ‘green’, a feature of ‘sustainable’, rather than on ‘sustainable’ itself. Narrowing the scope would only reward a small niche in the market and would be a missed opportunity. As regards to the taxonomy that the proposal wants to establish, access to more information is needed, and we have to make sure that this information is useful and comparable, based on a common language and uniform definitions. This language could then be used to establish a labelling or rating system that could be used by those market players. The taxonomy is thus not a label, but a suitable tool to rate investments projects which aim at being ‘green’ or ‘sustainable’. Furthermore, I am concerned, as many of my colleagues are, that the text wishes to link monetary policy to sustainable finance, when the former is uniquely meant to ensure price stability in the EU.

2016/11/22

I support this report as it makes clear that some Member States are not following European rules and principles, particularly when it comes to judiciary independence. Spain, the Member State I come from, has been hurting this fundamental principle and today it presents seven political prisoners without due process, and seven exiled persons who left Spain because they knew, as much as many Spaniards know, that a judicial process could be hampered by ad hoc and ex ante political interpretations. An effective justice system needs independence, quality and efficiency, and Spain is not following them. Interestingly, the rule of law needs these three principles to impose itself properly: if the justice system is morally corrupt, then is the rule of law to be given robust legitimacy from the citizens, in whom lies the sovereignty? An independent judicial system relies, on the one hand, on the lack of interference or pressure from government and politics or from parties with vested economic interests and, on the other hand, on effective guarantees provided by the status and position of judges and on their financial situation.

2016/11/22

. ‒ This protocol is concluded between the EU and the Republic of Uzbekistan, establishing a partnership to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the EU in 2013. I support this initiative because it is important that all Member States have their rights guaranteed in whichever protocol with third countries the EU may conclude.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative concerning a protocol to the Framework Agreement between the EU and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) to take account of Croatia’s accession to the EU in 2013. The Framework Agreement was signed in May 2010, eight years ago, entering into force in 2014, and is the first agreement between the EU and an Asian country. South Korea has always been a reliable partner when it comes to human rights, the rule of law, energy or environment, among other issues. This protocol’s purpose is to ensure that Croatia can be a party to the FA between the EU and South Korea.

2016/11/22

It is important that new psychoactive substances such as the ADB-CHMINACA be subjected to control measures. The psychoactive substance ADB-CHMINACA is a new synthetic cannabinoid with high potency and many reported adverse events and fatalities. The drug is currently scheduled in several countries in Europe and the USA. Several analytical methods need to be developed to confirm ADB-CHMINACA intake for clinical and forensic programmes. It is worth noting that for many synthetic cannabinoids, the parent compound is not detectable in biological samples after intake, making the detection of metabolites the only way to prove consumption. Therefore, I support this initiative.

2016/11/22

. ‒ It is important that new psychoactive substances such as CUMYL-4CN-BINACA should be subject to control measures. Like ADB-CHMINACA, CUMYL-4CN-BINACA is a synthetic cannabinoid. I support subjecting this substance to control measures as, like all synthetic cannabinoids, it is highly addictive and can have harmful consequences for people’s health. By the way, a synthetic cannabinoid is an altered marijuana or cannabis sativa product made in laboratories, where the psychoactive features are increased chemically.

2016/11/22

It is worth noting that the EU has budgetary instruments for providing additional support to workers who suffer the consequences of major structural changes in world trade or of global financial and economic crunches and to assist them with reintegration into the labour market. I support this initiative. Belgium submitted an application for a financial contribution from the EGF after Caterpillar decided to move a plant from that country to China, resulting in 2 287 redundancies in Belgium.

2016/11/22

The fight against fraud should be one of our main activities. The EU is responsible for implementing circa 74% of its budget and this responsibility goes hand in hand with the fight against fraud. Achieving good performance with further simplification of bureaucratic burdens, together with further diversity of legal and administrative systems in the Member States, needs to adequately address irregularities and eventual fraud. Corruption affects all Member States, and therefore the EU itself, not only in the form of organised crimes or Mafias, but also in the form of bad practices, inefficiencies that can be solved quickly, or lack of transparency and accountability. We as MEPs have to make sure fraud, one of the worst corruption features, is prevented as much as possible.

2016/11/22

The genetically modified sugar beet H7-1 is actually identical to the non-modified H7 sugar beet but has increased allergic consequences for human beings and mummers in general. Some Member States criticise that no tests with portions of sugar roots (often mixed with molasses and fed as pellets have been carried out) were not made properly with sheep, and therefore they cannot be regarded as representative. Human exposure to the protein could be negligible. These are already good reasons for me to support this initiative.

2016/11/22

The EIB is an important institution of the EU and I support the annual report on the control of its financial activities for 2016. Being bound by the Consolidated Treaties to the integration of the EU itself, the EIB is a core institutional asset for the purposes of the EU as it plays a key role in implementing a big number of financial instruments able to leverage EU budgetary funds.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this initiative though I regret that my Spanish colleagues cannot extrapolate their craving for freedom to their own country, which is actually undertaking some of the worst Maduro features. The Chavista regime, set in 1999 by late President Hugo Chávez (1999–2013) and the new ‘Bolivarian’ Republic, has outlawed opposition parties and undermined the same rule of law it wants to guarantee. In January 2018, Venezuela’s Supreme Court excluded the MUD party, a coalition of opposition parties, from the presidential elections, due to be held on Sunday 20 May 2018. Venezuelan politics are becoming more and more polarised and this country is already seen as crossing its worst political crisis in the last decades.

2016/11/22

. ‒ Compared to the 2007–2013 TEN-T Programme, the CEF Transport Programme in 2014–2020 wants to allocate more funding to projects at advanced stages of implementation, both works and mixed projects. With EUR 24.05 billion available for infrastructure projects under CEF, this means approximately EUR 47 in transport financing per European citizen, a correct amount as it lies among the 20 largest projects financed under the 2014–2015 CEF calls. On the other hand, the European Structural and Investment (ESI) funds foresee a total of approximately EUR 70 billion for transport projects programmed in the 2014–2020 period. I support this initiative.

2016/11/22

Migration is a natural human feature, human beings are as nomadic as they are sedentary. A human child does not make the rational decision, even if out of desperation or disgrace, to migrate. Protection of children in migration is therefore paramount and I support this initiative. According to UNICEF, there are circa 5.4 million migrant children living in Europe, and according to the UNHCR, more than 32 000 children arrived in the frontier Member States (Spain, Italy, Bulgaria) in 2017. 47% of them arrived separated from their parents or any other tutor or adult. These unforgivable numbers have to be tackled not only in motions for resolutions, but also in tangible policies.

2016/11/22

The Cosmetics Regulation (Regulation 1223/2009 on cosmetic products) lays down the conditions for the marketing of cosmetic products and ingredients in the EU and aims to achieve an internal market for cosmetic products while ensuring a high level of human health protection. I support this initiative as I also believe that animal testing for cosmetics is simply cruel and inhuman. Human beings are also animals, we are just an evolved breed of apes who can domesticate, at our will, other mummers and birds. This cannot mean that we have to be mean to animals, and cosmetic testing is a form of cruelty. It is worth noticing though that the EU has undertaken to promote animal welfare while protecting human health and the environment.

2016/11/22

. ‒ Media pluralism and media freedom in the EU are being harassed by Member States and private stakeholders. In Spain, for example, there are media platforms that deliberately obscure the truth, making up increasingly fake news and interested more in shares than in facts. Pluralism in the media is at stake not only in Spain but also in other Member States, such as Hungary and Poland. In some cases, large communities, such as Catalans in Spain or migrants in Poland, feel threatened by this harassment.I support this initiative because a statement from Parliament regarding the necessity of further improving, monitoring and increasing media pluralism and freedom is always welcome.

2016/11/22

This proposal, which I support, sets an agreed limit of VAT rate that ensures the proper functioning of the internal market, and at the same time is flexible enough as for Member States to set a standard VAT rate instead of different last-minute prolongations of a temporary minimum rate. Moreover, this proposal lays within a series of several legislative proposals whose objective is to reform the EU VAT system, moving towards a definitive EU VAT system, reforms which are necessary and Member States should agree upon their implementation in a smooth manner. It is also time for this Parliament to hold taxation-related legislative powers.

2016/11/22

One of the most preoccupying issues within the whole terrorism matter is the fact that the financial system can be used for money laundering purposes or terrorist financing. The UN, Interpol and Europol have reported that there is a convergence between organised crime and terrorism and the use of the financial system for criminal purposes. I support this initiative. Activities related to money laundering make large use of cash transactions and the spread and use of on-line bank accounts has increased. This initiative, among other things, says that the Commission should assess the size of a maximum threshold of cash transfers to be adopted at EU level, leaving to Member States the choice to impose lower thresholds, and the assessment should be carried out within two years from the date of entry into force of the Directive. Measures released by the EU need to reflect the commitments undertaken by the EU at international level and have due regard for the fundamental rights and principles recognised in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU.

2016/11/22

There is a need to introduce market surveillance provisions to complement the type-approval requirements as regards to motor vehicles and their trailers, as well as a need to clarify their safeguard procedures and the conditions for granting extensions to approvals for existing types of vehicle. I therefore support this initiative, as it also includes the necessity to align roles and responsibilities of economic operators in the supply chain, and of the authorities and parties involved in the enforcement of the framework, among other issues.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative. It introduces amendments offering more precision on products and processes lying within the proposed regulation, such as definitions and clarifications and positive lists for authorised substances foreseen in the annexes, as well as principles concerning management of biological processes. There are going to be exceptions from some rules, exceptions which are going to be phased out over time, although based on reliable data on availability of regions and Member States. This initiative also looks for the need to simplify legislation. This initiative also considers the implementation of an EU organic agency aiming at improving the implementation of the organic regulation on controls and coordinated action on European level.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative as I also deem relevant the necessity to establish guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States. The EU has developed and implemented policy coordination instruments for fiscal, macroeconomic and structural policies which have a significant impact on the social and employment situation. Some of these instruments, the present Guidelines for the Employment Policies of the Member States, form the Integrated Guidelines for Implementing the Europe 2020 Strategy, whose aim is to guide policy implementation in the Member States and in the EU.

2016/11/22

This procedure, which I support, is the fourth full budgetary procedure made in the new legislature and the sixth one during the 2014–2020 MFF. The 2019 budget’s objectives are the 2019 European Parliament election campaign, security projects, multiannual building projects, IT development, improving services for Members and encouraging a green approach to transport. Almost two thirds of the budget is index-bound expenditure which relates mainly to remunerations, pensions, medical expenses and allowances for serving and retired MEPs (23%) and staff (34%), as well as to buildings (13%), adjusted according to the Staff Regulations and Statute for Members, to sector-specific indexation, or to the inflation rate. The EP’s credibility as one arm of the budgetary authority depends to an extent on its ability to manage its own spending, and on its ability to develop democracy.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative as I believe we need much higher quality statistics and data on business in the EU. Data users, like private actors and policymakers, use statistics to take evidence-based decisions and compare options. European business statistics will have to be built on a common framework with harmonised definitions that facilitate the understanding of the state of the European economy. Furthermore, data should be gathered in a cost-effective manner and provided in a timely way, with comparability across Member States.

2016/11/22

Energy Union Strategy, adopted by the European Commission on 25 February 2015, has a complementary action in this initiative, which I support. A consistent and stable legal framework is a precondition for achieving these objectives. By providing total legal clarity and transparency of existing legislation, the Commission’s proposal amending the current Gas Directive ensures a level playing field for all EU energy market participants as well as long-term investment certainty and predictability, which are key elements for every reliable investor or operator wanting to play according to fair and equal rules.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative as I also believe journalists have the right to investigate. Free and independent media constitute one of the cornerstones of a democratic society and Member States have the obligation to ensure that press freedom and journalists are protected on their territory. The rights to freedom of expression and freedom of opinion are indispensable conditions for the full realisation of the principles of transparency and accountability. This motion focuses on Slovak investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his partner Martina Kušnírová, who were found murdered in their home in Veľká Mača on 25 February 2018. Their death, together with Malta’s journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, are black spots in the EU’s achievements as regards to freedom of the press.

2016/11/22

I have always been a supporter of civil society, therefore I also support this initiative. I believe that the EU needs to foster social capital and the third sector, establishing innovative manners and ways and types to foster horizontal and not-for-profit endeavours. A well-developed civil society constitutes the best protection against an erosion of values, something that we are currently seeing in Catalonia. The stronger the civil society, the freer the individual. CSOs promote these values despite facing growing difficulties in terms of funding and communication. Moreover, the EU should provide funding to CSOs operating in third countries to foster these values.

2016/11/22

On 4 March 2018 a Turkish court in Edirne, old Adrianopolis, ruled that two soldiers, who are currently being held in maximum security detention and are accused of illegally entering Turkey, should still be detained. These two Greek soldiers have been held in a Turkish prison for more than one month without charges being brought against them, leaving them unaware of the crime of which they are accused. I support this motion. Previous cases of similar accidental crossings of the border by either Greek or Turkish soldiers were settled in the past on the spot at the level of the local military authorities of both sides. We need a good entente between these two countries, and be aside Greece, a Member State of the EU.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative. It mentions the probable creation of a green card awarding national parliaments a sort of instrument within the field of legislative initiative. This innovation would have three limits: it cannot be a true legislative initiative, as this is a right exclusively reserved to the Commission; it cannot be used in relation to the repeal of existing EU law as it would otherwise act as a reverse red card; it should not incorporate any right to amendment European legislation. The idea is to reflect the right understanding of subsidiarity, to the extent that it means that national parliaments recognise that some matters are of exclusive competence of the EU.

2016/11/22

This may be the last Competition report of this term, next year we have European elections. As you know, it sends a strong political message to the Commission.Some of the competition problems are the same than five years ago. Among those, the Google antitrust case. Five years in the Google case seems eternity.We strongly supports the independence of the Commission and the national competition authorities:Their mission is to enforce effectively EU competition rules for the benefit of all EU citizens. Sufficient financial and human resources is key to achieve this goal.We denounce the utilisation and misuse of data for some years now.Paragraph 44 of this report, written well before the Facebook scandal, states that:‘Big tech companies’ use of personal data is unprecedented. Consumers are often not aware or informed of the extent to which their data is being used, for example in profiling or targeted advertising’. The New GDPR rules that come into force are a good news.Regarding the Google antitrust shopping case, in paragraph 42 we put the unbundling of Google back on the table, as one of the options to restore equal treatment and non-discrimination in search results.We also invite Google CEO in a joint IMCO-ECON hearing.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative as it poses the focus on the growing and preoccupying vaccine hesitancy and drop in vaccination rates in Europe. It is important to acknowledge that the cost of a full vaccines package for one child, even at the lowest global prices, increased by a factor of 68 between 2001 and 2014, and this price increase is unjustifiable and incompatible with the Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting wellbeing at all ages, Within the EU and the EEA, countries vary considerably in relation to recommended vaccines. EU Member States have all endorsed the WHO’s European Vaccine Action Plan 2015-2020. The decline in vaccination acceptance in Europe has led to noteworthy measles outbursts and related deaths in some European countries, something that we have to prevent as much as possible.

2016/11/22

The Commission did not submit a report on the application of the European Protection Order Directive and I support this draft denouncing this issue. Entered into force in 2015, this directive needed data collection, which has not been done neither by the Commission nor the agencies nor even by NGOs in order to assess the use of this instrument at EU level. One of the major problems of the EU is that it seems not to be able to implement its own legislation: there is a deep difference between the legislation objective and the legislative implementation.

2016/11/22

The Bologna Process is an intergovernmental initiative with which Member States aim to achieve, through open and collaborative dialogue, common goals through internationally agreed commitments and contribute to the construction of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). I support it as the Bologna Process has promoted mobility by pleasing to the eye of the internationalisation of higher education and cultivating the compatibility and comparability of standards of different higher education systems, while regarding the principles of academic freedom and institutional self-sufficiency and focusing on solidifying the quality of higher education and offering equal opportunities for citizens.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative as it establishes that the electoral period for the European elections is going to be from Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 May 2019, after the Council reached an agreement with the Member States, having regard to the opinion suggested by the Conference of Presidents of the Parliament. It is important to make this decision because the Member States need to have enough time to organise these elections. In Catalonia, like in Spain, for example, such elections might be parallel to local elections.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative as I believe the EU and Australia need to have tighter relations when it comes to trade, society, culture and political objectives in the Indo-Pacific regions (as both are engaged in dialogue cooperation with ASEAN, the ARF, the ASEM, and the EAS). The framework agreement between the EU and Australia was concluded on 7 August 2017, as that year celebrated 55 years of cooperation and diplomatic relations. It is worth mentioning that 25 EU Member States have embassies in Australia, and Australia has embassies in all EU28.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because it is the resolution of the EU–Australia FA concluded on 7 August 2017. The EU and Australia are very much aligned on foreign policy matters, such as those relating to Russia, North Korea or the Middle East. Also, both actors need each other in order to counterbalance other global actors, as the EU itself is a global actor that needs to enhance its presence in the large Asia–Pacific region, where Australia is a natural ally. Also, Australia has close security and defence linkages with the US and China, two global actors the EU needs to maintain correct relations with.

2016/11/22

I support it because this document gives the Parliament’s consent to the draft Council decision on the Prevention of Terrorism. This is one of the most preoccupying issues of our times, and citizens place this issue among the top five of their preoccupations. In order to maintain basic and fundamental freedoms, and to ensure a level playing field in equal opportunities thwarted by extreme security mechanisms and procedures, the EU Member States have to ensure that their citizens feel safe enough as to feel also free.

2016/11/22

As I support the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism, I also support this additional protocol. As I stated in the previous explanation, terrorism is one of the most preoccupying issues of our times, and citizens place this issue among the Top 5 of their preoccupations. In order to maintain basic and fundamental freedoms, and to ensure a level playing field in equal opportunities thwarted by extreme security mechanisms and procedures, the EU Member States have to ensure that their citizens feel safe enough as to feel also free.

2016/11/22

I also believe that waste management in the EU needs to be improved. In order to protect, preserve and enhance environment quality and human health, it is necessary to embrace the principles of the circular economy and invest in the efficient use of natural resources and renewable energy, thus reducing our dependence on imported resources, sometimes from third countries which may end up being too disruptive for the interests of the EU. It is therefore necessary to take additional measures on sustainable production and consumption, using resources more efficiently.

2016/11/22

I support this proposal because it is intended to simplify the obligations of the Member States as regards supportive Member State–EU provisions. Member States need to make an effort to properly collect and transfer data to the Commission, which should develop a common methodology for collection, organisation and processing of data, cooperating with national statistical offices in order to secure data quality comparability. Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), end-of-life (ELV) vehicles and batteries are subject to increasing demand, as they are made of valuable and scarce materials.

2016/11/22

As this package seeks to view the whole issue in a broader context, I support this initiative. It is designed to encourage the Commission to make the economy more competitive through the promotion of sustainable reindustrialisation. It is necessary to increase the value of resource by intervening in all phases of the product cycle (extraction of raw materials, manufacturing, distribution, consumption and end of life). The idea takes the waste hierarchy as a main basis and seeks to channel waste back towards the production process.

2016/11/22

By way of a horizontal approach, this initiative, which I support, focuses on action to enhance the efficient use of resources and a reduction in the production of waste and its impact on the environment by putting the circular economy at the centre. It is an efficient economic model for our times, as a paradigm shift is needed to take us to innovative waste management methods and make it back to the production life cycle properly.

2016/11/22

This package, among other objectives, proposes a decision repealing the SRD and other six acts coming from it. I support this initiative because it simplifies environmental reporting and is aligned also to the overarching goals for a wider and broader circular economy. The Commission and the EEA, as other national competent authorities, need to be transparent and accountable enough as to make citizens understand what these institutions make in terms of environmental policy.

2016/11/22

I strongly support this critical resolution, I would personally made it even stronger asking for the revocation, not the ‘reassessment of the Secretary general of the Commission. I believe this behaviours degrades the image, the integrity and the legitimacy both of the Secretary General and of the Institution.The resolution is clear:- ‘the two-step nomination of the Secretary-General could be viewed as a coup-like action which stretched and possibly even overstretched the limits of the law;’and- ‘asks the Commission to reassess the procedure of appointment of the new Secretary-General in order to give other possible candidates within the European public administration the possibility to apply and hence allow for a wider choice among potential candidates’This appointment was secretly prepared, Commissioners were not informed in advance. Article 7 of the Staff Regulations requires urgency for a transfer of staff without making the post vacant in order to allow for internal competition.The way the deputy head of Junker was rewarded head of cabinet (because she withdrew her application before the end of the procedure) for the post of deputy secretary general is also not a best practice in the EU public administration. Is the EC choosing the best candidates based on merits? Hopefully the EU ombudsman will denounce all this.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative as it tackles one of the most contemporary issues of our times. Coming from Catalonia, whose Proactiva Open Arms civil society organisation has been a leading light in the rescue of migrants and refugees in the Mediterranean, this a field we Catalans feel rather attached. It is important to acknowledge that migration is a complex phenomenon and, at the same time, a stark growing reality. The world has seen 258 million international migrants worldwide in 2017. Historically, Europe has been a territory of destination and origin, and some areas, such as Catalonia, have also been channel or linking territories, through which peoples moves across and sometimes stayed, enriching our culture and society.

2016/11/22

The objective of this report is to contribute to the discussion of the parallel MFF negotiations in the post–2020 framework and the funding of the EEAS. I support it. It examines the mid-term review made by the Commission, as well as the reports made public by the evaluators, and the EPRS. The external challenges of the EU interlink with its internal ones. Europe is not an isolated territory, but it borders with unstable areas which need proper and individualised focus, such as Russia, the Caucasus, Turkey, the Middle East, and North Africa. The great majority of them do not share our democratic and human rights-based values.

2016/11/22

Subsidiarity and proportionality are two of the main principles which the EU is based upon. I support this report because its goal is to analyse their application by the EU institutions and their partners, how they meet citizens’ expectations, how Member State institutions meet their obligations regarding these two principles. Both subsidiarity and proportionality ensure efficiency in the European legislative process and respect Member State sovereignty, and at the same time have to deal with renewed pressures of scepticism and phobia against the European project.

2016/11/22

PRIMA, or the new Partnership on Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area adopted by the EP, is a public-private partnership targeting those countries in the Mediterranean basin. As a Catalan, coming from a country linked geographically and historically to the Mediterranean, I support this initiative as I believe Mediterranean cooperation is essential. PRIMA’s goal is to coordinate, enhance and improve the currently scattered research and innovation national programmes of sectors such as sustainability of agro-food and water provision within a multi-actor, multidimensional comprehensive and integrated approach.

2016/11/22

This Protocol is a suitable agreement between the EU and the Republic of Mauritius as regards to fisheries. I support this initiative because it gives the EU enough leverage as to apply its features in Mauritius’s waters. The new Protocol between the EU and the Republic of Mauritius was initialled on 26 April 2017 covering a period of four years. Furthermore, the respect of human rights, democratic principle and rule of law will be regarded in accordance with the Article 9 of the Cotonou Agreement. I want to recall that the EU is committed to the Africa Caribbean Pacific (ACP) Group of Countries. Finally, it is worth mentioning that this Protocol can be suspended or terminated at the initiative of any of the two parties.

2016/11/22

The EU and Norway are very close partners within the EEA. I support this initiative because it updates an agreement already signed on 15 April 2011, which increased the duty-free access of European agricultural products to the Norwegian market to around 60% of trade. The new agreement wants to increase the degree of liberalisation further, enlarging the current tariff rate quotas, and opening new tariff rate quotas for additional agricultural products and addressing certain pending trade irritants.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because the EU has a deficit in vegetable proteins due to the needs of its livestock sector. This depends on feed imports from third countries, such as soya from South America. A European strategy for the promotion of protein crops in order to encourage the production of protein and leguminous plants in the European agriculture sector would reduce such a dependency on imports and volatility of prices in livestock sectors.

2016/11/22

I support including new features within the 2030 climate and energy framework, such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals from land use, land use change, and forestry (LULUCF), which is also a category within the UNFCCC accounting framework for GHG emissions. This regulation establishes a legal framework for GHG emissions and removals from the LULUCF sector, from 2021. LULUFC goes to a separate pillar, in a flexibility clause linking it to the Effort Sharing System. It is worth mentioning that there is a complex relationship between agriculture and forestry to climate change, and even though EU forests cover 42% of its territory, they need for instance more timber. This sector has potential directed to climate change mitigation, with a suitable accounting at EU level for the period 2021–2030.

2016/11/22

This Effort Sharing Regulation, also known as Climate Action Regulation implementing the Paris Agreement, is key for the battle against climate change within the EU, which is why I support this initiative. We have to move towards a low-carbon economy, and the Paris Agreement adopted in 2015 marks this irreversible development. In order to provide long-term predictability, this proposal has an amendment in the form of a new article that sets out a long-term trajectory towards at least 80% greenhouse gas emission reductions by 2050. Furthermore, considering the significant challenges to decarbonise all sectors of the economy, more severe emissions for the period 2021-2030 will have to be provided.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative as I believe that political parties, also at the European level, need to be accountable and transparent enough to pose sufficient levels of exemplarity. For instance, a European political party will have to include evidence demonstrating that the majority of its members, or a minimum of seven, have published their activities in a user-friendly and understandable manner. As regards accountability, member parties of a European political party will have to comply with the new set of norms towards further organisational and democratic convergence.

2016/11/22

In order to fulfil the EU’s international commitments under the Paris Agreement and to achieve the EU’s goals for decarbonisation and energy efficiency in a cost-effective manner, the non-ETS sectors – transport or buildings – will have to deliver on their potential. I support this initiative because it is ambitious and future-proof, focusing also on SMEs. A key element is the national long-term renovation strategies aimed at ensuring necessary buildings’ renovations. It is also a proportionate directive wanting to contribute to decarbonisation of transport by using infrastructure. Finally, it entails better regulation and best practices for energy renovations.

2016/11/22

The 7th Environment Action Programme, or 7th EAP, offers recommendations I support on the field of environment by 2020. The 7th EAP wants to influence environment and climate policies and provide strategic guidance at EU and MS levels. It wants also to set up more coherent policy-to-policy frameworks in the long-term. I want to acknowledge though that there are some macro-policies, such as the CAP, that do not align with this EAP. Even if it lacks ambition, it is an important step in the environmental action of the EU.

2016/11/22

More women are needed in the media sector, which is why I support this needed initiative. We need more female leading journalists and opinion-leaders, more editors in chief, more leading figures in the fourth power, as only 30-40% of directorial posts in the media are occupied by women. Women cannot have difficulties as reporters or moderators, they have to be pressure-free when it comes to deal with imposed standards of aesthetics and attractiveness. Women need to be able to reconcile their family and maternal duties with their professional careers. A special chapter of this report focuses on the explanation of current female professionals in the media and the advertising industry, where they usually see imposed stereotypes or even sexism. Even if the EU does not have the competence to legislate on gender equality, the Parliament can still issue reports dealing with this issue, always in the public and the citizenship.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative as women and girls have the right, and even the duty, to further develop their skills, and our skills as citizens and human beings, in the digital sector. Today, the main digital sector giants are run by men. A changing frame needs to be set in order for women to feel at ease with new technologies and feel sufficient initiative and feel encouraged as to be also entrepreneurs in the digital and smart sectors.

2016/11/22

I support this initiative because it aims at promoting peaceful measures and solutions in very unequal development areas, where lack of life opportunities feed conflict, destabilise regions, lead to border tensions and cause disordered movements. Besides, climate change is also regarded as a threat to development. The European Development Fund (EDF) was established by the Treaty of Rome in 1957 to provide assistance to countries formed in the beginning of decolonisation. It was afterwards extended to cover other countries in Asia and South America, and even in EU’s neighbouring regions (Caucasus, Balkans, etc.). The EU creates also added value in its external cooperation policy.

2016/11/22

I support this report because it wants to provide the EU with basic ground rules aimed at preventing transgressions on excessive debt. Moreover, the EU keeps committed to democracy, international public law, human rights and its priorities within the 2030 strategy. The EU needs to be a leader in the field of development cooperation, but debt restructuring has to be debated from time to time. The EU needs to redefine the accountability of those involved in borrowing EU operations and resources, such as discouraging the granting of loans with no effect on development, ensure that parliaments of debtor countries are involved in the decision-making on this issue, and encourage further funding options.

2016/11/22

I support this report because I believe in territorial cohesion in the EU. This is the 7th report of its kind made by the Commission, focusing on the EU added value of cohesion measures. It aims at covering all European regions, with a tailored approach for the territorial dimension of the EU’s cohesion policy, bringing the EU closer to its citizens. The report also focuses on a cohesion policy that enhances resilience and prevents vulnerable areas from falling behind, trying to tackle intra-regional disparities. Finally, it is relevant to acknowledge that the European Social Fund remains an integral component of such a policy.

2016/11/22

I support this measure because the absence of any reaction by the Comorian authorities throughout the process of a lack of implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement. Bilateral fisheries relations between the EU and the Comoros Islands, relations that date back to 1988, and with a Fisheries Partnership Agreement since 2006 providing for a financial contribution with two distinct components: one for access to fisheries resources; and one geared to sectoral support to develop local capacities. This Agreement also required EU vessels to employ a minimum number of Comorian crew. The Comoros’ involvement in illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) led the EU to notify the Comoros in 2015 of being identified as a non-cooperating country, which eventually happened in May and June 2017.

2016/11/22

I support this measure because it adapts Europass services to the needs and expectations of users and providers on all sides (learners, job seekers, employers, SMEs, education and training facilities, social partners, Europass centres and national authorities responsible). The revised Europass services would also use and adapt to the potential of the future digital systems. Moreover, administrative and financial burdens for the Member States will be predictable and balanced regarding costs and benefits.

2016/11/22

Although I would have preferred Barcelona to have been selected as the new seat of the EMA, I support this measure, as Amsterdam is a successful European city that will know how to manage the inclusion of this important agency.

2016/11/22

I support the Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB) as increased cooperation between Member State tax authorities is important. The principal taxpayer authority would act as a one-stop-shop for companies. This new framework would provide for fairer and more integrated internal market and boost other projects such as the CMU or the Digital Single Market. Furthermore, this proposal introduces personal data collection and exploitation for commercial purposes (‘DATA’) to ensure that CCCTB also applies to digital activities.

2016/11/22

I support the Common Corporate Tax Base (CCTB) initiative because in the second directive on consolidation all profits and losses will be added to the first directive (set of rules on how a company’s profit will be taxed), reaching a net profit or loss for the entire EU. One directive cannot exist without the other: the link between both of them must be strengthened by aligning the implementation date of the two directives (2020 at the latest). This system should be a standard for corporate taxation with a threshold set up at EUR 750 million. It is important to introduce a lower threshold of EUR 40 million capturing most of the companies with cross border activities. In five years there should not be such a threshold due to simplicity issues for companies and tax authorities, ensuring a level-playing field between SMEs and big corporates.

2016/11/22

I support this measure because I also believe that the Commission should keep acting as an honest mediator at every stage of the budget procedure, implementing accurately the budgetary decisions. Besides this, the European Parliament has the role to put forward proposals for pilot projects and preparatory actions developed in cooperation with its committees, ensuring a sound balance between political will and technical expertise.

2016/11/22

As all Members of the European Parliament are, I am deeply concerned about the current state of affairs in Syria, namely, the civil war that has been tearing that country apart since 2011. The EU needs to help to find the way out of the tunnel of horror and despair of the Syrian people.

2016/11/22

Olive oil and olives are a major product for Catalonia, and Catalonian olive oil and olives will also be hit by these tariffs imposed by the US. I support this measure to counter those tariffs, as the increase in Catalan and Spanish olive and/or olive oil exports to the US has a limited impact on the situation of US olive producers. Furthermore, it is worrying that this US decision targets some CAP support measures. It is necessary to explore this US decision within the framework of the WTO.

2016/11/22

Corporate social responsibility is the responsibility of companies for their impact on society, and I support this measure to increase and improve their responsibility. Member States have different and significant economic challenges that cause further social challenges, and both are parts of the same issue. It is relevant to take into account the behaviour of the company towards its employees and suppliers, particularly SMEs, which constitute the economic core of the EU.

2016/11/22

The future EU—UK relationship will have to be based on four pillars: trade, defence and home affairs cooperation, internal security, and thematic cooperation. Although Brexit is painful for both the EU and the UK, both entities need to ensure an important partnership due to their mutual interest. The future association agreement would ensure a level playing field, it would safeguard the EU legal order, ensure a light border between the Republic of Ireland and the British territory of Northern Ireland and guarantee rights to EU citizens in the UK and British citizens in the EU27.

2016/11/22

Inclusion of the so-called Newcastle disease virus (NDV), or Newcastle disease, in Council Directive 92/66/EEC. Even if it poses no hazard to human health, it is nevertheless a problem for farmers, as it affects many domestic and wild avian species, particularly farm birds (i.e. chicken, ducks). Viral transmission occurs by exposure to excretions from infected birds, and through contact with contaminated food, water, equipment, and clothing.

2016/11/22

Even if Georgia is in the midst of a political crisis, the EU cannot forget its commitment to spread democratic rights to its closest neighbours. Georgia will be granted a new Macro-Financial Assistance programme (MFA) of EUR 45 million, with medium-term loans (EUR 35m) and grants (EUR 10m), complementing the agreement reached between the Georgian government and the International Monetary Fund in April 2017. Moreover, Georgia also continues to adapt its legal framework to the requirements of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) with the EU. It is important to stress that this aid is conditional to stimulate reforms, notably those related to democracy and the rule of law.

2016/11/22

Even if we MEPs are concerned about the large number of fossil fuel projects prioritised in the Commission’s list of projects of common interest, and we urge to count the projects in order to allow a sensible and transparent comparison, it is worth acknowledging efforts made by the Commission to keep in the Union list of projects of common interest a stable number of electricity projects, which are necessary to effectively pave the way for the decarbonisation of the European energy system. The Parliament’s objection to the Commission delegated regulation is aimed at lowering the number of fossil fuel projects, therefore that delegated regulation cannot enter into force. The Commission should bring forward a new delegated act that avoids the construction of new fossil fuel infrastructure with potential lock-in consequences and that is fully compatible with the commitments made under the Paris Agreement.

2016/11/22

In February 2017, the Commission adopted a decision on the mobilisation of the EGF in favour of Germany to support the reintegration in the labour market of workers made redundant by one company operating in the automotive sector, which, according to German authorities, made redundancies linked to globalisation negative externalities. EU automotive output and market shares in the wake of globalisation have fallen in the last ten years, and as a result, significant overcapacity has built up in the B-tyre segment at Goodyear Company, forcing the company to close one of its European plants, which was the largest employer in its region (Karlsruhe). Furthermore, EGF could also facilitate the cross border movement of workers from shrinking sectors located in some Member States to expanding sectors in other Member States.

2016/11/22

The upcoming EU–New Zealand FTA is of the upmost importance for the development of the EU internal market. The basis of it all, however, lays on a well-structured cooperation and assistance in the matters of administration in customs matters. Being another step to deepen the EU–New Zealand trade relationship, very beneficial for the EU and the constituency I represent, Catalonia, the agreement seeks to create a more predictable trade-friendly exchange, enable exchange of information and boost cooperation between customs authorities, promote sample procedures to save time and money, and prevent custom legislation breaches. Furthermore, this agreement keeps the track of other accords signed by the EU, such as with South Korea, Canada, Hong Kong, the US, India, China or Japan.

2016/11/22

The EU needs a comprehensive European defence industrial development programme to support competitiveness and innovation of the EU defence industry. Focusing on innovation and R&D, the defence industry will develop its cooperation and collaboration networks, improve defence industry efficiency, capture size effects, and improve defence technology development throughout the EU. Such a programme will have positive effects as regards cross-border access to the supply chains, which is also very important for European SMEs.

2016/11/22

The EU, in its attempt to become a beacon for best policies in international trade, needs a suitable and ambitious chapter on gender equality in the FTAs it signs with third countries and regions. Women are an extremely relevant feature of our economy and their rights have to be tackled properly, also in trade agreements. Empowerment, equal living and working conditions, social justice, inner and outer development are at the core of this ambition, as the whole purpose of trade policy is to promote beneficial economic growth for everyone.

2016/11/22

Although the cohesion policy has contributed to one third of growth increase and employment improvement in European lagging regions, the Commission needs to look into regional co-financing under the European Structural and Investment Funds in order to attain a proper impact on these regions. 47 EU regions are estimated to lag behind the average economic power of the Union, having lower productivity, employment and school attendance, suffer more than others from the shortage of public and private investments, and are eventually characterised by a lack of structural reforms. It is important to make sure that these regions are not felt excluded nor lagged behind, and that at least the European Parliament considers their development.

2016/11/22

Coming from Barcelona, Catalonia, a region that produces nearly 20% of Spanish GDP with a very important Economic production. I strongly welcome the role of all European regions in the fight for climate change and the objectives identified by the Paris/COP 21 Agreement.EU cohesion policies should promote and encourage the promotion of clean energy innovation, the circular economy, renewable energy and energy efficiency.

2016/11/22

I strongly support this report as a Catalan.It encourages Member States to ensure that the right to use a minority language is upheld and to protect linguistic diversity within the Union in accordance with the EU Treaties; it stresses that linguistic rights must be respected in communities where there is more than one official language; it calls on the Commission to strengthen the promotion of the teaching and use of regional and minority languages as a potential way of tackling language discrimination in the EU.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I completely support this report and the fight to condemn and ban female genital mutilation (FGM) worldwide. This is a crime against women and it cannot be justified under any cultural traditions.The motion calls on the EU and those Member States which have not yet ratified the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women to do so without delay so that the EU’s commitment complies with international standards promoting a holistic and integrated approach to violence against women and to FGM.The report notes with satisfaction that criminal law in all Member States protects girls and women from FGM, either explicitly or implicitly, but expresses great concern about its apparent ineffectiveness, only a handful of legal cases having been taken in the EU.

2016/11/22

We will move forward faster if we join forces in research and innovation. So far, the results have been very positive and I therefore support to EU to continue the cooperation with Brazil, especially in matters of renewable energies and biofuels.

2016/11/22

I support the creation of this special committee.It touches issue of direct impact on European consumers health and nutrition. I believe the EP should have assay and investigate this.

2016/11/22

I support this agreement on geo-blocking. It is a first step but far more is needed.This new law banning on unjustified geo-blocking is a good news for consumers and the single market fair competition. It will require traders operating in one Member State to sell to all consumers in the EU and to give them full access to their respective web shops.

2016/11/22

I support this report. It is in line of the EU commitments and signing the COP21 Paris agreement.In order to honour the agreed commitment that all sectors of the economy contribute to the fulfilment of the target of reducing the overall greenhouse gas emissions of the Union by at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, it is important that the EU ETS, despite being the Union’s primary tool to achieve its long-term climate and energy targets, is complemented by equivalent additional actions taken in other legal acts and instruments dealing with greenhouse gas emissions from sectors not covered by the EU ETS.

2016/11/22

. ‒ The European Central Bank has been the most important and effective EU institution during the eurozone crisis. I hope that this report contributes to protecting the independence of the ECB in the coming years and to making its programmes more useful to citizens.

2016/11/22

It is important to accelerate research and implementation of clean energy throughout Europe, and above all, that it can be done at an affordable price to ensure its full implementation, especially in countries that are still emerging from the economic crisis.Europe must be a benchmark around the world in this sense, and thus, we can export our knowledge and experience to other continents to make a more sustainable world.

2016/11/22

I support this resolution.This has a clear humanitarian and social development dimension and its main goal is to create a set of mandatory limitations and exceptions for the benefit of the blind, visually impaired, and otherwise print disabled.It is a fundamental question of justice and equality between all citizens.

2016/11/22

I support this resolution which aim is to facilitate ending family painful conflicts.The use of mediation can play a very important role in ending conflicts, in all cases concerning children and especially in the case of cross-border parental conflicts about the custody of and right of access to a child and in cases of international child abduction. In addition, given the increase in cross-border custody disputes across the European Union, where no international framework is available, as a result of the recent migration inflows, mediation has often proven to be the only legal means to help families reach an amicable and prompt solution on family disputes.

2016/11/22

I think this is a very important initiative in today and the future EU we want. I support it.In particular, I believe the EU has to reach the youth in most impoverished pasts of our continent where social and economic difficulties are the greatest. We cannot forget or abandon this youth. We must offer them equal education and training, work opportunities. The future of the EU depends on these young European and they cannot be left out.

2016/11/22

I strongly support the promotion of renewable forms of energy as one of the goals of the Union energy policy in accordance with Article 194(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). Member States should promote renewable resources and self—production of renewable energy. Enabling collective self-consumption also provides opportunities for renewable energy communities to advance energy efficiency at household level and help fight energy poverty through reduced consumption and lower supply tariffs.

2016/11/22

I support all initiatives that facilitate and promote the use of efficiency energy, especially from renewable sources in Europe. Its expansion to public transport, the use of energy efficiency technologies and the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources in the electricity, heating and cooling sectors as well as in the transport sector are very effective tools, together with energy efficiency measures, for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the Union.I hope all Member States do their best in the implementation of this measures.

2016/11/22

The governance of the Energy Union will be an essential tool for the efficient and effective construction of the Energy Union and the achievement of its objectives. It should be based on the principles of integration of strategic planning and reporting on the implementation of climate and energy policies and coordination between actors responsible for energy and climate policy, at Union, regional and national level.I support this motion and encourage all the institutions and governments to implement it – the sooner, the better.

2016/11/22

I voted against the use of electric fishing. It is been banned in most fishing nations throughout the world, including China, Brazil and the US. It was banned in Europe in 1998, along with other destructive fishing methods such as fishing with explosives or poison, with the aim to protect the juveniles of marine species (Article 31 of Regulation EC n°850/98).In the doubt on negative consequences of this kind of fishing, the scientific evidence doesn’t seem united and clear on the consequences, I will vote against and use the precautionary principle.

2016/11/22

I support this resolution and this EU cohesion mechanism.For the next macro-regional strategies (MRS), the EC should undertake an in depth analysis, including in particular: indicators which could be integrated in each MRS in order to allow better result-orientation, monitoring and evaluation;measures to strengthen the link with EU priorities; the simplification of the implementation and mainstreaming of funding schemes and the quality of the involvement of regional and local government in the implementation of MRS.

2016/11/22

I voted against the use of electric fishing. It has been banned in most fishing nations throughout the world, including China, Brazil and the U.S. It was banned in Europe in 1998, along with other destructive fishing methods such as fishing with explosives or poison, with the aim of protecting the young of marine species (Article 31 of Regulation EC n°850/98). As to doubts on the negative consequences of this kind of fishing, the scientific evidence doesn’t seem united and clear on the consequences, so I will vote against and use the precautionary principle.

2016/11/22

I voted against the use of Electric fishing. It is been banned in most fishing nations throughout the world, including China, Brazil and the US. It was banned in Europe in 1998, along with other destructive fishing methods such as fishing with explosives or poison, with the aim to protect the juveniles of marine species (Article 31 of Regulation EC n°850/98). In the doubt on negative consequences of this kind of fishing, the scientific evidence doesn’t seem united and clear on the consequences, I will vote against and use the precautionary principle.

2016/11/22

I support this report. I always been in favour of gender equality and equal pay for example. I have no problem supporting calls on the Commission and the Member States to lead by example and adopt targets and timelines for achieving the goal of gender balance in delegations to the UNFCCC.Or for example underlying the need to take temporary special measures in order to advance the goal of gender balance in formal and informal bodies established pursuant to the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol and to implement a mechanism to sanction regional groups and constituencies that do not respect the principle of parity in nominations.

2016/11/22

I welcome the positive step forward towards an orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU and look forward to phase 2 and the future relation. I have always believed that economic, trade and citizens relations across the Channel will make pragmatism prevail so that both sides can continue a constructive and working relation.Of course, I also believe that it is of interest of both sides to pay fundamental attention to the concerns of all citizens. The rights of EU citizens resident in the United Kingdom and UK citizens resident in the EU-27 should be in the hearts of all leaders.

2016/11/22

As a full member of the Panama Papers Inquiry Committee, I strongly welcome this report and the work done over the past year. The Panama Papers have shaken citizens’ trust in our financial and tax systems. I would like to stress how crucial it is to restore public confidence and ensure fair and transparent tax systems and tax and social justice.This is a non—binding report so the message should be strong and this vote should send a clear message to the European Union and its Member States to properly implement and reinforce their legal tools to shift from secrecy to transparency.

2016/11/22

I will vote in favour of this report as it expresses profound concern about the pushback against democracy, human rights and the rule of law, which continue to be under threat worldwide; recalls that the EU has committed to promoting the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms and values, as well as to advancing democratic principles, which must be enhanced worldwide.The EU must do much more in applying its fundamental values and principles. In association agreements, such as with Cambodia for example, and what has happened recently against the legitimate political opposition of the Sam Rainsy CNRP Party, the EU should respect Article 1 and apply Article 2 of the agreement. It cannot continue business as usual when such violations of human rights occur.

2016/11/22

I support this report.When it comes to aviation emissions, which are very limited compared to other transport modes or other sectors by the way, I always believed that a global agreement should be found at ICAO level regarding aviation emission.The multiplication of regional schemes would not be productive. Let’s wait and give a last chance to ICAO.

2016/11/22

I welcome the compromise found on this file.EFSI plays a crucial role in filling this gap and intervenes where the market fails to do so.Keeping a strict approach on the additionality concept: making sure the projects selected are risk based and wouldn’t have been financed otherwiseThis is very important to avoid past infrastructures projects financed for example in Spain, Ghost airports, highways with no sufficient traffic, or high-speed railway lines with no passengersFSI is and should not become a new cohesion policy instrument. I agree to geographic balance in Europe but we are talking about investment, growth not solidarity instruments.Decreasing as much as possible the financial contribution from the Connecting Europe Facility which is a useful tool financing the core networks identified such as for example the Mediterranean corridor or the Port of Barcelona with regard my constituency.Enhancing transparency and reporting is another element to be underlined;After 2020, no legislative proposals for continuation of EFSI without a proper impact assessment, this will avoid further waste in the futureIncreasing the local presence level through the reinforcing of the European Investment Advisory Hub

2016/11/22

I voted against the mandate to go directly to trilogues. This regulation will help to enhance European access to online content for TV and radio, something we Liberals have always been pushing for. However, the outcome from the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) has significantly weakened the Commission’s proposal, including only news and current affairs in its scope, and therefore preventing people from watching European online content, such as series, documentaries, educational content for children, etc. from their home country.Therefore, voting for this mandate will mean that we will do nothing for linguistic minorities, or other people interested in accessing online content from other countries in the EU. How can we seriously promote European culture if it stays locked inside national borders? The Portability Regulation only provides temporary access to cross-border broadcasting, not the continuous access that I would like to see for cross-border language minorities who wish to receive the full range of broadcasts from their kin state in their own language.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour. In July 2017, in Washington, the EU and the USA celebrated the 10th anniversary of the EU-US Air Transport Agreement. It is widely seen as a great achievement. The Transatlantic market today totals 55 million passengers. This is 6.4 million more passengers and 52 more city-pairs being served than 10 years ago. It should be noted that the combined share of passengers carried through EU and US airports has gone down from 61% of total world passengers in 2000 to 38% in 2015. This reflects the changing nature of aviation markets and the need for ever closer cooperation in international aviation. The US and EU are still today the most developed aviation markets.

2016/11/22

I support the text and in particular I support the following points regarding the protection of personal data: ‘recalls that the ability to access, collect, process and transfer data across borders has become increasingly important for every type of company’; ‘urges the Commission to draw up rules for cross-border data transfers as soon as possible which fully comply with the EU’s existing and future data protection and privacy rules; calls on the Commission, furthermore, to incorporate into the EU’s trade agreements a horizontal provision, which fully maintains the right of a party to protect personal data and privacy (...)’; ‘calls on the Commission to strictly prohibit unjustified data localisation requirements in free trade agreements (FTAs); considers that the removal of such requirements should be a top priority, and emphasises that the relevant data protection legislation should be adhered to.’

2016/11/22

I voted once again in favour of the Single Seat road map. I am supporting a more efficient and environment friendly EP and therefore a single seat for this house.I am also in favour of full transparency for MEPs’ salaries and the general allowances expenditure. I voted in favour of AM43 on the General Expenditure Allowance: ‘Welcomes the creation of the Parliament’s Bureau Working Group on the general expenditure allowance; recalls the expectations of greater transparency regarding the general expenditure allowance and a need to work on a definition of more precise rules regarding the accountability of the expenditure authorised under this allowance, without generating additional costs to Parliament; stresses that the need for greater transparency regarding general expenditure allowances for MEPs makes it advisable for each MEP to submit end-of-year public reports of the accounts relating to those allowances; calls, in addition, for such public reporting to become mandatory as from 2019 following the revision of the Statute for Members.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this report. I believe that it is essential to take the precautionary principle into account, especially where there are uncertainties as to the impact on workers’ health of dealing with substances and their mixtures, or where the available scientific and technical data is insufficient.

2016/11/22

. ‒ After the terrible terrorist attacks we have suffered in several European countries, I believe it is essential to control better who crosses our borders. Real improvement is needed in the exchange of information between intelligence and police services. In Catalonia where I come from, the Mossos d’Esquadra have to been fully associated with and included in Europol, for example.The objective of the Entry/Exit System (EES) should be to improve the management of external borders, to prevent irregular immigration and to facilitate the management of migration flows. The EES should, in particular and when relevant, contribute to the identification of any person who does not fulfil, or no longer fulfils, the conditions of duration of the authorised stay within the territory of the Member States. Additionally, the EES should contribute to the prevention, detection and investigation of terrorist offences and other serious criminal offences.

2016/11/22

After the terrible terrorist attacks we have suffered in several European countries, I believe it is essential to control better who passes our borders. A real improvement has to be done in the exchanges of information between intelligence and police services. In Catalonia where I come from, the Mossos d’Esquadra have to be fully associated with and included in Europol for example.The objective of the EES should be to improve the management of external borders, to prevent irregular immigration and to facilitate the management of migration flows. The EES should, in particular and when relevant, contribute to the identification of any person who does not or no longer fulfils the conditions of duration of the authorised stay within the territory of the Member States. Additionally, the EES should contribute to the prevention, detection and investigation of terrorist offences and of other serious criminal offices.

2016/11/22

I support this report. As a Catalan, I am very sensitive to minority rights.With this vote I want to recall that minority rights and the prohibition of discrimination form an integral part of fundamental rights, and, as such, fall within the scope of the EU values to be respected in accordance with Article 2 TEU.Action can be taken by the EU if there is a clear risk of a serious breach by a Member State of those values in accordance with Article 7 TEU; I support the adoption of a strong monitoring and sanctioning mechanism to ensure compliance with fundamental rights standards that will strongly benefit Roma by combating meaningfully manifestations of anti-Gypsyism and violations of their fundamental rights.

2016/11/22

. – I abstained in this vote. Not because I do not support aviation liberalisation or new comprehensive aviation agreements but because in Morocco there is an outstanding open issue, which is the Western Sahara issue, and we need to use all tools to bring this situation to be solved. I do not want to give a green light on this for this reason.

2016/11/22

I support this report that calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure sufficient funding is available in order to ensure the successful integration of all young workers who are unemployed or do not have access to a suitable training or educational offer; stresses that in order to ensure sustainable outcomes.It underlines the necessity of guaranteeing a long-term commitment through ambitious programming and stable financing from both the EU budget and the national budgets in order to offer full access to all young people

2016/11/22

. – I voted in favour of continuing to use the glyphosate substance because of what I hear in my constituency. Farmers do not really have an alternative to this substance they use for their work and land. Until a credible and feasible alternative exists, I am afraid we have to support the work of our European farmers and producers.

2016/11/22

. – The line of my Party and myself is that we are not ideologically against GMOs. Sometimes they are useful to farmers and the agriculture sector and producers. As a matter of principle, I vote against the objections to authorisations of new plant strains, which have received a favourable opinion from the EU’s scientific authority (EFSA).

2016/11/22

. – The line of my Party and myself is that we are not ideologically against GMOs. Sometimes they are useful to farmers and the agriculture sector and producers. As a matter of principle, I vote against the objections to authorisations of new plant strains, which have received a favourable opinion from the EU’s scientific authority (EFSA).

2016/11/22

. – The line of my Party and myself is that we are not ideologically against GMOs. Sometimes they are useful to farmers and the agriculture sector and producers. As a matter of principle, I vote against the objections to authorisations of new plant strains, which have received a favourable opinion from the EU’s scientific authority (EFSA).

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report. With this vote there will be the mobilisation of EUR 530 million in the context of the 2017 budget to finance immediate budgetary measures to address the ongoing migration, refugee and security crisis. Moreover EUR 275 million will finance the 2017 provisioning of the European Fund for Sustainable Development.

2016/11/22

. – I support the idea of making the EU budget sustainable and not dependent on transfers. I strongly support the idea and urgent need of own resources in the EU budget.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report as I consider the role of whistle-blowers essential in strengthening our democracies. We should not be afraid of true information and we certainly shouldn’t punish or persecute journalists or people leaking or providing information that often ends up causing scandals.We have all to win by protecting journalists and whistle-blowers, provided, of course, that we have nothing to hide from them.They have my full support.

2016/11/22

. – I support this report and encourage the EU to come forward with the idea of an European minimum income. We do not realise how many European citizens are in a very precarious and difficult situation. All tools to remind us of this and try to change things for the better must be welcomed.

2016/11/22

I support these nominations and appointments for this Special Committee on Terrorism. Given the recent dramatic attacks Europe faces, the latest of which was in my constituency and city of Barcelona, it is my duty to take all necessary actions and steps in this House to avoid future tragic attacks. Of course zero risk doesn’t exist but we must do our utmost in terms of intelligence sharing and cooperation among security and police forces to prevent attacks.

2016/11/22

I support this report. It calls on Norway to cease all its commercial whaling operations and to abide by the IWC moratorium;Calls on Norway to withdraw its reservations concerning the CITES Appendix I listings of large whale species and to cease all trade in whale meat and whale products;Regrets that Norway is subsidising the whale industry and promotes the consumption and use of products resulting from whaling; urges Norway to cease these subsidies;Strongly supports the continuation of the global moratorium on commercial whaling and a ban on international commercial trade in whale products.

2016/11/22

I strongly support this report.It condemns all forms of violence against women, and deplores the fact that women and girls are often exposed to domestic violence, sexual harassment, psychological and physical violence, stalking, sexual violence, rape, forced marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), forced abortion, forced sterilisation, sexual exploitation and human trafficking and other forms of violence, which constitute a serious violation of their human rights and dignity.It strongly affirms that the denial of sexual and reproductive health and rights services, including safe and legal abortion, is a form of violence against women and girls; reiterates that women and girls must have control over their bodies and sexualities; calls on all the Member States to guarantee comprehensive sexuality education, ready access for women to family planning, and the full range of reproductive and sexual health services, including modern contraceptive methods and safe and legal abortion.

2016/11/22

I abstained on this report and I believe, together with my ALDE colleagues on the International Trade Committee, that having mandatory labelling only for EU companies, including small and medium enterprises, is putting them at a competitive disadvantage compared to other non-EU companies. We should have reached a global deal on this. This own initiative report is not helping us to reach our trade objectives and the other tools we have already to promote sustainable trade, to which all Liberals are committed.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support this report and the call to freeze accession talks with Turkey. The democratic and human-rights situation in Turkey clearly fails to meet the Copenhagen criteria, and the situation has worsened over the past year.In particular, the report notes with regret that the disproportionate measures taken following the declaration of the state of emergency have targeted, through detention, dismissals, arrests and property confiscation, not only thousands of people who are alleged members/supporters of the Gülen movement but also dissenters in general and political parties of the opposition in particular. The report also points out that compelling evidence as regards the perpetrators of the coup attempt is still awaited; strongly condemns the imprisonment of 11 MPs belonging to the People’s Democratic Party (HDP), including its co-chairs, Ms Figen Yuksekdag and Mr Selahattin Demirtas, of one MP from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), and of 85 Kurdish municipal mayors; urges the Turkish Government to lift the state of emergency immediately; and warns against the abuse of anti-terror measures to legitimise the clampdown on human rights.

2016/11/22

I support this report in the interest of fair taxation, in particular for SMEs. In fact, on the basis of the principle of fair and effective taxation, all businesses must pay their fair share of tax where profits and gains are generated, but double taxation and double non-taxation must be avoided. Situations in which different Member States tax the same income or capital twice can create serious tax obstacles, mainly for small and medium-sized businesses operating cross-border, and thus have a negative impact on the proper functioning of the internal market. They create an excessive tax burden, a lack of legal certainty and unnecessary costs for businesses and are likely to cause economic distortions.

2016/11/22

I welcome this report. The EU has to continue be the leader in this field. The report strongly urges the Commission to adhere to the governance agenda agreed upon in the Rio Declaration and in the 2030 Agenda, as well as in the 2002 Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI) and Rio+20 Outcome Document of the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development;It considers that the Commission should encourage the Member States to promote the establishment or enhancement of sustainable development councils at national level, including at local level, and to enhance the participation and effective engagement of civil society and other relevant stakeholders in the relevant international forums and, in this regard, promote transparency and broad public participation and partnerships to implement sustainable development;The report recalls that the EU and its Member States are all signatories to the Paris Agreement and are therefore committed to its objectives, which require global action. It underlines the need to integrate the long-term decarbonisation objective to limit global warming to well below 2°C, and to pursue efforts to further limit this increase to 1.5°C.

2016/11/22

I support the amendments that are necessary to better protect human health from pollution, so I agree to improve the control measures of the Convention.

2016/11/22

I am in favour of political dialogue. However I don’t forget the political and democratic situation in Cuba. The political opposition still faces difficult times. The Damas the Blanco that received the EP Sakharov prize in the past should not be forgotten.The proposed Agreement opens new avenues to support Cuba’s process of economic and social modernisation, to foster sustainable development, democracy and human rights, as well as to seek common solutions to global challenges.

2016/11/22

I am in favour of political dialogue.The proposed Agreement opens new avenues to support Cuba’s process of economic and social modernisation, to foster sustainable development, democracy and human rights, as well as to seek common solutions to global challenges.With this vote, I don’t forget the political and democratic situation in Cuba. The political opposition still faces difficult times. The Damas the Blanco that received the EP Sakharov prize in the past should not be forgotten.

2016/11/22

I support any measures against fraud, as they affect the financial interests of the Union. The first step towards the harmonisation of criminal law in Europe in cases of offenses against the Union’s budget, including in public procurement, is positive.

2016/11/22

The cultural and linguistic respect is basic for the coexistence of all the peoples and nations that live in Europe.The protection and promotion of all cultures and all historical languages, whether official or not of the EU, should be one of the main objectives of the European leaders.I support this proposal with a view to providing resources for the promotion of European cultural heritage and its artistic creation.

2016/11/22

I support this resolution.The EP continues to advocate freedom of religion or belief; to call for greater efforts to protect the rights of religious and other minorities; to call for greater protection of religious and ethnic minorities against persecution and violence.With this vote, we continue to support the work of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on improving accountability and access to remedy for victims of business-related human rights abuse in order to contribute to a fair and more effective system of domestic law remedies, in particular in cases of gross human rights abuses in the business sector; to call on all governments to fulfil their duties in securing respect for human rights, access to justice for victims who face both practical and legal challenges to access remedies at national and international levels, with regard to human rights violations.

2016/11/22

I support this resolution.The World has changed and globalisation has sometime shifted industrial production away from Europe. Several thousands of people have been affected and we should not forget these workers.We need to arm our workers better to face the digital revolution and help them in this transition towards new forms of jobs.

2016/11/22

It is positive to facilitate Kosovo’s participation in European programmes to strengthen cultural, social, economic and values links along Kosovo’s path towards accession to the European Union.

2016/11/22

It is good to be able to help workers who have been fired, to facilitate their return to work. The training of workers has to be a constant in their working life in order to adapt and update the knowledge acquired and to have new opportunities and a better future.I support this proposal because it is urgent to reduce the unemployment figure in the Spanish State; especially worrying is the situation of NEETs, and this programme tries to cope with that, in part.

2016/11/22

The presentation of the general package on standardisation is positive, in order to establish a European policy that preserves its many satisfactory elements, to improve its deficiencies and to find the right balance between the European, national and international dimensions.I support this proposal for the European System of Standardisation to build on the positive elements of the current system, which provides a solid basis for improvement, avoiding any radical change that could undermine the fundamental values of the system, such as transparency, open, inclusive and integrates the concerns of citizens, consumers and SMEs.

2016/11/22

. ‒ The regulations on prescription for traffic accidents are still very different among Member States, which makes it difficult to claim damages.I support this proposal in order to facilitate efforts and remove obstacles on this issue, as cross-border litigation, investigations and negotiations are usually much longer than in the case of national claims.

2016/11/22

Today is an important day for this Parliament. For many years we have all fought to achieve more transparency and accountability of multinational companies.Today we are voting a good text. It would affect 90% of companies worldwide with a turnover higher than 750 M a year. An amazing achievement that will enhance transparency, limit wrongdoings and increase the confidence of our citizens on globalisation. The more transparent our multinationals become, the easier will be to defend their big and undeniable importance for our economies.In committee, our groups reached an agreement on 95% of the report. Let’s not leave that a disagreement on just one issue weakens the broad consensus we have in this chamber just before the negotiations of the Council. We all know that Member States will do their best to weaken this legislation, I hope that no group in the EP will make their task easier.If our voters could ask just 3 things to do in this Parliament, one of them would be to make more transparent the dealings of our multinationals. Having more transparent multinationals is also and foremost about building a healthier and accountable democracy.

2016/11/22

I welcome and supported this resolution. Too many EYU citizens are faced with these precarious forms of employment and we should never forget them. This report tries to give them further guarantees and: calls on the Commission and the Member States to tackle precarious employment, including undeclared work and bogus self-employment, in order to ensure that all types of work contracts offer decent working conditions with proper social security coverage, in line with the ILO Decent Work Agenda, Article 9 TFEU, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the European Social Charter; calls on the Commission and the Member States to combat all practices which might lead to an increase of precarious employment, thereby contributing to the Europe 2020 target of reducing poverty; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that national social security systems are fit for purpose when it comes to new forms of employment.

2016/11/22

I support this resolution. I want to stress that collaborative economy business models are largely based on reputation and highlight that transparency is essential in this respect. This resolution believes that in many cases collaborative economy business models empower consumers and allow them to take an active role, supported by technology. Rules for protecting consumers are still needed in the collaborative economy, especially where there are market dominated players, asymmetric information, a lack of choice or competition. I want to underline the importance of guaranteeing adequate information for consumers about the applicable legal regime of each transaction and the consequent rights and legal obligations.

2016/11/22

I welcome the communication on ‘Online Platforms and the Digital Single Market - Opportunities and Challenges for Europe. The different initiatives already proposed under the Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe are to be welcomed.This report stresses the importance of coordination and consistency between these initiatives; considers that achieving a digital single market is essential for fostering the EU’s competitiveness, creating high-quality jobs and highly skilled jobs, and promoting the growth of the digital economy in Europe. It also urges the Commission to ensure a level playing field between online platform service providers and other services with which they compete, including B2B and C2C; stresses that regulatory certainty is essential to creating a thriving digital economy; recalls therefore that ‘one size fits all’ solutions are rarely appropriate and considers that any tailor-made solutions. Each local needs are different, each city is different for the Uber service for example.I draw the attention to the fact that the size of online platforms varies from multinationals to micro-enterprises and stress the importance of fair and effective competition between online platforms in order to promote consumer choice and avoid the creation of monopolies such as Google or dominant positions that distort the markets through abuse of market power.

2016/11/22

With this vote, I express my grave concern at the alarming deterioration in the humanitarian situation in Yemen, which is characterised by widespread food insecurity and severe malnutrition, indiscriminate attacks against civilians and medical and aid workers, the destruction of civilian and medical infrastructure, the continuation of airstrikes, ground-level fighting and shelling, despite repeated calls for a renewed cessation of hostilities.This House deeply regrets the loss of life caused by the conflict and the suffering of those caught up in the fighting, and expresses its condolences to the families of the victims; reaffirms its commitment to continuing to support Yemen and the Yemeni people; urges all parties to seek an immediate ceasefire and to return to the negotiating table.

2016/11/22

There cannot be a doubt about the transparent funding of political parties and their foundations in Europe. I support this proposal in order to amend the Regulation if errors have been detected in its application

2016/11/22

I voted in favour and fully support this report.This vote has even more value today after the USA decided to pull out of the Paris agreement. It shows the EU commitment to a greener and sustainable future.In concrete, the Council ratified the Paris Agreement on 5 October 2016, following the consent that was given by the European Parliament on 4 October 2016. The Paris Agreement entered into force on 4 November 2016 and aims, under Article 2 thereof, ‘to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change, in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty, including by: (a) Holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels, recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change; (b) Increasing the ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development, in a manner that does not threaten food production; (c) Making finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour for the following reasons:Reducing inequalities in terms of scope for paying pension contributions.This report calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that the EU legislation on indirect and direct gender discrimination is properly implemented and its progress systematically monitored, with infringement procedures initiated in case of non- compliance, and possibly revised in order to make sure that men and women are equally able to pay pension contributions.It condemns unequivocally gender pay disparities and their ‘inexplicable’ component resulting from discrimination at the workplace, and reiterates its call for Directive 2006/54/EC, which has been clearly and sufficiently transposed in only two Member States, to be revised to ensure more equal treatment of men and women in matters of employment and pay, in application of the principle of equal pay for equal work between women and men, which has been guaranteed by the Treaty since the founding of the EEC.

2016/11/22

Serbia’s efforts to standardise relations with Kosovo are important, and as it has been committed, it has maintained the creation of a viable market economy. The strong commitment of Serbia to join the European Union and the serious implementation of the necessary political reforms is positive. There are also worrying facts that are collected in this report that need to be improved. I support this proposal with the aim of positively assessing the steps taken by all parties involved, although much remains to be done.

2016/11/22

Five Member States have not recognised Kosovo and that weakens EU action. The actions taken by Member States to facilitate and strengthen socioeconomic development and the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law in Kosovo are positive. There are also worrying facts that are gathered in this report that need to be improved. I support this proposal with the aim of positively assessing the steps taken by all parties involved, although much remains to be done.

2016/11/22

The pressure on Macedonia is enormous, but it is still moving steadily towards full European integration. The ‘Balkan route’ with the passage of thousands of refugees, political corruption and relations between different ethnic groups remains fragile. On the other hand, positive progress in various areas leads Macedonia towards good governance (infrastructure investments, migration crisis, good regional cooperation, etc.). I support this proposal with the aim of assessing the steps taken, although much remains to be done.

2016/11/22

I voted I favour as the situation in Congo is concerning. The deterioration of the political, security and humanitarian situation in the DRC is evident.I strongly condemn all human rights violations, including acts of violence by all perpetrators, abductions, killings, torture, sexual violence, and arbitrary arrests and illegal detentions.The EU cannot continue to donate money without serious guarantees from authorities to restore a democratic, peaceful environment which is fundamental to any prosperity.

2016/11/22

I supported the compromise found. I think that Bangladesh should increase its efforts to protect textile workers rights.Textile workers in Bangladesh, many of whom are young women, suffer long working hours, low wages, uncertainty and hazardous conditions. Trade union leaders are often persecuted.The 2013 Sustainability Compact, aimed at preventing tragedies like the April 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse in Dhaka, has resulted in moderate improvements in workplace safety, but respect of workers’ rights is lagging behind, MEPs note in a non-binding resolution adopted by a show of hands.Reviewing the implementation of the 2013 Compact, with this vote, we suggest a series of measures:The government of Bangladesh should swiftly amend the 2013 Labour Act so as to ensure freedom of association, collective bargaining and to recruit more factory inspectors;The mandate of the ‘ACCORD’, a platform including EU companies that help to implement the Compact, should be renewed after its expiry of May 2018 and international brands ought to take their CSR policy more seriously to ensure decent working conditions; andThe EU Commission should table an EU-wide legislative initiative on the garment sector for a due diligence system.

2016/11/22

Errors and difficulties that arise in the implementation of EU programmes have to be resolved and corrected as they are detected. I support this report because research is a key area for European development that needs the help and complicity of all the parties involved to succeed, commitment to excellence and innovation.

2016/11/22

I encourage Member States to deal fairly and in a coordinated way with stateless persons in South and South East Asia, as they have to deal with different types of discrimination (work, family, health care...). A good cooperation strategy could help to solve most of their problems and avoid increasing the number of stateless persons in the future.

2016/11/22

Water management will be one of the most important challenges of this century and I support the European Union taking this issue seriously and leading how to deal with it. Mediterranean countries must share strategies to be more effective and avoid conflicts to ensure stability and development.

2016/11/22

I support and will vote in favour of this compromise on energy efficiency labelling. This is an improvement for consumers information if they want to buy more efficient products.In fact, energy efficiency labelling allows consumers to make informed choices with regard to efficient and sustainable energy—related products and thereby makes a significant contribution to energy savings and to reducing energy bills, while at the same time promoting innovation and investments into the production of more energy—efficient products.

2016/11/22

I support this report.Culture diversity is one of the added value of Europe. Its a great richness and we must protect, respect and support culture diversity promotion.The Union action for the European Capitals of Culture highlights the richness and diversity of European cultures and the features those cultures share, while promoting better mutual understanding and a sense of belonging among European citizens. The action has a positive impact in cultural terms, while boosting tourism and fostering the development of cities across Europe.

2016/11/22

I support this report.H2020 is the biggest research programme in the world. Its aim of responding to societal and economic challenges provides us with a starting point for this assessment in acknowledging its success, and examining those aspects that need to be improved so its ambitious goals can be achieved efficiently and sustainably, and difficulties in implementation arising from its complexity overcome.Horizon 2020 has its origins within the framework of the Europe 2020 goals – which prioritise innovation, enhanced competitiveness, greater SME involvement, and excellence – and was shaped in particular by the economic crisis and de-industrialisation in Europe.H2020’s three pillar structure, simplification, open science, the introduction of new challenges, the search for synergies between EU funds and widening participation to improve R&D ratios in the regions falling behind most, and gender mainstreaming, these all constitute new lines or ones that have been further strengthened as compared to the FP7, plus the approximate 30% budget increase.All elements to support if we want Europe to succeed and compete in the World.

2016/11/22

European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) is one of the important goals of cohesion policy 2014-2020 which adds substantial added value to EU objectives, encourages solidarity between EU regions and with its neighbours and facilitates the exchange of experience and transfer of good practice.Cohesion policy is a positive tool for poorer regions and areas of the EU, solidarity is an important element of the European project.I just insists that lessons must be learned from the past, cost benefits analysis should be encouraged in order to have viable projects for example viable infrastructure and transport infrastructures.

2016/11/22

I welcome and support this report. Sustainable and economic viable fishing in the Mediterranean is key for the present and the future.This report: calls on the Commission and the Member-States to take measures to address the problem of marine litter and plastics in the sea, which cause very severe environmental, ecological, economic and health damage.Considers it vital for policies to take a varied and nuanced approach, within management plans, and employ different criteria based on the biological characteristics of the species and technical characteristics of the fishing methods; considers, moreover, that every multiannual plan should provide for appropriate planning in space ( ‘no fishing’ areas on a rotational basis, total or partial closures depending on fishing systems) and time (biological recovery periods), in addition to the promotion of technical measures aimed at maximum gear selectivity; stresses that appropriate financial compensation should be envisaged; stresses that fishermen must be guaranteed a decent income during biological rest periods.

2016/11/22

I support a reduced rate of VAT for ebooks, in line with our modern society and the future. The primary objective of the EU Digital Agenda is to develop a digital single market with a view to generating smart, sustainable and inclusive growth in Europe, so as to foster innovation, economic growth and progress.Meanwhile, current VAT rules do not allow reduced VAT rates to be applied to electronically supplied services such as electronic books and newspapers, which puts them at a disadvantage compared with printed books and newspapers. This not only distorts competition, but is contrary to the objectives of the EU Digital Agenda and the EU 2020 Strategy for a knowledge economy.On 19 March 2015, the Ministers of Culture from Germany, France, Italy and Poland asked the EU to introduce the same reduced VAT rate for e-books as for printed books, insisting that the principle of technological neutrality be clearly stated at European level so that innovation and the development of digital books are not compromised. A reduced VAT rate is necessary to reflect the new reality in the internet age.

2016/11/22

I very much welcome and support this report and the initiatives of the Commission to modernise our technological infrastructure to adapt to modern internet times.I welcome the Commission’s proposal to draw up a 5G Action Plan aimed at making the EU a world leader in the deployment of standardised 5G networks from 2020 to 2025 as part of a wider developed strategy for a European gigabit society which is technologically more competitive and inclusive.According to the Commission, the action plan to deploy 5G across the EU has the ‘potential to create two million jobs’, and could boost the European economy and combat high unemployment rates, especially among young people.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour. I believe it is crucial that the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights has the means and resources to act in all Member States, not only for Eastern European countries, for the next years.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour. I believe it is crucial that the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights has the means and resources to act in all Member States, not only for Eastern European countries, for the next years.

2016/11/22

As ALDE we abstained because certain recent proposals can be seen as refocusing development policy under the new prism of migration management; we believe that there should be no conditionality between development assistance and cooperation from beneficiary countries on migration issues and oppose any attempts to link aid with border control, the management of migratory flows or readmission agreements.The primary objective of EU development policy is the reduction and, in the long term, the eradication of poverty in line with Article 208 TFEU; we believe, furthermore, in tackling inequalities, as recognised in the Sustainable Development Goals.We insist on the need for accountability mechanisms for the monitoring and implementation of the SDGs and the 0.7% ODA/GNI (Official Development Assistance/Gross National Income) objectives; we call for the EU and its Member States to submit a timeline on how to gradually achieve these goals and objectives, and for progress to be reported annually to Parliament.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this discharge and in particular I voted for all the amendments asking and calling for more transparency in Members of Parliament’s general expenditures use. I strongly believe that we should be accountable and fully transparent as this house is the house of EU citizens. We should have nothing to hide.

2016/11/22

I abstained in this vote because in the last year the Catalan MEPs requested a meeting with Ms Emily O’Reilly on the situation of Catalonia and bad administrations issues linked to the exercise of European Union citizens’ rights in Catalonia.The European Ombudsman investigates complaints about maladministration, it should have showed some attention to what is happening in Catalonia.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour of this report and I also voted in favour of the subsidies for the renewal of fishing fleets in outermost regions and islands. This was money already planned in the budget, and these fishermen have a specific situation and should not be abandoned.

2016/11/22

A long awaited news is the end of roaming in Europe. It is incomprehensible that we have a Schengen area with free circulation of people, goods and capital and instead we have problems with the telephone companies every time we change the country.I give my support to this proposal that will make the communication easier from June 15, 2017 and will have pay a fair price to mobile phone users regardless of where in Europe they are.

2016/11/22

I support the European solidarity corps (ESC).With this vote, we ask the Commission to define the objectives of the ESC and to make its actions measurable and efficient, taking into account the important positive impact of solidarity action on both the individual participants and the community; organisations active in volunteering, civic service and youth action should be welcome always when they are in line with the core EU values defined in the Treaties and the Charter.EU should support financially this initiative in the long term.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report.Users data and privacy is of outmost important to me.This report calls on the Commission to take all the necessary measures to ensure that the Privacy Shield will fully comply with Regulation (EU) 2016/679, to be applied as from 16 May 2018, and with the EU Charter;Calls on the Commission to ensure, in particular, that personal data that has been transferred to the US under the Privacy Shield can only be transferred to another third country if that transfer is compatible with the purpose for which the data was originally collected,Calls on the Commission to monitor whether personal data which is no longer necessary for the purpose for which it had been originally collected is deleted, including by law enforcement agencies.EU consumers data should be safeguarded as much as possible.

2016/11/22

We must be vigilant to comply with the regulation of what affects health products and therefore I support this proposal to improve existing weaknesses in the current regulations and the urgent need to tie the loose ends of the current framework. This proposal aims to remedy all these deficiencies detected, while preserving and reinforcing the current authorisation system.

2016/11/22

We must be attentive to compliance with the regulation of what affects health products and therefore I support this proposal in order to improve the sensitive points in reference to the materials used for an in vitro diagnosis and for all kind of genetic tests, so that they do not give errors in the results of the tests.It is necessary all kind of control and monitoring of the materials and equipment used.

2016/11/22

I support this resolution because some reduction of costs and staff is made. I hope they will be fully implemented.The European Parliament and the Council propose that an independent evaluation of the results of the target of progressive reduction of staff by 5% between 2013 and 2017 is undertaken, covering all institutions, bodies and agencies as agreed in the IIA of 2013 on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management.

2016/11/22

I welcome this report and in particular, I voted in favour ANM 58 on the need for a single seat of the EP to avoid spending more taxpayers’ money.AM 58 says ‘Recalls Parliament’s resolution of 20 November 2013 on the location of the seats of the European Union’s Institutions, which estimated the costs of the geographic dispersion of the Parliament to be between EUR 156 million and EUR 204 million and equivalent to 10% of the Parliament’s budget; emphasises the environmental impact of the geographic dispersion is estimated to be between 11,000 to 19,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions; underlines the negative public perception caused by this dispersion, and therefore reiterates its position in calling for a roadmap to a single seat.’

2016/11/22

I welcome this report. It welcomes the EU’s commitment to humanitarian assistance – as the world’s largest donor – with the aim of improving the living conditions of refugees; urges the EU and its Member States to fulfil the pledges already made and to increase their financial commitments in line with the rise in humanitarian needs; notes that the humanitarian response will always be the first element of any response to displacement crises; stresses that international law and the humanitarian principles of humanity.It also recognises that the rights and dignity of millions of fellow human beings will be further diminished if they languish in refugee camps or on the margins of cities without access to basic needs, livelihoods and income opportunities.Catalonia has been willing to welcome and accommodate refugees, it has and will open be an open and welcoming Nation.

2016/11/22

I support this report because it aims to make car and road transport safer for people.As consumer protection is a priority of the Union, manufacturers of vehicles circulating in the Union should be required to submit those vehicles for testing before being placed on the market and during their lifetime. Member States and the Commission should be guarantors of this double surveillance, the one being able to act where the other fails to do so.The EU should do all it can to prevent cheating by car manufacturers designed to manipulate pollution emission and fuel consumption tests in order to produce false results or circumvent any other rules. Such manipulation should stop once and for all.

2016/11/22

As an importer of palm oil, the EU must raise the awareness of producer countries in order to study solutions to the problem of tropical deforestation and forest degradation.Cooperation with producer countries is essential and must be constant through the exchange of information on sustainable and economically viable developments and commercial practices from the economic and ecological point of view.I support this resolution in order for the EU to ensure that producer countries respect human rights, including the land rights of forest dwellers, and to reinforce environmental and social situation.

2016/11/22

There is still much to be done to strengthen women in the rural sector, which needs extraordinary measures to support, stimulate, facilitate and promote women’s access to the labour market as a priority.It is key to facilitate the necessary measures to help rural women to break with the historical allocation of traditional jobs in agriculture and to ensure that the distribution of tasks is not defined by gender but by the preparation.I support this proposal in order to make gender equality a reality also in rural areas, where a very broad future is opened with the diversification of activities, always sustainable and respecting the environment.

2016/11/22

I support this resolution as I consider the health of citizens a priority. I believe that full transparency should be guaranteed to consumers and this has not been the case in the Volkswagen scandal. We have to prevent future similar cases to happen again.In particular this report: calls for stricter and more effective enforcement of vehicle emission rules in the EU; proposes that the governance structure on car emissions be reformed without delay and brought into line with the other transport sectors; calls on the Member States to ensure that consumers are provided with detailed and comprehensible information on the modifications made during recall programmes and maintenance checks in order to improve transparency for consumers and trust in the car market.

2016/11/22

I strongly support this report because I am a strong defender of human rights in the world and believe that the best way to reinforce democracy and the rule of law is to support non-violent political opposition in order to change things like in Cambodia with Sam Rainsy!This report: underscores the importance of the role of human rights NGOs and defenders in the promotion and protection of human rights; highlights the fact that human rights and fundamental freedoms need to be protected in every dimension of their expression; expresses its serious concern at the numerous, ever-increasing attempts to shrink the space of civil society and human rights defenders, including through the introduction of counter-terrorism laws; condemns any act of violence, harassment, intimidation or persecution against human rights defenders, whistle-blowers, journalists or bloggers, whether online or offline; calls on all states to promote and ensure a safe and enabling environment for NGOs, civil society, journalists, and human rights defenders; believes that free, independent and impartial media constitute one of the essential foundations of a democratic society, in which open debates play a crucial role.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report and I want to show my concern, because I am aware that human rights abuses are common within the extractive industry and may include child labour, sexual violence, enforced disappearance, forced resettlement and the destruction of ritually or culturally significant sites.

2016/11/22

Coordination and exchange of information promote efficiency in various fields, and certainly also in the fisheries policies of the Union. I support this proposal, which will surely help us to have a more sustainable fishing policy, especially if scientific advice is taken into account and steps can be taken to improve European legislation on this subject.

2016/11/22

Montenegro’s progress in meeting international standards is positive. And although there are difficulties and things are not easy, the work done so far is hopeful, in some areas more than others. The data on education are worrying.I support this proposal and I encourage all responsible authorities to make further progress so that Montenegro will be more integrated into the Union and become a prosperous country full of opportunities.

2016/11/22

I gave my consent to the entering into force of this agreement. With the accession of the Republic of Croatia, the EU enlarged its customs union and was therefore required in compliance with WTO rules (Article XXIV:6 of the GATT 1994) to enter into negotiations with the Federative Republic of Brazil regarding the tariff schedule of Croatia in order to eventually agree on a compensatory adjustment connected to the EU-28 as the EU’s external tariff regime results in an increase of tariffs for Brazil.I believe in fair and free trade: the only way Europe can grow.

2016/11/22

I welcome and support this launch of automated data exchange with regard to vehicle registration data in Denmark. This will be useful in combating criminality and traffic offences. The stepping up of cross-border cooperation is particularly welcome and useful in combating terrorism and cross-border crime.

2016/11/22

I support any measure that serves to improve food safety in the European Union, therefore I support the adoption of this Regulation. The quality of our food directly affects the health of people, and for me it is important to ensure that final products for consumers have the expected quality.

2016/11/22

Every day we do more things through wireless connections, both on a personal and business level. It is therefore necessary to ensure the creation of Union-wide uniformity for the allocation of frequencies, so that we can offer businesses and citizens a high-speed universal wireless connection.The 700 MHz frequency band represents an opportunity to harmonise and coordinate the spectrum for mobile broadband that offers economies of scale. This band should make it possible to develop new services in urban areas and especially in rural areas that are currently the most deficient in this regard.This is why I agree with this proposal in order to improve the quality of life of citizens, wherever they live in European territory.

2016/11/22

I welcome this report. The single market and the freedom of movements of people, workers is one of the best results of the EU; we must preserve it.This report calls on the Member States, in compliance with the subsidiarity principle, to remove any discriminatory practices and unnecessary barriers from their rules for EU citizens and their family members, including non-EU family members, so that they benefit from the entry and residence rights in their territories, as well as from their social rights, while making their administration more efficient with a view to facilitating labour mobility in the EU.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report. I understand the need for Germany to introduce such a tolls mechanism for the economic sustainability of its infrastructures. Germany is a central European state geographically, and a lot of cars and trucks were passing through their motorway infrastructures accelerating the degradation of its road infrastructures. We need to understand local need and specificities; a ‘one size fits all’ approach cannot work in this area.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I am happy that this legislation bringing more transparency to corporate governance is finally approved. The role of shareholders, and particularly small ones, is very important for the good functioning of our companies and to ensure that they are democratically accountable.

2016/11/22

I support this report as, like all the world, the EU must act as quickly as possible and show the example.The rate of growth of the world is unsustainable if we do not change waste management.The circular economy offers important opportunities for local economies and offers the potential to create a win-win situation for all stakeholders involved.Waste management should be transformed into sustainable material management. The revision of Directive 2008/98/EC offers an opportunity to that end.In order to move successfully towards a circular economy, full implementation of the action plan on ‘Closing the loop – an EU action plan for the Circular Economy’ is necessary in addition to the revision and full implementation of the Waste Directives. The action plan should also increase the coherence, consistency and synergies between the circular economy and energy, climate, agriculture, industry and research policies.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I supported this piece of legislation, which helps us to create common standards to regulate waste landfills better. Bad practices in some Member States are a source of health and environmental problems and have to be tackled as soon as possible.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I supported this legislation because I believe that improving the way we recycle is fundamental to improving our relationship with our environment. It can become a win-win situation for all stakeholders in our society and improve the efficiency of our economy.

2016/11/22

There is a need to fill in the gaps that still exist in the practical application of equal treatment of women and men in the area of goods and services, especially in situations of discriminatory practices against women linked to pregnancy, planning Maternity and maternity as regards access to services provided by the banking and insurance sectors.Sensitivity of all stakeholders, including service providers and users, and the development of sectorial recommendations for gender equality are crucial to the practical implementation of the principle of equal treatment of women and men in the daily life in terms of access and supply of goods and services.It is important to foster dialogue between the parties concerned and for Member States to be active in incorporating gender measures for the implementation of the Directive.I support this measure in order to make a step forward in gender equality in the Union.

2016/11/22

. ‒ Progress has been made but the figures, and indeed some MEPs’ statements, show that there is still much work to do on equality between men and women. Some EU programmes already include specific actions related to gender equality. However, the Multiannual Financial Framework prepared by the Commission contains no proposal in this field and makes no mention of the integration of the gender perspective.Integrating gender equality in the budget creates an opportunity to contribute to, and redirect European Union action towards, continuing the progress towards equality. I support this proposal because we must continue demanding that the European budget be more active in order to achieve gender equality – a fundamental value of the European Union from the beginning.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I strongly support this report as I am very concerned about the use of data and privacy, this is a point that related to Government use of data but also big tech companies. This reports points out that the trust of citizens in digital services can be seriously undermined by government mass surveillance activities and the unwarranted accessing of commercial and other personal data by law enforcement authorities. Underlines that the Digital Single Market must be built on reliable, trustworthy and high-speed networks and services that safeguard the fundamental rights of the data subject to data protection and privacy, while also encouraging innovation and big data analytics in order to create the right conditions and a level playing field to boost the European digital economy. I submitted this question (number E-000035-17) regarding for example the Privacy implications of Google's accumulation and combination of user data for behavioural advertising - Consumer and data/privacy protection rules.

2016/11/22

. ‒ The lack of regulation in Europe affects competition and standards in the sector of rabbit breeding. It would be good to regulate European rabbit breeding for human consumption, as has been done with the breeding of chicken, pigs and other animals for consumption. We must prioritise animal welfare and ensure good hygienic conditions, which would seem to reduce the high consumption of antibiotics and drugs for these animals, as they are for human consumption, and that makes it very necessary to invest in research in this regard.It is essential, as this document states, that the measure is accompanied by European funding, since the rabbit breeding sector is very vulnerable.I encourage the European institutions to promote the consumption of rabbit meat for its quality and health value, and that would also benefit the sector.

2016/11/22

Although it has aspects to improve, I support the continuation of the Creative Europe project which, with a revised and improved version, includes all cultural and creative sectors, includes training, audience development, market access, social inclusion, cooperation, intersectoral projects, communication, studies, and support adapted to the cultural and creative sectors. With reference to their intercultural dimension, I also ask that the unofficial languages of the European Union be taken into account when promoting cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue and promoting multilingualism.

2016/11/22

Although the economic capacity of the programme is insufficient, I support this report for the values this programme conveys: active citizenship, citizenship education and intercultural dialogue are fundamental to building open, inclusive societies. We hope to consolidate this programme that has been successful so far, with quality projects that have been well executed.

2016/11/22

I fully support this report.today the EP calls for the EU and its Member States to consider a possible ban at European level of trade, export or re-export within and outside the EU of elephant ivory, including ‘pre-Convention’ ivory, in a manner compliant with WTO law.Demands are that sufficient resources are committed for policies and measures designed to meet the EU’s objectives in terms of combating the illegal wildlife trade, which includes resources for third countries in terms of capacity-building, in particular for customs procedures, authorities, transparency and good governance.The world is experiencing an unparalleled surge in the illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products, which is threatening to overturn decades of hard-won conservation gains. Indeed, the illegal trafficking of wildlife and wildlife products has become one of the most profitable criminal activities worldwide, with estimates of its total value lying between EUR 8 and 20 billion annually. The illicit wildlife trade not only has devastating effects on biodiversity, but also has a negative impact on development and the rule of law, given its close links with corruption, which contributes to destabilising security in some at-risk countries.This is why the EU must act urgently together with all other international actors.

2016/11/22

I have voted in favour of the report, because even though I don’t believe right now is a good moment for a Treaty change, there is still room for improvement inside the Lisbon Treaty. We need a more accountable Europe, better at providing for our citizens and faster to react to our growing challenges.

2016/11/22

I have voted in favour of this report as it is my belief that in the medium term we need a budgetary capacity for the eurozone. However, I also believe that for, it to be possible, we need Member States to keep their commitment to structural reforms.

2016/11/22

I support this proposal so that the European Union is not left behind in technological development, both in research (European Open Science Cloud) and commercial terms, as global data are important for international trade and economic growth, and the free movement of data should make it possible to be the leading innovators of innovation for companies operating in Europe.

2016/11/22

With the current unemployment figures, so different between EU countries, it is essential to invest to change this trend, especially for countries with more labour problems to catch up to offer opportunities to their citizens.It is necessary that the investment policy is adapted to the specific territorial requirements of each region. It is also imperative for Member States, regions and cities to report more on the achievements of cohesion policy and the lessons to be learned and to present a specific and coordinated action plan to ensure that European money is used properly.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report and I welcome it in particular because several of my amendments have been accepted. The EU must act urgently with issues such as: Fair competition clause, financial transparency in future comprehensive aviation agreements (paragraph 5,7 and 8), the revision of Regulation No 868/2004 against unfair practices in aviation.Another key issue for me is to avoid the future emergence of ghost airports (paragraph 19), asking for a positive cost-benefit analysis in future infrastructure projects to avoid wasting taxpayers’ money again: ‘19... overall strategic planning to avoid waste of taxpayers’ money by distinguishing economically viable opportunities from unprofitable projects, in order to favour for instance profitable specialisation of airports, including clusters or network of airports, and to avoid future emergence of ghost airports, to make efficient use of airport capacity and airspace, and by identifying intermodal, cost-efficient and sustainable solutions…’

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of CETA.A majority of Swedish and Finnish trade unions, as well as many Nordic members from the Social Democratic Party are in favour of CETA. The agreement with Canada may provide new export records for Catalonia.Catalonia is a country that bases its prosperity on international trade and international investment in the reception: Catalonia holds 70% of Canadian companies investing in Spain and is one of the European countries with more potential to collect the possible fruits of this agreement. Today in Catalonia there are 146 companies that export to Canada, according to the European Commission.There will be no GMOs on our plates or privatisation of public services such as water or education. These are fake ‘alternative facts’ spread around.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of CETA.A majority of Swedish and Finnish trade unions, as well as many Nordic members from the Social Democratic Party are in favour of CETA. The agreement with Canada may provide new export records for Catalonia.Catalonia is a country that bases its prosperity on international trade and international investment in the reception: Catalonia holds 70% of Canadian companies investing in Spain and is one of the European countries with more potential to collect the possible fruits of this agreement. Today in Catalonia there are 146 companies that export to Canada, according to the European Commission.There will be no GMOs on our plates or privatisation of public services such as water or education. These are fake ‘alternative facts’ spread around.

2016/11/22

The Banking Union is the bigger project after the creation of the euro and is fundamental for the future of our currency. The absence of European financial supervision was one of the reasons that brought us to the financial crisis: national financial supervision is less effective as banks globalise their activities.The ECB has been reliable and has won strong credibility. The contrast with institutions like Banco de España, the central Bank of Spain, is huge.Yesterday the former President of Banco de España, Miguel Angel Fernández Ordóñez, as well as his supervisory team, were indicted by the Spanish judiciary on charges of allowing irregularities in Bankia’s Initial Public Offering, in July 2011. Bankia’s IPO was done, even though Banco de España knew that it was close to bankruptcy. It was allowed to go forward just because of the close relations between Banco de España, Bankia’s director Rodrigo Rato and the two big political Spanish parties, PP and PSOE.Thousands of people lost their savings, and Bankia was bailed out for EUR 23 billion, paid thanks to a European bail-out.This is why the Banking Union is so important: to say forever goodbye to the bad practices of national supervisors like Banco de España.

2016/11/22

I am in favour of the protection of whistle-blowers because I believe they reinforce a democracy and the much needed transparency. This report deplores the fact that the Commission has so far failed to submit any legislative proposals aimed at establishing a minimum level of protection for European whistle-blowers. It also urges the Commission to immediately submit a legislative proposal establishing an effective and comprehensive European whistle-blower protection programme which includes mechanisms for companies, public bodies and non-profit organisations and, in particular, calls on the Commission to submit a legislative proposal before the end of this year protecting whistle-blowers.The absence of total transparency undermines the trust of citizens in democratic institutions and processes; in this regard, whistle-blowers contribute greatly to increasing the democratic quality of, and the trust in, public institutions by making them directly accountable to citizens and more transparent.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I support and voted in favour of this report because it calls for the fight against, and in the long term eradication of, poverty to remain the overarching and primary goal of EU development policy, with a particular focus on the most marginalised groups and aiming at leaving no-one behind. Developed and developing countries have a shared responsibility for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the EU SDG strategy must consist of a coherent set of both internal and external policies and commitments with a full set of development policy tools;The report insists that development policy must reflect more consistently the Union’s focus on fragile states, youth unemployment, women and girls facing gender-based violence and harmful practices and those in conflict situations. It also stresses that education is key to developing self-sustainable societies, calls for the EU to link quality education, technical and vocational training and cooperation with industry as an essential pre-condition for youth employability and access to qualified jobs, and believes that addressing in particular the issue of access to education in emergency and crisis situations is crucial for both the development and protection of children.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report.The report talks about state aid to airports and airlines. On airlines, I call for full financial transparency regarding state aid and public subsidies to all airlines.Concerning Google, seven years ago the Commission announced probes into allegations of antitrust violations by Google. This is really too long. EU regulatory time does not correspond to the necessity and urgency of companies in the real economy. I am aware that a lot of time was lost by Commissioner Vestager’s predecessor, Mr Almunia. These years of unproductive settlement discussions and delays in the still-ongoing probe have left competitiveness in the online search market severely damaged.Last December, Foundem, the first complainant in the shopping case, had to close its shopping comparison website, and Yelp closed its European businesses. This is how Google’s behaviour impacts on other companies.A prohibition decision, which I hope will come in next months, should impose a record-breaking fine on Google. The EU needs to show companies that they cannot be rewarded for losing time. Time helps monopolies and damages SMEs!

2016/11/22

It is good that we take every opportunity we have to remember and demand policies for gender equality, which unfortunately even today are not just applied at 100% in many European countries, or others in the world. I agree with this recommendation of Parliament and I hope that it will serve to take a step forward to combat discrimination against women in all aspects: academic, labour, economic, political and business leaders, salary, etc.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour. the necessary guarantees have been given.Ecuador, one of the main producers and suppliers of bananas to the Union, along with Colombia, is acceding to the Agreement. The current stabilisation mechanism for bananas should therefore be extended to Ecuador.However, the application of the mechanism has proved to be inefficient. Indeed, experience shows that the mechanism lacks flexibility, hampering its effectiveness. For three consecutive years the defined import trigger volume for Peru was exceeded, but no measure was taken. For those reasons, changes need to be made to ensure that the applicable procedure is faster and simplified in order to improve the information flow among the Commission, the Member States and the European Parliament, in particular by including an early warning when 80% of the trigger volumes are exceeded and by establishing a price observatory.

2016/11/22

I have supported this legislation that I hope will be agreed with the Council in the coming months, as it is important for the EU external fishing fleet to be well regulated. However, at the same time I would like to ensure that there are not double standards.

2016/11/22

I have supported this report, as I would like to ease the conditions for Georgian citizens to be able to enter into the EU.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this resolution. This house considers the official presidential election results to be non-transparent and highly doubtful, which has the effect of calling into question President Bongo’s legitimacy.I deplore the fact that the appeal procedure which led to Ali Bongo being declared the winner in the election was conducted in an opaque manner, and that the Constitutional Court failed to take proper account of the irregularities noted in some provinces, notably in Haut-Ogooué, the fiefdom of Ali Bongo;I regret the Constitutional Courts’ refusal to recount the votes and compare the ballots before they were destroyed. I am deeply concerned by the political crisis in Gabon and the unfolding violence between protesters and security forces following the proclamation of the 2016 presidential election.

2016/11/22

I very much support this programme. As a university professor, I attach the biggest importance to education, cross border exchanges and relations between students and people from all parts of Europe.Many of the EU citizens value Erasmus+ as the major tool to support activities in the fields of education and training, youth and sport and consider it as a success story of European integration. The overall conclusion is that the programme offers a variety of new opportunities for potential participants.With regard to the visibility of the programme the conclusion is two-fold. On the one hand the integration of the different programmes within one single programme has increased the visibility of the EU’s support which also resulted in greater public and political attention.The objective of simplification has been reached to a great extend with the introduction of several new measures such as the provision of digital solutions for the application process and the project management.

2016/11/22

486 Written explanations of Ramon TREMOSA i BALCELLS

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